on keeping and pondering

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts of the day to the Lord.

Luke 2:19 says But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Mary and Joseph were servants of the Lord. So many things happened so fast - they were just a young couple. They did not understand what was happening. Even when he was a young boy Luke writes:

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. (This is kinda 'Home Alone' backwards)

But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

Don't you know they were panicked. Four days he had been missing. For three days they looked for him in Jerusalem and could not find him. Can you imagine what a nightmare that was!

And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why have you thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

And he said unto them, How is it that you sought me? did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?

And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them:

The only account of Jesus not being in subjection to his parents was this occasion. Actually, he was about his Father's business, but Mary and Joseph did not understand that. He must have been a marvelous child - just being in subjection to his parents. The great I AM being in subjection to a young mom and dad. What a joy, but what a responsibility!

but (there it is again) his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Over two thousand years have passed since Jesus was born. He still is the greatest influence of any living creature and will remain so until he returns again. His Word sells more books than any book on the best seller's list, and his love and grace still reaches down to man to change lives, bring miracles, and instill peace in hearts which no other man can do.

Thank you, Jesus, for accepting this lowly place on earth to live and die to give us salvation which comes only through you. Thank you for your healing and your miracles which reaches down to us even today. In Jesus Name. Amen. (it is done)

Have a great last day of 2007!

Charlotte

Rejoice with exceeding great joy!

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord.

We have been looking at the birth and early life of Jesus. Wednesday and Thursday we looked at a timeline, as a friend of mine questioned me about, when the wise men came to bring gifts. It is accepted today that Jesus was about two years old.

Yesterday we read about after the eight days he was circumcised and after Mary's days of purification, which was forty days, they went to Jerusalem. Then they went from Jerusalem to Nazareth.

Matthew says this Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasured, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

They were in a house. Jesus was not a baby. He was a young child. The wise men rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Why? Maybe because the star led them away from Bethlehem by this time and when it stopped in Nazareth over the place where Jesus was, they were filled with joy because they had finally found the child. Remember it was about 75 miles from Bethlehem to Nazareth. Mary and Joseph went from Bethlehem to Jerusalem to Nazareth.

The star appeared when Jesus was born. So, you have to allow for their travel time on camel which was slow. And they were wandering. They were following a star with no destination in mind just trusting in that star.

Matthew goes on to say And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt. And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophets, saying, out of Egypt have I called my son.

So from Nazareth, they went to Egypt. They did not go from Bethlehem to Egypt. They went from Bethlehem to Jerusalem to Nazareth. So, this must have happened in Nazareth. Herod inquired as to when the star appeared, so when he killed all children under two years of age, this is how old he surmissed Jesus to be at this time. Somewhere between newborn and two years old.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice herd, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they were not.

Isn't it wonderful to see God's hand leading and directing Joseph and Mary and Jesus to protect Jesus from the wrath of Herod.

Thank you, Father God, for your leading and guiding hand to protect us from harmful things. Thank you for giving us wisdom to live by. Most of all thank you for Jesus. For it is in His name that we pray. Amen (it is done)

Have a great weekend, although it doesn't seem like Friday.

Charlotte

THAT'S MY BOY!

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord.

Well, my new coffee pot went off just fine this morning and I now have a cup of coffee automatically made at 5:30 a.m. by my new coffee pot. I love it!

We have been looking in Luke at the season of Jesus' birth. Luke 2goes on to say in verse 36

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Aser: she was of great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

We have talked about being single and serving God with your whole heart. Anna was a prophetess, but she did not start out as a prophetess, she became one. She was married for seven years when she was a young woman, but her husband died, so she dedicated her whole life to the Lord. This is a great example for young single women.

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

(I was right - this is the point they returned to Nazareth)

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Even though Jesus did not have a halo like so many pictures depicts, there was something quite different about Jesus as a child. He was strong in spirit.

I have a little granddaughter who is six years old. Her name is Anna. She is a wonderful child. She is soft spoken yet let's you know what she thinks. She obeys her parents. She has a tender heart, yet she is up for the challenge whenever the need be. There is something different about Anna. She is filled with such excellence it is hard to define. She plays more than great with her friends yet is happy to play by herself. I look for great things from Anna.

Anna, to my way of thinking, is a child 'strong in spirit.' This was not spirit of the Lord, but a spirit having to do with character. He had a lot of spirit. He was ready for the challenge. Don't you love to be around people who are like that - or maybe not if you don't have a lot of spirit.

When I was a younger woman raising my kids, I questioned the Lord one time why he did not do in my life like I had seen him do in my friend's life. The Lord told me that day that I was like a wild horse, but wild horses when they are saddled and bridled make the best fillies.

Wild horses have a lot of spirit, but in order for man to use that spirit, they have to be saddled and bridled.

I was really unhappy with the Lord for telling me that. I wouldn't have taken that from someone else because my spirit was wild. But, now that I am older, I can look back and see where I have come from and am happy that my spirit has been tamed by the Lord, because no one else could have done that in me. It actually makes life a lot easier.

Jesus was not only a child strong in spirit, he was filled with wisdom. A child filled with wisdom.

Makayla has always been perceptive, even when she was a little baby. She has had a rocky little life and I suppose that was God's way of giving her what she required to come out on top...and she is a wonderful little girl. But, what amazes her mother and I is her perception. She knows when something is amiss..just a little bit.

A child that walks in wisdom (common sense reasoning). A special perception of things going on around him. This is what Jesus had.

The grace (love) of God was upon him.

We have a new baby in the Sullivan clan. His name is RJ. He is nine months old and walking all over the place. He is the cutest little fellow you ever saw. Needless to say RJ set everybody up on their ear this year. He stopped the show. We oo'd and ah'd over him til it was ridiculous.

I am sure God, His Father, as He watched Jesus grow strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, his love had to overflow because that was His child - His only son.

David Letterman had a child in his late 50's. Harry has changed David's whole life. He has a soft spot. Just speak of children and David lights up. Harry is his only son and he delights in him.

Jesus was God's only son and I am sure as He watched him grow, He was delighted in Jesus. Jesus never disappointed God. At one point, God just had to say - THIS IS MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED.

Father,we know that you delight in us also because we are your children. Help us to not disappoint you and to living where our lives will be pleasing in your sight. I love you, Father. Thru Jesus, our big brother, we pray. Amen.

Have a great day today!

Charlotte

For unto us a child is given -

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I did. Got a new coffee pot which I needed. Now I can set my coffee pot the night before and when I get up in the morning, everything will be smelling like it ought to smell. ha!ha!

In Luke 2 we continue reading the beginning of the live of Jesus. After the shepherds came to the manger that night in Bethlehem so long ago, verse 19 says Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherd returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Jesus means Savior or God of salvation)

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord)

And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. (the sacrifice that people made under the law was according to their classification e.i. more wealthy brought a lamb, poor people brought turtledoves or pigeons - turtledoves and pigeons were plentiful and could be purchased at a small price - Mary and Joseph was of the poor class as was noted by their sacrifice)

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting to the consolation of Israel (a term for the Messiah): and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now let thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all the people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

A sword did pierce through Mary's soul when she watched her baby son die on that cross. To mother's their children are always their babies.

