He Listens

I love God because he listened to me, listened as I begged for mercy. He listened so intently as I laid out my case before him. Death stared me in the face, hell was hard on my heels. Up against it, I didn't know which way to turn; then I called out to God for help: "Please, God!" I cried out. "Save my life!" God is gracious—it is he who makes things right, our most compassionate God. God takes the side of the helpless; when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me. Psalm 116:1-6



Did you know Jesus hears you and He actually cares about what you have to say? He loves to visit with you. He never interrupts (well sometimes)and He never assumes you are saying one thing when you really mean something else. He knows exactly what you are saying and why you are saying it.

He is patient and understanding, and compassionate in His responses. Even if no one else gets you, He does.

He wants the best for you and He knows your heart. He knows your desire. He knows your fears. He knows your frustrations. He knows you!

That my brethren is an amazing thought.

So no matter what situation you are in, rest in the fact that God knows you, listens to you, understands you, gets you, and is with you.

It is about Him from start to finish so make sure He is included in every conversation, decision, and most of all make sure you listen to Him when He speaks.

Don't let man take His place. Seek Jesus first! Trust in His plans for you, and make sure you consult Him. He will listen, even when others won't.

Jesus thank You that You hear us, love us, and know everything about us. I trust You and praise You for I know You will reveal Your plans for us. Keep us from seeking man first and don't let us get ahead of You! Amen

I Need...

"He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need there is." Acts 17:25

How often do you utter the words "I need"? Probably more than you realize. What things follow those two words?

I need a break

I need more money

I need to lose weight

I need a new car

I need new clothes

I need...

The problem with our "I needs" is the fact that they are worldly things, which we do not need.

For those of us in Christ we have Our real needs satisfied.

Our need to breathe

Our need to think

Our need to understand

Our need to function

Our need to move

Our need to be cared for

Our need to be loved

Our need to...

They are met because of Christ. Isn't it comforting to know that Christ satisfies every need there is?

Maybe you have a need today, if so let Christ meet that need. For there is NO one better than the Creator Himself.

Praise God today for meeting your needs the ones you know of and the ones He meets that you are not even aware of.

Jesus thank You for satisfying every need there is. We take this gift for granted. We even fail to realize just how much You do meet our needs. Thank You. Forgive us for thinking we need things of this world. You are all we need. Remind us of that. Amen

When Emptied of Me Love is Found

Could this be our day's desire?

To again empty me.

What meaning does this have

To empty me?

To be stripped of

self and pride.

To remove the

desires of our flesh.

To throw away

the old and put on the new.

Oh, to empty me

Is to empty the world within me.

Could this be our desire today

To empty out all that clings to the me?

For Paul says it best,

when he says the emptied me 

is love in the simplest form.

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud, or rude. 

Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

When emptied of me

love is found!

Altar Sunday

I approach the altar today, asking You, to empty me of me.

Empty me of selfishness, vain ambition, and the poison of my pride.

Empty me of any foolish thing my heart holds onto.

Empty me so I can be filled with more of You.

I will not move until the Holy Fire has burned away all that is not of You.

Empty me, so I can be like You.

Here on the altar empty me of all the disease.

Let me stay Father for You are all I need.

Here on the altar, I will leave it, all of me, in order to take all of You.

Jesus only You can empty me of me. So I am asking, here on my knees, empty me of me.

Less

It is the acceptance of the mess you are, and the simplicity of His Grace. That is what makes Him special, unique...God. His ability to make sense of your mess.

It really is okay to desire Jesus,  yet feel as though you don't desire Him enough. That is what keeps you searching for Him. It is what makes Him even more desirable, His ability to draw you in, close and sure.

It is okay to be less and be made less. Yet it is another thing to live in the state of less. Because the act of making ME really me, requires letting go.

And to let go, means losing control, and losing control means stepping back, stepping down. And to step back and step down means swallowing your pride.

And who can swallow their pride like Christ swallowed His. "..He did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the HUMBLE position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on the a cross." Philippians 2:6-8


Only the one who knows that Christ must become GREATER AND GREATER and they must become less and less.


Jesus I want to become less and less so You can become GREATER and GREATER. May I no longer feed myself, but feed the Spirit. Amen

We Don't Know

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

We don't know what life is, until we live it IN Christ.

We don't know what true joy is, until we live IN the joy of Christ.

We don't know the quality of our fruit, until Christ IS the producer of our fruit.

We don't know the meaning of forgiveness, until we have witnessed the Cross.

