Millie's Inspirations

The Violent Take It By Force

2011-11-02T07:33:00.000-07:00

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in
God for pulling down strongholds.
2 Corinthians 10:3

According to websters dictionary a stronghold is
1 : a fortified place
2 a : a place of security or survival

A stronghold can also be a place we have allowed satan
to take hold of our thinking or life. This comes from a time
when we were weak, tempted, or caved in to thoughts,
desires, or temptations.

A strong hold upon our life. A place that
has taken root in our heart and spirit and become
a bondage within us.

We want to change that from a strong hold of satan the
loser upon our lives to a strong Hold of God upon our
spirit. A refuge, a place of comfort, away from the
enemy surrounded by God's angels, and fought by
mighty warfare.

So how do we change this?

1. Recognize the areas of your life that are not dedicated
to God. Perhaps you have become addicted to something,
or perhaps you are committing adultery. Perhaps you
have been thinking or doing things you know are not
right, but you continue. It can even be a way of
thinking, such as negativity, or gossip, or even
unforgiveness. All of these are negative, satanic strongholds.

2. Recognize that God is greater than any of these.
His might is not limited by our thinking. He is able to
pull down strongholds and defeat them forever.
Do not limit his ability by your thinking or unconfessed sin.
Recognize your need, confess it, and allow His
mighty spirit to overcome the strongholds within you.

3. Learn to fight back. We fight back several ways.
We learn to think differently -- righteously. We get into
the Word, and plant it in our heart, speak it to our problems.
We get into praise.. remembering God is worthy of praise
and inhabits the praises of His people. WE get into
fellowship, and learn to find encouragement and
wisdom from a Pastor and Teachers that God sends to us.
Speak the word, often, powerfully, it is alive and
will go forth and accomplish God's purpose. Nothing
can stop it!

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth.
It shall not return to Me void!
But it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper
in the thing for which I send it.
Isaiah 55:11

I am reminded of that popular saying now..
when one doesn't want to hear what someone else is
saying. They hold up their hand and say "Talk to the hand".
Basically because they are emphasizing they won't listen.
(A common problem now)

But.. I thought about this, and thought this is what we should
be doing to satan the loser every time he comes in with
a negative thought, or temptation, or lust, we should hold
our hand up and say, NOOOOOOOOOO!

I am a child of the King of Kings. I am covered by the
blood of the Lamb. You have no place in my life.
Greater is He that is in me, than He that is in the world.
And the God of peace shall bruise satan under your feet
shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Romans 16:20

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that
has exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and
bringing into CAPTIVITY every thought to the
obedience of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5

We have power in the name of Jesus to overcome
the powers of darkness! Take charge and fight back.
We are His warriors. Never forget that. Never cave in.
And never let defeat be spoken to you. Take every
thought into captivity in the name of Jesus and by
the blood of the Lamb.

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying Lord, even
the devils are subject unto us through your name!
and Jesus said to them, I beheld satan as lightning fall from
heaven.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and
scorpions, and over ALL the power of the enemy;
and NOTHING shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10:17-19

Claim it, believe it, receive it, cling to it, live by it
and hold up that hand and tell satan the loser you have
power over his demons and domain by the blood of the Lamb
Put on the armor of God daily, and fight back my friends.
We will not lose.. we will win.. and God is still on the throne.

And from the days of John the Baptist until now,
the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it
by force.
Matthew 11:12

As the kingdom of heaven advances, we fight the conflicts
of the powers of darkness with violent spiritual warfare..
According to Jack Hayford: The upheaval caused by
the kingdom of God is not caused by political provocation
or armed advance. It is the result of God's order
shaking relationships, households, cities and nations by
the entry of the Holy Spirit's power working in people.

Hallelujah! Power in the blood of the Lamb!
Praise God saints, and fight back!

Ephesians 6:10-18
(read these daily, practice them with all your heart,
and God will prevail)!

Stop Being Weak - Our Hope is In God.

2011-10-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

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

So we can be sure when we say, "I will not be afraid,
because the Lord is my helper. People can't do anything
to me. Hebrews 13:6

The dictionary defines courage as:
The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

When tough times come we have to toughen our approach to life.
We cannot throw our hands up in despair, run around
and scream hysterically oh what is happening to me. We have
to take every thought captive, and trust that God has our back.
God is in control. God's abilities are beyond our understanding.
God cares about the details of our lives. Nothing is impossible with
God.

This is not just religious speak, it is reality. God is greater than
all our sins, all our trials, all the world's chaos, all our defeats.
God is greater.

We can choose to walk in faith or fear. We can choose to walk
in hope or despair. The difference is found on our knees in
the presence of God where we boldly come to his throne
and leave our troubles there in exchange for his peace
and the recognition he will work it out and be with us every
step of the way.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE. God will be with you through whatever
you are facing.

I will guide them along paths they have not known. I will
make the darkness become light for them, and the rough
ground smooth. Isaiah 42:16.

Choose to be strong in the Lord and the power of his might.
Stick out your chin like flint and say I will be a overcomer,
not a victim. I will rise above, and not lay beneath. I will
live like a child of the king of kings, who loves me
and gave himself for me. No weapon that is formed against
me shall prosper.

So do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a
great reward! You must hold on, so you can do what
God wants and receive what He has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36.

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

How to Disable a Christian

2011-09-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

There are many things in this life to distract, but
distractions serve to do one thing, keep us from focusing
on what is good or right or what needs to be done.

Troubles, trials, people hurting us all serve as distractions
for our mind to keep us so entangled emotionally we are
unable to rise above it spiritually and intercede for each
other in prayer.

We are too busy being petty or feeling sorry for ourselves.

The best tool satan the loser has is to keep your
mind so occupied that you become weary and worn
and unable to function. It seems to be a easy thing
for him to do. He also uses being busy as a tool
to keep us from spending time with God.

He observes us, our daily habits and scopes in our weakness.
Our vulnerabilities are his playground. He knows our
buttons that will make us feel defeated, discouraged,
self loathing or unworthy. He wants us to feel like
a victim, one that cannot ever do anything right and
this will never get any better.

If satan can steal your joy, he can make life seem
like it is not worth living. That is a lie from the pits of hell.

God needs a army of dedicated, committed people
who get up and work in his name and for his glory,
and go out and pray for those around them, pray
till you feel the answer coming, don't give up, persist,
fight the good fight of faith. God wants faithfulness,
He wants you reading his word and living his word, and
making a difference in this world.

There has not been such a troubled time in this world
in a long time, and Christians often seem unable to unite
or work past their own issues to join together as a spiritual
force that dominates the spiritual realm with powerful
prayers and dedicated lives.

If you want to be a disabled christian, you will feel
misery, hopelessness, despair and focus on your problems
more than the answers God has for you. Disentangle yourself,
reach out to God, let it all go. Rise up and walk in the name
of Jesus and go forth in his name, with your brothers
and sisters in Christ and be a force to be reckoned with in this world.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints

Ephesians 6:10-18

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

How to Deal With Loneliness

2011-08-29T06:55:00.000-07:00

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8

A few years ago, the Rev. Billy Graham in one of his sermons
said that loneliness was epidemic in America. Since that time,
I believe with all my heart this problem has gotten far worse.

What are the causes of such a transformation in society?

One of the main reasons is busy lives. People are overbooked,
from their career, activities with children, responsibilities
and family. They barely have time for necessities, much less
reaching out to others. This also means that they have
less tolerance for things that others are going through, they
just don't have the time or emotional resources to deal with it.
It is just too much for them.

Also past hurts in relationships and unresolved situations
can really hold people back from reaching out to others. It
binds them to the past and to those hurts, like a umbilical cord
of pain. They cannot let go, and therefore cannot move on
or enjoy new and healthy relationships, because the old
ones are haunting them. Forgiveness is the solution to this.

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead
Philippians 3:13

One of the best solutions to loneliness is finding places
to go and things to do. Find activities that you enjoy and
get in groups that do those. There are many free
activity groups out there, and even self help groups
that can fill your time far more productively.

Get in a good church that teaches God's word, and has
a good outreach to people. Find things that they need help
with and volunteer. Very few people do this now. It is needful.
Take time to make relationships there, and even if people
are not as friendly as you would like, you be friendly, be
a example of outreach and compassion. Watch what
a transforming thing it is!

Find places that you know where there are needs and reach out
you will find it helps you forget your own trials for a while
and makes you feel so good inside, because you know
you are making a difference. Everyone has something
they can do today, but you have to make the effort.

For people like me who have physical issues and are homebound
it is a little more challenging. Like you, I have many ups and downs.
Days where I feel inspired and hopeful and days where things
get to me. But I have learned that I cannot meditate and
dwell on things that weigh me down. It is overwhelming. I find
things to do each day. I set goals for each day and get them done.
I also spend my time praying for others a lot. It is something
I know I can do to make a difference, and I have seen many
answers to prayer because of God's powerful mercy, grace
and love for us.

We can choose to meditate on our troubles and trials and
feed them breakfast, lunch and dinner by constantly entertaining them.
Or we can choose to realize we cannot solve them and dwell on
what we can get done, and what we do have, and entertain
good and hopeful and positive thoughts through reading
the word of God and cleaning our mind of all that is not
productive or good.

Being content is a very vital thing in this life. There is
always someone worse off, or going through more, or dealing with
much more than you can imagine. Don't let your own issues
hold you back from being a listener to those in need, and
taking time to pray for them. This is the essence of life, the
human bonding that brings us together and makes
life so much more worthwhile on a daily basis.

Look around you, see what you have and be grateful.
Take time to tell people you are thankful for them.
Take time to love someone each day.
Be content. Be inspired. Life is short, don't fritter
it away on discontentment and anger or sadness.
Change your mindset. There is still time left, it is a new day.

Even if no one else is there for you today. God is.
Savor it, talk to him, and tell him everything in your heart.
He will open new doors, bring solutions, and help you
find friends. But to make a friend, one must reach out
and be friendly. Above all, avoid pity parties, they are
no fun to go to, and they make you more lonely than ever.

One day at a time my friend. Hope springs eternal,
and God's mercies are new every morning. Make sure
each morning your mind is renewed and your heart
refreshed. Face the new day with new strength and hope.

Bottom line is, do you want to stay the same as you are now,
or change things and find more peace within, and contentment?

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Deuteronomy 31:8

The Refuge Part 2

2011-08-18T09:22:00.001-07:00

copy right Millie Plastaras 3/23/2003

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with
His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge.
His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall
not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies
by day. Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
Psalm 91:3-6

Ancient Jewish commentators believed that these verses
were descriptive of demonic attacks. The mention
of the word pestilence refers to attacks that come like a
plague. As we watch our world create such destructive
things as biological weapons that kill the human race,
our heart cries within us, is there safety anywhere?

God holds his arms out and says yes. Within the feathers
of my wings you can abide and find shelter, and I will protect
you from all these things. As your faith, so be it unto you.

God's word does not lie, nor pretend, nor just apply to some
people. The riches of it, the promises, the protection, the
blessings are for the children of God, who have repented
and received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Then
is the beginning of freedom, and all that God has to offer.

But we must not only read to find out what we have as
promises for our health, wealth, spiritual life, and future
we must also take it into our spirit and apply it. We must
receive it. The reason many people don't get blessed
is they never read it, they never receive it, and they never
allow it in their life!

They might become Christians just to avoid hell, or to make
sure they go to heaven, but they never truly make a
commitment that means I will study your word heavenly
Father, and I will grow in wisdom and strength and
knowledge through your anointing and power.

They are baby Christians, content to run their own lives
and only run to God in an emergency.

Of these the world cannot be secure. For these Christians
are not there for themselves, or with Christ, they most
assuredly cannot be there for you.

We are to make Christ our anchor. Our focus.
Our Father, the first person we consult. The person
we are obedient to. And reading His word, shows us
thousands of things we will never learn any other way.
It leads us into divine truth, that will serve us well all our
lives, and carry us through the days of darkness and
great sorrow, as well as the days of joy.

It will teach us a song of victory in a land of darkness.

So my friend if you want protection, if you want victory,
if you want to overcome depression, if you want to find
healing, you have to take God seriously, and seek Him first.
There is a way, that is right, and none other. It is to the throne
room of God, where Jesus sits, our Savior, an advocate
before the throne, defending us daily, and ministering to us,
even sending his angels forth to protect and guide us.

WE can avoid the plagues, we can avoid the pestilence,
we can fight against the powers of darkness, and we can
overcome them all through the blood of the lamb.

But first... you have to take God serious, and live it
breathe it, receive it.. and watch all the beauty of God's
love unfold in your life as you put him as the head of
your life.

Under his wings you will abide, and no weapon formed
against you shall harm you. You are a child of the King.
Blessed, beyond measure, with a refuge that is unbreakable,
and stands against any storm or loss you may face.

Let Jesus be Lord of your life.
Then no evil can prevail. We have His word on it.

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

The Refuge, Part 1

2011-08-09T07:53:00.000-07:00

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 I will trust.
Psalm 91:1-2

There is a secret place of peace. One our heart
longs for and seeks. In the still night hours when
everything seems magnified in its worry and despair
we find that there is a refuge that refreshes our soul.

Many of us wake during the early morning hours,
and we don't know why. Consider this, maybe God
wants you to talk to him at a time when the world
is still and he can speak to you and refresh you and
take you to a new place in Him.

A place that is higher than us. A hope,
a refuge for our very soul.

As we lift our hearts and eyes to the Lord above,
we see a refuge that is beyond our wildest hopes.
A complete secure place where no harm can
reach us.

It is in the shadow of the wings of God. Tucked in
with God, how blessed we are. Asleep, in His
arms. The cares of the world pushed away by
the nurturing care of a Abba Father, who loves
us and gave His only son for us.

A refuge, a abiding place for those who seek
Him, and allow His peace to wash over them till
they feel the cares of the day wash away from their
spirit with a cleansing and refreshing from the Holy
Spirit. The refreshing water, cleansing, renewing
us, till we feel released from our burdens, our
sins, new, clean, pure before God.

Have you ever felt this, or felt it lately?

Oh, if only we could tarry in prayer, till we feel a release.
Only if we could find a refuge away from the world,
where the noise and clatter of the world fades away
and the voices of angels sing in our ears.

To feel ourselves surrounded with the warmth of
the wings of God. Tucked in, comforted,
childlike in our trust, and finally, falling asleep
as we feel safe.

If we could only picture this in our mind every night,
how it would release us from the cares of the day!
If we only believed that God was working out
all the things in our life. If only we could have a
glimpse of how very much God loves us, we would
rejoice and sing and dance before the Lord.
We would see, we are truly loved, truly forgiven,
and nothing shall harm us.

If only we would let go, and Just take him at his word and trust him.

We are safe now. We can relax.
God is here, he is in control, and loves us more than anyone ever has.

Hold out your arms, Let Him take you into His wings,
and abide. Just abide in that peace.

All is well.

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

Choose to Dwell In Hope

2011-07-21T07:48:00.000-07:00

But as for me I will ALWAYS have hope;
I will praise you more and more. My mouth
will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all
day long. Psalm 71:14-15

Our hope comes from God, not our circumstances,
not the people around us. Hope is sustained
when we choose to focus on God. Spending time
in his presence, through prayer, and just
talking to Him, allowing that time of refreshing
we all so desperately need.

Many feel if they control their lives as best as
they can that gives them security. But the older
we get the more we realize the less we control.
It would make one feel like their life
was spiraling out of control when they finally
recognize that fact. Yet that would be
untrue, for you see, God is in control.

God saw your yesterday, he saw your anguish,
the cry of your heart, he saw each word and deed,
He knows you intimately. Nothing is hidden to him.
He knows your family, your circumstances,
your job, your thoughts, your actions, and this gives him
greater insight to what is needful to make your
life work well, and to bring you the comfort and guidance
that is far beyond your own understanding and scope.

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me. I have set
the Lord always BEFORE me.
Because He is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:7-8

Where is God in your life? Is he set before you
or left on a shelf till you have a emergency?
How is that working for you?

Do you feel like your life is out of control
or are you feeling the peace that passes all understanding?

Tap into the greatest source of strength the world
has ever known. Who loves you with a everlasting love
and has great plans and hope for you.

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

Doors

2011-07-15T08:12:00.001-07:00

copyright Millie Plastaras 7/15/2011

In each life there are many choices we make.
Our careers, who we date, who we marry, what education
we choose. So many doors to open or close by our decisions.

Each door has its own advantages or consequences,
and the secret to success is in being vigilant about
using wisdom on what IS the right door to open, and
which doors would be disastrous for us to open.

Many people don't plan ahead, whether in relationships,
or jobs, or even their daily life. They just "go with the flow"
and don't look with depth at the important issues, consequences
or long term effects of their decisions. Many often
pay for their choices for the rest of their lives, and
it is a difficult path for each of us when we not
only don't plan ahead but just do things because we
can or want to.

As Christians, the bible tells us we are to be different.
We are no longer our own, we are bought with a price,
the precious blood of the risen lamb. Our life should be
transformed with new thinking, new choices, and prayerful
decisions about our mates, our jobs, and our words and deeds.
This is the sign of a true depth in a Christian walk, to see
the "fruit" produced in the lives of those who truly Follow
Jesus, live by his word and seek his will. It literally shows
in what they do and say!

I appeal to you therefore, brothers,by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship 2 Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12: 1-2 ESV

In looking at your life today, what do you see? Do
you see careful, prayerful thought in your actions, plans
and relationships? Is your life before God sacrificial?
Or is God someone you talk to in emergencies or when things
get hard? The Bible tells us daily we are to pick up our cross
and follow him. That should be our first door each day.

It is also important to remember that doors we
open can invite good or evil. These concepts are
not taught much any more but are very important.
What we watch, where we go, who we choose to be
around either is good for our spirit or bad for it,
some of it having eternal consequences.
Corrupt company corrupts, this is something
you see in people's lives everyday, who they
choose to be around changes them. Guard
your heart, guard your mind, and seek Godly wisdom,
something you will never regret.

God show me what you would have me do, give
me strength and wisdom for the day, and make me aware
of things that would be wrong choices, or relationships that
are not healthy for me spiritually. Help me to live my
life with wisdom and insight, that comes directly from your
heart, and from me listening to you daily.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.

Are You Being Truthful With God and Yourself?

2011-07-12T07:36:00.000-07:00

If people's thinking is controlled by the sinful self, there is death.
But if their thinking is controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace.
When people's thinking is controlled by the sinful elf, they are against
God because they refuse to obey God's law and really are not
even able to obey God's law. Those people who are ruled
by their sinful selves CANNOT please God.
Romans 8:6-8

A relationship with God through Jesus Christ
produces changes within us. It produces change
in our thinking, in our desires, in our focus and in our path.
If.. we seek him first, and really mean what we say
and say what we mean. A relationship with God is not
a game we play when we want to feel religious, or when we
are in trouble. It is a daily, ongoing, dedicated, sold out
experience where we truly seek God first.

Many people say they know Jesus but do not spend time
showing that they do. They put everything else in their lives
first, and God is a afterthought. The word tells us this
is rebellion, and that rebellion is worse than witchcraft.
(1 Samuel 15:23)

Every relationship we have in our life takes work.
If we are married, it is something we have to put time
and effort into. We have to be thoughtful about the other
person, be aware of their needs, and wants, and try to make
our lives with them thrive.

When a person truly loves God and is truly following him and
wants to please him, it will show in their actions and deeds.
No games, no rebellion, a daily surrender and seeking of God.
It really is a very clear cut choice.

One would have to wonder if we don't get to know God here
on earth and truly live for him, if he won't seem like a stranger
when we meet him. Life doesn't last forever, but eternity does.
Are you ready for eternity?

What is life about anyway? Meaning of life comes in the arms
of God and his guidance and navigation through each day,
its trials, it's relationships, and everything we face.

Dear friends, you are like foreigners and strangers in this world.
I beg you to avoid the evil things your bodies want to do that
fight AGAINST your soul. People who do not believe
are living ALL around you and might say that you are doing wrong.
Live such good lives that they will see the good things you do
and will give glory to God on the day when Christ comes again.
1 Peter 2:11-12

We cannot be a light if we walk in darkness.

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

Battery Back Up

2011-06-29T08:51:00.000-07:00

"Master, how can I, your servant, talk with you? My strength is
gone, and it is hard for me to breathe." He said, "Daniel, don't be
afraid. God loves you very much. Peace be with you.
Be strong now, be courageous." When he spoke to me,
I became stronger and said, "Master, speak, since
you have given me strength." Daniel 10:17,19

In my home we have a battery backup on our phone
system. If the power goes out, the phone will remain
on 8 hours until the power can be restored. It is a great
thing to know we have that resource in case of emergency.
It is a power source we can rely on if we keep the
batteries updated.

I often see people get so weary from the things they
are going through. . People go to God and say "God
why are you failing me? Why am I going through all this?
God where are you?"

Yet during the week, they were too busy for God.
They had time for tv, for friends, for their computers,
for their entertainment, for their hobbies, everything but God.
God was a last priority. Suddenly when trials hit they are
weary quickly, and feel overwhelmed, and blame it on God.

Yet truly, it is our fault if we don't spend time with God.
It is our fault if we do not spend time in his word to find
fresh strength, fresh hope, fresh renewal, fresh forgiveness,
fresh inspiration in God's word daily.It is the source of strength
we need as a battery backup in our spirit. We have to
refresh ourselves in his arms before we go out and
face a world that consistently drains us, pulls on us,
and often makes us weary.

How can you have strength if you never built any?
You only become weaker.

A athlete would never sit all day and say ok muscles build yourself.
He knows he actually has to do something about his body to
build strength and endurance.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Hebrews 12:1

My friends if you want to run the race with courage, you have
to feed your spirit, you have to fight the good fight of faith.
You cannot be lazy and neglect your spiritual life if you want
to be victorious and overcoming.
Run the race with endurance and hope
strengthened by the hand of the Almighty God of the Universe
with his word planted firmly in our hearts, we go forth
with confidence, hope and inner strength that comes no
other way. Seek him first.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31

Remember
Only one life will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last.

Freedom from the Past

2011-06-21T08:36:00.001-07:00

Therefore there is now no condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1

One of the things I am noticing among many Christian friends
is the self condemnation they heap upon themselves for their past,
or situations they did not handle well. They cannot seem to move
past it, forgive themselves and live a life free from the past because
of the precious mercies and forgiveness we receive through Jesus.

I also see many of you clinging to the hurts you have received
from others. You are unable to disentangle yourself and cling
to these hurts as if they were important possessions. My dear
friend, they are not important, they are spiritual bondage! You
are being tied to the past with a spiritual umbilical cord that has
kept you in slavery to your past. You are not free to move on,
or savor fully the life you have today.

Yet, if you see someone else doing this it is so easy for you
to point at them and say what are you holding on to that for?

There are several places in the Bible that truly instruct us
on this mindset.

So you shall do all the Lord your God has commanded you,
you shall not turn to the right or the left.

Deuteronomy 5:32

Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

Proverbs 4:27

To me these verses signify staying focused on God and avoiding
evil. Slavery to the sins and hurts of the past is evil. It is robbing
you of joy and peace in Christ and productivity in your current day.

I am reminded of the story in Genesis 19, I urge you to get
out your Bible and read it today. Lot was in the
city of Sodom, and God was about to pronounce great
judgment upon this city. Angels arrived to tell Job that
they had come to destroy the city because of the great outcry
against this city before the face of God. He was told to get
out of the city and to warn his family to leave quickly, for the
city would soon be destroyed. In Genesis 19:17 they were told:
"So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside,
that he said, Escape for your life! Do not look behind you
or stay anywhere in the plain, escape to the mountains,
lest you be destroyed."

You see this required absolute surrender and complete obedience
and trust in God, not only for safety from harm, but for God's
provision. For this to happen, Lot had to listen to God, and
he couldn't be focusing on many things that distracted him
for the purpose and journey ahead, he had to stay focused.

His wife did not obey God, she looked back and was turned into
a pillar of salt, a judgment for her utter disobedience to God in
a situation he was trying to lead her out of.

You see there are consequences in life for our disobedience.
If we look to the right or left and get distracted by the troubles
or cares of this world, we are not living fully, and successfully
in today. We are limiting ourselves, we are unable to surrender
and work for God fully, because we are not focused, and we
have withheld areas of our mind that should be free of the past
and of distractions. It is leading us down a road we should
never have walked on, into a life that is less than it should be,
and all by a mental choice on our part.

Luke 9:62
But Jesus said to Him, no one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.

Are you fit for the kingdom of God today? Are you holding
onto grudges, blaming people from your past, and in bondage
to these things? Are you so busy you never have time for God?
Are you condemning yourself for your mistakes?

My friend, God said we can be forgiven, and we should forgive others.
Once we REALLY do this, we move on, to a new purpose, to a new
life.

You MUST be in the word of God, and fill up on it and live by it.
You MUST be free of the past. You MUST let go of anything holding
you down and keeping you in slavery to something that is not worthy
of your time and is displeasing to God.

