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AWESOME DEVOTIONS: March 2008

Friday, March 28, 2008

FRIENDS AND FAMILY

I went to Atlanta for a few days with my daughter over her spring break. To be honest, I was very nervous. I was afraid to see people I hadn't seen in several years - feared I had aged too much and looked too ill.

In hindsight, how ridiculous that fear was! I had a wonderful time. I got to spend Easter with two families that I care very much for and laughed more than I have in a very long time. It was so good to catch up on old times and make new memories! Although I did not get to see everyone I wanted to because I did not have a car while I was there, even those I did not see were in my heart when I thought about all the wonderful memories.

So much has changed in my life over the last 10 years. Nothing is like it was or like I thought it would be. But, it is how God had it planned, and it is perfect!

Sometimes I wonder how I will make it financially, how I will make it physically and emotionally, but God is always there and always gets me through. He has brought so many wonderful friends in my life who mean more to me than I could ever express, and they are my friends no matter how far apart we are.

I was so grateful that my daughter and her boyfriend let me ride to Atlanta with them because I couldn't have gone by myself. The trip truly helped me realize, once again, that I am right where I am supposed to be but that no matter how far away I am, I truly have friends and family in Atlanta and wonderful friends in West Virginia, and lots of places in between! I truly never have to be lonely - I do have "family"!

Thank you, Lord, for the family you have given me. Thank you for the gift of friends who are just like my family. You have truly blessed me with the most wonderful friends and family to help me through the hard times and to share the good times! I pray that I can be just as good a friend to them as they are to me!


God sets the lonely in families. Psalm 68:6

Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.
Mark 5:19

Friday, March 21, 2008

HAPPY EASTER!!

Happy Easter to all! I hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend but among the wonderful food and the Easter egg hunts, remember that what we are truly celebrating is that Christ died on the cross for our sins but conquered death and rose again!! Praise God!! We all can have victory through Christ!


But thanks be to God!! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
1 Corinthians 15:57




ARISE MY LOVE - Newsong

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

OH THE PAIN!!

My back has been hurting so much. The arthritis is getting worse I think. I can't even sleep in my bed - have to sleep in a chair and take pain medications just to get to sleep. I am way too young for this!!!

Oh, what a complainer I am, but when I truly think about it, I have absolutely nothing to complain about! I went to see the Passion Play at my church Sunday night and once again was reminded of the love Christ has for us and the pain that He went through on the cross for us, and He never complained! The physical pain He went through must have been unbearable! And the emotional pain knowing He was betrayed!

But He suffered all that pain for us - so that we will have eternal life. We will one day live a victorious life with no pain, no suffering, only joy and gladness!!

Lord, help me not to complain so much. The pain I feel is absolutely nothing compared to the pain You went through! The joy I feel in the Lord, however, is unlimited!!

Thank you, Lord, for forgiving us of our sins and for suffering on the cross for us so that we may have eternal life! Thank you for this Easter season!


This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of the wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. Acts 2:23-24


I hope you enjoy this video - I think it is truly perfect for this Easter season

HE'S ALIVE

Friday, March 14, 2008

SO TRULY BLESSED!!!!

Sometimes it is so hard to be faithful. Sometimes the circumstances of life make you just want to give up. They make you wonder why you should be faithful and good if only to find yourself in the bad circumstances you are in - bad health, poor finances, lack of relationships.

But then you have one of those days like I have had today where everything seems to be right. I have to admit I haven't felt very well but that just hasn't seem to matter today. I have talked to a friend who is out of town whom I miss a lot when I don't see her. I have done some redecorating of my house - didn't spend much money, must changed things around and it truly feels like home. And I had a truly great financial surprise today - to my benefit. God has truly blessed me!!

While things over the last few years have not been easy, while keeping a good attitude has not always been easy, I have been so richly blessed and instead of giving up, my faith has truly grown stronger. I am a much better and stronger person than I was when this journey that I have been on began. I am so grateful for a God who never gives up on me and blesses me in ways that I don't even see at the time!!

Thank you, Lord, for all your blessings! Help me to keep growing in my faith and in Your word!


