I Am So Glad to Know You!

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

David says of him and God: As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and he shall hear my voice. He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me; for there were many with me. Psalms 55:16-18

He says in verse 22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved....and in verse 23 David declares..I WILL TRUST IN THEE.

I Peter 5:6-7 says Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your cares upon Him; for He cares for you.

We can end this by saying I WILL TRUST IN GOD....i WILL trust in God....I will trust in God...i will TRUST in God....i will trust in GOD. No matter which way you say it or where you put the emphasis - I WILL TRUST IN GOD.

It is always amazing to me the peace that comes when you cry unto God....when you lay it all out on the table before Him. David says in this scripture above that He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle.

Sometimes in our lives we are in a battle. Sometimes I get weary from the battle. I am at an age now that I would just as soon not do battle. Health reasons encourages me not to get involved in the battle but somehow life has a way of putting you right where you don't want to be. At times like that is when you need to just put your trust in God and allow Him to deliver my soul in peace.

Lamentations 3:22-24 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.

The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeks Him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

It is one thing to trust in God. It is quiet another to cry out unto him morning, noon and night. It is quiet another to have our souls delivered in peace. But, ultimately, the waiting on God not only for his answer but moving is what is honorable to God.

It is like looking at the big picture and not realizing that all the time our lives are in God's mighty hand and we don't even realize it until His finger twitches and then we get the big picture.

Thank you, God, for hearing us today. Thank you for your Word that ministers to our hearts and our minds and let's us know that trusting and waiting on You is what matters. To remember, Lord, that our lives are in Your Hands and we don't have to be afraid or worried because You have it all under control. Thank you, Lord. I praise You because of Who You are. I am so glad to know you and trust in You because there is nothing too big for you to handle. I am so glad. Charlotte

FOR ME OR AGAINST ME!!!!!

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

At our church, our pastor has been preaching on Revelations and it has just been wonderful. I have always been reluctant to study Revelations because there is so many things we don't understand in the symbolism of this great book. That is the reason it says that there is a blessing to those who will read and study this book.

The times are different now also. Years back, we could only speculate as to what some of the things in the future would mean, but today, it doesn't take much imagination to see where we are going. Computer chips are already being placed in animals to track them even in the wilderness. So, to see being required to have a tiny computer chip the size of a ball point pinhead placed in our hand or in our forehead does not boggle our minds at all. Soon, without this people will not be able to trade in the stores...to feed their families.

The scary part to me is that we are so complacent that if Kroger's or Walmart's says 'now today we are putting tiny little chips either in your hand or your forehead, whichever you choose, so that we can identify you when you trade here,' people are so nuts, they will stand in line to get it, not even realizing they are damning their souls to hell.

We are just about at the absolute crossroads. Pastor Eric said yesterday - fence stradling is over - either you choose for God or against God.

There are so many blinded eyes and unhearing ears even though the gospel has been preached and repreached, there are those who just are not aware of how close we are to the day the Lord comes again and takes Christians from this earth.

My heart breaks as I write this as some I am very close to....that I would give my life for....have other things to do rather than be faithful to the things of God and the teaching of their children. Those same people, if you call with a GO AND DO project, they are all ready to 'go and do'......except where it comes to God.

That day will catch us unawares - in other words, we won't know what hit us.

I wish I could say that I'm ready and that would be enough .... you now, it's every man on his own bottom...but it isn't enough for me. People I love I want good things for them and God is the best thing I know. He is the answer to all life's situations. He gives joy and peace and abundant life. He's my best friend. He is my mountain mover and I don't want to hoard Him. I want others to know Him and be blessed.

The song says OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART, LORD, I WANT TO SEE YOU. That is my prayer for you this day.....

Just pray this prayer - God, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe in You and Your Son, Jesus. I believe that He died and rose again victorious for me and His blood covers my life. Make me a new creation in Christ Jesus and set my feet upon solid ground so that I can mountain climb to You. Instill in me the desire to delight myself in you, Lord. In Jesus name I ask this. Amen!

Father God, I lift up every eye that reads this today...that you would touch their hearts, their minds, their being and open their hearts to see you, Lord. Take off the blinders from their eyes that Satan has put there and let them see you...let them know You. Increase their desire to learn more about You, God and to just know you, God. When I get to seat on the throne with Jesus, I'll be more than happy to share my seat. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen. (it is done)

Have a good one!

Charlotte

THE MAYONNAISE JAR AND 2 CUPS OF COFFEE

Greetings! Hope you are having a great day today. An old friend of mine sent me this and I wanted to post it to share it with you. HAVE A GOOD ONE! CHARLOTTE


The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--GOD, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Praying and asking God to help, Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'----Now send this to your friends! I JUST DID!

PETITIONS IN ABSOLUTE FAITH

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

Check out the praise and worship music videos. These are some new songs we will be learning at church.

I John 5:13-15 says this:

THESE THINGS HAVE I (JOHN) WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YOU MAY KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD.

Two verbs in this verse to take a look at ..... that you may know and that you may believe.

So, what do we hear from this verse????? Are you a believer of the Son of God?????

If you are a believer, then this is for you. We not only can know that we have eternal life, but also that we can believe on the name of Jesus.

The next verse says: THIS IS THE CONFIDENCE THAT WE HAVE IN HIM, THAT, IF WE ASK ANYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, HE HEARS US; AND IF WE KNOW THAT HE HEARS US, WHATSOEVER WE ASK, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE PETITIONS THAT WE DESIRED OF HIM.

3 John verse 2 says BELOVED, I WISH ABOVE ALL THINGS THAT YOU MAY PROSPER AND BE IN HEALTH, EVEN AS YOUR SOUL PROSPERS.

We know then that it is God's will for us to be well and prospering. Anything that sets itself against us to make us not prosper is not from God. And He surely wants our souls to prosper.

We make our petition known unto God.

If we hire an attorney, that attorney will make a petition to the court.

For instance:

PETITION THE COURT OF FAULKNER COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT

Methodist Hospital vs Jackie Smith

Jackie Smith owes Methodist Hospital $25.26 and Methodist Hospital wants their money.

(It is honorable and right for Jackie Smith to pay $25.26 to Methodist Hospital because she owes it.)

Judge enters decision: It is so ordered that Jackie Smith pay Methodist Hospital $25.26 by the end of 30 days.

Welllllll! THIS IS THE CONFIDENCE WE HAVE!!!!! We make our petition known unto God. Keep a list of your exact petition that you have requested of God. Leave a space for His decision and the date of His reply.

And don't decide ahead of time what His Will is because that is God's part. Your part is to make the petition in faith.

Hold your shield of faith and BRING INTO CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST (2 Cor 10:5)

WE CAN HAVE MIRACLES TODAY JUST LIKE WHEN JESUS WALKED THE EARTH. THE THING THAT HINDERS US IS OUR LACK OF PETITIONS MADE AND FAITH TO WALK OUT THE PETITIONS.

Lord, remind us to exercise our absolute faith in You every day and to make our petitions known unto You and teach us to wait on Your reply. In Jesus name we pray. AMEN (which means it is done)

Have a great weekend!

Ms. Charlotte

Take a listen!!!!!!

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

I have added a list of Praise and Worship songs that we will be learning at Point of Grace so that you might enjoy giving a listen before we start.

My favorites are 'As a Deer' and 'The Happy Song.' Hope you enjoy!

Will add to this later.

Have a great one! Charlotte

Excuse me, are you Jesus?

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

Here is something for you!


'Excuse me, Are you Jesus?'

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago . They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly-missed boarding.

ALL BUT ONE!!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.

He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.