We don't know the power of the Word, until we have been transformed by the Word.

We don't know His suffering, until we have shared in His suffering.

We don't know what love is, until we see it through His blood.

We don't know who we are, until we know whose we are.

We don't know our purpose, until we know the reason for our existence.

We don't know how to give, until we know what Christ has given us.

We don't know how to die, until we have died to ourselves.

We don't know the power of the cross, until we carry our own cross.

To be filled with Christ, is to be empty of self.


Jesus apart from You we know nothing, can do nothing, and have nothing. May we remain in You. Amen

Be Alert and Pray

"Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak." Matthew 26:41


Alert-The state of being watchful for possible danger.
       - Quick to notice any unusual and potentially dangerous or difficult circumstances.

In our world today, temptation is on every corner. It is in our homes, schools, work places, convenient stores, streets, etc.

If we don't stay alert and in constant prayer, we can be easily tempted, deceived, and eventually give into it.

Go back and look at the list of places we can be tempted. How have they tempted you? Did you give into that temptation? Was it an obvious temptation, or did it sneak up on you in subtle way?

Stay alert and prayerful brethren, at all times, in all places, and for all other brothers and sisters around the world who are being tempted with the same thing.

Be aware of the enemy. Don't let him catch you off guard.

Jesus help us to stay alert and in prayer, for then we will not be caught off guard, but prepared for whatever temptation comes our way. Thank You for the help of the Holy Spirit in warning us and letting us know when we are in danger. You are awesome Father, and You set the best example for us in overcoming temptation. Thank You. Amen

? ? ?

"For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen" Romans 11:36

Do you know how amazing God is?

Does your love and reverence for Him move you so much you fall to your face?

Does every part of you give God glory and honor?

Do you know why you even exist?

Even the trees, wind, seas, and animals know the Creator and their reason for existence. They praise Him, live for Him, and function because of Him. Do you?

Know Jesus, because you are nothing without Him.

Jesus we are crazy to think our existence is about us. Jesus I want You to be the biggest part of us that we spend every day praising You, honoring You, and on our faces before You. May these questions move someone closer to You. Open the eyes of the blind, soften the hard hearts, and draw the wondering back to You. Amen

Why You Exist

"He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone." John 1:3


This mere existence of you and me is a big deal. We were not made to just exist. We were made for a reason. You and I were made by the very hands of God. He breathed life into us. He wrote out our life stories and placed the finishing period at the very end.

"Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." Psalm 139:16


Can you imagine sitting next to Him as He writes out every detail? What would those moments be like? What words would you see Him writing out?  Look at your life up to this point, how has it played out thus far? Now imagine God writing them out with full knowledge of what you would and wouldn't do.

Eye opening isn't it?

We often overlook, ignore, or simply excuse the very fact that God created ALL things. Now understand me, God created all things, and human hands turned many of those things into evil.

Even our very lives we have turned over to sin, instead of to God, our Creator. We often hear comments, "If God is the God of love why do bad things happen to good people? Why is there so much sorrow, death, hurt, and illness?"

Well it all goes back to the beginning when two people, who were created by God, chose to listen to the enemy and eat the apple from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

"You may freely eat any fruit in the garden except fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. If you eat of its fruit, you will surely die." Genesis 2:16-17


But none of that is the point, well it is the point, just not here, not at this moment. The point is for us to comprehend that we were created by God and FOR God. The point today is for us to understand that everything that exists He made.

How can we utter a word of pride about what we have, what we have accomplished or who we are? We can't when we understand our very existence came from God Himself. We can't when we understand that all we have is from God Himself.

We take a lot of credit for things that are not ours in the first place.

"Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see-kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him. He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together." Colossians 1:16-17


All too often we get caught up in believing that, in this existence, we should be able to do what we want, when we want, how we want, and with who we want. We get caught up in the here and now of pleasing ourselves. Brethren this existence of you and I is not so we can do what we want. Our existence is for Him and because of Him.

Maybe I can put it another way. God created us and sent His Son to die for us. He did both of those things for you and me.

He found you to be of importance, thus creating you. He found your life to be of importance, thus dying for you.

Jesus thank You for choosing me to exist for You. Amen

A Little Bit of Confession

This life of mine is CRAZY! And it's crazy because of the phrase I just used, "This life of mine." Did you notice that part?

It’s okay, I overlook it as well. This life is not mine, but when I live as though it is, well…it’s crazy, I’m crazy!

