Acts 20 Study - Day 7 "Finish the Race and Complete the Task"

Hello Everyone,

Keep praying for the makeover we discussed on day 6.  Watch for to change you from the inside out.  

Let's begin day 7.

"Finish the Race and Complete the Task"

SCRIPTURE

Acts 20:22-24

New International Version (NIV)

22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

OBSERVATION

There is so much to pull out of these three verses.  We will go over a few points but I encourage you to study on your own and meditate on the word.

1.  Paul says that he was compelled by the spirit to go to Jerusalem.  Back in Acts 20:2, 3 and 19, Paul says that he was being plotted against by the Jews and he was trying to avoid them, so you know it had to be the Holy Spirit that was compelling him to go to Jerusalem because he was not going to go.  Let's take a moment to look at Paul's obedience to God. The very place Paul was trying to avoid going to God said go!  Do we obey God when he wants us to do something we have purposely avoided or feared doing?  Paul's obedience when he doesn't know what will happen to him is amazing to me.  For those of us who are planners at heart, we struggle with not being able to know what is to happen next. (We have to rest in Jeremiah 29:11)

2.  Paul then talks about how the Holy Spirit warns him of what is to come.  (Acts 20:23) The Holy Spirit will warn you as well.  How you ask?  All I can say is that He will and you will defiantly know it is Him.  You must stay plugged into God through prayer and fasting to keep the lines of communication open between you and God.

3.  Knowing full well the dangers before him, Paul said his life is worth nothing as long as he, "may finish the race and complete the task..." (Acts 20:24)  WOW!!! Are we that committed to God and the task that He has given us to do? Regardless of the dangers, ridicules and misunderstandings we have a job to do.  The task Paul had, we still have to this very day, we are to "testify of the gospel of God's grace." (Acts 20:24)

If you are not sure of how to describe grace to someone here is an acronym by the late Pastor Adrian Rogers;

G - gifts

R - received

A - at 

C - Christ 

E - expense 

When we testify of God's grace we are testifying of the gifts of redemption, salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

APPLICATION

We know that all Believers in Jesus Christ have the purpose of sharing the gospel of God's grace.  Also each one of us has an individual task that God created us for.  Ask God to reveal yours to you.    

Look for opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with someone each day. Let them know that if they repent of their sins God will forgive them.  Then they confess that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead. Then they can ask Jesus to come into their hearts to be their Lord and Savior and they will be saved.  Hallelujah!

PRAYER

Dear God our Father, thank You for Your Son Jesus Christ.  Thank You for sending Him to save us through His death, burial and resurrection.  God help us to live for You and witness to others about Your grace.  Help us to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. God, help us to "finish the race and complete the task." (Acts 20:24) In Jesus' Name.  Amen. Thank You God. 

Acts 20 Study - Day Six "How Are You Living"

Happy Day After Christmas Everyone!

It is time for day six of our Acts 20 Study!

"HOW ARE YOU LIVING"

SCRIPTURE
Acts 20:17-21

New International Version (NIV)

17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

OBSERVATION
In this passage of scripture we see that Paul sends for the elders of the church in Ephesus. Paul said, "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you..." (Acts 20:18)  Paul talks about how he served the Lord with great humility and tears even when he was being severely tested by the Jews who were plotting against him.  He also talks about how he did not hesitate to preach anything that would be helpful to them.  Paul declared to everyone that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

Let's breakdown this observation so we can get more out of it.

1.  Paul mentions that everyone knows how he lived. How are you living?  I once heard this said, I just can't remember who said it, "Who you are at home is who you really are." WOW!  Are you living one way at home and another way in public?  Are you messy at home and neat in public?  Are you mean at home and kind in public?  If you are living one way at home and another way in public, ask God to help you to be a person of good character and to posses the fruit of the spirit wherever you are. (Galatians 5:22)  Ask Him to create in you a clean heart and to renew in you a right spirit (Psalm 51:10) in order for you to live right whether in private or in public.

2.  Paul served the Lord with great humility and tears even while he was being tested and plotted against.  Like Paul we have to continue to serve the Lord even with tears in our eyes, when our faith is being tested and when people try to set traps for us. (Notice I said try.  That's all they can do is try because no weapon formed against you shall prosper. (Isaiah 54:17)  

3.  Paul said that he did not hesitate to preach anything that would be helpful to them. When you have something helpful (not gossip) to share with someone please don't keep that to yourself.  Share the information.  If the person receives the information, praise God.  If the person does not receive the information shake the dust off your feet, meaning let it go, you did what you could.  

