To All Who Are Struggling

[macspetra]

"Take it out of my hands and put it into my heart.
Take whatever I am and make it more like you are.
Show me how to pray when I don't understand, Oh Lord.
Take it out of my hands.
....There are things that I can't control
When I can't be strong and I'm just holding on
Speak comfort to my soul."
- Steve Siler and Scott Krippayne (Out of My Hands)
This is one of several amazing songs on an album that was given to me. The singer is a wonderful lady who was diagnosed with brain cancer. The sales from her cd went towards her cancer treatment. All of the songs praise God and declare His power.

I think that it can be so humbling that when we struggle, we think that we are the only one - but then we meet someone who has alot going against them - instead of complaining they draw even closer to God. It just kind of stops you in your tracks - if Melanie is able to overcome something as serious and as deadly as brain cancer and still express gratitude to God and be thankful for His love - then there is no reason why I cna't follow her example. I've never had to go through what she was and - God-willing - I never will. We can learn so much from those who have gone before us.

 

[Bevlina]

That is one of the most beautiful and encouraging posts I have seen on CF macspetra.
What a beautiful brave lady to release such a CD in the face of death. I pray this CD will
touch the world with it's humble, magnificent message of love...and hope.
Thankyou so much for sharing that with us.

 

[Lizzie01]

The church picnic had been full of fun and fellowship, and now
it was time for some spirited competition. Willing participants
teamed up on either side of a hastily erected volleyball net. Non-
athletes and wiggly toddlers found places for lawn chairs and
blankets around the court's perimeter. As the game began, a novice
teen attempted a serve from the back of the volleyball court, but
her effert fell short. The volleyball smacked soundly into the net.

"Do over! I need a 'do-over,' the teen bawled. Her team mates
loudly agreed, but the other players protested. The pastor solved
the dispute by suggesting that each player on each team would
be allowed to call one "do-over" during the course of the game.

"After all," the pastor declared, " God willingly gives us second
chances. Those " do-overs " are often life changing, too. However,
even though God is gracious and forgives over and over again,
this game's only going to give you one second chance."

With lots of laughter the game continued, and it was a close
one. Yet teammates and toddlers alike learned a lesson amidst
the fun that day - God allows " do overs " - sometimes in church
picnic volleyball games, but more importantly in life, too.

~ Sarah Hupp

 

[Lizzie01]

" Come now, let us reason together,"
says the Lord.
" Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.

~ ISAIAH 1:18

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance
of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty
conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

~ HEBREWS 10:22

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive
us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

~ 1 JOHN 1:9

GOD'S EMBRACE

Knowing that God's Son died so that I can have an intimate
relationship with the Almighty makes me want to reach out my
short, chubby arms, grab Jesus around the neck, and hug him the
way my children hug me tight and say, "Grammy, I love
you!" Even when they've misbehaved, they can come to me and
steal my heart with their sweet embrace.

When we embrace the grace of God, we can come to him
with the spirit of a little child and say, " Father, I've messed up,
PLease forgive me. I love you!" Instantly, faster then a grand-
mother's pardon, God grants us his unmerited favor through
Christ Jesus and loves us freely once more.

What a gift! When you mess up, God's thereto clean you up.
Just run to him with your arms open wide. He'll return your
embrace every time.

~ Thelma Wells

 

[Lizzie01]

Though I have fallen, I will rise
Though I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be my light.

MICAH 7:8


PRAYER AT THE END OF A MESSED - UP DAY

Take this day, my Father
This creased and wrinkled day,
This weary, messed up day,
It's ragged corners cut me yet,
Still I worry and I fret!
Father, please do not forget
That I am tired
Of this day

Breathe your pure breath, watching Father
On this marred day of mine
This tangled-up day of mine!
Wash it white of stain and spot!
Please cleanse it's every blot!
All my mistakes, please remember not
Please fix this day of mine!

BASED ON A POEM BY
ELIZABETH STUART PHELPS

* Christ died for us to bring us hope and forgiveness. Peace and
joy. Release from the pain of the past- to set our hearts at rest
whenever our hearts condemn us. And when we embrace his
love and in turn extend it to others, we amazingly find ourselves
living a happier life.

Corrie ten Boom described what God does with our mistakes.
"He is the greatest artist, but we must surrender. Surrender your
blunders to the Lord. He can use them to make the pattern of
your life more beautiful." *

CHONDA PIERCE

 

[Lizzie01]

Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over
to look into the tomb. . . She turned around and saw Jesus
standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus...
[Jesus] said, "[Mary], why are you crying? Who is it you
are looking for?"...

She turned toward him and cried out... ["MASTER!"]
Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet
returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and
tell them, ' I am returning to my Father and your Father,
to my God and your God."

Mary of Magdala went to the disciples with the news:
" I have seen the Lord! " And she told them that he had
said these things to her. (John 20:11, 14-18)

Early in the morning Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples
did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends,
haven't you any fish?". . .

The the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the
Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord,"
he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it
off) and jumped into the water....

