Isaiah 46:9-11

"For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose, calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it." Isaiah 46:9-11

Kari Beougher

We can rest in the sovereignty and supremacy of our God. There is truly none like Him. In the midst of confusion and when we feel like we don't know the next step, we can be certain that God knows everything from the beginning to the end, even the things that have yet to happen. Not only that, but we can trust that there is nothing and no one that can keep the Lord from accomplishing what He has purposed or planned. Therefore, when circumstances or situations seem contrary to His character; when hardships or trials seem hopeless, when we feel uncertain of the future- we can have confidence in the plan of a God who can do all things. 

Proverbs 21:1 says, "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will." Government decisions, work situations and relational circumstances are all within the Lord's sovereignty. None can upset or frustrate His plans. He works "all things according to the counsel of His will" (Ephesians 1:11). We can trust that the promises of the Lord will be accomplished.

Today, may we say with Job, "I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2). May we rest in the sovereignty, purposes and plan of our good and gracious God. May we be comforted that the Lord is the one who directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9) and His purposes always prevail (Proverbs 19:21).

By Faith

"In hope against hope, he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE." Without becoming weak in his faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore "IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." Romans 4:18-22

Kari Beougher

Waiting is a reality in the Christian life. People wait for jobs, husbands, children, the salvation of a loved one, health. In Genesis 15, God specifically promises Abraham that He will give him a son and yet Abraham doesn't see the fulfillment of that promise for years. Instead of doubting God, this passage shows that while waiting, Abraham did not "waver in unbelief" but instead was strengthened in his faith, trusting in God's character and faithfulness.

Unlike Abraham, we may not have a specific promise from God for a job, husband, children, someone's salvation, or health. But we do have the promise that "ALL the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies" (Psalm 25:10). Not some. Not most. All. God has promised that He "causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

What is it you are waiting for? It is so easy in the midst of waiting to doubt the promises and ultimately the goodness of the Lord. Yet, the type of faith He delights in is walking by faith and not by sight. Trust in the promises of God. Pray that you may exemplify faith that pleases God. Ask Him to help you walk by faith and not by sight, trusting in His character and goodness and fully convinced that what God has promised, He is able also to perform.

All Misfits Welcome in God's Family

Is there someone that God has placed in the path of your life that may feel like a "misfit" and may need to know about the purposes that God has for their life?  Without Christ, we all feel like a misfit!!  I would encourage you to stop, take a few minutes to pray, and make a list of those in your life that need to know that God has a plan for their life.  In God's family everyone is welcome!

It is important to keep in mind that "misfits" tend to feel isolated where it can seem like they are forgotten and all alone?  Good News:  In God's Word we see some great promises of Hope that can be shared; ""'For I know that 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.  Then you will call upon me and pray to me, and I will listed to you.  You will see me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'" Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

As a Christian, you have the Good News of Jesus & Christmas to share with those that need Him!  During the season of Christmas, look for great opportunities to reach out to and include those that may need to be rescued by God from an island of isolation and have an opportunity to belong to The Body of Christ!!

Jesus was born in Bethlehem to give His life for the misfits. Jesus Loves & Cares About Everyone!! Jesus said, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.” Matthew 9:13 (MSG)

joy in pointing up

"John responded, 'No one can receive a single thing unless it's given to him from heaven.

You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Messiah, but I've been sent ahead of Him.'

He who has the bride is the groom. But the groom's friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the groom's voice.

So this joy of mine is complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.'"

-John 3:27-30, Holman Christian Standard Bible

The verses above are an excerpt of John's account of part of John the Baptist's story.  It's neat to see how John the Baptist points to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, in his response to some people's question about purification.  He sees that his purpose is to prepare the way for Christ to come.

That was John the Baptist's unique mission, but I think it applies to Christians as well.  We are followers of Christ, through thick and thin, because God has changed us.  This is not because of what we have done but because of what Christ has done, as He died for what we've done against God, so we can have a good relationship with Him.  How can we share with others who Christ is?  We can share what the Holy Spirit has taught us about God in our own everyday life, invite people to join the body of Christ, and be with people as they want help understanding the Word of God.