When a thought from the past comes up, say I am not looking back.
Give it to God. Let it go. Read his word, pray, and be faithful and
diligent to God. He needs workers and laborers for his kingdom,
and you cannot do it if you are wandering around lost, hurt,
and enslaved. Be Free, today in Jesus name. Give it all to him,
and let it go. He is waiting, even now.

Remember none of us are perfect, that is why Jesus came.
He just wants us to turn to him and be new in him and live
life to the fullest. He will equip us, but we must do our part
and not cling to the past in any way. Look not to the right or left.
Focus on God.

love always
millie

Freedom in Christ - Do not turn back!

2011-06-20T09:27:00.000-07:00

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be
burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

Christ came to earth for one great reason, to set
us free from the yoke and bondage and slavery to sin.
He paid for this by his own atoning blood upon the cross.
No one ever loved us this much before, who gave his life
that we might be free.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

If we then know that when we become Christians
we are set free, why would any of us resort back to slavery?
Yet each day many of us by choice do that very thing.

We find habits, or lusts, or temptations greater than
the power we give Christ in our lives, and we fall back
into that sin, in a worse state than before we went to Christ.

To him therefore that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17.

In essence we are belittling the very sacrifice of Christ
by his own death on the cross, and elevating that sin
above him in our life, actions and thinking.
Anything that comes between us and God we are idolizing
and it is sin!

And who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.
Hebrews 6:6

We are crucifying Christ again by our own neglect
and sin, how can we do this after the price he paid?
We are dismantling and disabling our very own spiritual life.
At first it may seem a small habit, or a small thought, or
a small parting of the ways, and soon we turn a blind eye
to the word of God, to church, to christians around us to pursue those things we know are wrong.

My dear friends, we are so utterly accountable for each
thing we do in life.

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Matthew 12:36.

Friends this is a serious journey we are on. One of faith,
one of commitment, one of focus. One of dedication
and daily renewal in Christ. We leave the old life behind
and have a new one in him.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,
who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own! You were bought at a price. (the blood of Christ). Therefore honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

My friends, seek God first thing each day. Read his
word so you understand what is right and wrong.
Pray, ask for his guidance and wisdom in your life.
Then above all be obedient. Don't fall into temptations
trap and defilement. Don't allow satan to draw you away
from God into the pits of despair and sin. IT is a choice.

Nothing you do in this life is more vital than what we do
for Christ. It is eternal! Take it seriously.

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

Jesus Loves Me!

2011-06-15T08:28:00.000-07:00

Jesus Loves Me

Then when that happens we are able to hold our heads
high no matter what happens and to KNOW that all is
well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we find
this warm love everywhere within us because God
has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with
His love.
Romans 5:5.

One thing in common with all of us, is we all need
to feel loved. Everyone needs nurturing for their soul.
They need to know someone cares, that the milk
of human kindness still exists, and that someone
cares if we are alive, and if we have needs, if we
hurt, if we are lonely, or if we need something.

Love is vital to the human spirit. A life without
love is a life that is grief stricken and lonely.

How many of you out there today feel you are loved?
I bet there are many of you longing for someone to care
about you. To hug you, or just put their hands on
your shoulder and tell you they care about you.

By the same token, how many of you have reached
out to anyone new lately and loved them? Did you
acknowledge them, or notice them or their needs,
or just pass by thinking of yourself only?

Why do we allow despair in our lives when we have
someone sitting with us all the time who created the
universe? Why do we wring our hands and count
our sorrows, when God said, Cast your burdens
upon Me for I care for you.

Why do we constantly feel alone, when God said He
would never leave us or forsake us?

My guess is for many, God is their LAST resort to
talk to!

My friend, as our life grows as a flower and starts to unfold,
and then fades and withers as the grass, the one
constant in this life, is our need for love, and the
certainty that God loves us.

All He asks, is that you repent of your sins, and
receive His son as Lord and Savior of your life, and
dedicate your life to Him, becoming his disciple, seeking
His will, talking to Him daily, growing and becoming
strong in Him and His word. He then is your constant
companion, hope, source of strength and anchor for your soul.

If you do not talk to Him, it would be the main reason
you feel lonely, hopeless and drained. If you do not
reach out to him and receive him, you cannot expect
a close relationship or input from Him. He is waiting for you!

You are seeking sustenance from that which does
not fulfil nor sustain, nor bring hope when you try
to do it on your own, and find it from things that do not
satisfy the soul.

Seek that which is above, and find the peace
that passes all understanding.

Then you can gladly proclaim.
You have seen Him, you have Felt Him,
You Know He Cares.
Then you can gladly proclaim.
Jesus loves me, This I know.

love
millie

ps.. we need that sense of community, reaching out
to God first and then to each other, this is vital to a Christian.
Don't neglect it. We live in a land of lonely people
because they have forgotten how to get along, and the
importance of nurturing relationships, that are unselfish
and giving.

And may the Lord make your love to grow and overflow
to each other and to everyone else, just as our love
does towards you. This will result in your hearts being
made strong, sinless and holy By God our Father,
so that you may stand before Him guiltless on that day
when our Lord Jesus Christ returns with all those who
belong to Him.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

*****

While watching a little TV on Sunday instead of going to church, I watched a Church in Atlanta honoring one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years. He was 92 at that time and I wondered why the Church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age. After a warm welcome, introduction of this speaker, and as the applause quieted down he rose from his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gate to the podium. Without a note or written paper of any kind, he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly he began to speak... 'When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50 odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials. The one thing that I could
always rely on when tears and heart break and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me...the only thing that would comfort was this verse.........

Jesus loves me this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
we are weak but He is strong
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.

I EVEN SANG WITH THIS ONE

When he finished, the church was quiet. You actually could hear his foot steps as he shuffled back to his chair. I don't believe I will ever forget it. A pastor once stated, 'I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children's hymn 'Jesus Loves Me' (for the children of course)
during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the best.' Senior version of Jesus Loves Me Here is a new version just for us who have white hair or no hair at all. For us over middle age (or even those almost there) and all you others, check out this newest version of Jesus Loves Me.

JESUS LOVES ME

Jesus loves me this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.

(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME
YES, JESUS LOVES ME
YES, JESUS LOVES ME
FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go On through life,
let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words so clear,
'Have no fear, for I am near.'

(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love.

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.

Spiritual Strength Found in Tears

2011-06-09T18:55:00.000-07:00

copyright Millie Plastaras 2/24/2003

Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy,
He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for
sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126:5-6

There are many different kinds of tears, and these are
actually a sign of what is in the depths of our hearts.
The bible tells us that what we sow in life we reap.
We are planting seeds, and when harvest time comes
we reap what we sow.

Those wanting spiritual breakthrough for specific needs
should really pay heed to this verse. For when we come
before God he wants a broken vessel, one that is surrendered
and seeking. One that listens for the voice of God, and
seeks it with all his heart. Tears of brokenness are blessed
by God, as the word says God values them so much He
keeps our tears in a bottle. (psalm 56:8).
Throughout the word we find where men and women
cried out to God from the deep anguish and agony of
their heart, and God heard their prayers and delivered them.

Tears spent in prayer will sow a seed of faith that will
reap a harvest of results.

Read that again, and keep it in your heart.

Tears spent in prayer will sow a seed of faith that will
reap a harvest of results.

Charles Spurgeon, the great orator and preacher said
that the ministry of tears was "liquid prayer."
They are pouring our heart out before God, seeking
Him with all our heart, soul and mind.
A drink offering before the throne of God, poured
out before his presence, surrendered unto his will.
What a beautiful thing this is in his sight!

In 2 Kings 20:5 we learn of tears of sorrow or suffering.
In Genesis 33:4 we learn that there are tears of joy.
In John 11:35 we learn that there are tears of compassion.
In Esther 4:1,3 we learn that there are tears of desperation.
In Isaiah 42:14 we learn there are tears of travail or giving birth.
In Joel 2:12, 13 we learn there are tears of repentance.

These are indeed a great weapon in spiritual warfare.
For this is the warfare of faith, and of brokenness before God.
A final willingness to say God, I know you are in charge,
I give you all that I have, I pour out my sorrows before you,
in expectancy of your deliverance, hope and ultimate
openness to the will of God. A broken person has
realized their position in God, and seeks His will first.

This results in the blessings of God pouring out upon
those who wait for God.

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 shall not faint
Isaiah 40:31

Weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5

Wait I say upon the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires
of thy heart.

Remember...
Only one life will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last

The Butterfly Experience

2011-06-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Everyone,

I love to talk about personal battles I go through and what
the Lord shows me on how to get "through" them
instead of staying "in" them.

When my trials and troubles come, I come in my room
and cry out to God for peace of mind, peace of heart,
and a good attitude to remind me that I know God
is in control.

Recently my husbands heart did not have a
regular rhythm for almost 24 hours.. it was very frightening,
considering this can cause sudden cardiac arrest.
It wasn't just irregular heartbeat, it was far beyond that.
With his history of cardiac arrest and heart attacks,
it just sent me into the grip of fear, and I knew I must
not allow that.

It took me a while to get a grip on myself. And as I
was talking to God and shedding a few tears, God
really brought a concept to my heart. I feel that
much of what I am going through, is so I can share
with you, so you can find hope in Jesus Christ.

When I asked God why my family constantly goes
through so many things.. for a few minutes, I just
heard a silence.

Then I heard his voice say ... yes.. but look how many it has helped.

I sat in stunned silence. So you mean Lord that all this
teaches me something so I can teach others?

Each trial I go through in life, or you go through
can be not only a lesson to us, but to those around us!
Tell them how you work through it and struggled
and triumphed through it. It is powerful!!

Wow. What a thought.

It reminds of a caterpillar. One day, he crawls up
a wall, and starts to create a cocoon. He winds the threads
until they become firm and strong around him, and
then he goes into a state of metamorphosis.
Layer by layer he is changing. Not so anyone can see,
but inside that little dwelling of his creation.

Then there is a day he breaks out of that cocoon and is a bright
and beautiful butterfly, cheering up everyone who sees him.

A delight to behold, and beautiful beyond description.

We as spiritual beings are like this. God is peeling away
the useless layers of pride, anger, internal pain, and negative thinking,
and the things that we must let go of to move forward,
and teaching us what we do need to cling to and learn.

It reminds me of housecleaning, we throw away that which
we no longer use or need, and make the house shiny and tidy,
clutter free and clean. Throwing out the old and allowing the new
and healthy to take it's place.

One by one we give up bad habits, pride, stubbornness
sinful ways, and we surrender to his will. When we come
through this refining metamorphosis ... we will be beautiful
to him. A child transformed by his love and his concepts.
Clean and pure within, by surrendering all that is not of God,
and becoming all He is calling us to be.

Something beautiful beyond description.

But we have to surrender. We have to remain teachable.
We have to remain humble. And remember...

There is a greater cause for things that we see.
A greater calling for life than we are recognizing.

You see.. its truly all about God, and His will.

Not ours.

Once we recognize that, the special journey for us
can begin to open like that cocoon.

We are new in God.

Therefore if anyone is IN Christ, he is a NEW creation,
old things have passed away, behold all things have
become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17

Remember you are still under construction.
Your Father God wants the best for you.
Don't question.. surrender, and let him show you
why and what and who he wants you to be.

God has plans just for you!!

love,
millie

Looking Above

2011-06-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

copyright Millie 5/10/2003

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are
perplexed, but not in despair, Persecuted, but not
forsaken, cast down but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Hidden in the quietness of tears. Alone with our
grief, and pain, we find it darkening our days and hearts.
The losses, the grief, the sorrow mount up and become
a shadow upon our spirit. Friends come and go,
but there seems to be no security. A curtain of
blindness has covered our eyes with tears of despair,
and our heart cries out within us. Oh God, Help Me
quickly.. I am at the end of my rope.

And He says, my child.. at the end of your rope is
where I want you. For in those days, you turn to me,
and you find that I am your strength, and your hope.
You find that I bring you joy, and that I have answers
to all your needs. For it is when you are weak my
Child, that I can be strong within you.

As we gaze out the window.. we suddenly see
the flowers blooming in the neighbors garden.
Their faces are lifted to the sun. Soaking up
the sunlight, and the nourishment it brings to their
leaves.

It reminds me I am to turn my eyes unto the hills.
To look above. Not at the things of earth.
Not to let my spirit get entangled with the cares of this
life, but entangled with the word of God, till it seeps
in my spirit and casts away all shadows, all tears,
and restores my strength.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes
my help; My help comes from the Lord which made
heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2

If He made these hills, and even man cannot make
mountains grow, why then is my heart trusting in men?
Men come and come, they hurt us, and we hurt them,
but the presence of God is an anchor to our souls.
We find rest for our spirit.

Why is it Lord I need to be reminded of this so often?
Why do I get my eyes off you, and onto my problems?
Each time it brings the same despair, the same depression,
and my life is caught up in a whirlwind of self involved,
pity, loneliness and heaviness.

I know where to go. Thank you Lord for reminding me.
I have been looking the wrong direction again.
Forgive me Lord. And lift me to Holy Ground.
Fill me with your spirit, and make me fit for your work.
Lift the spirit of despair, depression, and rebuke the
darkness from me. I will look into your face until
the world fades out. And when I leave this room,
I will be full of your anointing, prepared for whatever
is ahead.

Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return,
and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting
joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness
and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Isaiah 51:11

Cling to that rope my friends.. God is holding on to you.
Look to His face. He loves you. Very much.
He never leaves nor forsakes. And He ... will
bring you into Holy Ground. Full of righteousness
and Hope.

Come out singing.. He is Lord!

Hallelujah!

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

Three Little Words

2011-01-19T08:25:00.000-08:00

A person might have to suffer even when it is unfair,
but if he thinks of God and stands the pain, God is pleased.
If you are beaten for doing wrong, there is no reason
to praise you for being patient in your punishment.
But if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient,
then God is pleased. This is what you were called to
do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you
an example to follow. So you should do as he did.
1 Peter 2:19-21

There are some very important concepts we do not
hear spoken of very much anymore. I wonder why
we ever stopped? Could it be the media, the movies,
the magazines, the powers that be, have been
reprogramming our thinking little by little?

Could it be we have gotten away from some very
important ideas about life choices? Is our
thinking is not based on thoughts of love
for others, but merely on our own mindset and desires?
Have we become a selfish, self-focused generation?

I do believe things have changed,because everyplace I look today,
I see unresolved anger, unforgiveness, and cold hearts, and wounded spirits.
People have closed themselves off because of past
pain, and this has ruled their lives in far more ways
than they can imagine. People are ruled by emotions,
battered by depression, longing for satisfying relationships,
yet feeling unfulfilled and lonely.

Shame
People have lost their conscience. A sense of shame
that comes when they know they have done something
wrong. They justify it in every conceivable way.
It is my right to feel this way, it is someone else's fault,
it is OK if I do what I want to do, it is my life.
People base their decisions on selfish motives,
without consider the eternal consequences,
Whatever we do in this life returns to us.
Whatever we sow in the lives of others is what we get back.

If we sow strife, that is what we will get back.

If we sow kindness we will get kindness back.

If we sow anger we will get that back.

What you sow... you reap.

Be kind to people even when you don't think they
deserve it. Kindness is from the heart of God,
how can we do less than our best?

What if that dear person you love, but are fighting
with was gone tomorrow? How would you feel about
how you have talked to them? Would you change
anything? Are you allowing that still small voice
to speak to you. Or are you reacting to what people
say with a defensive posture that says my feelings
come first. Does this reflect Jesus?

Compassion
Compassion is to feel sympathy,
or empathy for what someone else is going through.
We feel it to the point, we wish to help in any way we can,
whether through prayer or some other means of
support. This is so important. Sometimes we get
so caught up in our own woes, troubles, sorrows,
that we don't have any resources left to help anyone
else. This is directly in controversy to the Bible,
who tells us we are not only to cast our burdens on him,
but to go out and minister to others. It is no witness
at all to be defeated all the time, it is no different from
someone in the world. We have to follow the concepts
that Jesus taught to be overcomers, and not carry
these burdens, nor the past with us.

Care about what others are going through.
We were put on this earth, not as an island,
but a community, reach out and love each other
while there is time.

Forgiveness
This is a rarity anymore. Seems like
if you do something wrong once, then people write you off
as if you didn't exist. Perhaps because of their own
past hurts, it makes them more defensive. But this
is one of the most powerful tools satan has because
it divides Christians, and families, and friends.
Keeps us from fellowshipping, encouraging each other.
It is a tool to wedge apart people so they cannot agree
in prayer, or join together to minister to a larger degree.

It is one of the greatest tools satan uses in the modern
day church, the spirit of offense and unforgiveness.

Forgive people even if they don't ask, even if they do
not deserve it. Because Jesus forgives us. How can
we do less? Are we better than God?

This wrong thinking has to stop.
Because all of these things are totally
changing the churches in this country, and definitely
the families. Everyone is so disconnected and selfish.
Everyone has a history they carry around with them
like a prize. They treat it as if carrying past issues
around were a vital function. It is not. Jesus said
the past was the past. That we shouldn't worry
about tomorrow. Sufficient unto today are the problems
thereof.

Three little words, shame, compassion, forgiveness.
Why don't we hear these anymore?
They are vital to the survival of human relationships.

Search your heart, and see what changes you
need to make, and ask the Lord Jesus to help you make them.
If you want to succeed in life, have a victorious mind,
and enjoy your life, you must allow these traits to be
part of you. BE willing to tell yourself the truth, and set
goals to make positive changes in your thinking and relationships.

You must surrender selfish motives, and seek
the high road, through Jesus Christ. This gives a life
of joy and satisfaction, knowing we are making seasoned, wise
and loving choices.

Not my will, but thine be done, should be the cry of our heart.

Jesus, how precious the name.
He gave His life for you and me.
How can we give less, than all of ourselves.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father whom
is in heaven.

Do they see light in you?

Let your life be a reflection of Jesus in You,
working in you, transforming you, making you
a new life, with new thinking and a new heart
because of your surrender and focus on Jesus Christ.

remember

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

Provision

2011-01-17T08:17:00.000-08:00

Even Lions get weak and hungry, but those who look to the Lord
will have every good thing.
Psalm 34:10

As I watch the news each day the predictions are a lot of gloom,
and doom. We see economies around the world in jeopardy,
and we see bids for power, and corruption in high places.
Our budgets are stretched as far as we can take them,
and IF we allowed ourselves to dwell in worry and self pity
soon life would seem bleak and hopeless. And many
are doing just that, living in fear and dread.

I am reminded of so many people in this life who suffered
great tragedy and loss yet somehow managed to forge
ahead with courage and resolve and rise above those
great losses and make sense of life. Often they found
purpose in life in doing for others rather than seeking
to fulfill themselves. It took their mind off their
own problems and made them feel a sense of purpose
and accomplishment to know they made a difference
in the lives of others.

I see people who after car accidents or serious illness
who have lost use of their legs or arms, or even
have trouble breathing and yet they manage to have
full productive lives. How do they do this? Look
at Christopher Reeves, who after a fall off a horse
became a quadraplegic and was put on a machine
to help him breathe. Yet he found even more purpose
in life and lived it to the fullest until he passed from this life.
How can we make sense of becoming a quadraplegic?
How can people find purpose when their own body won't work
and move? Because they make a conscious decision
not to feel sorry for themselves but to set short term
and long term goals and rise above their circumstances
and make the best of whatever life they have.

I have a dear friend whose life was a testimony to being
a servant to others. Her husband left her for another
man. She was a Godly woman and that was such a difficult
time for her to make sense of. Years later she remarried
a wonderful Christian man, and eventually she had a beautiful son.
She was very happy in this new life. One day she got a call
that her husband who was on a construction job
had been buried alive and was dead. Somehow she managed
to live through that time and forge ahead and build her life
around Christ and her son. One day as her son was
playing outside a neighbor shot a gun and accidentally killed
her 12 year old boy. Suddenly her life had been stripped of
everything she ever loved. I watched this woman then
turn her life around by spending her time teaching children
and serving others. Never thinking of herself, but of
what she could do to make life happier and easier and
more fulfilling. She gave her life and past to God,
and asked him to give her hands work to do. And He did.

Dear friends, all of us can make this choice. My own
life has become very complicated. I have a number of
physical problems that often feel like chains binding me.
I want to do this or that, but my body won't cooperate.
Often it seems unbearable. But if I allowed myself to
become depressed, life would be unbearable! So instead
I get up each morning and seek the good in the day.
I try to focus on positive things, to pray often, to seek
inspiration in God's word and in my relationships and to
forge ahead. To spend time singing and worshipping God.

Looking to God first, who is my provision, my strength,
my hope, my inspiration, my guide, my courage, my counselor,
, my peace, my Father.

Dear friends, you do not control a lot in your own life, but you
can control your thoughts. And you can lay them at the feet
of Christ and say God these are too much for me. I don't know
how to change them or overcome them, but I know that
you can show me the path to take, and help me walk on it.
I know you can make me rise early and find joy in the new
day, to focus on my blessings and the things I DO have,
and not to dwell on what I don't have or what seems to be going wrong.

This is not easy, but anyone can do it, by choosing to.
God is your provider. God will take care of you. I was young
and now I am getting old and yet I have never seen
God fail me even through the most horrific times in my life
when it seemed my world was imploding, God was there
in the midst of that storm, calming my spirit and making
a way where there seemed no way.

I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live
when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being
happy at any time in everything that happens, when I have
enough to eat and when I go hungry, when I have more than I
need and when I do not have enough. I can do ALL things
through Christ, who STRENGTHENS ME. Philippians 4:12-13

Why spend your money on something that is not real food? Why
work for something that doesn't really satisfy you? Listen
closely to me, and you will eat what is good; your soul
will enjoy the rich food that satisfies.
Isaiah 55:2

If your soul is not satisfied your mind and heart are
not satisfied. And only God can satisfy the soul. You have
choices today. Are you making ones that prosper you
or make you sad? Are you spending your money on things
to make you happy and they are not? Rise to the call of
God on your life, and seek Him first, everything else will fall
into place and give you peace and internal satisfaction.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness
and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33

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

Abide With Me

2011-01-11T14:50:00.000-08:00

I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is
at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad and my glory (inner self)
rejoices; my body too shall rest and confidently dwell in
safety and hope.
Psalm 16:7-9

Dearest Friends,

As you wake up and face this new day, how much
hope are you feeling?

If any of you spend a lot of time watching the news, my
guess is that your hope meter runs lower because of it.
And if any of you are focusing on and worry about your
finances, or your personal problems and feeling consumed
by them, my guess is your hope is draining away.

How can hope be restored? Absolutely!

There are many ways. But the most important?
Is to recognize God is in control. We focus on everything
but that. We focus on our leaders expecting them to "fix"
everything. We focus on our friends and family to help "fix" us
when we are down. And we allow money to bring us a false
sense of security. Sometimes spending it when we don't have
it to feel better because life is so hard.

It is no wonder with this false sense of what we can
be secure in, we often feel let down and disappointed and
lose hope! We are looking at things and people who cannot
live up to the demand of restoring our hope. It isn't their job!

My dear friends, what we put into our spirit is what helps
it thrive or become ill.

We must find hope in God's word every day. It restores
our soul. I find the Psalms to be a great source of hope and
restoration to me. David was man acquainted with mistakes,
flaws and failures, heartache and grief.
He disobeyed God many times, yet
God says David was a man after his own heart. Why?
Because David always repented and sought God. He sought
Him when he knew he was doing wrong, He sought God morning
and night, and he sought God when he knew he was right before
God. David had a heart seeking God!

David sought hope and restoration through God everyday!

David wrote this:

The Lord is my shepherd
(to feed, guide and shield me);
I shall not lack.
He makes me lie down in (fresh, tender) green pastures;
He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
He refreshes and restores my life --
my self; He leads me in the paths of righteousness
(uprightness and right standing with Him -- not for
my earning it, but) for His names sake.
Psalm 23:1-3

Are you feeling restored?
Do you feel rested as if you laid in a bed of
soft meadow grass, comforted by the presence of God?
Do you feel right before God?

These things are vital. You cannot do without them
and expect to have inner peace if you cannot cry out to
God in all situations and rely on, cling to, trust in,
find hope in, and stand strong in God and his precious
promises and powerful abilities, far beyond our
thinking or imagination.

Now unto Him Who is ABLE to do exceeding
abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works in us.
Ephesians 3:20

Who is that power within us? God!
This power works in us according to our level of
surrender to Him. He is the only one that can
bring the restorative hope you need to face the
day with courage and a rested heart.

But you have to spend time with Him.

Hope deferred (put off) makes the heart sick,
but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
Whoever despises the Word of God brings
destruction upon himself, but He who
reverently fears and respects the commandments
of God shall be rewarded.
Proverbs 13:12-12

We can count on God. Everyone else comes and
goes from our life. No one is on this earth that
will not let us down, and we will let people down.
But Jesus never fails.

Hope looks forward with constant expectation.
Despair robs hope from our very soul.Time away
from God uninterrupted, breaks that stream of hope
we all so desperately need.