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
" Simon son of John, do you truly love me more then these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs... Take care of my sheep...
Feed my sheep," (John 21:4-5,7, 15-17)

Now that same day two of them were going to the village called
Emmaus. . . Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;
but they were kept from reconizing him.
He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

They stood still , their faces downcast, one of them named Cleopas, asked him, 'Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know things that have happened there in these days?"

"What things?" he asked

" About Jesus of Nazareth ," they replied "He was a prophet, powerful in word
and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and all rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel" ...
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him. (Luke 24:13, 15-21, 30-31)

* Jesus rose from the dead and asked three probing questions
that led to three unique emotional and spiritual insights. All of these disciples were struggling and hurting, but each had now witnessed the Resurrection and the risen Lord as never before. Each had a specific need that required a specific solution: The Lord Himself.

First, there was Mary Magdalene, whom Jesus had delivered from seven demons. Try and imagine how she felt. Jesus was dead, or at least so she thought. She was thoroughly discouraged, emotionally unraveled. She sobbed convulsively. As her sandals flapped along the dusty little path to Jesus' tomb, she relieved what she has experienced. She remembered the Lord at the time of her conversation, the love He showed her. and perhaps the last time she was close to Him.

Mary had completely relied upon Christ, the visible Jesus, the personal Christ. She was a close follower of Jesus, and she loved Him. But now, her experiences with Christ were memories, and she became totally broken. She had entered depression, feeling overwhelmed, as if there was no hope. Depression is a terrible, cripping feeling.

What changed Mary's life, what stopped the smothering sorrow, was that she suddenly she realized He was alive. He was there in front of her. Her experience with the risen Lord was no longer in past tense but present realization. Her depression dissolved in the confidence of His presence.

Peter had his own unique emotional need after Jesus was crucified. As Jesus anticipated the hour of His betrayal, He asked Peter, as well as the two sons of Zebedee, to 'keep alert" with Him. As Jesus waited, He lamented , "my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" (Matt 26:38) If ever he needed support from His disciples, it was then. Yet not once but three, Peter and the other disciples fekk asleep while Jesus spent those agonizing hours alone.

Peter had promised Jesus, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you" (Matt26:35) But he did just that again, not once but three times, never realizing that good intentions are often ofset by fear and self interest. Any betrayal is devestating because it is based on a relationship , often an intimate one. Those closest to you can hurt you the most.

Again, the Lord proved Himself the Redeemer. When John spotted Jesus on shore after His resurrection, Peter jumped ship to meet Him. He wanted to make things right because he realized that the Lord was there. Is there anything in our lives that we need to make right with Jesus? Will we run to meet Him as Peter did?

As the disciples shared a fish breakfast with Jesus, our Lord asked Peter pointed questions about his once questionable committment. Peter answered each as best he could. "You know I love You, Lord." And Jesus
then assigned him tasks in what would become the pastor's role - to feed and care for Jesus' followers. He resolved Peter's disobedience by forgiving his failure and reinstating him to service.

And finally, there was the emotional depths of disappointment.
Two disciples traveling to Emmaus told Jesus, who they didn't reconize , that they "had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21) They had longed for Him to be something other then what He apparently was. When Jesus' death has signaled the end of their dream of deliverance, His friends tumbled into disappointment and disillusionment.

Yet again, Jesus' presence melted away the emotional pain the men were feeling. When they realized that Jesus was alive and their redemption was at hand, it changed their disappointment to excitement. Lost hope was, and is, restored by the resurrected Lord.

It is true of every stinging experience of our lives: Jesus, and Jesus alone, can resue us. Each of us has known discouragement if not depression, has been disobedient and has felt crushing disappointment. There is not a single thing that he cannot change, control and conquer because Heis the living Lord. Like His followers before us, we can let His presence cure us of three D's. Let the Lord come into your heart right now.

Oh, God, could I feel Your presence? If I am depressed , bring me joy. ​

If I'm disobedient, repentance. If I am discouraged, ​

renewal. If I am disappointed, bring me hope. I want You to restore​

me. I accept You as Lord of my life. Come to me personally, Lord . ​

May I then be ready to glorify You. In Jesus' name, Amen ​

 

[Lizzie01]

Hey Everyone

This is Elizabeth I was wondering what you all thought about the devotionals and I am just curious how God is working in your lives, so let me know if you want. thanks Godbless

 

[Lizzie01]

What do you all think about the devotionals? what has God been working on in your lives?
I'm sorry I am so eager to know what God has been doing I am so passionate about him and I long for him!

Godbless,
~ Elizabeth

 

[macandcheese]

~Another awesome Third Day song~
Lyrics by Mark Lee/Music by Third Day
From the recording: Come Together, Track #10.