He was glad he did.

The 16-year-old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her; no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.

When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"

He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?" Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.

If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.

You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked up you and me on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.

Sometimes we just take things for granted, when we really need to be sharing what we know.

Have a great day!

Ms. Charlotte

How to have a happy day!

They who seek in God their rest, shall ever find Him near! Paul Gerhardt

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

Ten Rules For A Happy Day

1. TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK...
if someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is
unkind, I will not respond in a like manner.

2. TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY 'ENEMY'...
If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly,
I will quietly ask God to bless that individual. I understand
"enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger.

3. TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY...
I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that
I do not spread gossip.

4. TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE...
I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.

5. TODAY I WILL FORGIVE...
I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.

6. TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE, BUT I WILL DO
IT IN SECRET...
I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.

7. TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS THE WAY I WISH TO BE TREATED...
I will practice the golden rule. "Do Unto others as I would have
them do unto me"- with EVERYONE I encounter.

8. TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE WHO IS DISCOURAGED...
My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the
difference to someone who is wrestling with life.

9. TODAY I WILL NURTURE MY BODY...
I will eat less... I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank
God for my body.

10. TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY...
I will spend a little more time in prayer today. I will begin
reading something spiritual or inspirational; I will find a
quiet place (at some point during this day) and listen to God's voice

Philippians 4:11-13 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

Have a happy day!

Ms. Charlotte

Tell someone today!

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

Here's something for you -

Life Without Purpose

There can't be a harvest unless you plant the seed.
There can't be attainment unless there's a goal,
And a man's but a robot unless there's a soul.

If we send no ships out, no ships will come in,
And unless there's a contest, nobody can win.
For games can't be won unless they are played
And prayers can't be answered unless they are prayed.

So whatever is wrong with your life today,
You'll find a solution if you kneel down and pray.
Not just for pleasure, enjoyment and health,
Not just for honors, prestige or wealth,
But pray for a purpose to make life worth living,
And pray for the joy of unselfish giving.

For great is your gladness and rich your reward
When you make your life's purpose the choice
of the Lord.

By Helen Steiner Rice

Colossians 3:23-25 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons"

Psalms 92 starting back at 7 When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever.

Who is the enemy of the Lord or of us as a Christian??????? Who are the wicked????? Who are the workers of iniquity??????

The answer is those who do not serve the Lord. You either choose to serve the Lord or the devil. You can't do both - it has to be one or the other. Think about that! Look around you - how many people do you see that do not serve the Lord? When we look and see, it may appear that some are flourishing but (there's the but) this scripture says they shall be destroyed for ever.

We don't hear much about hell anymore from the pulpit. Used to be preachers would make your hair stand on end preaching about hell, but it makes people uncomfortable, so that message is quieted these days. But we can be assured that hell will be full. I want my life to stand for the Lord and I don't want people that I know going to hell because I didn't do enough. Their failure will come out in my report before God.

But (there's the but) you, O lord, are most high for evermore. For, lo, your enemies, O Lord, for, lo, you enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.

The other side of the coin says this:

But (there's the but)my horn shall you exalt like the horn of a unicorn:

I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

My eye also shall see my desire on my enemies, and my ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree;

he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.

They shall still bring forth fruit in old age;

they shall be fat and flourishing;

(Why?)to show that the Lord is upright:

he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

So what did this little poem says:

So whatever is wrong with your life today,
You'll find a solution if you kneel down and pray.
Not just for pleasure, enjoyment and health,
Not just for honors, prestige or wealth,
But pray for a purpose to make life worth living,
And pray for the joy of unselfish giving.

For great is your gladness and rich your reward
When you make your life's purpose the choice
of the Lord.

Tell someone today about Jesus and what He has done in your life!!!!!

Have a great day!

Ms. Charlotte

Lord, sun it, water it, and nourish it!

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

Psalms 92 says this

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto your name, O most High:

To show forth your loving kindness in the morning, and your faith every night.

Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon a psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.

For you, Lord, have made me glad through your work: I will triumph in the works of your hands.

It is funny how little things can make you happy. In this move I lost my good bra. It was fairly expensive and I looked everywhere. I could not find it. I told Bill I must have accidentally thrown it away. So I prayed 'Lord, give the angels charge over my bra so that I can find it.' Guess what! Last night I was moving some things to a new lingerie chest that we purchased and just guess what I found back in the back corner - my good bra. Now that it is a little thing but to me it was a big thing. It was an answer to my pray and did I rejoice? You bet!

The deep thought of the Lord which is in the next verse is that we need to pray for more important things and people and God answers in the same way.

He makes me glad through His work!!!!!!!! I will triumph in the works of His hands!!!

O Lord, how great are your works! and your thoughts are very deep.

A brutish man knows not: neither does a fool understand this.

Here's a story for you -

In Florida, an atheist became incensed over the preparation of Easter
and Passover holidays. He decided to contact his lawyer about the
discrimination inflicted on atheists by the constant celebrations
afforded to Christians and Jews with all their holidays, while atheists
had no holiday to celebrate.

The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the long
passionate presentation by the lawyer, the Judge banged his gavel and
declared, "Case dismissed!"

The lawyer immediately stood and objected to the ruling and said, "Your
honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have
Christmas, Easter and many other observances. Jews have Passover, Yon
Kippar and Hanukkah...yet my client and all other atheists have no such
holiday!"

The judge leaned forward in his chair and simply said, "Obviously your
client is too confused to even know about, much less celebrate, his own
atheists' holiday!"

The lawyer pompously said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any such
holiday for atheists. Just when might that holiday be, your Honor?"

The judge said, "Well, it comes every year on exactly the same
date---April 1st! Since our calendar sets April 1st as 'April Fools
Day,' consider that Psalm 14:1, which states, 'The fool says in his
heart, there is no God.' Thus, in my opinion, if your client says there
is no God, then by scripture, he is a fool, and April 1st is his holiday!
Now have a good day, and get out of my courtroom!!"

Isn't it sad how many people we know that don't know the Lord...how many that don't have a clue? and further are not interested in a clue? Every day we need to pray 'God bring someone in my path that I can tell about you.' You know He will do that and even if they don't seem to respond, maybe we can plant a seed and pray that God will sun it and water and nourish it so that they will know Him before it is too late....because you know the hour is late!!!!!!!

Lord, lead us and guide us to the ones that receive our witness and that we can plant Your seeds in their heart so that they will know You. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen.

Have a great day!

Ms.Charlotte

It's in the choice!

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

Here is something good to contemplate for this Friday.

John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, 'If I were any better, I would be twins!'

He was a natural motivator.

If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, 'I don't get it!

You can't be a positive person all of the time How do you do it?'

He replied, 'Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or ... you can choose to be in a bad mood.

I choose to be in a good mood.'

Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.

Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or... I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.

'Yeah, right, it's not that easy,' I protested.

'Yes, it is,' he said. 'Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood.

You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life.'

I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.

After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.

I saw him about six months after the accident.

When I asked him how he was, he replied, 'If I were any better, I'd be twins..Wanna see my scars?'

I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.

'The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,' he replied. 'Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live.'

'Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?' I asked

He continued, '..the paramedics were great.

They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action.'

'What did you do?' I asked.

'Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,' said John. 'She asked if I was allergic to anything 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity''

Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'

He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude... I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.

Attitude, after all, is everything.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34.

After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Have a great weekend!

Ms. Charlotte

Resting in Jesus

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

Here is something our of OUR DAILY BREAD that I thought might minister to you today.
This is written by David McCasland.