Choose hope! Abide in God

love always
millie

´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·°°´·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°

Abide With Me

author: Henry F. Lyte 1793-1847
musician: William H. Monk 1823-1889

Abide with me: fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see:
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence ev'ry passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness:
Where is death's sting? where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;
Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

The Gift

2010-12-30T07:37:00.000-08:00

I received the most lovely gift this year. The person giving it to me
spent a great deal of time wrapping it. Beautiful paper with
a great floral picture on it and gold trim, generously covered the
present. Ribbons brightly colored, curled and sprinkled across
the top of it. It was a beautiful sight. I left it on my table just to
look at it. I really hated to open it, it was so beautifully wrapped.

It sat there a long time, and I noticed as the days passed
the paper started to lose some of it's color as dust settled in
and the light faded it. The ribbons didn't look as perky and bright
as they used to. I realized the present had lost some of
it's luster and it didn't seem as important somehow. Soon
it became neglected and unnoticed.

Many of us do this with our spiritual lives. We start out in love
with God. We buy a Bible, we read it vigorously for a time.
We get involved in a church and enjoy the fellowship. Then after
time the cares of this life distract us. We get upset that
someone at the church didn't meet our expectations or let us down
and we carry it around as if it was a badge of honor. Soon we find
our spirit has changed, and our enthusiasm for church or
even God's word has changed, because we have changed.
Our focus is no longer on God, or improving ourselves,
or encouraging our spirit to look to God for our needs and
answers. Our focus has turned to what is wrong,
and what is heavy, and what we don't have, and what we need to do.

We are neglecting the very thing we need the most.
Daily inspiration, instruction and correction from God.
We are trying to control our lives ourselves, and we are messing
up, because we allowed the cares of this life to rob us of the
very gift we need. God's presence.

My friends, don't spend your life in despair, spend it in hope.
Don't waste your time on fear, invest it in faith.
Don't dwell on sorrows, focus on your blessings.
Don't look at what you cannot control or fix, focus on your
prayer life and let God control it. God sees tomorrow
and he knows what is ahead, and he knows what path is best.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own
understanding!
Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6
NLT

Ask God today to show you the things in your heart and mind
that are not healthy for you, ask him to help you let go,
to forgive others, to not find fault with everyone, and to give
you a spirit of love. Ask God to help you love people where
they are at and not expect them to be a clone of what you want
but to remember God made us all different, and we must
respect that and love others UNCONDITIONALLY.
God will do the fixing, we need to do the loving!!

Seek God's will, and seek his face. Fill yourself up
with His word so you have hope. Without hope the soul despairs
and gives up. It is vital you find this daily. You find it
from time in meditation with God, by filling your spirit with
his word till you feel renewed and inspired. You find it by
praying to God, telling him everything in your heart, and leaving
it in His wise and all knowing hands. And walking away
from those burdens and savoring the precious new day.

Life is not a dress rehearsal. It only comes once. Do not
fritter it away on things that bring you down, bring other's down
or fill you with despair, anger or bitterness. Receive His
Hope, Receive His Peace, Receive His Revelation, and dwell
in His joy. These are not high and lofty and unattainable goals,
they are a mental choice.

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

Whose Mind Is it Anyway?

2010-10-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run
your life! Proverbs 4:23

One of the biggest challenges in the world is to keep
our thoughts under control. They are like a butterfly
flitting from one flower to another, our thoughts stream
uncontrolled through our mind, going from one subject
to another, unable to focus.

Our emotions help them along the way, giving them a nudge,
and bringing up past issues to change our perception.
Then, our mouth opens, and out comes whatever
is in the depths of our mind and heart.

There is no hiding the truth is there?

Whatever is in our heart, will come out. We may play
games, or hem and haw, and beat around the bush,
but the Bible says out of the abundance of the heart
the mouth speaks.

The Bible tells us to bring our thoughts into captivity.

Why? Because it is a spiritual war going on within our
minds daily. Fighting for control, fighting for authority,
fighting for your joy, fighting to keep you from reading
the word of God. satan the loser wants your mind.

Are you going to stand back and let him do that?
Maybe you already are.. and just don't recognize it.
Tell me, what was your focus today?

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty
in God for pulling down strongholds.
Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts
itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every
THOUGHT into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5

So there is a little guy in your head arguing, and exalting
itself against God.. saying I am not going to do what you
want ... it is my life, I can think and do what I please.

And at that very moment, despair starts to wash in your
spirit.. because truthfully.. we control nothing. We need
God. And we need to clear our minds of the debris
so he may fill that place.

Dedicated space.. in our minds.. ruled by the spirit of
God.. that we may be mighty in prayer, mighty in
strength, holy in our spirit, and right before God.
Pure, undefiled by the thinking of the world.
Focused, driven, surrendered, captivated with God.
In His presence, drawn, clinging, and filling up.

All He is ... is all we will ever need.

Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run
your life! Proverbs 4:23

Who is running your life tonite?

If it is not God, the solution is prayer. We get on our
knees, confess our sins, receive his salvation and forgiveness
and renew our hearts and mind in Him.
God says we are either for him or against him.

Where do you stand?

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

Father, I Adore You!

2010-10-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great
mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice
to Him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing
to Him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship.
Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this
world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking.
Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you;
you will know what is good and pleasing to Him and
what is perfect.
Romans 12:1-2

Father God you know I adore you.

Really my child? When was the last time you
sat down and spent a hour talking to me?

You sat down and watched your favorite shows
on tv for 2 hours last night, then found many
things to keep you busy around the house, but
by the time you were through you were too tired
to talk to me.

God you know you are first in my life.

Really my child? Where were you this last
week when I asked you to come read my word
so I could strengthen you for your path ahead?
You found a new book you really wanted to read
and spent that last part of each evening reading it.
Did you put me first then my child?

God I always give money to church, especially
on holidays, you know I honor you with my money.

Really my child? When you saw that homeless
woman today with her little child, did you think
about helping them in some way? Perhaps some
new clothes, a meal, or just taking time to comfort them?
You were able to go out and buy that new purse you
wanted, but didn’t have money left to help someone
in need. Did your money really go to me first?

God you know I love talking to you.

Really my child? I waited for you all evening,
and you were on the phone with your friends.
You laughed and talked and talked. And by the
time you got off, you had forgotten about me.
I want to be loved as your friends are. I want
to be your first love, and the one you run to first,
not last.

I want you to give of the first part of your life to me,
nothing must come before me. Put your all on the altar
for me, so you may please me and live a long and righteous
life dwelling in the riches and comfort of my presence.

Child what I want from you is your heart. I want you
to love me with all your heart, soul and mind. This
is something I require. I gave you my best when my
son came to earth and gave up his life for your sins
and the sins of all mankind. I gave up my only son
so that you might have eternal life.

Can you not give me your best in return? Have
you sat down lately and considered the priorities
in your life? There should be nothing less than your
best for the master.

Make every effort to give yourself to God as the kind
of person He will accept. Be a worker who is not ashamed
and who uses the true teaching in the right way.
2 Timothy 2:15

But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22

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

Why Me?

2010-10-06T08:35:00.001-07:00

You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken and repentant heart,
O God.
Psalm 51:16-17
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Psalm 51:11

This week I found a statue of a man kneeling over a chair to pray, with his
head bowed and it looked as if he was humbled and broken before the
presence of God. I remembered when I was a child and my grandparents
would get down on the floor and bow and place their arms upon the chair
before them, to pray and humble themselves before God. And I thought
when was the last time I utterly humbled myself before God.

To me this means that we bow in his presence, putting him first, humbling
ourselves, emptying ourselves of pride, and of everything that comes
between us and him, putting him first.

When was the last time you sat down and thought about what you are putting first before God? We often have idols in our lives we do not even realize. Whether possessions, a job, a career, activities or even an overly busy life. Sometimes we get so busy and self focused we do not have time for God. I would say for most of us that is most of the time.

How can God get our attention? Often through brokenness. These times cause us to discard what is unnecessary and seek what is vital. God wants us to shed anything in our life that comes between him and us. So that when we go to the throne of God we can be bold in our prayers, free from things that bind and powerful in our approach. Because HE DWELLS RICHLY IN US. Why does it take a crisis to make us focus on God?
Because we put too many things between us and him. When all is stripped away our selfishness dissolves and our heart is turned towards him. We realize our utter need for total dependence upon Him in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. Our circumstances do not control our life. God controls it, we need to seek him and his guidance ABOVE ALL.

Can you dispose of everything in your life that comes between you and God and say all that I have, all that I want to be is in you God. I am yours, choose what you would have me do this day and I will follow you?

Remember the story of the rich young man in Mark 10:17? He said Good teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus told him to follow the commandments. The young man said He had all of his life. And Jesus said but there is one thing you have not done. Go and sell all you have and follow me, then you will have treasure in heaven. This was the one thing the young man was not willing to do.

What are holding back on today? What will you not surrender to Christ? To be a disciple you must leave all and follow Him. It may not mean giving up everything you have and walking away, but it does mean you surrender utterly to Him and his will, and whatever comes you will be obedient and humble before Him, putting him first. Who among us will give all?

Remember only one life will soon be past,
Only what is done for Christ will last.

Rescue Me!

2010-09-29T08:31:00.000-07:00

As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me.
Evening and morning and at noon, I will pray, and cry aloud,
and He shall hear my voice. He has redeemed my soul in
peace from the battle that was against me.
Psalm 55:17-18

How often in life, when times are difficult and crisis hits,
do we long for someone to come and just take over for us.
To take charge and "fix" everything. Our hearts cry out within us,
doesn't anyone care? And yet those we are closest too,
may feel they need rescuing too. The battle is on every
front, and many are facing these battles daily, even
hourly.

We long for someone to rescue us from the situation,
and to bring us comfort, to be merciful to us, and to
have wisdom. We look to the right and left, but
everywhere we look, either people don't care, or
they are overwhelmed themselves, or they just don't
have the means to change things for us, no matter
how much they love us. They are just human... after all.

It is in these darkest hours we must remember, God longs
to rescue us. He has felt the urgency of our needs,
heard the words of longing we have spoken, even
in the quietness of our minds, and He has seen the tears
shed upon our pillow. He knows each sorrow, each need
intimately, he is our "personal" God. Nothing is hidden
from Him, and nothing is too hard.

God's ways are past our understanding, his care and
love is absolutely perfect and complete.
All encompassing, all powerful, all compassionate,
all merciful, full of grace and wisdom. No matter
how difficult the situation, how dark the hour, how
deep the pit, how grievous the sin, God has the answer.
He is greater still than all these.

Rely on, cling to, trust in, commit to, proclaim and
rejoice in the "hope" we have in Jesus, our source,
our guide, our Abba Father. Our Daddy, Daddy,
whose love for us, is beyond our wildest expectations.

All He is, is all you will ever need!!
Ask Him to rescue you tonite. Then allow Him to do so,
by leaving your burdens in his hands... and just trust.
Rest.. quietly in His arms. He has come to save to the
uttermost. Great is his faithfulness and mercy.
Rest there, till you feel peace. Don't give God token
attention, really spend time talking to him, and
sharing your burdens, and then ask for Guidance.
Then open His word and let it speak to your heart
and refresh you.

Rescue me Lord, for I am weak and you are strong.
Take these things from me, and work them out for your
glory, and lift me into heavenly places, and restore my
soul, and heal the inner pain in my spirit, and cleanse
me from all unrighteousness. Restore that which satan
the loser has stolen, and heal that which has been
broken. Bring into being those things which are your
will, and shine a light on my path, that I may see
clearly all you have for me, and give me the gifts
to accomplish these things. Send forth your angels to fight
the battles around me, and to protect me.
Teach me of your ways, give me a song in the night,
and rescue me from this battle raging in my life.

I will serve you faithfully every day for the rest of my life.
For you are my Abba Father, and I am your child,
surrendered to you, and poured out as a sacrifice
to your service. Save me and I shall be saved,
heal me and I shall be healed. You are my God,
and nothing that comes against me shall prosper.
This is the heritage of those who love thy name.
Amen and amen.

People who do what is right may have many problems,
but the Lord will solve them all.
Psalm 34:19

My friends, do not be surprised at the terrible trouble which
now comes to test you. Do not think that something strange is
happening to you. But be happy you are sharing in Christ's sufferings,
so that you will be happy and full of joy when Christ comes again
in glory.
1 Peter 4:12-13

So don't worry, because I am with you. Don't be afraid,
because I am your God. I will make you strong and I will help you.
I will support you with my right hand that saves you. Isaiah 41:10

The only temptation that has come to you is that which everyone has.
But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more
than you are able to bear. But when you are tempted (and tried),
he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to
stand it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Keep looking up until the world fades out and God's face is before you.
Let Him bring you fresh hope, inspiration and direction. Don't hesitate,
Run to Him.

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

Morning Thoughts

2010-09-21T09:16:00.001-07:00

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made I
will rejoice and be glad in it.

Each morning as we wake up
our thoughts set our tone for the day. It
will determine our moods, how we
treat others, how wisely we invest our time,
and how much time we have for God.

I wonder if most realize how seriously
our thought patterns affect every action?

Many of us get up and think of our problems
first thing. We start the day off on a negative.
And as the day progresses, if we feed those
thoughts, we find despair, lack of hope
and even depression setting in like a fog.

What can we do to change that?
Change our thinking patterns.
The minute negative, unkind or worthless
thoughts enter our mind, we can take them
captive, by saying NO, I will not visit that
place. I refuse to dwell on those things.
We make a mental choice.

2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

So what can we do to fill our mind with hope?
Only the word of God will make the biggest
difference. It gives us hope, when the world
drains that away. It gives us courage when
we feel our strength being sapped by others
who drain us with their remarks to us, or
unkindness. It gives us wisdom on what
to say and not to say. But most of all it ushers
us into the presence of God. A place
where we can pour out our heart, release
our burdens, and start the day with fresh,
new, hopeful thoughts because of our choices,
because of our focus on Christ, and because
we want to make a big change in our life.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light
unto my path.
Psalm 119:105

So my friend, do you choose to walk in
darkness or light today? Do you choose
to be unhappy or happy? Do you choose
to carry your burdens around as a banner
feeling sorry for yourself, or will you release
those burdens and go out and invest that
precious day God has given you?

Precious ones, we only have so many days.
Each one is a brick in the foundation
we are laying for our life. If one day after
another we rise in defeat before the day
has even started our foundation is indeed
weak and we will crumble under the slightest
pain, wrong, hurt or trial.

Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever
things are just, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue and if there be
any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8

Remember
Only One Life Will Soon Be Past
Only What Is Done For Christ Will Last.

The Violent Take It By Force

2010-08-31T20:26:00.000-07:00

copyright Millie Plastaras 9/13/2003

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in
God for pulling down strongholds.
2 Corinthians 10:3

According to websters dictionary a stronghold is
1 : a fortified place
2 a : a place of security or survival

A stronghold can also be a place we have allowed satan
to take hold of our thinking or life. This comes from a time
when we were weak, tempted, or caved in to thoughts,
desires, or temptations.

A strong hold upon our life, is a place that
has taken root in our heart and spirit and become
a bondage within us.

We want to change that from a strong hold of satan the
loser upon our lives to a strong Hold of God upon our
spirit. A refuge, a place of comfort, away from the
enemy surrounded by God's angels, and fought by
mighty warfare.

So how do we change this?

1. Recognize the areas of your life that are not dedicated
to God. Perhaps you have become addicted to something,
or perhaps you are committing adultery. Perhaps you
have been thinking or doing things you know are not
right, but you continue. It can even be a way of
thinking, such as negativity, or gossip, or even
unforgiveness. All of these are negative, satanic strongholds.

2. Recognize that God is greater than any of these.
His might is not limited by our thinking. He is able to
pull down strongholds and defeat them forever.
Do not limit his ability by your thinking or unconfessed sin.
Recognize your need, confess it, and allow His
mighty spirit to overcome the strongholds within you.

3. Learn to fight back. We fight back several ways.
We learn to think differently -- righteously. We get into
the Word, and plant it in our heart, speak it to our problems.
We get into praise.. remembering God is worthy of praise
and inhabits the praises of His people. WE get into
fellowship, and learn to find encouragement and
wisdom from a Pastor and Teachers that God sends to us.
Speak the word, often, powerfully, it is alive and
will go forth and accomplish God's purpose. Nothing
can stop it!

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth.
It shall not return to Me void!
But it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper
in the thing for which I send it.
Isaiah 55:11

I am reminded of that popular saying now..
when one doesn't want to hear what someone else is
saying. They hold up their hand and say "Talk to the hand".
Basically because they are emphasizing they won't listen.
(A common problem now)

But.. I thought about this, and thought this is what we should
be doing to satan the loser every time he comes in with
a negative thought, or temptation, or lust, we should hold
our hand up and say, NOOOOOOOOOO!

I am a child of the King of Kings. I am covered by the
blood of the Lamb. You have no place in my life.
Greater is He that is in me, than He that is in the world.
And the God of peace shall bruise satan under your feet
shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Romans 16:20

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that
has exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and
bringing into CAPTIVITY every thought to the
obedience of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5

We have power in the name of Jesus to overcome
the powers of darkness! Take charge and fight back.
We are His warriors. Never forget that. Never cave in.
And never let defeat be spoken to you. Take every
thought into captivity in the name of Jesus and by
the blood of the Lamb.

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying Lord, even
the devils are subject unto us through your name!
and Jesus said to them, I beheld satan as lightning fall from
heaven.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and
scorpions, and over ALL the power of the enemy;
and NOTHING shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10:17-19

Claim it, believe it, receive it, cling to it, live by it
and hold up that hand and tell satan the loser you have
power over his demons and domain by the blood of the Lamb
Put on the armor of God daily, and fight back my friends.
We will not lose.. we will win.. and God is still on the throne.

And from the days of John the Baptist until now,
the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it
by force.
Matthew 11:12

As the kingdom of heaven advances, we fight the conflicts
of the powers of darkness with violent spiritual warfare..
According to Jack Hayford: The upheaval caused by
the kingdom of God is not caused by political provocation
or armed advance. It is the result of God's order
shaking relationships, households, cities and nations by
the entry of the Holy Spirit's power working in people.

Hallelujah! Power in the blood of the Lamb!
Praise God saints, and fight back!

Ephesians 6:10-18
(read these daily, practice them with all your heart,
and God will prevail)!

Turn It Into A Prayer

2010-08-28T07:06:00.000-07:00

copyright 9/27/2003 Millie

Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 4:17

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.
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.

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, they shall walk and not be afraid.
Isaiah 40:31

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

Hope For The Day

2010-08-13T15:24:00.001-07:00

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.

—Psalm 42:11

Hope is a hard commodity to find in this world anymore.
The situations around the world, money crisis, war,
people not having enough funds to maintain their own life and
needs. Illness, loneliness, a sense of desperation about
their situations, or even depression rob us of the very
joy and hope we need each day.

I have found when I wake up each morning, that the first
things I think are going to set the tone for the day. I used
to suffer from severe depression, and it became a
pattern for me when I woke up to think about my problems,
about my hurts and those who I felt had let me down, or
my own sadness or recrimination for those I felt I had let down.
I seemed unable to forgive myself most of all. And therefore
I couldn't even love myself. Life just seemed full of despair.

Then.. over time.. I realized each day I was feeding these
thoughts, breakfast, lunch and dinner. I was entertaining
them, and they were controlling me.

I realized then it was absolutely a mental choice. I learned
I could change those thinking patterns, and seek a new
way to start the day. I found that starting the day with
praise music, with time in God's word was vital, and
made a huge difference in my strength level and my
perspective of facing the day.

Our focus is everything. What are you focusing on today?
How is that working for you? Are you feeling hope or despair?

My precious friends, there is a answer. We have a heavenly
Savior who is mindful of our needs. The word says
every hair of ours is numbered (Matthew 10:30).
The Bible says that God saw us even as we were being
knit in our mother's womb (Psalm 139:13). In Psalm 139 verse
2 it says: You know when I sit down or stand up. You know
my thoughts even when I am far away.

This means God knows about each of the details of our lives,
He was with us at birth and will be with us when we enter
eternity. He has plans for our lives . Jeremiah 29:11:
For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope".

Dear friends, you do not have to feel hopeless.. The God
of the universe has plans for you! Tap into those. Open
your Bible and spend time talking to God.. spend time
reading his word. Let him refresh your spirit and infuse hope
into you. Read all he has planned for you and his great love
for you. He is a personal God and is waiting to hear from
you right now.

Love
millie

The Power of Prayer

2010-07-30T07:32:00.000-07:00

In this life we will have a untold amount of things to face.
From small decisions, to large ones that effect those
we love or us for years to come. We also will go through
trials such as illness, financial problems, rejection, losses,
and many other things which can overwhelm the soul.

The atheist would say, I can handle this myself,
I don't need a mythical God.

A Christian would run to the arms of God, pour out
their heart and receive a answer, and see changes in
their lives and others because of their faith in God.

God sees the Big picture. He knows our yesterdays,
He sees our tomorrows, He knows what is best,
and knows how to navigate through it.

Can any situation be changed by God? Absolutely!!!

Today we are going to study on Solomon and how
He built a temple so God could dwell among his people...
a gathering place for worship of God and for God to
Gather in their midst to encourage them, answer prayers
and receive their praise.

Solomon spent a great deal of time, energy, finances
but most of all prayer in seeking and making the
perfect Temple for God.

When the temple was built, he brought before the Lord
many petitions (prayers ) regarding situations that
would concern Israel in the future. These were
such things as sin, forgiveness, war, pestilence,
captivity, drought, even the weather...due to the sins
of the people.

Did God hear these petitions? How were they to know?
God did a mighty thing to show Solomon that he heard.
When the petitions ended, God sent a bolt of fire out
of heaven that consumed all of the sacrifices laying on the
altar. A accurate bolt, that just hit the very spot where
the sacrifices dedicated to God were laid. And then
the glory of God filled the temple. The people saw in action
the power of the One True God who cared about their
petitions and their future.

Does God still answer petitions and prayers like that
today? Absolutely. I have seen it many, many times,
and continue to see it in my life and the lives of others
who seek God first, and put Him first, and battle in prayer
spiritually over the needs of others, their needs, and
fight the good fight of faith.

We may not see a bolt of fire come out of heaven,
but God can set our heart on fire to accomplish great things in His name,
in His power, and for His Glory.

Our bodies are now the temple of God.. God dwells in us,
as Christians.. this is a powerful concept! We should live
like a temple of God and we should be full of prayer
like a temple of God!

My precious friend, each of you have needs and burdens. But God has
answers for you. He hears your heart, he knows your needs, He
is waiting for you to get serious with him about this.. for you to seek His face first, and to seek His will. God wants you to spend time with Him first.. not other things. He wants dedicated time where you come before His throne with thanksgiving and to worship him and to spend time talking to Him. This is our growth time, it is our time of refreshing, it is our time of allowing God to speak to us, and for us to pour our heart out to Him. My precious friend, this is vital.

If you want answers, you have to spend time seeking God. No
shortcuts, no excuses.. you have to get serious.. if you want
to see real differences in your spiritual life and prayer life.

Many of you have hobbies, or enjoy television or sports, or even your computer. Do you give a equal amount to God? Because you will need to be built up for the hard times in your life, to grow in Christ for those days ahead when life becomes overwhelming and hard. You cannot just run to God in a crisis and expect to be mature enough to know how to fight the good fight of faith.

I ask you today, to schedule specific time each day for prayer, for Bible reading and just to spend time quiet, in meditation before God. You need that time of refreshing!

I will spend more time this week writing to you about prayer. Just remember prayer is conversation with God.. it doesn't have to be formal or with special words, it just has to come from a repentant heart seeking God.

Casting all your care on Him, for he cares for you . 1 Peter 5:7

Behold I have given you authority to tread on serpents,
and scorpions and OVER THE POWER OF THE ENEMY,
and nothing shall injure you. Luke 10:19

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

Take time for God today.. see what powerful things he can do in your life!

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

The Secret To Happiness

2010-07-16T07:20:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Everyone,

A recent survey was taken of a cross section of people and 70
percent of the people who were asked if they were happy
said they were not. My guess is that those who said
they were not happy, also do not feel much peace.

One of the reasons behind the answers was that
people were too busy either watching tv, on the internet too much,
or did not have close interpersonal relationships they found
trustworthy and enjoyable. Truth be told, most people
don't have either the time or the inclination to do what
it takes to invest in long term friendships.

People were also fearful about the world, its events
so easily seen on the news networks, which offer no
hope or solution but constant bombardment of the
problems of the world. Creating a sense of insecurity
and hopelessness in people.

All this together means people are less connected,
feeling more lonely, more unhappy, and less satisfied,
and often more fearful.

What do they do to fill those gaps? Everything you can imagine.
From planning great vacations, to doing recreational drugs,
to drinking alcohol, sex, pornography, overspending money
they do not have, shopping for things that do not satisfy more than
temporarily. Anything to try to escape the feelings they have,
and the internal issues they have, without facing what is causing them.
At the end of the day, they are no more
happy than they were the day before.

Denial never changes any situation.

People spend more time thinking about how to satisfy
themselves than they do how to love others or please God.

