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