 |
Thanksgiving Association What do you associate Thanksgiving with at your house? Some may say it’s the dinner so many choices and getting to talk to family or visiting some friends, watching the parade on TV or a football game, it is a day to eat, rest and eat again and later perhaps go to the movies on Thanksgiving night. At my house I have dinner with my son then I am usually invited to at least 2 other places each year. I have 3 invites this year and will only go by one at my girlfriend’s for desserts later in the afternoon. Last year she opened her house for her Singles Class that she and I had been teaching together for the last 2 years. I have always liked the idea of being available for those who have no where to go or to help out at a local mission. I know church’s that open the church for those with no family in the area, singles, widows or perhaps military whose spouse is deployed. Some fix breakfast at church so the cooks at home can get ready for the big day. All of these things are great but what is Thanksgiving besides the story of the Pilgrims and the Indians sharing there goods. It is about being Thankful to God for His blessings. It is a time to reflect on the goodness of God in what we have. Thinking about our provisions, our families and any of our good fortune. If we have a Chicken on our table, a sandwich or the big “Gobbler Turkey on a fancy platter, it doesn’t matter. We are all to celebrate life, celebrate God and thank Him for what we do have whether it be little or bountiful. It is a time to be grateful and count our blessings. Think about others this Thanksgiving time as some would just like to have a meal of any kind. I am not saying we must feel guilty and invite the world to our house or go to a mission and serve but when you reach for your canned good at the store perhaps you could get two; one for the other guy and one for you or there is always an opportunity to write out a small check and drop it off at a mission to purchase a meal for someone. We can turn from our own misfortunes or sorrows to a place of thankfulness for our blessings. Charles Dickens' quote is poetic yet said with simplicity. "Reflect on your blessings, of which every person has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all people have some." Reflection is good and when we all sit down at a table that day perhaps we will truly be thankful that we had the ability to give, even if we pray for those less fortunate and our association with Thanksgiving will really mean more this year. Psalm 103:2 tells us...."Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." @November 24, 2009 Switch the Light On! Here we go again as the night of debate approaches. There is so much controversy about Halloween. Do we stay home or go out? Do we open the door or turn the lights out? I think it is the perfect night for witnessing. I sure won’t hide in the dark. I carry the light of Jesus and I want to boldly get out there. One year I passed out candy in my daughter’s neighborhood while she and my granddaughter took the children around to get some treats. We won’t let them dress up as evil or creepy characters, this year my oldest grandchild will be an angel. Her choice!! They like to walk around and get candy to them that is what it is about. While I sat with the porch light on I talked to the parents and told them all to be careful and have fun, I spoke to the children and said that God loved them. The night was Ok. I felt I had prayed and watched out for children. I didn’t dress up but I had a smile and I proclaimed the love of Jesus. I even gave out some tracts not about not celebrating Halloween but ones that said Jesus loves you, it is the easiest way to witness, maybe the parents will read it more than the ones bringing condemnation about how evil Halloween is, yes the enemy uses that night but we can take back the night and shed a little love and throw the light switch on whether it is on your porch or your walking with a small child with your flashlight in your hand and the light of Jesus in your heart and go to their door and tell them Jesus loves you and God Bless you. If you go to a church to volunteer or bring children there that is good to do too just so you’re that salt and light but please don’t hide in the dark when they see your car out front of your house. What would your witness be? The people will only say: “That’s those Christians who can’t give little kids some candy”. Halloween night we can’t retreat instead we must boldly use the opportunity to let our lights shine!!