Jesus was an ordinary baby. He did not have a halo. He cried just like any other baby to communicate his needs or dislikes.

When Simeon saw Jesus, the Holy Spirit revealed to him who Jesus was. This scripture says the Holy Ghost was upon him. So, what he saw, he saw in the spirit. It wasn't because Jesus looked out of the ordinary or had a halo like so many pictures detect.

On a time line we can put Mary and Joseph calling his name Jesus at eight days. They made the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Jesus was born. It does not say where they stayed until the days of her purification. Her purification according to the law was forty days after the birth of a son or eighty days after the birth of a daughter. Isn't that interesting!

It did take me longer to get over the birth of my daughter than the births of my sons. I never thought about it before. Maybe that is the way nature has us hooked up. Don't know! Just thinking!

I wonder if they stayed in the stable - or in the inn - or if they made the trip back to Nazareth where their home was.

After the forty days of her purification, they went to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.

From Nazareth to Bethlehem was about 60 miles - 9 months pregnant on a donkey and Joseph on foot.

If they went back home that was another 60 miles right after the birth of Jesus and with a newborn on a donkey? My mother heart tells me not so -

Jerusalem was about 15 miles from Bethlehem. To make a 15 mile trip after Jesus was a month old on a donkey would make more sense. So common sense would tell us that they stayed that forty days in Bethlehem until the days of her purification were ended.

Joseph was a carpenter and if you are a carpenter you can find work anywhere. My son is a carpenter and he never lacks for work.

So, this is just surmising, Joseph could have just gone to work to provide for them until Mary was able to travel. That is when they went to Jerusalem - 15 miles away. That makes sense but may not have been the way it was.

Joseph took good care of Mary and Jesus so he would look out for their good. God knew that and that is why Joseph was chosen of God.

All the rituals of the law is what Jesus came to do away with for us. We no longer have to sacrifice - Jesus was our sacrifice and the final one. We no longer have all the don't travels - the after 8 days - after 40 days - after 60 days. The law was done away with in Jesus. Our baby boys are circumcised still in the hospital before we bring them home - not of rituals but of hygiene.

Better close for now. Have a great day today - the day after Christmas. I had to work Christmas but am off today and tomorrow.

Charlotte

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

Today is your birthday, Jesus!

What can I give you as insignificant as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I'd give you a lamb.

If I were a wise man, I'd give you my treasure.

If I were a carpenter, I'd build for you without measure.

If I were a rich man, I'd give you more than my part.

But (there's the but) what can I give you?

I'll give you my whole heart!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

Charlotte

Glory to God in the Highest!

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord.

I have noticed something this year about Christmas and that is Jesus is being almost totally left out of it. The Christmas movies on television are basically about Santa. He has an extended family this year. Even people become Santa this year. I think Tim Allen did that a couple of years ago.

We do need to be careful teaching our children about Santa because my theory is if they learn the story of Santa is not true, then will they not question the story of Jesus? We need to be sure and teach our children strongly about Jesus.

The Christmas story continues in Luke 2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is call Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

So few words to say so much. It does not say how hard it was for Mary to travel by donkey at 9 months pregnant that long ways. Can you imagine? In those last few months now doctors do not recommend long trips in a car even.

I remember when Delightful was pregnant with her first child and the last month she went on a trip out of town, I almost fainted because what if she started having the baby and she was out of town.

There were not even hospitals in those days. And to travel by donkey!

It would be a difficult thing anyways. The crowds would probably be equivalent to our Christmas rush crowds as all the house and lineage of David had come to pay their taxes.

All the rooms were taken up at the hotel. There was not a place for Mary to even rest after the long journey, and to top it all off, she went into labor. What a nightmare! Two young people in quite a dilemma.

Imagine the suggestion - you can go out in the back where the animals are kept - maybe she can rest there. That was actually better than no place at all. But the smell - if you can imagine. Remember, Mary was a very young woman.

In the barn with the animals, with the smell, with the hay, with the hay smell, that is where she went through her labor with only Joseph to deliver her baby.

Child bearing can be a fearful thing. Things are happening in your body that you have no control over. Changing your mind in the middle of having a baby is quite a common thought in a woman's mind during childbirth. Things get out of control.

You've got to remember also that Mary was a virgin. She could have had a very difficult birth.

We always see the calm, quiet, peaceful pictures of Joseph and Mary, but I wonder if that was the scene in the middle of having Jesus. The after is always peaceful - after the little bundle of joy shows up and has ten fingers and ten toes and all is well.

Swaddling clothes were actually like the blankets they wrap around babies at the hospitals now. They swaddle them at the hospital...to where they look like a mummy so to speak.

How young they were! But God was with them, even in the midst of them. They were alone there in that stable in Bethlehem except for the angels. Could they see the angels??????? Could they hear heavenly hosts there in that stable????? We can't. Could they?

The shepherds did hear the heavenly host. Luke 2 continues And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherd said to one another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made know unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

Even as I write this I cannot help but shed tears of joy. Writing it make it even more wonderful than just reading it.

What a joyful event! And to be shared with not governors, not wealthy people, not people in the town that could take them in, not with people with titles, but with lowly shepherd - smelly folks - probably poor folks - that were taking care of their sheep. David was a shepherd - there must be something special about people that keep sheep. Maybe they have time out on the hillsides to take time with God. They are out of the hustle and bustle and maybe they are more lowly in heart - like David.

A Saviour has been born! Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace, good will toward men! What a salutation! He came to bring peace - that peace is in the heart of the people who believe in Him and have accepted his wonderful gift of salvation. It certainly is not in this world.

Do you realize that John the Baptist and Mary and Joseph was under the law. The song 'Mary did you know' says that 'this child that you delivered, will soon deliver you.' That is what that means. John died without the salvation that Jesus brought, even though the job he came for he did - being the forerunner of Christ - preparing the people for Jesus to come. But there was no salvation at that time. They were under the law.

Mary and Joseph were under the law. That day they delivered the person who would deliver us all into grace - salvation - that was the purpose of it all - to provide us a better way. A gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Oh, Jesus, what a wonder you are! Thank you!

Have a blessed Christmas Eve and remember Jesus is reason for the season!

Charlotte

The talk of the town!

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord.

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, I think. I enjoy the lights and the music and the spirit of Christmas. We should always remember that Jesus is the reason for the season - not Santa, not the music, not the tree, not even the giving and receiving, but JESUS . It is this time of year that we celebrate because Jesus was born.

The story of Christmas continues from the book of Luke where in verse 38 after knowing that she would conceive and bring forth a child, Mary arose and in those days, and went into the hill county with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

And it came to pass, that when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb: and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of you womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For lo, as soon as the voice of your salutation sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

In verse 56 we read that Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

What a wonderful bond between two women - on one hand a young teen-aged girl and the other an older woman - both hand picked by the Lord to fulfill the prophesies of old by bringing forth a new way for all people.

And Elisabeth brought forth her son and when Elisabeth and John agreed that his name was John, Zacharias' mouth was opened and he could speak again. The first thing he did was praise God.

Part of Zacharias' praise is found in the 78 and 79th verse of Luke 1 which says Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high has visited us. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts til the day of his shewing unto Israel.

