Up late, can't sleep, the house is quiet, and I have finally have time to think and write about something that has been going thru my mind. I hope that this will be an encouragment to someone.
What is your Goliath? How tall is your God? Giants. We must face them, yet, we need not face them alone.
Goliaths still roam in our world. You know your Goliath. You recognize his walk, the thunder of his voice. He taunts you with bills you can't pay, people you can't please, habits you can't break, failures you can't forget, and a future you can't face. These super-sized challenges swagger and strut into our lives, pilfering our sleep, embezzling our peace and robbing us of our joy. While these giants try to dominate our lives, we know what we must do. We've learned what David learned, and we must do what David did. We have to be focused on God, pick up five stones, make decisions, and take a swing. The life of David digs deeply into the defeats he suffered, and the victories he won, as he faced the giants in his life. When David focused on God, giants tumbled; when David focused on giants... he stumbled.
All of us come in contact with and face "giants" in our lives. People who reach "higher" have defeated "giants." "Giants" are often tools in God's hand to fashion and prepare us for "bigger things." Most problems or obstacles we face do not stand alone. The "problems" represent more than what we see at the moment. When we defeat the "giant(s)", things begin to happen.
Comfort zones are no protection against "giants," neither is running from the giant. You must run toward the giant and overcome it, or you will find yourself running into a life of make-believe success and significance. You will find that your success and significance are nothing more than tattered, worn-out "tents." (I Sam. 17:20-21) Don't cower in timidity from the mocking voices of your Goliaths--run at them. The formula for defeat is to declare His name--Jesus! The mention of His name causes the forces of hell to tremble.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Acronymns for Fun
BIBLE-- Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
FROG-- Fully Rely On God.
HOPE-- Hackers On Planet Earth.
SWAT-- Someone With A Testimony.
GAP-- God's Amazing People.
PUSH-- Pray Until Something Happens.
PRAY-- Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield.
ASAP-- Always Say a Prayer.
PH D-- Piled High and Deep
CADILLAC--Crazed and Demented Idiots Like Large American Cars.
DODGE- Don't Over Drive Gutless Engines
FORD-- Found On Roads Dead. Fix Or Repair Daily.
GMC-- Greatest Made Chevy.
FROG-- Fully Rely On God.
HOPE-- Hackers On Planet Earth.
SWAT-- Someone With A Testimony.
GAP-- God's Amazing People.
PUSH-- Pray Until Something Happens.
PRAY-- Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield.
ASAP-- Always Say a Prayer.
PH D-- Piled High and Deep
CADILLAC--Crazed and Demented Idiots Like Large American Cars.
DODGE- Don't Over Drive Gutless Engines
FORD-- Found On Roads Dead. Fix Or Repair Daily.
GMC-- Greatest Made Chevy.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
"I Must Tell Jesus"
Words and Music by Elisha A. Hoffman (1893)
Rev. Elisha A. Hoffman was summoned to help a friend who was permitted many visitations of sorrow and affliction. (Affliction- distress, grief or misery, a state of pain; sickness, loss, calamity, or persecution.) Rev. Hoffman tried to comfort her by telling her of the unfailing love of God. He spoke of that love which brought us into being, and follows us every step of our way. He urged her to surrender to God's mercy, and told her the help she needed could only come when she was fully repentant. He prayed earnestly for her, and while he was praying she suddenly screamed, "I must tell Jesus!" His pastoral visit, spiritual instruction and earnest prayer led to her conversion, and she became a great soul winner in the Master's service.
"I must tell Jesus," was wrought out of a minister's intimate dealing with a soul seeking deliverance from sickness and sin. Dealing impressed by this experience, Rev. Elisha A. Hoffman wrote these words after returning home.
I must tell Jesus all of my trials,
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me,
He ever loves and cares for His own.
Chorus:
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I Must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end.
Chorus.
Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior,
One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus,
He all my cares and sorrows will share.
Chorus.
O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the victory to win.
When we are tempted, alone, and no one understands, we must tell Jesus. When we are hurting, and no one sympathizes with our pain, we must tell Jesus. Jesus came because He knew we could not bear the burden alone.
"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." I Peter 5:7
Rev. Elisha A. Hoffman was summoned to help a friend who was permitted many visitations of sorrow and affliction. (Affliction- distress, grief or misery, a state of pain; sickness, loss, calamity, or persecution.) Rev. Hoffman tried to comfort her by telling her of the unfailing love of God. He spoke of that love which brought us into being, and follows us every step of our way. He urged her to surrender to God's mercy, and told her the help she needed could only come when she was fully repentant. He prayed earnestly for her, and while he was praying she suddenly screamed, "I must tell Jesus!" His pastoral visit, spiritual instruction and earnest prayer led to her conversion, and she became a great soul winner in the Master's service.
"I must tell Jesus," was wrought out of a minister's intimate dealing with a soul seeking deliverance from sickness and sin. Dealing impressed by this experience, Rev. Elisha A. Hoffman wrote these words after returning home.
I must tell Jesus all of my trials,
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me,
He ever loves and cares for His own.
