MY TESTIMONY: 

HI I'm Laurie,  I renewed my faith with God this past April, 2024.  I had been looking for direction in my life.  I started on my path in June, 2023.  I stumbled around for a while trying to decide what my next step should be.  God heard my prayers and tried to guide me but I was not good at listening at that time. 

Eventually I decided to look up non-denominational churches on the internet.  God pointed me to The Way Church in Greendale Wisconsin, not far from where I lived.  Basically God told me that he had this arranged and to get off my duff and get moving.  

I renewed my faith the day I went to the new church for the first time.  This is what God had been pushing me to do.  I saw that then.

I continued going to church every Sunday and other events offered by or thru the church.  Saw several different revival services led by other ministers and evangelists.  Was baptized in water.  Was baptized by the Holy Spirit.  Tried reading the word, with limited success in the beginning.  

Then something happened.  Something turned on inside my soul and I found the connection that I had been searching for. It was an amazing revelation for me.  I moved forward in my journey with God by leaps and bounds.

I have received such love and joy from God in my efforts to grow in my faith.  I have never been this joyful in my entire life.  I wake up each morning with a huge smile on my face and a, Thank you God, falling from my lips as soon as I have opened my eyes.  Believe me this is not the way I use to wake up, most often still tired and not in a great mood.

Everything has changed.  My Pastors,  Josh and Emily have opened so many doors for me in their preaching and teaching.  I have so many good friends in Christ now (I use to be a loner).   My life improves every day as I grow closer to our Lord.  Hallelujah!  

If you are searching for answers to you life, look no further.  Turn to Jesus and start your  marvelous journey.  I pray this for all who are reading this post.  Amen. 

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Testimony 12/5/2024:  Yesterday was a marvelous day for me with Jesus.

In the morning I received a call from a friend who needed to talk, and I was happy to be there for her.  We talked for a long time, she really needed to get alot out.  Speaking it out loud helps to start moving past the thing that just keeps whirling in your mind.  Later we started talking about God, it just thrilled me to hear how she has grown in her faith in the last year, how she has found her strength and is better at dealing with sad and messy feelings and coming out on top with Jesus by her side.  She gave me the best words of encouragement by saying she has been touched by posts I have posted on Facebook and they have helped her.  What joy for me as the posts I wrote on Facebook were totally directed by God.  Thank you!!! Hallelujah!!!

I received another call from a person that I have been talking to in prison.  He was a friend of a friend, that is no longer in prison.  My first prison friend gave him my number, he called and we have been talking for 2-3 weeks now.  Whenever he calls we talk about God.  He is so hungry for more in his life, I can feel it from him and hear it in his voice.  He calls regularly and we talk about Jesus always.  It must be what he needs to hear.  I know that the Lord directed this person to me, to help and care for his soul.

Then in the afternoon myself and two others from our church made our weekly visit to a nursing home to visit a lovely lady there.  She has a strong faith, and a sound mind, but an infirm body.  We have healing time, with music, sharing and prayer.  The Lord is always with us, His presence is so strong in that room.  This day we got to witness double miracles.  The women who had a hand and arm she could barely move and without considerable pain was able to lift her hand and then spread her arm quite wide.  That is the power of belief and faith in our Lord Jesus.  While this was happening one of my friends, that was there, was having ear issues.  While we were praying for healing she put her hand on her right ear.  Later on the way home, she heard a pop in her ear. Her ear issues were no more.  Miracles big of small are a wondrous thing!  Hallelujah!!!

That evening we had our online Bible study with our Pastor, Joshua Waldoch.  He is passionate and strong in his beliefs, as well as being an excellent preacher and teacher.  I am always touched by what he says and find even more desire to improve my relationship with Jesus every day and in every way.  Praise the Lord!!!

Lastly I saw yesterday that people are checking out the blog.  Hurray! 70 visitor to this site, with 31 going into this site. All within less than a weeks time.  I told you that God led me to create the blog, and all Honor and Glory belongs to him.

So I told you I had a marvelous week. Jammed packed with the goodness of God!  🙌🙌🙌🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️

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I was reading 1John this morning in my Bible.  My bible has each chapter separated by sections.  The section that God is leading me to talk about today is:

The Source of Love

1John 4:7-16 (NRSV)

** Beloved let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.  God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.  In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Beloved, since God loved us so much, we ought also to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us his spirit.  And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world.  God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in him.  So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. **

This whole passage, as you can see, revolves around "Love".  Stop and think where do emotions come from?  Love of course comes from God.  Love is the greatest of all emotions, and if you live your life with love, then you are abiding with God.  Thankfulness, joy, peace, and contentment all follow after love.  We can't have any of these feelings if we don't first accept the love that God offers us.  That is what he wants all his people to do, abide with him in love.  He sacrificed his most beloved son that we would have the opportunity to be forgiven our sins and abide with God.

Other emotions such as anger, jealousy, pride and other destructive feelings do not come from God.  They come from darkness that resides in all people since the original sin (Adam and Eve going against God and eating forbidden fruit).  