This is the same John that said I must decrease so you can increase to Jesus. This is the same John that Salome danced for his head.

His work was to be the forerunner of Jesus. To preach repentance to the people and introduce baptism. He was the one who baptised Jesus, who said at that time I indeed baptize you with water; but one comes, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

Remember Mary at this time was going to have a child fathered by God. She was engaged to Joseph, but because she came up pregnant, he wouldn't have anything to do with her. He knew it wasn't his so he was going to put her away.

In those days a 'putting away' involved legal technicalities almost like a divorce.

In Matthew we read But, while, he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Verse 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

The talk of the town back in those days would be Joseph and Mary. Only the two of them knew an inkling of what was happening in their lives. The only thing they went by was faith in God - being lead by God in their life notwithstanding what people said or did.

Thank you, Lord, for sending Jesus. Thank you for the faithfulness of the people you chose to bring forth this amazing transformation so that we might be saved. Help us to be faithful so that we might find favor in your sight also. In Jesus Name. Amen (it is done).

Have a good one!

Charlotte

Not like a bull in a china shop!

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord.

Luke 1 starting with verse 26 says this:

And in the sixth month (Elisabeth's sixth month) the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused (engaged) to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, you are highly favored, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women.

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for you have found favor with God. And, behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.

And, behold, your cousin Elisabeth, she has also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to your word. And the angel departed from her.

Can you imagine? Mary was a young woman. Some commentaries say that she was about 15 years old. That is my granddaughters age - just a young teenage girl. She, like Zacharias and Elisabeth, lived for God. Mary must have been one of those teenage girl's that at this age didn't have an attitude. Most girl's do at 15, but there was something different about Mary. Something so much different that God noticed.

The angel had said that she had found favor with God. What attribute would she have that God would favor her?

According to I Peter 3:4 which says But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

So, from this we can say that it was not necessarily her outward appearance that had found her favor with God. It was inner beauty. From the inside out.

There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a young woman who is beautiful on the inside, because the beauty on the inside flows to the outside and makes her beautiful even though she might be plain.

A meek and quiet spirit - this is something that makes us of great price to God.

Proverbs 3:3-4 says Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about your neck, write them upon the table of your heart: So shall you find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 8:35 says for whoso finds me (wisdom) finds life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord.

Proverbs 31:30 says Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

So, some of the attributes that Mary might have had to find favor with God are:

1. A meek, humble, gentle, quiet spirit,
2. Full of mercy and compassion,
3. Living truthful, not just before men but before God,
4. Not being deceitful or dishonest,
5. Using wisdom in making her decisions
5. She was pure (she was engaged but a virgin)
6. and most of all having a good, healthy fear of the Lord (this alone keeps us straight sometimes.)

These are some of the attributes that Mary must have had to find favor with God.

David was considered a friend of God. The outstanding feature of David was his honesty before God. He made a lot of mistakes, but he always laid everything out on the table before God.

Mary must have had this truthful attribute, and adding to truth, a meek and quiet spirit full of mercy and compassion for her fellow man and fear of the Lord.

One thing I did find was in Proverbs 8 13-14 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth do I hate - so we have to assume from this that Mary's inner man was not prideful and not arrogant, and was not evil. And she watched her mouth - a gentle and quiet spirit.

Although Mary must have been a wonderful pattern for young women to follow, she was not intended to be worshipped or prayed to. She was a young woman who found favor with God - so much so that God chose her to become the mother of the Messiah, Jesus, with God as His Father.

Just like Zacharias and Elisabeth, she was righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

What a wonderful pattern for us to look to in our lives.

Lord, we want to find favor with You. Lead us and develop in us the attributes you found favor with in Mary. Let us be truthful and honest with a quiet and gentle spirit instead of like a bull in a china shop. In Jesus name we pray. Amen (it is done)

Have a blessed day today!

Charlotte

What a joy!

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord.

Luke 1 beginning with verse 18 says this:

And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto you, and to show you these glad tidings.

And, behold, you shall be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because you believe not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

Remember, Zacharias, was a righteous man. He did everything he was supposed to do under the law. In this scripture we find him just questioning......how can this be since my wife and I are old people? And what happened? he was struck dumb until John was born.

Have you ever questioned God? Have you ever robbed God? Have you ever lied to God? Have you ever made a promise to God that you failed to keep? This scripture shows us how important it is to not question God and to trust Him when He speaks. He speaks volumes in his Word. Our generation has lost the fear of God. We even wear it on t-shirts - NO FEAR!

Verse 21 goes on to say this: And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

In verse 10 we read that the people were praying at the time Zacharias was in the temple. In this verse they had stopped praying and were waiting for him to come out. Remember, if there was sin in the priest's life, God would strike him dead. So, the people were waiting not only to see what was happening, but to be blessed by the priest.

Verse 23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Thus has the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

Even after these good tidings were delived to Zacharias, he continued ministering in the temple. My first instinct would be to run tell Elisabeth what had happened. He was a dedicated servant of the Lord.

This was a good thing. In verse 14 the angel said and you shall have joy and gladness

The angel was bringing good news.

I was 39 when I got pregnant with Matthew. It was good news even though I was older than I had been with my other children. It is different having babies when you are older. The being pregnant is harder on your body but is more joyful - the baby is more of a miracle - maybe because you are older. I had wanted a baby for a long time but did not think I could have any more children and was very surprised to find that I was going to have a baby.

Can you imagine the joy that filled Zacharias and Elisabeth's hearts that they were going to have their own baby - even at their old age. To think that God had heard their prayer and was answering and this child was a special child from God for a special purpose. What a joy!

I saw part of a movie the other day, and in this part that I saw, it was about Zacharias and Elisabeth and how Zacharias couldn't speak and how John was born and everyone was so happy. They questioned what to call the baby and Zacharias spoke and said 'His name shall be John.'

What a joy! What a blessing! What good news the angel brought that day to Zacharias!

Thank you, Lord, for good news. Thank you for giving good things to us. Open our eyes today to see the blessings that you have poured upon us and that we do not see. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus Name. Amen ( it is done ).

Have a blessed day today!

Charlotte

MY PRAYER IS HEARD!

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord.

In Luke the first chapter starting with verse 5 it says this:

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judah, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

AND THEY WERE BOTH RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD, WALKING IN ALL THE COMMANDMENTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE LORD BLAMELESS.

And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, AND THEY BOTH WERE NOW WELL STRICKEN IN YEARS.

AND IT CAME TO PASS, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

But (there's the but) the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: FOR YOUR PRAYER IS HEARD; and your wife Elisabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you shall have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

My mother used to have a Bible Lotto game that I played when I was child. I learned a lot about the Bible playing that game. One of the questions was 'Who was the forerunner of Christ?' The answer I learned was John the Baptist (baptiser). He was the man God sent to prepare the people for the Messiah, Jesus. This scripture is about his parents.

There are a couple of things I noticed about this scripture today.

(1) Elisabeth and Zacharias were righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

At this time in history, the people were under the law, and under the law there were so many ordinances - so many ways to get tripped up. But this scripture says that this couple kept all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.

