The Pearl of Great Price

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

You Are Not Alone

I have a sweet granddaughter that is growing up too fast. She is going through a time when the dark frightens her. Guess we have all been there. I remember the basement in our house being the most frightening place on the planet. It was ok during the day, but night was a whole different story. I could have been in the Olympics track and field with the speed I was able to achieve getting down the stairs and back up them at night when I was asked to retrieve something from the basement!

My granddaughter has a new game she likes to play, called Hide and Scare. {when I played the game it was called hide and seek} We went to visit this past weekend and she asked me if I wanted to play said game. Out of the corner of my eye I saw my daughter shaking her head no. I changed the subject and we did something else. Later I asked my daughter why I didn't want to play Hide and Scare. She informed me that every time my granddaughter tries to play the game she ends up crying. What! Why would anyone want to play a game that made them cry or scare them? Sure enough her cousin arrived later and we heard her ask her cousin if she wanted to play Hide and Scare. {she wasn't close enough to my daughter to see her shake her head no}The game began and it lasted a total of 1 minute before we heard her scream out and begin to cry.{well, check that off the list of games to play with her!}

It got me thinking about today's prompt of not being alone. Have you ever felt so alone that it was scary? Have you gone through a time when you were sure that no one on the planet has felt like you were feeling at that moment? Have you been in a place filled with people and felt invisible?

I want you to know that God has promised you that he will never leave you or forsake you! I also want you to know that the things you are going through, that you feel like no one else has ever gone through, is more than likely not true. You can reach out to God and He will calm your frayed nerves, or comfort the aching in your heart. He has also placed others in your life that are waiting to be asked to come alongside you {as they have been in your shoes}. Sometimes we need to have someone give us a hug or tell us that God has this in hand. He even tells us in His love letters to us:

Deuteronomy 31:8

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

If the Lord goes before you and he is with you, that means you ARE NEVER ALONE! Think on this and keep it in your heart.

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Wednesday, January 22, 2014

You are Beautiful!

If I had would have had to write this post a few years ago I would have been speechless. I was the "girl with the great personality" and you know what that means! I was the girl that didn't have a date {nope not even one} in high school. Not because I didn't want a date, but because I was the "girl with the great personality". I even had to ask someone to take me to the senior prom! Not feeling too beautiful here. My fiancé even decided that we should see other people and broke off our engagement. Now the word ugly is looming large.

I went on to college where I met Jesus face to face. I began to read the Bible and some words started to leap from the page like the ones from Psalm 139:14 telling me that God made me and His works are wonderful! Hmmm, God only makes wonderful things! Something to think on. Then I learned that the more we learned about Jesus and the closer we grow to Him we start to think, and act in the way that will please God. He is living in me helping me to become the woman he created me to be, beautiful inside and out.

Have you ever noticed when you meet someone that is a Christian they seem to glow and you can tell right away without saying a word that they are a fellow believer? Are they not beautiful? Don't you want to be around them? That is what Jesus does to each of us as He lives inside of us.

The word ugly has been removed from my vocabulary. Genesis 1:27 says that God created us {you and me} in His image. I don't think of God as anything but beautiful, glorious, wonderful. That means so are you!

Are you thinking you are not beautiful? You were made in the image of God, how can you not be the most beautiful woman. If God created you and you have Jesus living on the inside GORGEOUS is the word for you . Trust me on this I know first hand that you have never looked more beautiful! God only makes wonderfully beautiful things. He even declares us "Very good!" So take Him at His word, believe what He tells you is true, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!

Coffee for Your Heart

John 15:4

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Psalm 139:14

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well

Coffee For Your Heart

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Love

When I saw Holley's topic for this post I thought about it, prayed about it, agonized over it for the entire week. How do you tell someone they are loved and have them do more than smile, nod their heads and say "Yeah, I know." I thought of my own life and the love I know from my childhood, to my husband, then to my own children, but not everyone had a wonderful childhood, is married to a wonderful spouse, or for that matter has children. So how to tell someone else they are loved beyond measure and have them KNOW they are exactly that, loved beyond measure.

I went to the "love letters" I received and thought I would share them with you. Know why? They are love letters to you as well as to me. No not the letters from that cutie puttootie that married me but from the wonderful Creator of all things.

