November 23, 2024

From Paralyzed to Forgiven and Healed

February 1, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 
Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd,
they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it
and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man,
“Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Mark 2:3-5

Friends.  What would we do without our friends?  The man in our Scripture today would not have been able to receive his healing had his friends not put their faith into action…and been willing to get help for their friend.  We are not told whether the man had been paralyzed for a long or a short time; we just know that he was paralyzed.

Do you have such love for a friend—in which you would go to that much trouble for them?  If not, then we really need to look at our friend list and see who God would direct us to help.

As we walk through life we will have many friends…those who we went to school with, those we make through work, and those we make through just simply living.  Some of us have friends we have made through our life experiences.  And often, our best friend is our spouse or our siblings.

And then we have those people in our lives who do not make friends easily and keep everyone at arm’s length—who do not let anyone close due to life’s struggles.  That is a painful way to go through life and is not what God intended for His children.  He wants us to love others and bring them into a closer relationship with Him.  This cannot be done if we continue to put people off. We have to learn to trust and use the discernment God gave us to know who to let get close.

Our friends are those who are by our side no matter what the season.  They may not be able to be there physically, but still are there as they pray and submit requests to God on our behalf when we are going through suffering or a time of testing.  We are also to be there for them, lifting them up and being honest with them when needed.

But remember, our earthly friends are human.  They are subject to the pulls and tears of this world.  Our true Friend is our heavenly Father.  He will never leave us, never forsake us…no matter what we have done, said, or thought.  When we confess with our mouth, repent, and turn away from our sins, God is sure to show us mercy through His Son Jesus.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Father, thank You for Your mercy.  Thank You for Your grace.  Father, teach us to be better friends, better wives, and better daughters.  Teach us to be intercessory prayer warriors on behalf of our family and friends.   Thank You for giving us great examples who we model our prayers after. Thank You!  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Mighty Wind

January 27, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjvLike the rushing of a mighty wind
Like the rushing of a mighty wind
Come and fill our hearts again
Just like the rushing of a mighty wind

Like a river that has overflowed
Like a river that has overflowed
Come and fill our hearts
Like a river that has overflowed

Let it overflow
Let it overflow
Let it overflow
Let it overflow
Let it overflow

And let the people come from miles around
As you send your Spirit down
Just to revive your church, to revive the church again
Come in like the rushing of a mighty wind
Oh like the rushing

Like the rushing of a mighty wind
(how many of you want revival)
Like the rushing of a mighty wind
(of a mighty wind, Lord come and fill)
Come and fill our hearts again
(fill our hearts again)
like the rushing of a mighty wind
(just like the rushing of a mighty wind)

Do it today, Lord
Like a mighty wind

Singer/Songwriter Andrae Crouch

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Have you ever entered into worship and felt the power of the Holy Spirit?  I have—and it is magnificent!  The emotions…the overwhelming feeling of joy!  It comes at you like a mighty wind, it brings you to tears of joy.

Of course, most peoples’ first response to someone crying is to comfort them.  But when it is the Holy Spirit speaking to you, you do not need comforting.  Let the tears fall and rejoice in the Lord our God!  My prayer is that you will experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit with joy and expectation.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , ,

Trust Do Not Worry

January 25, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:33-34 ESV

Worry.  We come by it so easily. I do not think we as women have to be trained…it seems to come so naturally.  If we worry, it means that we do not have faith that God can take care of things in our lives. The easy things, sure; but the major things…do we trust those to Him.

As we have watched our parents walk through life, we have observed how they were able to get through hard times and good times. We have watched them worry and saw while they coped with issues…whether they trusted God or not. My parents went through a lot of hardships in their lives. Mom was the oldest of three girls; and Dad was the middle of five children. They were born during the Depression Era.  So I am sure there was plenty of worry in the households they grew up in.

As they aged, they each found their way in the world.  Mom ran away several times…Dad did, too.  Mom always found a way to support herself and Dad joined the Army.  They met and were married.  Dad worked at a saw mill while mom stayed home. She worked part-time at a veterinarian clinic which she truly loved!  They were poor and worried how to make ends meet. Mom and Dad always were able to provide for us.

Likewise, God provides for us.  All we have to do is trust Him.  As our parents provided for us, and we provide for our families, God will provide.

All we have to do is ask and trust that God will be there.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Father, help us to seek You when things trouble us…to bring even the tiniest things to You.  When they seem too small, help us remember it is not so. You want to be a Friend to us and friends share all thoughts, feelings, and hurts.  Thank You for wanting to be that Friend to us!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Your Faith Has Made You Free

January 22, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

And He said to her, Daughter, your faith (your trust and confidence in Me,
springing from faith in God) has restored you to health.
Go in (into) peace and be continually healed and freed
from your [distressing bodily] disease.
Mark 5:34

(To read the context, please click this link.)

Can you imagine those who live with chronic pain being freed from it forever? I know plenty of people who would love for this to happen. People look for the cure everywhere except for going to their Father in heaven who can heal.  Does He always?  No.  We will probably never know why.  It is not for us to know all of the answers.