@October 28, 2009 
Hope in God How can we overflow with Hope when there is sorrow, trials, disasters, economic problems, family distress and the list is endless? One way through God, He said we could and must only we have to live one day at a time. When our hearts our burdened and the load is too heavy to bear He said: “Cast your cares (burdens) on me, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light”.( Matt 11-28-30) I am so glad I don’t have to carry all my problems around like a suitcase full of rocks. If we have suffered a loss in a family member or a relationship, that becomes so much more difficult to do however, God is the Comforter and a constant friend to us all and if we lose hope we lose the ability to be a comfort to others or those closest to us. He alone gives us the ability to comfort others when we ourselves are suffering or in pain. Together we are a stronger link. In any kind of loss we need one another, if it is a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, someone to talk too. Go ahead and talk, cry, pray but continue to take those steps forward to releasing some of the pain in your heart. May the words of the song written below “You’ll never walk alone” echo through your soul when you feel that way. The one word in it that gives you that will to persevere is HOPE. It may feel as if your heart will break and you can’t face another day but you really can if you hope and walk just taking a step each day. Don’t think about tomorrow and how you will face it, we must live one day at a time because the future holds no guarantees but living each day makes everything bearable.
I heard this song sung by Elvis Presley on the Internet as I began to write and knew the message it gave. I could feel HOPE arise. I want you to experience a glimmer of joy in the midst of your sorrow, a ray of sunshine for the dark cloud over your mind. We can be a voice to another who faces any sadness, a voice of comfort. Today open the window of your soul just for a few moments and let yourself breathe in some fresh hope for your day. @ September 15, 2009 Attention Please! I know we all need love but wanting attention and understanding is part of love especially to a 7 and ½ year old little girl. I finally figured out what was really wrong with my little great granddaughter as she hadn’t been sleeping in her room recently for a month. She had watched a scary movie at her house and it affected her deeply, she didn’t even want to play in her room at times even in broad daylight. She would always gravitate to the downstairs; she told me she wanted to be with her family. At night she would get beside her mother’s bedroom door and lay there even though they let her sleep in the Living room while this problem was occurring. Her bedroom is the largest room taking up ½ the one side of the upstairs and an empty room is across the hall. I finally figured it out that she just needed company, some friends, (there are no little girls in her neighborhood) people and children to play with and we should understand that since we all need somebody. I am a people person myself and I suppose she is too. Before this incident happened she played up there all day whether or not the room across the hall was rented out or not. The scary movie, however, has changed all that so it was no longer her haven of peace. She did play for hours in her room one day and when a little boy came to visit my granddaughters boyfriend with his father he went to play with Destiny’s brother who is 2 years younger than her and she was shut out, the door slammed and he told her to stay out of his room so off she went in tears and cried for a while, I came over to her rescue when I was called to take her somewhere for a couple of hours. We got ice cream Sundaes at her favorite place, we went to a church playground near my house and 2 little girls showed up, the 3 of them were laughing and having a good time. I told her God brings us friends, she asked me if He would her bring more to the park when they had left, I told her maybe but if not she would see other children somewhere else. We left after a while and went on to McDonalds, she ate some French fries and saw two more children, a boy and girl to play in the play area and said to me: “God brought some more kids to play with, I knew He would” I said Yes, He gives us friends, He doesn’t want us to be alone. She was a happy little girl that evening, I told her I would get her every weekend and take her to church on Saturday night (plenty of children for her to play with there, it is her favorite church across from my house. She has attended there for about 5 years and gone to vacation Bible school where she met lots of children. I can’t get over her response to my statement: “Yeah! I get to go to church for the rest of my life!” I imagined God was saying: Yeah GiGi (my name for great grandma) you made my little one happy and me too since she will meet me there each week too!” Attention is what she wants and when there is no body your age around you whether you’re young or old you can feel alone and isolated. Did you ever think that God who made us longs for fellowship? He created us all so He would have lots of friends. Are you a friend of God? You are if you pay attention to Him. A relationship is built by spending time with someone, talking, laughing and getting to know them. How much attention do we give Him? If you’re far away from God maybe you need to come out of isolation, like my little great- granddaughter to where there are people. She had told me that she wanted to be with her family and they were all downstairs at her house. God is our family, our Father, our friend and He won’t ever shut you out. You are accepted and loved and He will give you all the attention you need. You are not alone He says: “Child I am here with you”! I will never leave you, nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) @ August 5, 2009 Healing the Broken Hearted To ask the question have you ever been abused would be an understatement I know in today’s society for there are many so I will simply say there’re many types of abuse, not just physical, as painful and traumatizing as that is but verbal, mental and emotional that are also damaging to the soul of man. The verbal abuse from family, friends or even those you don’t know can also be quite devastating and as a matter of fact an old friend who was a Pastor of mine said the words lashed out at us can be just as harmful to us. You can get over the wounds or bruises but those words effect you long after the trauma. I remember as a child that old saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me” Children can be cruel to one another and this was a defense mechanism to shoot up a wall around us, we thought we could use it as some sort of shield but the fact remains that this saying is an untrue statement. Words spoken in anger and rage can damage you emotionally, they don’t have to be nasty words just demeaning words like: “you’ll never amount to anything,” “you’re ugly” or some other atack on our person. I have watched families tear each other apart by always belittling one another, never a kind word to say to their parents, their children or grandchildren and they wonder why they are stressed or depressed. Unfortunately even Christian families are guilty. I thought about the crucifixion and the beatings that Jesus took but I also thought about all the words harshly spoken to Him. I think we tend to forget that part. He only wanted their love as He loved them. Don’t we all want to be appreciated for who we are? Think about all the books for self help on self esteem and self worth and ask your self why they are so many searching for help? I can answer this simply, because validation by another is important to us that’s’ why. What does it mean to be broken hearted? Definition= grievously sad This song captures some of its meaning.
Broken dreams, no love, all alone, the lyrics say they are hoping and praying for someone to care for them, through the whole song that is the plea. I want to elaborate on this, we search for happiness in a human being and they fail us because they are human but should we allow them to ruin our lives? No Jesus stands with his arms outstretched saying: “Come all ye who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest”. We have a choice to walk away from those traumatic situations or walk out when someone is verbally abusing you and run to the arms of Jesus because He will love you no matter what you do or don’t do, you are never a failure you can find your worth “In Christ”. Look up at the cross and see those arms outstretched for you! Real happiness is not an illusion, it is attainable in Jesus. He will be the joy, peace and love to heal your broken heart. Psalm 147:3 (New International Version) He heals the brokenhearted Isaiah 61:1 (New International Version) The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, @April 21, 2009 It makes No Sense for the Non Sense. By Cathy Irvin Dec 23, 2008 - Let me tell you about a party, I mean a grand affair and every year about the same time this same party happens, it is all over the world and each year there are more presents, more decorations, more people and it is always the same theme called “Eat, drink and be merry” or Live it up it s the Holidays, they may say as they laugh and seem to have a great time. Each year they celebrate a special birthday but the guest of honor is not invited. He sometimes enters the room but goes unnoticed or is shoved right out the door. No room for Him not 2000 years ago and certainly not now. You may be shocked as by now you realize it is Jesus who I am referring too. I mean if it had been Santa Claus why he would have had the best seat in the room, He would be the center of everything as glass’s were lifted in his honor and all would said: Happy Holidays to Santa. Who has a birthday party without the guest of Honor being there, silly isn’t it? Who invites a substitute in their place? No one does because it doesn’t make any sense. I am having a party this year myself only Santa was not on my list of invites and my guests don’t say Happy Holidays and if they do they also say Merry Christmas because they don’t have empty sayings. My honored guest at my house is the one whom the party is for, Jesus; after all it is His birthday. I have a tree and yes, I even have Santa heads on it since I have no problem with the decorations but I also have a manger that covers my entertainment center with a light that shines down on the baby Jesus. I recently heard the song called: “A Baby changes everything” the story about Mary and the Christ child. He did change everything and it is a pity everyone doesn’t understand that. I do know the meaning of Christmas since over 40 years ago that baby changed my life, I grew up and found out who He was and what he came to do and that He was a gift wrapped up in starlight in a blanket and then he lived to die for me. I realized that Christmas was a birthday celebration of God’s only son. I guess that is why I love Christmas it was always fun as a child, but for 40 years now since I bowed my knee to him and lift my hands in His honor I can truly say I love Christmas even more. It is my favorite holiday, even though there are many Holidays but this season I know the real meaning. When I give gifts it is with more love in my heart than ever before. If your vision is being blurred by decorations, wrappings and Santa Claus than it is time now to get a hold of the message surrounding the birth of Jesus so that Christmas will stay in your heart forever. One day we will have a grand party up in heaven, a feast and Jesus is sending out invitations, to everyone, He leaves no one out, of course there will be some who won’t