Dry Bones

November 30th Reading

I will admit that I read the first part of our reading today several times (Ezekiel 37: 1-14). I read straight through, then went back and read it again. Then, I read along with the notes in my study Bible the third time. I realize that God is talking about his people who have fallen and He is giving the good news that He is going to restore Israel. Each time I read though, I had an image in my mind of myself and the people I know.

The hand of the LORD was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

  

I said, “Sovereign LORD, you alone know.”

At one time, I was the dry and lifeless bones laying in the valley. Before I gave myself completely to Jesus, my life was a skeleton of what it could be. I worked very hard on my own trying to achieve joy, happiness and success. But, there seemed to be more struggle than ease, more failure than triumph.

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”

I was working on my own and then I found God. He promised me life and a better way.  I didn’t have to do things through my own strength, I could rely on Him.

So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

I wasn’t completely reliant on Him. There were struggles I tried to face on my own. I didn’t seek Him first, my dependence upon Him was more of an afterthought. But He wasn’t done with me yet. He was still piecing me together bit by bit.

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.

I began to rely on the Holy Spirit. It had been there all along, I just didn’t know the power that was within me. As I became more confident in Him and His character, my life started to align with His plan.

I am not a complete person yet. I am a work in progress. He has given me exactly what I need for right now, but I know there is more ahead.

Where do you see yourself? Are you the pile of bones? The skeleton? The body? The life ready for living?

What about the people you know? Where do they fit into this evolving structure?

I know a few people that would fit into each of the categories. It is okay to be at different stages. No matter where you are, you can help others around you. You can tell them about Jesus and how your life has changed since you met Him. You can live a life that is a good example for others. You can read and learn and pass on your knowledge. You can pray for all of them.

He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

  

I said, “Sovereign LORD, you alone know.”

Thank you Lord, for picking me out of the valley of bones and for forming me and giving me life. I am nothing without you. I’m sorry for the times that I try to do things out of my own strength. Thank you for your forgiveness and for your persistence in teaching me your way. Please open my ears to the voice of the Holy Spirit, so that I can learn more and so that I can lead others to Jesus. Amen.

Hugs,

Lynnette

Change Your Oil

November 29th Reading

                                                                              
The wonderful, long beautiful Thanksgiving week has come to an end and I  feel a little tired from the cooking, traveling, cleaning and endless eating. I am sure you feel the same... I am running on empty

Lets start a new, fresh week together,  God has surprises and new memories tucked within each day for you and me. But we must be ready to receive.

Lets talk cars and oil changes for a few minutes.... so out of my category!
As you know, it is important to change the oil in your car regularly---so important that most auto manufacturers recommend changing oil every three to five thousand miles to get the maximum benefit! Otherwise in addition to getting dirty, the oil gets thin and discolored and can harm rather then protect the engine.

On the other hand your anointing oil can wear thin under the heat of pressure and spiritual warfare. That is why we must give attention daily and be diligent so we can make fruitful progress and not get over heated in this world.

2 Peter 1:10 "Therefore, brethren be even more diligent to make your call and election sure. For if you do these things you will never stumble."

The holidays can wear us thin sometimes if we are not careful.
 Oil evaporates if it is not replenished regularly. If you put oil in a vessel for a long time and let it sit without no attention you will find that the vessel that held the oil is empty and dry.

The spirit of God does not evaporate, but you may think He has if you neglect Him that way. You must constantly allow the oil of the spirit to flow over your life, refreshing your spiritual life. The oil stays fresh when you remain in fellowship with the Lord. When you spend time in His presence, the rich oil of the Holy Spirit will flow over your life, refreshing and renewing your spirit.

Another interesting thing about oil is that it leaks if there is a hole in the vessel. The hole may be so tiny, or even undetectable to the naked eye, but if there is any blemish the oil will find the and leak out.

The devil wants us to stumble so bad! He will creep in your life and put holes of bitterness, unforgiveness, self pity and discouragement in our vessels.  Allowing the precious oil of the spirit to drain out. It is so important that we guard with diligence against the holes and concentrate on keeping our oil fresh.

Only FRESH oil has the the proper density and thickness to serve the car engine well. The thickness gives the oil the ability to withstand heat and pressure and to reduce friction and stress. Ok, yes I was reading about car oil in a book recently, I did not know all this car stuff girls! LOL!
Anyway...I was sounding pretty intelligent huh?
 The point I hope to make is that the Christmas season can be stressful for many, creating pressure points to heat us up and break our engines down.

