Serving God Regardless...

What an awesome Western District Ladies Conference we had this year. The speakers, Sis. Donna Linville and Sis. Debbie Saiz, were absolutely phenomenal. These ladies were ANOINTED! Let me tell you, my soul has been blessed. The music, now that is another thing that was Divine. The singers and musicians were definitely in the will of God. Sis. Hurst and her group sang under the power of the Holy Ghost. The brunch on Saturday was delicious and the entertainment was great. I laughed so much through out this entire conference. If you were able to go and didn't, then you cheated yourself out of one blessing after another.

I attended this conference this year with a continual migraine. I believed God for a miracle at every service. I just knew I was going to receive my healing. Yet, it never came. I would wake up in the middle of the night with excruciating pain and have to take meds and pray, pray, pray for relief. At times in the middle of service I would feel as though I was going to pass out and have to sit down or grab a hold of the seat in front of me.

On Saturday morning I told my sister that I just didn't understand why I didn't receive my healing because I went with a believing heart that I would. Right away the devil jumped on me and began to whisper discouraging things in my ear. We went to the brunch and Sis Andrea Arcovio sat at my table and she began to talk to my sister and I. As she began to talk she told us of a baby that had died in Africa and as they were preparing to bury the child, a preacher asked them if they had prayed the will of God for the child and they said no. So he prayed and the child came back to life and everyone began to rejoice. Then again, there was another child that had died and he asked them if they had prayed the will of God for the child and they said no. So he prayed for the will of God for the child but this child did not come back to life. So it was the will of God for this child to be buried.

She went on to tell of of a lady who had no nose and she had a dream that God spoke to her, telling her that He was going to give her a new nose. So she went about telling everyone, "See my new nose", yet there was no nose. She was causing such an uproar in her village that her pastor decided he must talk to her. As he was talking to her and telling her that she didn't have a nose, she was telling him that God told her He was going to give her a new nose, and right before his eyes she grew a nose. Sis. Arcovio brought it to my attention that I need to seek the will of God for my life in ALL things. Even concerning my healing. Even Paul had an affliction that he never received his healing from. Also, just because I didn't get my healing at conference, maybe it just wasn't in His time. Just like the lady who was going around saying "See my new nose?" yet, there was no nose. But when the time was right she received her nose.

So,like Paul, if it is the will of God for me to carry this affliction in my body or if it is not yet time for my healing I don't have the answer to that. All I know is that Romans 8:28 says "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." So, I only have one thing to say to your discouraging words that you whispered in my ear Satan, I am not careful to answer you in this matter oh king of this world. For I know that my God is well able to heal me. BUT, if He doesn't I will still serve Him with all my heart, might, mind, soul, and strength. He's my best friend and always there when I call. He has done me nothing but good.

Cell Phone VS. Bible

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones?

What if we carried our Bible around in our purse or pocket like we do our cell phone?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to our kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled for directions?

What if we used it is case of an emergency?

This is something to make you go....Hmmmmm.....where IS my Bible?

And unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

Knock knock! I knocked on heaven's door this morning. God smiled and answered, 'Request granted.'

Thanks for sending this to me sissy. Definitely Good Food For Thought. Makes you stop and search your heart to make sure your priorities ARE in the right place. I love you!

My Soul Has Been Blessed

Sunday's services were absolutely spectacular. Bryce, thank you for being an instrument used of God. This young man just sets himself aside and lets God have HIS way and for that I am thankful. One thing I can honestly say about Bryce Allard is that when he steps into the place of leading in praise and worship, he does it with his whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. This young man holds nothing back when it comes to worshipping God. He is an inspiration to me and he blesses my soul.

The songs of praise opened up the windows of heaven and my soul and I began to worship my God. My soul was so thirsty and hungry for the touch of my Master's hand. I just wanted to bask in His presence. That's all I wanted to do. That was my main purpose of going to service on Sunday, to sit at His feet and love Him. I didn't want to ask him for anything, I just wanted to love my God and feel Him near. I wanted to feel His hand holding mine. I wanted to lay my head upon His shoulder and dance with Him in the spirit for He is the lover of my soul. I know that when I am in His arms that everything is alright. He has everything under control. I love Him so.

Tabitha Popoy, girl you were awesome! Continue letting God use you like He is doing. Continue to yield to His spirit like you are and there is no telling what heights He will take you to. I have been so blessed the last three times you have signed. It has been because of the spirit that you have done it in. Total surrender unto God!!! Keep that humble spirit and you will be blessed. I love you. You are a Jewel Divine.

How Do They Do It?

This coming Sunday will be three weeks that I have missed service. How do people survive without attending the House of God on a regular basis? My soul is literally starving for the PREACHED WORD of God! My girls have shared with me the messages that their pastor's preached and I have eaten it up as they talked.