We all have a choice, living with the darkness that abides within us, or turning to God, in faith and thanksgiving, and receiving the love he has for us. Choosing God's love removes the darkness.  As for me I choose God's love above all else.  I thank God every day for loving me.  I thank Jesus, the Son of God, every day for willingly sacrificing himself that we might all have redemption from our sins.  

We were and are created as God's children.  What greater love could there possibly be then God's love for all his children.  

Stop and think about that.  Are your actions conceived in love?  If yes, then wonderful, you are living according to God's plan for you.  If not, then it's time for you to stop and think about the pain you cause God.  It's time to confess your sins to God, and ask for forgiveness.  His love is so great, that no one that repents, and truly wants to live with God in peace, love and obedience to his word, shall have everlasting life in Him.

Just remember, that abiding with God is as good as you are willing to make it.  You can live with God, or you can live in the world and darkness, you can't do both.  To allow darkness in takes you away from God's abiding love. 

I pray that anyone reading these words today, will look at how they are living their lives and want more.  God has all waiting for you.  Come join the children of God and live with love.  Amen 

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Today I've been reading in John, Chapter 15.  I was first guided to John 15:5 in my daily devotional.  

John 15:5 (NRSV) I am the vine, you are the branches.  Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.

This verse spoke to me.  If you don't have Jesus in you life as your Lord and Savior, what is happening in your life?

You work, make money for a good lifestyle, raise your family, have friends, take vacations, etc...  Where do any of these things get you?  Yes you have fun and enjoy you time on this earth, hopefully.  That's not always the case.  But what then?  You get old, maybe end up in a nursing home and die.  

But guess what there are two possibilities after death; heaven or hell.

If you did all those good things in your life with Jesus and the salvation he offers to us all, well Hallelujah!  You chose correctly.  If you have used what you have and what you have learned to help others, that was exactly what Jesus wanted you to do.  If you stand on a firm foundation with Christ,  you will be rewarded for you loyalty and service in heaven.  You will have eternal life.

On the other hand, if you accomplished all those things for self motivated reasons, with God no where in your life.  What have you accomplished?  You will have money, but will you have a happy family?  Will you have close friends?  Will you go on vacation or just travel for business to make more money?

Without God in your life, directing the path you should be leading, there is only one option for you.  Hell is eternal fire and suffering.  You can't take all that money with you, so what was all that hard work for, just eternal suffering?

Jesus is our vine, we grow from him.  If we have strong faith, a strong foundation in him there are no limits to the fruit we can bear.  We can live a wonderful, love filled life on earth.  We can have everything we ever hoped for or needed, with Jesus by our side.  The Father's and the Son's words decree this.  Abide in Jesus and he will abide in us and all things become possible.

Belief, Faith, Love and Service are what Jesus asks for and expects from each of us.  He suffered torture at the hands of man, before being crucified.  Doesn't this showing us that He believes in mankind, that He has faith we will make the right decision, that He loves us unconditionally, and that He served us in an extraordinary way?  

John 5:9  (NRSV) As my Father has love for me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.

John 5:12 ( NRSV) This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.

John 5:1-17 (this section in my Bible is titled "Christ the True Vine) immerse yourself more in these words from Jesus.  Listen to the Word, even though it is many thousands of years in the making, it is still very relevant.  Reading and studying God's word is how you grow your faith.  Be strong, walk in the light with Jesus, Build that firm foundation and live a truth filled life.  Amen!

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I am talking to you today about the Power of Prayer!

Jesus, the Son of God prayed faithfully. 

This excerpt is from the book, A Complete Guide to Biblical Fasting, by Ted Shuttlesworth Jr.

'(Mark 1:35) He prayed before sunrise. 

(Matthew 26:39-45) For hours at a time

(Luke 6:12) Sometimes through the entire night 

This kind of dedicated prayer yielded the power He needed to accomplish the works of his father.'

Think about this, really, really think about this!  Even Jesus had to pray to his Father to retain his strength of purpose.  To keep His relationship with his Father strong.  Most especially to retain the power that was needed to accomplish the work that God put him on earth to do.  

Do any of us have that type of discipline in our lives? Even the Apostles didn't understand that depth of prayer while Jesus was teaching them. 

In Matthew 9:14-29, the disciples tried to cast out an unclean spirit from a boy but failed.  Jesus came saw and heard the situation and removed the unclean spirit from the boy.  Afterward the disciples questioned Jesus: 

Matthew 9:28-29. When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "This kind can come out only through prayer".  

The Power of Prayer, when used in true faith and dedication to God can do miracles, great and small.  True Faith and the Power of Prayer are the keys!  

Do you have true faith?  Have you prayed and asked God for something and received no response?  That should be your first clue that you are not living a life of faith with God. 

When you confess your sins and ask Jesus for forgiveness, salvation is yours and you are now part of God's family of devoted followers. 

However that's not the end of your responsibility to God.  You are in the family, but God expects you to be a productive part of the family.  To praise and worship him and to do his works on the path that he has set forth for you.  

So how are you suppose to figure out what God wants you to do?  Well you aren't suppose to do it on your own. 

You need to start to learning about this family you are now part of.  This is accomplished by studying God's word (the Bible), going to church, communing with fellow Christians and most especially Praying. 

