Labor Day!

Psalm 104:23 (New International Version)

23. Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.

I love holidays! A time when folks enjoy a day off, a day when picnics and trips are planned with family and friends. Labor Day always reminds me of my dad and how hard he worked all of his life. After World War 2, he bought a farm and began his life. A wife and children kept him busy until the day he was unable to work. Labor Day is a reminder of different events in peoples life or the life of their parents. It is Gods will and design for man to work, to be responsible to Him first, then to his family and community. We are a blessed nation founded on the principles of God, no matter what anyone would say. As you enjoy your day, please be safe and give glory to God for the good things He has given to you.

Keep the Sabbath Holy!

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (New Living Translation)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite scriptures! I believe there are times when we just need to be reassured that yes, He really does have a plan for our life. When life crowds in on me and I am overwhelmed with the cares of this life, I am reminded of this verse. Gods Word is rich with promises that are meant for you and me. He said in those days when we pray, He will listen. I am so thankful He always has time to listen to me, whether it is a big thing or a little thing, He will be there for us. I just want to encourage you to remember the promises of God, then claim them for your life. As you celebrate this special Lords Day, just keep your focus on Him and He will lead you into all truths. Have a Blessed Day!

Friends and Cousins!

Proverbs 18:24 (The Message)

24 Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.

I hope you are blessed with good friends! People that actually care and will be there for you when you have a problem. Many years ago I learned the value and blessings of friends. I really don't know what I would have done without them! God always knows and sends someone to us when we have a need. As this scripture says, friends do come and go, but there are some that will be precious to you all your life. I called my favorite, sweet cousin today to wish her happy birthday. I remembered when we were little girls, there was four of us, all about the same age. We had more tea parties and so much fun. Our daddys were brothers, so we got to visit a lot to. Now as we are getting older, we are still having fun. I also talked to another cousin today (must be cousin day). He is such a dear, sweet person so we got to visit to. I am sure we all have special people in our family or friends that we are close to, and maybe every once in a while, we just need to call and let them know how we feel about them. It maybe the very day when they need to know someone cares. As you begin your holiday weekend, be safe and enjoy your family and friends!

Death of His Saints!

Psalm 116:15 (New International Version)

15. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.

Why did God take him (or her) away? I don't understand why people have to suffer. These are just a few of the "whys". To see a loved one slowly die from disease is probably the hardest thing in life we will experience. It is heartbreaking! We want to help them, but it is out of our hands. I am sure you have felt this way, I know I have. I lost my mother at the age of 49 from lung cancer. She was so young and so was her children. Myself, my sister and brother, and of course our dad. We must understand first of all this was not Gods plan, only when sin entered through Adam and Eve, did death arrived. And we have been trying ever since then to figure out how to feel, what to do, and what to say. We see death as the end of a journey, but God sees it as a beginning to a better life. We do not have to be afraid, that is of course if you are a Christian. It just means we are going home. I am reminded today of a cousin of mine who has lost someone dear. It has been a year, but the pain is still deep. How do we convey to someone the empathy and love we feel for them? What do we say? We must never rush the grieving process, it is necessary for recovery. For Gods children it is an entry to heaven, and they are truly home. So we just say, "I love you, and I am praying for you."

Autumn Rains!

Deuteronomy 11:13-15 (New International Version)

13. So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul- 14. then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. 15, I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.

I guess this is what we are having "autumn rains", it seems a little early but it is September. I love this scripture, it has such wonderful promises. Of course with a promise there is always obedience in doing Gods will. Here we are told to faithfully obey our Lord, to love Him and to serve Him. Because of all that He has done for us, this should not be hard. I am so humbled to realize He did this all for you and me. He makes provision for us every day, and even for our animals. I believe it is a good thing every once in a while just to stop and open our heart and mind and let God show us His wonders. We really need to understand and then to be so thankful for His goodness and mercy to us. Enjoy the rain and remember the promises!

A Bag Full of Goodies!

Did you ever win something, and you was just shocked? Now maybe some folks win often, but not me. So I was surprised when the call came and I was informed that I had indeed won a bag of goodies. I had registered at a christian gift store, so I knew immediately, I wanted that prize. It was exciting to pull everything out and oh and ah over it (of course I went right away and picked it up). Scrapbooking supplies, gift bags, picture frame, etc, all christian material. What I don't use, I have granddaughters that will be happy to take it off my hands. It is exciting to want something and then to actually receive it! Of course whether you are an older girl or a younger girl, this is just how we are made, right? We just get excited! There are many things in life that is for our pleasure, I believe God likes for us to be happy. As long as we never put anything or anyone before Him, these "things" are ok. It is just a little thing, but I just wanted to share it with you . I pray this week you will have a pleasant surprise to! Enjoy and always be thankful!

Equipped for Good Work!

2 Timothy 3:16,17

16. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17. so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

I heard a preacher describe what a spiritual body would look like if a person never feasted on the Word of God. How when our mortal bodies are deprived of food, the body begins to deteriorate. He said that people that never read their Bibles were the same way, they were literally starving to death. This scripture tells us we can be equipped for every good work. There is no excuse except the fact we just don't want to take the time to study, maybe some folks think they know all they need to know. Well, I am here to tell you, we could live a million life times, and never know all there is to know. Jesus used scriptures when satan came to Him, that tells me the only way we can come against the enemy, is through the Word of God. Pray and ask God to give you a desire for His Word, after all how can you claim the promises that are meant for you, if you don't know them.