He was a priest and if the priest had any sin in his life, when he made the offering for the people, God would strike him dead. They put bells on the hem of his garment and tied a rope around his ankle, so that when he went into the Holy of Holies, if his bells stopped tinkling because God had struck him dead, they could pull him out by the rope on his ankle. No one but the priest could go into the Holy of Holies.

Zacharias and Elisabeth kept all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. That is saying a whole lot right there.

(2) The second thing that I notice about this scripture was that they were well stricken in years. They were old. The angel said to Zacharias 'your prayer is heard.'

Now, I am sure that Zacharias was not praying for a child that day in the temple at his ripe old age. But, I am sure that because they did not have children, many prayers in the past had gone forth for a child, but it had never happened.

There is a scripture that talks about our prayers are kept in bottles in heaven. No prayer is in vain. Even though we may not have the answer we desire, at the time we want it, no prayer is gone without being heard of our Father.

This scripture does not says 'your prayer was heard,' it says 'your prayer is heard.' There is a difference in past tense and present tense.

God is a present tense God. He is always there, always listening, always carrying in his heart your present tense prayers. If you prayed with a sincere heart toward God, he is preparing the way for your prayer to be answered NOW in the present tense.

I know of a couple that prayed many years for a child of their own. Only once did they get pregnant and they lost that baby at the very first. It caused them many tears.

They adopted a little boy baby and he has made all the difference in their lives, and they are wonderful parents, and their child is brilliant. But, wouldn't it be something if God all of a sudden, at this age they are now, said 'YOUR PRAYER IS HEARD' and they became pregnant.

This is what happened to Elisabeth and Zacharias. They were old people. Later on in this scripture it talks about when Elisabeth got pregnant, she hid herself because she didn't want to be a reproach to men. In other words she didn't want people scoffing at her because she was pregnant and she was an old woman.

God is a present tense God.

Sometimes we don't understand why God waits so long to answer our prayers. I used to keep a diary of what I prayed, how I prayed it, and would mark the date that God answered my prayer.

A couple of those prayers were not answered short of 20 years. I remembered one time I went back to Benton and God answered one of my prayers and I came back and marked it down. The answer to my prayer was an obvious answer and it took about 15 years for the answer to come, but (there's the but) it came.

GOD DOESN'T FORGET!!!!!!!

Maybe He got behind - maybe he had to put things in place - maybe we had to be in a certain place at a certain time - maybe we had to meet God's qualifications or maybe it just wasn't the time.....who knows but God. The only thing I know is MY PRAYER IS HEARD.

YOUR PRAYER IS HEARD also. If you have prayed and prayed and the answer has not come, don't give up because God is a present tense God and YOUR PRAYER IS HEARD.

There is an expression throughout the Bible 'and it came to pass.' Nothing comes to stay. Things to come to pass.

Today's problems are tomorrow's victories.

Things come to pass. That is the reason it is so important to pray about things in your life. To let God share in your life and answer your prayers - maybe not today - maybe tomorrow - maybe 20 years from now - but when you have a present tense God, even 20 years later - YOUR PRAYER IS HEARD.

THANK YOU, LORD, FOR BEING A PRESENT TENSE GOD...FOR ALWAYS HEARING AND ANSWERING OUR PRAYERS MAYBE NOT IN OUR WAY BUT IN YOURS. THANK YOU FOR HEARING US WHEN WE CRY UNTO YOU. THANK YOU FOR LOVING US. IN JESUS NAME. AMEN (IT IS DONE)

Have a great day today!

Charlotte

on loving and giving

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our very first thoughts to the Lord.

There are two new quizzes, also a new video. Just click on Happy Holidays. It is great.

I have gotten such a huge thrill out of this Christmas. My creativity has absolutely gone wild, and I have really enjoyed it. You would be surprised what you can give to those you care about without spending a penny....by sending considerate things that you know they would like....by sending a special thank you to someone that is special to you....or by doing something for someone out of the ordinary. That is what giving is all about. Not the money that you spend but the thought that you give.

When Jesus came to this world, the things He did and the walk he walked didn't cost a penny. When His taxes were due he got the money from a fishes' mouth - remember? He gave it all up when He died on the cross for us and the gift that He gave has resounded through thousands of years. A free gift to us because of God's love for us.

Jesus is our pattern to live by.

When you make a dress, for instance, on your sewing machine, you go to the store and buy a pattern. You trim that pattern, fit it to your measurements, place it on the material, cut around each piece, then sew it together according to the instructions in the pattern.

Jesus is our pattern and His word is our instructions. Our job is to allow Him to conform us to His pattern.

When I was going to UCA, in our Art Appreciation class, we visited a rock sculptor. He had a huge hunk of rock which looked to me like a big rock, but to him it was different. The question was asked - how do you know what to make of the rock? His reply - I don't decide. I simply study the rock to see what it's shape is and then I chip away the excess so that the shape of the rock can come forth.

That is the way God is with us. He doesn't change who we are. He created us in His image just like we are, but when we become moldable, He very gently trims away the excess so that we can become all He created us to be.

We also visited the potter's room where our teacher instructed us on molding pottery. It was so fascinating. She said that before she could make anything, she would have to work with the clay to make it moldable. Sometimes it would make her hands bleed from the hard spots that was in the clay. Then she would make say a plate. If it happened that the plate did not turn out plum, she would not just discard it. She would crumple it up and start all over again.

That is the way God is with us. If we don't turn out right the first time, He doesn't throw us away. He simply starts all over again until we become the vessel He desires us to be.

It is a wonderful thing to allow ourselves to become moldable in our Father's capable hands.

His pattern for us was giving with love. Just the giving would have meant nothing without the love. And vice versa the loving does not come without the giving. When we love we give.

So, this Christmas, open your heart to the loving, and the giving will follow - not from money but from the heart giving.

Father, today show us how we can express our love by giving to those in our lives. Show us creative ways to give so that it will be just the right thing to be received. In Jesus Name. Amen ( it is done )

Have a great Monday!

Charlotte

Giving the gift of love!

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord.

I added a new feature to Charlotte in the morning. Click on 'to you from me at Christmas' right under the pictures and it will go a link that says what Christmas is all about.

Well, it's almost Christmas again this year. I have really gotten a wonderful thrill out of Christmas this year. Have been preparing for many months now and have found it is a wonderful outlet for my creativity. Some of my creativity has gotten too expensive so am going to complete what I have wanted to start after Christmas for a late Christmas/early birthday. That's the best I can do - there are just too many in my family now for me to get around to everybody.

Have enjoyed giving in a different way this year. There was a lady in front of me at the grocery store who could not buy all that was in her basket. I told the clerk to just add the rest to my bill and wished her a Merry Christmas. As it turned out, she was getting a bill of groceries to help a friend of hers so it was a double whammy. That was a fun thing to do!

A lot of the things that I have given this year at Christmas and birthdays are home-made. My mother used to do quilts, etc. and I have learned to do them the way I do them, and I've got to say, they have turned out beautiful. I made one to give to Bill's granddaughter for Christmas to match her lavender room and it turned out FINE! The nice thing about it that every stitch in that quilt is by hand. It took me months to complete, but the end result is fantastic. It is a feel good time for me and surprise time for her.

