Lord, You are my shield, my strength, my portion, my deliverer, my shelter, my strong tower, my very present help in time of need. Thank You.






GOT THE FLU! SEE YOU BACK MONDAY!

CHARLOTTE

To walk as Jesus taught!

Lord, You are my shield, my strength, my portion, my deliverer, my shelter, my strong tower, my very present help in time of need. Thank You.



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

Thank you for your note and I do stand corrected. 1 Timothy 6 verse 10 says this
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

While you are right that God does want us to prosper and a lot of good is done of Christians who do have money, Jesus warns in Matthew 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Why? because so many times when you have money you become self-sufficient not looking to God as your source.

Solomon was known as the richest and wisest man in the Bible. Yet, eventually his wealth overcame his wisdom and his fall was great. He could have anything he wanted and he chose what he shouldn't have.

3 John 1:2 says Beloved I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. So above financial prosperity and even above health is the prosperity of the soul. If we keep this in priority, we're in good shape. But (there's the but) if we don't watch ourselves we become very human thinking more of ourselves than we should.

I do welcome your comments. It keeps me on my toes.

Luke 6:starting with 31 says this

Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

I am reminded of a woman I once worked for. I may have shared this before. It was at a truck line in Benton. She didn't like women, but she hired me. She was something else - mean as a hornet. I finally had to just get before God and say, Lord, you are going to have to give me love for her - I just don't have it. She would only give me one pencil and I had to turn in a stub to get another one. After I prayed, the Lord would give me nice things to do for her - non-retaliatory things for her wicked ways. I stayed there three years and at the end of that three years, she cried when I left. Had she been touched by me? No, she had been touched by the God in me.

It is easy to love those who love you - that is what this scripture says. But the test comes when we have to love the unlovely....and not just skip by them. Even to lend to those who you know are not going to pay you back. We are to lend not expecting back - I believe that is giving, is it not?

There are a lot of people that call in on my job that are upset and not very nice. Some who talk to us ugly, which we all object to. Sometimes they will catch me off guard but most of the time by the time I have talked to them for a while they will calm down and end up thanking me for my help. A soft word turns away wrath and this has to be remembered sometimes when dealing with people.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you - treat others the same way you want them to treat you - to stop and remember this in dealing with others. How would I want to be treated in this situation?

Walking as Jesus has instructed us to walk is a different way from the human standpoint. To love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return - that is not the normal human way. The normal human way is 'you kick my dog, I'll kill your cat' type mentality. This is not the way Jesus taught us to be.

What does he say about living the way He taught - your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

Father, help us live the way Jesus taught us to live. To love the unlovely - to treat others as we would want to be treated - to lend expecting nothing in return - to be the people you want us to be and to prosper in our souls as you want us to prosper knowing that properity and health will follow. In Jesus name we pray. Amen ( it is done)

Have a wonderful day!

Charlotte

A DIFFERENT WAY

Lord, You are my shield, my strength, my portion, my deliverer, my shelter, my strong tower, my very present help in time of need. Thank You.



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

In Luke the 6th chapter, verse 19 it says this: And all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.

And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say,

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied.

Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.

But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full.

Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry.

Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.

Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.

But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.

Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.

Jesus came with a different way for the people. The rich had it over the poor. When the rich would give their tithes, trumpets would sound so that everybody would know that they had given. Remember, the little lady that brought her pennies and no trumpet sounded. Jesus said she was more blessed than any of the rich that gave. You see, when we do things for men's approval, men's approval is our reward. I am a real fanatic about this as I want my reward to come from God when He says 'You did good.

Jesus spoke to the poor, the hungry, and the weeping. In that crowd of people that day there were probably many, many who were poor, who were hungry and weeping. This spoke not only to their physical needs but their spiritual needs. He spoke to lift your heads because things would be better. What He spoke to them of was instead of being poor, they would have the kingdom of God.

Having no money is a blessing sometimes. The Bible says that money is root of all evil - even sometimes the lack of money is the root of evil. But, when you have no money and the kingdom of Heaven is yours, you have faith in God that everything is going to be all right. You look to God rather than money or some other source for your help in time of need.

He promises the hungry that they will be fed. He proves this when He fed them with the lunch of a little boy in the crowd. This also speaks of spiritual hunger. When we seek God, He will be found. He gives water that we never thirst again.

He speaks of those who weep will laugh. God takes our burdens, when we give them to Him, and gives us peace in their place. The Word says to 'Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.'

That old song says 'Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.'

This scripture tells us that when we are persecuted for His name sake, to leap for joy and be glad. That is hard to do sometimes, but I do know that when you do something for God and God only, there is persecution. I have sang for years and I know that when I sing and say what God give me to sing and say, the enemy will attack me after it is over. And after the years of this happening, I expect it so that I know I did what God wanted me to do and I'm happy because that is what I wanted to happen.

He gives us in this scripture a whole different way of living. To turn the other cheek when others do you wrong, to love your enemies, to bless those who curse you.

This means when someone curses you in traffic - bless them back.

You know, I am going to start doing this at my work. We have a real problem with ugly people calling in and cursing us. I'm going to bless them when they curse me and just see what happens.

It also says to pray for those who mistreat you. My way sometimes is to get all offended and think bad thoughts about them. This says to pray for those who mistreat you. Return good for evil. This is certainly against our nature.

This says to give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. I guess this means that my umbrella that someone took at my job, I'm to stop looking for it because it says do not demand it back.

Jesus brought a whole new way of living - even for us today that follow Him faithfully.

Lord, help us to know your Word and to know how we are supposed to react when adversity comes our way. Help us to live as You lived and taught us to live and remind us Lord when we don't get it right. In Your name we pray, Amen. (it is done)

Have a great day today!

Charlotte

To make our boast only in the Lord!

Lord, You are my shield, my strength, my portion, my deliverer, my shelter, my strong tower, my very present help in time of need. Thank You.



Good Friday morning! I am glad this week to see Friday come around. It's been a rough week. But I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord.

Psalms 34 says I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear it and rejoice.

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.

O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but (there's the but) they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Who is the man who desires life and loves length of days that he may see good?

Keep your lips from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

I used to stay with a lady named Miss Ida. She was 102 years old. Her mind was just as sharp as could be, and although she couldn't get around very good, she ruled her house with a mighty hand - that is, what she could see to tell someone to do. I asked her one time what did she think was the secret to her long life. She replied that it was clean living. I don't think she had ever even had a boy friend in her whole life. She worked at the Log Cabin for 60 something years. She was a devout Catholic, and a very spunky lady. I loved her very much.

This scripture says who desires life and loves length of day that he may see good? One who keep his lips from evil and does good. One who seeks peace and pursues it. That is saying a lot. Paul says one that can bridle his tongue can control his whole body.

To control our tongue - the words that we say - or don't say. I have a friend that always thinks before she speaks. In talking to her sometimes you would think she is slow but quite the opposite is true. She thinks before she speaks.

