Thankful Thursday

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Today I am giving thanks for:

• The verse above... God has used this verse to speak to my heart and to minister to me this week. What a wonderful verse this is! I praise God that my boast is in Him! Without Him I could do nothing good or meaningful... He is my wisdom, my righteousness, my holiness, and my redemption!
• The fact that God IS my strength! I praise Him for sustaining me, for restoring my health, my energy and endurance, and for enabling me to do all He has called me to do.
• A new relationship He has brought into my life with a precious lady of God... I look forward to the times of fellowship we will have together sharing about our struggles and triumphs, and about how God is at work in our lives and in the lives of our family members.
• The guidance the Lord is giving me in preparing to home school in the fall...
• The fact that God can redeem every part of our lives and use it somehow for His glory! As Beth Moore said in our study this week, "You can not amputate your history from your destiny." God uses it to make you who you are! How awesome is that!
• The fact that I am now ready for our Mother of Multiples consignment sale!! My van is loaded and ready to leave later this afternoon!
• The fact that from this afternoon until Saturday morning I will have no motherly or wifely duties!! I will be working at the sale and daddy will be in charge of the kids... I hope they have fun together doing guy stuff! I will enjoy the fellowship with all the other ladies!
• The wonderful weather today! It is absolutely gorgeous outside...
• For new life... a friend from church had her baby this week. I have only seen pictures but he is precious!
• For kind words sent unexpectedly from friends... they lift my heart and bring me encouragement...

I encourage you to take time to think about all that you have to be thankful for today! It just might put a bounce in your step! For more TT posts visit Grace Alone.


A side note... this post just does not look right without the TT button. However, whenever I click on the icon to add a picture it saves my post rather than taking me to the thingy to add a picture... anyone else having this problem? It is driving me crazy!!

Word-Filled Wednesday

Oh the grace of God! What a wonderful gift His grace is! His grace is sufficient for our every need, and His grace abounds to us... By His grace I am/can ______________________ (you fill in the blank.) Leave me a comment and let me know what you would put in the blank, I would love to hear from you!


For more WFW posts visit 160acrewoods.

Picture courtesy of heartlight.org

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday's Together in the Word!

Welcome to Tuesday's Together in the Word... We are a group of women reading through the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs using the same reading plan and holding each other accountable. On Tuesdays we share what we have gleaned from our time of study in the Word. To join us and to read what others have to share visit DeeDee, we would love for you to join us!

The following brought me much comfort when I read it, especially in light of all that is happening in our world today…

Psalm 22:27-28

“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord.

And all the families of the nations will worship before Thee.

For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations.”

All the families of the nations will worship before Thee… that is good, that gives me hope!

Let’s also take a look at Acts 14:15-17:

We “preach the gospel to you in order that you should turn from the vain things to a living God who made the Heaven and the earth, and the sea, and all that is in them.

And in the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways, and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with good and gladness.”

What vain things in my life do I need to turn from?

I am to seek God whole-heartedly, turning from the vain things of this world, and turning to the Living God. The same God who made the Heaven, the earth, the sea, and ALL that is in the Heaven, the earth and the sea. He made EVERYTHING. I am to turn away from the vain things in this world, I am to stop going “my own way” as He has permitted me to go (verse 16), and I am to turn to the LIVING GOD and serve Him.

For even when I have gone and do go “my own way” He did not and does not leave Himself without witness in my life. He “did good” to me – He gives me rains from Heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying my heart with food and gladness.

Isaiah 53:6 “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.”

Father God, Please forgive me for going astray in areas of my life, for going “my own way;” for being selfish rather than selfless. Forgive me for the times I have followed my agenda and my plans for my day rather than Yours, for the times when I have wanted to be in control of my time rather than let You have my time, for choosing instead to listen to my own voice instead of Yours. Help me to turn to You, THE LIVING GOD, in every area of my life, and not to the vain things of this life. Help me to live in light of eternity and in light of my redemption. I choose to turn to you today- and to obey your voice today. Please help me to obey You. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

February 22, 1999

I usually do not post on Sundays... but today is different, because...

10 years ago today... my life changed forever.

10 years ago today... I finally surrendered everything to my Lord and Savior.