Any answers you are seeking come from God.  Praying is the way to open your heart, mind and soul.  Through prayer you can speak with God, ask for what you need, pray for others who need assistance as well. 

Then comes a vital part of prayer -- Listening.  If you don't stop and listen how can you hear what God is trying to tell you?  

You don't need to know all of immediately.  It's called, Learning and Growing.  You are starting at the beginning.  Rejoice and Praise the Lord!  Then open yourself to all the possibilities that God has for you.  You are on your way to a wonderful relationship with God.  Hallelujah!!!

If you have not given your life to Jesus yet and are struggling, looking for answers, go to the page in this blog titled "Finding Salvation".

Give yourself to God and start on this wonderful journey that lady's a lifetime!  Hallelujah!! Amen!!

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Matthew 11:28-30 (NRSV)

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

__________

Are your burdens heavy, do they seem unbearable?  There is someone that can help you manage your burdens or even take them completely away.  

In today's scripture, Jesus is talking to all of us.  Come to Him and he will give you rest from your troubles.  Take Jesus as your Lord, and you will be washed in his love, comforted by is ability to care for you and be able to truly rest in his presence.

Am I talking to someone today that needs this help?  That needs their burdens to be lifted?  That wants a simpler life with Jesus at the helm?

If so, Jesus is waiting for you, with outstretched hands.  All you have to do is reach out, with prayer in supplication and conviction.  Confess your sins, ask Jesus for forgiveness and He will wrap you in the safety of his loving embrace.

If Jesus is calling you today, there is help available.  Go to the "Finding Salvation" page in this blog.  Everything you need to begin a new live with Jesus as your Savior is there. 

Grab hold, embrace Jesus in your life.  Find the answers you've been seeking in your life. His guiding presence will always be with you.  Open your heart to Jesus and you will hear and feel his guiding influence on your life.  Jesus will help you find the path that was created for you by God.

Rejoice in the love that Jesus has for you and know that you are never alone!  Hallelujah!! Hallelujah!!

Dear Lord, I pray that someone reading this post today will be moved to receive You as their Savior and Lord.  I feel the need from someone today and I thank you for giving me these words to share.  I praise you with all my heart, my mind and my soul.  Thank you Jesus!  Amen.

If you want to talk, or need prayer, or have questions I am available at  realizingjesustoday@gmail.com 

I would love to hear from you.  🙏🙏❤️❤️

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Ephesians 5:8-9 (NRSV)

For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light.  Live as children of the light -- for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.

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Before we found and committed to our Savior, Jesus Christ we lived in darkness.  Darkness is all sins, motivated by our own wants and desires.  Darkness is not of God, for God is the light.  Light is all that is good and right and true.

Once you have committed yourself to a life with God, old things, behaviors, thoughts and ways must be put away.  You are now a new person through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jesus came to earth to save our souls, but also to show us how to live a good and true life with God.  It is now our duty to learn how to follow in Jesus' footsteps.

By studying the word, fasting and praying you are reaching for a  closer walk with Him.  Then you will understand that when you committed your life to Christ you agreed to put away the old, and am now embracing the new life that Jesus is leading you to.

I say "leading you to" because learning and growing with the Lord never ends, until the day you are called home to heaven.

There is no reason to worry or fear about your responsibilities in you relationship with Christ.  He is walking beside you and guiding your way (if you allow him).  Jesus needs you to let go of the controls and trust Him to guide you on your path, that God created for you long ago.  

When you are able to give Jesus the controls for you life, you will feel the Holy Spirit in every molecule of your body.  Your soul will be filled with the power of Jesus.  The power Jesus fills you with lead you to accomplish all the good works that God is waiting for you to do. 

This life with Jesus, the daily growth with Him, sounds fabulous to me.  I hope it does for you too.  I love Jesus with my heart, my mind and my soul.  Every day I strive to walk closer to him.  Every day I try to accomplish the work that I have been given to do.  It's a Hallelujah life!  I praise and thank the Lord everyday for forgiving me and giving me the opportunity to live for Him.  Hallelujah!!!! Amen.

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Trust (in biblical context) refers to a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability and strength of someone or something.  It's a foundational element of faith, representing confidence and reliance on God and his promises.

I was doing my daily devotional today (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young).  The first sentence said:  Trust is a golden pathway to heaven.  

Never before had I heard trust described quite this way.  I thought I understood what trust meant.  But that sentence really made me stop and think.  I googled the definition of trust, which is the opening to my "thoughts today."

In that definition three words stood out.  Trust, Belief and Faith.  All three must be present in your life with Jesus.  All three are equally important, and bring you to that spot where you are either all in or all out.  There is no middle ground.  The choice is yours to make.  Just remember while you make your choice that Jesus is watching and waiting for you to reach out to Him.

If your Faith in Jesus Christ is real and you Believe the words He tells you are true, then you must Trust in him to guide your life with a golden path to heaven.

I love that thought, a golden path to heaven, all it takes is trust.  Sadly though, Trust can be the most difficult part of your journey with God.  For many of us, we believe and have faith, to a point in the Lord, but trust is trickier for a lot of people.   