A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. Proverbs 28:20


How Great is Our God, My Savior My God, Wonderful Maker

Thursday, March 13, 2008

PRAYER OF FAITH

God is my help in every need;
God does my every hunger feed;
God walks beside me, guides my way
Through every moment of the day.

I now am wise, I now am true,
Patient, kind, and loving too.
All things I am, can do, and be
Through Christ, the Truth that is in me.

God is my health, I can't be sick;
God is my strength, unfailing, quick;
God is my all; I know no fear,
Since God and love and Truth are here.


---Hannah More Kohaus

Monday, March 10, 2008

RISE AND SHINE AND GIVE GOD THE GLORY!!

"Rise and shine and give God the glory" is a refrain from a popular children's song. Each day as I awake to face the new day, I am so grateful - grateful to be able to wake up and complete whatever God wants me to do with my life for the day! I am grateful for the tasks and grateful for the enjoyments that He has given me, and grateful for another day to share God's love with others.

On those days where I may not feel as well, where times may be more troubled, I am grateful for the blessings that He has given me and that I can turn to the light of God within that illuminates my course.

Lord, help me to let my inner light shine and to share my joy with others in my life. Help me to rise and shine and give You the glory everyday!!


"Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:15-16

Thursday, March 6, 2008

STAYING FOCUSED

Do you ever have trouble staying focused? Do you sometimes forget what you were doing or what you were about to say? Do you ever veer off track from your plans? I certainly do! Sometimes I just can't focus on what I want to do or what I should do. I plan things to do for the day - even write them down - but then I veer off and do something else and my original plans never get completed.

Jesus never had trouble staying focused. From the time he entered the world, he never lost sight of his goal, not even for a moment. He always stayed on track. He never forgot his goal was to save us all - to make sure that we all could spend eternity in heaven! He stayed focused until the end and after he took his drink of wine, he said "It is finished." John 19:30

Lord, help us stayed focused on our goals. Help us to not veer off track from what You want us to do with our lives. Help us stayed focused until the end when we can say "It is finished" and spend eternity with You!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

OUR CONTENT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN OUR COVER

One of my new hobbies is going to auctions and flea markets. I love to find great bargains either for my own home but mainly to resell. I went to a library and bought probably 100 books for a dime each and have begun reselling them. It is a fun way to make a few extra dollars. It is fun to see if items sell for what I anticipate or if I have bought a big flop!!

One of the things that has come to my attention is that a lot of people have begun buying antique books just for their covers, not for their content. Interior decorators buy them and use them to create a warm, old-world atmosphere in the homes of affluent people. They do not care what the content of the book is, just that the covers match the room's decor. These books are only for show.

Focusing on outward appearance may be a pleasing way to decorate a home, but it certainly is a very dangerous way to lead your life. Jesus reprimanded many religious leaders of His day because they did not practice what they preached. They were addicted to praise and self-importance. Instead of opening the doors of heaven to people, because of their actions, they shut the door in their faces. Jesus said of them: "Everything they do is for man to see." Matthew 23:5

God calls us to be people of inner substance, not just outward appearance. We need to show others the reality of God by an attitude of humility. In living for Jesus, our content is much more important than our cover.

The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12

Saturday, March 1, 2008

LISTENING TO GOD

Listening is a magnetic and creative force. The people who listen to us are the ones we move toward , the ones who creates us, make us expand. It is easier for us to speak than it is for us to listen, though.

We should listen to others with affection as they are showing their souls to us. They are showing their true selves.

While we should be good listeners of others, we should listen most to God when He speaks to us. He is telling telling us His will for us, His dreams for us, His affection for us. He is showing who us who He really is and who He wants us to be, if we would only listen! He speaks to us in so many ways - through that quiet voice we hear, through events in our lives, through other people. We just need to listen and be aware of His presence and His word.

Lord, help us to move closer to You and to truly listen to You. Help us to hear what You say and what You want for our lives. It is so much easier to listen to ourselves and what we want, but help us to listen to You and heed Your will.

Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 30:19-20


GOD SPEAKING - Marisa