Attitude at Work, Reflecting Jesus, Being Made New

Sometimes, my Lord, I feel like I fail You so badly – like at work where it is SO easy to get caught up with murmuring, complaining and a bad attitude. Please help me bite my tongue and pour out all to You? Forgive me??? AMEN

In Philippians we are encouraged to do all things without murmuring and complaining. Oh, our God knows us so well, doesn’t He?

In Ephesians 4:23 we are challenged to be made new in the attitude of our minds. That’s where it all begins, what we think on and when we mull over. We can think on God’s word and have truth within us or choose to ruminate on unforgiveness, who said THAT about me, who did that TO me…. Once again we do have a choice. God never says something in the way of a challenge or encouragement if He is not prepared to equip us to do just that thing.

Back to Philippians 2:5 we are told that our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. He is challenging us and He will help us to walk this out even though it may seem like we sometimes have a long ways to go. Will we take His hand and let Him walk us through?

Hebrews says so much just as it stands:

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (NIV)

In Colossians 3:13 we are asked to bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. He is ready, willing and able to help us do just that, right now, TODAY. And if you have never asked Jesus Christ to forgive you, today can be that most freeing day for you! We have all broken God’s heart and we can have that score settled. Jesus died on the cross a most horrible death to pay that penalty on your behalf. All you have to do is ask Him to forgive you and to “take over” your life! There has never been a greater gift that this one for me in my whole life.

In 1John 1:19 we are reminded if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. How can we not respond to that offer?

(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with proper credits.

Soak in My Word

Have you ever taken a warm bath in something soothing like bath oil? Just able to soak and be at peace and feel sort of pampered in the midst of a busy day? If not, do it soon just for you. If you can remember a time like this then apply that to taking time, relaxing, reading and soaking in the most incredible Word of the Lord Jesus Christ. His last will and testament to us, the Bible. If you listen you can almost hear Him saying out loud:

Child, draw nigh unto Me as you are – absorb yourself in My word – study and I shall bless. My discipline really shall be an exciting delight to you. Remember your childhood – the security of knowing you’re cared for within parameters of limits – security, yes, even joy. So rejoice my child as I move you into obedience. Set your will to follow Me. And I will shore you up and reinforce that decision with my strength and encouragement. We are getting ready and I love you!

In 2 Timothy 2:15 we are all encouraged to present ourselves to God as approved, as workmen who do not need to be ashamed and who correctly handle the word of truth. This says to me that first, we CAN do this or it wouldn’t be put in that wording. We can be approved and fruitful workmen who know what the Bible means and act like we have that knowledge. So, in a way this verse is also a wonderful promise. God doesn’t put things in His Word encouraging us to do it if it is not possible. He will be there to help us. His Holy Spirit will come along side of us and teach us. When we falter in weakness His strength will be made perfect. Amazing.

OK, so let’s soak a bit more. Wiggle around and get comfortable so you can soak and see what else His Word says to us.

In Jeremiah 33:6 God speaks that He will bring health and healing, heal His people and allow them to enjoy peace and security. I guess He doesn’t just say peace but abundant peace, more than enough peace. How many of us could use a bit of that on a daily basis? Notice He isn’t saying He might bring health and healing but that He will. Yes, this scripture was for a people during a time of walls and wars but there is also application for our lives today. Be still and allow Him to make this real and personal for you right now.

Romans 15:4 feeds right into this and tells us that everything which was written in the past is to teach us so that through the endurance and encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. Another gift tied with a bow and the content is ever greater than the packaging, isn’t it? Everything is pretty all inclusive. His Word not only had application when the disciples were walking around in sandals but will be alive for us, the Body of Christ today. I think most of us could agree we could us a bit of encouragement.

There is about to be a great falling away but also a great in-gathering. Whole nations will come to the Lord. Jeremiah 16:19 speaks to us of making the Lord our strength and fortress, our refuge in times of distress and then mentions that to Him the nations will come from the ends of the earth. More promises to us for hope, a future and encouragement in the face of incredibly awful night time headlines most of the time.