Chorus:
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I Must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end.
Chorus.
Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior,
One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus,
He all my cares and sorrows will share.
Chorus.
O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the victory to win.
When we are tempted, alone, and no one understands, we must tell Jesus. When we are hurting, and no one sympathizes with our pain, we must tell Jesus. Jesus came because He knew we could not bear the burden alone.
"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." I Peter 5:7
Monday, January 7, 2008
The Presence of the Lord
The Presence of the Lord is like the wind. Wind is a flow of air. You can't see the wind because it is invisible. You can't see the wind, how do you know that it is there? The wind is there because you can see it moving things, like the leaves on the trees, and blowing things around. You can't see the wind, but you know it is there because you can see what the wind is doing.
We can't see God, or the Presence of God, but we know that He is there the same way we know the wind is there; but you can feel it,see the results, and how people react to the Presence of the Lord.
How can you deny God when you are standing in His presence?
"Cast me not away from thy presence: and take not thy holy spirit from me." Ps 51:11
The Presence of the Lord in our lives are one of the most important attributes in our lives. We cannot live without the Presence of the Lord.
"Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence." Ps 140:13 The presence of the Lord is so important, and yet few believers know what the Presence of God really means.
Scripture teaches that God is (Omni-present) everywhere, nobody can hide from Him.
Psa 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Psa 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Psa 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Psa 139:10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
Psa 139:11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Psa 139:12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Psa 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
Psa 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psa 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Psa 139:16 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.
Psa 139:17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
Psa 139:18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
His Presence is more than that. God is with you no matter where life may take you. You are safe in the hands of God, regardless where you are. The Lord's main purpose is to bless his people--beyond anything they can imagine. The chief blessing is the Lord's own presence.
An old chorus:
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place,
I can feel God's mighty power and God's grace.
I can hear the brush of Angel's wings,
I see glory on each face.
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
When Jacob awoke from his dream of angels ascending and descending upon the ladder to heaven: he exclaimed, "Truly the Lord is in this spot, although I did not know it!
Gen 28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
There are times when His presence with us is in greater measure, and we experience God in a greater capacity. The manifest Presence of God is what brings power and changes lives. When we place ourselves before Him in worship, we make room for Him and increase our awareness of the "Presence of the Lord" in our lives. Practising the presence through worship is one of the most important things we can do. God has promised that as we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us, and we will experience His presence in ever increasing measures.
Lord, we can't see you, but we know you are there because we can see you moving, we can feel your presence, and we hear you speak to our hearts. Thank you for being there!
--Patti Hallford
We can't see God, or the Presence of God, but we know that He is there the same way we know the wind is there; but you can feel it,see the results, and how people react to the Presence of the Lord.
How can you deny God when you are standing in His presence?
"Cast me not away from thy presence: and take not thy holy spirit from me." Ps 51:11
The Presence of the Lord in our lives are one of the most important attributes in our lives. We cannot live without the Presence of the Lord.
"Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence." Ps 140:13 The presence of the Lord is so important, and yet few believers know what the Presence of God really means.
Scripture teaches that God is (Omni-present) everywhere, nobody can hide from Him.
Psa 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Psa 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Psa 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Psa 139:10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
Psa 139:11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Psa 139:12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Psa 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
Psa 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psa 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Psa 139:16 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.
Psa 139:17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
Psa 139:18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
His Presence is more than that. God is with you no matter where life may take you. You are safe in the hands of God, regardless where you are. The Lord's main purpose is to bless his people--beyond anything they can imagine. The chief blessing is the Lord's own presence.
An old chorus:
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place,
I can feel God's mighty power and God's grace.
I can hear the brush of Angel's wings,
I see glory on each face.
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
When Jacob awoke from his dream of angels ascending and descending upon the ladder to heaven: he exclaimed, "Truly the Lord is in this spot, although I did not know it!
Gen 28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
There are times when His presence with us is in greater measure, and we experience God in a greater capacity. The manifest Presence of God is what brings power and changes lives. When we place ourselves before Him in worship, we make room for Him and increase our awareness of the "Presence of the Lord" in our lives. Practising the presence through worship is one of the most important things we can do. God has promised that as we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us, and we will experience His presence in ever increasing measures.
Lord, we can't see you, but we know you are there because we can see you moving, we can feel your presence, and we hear you speak to our hearts. Thank you for being there!
--Patti Hallford
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Years
Happy New Years to everyone. May God richly bless each and everyone throughout this new year of 2008. It is a new year to start new beginnings, and always put God first in your life with whatever you may do or wherever you may go.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Sunsets
A beautiful December sunset. As I was traveling down I-44 from Randlett to Wichita Falls, I pulled over on the shoulder to take some pictures of the sunset.
Sunsets can change in a matter of seconds. I took the first one at the regular setting, and then I zoomed in on the second one to get a closer shot. By the time I had taken the second picture the sunset had already changed. Situations in life can change you and your surroundings in a matter of seconds, just like the sunset.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised. Psalms 113:3
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