The Bible

This morning I wanted to pray for someone new in my life. I knew that she had just started reading the Bible, and I also knew she had been visited by "spirit guides" in the past.

I opened my mouth to pray, as I have prayed thousands of times, but the words would not come. They wouldn't come into my mind or mouth. I kept trying and trying, but I couldn't find the words. I felt a heavy presence around me. I realized it was evil forces.
I called out to God, "Help me Lord, what should I do?"
"Go and get the Bible," he answered.
I went to my room and as soon as I picked up my Bible the oppressive presence left me. I was able to pray and I read out some verses.

I told God that I know I have no real idea of what goes on behind the scenes of good and evil. I only know there is a war going on for the souls of human beings, and I know he is stronger than evil and is always triumphant if we allow him to work. I thank him and praise him, "For his loving kindness endures forever."

Anger vs Hate.

I get angry when:

Women and children are abused.

Torture is used in any form on any person.

Politicians and governments oppress the poor.

Religious fanatics misrepresent God.

But how do I then not hate the people who do these evil things? It is a struggle I have had for years. I know the answer, for Jesus gave it in Matthew 5:44-48, "...but I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Jesus hated sin but loved people who sin (which includes everyone). This must be my attitude also. I have found it hard to pray for people who do harm to their fellow man, but this is what Jesus said to do. I think that prayer is more for me than for the other person because it keeps hate out of my heart.

Only in God.

The Lord is my Rock.


"Only in the Lord are righteousness and strength."

I find this verse to be true in my life. I wake up all depressed each morning and go outside to talk with God. I begin quoting scriptures:

Isaiah 41:10 "Be not afraid, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will help you, I will strengthen you, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness."

Psalm 18:2 "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer."

Psalm 16:5-6 "The Lord is my inheritance...my heritage is beautiful to me."

Psalm 116:1 "I love the Lord because he has heard my voice."

I now feel strenthened, no longer depressed. Thank you Lord.

The Cat and the Dream.

My daughter's cat had three kittens awhile ago. We had found homes for all of them. They grew old enough to leave their mother, but one person kept putting off picking up her kitten. My daughter was getting concerned because the family was beginning to be attached to the little thing.

But the night before Mommy Cat was to have surgery to be fixed, my daughter Christine had a dream. God appeared to her in the dream and said, "Your cat will die tomorrow, but I have prevented her kitten from being taken so you can keep it with you." She woke up, but thought the dream was just from herself because she was worried about the cat.

The next day Mommy Cat did die on the operating table. Everyone was crying and Christine told us about her dream. My granddaughter Faith was comforted by the fact we still had the kitten. I praised God that He had spoken to my daughter and given her the gift of his presence. I think he showed the whole family how he cared for us and for the little animals of the world.

This morning I read in Luke 12:6, "Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God." To me, this verse shows the love of God for all his creation. Then Jesus went on to say, "Do not fear, you are of more value than many sparrows."

I am here.

One day about 15 years ago, I was laying in bed with a backache. I said to God, "If you were here, I would ask you to rub my back." Immediately my back quit hurting and I realized what I had said. Through His taking away of my pain he was saying, "I am here."

Of course he was here, but I was picturing him far away up in heaven looking down. In fact, I think I had always pictured Him that way, but I don't any more.

I Like Me.

Seems like I am following myself. I have no idea how this happened but what the heck, I guess I'll have to ask my husband how to get rid of this pesky follower.

"This is the Fast I Choose." Isaiah 58:6

Many people in Isaiah's time sought the Lord through fasting. They said they delighted in God and wanted just decisions from him. But they did not understand the God they were worshipping.

God said to them, "Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desires and drive hard all your workers. Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist."

God then gave them a list of good things he wanted them to do, and then told them what would be the result of obedience.

The list:

Let the oppressed go free.
Divide your bread with the hungry.
Loose the bonds of wickedness.
Cover the naked.
Bring the homeless poor into your house.
Stop pointing the finger and speaking wickedness.
Satisfy the desires of the afflicted.


The result:

Your light will break out like the dawn.
Your recovery will speedily spring forth.
Your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will
be behind you.
Then you will call and the Lord will answer.
The Lord will guide you and give you strength.
You will be like a watered garden.

May the Lord open our hearts to help others.

What I Learned from Joyce Meyer

1. Ask yourself, "Is this thought from God?"
2. When we voice doubt we give it creative power.
3. Praise is a spiritual weapon.
4. Don't have a lazy, passive attitude. Get a bold attitude and use your weapons of
spiritual warfare: Praise, song and quoting scripture.
5. The devil lies to us: doubt and nonsense.
6. Speak the Word of God out loud. Say, "The Bible says..."
7. Talk about the victories and blessings in your life.
8. When you are in a fog and don't know where to go, believe God will lead you.
9. Faith comes from hearing the Word of God.
10. The Word is a medicine with healing power.
11. The Word is your life. It is food, we need it to live.
12. Know the Word and you won't believe the devil's lies.

As a dove from Heaven.

I was half-way home from my vacation, sitting outside a motel at sundown when I heard the chatter of the birds as they said goodnight to each other. I smiled as I remembered the birds at my sister's house in Nevada. She has a bird feeder hanging on the front porch and many little birds come to eat each day. Then I remembered my own back yard. I often sit on the swing and listen to the birds, especially a certain owl who hoots away in the night and morning. I thought about how no matter where you go in this world there are birds. Even in the coldest areas on earth there are Auks and penguins. And when we were out in the hot desert, a roadrunner (Beep, beep!) darted across the road in front of our car. I had never seen one before and it was wonderful.

The thought then came to me that it was fitting for God to use a bird to represent the Holy Spirit, for He too is everywhere in the world. Like the birds, he brings joy, peace and beauty wherever he goes.