4.  Paul declared to everyone that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.  We have to do the same thing.  We must declare that people repent of their sins and proclaim faith in Jesus Christ. This is the Great Commission.  We are commissioned to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. 

APPLICATION
Okay I know this is a lot to apply but the application starts out very simply. We are going to get an extreme makeover.  Yes A Makeover!!! We are going to pray to God our Father asking Him for one.


PRAYER
Dear God our Father.  We thank you for all that you are teaching from your Holy Word. We thank you for bringing to our attention all of the areas were we need to be made over.  Father, make us over from the inside out. Help us to possess the fruit of the Spirit at home and in public.  Help us to serve you faithfully regardless of our circumstances and what others try to do to us.  Help us to not hesitate to share helpful information.  Help us to obey the Great Commission, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.  All this we pray in Jesus name, Amen.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Hello and Merry Christmas Everyone,

The Acts 20 Study is on hold until December 26th.  

There is no better time to accept Jesus Christ as your LORD and Savior then today.  Just pray this prayer.

Dear God, I am a sinner.  I please forgive me of all my sins.  Lord, Jesus please come into my heart and save me.  Jesus I believe you are the Son of God.  I believe that God raised you from the dead and that You are alive and in Heaven.  Thank you Jesus for saving me.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen

If you just prayed that prayer your name is now written in the Book of Life in Heaven.  Stay close to God through prayer, reading the Bible and joining a Bible believing church.  

Merry Christmas Everyone!  Happy Birthday Jesus!

Love you so much,

Jamison

Acts 20 Study - Day Five "Travel Arrangements"

Hello Readers,

Did you think about people in your life that you need to run to and put your arms around?  I hope you did.

It's Time For Day Five!

SCRIPTURE

Acts 20:13-16

New International Version (NIV)

Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15 The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus. 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.

OBSERVATION
Paul had made travel arrangements to be in Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost. However on his way he would have to stop in 5 different cities and skip over Ephesus all together in order to make it to his final destination in time for Pentecost.  We all make plans but only God knows how they will be achieved.

Proverbs 16:9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."  

What plans do you have in mind?  What goals do you already have for the new year?  We all have goals that we desire to achieve and we may even have the entire journey mapped out, but God has the ultimate say so about the steps that we take.  That is why we have to remember Proverbs 16:3, "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."  You make the plans, commit (give) them to God (allowing His will to have control) and He will establish it (make it happen).  Do you get that? 

 When we give our plans over to God's will, He can then give us our will!!!

The ONLY way for your plans to come true is to give them away to God. You can't hold onto them!  God needs to know that you put Him first before ALL of the things you have planned.  In Jeremiah 29:11, God tells us that He knows the plans for our lives but many people forget to read the next couple of verse where God says,"Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me... You will seek Me..." Jeremiah 29:12,13  In order to know God's plans for us we have to call upon God, pray to God and seek God.  Then we will know the plans He has for us and then we will be astoundingly surprised by how He includes our plan in His plan.  He created you so the things that you want are spiritually rooted in what He created you for. WOW!!!

APPLICATION
Are you ready to apply what was just observed?  This is the application process that I would like to suggest to you:
1.  Write down your plans.  Be detailed and use only positive words.
2.  Pray to God and tell Him that you are giving over all of those plans to Him for His will to be done. 
3.  Seek God for Him to direct you each day.
4.  Write down what God shows you about His plan for your life and compare it to your plans that you gave to Him.
5.  Then give God crazy praise because of how He merged His plan for you with your plan.

WHEN WE YIELD TO GOD'S WILL, HE CAN THEN MERGE OUR LANES TOGETHER!

PRAYER
Dear God our Father, thank you for giving us thoughts and ideas about our futures.  Thank you for giving us the privilege to give them over to You.  Help us not to be afraid to let Your will be done in our lives.  Help us to yield to Your will and way. Guide us everyday and help us to stay on the right path.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Acts 20 Study - Day Four "He's Alive!"

Hello Readers,

Now that we have gotten the sleep out of our eyes, let's get started on day four of this study!