Fifty miles west of Asheville, North Carolina, I turned off the busy highway and drove the remaining distance to the city on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. On that late October afternoon I drove slowly, stopping often to savor the mountain vistas and the last of the brilliant autumn leaves. The journey was not efficient in terms of getting to my destination quickly, but it was effective in restoring my soul.

The experience caused to to ask "How often do I travel the quiet road with Jesus? Do I exit the fast lane of my responsibilities and concerns to focus my attention on Him for a time each day?"

After Jesus' disciples completed a demanding period of ministry, He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). Instead of a long vacation, they had only a short boat ride together before being thronged by the crowd. The disciples witnessed the compassion of the Lord and participated with Him in meeting the needs of the multitudes (v33-43). When the long day finally ended, Jesus sought renewal in prayer with His heavenly Father (v46).

Jesus our Lord is always with us whether life is hectic or calm, but there is great value in taking time each day to walk the quiet road with Him.

There is a place of quiet rest, Near to the heart of God; A place where sin cannot molest, Near to the heart of God. - McAfee

Lord, help us to find rest in You. Restore our souls and refresh our spirits so Your joy can shine forth in our lives. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen.

Have a wonderful day!

Ms. Charlotte

The way to long life!

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

Today on television we see all kinds of stay-young commercials. Use this or that and it will reduce your wrinkles and your age spots. These vitamins will help you live longer. This or that will help you lose weight - if it were only true!!!!!!

My mother used to say there are two things you can't hide....that is your age and your weight. Good advice! I'm really glad she said that to me because it helps me accept the fact that I am getting older and I'm not a size 7.

She had a lot of sayings which were wise. On her television she kept a little plaque that said 'I know more about being young than you do about being old.' That is a treasure.

We have been looking at Psalms 91 this week. The last part of that chapter says this:

Because he has set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him:
I will set him on high, because he has known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him in trouble;
I will deliver him, and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

What are the promises in this verse?

I will deliver him.
I will set him on high.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him in trouble.
I will deliver him, and honor him.
WITH LONG LIFE WILL I SATISFY HIM AND SHOW HIM MY SALVATION.

Notice I will deliver him is in this twice. Not only deliver us but honor us. Just think....all of this just because we set our love upon Him.

What would happen if we took out a full page ad in the newspaper and a minute commercial on television saying - SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS - BRINGS YOU HONOR - GIVES YOU ANSWERS - MOST OF ALL LENGTHENS YOUR LIFE - and at the bottom JUST LOVE JESUS!!!! Free of charge - paid for in advance at Calvary - a gift for you if you will accept it. Call on the Father and He will answer you today and the call doesn't even cost a penny.

I wonder what the results would be?????????

Have a good day!

Ms. Charlotte

Under His Wing

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

Psalms 91 says He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (v1) He shall cover you with his feathers, and under his wings shall you trust. (v4)

There is a children's book about the mother hen who drew her little chicks under her wings. The barn caught on fire and the mother hen lost her life but when they picked her up, her little chicks were safe. She had given her life for the little chicks.

While we might think this is a morbid story, it is likened unto Jesus when He died on the cross for us.....that we might live. This scripture says that He covers us with his feathers and under his wings we will trust....confidently that we are safe in Jesus.

The scripture says The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and they are safe.

It is a wonderful thing to trust in the Lord. Evie used to sing a song that says something like this - if heaven never was promised to me, it all would be worth it to serve the Lord. In other words, if this is AS GOOD AS IT GETS, it is worth it - just trusting and living for Jesus. Having the refuge from the storm in this life.

There is a song that says

I've had visions and I have dreamed my dreams.
I have even held them right here in my hand.
But what I didn't realize is they can slip right through
as if they were only grains of sand.

But my anchor holds in the Rock of Ages.
My anchor holds in the great I AM.
I have fallen down on my knees as I've faced life's stormy seas,
and my anchor holds in spite of the storm.

Have a great day today!

Ms. Charlotte

Under His Shadow

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

Psalms 91 says He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.

Verse 9 continues Because you have made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, your habitation; There shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. For He shall give His angels angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash you foot against a stone.

Now listen to this Because he has set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

Speaking of the favor of God. When you sell someone a product, you learn to promote the benefits. What are the benefits of serving God???????

This scripture says

1. We will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Did you ever feel like your kids were right under your feet? Everywhere you went, they went. This scripture says that we are so close to God when we trust in Him that we are under his shadow. Now shadows don't extend too far, so when we trust in God we are close enough to be in His shadow. How wonderful!!!!!

2. No evil shall befall you - you hear of people who have had robbers come into their homes and they have been unafraid. Because they were unafraid they would tell the robber of Jesus and I have read stories of how the robber would repent and cry and leave. Remember when adverse things happen - that God says no evil shall befall you and why? because you trust in Him. He turns everything into something for our good.

3. No plague can come near your dwelling - Remember Moses - how the blood was over the doorpost of the Israelites' homes and the plague could not come into their home because of the blood of the lamb. Well, our homes are protected as well because of the blood of the Lamb - Jesus.

4. He gives His angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways. I have found that even to misplacing things, I can pray and say Lord, give the angels charge over such and such so I can find it. In a while I will just happen upon it. It is a great comfort to me to know that the angels have charge over me so that my foot will not even stumble.....even to the cars on the highways and streets. We need that wonderful protection in this day of cars and busyness.

5. He will be with us always and when we call upon Him, He will answer. It would be a wonderful thing to be close enough to the Lord like Hezekiah. Isaiah brought a message to Hezekiah from the Lord that He was going to die. The Bible says Hezekiah turn his face to the wall and prayed and God heard his prayer and before Isaiah got out the front door, God sent him back to tell Hezekiah that God had given him 15 more years. This scripture is in 2 Kings 20 - verse 5 says I HAVE HEARD YOUR PRAYER, I HAVE SEEN YOUR TEARS; BEHOLD I WILL HEAL YOU.

It is a wonderful things to trust in God and to go to Him first and foremost. Hezekiah did not hesitate - he turned his face to the wall and cried out to God, and God heard.

I want that in my life - for God to hear me and answer me when I cry to Him - when I am in trouble. How about you?

Thank you, Lord, for your Word. Thank you that when we cry unto You, You not only hear but you answer. Thank You that You bring us out on top and honor us. Guide us so that we can be closer under Your shadow. For it is in Jesus name that we pray. Amen.

Have a great day!

Ms. Charlotte

Let God be God!

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

My favorite scripture of all scripture is in Psalms 37.

Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. (In other words - God's gonna mow their grass)

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and verily you shall be fed.

Delight yourself also in the Lord; and he shall give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and He shall bring it to pass.

And He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday.

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yes, you shall diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

We talked yesterday about keep on keeping on because the favor of God surrounds us like a shield. There have been several times in my life that - a couple of times off the top of my head - evil people have come against me and/or my family.

One time when Matthew was in Junior High there was some people that lived down at the end of our block. They were teaching Matthew all kinds of things I did not want him to learn. I started praying for them FERVENTLY. They up and moved to Oklahoma.

Another time I had a woman who had been put over my department that was just wicked. I was the supervisor of the department and she did everything she could to demean me. I got up one morning really early and went to the park which was in walking distance of my apartment and prayed and prayed and prayed. God showed me that He had it all in His Hand and everything would be fine. I ended up resigning which was the right choice, but get this - they moved her to Atlanta, Ga.

Our job is to hold our shield of faith. God's job is to provide a shield of favor for us. When we do what we should do, then God can do what He can do. Where we get in trouble is returning evil for evil. We can't do that. We have to trust in the Lord and return good for evil, this let's God be God.

