THANKFUL THURSDAY WITH JC

The book of Daniel gives the account of three Hebrew children, Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego being thrown in the fiery furnace. This is the subject of my today's devotion from "The Word for You Today". This story makes us realize four things:

1. Obeying God doesn't exempt you from trouble. Don't expect the world to always understand or appreciate you. Look at Christ.
2. You're not alone, God is with you in your troubles. When King Nebuchadnezzar looked into the fiery furnace he said, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the forth is like the Son of God" (Daniel 3:25). Instead of destroying them, the fire burned the ropes that bound them and set them free. So be encouraged. It may feel like you're "Bound by circumstance," limited and locked in, but God is with you; He's going to vindicate you and bring you out victorious.
3. Your trouble will become your testimony. Others are watching. What they're trusting in doesn't work, and they're wondering if what you're trusting in does. Your faithfulness to God and His intervention on your behalf, will touch their lives in ways your theology never will. Everybody in Babylon knew what the three Hebrew children believed, but they wanted to know, "Does it work when you're in the fire?" IT DOES!
4. On the other side of your trouble, there's great blessing. "Then the king promoted Shadrach Meshack & Abednego in the province of Babylon" (Daniel 3:30). It's a Scriptural principle; when you are faithful in a hard place. God can trust you in a high place.

Father, God, I worship and adore You because You and You alone are worthy. How wonderful is Your word and Your loving kindness toward us. In these uncertain times, thank You for the reminder that You are always presence for Your children. I heard it said recently that sometimes Christ calmed the storm but other times He calmed His disciples. Thank You for calming me and every reader when storms of uncertainty, storms of finances, storms of addictions, storms of relationships rage with peace that surpasses understanding. In Jesus precious, holy and powerful name I pray. Amen

TUESDAY WITH TIZ

AMERICA, AMERICA
God shed your Grace on us....

Friends, if you live in these United States of America, one week from today you will join me in voting for the next President of the United States of America. For weeks we have been challenged to pray and we have been challenged to vote - you get the same emails I get. If you are living outside the USA, please join us in praying for America.

From all the reports I get, circumstances are bleak in America; talks of a depression, bailouts, job losses and mortgage foreclosures. Will you join me in believing God can and will make something of this mess that has been created? If He turned water into wine, built temples out of ruins and led slaves out of slavery, He certainly can turn American around.

"If my people, which are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" 2 Chronicles 7:14 - this scripture really is not a hard one to understand, is it?

We are the UNITED States of America - let's stand UNITED!!!!!

"Father, circumstances around me are beckoning me to worry, but I refuse. Knowing you are who you say you are and knowing I am who you say I am, my trust is in you and you alone. Father, I can only keep my eyes and my focus on you, as you empower me to do so. I thank you that you have shown me that you are my security and my protection. You are our present help in time of trouble. In Jesus powerful name, I pray." Amen

Blessings...

Have you ever heard the phrase "more than I can shake a stick at?" I would love to know the origin of that phrase. Could it come from as far back as Moses and his 'stick' that he shook at things with miraculous results?

I have more blessings right now than I can shake a stick at. My baby brother, his wife, and his four month old son are staying in our home this weekend. They made the trip down safely with only an hour of crying time from my nephew (it could have been the full four hours). I am so thankful that they are here and made it fine.

I have spent time just sitting and holding my nephew. At four months, he is smiling and communicating with his eyes and his sweet squeals. He seems to love me even though I am constantly snapping pictures of him and making the flash put a startled look on his face. It takes me back to the time when my own babies were that size. I feel blessed to be reminded of that time.

My brother chose a precious girl to be his wife. My children love her, as do I. She has a quiet nature and is very calming to be around. Her son lights up when he spots his mother. It fills my heart with joy.

When they had vacation time from work, they chose to spend that time with us. I am thankful that they knew they were welcome. I am so glad that they wanted to be with us too.

Again, I have more blessings than I can shake a stick at!

Father God,

Thank you for the safe arrival of family into my home. Bless our time together and let it glorify you. Help them to feel rested on this vacation from work. Give them traveling grace when they return home Sunday afternoon. Thank you Father God for the blessing of family.

In Jesus name.

Amen

THANKFUL THURSDAY WITH JC

Today I want to share a devotion I read from "The Word for You Today" dated October 22nd.

Isaiah 65:16 AMP, "HE WHO INVOKES A BLESSING ON HIMSELF...SHALL DO SO BY SAYING, MAY THE GOD OF TRUTH...BLESS ME."

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

Did you know you can bless yourself by what you say? The Bible says: "He who invokes a blessing on himself...shall do so by saying. May the God of truth...bless me...because the former troubles are forgotten." Two important truths are taught in the scripture: (1) Your own words have more power to affect you than anybody else's. Ultimately it's not what others say that counts; it's what you say to yourself after they get through talking! You always have the last word. (2) You'll never enjoy what God has for you in the future while you're still living in the past. To enter the Promised Land, you must first leave the wilderness. So come into agreement with God; begin to say what He says about you. This is no small matter. What you say from the time you get up in the morning until you go to bed at night not only influences your day; it influences the entire outlook and direction of your life. If you've been praying and asking God for specific answers, you can affect the outcome by making sure what you say lines up with what He says. In other words - get in harmony with God.