Ten years ago today, I realized that I was not living the victorious, abundant life that my Savior had intended for me to live, and I realized why... I had not completely surrendered all I was and all I had to Him. So I did! And my life has not been the same since, praise the Lord!

I also learned about the amazing gift of the Holy Spirit. I knew about the Holy Spirit, but had always pictured Him as this ghost like "thing" hovering around with God. The power of the Holy Spirit became real to me, I experienced the life changing power of allowing His Holy Spirit to invade my life, to search my heart and my mind, and to change me. It was like I received my battery source for my walk with my Lord and Savior...

My life changed dramatically. The things I used to enjoy I no longer enjoyed, and the things I desired to do with my life totally changed.

God gave me an insatiable hunger and thirst for His Word. I became a very diligent student of the Word, and now, 10 years later, I still find His Word as captivating and life changing as I did then.

God changed the desires of my heart... I began to desire the things of the Spirit over the things of the world and the flesh. My taste in music and reading materials completely changed. I stopped listening to all secular music and listened only to praise and worship music, I quit reading trashy romance novels and began reading the Bible. I went through my home and threw away things that were not honoring to Him. Years later I was introduced to Christian fiction, which I highly enjoy, but the Bible and books expounding on biblical themes are by far what I am drawn to now.

God changed my social life... I began spending time with friends from church and with some godly women through a local women's ministry I became active in. I began to going to Bible studies and prayer meetings. I began going on ladies retreats. My friends and I would get together on the weekends and study the Word, pray, and praise and worship our Lord.

God changed my communication with Him... I had a rather sporadic prayer life prior to this time in my life. I prayed in times of trouble or need, but never just to talk to my Father. However, after attending a Bible study on prayer and hearing how others prayed to their Father, I was given such a desire and longing to spend time with Him in prayer. I read every book I could get my hands on about prayer, and I began praying all the time. I first prayed out loud in my car, so no one could hear me, but then as I became more comfortable talking with my Father, I was able to pray in groups and with others. I even got to the point where I would stop and pray with my home health patients or with people I didn't even know that God would bring across my path... talk about a change!

God has and is changing my life! He is my reason for living, He gives me purpose, He is my goal, He is my lifeline... without Him I would be absolutely nothing. So today, on my 10 year "Surrender Birthday" I want to give Him the honor and praise for all He has done and will do in and through my life... What a mighty, wonderful, and magnificient God we serve!

And to top it off, tomorrow is my earthly birthday. And every year since 1999, the day before my birthday I look back and remember the best birthday present I ever received... the awesome and mighty life changing power of God in my life!

Father God, I thank you for loving me enough to show me 10 years ago that I needed to surrender to You, that just having Jesus as my Savior was not enough, You also wanted to be Lord of my life. You, the God of the universe wanted an ongoing, personal, and intimate relationship with little, insignificant me. Thank you for turning my heart and my world upside down, thank you for how You have worked mightily in my life over the past 10 years... I cannot wait to see what the next 10 years with You brings... I look forward to the privilege of loving and serving You! In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Joy!

I just had to pop on here real quick and give the Lord some praise! I can not begin to tell you how wonderful I feel today.... I have absolutely NO pain anywhere in my body, and my heart is FULL of JOY, so full in fact that I feel like I am about to pop out of my skin with explosions of JOY!

Yesterday I had a wonderful day with my Savior... I was called to obedience by Him during my quiet time in an area that I had been putting off. I have known for quite a while that He was calling me to do something, and I wanted to obey, but I just kept putting it off. Well, yesterday He got my attention through His Word. It was in the first portion of scripture I read, and I knew He was talking to me... so I said, Ok Lord, I will be obedient in this area, I will do this for you today....

He called me to fast...

I used to fast consistently once a week, then I got married, still fasted some but not as regularly, then I had kids, and I just stopped fasting... I was nursing, I needed to eat for energy and strength (at least that is what I told myself).

Well, my Lord has been calling me to fast for quite a while now, and I have a few times, but not as often or with the right heart attitude that He wanted me to... I have not been obedient. But yesterday I stopped making excuses and just did it... I did not plan it when it was most convenient for me, I did not make any excuses, I just obeyed Him with a willing and expectant heart! It was by far the easiest fast I have ever done... and the sweet presence of the Lord and His fellowship was priceless.