This is the greatest problem. Selfishness. Me, me, me.
My rights, my life, my choices. No one can stop me, I owe
no one anything, I can do as I choose and there are no
consequences. At the end of the day when everyone
has claimed their rights and everyone has done their
thing, I want to see a show of hands who feels better?

Happiness comes from several things.
It is a mental choice. It is how we choose to view the world and
face it with our emotions and mental abilities, in essence
our perspective.

Happiness comes from giving not for looking out for what you can get.
It is much more satisfying to give and watch it bless someone
than to go out grasping for possessions only to find they
don't satisfy more than a few minutes.

Happiness comes from a life that is open to friends, to time
with friends, and that is invested in not only enjoying others
but making others happy also. We all need encouraging
relationships, someone to talk to and someone to care. Our
friends also need that from us...when was the last time you
took time for someone.. just to listen and be supportive?

What does the Bible say?

I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live
when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at
any time in everything that happens, when I have enough to eat,
and when I go hungry, when I have more than I need and
when I do not have enough. I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:12-13

Paul had learned the secret of internal happiness. Learning
to be content with what you have. Learning to look on the
bright side. Learning to find peace in your situation because
you trust in God, not in men, not in possessions, not in
what you can accumulate, or activities you can do, but in
God.

Mankind cannot be happy without God. We have a place
within our hearts nothing else can satisfy. Look around you.
Look at what you see people doing to try to be happy.
Look how many people are in huge debt now because
they find the instant gratification of shopping a momentary
happiness ... until the bills start rolling in.

What are you doing today to satisfy your soul?
How are you viewing your situation? What are you going to do about
it? Has anything you have done to be happy worked well for you?

Each of us have different problems, different things to deal with,
but we all have the same choice on what to do with them.
Face them with faith and courage, or with denial and despair
or bitterness. Are we progressing or staying in the same
place, stewing over problems and never moving on with our life?

We cast our burdens on the Lord. We do what we can to make
the best of our situation and we leave the rest in His hands
and we learn to be content with what we have.

Why spend your money on something that is not real food?
Why work for something that doesn't really satisfy you?
Listen closely to me, and you will eat what is good;
your soul will enjoy the rich food that satisfies.
Isaiah 55:2

Those who want to do right more than anything else
are happy, because God will fully satisfy them.
Matthew 5:6

Even lions may get weak and hungry, but those who
look to the Lord will have every good thing.
Psalm 34:10

The greatest happiness can be found in the arms of God.
It is blanket security. Something you cannot find from
any other source. No one person can satisfy all our needs,
it is impossible, and it isn't their job. We cannot make ourselves
happy if we choose not to. Circumstances should not be
controlling our thinking and our spirit and our outlook.

If we are living a life of faith, we should be faithful to that faith.
Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust in me.
John 14:1

Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything
you need, always giving thanks. And God's peace which is so
great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and
minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Let the peace that Christ gives CONTROL your thinking,
because you were all called together in ONE body to
have peace. Always be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

You Lord, give true peace to those who depend on you,
because they trust IN you.
Isaiah 26:3

My friends, you have a choice today.. which sounds best?
A life of faith or a life of fear?
A life trusting God or a life trying to control it all yourself?

A man comes and goes, his ways and words recorded,
and God will reward each person according to what
they say and do.

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

love always
millie

ps. Share what you have with others, do not seek possessions
more than you do to love others. Seek a life that satisfies,
not one that is self seeking. But one that lives a life of faith
and love towards others. This is true religion and practical
religion, to love one another and give the best of what we
have to God and others.

Strength in Abiding

2010-07-07T07:55:00.000-07:00

“I will not go home;
I will not let myself rest.
I will not let my eyes sleep
nor close my eyelids in slumber
until I find a place to build a house for the Lord,
a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel.”

Psalm 132:3-5

I was struck by these verses as I read them this week,
what dedication, what utter clarity of seeking God above
all else.

When was the last time you said you would not rest, or close
your eyes until you had sought the Lord?

Has God got a sanctuary in your life? When is the last
time you went there with him and dedicated specific
time alone with him.

The time you spend alone with God is vital. Those
moments of telling him how you feel, and what you
are going through, how much you love him, and just
talking to him are times of refreshing. Times of letting
go of our troubles and trusting God for his provision,
guidance and strength.

Our spiritual life grows or declines directly in proportion
to how much time we spend with God and in his word.

Each day as we open his word it infuses hope and
strength and wisdom in our spirit. Where else do we
get these commodities? They do not come easy
in this troubled world. Yet why is it most of us find
when we start to read the bible there are million things
to distract us? Because satan doesn't want the word of God
to get in our hearts and lives. Satan the loser doesn't want
us to quote the word of God because he knows how utterly
powerful and alive it is.

It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Isaiah 55:11 NLT

My precious friends, if you are feeling weak and worn down,
or defeated, take time for God. He has the answers,
He sees tomorrow, and He can accomplish what is needed
and no power can stop it! Read the word of God,
cling to it, receive it, apply it to your life and speak it out
loud to your situation. God will prevail and be mighty
in the lives of those who seek his name and submit to
His will and call upon Him and abide with Him.

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

Soaring Eagles or Sinking Ships

2010-06-27T21:12:00.000-07:00

copyright 5/21/2006

Have you ever been on a boat in the sea? When the waves
are calm and the sun is shining, and you hear
the soft movement of the waves, it is so relaxing,
it soothes the spirit, and causes you to feel peace.

But let the winds pick up and start to toss the
boat, it changes the picture entirely. Suddenly
you are challenged in your spirit by the rising
fear of what may happen next. Will this boat
make it, or will it sink?

Have you ever seen the flight of an eagle? They
are such a majestic bird, they fly higher than
any other bird, serene, slow and graceful
and their wing span is magnificent. They create
an awesome reminder of how wonderful it must
be to soar far above the earth and its troubles.

I think our lives are just like these pictures.
When hard times come we have several choices.
We can plan to sink or we can plan to soar.

Remember yesterday, when all your trials seemed
so overwhelming? You probably were planning to sink.
You didn't see any way out. You made it through
yesterday did you not?

How many yesterdays have you made it through?
All of them, I imagine. Yet through many of them
you doubted God, and watched the storms in
terror. Oh God, what shall I do, what shall I do,
as you push him away and try to handle it all in
your own mind.

My friends, you are going through things with the
wrong attitude and concepts. It is not about what
you can do about your situations, it is about what
He can do in them. I keep remembering what
Jesus said as He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane.

Not my will, but thine be done Oh God. He released

it all to God... God you work in this situation, and lead

me through these dark times with your hand in mine

and your light guiding my path.

Is that what you are praying? When you first get
up in the morning, before you meet the challenges
of the day, are you meeting with the Master?

If you are not, you are planning for yourself the
day, depending upon your own capabilities,
and really, not allowing God full movement and
reign in your life. He brought us through yesterday,
He will bring us through today, and He has
tomorrow planned.

You can live a life of faith or a life of Fear.

I don't care what anyone says..it boils down to that.
You have a mental and spiritual choice each day.
Discipline your mind.. learn to think based on faith
in Christ, rather than basing your thinking on
your circumstances.

Don't defeat yourself before the day starts by
focusing on the storm. Focus on the One who
can calm the waves of the storm, and restore order
and peace to your heart, mind and spirit.

For He is Lord, and nothing can prevail against His Will.

But those who wait for the Lord -- who expect, look for
and hope in Him -- shall change and renew their
strength and power; they shall lift their wings and
mount up (close to God) as eagles (mount up to the sun);
they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not
faint nor become tired.
Isaiah 40:31

Suddenly, behold there arose a violent storm on the sea,
so that the boat being covered up by the waves,
and Jesus was sleeping. And they (his disciples)
went and awakened Him, saying, Lord rescue and
preserve us, we are perishing!
And He said to them, Why are you timid and afraid??
O you of little faith? Then He got up and rebuked the
winds and the sea, and there was a great and wonderful
calm (a perfect peaceableness)
Matthew 8:24-26

Who are you trusting in today, the One who controls
everything, or yourself, who is in control of very little.
Look to the author and finisher of your faith,
and your source of Strength, Jesus Christ.

He will give you the joy, and the strength to soar
like an eagle in the midst of your storms.

Love,
millie

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

Don't Look Back

2010-06-10T09:55:00.000-07:00

One of the things I am noticing among many Christian friends
is the self condemnation they heap upon themselves for their past,
or situations they did not handle well. They cannot seem to move
past it, forgive themselves and live a life free from the past because
of the precious mercies and forgiveness we receive through Jesus.

I also see many of you clinging to the hurts you have received
from others. You are unable to disentangle yourself and cling
to these hurts as if they were important possessions. My dear
friend, they are not important, they are spiritual bondage! You
are being tied to the past with a spiritual umbilical cord that has
kept you in slavery to your past. You are not free to move on,
or savor fully the life you have today.

Yet, if you see someone else doing this it is so easy for you
to point at them and say what are you holding on to that for?

There are several places in the Bible that truly instruct us
on this mindset.

So you shall do all the Lord your God has commanded you,
you shall not turn to the right or the left.

Deuteronomy 5:32

Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

Proverbs 4:27

To me these verses signify staying focused on God and avoiding
evil. Slavery to the sins and hurts of the past is evil. It is robbing
you of joy and peace in Christ and productivity in your current day.

I am reminded of the story in Genesis 19, I urge you to get
out your Bible and read it today. Lot was in the
city of Sodom, and God was about to pronounce great
judgment upon this city. Angels arrived to tell Lot that
they had come to destroy the city because of the great outcry
against this city before the face of God. He was told to get
out of the city and to warn his family to leave quickly, for the
city would soon be destroyed. In Genesis 19:17 they were told:
"So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside,
that he said, Escape for your life! Do not look behind you
or stay anywhere in the plain, escape to the mountains,
lest you be destroyed."

You see this required absolute surrender and complete obedience
and trust in God, not only for safety from harm, but for God's
provision. For this to happen, Lot had to listen to God, and
he couldn't be focusing on many things that distracted him
for the purpose and journey ahead, he had to stay focused.

His wife did not obey God, she looked back and was turned into
a pillar of salt, a judgment for her utter disobedience to God in
a situation he was trying to lead her out of.

You see there are consequences in life for our disobedience.
If we look to the right or left and get distracted by the troubles
or cares of this world, we are not living fully, and successfully
in today. We are limiting ourselves, we are unable to surrender
and work for God fully, because we are not focused, and we
have withheld areas of our mind that should be free of the past
and of distractions. It is leading us down a road we should
never have walked on, into a life that is less than it should be,
and all by a mental choice on our part.

Luke 9:62
But Jesus said to Him, no one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.

Are you fit for the kingdom of God today? Are you holding
onto grudges, blaming people from your past, and in bondage
to these things? Are you so busy you never have time for God?
Are you condemning yourself for your mistakes?

My friend, God said we can be forgiven, and we should forgive others.
Once we REALLY do this, we move on, to a new purpose, to a new
life.

You MUST be in the word of God, and fill up on it and live by it.
You MUST be free of the past. You MUST let go of anything holding
you down and keeping you in slavery to something that is not worthy
of your time and is displeasing to God.

When a thought from the past comes up, say I am not looking back.
Give it to God. Let it go. Read his word, pray, and be faithful and
diligent to God. He needs workers and laborers for his kingdom,
and you cannot do it if you are wandering around lost, hurt,
and enslaved. Be Free, today in Jesus name. Give it all to him,
and let it go. He is waiting, even now.

Remember none of us are perfect, that is why Jesus came.
He just wants us to turn to him and be new in him and live
life to the fullest. He will equip us, but we must do our part
and not cling to the past in any way. Look not to the right or left.
Focus on God.

love always
millie

Confidence in God's Protection

2010-06-04T07:23:00.000-07:00

1 O God, listen to my cry!
Hear my prayer!
2 From the ends of the earth,
I cry to you for help
when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety,
3 for you are my safe refuge,
a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
4 Let me live forever in your sanctuary,
safe beneath the shelter of your wings
Psalm 61:1-4
NLT

There are times in everyone's lives where the troubles and
hardships can pile up like a stack of hay. We feel buried in
them, and often overwhelmed. I have to say if we get
down to a practical standpoint in looking at it, what can
we solve by being overwhelmed or sad? What can we
accomplish by allowing depression and despair to set in?
Where can we run to except God?

Will running in circles of hopelessness, and no direction help?

And if we run to God, why fear? Why allow anything to
dominate our thinking except hope? This my friends
is a mental discipline we learn through faithfilled lives. It
is a determination within our spirit to trust God no matter what!

I can hear some of you now, but you don't know what I am going
through. No, I do not, but I know many people around the
world, and I get letters that tell me of what they are facing.
And I know what I have been through in my life, and looking
back I can see the provision and loving care of God, even
in the darkest of times.

I remember the time my husband had 3 cardiac arrests in a hour.
The last one he had, they were unable to stabilize him. There
was a nurse pounding on his chest, and they were bringing
out the paddles to zap him again, trying to revive his heart.
95 percent of the people who have 1 cardiac arrest die. To
have 3 within a hour and recover is a miracle.

They brought out a counselor who was standing next to me
preparing me to let go of my husband and comfort me. My family
was standing all around me, and I felt a scream rising within
my heart. I just wanted to lose it, and scream.
As clear as a bell I heard God say, "Millie, you can
scream or pray. You can believe everything you have ever
heard about me, or you can give up and let go." I made
a clear cut decision then to take God at his word. As my family
and I gathered hands, I started to pray, and I felt the power
of God come in that prayer. And I rebuked the spirit of death
and the powers of darkness coming against my family (we had
several tragedies going on at that time). I prayed against
them, and I spoke what I felt God was laying on my heart,
and such strength surged in my spirit. The minute I stopped
praying the doctor ran out and said, "He is Back! I cannot believe it,
he is back!" But I knew it was God. I knew God had given my husband
a second chance to make things right with Him. And I knew
God heard the cries of my heart.

Dearest friends, wherever you are today, whatever you are
going through, we serve a great God. He is not limited by
our interpretation of Him, or our mind set. You see God has
not changed. He still heals, he still answers prayers, He
still is above all, and over all, and all powerful. He cares
deeply about you and your life.

Above all He wants you to surrender to Him. To be born
again through the precious blood of his son. When you
repent of your sins and receive him as Savior, you can
go to him in prayer and ask what you will, and according
to his word it will be done. Sometimes it takes fasting
and prayer, sometimes we just have to rely on Him and
know he knows what is best.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened."
Matthew 7:-7-8 ESV

But don't for a minute give up, or run to something that
does not satisfy or answer your cry. Run to the living God
who is waiting with open arms for your cry and your surrender.

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

My dearest friends, you can either trust or scream. You can
take God at his word and seek him and cry out to him with
all your heart, or you can give up. Which will serve you best?
Are you limiting God? That is your fault. He is not limited.
Cry out to Him, read his word, and then believe it without
reservation!

Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
Isaiah 43:2

Facing Ourselves, Growing in Christ

2010-05-27T07:16:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard someone say they do not attend church
because too many hypocrites go there? Over the years
I have heard many say it. At first when I was much younger,
I thought they must have been through some terrible experience
that made them stay away from church.

But as I grew in the wisdom of God’s word and life experience
I recognized that people who say this are using it as a excuse
to keep themselves in their chosen lifestyle. They want to
do what they want to do, and it is easier to blame someone else
than take responsibility for themselves and their actions.

The truth is, we don't go to church to see if people are perfect,
we go to church to worship God, get good Bible teaching, pray as
a community and reach outwards as a community. Church is a place
for spiritual growth.. and everyone there needs it.. we all do!

We see it everywhere now. People think they are not accountable
for what they do. A lot of it has to do with secular humanism,
that we are like little gods to ourselves, we can do what we want
anytime we want. It is our life, we don’t have to live up to
anyone’s standards.

Then we hear the school of thinking that God loves everyone
and surely He would not cast away anyone. That God is within
us all, and no one will go to hell. Ultimately, they say, God
will just accept everyone.

Let me tell you what this is all about. It is about people never
opening God’s word and reading it FOR THEMSELVES.
They hear people teach it from time to time but they do not
have depth to their spiritual life. They lack discipline. They
cannot seem to get a schedule that includes time for God.

All of these things bring us back to the main point. We are all
flawed, we all have shortcomings, we have all sinned, it is only
through the grace, mercy and forgiveness of God we can be changed.

Paul talked about how he struggled with hypocrisy in his own life.

He said in Romans 7: For I know that nothing good dwells within me,
that is, in my flesh. I can will whatever is right, but I cannot perform it,
I have the intention and urge to do what is right but no power to carry
it out. For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but
the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am doing!

You see even Paul recognized daily we all struggle with the flesh. We
do that which we do not want to do, and do not do that which we should.
That is hypocrisy in a form. We are saying we are one thing and doing
another. So you see, in a way, we all battle with this. Hence, pointing
fingers at so-called hypocrites is silly. We all need forgiveness, we
are all sinners, that IS WHY JESUS CAME!

So how can we change? Lets look what else Paul had to say in Romans
7:24-25. O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release
and deliver me from the shackles of this body of death?
O thank God! He will! Through Jesus Christ, the Anointed One,
our Lord! So then indeed I of myself with the mind and heart serve
the Law of God but with the flesh the law of sin.

You see Paul recognized in and of himself he sinned. That it was
with Christ DWELLING IN HIM, he overcame sin and lived
right before God.

If we cannot take the time to pour God’s word into our heart
and spirit we will not receive the conviction in our hearts about
the accountability of our wretched sins and flaws before God.
We all need to grow in Christ. We cannot just say that is the way
I am, and there is no changing it.

If this is so, we are not taking up our cross daily and following Him.
We must start at the cross daily on our knees, confessing our sins,
pleading our case before God, talking to Him, receiving His great
comfort, and merciful forgiveness. Then as we open His precious
word and plant it in our spirits, this word takes root and brings
conviction, and truth and the cleanliness that God wants within.

It empowers us through Christ being in us, to be overcomers
and to move forward and to accomplish something. We do not
give up and say I cannot change, we do not dwell in the same
place we grow, we overcome, we become strong in the power
of the Lord and HIS might.

My friend, if you are not feeling this today… you can. It is
not just for preachers or for people you admire spiritually.
It is for us all. God loves us all, but we must come to Him
with a heart of repentance, a mind open to regeneration in
Christ, and a will to go forth in God’s name with His Word
and Will leading us into all truth so that we may make
a difference in the world and lead people to Christ.

That is what He wants most of all. If you cannot overcome
you cannot teach others to do it. Yet it is a simple process
starting at the cross daily.

Oh Lord God, teach us to let go of that which does not profit.
Teach us Lord how to walk righteously before you, and to
surrender all areas of our lives so that we may be free
from the bondage of sin and go forth in your strength,
your wisdom, with your conviction pricking our heart
that we may know that we are accountable, and that people
are depending upon us to be a witness not only in words
but in deed. That all may be brought to you, by You in Us,
speaking forth Your Word to a lost and dying world. Let
us not live unto ourselves but unto you. We surrender all
today and lay our burdens and sin at your feet, and ask
you to renew us and help us be disciplined in our Bible reading
and devotional life, so that we may be pleasing to you in
all we say and do.

In Jesus Precious Name,
Amen

Remember
Only one life, will soon be Past
Only what is done, for Christ will last

Abounding IN Hope

2010-05-13T08:02:00.000-07:00

copyright Millie 9/22/2003

Now, the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the
power of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:13

I wonder when was the last time we were
"abounding in hope"? It seems to me this is a pretty
rare commodity in these times. We find ourselves
daily drained by the troubles and cares of life,
by things we go through with other people,
and by the reports we receive from others and the
news. The world is full of trouble, and when we
watch this, we begin to waver in our "hope."

Frankly, we hear more negative reports than good ones,
and perhaps we are guilty of saying more negative
reports than good ones.

So what do we do, to "abound in hope"?
Hope abounds in us when faith does. They go
hand in hand. Faith believes in what we cannot see.
Faith believes that God is in control and walks in peace,
resting in that knowledge.
Hope believes God is in control and is joyful, firm
in faith, and resolute in Hope.

Faith is believing the answer is on the way
even when we cannot see it!

Hope and Faith work in our hearts to produce peace.
Hope springs eternal when we know that God loves us
and is our "Father" wanting the best for us, and seeking
to bring that about. We rest in, trust in, and rely on God..

our circumstances do not control us... we let God control them!

Truly if you don't have peace within your spirit, you
have very little hope in your spirit. These gifts are in us
but they must be stirred up.

Let us hold fast the confession of our HOPE without
WAVERING, for He who PROMISED IS FAITHFUL.
And let us consider one another in order to STIR
up love and good works.
Hebrews 10:23-24

We learn to have faith that if God said it, He can surely
perform it, and if we believe that, we have hope within
our hearts, not because we are in control, or we see something
happening, but because God is in control. We have learned
our position in God. He is the Father, we are the child.

My friends, The minute you receive salvation, the Holy
spirit dwells within you. The more you open yourself
up to Him, the more He stirs up His gifts within you.
He leads us into all truth.

The people that you know.. that see the greatest
answers to prayer, and have a persistent joy in their
hearts, are the people who persist in prayer,
and persist in faith.. no matter what circumstances they may
be facing. They don't look at their circumstances
they look at the face of God. The God of a thousand
generations.

Many testimonies of wonderful Christians were of
people who "abounded in joy" in their circumstances
and kept looking forward, waiting to see what God had
for them, and How He could solve what was going on
in their lives, knowing He had the answers!

Faith looks forward in hope.

Hope comes from God, who made the heavens
and earth. It stands to reason the more time we
spend with that God, the more we would feel
His Hope abound in us.

You see.. Nothing is impossible to those who believe
and are right before God!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests
be made known unto God. And the PEACE OF God
which surpasses all understanding will guard your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Trust to Him, Cling to Him for all you are worth,
Speak to Him often and fervently, Rely on Him for
all your Needs, Commit to Him all that you have,
and Rest in His ability.. not yours, to work out His
plans for your life.

Trust and do not doubt. Abound in Hope,
Because God is still on the throne!

And let the God of peace RULE in your hearts,
to which also you are called in one body, and be thankful!
Colossians 3:15

You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed
on You, because he trusts in You!
Isaiah 26:3

For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of POWER and LOVE and of a SOUND MIND>
2 Timothy 1:7

So my friend, rest in the precious arms of your
heavenly Father, and "abound in the hope" that He
stirs within your spirit. God is God, and He
Is the great I Am... I am whatever you need.
Trust.. and do not be afraid.

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

Obedience without Hesitation

2010-05-07T07:34:00.000-07:00

Honor your father and mother: that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God gives to you. Exodus 20:12

This Sunday is a traditional day to celebrate our mothers.
In listening to many people over the years, I have heard
many complaints about people's moms. I am sure I was
in on that from time to time. But as I thought about it
this morning, I realized a very important concept.

God told us to honor our parents. He didn't say if we
liked them we should honor them, or if they were perfect
we should honor them, or if they did all we want, we should
honor them. He said honor them. Be obedient!

This is one of our problems as we grow in Christ. We find
areas of our life that need changing, but obedience comes hard.
God, I cannot honor them, do you know what they did? My child
I didn't ask you what they did, I told you what I want from you,
I asked you to show honor to them, out of obedience to me!
I want you to be obedient to my word.

How many of you today can honestly state that you have surrendered
every area of your life to God? Every hidden motive, every hidden
thought, every hidden anger, every moment of disobedience?
Until we can say that, we still have work to do. We are in essence
walking in rebellion. Absolute surrender is a must.

Is this a easy thing to do? NO, it is not. It is hard for us to admit
we are wrong, or we need to change, especially when someone
tells us we do. We tend to think who are you to tell me I need changing.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:21

Yet here we are being asked to submit to one another. The
very opposite of what we feel and have been taught. Submit
to one another in reverence to Christ.

Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 b

1. We are to submit to Christ first. Ask Him his
perfect will. Ask him to show us what to change, and then
really seek to do it.

2. We are to obey Christ, honor our parents, and honor one
another.

3. Submit to one another in Christ out of reverence for him.
If a Godly person comes and talks to you from the heart
and tells you something you know is good instruction, do not rebel.
Listen out of reverence for Christ, and recognize all of us need
to change, and grow and learn. None of us are perfect.
It isn't a put down, its leveling up!

4. Remember as a Christian whatever we do or think
should bring honor to God. That should be a daily hallmark
for us to think about in any action, deed or thought.

My dear friends, go to God in prayer today and seek His way,
and what he would have you do. Fill your heart with his word,
and let him speak to you through his word, instructing you
and helping you to grow daily in Christ. Don't be afraid
to let go of the past, of things that are wrong, and start
out on a new clean, unchartered territory in Christ. He will guide
you through it, and you will be free because of it.

Be free of the bondages and hidden things within you.
Out of reverence and obedience to Christ, seek internal healing,
and His will above all.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:5-6

Receive his peace, walk in obedience. Not in your willful way.
He is waiting for you, and has plans for you.