When the rain comes it seems that everyone has
gone away
When the night falls you wonder if you shouldn't
find someplace
To run and hide / Escape the pain
But hiding's such a lonely thing to do

I can't stop the rain / From falling down on you again
I can't stop the rain / But I will hold you 'til it goes away

When the rain comes you blame it on the things that
you have done
When the storm fades you know that rain must fall
on everyone
Rest awhile / it'll be alright
No one loves you like I do

When the rain comes / I will hold you

 

[Lizzie01]

Mac and Cheese and everyone

Third Days songs are so awesome, has anyone ever been to creation festival I went 2003 for those people who don't know what it is well it's a big Christian festival with alot of bands like Third day, Rebecca st james, Newsboys, Toby Mac, like most of the bands you know there is so much there it is held for 4 days and u camp there it is in Gorge Washington, USA it's awesome as I said

 

[Lizzie01]

I am not sure who gave me 1000 blessings but I thank you very much.. May God be with you this week and give you all peace Godbless you all.

 

[Lizzie01]

Come to Worship, prepare to Worship, pray before you come to church so you will be ready to pray when you will arrive.

Read the Word before you come so your heart will be soft when you worship.
come hungry, come willing, come expecting God to speak. Come asking , even as you walk through the door. "Can I see God today?"

" Oh magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name forever"

Worship is the act of magnifying God, enlarging our vision of Him.

My sin - I bliss of this glorious thought,
My sin - not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord Oh my Soul!

Our goal is to simply stand before God with a prepared and willing heart and then let God do His work!
and He does, He wipes away the tears, He mopes away the perspiration.
He softens our furrowed brows, He touches our cheeks , He changes our faces as we worship.

* I ask - ask the God of our Master,
Jesus Christ, the God of glory - to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is He is calling you to do.

(Ephesians 1:17 - 18 MSG )

I love you all

~ Godbless,

Elizabeth

 

[macspetra]

I am not sure who gave me 1000 blessings but I thank you very much.. May God be with you this week and give you all peace Godbless you all.

Someone gave a bunch of blessings as well. I logged on today to find out that my blessings were at 1000. Thank you as well.

 

[Lizzie01]

Here I am humbled by your Majesty
Covered by your grace so free
Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man
Covered by the blood of the Lamb

Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice

Majesty, Majesty
Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed, but alive in your hands
Majesty, Majesty
Forever I am changed by your love
In the presence of your Majesty


Here I am humbled by the love that you give
Forgiven so that I can forgive
Here I stand, knowing that I'm your desire
Sanctified by glory and fire

Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice

( I love this song it is so true and if you just read the words and think about it you will realize how real God is!) please tell me what you think...

love Elizabeth

 

[Lizzie01]

Hey Everyone

If any one of you has like a success story or something that God has done in your life like even your testimony, (I know there is a section in the forum you can put your stories but I thought it would encourage anyone who reads them in this section, like anyone can come here even when they are writing what is going on in their life, I will write my success story soon!!

Godbless,

Elizabeth

 

[Lizzie01]

What has God been doing in your life? I will tell you mine very soon!!

 

[MakeMeAServant]

PRAISE GOD! This is what we all need. Not to ignore our problems, hurts, or shortcomings, but to drop them at the feet of Jesus and ask Him to be with us, ask Him what we should do about them, and to praise Him just for being Jesus to us while He fixes everything (including us).

Thank you, Elizabeth, for posting all of these devotionals and your testimony. I am so grateful to be your sister in Christ. It is so awesome to see how Jesus can minister to each and every person who wants Him to. It is so awesome just to see how Jesus can take our ragged lives and not patch them up but miraculously transform us into those new creatures whose lives are not measured by their earthly successes or experiences but by their spiritural successes and experiences with Jesus Christ.

We praise you, Jesus! Thank you for what you have done in our lives and for what you are still waiting to do. Let us yield ourselves to you.

 

[macspetra]

Come together, I'm pouring out fresh love
See those around you through different eyes
I'm pouring out my love over all of you my people
And by the heart of the Father you will know unity.

Broken walls, that are smashed by love
Broken walls that will never stand
They're coming down, by hands of love
By love of God, in the hearts of man

Let His arms, wrap around you
And true repentance fill your heart
And recognize the deeds of the days that have gone by
And you will know forgiveness from the people of this land

Written by Jonathan Maracle

 

[brinny]

Beautiful thoughts and hearts and meditations here...and God uses them nearly ten years later, to minister and encourage....may each of you be blessed HUGELY this day, Tuesday August 19, 2014, no matter where each of you may be. Bevlina, I know you are safely in our Father's arms. You are missed dear heart.

Love,
Brenda (((hug)))

 

[endofrope]

Hello Everyone,

I was listening to Third Day the other day and when I heard this song it encouraged me so much and I believe through Jesus that it can help and even heal you too.

How many times have I turned away?
The number is the same as the sand on the shore
But every time you've taken me back
And now I pray you do it once more

Chorus:
Please take me from my life
When I don't have the strength to give it away to you
Please take me from my life
When I don't have the strength to give it away to you Jesus

How many times have I turned away?
The number is the same as the stars in the sky
Anf everytime you've taken me back
And now I pray you'll do it tonight.

I really hope this has encouraged and blessed you because I know it has for me. If anyone ever needs prayer or anything you can always PM me if you want. God loves you all so much and He always will no matter what!!!

Godbless,

~ Elizabeth

Hits home for me, this week. Thanks.