attend because they won’t accept His invitation but He wants you and I to be his guests. It is a shame that He is an unwelcome guest now here on earth and even at His own party. If it were not for Him there would be no Christmas or a Happy Holiday party. Sure it’s a Happy Holiday because is it is Holy day with Christ in it. A holiday of Hope for the world, I suppose that is why no one says Christmas anymore, they don’t understand its message and saying “Happy Mas” doesn’t make sense. No, it sure doesn’t because leaving Christ out of Christmas doesn’t make any sense at all. Luke 2:8-12 (Holman Christian Standard Bible) In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a manger." A Different Package By Cathy Irvin Sept 1, 2008 - Have you ever received a gift wrapped up in newspaper? I heard about it and than I got one once from a friend it was wrapped up in the comics. Now most people think it would be a gag gift but it actually was very nice. It was tied up with that tiny ribbon that was made up of many colors and you can take a pair of scissors and curl it so it was very attractive but it was a different looking package that was for sure. I thought it was a clever idea and a great way to save money on wrapping paper since everyone these days are talking about recycling and being earth friendly, we are all very conscious about so much waste. I thought more about this than just using recycled paper and realized that once long ago there was a gift that was wrapped up in a blanket, with no fancy ribbons, no one even thought it was a gift. It was a child and he seemed to be a poor one at that. After all he came in the middle of the night born out in a stable, but this tiny baby was a gift from God. Yes ,a little baby boy had come to save the world , he had no crown of gold on his head ,no fine velvet robe and no satin sheets in a fine castle to show him off to all the world. There were only some shepherds, 3 wise men and an Innkeeper that were even aware of his arrival. Now the old saying is you can’t judge a book by it ‘s cover perhaps it is because strange looking books have been read and found to be full of warmth and exciting stories even though they may have been tattered or even discolored from age. Sometimes a title may not even sound too interesting. Yet once opened and read it was altogether a wonderful book. Who would have thought the birth of a Jewish baby would be the way God would decide to ransom our lives from sin? Had he just stepped down from Heaven and came in all his glory to mankind would anything have been different? I suppose many would fall at his feet but God had a plan to give us a choice to love him and serve him. He chose to live showing us the way of truth, to live a holy life then he chose to die to save us from our sins. If you have received the gift of salvation don’t keep it all to yourself, be sure to give it away. If you find it hard to witness try this simple way below of presenting the gospel. Take a small baby like figurine like you get for a baby shower, wrap it in a small piece of cloth and tie it up with a piece of twine and hand it to someone and say here is a gift for you, then tell them the story: You could say: “I know this isn’t a fancy package but what is inside is the greatest gift I could give you. Once they open it say: This is God’s love! He came wrapped up just like this and he lived and died to save you from your sins so you could one day live with him for all eternity. A different package but this gift was spectacular, the natural eye can not see it but once you see it with the eyes of the spirit you are forever changed.
The Cost of Freedom By Cathy Irvin July 25, 2008 - As we recently celebrated the birth of our nation, Independence Day, we must remember to never take our freedom for granted. Throughout the years God’s blanket of protection has been over us and yet some think only of picnics and fireworks on this special day. I, like others, think getting together with family and friends is a wonderful way to celebrate our country, the home of the brave and the free. But we should do more on this day and that is to pray. Thanking God for our freedom, thanking Him for keeping us safe, especially since that tragic day at the Twin Towers, a day we will never forget “911.” We also have an election this year that is just around the corner and it is not just like any other in our history. There is so much at stake. We see the sign of the times with our economy. The spiritual and moral condition in our land has weakened throughout the years, and as it says in the Bible, it will become worse. As we think about our freedom, we could lose a lot if we are not carefully seeking God for our country. Those who we place in office play a vital role in what happens to this land we love so dearly. Our men and women who are in foreign lands are fighting for our freedom. Let us be thankful about them on Independence Day, and for those whose footprints in the sand are all that is left of those who have given their life that we might be free. True Freedom we know is In Christ and the Bible tells us “whom the Son has set free is free indeed." But the freedom of living in a country without tyranny has been an added blessing for those of us fortunate enough to be born in the U.S.A. Once again, all of this could change in a moment. The Holocaust was never conceived possible in the hearts of men and women, but it happened and there are people who survived and there are pictures and documents to prove it. This is so that we might remember it to this day. Never say never, and remember as we celebrate each Independence Day to pray for our right to be a free nation. Who makes us free? It is our God, He is our deliver, and He rescues us from the enemies. The stakes are high and the cost of freedom has been greater for some, so as you enjoy your Independence please remember to stop and pray.