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

Rescue Me

2010-05-04T22:42:00.000-07:00

As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me.
Evening and morning and at noon, I will pray, and cry aloud,
and He shall hear my voice. He has redeemed my soul in
peace from the battle that was against me.
Psalm 55:17-18

How often in life, when times are difficult and crisis hits,
do we long for someone to come and just take over for us.
To take charge and "fix" everything. To rescue us from
the situation at hand. Our hearts cry out within us, doesn't
anyone care? And yet those we are closest too,
may feel they need rescuing too. The battle is on every
front, and many are facing these battles daily, even
hourly.

We long for someone to rescue us from the situation,
and to bring us comfort, to be merciful to us, and to
have wisdom. We look to the right and left, but
everywhere we look, either people don't care, or
they are overwhelmed themselves, or they just don't
have the means to change things for us, no matter
how much they love us. They are just human... after all.

It is in these darkest hours we must remember, God longs
to rescue us. He has felt the urgency of our needs,
heard the words of longing we have spoken, even
in the quietness of our minds he has heard the cries of our hearts,
and He has seen the tears
shed upon our pillow. He knows each sorrow, each need
intimately, he is our "personal" God. Nothing is hidden
from Him, and nothing is too hard.

God's ways are past our understanding, his care and
love is absolutely perfect and complete.
All encompassing, all powerful, all compassionate,
all merciful, full of grace and wisdom. No matter
how difficult the situation, how dark the hour, how
deep the pit, how grievous the sin, God has the answer.
He is greater still than all these.

Rely on, cling to, trust in, commit to, proclaim and
rejoice in the "hope" we have in Jesus, our source,
our guide, our Abba Father. Our Daddy, Daddy,
whose love for us, is beyond our wildest expectations.

All He is, is all you will ever need!!
Ask Him to rescue you tonite. Then allow Him to do so,
by leaving your burdens in his hands... and just trust.
Rest.. quietly in His arms. He has come to save to the
uttermost. Great is his faithfulness and mercy.

Rescue me Lord, for I am weak and you are strong.
Take these things from me, and work them out for your
glory, and lift me into heavenly places, and restore my
soul, and heal the inner pain in my spirit, and cleanse
me from all unrighteousness. Restore that which satan
the loser has stolen, and heal that which has been
broken. Bring into being those things which are your
will, and shine a light on my path, that I may see
clearly all you have for me, and give me the gifts
to accomplish these things. Send forth your angels to fight
the battles around me, and to protect me.
Teach me of your ways, give me a song in the night,
and rescue me from this battle raging in my life.
I will serve you
faithfully every day for the rest of my life. For you
are my Abba Father, and I am your child,
surrendered to you, and poured out as a sacrifice
to your service. Save me and I shall be saved,
heal me and I shall be healed. You are my God,
and nothing that comes against me shall prosper.
This is the heritage of those who love thy name.
Amen and amen.

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

Count It All Joy

2010-04-22T12:34:00.000-07:00

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various
trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be
perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4

Definition of Joy:
Intense and especially ecstatic or exultant happiness

I can hear some of you say.. Joy in the midst of trials? Are you kidding? How am I supposed to be joyful when someone is hurt
or dying, or when I don't have enough money to go around,
or when my life feels miserable?

Let me ask you this pointed question. Does being sad make it
any better? What does being sad and depressed do to improve
your situation? To me it only clouds your thinking with a ton
of emotions that are almost unmanageable and out of control.
It makes it harder to have a clear, concise picture of your situation
and it controls your thinking. It actually drains you and
wears you out.

God said to bring every thought captive. Tall order
but absolutely necessary to be happy.

Can we do this when our emotions are ruling our spirit?

Why should we be joyful?

Jack Hayford said about this verse:
"The proper attitude in meeting adversity is to count it all
joy, which is NOT a emotional reaction but a deliberate
intelligent appraisal of the situation from God's perspective, viewing
trials as a means of moral and spiritual growth. We do not
rejoice in the trials themselves but in their possible results."

So we meet our problems face on with prayer, a sense of joy
that God will work things out in our lives and in the mean
while we will be growing and learning. Life contains many sorrows
and tragedies. WE can let it alter us until we are bitter
and depressed and forlorn or we can rise to the occasion and
face them and deal with them with courage, and a sense of
joy seeking God's wisdom and guidance and Fatherly provision
and love through it.

I am facing some big things ahead, and have just gone through
quite a few. I have learned to face them one day at a time,
one minute at a time if necessary and then, face what I must
as it comes. Don't look at tomorrow, don't fret about yesterday,
live in today and make the best of it you can. What you cannot
do, you must leave with God. You cannot live your life
in fear and sorrow and expect joy to be there. I choose to
be happy inspite of my circumstances.

I remember once reading a remark Rev. Billy Graham said
about the difficult times in his life:
"God I can hardly wait to see what you are going to do with this".

That my friends is a anticipation of faith in God.. .trusting, not
being afraid, relying on, clinging to and finding hope in Him.

Our circumstances do not RULE us. Our emotions should NOT
be controlled by them.

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ
2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

Dear God, help me control my thoughts today. Help me to realize
there is a bigger picture than what I see. And that while I trust
in you and do the best I can, you will work all things out for your
glory. Help me realize that life will not always be easy and
many times will be hard and seem overwhelming. But this
too shall pass. And you promised you would never leave
me or forsake me. Help me to live a life of faith and trust
and not fear and despair. Remind me when I forget this Father.
Help me to please you in all I say and do.
In Jesus precious name.
Amen.

A Quiet Place

2010-04-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

Have you been still lately? I mean really still?
With no television or radio playing, no one to talk to.. just
sitting still?

I know I have told you we have a large back yard, full of
nurtured plants, a vegetable garden, and many rose bushes.
It is quiet back there. The only noise a occasional barking
of a dog, or the delightful song of a bird. It is so restful.
Just the surroundings of God's beautiful creation.
A quiet place. A place to restore our souls and find rest for our spirit,
away from the cacophony of the world.

We all need that quiet place within us.. where the world
cannot intrude, where our troubles don't take precedence,
and where we allow God's spirit to whisper to ours.

A place that is a garden of refreshing.. of hope, of renewal.

If you have not found that quiet time, that quiet spot
then you are missing out on the most important time
in your spiritual life daily. Time with God.

Nothing you do, will matter more than this time.
Nothing. Everything else will pass away.

Only time with God will prosper and last.

Love others, savor them, enjoy the day,
but don't neglect the God you need above all else.

Then today you can say, I walked in the garden with
God, and He refreshed me and held me close.
I knew then, everything would be ok.

Love
millie

ps. I wanted you all to know that both my husband and I have been

having health problems, that is why I have not sent out my devotions

as regularly as I used to. You all are in my heart, and I long to tell

you of the goodness of God in the land of the living. And I know as

time passes and I get stronger, I will send more to you. My love to you all.

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed,
but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall
the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that
has mercy on thee.
Isaiah 54:10

Receive that blessed peace.. in the quiet times and small
corners of each day

"God Speaking"

The man whispered, "God, speak to me" And a
meadowlark sang.
But the man did not hear.

So the man yelled "God, speak to me" And the thunder
& lightning rolled across the sky. But the man did
not listen.

The man looked around and said, "God, let me see you."
And a star shined brightly. But the man did not see.

And, the man shouted, "God, show me a miracle" And a
life was born.
But the man did not notice.

So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me, God, and
let me know you are here"
Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man.
But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

I found this to be a great reminder that God is always
around us in the little and simple things that we take
for granted. .even in our electronic age . . . so I would
like to add one more:

The man cried "God, I need your help" . . . and an
e-mail arrived reaching out with good news and
encouragement. But the man deleted it and continued
crying.....

The good news is that you are loved. Don't miss out
on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that
you expect.

Expect the unexpected....
It is called Faith :)

Proof of the Resurrection

2010-04-03T20:53:00.000-07:00

Proof of the Resurrection

copyright Millie Plastaras
3/26/05 all rights reserved.

We hear many skeptics today say the resurrection was
made up to give people hope about this life. And that
there is no proof of it. They often challenge people to prove
it to them, sit back with their arms folded and say "show me".

Through many resources to help bring that proof to you. I am using
the resources that have done a great deal of study,
not only on Biblical history, but history of non christian
authors who wrote of it.

Hope you enjoy it, and find it useful in your witness for the Lord Jesus.

Evidence for the Resurrection

According to many resources I have read, the resurrection
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth is one of the most well attested
events in the ancient world.

Why is this important to us? Because the resurrection
was meant to set Jesus apart from anyone else that ever
lived. It would prove He was the son of God, able
to conquer death, and bring eternal life to the world
through His death.

For a 40 day period after he rose from the grave, he appeared
to many different people. Paul, in 56 AD wrote that over
500 people had seen the risen Jesus and that most of them
were still alive (1 Corinthians 15:6).

One of the greatest ways to disprove Jesus death would
have been for anyone to produce his body.

Let us take a look at that part of the resurrection story.
Who would have wanted to steal Jesus body, and
how would it have profited them?

WE know that Jesus could not have survived the
crucifixion. The romans were very thorough in checking
the body of those crucified to make sure they were dead
before they took them down from the cross.

Most people had their legs broken while still on the cross
so that it would hasten their death. The fact that the
soldiers did not do this, shows they felt he was already dead.
And according to Bible prophecy this has been predicted
that not one bone of his body would be broken.

IN John, it is recorded that when Jesus side was pierced,
blood and water came out of it. That would have been a
sign he was dead.

The Jews, if they had wanted to prove Jesus did not rise from
the grave, would have produced the body and paraded
it throughout the streets to prove that theory.

Grave robbers would have had no reason to take it,
only anything worthy of selling or using would have been
their interest.

The romans had no reason to steal the body, they wanted to
keep the peace in Palestine. They had accomplished
their goal of putting him in the grave, they just wanted
to keep the peace.

The disciples had no reason to steal the body of Christ.
If you think about it, later they all died for their belief
in Christ, his life, death and resurrection. Why would they
have wanted to die for a lie?

There have been many who have studied this event,
who were not Christians and wanted to destroy the ancient
story of Jesus and how he came to save the world.
They spent hours pouring over ancient documentation,
historical accounts, and through their journey, accepted
Jesus as their savior. Why? The evidence was compelled,
and verified by man.

One of those men was Frank Morrison who was a agnostic
journalist. Another was Lee Strobel. Who was according to
his investigative reporting, wanted to disprove the outrageous
theory of Christ, and the resurrection. In his desire to
disprove it, he found evidence that changed his life
and made him turn to Christ as His savior.

There were many ancient writers who spoke about
the resurrection, here is just a list of a few of them:

The apostle Paul said in 55 or 56 A.D. that there were hundreds of actual eyewitnesses of the risen Christ who were still alive and could confirm the accounts of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:6). The apostle Paul and the other disciples had to be accurate in what they reported because these living eyewitnesses would have been the first to dispute anything untrue that Paul or the disciples may have said. Another problem with this theory is that first-century historians and other writers of that time period have provided us with further information about the Resurrection, whether directly or indirectly. Here are some examples:

Flavius Josephus (Jewish historian), The Antiquities of the Jews (93 A.D.), book 18, chapter 3, paragraph 3.

Pliny the Younger (Plinius Secundus), Epistles (112 A.D.), volume 10, p.96, in a letter written to emperor Trajan concerning the Christians in Pliny's province (he was the governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor at the time).

Emperor Trajan's reply to Pliny's letter, recorded in Pliny's Epistles, volume 10, p. 97

Cornelius Tacitus (senator under the reign of Vespasian and governor of Asia from 112-113 A.D.), Annals (116 A.D.), volume 15, p.44.

Eusebius recorded in The History of the Church, volume 4, p.9, a letter from emperor Hadrian (who reigned from 117-138 A.D.) to Minucius Fundanus (governor of Asia) giving advice on handling charges against Christians.

Suetonius (Roman historian), Life of Claudius (120 A.D.), volume 25, p.4.

Suetonius, Life of Nero, p.16.

Lucian of Samosata (Greek satirist), The Death of Peregrine (170 A.D.), p.11-13.

Lucian of Samosata, Alexander the False Prophet, sections 25 and 29.

The most plausible explanation is that Christ did rise from the
grave, and all the eyewitnesses and writings about this
make it a plain case in evidence of his resurrection.
The truth is the disciples knew the difference between
a risen savior and a dead friend. They knew the
reason came, the reason He died, and the reason He
rose from the grave. And they gave their lives,
and died because of their firm, real belief in Him.

Peter said: For we did not follow cleverly devised tales
when we made known to you the power and the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His
majesty. 2 Peter 1:16

Click here: Evidence for the Resurrection
http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/num9.htm

Click here: The Evidence for the Death and Resurrection of Jesus
http://www.layhands.com/EvidenceForTheResurrection.htm

sources for this:
Answers to tough questions by Josh McDowell
(Wheaton, Illinois, Tyndale house publishers 1980)
Frank Morrison - Who Moved the Stone ( Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 1971)
Lee Stroebel - The Case for Christ (Zondervan Publishing 1998)
Proof of the Resurrection published by Rose Publishing, 2004

An Infidels Testimony

2010-03-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

An infidel once made the following testimony:

"Did I firmly believe as millions say they do, that the knowledge and practice of religion in this life influences destiny in another,
religion would be to me everything! I would cast aside earthly
enjoyments as dross, earthly cares as follies, and earthly thoughts and feelings as vanity. Religion should be my first waking thought and my last image before sleep sank me into unconsciousness.

I should labor in its cause alone. I would take no thought for
the morrow of eternity alone. I would esteem one soul gained
for heaven worth a life of suffering. Earthly consequence
should never stay my hand nor seal my lips. Earth, it's joys
and its grief's, would occupy no moment of my thoughts. I would
strive to look upon eternity alone, and on the immortal souls
around me, soon to be everlastingly miserable or everlastingly happy.

I would go forth to the world and preach to it in season and out
of season and my test would be, "What shall it profit a man
if he shall gain the whole world, and yet lose his own soul?"

When C. T. Studd, the great Cambridge cricketer of England, read
these words, they made such a tremendous impression upon him
that he gave up a legal career to go to the dark places of
the earth as a missionary. He says: " They decided me at once
to love only and utterly for Christ."

While reading his Bible one day Mr. Studd apparently applied
the story of the rich young ruler to himself and gave away his
entire fortune. At that time it was a half million dollars, and he
followed Christ in voluntary poverty. His last term of service
was in the hart of Africa for nearly thirty years without a furlough!

Listen to what Mr. Studd on Whosoever of you cannot renounce
all he has, he cannot be my disciple.

Don't seek a long life -- Christ had a short one.

Don't live in luxury, Christ lived and died poor.

Don't live in pleasure, Christ pleased not himself.

Don't live in fame, Christ made himself of no reputation.

Don't live at ease, Christ suffered for YOU the shame and
scourge of the cross.

Every saved person knows the truthfulness of the infidel's
comment. We know that there is heaven, and that there is a hell,
because the inspired Word of God tells us so. We know that
all of mankind is destined to spend eternity in one of two
places; those who accept Christ are saved, and those who
reject Him are lost. Therefore it is the supreme duty of
every born again believer is to work for God, and be a sermon
so as to "by all means some may be saved."

The Trouble Tree

2010-03-15T08:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Into each life some rain must fall. But we would never
appreciate the sunshine as much if we didn't have rain.
Rain refreshes and cleanses. So in the hard times of your life,
remember that you have a anchor for your soul Jesus Christ,
who loved you and gave himself for you. If you are a child
of God because you received the salvation of Jesus Christ and
have repented of your sins you have God's presence in your life
24/7. He wants you to call on him.. tell him your burdens and
leave them at His feet. He wants to guide you into all truth,
and show you the way to overcome and have victory in your life.
The only way you can find this is through spending time with him
in prayer and talking to him. Then read his word so it makes
clear in your mind who God is and what he wants us to do. These
are vital things to your growth as a christian.

Never let your troubles control your mind. All of us have
circumstances and trials. All of us have burdens, we, at one
time or another will have illness and eventually death. But
while we are here.. we can make a difference. We can learn
to be strong, and overcoming and conquer our fears and
our internal pain, by giving it to God and moving on. Never
again tied to the past. It is something we must do daily, and
surrender to Him. Each morning tell him "God, I need your help,
please take these troubles out of my mind. I am going to go forth
into this day, and take the day off from my troubles knowing
you are with me and will work it out. I will do my best to overcome,
and what I cannot do, I trust in you to guide me or provide. Thank
you for loving me and giving your son for me. Teach me your ways,
that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart
may please you in all ways. Amen".

**************************************************

THE TROUBLE TREE

I hired a carpenter to help me restore an old farmhouse, and he had just
finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour
of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup truck refused
to start.

While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. Upon arriving, he invited
me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused
briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.

When opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned
face was wreathed in smiles as he hugged his two small children and gave
his wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got
the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier. OH,
that's my trouble tree? he replied. I know I can't help having troubles
on the job, but one thing's for sure, troubles don't belong in the house
with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every
night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again. Funny
thing , he smiled, when I come out in the morning to pick'em up, there
aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up.

List Keeping

2010-03-04T09:48:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Dear Friends,

How many of you are list keepers? For instance,
do you wake up with a list of things you need to accomplish that
day? I found a long time ago that keeping lists or putting
things down on paper helps me organize my thinking and
accomplish more goals I have.

I am wondering if there are lists you keep that are
not healthy for you emotionally or spiritually? How
many of you keep lists of past grudges or hurts that someone
has done to you? Are any of you still blaming your parents
for things? How much emotional baggage are you carrying
around and how much is it weighing your spirit down?

My daughter and I were talking this week, about how
wounded people go out in the world carrying their hurts
in every action and every deed, and bumping into other
people who are hurt who are carrying it around.
So basically we are rubbing each
other the wrong way with our hurts, instead of positive,
spiritual, healed input.

Do you consider yourself healed inside? Have you been
able to let go of the past? You will never live fully in
the present as long as the past controls you. You will never
heal from anger and hurt as long as it controls you.
Until you let go, you cannot be free. And you are the only
one who can let go. No one else can do this for you.
It is a mental choice we make. We go to God and say,
I have this person I am having a hard time forgiving, or
this hurt that is so deep inside I don't know how to recover.
Or we tell him of things that have happened, and we ask
him to heal us and show us how to help ourselves. Then
we leave these things at his feet. Not to pick them up again
and rehash them, but to find a new life, free of the baggage
that weighs us down.

I recommend getting books that help you overcome whatever
your problem is.. but only Christian books. You don't want
books that don't put Christ first. This is very important.
But your first sources have to be the word of God DAILY,
and time alone with God. Pouring our your heart and receiving
his leading into how to change your heart and life.

The price of freedom? Letting go, and receiving healing.
Be strengthened today... and go forth in Jesus name
and make a difference in this world. You cannot do that
if the past hampers and holds you back. People need you
my friend, and you need to go out into the world without
carrying your wounds and pain as a banner, and move on
with your life. It is time now my friend. It is time.

love always
millie

Philippians 3:13, 14 NLT
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Please remember to check my blog in
case I am no longer able to send devotions by email.
Please save it in your favorites so it is easy to find.

Click here: Millie's Inspirations
http://millies-inspirations.blogspot.com/

Please go there and on the bottom there is a place to subscribe to it.
You will receive notifications when I post on there. In case my email stops, you will find my devotions there as often as I am able to post them.

A LIST TO KEEP
The list we should all carry around
The most destructive habit..............................Worry
The greatest Joy.............................................Giving
The greatest loss......................Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work....................Helping others
The ugliest personality trait....................Selfishness
The most endangered species........Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource....................Our youth
The greatest "shot in the arm"...........Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome......................Fear
The most effective sleeping pill.........Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease................Excuses
The most powerful force in life..........................Love
The most dangerous pariah......................A gossiper
The world's most incredible computer.......The brain
The worst thing to be without......................... Hope
The deadliest weapon.............................The tongue
The two most power-filled words................."I Can"
The greatest asset.........................................Faith
The most worthless emotion......................Self-pity
The most beautiful attire................................SMILE!
The most prized possession....................... Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication.......Prayer
The most contagious spirit....................Enthusiasm

To the WORLD, YOU may be ONE person; but to ONE person, YOU may be the WORLD!

Oh The Deep, Deep Love of God

2010-02-25T07:07:00.000-08:00

I am sitting here pondering today, like many before me in the history of this world, the great love God has for us. The Psalmist David often
wrote of God's love and described it in deep and thoughtful terms.
God's love is so far above our thinking or understanding that
putting it in human terms is almost impossible. His love is
everlasting, and never fails.

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies (Psalm 36:5).

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Psalm 86:15).

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever (Psalm 136:26).

"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).

My friends, as I read these verses I am overwhelmed that God would love us at all. We are so fickle, often ignoring him for other interests, and often neglecting our prayer life for days or even devotional time.

As you walk down the street, and make snap judgments about people, I want you to take a second look. God loves the homeless person as much as he does you. He loves all people, every race in the world. He loves the poor, and the rich. His love is abundant and free and the word tells us if we want him, we will find him if we seek him with all our hearts. Proverbs 8:17 God is no respecter of persons, he longs that all of us might come to a saving knowledge, and is speaking to you, calling you by name, and longing for you to have a relationship with him. For this were you created.

But with that great love came a great sacrifice. God loved us so much that he recognized we were sinners, and in need of spiritual cleansing from sins. The only way the Bible ever teaches of atoning for sins was a blood sacrifice. Jesus was born pure, without sin, like a spotless lamb. Born to teach us how to live, and then die to atone for our sins (pay that price for us) , and then rise again to show us we could have eternal life if we received the great salvation of Jesus.

Let me ask you, among your friends, whom do you know that would give up their life for you? Who do you know among your friends that never fails you? Who do you know that you could talk to 24/7 about your problems and get actual guidance that works? Who do you know that constantly loves you and that love never fails?

Read this hymn penned in 1875 by S. Trevor Harris and the music written by Thomas J. Williams:

O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
’Tis an ocean full of blessing, ’tis a haven giving rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!

My friends, if you have not experienced this love, it is possible today.

It starts as a conversation between you and God. Father God, I have sinned. Please save me from my sins through your son Jesus who loved me and gave himself for me. Cleanse my sins and make me righteous before you. I give you my life, and I will follow you all the days of my life. I will turn away from my sin and my old lifestyle and read your word daily and talk to you and learn of you, and seek to please you first and live as you have called us to live, as disciples, following you always. in Jesus name, Amen.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 ESV

Worthy Is The Lamb

2010-02-12T20:43:00.000-08:00

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
the sins of us all.
Isaiah 53:6

Somehow it seems unfair, and undeserving for Christ to
have to suffer for people who neglect him daily. That He
should be whipped, and beaten and mocked, and crowned
with a crown of thorns that dug into his head and caused him
to bleed... only to be led to a cross and cruelly crucified for us.

Why did he do this? Because he was worthy.. the Lamb of
God who came to take away the sins of the world.

3. He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
4. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
5. But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.

Isaiah 53:3-5 NLT

Have you let him take away your sins? What have you done
to be justified in his sight? Have you sought Him? Have you called
upon His name? Have you praised him and lifted his name
on high for the great things He did for you, long before you
were here? Have you bowed down before that cross and
asked Him to cleanse you from all unrighteousness and
sin and be your Savior forever?

Who is Lord of your life? What is your purpose in life?
Do you look at the eternal picture, or just drift from day to day?

God has plans for you my friend, and He loves you with a deep,
eternal love that never changes or fails. He saw you even
as you were being formed in your Mother. He longs to walk with
you daily, and talk with you, and guide you and set you free
from all that binds you and hurts you.

We all have a choice.. to worship the Risen Lamb and
live for him, and surrender our lives to him and follow him daily,
or walk away from Him, his protection, guidance and salvation.

What is your choice?

Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last!
For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

The Touch of the Masters Hand

2010-02-02T10:59:00.000-08:00

Dearest Friends:

Never, ever give up!
No matter what circumstances you face,
they will change. No matter what today brings
forth, you are not alone. No matter what anyone
tells you, God loves you and desires the best for you.

Seek Him first, make Him your Savior, your source.
You are beautiful in His sight, truly loved,
and if you have received Him as your Savior.
You are truly forgiven. But you must ask!
And if you don't ask Him to do this, He will not
answer or hear your prayers. (John 9:31)

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His
righteousness, and all these things shall be
added unto you.
Matthew 6:33

Nothing is impossible to those who believe
and are right before God.

Love
millie

**************************************
THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER'S HAND

Well it was battered and scarred, and the auctioneer felt It was hardly
worth his while, to waste much time on the old violin But he held it up
with a smile..."It sure ain't much but it's all we got left, I guess we
ought to sell it too...Now who'll start the bid on this old violin, just
one more and we'll be through."

And then he cried, "One! Give me one dollar! Who'll make it two? Only
two dollars! Who'll make it three? Three dollars twice! Now that's a
good price...now who's got a bid for me. Raise up your hand and don't
wait any longer. The auction's about to end Who's got four? Just one
dollar more... to bid on this old violin."

Well the air was hot and the people stood around As the sun was setting
low. From the back of the crowd a gray-haired man Came forward, picked up
the bow. He wiped the dust from the old violin, and tightened up the
strings... Then he played out a melody pure and sweet...sweeter than the angels sing.

