Letter from Jesus

Dear Children,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

remember......I LOVE YOU!

JESUS

One thing have I desired of the Lord!

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

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

Psalms 27 says this:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have a good one!

Charlotte

Get an upgrade!

John 3 starting with 16 says For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but (there's the but) have everlasting life. For God, sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world: but (there's the but)that the world through him might be saved.

V18 goes on to say He that believes on him is not condemned: but (there's the but) he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

There are three buts in this scripture:

1. Because of Jesus, a person shall not perish but he/she shall have everlasting life (starting the day he/she accepts Jesus).

2. Jesus came not to condemn us but to save us.

3. One who believes is not condemned but if you don't
believe, you are condemned simply because you haven't
believed.


Great benefits - everlasting life - becoming a child of God - no condemnation - THIS IS AN UPGRADE TO YOUR LIFE!

We have to sell at work. I have learned that if you promote something with the line 'this is an upgrade to your card,' people listen. They get a sticker on their card to show they have this upgrade. But the card upgrade you have to pay for. Everybody wants something better even if it comes with a price.

Well, here it is! Jesus came and died on Calvary for your upgrade. You don't have to pay for it because it's been bought and paid for by Jesus - all you have to do is accept it and your sticker will read:

BORN AGAIN - CHILD OF GOD

WARNING/BEWARE: GOD FIGHTS THIS KIDS BATTLES!

What an upgrade! You can 'hold on to your peace' because God fights your battles for you now. All you have to do is walk in peace. You are blessed coming in and blessed going out. You are the head and not the tail - above and not beneath. You are a child of the King. He provides all your needs according to his riches in glory. He is your friend. He is always there for you to take your side or tell you with love where you are wrong. And most of all HE LOVES YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE - GOOD, BAD, UGLY OR INDIFFERENT. He knew you even before you knew you and He accepts you just like you are. He even knows your very thoughts and He loves you anyways. What an upgrade!!!!!!!!

v19-21 says this AND THIS IS THE CONDEMNATION, THAT LIGHT IS COME INTO THE WORLD, AND MEN LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, BECAUSE THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL.
FOR EVERYONE THAT DOETH EVIL HATES THE LIGHT, NEITHER COMES TO THE LIGHT, LEST HIS DEEDS SHOULD BE REPROVED.

BUT HE THAT DOETH TRUTH COMES TO THE LIGHT, THAT HIS DEEDS MAY BE MADE MANIFEST, THAT THEY ARE WROUGHT IN GOD.

So, if you think you are a big shot and don't need the upgrade on your life, this scripture says you don't want the upgrade because you love darkness more than light. How sad!

I never want to go too long in this little epistle without telling you that all you have to do is ask Jesus to come into your life.

Say, Jesus, I believe in You and that you died for me on Calvary. I believe that you are the Son of God. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Come and be the Master of my life. In Jesus Name. Amen (it is done).

If you prayed this prayer with a sincere heart, YOUR LIFE JUST GOT AN UPGRADE!!!!!!!!! Just think even the angels are shouting because someone has upgraded by making Jesus the Lord of their life. What a celebration!!!!

Jesus, thank you for dying for us on Calvary. Thank you for providing abundant, everlasting LIFE for us. I pray for everyone that reads this Charlotte in the Morning, that they would know you. I pray for the ones that get this by e-mail, the ones that get it and delete it or don't take the time to read it. I pray that they would know You...for You, Lord, are what LIFE is all about. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen! (it is done)

Have a great and blessed day today!

Charlotte

do the math!

My friend Shelly sent me this and I thought I would
pass it along since we were talking about Moses yesterday.

Moses and his people were in the desert, but what
was he going to do with them?

Problem 1: They had to be fed, and fed is what he did.

According to the Quartermaster General in the Army, it
is reported that Moses would have to have had 1500 tons
of food each day.

Do you know that to bring that much food each day,two
freight trains, each a mile long, would be required!