Watch Out for Little Foxes By Cathy Irvin June 5, 2008 - Have you ever had one of those mornings where everything goes wrong? It seems I can get tripped up on the smallest problems that arise that don’t go right more than a major crisis. I know I am to walk daily in the spirit but this one morning I must have forgotten my armor spoken about in the bible. (I needed protection in my mind and against those fiery darts). I also realized I left off my garment of praise. My day went something like this:
By the time I sat down to work I heard an old familiar praise song in my heart that starts out “This is the Day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” I came to the realization right then and there that it is an act of my will not to react to my “morning madness.” I knew I could go through the day with an entire different outlook; my attitude had changed immediately so I could rejoice and be glad in the day God had made for me. Sure all the above were trivial things but when things don’t go our way and things first hit us in the beginning of the day our flesh tends to rise up and we find ourselves asking “Is this how my day will be? We have a choice to let circumstances rule us or we can take Authority over the day and call it like God says that is going to be a good day despite any situations that may arise. The bible speaks of catching those little foxes that spoil the vineyard and I caught the fox, that old slew foot. He was trying to spoil my day, but I out smarted him. I had grabbed my garment of praise and once I put it on everything changed. Don’t forget to begin your day with praise and a song in your heart.
Come Thirsty By Cathy Irvin April 10, 2008 - It is an invitation! Whenever you are invited to a cookout, a picnic or a party some people may say: “Come hungry”. Jesus not only says you will be satisfied if you are hungry but He talks a lot about being thirsty. He invites you to drink of that living water, the kind that never runs dry. He is the Bread of Life and the Living Water for all eternity. In this world it seems as if it is like a dry desert, nothing seems to satisfy and nothing ever will. No not fame, not fortune and not even relationships because Jesus was meant to quench that thirsting of your soul. We have a longing in our heart to be completely satisfied, to be blessed and fulfilled; it is built in all of us. If you have ever been on a beach in the hot sun or working in your yard you usually take a break for a glass of something cold, like water or ice tea and when someone offers it to you then it seems to make it that much more refreshing. When I was little I had a lemonade stand and I charged a nickel. Wow cheap those days but the point is that people were willing to stop and get a small glass and sometimes they would even get two glasses. The doors to the church are inviting those on the outside to come on inside to get a refreshing drink, something new for their parched soul. It will be the words of Jesus, that Living word that they can take back home and feel satisfied. Unfortunately, we know that not all will come inside to get that thirst quencher so sometimes it is up to us to simply wet their appetite for God. It is He that can fill them to overflowing once they get that first drink. It is then we can say: “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!” It is the time that we can and should invite them to “Come thirsty” to that well that never runs dry to find what they need which is those answers to their questions in life. For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:9 (New International Version) Invitation to the thirsty... "Come, all you who are thirsty, Come to the waters; and you who have no money, Come, buy and eat! Come; buy wine and milk without money and without cost." Isaiah 55:1 (New International Version)
Always In Season By Cathy Irvin February 29, 2008 - In the summer the grocery stores are full of seasonal fruit such as peaches and strawberries and when they are in season they are usually sweet and juicy and there is no comparison for fresh fruit. The kind of fruit that is out of season must be purchased either canned or frozen and somehow they are not quite the same. Is there anything that remains in season? There sure is. It is the Word of God; it is the same yesterday today and forever. You can rely on God’s unchangeable word no matter what you are going through. You probably have experiences from your past and present where the promises from the Bible worked for you so in the future they will still be the same. In life everything changes, sometimes it is our environment, where we live or place of worship, it could be a job or career change and even marital status due to death or