Imagine God Answering Your Prayer

“NOW unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory… Ephesians 3:20-21

This is one of my favorite scriptures, ‘above all that we ask or think’. That burden you’ve been praying about, to borrow a phrase from a friend, “How Can You Imagine God Answering Your Prayer?” What is the most extreme your mind can think? What would the answer look like in “a perfect world”?

One scripture says ‘His thoughts are not our thoughts ‘ to me that means that whatever I could imagine is so much less than what God has in mind.

There is no other such piling up of words in Paul’s writings as these, “exceeding abundantly above all,” and each work is packed with infinite love and power to “do” for His praying saints. There is one limitation, “according to the power that worketh in us.” He will do just as much for us as we let Him do in us. The power that saved us, washed us with His own blood, filled us with might by His Spirit, kept us in manifold temptations, will work for us, meeting every emergency,every crisis, every circumstance, and every adversary.—The Alliance

“Unto Him be the glory…”

Published in: on May 26, 2017 at 3:54 am  Leave a Comment  
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What’s In A Name?

What’s in a Name?

“And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah.” (Ezra 10:26 KJV)

This verse is buried twenty-six lines deep in the midst of a long list of laborious names. Very few people would even bother reading it. I guess I’m one of those few. You can see that seven names are listed; a father and his six sons. However, nothing is said about them — who they were, what they did, how their lives mattered. Nothing. Just their names. But names are important. A name defines you, and a good name is to be desired above great riches.
So I did a curious thing with this verse of scripture. Using the Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary, the Easton Bible Dictionary, and the Hitchcock Bible Names Dictionary, I looked up the meaning of each of these names and what I uncovered is worthy of your consideration.

Elam — a secret hidden by distance in the highlands
Mattaniah — the gift of hope from the Lord; the hope laid up in heaven
Zechariah — The renowned Lord has remembered
Jehiel — God’s life will be seen in me
Abdi — serviceable, servant of the Lord
Jeremoth — elevations; uplifted beyond the fear of death
Eliah — The Mighty God, the Lord who works in wonder and power

Putting the meaning of these several names together in one continuous thought produced the following treasure:

“There was a secret hidden in the heavens, far away from the sight of man. It was a gift of hope, laid up in heaven for us by the Lord. At the perfect moment, in the fullness of time, the Lord remembered the gift and brought it forth for us to have and to behold. Because of this His name is now renowned throughout the whole earth. His life has now been made manifest in and through us, making us useful unto every good word and work, and lifting us far above the power of sin and death. He is the mighty God, who works wonders of love by His great power.”

Next time your whizzing through the Bible on your way to a place called Hurry Up and Get Here, take a break. Slow down and read with an inquisitive mind, a curious soul, and an investigative hunger. You might just stumble upon a buried treasure or two. James Ryle

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Published in: on May 23, 2017 at 4:45 am  Leave a Comment  
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Sunday Bible Reading – For Our Good Always

Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
And these words, which I command thee this day,
shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children,
and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house,
and when thou walkest by the way,
and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Deuteronomy 6:20-25
And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying,
What mean the testimonies,
and the statutes,
and the judgments,
which the LORD our God hath commanded you?
Then thou shalt say unto thy son,
We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt ;
and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand:
And the LORD shewed signs and wonders, great and sore,
upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household,
before our eyes:
And he brought us out from thence,
that he might bring us in,
to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers.
And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes,
to fear the LORD our God,

for our good always,

that he might preserve us alive,
as it is at this day.
And it shall be our righteousness,
if we observe to do all these commandments
before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

Published in: on May 21, 2017 at 3:20 am  Leave a Comment  
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“fearfully and wonderfully made”


Psalms 139:14
I will praise thee;
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

How would you answer this multiple-choice question?