To give unconditionally with love is what Christmas is all about. There is a feeling in the air and there is no other feeling any time of year like at Christmas. The reason is because everyone is finding something to give to someone with love for a special day.

Giving started with Jesus. That is what He was all about. God sent Him to earth, GAVE Him to us for the purpose of providing for us the free GIFT of salvation.

His whole life was about giving unconditionally to others - healing, delivering, loving, being love personified.

He ended His life on this earth by dying on the cross, which He did not have to do, because He could have called the angels from heaven to take Him down, but (there's the but) He didn't.

He willingly GAVE His life as a GIFT to us to provide the final sacrifice for our sins, so that we could have eternal, abundant life starting the day we accept his GIFT of salvation.

He GAVE for one reason - because He loved us and wanted to provide a better way for us.

Giving the gift of love is what it is all about no matter what package it comes in!!!!!!!

There is a song that says this:

Love was when God became a man,
locked in time and space without rank or place.
Love was God born of Jewish kin,
just a carpenter born in Bethlehem.
Love was when Jesus walked in history;
with great love He brought brand new life that's free.
Love was God born to bleed and die,
to reach and love one such as I.

Love was when God became a man,
down where I could see love that reached to me.
Love was God dying for my sin;
for so trapped was I, my whole world caved in.
Love was when Jesus rose to walk with me;
with great love He brought brand new life that's free.
Love was God only He would try
to reach and love one such as I.

Thank you, Jesus, for coming to this earth and providing life for us. Show us ways to celebrate this season with love for our brothers and sisters the way you want to show love. Let us be your hands extended every day. In Your Name we pray. Amen ( it is done )

Have a great day!

Charlotte

God with us -

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord.

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen

All throughout the Bible, Jesus has many names according to His attributes. In this verse, He is called Emmanuel, which means God with us.

Aren’t you glad we serve a God who is with us? He’s not far away looking down on us; He is with us!

As believer’s, He’s not just around us, He’s actually living on the inside of us. That means you never have to be alone or feel afraid.

Do you need Emmanuel today?

Do you need to feel His presence?

He is closer than the air you breathe. When you call on Him, He will answer.

As you worship and thank Him for His faithfulness, His presence will manifest in your life, and you will experience Him in ways you never imagined.

Take time right now to acknowledge Emmanuel. Thank Him for dwelling on the inside of you.

Give Him first place in your life, and as you do, He’ll pour out His abundant blessing, and you’ll experience the life of victory He has in store for you.

Lord, I do acknowledge you. I give my very first thoughts to you. I thank you for living on the inside of me so that I am never alone and that I don't have to be afraid because You are with me. Thank you for coming to this earth and becoming Emmanual for us. In Jesus Name. Amen ( it is done )

Have a great day today!

Charlotte

On giving -

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord.

Today is a change of pace from our usual, however, I received this from my niece, Laura, and I thought it was exceptional. Since we are all right in the middle of Christmas giving, thought I would pass it along.

The Gift of Giving
By: Mary Southerland

Today's truth

Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (NIV)

Friend to Friend

Winston Churchill said, "We make a living through what we get, but we make a life through what we give." The world would like us to believe that the success of Christmas depends upon how much we spend, how many presents we give or receive. While Christmas is about giving, budgets do not determine the success of our Christmas giving.

Giving is not dependent on the condition of your checkbook. Giving is dependent on the condition of your heart. Let me share some creative ways to give gifts that are straight from the heart.

1. A homemade gift. Giving something you make represents time and effort invested on the recipient's behalf. Each year, we make hot chocolate for our neighbors, scoop it into decorated mason jars and deliver it to their doorstep. The best part is ringing the doorbell and the running like crazy! Our neighbors love it and it has become a prized family tradition.

2. A treasured gift. Give something you already have, something that is of special value to you. Not your junk, but your treasure. Don't ask the question, "What can I buy for Sally?" Ask the question, "What do I have that would mean a lot to Sally?" My pastor husband once mentioned in a sermon that he collects old Bibles. The next Christmas, one of our church members gave him an old and cherished family Bible. It is still one of Dan's most precious gifts.

3. A gift of time. When we give thirty minutes of time, we are giving thirty minutes of life. While Dan was in seminary, we were always short on time and money. When Christmas came, one of our friends handed us a Christmas card with his gift inside, a coupon good for one afternoon of babysitting each week for the whole year. To this day, I still remember how thrilled I was when Scott handed us that card. Give a gift of time spent in prayer for a friend or an afternoon of errands run for an older friend. Time is a precious gift.

4. A gift of encouragement. Tell someone what they mean to you. Write it down so they can read your encouraging words several times. Writing it down can help you say it better and requires more time and thought. You can also make a tape or CD of encouraging words and thoughts for those who can't see well or for that hurried mom who spends much of her life in a car. In my bible, I have several notes tucked as bookmarks for special verses; notes of encouragement that have keep me on my feet during difficult times.

5. A blind gift. Give a gift to someone you don't even know; a gift that is given in Jesus' name, just because you love Him. I recently read an article about a millionaire who sets aside large sums of money at Christmas. Dressed in a disguise, he then walks the streets, pressing $100 bills into the hands of the needy. "It makes my whole year," he says.

6. A secret gift. Give a gift to someone you know without them knowing who gave it. Give with no hidden motive and with no possible benefit to yourself. Like most newlyweds, Dan and I were on an extremely tight budget during the first years of marriage. At one point, we had no money for groceries, a fact we shared with no one but God. We wanted to see what He would do. Returning from church one Sunday night, we started up the steps to our mobile home. There, on the sidewalk, was a brown package. We hurriedly ripped off the paper to find a brick with two $100 bills taped to each side. We still don't know who gave us that gift, but every time I think of them, I ask God to bless them for their secret gift.

Make this Christmas your best Christmas by receiving His gift of Love, by giving yourself to Him and by sharing His love with others. Search for Him in every face. Watch for Him throughout each day and may this be a joy-filled Christmas and the beginning of a joy-filled year!

Now it's your turn

Choose two of the creative gifts listed above and give them this holiday season.

Think back over past Christmases. What "creative gifts" have you received? What "creative gifts" have you given? What truths did you gain from receiving and giving these gifts? What changes do you plan to make in the way you give and receive gifts this year?

Lord, show us who we can give to this Christmas to make a difference in their life, and the gift to give. Help us to give unselfishly and with a willing heart expecting nothing in return. In Jesus Name. Amen. ( it is done )

Have a great day today!

Charlotte

Every pot on his own bottom!

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts of the day to the Lord.

Yesterday we looked at I Corinthians 7 which says this:

V29 But this I say brethren, the time is short;

it remains, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

and they that weep, as though they wept not;
and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not;
and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
and they that use this world, as not abusing it:

for the fashion of this world passes away.

Being married is quit different from being single. Bill and I have a good marriage I think. I have been married before and it was a fiasco. The fights and the bickering was enough to make a person never even want a relationship much less a marriage. But, it doesn't have to be that way.

My sister told Bill and I before we got married, that it is okay to disagree and conflict because that is normal. Bill and I went away thinking 'not for me.' We agreed that we would not fight. To disagree does not mean that there is a knock down, drag out. It means that you can agree to disagree and still be in tack.

