My Magnificent Obsession

 Obsession means the state of being obsessed with someone or something. An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.  “I am obsessed with knowing Jesus!”

 Magnificent means impressively beautiful, elaborate, or extravagant, striking.  “My Lord is beautiful, elaborate, extravagant, and striking.”

How do I know this? Because, I have a personal, daily relationship with Him! I hunger for Him in the morning, noon and night!

Ps. 42:1, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”

Ps. 63:1, “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;”

In recent weeks and months I have been drawn into my secret place more and more. If we choose to look around us, we can see and feel the winds of the tribulation, the spirit of antichrist is at work in our world!  Wake up, oh my soul! It is attacking our nation, our families and our churches! We have to fight in the Spirit like never before! I have been sensing an urgency as never before for my Magnificent Obsession who is Jesus Christ, my Lord, my Savior, my Friend, my Protector, my Provider, my Healer, and my Counselor and so much more. 

My Magnificent Obsession directs my steps every day. I meet Him the first thing in the morning.  He leads me beside still waters when I feel uncertain.  I have confidence that all is well.  This doesn’t mean that I never feel shaken; but, when I do, I know who I can go to. Jesus is my ever present help in the time of trouble.

 Deborah knew this when she was asked to go into battle with Barak. There was a great victory against Sisera because she had a relationship with Almighty God! She knew who to go to for counsel. She sought the Lord and He delivered her nation. So many times, we ladies seek the counsel of others first instead of the Lord. When we walk in the Spirit, we will be lead by God, not our friends. Our Lord’s counsel is never wrong. How does He speak to us? Through His Word, through our pastor, sometimes through impressions or even through a song. 

 Nothing catches our Lord by surprise! We recently spent 3 weeks in Florida. After having been in Christy’s home about 15 or 20 minutes, not remembering that she had a step-down den onto ceramic tile, I fell off the ledge and landed on both knees.  18 years ago my doctor told me I needed to start treatment for my bones. I had osteopenia. My future looked dismal if I did not take the injections. I sought the Lord, and felt Him directing me to trust Him only. I did. It hurt when I landed on those knees. My husband thought I would end up in the hospital with fractures, thus ruining our time with the girls. I got up and sat on the couch, asking them all to lay hands on me. I bent both knees in the Name of Jesus! In three days time, I had no pain. They never swelled up. The Lord, Jesus, my Rapha, my Healer, protected me and had already healed me! He is my Magnificent Obsession! 

 I find myself slipping away to areas of my home to talk with the Lord. Sometimes I pray and worship in the car. My secret place is anywhere I seek the Lord. Most often it is in my bedroom, sitting on my rocker.  I love it when the Spirit moves on me to dance. Sometimes, even before a victory is won!

 You can have this One Magnificent Obsession! It is not limited to one or a few.  I challenge you to hunger for Him. Remember dear ladies, as William Ross Wallace who lived from 1819-1881, said, “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.” Spiritually we can rule our world. We have such a great influence in our families. Be cautious about your actions and words! Be in tune with Jesus. We need an awakening. We need to fight against the powers of darkness! Victory is ahead. We can have peace in this troubled world.

    -Written By: Sis. Jeannie Collins 

This Is Not The Plan!

I made my way through my stash of craft supplies in the basement to see if I could find some pretty fabric to make masks from. I came across some fabric that contained cherry pink flowers with Eifel towers and beautifully written French words. I remember making curtains from the fabric for my niece who decided she wanted her room decorated with a Paris theme. I decided the feminine print would be perfect for a mask. I brought the fabric upstairs and began the task of cutting the fabric to the size needed along with the soft backing it would need, and finally snipping the elastic to the length it would take to make a nice fit.

I took to the sewing machine and began stitching the two pieces of fabric along with the elastic together like I had been doing with other patterns for the past several days. I sensed God impressing some thoughts on my heart as I moved the fabric through the machine. Everybody wants to go to Paris, you know. In spiritual terms, He was saying everybody wants to go to the Promised Land, but no one wants to go through the wilderness, or the quarantine we have all been called to for this season. As the thoughts flooded my mind and heart, the Lord went on to say sometimes it’s necessary to go through the wilderness to get to the Promised Land. There are powerful lessons that can only be learned in the wilderness that would be impossible to be comprehended in Paris.