Can we look beyond those headlines? Can we know that what we “see” isn’t necessarily all there is to “reality”? Can we know in our “knower” that we can trust someone who sees the whole picture from beginning to end and has our very best interest in hand? What kind of security is that? Wow.

Prayer: Dear Lord of all, thank you for giving us your discipline and parameters and making us sense the security in You and obedience to Your Word. Thank you that we can rejoice in your leading and guiding us daily. Please help us to stay yielded, going and growing in you and your Word. dear Jesus. Help us to REST in your everlasting arms and beneath the shadow of your wings. AMEN

(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with proper credits.

Thoughts on Eagles

There are times child, when you get distracted but I don’t, so fear not, I love you still. Only you can slow down and focus on Me. I shall be/am going before you – my timing IS perfect. I shall reveal more to you soon. Rest, recover, absorb my Word and grow.

Isaiah 40:31

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (NIV)

Job 17:9

Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger. (NIV)

Psalm 34:10

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. (NIV)

Psalm 61:2

From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (NIV)

Psalm 16:11

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (NIV)

Prayer: Oh, Lord God, I’ve been like that eagle – help me to realize when I’m with You that IS my inheritance!!! Father, forgive me for being “on vacation”. Help me to work out quality time in the Word and prayer. Allow me to be refreshed and renewed after six hours of sleep? Help me to leap out of my lethargy into Your presence daily or twice daily? AMEN

(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved - use giving proper credit only.

Who Forgives and Who Punishes

Do you remember when your baby, or niece or nephew was trying to take those first steps? He or she would pull up and put out one foot, boom, right down on their little bottom they’d go. Did the adults around punish the toddler for falling down, of course not, most of the time they probably laughed or smiled and clapped at the attempt. Our Father in heaven is the same way. He doesn’t get angry at us for trying to toddle even on those occasions we take a step and “go boom”. He is glad we try, happy we are attempting to walk in the light with Him. He is more than willing to reach out and help us stand up again. Once again I can hear Him whispering His encouragement:

Child, be not dismayed nor think that I have left you. I forgive. Satan is the accuser. Be released. Absorb yourself in My Word. Go forth on wings of strength and prayer. Talk to Me but don’t be in bondage. I release you in Jesus’ name, I love you. Selah, You are my child.

In Isaiah 41:10 we are encouraged not to fear because God is with us. We are also told not to be dismayed because He is our God who will strengthen us and uphold us with His right hand.

Can we reach out and grasp our Daddy’s most capable hand? He is there ready and waiting to help us as we try to walk in His way and we mist certainly do not have to plunge forward alone.

Deuteronomy 31:6 exhorts us to be strong and courageous, not terrified because the Lord goes with us; He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Does His presence and help sound pretty permanent in this verse? Well, be encouraged.

Revelation 12:10 is speaking about the accuser of the brethren being thrown down. Satan is the one who accuses. Jesus is He who has authority and has died to set us free.

Back to Isaiah 40:31 with the promise that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength (not might or maybe but WILL) and soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint. That is a promise that each of us can use daily. Chew on it for awhile and let it sink in to your consciousness.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, your forgiveness is most thorough and complete – thank you for setting this captive FREE! Continue to give us ears to hear and eyes to see, daily! AMEN

(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with proper credits.

Touched by the Lord’s Tender Mercies

Of all the words which are synonyms for mercy I think I like compassion the best. The Lord Jesus Christ, maker of heaven and earth cares. He has compassion for you and for me. That alone is mind boggling. Maybe today He would whisper to our hearts:

My child, I shall enfold you in tangible, touchable, tender mercies. Doubt not my timing, nor my ways. Healing will come for that heaviness and your heart shall be complete in Me. I will set the captive free in ways never known before. My timing is perfect. My ways are just. Know that I love you with an exquisite tenderness through your pain and My beauty shall prevail. You are Mine and I guard you with a fierce love. Rest, strive not nor let questions plague you but know the Great I AM has enfolded you in His hands. Selah (Pause and think calmly about that).

In Deuteronomy 32:4 we are told that he is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.

This is the one who wants to have intimate time and talks with you! This is the one who not only speaks to you through His Word, the Bible but also His Holy Spirit with that still, small voice, speaks to your heart. He cares. We matter. What an awesome revelation that is.