I used to say of myself that if it comes into my brain, it comes out my mouth. That is a terrible place to be. The Word says to study to be quiet. In other words, think before you speak. We can save ourselves a lot of heartache if we do.

I'm going for today - Lord, be with us as we go into this weekend. Keep everyone safe and lead and guide us in the ways we should go. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen (it is done)

Have a good weekend!

Charlotte

AND A GOOD NIGHT'S REST.....

Lord, You are my shield, my strength, my portion, my deliverer, my shelter, my strong tower, my very present help in time of need. Thank You.



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

I would ask you today to please pray for me. I am really under attack from the enemy and I know that anytime we do something for God, there is persecution, and I really need your prayers. Thank you.

This week seems like every scripture I have opened to has been about crying unto the Lord. This one - Psalms 4 says Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach?

How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception?

But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; The Lord hears when I call to Him.

Tremble, and do not sin, meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and trust in the Lord.

Many are saying, "Who will show us any good?"

Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord! You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and new wine abound.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.

Life gives us a choice at all times. This scripture admonishes us to live righteously no matter what. To return good for evil - to turn the other cheek - to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. To keep our thoughts and our actions righteous - as God would have us act and think - and that is a choice we make.

There have been a lot of situations in my life that I simply would like to slam-dunk. People who have wrongly accused me of things that are not so, and I can think of more than one time in my Christian walk, when if I didn't serve the Lord 24/7, I could have just gone off the deep end. There have been times on my job in dealing with associates that if I just would, I would cause havoc, but the very first sermon that Jesus preached, He set the rule to turn the other cheek - to do unto others as you would have them do unto you - to not return evil for evil - to love the unlovely - and when people do you wrong, to do them right. God's ways are different from our ways. And when we serve Him, then we have to become different also.

This scripture says HOW LONG WILL MY HONOR BECOME A REPROACH? HOW LONG WILL YOU LOVE WHAT IS WORTHLESS AND AIM AT DECEPTION? Don't you know that if we get weary in doing good, etc. how much more so does God. If we suffer persecution, which we will in serving God, it is not because of us, it is because of HIM. His honor becomes a reproach, and when we stand for Him, the things that come against us are not coming against us, but against the God who is working in us. Because we stand for Him, the enemy persecutes us.

But (there's the but) this scripture tells us to trust in the Lord. He has put gladness in my heart so that it will be easy for me to lie down and sleep in peace, why? because the Lord makes me to dwell in safety.

It is amazing to serve the Lord - to do things His way and not my own.....to trust in Him and know that He makes me to dwell in safety.

When fear knocks, faith opens.

Thank you, Lord, for providing gladness and peace and a good night's sleep for us. Thank you that just knowing that we trust in You, makes everything in life easier. Help us to live for You 24/7 - just the way You want us to. Our lives are in Your mighty hands. In Jesus name we ask. Amen (it is done)

Have a blessed day!

Charlotte

Oh, Lord, My God, how magnificient is Your name in all the earth!

Lord, You are my shield, my strength, my portion, my deliverer, my shelter, my strong tower, my very present help in time of need. Thank You.




Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord. I heard from my sister, Jean, and she is reading 'Charlotte in the morning' now. Welcome aboard, sis!!!! Hope you have a good day today. This is my day off and I am really pleased about that. I need a day off.

I am hoping to get some good pictures to put on here...perhaps a good one of me, but I don't take good pictures. We have misplaced our beautiful vacation pictures of the mountains we went through. I printed some off but Bill decided to organize them on CD's and now, we can't find them. We'll be taking more to share with you soon.

I was reading in the Psalms today - the words from David's heart to and about God. I was reminded of some words that I wrote one time and thought I would share with you.

"How could I ever begin to write a book about you, Lord! You, who made this beautiful, wonderful world we live in. Not the clutter that's been thrown in, Lord, but the beauty of the world that you made - the wonderful lakes and rivers. I believe You did that on the third day - dividing the land from the water. It is still so amazing to me that you could put your mighty hand down and just scoop back the seas to let the land appear. You said "It is good," and, Lord, it still is.

As I sit here, I watch the sunlight dancing on the ripples of the water - ripples too many to count - made by winds invisible to see - going places I cannot know - a symphony in perfect harmony that only Your Hand could conduct.

There is so much peace, Lord, peace that you can hear in your heart and feel with your mind. This peace is a gigantic peace, which lets me know how small I am in Your presence. I, but a minuscule dot on the land, yet You are mindful of me. Lord, that you care for me. That you hear me when I make my pitiful petitions and even more, that You grant my petitions."

David says this in Psalms 24:

The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Who may ascend in the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face - even Jacob.

Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in!

Who is the King of glory?

The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in!

Who is this King of glory?

The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah.

In the asking, we receive! In the seeking, we find! And in the knocking, the door is opened unto us!

Thank you, Lord!

Have a wonderful and blessed day today!

Charlotte

LORD, MAY I?

Lord, You are my shield, my strength, my portion, my deliverer, my shelter, my strong tower, my very present help in time of need. Thank You.




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

Psalms 20 says: May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble.

In this scripture today we could play instead of MOTHER, MAY I, we could play LORD, MAY I. Everytime the scripture says May remember you take a giant step.

Here's the first one - I need an answer in the day of trouble -

LORD, MAY I? Yes, know that the Lord will answer you in the day of trouble.

May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high!

I need someone to set me securely on high.

LORD, MAY I? Yes! you can know that the God of Jacob will set you securely on high.

I really don't like high places but if the Lord set me SECURELY on high, it would be okay.

There is nothing more frightening to me than a high place. The reason this was instilled in me was when I was a young girl, I worked for Union Life insurance in Little Rock. When the Stephens bought Union LIfe, they put a really nice lunch room on the 12th floor and the penthouse was on the 13th floor.

One day some of us girls decided we would go up past the penthouse onto the sundeck, which would have been like the 14th floor. There was a spiral staircase leading up to the sundeck and, of course, we had on our spike heels and all. The going up was a piece of cake - oh! but the coming down!!!!!!!! was like stepping off the 14th floor of that building onto that spiral staircase and the only thing between you can falling was the next crooked step. I had to take off my heels and sit down and scoot one step at a time to get down. Needless to say, I never attempted that again.

In LORD, MAY I, the Lord sets us SECURELY on high, going up and coming down!

May He send you help from the sanctuary and support you from Zion!

I need help and support in this time of trouble!

LORD, MAY I? Yes, the Lord will help you and support you in all situations at all times from where He is at because He is always present and always knowing!!!!!

May He remember all your meal offerings and find your burnt offering acceptable!

(already happened when Jesus made the final sacrifice for us) Jesus said FATHER, MAY I? and the Father said 'yes' your sacrifice for people in 2008 is acceptable.

May He grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your counsel!

I need my heart's desire to be granted and my counsel fulfilled? Defining counsel as a purpose or a plan (Webster's)

LORD, MAY I? The Lord will grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your counsel (purposes or plans).