Now, this works for Bill and I and that is not saying I agree with everything he does. It means that I love him more than I dislike the thing he is doing that I don't like.

I have also discovered something else. When you are married, you cannot go by the spirituality of your spouse. You have to continue in the Lord in your own way.

In other words, it is every pot on its own bottom.

This scripture says it remains, that both they that have wives be as though they had none.

My son asked Bill before we got married, 'Do you realize that she is a total fanatic about the Lord?' Bill's reply was 'yes.' Maybe he really didn't realize how much of a fanatic I am until he has lived with me. There are a lot of things that I do not do...my choice.

There are movies that I do not watch....my choice.
There are places that I do not go....my choice.
There are books that I do not read...my choice.
There are foods even that I do not eat....my choice.

By the same token, there are things I do, that he doesn't....my choice.

When you are married, your choices effect the person you are married too. The thing is that even though my choice might not be Bill's choice, he still allows me my choice and I allow him his choice.

I also have to consider that Bill has to answer to God for his own self. I am not his judge and jury. I can pray for him and that is a wife's/husband's most powerful alternative...prayer.

What I am saying is who Bill is, is who Bill is and who I am, is who I am. We each are individuals and answer to God individually even though we are married.

We have been married only a short time, and I know there are those who read this that have been married for years, and that is wonderful. I also know that there are habits formed and behaviors set that after many years of doing, is almost impossible to change.

But (there's the but) there is nothing impossible with God and when you realize just what the word says in this scripture it remains, that both they that have wives be as though they had none. In other words, when you get your life straight in the Lord, then everything has to take of itself because you put God back in control and not you.

The time is short - for the fashion of this world passes away.

Things come and things go. Everything passes away. Today is not the same as yesterday and by the same token, tomorrow will be even different from today. Today, serve the Lord with gladness and learn His ways because His ways are the ways to happiness for tomorrow whether single or married.

Lord, help us to serve you better. Help us not be judgemental of our spouses trying to make them conform to our image of what they should be, but to pray that they would be formed in your image by your potter's hands not ours. In Jesus Name. Amen ( it is is done)

Have a great day!

Charlotte

The Secret to Successful Living

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord. Hope you had a wonderful weekend. I did. I was off from work for the first weekend in over a month and it was wonderful.

There are three new quizzes up and going today. Janice wrote that I may have created a monster in Keith as he is going to make a quiz for every book in the Bible. Go! Keith, go! If you have a quiz you want to post, just let me know your address and I will post it.

I Corinthians 7 says this:

Verse 32 But I would have you without carefulness.

He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord;

but he that is married cares for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

There is difference also between the wife and a virgin (a classification that is almost unheard of today). The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit:

but she that is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that you may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

My granddaughter came over to my house yesterday and I really enjoyed her visit. She has grown up so much, I just couldn't believe how she has matured, and what has matured her is a relationship with someone she really, truly loves. She has had to compromise her ways to maintain communication in her relationship. Isn't that amazing what love in your life can do.

She started telling me what all she had bought for Alan for Christmas. How she had searched for just the right thing that she knew he wanted, and how excited she was to have found it for him. Loving someone makes a big difference in your life, however, it is sometimes a rocky road, especially if it is not from God.

I was single for many years and my life belonged totally and completely to the Lord. There were a lot of people who thought I was out of my mind when I told them I was completely happy being single.

I blew them out of the water when I held a singles seminar called "It is good to be single." These were not my words, they are Paul's from I Corinthians 7:7-9. He says For I would that all men were even as I myself. (Paul was never married) But every man has his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

He goes on to say in verse 9 that it is good for the unmarried to remain unmarried like he is, but (there's the but) if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. In other words, it is fine to not marry, but if you can't hack it, and not restrain from having sex with your girl/boyfriend, then get married. For it is better to get married than to burn with lust or in darkness.

That is kinda outspoken but folks, sex outside of marriage is one of the sins that keeps us from heaven. It is called fornication/adultery for people are married and have sex outside of their marriage relationship.

We haven't taught this enough. We have tiptoed around it until we have a generation of people who think sleeping around is good and acceptable. Well, I am bold enough to write to you - that that way of living is wrong and it will send you completely into darkness, where there is no light.

Say, well how can I be happy single without sex? Well, I'm here to tell you that there is life outside of sex. When you sell out to the Lord and the Lord becomes the most important person in your life, anything that is contrary to God and his ways becomes foreign and unattractive to you. Just like my granddaughter delights to please Alan and to search for things that will make him happy, when you give your life totally to God, you are delighted to live your life and make the compromises to please God, and it is not a sacrifice, it is a joy.

I know this because I have lived it. For years I wandered around single, hoping and looking for someone in my life, but he wasn't there. When I finally, out of desperation, turned wholly and completely to the Lord, He took the unmanageable things in my life and turned my life around. Then, after years, one wonderful day, God sent a wonderful man into my life. I wasn't looking, I wasn't praying, I wasn't thinking of having anyone in my life, but God had other plans for me.

You see, when we sell out to God, whether we are married or single, God blesses our lives with things 'above and beyond what we could ask or think.' It is amazing to me as an older woman and follower of God, how people have missed the secret to successful living and that secret is serving God.

I will write more tomorrow, in the meantime, have a great day today.

Charlotte

The Christmas Version of First Corinthians 13

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen. carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce tree with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love does not envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

Author: Sharon Jaynes
Taken from Celebrating a Christ Centered Christmas

Have a tinseled Friday and a wonderful weekend!
Laura Carter and Charlotte Sullivan

easy does it!

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord.

This is a wonderful devotional from Joel Osteen. Take a look!

Today's Scripture

“…and His name shall be called…the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

"Aren’t you glad Jesus is our Prince of Peace?

He rules our hearts with peace. He gives us peace that passes understanding—which means we can have peace when it doesn’t make sense.

We can have peace in the midst of the storm.

We can have peace in the midnight hour.

We can have peace when gas prices go up and the housing market goes down.

We can have constant peace because we are connected to the true source of peace!

Do you need more peace in your life? Call on the Prince of Peace. Give Him your burdens and cares.

The Bible says that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.

When we are working and living the way God intends—full of peace and joy—we are carrying His “light” burden. We are working with His “easy” yoke.

Don’t carry the worries and stresses of this life! Call on the Prince of Peace, and He’ll take you places that you’ve never dreamed.

His peace will open doors for you that No one can shut! Walk in His peace, and you will walk in the life of victory the Lord has in store for you!"

Lord, help us this day to walk in your peace in every aspect of our lives. Remind us that your burden is light and your yoke is easy and if things get too hard to bear, its because we aren't carrying your burden and your yoke. In Jesus Name. Amen. (it is done)

Have a great day today!

Charlotte

Saturday or Sunday?????

Some questions were posed on the comments on The Beauty of Holiness.

One reader wrote this:

Except isn't Saturday, the TRUE Sabbath day? (See various Bible verses on THE Sabbath day, not just any Sabbath day.) Wasn't it mortal men who "changed" the Sabbath to Sunday? Perhaps we should stop shopping/working on Saturday? Food for thought...