Lord, help us to walk this walk the way You want us to. To trust in You and Your way rather than go off the deep end and mess up. Always bring to our remembrance that we have Your favor and our enemies are in Your Hands. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen (it is done)

Have a great weekend!

Ms. Charlotte

Just keep on keeping on ......

Good morning a little late today! Our computer was acting up so had to call on my hubby to fix it before I could write, however, no matter what time of day we look to the Lord, it is always a good time to look up.

Thank you so much for your comments and encouragements. I appreciate that so much.

Have you ever been in a situation that seemed like you were going to be the loser? I have and the only way out is through the Lord. This is the confidence we can have in Him because His favor compasses us about like a shield.

There are several types of shields. The short hand held type and then the full body type. As for me, I want the full body type and I don't want a part of me sticking out! ha!ha!

Psalms 41 starting with 10 says But you, O Lord, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them. This was David writing when Absalom was trying to take over David's throne by receiving favor from the people.

David was much grieved when he wrote this. It takes a lot of strength when we have to rise up to discipline our grown children. It is a lot of hurt because this is one adult to another adult with relationship between the two. David says God would have to rise him up that he could take care of the situation.

Only God sometimes can 'rise us up' to handle a situation. When we pray and ask God to handle this or that, it does not mean that we do nothing. It means that we wait on the Lord for His instructions to let us know what we need to do.

Verse 11 says By this I know that You favor me, because my enemy does not triumph over me. As Deuteronomy 28 says He will make us the head only and not the tail - above only and not beneath. So as He promises, our enemies will not triumph over us, and why? because we have God's favor.

Verse 12 says And as for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and set me before Your face forever. He upholds us with His right hand. Our job is just to keep on keeping on living for Him.

If we take one step, He will take 4 1/2.

Have a great day!

Ms. Charlotte

My shield is God's favor!!!!!!

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

Psalms 5 says this GIVE EAR TO MY WORDS, O LORD, CONSIDER MY MEDITATION. HEARKEN UNTO THE VOICE OF MY CRY, MY KING, AND MY GOD: FOR UNTO YOU WILL I PRAY. MY VOICE SHALL YOU HEAR IN THE MORNING, O LORD; IN THE MORNING WILL I DIRECT MY PRAYER UNTO YOU, AND WILL LOOK UP.

I may have shared this before but it is worth repeating. Several years ago I made a cassette on which I had to sing my own music or else pay copyright charges to sing someone else's songs. The Lord gave me a whole album of songs, and one of the most striking to me was a song call 'Look up, my child.'

I was looking out my kitchen window one day and there was a little sparrow just peck, peck, pecking all around. I told the Lord that this was a special moment because only He and I could see that little sparrow. I turned to leave the kitchen and the Lord spoke to my heart. He said 'My children are like that little sparrow. They just peck, peck, peck all around and they never look up because if they looked up, they would know that I am watching over them.' He then gave me the song 'Look up, my child.'

That is what this scripture is talking about - in the morning, Lord, You will hear my cry - in the morning will I direct my prayer to You - in the morning, Lord, I will look up.

I pondered stopping writing Charlotte in the morning. I thought maybe everybody was tired of hearing from me. I have written for a year in May. But (there's the but) I will continue writing if not for anyone else, I will write for me. To give my first thoughts to the Lord.....to continue in God's word...and to look up first thing every day.

Psalms 5 continues in verse 11 BUT LET ALL THOSE THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEE REJOICE: LET THEM EVER SHOUT FOR JOY, BECAUSE YOU DEFEND THEM: LET THEM ALSO THAT LOVE THY NAME BE JOYFUL IN THEE. FOR YOU, O LORD, WILL BLESS THE RIGHTEOUS; WITH FAVOR WILL YOU COMPASS HIM AS WITH A SHIELD.

I don't know about you but I need God's favor. So this day I SHOUT FOR JOY BECAUSE HE DEFENDS ME AND I MAKE A QUALITY DECISION TO BE JOYFUL IN HIM. MY SHIELD IN THIS LIFE IS HIS FAVOR.

What a blessed way to live our days.

Thank you, Lord, for your blessing. Thank you for your favor to us and for the fact, Lord, that we can depend on you to watch over us and defend us. If you are for us, who can be against us. Be with everyone who reads this and the ones who don't, watch over them and bless them, heal their homes and their family. I pray for Amber and her baby today. Give the doctor wisdom and her courage in light of having this new baby. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

Ms. Charlotte

God is enough!

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

This is something good for today. Slow down and absorb what this is saying. So many times we zip through our e-mails and delete without really paying attention to what it says.

God Loves You

Enough to have His own son die just so you could live,

Enough to save you from all sin,

Enough to make you His own,

Enough to keep you from all harm,

Enough to provide for your every need,

Enough to carry you when you can't walk,

Enough to guide you through the dark,

Enough to hold your hand when you are scared,

Enough to cry with you, laugh with you, and never leave your side!


Isaiah 40:29-31 “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

There is an old song that says 'for those tears, I died.' God cares. Look to Him in all things.

This says it all. Have a great day this Tuesday!

Ms. Charlotte

TRUST in God!

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

Well, we got moved and our new home is simply beautiful. We have had a few weeks of very hard work though getting from one place to the other. Hope we don't move for a long, long time.

This is something Laura sent me that I thought was good.


Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd = That's Relationship!

I shall not want = That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters = That's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul = That's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = That's Guidance!

For His name sake = That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death = That's
Testing!

I will fear no evil = That's Protection!

For Thou art with me = That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me = That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies =
That's Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil = That's Consecration!

My cup runneth over = That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life =
That's Blessing !

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That's Security!

Forever = That's Eternity!

Face it, the Lord is crazy about you.

What is most valuable,

is not what we have in our lives, but

WHO we have in our lives!

I watched a show the other day about a sick man who kidnapped these women and imprisoned them - taking away the blessing of their life. One was separated from her child whom she adored. One from a fiancee whom she loved very much. One was separated from God whom she sang about. His philosophy was if you take away the thing in our life that most important, what do we have left?

In this Psalms is enumerated all the things life is made up of.....our hope/trust in God.

In my dining room I have an eagle picture which was given to us when we got married by a dear friend of mine. The caption of this picture is 'Faith in God will make you soar like an eagle.'

When I went to Toad Suck, which was my first time to be able to go, I found this booth that had metal words - FAITH, HOPE, TRUST. After thinking about it overnite, I had Bill go back up there and buy TRUST. To me that is the summation of it all. To TRUST in God to supply our needs, to give us rest, to be our Father, to be our security, the one to bless us with cups that overflow. TO TRUST IN GOD FOR ALL OF LIFE...THAT IS WHAT WILL MAKE US SOAR WITH EAGLES....UP ABOVE IT ALL.

Have a great day!

Ms. Charlotte

SPECIAL NOTICE!

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

I will not be writing for a while. We are moving and will hopefully be in place right after the first of the month. So, see you back then.

Ms. Charlotte

THE GOOD OF THE LAND!!!!!!!

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

I was wonderfully surprised this morning with two e-mails from some friends that I graduated high school with. We have been out of school for 50 years this 2008. Isn't that amazing. I never though I would make it through those growing up years and yet here I am. My mother used to say 'live and learn - die and forget it all.' That's about how life is. Just about the time you get grown up - it's over.

Well, I'm thankful for my life and my children and my grandchildren. God has blessed me beyond measure.

Yesterday the scripture from Isaiah 1:19 says IF YOU ARE WILLING AND OBEDIENT, YOU SHALL EAT THE GOOD OF THE LAND........FOR THE MOUTH OF THE LORD HAS SPOKEN IT.

