March 29, 2011...In Loving Memory

After 12 years this verse still makes me smile...

Isaiah 40:31 (English Standard Version)

but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

My Thoughts:

When we trust in our own abilities, we will become weak and weary. We will ultimately fail in everything that we try...we will fail in our problems, we will fail in our families, we will fall under the burdens of life, and we will fail in our relationship with God. We will soon see the error of our ways....why trusting in ourselves is wrong.

But this verse tells us that when we wait on the Lord we will be strengthened. When we wait on the Lord, anything is possible. When we make a conscious effort to let him lead us...He will not Fail us. When we rely on Him by Faith...He will not Fail us. When we commit ourselves to His guidance, GOD WILL NOT FAIL US!

Why did I mention 12 years? Twelve years ago today, I lost my mom to cancer. My mom was the strongest woman I know and she was so brave through her battle with cancer. But most importantly she was a woman who put her faith in God. This verse was a favorite of hers while she was fighting that terrible disease. She even had a Bible Cover with Isaiah 40:31 printed on it.

I am thankful everyday for the faith that my parents taught me. I am thankful everyday for the strength that God gives us...SO why do I smile when I read this verse? I smile because this verse makes me think of Heaven...where we won't be weary, faint, sick, hurt...I am thankful everyday for the hope we have in Heaven...where one day my family and I will be able to join my mom in worshiping our Lord for eternity....and that is definitely something worth smiling about. The thought of spending eternity worshiping my Lord is enough to make me live each day to the fullest...to live each day for God...and to train my children in His ways. The thought of spending it with my mom...is a added bonus!

In loving memory of Wanda Kernodle

November 18, 1949 - March 29, 1999

Some glad morning when this life is o'er,
I'll fly away;
To a home on God's celestial shore,
I'll fly away.

I'll fly away, Oh Glory
I'll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I'll fly away.

When the shadows of this life have gone,
I'll fly away;
Like a bird from prison bars has flown,
I'll fly away.

I'll fly away, Oh Glory
I'll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I'll fly away.

Just a few more weary days and then,
I'll fly away;
To a land where joy shall never end,
I'll fly away

I'll fly away, Oh Glory
I'll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I'll fly away.

Draw Near to God...

Today's verses are some that I came across while reading one of my study books a few weeks ago. These verses are a few chapters apart, but they really made me stop and think.

James: 1:8

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Are you double minded? Do you "talk the talk" but many times fail to "walk the walk" I know that I am guilty of that at times. For example.....I find it difficult with a 15 month old baby to "find" time to spend with God in study and prayer....the reality is I have the time to do the things that I chose to do. So am I being double minded? I would say say so....I think James would say so too. When I don't take time with God, it snowballs into other parts of my life. When God is missing from my life, everything is out of sorts.

James 4:7-8

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.⁸Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

By being double minded and unstable we are not being the best that we can be. DRAW NEAR TO GOD!!! It's so simple...why don't we do it? I must chose to draw near to God...how much would our lives change if we made that our daily goal? What blessings would we be able to show to others....what blessings would HE show to me?

Be Strong and Courageous

Today's verse is one of my favorites. It's short, but powerful!

Joshua 1:9

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

In My Words:

Have I not COMMANDED you? Be Strong, be brave. Don't be frightened; don't be discouraged (don't worry), for the Lord you God is with you everywhere you go.

My Thoughts:

I remember very vividly the time I really discovered this verse. I was beginning to feel the pressures of my Senior year. I felt the need to defend my State Title in the 880...I was worrying about that. I had decided not to run track in college...I was questioning that decision. I had decided to go to college 6 hours from home...I was questioning that decision. I was worrying about EVERYTHING! One night I was talking on the phone to my brother. It was a few days before the State Track Meet. I was so overwhelmed and I was telling him all my worries. As we talked he offered several pieces of advice (which I don't remember) and then He told me to hang up the phone, get out my Bible and read Joshua 1:9..."Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” I remember reading this verse and feeling such a sense of relief wash over me. It reminded me that I could handle anything that came my way, because God would be there. It has become one of my favorite go to verses.

God is with us ALWAYS, He never leaves us. He will help us through any storm in our life. He will lead us through any dark time. He will help us up when we fall. He will wipe away the tears. He will NEVER leave us.