Problem 2: Besides you must remember, they were out in the desert,so they would have to have firewood to use in cooking the food. This would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long, just for one day.

And just think, they were forty years in transit.

Problem 3: And oh yes! They would have to have water.

If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes,it would take 11,000,000 gallons each day, and a freight train with tank cars, 1800 miles long, just to bring water!

Problem 4: And then another thing! They had to get across the Red Sea at night. (They did?)

Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the
line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days
and nights to get through! So, there had to be a space
in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk
5000 abreast to get over in one night.

Problem 5: But then, there is another problem.

Each time they camped at the end of the day,
a campground two-thirds the size of the state
of Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750
square miles long...think of it!

This space just for nightly camping.

Question: Do you think Moses had this all figured out before he left Egypt?

Answer: I think not!

Solution: You see, Moses believed in God.
God took care of these things for him.

Now do you think God has any problem taking care of all your needs?

Have a great and blessed day!

Charlotte

Look and Live!

(When you leave a note, click other and it will allow you to leave your name with the note you leave. It also automatically e-mails it to me. Let me know if this doesn't work! Also, be sure and cast your vote for the question on New Age - down by archives)

Good morning! Hope you had a great weekend. We worked most of the weekend. This is Bill's busy time of year and I am working too much for my way of thinking....well, I guess it is a blessing and I shouldn't complain!!!!!!!

In John 3 it says this.

Verse 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

In Numbers 21:6-9 tells us about the serpent in the wilderness.

And the people spoke against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loathes this light bread. (they were complaining about the manna that God feed them with every day - completely free of charge - all they had to do was go outside and pick up one days supply at a time)

You remember we talked last week about having plenty of clothes, food, shoes. Well, here it is. God did not allow the children of Israel's shoes to wear out and folks, they walked or rode on a camel, they did not have a new Cadillac or fancy car to ride in. But (there's the but) their shoes did not wear out. They ate the same food every day that God sent from heaven. In this scripture it says they spoke against God and against Moses. Why? because they were sick and tired of eating the same old thing. Sound familiar?

Verse 6 says And the Lord sent fiery serpents(snakes)among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

Then in verse 7 it says Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against you; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.

And Moses prayed for the people.

And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looks upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

Do you realize that the logo for all of our doctors today is a pole with an entwined snake around it. Whether the doctor believes in God or not, their logo is from God....look and live.

God made it so simple for the children of Israel. He protected them even to parting the Red Sea for them to cross. They saw that with their own eyes. He provided for them completely. He led them with a 'pillar of a cloud' by day and a 'pillar of fire' by night. These were always there to guide them (Exodus 13:21-22).

He fed them every morning and every evening, yet it wasn't enough.

There used to be an old expression. I have heard my dad say it 'hold your peace.' We read this expression when Moses spoke to the children of Israel in verse 14 of Exodus 14 The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. But did they hold their peace......NO!

After this was when they spoke against God and God sent the snakes to bite them. If they would only look at the serpent twined around the pole, they would live. Many did, many didn't!

God makes things so simple. He even made it simpler for us today. He sent Jesus to die on Calvary for our sins. If we would look to Jesus and believe on Him, we will live eternally. He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. We will be blessed going out and blessed coming in, if only we will look and live! Many believe, many don't!

How about you?

Lord, thank you for making provision for us today. Thank you, Lord, that we can look to Jesus and live. Help us to trust you more and not complain. In Jesus Name. Amen (it is done)

Have a great Monday!

Charlotte

the woman that fears the Lord

Well, looks like one more Thanksgiving is over and we are left with the skeleton of the turkey and the leftovers. I have taken that skeleton back bone and boiled it to make sure all the excess is off, and it makes a perfect Santa's sleigh. Just sit it up and paint it red and put Santa and his reindeer in front of it and it is perfect for Christmas decorations. Put the butt of that backbone down into Styrofoam. Just thought I would throw that in.