As a nation, no one is where they want to be; no one wants to wear a mask that restricts the freedom of taking in a deep refreshing breath that we are used to, but as we travel through this wilderness, the mask is a layer of protection against uninvited germs and particles from entering the respiratory system of those we come into contact with that could restrict the ability to take in a breath at all! We are traveling to Paris! In Paris, we don’t need a mask, but until we get there, a mask may be an important part of the uniform to help us fight while we are in the wilderness.

No one wants to worry about what they may encounter just because they had to make a grocery run, gas stop, or a doctor appointment, but for now we are in the wilderness and we must be concerned about what we come into contact with so we can get to Paris! In Paris, there are no worries, sorrows, trials, or pain, but we are not in Paris yet!

Everyone is trying to figure out what to do in the wilderness. God would say keep moving! Don’t get weary in well doing. Learn the lessons well while in the wilderness because Paris is just over the mountain top! If you stop in the valley of the wilderness, you will become weak, thirsty, discouraged, and depressed. If you don’t keep moving, keep drinking, keep eating, you will die! Paris is on the horizon! Don’t stop in the wilderness, just keep moving! 

Written By: Sis. Patty Hollaway

 

A Baby Changes Everything

Any mother will tell you that you will never be truly prepared when your first baby comes. No amount of advice or wisdom from other people will prepare you for the experience of birth or caring for your baby. How this tiny human will become your whole world and change who you are as you care and love someone before yourself. The sacrifices you will make, the pain you’ll feel, the time and expense. But also the joy of seeing them laugh for the first time, seeing them take their first step, their first word. These moments of joy will erase all the moments of pain. And at that moment you realize you would willingly give your life for your child. A baby changes everything.

2000 years ago a baby came into the life of Mary and Joseph. It changed the outlook of those around them as Mary was looked down on as an unwed mother. It changed her body as the baby grew within her. It changed her mindset at the mystery of the child within her being conceived of the Holy Ghost. The mystery that this helpless child that needed her and His earthly father to care and protect Him was also her Savior and Redeemer. No wonder in verse Luke 2:19 it says,” But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” A baby changes everything.

A baby changed my life. When baby Jesus grew into a man and went to Calvary to take away my sins. He saw the moments of pain that I would cause Him, but He saw the moments of joy and then He knew He would willingly give His life for His child. I’m so thankful for my risen Savior who has given me eternal life. He’s changed the way I walk, the way I talk, the way I act.

He can change whatever you need today. He can give you salvation today. Whatever trial, sickness, or hardship you’re going through. He can change everything.

 

                                                    -Written By: Katie Linsey

Praise Him In The Storm

 

A popular Casting Crowns song states it best, “I was sure by now, God you would have reached down and wiped our tears away,” but what do we do when God hasn’t stopped our pain and suffering? This year has been especially awful for many people in all walks of life, across the entire world. We have been suffering with this pandemic and how to overcome the ill health effects as well as the effects it is having on the economy, our daily lives, and the church. This year has proven that even though the storm is raging, lasting longer than anyone could expect, we must still continue to praise the God of the storm and the God that ‘gives and takes away’. 

Job loss has been one of the greatest hurdles to overcome during this time. While we are all mindful that our health should be of great concern, many people have struggled to keep food on their table and feed not only themselves, but their families and children. With much of the country shut down for several months, the people were forced to rely on other means in order to get food, water, and even shelter in some areas. How could they focus on praising God when such horrible things were happening to them? My question: how could we not praise God when this is happening? I looked to the scriptures to find that encouragement to keep pressing on in the face of chaos and fear; Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee (Deuteronomy 31:6). The Lord will never leave us to fend for ourselves, he will not forsake me and toss us to the wayside. He will provide in the time of need. Whatever we have need of he will make the way to provide it. Even in these great times of uncertainty, God is still certain, and still providing.

As churches were closing their doors to keep their saints safe and out of harm’s way, we saw a new church begin to rise. The ‘Online Church’ was birthed in this storm and has given new life to many who may not have attended services in person. In this case, God shut the doors to the church and opened that window we’re always hearing about. “For I know the plans 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). The Lord knew what was going to happen this year, it didn’t surprise him. He had already formed the plan to allow the church to continue to prosper and reach the lost even in this time of crisis when everything was shut down. He knew the church would continue.

