What are you doing with the rest of your life?

The other day a dear friend of mine posted something on Facebook from Billy Graham's latest book entitled "Nearly Home." © Billy Graham 2011. Here are Dr. Graham's words:

"While growing old has been the greatest surprise of my life, the greatest triumph is yet to come; experiencing victory over death that will usher me into the eternal presence of my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. While society may not believe that growing old is a respectable phase of life, my prayer is that believers in Jesus Christ will walk the last mile of the way triumphantly, as Moses did when he died at age 120. What testimony are you passing on to others following you? Remembering what God has done for you will invigorate you in your old age. Others are watching your actions and attitudes. Don't diminish the impact God can make through you; pass on the foundational truths of God's Word so that the younger generations will be as Joshua after Moses died: "Filled with the spirit of wisdom."

I haven't read the book yet, but these profound words really hit home to me as we start another New Year. I may not be "old" but I believe these words can apply to anyone who is taking a hard look at their life as they move forward and re-evaluate their walk with the Lord.

So, I'm asking myself - What is the purpose of my life at the age of 57? What kind of legacy am I leaving for my children, my future grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends? When they look at me, what do they really see?

I'm absolutely sure of what I want them to see. I want them to see a Godly woman. I want them to see someone who lives her life by the Word of God and someone who is a person of principle who stands by her beliefs. To me there is nothing worse than a wishy washy person and I never want to be one.

When my loved ones have a crisis in their lives, and they surely will, I want them to know they can come to me and I do my best to comfort them. I will try to reach out in anyway I can. I want them to know that Jesus comes first in my life and after that truth, everything else falls into place. Matthew 6:33 says it so well: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." I want my loved ones and friends to know I strive everyday to keep God first place in my life, by the way I act, think, speak and live. Not always easy because the Devil is alive and well and just loves to disrupt the lives of believers and ruin their witness to the world.

I have lived a blessed life because in my short 57 years on this earth, I thankfully have learned what's truly important in life. I know what it's like to face a life altering event because it happened to me 15 years ago.  I know what's it's like to make a simple trip to the doctor and be told you didn't have long to live. That snaps your priorities into place real quick! Everything else just fades away. All the minutia of life that you thought was so important you realize very quickly doesn't mean a thing.

Reading Billy Graham's insightful words about "God invigorating you"  helped me to remember that in the darkest time of my life, my Lord Jesus Christ WAS there for me in a profound way. I have never, ever felt closer to my Jesus than during that crisis.

In the midst of the numerous doctor visits and every test known to man, I had extreme peace. That kind of peace can only come from God. Philippians 4:7 tells us "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." That is absolutely true! I had never felt that kind of peace, ever. It surely came from the Lord as He enveloped me with His love. I knew it then and I have never, ever forgotten it, and never will. It was an overpowering feeling of love.

                                                                      Forever and Ever © Greg Olsen          
                        This is how I felt when I was sick 15 years ago, like a little girl enveloped in the arms of God

As we move forward with 2013, I want refocus my life on Jesus, thanking Him for the many blessings He  bestowed upon me in the past, and continues to give me each day! I want to spend the rest of my life glorifying Him in every way possible. I want to bring Him Glory in my thoughts, my words and in my actions. Psalm 19:14 says it all: "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."

So, I ask you~~~~~What are you doing with the rest of YOUR life?

My verses for today are above in red.

My prayer for today:

Dear Heavenly Father:

Thank you for your love. Thank you for Dr. Billy Graham and his inspiring words that touched me so much. Help me to re-focus my life on you to live for you each and every day of this New Year. Help me to be a light onto the world, shining with your Love for all to see.

I pray,
Amen and Amen

Make 2013 your best year yet~~ Ask, Believe & Receive

We've just started a brand new year! 2013 could be the year of your dreams, if you let it. I believe that too many of us settle for what life gives us, instead of reaching for the stars and stretching ourselves through our abilities and our dreams. Don't lay in the lowlands of life, get up out of the valley and start climbing your mountain!

This could be a whole new year for you, and for me too. Forget about your limitations through any physical disabilities or even sickness and march out and claim your dream! For me, that can be a challenge because I'm living everyday with MS, a chronic disabling and progressive disease, so believe me when say it can be a big time challenge. Sometimes, it's a challenge to just get out of bed in the morning. BUT--- I am determined not to let my MS stop me in my tracks. I have been living for over 20 years with lousy disease, and although it has altered the way I can handle some of physical or cognitive aspects of my life, it has not altered my spirit or my love of God meaning it has not altered my soul and it never will.

For me, there are way too many things to be done before I leave this earth. God has bigger plans for me than wallowing around in my temporary misery. He doesn't care if I'm having a bad day, He can use me just the way I am for the glory of His Kingdom. There are always brighter days and moments with the Lord of the Universe by your side! Look for them, look for the good things in your life and refocus yourself away from the negative and onto the positive! You can do it!

It doesn't matter what your qualifications are. If you have a willing heart, the Lord can use you to further His Kingdom and win lost souls. He will equip you through the Holy Spirit and empower you to do His work!
2 Timothy 3:16-17 encourages us: " All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

If the Lord says He will equip us, He surely will. It's a promise!

I am convinced that God wants us to live life to the fullest, but many of us become so distracted by the  minutia of the life we live each day, that we don't look at the big picture. We don't reach for the tallest mountain, we're content to lay in the valley and complain. Really? Come on people, anybody can do that! That is so unimaginable~~

There is always something to complain about. If you want to dwell on all the things that have gone wrong with your life, you'll never get out of the trenches. I'm not minimizing the suffering that many have gone through. I know life is very tough and has been extremely tough on some people, but that doesn't mean you have to be defeated. I've had a tremendous amount of suffering in my own life, but I try very hard not to let it take over my life. You need to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and say, I'm gonna do better, everything is going to change for me this year--- it is going to be a new beginning for me. God doesn't want me to live like this. He wants me to live in victory! He wants me to live for Him. This year, I'm gonna make it my priority to do just that!