We will sing for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners.

Hey! we're getting there - let's celebrate - we are winners in LORD, MAY I? and we will put up banners to celebrate our victory.

May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

One more - I need all my petitions fulfilled.

LORD, MAY I? Oh, yes, the Lord will fulfill all your petitions and grin while He is doing it. Why? because He delights in us....you and me. He loves us and wants good, good, things for us.

NOW I know that the Lord saves His anointed;

He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. (doesn't matter which hand God uses, it will always be the right hand)

Some boast in chariots and some in horses,
But (there's the but) we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.

They have bowed down and fallen,

But (there's the but) we have risen and stood upright.

There have been many times in my life that God has given me victory over circumstance and people who at one season was not my friend. I have found to see a person fall is not a pretty sight. When someone falls, as a Christian, this gives you the greatest opportunity to love them with the love of the Lord...then you both come out on top. Both winners - so fly the banner high and trust in God!!!!!!

Save, O Lord;

May the King answer us in the day we call.

Yesterday, we talked about how David cried unto the Lord and God heard him with his ear - just like a mother can recognize her child's cry out of the masses, so when we cry unto the Lord, He hears us with His very ear. And if we know that He hears, we have the petitions that we have made to Him.

I wrote one time that a mother will wait for her baby to cry before she changes him. She will wait for him to fret before she feeds him else she will feed him when he is not hungry or change him when he is not wet.

God says to 'Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened.' It is a reciprocal. Action on your part gets action on God's part.

Thank you, Father, for hearing us when we cry unto you. Thank you, Lord, that if we take one step you will take four and a half. In Jesus name we come to You. Amen (it is done)

Have a great day today!

Charlotte

HE DELIVERED ME!

Lord, You are my shield, my strength, my portion, my deliverer, my shelter, my strong tower, my very present help in time of need. Thank You.




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!

There is some new music up and a new quiz! Try it - you just might like it!

Let's look at Psalms 18 today - this is from the King James. I have been using some from the New American Standard version, but today we are going to use a little of both. It says:

I will love you, O Lord, my strength.

The NASV says "I love you, Lord, my strength." I like the KJV on this because it makes a dynamic statement. I WILL love you, O Lord, my strength. It's like saying no matter what happens in this life, good or bad, I make the quality decision to love you, Lord. It is a matter of will and choice. Why? because You are my strength.

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress and my deliverer: my God, my strength, in whom I will trust (take refuge); my buckler (shield) and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.

Dake's note on 'horn of my salvation' is 'a horn is a symbol of power and kingship'. To 'exalt the horn' is 'to confer power and authority upon. Thus a 'horn of salvation' would mean a mighty salvation or a strong Savior'.

Proverbs 18:10 says The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run into it, and is safe.

I home schooled Matthew one year and his art project was a drawing of the name JESUS as a huge tower with steps running up to it with people on them. How wonderfully graphic of this scripture. We can run into Jesus and be safe.

I am reminded of the fairy tale 'Repunzel, Repunzel, let down your golden hair.' The only way into her tower was by her long hair.

The only way into the tower of the Lord is by Jesus. He is our strong tower and only the righteous can run into it and be safe.

I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

The cords of death encompassed me, and the torrents of ungodliness terrified me. The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.

This is a great cry of David's. This Psalms comes from David when he was running from Saul. Most of the battle was in his mind. That is where fear abides - our minds.

2 Timothy 1:7 says this For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, of love, and of a sound mind.

God gives us POWER - God gives us LOVE - God gives us a SOUND MIND. But (there's the but) when FEAR comes on the scene, FEAR CANCELS OUT POWER - FEAR CANCELS OUT LOVE - FEAR CANCELS OUT A SOUND MIND.

In this Psalm this is where David was - he was surrounded by the threat of death, he was covered up with torrents of ungodliness that absolutely terrified him. Hell surrounded him - death confronted him - He was a mess and realistically so because if Saul could get his hands on him, he was a goner.

In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

David knew where his strength lay. His strength was in God - a refuge in time of storm - In the midst of all of this - David cried unto the Lord and his cry for help came into God's ears.

Verse 16 continues (16 is my favorite verse). He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

We are so like children - when I get afraid the child in me comes out. No matter how old we get, we still have a little child in us that gets hurt, that cries because of a boo-boo, who needs someone special to love and run too when things don't go right. We all do! No matter what age we are and no matter what status in life we have. We all have a vulnerable part of us. That is the part of us that cries to God in time of trouble. No one but God can fix the things that are wrong in our lives. No one but God can bind up the broken hearted, set a captive free, or dry our tears.

Like a mother knows her child's cry, so our Father knows our cry and hears from on high - the 7th verse of this chapter talks about Then the earth shook and trembled: the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. Then He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me......

Thank you, Father, for hearing us when we cry unto you. Thank you for being out shelter, our strong tower, our fortress and for rescuing us because You love us.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen (it is done)

Have a great day today!

Charlotte

A Miss-Match!

Lord, You are my shield, my strength, my portion, my deliverer, my shelter, my strong tower, my very present help in time of need. Thank You.




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

Luke 5 goes on to say this, starting with verse 27: After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow me." And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him.

Levi was the disciple Matthew which wrote the book of Matthew. Tax collectors were notorious in that day because they not only collected the exorbitant taxes, but more to put into their own pockets. Matthew left all behind to follow Jesus. He evidently was wealthy because of the big reception he gave for Jesus at his house.

Zacchaesus, the wee little man, was also a tax collector and also gave a feast for Jesus. Do you wonder how Jesus must have touched the wicked people at these feasts? Or how Matthew and Zacchaesus must have wanted Him to touch their friends and associates at these feasts for Jesus. This perhaps was their way of 'tearing off the roof' in an attempt to bring their friends to Jesus.

And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them.

The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?"

And Jesus answered and said to them, "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

And they said to Him, "The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink."

And Jesus said to them, "You cannot make the attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days."

The Pharisees were not unlike people today. There is always someone to criticize - no matter how hard you try to live for the Lord. You hear people say they don't want to go to church because that is where the hypocrites are, yet you certainly don't want to go to hell and spend eternity with them.

And He was also telling them a parable: "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.

And no one puts new wine into old wine skins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wine skins. And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, 'The old is good enough.'"

I had a neighbor one time who was a thief. My daughter was one month older than her daughter. Robyn was eleven months old at the time. My mother had made a darling little dress for Robyn but it was too big for her at the time. I took the dress and put it back in my sewing closet until she grew into it. It was precious. My neighbor was there and knew where I put it. Well, when I started to get it out after she had grown a little, the dress wasn't there.

I had bought the boys some juice machines for Christmas. I put them in my back closet and only my neighbor and my husband knew where they were. Well, when I started pulling Christmas together, the juice machines and some other things couldn't be found.

It had to be her because no one else knew where the things were.