And then the music stopped... and the auctioneer with a voice that was
quiet and low, He said, "What am I to bid for this old violin? " Then he
held it up with a bow.

And then he cried, "One! Give me one thousand! Who'll make it two? Only two thousand! Who'll make it three? Three thousand twice! Now that's a good price... but who's got a bid for me. The people cried out, "What made the change? We don't understand" Then the auctioneer stopped and He said with a smile, "It was the Touch of A Master's Hand"

Now you know many a man with a life out of tune is battered and scarred with sin And he's auctioned cheap to a thankless world, much like that old violin. Then the Master comes, and the foolish crowd. They never understand The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought, Just by one touch of THE MASTER'S HAND.

God is able to change any heart and make any life worth living to those
that feel worthless and unworthy. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, Ephesians 3:20. If you sometimes feel like that violin, then I encourage you to seek a touch of The Master's Hand and
He is faithful to do for you all that you ask of God.

Read and meditate on these scriptures:

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Ephesians 4:22-24 "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

Psalm 103:2-5 "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who
redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Insight

2010-01-29T07:47:00.001-08:00

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not
unto your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will
direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

There are times in each of our lives where we feel
like we need a sense of direction. We either feel
bogged down in our current situation and we don't know
how to change it, or we recognize we are going
the wrong direction and need help to change
ourselves. Then there are those times where
we truly want to know God's will for our life, and
feel like we are just not hearing what it is.

In this busy world, where people are involved
in so many activities it is easy for our time with God
to go on the back burner as we pursue other things.
Then we ask God why are we not hearing from you?

It would be like you wanting to talk to someone on
the phone, and thinking about them a lot, and wanting
to spend time with them, but you never get in touch.
How could you have a relationship on that basis?

My friends, if you want direction from God, you have
to spend time with Him. You have to get to know the
nature of God by reading his word and seeing what his
promises are, and what He really requires from us.

If you have a job, you go in and do the duties that go
with your job. It is something mapped out by your
employer to get you from A to B. Something that is
a clear direction to accomplish the tasks that must be done.
You wouldn't think of telling the employer that this work
doesn't need to be done, it will get done by itself, and
just leave it there.

How can you expect to hear from God, if you don't talk to
Him and listen to him? He speaks to our hearts in the quiet
moments where we talk to him about our problems, or what
is in our heart, or times we spend praising Him. We need
focus time with God. Time dedicated to Him, for his service,
His glory and time for us to hear back.

Can you change direction today and dedicate specific time
for God each day? If you can realize that the only thing
that counts in this life is what we do for God, it should
become your primary focus. Everything else will fall into place.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33

I realize that you have busy lives. But you also need a
time of refreshing, and a time dedicated to your spiritual life.
Make a goal today, to set aside specific time daily for your
devotional life, and stick to it. It will change your life
and encourage you greatly everyday.

love,
millie

Hypocrisy or Humanity?

2010-01-20T06:22:00.000-08:00

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves,
you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Make allowance
for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.
Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us
all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace
that comes from Christ RULE in your hearts. For as members
of one body you are called to live in peace, always
being thankful.
Colossians 3:12-15
NLT Translation

Have you ever been around people who were said to be very spiritual, they knew all the correct
things to say and motions to make, but they spent a majority of their time finding fault with each other?

We often see people tear each other down
to make themselves feel better. Usually that
is a sign one feels inadequate themselves.
Inward introspection and addressing our own flaws
and correcting them, is a far better daily pursuit
than looking at what is wrong with everyone else.
Truth be told, we cannot fix someone else anyway.
What we have control over is our own emotions and actions,
and we always have things we need to correct in ourselves.
Let God be the judge!

I think most of us have a tendency to be critical,
but it is not a profitable pursuit, and we need to
bring our thinking in alignment with the word of God.
Have you ever heard someone say I don't go to church because there are too many hypocrites? It always amazes me to hear people say that. Because no matter if you go to church or not.. you do things you know are not right, and wish you had not. You are compelled to do that which you do not want to do, instead of that which you know you should. That is hypocrisy. We all do it.. we all feel ashamed, and we all know that we were not being true to ourselves. I believe hypocrites live on every block, in every home, are on every job, and in every company, and in every country. Because people often say what they think they are, and it is not who they really are. So next time you go to church, remember no one there is perfect. Just like they are not any place else. We are all under construction, we have all done things wrong. And knowing this.. we should be more compassionate, understanding, and far less judgmental of people.

Everyone you know has a past, including yourself!

The building blocks of a person who is maturing, is knowing their faults, addressing them, and not wasting their time trying to "fix" everyone else. If you disagree with someone, or the way they live, the most powerful thing you can do is pray for them. Jesus said: But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who spitefully use and persecute you. Matthew 5:44 Prayer can change any situation, any person, and any problem. It is not our last resort, it is our greatest hope!

Love always,

millie

PS. We must always forgive, but it doesn't mean we are able
to forge close intimate relationships with everyone. It is just
wisdom to choose your companions carefully

10 Little Christians

10 Little Christians standing in line
1 disliked the preacher, then there were 9

9 little Christians stayed up very late
1 overslept Sunday, then there were 8

8 little Christians on their way to Heaven
1 took the low road and then there were 7

7 little Christians chirping like chicks
1 disliked music, then there were 6

6 little Christians seemed very much alive
but one lost his interest then there was 5

5 little Christians pulling for Heaven's Shore
but one stopped to rest, then there were 4

4 little Christians each busy as a bee
1 got his feelings hurt, then there were 3

3 little Christians knew not what to do
1 joined the sporty crowd, then there were 2

2 little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done
differed with each other, then there was 1

1 little Christian can't do much 'tis true
brought his friend to Bible study -- then there were 2

2 earnest Christians, each won one more
that doubled the number, then there were 4

4 sincere Christians worked early and late
Each won another then there were 8

8 splendid Christians if they doubled as before
In just so many Sundays, we'd have 1,024

In this little jingle, there is a lesson true,
You belong either to the
building or to the wrecking crew!
- Author Unknown

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"THE PERFECT CHURCH"

If you should find the perfect church
Without one fault or smear,
For goodness sake! Don't join that church;
You'd spoil the atmosphere.

If you should find the perfect church
Where all anxieties cease
Then pass it by, lest joining it
You'd mar the masterpiece.

If you should find the perfect church
Then don't you ever dare,
To tread upon such holy ground;
You'd be a misfit there.

But since no perfect church exists
Made of imperfect men,
Then let's cease looking for that church
And love the church we're in.

Of course, it's not a perfect church,
That's simple to discern
But you and I and all of us
Could cause the tide to turn.

What fools we are to flee our post
In that unfruitful search
To find at last where problems loom
God proudly builds His church.

So let's keep working in our church
Until the resurrection.
And then we each will join that church
Without an imperfection.
--Mavis Williams

Making It Real

2010-01-14T08:37:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 29:13

And so the Lord says, "These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.
NLT translation.

It is so easy when we are in church to feel a sense of being near God,
and feeling all is right with the world. We can sing praises with
the best of them, and say all the right words.
But the real test of a Christian
is what they do outside of church.

For instance, after a church service when people are leaving
the parking lot and someone gets in their way, does their
temper return? Does your flesh rule your spirit? Symptom
1 of not being submitted to Christ.

After we leave church is the Bible placed in a bookshelf and forgotten
until our next visit to church? Symptom 2 of putting yourself
before God.

A life with Christ requires discipline, dedication and focus.
It isn't a game, it is a reality. It is something that should show
outwardly in all we do, and inwardly, it convicts us of things
we should change and do.

The truth is, if we are just playing church and not really
taking it serious, it is a soul issue. We are not submitting
to Christ, we are not changing anything, we are merely
covering up the truth of what is in our hearts.

Yet a life in Christ brings freedom of spirit, freedom from sin,
it brings light to our path, hope to our heart, inspiration
to our soul, and strength for each day. A life in Christ
is a path strewn with many things, but most of all the
presence of Christ each minute.

If you are serving God with your lips only, and you
are far from his heart, what good is that doing you?

Will you make a dedication of your heart today, to serve
God with all your heart soul and mind? Then get in
the word of God, and read it, and plant it in your spirit
and take those words to heart. Live by those words
and speak them to others. Make a heart change,
for your own soul's sake, and to please your heavenly
Father. He, who knew from the beginning the very
intentions of and hidden things in your heart.

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

For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Facing the Truth About Ourselves

2010-01-11T08:28:00.000-08:00

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ
has made us free, and do not be entangled again
with a yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:1

In each of our lives we have issues, flaws, and things
that need correcting. Just when we think we have things
conquered, we realize something in our life is out of
control, and out of line with liberty in Christ.

The Word says if God sets us free, we are free indeed.

My question to you, is have you ALLOWED him to set you free?

This morning and last night, God took me to task over some
things I was holding in my heart. They were not worthy of him.
I was allowing things to come in that were not pleasing,
I was allowing negative emotions, and hurts to rule my thinking.

I had to hear someone else talk about their own battle with that
and realize it was spiritual poison to allow those things in my spirit.

Funny how we all seem to need to be reminded again and
again of things we must let go of and overcome. Stubborn people
we are.

My friend is there anything in your life that is not surrendered to
Christ today? Charles Stanley said yesterday in his sermon:
If there is a area of your life that is not surrendered to Christ,
it is in rebellion to Christ."

My friend, this should not be so. We have a new life in Christ,
we are no longer our own, we were bought with a price, his
precious blood on the cross.

Take time today, to ask God to shed light on any area of your
life that is not pleasing to him, that is un surrendered,
then have the courage to pray and ask forgiveness,
and work on that area. Surrender it to Christ, and walk
in the freedom and liberty he promises to those who
truly follow him and allow Him to rule and reign in their life.

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

The Storms of Life

2010-01-05T07:05:00.000-08:00

About the 4th watch of the night He cometh unto them,
walking upon the sea.
Mark 6:48

There are times in our lives that are so full of trouble,
or sorrow, that it seems like we are in the middle of
a raging storm. Watching the billowy waves pound
our soul and we cry out for the hand of God to rescue
us.

So it was on this long night for the disciples
out on this boat. The wind came and swept waves
onto their boat, and the boat swayed and dipped
with the power of the waves. But Jesus saw them,
they were never truly alone. He watched them from
the shore and eventually He came to rescue them.

Sometimes in our lives we see something happening
to someone we love, and we are powerless to stop it.
We watch them from the shore, and our heart longs
to rescue them, but it is not within our power.

This is the time we know the blessedness of prayer
and the presence of God. We know of His great power
to save, rescue, guide, and protect. This is when we
must get serious, and get vigilant in our prayers,
and not let the waves crush us, but fight back with the
warfare of prayer. The fervent prayer that cries out
to God and never gives up until we feel the answer is
on the way. Persistent, powerful prayer.

We see miracles everyday, because
someone chose to fight the good fight of faith,
rather than wimp out and give up.

Have you ever stood on the shore and watched a loved
one suffer? I have, and it is wrenching. And there
are no words that anyone can say that will bring
total comfort. And there is nothing your friends
can do except say kind words, or try to help you with
things that need to be done. The greatest gift from a
friend can be their heart felt prayers, and loving encouragement.

Sometimes in life there are things we must face alone.

This more than ever should teach us that our sufficiency
only comes from God. No matter how well meaning
our friends or family, they cannot be there in every
way we need. It is not only not possible, but it is
not something many of us have the tools or power to do.
No one is going to rescue us from life's troubles.

No one but Jesus.
People come and go from our lives. Our loved ones
are a gift for a time. But Jesus stays with us from birth
to eternity.

He watches us from the shore, and listens to our cries,
and then comes to save us. Jesus, the great Physician,
the Great I Am, the Bright and Morning star. Our hope,
our salvation, our sufficiency. But until we seek Him
with all our heart, we will not know his sufficiency,
because we are blocking it by our very worry and
doubt.

My friend, if you find that there are situations beyond your
control, I know someone who made heaven and
earth, and nothing is too hard for His hands.

For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched
with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all
points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help
us at the time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy, for thou hast
considered my trouble; thou has known my soul in
adversities.
Psalm 31:7

Yes, Jesus knows every fibre of your being, He has
seen the shed tears, the loneliness and the illness.
and even now, his hand is stretched out.
Come my child, rest with me, and let me
calm the waves and the storms.

Peace be still.

I will both lay me down in peace and sleep, for thou, Lord
only makes me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

Peace and safety.
Jesus.

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

Absolute Surrender

2009-12-28T07:26:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends,

As we are ready to face a new year, and
many new challenges and changes, I have a question
for each of you to take to heart.

Is your heart in right standing before God?
If a light was shined deep into every part of your soul
and thinking, would you be found to have light
or darkness in you?

We as Christians must
examine ourselves daily before the throne of God,
and seek to clean out and change any area of our
life that is not submitted to Him. We cannot
grow in Christ, if we remain a baby in the word of God
and do not seek to become a disciple of Christ,
following his teachings and applying them to our lives.

If your life was a diagram, showing each part of your
life as a statistic, how much of you is devoted to your job?
How much of your life is devoted to your family?
How much of your life is devoted to God?
What things are you pursuing most in your life,
and giving most of your time to?

Is your life in balance? Or are there areas in your life,
you have been hiding from God, holding onto for yourself?

Many people become Christians in name.. but never grow in
Christ. They attend church, they go through the motions,
but they have no depth to their spiritual life. I have to wonder
is it just a desire to be religious, but not spiritual? Do we
want to relieve a feeling of guilt, of not being right with God,
but then once we go to church we think we have done our
duty and go on our merry way, un submitted and unconcerned
about God in our daily life and thoughts? Do we in essence
say, Ok God, I have done my duty, don't bug me through
the week, and don't ask me to step out of my comfort zone
or routine?

Paul wrote in Galatians 2:
20I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (amplified version)

Has your life been crucified with Christ?
Is your all laid on the altar of Christ? Are there hidden areas
of sin, and darkness in your life? Do you take your relationship
with Christ seriously?

God has laid this message on my heart for a couple of days now.
He wants those who claim to be His, to live as if they are.
No compromise, no games, no hidden parts. He wants
a army of believers who stand for His truth, and do His
will, submitting to Him daily.

This will mean that you take time to go to God in prayer,
ask Him to show you the areas of your life that need
to be changed and given to him. Ask Him to lead
you, you will feel these small urgings and callings
in your heart as you talk to Him. Listen, quickly,
while there is time. He is calling your name, and
has plans for you. But He wants clean hands and
a pure heart. Rise to the calling, and make a difference
in this world. For if our gospel is hidden (because
we are lazy, unproductive and unsubmitted Christians)
the gospel is then hidden to those who are lost
without Christ.

These are great responsibilities, and we must
face them and live them, if we wish to please God.
We cannot compromise our title of "Christian"
because of selfishness, or clinging to things
we know are not pleasing to God.

For your sake, for the sake of your heavenly Father,
and for the sake of those around you who do not know
Christ.. be a light for Him.

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot
be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket,
but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16

Will you rise to the high calling and the task set before you?
Seek the Lord while He may be found, and submit to Him,
truly make Him Lord and Savior of your daily life and walk.

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

The Nativity and the Winter Storm

2009-12-22T16:41:00.001-08:00

It became clear at once that this was no ordinary night.
The sky was becoming darker, and the snow flurries were building up quickly, till it was a cold blur outside. Cameron looked out the window watching the snow begin to fall harder and build up on the ground like piles of sand upon the beach the snow glistened and grew into small hills of cold crystals glistening
with the light of the moon.

She turned and faced the room, the chill beginning to reach her, she walked toward the fireplace gathering the wood sitting by it, and tossing in a log to add to the small fire she started earlier.

It was almost Christmas night, and she was alone in this cabin in the woods. She had come out here to get away from the cacophony of the city, the crowds, the loneliness and the problems. She just wanted to take time to get to relax, gather her
thoughts, and perhaps this time, she could plan a future apart from what she had been living.

The last few years had changed everything. She had built a company from the ground up, and worked endless hours to make it successful. It had taken all her time and energy. It had been more than she had hoped, and less than she had dreamed. It gave her all the financial security she had ever dreamed of, and none of the emotional security she seemed to need right now.

Why was this happening at this point in her life? Didn't she have all the financial security she ever needed? She was independent, and focused, successful to the eyes of most observers.

She sat on the couch gathering her coffee cup to her, and musing over the past. She remembered fondly so many Christmas times past with her parents. Both were gone now, and some of the memories had faded a bit. But the warmth and love they had showed her never faded. What a blessing they had been to her. The word blessing, that is what was missing.

Each Christmas her mother and Father had made a big ceremony of the nativity scene. It started the first of December, and each night a new piece would come out of it's wrapping and take it's place on the table. They would sit and talk about the meaning of Christmas. And Mom would always make cookies or a new treat each day. What cozy times those were. The Christ Child was always the center of their celebration. And on Christmas day, they made a party of it. A cake to remember Jesus birthday, and songs to sing His praises. It was a wonderful thing to remember.

That was what was missing in her life. She had no spiritual life anymore! She had neglected the Christ Child. Now.. here she was stuck in the wilderness, no way of getting out, and alone. Suddenly the success of her business didn't seem enough. She had forgotten a big part of her life. The part that sustains a person when times get rough.

Someplace around here that nativity set was tucked away, she had brought it to the
cabin after her parents passed away, hoping to make this her Christmas retreat, and to decorate the cabin with the memories of her youth. She got up and walked towards the room that all the boxes were stored in. She rummaged until she found the box with all the dear images of the people from that beautiful Christmas night so long ago.

She took the box to the living room, set it down, and cleared a small table by the fireplace. One by one she pulled the pieces out, and set them up. The tiny lambs, the other animals, the angels, the shepherds, the visiting Kings, and the most important, Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus. Each piece became all the more precious as she drew them out. Each piece symbolizing that Holy Night so long ago.

She set back looking at the scene, and it bought a sense of peace to her spirit.
Suddenly she felt as if she could take a deep breath for the first time in a long time. Something she had not felt for quite a while. She had been living totally for herself, focused on success and career goals, nothing else. Now here it was Christmas Night, and once again she was alone. How had she ever allowed things to get this way? The tears started coursing down her cheeks. Her parents would be so surprised how she had changed, she had become hardened, and cold. She had conformed to the world.

Cameron picked up the Baby Jesus and held it tightly in her hands. She got down on her knees that cold night, and gave her heart to the Baby Jesus, asking forgiveness for her sins. Her heart pouring forth countless thoughts, and pain that was inside. When finally she stopped. Everything somehow seemed different. She felt a sense of security and wholeness to her spiritually she had not felt in so long.

This then, was what Christmas was all about, the Baby Jesus, nothing else. The quietness of this retreat and the pleasant memory of Godly parents drew her back to the truth of this life. Nothing is worthwhile, without a relationship with Jesus.

She got up and walked towards the window. The snow was slowing down, and she could see a star twinkling through the clouds that were scattered in the sky. The star seemed to be twinkling just at her. It seemed so hopeful now. All was right with her heart. She knew now what to do. And this night had changed everything. It had reminded her of a night long ago, when a precious Baby came to earth, that she might have life, and have it more abundantly.

Now, she was going to seek the abundant life her parents had taught her about. And she was going to remember how to touch the lives of others. This felt much better to her. She knew that this was the reason she felt such a urge to get away. She turned towards the manger scene once again..placing the baby in it's manger. She walked towards the kitchen. Perhaps she could find the ingredients for a cake here. It could be a birthday party after all.

Jesus was here now.

copyright Millie Plastaras December 21, 2001

remember

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

Comfort and Joy

2009-12-21T07:50:00.000-08:00

Comfort and Joy

There is a wonderful Christmas song, that speaks of

comfort and joy.

Comfort and Joy are companions. We find one,

we should have the other.

Comfort does not totally depend on a comfortable

home, lots of possessions, money or even how many

people we know or what a great job we have.

Comfort depends on our state of mind.

Paul said:

Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want,

for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the

point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever

state I am.

I know how to be abased and live humbly in

straitened circumstances, and I know how

to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned

in any and all circumstances, the secret of facing

every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry,

having a sufficiency and to spare or going without

and being in want.

I have strength for ALL things in Christ who EMPOWERS ME,

I am ready for anything and equal to anything through

Him who infuses inner strength into me,

(that is, I am self sufficient in Christ's sufficiency)

Philippians 4:11-13 (amplified)

How do we come to that state of mind where we

can be content no matter what is going on in our lives?

It is definitely a mental discipline,

bringing every thought captive to the things

of God. It is also realizing God is in control, and whatever

is ahead, we know above all else, He will not leave

us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)

Basically.. our sufficiency, our total dependency and

our hope is from him. Not from our circumstances,

not from our friends, nor family, not from what we own

or don't own. Our hope is From Jesus Christ who came

to take away the sins of the world. He said when He left

this world He would send another comforter, The Holy

Spirit to guide us and lead us into all truth.

So how do we access the Holy Spirit?

The minute we receive salvation through Jesus Christ

that Holy Spirit dwells within us.

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you

another comforter (counselor, helper, intercessor,

advocate, strengthener and standby) that He may remain

with you forever.

The spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive

(welcome, take to heart) because it does not see Him,

nor know and recognize Him, for He lives with you constantly

and will be in you.

John 14:16 - 17

Are you feeling comfort in your life? If not, you are

not talking to God enough, nor abiding in his word,

letting it refresh and heal your heart and bring hope to

your spirit. We must find our sufficiency in him, EVERYDAY.

As the world changes, and grows worse. WE will

see many things, floods, famines, earthquakes,

typhoons, hurricanes, floods, pestilences, disease.

These things are part of the reality of life.

Circumstances should not rule our emotions,

we should, as mature Christians rule our emotions,

through our trust in Christ, taking our thoughts

captive and just resting in him. Worry should not

be a option, but that is a daily discipline all of us must

practice, and sometimes a daily battle within our minds.

We cannot allow a spirit of fear or unrest to take root.

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity (cowardice,

of craven, cringing and fawning fear) but He has

given us a spirit of power and of love and

well balanced mind and discipline and self control.

2 Timothy 1:7

I can remember a time where my family was hit

with so many tragedies within a few months I was knocked to my feet.

I heard God speaking to my heart as clearly as could be.

You can either be full of fear or full of faith.

You can fall apart or you can believe everything you

have ever read about me. I am your sufficiency.. pray in

faith, cling to me, trust, do not let go of me, do not look

to the right or the left.. Rebuke the spirit of fear,

rebuke the spirit of death, walk in my way, walk in my

love, walk in power and a sound mind, I am your

sufficiency, I am all you need.

From that day on, I learned to refocus on God. There are days

where I fall apart, and God needs to remind me.. hey..

did you forget? I am on the throne, I am in control,

I am almighty God, I am the great I Am, I am all you need.

It is in that thought.. joy returns.

Joy is: To fill with ecstatic happiness, pleasure, or satisfaction.

Joy returns because our hope is in Jesus Christ.

We rejoice in his provision, love and presence, knowing

He will guide and provide!

We can rest in that provision. He is driving, we are just taking

the trip. No matter what is ahead.. we will never

be alone. If we are not here on earth.. we will be

with him in heaven. There is nothing to fear.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under His

wings shall you trust. His trust shall be thy shield and thy

buckler, thou shall not be afraid for the terror by night,

nor for the arrow that flies by day, nor for the pestilence

that walks in darkness, nor for the destruction that waits

at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand

at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee.

Psalm 91:4-7

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any

plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall

give His angels charge over thee, to

keep thee in all thy ways.

Psalm 91:10-11

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation

of the wicked, when it comes. For the Lord shall be

thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being

taken. Proverbs 3:25-26

In righteousness shall you be established. You shall

be far from oppression, for you shall not fear, and from

terror, for it shall not come near thee.

Isaiah 54:14

Believe it and receive it and live in it.

Then God is your sufficiency.

Or reject it and live in that and fear.

Then comfort and joy will not enter your dwelling.

It is your choice.

Which choice would you rather make?

Fear or joy?

I am serving one who is all sufficient.

I need not be afraid.. and he has the same promises

for all who believe. We need never fear.

In God I have put my trust, I will not be afraid what

man can do to me

Psalm 56:11

You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Isaiah 26:3

(If you are not feeling peace, you are not really trusting in God)

Just trust!!

Remember

Only one life, will soon be past

Only what is done for Christ will last

He Has Come, The Christ Child! Rejoice!

2009-12-17T08:36:00.000-08:00

Copyright Millie Plastaras 12/2004
may not be reproduced without written permission
from the author. If you share, please send
in it's entirety with disclaimer. Thanks :)

And the angel said to them, "Have no fear, for observe,
I announce to you the good news of great joy that shall
be for all people; for today there was born for you in
the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!
And this is a token for you. You will find the babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude
of the heavenly host, praising God and saying
"Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth, peace among
men of his favor."
Luke 2:9-14

And so the journey to the manger began. With Angels
singing and a bright Star set apart just by God
to light the way, so that all could know
Our Savior, Jesus Christ is born!