And as a result of my obedience yesterday, and an awakened desire to seek Him more and to be more obedient, quickly, with a willing heart rather than a grumbling heart... He has filled my heart to overflowing with His JOY!

How I praise Him, worship Him, extol Him, and glorify His name!! We have such a wonderful, loving, and gracious God.... what is He calling you to do that you need to stop and do, now. I encourage you to stop making excuses, stop trying to find a convenient time, and just obey Him now... you will be tremendously blessed. After all, as I tell my children... obedience brings blessings!

Thankful Thursday

"Therefore, let it be known to you, brethen, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses."
Acts 13:38-39

Today I am giving thanks for:

• The voice of God, and that I heard Him speak to me this morning in my time with Him... precious...
• The fact that the Lord IS my strength... oh how He has been my strength this past week!
• The fact that I am feeling tremendously better than I did this time last week! Thanks to all who prayed for me, please keep praying! Today is the 1st day I have not had to take anything for pain!!
• Being able to walk 3 days so far this week... after running last week and having such pain, I have decided to walk this week and start the running back next week. I may have done too much too soon...
• For friends... I was so blessed last Friday when a friend, who had read my blog on Thursday and knew I was feeling bad and having a bad day, decided to bring me dinner unannounced! What a huge blessing that was and how it touched my heart that someone cares for me and wanted to do something tangible to help me out... you know who you are and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
• For my wonderful husband, who has been so understanding and concerned for me while I have been in such pain. He is a wonderful blessing from the Lord!
• For finally having a place to quickly record all the precious, cute, and funny things my kids say. Come follow me there too!
  
• For kids who like to help me clean... I hope they never outgrow that!
• For the beauty and majesty of God's creation... I am so glad we have lots of windows in our house so we can see out from wherever we are!
• For this day of life, that I have the energy and strength (provided by my Lord) to enjoy it and to be the wife and mom He has created me to be!

I encourage you to take time to take notice of all in your life that you have to be thankful for... our lists really could go on and on, we are abundantly blessed in so many ways. For more TT posts visit Grace Alone.

Word-Filled Wednesday

Do you have a burden you are trying to carry all by yourself? If so, spend some time with the Lord and give it to Him. Let Him carry it for you...

For more WFW posts visit 160acrewoods.

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday's Together in the Word!

Welcome to Tuesday's in the Word... We are a group of women reading through the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs using the same reading plan and holding each other accountable. On Tuesdays we share what we gleaned from our time of study in the Word. To join us and to read what others have to share visit DeeDee, we would love for you to join us!


Let's take a look at Acts 8:25-40:

²⁵So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. ²⁶But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road.)

²⁷So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.

²⁹Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot."

³⁰Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" ³¹And he said, "Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. ³²Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this:

"HE WAS LED AS A SHEEP TO SLAUGHTER;
AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT,
SO HE DOES NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH.
³³"IN HUMILIATION HIS JUDGMENT WAS TAKEN AWAY;
WHO WILL RELATE HIS GENERATION?
FOR HIS LIFE IS REMOVED FROM THE EARTH."

³⁴The eunuch answered Philip and said, "Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?" ³⁵Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him.

³⁶As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" ³⁷And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." ³⁸And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.

³⁹When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing. ⁴⁰But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.

Philip is on his way back to Jerusalem, preaching, when an angel stops him and tells him to instead go south towards Gaza on a desert road.

Philip immediately obeys - he arose and went - no questions asked.

On his way he sees an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace who was the queen of Ethiopia. The Holy Spirit told Philip to go join him in the chariot - and he did. His obedience once again is without delay or question. How many times do we think we have to think it through, get someone elses advice or opinion, or even question God about it again before we obey?


The eunuch was reading a passage from Isaiah. Philip starts with this passage and preaches Jesus to him. The eunuch then declared that he believed with all his heart that Jesus is the Son of God - and Philip baptizes him. As soon as he finished baptizing the eunuch the Spirit took Philip elsewhere - where he continued preaching.

What obedience Philip had! He consistently obeyed quickly, no questions asked, and God was able to use him to bring others to the saving knowledge of Jesus.

If only you and I could learn to consistently obey without delay, without questioning God (without doubting His voice), and without trying to come up with our own plan - the things the Lord could use us to accomplish for His kingdom.