Your body is God's temple, so be careful what you allow to come out of your mouth (See 1 Co 3:16) Faultfinding and negativity destroy and tear down, but scripturally-based, faith-filled words open the door to God's blessings. That's why Paul writes: "Let no...worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such...as is...beneficial" (Eph 4:20 AMP). So before you sound off, ask yourself - is this beneficial?

Father Holy, Holy, Holy is he Lord God Almighty. You and You alone are worthy of my praise and adoration. Thank You for using this devotion to remind me to guard my words. I'm reminded that the power of life and death is in the tongue, my words. Lord help me to speak only words that build up, even in situations where reproof and correction are necessary. You know what I need before I know. How wonderful you are toward me. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Lead me, guide me in the ways You want me to go. In Jesus' precious, holy and powerful name I pray. Amen

TUESDAY WITH TIZ

Focus on Him

Isaiah 26:3 reads "thou wilt keep him in Perfect Peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee"

We are living in a time when our minds are so bombarded with troubling news and circumstances that Perfect Peace seems unreachable (you read the same newspapers and listen to the same news programs I listen to). But God's Word tells us He will keep us in Perfect Peace if our mind is focused on Him. Why? Because when our minds are focused on Him we are trusting in Him. We are trusting ourselves to Him no matter what the circumstances are.

Will focusing on Him change circumstances and conditions around me? Probably not, because the circumstances and conditions around me are usually beyond my control. I do not ignore the conditions around me but I do not focus on them. I focus on Jesus, as The Way, The Truth and The Life. Jesus Christ himself is our Perfect Peace!!!!!

"Father, thank you for providing a way for me to have Perfect Peace by focusing my mind on you. I pray that every person reading this blog today will experience You as their Perfect Peace. I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus, my Perfect Peace. Amen"

THANKFUL THURSDAY WITH JC

FIND YOUR LIFE BY LOSING IT was the title of this Sunday's sermon. My pastor used Matthew 16:25 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." If you want to hear the sermon you can go here.

He had us take out a dollar, our driver's license (any picture id) and remove our watch and hold them.

Then he talked about our money represented by the dollar and he then read Matthew 26: 24-27, "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?..." He went on to talk about the rich young ruler and about it is hard for a person with riches to enter the kingdom. Not that there is anything wrong with riches but we aren't to put riches before Him.

Next we held up our ID (driver's license) and he discussed our identity or how we see ourselves. What importance to we place on our degrees, our job, our status. Again nothing wrong with that but when it comes between us and Him then we are setting our self up for a fall.

Lastly we held up our watches representing our time. How much time do we spend with Him and in doing acts of service to others. Nothing wrong with most things that take up our time except when it interferes with the things He calls us to do.

My pastor used many scriptures for each point which I would not even begin to do justice to in this post but as I was driving home another scripture came to my mind. Since it hasn't left my thoughts, I want to share it with you. Mark 10: 42-45 Jesus is speaking, "...You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

I read a post recently by a young person who has aspirations of stardom and all the trappings that come with that life. Clearly this young person is interested in being served rather than serving but in some way expects God make all these things come to pass. I was very sad from reading how far away from scripture this life has strayed. Then my Father gently reminded me as he reminded Peter when Peter wanted to know what was going to happen to John and Jesus told Peter not to concern himself with John. The Father gently reminded me to concern myself with my relationship with Him.

Father, how awesome You are. How mindful You are of all Your children. You and You alone are worthy of my praise, my worship, my adoration. Thank You for the gentle reminder not to judge others but rather keep a check on my attitude. Father forgive me. Father open my eyes of understanding of Your word. Help me to recognize opportunities for service that come from You and not just stuff that sounds good. Help me keep my eyes on You and You alone. In Jesus' precious, holy and powerful name I pray. Amen.

TUESDAYS WITH TIZ

Get out of YOUR boat !!!


"And he said, COME. And when Peter was come down out of the boat, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus." Matthew 14:29

My pastor recently shared a powerful message from this verse of scripture, wherein, he challenged his congregation to get out of the boat and walk victoriously with Jesus.

When Jesus said "COME" Peter just believed Him, because Peter's eyes were on Jesus - not on the storm around him - Just Jesus. Peter would never have walked on water if he had not gotten out of the boat, and friends, we won't either.!!!

The boat symbolizes safety and our comfort zone. The water symbolizes our faith filled, supernatural, victorious, overcoming life in Jesus Christ. This life is available to all of us who focus our eyes on Jesus and get out of our boats.!!!! GLORY

Our boat may be addictions ( good or bad, respectful or not respectful), religious activity, legalism (keeping rules and regulations to make God happy), self righteousness ( I can and will do it my way), security, afraid to take risk or discouragement from family and friends, to name a few. You can name your own boat.