If it is so important to change the oil in our cars regularly to protect the engines, How much more important is it for us to give attention to our oil and engines?

How fresh is your oil? Are you constantly adding fresh oil, or are you OPERATING with an old anointing?
Is God's touch on your life stale?
Is it beginning to evaporate?    Is your vessel cracked?
Does it leak?

When your oil is fresh, it has a beautiful fragrant aroma. You become bold and strong, your mind is clear and your spirit sensitive and alive! Does this sound like the real Christmas Spirit to you?
Remember friends, you cannot operate on past glory, trying to survive on yesterdays oil. Gods reservoir never runs dry. So do not become stagnant or complacent. Invite the "oil" of the Holy Spirit to pour over you, renewing and refreshing you.

Lets end with this Christmas thought....In Hebrew the word anoint means meahach, which means "to rub in." and the Greek word means chrism and that means "to smear."
 Isn't that great? I pray you smear the Christmas spirit all over yourselves today. Not just on you but in you!

Invite Him in my friends....

Holy Spirt, help me to empty myself of me so I can be filled with you. Fill me with your presence that I may know your power in my family, work place, children, marriage and more. I want to experience your glory....I want to know the precious anointing of your spirit.

When you learn to know His presence, His person and His glory as He fills your being, then His power will fill your life! This is the JOY we celebrate during Christmas!

Blessings,

Pray

November 23rd Reading

In my journey with God, I can look back through my journals and see different seasons that I have lived through. At times, I could not get enough of the Bible. The only thing I wanted to read was the actual word of God. At other times, I wanted to read and do Bible studies. I couldn’t get enough knowledge about Christianity or various topics. At other times, I seemed more focused on worship. Right now, I seem to be moving into a time of concentrated prayer.

I used to think I needed to do it all really well. That I shouldn’t focus on one thing and let other aspects take a back seat for awhile. I felt guilty for not sticking to a routine that included the same amount of worship, study, scripture and prayer everyday. I’m not so sure that my ideas were correct. Thinking about it now, it seems very legalistic. I know we should not take that approach when we are building a relationship with anyone, let alone a relationship with God.

Looking back over those times more closely, I think that God was leading me to different books, scripture or music. He knew exactly what I was going to need for that portion of my journey. He was always there ahead of me waiting to fulfill the need before I even knew it existed. I think that it is important to follow our instincts when we feel a need in our spirit.

A friend in my Bible Study group is a professional organizer. Recently, she used a term that got our attention. Zig-Zag organizing is basically when you move from one thing to the next without completing a task. It is not really effective or efficient. Since she mentioned it, I have been very aware of my habits. I must be a zig-zag thinker! Almost everything I do, involves zigging and zagging and very little completing.

This morning, I started thinking about how I can make my prayer life more effective and efficient to overcome the dreaded zig-zag syndrome. I have several prayer request lists and books (by Stormie Omartian) that I would like to read daily. I decided that I would make my own book that would combine all of these lists and prayer guides into one. Each day of the month I will pray specifically for my husband, my kids and myself along with prayer requests I may receive.

Prayer is such an important aspect of our walk with God. Sometimes though, I over-complicate it. God doesn’t care if I use big words. He isn’t impressed by a well thought out eloquent prayer. He just wants to hear from His child.

James 5: 13-16

The Prayer of Faith

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Lord, I thank you for your son, Jesus. Without him, I would not be able to come to your feet in prayer. I love your guidance and the wisdom that you have given me in your perfect timing. Teach me to be an effective prayer warrior. I want to be your partner in changing the world on earth as it is in heaven. Amen. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS VS MERRY REALITY

November 23rd Reading

Good Morning friends! The days are getting closer to the holiday season. My mind is starting to get excited as I plan dinners, family events, Christmas shopping for all, decorations and more. However,
my husband and I seem  to war and fight more over the Christmas holiday than any other time of the year.

In today reading JAMES 4:1-2
"Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they come from your DESIRES for pleasure that war in your members? Do you lust and do not have?

This verse provided a solution to my problems.

Last night before bed I examined our total amount in savings and then jotted a Christmas plan together....