Lord, help me to hear Your voice clearly, help me to know Your voice as well as I know the voices of those close to me, and help me to quickly and consistently obey Your voice without reservations. In Jesus' name, Amen.

New Memory Verse

Here is my new memory verse for the 2nd half of February...

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Romans 15:4

If I haven't been around to visit your blog lately it is because since last Tuesday I have been dealing with a great deal of pain related to some endometriosis that the doctor was unable to remove when I had surgery. It is more manageable today, but is still there. I would like to ask you to join me in prayer in asking the Lord to heal me of this problem. He is our Great Physician and there is healing in His touch, I know He is quite able to heal me. I am praying for my hormone levels to be balanced and to be what they should be, I am praying that the endometriosis would dissolve and go away without returning. I am asking God to show me what things I should change in my diet and what supplements, vitamins, or herbs I should take that would aid in healing my body.

This morning during my quiet time I asked Him to help my pain be manageable so that I can be the wife and mom He created me to be, I asked Him to help me endure through it and to take the step of faith to step out and do the things I needed to do without focusing on the pain, believing that He would equip me to do all that He had for me to do today. I asked Him to be my strength...

He has so answered my prayer today!! Praise Him and Hallelujah! I have been pain free for the majority of the day, I have been able to spend some quality time with my children, have gotten a good bit of housework done, have taken the kids to the park (where I also got a good walk in for about 40 minutes while they played), have worked on my Esther Bible study, and even got to take a power nap! What a mighty God we serve and I praise Him for touching me today and enabling me to do what He has called me to do!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am not feeling very well...

However, I am choosing to be thankful even when I do not feel good...

Today I am thankful for the following:

• For the fact that God IS my strength! When I am weak He IS strong in me! Praise You Lord for that!
• For the nice weather we have had this week... it has been wonderful!
• For our nice big backyard and that my boys love to go play out there! It has been especially nice today since I do not feel too good, they can play out back and I can rest and watch them out the window...
• For leftovers... we have leftovers in the refrigerator so I am not cooking dinner tonight :)
• For a fun time making valentine's with my boys this morning! We made some for their party at 4K tomorrow and for family and friends! No store bought Valentine's for us this year, thanks to a great idea from Kids Craft Weekly!
• That I was able to exercise (run!) this morning for the 1st time since my surgery and since having a head cold twice... could that be why I do not feel good, maybe I over did it...
• For a surprise visit from my daddy yesterday afternoon...
• For a wonderful husband who treats me so wonderfully... he really does spoil me!
• For the power and privilege of prayer...
• For another day of life to enjoy and love on my family!

I feel a little better already... focusing on all I have to be thankful for rather than on how I feel today is good medicine! I encourage you to stop and take time to think of all that you have to be thankful for and give thanks to our wonderful Lord and Savior! For more TT posts visit Grace Alone.

Word-Filled Wednesday

Yesterday and today I just feel tired and weary, just from daily life stuff... this verse brings me comfort, God's Word brings me comfort. I long to just have some time to sit at His feet and soak in His presence, to be refreshed and renewed from time spent with my Savior. Where do you go when you need comfort, or when you need to be refreshed and renewed? I encourage you to go the the Word, to the Lord God, Our Savior and Redeemer... times of refreshing are found in His presence.

For more WFW posts visit 160acrewoods.

Picture from heartlight.org

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday's Together in the Word!

Welcome to Tuesday's in the Word... We are a group of women reading through the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs using the same reading plan and holding each other accountable. On Tuesdays we share what we gleaned from our time of study in the Word. To join us and to read what others have to share visit DeeDee, we would love for you to join us!


Sorry ladies that I am late posting today... yesterday I worked on a project that took much longer to do than I had anticipated... and this morning I had a sick child, throwing up, who seems to have been miraculously healed and who is now playing outside! How I wish I could recover from being sick so quickly!

I want to start with Acts 3:26:

"For you first, God raised up His Servant, and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways."

Thank you Father God! For sending Jesus to bless me, by turning me away from wicked ways and towards You and righteousness. Living for you is so much more fulfilling and satisfying than living for myself could ever be. Help me to never go back to my old ways, help me to keep walking with You!


Now let's look at Acts 4:13:

"Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus."

Can others recognize that you and I have been with Jesus? Do we spend so much time with Him, sitting at His feet, learning from Him, and communing with Him that others see you and me and know that we have been with Him?