From my personal experience I can say with certainty that praising God during the storm is the easiest way to get through it. I’ve faced many challenges in life, not just this year alone, but over time, and when I’ve ignored God and pushed Him away, the problems only festered and grew. When I gave in to what God wanted, praised Him even in the midst of hardship, He made a way and saw me through the storm. I often lean on songs in time of need, they stick with me and comfort me, and remind me that even ‘when trials fierce assail me as storms are gath’ring o’er, I rest upon His mercy and trust Him more.’ I cling to these songs that remind me that God is not absent in the storm, He’s right there keeping us anchored and steady through the storm. I must trust Him more in these desperate times, not less. He is the only one who can see the beginning from the end, He knows the struggles we have and never leaves us. He’s as close as his name, Jesus, and He will never leave me. So when the storms start raging, things all fall apart in life, when we don’t know what else to do, simply praise Him in that storm, when there is nothing else you can do, you can praise Him.

-Written By: Meghan West

Feed My Sheep

 

2020 has been a rough and frightening year for everyone. The dreaded COVID-19 turned our worlds upside down. We suddenly found ourselves working in our homes, indoor church services became online services, and masks became the norm. Fear swept the nation and we all try to cope to the best of our abilities. Now there are riots sweeping across the nation and fires spreading, forcing people out of their homes. People are losing everything; their homes, their belongings, their businesses.
           
It isn’t the year we expected and it only seems to be getting worse. Fear and anxiety have taken place in people’s minds and hearts. They don’t know where to turn and I found myself in the same situation.
           
All of my life, I have struggled with fear and anxiety, so of course I was no different. My world was changing quickly and I couldn’t do anything about it. As a mom and wife, I worried about my husband and my children. I wanted to fix it all. I wasn’t in control and I didn’t know how to handle it.
           
Recently, my health took a big decline. I was so sick, I couldn’t eat and what I did eat my body rejected. I found myself unable to get out of bed because I was so miserable. It was yet another thing I couldn’t fix and I found myself in a very dark place. I was scared.
           
But God. I found myself often falling on the floor crying out to God in desperation. He would always meet me and would give me a release from everything I was feeling and give me peace. I have come to a point where I depend on Him - I need Him to get through all of the anxiety, fear, and darkness.
           
This brought me to ask myself, where do the lost turn to? How do they manage?
           
I came across a post on Facebook where some moms were talking about how COVID-19 was affecting them. They were specifically discussing their experience at Costco. They commented how everyone was acting crazy, hoarding and fighting over products. They also commented that it was bizarre seeing everyone wearing masks, and how reality was setting in. It put them in a place where they couldn’t even go into the stores anymore. They would sit in their cars and just cry. People are scared and we have something so special and so sweet. We have the answer!
           
Last night, as I lay in my bed, God placed this single thought in my head. “If you love me, feed my sheep.” So today I dove into His Word. I knew it was the scripture passage where Jesus was talking with Peter, so I went there and started to study. What I found struck me cold and convicted me.
           
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” (John 21:15-19, ESV)
           
In verse 17, after the third time Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, we see that Peter was grieved in his heart. Why would His Lord and Savior keep asking this? Did He doubt him? God knows everything! And he so tells God so!
           
Jesus wanted him to remember this moment. It was important that Peter felt the impact of His words. Jesus goes on to tell Peter His will for Peter’s life- one that Peter may not want, but is asked of.
           
God was asking Peter to spread the good news and that this would ultimately lead him to his death; a death, while scary and hard, that would bring even more glory to God. Historically, Peter died by crucifixion, similar to His Savior.
           
I feel God was asking Peter to follow His example. Everything Christ did was for His Kingdom. Jesus’ ministry was always for the lost, even His own death. If you recall, in the Garden, Christ, too, didn’t want to be crucified. His flesh was weak and He asked three times that this cup may be passed from Him (Matthew 26:36-44). BUT, He always ended His prayer by saying, not my will, but your will be done. He died so that we could be saved!
           