SCRIPTURE

Acts 20:10-12

New International Version (NIV)

10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

OBSERVATION
The young man Eutychus had died falling out of a window. (Acts 20 study day 3)  Paul, the one Eutychus fell asleep listening to, went down to the young man's body threw himself on the young man, put his arms around him and Paul said, "He's alive".

Who are you running to and putting your arms around?  Are you bringing people back to life?  

Sometimes the very people you are trying to encourage pay you little or no attention. They fall asleep while you are speaking to them but those very people may end up needing you to help them and bring them back to life when they fall on hard times.  Don't be angry with them and ignore their need.  Run to them, put your arms around them, show them loving kindness and you will bring them back to life. 

APPLICATION
Think about the people you come in contact with, family members, friends, co-workers, bosses, church member etc. Who is really going through something right now and could us your arms around them?   How do you bring someone back to life?  First by praying for them.  Jesus Christ intercedes for us by praying to God for us daily.  Hallelujah!  We should follow that example and pray for people daily. 

Secondly, we need to share God's word with them.  You may have a Bible verse that you run to when you are down and need an encouraging word, share it with that person.  It may bless them.  

Lastly, be there for them.  You can send them a daily encouraging text or tweet when you can't see them face to face.  Be consistent in showing them that you care.  One word of caution.  Don't make their problem your problem.  Yes, we weep with those who weep however we cannot become infected with their issue because you will end up hindering them instead of helping them.

PRAYER
Dear God our Father,  thank you for giving us eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Thank you Jesus for daily praying for us.  Help us to be wise in how we help those who are going through hard times.  For those who don't know you Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, touch their hearts and give them a mind to want to be saved.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen

Acts 20 Study - Day Three "Don't Fall Asleep"

Hello Everyone,

I pray the last two days of this Bible study have been a blessing to you and eye opening.

Let's get started on day three!

SCRIPTURE

Acts 20:7-9

New International Version (NIV)

Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas

7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.

OBSERVATION

Paul was visiting in Troas and he knew that he would only be there for a short time so he kept on talking because there was a lot that needed to be shared with the people.  You know what that is like.  A preacher keeps preaching and all you can think of is when will he finish so you can go eat and take a nap. Well, Eutychus was tried of listening to Paul.  It was late at night and the conversation was of no interest to him.  Get this, the Word of God was being spoken to them, the promises of God were being proclaimed and the gospel of Jesus Christ was being shared.  However all of that which Paul may have been sharing with them was not exciting enough to keep Eutychus awake.  The word of God was being spoken but Eutychus slept through it and fell to his death.

How often do we fall asleep when God is trying to get a word to us.  Not just naturally asleep but spiritually asleep.  God is speaking to us through His word, pastors, and teachers who share an encouraging word with us. The "sleep" is not taking the word into our hearts so it can change us, correct us and help us grow.  If we are not growing then we will sleep and fall to our spiritual death like Eutychus.  Sometimes we "sleep" because the word being spoken to us is not what we want to hear.  It might be a word of discipline when we want to be told great things.

Almost 8 years ago I ended a relationship with a handsome, a smooth talker and that's all he was!  I did not want to hear that he was not the one, so I slept and wasted 7 years of life instead of listening to the word that was being told to me.  I had to fall and hit my head to finally wake up. Thank God for His mercy.

We cannot afford to sleep when God speaks.


APPLICATION

Set a time to go to God in prayer and to read His word in order to hear from Him.  Listen to God speak regardless of how long it may take to get the full message.  Stay alert and take in the word that God has for you.  It will help you to grow and become that person God created you to be.

PRAYER

Dear God our Father,  thank you for speaking to us.  Thank you for the Bible that we can read, your spoken word in print.  Father, forgive us for sleeping through the word, sleeping through our prayer time and sleeping when you are calling us to do great things for the Kingdom of Heaven.  Help us to absorb your word like a sponge and stay alert.  In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Study of Acts 20 - Day Two "How Many People Are Traveling With You?"

Hello Everyone,

Hope each of you let your light shine today.  Let's dive into the study!

Acts 20 Study - Day two "Who Are You Traveling With?"

SCRIPTURE

Acts 20:4-6

New International Version (NIV)

4 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

OBSERVATION
At this particular time Paul had seven companions traveling with him.  The question, how many people are traveling with you, came to my mind after counting the number of men who accompanied Paul.  In order for these men to have been selected by Paul to travel with him and help him on the mission field, they needed to have unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, be trustworthy, and fully committed to the Great Commission.