Proverbs 14:1 says Every wise woman builds her house: but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.

Proverbs 31 gives us words of wisdom for the model woman. Some of the verses are these -

The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.

She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar. (Actually the grocery store if far enough away for us)

She rises also while it is yet night, and gives meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.(Many of us can understand this after the holidays)

She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. (Here she is planting her own garden for food for her family)

She girds her loins with strength, and strengthen her arms. (Dake says this means she keeps herself and her family in perfect health with proper food and clothing.)

She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.(She works to help bring money into their household the way that she knows)

She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. (these were ancient parts of the spinning wheel)

She stretches out her hand to the poor; yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. (she planned ahead for them)

She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple (she, herself, dresses well)

She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.

This is the way to get respect from your family. V28 says
Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. We have lost something in this age and that is respect. No matter what, when my children were little, I tried to live where they would respect me. I made plenty of mistakes but I see mothers today that live ever how they want to live not taking into consideration how their lives effect their children. I wonder what the next generation will be (if the Lord tarries).

Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.

Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but (there's the but) a woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Have a great day!

Charlotte

Give thanks with a thankful heart!

Happy Thanksgiving! I know you are all going to be so busy today with family and friend that Charlotte in the morning most likely will not be thought of.

On this day with my family, I like to reflect on the blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon us all. I am thankful for good health. I am thankful that I am no longer in pain with my knee. I am thankful - so thankful - for my wonderful husband. I am thankful for my successful children. I am thankful that Matthew moved back home. I am thankful that I am still able to hold a job and do it well. I am thankful for the financial blessing that the Lord has bestowed upon me and my household.

I am thankful for so many things but most of all, I am thankful for Jesus....that He loved me enough to come down to this earth and willingly die on the cross of Calvary for my sins so that I could have a blessed life like I have. I am so thankful that he showed me that I am okay and that He loves me just like I am. He knows me and has known me all my life. He knows my thoughts and my transgression, yet He loves me anyways. I am so thankful that He wrote down His directions for my life. I am so thankful that I can read and understand that everything He wants for me is good and for my good. I am thankful today, Jesus, that I know you and most important of all ..... that You know me. Thank you.

What are you thankful for? Write it down in the comments section for you to read and to allow me to read.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Charlotte

Seeking after 'things'

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise Him all creatures here below! Praise Him above you heavenly host! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

Matthew 6 starting with verse 31 says

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:)(do you realize that the Bible contains the first smiley face?) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.

The key word in this verse is 'seek' to 'seek after' the things of this life - the eating, the drinking, the clothing - and yet is that not what our lives are made of sometimes? We work, we eat, we shop, we sleep. Some of us make our living teaching others ways to cook for the family. Still others promote eating out. Yet this scripture tells us that the Gentiles - the ungodly - 'seek after' these things....what shall we eat? what shall we drink?

What if - all we had to eat was a meal and oil cake for three years like Elijah and the widow had? Or what if we only had manna to eat for forty years? What if - our shoes did not wear out and our clothes did not wear out like the children of Israel? Would we not, like they, complain?

If God meets our needs according to his riches in glory and our 'needs' are met, do we not consider that just poverty level?
More than our needs is what we're after.

How many of us have more than one pair of shoes? How many of us choose what we wear each day from a closet full?

I used to not have very many clothes. I got to meeting people who needed large size clothes. Every time I would meet someone who was my size and needed clothes, I seemed to empty my closet. Several times I gave away so much that I gave away stuff I needed. I did not do this to get back. I saw a need and gave. Now, my closet is so full, I have nice clothes that I don't even have occasion to wear. And you know what? I don't even know where they came from.

So what if we gave away money - food - whatever our need instead of putting back for tomorrow. Giving instead of what can I get. Would we be able to hold all that God would bring into our storehouses?

But (there's the but) seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

So, I think what Jesus is saying here is don't get sucked into things. Things come and things go but(there's the but) seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and He will add things unto you.