The woman had heard of Jesus’ miraculous healing power and out of her desperation, she knew she would probably die if she did not find someone to cure her. If she were a single woman and had spent all of her money on finding a cure, this was her last hope. Getting the courage to touch His robe in the crowd, she knew she could get into trouble if found out. Women were and are still thought of as property. But Jesus did not rebuff her. He wanted her to have faith in telling her story to everyone that she was healed just by touching His robe.

Remember in the Old Testament, Elisha the prophet was like that…people would touch his bones and come alive!

Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb.
When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet.
2 Kings 13:21

Elisha was a holy man of God…one of His great prophets.  And then there was Peter…his shadow would fall across people and they would be healed.  What a great testimony of one of the disciples that loved Jesus!
*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father, help us have faith in Your Word.  Like the man asking Jesus to heal his daughter, ‘If you can’ and Jesus saying that  He can only do it if the man had faith. The father responded, “I believe, help my unbelief’.” We want that. You are our Sovereign God. There is none like You. Thank You for loving us more than anyone on earth ever could.  Forgive us and help us to show grace to others. Thank You for always being there and never leaving us. Thank You for second chances!  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Free

January 14, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with His disciples.
Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat.
But Jesus was sleeping.
The disciples went and woke Him up, shouting,
“Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!”
Then He got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked.
“Even the winds and waves obey Him!”
Matthew 8:23-27 NLT

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

And He said to her, Daughter, your faith (your trust and confidence in Me,
springing from faith in God) has restored you to health.
Go in (into) peace and be continually healed and freed
from your [distressing bodily] disease.
Mark 5:34

(To read the context, please click this link.)

Can you imagine those who live with chronic pain being freed from it forever? I know plenty of people who would love for this to happen. People look for the cure everywhere except for going to their Father in heaven who can heal.  Does He always? No.  We will probably never know why. It is not for us to know all of the answers.

The woman had heard of Jesus’ miraculous healing power and out of her desperation, she knew she would probably die if she did not find someone to cure her. If she were a single woman and had spent all of her money on finding a cure, this was her last hope. Getting the courage to touch His robe in the crowd, she knew she could get into trouble if found out. Women were and are still thought of as property. But Jesus did not rebuff her. He wanted her to have faith in telling her story to everyone that she was healed just by touching His robe.

Remember in the Old Testament, Elisha the prophet was like that. People would touch his bones and come alive!

Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb.
When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet.
2 Kings 13:21
Elisha was a holy man of God…one of His great prophets.  And then there was Peter…his shadow would fall across people and they would be healed.  What a great testimony of one of the disciples that loved Jesus!
*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *
 
Father, help us have faith in Your Word.  Like the man asking Jesus to heal his daughter, ‘If you can’ and Jesus saying that  He can only do it if the man had faith. The father responded, “I believe, help my unbelief’.” We want that. You are our Sovereign God. There is none like You. Thank You for loving us more than anyone on earth ever could.  Forgive us and help us to show grace to others. Thank You for always being there and never leaving us. Thank You for second chances!  In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Give Me Jesus

January 13, 2015 by
psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
Give me Jesus
 
Give me Jesus, give me Jesus
You can have all this world
But give me Jesus
 
And when I am alone
Oh and when I am alone
And when I am alone
Give me Jesus
 
And when I come to die
Oh and when I come to die
And when I come to die
Give me Jesus

Traditional African Spiritual Hymn
Performed by Fernando Ortega
*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *
Such a beautiful and meditative song to worship our Savior!   Can you imagine being in God’s presence one day?  Oh sweet friend, I can!  I can just imagine being awed, speechless, and at peace—all at once.  God is our Friend.  He wants that relationship with us that is a great friendship…greater than any friendship we will ever have on earth.
You see, God created us and He knows us inside and out.  He knows what we are thinking and what path we will most likely take.  He knows our character and He knows our name. It might not be our earthly name…but a name that God has for us.  I hope and pray with my mistakes that I will have a name that I will not be ashamed to bear; I would be just devasted.  God extends grace and mercy to us.  We are not to take for granted that grace will always be given.  God does have His limits.  We have to be willing to turn and repent from our ways and ask God to give us Jesus in a new way—in a way that will make us stand up and shout from the rooftops how wonderful our God is and how much He loved us to send His only Son Jesus to show us how to live a perfect life.
*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *
Thank You, Father, for sending us Your Son.  Thank You for giving artists the words to say to bring us closer to us. Extend to us Your grace and mercy, even when we do not deserve it.  We strive to please You and to break the cycle we seem unable to break.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , ,

2014 – My Journey This Year

December 31, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

My journey this year has been exciting.   My one friend has lost her mom after a stroke.  Another is getting to watch her oldest children go through relationships as young people and see how they navigate with God at the head of the relationships. I have met new friends…older and younger.  We have finished expansions on our home and repainted other areas.  Through this I have learned how impatient I can be.  And then I have learned to continue to look toward God for my Strength and my Shield.