In a discussion I had with a dear sister I mentioned that you can't take a big group of people with you up the mountain.  Since Paul would travel some places by boat, let's imagine that EVERY person you know, literally, traveled with you on a cruise ship.  How chaotic would that trip be?  Not everyone would have the same goal as you do.  Some will want to go site seeing.  Some will only want to eat at the 24 hour buffets and sleep all day.  Some will want to do some of everything. The purpose for the trip, a great vacation, would be lost in the confusion and disagreements.

APPLICATION
Instead of a cruise ship, think about your life as a believer in Jesus Christ and the plan God has for your life. You cannot take everyone with you.  Yes you love them, pray for them and help them but only a select number can travel with you on your life journey.  Those special people need to be like those traveling with Paul. They need to have unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, be trustworthy, and fully committed to the Great Commission.  That group of people will make up your inner circle.

Side Note: For you single Christians, the person you decide to marry needs to be a person who could be in that inner circle.  If they want to sit on the sidelines and not go on this journey with you, you need to pray for them and move on.  You don't want that weight on your shoulders for the rest of your life.

PRAYER
Dear God our Father,  thank you for all you have done for us.  Thank you for making our travel plans, for Jesus being our travel guide and the Holy Ghost your constant companion when others come and go.  Help us to choose the right people to travel with on this Christian journey.  Help us to also do right by them.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Acts 20 Study - Day One "Encouragement"

Hello Shining Lights,

This is day one of our Acts 20 Study.  Let's get started!

SCRIPTURE

Acts 20:1-3

New International Version (NIV)

Through Macedonia and Greece

20 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. ² He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, ³ where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.

^OBSERVATION

^{The keyword for this section of verses is ENCOURAGE!!! Paul encouraged the disciples before leaving them for his journey.  Then as he traveled through the area he spoke, "many words of encouragement to the people".  Who are we encouraging?  Paul was planning a trip but still took time to encourage the disciples.  He was travelling on his way to Greece but did not let the opportunity to encourage many people pass him by.  Then he stayed in Greece for three months and I believe that he was encouraging people even then.  One name for Paul should be "The Encourager"!} 

^APPLICATION

^{Encourage means to give courage, hope and confidence.  You may be going through a very ruff valley in this life journey but that should not stop you from speaking a life giving word to those around you and also to yourself. (That will have to be a separate lesson.) Ask God to give you what to say and how to say it so that the word you give to someone is a life giving and inspiring word.  I cannot tell you how many times I retype or adjust an encouraging text message or tweet to make sure the word sent out is a life giving word and from the LORD.} 

^{Please understand that your encouraging word does not have to be super deep.  Here are some examples of encouraging things to say:}

^{1.  God Love's You!}

^{2.  I Love You!}

^{3.  God is with you.}

^{4.  I am with you.}

^{5.  You were mastered by the Master.}

^{6.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made.}

^{7.  God doesn't make junk so you must be a treasure. (Love that one!)}

^{What is so wonderful about speaking a word of encouragement is that when you do, you hear yourself saying it and thus you encourage yourself and the other person at the same time!!!!! Do you get that?  You absolutely cannot encourage someone without encouraging yourself.  As the words come out of your mouth, they are heard by your ears and the other persons ears.  WOW!!!!!!!  Thank God for revealing that.  HALLELUJAH!!!!  (Yes, I like exclamation points.)}

^PRAYER

^{Dear God our Father,  thank you for your holy and encouraging word.  Father help us to be an encouragement to everyone around us.  Give us wisdom in what we say.  Help us to choose the right life giving words to give each other courage, hope and confidence.  In Jesus' Name. Amen!}

^{Let Your Light Shine!}

^Jamison

^{P.S. God loves you and I love you too!}

Acts 20 Study - Ten Day Study

Hello Readers,

I pray that each one of you is well.  Well physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, relationally and financially.  Hallelujah and Amen!

On December 8th, my pastor, Dr. Lee Ward, preached a great message and asked the members to read Acts chapter 20 on our own.  So on Wednesday of that week it was on my heart to share with you what I have been learning from this eye opening chapter in Acts.  Over the next 10 days we will walk through Acts 20.  As we go through this passage of scripture feel free to share what you are learning and your comments. 