My youngest daughter lives in another town, therefore attends a different church. When she would call or come to see me in the hospital she would share the church services with me, knowing how much I was missing church. My oldest daughter attends the same church I go to and she would come home or into the hospital room and say "Oh mom, pastor preached another awesome message." Then she would share it with me. I sit here and cry because it does my heart so good to see where my girls have come from and how far they have grown in the Lord.

As I would lay there and listen to them and watch them as they spoke about the message and see their eyes light up about the word they heard, it did my heart so good. My cup runneth over with joy to see them so in love with God and His Word. Just the way they spoke with such emotion about the message they heard makes me know they are really getting it deep in their hearts.

I went into the hospital on Feb. 3 for a simple gallbladder removal. The surgery went well. Two days later I began to have complications breathing. I went to the ER and was put on meds for 5 days and didn't get any better. I went back to the surgeon for my post op follow-up and he said everything concerning the surgery was great but my lungs sounded horrible so he admitted me to the hospital. I had bronchial pneumonia.

I spent a lovely 6 days in the hospital. The first 5 nights I had the room to myself so it wasn't to bad. The last night there I received a roommate. Was she ever a winner! She came in from dog bites. She was praying for her dog and trying to bless it and I guess the dog did not want to be blessed because it attacked her viciously and really did a number on her. She spent most of the night talking and yelling at people who were not even in the room. She literally carried on conversations with these so called individuals. Yep, I wanted out of there like quick. Then at one point she came over to me and proceeded to tell me that she was going to lay hands on me and bless me. This was right after she had had a fight with someone who was not even in the room. I politely told her "No thank you, I have already been prayed for and My God had heard those prayers. But God bless you anyway." She then began to tell me that she knew me and who I was. That she knew my eyes. I just said, "Oh really? That's nice" Yes, I was really glad the doctor let me go home because I didn't want to continue on in that room that's for sure. I could tell you more but it would probably make your toenails curl. I don't know if it was the meds by I.V. that finally made me well or if that lady literally scared the sickness out of me but I am finally home now and doing much better. LOL!!! No, really it was the Hand of God that came down and touched me and I am so thankful to finally be home and on the mend once again. I am sooooooo looking forward to Sunday when I can once again attend the House of God.

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." Psalm 100:4

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." Psalm Psalm 23:6

"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." Psalm 122:1

Be Happy

Nehemiah 8:10; "...for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Whatever Your Situation - Don't Lose Your Praise

This past Tuesday, I went in for surgery. While I was waiting to be taken in, Kellie, my youngest daughter, was with me and we were talking and she pulled her bible out of her purse and began to read Psalm 4:8; "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety." When she read that verse to me, I had such a peace come over me. I began to relax and all my anxiety slipped away. I even turned over and took a nap as I waited for my turn to come for surgery. When they came for me and took me into the surgery room I felt no anxiety at all. Next thing I knew I was in recovery and feeling PAIN! Praise God I was still alive and kicking. LOL!

I spent the next three days at Kellie's when I got out of the hospital because everyone around my house is sick. Kellie shared a song with me and this testimony. She said, "Mom, you know there is one thing you have taught me that I am thankful for. Never lose your praise! No matter how hard the path you travel or whatever the battle you are fighting, DON"T EVER QUIT PRAISING GOD. That is where you will find your strength to carry on." She went on to tell me that when she had left the church and strayed from God, that the one thing she never quit doing was praising God. She told me that she continued to give God the praise for the things that He did for her and provided for her in her life. Kellie believes that is the reason she is back in church today. I know from talking to Kerrie, my other daughter, that she too, gave God praise for the things that He did in her life as well, when she had strayed from God.

This conversation made me think of the scripture in the bible, "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." Psalm 150:6 The key words here are EVERYTHING that hath breath. It doesn't matter whether you are serving God or not. If you have breath then you need to Praise the Lord. He has done mighty things in your life and He deserves your praise. If you are serving God then so much the more because He has delivered you from a world of sin. We, each and everyone of us need to praise the Lord everyday of our lives. In the good times and the bad.

I know there have been times that I have heard people say, "Why do they have their hands lifted? What are they praising God for? They don't live right!" Next time you hear someone make that remark, remind them of this scripture, "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." Psalm 150:6. I like that word "LET".

The following is the song my daughter shared with me. Scroll down and click on where it says POP-OUT PLAYER. When that opens up, then hit the play button and listen to the song. You can minimize the screen and scroll down and read the words along with the song if you want too. I just thank God that I can be blessed by my children. It really touches my heart so. For that, I praise God.