He has sent each of us love letters that light our way. { “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12}

He knows every step we take. {^"You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book." Psalm 56:8} He guides our every step. {"And the Lord shall guide you continuously" Isaiah 58:11}

He, the God of the Universe, delights in me {not just me but you too!} {"He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delights in me." 2 Samuel 22:20}

I am not some unknown person to the Creator of all things He knows me by name! {Just as he knows you by name} "do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name: YOU ARE MINE." Isaiah 43:1

I am not making this up! These are actual love letters from God! He even wants to take all my worries and cares and take them over. {"Cast your burdens upon the Lord and He will sustain you, He will NEVER allow the righteous to be shaken." Psalm 18:35}

How great is His love you want to know? He tells you and I this; "The mountains may depart and the hills may be removed but the covenant {promise} of MY LOVE shall not depart from you." How great is that love huh?

If you haven't read the love letters that are for you in the Bible you need to check it out because God adores you! He thinks you are the greatest thing since sliced bread. He calls you His Beloved. Really! If you don't believe me just check it out for yourself. You will be thrilled to be loved so much!

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Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Encourage- You Have Got to be Kidding

I got an email last week from Holley about starting up a new series on Encouragement. I thought piece of cake so I decided to join with these women to be an encourager. Well, that was before my world fell apart!

I got a phone call that rocked my world and not in a good way. It was all I could do to breath let alone talk. Once we {my husband and I} hung up we cried on each others shoulders. I was so busy running scenarios through my mind that I didn't or couldn't even pray. How can we fix this? Who will be hurt the least? Perhaps this, no that won't work. What about this, no silly that isn't even in the realm of possibilities.

With all of this happening other things had already taken place, like finding out a loved one is very ill and on top of that a terrible flu has overtaken the family, and my sweet husband and I are struggling with bodies that are not cooperating with our minds. So encourage others, you have got to be kidding me!

Have you ever felt like this? I know at the time if surely feels as if you are the only one with such overwhelming struggles, at least it felt that way to me.

We put on our church masks and went to church not wanting to share all the heartache because if we opened our mouths to share tears would flow and no breath would come. I had begged God to speak and comfort my heart. {Seemed He was out of encouragement also.} For two long days I wasn't even able to pray just running ideas through my head why this was all happening and what I could do to solve these problems. God wasn't speaking and time was slipping away. However, {aren't you glad there is a however?} during the church service I was able to still my mind enough to listen to the words the Pastor was saying. He had printed the words to the scripture on the screen for us and right there in such bold print {perhaps it was regular print but to me it stood out with bells ringing and lights flashing} DON'T WORRY! The first time I saw it I was taken by surprise. But God knew I hadn't heard Him so the second scripture had those same words, DON'T WORRY! I sucked in my breath, God was speaking to my broken heart! He slowly lifted the burden I was carrying with his wonderful words bringing me back to trust that He is still, and always in control.

My situations haven't changed but I have! I know that God is working things out so that He will be glorified! What more can I ask? I am trusting Him to work this all out because He has promised in Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
{God NEVER breaks a promise He has made!}

Maybe I can encourage! If you have ever felt like your world is imploding you have a God that is able to see "over the fence" into tomorrow and He will never leave you or forsake you {another one of those promises}and He just loves to solve your problems. Trust Him, He never fails!

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Monday, December 30, 2013

You Got This?

I think I like commercials more than I like the programs on the television. There is a commercial out now that shows a husband and wife at a store and she has a huge pad of things they need to get. She is reading off the list when the husband takes the list from her and says, "why don't you go get a yogurt, I got this!" She asks, "are you sure?" He reassures her that he is capable of completing the task. She walks away lighter and then you see the husband turn to the store clerk and he says, "You got this right?" To which the store clerk replies, with confidence as he takes the list from the husband, "I do got this!" This always seemed so funny to watch until it seemed to happen in my life just this past week.

Life was humming along quite well when I received a call from one of my children that things were not well and health was at the root of the call. It all seemed so hopeless as I listened to the frightened "child" of mine. I said to call the Doctor and make and appointment and that we would go together and get this all sorted out. {"I got this!"} As I hung up with my child, she was feeling more confident that she was not alone in all this, I however, felt anything but confident. This was my baby and she was frightened and hurting which in turn had me hurting. I stood there for a moment feeling the tears start and searching for a way to make this "better".