S.O.A.P.
The S.O.A.P. Bible study method is the format that I am using.  It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer.  This is a great study format that you may want to incorporate in your personal Bible study or scripture reading.

Are you ready to embark on the study of Acts 20?  If so let's GO!!!!!

Light you light shine!

Jamison

Are You Ready To Be Blessed?

Hello Everyone,

 A thought hit me on yesterday and I wanted to share it with you. 

Yesterday, I was picking up around my room.  The usual things, hanging up laundry, putting away shoes and picking up my clutter hotspots.  That afternoon, in a conversation with my Mother, she asked me if I needed to give away any clothes.  First, I said no and then it hit me.  Mom has ALWAYS said to clean out your closet before going shopping.  Make room for the new clothes. 

 

 

So later in the day God put something on my heart.  How can He bless us when we will not let go of things that are just taking up space in our hearts? Past relationships, disappointments, past hurts, unforgiveness and other things that we hold onto, keeps God from blessing us in new ways.  We have to let these things go to make room for what God has in store for us.  How can we be ready to receive our blessings if we have issues taking up the space?

 

It is time to clean out our closets, physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally.  Once we do and truly let go, not going to the trash can taking things back, then God will be able to pour down blessings upon us.  POUR DOWN THE BLESSINGS LORD!

 

ARE YOU READY TO BE BLESSED?!?!

 

 

Much Love,

 

Jamison

Where Have I Been?

Hello Everyone,

How are each of you doing?  It seems like FOREVER since I last posted.  For that I am truly sorry.

So where have I been?  I have been going through a valley and now it seems like I am coming out.  Hallelujah!!!!  Guys, I have had a Job experience minus the boils.  Thank God for His mercy.  Amen!

It has really been something.  All the while trying to keep the faith, sanity and a positive attitude and outlook.  Well, let me tell you when faith is all you have, you realize faith is all you need!  (Reread until that sentence sinks in.) 

Faith can really move mountains!  Health mountains, people mountains, marriage mountains, single mountains, child mountains, financial mountains, economic mountains, work mountains etc.  Just that mustard see of faith can change everything!!!

Whatever you are going through keep your faith.  Jesus will see you through. 

Much Love,
Jamison

Early Morning Prayer - A Yielding Planner - Part 2

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to hop back on the blog this morning to first say thank you to all of you who read the post on yesterday.  My prayer is that you were blessed by it.

Secondly, please don't see yesterdays post as me boasting.  If the post came across to you as boasting please, please forgive me.  The intent of the post was only to share my experience in hope that it would help someone else.  Nothing more than that.   I only desire to boast of the Lord for His goodness and mercy.

"My soul shall make her boast in the Lord, the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad."
Psalm 34:12 KJV

"In God we boast all day long and praise thy name for ever. Selah." Psalm 44:8 KJV

I pray that God will bless you all and that daily we may yield to His will.

Much love to you all,

Jamison

Early Morning Prayer - A Yielding Planner

Hello Everyone,

I just have to share with you what happened this morning.  This morning at 3:40 AM my eyes were wide open.  I laid in bed about 5 minutes, waiting to possibly fall back to sleep.  But that was so not going to happen.  So I got up and started praying giving thanks to God for all of His goodness towards my family, my church and my friends.  It was such a great time of worship.  But, God knew that I was not yielding like I should to His will.

 The planner in  me, and my friends can testify to this, lends to a struggle in my yielding EVERYTHING to Him because I want to know the plan.  What is to come first, second and third so that "such and such" can happen.  One particular friend of mine has a hard time handling my planner mentality. But God is helping me.  He made me a planner for a reason.  There is something I am to do for the Kingdom of God and it will require me to help with making the plan for the purpose to be fulfilled.

So, back to the early morning prayer time.  I had to layout face down on the floor and cry out to God to forgive me for my selfishness and being self-centered, for wanting things to go my way.

Sidebar:  For clarity's sake, I have had desires for my life that I have been praying about for many years.  Like what, you ask?  God knows and I am leaving it at that.  But I know that God's plan will come first.  Jeremiah 29:11 goes right there.