I have never been a big shopper. Walmart added to society gave us the shop-til-you-drop syndrome. Everything you need in one great big spot, and the psychology behind it for them is to split up what you need. Put groceries on one side of the store and put deodorant and toothpaste on the other side and in the walking across the store you surely will see something else you want. Put items they want sold in eyesight and put the best priced on the top or bottom shelf. And the clincher - put things that kids like down where they can see them. Ever see a kid throwing a fit for something they couldn't have?

I know people who absolutely live for shopping. If they aren't garage saleing, they are Goodwilling. If they are not Goodwilling, they are Walmarting. We need to stop and think first about living for God and His righteousness - that can fill our lives until 'things' just drop away and you can't find anything that is more important to you than living for God...even if it is eating meal and oil cooked to perfection. After the giving, your storehouse will be full.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

One day at a time, sweet Jesus. What can we do today to glorify God? What can we give to someone that has a need?

This holiday season instead of thinking what can we get - consider what can we give. Instead of loading your kids down with any and all things, let them give to someone else. Let them pick an angel off the tree to give to. Let them get outside of themselves and learn to give and not just get. That is honorable to God.

Most of all during this blessed season, give and don't worry about receiving. Don't destroy your budget doing it. Did you ever consider that that is the reason this is a happy season - everyone gets full of cheer and just gives and enjoys giving and it feels so good....to think of others rather than ourselves. This is the Godly and ungodly. The ba-humbugs never feel good anyway you go about it.

Better close for now. Lord, direct this holiday season for us. You orchestrate it to where we give like you want us to give...we live like you want us to live and help us to put You and Your Kingdom first in our lives. Help us not to get sucked into 'things,' God. It is so easy to lose it in this age we live in. Tap us on the shoulder when we are not going the right way. In Jesus Name. Amen ( it is done)

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Charlotte

Ask - Trust - Wait

Well, it's time to get the old turkey in scope. Thanksgiving is coming up on Thursday and it is my favorite holiday. For a couple of years I had an open house, but this year we are going to Bill's daughter's house as we have our Thanksgiving sandwiched in between two work days. Besides I want to see everybody - it's been a while.

Matthew 6:starting with 27 says this

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

Did you ever think about what you can change and what you can't?
We worry and fret over our weight because we can change that, but we know it is needless to worry over our height - why? because we can't change that. What is that poem that says 'give me the courage to change the things I can, the patience to accept the things I can't change and the wisdom to know the difference' something like that.

God gives us our height and our inclination to be the way we are built. I have two granddaughters - one is eight and she is skinny as a bean pole and eats everything. She never gains a pound. I have another granddaughter which is twenty-one and she has been hefty all of her life. Everything she eats goes to show.

I have always been hefty....all my life. At some point we have to accept the fact that God gave us our inclination to be built the way we are. Now that doesn't say..don't care..eat what you want..part of serving God is using moderation in all things, but what I am saying is don't beat yourself up because you aren't as good looking as your icon. God accepts us as we are - that is a wonderful thing - so do the same for yourself - accept yourself as you are and trust God for the outcome.

And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Times have changed so. When I was a girl, you had a Sunday dress and Sunday shoes that you only wore on Sunday to church. Mother made all of our clothes (I am the youngest of five). When we started to school we had five new dresses that mother had made for us - one for every day in the week. She even made our slips and panties, gowns, everything. I never had a store-bought dress until I was twenty years old. Now my sisters were older than me - they were 16-15-13-10 when I was born. So to sew for them was a real task but when I came along it was easier because there was just one of me.

If I would tell my mother an idea for a new dress, when I got in from school she would have it made. We would shop at Rephans looking for the right material for a dress.

I can still remember the Sunday dresses she made for me. Beautiful dresses - made by her own hands. I have spent many hours trying to keep my finger in the middle of the silver knob on her sewing machine while she sewed for us.