The reality of everything I desired to buy came to a crashing halt this morning when my husband added more realities under my lists of desires. He ended his note by saying "MERRY CHRISTMAS VS MERRY REALITY"

I want you to know my husband is 100 percent right! He always is!
He is able to take Godly wisdom and compare to worldly wisdom. He then reasons, shares results and gives remedy's for the problems. In this case the solution lies with all my desires vs reality.

Like I said, last night I scribbled out a plan on paper. This morning I noticed my husband notes along side my plans and desires. He wanted to remind me of  some things......the Orthodontist bill for my sons braces, the bathroom and bedroom project we are completing in the basement, the tile and grout cleaning I desire for the kitchen and lastly the money we need to budget for our week long Boyne trip the day after Christmas.

WOW reality is what I needed this morning along my wish list.

My husband and I always get together and discuss our Christmas budget yearly and it never fails year after year we tend to have little wars and fights.
Nothing major friends, I love him to death and we are happily married so don't get scared when I say wars and fights! LOL every good marriage has them also.

My family  knows why we celebrate Christmas and my whole family truly wraps their hearts around the Birth of Jesus Christ. Its not about all the presents, decorations and food BUT sometimes I struggle with the reality of the worldly ways and they do tend to war against my members. I love buying things and giving them away!

Today I will ponder as I go do a little Christmas shopping with my mom the words my husband wrote....
MERRY CHRISTMAS VS MERRY REALITY.

I will make wiser choices today . God can give you great wisdom if you ask. Sometimes I need a reality check. Seriously friends, I laugh this morning when I think of all my wants and needs and then look at the reality of our savings. I am very selfish and self-centered at times. But God is growing me and I am not afraid to be real and admit my struggles.

I am thankful for a gentle and generous husband that speaks truth in love to me. He is always so organized and reasonable. Remember in today's reading it states that humility brings both peace and solutions.
If we submit to God ans resist the temptations the Lord will lift us up to see from His perspective. I need to be lifted high on His shoulders on certain days so I can see the REALITY of life.

We can find true JOY in Christmas. We all have different ares of struggles or problems. The key is the perspective. God allows for trials in such a way that we lack nothing in the end. But if we lack wisdom in a situation ask God, He always renews and creates and steadfast spirit.

I am asking God to help me to be wise this Holiday season

Merry Christmas vs Merry Reality,  what are your thoughts today?

Blessings,

Follow the leader...or not!

November 19th Reading

James 1:23-24 "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."

There are far too many of us focused on what the world expects from our lives, rather then what God and His word expects from our lives.  All too often we are caught looking at what others are doing and try to mock them and think that is the thing to do.  It is not, we must find the path that God has for our own life.
 There are so many blessings in store for us when we find our own path.  If you continue to follow down other peoples paths because they are your friend or because it seems like the cool thing to do, you will miss the adventure and blessings that God has for you.


James 1:2-3 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

It is imperative that you know that there will be trials and trouble through life, but if you depend on the one that is ALWAYS there for you, He will see you through.  The trials and troubles you face, the negativity you come in contact with, the adversity facing you, and all the other "bad" stuff is there for you to learn something that God has for you.
 You may be scolded for disobedience or it may be that God needs you to go through that particular situation so that you will be equipped to help someone else along.  Nothing we go through  happens to us  by chance. 
It is all a part of God's plan! 
A plan that was developed with YOU in mind.  YOU have a grand purpose in this world, and YOU are needed to do some sort of work for God.  You might be the quiet shy type, you may be the loud boisterous type, you might be a combination of both, but whatever you are, YOU are a part of a plan that God has.  If we fail to accept this and choose to live as we want, we will become shattered, like a mirror.


Everything we try to do will fail, we will become discouraged and frustrated. 
However, there is hope!!! 
We can choose to find God once again and start living for Him and commit our lives to serving Him.  It would be wonderful to look in the mirror and see the beauty that God sees in us.  It is never to late to accept your challenge from God.  Sometimes our biggest challenge is just being a Christian spouse, maybe your husband or wife is so far from God's word that you must be the living example of what God is to your spouse.  That can be very hard to accept, it can be devastating, but it shouldn't be, it should be so simple.  We all have our issues, we all have our problems, but God loves us still.  Pray and then be quiet and sit and watch to see where God is leading YOU!  As much as you might want to be a part of something, you might be more useful in another area.  Stepping out of your comfort box is hard, but when you do it is so amazing!
 I have personally done this just last week and I was so scared to get started, but yet it all is coming together.  A good friend told me I was doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing for my new class I will be teaching.  My confirmation for being obedient has been overflowing.  I am so excited to work with new people and do new things.  It is so awesome to be excited about doing God's work again.  I was in a valley not really knowing my path but I prayed and prayed and then prayed some more then reached out to the God fearing friends I have and God began to direct my paths!