In Isaiah 61:1 the Bible tells us that about the good news of salvation, speaking of the Spirit of the Lord God being upon me, the Lord has anointed (the writer and us too) to preach good news to the poor, heal the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.

How many of us were captives and bound? The Lord Jesus Christ set us free. If you don’t know Him all you need to do is speak. Confess that Jesus is Lord and ask His forgiveness. We have all broken God’s heart. He is the healer of our hearts and Him who sets us free!

In Job 5 :18 the writer speaks of God bruising yet binding up, wounding yet His hands making whole.

Wouldn’t you much rather be wounded by the God who created you and come out more whole than you were to begin with?

A good parent disciplines his children. God is a very good Father, isn’t He?

Prayer: Dear Lord, there is absolutely no better place to be than in Your hands. Thank you for Your incredible love for us, Your timing – which is most of the time not mine, Your perfect ways and incredible ability to set this captive FREE. Help me to yield and praise and give You all my thanksgiving. AMEN

Would love to have you visit my blog: http://myincrediblelord.blogspot.com/

(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with proper credits.

How Well Does Your Best Friend Know You

You might think that is a silly question. But really it is not. It depends on how much you share with that friend or how much you allow them to know, doesn’t it? Well, with the Lord Jesus Christ it is different. Actually it is very different even if you do not count Him as your friend. It is He who knit you together in your mother’s womb. It is He who “thought you up” all those parts of you which make you uniquely you, those physical and personality wise, those mental and that which comprises your soul. To say that Jesus knows me better than I do, would be most accurate. Besides, he is not stuck in time but has seen the end from the beginning.

So when the Lord Jesus lays things on my heart, I listen. I don’t always act as I should or not necessarily with total follow through. That is my issue and I suspect many can relate.One day I turned in and “heard” that quiet whispering to that inner part of my being:

Daughter, I AM doing a new thing, be not puzzled nor dismayed, arise and be filled. You are to go forth in joy and be led out in peace and the leaves and the trees shall break forth before you into singing. 

I Am gentle. My ways are of peace. Stand on the ROCK of your salvation. Be Prepared. I love you and Am with you, fear not nor be dismayed. What looks like a gathering of storm clouds will be turned soon to a vision in the skies for My glory.

Fear Not, I Am with you and you shall be abundantly blessed of Me. Do not “what if” or read into this for you know not of what I speak, a moment of trouble for an eternal glory. Selah.

Rest in Me. I work for your good and blessing. Be comforted in that, soon and very soon. I delight in you- double delight, not one thing shall harm a hair of your head.

Really rest and be sure in Me, your savior, redeemer and friend. Resist the enemy and he shall flee from you now. Selah.

If you were going to pick a profession as a builder or concrete layer, fire fighter or paramedic, nurse or doctor, police man or even a lawyer wouldn’t you want the best training and equipping possible? I believe in Acts 2:4 we are taught about some important “equipping” that can take place in the life of a believer. Yes, I believe that this is available, and probably most necessary, today. This verse speaks of being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues as that Holy Spirit enabled them.

This is one “gift” I fought with God about for a number of years. I had been saved in a church that taught 99% of speaking in tongues today was demonic. It took the Lord some time to teach me otherwise.

Isaiah 48:5 speaks of “new things”, hidden things unknown to you (us). Now why should it surprise us that there are things we do not know that God does? I mean, think about that for awhile. Seriously, it seems the older I get and the older in the Lord the more I realize how little I do know. In a way, I guess that is a good sign of “growing up”. Isn’t it truly the teenager who thinks he/she knows everything? How many of us want to remain a teenager for life?

In Isaiah 43:19 we hard again about a “new thing” and God through the writer asks “do you not perceive it?” and likens the process to making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

James 4:7 contains an often misquoted verse. How many times do you hear people spouting off “resist the devil and he will flee from you!” I am thinking that they left out the very most important part of that verse “submit yourselves then to God….” If you are plugged in to the right power source, God, then you will have power over the enemy, probably then and only then. Can we trust Him? Actually there is no better hands to be in!