I bought my daughter some little black patent leather shoes with blue socks with white lace around the top. One day when we came in from shopping, she took off her shoes and socks. The house was in perfect shape, so when I started looking for her socks, one was missing, and there was no place it could be. My neighbor just happened to have come down right after we came in and as my daughter was taking off her socks.

I knew that her daughter had a blue sock missing, so I figured when she saw that the socks didn't match, she would bring it back. Well, one day in she walked throwing that blue sock on my bar - said she found it over at the laundromat and since it did not match her daughter's sock, she thought maybe it just might match Robyn's.
Of course, it did!!!!

This is what Jesus was saying. You can't match an old faded sock with a new never- washed sock. They won't match.

You can't just know about Jesus and know about the Word and making prayers....you must be born again (new wine) (new material) (new sock). You must leave all to follow Jesus, to be filled with His Spirit and be filled with His Light.

You can't have it both ways.

If you don't give up all to follow Jesus, then you will have a old, faded, washed- many-times sock trying to match it with a new, never washed, not faded sock, and it won't work. It won't match up because Jesus is new birth. Old things passed away behold all things are knew. Old friends, old habits, old ways, old paths - left behind - for new friends, healthy habits, new ways, new paths....following Jesus.

You would be surprised how those old friends disappear when Jesus comes on the scene. You drop them in a minute because they lose their glamor in the light of Jesus and your new-born life. AND most of the time, they don't want to hear about Jesus.

Gotta go for now. Have a great weekend and my prayer is that if you haven't already, leave all and follow Jesus. He is worth it.

Charlotte

Oh, to be Your hand extended!

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




I have done a lot of soul searching about 'Charlotte in the morning.' Some of my friends think I should see about having this published, and I have looked into it, however, I do not do what I do for personal gain....never have. There is one thing I want in my life and that is to be with Jesus, to be constant living 24/7 for the Lord - in season and out of season studying the Word of God, and giving my first thoughts to the Lord. Sharing with you is what I am supposed to do and I do it gladly, but that is as far as I can take it unless the Lord opens the door otherwise.

The Lord has always dealt with me differently than with others, I suppose. At one time I wanted to make a recording and the Lord said yes, I could, but my name couldn't be on the recording. I did it! The title was 'Jesus and me.' Did I make a bunch of money? No. I gave most of them away. The things that the Lord gives to me is free. How can I turn around and make money off of it? There are many that do, and get rich, but I have never found it that way for me in serving God.

I do hope that this 'Charlotte in the morning' blesses your life. My prayer is that you will find it essential in starting your day out reading the Word and being with Jesus, not for me, but because it draws you closer to the Master.

We have been looking at the life of Jesus as found in the book of Luke and in the fifth chapter verse 17 starts the this way: One day He was teaching and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing.

Even when Jesus walked the earth and healed people, please note that this particular day THE POWER OF THE LORD WAS PRESENT FOR HIM TO PERFORM HEALING. You know, I have wondered about that. There have been times in my life that I knew that God wanted me to pray for someone for their healing, but I waited for His prompting to do so...not realizing that that was scripture....even for Jesus.

And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him. But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus.

Seeing their faith, He said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven you."

The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?"

But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins have been forgiven you,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,"--He said to the paralytic--"I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home."

Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God.

They were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God; and they were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen remarkable things today."

This man had some faithful friends. This scripture says that when Jesus saw the faith of not only the man, but the faith of his friends in bringing the man to Jesus, He reacted. We have mentioned the last few days about what does it take for us to get serious with God. These men were bound and determined to get their friend to Jesus. Why? Because they knew if they could just get him there, Jesus would heal their friend.

Brother Mike touched on this Sunday night. Do you have a friend that you feel like if you could just get them to come to church, they would be saved? or touched by Jesus? or have their problems solved? or just get their zest back for living?

I had a friend one time whose name was Gary Doggett. He was corrupt, but he did claim to be a Christian. The Lord spoke to me one day to go tell Gary that he was very sick and did not know it, but if he would go to church and be prayed for, he would be healed.

Kinda like Naaman going and dipping in the river and being healed of leprosy.

I went to Gary and told him what the Lord had directed me to say. I remember like yesterday. He said, 'thank you, Charlotte, you are probably right but I cannot go and be prayed for at a church.' About a month later I was coming out of church and a teenager approached me that I did not know. He told me that he had seen me at Gary's house and wanted to let me know that Gary was dead. I couldn't believe my ears. I went to the funeral home and there he was. My heart was so grieved because if he had just done what the Lord said, he would have lived. I believe that. But (there's the but) he didn't.

To get a friend to Jesus - how important that is! To love someone enough to want them to meet Jesus. To go the extra mile. To take the roof off if necessary just to get them to Jesus.

There is a song that says 'Oh, to be His hand extended - reaching out to the oppressed - Let me touch Him - Let me, touch Jesus - so others, can know and be blessed.'

Father, let us be Your hand extended. Just being able to touch You for ourselves is not enough...but to be able to touch You for others so they can be healed or saved, that is what it is all about, God. Lead us this day to the ones You want to be touched by You through us, God. In Jesus Name. Amen (it is done)

Have a blessed day today!

Charlotte

Don't forget to ask!

This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. It's a matter of my will.....I will!





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

Luke 5 starting with 12 says this: While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."

This man had nothing to lose. He was a leper - an outcast. He fell on his face right in front of everybody to ask Jesus to heal him.

Do we miss Jesus because we don't want our healing or whatever enough to fall on our face in front of everybody to implore Jesus for it?

I know of a fellow that fell on his face in front of everybody in a jail cell and gave his heart to God. It worked!!!!!!!

I learned a very valuable lesson one time when my kids were little. We lived in Benton and went to First Assembly there. The parking lot was to the right of the church and a good ways from the church. One night we were late for church and it was raining cats and dogs. I asked the Lord to provide a parking spot for us up close so we wouldn't get soaked. When we got there, the Lord had saved a spot for us right up by the front door. I said 'Lord, I can't take this spot. Why did you save this spot for us, there are a lot of old people in this church that could have used that spot.' The Lord spoke to me and said "You were the only one that asked."

I learned a valuable lesson that day. God is willing no matter how small the situation. He is willing to do exceedingly, abundantly above anything that we can ask or think, if we will ask.

I don't mind at all going into a parking lot and saying 'God, I need a good spot up close by the door.' He never fails me.....and if I compromise thinking He won't provide, I can get out to walk to the front door of the store and walk by the place He had provided for me that I missed.

God is willing and waiting!!!!!

And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying "I am willing; be cleansed."

Note that Jesus was willing to cleanse him. He still is willing when we ask with a sincere heart. Question is do we want anything that bad?????? Get sick - go to the doctor. Have a need - fix it ourselves.

And immediately the leprosy left him. And He ordered him to tell no one, "But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

Quicker than a doctor. God doesn't do anything halfway. He doesn't just give us a dose of medicine or say 'call me in the morning.'

But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.