So here is where I am right now. I am WAY overloaded! I have managed to put more on my plate than I realized I could eat. Sometimes, my eyes are bigger than my stomach, or is it the other way around. However the saying goes, that's me. Except it’s not the food I fill my plate with. It’s family, Ministry, and me.

I have been having this nudging, annoying nudge I might add, to openly confess that I am a HUGE sinner who struggles with...self, self, self, laziness, anger, my way, and this horrible need to please me. 

Wow, did I really just write all that out? Don't judge me! It's true. 

There is no condemnation here, only truth. And who or where would I be if I didn't just tell the truth, hell probably. But I'm not. I am heaven bound!

And on my way to heaven I have to be real. So this is me, being real! 

Transparent too

Besides those annoying sins above, I get lost in God's Word and over think it way more than I should. I beat up on myself, I question my true faithfulness, especially in my "Me" moments, and I get mad at Satan for even existing.

Ya, he STINKS. Like those stink bugs that you don't like and know when you step on them it will be gross, but you do it anyway because you know the smell won't last long. That is Satan, a nasty stink bug that seems to multiply. But guess what? He will never overpopulate. 

I hate attention, but love to share God's Word with women. Does that even make sense?

I have OCD when it comes to cleaning and can't stand it when my husband cleans because I feel like he never does it right. See, demanding, my way "Me."

I refer to the "Me" as Miss "Me" and her and I talk quite often. You have probably caught me talking to her on occasion. Her and I don't mix, yet we do mix, and I don't like that.

She is sly and I often times wonder how in the world she showed up and I didn't even realize it. No I do not help. 

You have a Miss or Mr "Me" too.

I have had this huge desire lately to sell everything I own and give it to someone in need. The problem is, if I did that, we wouldn't be able to replace it. 

I get annoyed with how awesome my husband is and wonder how in the world I got so lucky, yet how I get so jealous of him.

You might be pondering on that but if you know G you know what I am talking about. If he was a woman no woman would like him and every man would love him. You might have to come back and read that again to grasp it.

I love my boys so much they annoy me at times. I want them near me at all times, yet I want them to just play in their play room for Pete sake.

Cooking drives me CRAZY, yet is the thing my husband loves the most. He probably does a majority of the cooking. Thank You Jesus! Again, jealous!

But that is by choice. I go into shock thinking about what meal to cook. He walks in and cooks a 5 course meal with three ingredients. Again blessed, but annoyed. I love that man!

Jesus knew I needed him.

Here is a confession for you, at night when I hit the bed, I seem to become paralyzed. So that leaves G getting up. It drives him crazy, so the times I regain feeling and get out of bed, he thinks the world stopped! Bad I know. Again blessed! (Please know I am not making light of those who really are, I am thankful, very, just admitting my laziness)

On another note…

I could spend all day reading God’s Word, and here is the part lately that has frustrated the mess out of me. When I do pull myself away from the Word, I have lately resorted right back to the crazy Miss “Me” and have neglected to live out or show what God has taught me. Oh, mercy, please tell me you know that feeling.

The more I have studied and prepared for this Women’s Conference the more I realize how much Miss “Me” is interweaved within me. Goodness I really despise her.

She is CRAZY!

I love to laugh, and laugh hard, but for a while I have been unable to find reason to laugh. Until last night when I began to show my husband some awesome dance moves I use to do as a cheerleader. We laughed so hard we almost cried. I am addicted to my husband and boys laugh. So I am determined to make us laugh more.

“…She laughs with no fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25

 I love to pray and I get annoyed that we as a body don’t do it more. I love throwing myself at the altar, and wish I could just let it ALL out on Sunday’s but am afraid that they would call 911.

I love this honesty thing. I wish I could do a Q & A, but am not ready for the questions that hit to deep and expose some parts of me that I have reserved for my husband and the Lord to know only.

Maybe someday, just not now, not yet.

I never want people to see more of me that what I really am and that is a sinner, who by the Grace of God have been covered in His mercy!

I struggle with lots of things, but love Jesus more than any of those things. I spend a majority of my day confessing and will do that until the day He takes me home.

I love Him and feel as though I am never close enough to Him. I want to please Him every second, yet I realize every second how unworthy I am.

I can’t get enough of Jesus and I can’t stand that others don’t care to even have Jesus.

I don’t want to be known as a woman of the world. I want to be known as a woman who reflects Jesus. I fail though, yet I never stop trying, and in that I know every day I get a little bit closer and become a little more like Him.

