Thank you Lord

Feels so good to make it this far

And I didn’t think I could take it so long

There were days I wanted to quit

I said surely this is it

But I held on.

And I’ve watched as so called friends turned and walked away

And it hurts so much I didn’t have words to say,

But even when my day turns to night and nothing seems just right.

Lord I thank you for my life.

For my life

Lord I thank you

For every victory in you I’ve seen

And all the moments I know Lord it was you who kept me

So I thank you for my life.

And I’ve watched you take my family from there to here

And when times where a little rough God I know you were near

And the moments I thought I failed I was reminded of your nails

So I held on

And if I never live to see another day

There’s nothing I will change or take away

I’ve had so many ups that they thought id weigh my downs.

Lord I thank you for my life.

For my life

Lord I thank you

For every victory in you I’ve seen

And for the moments Lord I know you kept me

Lord I just Thank you for my life.

I realise

Some didn’t make it

I could have been one of the ones who lost my way

And there were times lord I know I almost went crazy

But I’m still here

With my life

So for my life

Lord I thank you

For every victory in you I’ve seen

And for the moments that I know

I know you kept me

So I thank you

Thank you Jesus for my life

It may not be all that Id hoped for

And every dream has not yet been realised

But to see your face one day God

I know its all gonna be worth it

Lord so I thank you for

Every mountain, every valley….

I just want to take the time to thank you Jesus

For my life

Thank you Jesus for my life

~Smokie Norful-Dear God~ 

Romance and Reality

Romance is certainly an important foundation for a relationship. However, I'm afraid some of its significance has been lost in our sex-saturated culture. So many reality shows on television play on our fascination with romance.


We see bachelors and bachelorettes handing out roses to find their special someone; we see then cavorting in limousines and hot tubs and then marrying based on viewers responses. But after the season finales, after the cameras stop rolling, after the rose petals have withered and died, I wonder if any of these reality-celebrity couples have what it takes to endure.


You've likely experienced this yourself if you've bee in a relationship for very long. At first it can be easy to fall in love. He calls every day, often several times a day, sends you gorgeous bouquets of flowers with sweet little notes tucked inside, buys you jewelry and delights in taking you out and "showing you off".

There's a rush, a high, that's every bit intoxicating and addictive.

And it seems this wonderful feeling could fuel the relationship until the end of time.

You've found the man God sent your way, and this special gentleman has found you. You share the same faith, similar values, and a heartfelt desire to make a family together. All seems right with the world, no doubt.


Until reality starts creeping in and reminding you both that relationship can't stay in this sweet new phase for long. 

Talking on the phone for 3 hours in the morning is fun and utterly romantic - until you have to go to work 4 hours later.

It's nice to dress up and eat out in the fanciest restaurants with him - until you get a cold and want to stay at home in your sweats.

Spontaneous dates adds spice to your relationship - until you've done so much there's never time for chores like dirty dishes and piles of laundry. Real life sets in ad the relationship has to adapt and mature if it's going to last.

In fact, I believe what we really crave is much more than just moonlight and roses. We crave the security of knowing our men will stick by us when we discover a lump in our breast, when we lose our job, or when someone we love die. We want to believe they can love us without make up, when we burn the chicken, or when PMS makes us cranky. We long to know they will still hold us and desire us when our figures sag, when we start to have babies.... This is when real romance kicks in!

Not just the kind you see on television, but the kind that comes from a man who's willing to change a dirty diaper without being asked, capable of cooking dinner for the family when you work late, or able to surprise you with a getaway weekend he planned himself.

I find an incredible fascination in my husband that i continue to mine as we grow older together! haha How many facets does this man have? How does he manage to surprise me after all these years? The more i know him, the more i realize i will never exhaust this discovery process.

It may sound cliched, but its truly like falling in love with the man all over again.

Sometimes i think i know everything about him.... and then I'm surprised all over again and see new dimensions in him that attract me even more.

This combination of solving an ongoing mystery and enjoying the familiarity of our relational home together is a powerful fuel for the longevity of our union :)

I praise the Lord every day for you hun :)

Change

God changes us in ever-increasing degrees of glory. 

His goal is to make us more like himself: 


"And all of us, as with unveiled face, (because we) continued to behold (in the word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; (for this comes) form the Lord (who is) the spirit"
(2 cor. 3:18)


In order to accomplish this goal, God sometimes disciplines us for our ultimate good. However, while the discipline is taking place, it isn't much fun. Hebrews 12:11 tells us, 


"For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it ( a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness - in conformity to God's will in purpose, thought and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God)"


God's discipline changes us and makes us more like Jesus in our thoughts, words and actions. His plan is to bring us into a new realm of glory, which satan doesn't want. Consequently, the devil will oppose us persistently if we are going forward. He delights in getting us distracted and preventing us form pressing in with God.


Many times over the years I have sensed God speaking to me about changes that need to take place within the ministry in order for it to grow to the next level. However, I know that change is frequently very difficult for people. Because i love people and don't want to hurt or disappoint them, i have sometimes found it difficult to obey God in this area.

It is challenging to tell a person who is doing their best that the position they have has outgrown them and that we need to make a change. Many times it involves people who have done a great job for years; they are easy to get along with and are very committed to their job, but they have reached their ceiling.


If i don't make the changes God is asking me to make, their ceiling creates one for the ministry and prevents our growth. 


Since ministry growth means an opportunity to reach more people for Jesus, my decision cannot be based on what would be easy for me or what would not hurt their feelings.


I have learned through experience that if I don't obey God because I don't want to hurt the person, i usually hurt them more in the long run.


If God is asking me to make a change then He also has a new thing for them to do - something that they will enjoy even more that what they  are doing now. 


