God's Everlasting Love

The Lord has appeared of old unto me, saying,
Yea, I have loved you with an EVERLASTING love;
therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn you.
Jeremiah 31:3

Do you ever base your opinion about God's love
for you on your opinion of yourself? Do you ever
question how He could love you, when He knows
the truth about you? Do you ever feel unworthy?

My precious friend, I have news for you. God loves
you with a everlasting love.

You see, we all have this in common. We are flawed,
imperfect people. We all make mistakes. We all do
and say things we regret. It is not that we are deserving,
or perfect, it is that God's love is far above what
we can imagine or understand, we are his precious
creation and children of the Most High.

Let me go a step further.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23

So you say, if this is so, how can God love us?

In this was the love of God manifested towards us,
that God sent his ONLY begotten Son into the world,
that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that
we loved God, but that HE loved us and sent his Son to be a
propitiation for our sins.
1 John 5:9-10.

Even in our sinful state, God loved us.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Roman 5:6-8

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 5:8

Let us think about this. If God created us, God created love.
If ever anyone knew how to love, it is the one who created
all things. The only one who will be with you from birth to death
to eternity. How precious is this!

For those of you who are parents. And all of you are children
of someone. Do you stop loving your children, because
they make mistakes? What kind of love do you have for them?
I am sure you love them deeply, and find it easy to forgive them.
Even when they make the worst mistakes, you are there,
praying for them, trying to guide them, seeking the best
way you can to make them feel loved and special.
How much greater is our heavenly Father's eternal, abiding,
merciful, and everlasting love for us? Love beyond
our scope of understanding.

Still not persuaded? My guess then is that you are not feeling
good about yourself, and then consider how could God or anyone
else love you? You see those emotions are fear based,
fear of rejection, fear of abandonment, fear of not being good enough.

There is NO fear in love; but perfect love casts out all fear,
because fear involves torment. But He who fears has not been
made perfect in love.
1 John 5:18

Torment. How many of you have felt that? This sinking feeling,
this constant battle within your soul, this nagging
feeling that won't go away? My friends, that is either you
tormenting yourself, someone tormenting you , or the Father
of lies fighting a spiritual battle with you. Rebuke satan
and he will have to flee. Anytime you feel tormented
you know its not of God, its from the enemy of your soul
who is telling you lies. Don't believe his lies for a minute.
Get into the word of God and receive what He has for you.

Don't let satan ever rob you of your assurance that God loves
you deeply.

The Bible tells us God loves us, and He proved it by sending
his only son to die for us. How unreasonable and unfounded
it is for us to doubt that or cast it away in any form.

Love yourself. Love the life God has given you. Set aside
these feelings that weigh you down, and go out and live your
life with the sense you are truly loved, truly forgiven,
and you have a heavenly Father who will never leave you
or forsake you.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor
angels, nor principalities, nor powers,
nor things present, nor things to come, nor height
nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate
us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

Walk in his freedom, forgiveness,
and merciful love, and never look back or receive rejection.

And my God shall supply all your need according to his
riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

God will supply all the love you ever need. Receive it.
Never doubt it. You are loved!

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High,
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will
say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress.
My God, in HIM will I TRUST.
Psalm 91:1-2

love always,
millie

Turn It Into A Prayer

Turn It Into A Prayer
copyright Millie Plastaras 8/26/2009

Pray without Ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17

As trials increase, and the world changes, and our life
has trials and problems, our immediate response as a
Christian should be to run to our Father God and say God
this is too big for me, I cannot handle it, please help me
with this, I leave it in your hands.

A day hemmed in with prayer, is less likely to unravel!

If today you are in a financial crisis,
turn it into a prayer.

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger;
but they that seek the Lord shall NOT want
any good thing.
Psalm 34:10

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1

If today you are ill or in pain,
turn it into a prayer.

Beloved, I wish above all things that you may
prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.
3 John 2

If today you feel alone or abandoned,
turn it into a prayer.

Be strong and of good courage, fear not,
nor be afraid of them; for the Lord THY God,
He it is that does go with you, He will NOT fail you,
nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

If today you feel overwhelmed by your problems,
turn it into a prayer.

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

If today you are depressed,
turn it into a prayer.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew
their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles,
they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

If today you feel the oppression of the enemy,
turn it into a prayer.

