Welcome!  Blessings!

I apologize for not posting yesterday.  Because I knew I would have to attend an orientation for the prison ministry, I started my day earlier than usual in hopes that it would afford me time to blog.  Despite all that planning, my day was so busy that I didn’t get the chance.  But I’m glad we are visiting today in the presence of the Lord (I always ask Him to meet us here)!  Perhaps you were able to go back and read some of the former days (lots of good stuff—I read it myself!).  Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement.

Most people who read the account of Daniel in the lions’ den would say that King Darius was full of doubt and fear.  But the king also had faith!  As he sent Daniel into the den of lions, he spoke words of faith, “Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee.” (See verse 16)  He wasn’t just speaking words of cheer in an attempt to make Daniel feel better (and because of Daniel’s faith, he didn’t make the king feel bad).  It was no time for motivational speaking or positive thinking; it was time for believing God.

Even though the king had a restless night, no one in his right mind would rise up early to go ask a dead man a question…and then expect him to answer!  And he asked Daniel the same words, almost verbatim, that he said when he first started confessing faith in God.  Faith in God is consistent and adds steadfastness.  Because King Darius didn't know God, his faith was not perfected—he only knew of God through Daniel.  But if he didn't have faith, when morning came, he would have thought to himself, "Well, Daniel's dead and gone by now!  There's nothing I can do.  I guess I'll catch up on some of the rest I missed."  Or if he woke early because he couldn’t sleep, he would have taken his time getting up as he dreaded what horrific sights awaited him.  But his faith was so great, that he didn't even oversleep or spend time grooming himself; he rose up early with great expectation!  What about us?

Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.  And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?  Daniel 6:19&20

Daniel had a lot of faith; he had some faith to spare:

The king received through Daniel, faith that would exceed his fear.

Daniel had a peaceful rest, while in the lion's den;

But the king was restless, though inside a palace, then—

Called out to Daniel early, with a voice of fear and dread;

But he'd have never yelled a word to one he thought was dead.

He asked in faith believing, "Was this God you're faithful to;

Also great in faithfulness to come deliver you?"

Then Daniel said, "The God I serve is faithful every day!

And that's the reason I can serve Him always, come what may."

Be Uniquely Encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  Blessings!

I would be remiss to not prayerfully remember those whose lives were taken on this date six years ago.  The mother-in-law of a co-worker was killed while working at the Pentagon.  The loss is greater and the pain much deeper when it’s that personal.  Also, my heart and prayers also go out for those who are harmed or die tragically in attacks every day.  Violence is rampant in the land.  And the broken hearts of those who lose loved ones to isolated incidents of violence bleed just the same as if it was part of a mass number.  So often if it doesn’t make big news, the survivors are left to cry alone.  Then again, when it does make headlines, there are many who get lost in the crowd and still feel unseen and uncomforted.  Thank God that Jesus sees and Jesus knows!  May His healing peace and saving grace be received as He pours it forth upon this entire world.  Amen

Who can look at death and see life; who can look at sickness and see health; who can look at a problem and see a solution; who can look at a dire need and see provision; who can look at despair and see hope?  The one who sees Jesus for all He is in all there is!

When we hear the call and feel the need to pray, it is Jesus taking us away from the cares of this life, calling us from our cumbersome tasks and bringing us into Himself.  It’s where the longing of the heart melts away in fulfillment and yet intensifies at the same time.  Get carried away to His secret place and caught up in His presence.  Look up and live!

…He took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.  And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering...they saw His glory.  Luke 9:28; 29&32

Regardless of the length of time, I want to stay in prayer;

Until I see You, Lord, in ways of which I’m not aware.

I want to have a prayer-life that transcends to higher heights;

And have a clearer view of You on which to set my sights.

I want to see You plainly in my times of grief and pain;

In ways too wonderful for me to possibly explain.

I want to see You in Your power although it may seem—

That it’s too overwhelming to be more than just a dream.

I want to see Your countenance in all that I go through;

And see my countenance transfigured to be more like You.

I want to see You so I don’t return the way I came;

So that I’ll never be or ever look at things the same.

I want to see You there with me in every thing I face;

And see how good it is to spend time in Your secret place.

Mine eyes have seen Your glory but I want to see You more;

Please let me see You in my life like I’ve not seen before.

I'll gladly give all that I am and place my life before Thee;

To just be in Your presence, seek Your face and see Your glory!

Be Rapturously Encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  Blessings!

There’s a song that says, “I need to be still and let God love me.”  And the second verse of the song says, “I need to relax and let God take over!”  With that said, you now know one of my greatest needs for today!  But no matter what, I’m not discouraged because my God shall supply all my need!  Yours, too!

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia.  After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia:  but the Spirit suffered them not.  Acts 16:6&7

When God's command to be still is obeyed,

Though we may not know what’s the reason;

We’re doing more then to accomplish His will,

Though it seems like an inactive season.

So often in ministry, we're called aside,

And it looks as if somewhere we've failed;

But God is just wanting to counsel and guide

As our next steps ahead are unveiled.

Be Solidly Encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  Blessings!

We are instruments, God’s instruments.  Any musician or anyone who has observed a musician knows that an instrument is a lifeless and basically worthless object until it is used of that person.  The musician is the very life of the instrument.  The horn must be fingered and have breath blown into it.  A piano or a stringed instrument must have hands manipulating it and it must be in tune.  The beauty of the instrument can only be brought out by a skillful musician and the potential of the instrument can only be realized by one who has mastered it.