The command was to CEASE TO DO EVIL, LEARN TO DO GOOD; SEEK JUSTICE, REBUKE THE OPPRESSOR.

Even though we are faithful to God and do the very best we can do, it takes a while for the good of the land to come to us. Now you may be different from me. I know there have been many people that I have seen over my lifetime that seems they just fall into line. Maybe it takes me a little longer, but I love the Lord and I get there eventually.

I am seeing the good of the land coming to me over the last few years. I am very thankful to God for his reward to me on this earth. But more important, when I meet Him face to face, I want Him to say to me - Charlotte, you did good....I've got your mansion ready - just go on in. And I won't have to wash dishes any more.

The wonderful thing about it is, that where I can't do any better than I am doing, Jesus steps in. Isn't that wonderful.

This scripture also says COME NOW, AND LET US REASON TOGETHER, SAITH THE LORD: THOUGH YOUR SINS BE AS SCARLET, THEY SHALL BE AS WHITE AS SNOW; THOUGH THEY BE RED LIKE CRIMSON, THEY SHALL BE AS WOOL.

I used to know a little preacher that used to sing this:

God held a great glowing balance,
and one side was waiting for me.
The other side held such perfection,
as God had commanded there be.
Then He held the scale in the middle,
and my side soared high with my sin.
I cried 'Oh, let my side be balanced.'
Then Jesus, my Saviour, stepped in.

I'm justified - justified - I'm happy in Jesus today.

This is Easter weekend - the holiday we celebrate as the day that Jesus arose from the dead. He arose victorious over sin and death so that we might have eternal life beginning on this earth...with the good of the land.

Celebrate Jesus this Easter -

Thank you, Jesus, for coming to this earth and dying for us on Calvary. Thank you, God, for raising Him from the dead victorious so that we might have life. Help us to always remember and never neglect so great a salvation. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen.

Have a great weekend!

Ms. Charlotte

If you are willing and obedient -

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

Have you ever heard someone say that they did not want to become a Christian because of all they would have to give up? Have you every felt that way yourself? When thoughts like this come into our minds, it is because we can't comprehend a different life style or living without a bad habit.

Isaiah 1:19 says IF YOU ARE WILLING AND OBEDIENT, YOU SHALL EAT THE GOOD OF THE LAND: BUT IF YOU REFUSE AND REBEL, YOU SHALL BE DEVOURED WITH THE SWORD; FOR THE MOUTH OF THE LORD HAS SPOKEN IT.

We have talked some this week about relationships and how we should CEASE TO DO EVIL, LEARN TO DO GOOD; SEEK JUSTICE, REBUKE THE OPPRESSOR.

The King James version puts it a little different PUT AWAY THE EVIL OF YOUR DOINGS FROM BEFORE MY EYES; CEASE TO DO EVIL; LEARN TO DO WELL; SEEK JUDGMENT, RELIEVE THE OPPRESSED, JUDGE THE FATHERLESS, PLEAD FOR THE WIDOW.

But any way you look at it God's way is different from man's way. He wants us to return good for evil, a soft word for angry words which sometimes is very hard to do.

On my job I talk to people the whole time. We do customer service for a credit card company. We have about 40-50 partners or different credit cards that we service. Some of the meanest people in the world are people who have $35,000 to $50,000 credit lines. They expect the impossible and do not want to be inconvenienced at all. Sometimes I have a very hard time returning a soft, kind word when they call with their anger and unwarranted expectations. They call with 'I want this done now, and I refuse to wait another minute.'

When we serve the Lord, we need to go the distance. To be patient and kind no matter what - and I am talking to myself today, because it is very hard sometimes to CEASE TO DO EVIL when someone is in your face so to speak.

I know one time a woman called in and said every ugly thing she could possibly think up to say and the only thing I could think of to say was 'Merry Christmas to you too.' She hung up.

This scripture today says IF YOU ARE WILLING AND OBEDIENT, YOU SHALL EAT THE GOOD OF THE LAND.

It is worth giving up our way of doing things for the Lord's way of doing things. It is rewarding to our lives and to our peace of mind. Sometimes it takes a while for the 'good of the land' to come, but this scripture says FOR THE MOUTH OF THE LORD HAS SPOKEN IT.

We can trust in God.

The negative part of this scripture is also true. My sister, Sarah, smoked all of my life. She was 15 years older than me. She was a nurse and smoked for some 60 years at least. When she was 80 they diagnosed her with lung cancer. She passed away last year. She asked the doctor, who was an old friend of hers, should she quit smoking. He told her it was too late to stop now.

The WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH the 'wages of cigarette smoking is lung cancer.' Wages is what we earn after a week on our job. We get a pay check. That is our wages. Same way with this. The consequences of our actions is our wages.

God does not just put that on us, it is the wages we have earned from what we have done or not done.

So the consequences of ceasing from evil, learning to do good, seeking judgment, rebuking the oppressor - if we are willing and obedient - we shall eat the good of the land.

That is a wonderful promise of God.

Lord, help us to living pleasing your sight. Remind us to do good not evil. Remind us to rebuke the oppressor instead of just going with the flow. Help us to live for you. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Have a great day!

Ms. Charlotte

Learn to do good -

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

Did you ever hear the expression - I prayed for patience and had 13 flat tires? Sometimes things like that happen. I prayed for the Lord to send me someone to love and He sent the most unlovable person He could scrape up. What a challenge! The most important thing to remember in circumstances such as this is not to throw in the towel and not meet the challenge.

I may have shared this before but it bears repeating. I worked one time for a woman in Benton who did not like women. However, she hired me. She was the meanest woman I have ever met. I had to turn in one pencil to get another. There was a man who worked in the office who was in very bad health. That is the reason she hired me - to watch over John and when he died, to take his place, which I did.

I would go home and pray - God, You are going to have to give me love for her because I just can't love her - she is so mean. Well, when You ask of God, you receive, and He would give me the most loving things to do for her. Every time she gave evil, the Lord would give me good things for her.

Many times I went to work singing 'I'm sheltered safe within the arms of God. So let the storm clouds roll, the black clouds rise, they don't worry me, for I'm sheltered safe within the arms of God. He walks with me and naught on earth can harm me, for I'm sheltered safe within the arms of God.'

I stayed there three years and by the time I left, she absolutely adored me. She cried when I finally left.

This job was a great lesson to me. One thing - even though things were really bad sometimes, in the morning was when all the work was done, and then everyone left for the rest of the day. She said it was okay for me to bring my Bible and read it in the afternoon, so for three years every afternoon was spent reading and studying God's word. She was gone also in the afternoon - I was by myself.

What was meant for evil was turned to complete good. That is the way things happen when we live and trust in God. So never throw in the towel when you are in a bad situation, let go and let God give you solutions you never even dreamed of. Let Him give you His love to love with and His kindnesses to be kind with and it will amaze you what the Lord can do through you.

What did our scripture say yesterday Isaiah 1:16-17 CEASE TO DO EVIL, LEARN TO DO GOOD; SEEK JUSTICE, REBUKE THE OPPRESSOR.

Have a great day today serving the Lord!

Ms. Charlotte

When the problems come.....and they will!

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

Isaiah 1:16-17 CEASE TO DO EVIL, LEARN TO DO GOOD; SEEK JUSTICE, REBUKE THE OPPRESSOR.

This is from Our Daily Bread:

When my computer greeted me one morning with what is ominously referred to as 'the blue screen of death,' I knew it was broken, but I didn't know how to fix it. I read a little, tried a few things, but finally had to call an expert for help. Knowing that something was wrong was only a small part of the problem; I couldn't fix it because I didn't know the right thing to do.