What is happening in this world? God says for us to not worry over what we put on because He will clothe us. Just look at the flowers, they don't worry about what they are going to look like and God clothes them so splendidly even better than Solomon in all his glory.

I never worried over what I would put on because my mother looked after that. She saw my need and supplied it. Is that not the way we should be with God. To not worry and fret over our material needs because our Father sees our needs and supplies them?

What did Jesus say? O YE OF LITTLE FAITH!

Does that mean that we shouldn't care? Of course not. Does that mean we shouldn't plan ahead? Of course not. But(there's the but) it does mean we should not prioritize these material things in our lives to the point that we no longer trust in God to supply for us.

In other words, I prayed, I didn't get quick enough, so I'll do it my way. God just isn't fast enough.

God's ways are different from our ways. He looks at things differently. What we see one way, He can show us numerous ways of looking at things if we will simply ask Him, trust in Him, and wait for Him.

Thank you, Lord, for supplying all our needs according to your riches in glory. Help us to wait for you - to trust in your ways and not ours. Help us to simplify our lives, to slow down and to enjoy things with our families that we haven't enjoyed before. In Jesus Name. Amen (it is done)

Have a great day!

Charlotte

'don't worry! be happy!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend. I worked Saturday but rested totally Sunday. Couldn't help myself.

I am so blessed this year. Blessings seem to be coming out of the woodwork for me. Everywhere I look something else good has happened to me. I thank God for all his blessings to me. Since this is Thanksgiving week, I suppose that is a good way to start this week....by thanking God for our blessings.

It is funny to me how God works. You can ask Him, you can cry out to Him, you can even think that you deserve blessings to be heaped upon you, but all is in God's timing. When He decides to open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing on you.....that's when it happens. You can't control God and His workings. When He thinks you are ready, that is when He will bless you.

Matthew 6: starting with 25 says not to worry about tomorrow, or your clothes, or your food, because you Heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. Really now! Looking back over your life, can you remember a time that you were actually hungry or had to naked because you didn't have any clothes? or shoes? maybe you were broke, but you still made it to work. Right?

It says Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what shall you eat, or what you shall drink: nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and they body than rainment?

It goes on to say Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?

Several years ago I made a cassette on which I sang. When I started to make it, the fellow that was helping me said if I didn't want to pay the copyright fees for the songs that I sang, I would have to use my own music. Well, needless to say, I didn't have any music that I had written. So, I asked the Lord to give me some songs of my own.

I walked into my kitchen one day and looked out the window. There was a little sparrow out in my back yard just peck-peck-pecking all around.

I told the Lord 'Now You and I are sharing a special moment, Lord, because no one else can see that little bird but you and I.' I turned to walk away and the Lord said this to me.

He said "My children are like that little sparrow. They just peck-peck-peck all around and never look up, because if they would look up, they would know that I am watching over them."

Then He gave me my first song, the words go like this:

As a child, I was always afraid of thunder,
And my mother knew as I played in the yard,
so at the first sign of a dark cloud she'd be over me,
telling me 'Child, don't be afraid for I'm with you.'

Look up, my child, I'm watching over you.
Look up, my child, for I will see you through.
Look up, my child, when storm clouds frighten you.
Look up, my child, for I will see you through.

Now, in the Bible we read of the disciples,
As they fished along the Sea of Galilee,
And as a storm cloud so swift began to gather,
Jesus said 'Don't be afraid for I'm with thee.'

Now as a child of God I walk along this journey,
Many trials and temptations come my way,
but I remember what my mother used to tell me,
and I can now hear my Heavenly Father say.

Look up, my child, I'm watching over you.
Look up, my child, for I will see you through.
Look up, my child, when storm clouds frighten you.
Look up, my child, for I will see you through.

So 'don't worry - be happy.' This is God's way for us to travel. To look to him in all of life's situations for he will take care of us and see us through.