What then shall we say to all this? If God be for us,
who can be against us? Who can be our foe, if God is on
our side? Romans 8:31

No matter what you are facing today,
there is no problem that God's abilities
are not greater still!

Your doubting, or lack of faith does not change
how great and powerful God is. Tap into His
strength and hope, by turning to God in prayer.

Do not look to the right or left, turn into the driveway of prayer!
Focus your eyes on Jesus, till the world and it's cares fade out,
and His comfort seeps into your spirit filling you with hope
and peace.

Everything would pull on us and drain us,
use us, defeat us, worry us, until we lose hope.

Instead turn it all into a prayer.

If today you find the world's problems are larger
than your ability to cope with them,
turn it over to God in prayer.

Nothing that happens in your life today is your business.
Your heavenly Father wants you to give him your burdens
and be free of them, and go out and make your day count,
and be full of joy and faith, and accomplish something for
Him. He will be with you. JUST TRUST.
Turn it over to God in prayer.

Casting your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7.

Hey, you are not still sitting there worrying are you?

Turn it into prayer.

Don't hesitate, don't put it off,
don't find other things to do,
don't try to control it yourself,
don't give into feelings of depression and hopelessness,
this comes from the father of liars, satan the loser.

Run to the arms of God, turn your cares into praises
and leave your cares at the throne of Jesus.

No matter what thought comes to mind,
take it captive, and give it to the Lord.
Even if you have to do it 50 times until you learn
to let go. Turn it over to God in prayer.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things
present, nor things to come.
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us from the Love of God
which is in Christ Jesus our LORD.
Romans 8:38,39

Fear thou not, for I am with the, be not dismayed,
for I am THY God. I will strengthen thee, yea, I will uphold
thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13.

remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done, for Christ will last

About Those Sheep

copyright Millie Plastaras 9/02/04

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, He makes me to
lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still
waters, He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of
righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk
through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
For You are with me. Your rod and Your staff comfort me.
You prepare a place for me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil, My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23

We often hear in this modern society that people that follow
a certain way of life, are just sheep. They are brainwashed
and have no mind of their own. They are led about by
their nose, following the leading of those who have
brainwashed them. They seem to think being a sheep
is a bad thing.

I am here to proclaim to you today the good news of Jesus
Christ:

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward Him, and said,
Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
John 1:29

Jesus was called the lamb (sheep) of God. His gentle
loving nature was one that set an example that forever
would ring of truth, nurturing love, great strength, and hope.

When someone calls me a sheep, I say hallelujah. I know
God, I know His provision and I have met His son. I am
a sheep in the flock of the Lamb of God who takes away
the sins of the world. He watches over me!

Psalm 23 is a very interesting and hopeful part of the Bible.
People should speak this out loud at least 3 times a day. It
has such meaning. A lot of it not known to modern society.

Let me try to explain to you a lesson I heard many years ago
about this Psalm that forever changed my thinking about
the provision of our Great God.

The Lord is my shepherd... I shall not want.

A shepherd knows the needs of his sheep and provides those
needs before they are even spoken. They are anticipated
by the shepherd and provided for in advance.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

A sheep is very careful where they lay down. And a shepherd
prepares the ground they lay on. So that no thorns or thistles
will get in their wool. A shepherd prepares a place for His
sheep to rest that is perfect and comfortable and safe.

He leads me besides still waters.

A sheep will not drink from moving water. A shepherd makes
a dam with rocks or whatever is available so when the
sheep goes to drink, the waters they so desperately need
are calm and soothe the sheep. The shepherd knows
how to calm the greatest disturbance and what the solution is.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for His names sake.

The shepherd knows just the perfect path. This is one thing
the sheep don't need to concern themselves with. The
shepherd knows the path, what to look for and how to get
there. All the sheep have to do is move, and trust. They
will be led in safety and peace to their destination.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear
no evil, for You are with me! Your rod and your staff will
comfort me.

A shepherd knows that there will be dangers along his
chosen path. There will be predators who long to kill the sheep,
there will be rocks, and detours, and storms and many things
yet to face. But the shepherd has made provisions for them.
His rod will hold off any powers of darkness, or enemies, or
predators or storms of life. His staff will draw us to him when
we start to stray and bring us back into the fold where we
are safe, and within His will.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my
enemies.