So I believe that He was asking Peter to live his life as He did, by reaching the lost. Then Christ goes on to say Peter would have a death that he would not want, but his death would bring glory to God’s Kingdom. So here, I believe He was asking Peter to, again, follow His example by putting God’s Will before his own.
           
This passage made me reevaluate my life. Who have I reached out to? Have I become just a pew sitter, doing the minimum and skating by? God wants us to reach the lost, not just to skate through life. He gave me life, what can I do in return?
           
Then the song “my life is not my own, to you I belong” popped into my head. and conviction took place in my heart. Things may happen in my life that are out of my control, but I shouldn’t be trying to control everything. My life is HIS. Like Peter, God is asking that my life be given back to Him for His glory.
           
As Christians, we need to remember His great commission:
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Matthew 28:29)
           
Our mission is to lead the lost Home. Things will happen in our lives, but God can use those things to bring glory to His Kingdom if we let it. Life alone is a beautiful gift. However, the best is yet to come. He has gone to make a place for us - a place where there is no fear, no anxiety, no pain, no loss. Just one of great joy!

                                                - Written By : Faith Richardson
            

The Back End of the Race

Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man upon the earth, that doeth good and sinneth not.
 

Last October, I did something that has been a dream in my heart for some time. 

My first full marathon was in full force, a steady run so far, no injuries, and I was feeling good, making good time and pacing where I wanted to. My knee started bothering me so I slowed down, and was getting separated from the girl I was running with. She had kept me going for miles and had suffered an injury previously, and I wanted her to conquer her goal that day. No worries, I told her to go on ahead. I was comfortable and kept running, confident in my progress thanks to her pushing me through the first few hours of the day and helping me learn to pace. 

I found myself alone about 14 miles in, down a pretty cobblestone street in Victorian village, but I couldn’t see any other runners. 

Your thoughts go dark as you imagine that every single person, all 15,000 racers, have finished and are already stuffing their faces with victory pizza and Gatorade. I pictured the finish line being torn down and crickets chirping by the time I got to the end. My day had started before 5am and it’s now about 11 and I’ve been running for hours. I’m tired, and crabby and hot and I start to doubt myself. All the hours and months I spent training my body to take the pain, learning to find the energy I needed inside, pushing for another mile, to trust the process and mentally run through the doubt, one foot in front of the other, I’m starting to forget ALL of that. 

Feeling defeat looming in the background, I suddenly hear the shrieking of my name behind me and turn to see two of my crazy runner girls coming up from behind. I had lost them miles ago and was convinced they were already celebrating at the finish line. I was SO happy to see them. We stuck together for several miles and they helped me get through my wall. They went ahead when I slowed down to nurse my knee and help another runner with an injury to an aid station, and I happily finished my race confident in my own time and my own pace. All 26.2 miles pounded out with determination and a few good pushes.

 What got me through, I realized, wasn’t the elites, the runners who were perfect, at the front of the pack, with expensive shoes and personal trainers, and zero body fat who finished hours before I did, those few who make careers out of this sport, whom I can never compete with. What pushed me was to see the back end of the race, women and men past their prime, with scars and mistakes and worn out shoes and no experience. The first timers, who like me, had a heartbeat and a goal and zero clue what we were doing, but doing it anyway, one step at a time. 

THAT, ladies, is your witness. Your wounds, your mistakes, your smelly shoes and your doubt. THAT is what speaks to people about where God can take them. Your perfection in Christ is not what it’s about. It’s not a testimony to hide your injuries and fears and only advertise your victories. Your scars and fear and coming in DEAD LAST are your testimonies. 

Don’t think for one second that because you are behind someone else that you can’t be what gets them through. Those beautiful, crazy, messy women with scars and pain and stink are what pushed me when I needed it. They were scared and crabby and tired and hungry, too, and they made sure we were all in it together.

When you choose to encourage someone through your pain, and fear, and doubt, and sin and mistakes, THAT my friends, is where your light shines on the path. 

So be the back end of the race, be the slow one, be the inexperienced one, be the one with not a clue what you are doing. Take someone’s hand and pull them along kicking and screaming and clueless like you and be proud of it. HE will get you to the finish line, no matter your experience or lack of. All that matters is your heart’s desire. And that the path, the road, the race, leads you, and the hand you are holding, to HIM.