The news spread fast - how many people had given up? how many people had illnesses that the doctors couldn't fix? There is no sickness that Jesus is not willing to fix. I want to trust Him more - how about you?

But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

Even Jesus had to 'slip away and pray.' Hey! who do we think we are praying when we get good and ready. If Jesus had to pray, how much more do we need to pray.

I got up this morning, slept too late, didn't feel like writing this Charlotte in the morning, but, in writing I find Jesus, and I am so glad that He meets me here every day. For someone who didn't have anything to say, we sure filled a lot of space, God. Thank you, Lord. I love you.

Have a great day today and don't forget to ask!

Charlotte

He is amazing!!!!!

We give You praises, Lord, for your goodness and Your mercy. We see your handiwork in all things beautiful and give You praise.



Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our very first thoughts to the Lord expecting a yield for the day. (I wrote this sentence before I even knew what this Charlotte in the morning was going to be about! Isn't that amazing!)

In Luke 5 we read Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the Word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;
and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets.

And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat.

When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch."

Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets."

When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them.

And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink.

But (there's the but) when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet saying, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"

For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.

And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men."

When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

Simon had fished all night. He was tired because they had fished all night and caught nothing - probably discouraged also, because fishing was how he made his living.

Bill and I are night people. We both work nights and sleep days. It is hard to understand this type of schedule unless you live it.

Simon was a night person. He and his partners fished at night and slept days. When Jesus asked him to go back out, he probably did it with half a heart because he was tired from fishing all night. But (there's the but) he did it anyway, and when he saw what happened when He obeyed the Master, he was so filled with amazement that he left everything and followed Jesus. Probably made enough money in that one catch to float his boat for several months.

Jesus spoke to Simon in a language he understood. Simon was a fisherman - Jesus caught a multitude of fish for him. So much so, that he and his brothers left the very job that made their living and followed Jesus - as his disciples.

Abraham left all to go to a land that God had spoken to him about. What did it take for Abraham to leave all and follow God?

What will it take for you to give up all and follow the Lord? Will it take something that will amaze you? He is amazing.

When I got saved, I was going in a direction that if I had gone on down that path, I don't know where I would be today. But (there's the but) someone prayed for me. Someone gave me a wonderful example of following God. And God worked in my life - turned me totally around - set my feet on a solid rock - and things have never been the same in my life. In Jesus is where I have to be - no choice to it. I don't want to be anywhere else but IN HIM. He amazes me!!!!!

If you don't know Him today, He is just a whisper away. If you take one step, He'll take two. That's the kind of God He is. HE IS AMAZING!!!!!

Lord, I pray for those who do not know you....the ones that we are around every day -day in and day out. I pray they would know you. Speak to them in a language they will understand so that they, like Peter, will be amazed and will leave all and follow You. In Jesus Name. Amen ( it is done)

Have a great day today!

Charlotte

We don't have to live in the devil's garbage!

Father, please use this Charlotte in the morning for your voice to be heard. I give this time and this space to You for Your use only. Give me your words to write to minister to hearts this day. In Jesus Name.

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

We have been studying Luke and beginning with Luke 4:31 the Bible says (this is the New American Standard version) And He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and He was teaching them on the Sabbath; and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority.

In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, "Let us alone! What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are - the Holy One of God!" Note here that the demons were afraid that Jesus would destroy them.

But (there's the but) Jesus rebuked him, saying "Be quiet and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst of the people, he came out of him without doing him any harm.

And amazement came upon them all, and they began talking with one another saying, "What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out."

The devil is having a field day in this world today! Because of our ignorance of God and His Word, the devil can just come and go as he pleases. I used to think when I was first saved that I would like to be able to go into the sanitariums and lay hands on those people and free them.

How much in our lives today is caused by the devil?

I read a book one time by Gloria Copeland called "God's will for you." I believe that was the name of it. I remember it made such a difference in my life that for Christmas I gave about 10 copies away as a present. I was hoping that it would reveal to my friends what it had revealed to me. They probably never even read it because I never heard them talking about what a difference it made in their life.

One of the things that she said in this book was that the devil will give your grief. The Word says to 'resist the devil, and he will flee from you' so to say out loud 'I resist you devil, in the name of Jesus, flee from me.' I did and I felt a presence leave me.

Same thing with cigarette smoking. I used to be a heavy smoker. A week after I got saved, I was talking to the Lord about my cigarette smoking. The Lord said to me, "Do you believe?" I said yes, Lord, I believe, and instantly I felt something leave my body and I was delivered instantly from smoking cigarettes.

How many negative things in our lives are backed by the devil and we have become complacent to it. Actually, another way of saying it - we have given place to the devil by our spiritual ignorance and inability to say "I resist you devil, in the name of Jesus, get out of here and leave me alone. Go back to hell where you came from. You have no place in my life. I am a child of God, bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ who put you under His feet and mine."

Try it! You will be surprised. So many times in my life I have had things happen and said where is this coming from and would not say out loud - this is coming from the enemy of my soul - when if I would just say - get out of here and leave me alone - go back to hell where you came from - I would be free!!!!!!!

A lady called in at my work Saturday. She had made a payment on our automated system on 12/4 for $100.00 to go through on 12/30 and she cancelled the payment. Then on 12/30 she made another payment for $50.00 to go through on 12/31 and the payment showed cancelled. She was very upset because she said she didn't cancel that payment. Well, we didn't cancel it. There had been no activity on her account on our end during that time. When it all came out, she was a minister of the Lord, and she was supposed to speak on Sunday from Ephesians and she said that everything in the world had happened to her to distract her from what she was supposed to be doing. That's the way the devil works.

We have got to keep before us, AND IT CAME TO PASS. We are going through because we are more than conquerors because of Jesus. No matter what happens to us in this life, we are going through.

Matthew 11:12 says From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.

In other words 'resist the devil and he will flee from you.' Don't resist the devil and he will take it from you gladly. Resist - victory!!!!!! Don't resist - no victory!!!!!!

This scripture is in James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

I have learned over the years this - if I am doing something in the kingdom of God that is what God wants me to do, I can expect static from the devil.

If someone pursues you that you are not interested in - you just ignore them - you say get of here and leave me alone - I'm not going out with you - you might as well get lost.

Well, resisting the devil is much the same. If the devil gives you static, just ignore him - don't let him steal your victory - just say get out of here and leave me alone- I'm not going to go your way, you might as well get lost.

Same thing! To resist!!!!!! But we don't resist!!!!!! We simply go with the flow and let him have his hayday. But his day is coming. Jesus took care of that when he died on the cross and rose victorious over death and hell. Because of Jesus we have victory. Because of Jesus we can resist the devil and he has to flee from us.

Thank you, Jesus, for providing this victory for us. Remind us always of who we are in You, Lord, and remind us that we don't have to live in the devil's garbage. In Jesus name. Amen (it is done)

Have a great day!

Charlotte

On this Friday night!