I struggle with this from time to time.  When darkness tests me I don't always automatically turn to God, knowing that he will see me through.  I feel like I'm on the fringes looking in until I remember, there is NO middle ground.  Then I know I let darkness use me and I have disappointed Jesus again.  

Thankfully I know that Jesus loves me and knows that I am still learning and growing with him every day.  I know that when I confess and ask Him to forgive me it is done.  I don't need to despair, even though I didn't acknowledge him in the beginning,  when I was being tested, in my heart and soul I knew he was with me. 

Trust, to me is a two way street.  Jesus is trusting us to learn and grow.  He is our teacher, just as he was with the twelve original disciples.  He wants us to succeed, He wants us to join him in Heaven.  

We need to Trust Jesus that the Word is our path to heaven.  We need to be good pupils and study and learn.  Yes, even learning by our mistakes.  Mistakes are most often the greater way to understanding and wisdom.  Jesus won't begrudge you mistakes as long as forgiveness is requested, but he will expect you to learn and grow your Belief, Faith and Trust.

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God has been speaking to me about trust a lot recently.  

I am  reading my daily devotional from Sarah Young today.  This book is called Jesus Calling.  Every time I use this book for my devotional, I feel Jesus calling to my heart and soul, trying to impart his wisdom.   

The first sentence read:  Seek My Face, and you will find not only My Presence but also My Peace.  

Then the devotional bids us to: Ask My Spirit within you to order your day and control your life thoughts (for the mind controlled by the Spirit is Life and Peace.

To ask the Spirit within you to order and control your day and thoughts takes trust.  Trust that the Lord is holding you up in his loving embrace no matter the circumstances.

The biggest take away from my devotional today was:

You will never run out of things to worry about, but you can choose to trust Me no matter what.

Trust!   Trust!   Trust!   Trust!   Trust!   Trust!   Trust!

This is where I struggle, the worry aspect.  I tell God the I am handing whatever the situation is that I am worrying about to Him.  Then suddenly it is back with me and I am worrying again.  That is most definitely not trust, which is why Jesus keeps talking to me about it.

I am positive that I am not the only person that has difficulty not worrying.  If you are like me, Jesus is the answer.  I love Him with all of my heart.  I want to do everything to please Jesus and to walk in his footsteps.  Worry and darkness must go!  Reach out to Him for help.  Every time I let worry sneak in, I confess my sin to Jesus and ask forgiveness.  He knows that I love him.  He knows that I only want to serve him.  He forgives me, but is also teaching me that I need to work harder to not let worry inside me, but to give it to him.  Leave it in His hand and all will be well.  Trust!!!!

Jesus doesn't want us to worry, he admonished us:

To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is Life and Peace.  Romans 8:6

Worry is of the flesh.  We are not putting our complete trust in God if we continually hold on to the worry.  I want a life of peace with God.  The only way I can truly have this is to let the Spirit within me control my day and my thoughts.

Love Jesus with all you heart, all your mind, and with all of your Soul.  That is the only way to have a truly solid relationship with our Lord!  Hallelujah!!!

Lord I pray that these words touch someone today and helps them move closer in their relationship with you. In Jesus' name Amen. 

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I received inspiration for today's blog from God, through Joyce Meyer's book "Mornings With God," a 365 day devotional to start your day off right.  I just recently received this book, and every word has touched my heart, mind and soul.  

This morning in my prayer time with God I asked Him to inspire me, to give me the words to share with you.  He answered and then some! 😁🔥🙏

God told me to share my testimony about something that recently happened.  I have to go back about 3 weeks to the beginning.  It was quite a journey!

My church, The Way Church, hosted a 6 day revival with Evangelist Jonathan Shuttlesworth.  We, the church, were all so excited and on fire for this revival.  Each night during the revival Ev. Jonathan would call out individuals or groups of people that God directed him to pray for.  His anointing with God is so strong, so powerful, it's miraculous to see and feel.

My testimony begins on the 3rd day of the revival.  Ev. Jonathan called me forward for prayer.  He asked me to put one hand on my heart and the other where my lungs would be.  He then prayed for healing over me.  I was so open and recieved it with joy.  I was a little confused about the lung portion because I had never been diagnosed with any chronic issues with my lungs.  But I knew God has a reason for everything, so I gladly received it. 

The next morning I woke up not feeling well and later had a fever.  Although not feeling well, I still made it to the revival.  I found out later, that I had contracted, Influenza A, that absolutely nasty flu that is going around everywhere right now.  I was sick for two weeks, and then spent another week clearing my system of the darkness with prayer and love for God.  When I started feeling better and could think straight again I realized something miraculous had happened to me regarding my lungs.  God sent Ev Jonathan to me with a preemptive strike against what was heading my way.  I believe that God stopped whatever was in me from striking my lungs and most likely sending me to the hospital.

I know I stepped off my path with God and allowed the sickness (darkness from evil) to enter my body.  When I was thinking straight again, I confessed my sin and asked for forgiveness. 

Yesterday Mary Jo, a dear church friend, and I went to visit someone in the hospital who had that nasty flu and ended up in the hospital with pneumonia.  When she was brought to the hospital, her heart stopped four times, she was that close to death.  Thank you Jesus for bringing her back.