No instrument plays music that is suitable to its own liking.  Rather, it plays whatever is the style and desire of the musician.  Any life that is an instrument in God’s hands is one of pure worship.

We must lay our lives before God as a living sacrifice, yielding ourselves as instruments of righteousness unto God, to only be in operation when operated by Him.

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin:  but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Romans 6:13

Surrender yourself to Jesus Christ and in all you do

Allow His very life to be exemplified through you.

Submit yourself with absoluteness to His perfect ways;

And let Him fix your heart so that it steadfastly obeys.

Choose to let Him rule your life to where it seems to be

As if you have no other choice than His authority.

And let His life be lived through you without the least resistance—

To the extent that without Him, you would have no existence.

Just like a mastered instrument, lay down your life and yield

To how He moves and handles you to live as He has willed.

Present your life unto Him like someone succumbed to death;

And let His being only be what gives you life and breath.

I am crucified with Christ:  nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.  Galatians 2:20

I beseech you therefore, brethern, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  Romans 12:1&2

For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring.  Acts 17:28

Be Willfully Encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  Blessings!

God is so good!  Normally I would be in jail at this time (conducting bible study) but the jail is completely locked down.  Today was a very challenging day but I refused to be defeated.  I had planned to post as soon as I got out of jail (from having bible study), which would have been so late that I may not have followed through with it.  But God removed all opportunities for me to ‘faint’ in the least.  And what would be the topic for today?  Stay tuned & see… (In other words, please continue reading).

When we faint, it’s not that we have stopped all activity completely, but it’s that we have turn our attention and put our efforts into things that are unproductive and counterproductive.  It’s not that we’ve become weak, but it’s that we use our strengths to do the wrong things.  It’s not that we’ve been subdued but it’s that we beat our own selves down.

The firm and unshakable belief that we shall see the goodness of the Lord is the only thing that will cause us to 'pray and not faint' when discouragement comes.  When we encourage ourselves with that truth, we will sing instead of sigh.  There's nothing like the Word that is the smelling salts for our spiritual fainting spells—I guess?  Don’t let your courage dim or fade; let your faith be ever colorful!  Let all other things pale in comparison to your confidence in the Lord and strong resolve to serve Him.  Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.  Wait on the LORD:  be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart:  wait, I say, on the LORD.  Psalm 27:13&14

I would have given up but I believed that I would see,

All the good the God, who cannot lie, had promised me.

I would have turned around from feeling empty and downhearted;

But that would put me even further back than where I started.

Sometimes I would lose hope but deep inside my heart, I know—

Hope doesn’t just get lost:  I have to willingly let go.

I would have lost my strength, but then to do so, it would still

Require taking measures where I’d exercise my will.

So, why not put the resources God gave me to good use:

If they’ll be spent regardless to which way that I shall choose?

And there at every point where I’d have fainted is just when—

The Lord reminds me that I’m closer than I’ve ever been.

So, when my view is blocked, I won’t look down, but up to see—

The goodness God’s prepared here in this life awaiting me.

Oh how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men!  Psalm 31:19

Be Colorfully Encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  Blessings!

The spirit of Herod is rampant among us.  It’s spirit of deceit and destruction born out of jealousy and intimidation.  Some people stick close by you because they’re afraid you’re going to take their place.  They only help you in order to be in the position to inhibit you and sabotage your success.  They are afraid of what you may accomplish even though it has nothing to do with them.

Everyone who comes around you and gathers about you is not for you.  The spirit of Herod would lead you to believe otherwise.  Herod claimed that his purpose and passion was one in the same.  He had others convinced that he would even go to lengths to pour his adoration upon the newborn King.  All the while, he was concealing a murderous rage that would spare none, not even helpless infants or defenseless toddlers.  It was only through the Spirit of God that Herod’s hypocrisy was revealed.

There are people who pose as those who seek to worship Jesus the Christ but they only seek to destroy and eliminate any trace of Him and the works that He did.  They seek to destroy the Christ in you and the greater works that He said you would so.  Lord, help us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves!

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young Child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word:  for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.  Matthew 2:13

There are people seeking Christ but only to undo,

And obfuscate the many things believers know are true.

Many people seek for Christ but not for a rebirth;

They’re seeking to obliterate His name out of the earth.

People seek for Jesus Christ but it’s not for salvation;

They’re pursuing ways to pull off His annihilation.

Daily people seek His life and they’re the people who

Would try to kill the Christ Who is alive and dwells in you.

Be Wisely Encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  Blessings!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!  I request prayer as I do my Christmas card for this year.  Years ago, I would make my own Christmas card but I allowed the pressures of life to consume me & my time and regrettably, I let a lot of people down.  Many people would look forward to my card each year and I still get many inquiries about them.  I don’t want to fall short this year but instead, I want to get a running start to a strong comeback.  Thanks so much!

A few years ago, I attended a graduation of Teen Challenge.  One of the graduates sang a song that he had composed that said that the Lord is God all night long.  While we’re awaiting, anticipating and longing for the joy that comes in the morning, God is there to give us joy during.

And the LORD appeared unto him Isaac the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father:  fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for My servant Abraham's sake.  Genesis 26:24

When night falls, it seems our dreams all turn into a longing gaze;

As we attempt to look beyond and wish for light and better days.

But as we look beyond the night, we have the tendency to miss

The Lord, who is a very present help for such a time as this.

And God, who’s Lord of better days yet also reigns supreme at night—

Has shone and shown up at that time to let us know that it’s all right.

Be Uncontrollably Encouraged!

Pam