Prayer: I am puzzled and somewhat dismayed BUT I choose to trust, to lean on You, dear Jesus. I know You have my very best interest in Your heart. I want to but do not need to know ALL right this minute.  Please help me to rest in that and trust You more. Help me to hear and see with your ears and eyes, not my own. I trust in You. AMEN

Come over to my blog spot! http://myincrediblelord.blogspot.com/

(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with proper credits.

What Really Matters 100 Years from Now?

As I walked into the skilled nursing facility where I was Assistant Director of Nurses, I heard the charge nurses arguing over who would get which nurse's aide that morning. It was a Saturday after party night on Friday. That means that every able body from the housekeeping staff to the Director of Nurses would be making beds, getting residents up and fed due to the staff shortage.

My friend and neighbor, Dawn, who worked there too saw my frustration at the lack of help. My sweet sister in the Lord came up to me gently touching my elbow saying "What really will matter 100 years from now?

Oh, dear. Before Jesus I had been like those girls who called in sick. I partied too much and certainly wasn't thinking of my patients or supervisor when I called in because I was hung over. And these girls needed Jesus. That didn't fix the staffing shortage but it certainly gave me a new perspective that day.

Over the years that one little question has stuck with me. In many situations the Lord will bring back Dawn's gentle face posing that incredible question "What really matters 100 years from now?"

When our last word is written, when our last breath is drawn, there is only one thing that will matter. It will not be our money or lack thereof. It will not be what we accomplished or who we were related to. The only thing which will count will be how we responded to the incredible gift Jesus Christ offered us.

Did we ask Him forgiveness and allow Him to make us anew? Because that is the only thing in this life which will really matter a hundred years from now.

In Matthew 16:26 the Bible asks us what good is it if a man gains the whole world and loses his soul and what can a man give in exchange for his soul. This scripture seems to focus on what really does matter “100 years from now”. So often we get caught up in the cares of the world to the exclusion of looking at the eternal. Yes, we have to pay the rent, taxes, groceries and clean the house but there are definitely things which surpass that.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 speaks to God making all things beautiful in its time and that He has set eternity in the hearts of men, that man cannot fathom what God has done beginning to end. I am thrilled to find out that He is concerned with beauty. Also, that He has placed eternity in our hearts so we can and do see something beyond the here and now. There is much our finite minds cannot understand but we can look forward to spending the time to learn and grow with Jesus.

(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with with proper credits.

Lord Jesus, What is in Your Heart Today? Gems from Jesus Devotional Series

Require Him as your first and vital necessity. Praise, worship, listen, pray and sing to Him.

Philippians 3:8-10 (New King James Version)

⁸ Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; ¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.

“That I may know Him…”

Philippians 3:7-11 (New King James Version)

⁷ But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. ⁸ Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; ¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,¹¹ if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

“Lord, how do I get to know You better?” Christ is the center, not me.

Blocks to knowing the Lord – we put up a wall to knowing Him. We lay hurts (walls) down by thinking “Lord, I feel like You forsook me….” He didn’t but you feel like this so open up to Him and tear down that wall.

We are the ones who sometimes forsake Him.

Mark 14:50

Then they all forsook Him and fled. (NKJV)

Prayer: Father God help me to never take offence but to ask what you’d have me learn from trials and circumstance that I might be walking through. Help me to internalize the fact that you will never leave me or forsake me and to walk pure before You. AMEN

(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with proper credits.

Sent One Devotional (Words from the Lord Series)

Let’s look at a couple of biblical characters. David spent years herding sheep. Moses spent forty years in the desert. Jesus was a carpenter for 30 years before beginning his “ministry” which lasted all of 3 years. Why is it we think we are supposed to be like tea in the microwave, 2 ½ minutes prep and we are done. Nope, I have found that we are not that instant and delicious cuppa tea. We are more valuable to God that that. We take T-I-M-E, time to learn, grow and become a bit more mature that we were last year or last decade. Does that thought send chills through you like it does me? No, not thrilling chills but chills of dread. What, I have to WAIT. I can’t be and know and GO! Ahh, Lord, why do I have to be stuck here with these smelly sheep? They are sorta dumb and don’t get it…. what do you mean they are like their shepherd, do you mean ME?