When the sheep need to eat, the shepherd prepares that
place, just as he does their resting place. He knows there
will be enemies around, but he chooses a place where
he can watch over the whole flock. He makes sure that
any poison thistles or dangerous plants are removed.
And he makes sure it is a place where the sheep feel
peaceful enough to relax and eat. The provision
of the shepherd makes the meal even more precious
and joyful.

You anoint my head with oil.

A sheep often gets cuts or skin problems. A shepherd
will put soothing oil upon them to heal the sheep. The oil
that heals and sustains and brings restoration. The shepherd
knows exactly physical needs of each sheep. He knows
them all by name, and knows each of their individual
needs, and habits.

My cup runs over.

A sheep likes the water where it is easy to get to. So the water
at an easy vantage point where it is easy to partake of
reassures the sheep. The shepherd knows how to fill that
sheep with the living water that will nurture its body and bring
health. The shepherd is always aware of the depth of the
water and any surroundings and dangers. He knows the
sheep needs water to sustains it, and has great mercy
towards that sheep, providing the water that will attract it
most and make it feel comforted. Water that
fills that thirst of a sheep on a long journey, till it is
overflowing and sustaining in His body.

Interesting to note that sheep will not drink out of moving or
running water, and the shepherd makes the waters still
by using rocks or whatever available to make the waters
still and peaceful for the sheep to partake of and enjoy.


Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life

For as long as that sheep is alive, the shepherd will
give it good care and show mercy and love to it.
The Bible says that those that follow the Lord will find
mercy and strength. And that all the promises of the Lord's
are their inheritance. His goodness and mercies are new
every morning. His provision unlimited. His compassion
never ending. His solutions and power all encompassing.
All He is, is all we will ever need.

I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The sheep knows the voice of His master. And when that
sheep listens to the soothing comforting voice of the master,
and follows his leading. He will make it home. He will find
a path set before Him known by the shepherd. And he will
find peace and comfort for his soul.

And the oil of the shepherd heals, and restores what
has been bruised or broken.

The sheep only need to learn to trust. And rest in
the provision of the Shepherd. And to be obedient,
and listen to the powerful lessons the shepherd teaches it.

This then is a life of hope, victory, and a life lived well.
A life with the Shepherd of our souls. Who will lead us all
home.

Oh if we could only keep that in our hearts and minds
daily and let it sustain us. Never again to worry or fear.
But to cling to that Shepherd and know our sufficiency is
from Him, not from anyone else. That our circumstances will
not defeat us, our losses will not destroy us, our illness will not
keep us down, our enemies will not be victorious and no
one can take us out of the Shepherds care.

How truly blessed we are.

I am the Good Shepherd, The good Shepherd gives His life
for His sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them,
and they follow me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall
never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;
and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.
I and my Father are One.
John 10:11, 27-30

The Lord is my Shepherd.... I shall not want.

Trust in this, rely on, cling to, find hope in, and

be strengthened by this daily. Hallelujah!

remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done, for Christ will last

Safe In His Arms

copyright Millie Plastaras 8/11/2009

We woke up today, given a fresh new day.
The sun rose, and with it the promises of a new
day to invest. Many of us will face heavy things today.
Some more than others. But all have problems.
Even the world seems in turmoil now, with
few safe havens and trustworthy people.

I can truly tell you, no matter what you go
through today, or are facing, you are not
facing it alone. The God of all comfort
has all the wisdom ever known to mankind
and more, beyond our understanding. He
knows all about you, and has since before
you were born, even as you were being
knit in your Mother's womb.

This Great God has plans for you. He promises
that He will always be with you. That He won't
forsake you. That He actually has plans for you,
for a future and a hope!

Yet here you are, first thing in the morning,
discouraged, worried, and carrying the past
around as if it was a trophy. What will it profit you?

What do you want most? How can you get it?
Is the way you are living going to accomplish
that or are you going the wrong direction?

As I get older, I can tell you I have been
through many trials in my life. Some very devastating,
some tragedies, some the death of dear ones.
There was even a time in my life, when almost
everyone I loved dearly walked away. It was
as if the floor dropped out from under me.