Thank you, Lord, for your beautiful world. Just like poor people, You must love flowers because you made so many of them. We love them too.




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

Yesterday we were talking about how when Jesus walked on earth, He had to get away in seclusion, away from the people, and refresh Himself. People followed Him everywhere He went for healing, for teaching, for deliverance, and even being fed. And, how today we have the Holy Spirit who is in our hearts always and doesn't have to get away and refresh Himself, because He is spiritually always present.

Several years ago, I wrote a little booklet called "Alone." It is a booklet about being single, and my son, Tim, wrote a poem - well, actually a poem/song for my book.

It goes like this:

Alone, All by Myself
by
Tim Howington

I sit here all by myself every Friday night!
My friends are all out having fun, something's just not right!
I sit and wonder, is there something wrong with me?
I am so lonely.

I turn on the TV, but there's nothing really on.
I try to read a book, can't get past chapter one.
Book and TV, they don't talk back to me.
I need a friendly face, cause I am so lonely.

I am alone, all by myself. I am alone, there's no one else.
I am alone, Lord, do you see me? Where did I go wrong?
Is there something wrong with me?

Jesus, have you left? I thought you would always stay.
Didn't you promise, Lord, you would never go away?

Then deep inside my heart, I heard the Holy Spirit say:

"I always keep my Word and I am here with you today,
but I am alone, all by myself.
I am alone, you are looking to someone else.
I am alone, waiting for you patiently.
I have been here all along, waiting for you to see,
but I am alone."

"Why do you look to others to meet your needs,
When I long to fill you and know you personally?
Your friends will leave you empty, wanting only more,
While I can fill your longings from my endless store.

You don't have to be alone, all by yourself.
You don't have to be alone, always looking to someone else.
You don't have to be alone, I'm waiting patiently.
I'm here for you.
You are not alone."

(Tim does have a website. It is http://thehowitzers.blogspot.com . Check it out!)

So, this Friday night instead of looking elsewhere for your excitement, look to Jesus. He's always there.

Have a nice weekend!

Charlotte

Lo! I am with you always!

Father, I pray that you will give me the words to write this morning, just the right words that will speak to the hearts of the people who read this. In Jesus name.



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

Luke 4:31 continues And He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and He was teaching them on the Sabbath; and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority (KJV with power).

In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, "Let us alone! What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are - the Holy One of God!"

But Jesus rebuke him, saying, "Be quiet and come out of him!" (Dake's note: Be muzzled or speak no more, proving demons are intelligent beings capable of speech, and obedience, and can enter men, leave them, and cause physical maladies.)

And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst of the people (Dake says Greek word here is a medical term for a convulsion), he came out of him without doing him any harm.

My friend, Shelly, came to visit me one time right after I moved to Conway. She is a mighty lady of God. I lived in Mansard Apartments, in fact I was the night and weekend manager at Mansard. There were a lot of college kids there and they played their music really loud. Before she came, I said, Lord, don't let these kids play that music loud while she is here. But sure enough, the first day, right out by my apartment, the music went off. I remember Shelly looking out my window and saying 'Devil, Jesus did not suffer you to speak and neither do I.' Needless to say, we had quiet then and for the rest of her visit.

Now, me on the other hand. I had heard some teaching on we had power over the elements. I worked at Blue Cross-Blue Shield in Little Rock and had to walk two blocks to work from my parking space. One morning there was a flash flood - no place to hide - I was rebuking in the name of Jesus all over the place and I have never gotten so wet in all my life. I had to go back home to Benton and change my clothes. I guess you can't get a quarter's worth of action on a nickel's worth of faith. You gotta give me credit, though, I tried.

And amazement came upon them all, and they began talking with one another saying, "What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out." And the report about Him was spreading into every locality in the surrounding district. (Dake says Greek word echoes, a noise, like the sea waves roaring. In other words, there was quite a BUZZ)

Then He got up and left the synagogue, and entered Simon's home. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him to help her. And standing over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and she immediately got up and waited on them.

While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them. Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, "You are the Son of God!"

But rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ.

Dake's note here says Demons acknowledged that He was the Messiah or Christ, but Jesus refused their testimony, lest He should be accused of being in league with them and of accepting testimony from Satan who sought to discredit His work and doctrine.

When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him, and came to Him and tried to keep Him from going away from them.

They came to Him. He didn't have to advertise, sensationalize or promote gimmicks like a lot of preachers do today. The Word says 'If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.' This is still true today. There is only one preacher that I know of that bases his ministry on this scripture and that is Brother Mike at Rock Solid.

No matter who you are, there is a place in every heart that longs for God. There is a place in every person that only God can fill, and when He and only He is at the heart of a ministry, people will respond. What a wonderful thing to promote only Jesus. I hope and pray that my only motive in doing this Charlotte in the morning is to promote Jesus and no other reason. He is what fills my heart. He is what I want you to hear when you read this. He is what I want to touch you with when you read this.

But He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose." So He kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Jesus had a mission here on this earth. He had to be about His Father's business. He had to rest. He had to be in seclusion. He had to be away from the people to refresh himself.

Today, He is with us always. In our hearts and He never leaves. His Father's business was accomplished and when He left, He sent the Holy Spirit to fill our lives so that He could be with us every day, every minute of our lives. That old song says 'He was there all the time, waiting patiently in line.' He is there if we will only acknowledge His presence.

Lord, thank you for always being there for us. I am so glad that you don't have to take time out in my life to refresh yourself anymore. Teach us more about You and give us a desire in our heart to know you more. In Your name we pray. Amen (it is done)

Have a great day!

Charlotte

He is our Deliverer!

Father, I pray your blessing on this writing that it would be a help and inspiration to those who read it. In Jesus name. Amen.




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

We have been studying the from Luke and Joel and Victoria sent me this yestday and it ministered to me. Hope it will you, also.

A scripture for today from Joel and Victoria Osteen:

“A Righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34:19)

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

No matter what “troubles” you may be facing today, God has promised to deliver you!

And notice this verse doesn’t say He's going to deliver you from “some” of your troubles — “if you say and do everything perfectly.”

No, if you are righteous today, God promises to deliver you from all of your troubles.

How do you know if you are righteous?

When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, when you accept His forgiveness and believe He is working in your life, then you are righteous.

Your faith and belief in the goodness of God is His righteousness at work in your heart.

The Bible says in Romans 4, that “Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

If you are facing troubles today, expect that God has a way of escape for you.

Expect that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf.

Meditate on this verse and let it sink deep into your heart.

Know that God is good and He is your Deliverer today.

Believe in His goodness and faithfulness and He will deliver you into the life of victory that He has planned!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank you for making me righteous by the blood of Jesus. I receive Your promises and choose to believe that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. Thank You for being my Deliverer today and always! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Have a blessed day today!

Charlotte

Turn from being just a homeboy!

Father God, I ask you to guide my words. Let they be inspired by your Holy Spirit to not be just words, but thoughts that will help others to know You and be whole. In Jesus name I ask.