As we sat there listening to her sharing this story with us.  God whispered in my ear, "This is what I saved you from."  I then felt compelled to share my miracle story with her as well.

My joy knows no bounds.  He saved me from the lung issue and saved me from death.  God has need of me and I am so ready to serve him with singleness and gladness of heart.  It is a glorious thing to know that God has work for me to complete for Him.  Praise the Lord!!!  Hallelujah!!! 🙌🙏🔥❤️

I want to share some other things that have happened, thru God, for me:

I joined the Way Church at the end of April in 2024.  I was taking seven prescription drugs when I renewed my faith with God.  Today I am down to one and am feeling healthier than ever.  Praise God!

1. I had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, close to 20 years ago.  I tried so many different prescriptions that gave minor or temporary relief.  Today I am no longer taking the anti inflammatory or the infusion medication.  The pain and inflammation is so much better.  I don't even take any pain medication, which I took regularly all those years.

2. I was diagnosed with A-fib (atrial fibrilation) about 4 years ago, where the heart gets out of its normal rhythm beat.  Again I was given a medication for this.  It managed it, but I didn't want medications to rule my life.  I handed the A-fib to God, stopped the medication and have not had any more issues.  That was 3-4 months ago.

3. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure at least 30 years ago and had been on medication since.  This past January, during our fasting and prayer time, God directed me to discontinue the medication.  My heart wasn't cooperating very well, with hard thumping and racing heart.  I, for a moment, thought maybe I should go back on the medication.  Then I stopped myself and said, "No, I am handing it over to you God. It doesn't matter what the monitor says, I am standing strong in my faith that I am healed.  It got better but didn't stop.  Then when Ev Jonathan prayed for my heart all the thumping and racing heart issues ended.  

4. I had been taking a station medication for my cholesterol for a number of years.  Labs always showed that my cholesterol was in great shape.  When I questioned the need for the medication, the doctor suggested I remain on it because my cholesterol was good, on medication.  I went home and prayed about it.  God told me to believe that my cholesterol would be fine without the medication.  I stopped the medicine about 4 months before I saw the doctor again.  I told him what I had done.  We did labs and my cholesterol is just fine. 

5. I was taking two medications to help me sleep at night.  God directed me, in our time of fasting a praying to stop one of them which I did.  I am still sleeping well with only one medication yet.  God has not yet indicated it is time to discontinue the last one.  When he does I will put my faith on that as well.

That accounts for the 6 medications that I use to take as well as the infusion medication I have been infused with for many years.  Without God in my life, with my belief, faith and love for him, I would still be on all those medications just sitting there waiting for life to be over.

I praise God every day for directing me to The Way Church and for bringing Pastor's Josh and Emily Waldoch into my life.  I renewed my life with Christ, I found my faith again and I have grown daily in my life of service to God.  I have also found a loving and beautiful community of like minded Christians to fellowship with.  My life now has purpose, my feet are on the path that has been set before me.  Thank you Jesus for the sacrifices you took on for all of us.  

If anyone reading this post is looking for more, looking for a life worth living, seek Jesus.  Confess your sins, ask for forgiveness.  Find a church that preaches and teaches the full gospel.  Embrace your life with Jesus!  Hallelujah!!! Amen!!!

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Let's talk about Balance today.  Balance in our lives.  What are the most important things we need to make time for everyday?

My list goes something like this:

1. Time with God, daily devotion, reading the word, prayer, meditation and listening.  

2. Spending time with family and loved ones.  On the phone or in person.  Go out for breakfast, lunch or dinner, feeling that joy of connection.

3. Spending quality time with my animals (1 dog and 2 cats, plus my daughter's dog that spends time with me when she's working)

4. Keep my house in order.

These are all things that I purposefully plan in my day.  They are all very important to me and I don't want to neglect anything ony list.

There are times when we allow our schedules to be too full.  When that happens, something will fall by the wayside.  Just make sure that's it's not the important stuff.

I find balance, peace, motivation and joy when I spend time with God.  That is an everyday commitment that can never be left out of my life.  Without this balance, joy can not be maintained in the long run.

 Spending time with family and loved ones is so very important.  I've recently begun planning fun time with my friends and loved ones.  It's not an every day occurrence, but still very important. 

My animals get my attention, sometimes because I have no choice. Lol!  They know when they need my love and time and aren't afraid to let me know.  They are living, breathing creatures that God created.  Not filling their needs is not allowed in God's eyes.  Everything he has created is important to him.

I guess I have to admit, when I get to busy the housekeeping is what I let go. I can always vacuum tomorrow. 😁

Everyone has their own priorities.  Just make sure that God stays front and center.  Balance cannot be truly achieved without God at the center of our lives.

Jesus preached and performed miracles amongst the 5,000, the disciples came to Him and told what they had seen and done.

Mark 6:31:  "And he said to them, come away by yourselves to a deserted place, and rest a while."  For many were coming and going and they had not even leisure to eat.

What did Jesus do for himself and his disciples?  Helped them stay in balance.  Otherwise they would have grown weak and tired and been no help in the work they were tasked with.

The same holds true for us, without balance in our lives we can not do the work that God has given us to do.