The ordeal reminded me of the many reporters who appear on television news programs. All of them are 'experts' at proclaiming what's wrong, but most are clueless as to what is right.

This happens in relationships as well. In families, churches, and workplaces, nothing gets fixed because we get fixated on what's wrong. It doesn't take an expert to know that something is wrong when people quarrel and hurt each other with unkind words and behavior. But it does take an expert to know how to fix the problem.

God revealed to Israel's prophets not only what was wrong but also what was right: CEASE TO DO EVIL, LEARN TO DO GOOD; SEEK JUSTICE, REBUKE THE OPPRESSOR, DEFEND THE FATHERLESS, PLEAD FOR THE WIDOW.

Instead of focusing on what is wrong, let's obey the One who knows what is right.

Julie Ackerman Link

In I Corinthians 6 Paul talks about the believer married to an unbeliever and he ends up his sayings by this: FOR WHAT KNOWEST THOU, O WIFE, WHETHER THOU SHALT SAVE THEY HUSBAND? OR HOW KNOWEST THOU, O MAN, WHETHER THOU SHALT SAVE THEY WIFE? This would apply to believer with believer, also, as our attitudes and actions influence the people we live with whether believer or unbeliever.

I knew a lady one time who had been especially happily married for some 60 years. They were both very active people. I asked her one time what was the secret of her happy marriage. She replied that she always treated him like she just met him for the first time.

When you date someone, you are always on your best behavior. You are especially polite and your dark side is hidden. You go out of your way to not let your bad habits show, but after you are married, your shield comes down and you are who you are.

When things start going negative, we should always remember that loving our neighbor as ourselves applies to all relationship including husband/wife relationship. If you have a hard time loving whoever, put them in the neighbor category and love them like we are commanded to love our neighbor.

Husbands are commanded to love their wives. Wives are not commanded to love their husbands, but to submit to them. So, when the challenge comes, and it will, remember to just recategorize your spouse as your neighbor and CEASE FROM EVIL - LEARN TO DO GOOD - SEEK JUSTICE - REBUKE THE OPPRESSOR.

Lord, there is so much negative today. It is so hard to have good relationships because of all the stuff that happens. Help us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to cease from evil, learn to do good, seek justice and rebuke the oppressor. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Have a great day today!

Ms. Charlotte

A Beautiful Life!

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

Remember Forest Gump saying 'Life is like a piece of chocolate.' This is what his mother had taught him. The thought was that when you bit into it you might get caramel, you might get mint but whatever you find in your chocolate, eat and enjoy.

When we look at God, we can compare His way with a jigsaw puzzle. Without Him to sort through and bring things out on top, life is a mess sometimes. Colossians 1:17 says HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS, AND IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER.

His way is to be KNIT TOGETHER IN LOVE according to 2:2. THAT THEIR HEARTS MAY BE ENCOURAGED, HAVING BEEN KNIT TOGETHER IN LOVE, AND ATTAINING TO ALL THE WEALTH THAT COMES FROM THE FULL ASSURANCE OF UNDERSTANDING, RESULTING IN A TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S MYSTERY, THAT IS, CHRIST HIMSELF.

I love to work jigsaw puzzles. There is something so fascinating to me to take all those pieces and complete putting them together and the whole, after the last piece is in place, becomes a wonderful picture. My friends and I have spent a lot of fun times together putting together puzzles. You have to be careful though, I have found with children helping put it together, because some pieces appear to fit but actually do not. Just one piece out of kilter and it throws the whole puzzle off.

That is somewhat like our life. The decisions we make sometimes, although they seem to be right at the time, can set us on a path that leads to places we do not want to go.

A Baptist preacher shared this with me one time. In Israel one of the things they make is rugs. They have a loom and one person stands on one side and throws the cord over the loom. The other person works the shuttle, which presses the cord down tight to form a design. The action of the two is very fast and sometimes the person who throws the cord over picks up the wrong color for the design. Do they stop and take it out? No. What they do is change the design of the rug according to what colors have been put in.

That is what we have to do sometimes in our lives when we take a shortcut we should have missed. God doesn't just discard us, and we can't go back, so what do we do? We just allow God to redesign our lives and in the long run when the last piece is put in, we become a beautiful picture.

In short, when life hands you a lemon, you make a lemonade.

1 Timothy 2 says FIRST OF ALL, THEN, I URGE THAT ENTREATIES AND PRAYERS, PETITIONS AND THANKSGIVINGS, BE MADE ON BEHALF OF ALL MEN, FOR KINGS AND ALL WHO ARE IN AUTHORITY, SO THAT WE MAY LEAD A TRANQUIL AND QUIET LIFE IN ALL GODLINESS AND DIGNITY. THIS IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE IN THE SIGHT OF GOD OUR SAVIOR, WHO DESIRES ALL MEN TO BE SAVED AND TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH.

Just think about it...God's will for us is to lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

So many times in relationships, life is just the opposite. It is not tranquil and not quiet, not godly and we find no respect or dignity. That is not the way God wants us to live. You've got to remember, however, that the all these things begin with one person......you. It takes two people to upset the tranquility and peace in a home. When you stay prayed up, and even though the temptation is there to retaliate, you show love, soon things will start changing for the better. At least you will have your dignity knowing that you have done the right thing.

I have been in bad relationships and sometimes there is nothing that can be done except just keep trusting in God. He is the puzzle master and knows right where every piece goes down to the last piece, and when we trust in God, our picture always comes out beautiful.

Have a great day today!

Ms. Charlotte

Clay in the Potter's hands!

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

This week has gone quite different from what I thought at the start. There has been a lot going on in my life, but above all I want this writing to be something that if you have a need from God, you can come to this site and be ministered to. There are many times in my life, I know, when if I could just get a word to encourage me, it would be worth everything. My desire is that this site will be God breathed and the little things in it will minister to your heart and your need.

Today is Friday!!!!! Does that do anything for you?????????

It doesn't for me as this is my Monday. I am off on Wednesday and Thursday.

Hopefully, we have been sharing this week lessons learned and passed down from older, experienced Christians to younger Christians. I remember when I was a young Christian how I struggled.

My mother used to say this poem about Monday's child is fair of face, Tuesday's child is full of grace, Wednesday's child is loving and giving, Thursday's child works hard for a living, Friday's child is full of woe, Saturday's child has far to go, but the child that is born on the Sabbath day is something about the most wonderful of all.

Well, I was born on Saturday and according to my mother's little saying I have far to go - well, that is the story of my life. Outside of God, I have always been stubborn and pig headed about everything I have had to learn to become an adult. There was a time in my life that I would not listen to any one. I would not change for any one. THEN I MET THE LORD.

The wonderful thing about knowing the Lord is that He knows you better than you know you.....and He loves you unconditionally.....just like you are. You can know and feel His love and acceptance of you on the inside of your heart. Isn't that amazing?

I remember the absolute turning point in my life. I had a friend named Toby. We got saved about the same time and went to the same church. He was divorced, I was divorced. We were great friends. Then God sent Rose into Toby's life. They moved to Texas and when they came back, they were obviously very happy and had a couple of kids by then. I remember I got so envious of Toby and what God had done for him, I left church early and came home storming at God. "Now, God, why can't you do for me what you have done for Toby?"

The Lord spoke to me and this is what He said. "You are like a wild horse, but wild horses when they are saddled and bridled, make the best fillies."

Now, folks, I want you to understand that this came from the Creator of my soul, who knows me inside and out, upside and down, and who I loved with my whole heart.