Best Buddies - Bill and Anna

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

We have been reading the book of Luke the last few weeks. I love to read the gospels. If you need to visit with Jesus, just read the gospels.

In Luke the 4th chapter starting with 15 we read And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all. Note - at this point Jesus had the approval of all.

And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. And the book of Isaiah was handed to Him.

And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.

Jesus came to preach the gospel to the poor. Poor - moneywise - poor - spiritwise? I have been poor - moneywise, and I found Jesus was my good news. I could always depend on Him to make a way for me and my family. Actually, I think poor people - moneywise - are more open to God because they don't have other resources. I read one time that rich people get fewer divorces because if they have a spat, they can just fly somewhere or go into another part of their big house. Poor people have to stay and nuck it out.

He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord."

And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, "Is this not Joseph's son?"

At this point, they were still speaking well of Him and his gracious words.

And He said to them. "No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, 'Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.'"

And He said, "Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown. But (there's the but) I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian."

When he started to speak further, He spoke with authority and took Himself from being the 'homeboy' to classifying Himself with Elijah and the prophets. This was what infuriated the people. It was pleasing to hear Joseph's boy speak, but Jesus took it out of the realm of the ordinary neighborhood into His Father's kingdom, and they had a problem with that.

Note here how the atmosphere changed - And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff.

But (there's the but) passing through their midst, He went His way.

There is a scripture and I can't put my finger on it which tells about his brothers and sisters were resentful of Jesus. Can you imagine being raised with Jesus as your older brother and then He becomes so famous and so controversial. He was just their big brother to them, but (there's the but) He wasn't just a homeboy or a big brother or just Joseph's boy. He was the Son of God who came to set us free.

He did more in the three years of His ministry than any man that has ever lived on the face of the earth. HE CAME ----- AND SET US FREE!

Thank you, Jesus!

Have a blessed day today!

Charlotte

Victory in Jesus

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

I am trying something new, trying to expand my horizons. This is a picture we took on vacation in Tennessee. I thought it was beautiful. If you click on it, it will become full screen size. I will try and get some pictures of Bill and I on here if I am successful.

We have been studying the birth, early childhood and in between and before Jesus ministry began.

Jesus was thirty years old when he began his ministry. He ministered for three years and at the age of thirty three, he completed the work God sent Him to do by dying on the cross, taking our sin upon Himself, setting captives free and rising from the dead victorious over sin and death.

The first thing that happened after Jesus was baptized was in chapter 4 of Luke. Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.

And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry.

And the devil said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."

And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone."

And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

And the devil said to Him, "I will give you all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore if You worship me, it shall all be Yours." When Adam and Eve sinned, they handed the world over to the devil.

Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your god and serve Him only.'"

And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; for it is written 'He will command His angels concerning You to guard You,' and, 'On their hands they will bear You up, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.'"

And Jesus answered and said to him, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.

And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district.

Jesus (the Word) is the example to us in everything. Here He was tempted far above anything you or I could be tempted. He withstood the temptation with the Word.

Does that not ring heaps in our ears? The power of the Word of God to have dominion over all spiritual matters, all temptations in all areas of our life.

Somehow we become complacent with the happenings in our lives, and that is what the devil is hoping to accomplished. To bring to null and void the Word, the morality, and the things of God. He has won a victory when we crumble under what he has put on us.

But (there's the but) there is victory in Jesus. He overcame the devil and the devil's kingdom when He died and rose again. He put the devil to shame and we now can live in freedom, IF we learn and keep before us the Word of God, so much so that when temptation or ugly things happen, the Word of God springs forth from our heart and keeps our victory.

Thank you, Lord, for Your Word. Thank you, Jesus, for providing victory for us and showing us the way to live in freedom. In Your name we pray. Amen (it is done)

Have a great day!

Charlotte

What do you go out to see?

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

I had a wonderful time in Rogers yesterday with my grandson. He plays basketball - six years old - if you can imagine. My son is one of his couches and it was a sight to behold. They have to lower the goal for the little fellows, but not that much.

I also got to visit with my sister, Jean, who lost her husband a few weeks ago. She is doing really well, and I think is going to start reading Charlotte in the morning! A few years ago she was my champion to keep on with my writings. If you have 'tuned in,' Jean, welcome!

We have been reading about the birth, early childhood, and the preparation for the starting of Jesus' ministry.

Luke 3 goes on to say in the 15th verse Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ, John answered and said to them all,

"As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals;

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people.

But (there's the but) when Herod the tetrarch was reprimanded by him because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and because of all the wicked things which Herod had done, Herod also added this to them all: he locked John up in prison.

This was the beginning of the end for John. John did what he was supposed to do. He wasn't a fancy dresser. He dressed in a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4) He wasn't a pretty site.

Matthew 11 goes on to tell us of John in verse 2 Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him,

"Are you the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?"

Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me."

John did not take offense at Jesus. John says at one point before he was beheaded that 'He must increase, but I must decrease.' (John 3:30) John knew his place - his job to be done - and he knew when Jesus came, he would have to decrease because his job was finished.

As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,

"What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings' palaces!

But what did you go out to see? A prophet?

Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet, This is the one about whom it is written 'Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.'

Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom is greater than he."

John was the least in the kingdom because salvation was not yet come. John was not under grace, he was under the law, because Jesus had not completed the plan of salvation at this time.

It was soon after this that John was beheaded. He had done nothing wrong other than what God had sent him to do, yet he lost his life because of it.

What do you go out to see? Another programmed church service with rot singers and written sermons?

What do you go out to see? To read the word of God and go on living like you never read a word?

What do you go out to see? Jesus, the spectacular, or Jesus, the Messiah who came to change your life?

Many times in my life I have wanted to throw in the towel. To say it is too hard. I can't do this. I can't turn the other cheek. I can't be content with my wages. I can't be loving and kind and gentle. I want to tell them to put it where the sun don't shine, or in the words of the western song 'take this job and shove it,' but (there's the but), Jesus did change my life. I have to remember what I'm here for and what influence I shed on those around me. And when the negative comes (and it will), I try to remember that 'the Jesus in my heart must increase and I must decrease.' That is very hard sometimes, but in the long run, it is the only way to live. I certainly don't expect to be beheaded because of it like John. So, what am I about - what am I going out to see?

Lord, help me to always, always go out to see You and only You. Jesus, be real in life - not artificial - but You, Jesus, my friend, my Savior, my Redeemer, my giver of life. And, Lord, no matter what, let my light shine so that others will know and be healed. For it is in your name that I pray! Amen.

Have a great day today!

Charlotte

What shall we do?

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

The trip up to Rogers was great. We were running a little behind schedule so drove a little too fast but really enjoyed the getting away. I found gospel music to play all the way almost. I drove and Bill slept most of the way. You've got to remember that we are night people so the mornings are not great for us. But have enjoyed Joshua tremendously. He is six years old and is a great 'Go Fish' player. My son gave his wife a beautiful diamond ring for their anniversary. It is beautiful and she was so surprised.