When you accept Jesus as your Savior, you are promising God to keep Him at the center always.  Anything else needs to be worked around His directions.

Try budgeting your day, list all you would like to accomplish in that day and any fun plans you may have made.  Then take a look at the list you created and prioritize, putting God above all else.  Amen. ❤️🙌🙏🔥

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Decide To Overcome Temptation

When I was doing my Daily Devotion (Mornings with God by Joyce Meyer) I realized todays topic was next for my continuing lessons from Jesus.

Temptations come in so many ways and sizes.  Knowing this and knowing with any temptation that we allow darkness in to ourselves, we must find the way to block these temptations with God's help.  What is darkness?  It's evil, Satan, the devil, all the ills of the world.

Temptations are massive, something that could derail our relationship with the Lord.  Putting us in the position of starting a new.  Confessing our sin, asking for forgiveness and then beginning our journey with Christ Jesus again. 

A temptation could seem very small to us.  Helping ourselves to a friends chocolate without asking or receiving permission. It doesn't seem like a big deal, but it's a sin to steal and a sin to covet what belongs to another.  Then there are the big sins murder, adultery, etc.  The point is no matter how we might try to rationalize the sin, small, big, or of no matter, it all matters equally to God 

Does God put temptations in our path?  Never

James 1:13

No one when tempted, should say, "I am tempted by God", for God can not be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one.

So if God is not tempting who else could it be?

Darkness has been part of the world since Adam sinned by giving into temptation and eating the forbidden fruit.  He did not stand strong with God's help.  We won't be able to stand against temptation either, without God in our lives, and acknowledging our need for His help in all things.

So we ask ourselves, how do we accomplish this, how do we recognize we are being tempted and how do we block it?  These are some steps we can take:

** Make our minds up ahead of time to finish whatever God asks of us

** Whatever situation challenges us the most, set our minds for victory over darkness

** Planning ahead, knowing that temptation will be put in our path

** Talking to ourselves and planting our faith to see us through whatever temptation comes across our path

Some things we might say to prepare ourselves are:

1.  I will believe the best of everyone

2. I will not complain about anything

3. I will be thankful for all I have

4. I will eliminate unnecessary stress from my life

5. I will think positive thoughts and speak positive words

Taking these steps will help build a foundation of strength to resist any temptation we may face.  When temptation comes, and it will, we will hear the messages we said out loud repeat back to us in our hearts, minds and souls.  

We need to stop and think before we make a decision, is this of God?  Making good and right decisions will become easier when we share our needs and thoughts with God.  He hears all, but it is important to Him that we speak and believe the words we speak.  It is important that we acknowledge we need God's help in all things, every moment of every day.  If we don't stay vigilant we open a door to our souls that will allow darkness to enter 

Believe me when I say I have failed at this many times, hence the lesson that God needed me to hear and heed today.  It isn't something to feel ashamed about.  We were born of Adams line, sin is part of human nature.  We can only stand firm against it with God in the position of utmost importance in our lives.  

So we each need to decide to stand strong against temptation with our Lord's help.  Hallelujah!!!

I pray that these words touch someone today and the path for avoiding temptation is revealed to them.  In Jesus' name.  Amen 

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Today in my Daily Devotion, the discussion was "Renewing Your Mind Takes Time."

The discussion likened renewing our minds to refurbishing an old house.  It doesn't happen easily or quickly, it takes: time, energy, effort and regular ongoing attention.

Psalm 1:2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law he habitually meditates by day and night.

Renewing our minds doesn't happen by one godly thought. We need to think godly thoughts over and over, until our godly thoughts come more naturally to us than any ungodly thoughts.  In other words living a life with Jesus and putting your belief, faith and trust in him, allows you to grow, learn and train your mind away from worldly thoughts and keep them on godly thoughts.  

Once your thoughts are heading in the right direction, focusing on God, then words and deeds will follow.  Pretty soon before we even realize it we have left the old behind and are busy accepting and living in the new life that we have worked for, with God.  Hallelujah!!!

I have always believed in God, but my faith and trust were sorely lacking however.  Something happened in my life nearly two years ago that changed my direction.  I felt a great need to follow this new path and see where it would lead me.

It lead me straight to Jesus Christ!  I renewed my prayer of salvation.  In the beginning that was thrilling and I felt fulfilled and happy.  I eventually found a church that I love:  The Way Church.  If you live anywhere near Milwaukee Wisconsin you should check us out.  We are one big family serving the Lord together and there is always room for more. 😁

After a time, listening to my Pastors and some elders in the church I realized that I had work to do.  Accepting Christ as your Savior is the most important first step anyone will take in their life.  Then the work must begin! After I started learning more, I felt a great need to seek more as well.  Part of that seeking is renewing the mind.  If you are like me and didn't always maintain a strong relationship with God, you most likely took on bad thoughts, which takes you farther away from God.  The renewing of the mind is retraining our mind to go first to God, learning to think godly thoughts above all else and living our lives accordingly.  You may very well face some trials and even failure on this journey.  It that happens don't give up.  Look to God ask for forgiveness and help.  He will be there for each of us, as long as we are sincere in our prayers for help.