I'm going to wake up every morning with a smile on my face and just say "Thank you Lord for waking me up this morning. Thank you for all the blessings you bestow upon me each and every day. I want to be your vessel today. Use me as you will. Help me to impact the world for you. Help me to reach out to others in Your Name. A lot of people are hurting today, I want to help them see the beauty of this life."

Start each day like that and spend your day Praising the Lord whenever you can and believe me, you will live a much happier life! If you are spending your time being thankful and Praising God, things will begin to turn around for you.

I encourage you to step out of the box this year. Reach for the stars; run after your dream. Our God is the dream maker and He can make all of your dreams come true... you just need to depend on Him for everything. Lean on this unforgettable scripture verse: put it on your mirror and read it each morning: Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths." If you don't want to use this verse, then pick out one of your favorites than inspires you! Just find a verse from God's Word and read it back to Him each and every morning. He loves to hear His words - it brings Him much delight! It's also a great way to start the day.

Believe it and receive it. You have to ask, you have to believe and you will receive. It's truly that simple. So don't wallow in the trenches of life this year, go after your dreams and God can make them come true. It's a promise. And the Creator of the Universe doesn't break His promises!

          “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks. the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-12

My verses for today are above in red.

My prayer for today:

Lord Jesus:

Thank you so much for my life. Thank you so much for my salvation. Thank you for dying for me and loving me so much that you saved me from damnation to give me eternal life. Lord, I want to live for you. Help me to focus myself on you each day, and help me to reach out to those who are hurting in this world. Help me to show them your love and be your hands and feet each day.

I pray,
Amen

Be a Beacon for Jesus Love in 2013~

We stand at the threshold of a brand New Year with all the possibilities that await us. As you approach this New Year, have you decided who will accompany you on this journey of year 2013?

No doubt you will have your family and friends to accompany you on your journey, but we all know that each New Year is fraught with peaks and valleys along the way. It's called life and it sure it nice to know that when you hit the low points, there will always be one that can help you no matter what you face, if you'll let Him. Can you see Him? Can you find Him when you are hurting? You need to only seek His face and He will always be there. One of the His great Psalms of comfort and assurance is: 

Psalm 121: - 1-8

" I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." 

                                       "I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?

                                           My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth."

Do you find comfort in that verse, like I do? You need help? All you gotta do is ask! What a relief!What a glorious promise that is.

So, the "Holidays" which originally were known as "Holy Days," a term set aside in the 1500's to give reverence and worship to God Almighty, will officially be over in a few days, and back to the grind we go. Many people are let down after the big build up of Christmas and New Years and all the excitement that goes with it. The parties, the parades, the Christmas lights, making and decorating cookies, gift shopping and giving will be behind us, and admittedly even I have had some years of feeling let down after the build up of this festive season. Haven't you?

But there is so much to be hopeful about as we face a brand New Year. Only the Lord knows the paths we will take, for He hold our futures, but the possibilities truly are limitless. It can be scary, not knowing what lies ahead, but with the Creator of the Universe by your side, there is absolutely nothing to fear. He will catch you when you fall. He will be there to rescue you no matter what your situation or circumstance. It's a promise, it's a guarantee and our Lord God doesn't break His promises, EVER. His plan for you was laid out before the beginning of time. The beloved scripture passage from Jeremiah 29:11 affirms that for us  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Relax, it's under control. His control, and there's nothing to be anxious about - ever. 

  

                                                       "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.".....

You may have a path already set or be in the middle of achieving your dream, or you may be beginning something totally new. One thing is for sure, if you rely on the Lord and His Word, He won't let you down. Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight." Such a GREAT scripture! With so much promise! It's such a simple promise, but so often we run away from it, wanting to do things our way, thinking we have a better plan.

But we are wrong. If our plans don't line up with His, it simply isn't going to work out and that's just a fact.  "Trust and Obey and leave the consequences to Him" as my favorite TV Pastor Dr. Charles Stanley always says. The best laid plans of mice and men don't amount to anything, if they aren't in accordance with God's plan for you and your life.

But to find His will, you have to seek it through prayer and bible reading. Another great promise is from John 15:5 "If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit." What a wonderful thing that would be to bear fruit for the Lord! It's possible if you seek His face and read His Word. It truly is that simple. Wouldn't it be a glorious thing to bear fruit for your Lord Jesus Christ in 2013. Think of the possibilities that brings! Working for the Kingdom of God! Nothing could be any better. Nothing!

                                                      You can step out in Boldness for Jesus in 2013!

So friends, don't be shy! I challenge you to step out in 2013 with Boldness in your Faith in Jesus and His plan for you. He will back you up, He will not let you slip or fall, He's got your back, ALWAYS! That's an absolute Promise! Happy New Year everyone and may all your dreams come true in 2013. It's gonna be a GREAT YEAR!

My verses for today are above in red.

My prayer for the New Year:

Dearest Heavenly Father:

I come to you today with much humility and confession that I have not always trusted everything you do all the time. I have wavered Lord, and I am sorry for my lack of faith. Help me Lord to believe ALL your promises and to Stand Boldly as your instrument in 2013. We have so many people hurting in this world Lord. Help me to be a beacon of your love that others might see you through me.

    I pray, Amen and Amen