Then, once again I hear that very still, small, patient voice speaking to me. The one with the folded over ears following the wooly tail in front of me:

Let not your heart be troubled. I will give you direction and prepare your way. You shall go forth in My name and My time. Be not alarmed. I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say. Forget not the widows and orphans in their need. Rest and be not dismayed for I shall unfold and clarify for you. Reach out in My strength. I love you and want to love them through you. Selah. It is in My timing, I won’t send you un prepared not overwhelmed with fear. There is a time to get ready. Not all done for Me is on instant impulse. I would not ask that which I couldn’t/wouldn’t equip you to do. You SHALL know the timing soon, WAIT, be open and ready. Selah.

John 14:1

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. (NIV)

Exodus 23:20

[ God's Angel to Prepare the Way ] "See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. (NIV)

Isaiah 62:10

Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations. (NIV)

Exodus 4:12

Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (NIV)

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (NIV)

Prayer: Dearest Jesus, almost every word in your Word holds promise and hope – thank you for placing them there for us to encourage, instruct and help us get up and go on.  Thank you for your perfect timing and that you don’t ask us or send us unprepared. Thank you for going before us and preparing the way and leading in your most incredible footsteps.  AMEN

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(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with proper credits.

The Underside of the Game

A pass had just been intercepted. Nelson was charging down our end of the field with the ball. The crowd was going wild! As I bounced up with the rest of the crowd to see what was going on, my key case bounced down. It made a rapid descent of about twenty feet to the hazy darkness below.

It was at that point in the game that I began a somewhat less rapid descent. At the bottom, I looked back to where I accomplished my slow, downhill stumble. I couldn’t decide what was worse, the trek downward through the never ending mass of excited, shouting people or my present position within the framework of wood and steel.

On the way down I was at least able to watch the progress of the game. It probably would have been better for all concerned if I hadn’t watched. Besides being the cause of several sore toes, I also managed to jostle a Coke and bag of peanuts.  The warm, salty smell of popcorn was tantalizing in the crisp September air. But, the thought of losing the keys to my bulging, college bound suit case soon overcame further temptation to watch more of the game.

The cold criss-crosses of steel which supported the yards of slivery wood made an excellent barrier. I was trying to spot the forty yard line so I would have some idea where to begin hunting for my keys.

Finally, I saw the forty yard line.  After several minutes of searching I decided there must be two forty yard lines. There were. As I started back to the right side of the field the crowd burst forth with a wounded scream. I squatted down as far as I could but only managed to get a spectacular view of player’s feet.

Momentarily, forgetting my keys, I listened to the loud clack of helmet on helmet and the thud of body upon body.

The crowd’s cries died. I was about to resume my search when I felt something cold dribbling down my neck. I was the unsuspecting target of a bumped Coke. With a somewhat sticky sensation on the back of my neck, I returned to my search.

The snow of popcorn and confetti made a good camouflage for anything that had been dropped, my key case being no exception.

I found the forty yard line and tried to look up to find Rita, the gal I was sitting next to. I was greeted by the view of dangling feet, falling popcorn and one face which was peering down at me. I raised one eyebrow at the face about twenty feet up realizing it was Rita. I couldn’t hear her over the noise of the crowd. She pointed in the general direction of what looked like a mass of confetti, torn programs, empty cups and grass. It was just that, but underneath were my keys!

I missed most of that quarter but it was a rather novel way of watching the underside of a football game.

(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with with proper credits.

God IS Here Now

God Cried

Were the first raindrops

Your holy tears of sadness

Crying

For an unrepenting world?

The righteous ones You spared

Cradled in the palm of Your ark

As You wept

For forty days and forty nights

And even today

The living seas and oceans

Are a salty reminder

Of that anguish of Your heart!

Be Still and Know That I Am God

Fluffy snow, straight down sheers, coming down

No wind, rarity in our lofty alpine meadow

The light lemon sun trying to peer

Through icy crystals around vaguely defined mountains

Not unlike my unclear vision as I endeavor to see

Through a glass darkly to Your truths, Your face

Would that I could wipe it all clear

But it remains this way for Your purpose, Your time

Unclearly obscured, like the weather

Bringing moisture for growth, 

The hope of springtime remembered,

On this uniquely special, God-given winter day.