But never once did I feel God had forsaken me.
Indeed, I could feel his presence, and I could
cry out to Him any time of the day or night and
feel his comforting arms enfold me and his
spirit speaking to me, this too shall pass my child,
rest and receive my peace.

Even in the long dark night of my soul,
he was there, weeping with me, comforting me,
and understanding all about what I was going through.
My Abba Father.

Our circumstances do not control us. Our trials
do not define us. How we handle them is
what defines us and builds character.

Face them with courage, a desire to overcome,
a heart turned towards God in prayer, and hope
that is renewed each morning.

These things I have pursued, and I can say
with all my heart, that even when I failed God
or strayed, He never left my side. He was
always there pleading, speaking to my spirit,
drawing me, and telling me come home my child.

He has plans for you my dear friend. Have you
tapped into them? Can you receive it? Do you
know Him? Do you know He loved us so very
much He gave his ONLY son to die just for our
filthy sins. And to rise again from death
that we might also. Who else loves us this much?

He will be with us from birth to death, our companion,
our Heavenly Father, The Great I Am. I Am ALL
you will ever need.

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath
are His everlasting arms; and HE shall thrust
out the enemy from before you, and shall say Destroy them.
Deuteronomy 33:27

Even the enemy of our soul and his demons cannot
defeat the armies of God. We are His army,
his children, called out, called unto holiness,
called to walk in His path, for His glory and his honor
and for a right and light filled path for our own way.

Seek Him while he may be found. For He is the
God of your Fathers, who loved you and gave his
son for you. How then can we do less for the
master than give our lives to Him daily and pick
up our cross and follow Him.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I
am thy God; I will strengthen thee, yeah, I will help thee,
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my
righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, trust, rely on, cling to, walk with,
and obey the God of all comfort.

These things you will never regret, and your
life will be forever changed, as you face this
journey with your face lifted up, and hope in
your heart, and a Father God at your side to
guide you through all things safely.

Love always
millie

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

What Defines Who You Are?

Good Morning Everyone,

I love this poem below.. and it was food for
thought when I first read it.

I think it challenges us.. to one great concept.

What defines you?
If someone had to write a dictionary definition of
what you are.. what would they define you as?

Wow.. profound question huh?

I recently had a dear friend send me a email,
and we were to define each other in one word.
It was hard to find just one word to describe
what this person has meant in my life.. but
a great challenge.

The word she defined me with.. set me
on a new path of thinking. She said I was
full of amazing grace. That brought tears to my eyes.
But I wonder if that is the way most view me,
or most importantly how God views me.

What do you want to be remembered for?
Are you working towards that or dreaming about it?

When people are around you, do they find you
pleasant? Do you constantly dwell on your issues
and problems, or try to find cheerful things and
encouraging things to share with those you meet?

When someone has been around you and
they leave the room or the house.. what feelings
are they left with? That it was like a fresh
breath of air, and really uplifting, or wow, I could
hardly wait to get away.

Life is a series of ups and downs.. the way we
handle it, and the way we treat others, is entirely
due to the way we process it mentally.

Our circumstances can define us, or get
us down, or we can rise above them and
be defined in strength, character and wisdom
by what we go through, learning life's lessons with grace.

I would hope we would all process it spiritually,
and say God help me learn from this situation,
make me strong, wise and beautiful in your sight.
Refine me as pure Gold.. let me be a joy to all
who meet me.. and most of all let me be defined
by you in me.

Let me not be defined by my problems, or my
losses but by my constant moving forward
in the joy of the Lord, and the joy of life,
making it count for all I am worth.

These are not easy things to be and do.
But we have a choice every time we meet someone
on how to treat them. Its called self discipline.
We have a choice every time a trial hits our life
on how we deal with it, its called giving it to God.

We are only in control of one thing.. how
we love those around us. Our circumstances should
not control us, if we rely on, trust in and find
hope in Christ daily.

Let your life be defined, by Jesus in you.