Yesterday I visited a dear friend and his daughter.  He was the Pastor at a church that I attended in my teenage years.  He received a calling from God and followed where He was led.  I was heartbroken when they left.  He was a wonderful man of God, and I loved his wife and children as well.  As I moved forward in my life, I thought of them often.  Since I renewed my relationship with God my thoughts of them increased.  God nudged  me to contact my old Pastor and arrange a visit, and I did.  The visit helped me see and understand not just the impact they had on my life but also the impact I made on theirs.  After 50 years, we still remembered and loved. 

This visit was a growth step for me, confidence is not anything I had in abundance.  They helped me see, that a very shy and traumatized teenager did make a difference.  I tell you this to share, that of course while renewal is vital,  actions are vital as well.  After you accept Jesus into your life as your Lord and Savior, you need to learn how to think, feel and act in a godly manner and to be open to His teachings.  He always knows what we need even when we don't.   We we believe and accept these truths we will be able to hear or feel God telling us what our next action should be, as happened for me in leading to our visit.  This is when real growth and amazing strength comes into us thru God.

Remember that no one, not even God, is expecting us to be perfect.  We are flawed humans and sinning is in our nature.  What we must do is look to God for direction, work on renewing our minds, adding words and actions in our life with God, and listening for the next step He wants us to take.  Our growth comes in studying the Word, thru prayer and meditation and in loving and living as God teaches.  Amen

 

I pray today that someone reading this will be reminded to look for God in their life and begin their own journey with Him.  Amen

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Hello Everyone!  It's a great day with the Lord!

I asked God for inspiration today, for what the topic of my next post should be.  I was looking at different scripture, waiting for God to point me in the right direction.  

I came to the book of Luke, and the section heading is titled the "Law of Love." The light came on and I knew that God wanted me to talk about love.  

Love sounds like an easy subject, right?  We love and cherish people that love and cherish us. What else is to discuss?  According to Jesus there are laws to the love that is spoken about in the new testament.  There are two scripture sections, both titled, "Laws of Love."

See:  Luke 6:27-36

See: Matthew 5:43-48

Please go to your Bible, either in book form or online and read the passages.  As I share what God as directing me.

Love your enemies - do good to those that hate you.  Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you (Luke 6:27).  Treat others, especially your enemies as you would want to be treated. (Luke 6:31)

Matthew 5:43 says, But I (Jesus) say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Not exactly great love talk as most might think of it.  I love my family, I love my friends, I love some of my co-workers, I love the lady down the street that always has nice things to say.  Most people's idea of love is sharing that love with who we already know and appreciate.

Finding the true meaning of love should be a goal in our search for a deeper relationship with God.  Jesus is telling us how to do this in the scriptures above.  Loving someone that does not love you, but instead is rude and hurtful, is not easily done and is absolutely necessary.

It feels great, to love and be loved in return.  But what does loving someone, that loves you back already, show God?  Nothing, because it is already a fact and is easily done.  What is in this type of love that can deepen your relationship with Him?  You do nothing more than anyone else by greeting only your brothers and sisters  (Matthew 5:47).  So when you do nothing more than the next person, you don't show God what you are capable of, what He needs from you.  

I had two instances this week, where I showed the Love of Jesus through my actions.

The first, I saw an older man standing outside my pharmacy.  I went in, did what I needed and came out.  When I was passing by the man, I heard him mumble "you wouldn't have a could bucks would you?" I automatically said "no." Then I stopped and told him I didn't have two but I did have one dollar bill in my purse, which was the truth.  He said, "that's better than nothing," so I shared my dollar and went onto my vehicle.  I sat there for a moment thinking about that interaction.  Then I grabbed my wallet and looked through my change.  I had 8 quarters in there, so I pulled them out, drove around to where the man stood, rolled my window down and handed him two dollars in change.  The man said thank you, and I drove away.

The second instance was this morning.  I went to the post office, but it was still closed, not to open for another 25 minutes.  There was an older woman with a walker going, slowly and what seemed painfully, back to her car as I passed by.  I went in and saw that the part where you paid for things was still closed.  I saw a sign saying that it wouldn't be opened until 9:30 a.m.  Going back to my car, the older woman asked if I knew what time it would open and I gave her the information.  I didn't care to sit there, so I drove down a block to a Dunkin Donuts, to get myself a donut.  I felt compelled to buy extra, so I did.  When I came back to the post office to wait, I grabbed a napkin, picked a donut out and offered it to the older woman waiting in her car.  She appreciated it very much, which made me feel so good that I could do something nice for her while she waited 

These two instances show that doing a kindness, for people we don't even know, can bring an unexpected richness into our lives. It's called "love" for your fellow humans.  I didn't have much, but I blessed them with what I had and my loving nature.  In turn I am blessed by them.  God saw what I did and will bless me in turn for doing good to people in need.

 I have known people in my past that have hurt or angered me.  With God's love, I have been able to forgive and move forward.  I did not try to strike out, but if I hurt them I apologized.  That is love as well, forgiveness and moving forward, not staying stagnate on the negative.  Loving you enemy does not mean they have to turn into your best friend.  It means that there should no longer be emnity on your part for them. 