That still small voice suggested that I call those Christian friends that I have from all parts of the country and ask for prayer. I sent out the text, asking for prayer, feeling pretty low. It was mere seconds later that my phone chirped with a response, "I'm praying". Just two words but such comfort. For the next ten minutes or so my phone would chirp with another faithful friend taking my request before God. With each chirp my burden lightened until finally I was smiling and laughing at how that little chirp had lifted my head to the One that was telling me "I do got this!"

God is faithful and his steadfast love endures forever. In Isaiah 64:4b God is telling us, "I will act on your behalf as you wait for Me." The Lord brought to my mind that I needed to pray and seek help in doing that as my mind was so muddled. I "don't got this" but I know Who does! Thank you Father.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Ponder

Tomorrow is CHRISTMAS! Have you read Luke 2 from the Bible where it tells the story of the birth of Jesus? I know you have read it "hundreds" of times. You hear it every Christmas when you go to church. Sometimes when we have heard something "hundreds" of times we tend to zone out and say " yeah, yeah I know that one."

Being a "question box" myself, I have to wonder about things. Did you know that we know the names of the Wise Men, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, but what were the shepherds names? Why didn't we get their names? They were the first to arrive and we don't have a clue what their names were.

Speaking of the shepherds, can you imagine what it must have been like to have the night sky become like day? On top of that an angel starts with, "don't be afraid." too late on that one! Then the whole place is pounding with singing angels! Wow.

Did you realize that the Wise Men, who were gentiles, knew that the King of kings was born and the Jewish leaders didn't have a clue and had to go back and check the records? Hmm gives you pause to think, right?

Was there anyone to help Mary have the baby? She was a teenager! Did she do this all by herself? What did Joseph know about birthing a baby? Wow, a miracle in itself that the two of them were able to do this. Hmm, more pondering!

Have you ever thought of the angels, who were so excited that they broke out in singing and praise and worship, how they looked on "God with us" in awe and wonder?

In Luke 2:19 it says:
¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Perhaps we all need to do a little more "pondering" about the Christ child. This Christmas ponder the Christmas story that you think you know too well. Ask yourself some questions, put yourself in someone else's shoes. What did they think, how did they feel?

I pray that the Christmas story becomes alive and a wonder to you this year as you ponder the Christ child anew! Merry Christmas.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

All I Want for Christmas

I was sent this clip in an email and it got me to thinking, do we really ask God for what we are seeking in life. Watch this clip.

I was amazed at the requests made to Santa, a make believe person. The guy's biggest request is a pair of socks and underwear! REALLY?! This got me to thinking about how we come to God. Do we bring him our hearts desire or do we ask for "socks and underwear"? I think the guy that asked for socks didn't really think his request was going to be answered so he said the first thing that popped into his head. Was he afraid the request would be too great to fill?

Then there is the couple that say a "big screen TV." Now this couple is absolutely sure of what they want and nothing seems to great to ask for. They come straight to the point and aren't shy.

I wonder if the guy that asked for socks was kicking himself all the way home and thinking I should have asked for . . . ! Do you think by the response of the couple that they were shocked that their request was fulfilled?

This all deals with Santa and WestJet but we have a God who has such a storehouse full for you and for me. He is waiting for us to put our hearts out there and seek His gifts. No not a big screen TV that will be out of date next year, or underwear and socks that will have holes in them sooner than we would like. No, He is waiting for us to ask for things like, more of His heart, directions in this life, ways that would please Him, a closer walk with the Father, help getting through this problem that is looming in our lives, etc. He is waiting for you to come and seek the goodness He has.

In Ephesians 3:16-21 it talks of God's "glorious riches".

Ephesians 3:16-21

New International Version (NIV)

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

..

God's riches far surpass Santa or WestJet! We can seek God anytime day or night. He is able. I suppose even socks and underwear are there for the asking but why not seek higher and seek to walk with the King, or talk with Him in the quiet of the garden. Ask Him for things that will not break down or get holes in them, but things that will last and help you move through life.