More Than Conquerors

A few years ago, we were visiting with my family in Arkansas for Thanksgiving. During the Wednesday night Bible Study, the teacher was asking people to tell their favorite verses and explain why they loved the verse they shared. I wrote down the verses and next to two of these verses I wrote a little star with the name "Daddy" next to them. As I was flipping through my Bible this morning I found this piece of paper and I decided that my verse today would be one of my daddy's favorite verse.

Romans 8:35-39

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In My Words:

Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Will suffering, distress, affliction, famine, nakedness, danger, or death? As it is written, "For Your sake we are being killed all day long, we are thought of as sheep to be slaughtered." No! in all these things we will be victorious (conquerors) through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death or life, angels or rulers, things present or future, powers, height, depth, or anything else in this world will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

My Thoughts:

What a powerful verse...Read it again....NOTHING can separate us from the love of Jesus. How amazing is that. Jesus died for us because he LOVES us. He has FORGIVEN us, even though we don't deserve forgiveness. "If we are His, then no power on earth, in Heaven, or in Hell can prevent Him from bringing us to Himself in the Eternal Bosom of God." (Halley's Bible Handbook)

I think as humans it is hard for us to truly understand the love that Jesus has for us. As a mother, I think I have a better understanding....but still it is hard to fathom. Why does Jesus love a sinner like me? Jesus is PERFECT...I am not, yet He still loves me. He still died for me. No matter what I do, Jesus will ALWAYS love me. He will ALWAYS forgive me if I repent. And He will welcome me into His arms on the day of Judgement if I live by His Word and obey His Commands.

I am thankful every day for the forgiveness of God...and thankful that I don't have to be perfect to receive it.

F.R.O.G.

Last night in our Ladies Bible Class at Church, we actually discussed our verse for today:

Matthew 6:25-34

²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ²⁸And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ³⁴ "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

In My Words:

Don't worry about the things in life: what you will eat, drink, or wear. There is more to life than food and clothes. Look at the birds...God feeds them. What does worrying accomplish? Why do you worry? God even clothes the lilies of the field. Even Solomon wasn't clothed as pretty as the lilies. If God takes care of the grass that will be gone tomorrow, will he not take care of you? What little faith we have. Do not worry saying, "What will we eat, drink, or wear?" Some people search after these things. God knows what we need. Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and He will give you all the things that you need. Do not worry about tomorrow. Take it one day at a time.

My Thoughts:

These verses really "hit home" with me. I am a worrier! I worry about everything. When I became a mother that worrying was magnified a hundred times. I really do think about every situation that could possibly happen. This is a verse I should read daily...

What does worrying accomplish? Can worrying change the outcome of the situation that you find yourself in? Can worrying solve all your problems? The answer of course is NO! God tells us that if we put Him first, He will care for us. He tells us to cast all our cares on Him (I Peter 5:7).

We are NOT to worry...plain and simple. If we truly believe in God we should turn our worries over to Him. I think there is a difference in worry and concern. If I am worrying about something I find myself trying to figure out how "I" will fix the problem. If I am concerned about something I find myself turning to God to ask for "HIS" help and guidance. I think we can pray about things that we tend to worry about. God wants us to turn our worries over to Him. He wants us to trust Him enough to know that he will take those worries away. Do you remember seeing the letters F.R.O.G. on t-shirts and posters. Do you know what those letters stand for? FULLY RELY ON GOD! That's what God asks us to do. Trust Him, turn to Him, and Rely on Him. Let go and let God!

A Mansion Over the Hilltop...

A few months ago a friend of mine introduced me (through her blog) to something called an Inductive Bible Study. (Read her description so you understand how it works) It is something I have found myself really enjoying...although I haven't been as diligent with it as I had hoped, but maybe through my blog, I will find myself becoming a better student of the word.

A few weeks ago we had our Ladies Retreat and our theme was "Home is Where Your Heart Is" Mrs. Connie did such a great job teaching us about the importance of where we put our hearts. I found myself writing down every verse that she mentioned with the intent of doing further study on them. Well, after several weeks I am finally getting around to doing that deeper study on the verses.

My Verse of Study today is:

Matthew 6:19-21(ESV)“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

In my words:

Don't worry about the things on this Earth. The things of this earth are temporary, they can be destroyed and they can be taken away from you. Concentrate on things of Heaven. Only the treasure you have stored in Heaven matters. It is ETERNAL!! Whatever treasure that you cherish the most will guide your heart.