I hope that all of you take some time and listen to what God really wants you to be doing and then take steps to do that.  Talk to ladies (or men if you are a man) in your area or church to see where you can be of help to others. God moves us to our next destiny through our service to Him. This is how he shapes us. Staying idle is dangerous.
  Don't follow a leader, follow THEE LEADER!!!

Much love,
Kari

The Marriage Bed

November 18th Reading

HEBREWS 13:4 "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulators God will judge."

Undefiled means "not filthy"

Just this past week I had to complete a few classes for my biblical counseling credentials. The classes all pertained to marital life. One particular class was titled "Making your marriage a GREAT marriage." This class spoke on female sexuality and satisfaction.

God created sexuality as a gift with pleasures to be enjoyed by women as well as men. God wants our marriage bed to experience sexual fulfillment.

God created us to be sexual beings. We are designed to receive and transmit sexual feelings. This is honorable to God.

Why and how does the marriage bed become defiled?

I believe anger, shame and guilt have invaded the bedroom. Many times couples go to bed with a "barb wire" fence down the middle of their bed. Hurt and disappointed over an unmet expectation enters the bedroom.
 Marriage certainly brings some reality to our illusions of a blissful relationship with no problems, that doesn't mean we should give up! We need to learn to pursue the true, deep intimacy that God created us for. 
Challenges may be great and the odds against you may seem overpowering, but the good news is that it's never too late for a "NEW BEGINNING, " no matter what state of your marriage.

I am still learning how to cling to Gods precepts for marriage. God has given my husband and I a road to follow with specific directions to apply to every situation in life.
We both made a commitment to begin our journey over... when the odds against us seemed so overpowering.

I personally  needed to focus on the Lords plan and direction and not the PAIN and DISAPPOINTMENT that so easily distracted me.
 I was so discouraged and unhappy with my marriage, but was guided by a few significant Godly friends to "not give up." It was harder on certain days then others.

God had some great things to teach me during those times. I went on a journey toward forgiveness and wholeness. I believe through our marriage struggles and hurts,  I was open and exposed to a calling God had for my life.

My personal wounds became wisdom to Gods higher ways.

A marriage bed that is defiled can be made whole again.

 I have experienced the blessing of God's power and presence in my marriage.  I desire any woman reading today that is struggling, to consider approaching God with your issue and have a spirit of EXPECTATION.  God wants to drop in on your marriage and make it HONORABLE and PLEASING.

It does take an attitude that desires change and challenge. But remember that God will strengthen you and help you ENDURE.

"A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamond. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long." Proverbs 31:10-12

A good woman will love at all times. Her husband is won to the Lord through her generosity and trust.

This is so hard to understand and much wisdom and support is needed as a woman seeks God to heal her marriage bed. Sometimes God leads us down another path if the situation is dangerous for His daughter.
 However, most of the time we make the decision to leave and not EMBRACE what God has for us and our husband. My test in marriage was a living testimony of embracing the challenge and allowing God to restore the marriage. It was not easy but God seen the diamond in the rough.

Allow God to renew your perspective by choosing to cultivate a deeper level of intimacy with God.

Do not become so focused on the problem that you do not hear or see Gods new directions

Approach God today friend with a spirit of EXPECTATION. He will open new doors to your destiny. Make a decision today...

Blessings,

ENDURANCE DOES NOT "JUST HAPPEN"

November 17th Reading

After today's reading in Hebrew chapter 12, I was left with one word.... ENDURANCE.

 HEBREWS 12:1 "LET US RUN WITH ENDURANCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US"

I could pull so many wonderful, rich things out of this whole passage of scripture but the one word I have respect for while training is the word "ENDURANCE." My husband and I went up north this past weekend and woke early one morning to run 6 miles. This course was packed with back country hills on a gravel road. I have been training the past few months so I was ready to attempt  a smooth run.
The amazing thing God wanted me to experience that morning was just what I desired a smooth, beautiful, peaceful run. I was able to keep pace with my husband and even talk or sing while running without feeling out of breath.