These are the kinds of love Jesus is talking about, loving others that are in need, and and forgiving hurtful things that people do.  This is how Jesus showed his love for all people, every day of his ministry on earth.  He especially showed his love when he gave his life to save all humanity. 

1 Corinthians 13:13

And now faith, hope and love abide these three, and  the greatest of these is love.

Such an important lesson to hear, heed and act upon.  Look to God, show him all your good works.  The greatest of these is love. Hallelujah!  Amen!

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Have Your Soul Refreshed

I went to my daily devotion book today, "Mornings with God," by Joyce Meyer.  Joyce is a fabulous writer and walks so close with God.  She is an inspiration to me as I grow in my faith.  This is what today's devotion said to me.

Matthew 11:28-29   Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your soul.

What a wonderful promise!  He is always there for us in any and every situation.  It is by Jesus' sacrifice that we have this privilege, to learn on God, to maintain a refreshed soul.  Hallelujah!  Thank you Jesus! 

Jesus invites us in to this privilege, to receive His rest, relief from worries and refreshment of our soul.  As we spend more time with God, more time with the Word, always being aware of his presence in our life, the more refreshed we will be.

How do we spend more time with the Lord?  Through prayer.  Prayer isn't a labor, it's a privilege.  It's spending time with someone that loves us abundantly.  Reading the Word is another part of spending more time with God.  The word teaches us what living a Godly life is, how to see, understand and follow in Jesus' footsteps.  

By spending time in prayer and in the Word, we grow our faith.  With faith follows trust, and trust is where your heart and soul finds what it most needs.

Psalm 16:11  "You will show me the path of life, in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Slow down. Take a deep breath.  Allow your soul to find rest in Jesus.  He will always take care of you.  All that is needed is your faith and trust.

Joyce Meyer adds a statement or confession of faith at the end of each devotion.  Today's statement is:

When I feel frustrated, worried, or burdened with cares and anxiety, I will take time to go to Jesus and be refreshed in his presence.

I love the Lord with all my heart and soul.  I want nothing more than to worship God, to live a loving and humble life with Jesus.  I strive toward this every day, through reading the Word, through prayer, through sharing my great love, for God, with others.  Thank you God for giving me this glorious gift of eternal life.  I am proud to be a woman of God.  I am proud to serve the Lord.  Hallelujah!!! Praise the Lord!!! Amen!!!

If you are feeling burdened today?  Are you looking for more?  Look to God!  Confess your sins, ask for forgiveness and receive salvation today.  (See page "Finding Salvation").

May God bless you today!!!!

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Today we will speak of:

Wisdom and Faithfulness

Ephesians 1: 17-20  (letter from Apostle Paul to the Ephesians)

I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation (knowledge) as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.  God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.

Wow, Paul packed a lot into these three verses!

The spirit of wisdom and knowledge (Ephesians 1:17). How can we receive this Spirit? 

By studying God's word, by praying and praising Him.  Growth, wisdom and knowledge, will follow after, study, prayer and praise if our heart is true and our belief is strong.  This growth process takes a lifetime, so settle in for the long haul. 😁❤️

God doesn't just hand over His glory, it must be earned.  He needs to know that we take our faith seriously.  Wishy-washy doesn't cut it with God, he would prefer to have nothing if half measure is all we are willing to give.  He wants ALL from us.  When we commit ourselves to Him, that is what we are promising.  

So with your eyes and heart enlightened (Ephesians 1:18)

God shares his joy with us, and promises heavenly riches for each of us.  We must listen to God.  He will help us find the path that He created for each of us.  Follow the path and press forward with love and joy in the Lord.  

What is the immeasurable greatness of His power for us who believe (Ephesians 1:19)? 

God created each of us, by instilling his powerin each of us. However to access these powers takes growing our faith and dedication.  The path that God created for us, is filled with knowledge and each of us has a job to do for God.  It's our responsibility to fellowship (study, pray, praise) with God and listen when he speaks to us.  Our tasks, or jobs, will be revealed to us.  Each time we press forward in our faith, God shows us a little more of what our full potential might be.  Even the greatest Pastors and Evangelists of our time do this daily, for they like us are constantly growing and learning.   

The reason I created this blog, was because I listened to God, and accepted this task He gave me.  I was clueless how to begin, but God was with me each step of the way.  He continues with love and joy, to direct me toward each post I share.  For me this task is both a teaching and learning experience. I know He will ask more of me at some point and with the wisdom and knowledge he imparts with every post, I am growing in the direction he has chosen.  I am pressing forward, in my faith, waiting for knowledge of what my next step will be. 

God showed us the magnitude of his power by raising Christ Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:20). 

Jesus is now sitting at God's right hand.  Jesus came to earth at God's command, to give us, human beings, a chance at redemption and salvation.  I know that when it's my time to leave this earth, I want to be in heaven with God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  The trilogy, the three in one!  This should be everyone's desire.

I pray that this post helps you find the strength and willingness to accept God into your life.  If you have already given your life to God, I pray that this post may encourage you to dig deeper, study more, pray more and praise Him for his glory.  Amen

Hallelujah!!! Praise the Lord!!! Rejoice!!! Rejoice!!! ❤️❤️🙏🙏🙌🙌

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