My Thoughts:

As Christians we are citizens of Heaven. Yes, for a short time we call this Earth home. As the season changes from Winter to Spring, I see the beauty around me and I am in awe. Our Father gave us a beautiful place to call home. No matter how pretty we think it is here on Earth, it is NOTHING compared to our home in Heaven. Heaven is where our citizenship will be for eternity. Only the things that we give back to God can be ours forever.

As a mother I find myself reflecting on this verse a lot. My children are my most precious treasure on this Earth. And I want nothing more than to know that when the day of Judgement comes I will get to spend eternity with them. How do I do that?

* I pray daily for my children...and the men and women they will

grow up to be.

* I teach them the importance of putting God first in their lives.

* I teach them how to rely on God for EVERYTHING.

* I show them that I put God first in my life.

* I teach them the importance of giving back to God

...the list can go on and on. Being a parent is not an easy job, but it is a job I wouldn't quit for anything. It is a job that, when done well, will earn me the biggest pay check imaginable...sharing eternity with my children.

One day we will leave our Earthly home to be gathered into our eternal reward. The beauty and splendor of Heaven will be more than we can even imagine. We will leave our comfortable homes here on Earth for a Mansion in Heaven.

John 14:2-3 ²In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

I've Got A Mansion, Just Over the Hilltop

I'm satisfied with just a cottage below

A little silver and a little gold

But in that city where the ransomed will shine

I want a gold one that's silver lined

I've got a mansion just over the hilltop

In that bright land where we'll never grow old

And some day yonder we will never more wander

But walk on streets that are purest gold

Though often tempted, tormented, and tested

And like the prophet my pillow's a stone

And though I find here no permanent dwelling

I know He'll give me a mansion my own

I've got a mansion just over the hilltop

In that bright land where we'll never grow old

And some day yonder we will never more wander

But walk on streets that are purest gold

Don't think me poor or deserted or lonely

I'm not discouraged I'm heaven bound

I'm but a pilgrim in search of the city

I want a mansion, a harp and a crown

I've got a mansion just over the hilltop

In that bright land where we'll never grow old

And some day yonder we will never more wander

But walk on streets that are purest gold

If you would like to follow me in these Inductive Bible Studies, and maybe study the verses too, I would love to read your thoughts, so please leave a comment. If you decide to blog about your own study send me a link to your blog. My next study will be a continuation of this passage...Matthew 6:25-34

I Have Fought the Good Fight

One of my college friends, Kristen Hester Hicks, has started a Blog Bible Study. Every week she is presenting a challenge for us to study. Then we are supposed to blog about it and link back to her original post. For several months I have been trying to figure out a way to do a deeper Bible Study, and to be honest....I let life get in the way. When I read her blog, I realized this is it..this is what I have been looking for. If you want to join us go to her blog, Pretty Sweet: Heaven- Minded and read the instructions for the Bible Study, you will be glad that you did!

This weeks verse: 2 Timothy 4:1-8 (ESV)

4:1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is

to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and

his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and

out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete

patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when

people will not endure sound teaching, but having

itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers

to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away

from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering,

do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,

and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought

the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of

righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge,

will award to me on that Day, and not only to me

but also to all who have loved his appearing.

In My Words:
We are to be ready to teach anybody, EVERYbody, anytime, ALL the time, any place, and EVERY place. Paul is begging Timothy (and us) to keep his mind (our minds) on the day of the Lord's appearing. We are to preach the gospel with unwavering diligence. We must be aware of false teachers, who will tell people what they want to hear instead of the truth... and we must teach the truth As Paul approached his execution, his body had been beaten, wounded, and scarred, but Paul could proudly say...."I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Paul was able to say "I HAVE WON!!!"

My Thoughts:
We must be prepared to teach people about Jesus and to show them the way. Paul teaches by example and he was a great example of preaching anytime and any place. A couple of examples that stick out to me are:
* Acts 16:25-31 Paul was preaching in prison at midnight.
* Acts 27:20-25 Paul was preaching on a sinking ship on a dark stormy day.

On the day of Judgement the faithful followers of Christ will receive their reward. On the day of Judgement I want to be able to proclaim like Paul... "I HAVE WON!!!" and then enter in to my reward. What a day that will be!!!