The fear of change keeps a lot of people from making progress, and it leads to disobedience.


How are we to respond to times of discipline and change (times when God is changing us)?


"You must submit to endure (correction) for discipline; God is dealing with you as His sons. For what son is there whom his father does not (thus) train and correct and discipline?... So then brace up and reinvigorate and set right your slackened and weakened and drooping hands, and strengthen  your feeble and palsied  and tottering knees, and cut through and make firm and plain and smooth, straight paths for your feet, so that the lame and halting limbs may not be put out of joint, but rather may be cured" (Heb 12:7, 12-13)

When God disciplines us, it can be uncomfortable and painful. Thats why we are told "submit to" and "endure" His discipline in our lives. We are to choose God's Word to be "lamp unto our feet and a light to our path".


The instructions continue in verse 14, where it says we are to "strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue the consecration and holiness without which no one will (ever) see the Lord"

We are to press forward and pursue holiness by allowing God to work in us. 

"Lord, I surrender my life to You in all my seasons and situations of changes - past, present and future. Keep me from allowing change to bring me into strife. Help me to draw nearer to You during the times and seasons of change. Let me sense Your strength, Your power, and Your peace during such times. And Lord when i need extra help to stay calm and peaceful, please help me to draw closer to Your heart. In Jesus name, amen"

~Conflict Free Living - Joyce Meyer~

Ephesians 6:12

Be on your guard, as satan loves it when christians are divisive. 

Paul wrote to the Christians at Ephesus, 

"We are not wrestling against flesh and blood (contending only with physical opponents), but against the despotism, against the powers, against (the master spirits who are)  the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere"

HIS Love Letter -FRAGRANCE-

"Precious chosen one - I will give life, to your life! I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly - life to the full and spilling over with an abundance of joy and rejoicing. Peace and love a bountiful supply of blessings.


I will so permeate your life and your very being that you will leave My sweet fragrance wherever you go. It will linger after you have gone. Others will continue to breathe in the sweet aroma of My presence and want more and want to keep it with them always. That aroma alone, will turn their hearts to seeking after it and finding Me.

Beloved you are a very special treasure in My kingdom. You are treasured by Me. by your family and friends and you are a surprise and a delightful treasure to strangers. Your loving openness and vulnerability are a refreshing and a very special gift of My love to those around you. 


My anointing oil has a sweet, lingering and lasting fragrance that blesses and exudes new life. Watch those around you breathe in deeply and relax and be at peace. Watch a new life begin to take a root and grow into a holy, eternal life. I will allow you to see with spiritual eyes and see the seeds you have scattered over the earth and grow into a mighty harvest. 


You will begin to see, with amazement, the fruit coming forth from all of the seeds you have lovingly and joyfully scattered over the earth. Continue doing just as what you have been doing! You have blessed My kingdom more than you know. I AM blessed and touched by your heart of love. 


Those around you are touched and blessed. They are healed, restored and refreshed with a new life of love, promise of hope and fresh new start. They have stumbled upon great treasure and priceless gifts that they will take away and  share with others.


Thank you, for being a precious treasure in My kingdom. Thank you for imparting my sweet life-giving fragrance wherever you go.


Your life turned to me and following Me is a sweet savor and a sweet smelling sacrifice unto Me. 


Your prayers are a sweet smelling incense offered upon the altar of sacrifice in loving concern for others. I promise I have heard and recorded every one - not one has been lost or gone unheeded. If they have not been answered yet, it is because they are in process and being now completed. You can rest in answered prayer. The answer is always yes and never no.


I have placed the desire in your heart and I will delight to give you the desire of your heart. I delight in delighting you - My bride the delight of My heart."


~Margaret Ruth Baker - A Long Love Letter~

Hebrews 13:2

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."

I believe i met an angel today....

A New Identity

There was a point when God asked Jacob his name. Jacob replied "Jacob". In one translation of the Bible, it says that Jacob spoke "in shock of realization, whispering" (Genesis 32:27 amp) Jacob could not escape the truth of his own identity a that point. In coming face to face with God, Jacob came face to face with himself.


God responded "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel" (Genesis 32:28) The name Israel literally means "contender". Contenders have power. The word contender is translated in some Bible versions as "one who prevails."


What does it mean to prevail with God? Success with God always means that you choose to do things God's way, not your own way. God's ways are not meant to be harsh and difficult, as some might think. You can trust that God has designed an abundant life for you that is released through your obedience to Him.


Choosing to do things God's way means that we accept God's plan for forgiveness for our lives, knowing that it is a great plan to lead us into His promises.


Choosing to do things God's way means that we see ourselves as He sees us, and we begin to take our identity as His beloved, righteous and forgiven children, no longer living under guilt, shame and punishment.


Choosing to do things God's way means that we ask Him for help in everything, from giving up a bad habit to adopting a positive new discipline.


Choosing to do things God's way means that we present ourselves to others as people who love God, and therefore love others with life transforming love.

The person who does this becomes a person who not only prevails with God, but who is a winner to herself and to other people. 

She rises above daily circumstances and even the most negative of situations. She finds a way to meet ends, soars above verbal assaults and lives a life of genuine integrity and authenticity.

When you know that you are a contender and a prevailer, you begin to adopt the stance - Emotionally spiritually and mentally - that "I am a valuable person, successful in the eyes of the One whose opinion truly matters." Your shoulders go back, you hold your head high, your eyes are focused and direct, your handshake is firm and your walk is confident.

Jacob didn't have to strive to gain power. God already saw him as worthy of accomplishment and success.


Jacob didn't have to struggle to prove himself. God already granted him status.


Jacob didn't have to scheme to acquire what he desired. God already saw him as a person deserving of life's best.


And so it is for you! :)