Let's move to one final passage, Acts 5:17-42

17But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail. 19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, 20"Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life." 21Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought.

22But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, 23saying, "We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside." 24Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. 25But someone came and reported to them, "The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!"

26Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned). 27When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, "We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us."

29But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. 30"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. 31"He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32"And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him."

Gamaliel's Counsel

33But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them. 34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. 36"For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37"After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38"So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God."

40They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Peter and the apostles had been ordered 3 times to not teach or preach in the name of Jesus, but they chose to obey God rather than man. (Acts 5:29) They were even flogged for preaching in His name, and after receiving their flogging they left "rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name." They were flogged and yet they were rejoicing! This just amazes me, and it convicts me. How often do I complain to myself, and to others, about the inconvenience of some of the things I have to suffer for the name of Christ. When you really think about, the things that I think are suffering in my life are really not even worth comparing to the suffering the apostles faced. They are really just minor inconveniences. Could I rejoice if I had to suffer like the apostles did for teaching in the name of Jesus? I honestly do not know...

Father God, please help me to get over myself, and help me to see my life and my minor inconveniences in the right perspective, a divine perspective. Please forgive me for being so petty and for complaining and griping about things that are really only minor inconveniences. Help me to rejoice in any and all trials or sufferings that come my way because of my stand for You. Help me to obey You rather than men, no matter what suffering or trials come as a result of that obedience. In Jesus' name, Amen.

For Your Listening Pleasure...

It took Paul quite a while to eat his dinner the other night, not really anything new for us... We had all finished eating, I had cleaned the kitchen, and was upstairs doing something when I heard him start singing.... He had been singing this song all day and I thought it was just precious, so I grabbed to camera and this is what I got...

Thankful Thursday

"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving."
Colossians 4:2

Today I am thankful for:

• The privilege of prayer... how thankful I am that I can pray anywhere, anytime, for any reason! And I am very thankful that my Savior wants me to pray! He wants me to communicate with Him!
• I am thankful for my children and how precious they are... check back tomorrow for a video I plan to share with you that I took last night. I think it will bless you socks off! You can also go here to check out my new blog dedicated just to them!
• I am thankful for sinus and allergy medicine! I have been battling a head cold so today we had to get out in this COLD weather to go to our local CVS to get me some medicine... it is already working! Thank you Jesus!
• I am thankful for my procrastinating friends who are motivating me to get some of my projects done around here... you can check us out here! Make sure you read about the Lady and the cordless drill (that would be me!)
• I am thankful for our warm home, warm clothes to wear, a van that has a heater, and warm food to eat...
• I am thankful that God is in control!
• I am thankful for hot chocolate on cold days!
• I am thankful God is preparing my heart and my mind to homeschool my children next year! I pray he also prepares my children!!
• I am thankful for my computer... I use it so much for lots of different things...
• I am thankful for my Redeemer, and that He loved me enough to redeem me!!

What are you thankful for today? If you stop and think you can always find things to be thankful for... I encourage you to do just that; and then give thanks to the One who gave us all the many things we can be thankful for! For more TT posts visit Grace Alone.

Word-Filled Wednesday

To whom do you cry out when you are troubled, when you need help, when you are in distress? Cry out to God and you will be saved; put your trust in Him and He will not disappoint you... Have you spent time in His Word today? If not I encourage you to do so... you will not be sorry you did!

For more WFW posts visit 160acrewoods.

Wordless Wednesday

He just "thought" he did not need any pants on!!

Tuesday's Together in the Word!

Welcome to Tuesday's in the Word... We are a group of women reading through the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs using the same reading plan and holding each other accountable. On Tuesdays we share what we gleaned from our time of study in the Word. To join us and to read what others have to share visit DeeDee, we would love for you to join us!



I will start out with this passage from Luke chapter 22...

And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. 25And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.' 26"But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. 27"For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves. 28"You are those who have stood by Me in My trials; 29and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you 30that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 22:24-28

The part that jumped out at me through this passage was, "You are those who have stood by Me in My trials;" verse 28. Jesus is faithful to stand by me in my trials. Am I faithful to stand by Him, to stand up for Him when this world "tries" Him? Those who had stood by Jesus had the pleasure of partaking of this special Passover meal with Him... and they also will get to eat and drink at His table in the kingdom of God.