(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with with proper credits.

GO YE

“GO YE”

Help me not to be an ineffectual rattle,

Quiet me, Holy Spirit

Until Your timing is right

Or whisper firmly in love.

Squelch my quivering tongue

Until You can articulate through me

A message in Your strength,

Not my fleshly efforts.

Help me not to be

A noisy, 4^th of July display

But a single, sharp, clean shot

Straight to the searching heart

With Your Word’s message

Shared in “other seeking”

Selfless love.

There are so many places in the Bible where a believer is encouraged to go and tell. Go into our own world and tell who, EVERYONE about our Lord and Savior. Tell those we see daily – the mail man or lady, the clerk in the store, the policeman on the corner, the waitress in the café, our friend down the street. Tell of the forgiveness available in Jesus Christ – share the wealth. It was pondering about this, the “great commission” to go, tell and make disciples that prompted me to write this poem.

(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with proper credits.

Bernice’s Chicken Stew (Mick’s Mom) - GREAT for SNOWY winter days.....

( this is the stew Bernice made for her boys to take to hunting camp and I have continued the tradition - not the healthiest but definitely hearty! GREAT for snowy winter days.....)

1 whole chicken – cooked in water or chicken broth (on stove top or in crock pot)

Bone and skin and place in large stock pot

Add 1 can chili (I use the steak or chicken – Stagg)

1 can Ranch beans

1 can creamed corn

1 can whole corn – not drained

1 can green peas (drained)

1-2 cans chopped tomatoes (no added salt)

1 large onion diced

some garlic powder/salt

1 or more Tbsp chili powder

some onion powder

1 can chicken broth (or broth from cooked chicken parts)

little cayenne if desired

Might add a can of tomato sauce or some V8 if needs more tomato flavor

Whatever kind of pasta you want

Put all in stock pot and cook until pasta done

Freezes well – I used Walmart chicken breasts in the one you had (boneless-skinless)

Are You Growing in the Lord Jesus Christ?

Are there times when you wonder if you are growing at all or simply groaning? Do you wonder if you are being changed to become more like our Lord Jesus? I definitely have those times when I feel STUCK and definitely not doing much except getting “fatter”, soaking up more good teaching but wondering if it is changing me or just putting on padding. And then the Lord speaks in His still, small voice to my heart.

My daughter, in my timing you shall know. Are you growing? Allow Me to stretch you – I AM renewing and restoring and reviving you. I AM yours and you are Mine. I am stretching and do have a purpose and a plan. FEAR NOT but seek Me – you shall know soon and very soon. Meantime, REST in Me. I have given you My burden for My purpose. Shine Jesus. Grow as I stretch you – share the truth in love – stand your ground – stay steady – stand firm. Realize Me in you. Stay free, whom the Son has set free is free in deed. Selah.

Psalms 51:10 speaks of the work the Lord does within us – he is creating in us a clean heart and renewing a faithful spirit within us.

Isaiah 40:31 encourages us to wait and hope on the Lord thereby renewing our strength, soaring like eagles, running and not growing weary and walking and not fainting. What has always struck me about this passage is that we can run and not grow weary but when it says walk and not faint.  You would think that running might lead to fainting but it is the walking that could, day in and day out, one foot in front of the other as we keep on keeping on. That is interesting to me. Short sprints cause weariness but walking could lead to fainting. This speaks much to my heart.

What a promise there is within Psalms 23:3, Jesus restores my soul and will lead me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake, not because of who I am or what I have done but because of His good name! And He will lead me, looks like what I need to do is be led. To me being able to be led means that I yield and go where He is directing. No wonder when we praise Him we lift our arms, the universal sign of surrender, no better position to be in, is there?

And with arms uplifted we ask, based upon Psalms 85:6 for Him to revive us so that we may rejoice in Jesus. What better reason to be revived could there be? And finally I would close with another selection from Psalms:

Psalm 80:18

Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name. (NIV)

Prayer: Dear God, Most High, please refresh, restore and revive us that we may more fervently praise Your name and Your works and Your mercy and goodness! Grow us up in these areas too, we pray. AMEN

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