I Never Lost My Praise by Tramaine Hawkins

I've lost some good friends along life's way
Some loved ones departed in heaven to stay
But thank God I didn't lose everything
I've lost faith in people who said they cared
In time of my crisis they were never there
But in my disappointment, in my season of pain
One thing never wavered, one thing never changed

I never lost my hope,
I never lost my joy
I never lost my faith
But most of all, I never lost my praise

My praise still here,
My praise still here

I've let some blessings slip away
When I lost my focus and went astray
But thank God I didn't lose everything
I lost possessions that were so dear
I lost some battles walking in fear
But in the midst of my struggles, in my season of pain
One thing never wavered, one thing never changed

I never lost my hope,
I never lost my joy
I never lost my faith
But most of all, I never lost my praise

Praise, Praise, Praise, Praise, Praise
Most of all, I never lost my praise

My praise still here,
My praise still here

How Bad Do You Want It?

My grandson, Caleb, can really be a handful when taken to any store. I don't care if it is Kmart, Save Mart, Dollar Tree, Dollar Mart, State Market, or a Drug Store, he will manage to find something he wants even if it's from the quarter machine. Once he has decided he wants something, he sets his heels in to get it and if his mother or I say NO the fight is on. He will start in with all of his reasoning as to why we should get what it is that he wants. The problem is, once we have said no, then that means NO! The more we say no, the more he begins to argue the point. Then he begins to get upset. Next thing you know, Caleb becomes, how should I say it? LOUD!!! Oh yes, my precious grandson can be very demanding. He has a way of letting us know just how bad he really wants the item he is begging for at the moment.

As I was laying awake at 4:15 this morning, I thought about Caleb and how he really shows his desire for what it is that he wants. That is the way we need to be in the spiritual realm. I then began to think about different individuals in the bible who did just that.

Queen Ester for one, had learned there was a plot against all the Jews. They were going to be destroyed. She needed to get the King's attention so that her people would not perish. But she couldn't just go before the king without being summoned, that would be suicide. She knew that she had to take drastic measures to save their lives. First there was the fasting for 3 days. Next she bathed in king's favorite perfume, put on his favorite clothing, then she positioned herself in the inner court so that she would be seen by the King as he sat upon his throne. She found favor in his sight. Then the king asked what her request was. I'm sure you all know the story of how she had the king and Haman come to dinner twice. On the second feast that she prepared for them the king asked her what her petition was and she asked for the lives of her and her people to be spared. Then the secret of what Haman had been planning came out and he was hanged on the gallows that he had built for Mordecai.

We have the story of Elijah and Elisha in 2 Kings chapter 2 where Elijah told Elisha to stay in town while he goes on to Bethel and Elisha's response was I'm going with you. A second time Elijah tells Elisha to stay put while he goes to Jericho again Elisha responds with I'm going where you go. A third time Elijah tells Elisha to stay behind for the Lord is sending him to Jordan and again Elisha replies with "As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on." Elisha knew that Elijah was going to be taken from him that day. Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. Elijah told him that if he saw him when he was taken it would be so. As they walked on and talked a chariot of fire appeared and Elijah was taken and Elisha saw. He got a double portion just as he asked.

In Luke 18 it talks about a widow who went before a judge asking him to avenge her of her adversary. The bible says he would not for a while but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

Oh the list goes on. What about Blind Bartimaeus? When he heard that Jesus was near he began to call out for his healing. When he was told to be quiet he called out even louder. He had a need and he intended to have it met. He didn't care what anyone thought.

The lady with the issue of blood. For 12 years she suffered and spent her life savings trying to get well. She was at the end of her rope. She too had heard that Jesus was in town. If she could but touch the hem of his garment that is all she had to do. So she began to press her way through the crowd. I'm sure she was pushed and shoved and even stepped on. But that didn't stop her. She had a need and she wanted it met so she continued on until she was able to touch the hem of the Master's garment and she was instantly made whole.

There are many more examples in the bible of those who went the extra mile to get what they wanted or needed from God. What do you want or need from God in your life today? How bad do you want it? Is it the saving of a life? Do you have loved ones who are lost? Like Queen Ester you need to stand in the gap and go before the King of Kings and plead their case. Send forth the rich aroma of praise that will sift before the nostrils of God. Adorn yourself with the garments of worship that best get His attention. Invite Him to a banquet and commune with Him. Then when He ask what you need you can then plead your case to pull your loved ones off of Haman's gallows(Satan's gallows) before it is to late. With the help of God, the chains of sin will be broken and they will find their way to God.

Maybe you are in need of a double blessing like Elisha. If that is the case then get your praise on. "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise" Psalm 100:4. Keep your eyes upon Jesus and don't lose your focus. Follow Him where ever He leads. Go where ever He goes. Be a willing vessel.

If you are in need of a healing whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual cry out to Jesus like Blind Bartimaeus did. Reach out and touch the hem of his garment as the lady with the issue of blood did. Press your way through. Don't hold back. If at first your prayers seems to be unanswered, go back and ask again. Make your petition known like the widow did in Luke 18 and the judge granted her petition unless he became weary of her.

"...yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss..." James 4:2-3

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" Matthew 7:7

I ask you once again, What do you want or need from God in your life today? How bad do you want it?