I pray God gives us a heart like John the Baptist, who gladly points up to Christ.  I pray He gives us courage and wisdom to share this great news with others.

(illustration above by Trish York - http://www.trishyork.com/banners.html)

God's Love Never Fails!

1 Corinthians 13
The Message (MSG)


The Way of Love
"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incomplete will be canceled." ♥1 Corinthians 13:1-10♥ msg

As a grown woman, before I ever heard the name of Jesus, my heart yearned for the kind of love that only God gives! I remember crying myself to sleep night after night as a child and teenager because I needed the kind of love that only God gives! I remember performing in sport after sport (sports was my "god" until I was 22) as I tried to find purpose and love in my life that only God gives! I remember (and I pray I never forget) all the emptiness that is in every life that is searching for the kind of love that only God gives! Jesus is Love & He Loves YOU with the kind of love that every person is searching for...A Love that NEVER Fails!!!

Who do we know that needs God's Love? Let's share Jesus and His Love with everyone that God puts in the path of our lives, you never know, who is searching and crying out for God's Love that Never Fails!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nQy-aP_Koo&feature=related "Love Never Fails" by Brandon Heath

God Knows Exactly What We All Need 4 Summer!!

"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 HCSB


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8i460c3ejw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8i460c3ejw&feature=related (Just Give Me Jesus! Ann Graham Lotz & Fernado Ortega)

the riches of His grace

"In him we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of our trespasses, 

according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us, 

in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, 

according to his purpose, 

which he set forth in Christ"

-Ephesians 1:1,8-9 (ESV)

When I think of how God blessed us, I am in awe.  He is perfect, and yet He wants us to be a part of his family.

God is the author of our lives, and I believe He wants us to be a part of it.  I like most movies with a narrator (like George of the Jungle and The Princess Bride), since there is usually more insight into the story.  Some narrators and authors seem to focus on entertainment.  The outcomes of some stories are not always based on what is best and true, but on what amuses them.  God, though - He is full of truth and wisdom, and He wants to bring us into His family.  He sent his Son to save us from our sins, like an addiction to living for ourselves.  How can we help others know who He is?

Our holy, saving God, who is king over all things, sent his Son to save us.  He has this deep grace that can rescue us from our sins as we turn to trust in Him.  How can we share with others about this Savior, who is full of grace?

giving our all

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts"  -Deuteronomy 6:5, NIV

What is our direction, our purpose?   Do we follow what God wants, even if it is temporarily uncomfortable?  Can others see how Jesus is our reason for living like we do?

I love how the verse in Deuteronomy 6:5 describes how our whole person can be devoted to God.  Our love for God impacts more than just what we say, what we give, or what we think.  Our love for God can permeate into every area of our lives.

How can we express what God is doing within us?  One idea is to give God the glory, when we are complemented for our character or a success.  We can reach out to that person who is hurting and explain how Christ has brought us hope. 

The artist Lecrae writes, in his lyrics for "Background:"
"I know I'm safest when I'm in Your will, and trust Your Word
I know I'm dangerous when I trust myself, my vision blurred
And I ain't got no time to play life's foolish games
Got plenty aims, but do they really Glorify Your name?"

Today is Veteran's Day.  Please pray for those who have given their lives for our country and its people.

If you want to learn more about how to live as a woman following God today, then I recommend going to the W Conference next weekend, November 19-20, in Louisville, KY.  It will be a gathering of women trying to seek God's Word together to see how to live in devotion to God in our culture today.  How to sign up? Go to W Conference Registration

(photo above from maryjaneryan.wordpress.com)

Everyone Needs HOPE!

"There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!"

Romans 5:3-5 (msg)

"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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jer.29:11-13 (NIV)

Romans 5:6-8 (ESV) "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."!!