Oh how this world needed a Savior, someone with
compassion that could understand the pain of
each individual. Someone who had the power
to transform lives ... to give them hope that their
situation could change. Someone who could
heal them, and comfort them, and forgive their
sins and cleanse them from all unrighteousness.

Someone who brought hope into the world,
Hope of eternal life.

Where could such a one be found?

He was found in very humble circumstances. Not the normal
place you would expect a small baby to be born.
Especially the King of Kings. He was laid in a humble bed
filled with hay. In a warm setting in a barn, with animals
gathered around, yet the greatest Savior of
all mankind had just come to change the world
forever.

Let us take a journey to that precious manger,
and see what we can find.

The roads are dusty on the way,and traveling hard, but there is a
star to light my way. It is such a bright star, is this a sign
of the Light of the World, Jesus? He is said to be the bright
and morning star. If I get there, will He know I am there?
Will my life be different if I see him? I am afraid,
perhaps He will not find me good enough ... yet I have
to make this journey. I feel so compelled to see Him,
I know something special is there, just for me.

For I have heard He has the power to change lives,
and came to earth to set our spirit and heart free.

It is getting colder as I journey towards the light,
and I pull the coat closer to me, seeking comfort
somehow. I shiver with the chill in the air, and wonder
once again, if perhaps I should have stayed home.
Perhaps this is just a rumor. Perhaps I am making this
journey in vain.

Oh yet, there is this bright star, and the songs of Angels
resounding in the heavens. How could one ignore such a blessed thing?
I have never seen anything so wondrous in my life. The star seems
to wink at me, inviting, encouraging me to go on my journey. It's light
glistens on the hills in the countryside, bringing a curious glow onto onto all of the landscape, giving it a bright covering and illuminating the darkest places with glorious light.

I arrive in Bethlehem,and the streets are full of people.
So many people everywhere, all here for the census. How will
I ever find the baby? The Messiah, Emmanuel, God with us, what
a glorious hope that brings. I will look again to the heaven and the light
of the star will show me the way. I must not lose my focus.
I cannot take my eyes away from that blessed light.

The star is shining directly over a stable. I walk there,
and see a family huddled over a manger. A small baby
lays within the folds of cloth in the manger. A light
seems to glow from it's tiny face. I feel such peace
within this place. Suddenly I feel warmth spread through me,
and the pain of the journey has left me.
Something draws me as I have never felt before.
I hesitate in walking in, but
the young couple see me and come over and gather
me in their arms and take me to see their little one.
They greet me as if they have always known me,
and understand exactly why I am here.

How can it be so warm in here, in a stable?
And all the animals are so peaceful ... it is as if they
are smiling. Can even the animals know?

Mary shows me the tiny one, and I reach out to
touch His hand. I feel such joy flood through me.
This is the Christ Child! I can sense His life
is going to be so different. Something about Him
even as a baby stirs my soul. I fall upon my knees
seeking to know what it is about this little one
that makes me feel as if I am in the presence
of a King. How could this be ... it is a manger,
a stable, could a King be born in such surroundings?

Yet when I look at His face, even as a baby,
He seems to know me, and I feel such a sense of
peace coming from Him. It seems as if He has
been expecting me. Could this be, could this child know me?

I bow my head in prayer and thank God for leading
me to the Child of Light, the Hope of the world.
He is bringing Joy where we felt sorrow.
He is bringing salvation, where we felt our failure
in following the law.
He is bringing forgiveness and cleansing to those whose
lives seem overwhelmed and felt unworthy because what they have done.
He is bringing healing to those who are broken,
and ill. His love is all encompassing. No one has ever
loved with such purity and compassion as He.

The room is suddenly filled with singing. And once again I hear the choir
of Angels, singing "Peace on earth, Good will to men".

I stay there and pray a while, reluctant to leave
this Holy place. But my life will never be the same
again. I know now, that the world is forevermore changed.
Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

My heart is yours Christ Child. I will follow your
light all the days of my life, and your goodness and
unfailing love will be with me forever. Your comfort sustains me,
and your Spirit provides light for my path daily.

I get up slowly from my knees, watching the little
child as He nods off to sleep. What a humble
beginning, what a glorious ending!
The King of Kings Has arrived!! Hallelujah.

I gather the hands of Mary and Joseph in mine,
and thank them for allowing me these moments.
My heart is overflowing with so many feelings,
I hardly know how to express them.
But it seems they understand without me uttering a word.
They just smile at me, they know, they feel it
too. The day has finally arrived and
hope has been born within my soul.

As I walk off into the night ... the sense of well being
never leaves. I truly have felt such comfort
and peace as I have never experienced before.
From now on, whenever I feel lonely, or in pain,
I will take my mind back to that manger, and
the beautiful child, that brought a light
into my life that I had never experienced before.
And I will find comfort in remembering
He knew me! The hope of Jesus shines
within Me now, the Christ child has come
to set the world free!

I will forever seek that child within my heart.
All will be well now. I can trust Him.
God has heard the cries of my heart.

I hurry down the path. I must tell everyone I know,
to come worship the King. I must shout it to the world
WE will never be the same!

Joy to the world, the Lord is Come!
Let men in their hearts rejoice.
O what a beautiful Holy Night.
The King of Kings has arrived, for You and Me.

Our life will never be the same again,
Rejoice!

remember

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

Held Back, or Held by God?

2009-12-14T07:45:00.000-08:00

copyright Millie Plastaras 10/17/2007

Good Morning Everyone,

Have you ever been mad at yourself for something
you have done and you felt like you could kick yourself?
Have you ever regretted something you did so
much that you didn't know how to work past it?

Have you ever felt guilty about the way you
treated people in the past, and you felt there was
no fixing it? What if there is no second chance?
Are you going to hate yourself and feel bad the
rest of your life?

In essence you are telling yourself:
My life is a mess, I have done so much wrong, I do not
feel loved, or wanted, or even deserving of it. I have
messed up my relationships and my career, hurt my
family, nothing I do seems to turn out right.

Basically you are beating yourself up daily
with condemnation and recalling all your mistakes,
you are stuck in a vortex, a whirlwind of self
condemnation and hatred.

These things, piled on top one of another, added
with other burdens we carry, produce a self
condemnation within us that become a spiritual bondage
holding us back from joy, peace, and living life to
it's fullest. We are unable to move on with our life.

They are like a dead weight within our spirit that
weigh us down, and rob us of our joy, and most of all our
hope. Once hope is deferred, or seemingly lost,
life can seem bleak, and a very unhappy place to be.

The dictionary gives this definition of condemnation:

the condition of being strongly disapproved of; "he deserved nothing but condemnation"

My precious friend, do you feel condemned today by others?
Do you feel condemned by yourself?

Let us read this together: Therefore (there is) now
no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for
those who are IN Christ Jesus, who live and walk
not after the dictates of the flesh but after the dictates
of the spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life
in Christ Jesus (the law of our new being in Christ)
has freed me from the law of sin and of death.
Romans 8:1-2

When we are in Christ,
we are no longer condemned but forgiven. Because
we are walking after Him, seeking His ways, and not our
own. Because we are forgiven, covered by the blood
of the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world.

My friend, if He can forgive us and condemnation is
lifted from us by his atoning, why are we for one minute
spending time condemning ourselves? Why do we
time after time hate ourselves for things we do,
and condemn our self to failure and self dislike
and self condemnation?

Could it be satan uses this as a tool to
effectively keep us so upset we never progress past
it and do what Christ has planned for us to do?

Recently I have had some things happen in my life,
and they were so painful, I have spent hours trying
to work past them. Asking God to shed his light on
my situation so I could see it clearly and do what was
right in His sight. To help me let go of it and move on.

After a week, of some fairly intense internal agony,
I was listening to some praise music and started praising
the Lord, and singing along with the song. Instantly
I felt that condemnation and burden lift. It was just
gone. God had removed it. And in it's place I felt
His authority rise in me. You do not ever have to
feel condemned. You do not ever need to hate
yourself. You do not ever need to feel bad about mistakes.
Learn from them, apologize and move on.

Forgive others, it is their problem what they are doing
wrong, and let God deal with them. Forgive them,
even if they never ask you to.

It doesn't matter what they think. It matters what God
thinks. It is He we account to. Not everyone will like us.
Not everyone will approve of us. Many will talk about
us, and be unkind to us. So what. Life goes on, and
we still have places to go, people to see, things to do.

We must rise in strength, with the hope of the Lord
fueling our hearts, his forgiveness and mercy new
and fresh and reviving to us each morning, and
we must be held to a higher accountability. To be
a disciple of Jesus Christ, seeking to walk in the
spirit always and not the flesh.

We are not wimpy, we are strong.
We are not in bondage we are free.
We are forgiven, not unforgiven.

Act like it!

We are not condemned, we are set free.
Receive that.. and live accordingly.

Do not return to the former condemnation that
the world and your own misguided thinking flung upon
your spirit and your mind set. Shake it off and be free
by the renewal of your mind in Christ Jesus.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew
a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:9

Therefore we do not become discouraged
(utterly spiritless, exhausted and wearied out of fear).
though our outer man is decaying and wasting away,
yet our inner self is being progressively renewed
day by day!

For our light, momentary affliction is ever more
and more abundantly preparing and producing and
achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory
(beyond all measure, excessively surpassing
all comparisons and calculations, a vast
and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!)
2 Corinthians 4:16 (amplified version)

We are equipped, we are beloved, we are forgiven,
we are free. .

We have work to do. No one you know is perfect.
Get over your past, get over your mistakes, and do
something.. positive, while you have life left in your body.

Do not fritter your days away on that which does not profit.

love
millie

Is Repentance Necessary?

2009-12-10T08:27:00.000-08:00

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.
1 Corinthians 7:9-11 (ESV)

Do you remember as a child, when you did something wrong, and you knew you had, how your heart would convict you?

Perhaps you were afraid for your parents to find out, because you knew you would be punished. Did you ever try to hide from them, because you didn’t have the courage to admit what you had done?

I think many do this when they have sinned, or when they are convicted of sin. People know in their hearts they are wrong, but perhaps they like the sin and cannot seem to break away from it. If we did not feel shame, that would be far more serious. But shame brings us to a Godly sorrow, a place where we know we are wrong, and must do something about it. "The change we yearn for is brought about by a process called repentance."

"Webster's dictionary defines the word repentance in the following manner: repentance: a repenting or being penitent; feeling of sorrow, etc., esp. for wrongdoing; compunction; contrition; remorse.
But the Greek term "metanoia" is better understood to mean a change of mind or heart."

The Bible talks about a repentant heart, which is a absolute must for anyone desiring to have the salvation of Jesus Christ.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesses and forsakes them [repentance] shall have mercy. Proverbs 28:13

Repentance is not just lip service, it is heart change. a turning away from our old sins, a desire to please God and a submission to his authority. It is a seeking of a new lifestyle and mind set in Christ. It is spiritual discipline, through submission to Christ, and walking in His light and truth.

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20

So then we are new in Christ, bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus upon the cross. WE ARE NO LONGER OUR OWN. We have to be mindful of this. We cannot just say we are saved and continue on a willful path of our own, ignoring God. This would be like crucifying Christ again.

To receive Jesus as your savior:

1.You must recognize you are a sinner, and need to repent. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."(Romans 3:23)

2. You must recognize Jesus died for your sins, as the only begotten son of God (John 3:16) and because of his sacrifice and atonement on the cross, we can have forgiveness and cleansing of these sins if we repent and receive that salvation.

3.You must recognize that Jesus came in the flesh, to be a atonement for the sins of this earth. Pray to the Father God in the name of Jesus Christ. Ask his forgiveness for your sins and ask Him to be Lord and Savior of your life.

4.The next step is turning away with a truly repentant heart. We become a disciple, and a true follower of Christ; filling our heart with his word, and following his example upon this earth. We are new, not the same, new goals, new mind set, new hope, new thinking. To read his word shows us how to please God, and what His son Jesus taught upon this earth.

John 14:6 Jesus said: I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father God, except through me.

Throughout the word the Messiah was predicted, who would come to save people from their sins.

And she will bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, and He will save his people from their sins: Matthew 1:21

And behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the SON OF THE MOST HIGHEST; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of the His Father David. Luke 1:32-32

Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies about the messiah, the only begotten son of God, sent to be a atonement for our sins. We must recognize this, receive it, live it, cling to it, share it, and walk in it daily.

NO COMPROMISE.

My friend, if you have not yet made a decision for Christ, and changed your life for him and repented, please do it today. Eternity hangs in the balance.

Jesus loves you and died for you. Receive his salvation, and find forgiveness and eternal life in him. Walk with him the rest of your life, you will never be alone or forsaken.

love always,
millie

Learning to be Thankful

2009-12-07T21:02:00.000-08:00

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:11-13

If I was to take a poll among you today, who could say they
were really content? That they were satisfied with their
possessions, their job, or any other area of their life?
Are you really thankful for what you have?

My guess is most of us would say no, we are not really
content. It is always us reaching for one more thing, or
looking at one thing we don't have we wish we did,
or that we had a better home, or always some sort
of negative thought about what we have. My guess is,
that if you feel this way about your possessions, you
probably feel unhappy about your relationships also.

Yet, truth be told we are so much more blessed than
many people, and instead of focusing on thankfulness,
we are focused on what we think we need, or what we do not have.

I am wondering if the massive debt most have accumulated
is due in great part to a lack of contentment, always wanting
more, yet unable to pay for it, they charge it to satisfy that
need, that actually represents far more than just what they
are buying or desiring. Yet it is enslaving them to someone
else for unpaid debt that they probably will not be able
to pay off for years, all because they were not content.

Do you think that marriages might be different if people learned
to love their partner for who they are and be content with them,
and pray about what they feel is wrong, or is missing from the
relationship? Could God, in all his great power and mercy,
not speak to your mate, and give them the desire to change?
Did nagging or anger ever change a marriage? Yet peace
can make a great difference in a marriage and home,
because we are content with what we have at this moment
and rejoice in it.

My friend, if you are not content where you are at, my belief
is that you are looking too much at the world and not enough
at God. This applies to many areas of our lives, such as
worry, and anger, and unforgiveness. We get our eyes on people
and not on God.

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.
1 Timothy 6:6

You see my friends, our FIRST goal daily should be time spent
with the Lord Jesus. In his word, refreshing our spirit, in prayer
speaking to him of our needs, repenting of things we know
we are doing wrong, and asking for guidance about things
troubling us. And then we leave those things at his feet,
knowing He is in control and has those answers.

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
“I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you.
So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?"
Hebrews 13:5-6

My friend are you confident in God's ability to work out all things? Learn to be content with what you have, stop overspending, stop worrying, and stop looking at what is wrong with people find joy in each day, and count your blessings.

Learn the art of being thankful. Make this a daily goal, and watch
how it changes every dynamic in your life.

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

Love always,
millie

Moving In His Strength

2009-12-04T20:37:00.000-08:00

copyright Millie 9/26/2002

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor
crying, neither shall there be any more pain,
for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:4

Seems life is filled with lots of sorrows, hard times
and things we never expected to deal with become
vital decisions we must make.

The journey of life is not a easy walk, nor is it
a level one. There are mountains and valleys, and
there is day and night. There is health, and illness,
there are sorrows and joys. But the journey is a gift,
and we must make the most of it while we have it.

The good news is, God promises to be with us around
the clock, provide protection, guidance, comfort,
and great hope, to those who know His name and
have accepted His precious Son as their Savior.

Each day as we start this journey, we awake from
a night of rest. We must get up and face this day
with courage. I like to start it by talking to the Lord.
I tell Him how much I love Him, I thank Him for my blessings,
and I tell Him the things that are making me sad, or things
I need help with. Then I read His word, so I get stronger
and wiser, so that when I make decisions, they are
firm, and powerful.

Sometimes the people we love let us down, or we feel
life is unfair. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed with
our problems. But..we are not to deal with them alone.
Jesus said, Cast your burdens on me, for I care for you.
1 Peter 5:7. He doesn't want us to be burdened,
he wants to be the burden bearer.

No matter what you are facing in life today, you have great
hope. For there is more to this life than this life.
We are on a journey from here to there. God was at
the beginning, He will escort us through the door of
death into heaven, and we will find rejoicing and every
good thing there.

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed,
but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither
shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith
the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
Isaiah 54:10

Receive His peace, go forth in His strength, and rejoice
at the gift of life. Treat it as the treasure it is. And go
out with courage to face the day, with a smile on your
face. For none of us are guaranteed tomorrow.
Make the most of what you have.

Make it a joyful journey by your attitude,
and trust in the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return,
and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall
beupon their head; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and
sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Isaiah 51:11

We are marching to Zion, beautiful beautiful Zion.
We're marching upward to Zion, the beautiful city of God.

God loves you my friend.
You will never be alone.

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

The Steps of a Righteous Man

2009-11-12T07:30:00.000-08:00

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and
he delights in His way.
Psalm 37:23

Commit your works unto the Lord, and your thoughts
shall be established.
Proverbs 16:3

Good Morning Everyone,

Are you established in your daily routine?
Do you set goals and have things planned out
so that your day goes more smoothly?

Do you have your life mapped out?
Or do you feel that you are drifting through life
without direction. To be honest with you, even
if you are organized, planned ahead, goal minded,
many unexpected things can happen that throw
you for a loop mentally.

If you are a Christian, your first goal each day is
to go to God in prayer, and seek His will. Ask God
how he would have you act, what He would have you
do, and to guide you through the day. You SUBMIT
yourself to his will.

The second thing we must do is surrender our burdens
to him right at the beginning of the day.

Don't wake up and rehearse your problems over and
over in your mind. Instead, lay them at God's feet
trusting in His answers and Provision and Guidance.
Then don't pick them back up.. they will keep you
from enjoying your day, they will alter your moods,
your relationships and your mindset. You have to let
go to move ahead.

When we are established, we are strong, we are certain,
we are confident, because of what Christ says He will
do, and who we are in Him. We are his beloved children,
Called out by him, called to live a life of light, trust and daily
Hope in Him.

You can only do this if you seek Him first, and really mean it.
It cannot be a half hearted attempt, and leaving things out
we know we should not be doing, or not telling God everything.
If you want to be a triumphant, victorious Christian,
you have to walk the walk Jesus called us to,
and talk the talk that pleases Him.

NO compromise.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not
unto your own understanding. In all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

As you do this, take time for Bible reading daily. It will
fuel your spirit, strengthen you, infuse you with hope
and draw you closer to God. It is NOT something
we can neglect. We all need this encouragement,
wisdom from God and hope daily.

God bless you my friends.

love,
millie

*********************************************

"10 Rules For A Happy Day"

1. TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK:
If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is
unkind... I will not respond in a like manner.

2. TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY "ENEMY":
If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I
will quietly ask GOD to bless that individual. I understand the
"enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or
stranger.

3. TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY:
I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I
do not spread gossip.

4. TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE:
I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.

5. TODAY I WILL FORGIVE:
I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.

6. TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE, BUT I WILL NOT DO
IT SECRETLY:
I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.

7. TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS THE WAY I WISH TO BE TREATED:
I will practice the golden rule - "Do unto others as I would have
them do unto me" - with everyone I encounter.

8. TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE WHO IS DISCOURAGED:
My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the
difference to someone who is wrestling with life.

9. TODAY I WILL NURTURE MY BODY:
I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank GOD
for my body.

10. TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY:
I will spend a little more time in prayer today: I will begin
reading something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a
quiet place (at some point during this day) and listen to GOD's
voice!!!

"But since we belong to the day, let us be self controlled,
putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and hope of salvation
as a helmet." - 1 Thessalonians 5:8
-- Author Unknown

Sinking Sand

2009-11-02T03:40:00.000-08:00

copyright Millie Plastaras 11/2/09

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will
liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
And the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew
and beat on that house; and it did not fail for it was founded on that rock!
But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do
them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand;
and the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds
blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was it's fall.
Matthew 7;24-27

Most of us build our lives on certain principles and goals
we believe in. This is our foundation . It is what we stand upon,
hope in and structure around.

My question to you, is your house built on the rock?
The only rock to build this spiritual house on is Jesus.
For without His salvation, the hope and guidance from
God the father, how can we withstand the storms of this life?

What meaning has this life, if we build it on things we cannot count on?

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 1 Corinthians 15:19

This life we build, with our hopes, dreams, accomplishments,
accumulation of possessions, relationships good and bad,
when it comes to the end was our body of work worthy?
Was it well thought out and something we can be pleased with?
Most of all, would it please God the Father?

When things you have planned fall apart, or people you love
disappoint you or walk out of your life, do you feel your
foundation crumbling? Truth is, if we have not planned for
the storms of life, and built our strength up through
God's word, when the storm hits, not only are we
unprepared, it can discourage us, or devastate us.
We have become weak in our faith, and troubled on every side.
Many people fall away from their faith during these times,
often blaming God or people around them, and it changes
their life, perhaps forever.

Ever have that sinking feeling come over you
when things start to happen you were not expecting,
or that overwhelm you? It is not a good feeling.

These times we are falling into sinking sand.
Our eyes off God, and out of his word, and out of his presence.
We have succumbed to the doubts, fears and worries
of life till it has robbed our very soul of His presence,
hope and direction.

When in the beginning, if we had trusted God,
if we had REALLY believed in Him, really relied on Him,
Really made him Lord of our life, Really made him our source,
we would have been building a foundation based on
our trust in his abilities and not on our circumstances or
goals, or even thinking. WE would have looked to a higher
power, and recognized even in the trials of life he is there,
a sure foundation, a anchor for our soul.

Day by day, hour by hour, our spirit and strength would
have been growing in his wisdom and knowledge,
and not in our own confidence, but In Him.

There have been times in my life, when I wanted to scream
because of the horrible things happening. I wanted to indulge
myself in the sorrows, and just give up. Longing for peace,
I would instead indulge in the worry and sorrow and fear
of the moment. It never got me anyplace. Indeed it made
me miserable. The light could not enter because I had
shut the door to that great inspiration that is found by
just quieting my spirit and submitting to God.

Saying God: even these times, I know you are with me.I submit to you, I leave these great burdens in your arms,
for I know not how to handle them. I cannot control any of it,
but you can. You are My Father God, my Abba Father,
all you are, is all I will ever need. I will trust and not be
afraid. I will trust in, rely on, cling to, and find hope in your
presence, and I won't leave your presence until I feel that peace.
Please look ahead for me Father God, guide me, show me
what to do, and when I am weak you are strong in me.
I rest in your ability and your provision, and I seek you first,
knowing whatever is ahead, I will never go through it alone,
but go from strength to strength as I grow in you, and read
your word, and find inspiration, hope and reassurance in it.
Forgive me for times I lack in faith, and restore me,
and help me please you and be founded upon you, My Rock
and My salvation.
Amen.

You don't have to sink when the storms of life hit.
You can build your house on the rock, Jesus Christ.
A firm foundation that nothing can shake or prevail against.

My friend, we have this one life, and soon it will be past.
Don't base your life on what you see, or what you feel,
base it on what God sees, and what He wants for you.
Look at the big picture. He is over all, above all,
sees all, and knows the answers before we even
utter the questions.

I will lift my eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help.
My help comes from the Lord, who made heavens and the earth.
Psalm 121:1-2

***********************************************

On Christ the solid rock I stand
Words by Edward Mote
Music by William B Bradbury.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain

From Strength to Strength

2009-10-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

Blessed, happy, fortunate (to be envied) are those who
dwell in your house and Your presence; they will be
singing your praises all day long.
Blessed, happy, fortunate, is the man whose strength
is in You; in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
Passing through the valley of weeping, they make
it a place of springs; the early rain also fills (the pools)
with blessings.
They go from strength to strength - increasing in
victorious power; each of them appears before
God in Zion.
Psalm 84:4-7

Do you feel, blessed, happy or fortunate this morning?
Does your life seem less happy than you would like?
Does happiness seem illusive? Do your problems
seem greater than your solutions? Do any of you
feel your life is out of control emotionally?

My dear friend if you answered yes to any of these,
your emotions are overriding your faith. It is not
that you do not love God, or trust him, it is that
you and I have allowed doubt, or dread or fear
a place in our hearts and minds, and we have
become wearied from it.

Did this solve anything? Will one day of worry change
our circumstances? It might make it worse, for we are
dwelling on the negative, almost hoping for and expecting it,
and not focusing on God's possibilities and answers.

My friend, I have been going through a great spiritual battle
in my own life, from the illnesses that have hit. It has been
a battle to take control of my thinking and leave it in God's hands.
For when things around us seem to be crumbling, sometimes
we crumble under the weight of it.

But looking at the verses above, I realize that dwelling
in the presence of God, and singing praises to Him was the key.
We need input that changes our mental, and spiritual focus.
To dwell in the dumps, keeps us negative, and unhappy.
To focus on something new that can inspire us and lift us
out of the gloomy, sorrowful thinking can electrify us
spiritually. Renewing our mind in Christ daily is a must!

We cannot do this if we avoid God's presence, his word
or praising him. We have to walk into that throne room
and seek God boldly, because we know he loves us
and gave us his son to give us eternal life. We are beloved
by Him daily. Who else can be in control but God?
Who else can fix things for us but God?