ENDURANCE= The ability to sustain at a level for long periods of time.

Endurance did not just happen that morning, it was taught through discipline and training. I was able to develop a sustainable pace without feeling burned out. However, I have much more training ahead so I can endure  for a longer period of time at a comfortable pace.
Only the FOOLISH attempt to run a marathon without any training.

My husband was even proud of my pace. I was able to keep up without complaining or falling behind! I even beat him up a hill!

 Our journey here on earth will bring us cramps and strains. We usually get this little voice in our heads that tempt us to stop running, or tell us "why bother"or "you can't do this."

It feels tough to keep running.... when you feel like stopping.

Physical running isn't just physical activity it is a MIND thing and what your mind does when you run can mean the difference between stopping and keepin on running!

ENDURANCE is essential for successful living. It allows us to pursue a goal and live out beliefs regardless of obstacles, strains and cramps. The pursuit of the "Christian life" is like a foot race. Persevering in the race of faith to attain our spiritual reward.

I have four things I would like you to consider today.

TRAINING  Remember I stated only the foolish attempt to run a marathon without preparation. Simple day-to-day disciplines such as prayer and studying the bible prepares one's faith to ENDURE and helps prevent those in the race from being disqualified.
(I am writing a bible study and book now called "RUN LIKE YOU MEAN IT") this will break down much more that was found in Hebrews chapter 12.

SUSTAINABLE PACE Christan's sometimes try to accomplish too much too quickly, relying on their own strength rather then God's timing. Those runners often find themselves burned out and tired. WAIT on God's timing, He will set an appropriate pace for you. Do not take on too much.

STAYING ON COURSE In the middle of long races, runners may "hit the wall," a point where they feel physically and emotionally spent. From their perspective, the finish line is really far away and quitting is a strong temptation. When Christians continue running, choosing obedience over emotions, they will eventually experience a "second wind" a renewal of God's strength to sustain them. (more to come in the book!)

STRONG FINISH  God uses the challenges of the faith race to develop people to mature and be complete in Him. He build endurance within us. Just as athletes are crowned with victory in the end, God rewards those who persevere to the end.

KEY LESSONS FOR ENDURANCE:

*Maintain spiritual discipline and follow God's pace.

*When we feel like giving up, Gods strength sustains us.

*God rewards those who persevere in the end

ENDURANCE   PATIENCE   TOLERANCE   COURAGE    PERSEVERANCE    STAMINA RESISTANCE    WILL POWER     BACKBONE    GUTS

Keep Running,

Praise Him!

November 16th Reading

On the radio this morning, I happened to catch a few minutes of the Joyce Meyer broadcast. There was one thing that really stuck out for me. She said we need to fill our spirit. I have heard these words before, but what does it really mean? She went on to explain, that we fill our spirit when we read the word of God. When our spirit is full, we react better to life. When something bad, maybe I should say, when life happens and our spirit is full, we have better responses, use kinder words and we act out of love. When life happens, and our spirit is empty, our flesh speaks loudly! These are the times when we say hurtful things, lose our temper or we are just plain grumpy.

Everyday life is draining! I don’t always find it easy to act the way that I know God wants me to act. There are days that my patience dwindles, everything upsets and irritates me. These are the days that I need God the most! These are the times I need to stop whatever I am doing and turn to Him. Often, these are the hardest times to reach out to Him. I think it is possible that I let myself get so empty that there is nothing left. It is scary how quickly our flesh takes over: you don’t really need God. How is that really going to help you? What has He done for you lately?

The longer that I walk with Him and the more I know about Him, the easier it is for me to recognize these “empty times” in myself and even in my kids. I see the signs. Actually, I usually hear the signs before I see them and I have found a few ways to fight back against the darkness that can so easily take over.

Like every household, our morning routine is pretty rushed. I have one child who happily bounces out of bed and another who would love to sleep until about nine a.m. everyday. One or the other eventually gets upset about the toothpaste, the unequal amount of cereal in their bowl or some other great offense. When I hear the voice levels raise, I know it is time to pull out the praise music! I have stopped trying to solve the disputes or argue about who gets what color juice cup. I invite God into our morning. I have a playlist of songs that we all love. They are fast, uplifting and fun! We often “get our praise on” right in the middle of breakfast. Sometimes there is dancing, sometimes there is silliness, but there are always smiles.