As God's witnesses, as the constant changing circumstances around us are often very difficult, we have a great opportunity to share the ONE truth that NEVER CHANGES=JESUS! Right now in our communities as we look around us there is such a huge opportunity to share JESUS because of all of the uncertainty and questions about the future that are in The United States of America and the WORLD! Just like it is written in Romans 5:6 "for while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly..." Our world is full of people that are searching searching searching for someone & something that they can put their trust in that will not let them down or change! We have THE ANSWER to every one's needs and His name is JESUS!! JESUS is who equips us and calls us as His Gifted2Go witness♥

WOW, like me, do you remember what it was like to be lost (without hope)? Lost people look and live like lost people! Romans 5: 6-8 compels my thoughts right back to the time in my life that I was LOST and how desperately I was searching for Peace and Purpose "weak and ungodly" and NEEDING JESUS~PEACE WITH GOD & HOPE for my future...how many people around us right now are needing HOPE & PEACE? Would you join me and make a "who needs Jesus" prayer list?

As followers of Christ, our hope is in Christ Alone, not in this world! The more difficult times grow around the world, the greater opportunity we have to share JESUS!

Today is a great opportunity to share your personal testimony with someone today that needs Jesus. Here are 3 simple steps in sharing your testimony:

1. Share what your life was like before you gave your life to Jesus Christ:


2. Share how your heard about Jesus and the day you believed and surrendered your life to Him:


3. Share about how your life has grown and changed because of Jesus. Who are some of the people that you have been able to share your testimony with? You are His witness as you share your testimony with others!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sKcw9_PQYA (The Wonderful Cross!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y83-vMeWc9E (You Never Let Go!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMSd7XQE5yk (My Hope!)

First Christmas!

"With my own eyes I've seen your salvation; it's now out in the open for everyone to see: A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel. Jesus' father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words. Simeon went on to bless them, and said to Mary his mother, This child marks both the failure and the recovery of many in Israel, A figure misunderstood and contradicted—the pain of a sword-thrust through you—But the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who they really are."
Luke 2:30-35 (the message paraphrase)

"For my eyes have seen Your salvation." Luke 2:30 (HCSB)

I will NEVER forget my first Christmas as a first-generation NEW BORN Christian...I was a 22 year old married young mother that accepted Jesus 07/21/85 and now I was celebrating JESUS for my very first Christmas (12/25/85)! My husband had just become a NEW Christian a few weeks before Christmas and WOW did we have so much of JESUS to Celebrate-tears flow from my eyes just remembering such a MIRACLE my life in Christ Is! When I read "The Christmas Story" from The Book of Luke~Chapter 2 for the very first time in my very first BIBLE, I could not hardly take in each word without Joy bursting from my heart and tears gushing from my eyes...I didn't just read these words, I felt them just like they are written in Luke 2:32-35, "with my own eyes, I've seen your salvation" and I wanted EVERYONE to know HIM & celebrate JESUS with us! "This child (Jesus) marks both the failure and the recovery of many..."; that is what my First Christmas represented so deeply I can hardly express it to you in words...a life that had been radically "recovered" from darkness into His Marvelous LIGHT...a LIGHT that I will NEVER get over and hope to PROCLAIM to others so that they too will experience JESUS now and for eternity!!
I have many examples I could share with you of Christmas' before Jesus came into my life and set me free with His Gracious Salvation...God uses those memories to remind me to never forget what it was like being LOST and use those feelings to reach out to others that NEED TO BE FOUND~BORN AGAIN...My First Christmas began as a grown woman of 22 but I felt like a new born child that the manger represents to me in so many ways!! God has my heart gripped with memories of my life "before Jesus & after Jesus"...let me just share that EVERYONE is searching for real meaning in this world and they will NOT find it until they meet JESUS and FOLLOW His Light everyday, there is not doubt that I know how to reach out to those that are searching searching searching...if we do not lead others to JESUS, the STAR of BETHLEHEM, they will continue to search in darkness that leads to an empty Christmas of unmet needs that Jesus so wants to fulfill!
What a JOY & PRIVILEGE to give the greatest GIFT that we could GIVE this CHRISTmas...Let's Share JESUS with someone that is searching searching searching for the cry of their heart=JESUS!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIWymhNEbw
(Cry In My Heart!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hls8lCHtSS0
(Glory To God In The Highest!)