  • a coincidental collision of particles.
  • an accidental evolution of molecules.
  • soulless flotsam in the universe,
  • “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Don’t dull your life by missing this point:
You are more than statistical chance,
more than a marriage of heredity and society,
more than a confluence of inherited chromosomes
and childhood trauma.
More than a walking weather vane whipped about
by the cold winds of fate.
Thanks to God you have been
“sculpted from nothing into something”
(Psalms 139:15MSG)
Cure for the Common Life, Max Lucado

Psalms 139:15-18
My substance was not hid from thee,
when I was made in secret,
and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;
and in thy book all my members were written,
which in continuance were fashioned,
when as yet there was none of them.
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!
how great is the sum of them!
If I should count them,
they are more in number than the sand:
when I awake,
I am still with thee.

Published in: on May 18, 2017 at 4:32 am  Leave a Comment  
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This Thing is From Me

I think this is my favorite devotion in this book.

This Thing is from Me
February 1, Streams in the Desert

Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD. 1 Kings 12:24

My child, I have a message for you today; let me whisper it in your ear, that it may gild with glory any storm clouds which may arise , and smooth the rough places upon which you may have to tread. It is short, only five words, but let them sink into your inmost soul; use them as a pillow upon which to rest your weary head. This thing is from ME.

Have you ever thought of it, that all that concerns you concerns Me too? For, “he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye” (Zech.2:8).You are very precious in my sight (Isaiah 43:4). Therefore, it is My special delight to educate you.

I would have you learn when temptations assail you, and the “enemy comes in like a flood,” that this thing is from Me, that your weakness needs My might, and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you.

Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not under-stand you, who never consult your taste, who put you in the background? This thing is from Me. I am the God of circumstances, Thou camest not to thy place by accident, it is the very place God meant for thee.

Have you not asked to be made humble? See then, I have placed you in the very school where this lesson is taught; your surroundings and companions are working out My will.

Are you in money difficulties? Is it hard to make both ends meet? This thing is from Me, for I am your purse-bearer and would have you draw from and depend upon Me. My supplies are limitless (Philippians 4:19). I would have you prove My promises. Let it not be said of you, “In this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 1:32).

Are you passing through a night of sorrow? This thing is from Me. I am the Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief. I have let earthly comforters fail you, that by turning to Me you may obtain everlasting consolation (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). Have you longed to do some great work for Me and instead have been laid aside on a bed of pain and weakness? This thing is from Me. I could not get your attention in your busy days and I want to teach you some of My deepest lessons. “They also serve who only stand and wait,” Some of My greatest workers are those shut of from active service, that they may learn to wield the weapon of all-prayer.

This day I place in your hand this pot of holy oil.
Make use of it free, My child,
Let every circumstance that arises,
every word that pains you,
every interruption that would make you impatient,
every revelation of your weakness be anointed with it.
The sting will do as you learn to see Me in all things.
Laura A. Barter Snow

I love the thought of anointing all situations in my life with His holy oil, consecrating them to His use through me. I’m not too good at this; often I get too involved to stop, step back and ask for God’s grace and strength, but I’ll continue to try. Maybe a little oil can on my desk would be a good reminder.

Published in: on May 16, 2017 at 6:32 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day to my Mother
You are my example of a good Mother, thank you.