The next day I got to thinking 'Oh, the Lord didn't say that to me' you know how that goes. Well, God gives a confirmation of his messages. Sure enough I was reading a book on inner healing by President Carter's sister and opened the book and in black and white, there before my eyes, was in print the exact thing that the Lord had spoken to me.

Looking back now I can see that that was so true of me. Delightful brought a movie over one time for me and the girls about a wild horse and as I watched that movie, I understood even more about how the Lord was directing me in my life. I can't tell you how many buckets of tears I shed. God can take us from where we are to where He wants us to be - to be all we can be in the person He has created us to be.

He didn't create us the same. I am not a housekeeper. I labor at house cleaning - always have and probably always will, however, you give me a song to sing or piece to play on the piano and I can stand with the best. I'm not you and you're not me, and the quicker we learn that, the quicker we can get on with our lives.

You see for a person such as myself that doesn't just naturally lay down and play dead, to submit to someone is a quality decision to be made rather than just a natural thing to do. It is a choice to be made to obey God or to go by what my husband says...rather than my wearing the pants in the family....or doing my own thing....the I DID IT MY WAY thing.

It all goes back to loving God with all your mind, heart, and soul....this is what comes first....loving God most of all especially above yourself. When we put God first in our life, He can mold us and make us into what He wants us to be.

Now I'm not saying I have arrived and this is how I got so perfect because I am not perfect by a long shot and I will be the first to tell you that. Paul says the things I know to do, I don't do, and the things I know not to do that is just what I do. That is me but in my heart of hearts, I want to please my Lord and at the same time, I want to please my husband.

There is song that I have sang for years that says this:

Wounded and broken I came back to Him,
A vessel so unworthy, so marred by my sin.
But He did not despair, He started over again,
And I praise the day, He didn't throw the clay away.

Over and over He molds me and makes me,
Into His image He fashions the clay.
A vessel of honor I am today,
All because Jesus didn't throw the clay away.

He is the Potter and I am the clay,
Molded in His image He wants me to stay.
So when I stumble and fall, and my vessel breaks,
He just picks up the pieces, He doesn't throw the clay away.

Over and over He molds me and makes me,
Into His image He fashions the clay.
A vessel of honor I am today,
All because Jesus didn't throw the clay away.

When I went to UCA, we went to the potter's room. Our teacher showed us how the potter works. You take a hunk of clay and you put it on the wheel. You add water to the clay and work the clay on the wheel. Sometimes there are hunks in the clay that will make your hands bleed, but you keep on adding water to the clay and keep on working it until you have all the impurities out and then after the impurities are out and the clay is moldable, only then, can you begin making something out of that hunk of clay.

Say for instance, that you make a plate out of the worked clay and it is not straight. Do you throw that clay away?????

Not by a long shot. You have work that clay for hours making it something you can do something with so you certainly would not throw it away.

Well, that is what God does for us. Jesus hand's bled first and foremost so that we could be the clay in the Potter's hand. Now when we mess up, God does not despair of us, He forgives...forgets....and starts over again knowing He can make us into the person He means for us to be.

I got my hair fixed yesterday. My beauty operator had gotten a new hair cut, style, and foiling of her hair. Beauty operators know hair so she and this other operator were talking about this little hunk of hair here needs some more work. Now to me it looked fine, but I am not a specialist.

You see, God sees our imperfections because He is a specialist's specialist. He knows just how to take that little out of kilter part of us and turn it around so that we can become all He has created us to be.

The rock sculptor says he does not make the rock into what he wants it be. He takes the shape that the rock is in already and simply chips away the part that doesn't belong so that the true shape of the rock can show forth.

God does not make us into someone else - He simply refines the person that we already are.....He made us in the beginning and He knows that He does not make junk.

Now stop what you are doing.........and tell the Lord you want to be moldable clay in His hands so that you can be all you be in Him...........just give him a moment of your day.......just let Him speak to your heart.

Have a great weekend!

Charlotte

HE HAS NEVER FAILED ME!

JESUS TAKES UPSET DOWN HOUSES AND PUTS THEM ON A SURE FOUNDATION.


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 some things that this week that the young should learn from the old not just young/old in years but young/old in walking with the Lord. There are no short cuts, unfortunately, and that is what I wanted to write about today.

In Galatians 3:13 Paul writes CHRIST REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW, HAVING BECOME A CURSE FOR US - FOR IT IS WRITTEN, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"-

In Deuteronomy the 28th chapter it gets right down to it enumerating the blessings and the cursing of the law. So, if Jesus became the curse for us when He died on Calvary, then we are due the blessings. Remember the song THE BLESSINGS OF ABRAHAM ARE MINE ALL MINE. Well, that is very true.

This scripture starts out by saying NOW IT SHALL BE, IF YOU DILIGENTLY OBEY THE LORD YOUR GOD, BEING CAREFUL TO DO ALL HIS COMMANDMENTS WHICH I COMMAND YOU TODAY, THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL SET YOU HIGH ABOVE ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH. ALL THESE BLESSING WILL COME UPON YOU AND OVERTAKE YOU IF YOU OBEY THE LORD YOUR GOD.

When I was going to UCA, I used to walk the track some. UCA had a track and Hendrix had a track. UCA's track you had to count the number of times you went around to know how far you had walked. On the other hand, Hendrix's track was a progressive track in that when you started on the outside and ended up on the inside, you had walked a mile.

At UCA you would have to remind yourself - one more time around the track.... The blessing of the Lord is the same way. This scripture says that the blessings of the Lord will COME UPON YOU AND OVERTAKE YOU. In other words, you can't be standing still or just sitting on a church pew. To come upon you and overtake you have to be going somewhere. You have to be moving to be overtaken.

In a race you see the other runners giving it all they have in the last lap in order to overtake the person who is in the lead.

Many times God sends us lessons to learn and we don't see the light in what He is trying to teach us. It is at those times that He says 'One more time around the track, child.' You see many people who sit on a church pew for years on end and never grow anywhere and unless they get to actively walking with God, they will be going around and around and around never knowing when they have walked a mile.

As we walk with the Lord, not because of what we do, but because of Jesus, the blessings enumerated in Deuteronomy 28 will come upon us and overtake us. Under the law, it was what they did. Under grace, it is what Jesus did. However, walking with the Lord qualifies us as we do our best to obey what the Word of God instructs us to do and be.

I heard a sermon one time by a wonderful Godly preacher who I love and respect very much. His sermon said that tithing bridged the gap between man and God so that the blessing of God could come upon us. It was a wonderful sermon and I went away all enthused, however, the more I pondered on that message, the more I knew that that was not true.

Jesus is the one who bridged that gap for us so that the blessing of God could come upon us and overtake us. Jesus is the One who brings us healing. Jesus is the one who bridged the gap so that we can be prosperous. There is no work that is mighty enough to bridge the gap between God and man. That is the reason that God sent Jesus to the earth - to brige the gap between God and man....to reconcile God and man. Only Jesus could do that work.

This is all in Deuteronomy the 28th chapter, and it is because Jesus died on Calvary and became the curse of the law for us so that we can be blessed and prosperous as we walk with Him.

Now tithing or not tithing is a part of serving God, but it is not primary.

Primary is our faith in Jesus Christ and His work on Calvary.

In Bible times people were rewarded for the amount of money they gave in the offering. A trumpet was blown to let everyone know what they had done....the good work they had accomplished. When Jesus saw the little woman put a penny in (no trumpet blew), He said she was blessed more than any of the others because God looks at the attitude by which we do our good works and the intent of our heart rather than the outside appearance of what we are doing.