"Father, I thank you for the call to get out of the boat and "COME" to Jesus. With my eyes on you, the wind and the waves around me are no longer a storm, but an opportunity to see you show yourself strong in my life. I pray that everyone reading this post will recognize and get out of their personal boat and heed the call to COME to Jesus and experience a Victorious Life in you. In Jesus, precious, storm calming, name I pray. Amen"

THANKFUL THURSDAY WITH JC

I will praise the Lord for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I was known by You my Father before the world was established. You knew me. I praise You with my whole being, every fiber, every cell, because You and You alone are worthy of my praise, my adoration, my worship, my holy fear and awe.

Forgive me of being to casual, to lax, to lazy, to busy, to forgetful, to prideful, to uncaring of You my Lord. Forgive me of being neglectful of You.

Help me to reorder my day to spend time in Your word, time in conversation with You, time mediating on Your goodness and Your mercy, time in Your presence. Open my eyes of understanding of Your word. Open my ears to hear Your voice of correction, encouragement and instruction. Open my mouth to speak words of life, hope and peace.

Father, if I have hurt or in some way caused pain to anyone please bring it to my remembrance and give me the courage to ask him/her for forgiveness.

Thank You for being mindful of me Your servant, Your handmaiden, Your child, Your warrior. Thank You for Your tender mercies that are new every morning just as You provided Manna for Your people in the wilderness so You provide all that I need every morning, mercy, grace, favor, peace, sufficient for the day. Thank You for the sacrifice of Your one and only Son so that I can be Your very own. May I never take my Savior, Jesus for granted.

In Jesus' precious, holy and powerful name I pray. Amen

TUESDAY WITH TIZ

His love and His song

"and in the night his song shall be with me." Psalm 42:8

This verse tell me that God sings lullabies over me at night. How awesome is that!!! Let that thought become one with your spirit as you meditate on the fact that tonight the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords will sing lullabies over you!!!! That fact has me looking forward to tonight no matter how dark it gets.

And this same verse tells me "yet the Lord will command his loving-kindness in the daytime" He directs his Love to me in the daytime. Another awesome wonder!!! I pray I never take my Abba Father's loving kindness for granted.

Yes, my King directs His loving kindness to me in the daytime and sings lullabies to me at night. Now, friends, that is the life of a Princess!!!

"Father, I pray that everyone reading this blog today will choose to focus their thoughts on the fact that you direct your loving kindness to them during the daytime and then sing lullabies over them at night. Father, your love for us is awesome. I pray we will experience that Love 24/7. Jesus is that Love and it is in His precious name, I pray." Amen

This PREACHED to me this weekend....

Father God,

Thank you for speaking to my heart at unexpected times and in unexpected ways. Help me to heed the words spoken to my heart.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

~ Thankful Thursday with JC ~

First of all, I want to wish the Jewish people a very Happy New Year. Rosh Hashanah means head of the year thus the beginning of a new year (5769 to be exact) in the Hebrew calendar. I’m a couple of days late, since the year actually changed at sunset Monday (9/29/08). Now the Jewish people are going through the Days of Awe and then will go into the Days of Atonement and end with Yom Kippur. At least that is the way I think it goes. You can check it out for yourself, since there are a lot of Internet sites on the Jewish faith.

Why do I care? I care because salvation came to me through the Jewish people. In the book of Romans it says branches were broken off so I (a Gentile) could be grafted in. I’m thankful for salvation through Jesus the Messiah. Jesus said he didn’t come to destroy the law but to fulfill it. Now, I’m not saying I think it is necessary to observe the Jewish holidays or Holy day but I am saying that I respect the heritage I have in the Jewish faith as a recipient of grace.

This is a time of reflection and repentance of them. I’ve noticed that many Christian ministries have a special time of prayer during this time of year.

During Monday night’s Bible Study the leader was reading Isaiah 66:1 but my eyes were drawn to words in verse 2 that says, “..But this is the man to whom I will look and have regard: he who is humble and of a broken or wounded spirit and who trembles at My word and reveres My commands.”(AMP) The word that really jumped out is “HUMBLE”. That word is used 97 times in scripture. Check out Proverbs 3:34 for yourself. In case you don’t know pride is the opposite of humble.

Maybe during this season of the Jewish New Year it would be a good time for us to have time of reflection to see, if there is sin we need to let go of. You know pride, jealously, arrogance, selfishness, etc. Check out Proverbs for the things God hates.

Father God, Holy is Your name. You are worthy to be praised, worshiped, and adored. I come before You as Your child in true humility with a broken spirit asking You to forgive me of my sins whatever they maybe and cast them into Your river of forgetfulness. Father, thank You for the way You bring things to my attention. You are so loving and so gently with Your daughter. Father thank You for Your Son, Jesus my Savior, for it is in his precious, holy and powerful name I pray. Amen