We move a little further along in Luke chapter 22...

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31-32

I found it very interesting that Satan had to demand permission to sift Simon Peter like wheat - I had never noticed that part before. Yet, Jesus had already specifically prayed for him and for this very sifting that Satan wanted to do... before it even happened, before Satan had demanded it, (at least this is my interpretation). How very comforting that our Savior knows what is coming our way and can pray for us accordingly before we even know to pray about it! Jesus prayed that Simon's faith would not fail, and that when he turned back he would strengthen his brothers.

I find this comforting; Satan has to have permission, and at times he has to demand that permission to test and try us. However, before it happens Jesus prays for us! He probably prays for us in much the same way - that our faith would not fail, and that when we have made it through the testing and trials that we would strengthen our brothers.

Am I and are you using the testings and trials the Lord prays us through, and the things He teaches us through them to strengthen our brothers and sisters in Christ?


Let's keep going a little deeper in Luke chapter 22...

47While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. 48But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" 49When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" 50And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51But Jesus answered and said, "Stop! No more of this." And He touched his ear and healed him. Luke 22:47-51

The part from this passage that caught my attention was the slave of the high priest whose ear was cut off. He was touched and healed by Jesus... he had come to help with the arrest of Jesus, yet Jesus touched him and healed him. I wonder, did it change his life... did the touch of the Savior have a transforming impact on his heart and life?

Lord, I pray that every single touch from you would change me! I do not want to stay the same, I want to be transformed by your touch and your healing power in my life!

One more little stop, let's head on over to Proverbs chapter 3...

1My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
2For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
3Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:1-8

This is a passage I have read innumerable times. I try to read through Proverbs every month. It is easy to do, whatever the date is, that is the chapter you read... I have been doing that for years; it is a little something my husband shared with me right after we were married... however, I saw the 1st verse of this passage in a different light this time.

My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;

We are to keep God's commandments with our hearts... not just with our minds. I think when we try to keep God's commandments with our minds, and not with our hearts, not out of love for our God, they become burdensome. But when we keep them with our hearts, we do them out of love and they are a joy to do. And look what happens when we do keep God's commands with our hearts...

For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.

Pretty good isn't it?


Go down to verse 7 with me...

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

We are not to be wise in our own eyes. We are not to be led by what we can physically see... we are instead to fear the Lord and turn away from evil. When we fear the Lord it is a holy fear, a worshipful fear, a reverent fear... the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7), the fear of the Lord is to hate evil, pride and arrogance and every evil way, and the perverted mouth (Proverbs 8:13), the fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom (Proverbs 15:33). When we truly fear the Lord He gives us knowledge and wisdom, and we are able to turn away from evil... and look what happens when we do that...

It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.

Healing to our bodies and refreshment to our bones! What a blessing we receive, and all we have to do is fear the Lord!

God's Word is so good! Just spending time in it definitely brings healing to my body and health to my bones!! It is nourishment for my soul; it is nourishment for the life of Christ in me! If you are not consistently spending time in His Word, I encourage you to join us in our readings this year, you will not be sorry you did. It just might change your life! And just for your convenience, I have added a link to my sidebar that will take you to our reading list... won't you join us?

Memory Verse

I had a difficult time deciding what verse the Lord was leading me to memorize for the 1st half of February. Yesterday, before we went to church, I asked to Lord to speak to me and give me a verse. I had several in mind, but none that really seemed like the right one... does that make sense?

We had a wonderful service yesterday. Siran Stacy, a former University of Alabama football player, came and gave his testimony of how the Lord has and is working in his life after he lost his wife and 4 of his 5 children in an automobile accident a little over a year ago... It was a very powerful service and it was truly amazing to see how something which I am certain the enemy meant for bad the Lord was able to take and use it for good and for His glory. What an amazing, redemptive God we serve!

Siran kept referencing a particular verse throughout his sermon yesterday and it just stuck with me. The Lord spoke through him and gave me my memory verse for the first half of February. It is 1 Corinthians 15:58:

"Therefore, my beloved brethen, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. "

We will have his sermon available on our church's website. As soon as the link is up I will let you all know about it... you would definitely be blessed, encouraged, and ministered to by listening to it.