We have been looking into the book of Luke at the birth, early childhood, early life and the beginning of Jesus ministry. John began preaching at this time (in Luke 3) So he (John the baptizer, the forerunner of Christ, son of Elisabeth and Zacharias) began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him,

"You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance and do no begin to say to yourselves, We have Abraham for our father, for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.

Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire."

And the crowds were questioning him, saying, "Then what shall we do?"

And he would answer and say to them, "The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise."

And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?"

And he said to them, "Collect no more than what you have been ordered to."

Some soldiers were questioning him saying, "And what about us, what shall we do?"

And he said to them, "Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages."

This was a totally different way from what anyone had taught them before. Hypocrisy was rampant and there was no one to tell them to stop. John called them vipers or snakes. Wonder what would happen today if a preacher stood in the pulpit and called his congregation snakes. I bet that would get some attention.

It was so different they were asking "What are we supposed to do?" Tax collectors were collecting more taxes and pocketing the rest.

Soldiers were to not take money from people by force or accuse anyone falsely.

Three things we can reap from this - if you see your brother in need, share with him....your food, your clothes. 'Give and it shall be given unto you - pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give unto your bosom.' Don't give for gain but to help your brother/sister.

Second - don't take what doesn't belong to you. We can become in the habit of just saying well I'll get some paper from work or staples or paper clips or whatever. It is easy to get into the habit of just sponging a little here and there.

I worked for a woman in Benton one time that would only give me one pencil at a time. To get a new pencil I had to turn in a stub. That is the truth. No taking from her.

This is some of the little foxes that we need to be nip in the bud or they can become big foxes.

The third thing is to be content with your wages. Your boss doesn't owe you anything but a pay check at the end of the week for the hours you have put in. You notice I didn't say the work you have done - I said the hours you have put in. By law they have to pay you for hours, but there is no law that says you have to work during those hours for which you are paid. That is a choice you have to make from your own heart before God.

It says to be content with your wages. How many times have we said 'they just don't pay me enough.' Well, when you accepted the job you were looking for, it seemed like a good deal at that time, didn't it? So, what happened? Be content with your wages. If you started working on the hours you are there on your job, you might find your boss padding you pocket a little more.

John started the teachings that Jesus would expound more on. It was a different way for them and for some of us also....to live like the Lord wants us to live cutting out the little foxes.....to go and sin no more.

Lord, teach us to live honestly. Slap our hands when we do wrong as sometimes we become so accustomed to doing it our way that we don't even realize those little foxes are creeping in. In Jesus Name. Amen ( it is done )

Have a great day today!

Charlotte

Front Runners

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

There is very little written about Jesus from the time he was twelve until he started his ministry. We talked about Mary pondering these things in her heart. If we could see the things that Mary and Joseph saw, we would wonder. To see a sparrow fall and Jesus pick it up and send it on its way. And what else - I cannot imagine, but Mary knew. That is the reason it was so easy for her to say at the wedding in Cana when they ran out of wine, just do what he tells you to do. And they did, and Jesus turned the water into wine.

He could have made a fortune at that time just healing animals. The car of the day was the donkey or horse or camel. With one touch he could heal them. He could have made a living being a 'vet.'

That is the reason the devil tempted him with doing things that ordinary men could not do....like taking him to the pinnacle of the temple and saying to him 'If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down,' and let the angels catch you.

On New Years Eve we watched a fellow jump a football field length on a motorcycle. They said he went up a high as a six-story building in order to complete the jump.

Evil Kneivel used his life to do spectacular things. Before his death it was reported how many bones he had broken over the course of his life to do these spectacular things. He had many fans.

This is what the devil was saying to Jesus. Be spectacular! With your gifts you can do whatever you want to do. You can use your gift to further yourself.

But (there's the but) Jesus didn't do that. With each temptation, he rebutted it with scripture and after three times - three temptations, the devil had to flee because he was getting nowhere.

The Word says that Jesus grew in favor of God and men. Jesus was well liked. But even though he was well liked in his hometown, when he started his ministry, it was impossible for him to minister in his hometown because they knew him as Joseph's boy. He even commented at one time that 'a prophet is without honor in his own country.'

Even his brothers and sisters did not believe in him. He was just Jesus, their older brother.

Sometimes it is next to impossible to do things when people do not believe in what you are doing. Preachers have left the pulpit because people would not follow them. It may not have had anything to do with the preacher, just people are hard to lead sometimes.

I was in an abusive relationship for six years and when I finally got out of that horrible relationship, I came to Conway where we could not be found. There was an ad in the paper that if you were interested in helping start an organization to help abused women, to meet at the Methodist Church, and I went.

I ended up being the director of that organization for five years. It was called The Way Out Program for Abused Women. Over the course of that five years we helped over three hundred women. We clothed, fed, counseled, picked up, dropped off, consoled and cried with them. I eventually became known at the police station as 'the friend of the woman,' which was a great honor for me. Many nights I was called in the middle of the night to the hospital, to the police station, to a home or other location to pick up a woman whose husband was on a rampage. Even the district attorney's office used us. Foster is a great supporter of abused women's services. I gave it everything I had because I knew what it was like to be in a situation like they were in. (I knew how to be a runner from first hand experience)

The amazing thing to me was that we could never get anyone else interested in it. We went out on limb making it a Christian organization when the Junior Auxiliary pulled their support from us because of it. We felt that Jesus was the only way. Even the churches would not support us....all except the Methodist church. We spoke to the Lion's Club, the Optimist Club, the churches, the United Way....to no avail.

You've got to know that abuse was a closet affair in those days, but the consolation is to know that we opened the door and educated the community so that today they do have a shelter and all kinds of help for abused women.

They have even changed the law to protect them including getting a protective order (without an attorney and without charge in a lot of cases). At one time in the state of Arkansas there was a law on the books that it was okay to beat your wife one time a year. That is no longer the case. The police at that time sided with the man or had to have hard evidence to support any charges. A lot of time women would be abused and file charges only to drop them because of fear of her husband/boyfriend. That is no longer the case. If the police officer observes the results of abuse, he can file the charges and stand by them because of what he observes and it doesn't have to be the actual assault.

We have come a long way, baby!

Our job would have been a lot easier if we could have gotten support from the community. Conway has changed over the last few years. It used to be a very tight knit community and if you were not one of the chosen few, you got nowhere....and that excluded us even though the board of directors were Conway people.

When we talked to United Way, they almost scoffed in our faces.

I am sure John the Baptist, like Jesus, faced a lot of scoffers. When you run out in front, you have to be strong enough to do what you know you are supposed to do regardless of the support you get or don't get.

We all have to stand before God with our lives...every man on his own bucket...I just want to know in my heart I stood for the right thing at the right time whether it was the popular thing or not.

Gotta go for today! Have a great day. We are heading to Rogers to take care of my little grandson while his parent celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary.

Charlotte