It will bring joy to everyone who meets you.

love
millie






I Am Defined by the Great I AM

By T. Early
I am not defined by what I naturally see
I am not defined by man's opinion of me
I am not defined by the cares of this life
I am not defined by having husband or wife

I am not defined by sickness or disease
I am not defined by those whom I'm to please
I am not defined by the pressures that mount
I am not defined by my own bank account

I am not defined by neither guilt nor shame
I am not defined by whom or what to blame
I am not defined by my own personal success
I am not defined by any means of being blessed

I am not defined by fear of the unknown
I am not defined by the number of things I own
I am not defined by houses or land
I am not defined by my change of plans

I am not defined by loss or personal gain
I am not defined by sorrow, hurt, or pain
I am not defined by being well known
I am not defined by the seeds of life sown

I am not defined by my strengths and needs
I am not defined by my ability to succeed
I am not defined by what I feel that I am
But assuredly I am defined by the Great I AM

I AM that I AM is the God that defines
I AM that I AM is He who refines
I AM that I AM purifies through HIS fire
I AM that I AM created me for HIS desire
I AM that I AM is revealed through me
I AM that I AM is who others really need to see

Is There Really a Right and a Wrong?

copyright Millie Plastaras 8/21/2003


There is a way that seems right unto a man,
but the end, thereof, is death.
Proverbs 14:12
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad
is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who
go by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way
which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Matthew 7:13-14

Everyone likes to make plans. We plan goals, we plan
meals, we plan for families, we plan for a job, we plan
on tomorrow. We all want security. We all want our life
to be successful and happy.

Yet the very thing that brings security, most people walk
away from, and cannot seem to clearly find their way back.
Everyone justifies themselves in their own eyes, but God
sees the heart. (For the Lord does not see as a man sees,
for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord
looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7b)

People like to justify their sin by blaming someone else,
it is always someone who hurt us in the past, or someone
who is hurting us now. There are a million excuses.
Yet, broad is the way to destruction, and easy it is to follow.
Yet narrow is the path to Gods heart, and difficult, and few
there are that follow it. People do not cause us to sin,
we make that choice, all by ourselves.

There is a right and wrong. There is a black and white.
It doesn't matter what our opinions are, it matters what
God requires. Because someday, when we walk before
His throne, and account for every word, and every deed,
all the whitewashed lies, and all the flimsy excuses will
lose their grip on us, and the truth will be so crystal clear.
We were disobedient.

The world would deceive us, and have us believe anything
is ok, if we want to do it.. it is our "right".

As we become caught up in the cares of this life, the sins
of the flesh, the lust of the eye, we find our conscience
becoming seared. It no longer has a clear picture of right
and wrong. But the Word of God says .. we must be born
again. This means.. That when we accept Jesus as our
Savior, and ask forgiveness for our sins, that we walk away
from those sins.. we become new in Christ.
(If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The
old things have gone; everything is made new.
2 Corinthians 5:17)

All of the events in our lives, all of the people in our lives,
all of our relationships, all of our jobs, all of our possessions
will pass away. They will be as the chaff of the wheat,
blown away in the wind. The seasons of life pass,
and when all the chaff is cleared away, one things remains
true.

Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done, For Christ will last.

The wicked should stop doing wrong, and they should stop
their evil thoughts. They should return to the Lord so He may
have mercy upon them. They should come to our God,
because He will freely forgive them.
Isaiah 35:7

Am I then wicked? Search your heart, for the Bible tells
us that there is none righteous.. we all have sinned and
fall short of the Glory of God. We all have wicked thoughts,
and we all sin.. and we all must come to repentance.
(Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23)

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked, who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind, even to give every man according to His ways.
According to the fruit of His doings.
Jeremiah 17:9-10

We have to seek Him, we have to obey Him, we have to leave
our sins behind, confess the new ones we do. And we
have to PURSUE righteousness. No compromise.

What pleases the Lord more, burnt offerings and sacrifices
or obedience to His voice?
It is better to obey than to sacrifice. It is better to listen to God
than to offer the fat of sheep.
Disobedience is as bad as the sin of witchcraft!!!
Pride is as bad as the sin of worshipping idols!!
You have rejected the Lord's commands, and now
He rejects you as king.
1 Samuel 15:22-23

There is one truth above all.
NO one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one
and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one
and despise the other. You cannot serve God and man.
Matthew 6:24

Who is your master today? Are you really sold out to God,
or are you walking a wide berth around the narrow path
of righteousness?

Is God... really your God?

If He isn't ... guess who is!

This is the most important question you will ever ask yourself.
And it is life... or death.

remember
Only one life,
will soon be past
Only what is done, For Christ will last