Lord, remind us to look up to you. To include you in our everyday lives because you care about us. In Jesus Name. Amen ( it is done)

Have a great day today!

Charlotte

That He might be praised!!!!!

I still have one day to go before my week is ended as I work on Saturdays, but it is getting close to my 'Friday.'

Isaiah 61 is a prophecy of Jesus. It tells the many attributes of his ministry. This is what it says:

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me:
because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God:
to comfort all that mourn;
to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,
to give unto them beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness:
that they might be called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord,
that he might be praised.

You know, it is an amazing thing that we run from God and His ways. God is a positive God. He wants good things for us. He sent Jesus to provide that way for us, yet we prefer and choose to go our own way not even realizing that His abundant life has been provided to us through Jesus.....and for what reason that he might be praised.

Who among us wants bad things for our children. Does it not make you sick at your stomach when your children do the things they shouldn't do and you have to correct them knowing full well if they would just listen to you, they would be much happier and so would you!

God wants good things for us. He binds up the brokenhearted. There is a song that I sing that says 'How many nights must I dry your tears away' just to show how much I love you. It goes on to say 'Don't I put food on your table - show up when the bills are due, and when the pain is racking your body - don't I send healing down to you?

When you were lost in sin and sorrow, I died to set you free - so you would know just how much I love you.' He comforts us. He puts a smile on our face. Why? because He loves us.

The sad part is that so many times we don't acknowledge Him. We don't turn to Him like we should or we would be happier, less troubled, more praising than we are now.

Life gets humdrum....and it is hard to remember sometimes that we are not in this race alone. The old song says 'I was there all the time.' Even when we don't look to Him, He is there all the time, waiting for us to look to Him.

Lord, help us to look to you in all situations. Remind us of all the benefits you have made provision for in our lives. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus Name. Amen ( it is done)

Have a great day today! See you back Monday!

Charlotte

God's on your side - He's got your back!

Get you a cup of coffee and let's enjoy giving our first thoughts to God and his Word. Isn't it exciting this new site. My son called me yesterday and told me about it but never dreamed I would actually get it up and going but here it is. I am as excited about this website as you preacher guys are about your new church. ha!ha!

Psalms 40 says this I waited for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

Notice the things that happened in this scripture. It is so short that you almost miss the gravity of it.
1. I waited for the Lord.
2. He inclined unto me and heard my cry.
3. He brought me out of a horrible pit.
4. He brought me out of the miry clay.
5. He set my feet upon a rock.
6. He established my goings.
7. He put a new song in my mouth.

In other words - if you take one step, God will take six. All you did was wait for the Lord, crying unto him as you wait.

Psalms 18 is my favorite psalms. In the first 15 verses it tells how powerful God is. He made darkness his secret place....The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. Yes, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

Then in verse 16 it says 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 (there's the but) the Lord was my stay.

It is a powerful thing to wait on the Lord - to call upon the Lord. Why? because He's got your back.

Have you ever loved someone so much that it just made you mad for someone to pick on them. My daughter was like that with Matt. We moved into a new neighborhood where there was a bunch of little boys. Matt was five at the time and there was nine little boys in a one block span on this street where I had bought a house. Matt was the new kid on the block. I even had to take him to the hospital one time because they had hurt his arm somehow or another. I remember one day he came in crying and Robyn said, 'come on, Matt.' She took him and went out - don't know where they went - don't know what happened - just know they stopped picking on him.

God is like that with us when we take refuge in Him. Don't know where He went - don't know what happened - just know it stopped. He had my backside and I could be in peace.

One scripture says in Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone, were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! (the Bible actually has an exclamation point there) for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the office cometh! (another one)

That is the importance of our forgiving others. It is a terrible thing to be in the hand of God for an offense.

My brother-in-law had offended me and my children terribly. I held that inside me for a long time, and then he died. I ran to that funeral home and forgave him over his dead body so that he would not have to answer to God for what he did to my family. I hope God took that into consideration.