Another way that we have found to fill up our spirit is, our praise jar. I got the idea during one of our Tuesday morning Bible Studies. I don’t really remember how the idea came about, but I was trying to think of ways for my little ones to be more conscious of our day and our faithful Lord. I started with a vase. It is one of those simple ones that comes with a flower arrangement that I never know whether to keep or get rid of. I cut up some pieces of colorful paper and put them in a bowl and then put a pen right there. This collection now sits on a shelf in a high traffic area, right in eye sight. It is an open invitation to praise Him. Sometimes it is one word, sometimes it is a name, sometimes it is something we saw outside, sometimes it is when are spirits are full and sometimes it is when our spirits are empty. I have found that when I am empty, I really need to look at what I have. This praise jar reminds me to focus on Him rather than on me. Physically writing it down and focusing on the good snaps me out of the darkness. I am reminded that I am not really as empty as I may feel.

Ezekiel 3:3 Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.

I love this passage. My NIV study Bible says, “ Ezekiel must ingest the Lord’s message... so that it becomes part of his being. The words of God are sweet to the taste.” The more we fill ourselves with the goodness of His word, the sweeter our life will be. The more we praise, the happier we are. The more we spend time with Him, the more like Jesus we become.

I love looking through our praise jar. My kids are just learning to write. There are a lot of papers that say “Mom”, “Dad”,  “God”. There is even one that says “elephants”. But really, what else do we need?

 Hugs,
Lynnette

A DREAM IN SECRET IS "HOPE"

November 15th Reading

What is that thing you're hoping against hope for? That thing you can hardly pray about because it seems to be so out of reach?

But you have prayed. You have dreamed in secret. And you have thought about it a lot. You have wished for it even if you have not been brave enough to tell anybody about it.

HEBREWS 11: 1 " Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

HOPE=Trusting that what is wanted will happen.

God has created each one of us to HOPE, DREAM and DESIRE things!

God is HOPE, He places a "substance" or dream into our heart and then prepares us to see purpose. He encourages us through all His promises to TRIUMPH. God tells us He will do exceedingly, abundantly and beyond all we can think or imagine!

Hebrews chapter 11 is a favorite book of mine because it lists men and women just like you and me that learned to triumph in faith.
These men and women trained in obedience, allowed their character to be refined, desired to be intimate with their savior, understood the hurts and sufferings of others, became more mature in their faith, persevered in trouble and pain..... all because they had HOPE for the future!

HOPE found each character in Hebrews chapter 11.
Sarah, Noah, Enoch and Abraham all where stopped by a friend named HOPE!

HOPE STOPPED them in their tracks and allowed them to dream bigger. Hope told them everything was about to change.
Is God stopping you in your tracks today? Is HOPE trying to be your friend?
Accept the friend request.

HOPE SENT Abraham, Sarah, Noah and Enoch in "NEW" directions with "NEW" purposes.
Hope helped some rise and stand again. Hope helped many to open their eyes to believe in more then seen.

HOPE STRENGTHENED Abraham. Sarah, Noah and Enoch. They all like you and me had struggles.

                                                   HOPE HELPED THEM COPE!

How do you think Noah felt when He was asked to build an ark that could float in a flood? keeping in mind that Noah and all the people never seen rain before? He struggled with fear and I am sure was made fun of by his peers and family. But HOPE helped him COPE!

HOPE STRETCHED Abraham, Sarah, Noah and Enoch. It sent them past their comfort zones and helped them enter the "unknown"
Hope stretched their minds to see truth without a reason.
Hope challenged them and created an opportunity through a disappointment.

How do you think Sarah felt when she conceived and bore a child when she was past the age! Do ya think God stretched her mind for 9 months to believe without reason. God also gave her the strength to handle the challenge.

HOPE SATISFIED Abraham, Sarah, Enoch and Noah. They learned that obedience was trusting with Faith that God had a bigger plan and destiny for their lives.

I relate most with Abraham right now. He was asked to obey when He was called out of his comfort zone to go to a foreign place. He did not see what God had planned, but God said to "GO."
Abraham knew that obedience would always satisfy him, HE KNEW God had the best for His life!

The lives of Abraham, Sarah, Noah and Enoch set an example of faith for us! God desires to satisfy, stretch and strengthen us on our journey. However He does use HOPE to stop us and send us in NEW DIRECTIONS!

Has HOPE found you?

By Faith,