divorce but God‘s word remains constant and true. God said: He will never leave us nor forsake us! That is something to count on in an ever changing world. The seasons change, people change so it is good for the stability we have in the Lord. His promises in the Bible will always be there and for this we should be grateful. Most of us would agree we need some things not to change. I was reading lately about the oil prices going up again, went to the pumps and sure enough they had jumped close to ten cents on the gallon. They recently had just come down but now they are up again. Like a roller coaster, every thing goes up and down. If you rely on the stock market or on the world’s system you will be disappointed. There is no other place to put your trust and faith but in God. He is our source of total supply. God does not lie. He is a covenant keeping God. He promises salvation, healing and the abundant life to all who will receive Him and follow Him. He promises peace for a troubled heart, comfort for those who mourn, eternal life instead of losing our soul for ever and healing for the body soul and spirit. Could you imagine if He changed his mind if we fell into sin after we gave our heart to him and He would not give forgiveness for a second chance? We would no longer be able to have confidence in his word, but God is unchanging. We don't have to think that God will not do what He said He would do, not for a minute because the Bible is the truth. You may be looking for answers in your life and find all kinds of answers but why search go to God and His word you are guaranteed to get the right answer there. God is in every moment of every hour of every day so there are no changes with Him, He does not sleep nor slumber nor take vacations, and you can count on Him to always be in season. Aren’t you glad? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever - Hebrews 13:8 (New Century Version)
Romance, a Necessary Component By Cathy Irvin Post February 15, 2008 - February is that favorite month for the candy stores and the flower shops; it is the month for love. I like a good love story myself so I thought about two people who never met; it was all arranged way back in the beginning of time in the book of Genesis. It is the story of blind love; it is the story of Isaac and Rebekah. The longest chapter in the bible this story shifts from scene to scene just like in a romantic love story. Isaac was 36 years old and Abraham wants to find his son a wife. He arranges the whole thing. Abraham knew God promised him some things and Isaac was a fulfillment of those promises. He sought God and asked his servant to make a journey to find a wife for his son from his homeland not Canaan where they lived. The servant obeyed and set out on his journey to procure a wife for Isaac. He asked God for a sign, he prayed and the Lord brought Rebekah to the well where he stopped to get a drink. He asked that he not only be offered a drink but his ten camels as well. Now it was not uncommon for a total stranger to be offered a drink but for her to ask if she could water the camels too, well now that was unusual. A camel can drink 25 gallons of water in a matter of about 10 minutes so this was a rather large task, not just a friendly gesture. She only had a jar to get water in so this woman is remarkable and Isaac doesn’t have a clue about this wonderful woman he is about to meet. She was young, beautiful, kind hearted and just amazing. When she returns to meet Isaac he married her and fell in love with her. Marital love, yes marriage came first then love. Today everyone meets someone and they are instantly in love then they marry and sometimes they say after a period of time I do love you but I am just no longer “in love” with you. What happened? I think they left out Romance, a vital key to a lasting relationship. If your courting the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with or already have her think about this when Valentines Day comes around and your buying those flowers, candy etc and don’t let it be a one time event, there is no reason that your relationship can’t be a great love story. God is love Himself. He is the creator of this wonderful emotion, but love needs to be cultivated like a plant needs water, Isaac’s love for Rebekah grew over time as he got to know her. Love and Romance go together. Isaac gave his all to Rebekah; it was said she even comforted his grieving heart for his mother that had recently died. His love for her was strong. God is in love with us, we are His church, His bride and He wants to commune with us on a daily basis not every once in awhile. We must have that intimacy with Him so that we too fall in love with Him over and over again.