The blessings of the Lord include

being blessed in the city,

being blessed in our work (store),

blessed when you come in,

blessed when you go out,

our enemies will be defeated before our face,

they will come out before you one way and flee before you seven ways,

He will bless everything you put your hand to,

He will make you the the head and not the tail,

above only and not beneath.

All of these and more and why? because of Jesus and His work on Calvary according to Galatians 3:13.

How many times in my life have I said 'Now, God, You said that you would bless everything I put my hand to so make this cooking taste good.'

How many times in my life have I prayed 'God, in this awful situation make me the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath.'

I am standing here today after serving God for many years to tell you that God has never failed me.

When we put God in control, things happen that would not happen ordinarily, and knowing that, makes us know how blessed we are to have such a wonderful Lord.

Bill and I are fixing to move into a new house. It is by far the nicest house I have ever lived in. We are so excited, but in years past I could never have dreamed of living in such a wonderful house. I have been researching curtains but have to restrain myself from buying anything until I get more details about the house and my colors etc. It is so much fun and we are all excited about it. I told Bill last night, I think everybody should be as excited about this as we are, but when it all boils down, we are the ones excited.

To see the blessings of the Lord come to me is something you might not be able to understand, but believe me, it has been a long time coming.

But (there's the but) I want you to understand that the blessings are not what is important, it is the journey.....the journey of walking with God - day in, day out, year in, year out, trusting in Him, leaning on Him, always knowing that He is my source and my strength in all situations. And again, HE HAS NEVER FAILED ME.

It is worth it all to trust in the Lord and to walk with Him.

Thank you, Lord, for your blessings. Thank you, Lord, for the journey. You have made my life complete and have taught me to be content in whatever state I am in. Thank you, Lord.

Have a great day!

Ms. Charlotte

God's Wisdom Works!

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





James 1:5 says IF ANY OF YOU LACK WISDOM LET HIM ASK OF GOD, THAT GIVES TO ALL MEN LIBERALLY, AND UPBRAIDETH NOT; AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN HIM.

BUT LET HIM ASK IN FAITH, NOTHING WAVERING.

FOR HE THAT WAVERS IS LIKE A WAVE OF THE SEA DRIVEN WITH THE WIND AND TOSSED.

FOR LET NOT THAT MAN THINK THAT HE SHALL RECEIVE ANY THING OF THE LORD.

A DOUBLE MINDED MAN IS UNSTABLE IN ALL HIS WAYS.

What is wisdom? We read quite a lot about it in the Bible. In following the Lord and asking for wisdom in situations, I have come to understand wisdom as using common sense. A lot of the time we can't figure things out and when we ask of God to show us what to do and He does show us a simple solution that works. That is wisdom.

Remember the account of Solomon when two women came to him with one baby. One of the women's baby had died and she had taken the other woman's baby. In deciding who the real mother was, Solomon suggested they just cut the baby in half and each could have a half. Of course, the real mother would say no, just give the baby to the other woman. That is what happened.

God's wisdom works in all the little situations you would think God doesn't even care about - not just the big situations.

One of the most devastating things in the world to a parent is when you don't know where your child is.

There was one time in raising my children that I recall not knowing where my son was. I was almost out of my mind. A big storm had come up. He had called about 9 o'clock and said he would be home later but it got later and later and he didn't come home. He had never done anything like that before and truthfully I was scared to death. I prayed and prayed to know what to do.

I finally tracked him down about 5 o'clock the next morning and was I upset - you bet. When he finally managed to get home, it was around noon the next day. It would have been easy for me to give him the riot act except that he apologized for what he had done. It simply got out of hand - no harm was done - and he was home safe, however, there was the trust issue. Would I - could I - ever trust him again?

About a week later the Lord spoke to my heart buy him a ticket to go to his friend's house the next weekend. TRUSTING CONFIDENTLY IN GOD, I called the bus station to find out how much a ticket would cost and it was within my price range. When I told him, he almost broke down into tears. He said there was a football game or something going on there the next weekend that he wanted very much to go to, but didn't know how to ask me after what he had done.

My trust was in God...in his wisdom in raising my child to be a positive adult, and in the doing taught my son about parent/child trust, about how God not only watches over us but knows the desires of our hearts, about doing what is right. It was a painful lesson yet priceless.

Walking in the wisdom of God. My son now has a son of his own, and he reads this faithfully. I do hope that he doesn't mind my sharing this story from our past as he is very precious to me. At this writing, he probably looks back at this with new eyes as he puts himself in the driver's seat instead of the passenger.

What does the scripture say? If you lack wisdom, ask of God, and He will give it to you and don't waver when you ask. Ask in full confidence that God will answer you and show you what to do in a way that will bring honor and trust in Him.

It will work!!!!!!

Father, give us wisdom in the decisions we have to make this day. Show us the way in our lives so that what we do and how we do it brings honor and glory to Your Name for it is in Your Name that we ask not wavering. Amen.

Have a good day!

Ms. Charlotte

We may not pass this way again!

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

Come with me to a third grade classroom.....

There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants is wet.

He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it.

When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives.

The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, "Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat."

He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.

As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap.

The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, "Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!"

Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy.

The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out.

All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk.

The sympathy is wonderful. But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else - Susie. She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done enough, you klutz!"

Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

Susie whispers back, "I wet my pants once too."

May God help us see the opportunities that are always around us to do good.....for we only pass this way once.

Remember.....Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Each and everyone one of us goes through tough times at some point but God is getting ready to make a way that only He can.

The Golden Rule is the best way to live.......to actually do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Keep the faith.

Ms. Charlotte

You're somebody!

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


The Word says that the younger Christians should learn from the older Christians. This week we are going to look at some things that older Christians especially women should/can learn from older Christians.

Shelley sent me this. Thought you would enjoy. Something to learn in your inner man.

YOU ARE SOMEBODY BECAUSE YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD.

A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg , TN. One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, 'I hope he doesn't come over here.' But sure enough, the man did come over to their table.

'Where are you folks from?' he asked in a friendly voice.

'Oklahoma,' they answered.

'Great to have you here in Tennessee ,' the stranger said. 'What do you do for a living?'

'I teach at a seminary,' he replied.

'Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I've got a really great story for you.' And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple.

The professor groaned and thought to himself, 'Great .. Just what I need ...another preacher story!'

The man started, 'See that mountain over there? (pointing out the restaurant window). Not far from the base of that mountain, there was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, 'Hey boy, who's your daddy?' Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, 'Who's your daddy?'

He would hide at recess and lunchtime from other students. He would avoid going into stores because that question hurt him so bad. 'When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, 'Who's your daddy?'

But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast that he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd.

Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, 'Son, who's your daddy?'

The whole church got deathly quiet. He could feel every eye in the church looking at him. Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question, 'Who's your daddy?'

'This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy.. 'Wait a minute! I know who you are! I see the family resemblance now, You are a child of God.'

With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, 'Boy, you've got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.'

'With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person. He was never the same again. Whenever anybody asked him, 'Who's your Daddy?' he'd just tell them , 'I'm a Child of God.''

The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, 'Isn't that a great story?'

The professor responded that it really was a great story!

As the man turned to leave, he said, 'You know, if that new preacher hadn't told me that I was one of God's children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!' And he walked away.

The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over & asked her, 'Do you know who that man was -- the one who just left that was sitting at our table?'

The waitress grinned and said, 'Of course. Everybody here knows him. That's Ben Hooper. He's governor of Tennessee !'

Someone in your life today needs a reminder that they're one of God's children!

'The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.' ~~Isaiah 40:8

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

YOU'RE ONE OF GOD'S CHILDREN!!!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Ms. Charlotte