Folks, God is on our side. He wants us to succeed. He wants us to prosper. He set it up that way and when things go wrong, remember, God is on our side and He won't let us down.

Thank you, Lord, for having our backside. Thank you for moving heaven and earth when we need you and when we don't. Remind us to look to you for our answers and not to anything/anyone but you, Lord, and most of all thank you for being on our side no matter what. In Jesus Name. Amen ( it is done)

Have a great day today!

Charlotte

THE THING THAT GOOD IS!!!!!!

Psalms 38 reminds us that there are consequences to sin. We would like to believe in our religious world today that it is all above sin and consequences.

David was considered the friend of God, however, he suffered consequences when he sinned and Psalms 38 is a reminder to us of the pain he was in physically as his consequence. This was not just a mental consequence. It was a physical consequence from his sin.

David not only took another man's wife that he had lusted after, but he also had the husband killed so that he could have his wife. How about that for some headlines. KING HAS KILLED HUSBAND OF WOMAN HE LOVES!

Because David was a man after God's own heart and because God sees and knows all, even to the intent of our heart, there was consequences. Because of his sin, one of the consequences was David got a venereal disease, and this chapter is David lamenting the pain in his body and how he held his faith in God to rescue him because he followed the thing that good is.

Somehow when I read this Psalms this morning I thought of Jimmy Swaggart. He is getting to be an old man now and I listen to him every day. Jimmy has made his mistakes, but all you have to do is hear him sing to know who he serves. It is all foolishness to him now but he still reaps the consequences of what he did for all the world to see and know. His son and his grandson continue his ministry. I listen to his wife every night coming home from work.

Like David in the Psalms 38 that says

"But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that opens not his mouth, Thus I was as a man that hears not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.

For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: you will hear, O Lord my God.

For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me:

when my foot slipped, they magnify themselves against me.

For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.

For I will declare my iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.

But my enemies are lively, and they are strong; and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.

Forsake me not, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me.

Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation."

Jimmy Swaggart, as an old man, said the other day that the news media in Baton Rouge still taunt him and his ministry, but as an old man he says, 'it doesn't bother me any more. I know who I serve.'

I know who he serves because I listen to him and you can't fake a sincere heart. He prayed that his son would not get musical talent and Donny didn't. Donny preaches. But Jimmy sings.. and oh the anointing. His heart is turned toward God and his music tells that. He has ministered so many times to me over the years.

He was a friend of Laverne Walker out in Tull. She was raised with him. She was the one who introduced his music to me. 'Touching Jesus is all that matters and your life will never be the same. There is only one way to touch him and that is believe when you call on his name.' He can take a forgotten old song and make it true to your heart. 'Then I met the Master, and my life has never been the same.' Or 'The old account was settled long ago...down on my knees.' He can sing about Jesus and it makes the hair on your head stand up....because he follows the thing that good is.

Now think about it folks - why wouldn't the devil want to shut him up and ruin his name. I'm not saying that Jimmy didn't do wrong, because he did. But let the one among us who is without sin cast the first stone. There are no little sins in God's eye. The difference is that when you are a public figure, your sin becomes public knowledge.

Like David he sinned and we all knew it, but(there's the but) because he follows the thing that good is, his life means something.

He sings 'Only Jesus can satisfy your soul. Only He can give you peace and make you whole. He'll give you peace you never knew, sweet joy and comfort, and heaven too. For only Jesus can satisfy your soul.'

I would only hope that my life could touch a small portion with the thing that good is as Jimmy's life has.

Lord, thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for making us the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath. Be merciful to us, God, when we slip and fall. Let us not be utterly cast down because your Word says - You uphold us with Your hand. I pray for Jimmy today that you would bless him and give him the strength to go forward letting his heart show the thing that good is - YOU, LORD. In Jesus Name. Amen ( it is done)

Have a great day today!!

Charlotte