I have to smash a lot of Satan’s stink bugs that he has birthed and find joy in hearing the crunch. I even hate capitalizing his name because he is not worthy of a capital S.

I am a HORRIBLE writer who has NO clue where to put a comma or stop a sentence. But I don’t really worry or care too much about it, because it is the message that matters the most. And God’s Message will always be delivered as He sees fit. So for that I am grateful and thankful.

I am passionate when I teach and I always, always get emotional when I talk about the Word of God. I just can’t help it. He inspires me, moves me, touches me, and He saved me.

The woman of Proverbs 31 stresses me out, and I don’t like how perfect she is, yet I love her and want to be just like her. Maybe it’s because Miss “Me” feels threatened by her and the Jesus in Kristi pushes me to please Jesus like her.

I often wonder who reads this blog and have even asked the Lord why I am still doing it, even though I know why.

I wonder why people rarely comment, but then again I know why.

So I write anyway. I share anyway. I could very easily make this about me and my family, but I don’t, except on rare occasions, and I know why I have to do it that way too. So I trust, I obey, and I believe, and I know in the end He will show me.

Altar Sunday

When the altar seems far away and your heart is in need, just hit your knees and there He will be.

Jesus thank You for being everywhere. Amen

Live out

Tell me- How do you live out God's Word?

“But he knows where I am and what I've done. He can cross-examine me all he wants, and I'll pass the test with honors. I've followed him closely, my feet in his footprints, not once swerving from his way. I've obeyed every word he's spoken, and not just obeyed his advice—I've treasured it.” Job 23:10-11

Is this true of you today? 

Are you at a point in your relationship with Christ that it is okay for Him to cross-examine you? Would you pass the test?

Do you follow Him so closely your feet land  in the footprints of His?

Are you obeying and treasuring His every Word?

Is your desire for Christ even that strong? 

I want these words of Job to become my words, my heart, my actions, my desire. I want to treasure God's every Word. And in making any of this happen I know I have to do my part. 

I have to spend time in His Word. I have to stay one step behind Him at ALL times so my steps will fall in line with His steps.

 I have to allow His Word to expose all sin and I have to confess those sins. I have to keep my eyes on Him at ALL times so I do not veer off from Him. 

My thoughts MUST be consumed with His Word at ALL times. 

My feelings must stay in check with His Word and not on me. They will lead me astray and even deceive me.

I have to be open and willing to be searched by the Lord at all times, and I must remain faithful to Him over anyone or anything. 

Jesus thank You for Your Word. I want to know it but more than that I want to live it. Amen

How do you know Jesus?


Do you only know of Him through what others have said or have you met Him personally?


Do you know Him on a Sunday basis or do you know Him on a day to day basis?


Do you know Him because of what He has done for others or do you know Him because of what He has done for you?


Do you know Him as an acquaintance or do you know Him as your personal Lord and Savior?


Do you know Him on a business level or do you know Him intimately?


How do you know Jesus? 


Does this verse describe you and how well you know Jesus?


"Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God." 1 John 4:13-16


Or will this describe how well you know Jesus?


"Knowing the correct password-saying 'Master, Master,' for instance-isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience-doing what my Father wills. I can see it now-at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important.  You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.' Matthew 7:22-24

Jesus You have given us the two greatest resources to know You. The Bible and the Holy Spirit. May it become our greatest desire to know You more than we desire to know anything else. To know You is to know life in its fullest. Thank You for the Holy Spirit and Your Word that allow us to know You intimately and personally. Amen

Who is Jesus to you?

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.” Colossians 1:15

Is He the Son of God, the Son of Man, the Bread of Life, the exact representation of God? Is He the way, truth and life?

I hope you answered yes to all of the above, because Jesus is all of those. 

He also is the visible image of the invisible God-Colossians 1:15

Knowing Him is to know God. In Christ, God revealed Himself. In Christ, God made Himself in human form to be touched, seen, felt and heard. 

Jesus is God Himself, and when He added human flesh, He did it with purpose. He came right here to this tiny speck we call earth, to meet us where we are, and to show us Himself and our need for Him, all while providing a way through His death.

In Christ, God did not demand or cling to His rights as God. (Philippians 2:6) Rather He humbled Himself in the lowest manner possible. He lived as we lived, felt as we feel, laughed as we laugh, hurt as we hurt, and cried as we cry. He overcame temptation and showed us how to do the same. He made Himself available to us, He served, and did all that His Father asked Him to do.

It is through Christ we know God. It is through Christ we will one day live with God. It is through Christ we are made right with God.