Charis wrote this note on The Beauty of Holiness:

"Dake's is wrong! Read Isaiah 56 where the promise is made to non-jews for their keeping the Sabbath holy. And read in the Torah (first five books of the Bible) where we are told that "one law is for Israel and the stranger and the foreigner alike."

You are right. God does not changes, but man is always trying to improve on what God has said and done by taking away from it or adding to it, just as HE forbade in His Torah (instructions). Sabbath is just one example. Man made a change from 7th day Sabbath to the first day of the week, Sunday, which was a day, and still is a day, set aside to worship the sun - Mithraism. A little study on line or in a school library will bring this all to light. A read in Scripture will show you how HE feels about sun worship. It is pagan and is leaven in the professing church."

Charlotte says:

My view on this is we should not abide by what men have done. They may have changed the sabbath from Saturday to Sunday and it probably was like you said. However, we should go by what the Word of God says.

There were many restrictions for the Sabbath under the law. They could not walk but a certain distance on the Sabbath. They could not even get their horse out of a ditch on the Sabbath because it was forbidden. When Jesus came He broke the law of the Sabbath by (1)plucking ears of corn in a field and his disciples eating. (Matthew 12) The Pharisees saw it and said unto him "Behold, your disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day."

Jesus then reminded them how David and his men, when they were hungry, ate the shewbread from the temple. This shewbread was meant only for the priests. Jesus went on to say in verse 8 "For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day."

This was the shadow of things to come - Jesus.

Paul writes in Romans 14:5

"One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth every day alike, Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." (that is where our freedom in Christ comes in).

Verse 6 goes on to says "He that regards the day, regards it unto the Lord; and he that regards not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it."

We are no longer under the law and observing the Sabbath the way the Torah instructs is no longer lawful for us because Jesus came to change that way of doing things. We could not survive under the law, and God saw that, and that is why God sent Jesus to make the final blood sacrifice for our sins thus fulfilling completely the law as instructed in the Torah.

We are no longer under the law, we are under grace, and I am so glad because I like my freedom to express my love of God and reverence for God on the day of my choosing whether it is Saturday or Sunday.

Paul writes in Galatians 4:9-10 "But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days, and months, and times, and years, I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain."

As I have said before, it is a beautiful thing to give one of our days totally to God. To let go of our worldly life and think of God one day a week. Not of church, not of socials, not of timetables, to think of God and honor Him on that day.

As Isaiah 58:13 says "If you turn away your foot from the sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day: (whichever day you choose) and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shall honor Him, not doing your own way, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words; then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; and I will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it."

It's not the day, it's the thought. And the great thing is we are not under condemnation if we mess up.

If you have further comments on this subject, be sure and leave them at the bottom down below this.

Thank you, Lord, for giving us your freedom. Thank you, Jesus, for getting us out from under the law and putting us under your grace. We honor you, Lord, and glorify you. In Your Name we pray, Amen.

Have a great day today!

Charlotte

the blessings that are mine!!!

The scripture we looked at yesterday from Isaiah 58, the last part of that scripture says that if we will turn our foot from the sabbath and observe it as a holyday unto the Lord and delight ourselves in the Lord, there are two consequences:

1. God will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth.

Have you ever been on an airplane? I didn't fly for most of my adult life until a couple of years ago because I was afraid of heights. Then the Cabin wanted me to do a seminar in Snowmass, Colorado and I had to turn it down because I wouldn't fly. They kept on bugging me, so, finally, I took a flying leap, so to speak.

They flew me from Little Rock, to Dallas, to Denver, to Aspen and we shuttled to Snowmass. I became so enthralled with riding on a clouds, that I forgot about my fear. You could look down and see how the ground is laid out in patches so clean and nice like a beautiful quilt. We flew through the humongous mountains and it seemed we could get out of the plane and walk on the clouds and tip the mountains with our fingertips which was totally unrealistic, but you know me.

The beauty of holiness is how the last Charlotte in the morning ended. To 'ride upon the high places of the earth' in the beauty of holiness. What a wonderful place to be. To be able to look down upon things as God would look upon them.

The things God is involved in is beautiful. Trees - mountains - wild flowers - skies - butterflies - when man gets involved trying to fix what God has already done, that's when it becomes a mess.

My family generates from Tull which is out in the country from Benton. When the kids and I came back from Texas, we were absolutely amazed at how beautiful the drive was out to Tull from Benton. The trees met at the top across the road and it was like driving through a post card. Then......they decided to make a highway through that road and you should see it today. It looks like it has had a burr haircut. Some places come right up to people's front door, and it absolutely makes you sick remembering how very beautiful it used to be. And the sad part is, who is going to travel that huge, wide highway through Tull, Arkansas, population 199.

It was very surprising to me to see how well man has 'laid out the land' when looking down at the earth. It is laid in even patches, some even being different colors than others. Isn't that amazing!

When we only have a bird's eye view, it doesn't appear to be that beautiful. But (there's the but) when you look down upon it, the appearance totally changes.

I don't know about you this morning, but I need to be able to look down upon some things rather than being caught in the middle and not be able to see with good perspective. And only God can provide that for me....not man or anything I, of myself, can do.

2. The very last of that verse 14 says 'and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.'

There is a song that sings 'Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had father Abraham. I am one of them and so are you. So, let's just praise the Lord.'

And another 'The blessings of Abraham are mine all mine.'

What does that mean?

In Deuteronomy 28 the law sets forth the blessings and the cursings of the obeying the law. This was directed at this point in time to the children of Israel.

a. The Lord would set you on high above all nations of the earth.
b. You will be blessed in the city.
c. You will be blessed in the field.
d. The fruit of your body will be blessed (your children)
e. The fruit of your ground will be blessed. (your crops)
f. The fruit of your cattle will be blessed.
g. Your kine and the flocks of your sheep will be increased.
(increased after your kine like cattle having cattle)
h. Your basket and your store will be blessed.
i. You will be blessed when you come in,
j. and you will be blessed when you go out.
k. God will cause your enemies that rise up against you to be smitten before your face.
l. They will come out against you one way, and flee before you seven ways.
m. This blessing will be commanded upon you in your storehouse and in all you set your hand to do.
n. He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
o. He will establish you a a holy people unto himself. And all people of the world shall see and know that you are called by the name of the Lord.....and they will be afraid of you. (sounds like America has always been)
p. The Lord will make you plenteous in goods, in the fruit of your body, fruit of your cattle, fruit of your ground in the land that the Lord swore to give you.
q. The Lord will open unto you his good treasure, the heaven to give rain in his season and to bless all the works of your land.
r. You shall lend unto many nations and you shall not borrow. (Does this not sound like America)
s. MY FAVORITE He will make you the head, and not the tail.
t. He will make you above only, and not beneath.

The cursings of the Lord are the total opposite of these blessings, including some others.

Now this is old hat to some reading this, but to others, it may be the first time you have ever heard of this.

Galations 3:13 tells us that Jesus, when He died on Calvary, became the curse of the law for us, so that now, because of Jesus, we have the blessings which are named above. Read for yourself in Deuteronomy 28 and Galatians 3:13.