 

-Written By: Robin Nash

Dangers Of Night Time Driving - Buckle Up & Stay Alert

As Covid-19 hit our world in March 2020 and life practically came to a screeching halt, I began the joyous, important task of teaching my 16 year old to drive.  Amidst the quarantine, with people staying at home and things shut down, I decided it was a great time for driving lessons.  Landon began getting in the driver’s seat every time we went somewhere. 

 From day one of our lessons, I repeated over and over again the very important instructions of driving a vehicle:

-buckle up

-pay attention

-keep both hands on the wheel

-be careful

-stay alert

-don’t get distracted

-stop and look

When the quarantine was lifted and more folks were going back to work and shopping or whatever, suddenly there were a lot more cars on the roads!  While Landon was doing a great job, it now felt like we were in a different level of driving lessons because it was more nerve wracking with all of the traffic now.   There were more fellow drivers we had to stop and look out for, and we had never put a “Please be patient, Student Driver” sticker on the back of the car.  

One night we were driving home from visiting our daughter and her husband.  We took a different route than usual.   The night was very dark and it was difficult to see where the next turn was.   As Landon made a turn onto what we thought was a road, we quickly realized it actually was just a very short driveway and dead end!  We both had missed the road we should have taken a few yards back.   This got me thinking how easy it can be to get lost, to take the wrong turn, especially in the dark of night and unfamiliar surroundings. 

The scriptures tell us that in the last days, many will be deceived!  We must buckle up and stay alert!!  We must be aware of what’s going on around us!  Whether it’s daytime or nighttime, whether there’s a little traffic or a lot of traffic, whether we’re student drivers or experienced drivers, we must stop and look!  We must keep a firm grip on our faith!!!  We may have lived for God for years, but we can still be deceived if we’re not paying attention!   We can gradually merge onto a WRONG WAY street or DEAD END road!  

So take some time regularly to think about where you are.  Are you drawing closer to God during these unprecedented times or are you growing distant from Him?  On this journey there are detours, roadblocks, road construction, blind spots, falling asleep at the wheel, road rage, inclement weather, resulting in hazardous reduced visibility making conditions extremely dangerous.  

 Driving gets more dangerous as the light fades.

I read that 50% of traffic deaths happen at night.   In general, it’s more difficult for our eyes to see at night.   Our depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision can be compromised in the dark.  The glare of headlights from an oncoming vehicle can temporarily blind a driver. 

We are living in the last days!  Days of darkness!  Days of seducing spirits!  Stay on guard!  STAY ALERT!   What influences are you under?  Are they positive or negative?  Is there sin in your life that is separating you from God?  We need to surrender all to God and ask Him to show us where to go and what to do.  Are you truly seeking the Lord for direction in your life?  We can’t always see what’s coming around the bend or over the hill, but we can trust that the Lord promised to never leave us or forsake us.  If we know that we have taken a wrong turn we don’t have to lose hope!  God can turn us around and get us back on the right road!  There are sometimes though that it may feel like we are on the wrong road when actually God has put us there and we must be patient and obedient to do His will.  That’s why it’s so important to stay close to the Lord through prayer, reading the WORD, and being renewed in the spirit so that we will be able to hear His voice and be led by HIM.   

 I Peter 5:8-9

Be sober (self-controlled), be vigilant; (adjective watchful, alert, on the lookout, careful, cautious, attentive, circumspect, wide awake, on the alert, on your toes, wakeful, on your guard, on the watch, keeping your eyes peeled – The Free Dictionary) because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Life Application Bible Commentary

“Lions attack sick, young or straggling animals;  they choose victims who are alone or not alert.  Peter warns us to watch out for satan when we are suffering or persecuted.  Feeling alone, weak, helpless, and cut off from other believers, so focused on our troubles that we forget to watch for danger, we are especially vulnerable to satan’s attacks.   During times of suffering, seek other Christians for support.  Keep your eyes on Christ, and resist the devil.  Then, says James, “he will flee from you”.  (James 4:7)

 I Timothy 3:13-14

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

 Don’t isolate yourself.  Encourage others.  Encourage yourself in the Lord.  Keep praising and worshiping Jesus.  Keep praying.  Pray more.  Keep reading and studying the Bible.   

It is our roadmap.   

-Written By: Sis Tibbs