“Anyone who has seen me has seen my Father.” John 14:9

How well do you know God?

For no other reason

"My heart has heard you say, 'Come and talk with me.' And my heart responds, 'LORD, I am coming." Psalm 27:8

No agenda. No because "We have to." No crisis. Not even because we need to prepare a lesson. Doing it for no other reason than because of the purest desire to be near Him, hear Him, and know Him.

Doing it, because in those moments with Him, you realize how much He did for you. How much He loves you, wants you, and desires you.

You do it because you realize in those "For no reason" moments true worship, true friendship, true intimacy, and every other need is found.

When you sit with Jesus, bask in His Word, and visit, for no reason other than your love and desire for Him, you realize the true meaning of love, in the purest form.

Have you experienced it? What is your reason?

Jesus it is my desire that all people experience the purest, sweetest, most intimate love that You offer. Give them a taste of You and Your love today. May it leave them with a desire to seek You for no other reason than because of the purest love that is found in You. Amen

Do you find it hard to follow Christ? Read the Scriptures before you answer

Many people find it hard to follow Jesus. I mean, giving up yourself, is not exactly the most popular or desired thing to do. It still isn't! But Jesus requires complete fellowship and complete devotion. We see many times throughout Scripture Jesus telling his disciples following Me requires less of you, less of your wants, and a whole lot of Me.

"Then he said to the crowd, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life." Luke 9:23-24

"He said to another person, 'Come, be my disciple.' The man agreed, but he said, 'Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.' Jesus replied, ' Let those who are spiritually dead care for their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach the coming of the Kingdom of God.' Another said, 'Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.' But Jesus told him, 'Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.' Luke 9:59-62

"You must love the Lord your God, with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' Luke 10:27

"If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me." Luke 14:26-27

"But don't begin until you count the cost-So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me." Luke 14:28; 33

"The man replied, 'I've obeyed all these commandments since I was a child.' 'There is still one thing you lack,' Jesus said. ‘Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' But when the man heard this, he became sad because he was very rich.' Luke 18:21-23

We can have good intentions in following Christ, but our intentions must be followed by selfless actions that are totally sold out for Christ. 

What are some things Jesus is calling you to give up or leave behind? Maybe you can see yourself in one of these verses and you know what Jesus is asking of you. How will you respond?

Jesus I want to give You every part of me. I know the cost, I know the importance of carrying my cross. I also know I have and will fail You. I know there will be times I allow things to come in between You and me, so I am asking You to help me. Squeeze me so tight that there is no way anything can get in between us and our relationship. Amen

Altar Sunday

“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.” Proverbs 17:9 NLT


When you approach the altar, be sure your not dwelling on the fault of someone who hurt you. Instead let the Cross remind you of the love and forgiveness Christ had for you.

May that be what leads you to the altar today.

Make Jesus Your Habit

"Everyone sees it. God's work is the talk of the town. Be glad, good people! Fly to God! Good-hearted people, make praise your habit." Psalm 64:9-10

When is the last time you went somewhere other than church and heard God being talked about? When is the last time you went to work and made God the topic of conversation?

It's not common anymore, talking about Jesus. It's actually becoming rare. But that can change, and you and I can make it change. We can make Him become the talk of the town, by talking more about Him. We can make praise become a habit by praising Him everyday.

How do we make Jesus our habit? The same way we have made eating, sleeping, and drinking a habit by doing it over and over and all throughout the day.

He's worth it!

Jesus there is nothing else more important than You. May You become the most talked about in our day than anything else. Amen

A Sign of His Love

"To learn you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction." Proverbs 12:1

When is the last time you desired to be taught? When is the last time the Lord disciplined you?

Well I can say if you have read your Bible lately than you have probably been disciplined, at least I hope so, because that means you desire to learn God's Word. I can say, until this life is through, we will always need to be studying and learning God's Word, and from that, there will always be correction, training, and discipline.

So let's find joy brethren when our Heavenly Father disciplines us. For we know, in His discipline, there is love and growth, plus our relationship with Christ is strengthened.

"My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. for the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children. As you endure this divine discipline, remember that  God is treating you as his own children...For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained this way." Hebrews 12:5-7;10-11


Don't put off reading God's Word because you don't like the conviction or discipline. Let His discipline open your eyes to His amazing grace.

Jesus help us take a new grip with our tired hands and stand firm on our shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for our feet. May we desire to grow and learn from You more and more, thus becoming more like You everyday. Amen