I have seen relationships end and others grow in numbers (those are fun!).  Baby showers are the promise of new life to come.  God has given us the gift of new life around us.  God has given me the responsibility, along with others, to help lead our area in the Children’s Ministry; and it is fun to see the children grow and come through our doors at church for Early Childhood group. I helped organize our team for the Hallelujah Hoedown…which was a blast. It was hot, but it was fun.

I have learned this year to focus and trust God more. Working through the practices for the Hoedown, took lots of time. I was and am very thankful for what time all the volunteers gave to me and to the children this year. I have learned to look at myself and know my limits…there and at work.  At home I have learned to not be critical of others.  I have learned to pray more and wait patiently for God’s grace.

With Everything ~ Hillsong United / Joel Houston, songwriter

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More of You (Redux)

December 30, 2014 by
Redux means to revisit, bring back, re-release.  This last week of 2014, we—the bloggers here at Girlfriends Coffee Hour—are each ‘revisiting’ a blog we wrote earlier this year.
We would love to share with you just a bit about how very good God has been to us!  He has given us all so much grace and mercy, blessings and provision, protection and guidance!  He has led us and taught us through His Holy Spirit so many incredible things!  He has molded, and chastised, and encouraged us to be daughters with humble hearts who are dependent upon Him.  And He has helped us to be strong, committed, and faithful women who love Him and desire to bring Him much honor and glory and majesty.

We pray that our words would encourage you also…and draw You deeper into relationship with the One Who loves you so!  Here are my friend Tina’s words….

❦

We are at the end of the year and ready to begin a new one.  Usually it is a time of reflection, a time to make new plans, goals and celebrations.  God wants us to simplify our life and make time for Him.  Sounds so simple and easy, right?  It can be.   Remember—as always—God is there.
Give, and it will be given to you.
A good measure, pressed down,
shaken together and running over,
will be poured into your lap.
For with the measure you use,
it will be measured to you.
Matthew 6:38
 This is my favorite song blog from 2014.  I pray that you have, and will, enjoy it as well!
  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *
I made my castle tall
I built up every wall
This is my kingdom and it needs to fall
I want You and no one else
Empty me of myself
Until the only thing that’s left is

More of You
Less of me
Make me who I’m meant to be
You’re all I want all I need
You’re everything
Take it all I surrender
Be my King
God, I choose
More of You
Less of me

More of You

This life I hold so close 
Oh, God I let it go
I refuse to gain the world and lose my soul
So take it all I abandon everything I am You can have it
The only thing I need is

All to You, I surrender
All to You, my blessed Savior
I surrender all

Singer/Songwriter: Colton Dixon, along with Ben Glover, David Arthur Garcia

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

Walking through life everyday, we can become complacent.  Not searching for any more than what we have right now, right here.  But, God does not want us to live that way.  He wants us to live life to the fullest.  He wants us to seek Him and seek His ways. Until we do that, we will never experience the life He holds. We can be safe…we can be ‘free’;  but are we really?  Are we truly free if we have to come to the same job everyday, perform the same tasks everyday, and are not living for Him?

  • When was the last time you told someone about your walk with God?
  • When was the last time you were on your knees with God?
  • When was the last time you were in His word, seeking His will for you?

You may say, ‘I am too old’ or ‘I am too young.’  Perhaps you may even say, ‘I am not physcially able to do anything.’  Sister in Christ, you are able. You can pray.  You can say positive words to a hurting person. You can even post things to your Facebook page to encourage someone.  You never know when your words, your actions, your kindess will impact a person who needs a touch from God.

 

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

No Greater Love

December 25, 2014 by

SHadventlovegraphic

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13 NIV

Ponder those words.  Do you have a friend that would do that for you?  You know that you do. If you have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, He has already paid that price for you.

You see, Jesus knew from the Creation of man, that His father meant for Him to come dwell among us, to be an example of how we should live in this broken world. God knew it would be better for us to see how to live a perfect life.  And Jesus is the example of living a selfless life.

We are blessed to know God and His Son. Not all that are called accept true life.  Not all that accept true life follow Him.  All we can do is pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We can pray for their acceptance,  and we can pray for our ability to accept them, not judge them.  We all have to keep our thoughts and actions in check. We get so busy with life that sometimes we forget to check in with our Father. We can change and begin to seek our heavenly Father more.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us,
not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.
He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
so that, having been justified by His grace,
we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things,
so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves
to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
Titus 3:4-8

 *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Father, thank You for sending Your son Jesus to live among us.  Thank You for the many times You give us to live for You.  Jesus, we thank You for interceding on our behalf every day….even when we don’t deserve it.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

O Come, All Ye Faithful

December 23, 2014 by

phssChristmasgraphic2014

O come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born, the King of angels

O, come let us adore Him
O, come let us adore Him
O, come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

Sing, choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above
Glory to God
Glory in the highest

Written by John Francis Wade

   *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Let us continue to prepare our hearts to celebrate Christmas.  After all the presents are purchased, the gifts are wrapped, let us give thanks.  While we are making preparations for the parties and meals for everyone to gather and love on each other, I pray we remember the birth of Jesus and the sacrifice He made to come and be among man here on earth.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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