"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Alright, back to the early morning prayer.  With what seemed like a down pour of tears raining from my eyes to the carpet I asked God to help me yield to His will.  Let me share something with you.  I, like many of you, have been praying that God's will be done and praying that I yield to Him. But praying to yield to His will means I can't move forward with my plans until His are completed.  (That would preach!)  Just like when you are existing off of a highway or interstate there is a big, yellow, triangle yield sign.  This means that if there are cars coming they have the right of way and you have to wait and let them go by before merging into traffic.  My will has to yield to God's will until His purpose for this season is fulfilled.  Then I can merge in my plans.  WOW!!!  What a revelation that is!!!

Is it scary to yield?  Yes!!!  Non planners please don't think planners aren't saved and don't trust God.  We just like (love) to plan things out to the last detail.  Planners please don't think non planners are lazy.  Some people just don't care for the planning process.  The non planners can help the planner to chill out and the planners can help the non planners get moving.  We all have a role to play in order to achieve God's divine purpose.  We need each other.

I hope this post has helped you but if not it sure helped me to write it.

So are you a planner or a non planner?  I would love to hear your story of how God is helping you in this area.

May God bless and keep you all!

Much Love,
Jamison (Your planning Sister)

The Lord is Close

Hello Everyone,

I am so sorry the I allowed February to go by without one post.  So I am wanting to start March off on the right foot.

For the month of March the memory verse comes from the book of Psalms.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." 
Psalm 34:18 NIV

So many people are brokenhearted and crushed in spirit.  Maybe you feel like that right now.  But what is so amazing about this verse, written thousands of years ago by the psalmist David, are the first four (4) words, "The Lord is close...".

My dear friend the Lord is close.  He has not left you alone.  He has not forgotten that you are there.  He knew everything that would happen to you before you were even born.  He knows what is going to happen to you tomorrow, next week, next year and 20 years from now.  Our Heavenly Father is close to us.  Nothing is a surprise to Him.

You may fill weak right now but He will be your strength.  You maybe be crying right now but He is bottling up your tears.  You maybe be feeling completely alone right now but He already said in His Word that He is close to you.

I know how it feels to get news your were not expecting.  It feels like the breath was just knocked out of you.  Your heart begins to race and your stomach begins to churn and your eyes begin to feel the burn of tears welling up in your eyes.  Dear Ones, the Lord is close.  He is close.  He Is Close.  HE IS CLOSE!!!

Father,  I come to You now thanking You for being close to the brokenhearted and those crushed in spirit.  Thank You Father for being our strength and for bottling our tears.  Thank You for giving us love when we feel all love is gone.  Thank You for giving us courage to face another day.  Thank you for peace and calm in the middle of our life storms.  Most of all thank You for Jesus, who died and rose again for us all.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I pray.  Amen.

PS. Thank you Chaquita!

All Things New!!!

"Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: behold old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Happy New Year!!!

Before I go any further in this post let me ask you a question.  Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?  What better way to start 2013 then by asking Jesus Christ into your heart at this very moment.  You can simply say this prayer.

"Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son.  I believe He died on the cross for my sins.  I repent of my sins, and ask you to forgive me.  I believe You raised Jesus from the dead, and I receive Him now as my personal Lord and Savior.  Thank you that my name is now written in the Lambs Book of Life, and I know that when I die, I will be with you in Heaven for all eternity. In Jesus name I pray.  Amen"

If you just prayed this pray we believe you are saved.   You are now my brother or sister in Jesus Christ.  Here are a few steps for you to get closer to God as a new believer in Jesus Christ.

Get baptized as commanded by Jesus Christ.

Tell someone else about your new faith in Jesus Christ.

Spend time with God each day through daily prayer and reading the Bible.

Seek fellowship and friendships with other followers of Jesus Christ.

Find a Bible believing church to attend regularly.

Wow!  There is no better way to start 2013 then as a new believer in Jesus Christ.  Praise God!  Can you believe that we are now in 2013?  Where did the time go?  The beginning of a new year is a special time.  You start the new year with a blank page ready to be written on.  What will your 2013 story consist of.  Maybe God put on your heart a task to do in 2012 (or 2011) that you have been waiting or hesitating to start.  What better time then now to get started!

My advice to you (and to myself) is to ask God what does He want you to do this year and then follow His leading.  Proverbs tells us to commit our plans to the Lord.  Yes we can make plans for this new year but we must commit them to God so that ultimately His will is done. 

May God bless you this year.  And may those blessings be exceedingly and abundantly more then you could ever ask or think.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen. 

Much Love,

Jamison