Hymn to a Good Wife

A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
“Many women have done wonderful things,
but you’ve outclassed them all!”
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!
~~~~Proverbs 31:10-31 ~~~~the Message

Joe, Dad, MOM, Casey, Clif, Patrick, and Leslie,me.

Published in: on May 14, 2017 at 3:59 am  Leave a Comment  
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‘Just Do It’

“I have a habit of procrastination.”
They say (who ever they are)
that confession is good for the soul,
but I guess all of you didn’t really need to know that.
Anyway, I hope I can remember something of this reading
and ‘just do it’ instead waiting to get ‘a round to it.’

‘No unwelcome tasks become any the less unwelcome
by putting them off till to-morrow.
It is only when they are behind us and done,
that we begin to find that
there is a sweetness to be tasted afterwards,
and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties
unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant.
Accomplished, they are full of blessing,
and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us.
Undone, they stand threatening and disturbing our tranquility,
and hindering our communion with God.
If there be lying before you may bit of work from which you shrink,
go straight up to it, and do it at once.
The only way to get rid of it is to do it.
Alexander Maclaren

Sister Sandy Coleman once brought a lesson on undone chores
as a string of onions hanging around our neck.
How good it is to get rid of that string onion by onion.

She hath done what she could: Mark 14:8

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1Corinthians 10:31

Published in: on May 12, 2017 at 3:29 am  Leave a Comment  
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God, That Cannot Lie

Jeremiah 33:25-26
Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant be not with day and night,
and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth;
Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant . . .

Titus 1:2
In hope of eternal life,
which God, that cannot lie,
promised before the world began;

Planet Convergence March 25, 2012

Mark your calendar now
if you want to see the next celestial convergence
of Venus, Jupiter, and the moon.
On November 18, 2052, you’ll be able to peer
through the evening darkness
as those solar system neighbors “gather”
in a tiny area of the sky.
That remarkable juxtaposition of reflective spheres
last sparkled the night sky on December 1, 2008,
and it will happen again 4 decades from now.

This predictability,
as well as things such as eclipses
and the return of Halley’s Comet (July 28, 2061),
prove the orderliness of the universe.
If no fixed set of laws governed the movement
of everything in the universe,
such predictions could not be made.

Are these set rules more than random standards?
Can we see God’s hand in these celestial certainties?
Look at Jeremiah 33:25-26.
God has in view the covenantal relationship
between Himself and His people,
and He uses a scientific fact in the analogy.
In effect, God says that His fixed universal laws,
“the ordinances of heaven and earth,”
have the same certainty
as His promises to His covenant people.

God’s laws have governed the universe since its creation—
and continue to do so with astounding predictability.
So mark your calendar,
and be amazed by God’s unchanging control.  — Dave Branon”

Wherein God,
willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs
of promise the immutability of his counsel,
confirmed it by an oath:
That by two immutable things,
in which it was impossible for God to lie,
we might have a strong consolation,
who have fled for refuge to lay hold
upon the hope set before us:
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul,
both sure and stedfast, . . . Hebrews 6:17-19

Published in: on May 10, 2017 at 3:04 am  Leave a Comment  
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#The 100 Days Project

#The100DayProject update

My 100 days started on April 10.
April 10 I was on row 46.

29 days have passed.
I missed 2 days of crocheting on Rings of Change.

I am now on row 63, seeing progress!

20170508_171801

Rings just gets prettier and prettier.

Published in: on May 9, 2017 at 4:00 am  Comments (2)  

April 350 Block Project

‘. . .our new goal for April, which is 29 blocks,
for a year-to-date total of 103 by the end of April.’ – Prairie Moon Quilts

My totals at the beginning of April,
January 33 + February 34 + March 22 = 89 blocks!

Life and trying to do ‘something'(a crochet project started in 2015),
for 100 days straight ate into my fun time.

I completed 12 scrappy, happy 30’s blocks in April.

I almost made it!
January 33 + February 34 + March 22 + April 12 = 101!
I’ll accept a pat on the back.


I don’t even have a new picture.
I love the way these blocks look.

Our new goal for May is to make 46 blocks for a year-to-date total of 149.
Not sure how many I’ll get done,
because we’re leaving Thursday,
on our 2nd cross-country road trip,
We live in Sacramento, CA area.

Published in: on May 8, 2017 at 5:08 pm  Comments (1)  
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God Is What He Is

. . . Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel,
I AM hath sent me unto you.
Exodus 3:14b

Do you know anyone who goes around saying, “I am”?
Neither do I.
When we say “I am,”
we always add another word,
“I am happy.”
“I am sad.”
“I am strong.”
“I am Max.”
God however starkly states, “I AM”
and adds nothing else.

“You are what?”
we want to ask.
“I AM,” he replies.
God needs no descriptive word
because He never changes.
God is what He is.
He is what He has always been.
His immutability motivated
the psalmist to declare,
“But thou are the same” Psalm 102:27
the writer is saying,
“You are the One who is.
You never change.”
. . . . Traveling light, Max Lucado

Published in: on May 8, 2017 at 2:46 am  Leave a Comment  
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