Prayer: A Matter of Urgency By Cathy Irvin January 15, 2008 - It is a race to the finish and a battle is going on out there in the Presidential campaigning and what a race it is for them and for us also as Christians. We d I almost got in a heated debate myself when some people who mentioned they wanted to vote for a particular person who stands for everything God hates and they were Christians. Of course I bit my tongue since I understand it is a person’s right who they chose but my prayer is that everyone seeks the mind of Christ for the choice they make. It will affect us all and we will suffer the consequences if we aren’t careful. Who will quit and who will get the finish line? Who knows at this point? I have a few that I narrowed down so far for my choices but once I get inside that booth on election day my mind must be made up. So far in all the elections I never have had to decide between two that I didn’t agree with, but I have asked myself what if that is the case this time? You know how they say the lesser of two evils. I realize I have no choice because it is our God given duty and a privilege to vote and I must but I know only God can direct me in the final decision that I need to make. What we should all begin to do for now is to ask for wisdom from God in this situation and with a prayer of desperation that simply says: “God helps us” after all this is an urgent matter! My concern is that I feel we are approaching an election year like no other that I can relocate in history. Currently we are at war and our economy is in tatters when looked at in relation to the national debt and future outlays. We also have social issues ranging from health care to social security to abortion. So it just may be that America is living on the edge and that is why I sense this urgency to get the word out to others. I am not a minority in this for many are hearing the call to war in prayer. Will you join me and countless others to answer the call? Pray now, than at election time you can vote with confidence in your heart that you have made the right decision for our country. One thing should be a fact that we are to elect leaders who are devoted to biblical values.
The Great Exchange By Cathy Irvin Posted January 3, 2008 - I started cleaning out closets before the New Year, than again afterwards. I knew it was time to tackle the chore. Sometimes it is hard to part with some of those items but I am determined to get rid of the old and make way for some new clothing in my wardrobe. I also gave some older Christmas decorations to my daughter so that she can enjoy them for a while and displayed some new arrangements. It is time for a change. This applies for our “yesterdays” they can never be captured; they served their purpose but those yesterdays are gone. We are told to look ahead to each new day with a fresh hope in what we can accomplish. In God’s word we see God as a” Now God”. He is always doing a new thing. He says His mercies are new and fresh every morning. He says His Grace is sufficient for this day. We can see that nothing is stale and nothing is stagnant in God’s kingdom. In the wilderness He gave fresh manna daily for the people on their journey in the wilderness. We can trust Him to give us what we need each day and look forward to living one day at a time. Old things have past away! In the New Year I want to press toward the mark of the High calling in Christ Jesus, no looking back to what I did not get done. I like to reflect on what I did accomplish for God’s kingdom and than move toward what I can do in this year. I have seen people live with their past and it places them in a dark and lonely arena. There is no life in the sea of regrets, hurts etc. That is only a place of hopelessness and despair. Why stay there? We have the choice to live in the Grace of God while praying His word over our life for blessings like success, health and prosperity. It is a mentality we should have, a new mindset of not being a victim of past circumstances with letting them rule our lives and one of not even being just a survivor but a conqueror. How do we arrive at such a place to step into that new realm? It is a determination not to be pulled back or pulled down and the realization that we can’t change the past but we can and do have the opportunity to walk out our todays and tomorrows holding unto Gods word. This could be the dawning of grand and glorious days ahead for you, if you purpose in your heart to move forward leaving last year behind you. 2008 can and will be great so go ahead and prophecy the good things over your own life by speaking what God’s word says about today and all of your tomorrows. Put on the garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness. Think of taking out the old cloths from the closet and making way for the new ones. You will have to agree that a garment of praise instead of a garment of heaviness is a great exchange. Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43: 18-19 (NIV)
Let us we proclaim the good news of God’s word over our lives and the lives of others this New Year. THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound,
Love Cathy's devotionals? You may contact Cathy Irvin at Cathy@TidewaterCrossSection.com!All written content posted on TidewaterCrossSection.com may be copyrighted and is solely owned by the contributing writer. No work posted on TidewaterCrossSection.com may be used, reproduced or copied in anyway without the permission of the individual writer. If you would like to use any of the work posted on TidewaterCrossSection.com, please contact the individual writer directly. Thank you for your interest! |