This is the heritage of Jacob, your father. Abraham was Jacob's grandfather. So his heritage came from the blessings of Abraham and is ours according to this scripture, because of Jesus.

I don't know about you, but I could use those blessings in my life and my children's and grandchildren's lives, in my going out and coming in, in blessing everything I put my hand to, to being the head only and not the tail, above only and not beneath.

Jesus, thank you for dying for us and taking the curse of the law from us. Thank you for the blessings that are ours today. Let us always look and see what good You have done in our lives and never be ungrateful and unreceptive. Bless everyone who reads this little epistle. Give them a good day today, Lord, including me, and help us ever to look to you the author and finisher of our faith. In Your name we pray! Amen. ( it is done)

Have a blessed day today!

Charlotte

The Beauty of Holiness

Please note I have added a new feature to Charlotte in the morning. A Bible Lotto which is a Bible trivia. Take and look and enjoy.

The question has been posed: Wasn't it mortal men who "changed" the Sabbath to Sunday? Perhaps we should stop shopping/working on Saturday?

Things have really changed today since even 50 years ago.

My mother had her sewing machine up all week, she cooked three meals a day, starting at 6 o'clock in the morning, washed on Monday, ironed on Tuesday, cleaned her house in the morning, took a bath and put on a clean dress to sit on the front porch and talked to her neighbors in the afternoon, cooked supper, and waited for my dad to come home from work.

On Saturday night, she put away her machine and all the rest to prepare for Sunday.

We had clothes we only wore on Sunday. We had shoes we only wore on Sunday. She cooked one big meal which was usually roast beef with potatoes, onion, and carrots fixed in the pressure cooker or fried chicken and mashed potatoes. We ate in the dining room with napkins and all. That was the day I had to wash the dishes. She read the paper.

No stores were open on Sunday - just the picture show which was a fifty-cent day because they showed the better movies on Sunday. One I remember was Mitzi Gayner in Bloodhounds of Broadway - lots of dancing and singing. My friend, Jane, always went to the Sunday movie. Mother didn't allow me to go the Sunday movie except every once in a while if there was something really wonderful on, she would let me go. Fifty cents was a lot of money to pay for a movie. She kept her change in her sewing machine drawer. I usually went on Saturday to the western double feature with a serial western and a carton for twenty-five cents. Every kid in town was there except Jane.

Then stores begin to open on Sunday and people started to shop on Sunday. That's when they passed the Blue Law that there were only certain types of businesses that could be open on Sunday. It was like that for several years, but somewhere along the years that Blue Law was over passed, because now a days any and all businesses are open on Sunday.

We think nothing of going out to eat on Sunday where someone else is working and preparing our meal and washing the dishes for us. We think nothing of running to WallyWorld for something we just can't live without. Sometimes we have to do our grocery shopping on Sunday when we have run out of time on other days and there is nothing wrong with that.

In the scripture it says this in Isaiah 58:13-14
If you turn away your foot from the sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shall honor him, not doing you own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, not speaking you own words; then shall you delight in the Lord; and I will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.

Dake's note on this is 'It must be remembered that Jews are addressed here, not the church.'

Jesus came to fulfill the law. Jesus was the first to do the necessary things and do away with the strictness of the sabbath. But, in my opinion God never changes, and if we do take to heart this scripture and honor His day and reserve it for doing only things of God and resting from our labor, is it gonna kill us? It might in this day.

Try it! I have and you would be surprised at the things we do that is contrary to this scripture. No television for one day! No WallyWorld for one day! No eating out for one day! Dressing up for God on that one day!


I can hear it now HAVE YOU GONE NUTS!!!!!!!

It doesn't matter what day you observe as the sabbath - Colossians 2:14-16 says Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us (the complete law which included observing the sabbath) and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days; which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Dakes's note on this is 'Since it is out of our way, let us not stumble over it again. Keep it out of our way.'

Does this mean we can just do what we want to do?

God never changes. If we reverence a day to be holy unto Him, I believe like this first scripture says. We are not condemned if we don't do it right but God says:

If you turn away your foot from the sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shall honor him, not doing you own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, not speaking you own words; then shall you delight in the Lord; and I will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.

I believe it would please God to no end if we would stop what we are doing and honor Him on one whole day of the week. I believe that He would cause us to ride upon the high places of the earth in the beauty of holiness not because we have done anything outstanding but because we have honored Him with our actions.

What do you think? Leave your comments.

Have a good day this Monday!

Charlotte

Letter from Jesus

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year. It was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival, although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children and grandchildren of your own.

I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. ...Now, having said that...let Me go on...

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen, and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that, there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees; you can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish...I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one about the vine, look up John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is my wish list; choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know because they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home, not just during Christmas time, but all through the year. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing "George" complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year...then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past......and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of "nit-picking" about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" ,that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day, they'd close and let their employees spend the day at church and at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary -- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts giving them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me. They will even make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions and words that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court.

And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love...and

remember......I LOVE YOU!

JESUS

One thing have I desired of the Lord!

Good morning! Hope this day finds you rejoicing in the Lord for it is a day that the Lord has made.

Update on Kele. His grandmother allowed him to go to a ranch in Benton for an initial six month period. She can go and visit him. It took a lot of love to let him go. Actually, more love to let him go than to not. Keep him and Mary in your prayers. Mary is Bill's sister.

Psalms 27 says this:

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after;that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.

This morning I was looking in John 3 and saw a couple of verses that said v38-39 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said unto them, What do you seek? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master) where do you live? He said unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

Can you imagine going to Jesus' house and spending the day with Him. Probably he still lived with his mother as that was the custom of that day to live with extended families. I wonder what they had for lunch. Was it on dirt floors?

My mother had an identical twin sister named Aunt Raney. I did not know her until I was grown. I had heard a lot about her but she lived in Texas and we lived in Arkansas so our paths didn't cross much. When I got acquainted with her, the thing I remember most, was that her house was filled with love. You could feel it when you walked in the door. I have always wanted my house to feel that way to people that come. I bet Jesus' house was full of love, don't you?

Last night on King of the Hill it was about them leaving their church because he couldn't sit on the same pew every Sunday. He and his family left the church and went to a really big church. They had church goings on all the time and finally they went back to their old church and the last thing he said, sitting on his pew, was something to the effect of Hello, Lord, glad to be back.

The house of the Lord is where you meet with Jesus. Sometimes I think I would be happy if I could just stay with Him - kneel at his feet - eat from his table - drink from his water....just to stay in his presence.

For in time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion; in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. (He will just pick me up like a little child and set me out of harm's way.)

And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy;

When we praise the Lord, it does not always just pour out of us. Sometimes it is a sacrifice to praise God, especially in some situations that are not attractive. This says I WILL OFFER IN HIS TABERNACLE SACRIFICES OF JOY. It is a thing that I WILL DO. The most victorious times in my life have been times that I, in my mind, got right in the middle of a situation and praised God for it, through it, around it and down the middle. God hears that praise and He will move mountains for you when you look to him for answers in the middle of your sacrifice of praise.

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

Lord, be with us today and as we give you praise, fight our battles for us so that we can hold on to our peace. In Jesus Name. Amen ( it is done)

Have a good one!

Charlotte