God never promised we wouldn't go through trials,
hard times, illness, even poverty. But he did promise
to provide for us, be with us and comfort us. And many
times he heals, he changes circumstances, he changes
mindsets and shows us a new way to go.

My suggestion: Go to God in prayer.. and don't leave
that prayer room till you feel peace. Persist in prayer
until you feel the answer is on the way. Tell him every
detail of what you are feeling, pour your heart out before Him.
He will sustain you, comfort you and a answer will come.
You will feel it in your spirit, or hear it through the mouth
of someone God sends, but the answer will come.

You will go forth from strength to strength, increasing
in victorious power, because of GOD IN YOU.

Let us therefore follow the things which make for peace, and
things wherewith one may edify another.
Romans 14:17-19

Friends are you following the things that make for peace
or are you following a mindset that leads to fear and lack of faith?

It really is a choice. God is with you. Reach out.
Receive His abundant peace, receive his strength,
receive his hope. And dwell in his presence
until you receive it all. No distractions. Just time
with God. If you do this each day, it will transform your life.

Love always
millie

In Search of Peace

2009-10-16T14:11:00.001-07:00

copyright Millie Plastaras 9/2/2002

These things have I spoken to you that In Me you may
have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but
be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Many are searching for this illusive thing called peace.
They look for it in other people, in various religions,
in all kinds of activities to try to relax them.
Some people believe if they just avoid other people
they will find peace. Some people, never find it.
Some are too busy, yet in desperate need of this peace.

And today, more than ever the world needs it.
For who knows what tomorrow will bring?

I can hear the voice of Jesus as we struggle through each day.

He says My child, receive My peace.

And we say, Oh God, I am busy working right now.
I will find your peace when I get home.

When we get home, God says, My child, receive my peace.

Oh God, I am too busy now, I have dinner to fix, the laundry
to do, I cannot take time for peace now.

Some say, God, I have lots of activities to do, I will
get around to you on Sunday when I come to church.

Then when bedtime comes, we are weary and unable
to pray. God is still waiting to give us peace, but we
have let another day pass by, without communing with
our God, and receiving all He has for us.

Soon our restless sleep comes, and our hearts
wearied by the day find no rest for our souls.

Then when the times of crisis come, we wonder,
where is our peace? God where are you?
Some folks even like to blame God when hard times
hit, yet they have ignored Him all year, It is not
God who is to blame, when we do not allow Him
place in our lives.

Indeed, it is not God who walked away, but us.
WE have neglected our spiritual life, And we have become
tired emotionally, and drained. We have not taken the time to
find peace, nor spend time in the presence of God,
is it any wonder that when hard times hit, they
are immediately a crisis?

I am reminded of the story of the ants and the grasshopper.
The ants spent all summer building up their stock
of food to last the winter. Day after day, they worked
hard and gathered food, and did not take much time to
rest. They had goals. And they pursued them.
And when the winter came, they were prepared, and
it was not a crisis. Their bellies full, they could then
rest.

The grasshopper however, jumped from here to there,
playing a violin, so I am told, and did not prepare for the
winter. Preferring to wander about the country, visit
with his friends and party. When the snow started to
fall, he was cold, homeless, and had no food.
He had not prepared for hard times, and He was in a crisis.

Are you preparing my friend? Are you filling up with
the presence of God daily? Do you allow the word of God
to penetrate your spirit and infuse it with joy and peace.
Let the precious word of God build up in you,
and make you victorious and wise, and strengthened,
and when the storms of life come, you are prepared.
It is not a crisis, it is a time of growth, a time to draw closer
to God confidently knowing we are not only prepared,
but God is in charge. We have worked hard, our souls
are full of the word of God, and of the Holy Spirit comforts us,
by his word in our spirit,
and we can rest in his peace.

Are you in search of peace tonight my friend?
I know where you can find it.

It starts on your knees, before the throne room of God.
It starts by pouring your heart out to God, and telling
Him all, and getting things right with Him.

Then we can leave our burdens at the throne, and
receive that peace He promises to all who believe and
will receive.

Then you open that Bible and allow Him to speak to your
spirit, and heal you, and bring you peace.
Peace that passes all understanding.

How long since you had that peace?
Ever?
Its available tonight.
God is only a prayer away.
And He said;
Cast all your cares upon Me, For I care for you.
1 Peter 5:7
For the mind set on the flesh is death,
but the mind set on the Spirit of God is life and peace.
Romans 8:6

Let us seek peace, and pursue it,
that when the times of testing come, we are not
only prepared, but have enough to minister to others.

That is what Jesus called us to do.
Those who love thy law have great peace,
and Nothing causes them to stumble.
Psalm 119:165

You will keep Him in perfect peace, whose
mind is stayed on thee, because He trusts in thee.
Isaiah 26:3

My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives,
give I unto you, Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

Receive that peace tonight my friend.
No excuses.

Be prepared.

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

In Search of Joy

2009-10-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

copyright Millie Plastaras 9/4/2002

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In God's great mercy He has caused us to be born again
into a living hope, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead!
Now we hope for the blessings God has for His Children.
These blessings, which cannot be destroyed nor spoiled or
lose their beauty are kept in heaven for you.
God's power protects you through your faith until salvation
is shown to you and the end of time.
This makes you very happy, even though now for a short time
different kinds of troubles may make you sad.
These troubles come to prove that your faith is pure,
This purity of faith is worth more than gold, which can
be proved to be pure by fire.
1 Peter 1:5-7

Joy does not come from looking at our circumstances.
Joy does not come from trying to fix everything
and making it work.
Joy does not come from hoping for the best.
Joy does not come when we say, I am doing
the best I can under these trying circumstances.

Joy comes from the heart of God.
It comes when we have faith that our prayers
are heard, and the answer is on the way and we rest in
that thought. Really rest, not pretend, not hope, but simply
lean on the Lord and rest in his promises and love for you.

Joy comes from trusting God.
It is called Faith.

No wavering.
No doubting.

Joy comes when we don't allow our circumstances to
control our thinking.
Joy comes when we refuse to be defeated.
Joy comes when we take a stand, and say Jesus is
on the throne, He is handling my problems, I am
going to go out and enjoy this glorious new day.

Does this mean everyday will be an over the rainbow day?
No, we are not promised trouble free lives, but how
we face them, our perspective makes all the difference
in the world on how our day goes.

Jesus said we would have trials. He said these
trials, temptations, sorrows, losses, produce purity of
spirit and mind in us. They teach us of our need for God.
They teach us to depend on Him.
Not ourselves, Not others.

They teach us to go to God first in prayer, not last.

If you have no joy, it is because you are focusing
on your problems, not on your possibilities.

God is still a God of miracles.
He has not changed.
He is not defeated, He conquered hell, death and the grave.
He is the great overcomer, He is the great Physician.
He is the Great I Am, I Am all you will ever need.
He is the king of Kings. The Lord of Lords.
Nothing is too hard for Him!

If you think all of this is just words, and will not
receive it, then you are allowing your circumstances
and problems to defeat you. You are focusing on things
that will rob you of hope, and joy will be far from your thinking.
This is something we all battle with, it is common to mankind.

If you think Jesus or prayer is a last resort after you
try every trick in the book to control or change your situation
you are missing the whole point.

Jesus said to Come unto Him.
To Cast our burdens on Him.
He said, He could defeat the powers of darkness,
and change the situations in your life.
We, my friend, are flawed, and limited.
God is not.

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

God is still God.

He wants to see you joyful, that is such a testimony to
those around you, that you are victorious during any
situation because you know how to Go to God in prayer.
You know how to believe no matter how the storms
rage around your soul that Jesus is the conqueror.
Jesus is the master, Jesus is our hope.

Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes
in the morning.

Jesus wants you to come to Him first thing each morning,
and receive joy for your day. By resting In Him.

Jesus wants you to come to Him at night before you lay
down, and cast your burdens on Him, and He promises
His beloved sleep.

Receive this joy. And leave the sorrow in His hands.
Do not dwell on your problems, dwell on the possibilities
of God's promises and provision.
Stop looking at things in defeat, and look at them in Faith
so that your joy may be full.

Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe
also in me.
John 14:1

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou will revive me,
thou shall stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of
mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
Psalm 138:7

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which
also ye are called in one body, be ye thankful!
Colossians 3:15
(take time to be thankful for what you do have)

Father God we thank you today for the many blessings
you give us daily. For our food, shelter, clothing,
for the company of friends, for your precious word
which restores our thinking and is so powerful.
We thank you for your salvation that offers us not
only hope of the future, but deliverance from sin and
oppression. We thank you for your joy which you promise
to those who rest in your ability to solve our problems.
We release our burdens to you, and will do it again and
again until we feel relieved and no longer carry our own
burdens. We know You are in charge, you are the Father,
the comforter, the guide, and you are Still God.
Nothing is impossible. We agree that our problems are
being solved even now. We agree that Satan the loser
has no place in our lives, and we rebuke him and the powers
of darkness from our homes our family, our finances and
our health. We cast down every thought every oppression
and rebuke them to hell where they come from the Father of lies.

We receive your peace. We receive your health.
We receive your provision. We speak hope to our homes.
We speak healing to our families. We speak deliverance
to those who are lost, or in bondage. We speak healing
to those who are so desperately ill in the name and by
the power and authority of Jesus Christ.

We not only rest in your promises we shout victory
because we know the answer is on the way.
We praise You God for your mercy, for your son Jesus,
for your salvation, and for the answers and deliverance.

We give you all the glory and honor.
In Jesus Name,
Amen

In Search of Hope

2009-10-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

copyright Millie Plastaras 9/2/2002

I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel,
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always before me, Because
He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices,
My flesh also shall rest in hope.
Psalm 16:7-8

When tragedy strikes we often hear, where was God?
When someone dies, or there are hurricanes, floods,
disasters, terrorists, people say God, what were
you doing? Taking a vacation?

Yet, all the of the people
we read about in the Bible experienced trouble,
disillusionment, death, disease, and loss.
Does this mean God does not care?
Does this mean God is absent when hard times come?

No, indeed, God is ever present. But He did tell us
in this life we would have tribulations, but not to fear
because He had overcome this world.

These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

We know full well that there are powers of darkness
and evil at work in this world, that come to steal kill
and destroy. They are alive, they are spiritual,
they are powerful, and they are working under cover.
The point is, we have to recognize them, rebuke them,
and speak the word of God to them.

You see, our hope is from God. It comes when we
Rest In Him. Rest In His Hope.
Rest In His Promises.

Hope comes when we recognize we have a future,
and a hope, and that God has plans for us. That we
are unique special creations, loved by Him, and created
for His pleasure. He knows us each by name. We are
never alone.

What He wants us to recognize that even when trials come,
even when death or illness strikes us or our family we have
a retreat. But.. if we don't enter that rest, that retreat,
how can we find comfort?
If you don't eat, how can you expect to have energy?
If you don't put gas in your car, how can you expect it to run?
If you don't enter God''s word and rest in it, how
can you find comfort?

You are indeed depending on yourself, or others, and your
own limited thinking. WE cannot see tomorrow, we
don't know what it holds, but God does!

Our hope does not come from our circumstances,
from other people, nor from meditating until you
feel better. Our hope is from God, who made
heaven and earth, and offers rest and
strength even in the darkest night!

That by two immutable (unchangeable, unalterable)
things, in which it is IMPOSSIBLE for God to
lie, we might have strong consolaition, who have fled for refuge,
to lay ahold of the hope we set before us.
This hope we have as an anchor to the soul!
Hebrews 6:18-19

Have you fled to the refuge of God?
Have you found consolation in Him?
Have you received His hope, his plans for you,
His comfort for the hard times?
He is a light in the darkness of this world.

He is the very anchor for our soul!

Save these verses below. Speak them out loud, and trust
in God's ability to see ahead and solve your problems.
And trust in him till the storm passes. Faith is believing
the answer is on the way, even when we cannot see it.

He that dwelleth 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
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
Fear thou not, for I am with thee. Be not dismayed for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee. Yea, I will help thee. Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3
Wherefore, He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
As thy days, so shall thy strength be. The eternal God is is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:25, 27
The LORD, thy God, in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest (be silent) in His love, He will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him. Nahum 1:7
Cause me to hear Thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee. Psalm 143:8
As a father pitieth His children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust. Psalm 103:13-14
**************************************************

Little Battles

2009-10-07T08:06:00.000-07:00

copyright Millie Plastaras 12/28/2003

I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who
live, but Christ who lives in me, and the life which I now
live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me
and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

Did you recognize that everyday there are many little
spiritual battles in your life? The key to winning them
is recognizing they are happening. The key to overcoming
them, is recognizing Christ in us, and submitting to his authority
and teachings.

The day seems to be going along well, and all of a sudden
we find ourselves facing decisions that lead to a forked
path. One right, and one wrong, which do we take?

The next time you pick up that phone to gossip about
someone, or get on the computer to talk about someone
you hear that still small voice say to your spirit, is this
going to glorify me? You say, Oh Lord, this isn't harmful,
quit worrying, its just me sharing my problems with a friend.
And you proceed with your way of thinking and talk
about others behind their back.

Or when you pick up a cigarette, and you hear,
Child your body is the temple of God, do you want to defile it?
And you say, Oh Lord, I don't have that many pleasures,
this isn't hurting anyone. It is just a harmless habit. And you
go on your way, dismissing that quiet, gentle voice
pleading for purity in your body.

Or you are invited to church with someone. And you
hear that gentle voice coaxing you to go, and to fellowship
and find strength in the unity of believers. And you say,
I am not going to church, people hurt me there before,
there are too many hypocrites. And you turn away from
the very place that instructs your spirit, and brings you
spiritual input. People often think they can do this
at home. But then, they rarely open their Bible, and
often change the scripture to suit their lifestyle.
Church and Christians keep us accountable to the word.
Sometimes it is painful, but it is needful. As a
father corrects his child, so must we be corrected spiritually.
Not taking offense but growing.

But most of all. Don't mention money. Don't mention giving
God. Don't offend me with asking me to give to your work.
All these people are richer than me, I am poor and struggling.
And God whispers, my child, you are poor because you
are robbing me. You are not giving to my work. Your
money is not your own. Your money cannot grow until
you give it away. You are to give to me, to further
the work of my kingdom. It is not a option, it is obedience.
And you get angry and say I will do what
I want with my money, don't talk to me about this.

Little battles. Big consequences. Without recognizing it,
we have become rebellious, not living as God called, but
doing as we want, just as a wayward child does to their parents.
It is so hard to face this, but if we want to be over comers, and grow
spiritually we must face our flaws and shortcomings and discipline
ourselves and change. Seek God first and allow
His concepts and truth to rule and reign in all areas of your life.

The Bible tells us that when we become A Christian,
we deny the flesh, we learn to recognize fleshly, worldly
thinking and confront it, and over come it. That is
growth. We become filled more and more with God,
and less and less with our desires. We seek His will,
righteousness before Him. We pour out our heart
and thinking and prayers before His throne and let
Him sift us. Until He dwells and the world fades away.

Then He leads us into paths of righteousness, and guides
us and protects us in these little daily battles.

Who won the battles in your life today?
And how is that working for you.

The solution: Run back to the cross, deny the flesh
and follow Jesus. It is that simple and clear cut.

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

A Second Chance

2009-09-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Everyone,

How many times in your life have you made mistakes?
Were some of them disasters that left you feeling defeated and
ashamed? The good thing about shame is that it means
we still allow our conscience to work, and that shame can turn
into something good, when we recognize our errors, face them,
correct them, and move on.

Many people are unable to forgive others, or themselves.
They seem to cling to grudges as if they were treasures.
These grudges tie us to whoever we are angry with, with
a spiritual umbilical cord that robs us of spiritual freedom.
God says if we cannot forgive others, he will not forgive us.
Then forgiveness must be absolutely vital to God.

If you had to sit down and make a list of a good reasons to keep
holding onto grudges, would anything on that list be worthy?
If you take time to read the list of why to hold onto grudges,
you will notice it is "all about me". You are focusing on yourself,
your hurts, your anger, your feelings. You have been unable
to rise above them and move on. It has kept you in a state of
spiritual staleness and personal unhappiness.

There comes a time when we all make a conscious decision
that we will let go of the hurts and pains of the past and just move on.
WE forgive people even if they don't ask, and we love them even
when they seem unlovable. Why? Because Christ in his great
mercy and grace, loves us even on our worst days. If he can
do that, how can we do less? If He truly dwells in us, how can we
allow anything to come between us, especially all the hurt
that builds up in our mind like piles of trash blocking our view
and our walk with Christ.

My friends, get on your knees today, ask Jesus to help you forgive
others, and to forgive yourself, and realize you get a new chance
at life, a clean slate, a new view. Free of bondage of unforgiveness.
Then go out and enjoy life, savoring the good and letting go of the bad.
This is absolutely possible, and it is all a personal mental and spiritual
choice. God bless you my friend. Break free, and live life to the fullest.

Love always
millie

Matthew 6:14-15
14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
On forgetting the past;
Philippians 3:13-14
13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
****************************

A SECOND CHANCE

Georgia Tech played the University of California in the 1929 Rose Bowl. In the game a player recovered a fumble, but became confused and ran the wrong way.

A teammate tackled him just before he would have scored a touchdown against his own team. At halftime all of the players went into the dressing room and sat down, wondering what the coach would say. This young man sat by himself; put a towel over his head, and cried.

When the team was ready to go back onto the field for the second half, the coach stunned the team when he announced that the same players who had started the first half would start the second. All of the players left the dressing room except for this young man. He would not budge. The coach looked back as he called him again, and saw that his cheeks were wet with tears. The player said, "Coach, I can't do it. I've ruined you. I've
disgraced the University. I can't face that crowd in the stadium again."

Then the coach put his hand on the player's shoulder and said, "Get up and go back in. The game is only half over."

When I think of that story, deep inside I say, "What a coach!" When I read the story of Jonah [in the Bible], and the stories of thousands like him, I say, "To think that God would give me another chance!"

By Billy Graham

Our Sufficiency in All Things

2009-09-24T08:27:00.000-07:00

copyright Millie Plastaras 9/24/2009

Dearest Friends,

No matter what you are facing today, or what your
problems are, you, like many others in this world
are not alone in this. Everyone we know has
problems and burdens. And sometimes they
seem overwhelming. Sometimes we get so involved
in our own thoughts and trials, we neglect to be there
for others, whom we could pray for and support through
the times. There has to be a time we look beyond ourselves
and leave things in our Father God's hands and trust, and
then go out and make a difference in this world.

It is a daily choice. And to me, when we let go,
and trust God and move on... it is personal freedom within.
What is sweeter than feeling free of burdens and cares?
Just savor life, and enjoy what you do have, and don't focus
on what is wrong or what you don't have.

When all hope seems lost, God holds out his hands
and says here is hope, I am with you always, even
unto the end of the world.

When we are at the end of our rope
God is waiting there, holding the other end of the rope.

When all seems lost,
God knows we are found, He has been watching us all along.

When all resources seem at an end,
God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He will provide.

When trials and troubles come relentlessly
God's mercy abounds even more, just rest in Him.

Lessons learned in the time of crisis,the time of loss, the long hours of waiting
teach us to stretch, grow, rely on, cling to, and trust implicitly in God.

Not in men,
not in our power,
not in our strength.
But in God!

He gives power to the faint and weary,
and to him who has no might He increases strength --
causing it to multiply and making it abound.

But those who wait upon the Lord -- who expect,
look for, and hope in Him -- shall change and renew their
strength and power; they shall lift their wings
and mount up (close to God) as eagles (mount up to
the sun) they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint or become weary.
Isaiah 40:29,31

God help me to remember today
to walk in your strength
not my own,
to trust in your power and abilities
to watch over me, solve my problems,
provide my needs. Help me to cling to,
rely on, trust in and find hope in you each day.
You are my source, and I praise you oh God
your mercies, grace and provision are new each day.

Amen.

All He is, is all you will Ever need.

love
millie

ps. Please read through to the end. I can guarantee you a
blessing if you read all of this devotion today. It will inspire and
uplift you.

*****************************************

When God is Silent
Author: Unknown

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret -- it leads only to evil" Psalm 37:7-8, NIV.

John (not his real name) realized that his marriage wasn't all that it could be, but he and Mary were in counseling so John was confident that their marriage would survive and be stronger than ever.

Wrong. John was devastated when Mary informed him that she didn't love him and never would. Tragically time proved that she meant it.

John said that he always believed with faith in God, hope, persistence, qualified counseling help, and hard work pretty much any problem could be resolved.

Wrong again. Eventually John and Mary were divorced after which John experienced an intense "silence of God -- dark night of the soul."

So what do you do when you are committed to and trusting God and your world falls apart?

As John put it, "As hurt, baffled and confused as I was, I clung to my faith. I had nothing else to cling to. But today, several years later, I am a much different man. My shattered dreams and God's silence were God's wake-up call for me. I realized that I had many unresolved personal problems from my past that I needed to face and resolve. I also realized that the only person I could ever change was me. I'm still learning and growing but I am healthier today spiritually, emotionally and physically than I was when I was in my 30s.

Through my own personal journey I would agree with John. Who wants to change and grow when everything is going great? Certainly not me because change and growth are often very painful. Facing one's reality can also be a painful experience. But it's only as we face and accept our personal problems and character issues, that we can bring them to God and safe people for healing.

When God seems silent, if we stand still and listen with our heart, in time we will realize that God has been speaking the loudest to us. Strange? Yes, but true.

"Dear God, thank you for the times when I felt you were silent and deserted me, for I now realize that you allowed me to go through pain and disappointment to help me face my personal problems and grow. Thank you that you loved and accepted me as I was but loved me too much to leave me as I was. Gratefully in Jesus' name. Amen."

"I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." -Psalm 34:4

**********************************

He Giveth More

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase,
To added affliction He addeth his mercy,
To multiplied trials, He multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving has only begun.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.

Copyright Annie Johnson Flint

Light For the Path

2009-09-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Everyone,

Everyday there is a important commodity all of us need and
use readily. Light, we all need light. It is a medical fact
that those that do not get enough light often suffer
from more depression and a actual disorder because
of lack of sunlight. It is also known that those who do
not get enough sunlight are very low on Vitamin D,
which makes all parts of our body function better, and our
bodies work more efficiently just because we walk in light.

I am reminded that our soul needs light. We need light
for our way, to know what to do, where to go. We need
light shone upon our problems so we can sort through
them, figure them out and move on. Or just give them
to God until we are able to do something, or he works
it out for us in his timing. It is too hard to do it alone,
not knowing what is ahead or how to go through it.
Feeling alone and in the dark have to be two of
the worst feelings in the world.

Lack of light in your soul means one thing: darkness.
No one wants to abide in darkness if they love God.
We want his light shed upon our soul, all things
illuminated so there is nothing hidden, everything
surrendered, everything in the open, everything
lit by the light of his face shining on us, bringing
hope, fresh inspiration, mercy and strength for the day.

How many of you would want to be in total darkness
with no known end to it? Do you think our soul should be
darkened? It causes no end of grief in our lives
when we do not allow God to dwell in us in light and truth.
We go down paths we never would have otherwise,
and perhaps even get companions or mates that lead
us further into darkness.

Remember if you do not choose to open the door,
light will not come in. You have a choice.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105
A important concept, God's word sheds light on
our path and in our hearts, so we know
where to go, and who to be around, and what
path to take. It is a must!

Let us go a step further in this thought process:
And this is the condemnation that the light has
come into the world and men loved darkness rather
than light, because their deeds were evil.
For everyone practicing evil hates the light
and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should
be exposed. But he who does the TRUTH comes
to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen,
that they may have been done in God.
John 3:19-21

My friends, what this is saying is that even though
we think our deeds are hidden to God, and in some
perverse way we think we can hide things from him,
nothing is hidden to Him. What He wants from us
is surrender, submission. He wants all things
to be open before him.. and He wants to transform
us into a light for this world to see Jesus in us.

Life is short, this is our mission, to tell everyone we
meet the gospel, and to let his light shine through us,
so that they may see our good works and glorify our
Father who is in heaven.

Are you withholding something from God? Are you hiding
secret sins or secret habits? Do you remember when you
were a child and you hid things from your parents? For
a time you thought you were getting away with something
and then you begin to feel guilty, and perhaps even had to lie
to cover up what you were doing. Soon, it wasn't a good
feeling at all, and it was a even worse feeling when your
parents discovered what you had been doing.

My friends, we are all accountable to God. This life is
but a vapor, it passes so quickly. If someone had you
repeat the words "I Am Accountable to God" would
you think more about what that means? It is eternal
in it's scope. Far beyond anything else in this life.

My friends, today, if you are withholding from God,
and doing things you know you should not, or have
done them in the past. Take time to get on your knees
and repent of them to your Savior. Tell him each of
them, ask His forgiveness. He has promised if we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive them
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Take time to pray and ask him to shed light in your heart
and in your life so you may please him in all you say and do.
This prepares you not only for this life, but for the next one
my friends. Nothing is more vital to your spiritual life.

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

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord,
walk as children of light! For the fruit of the spirit is
in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Finding out
what is acceptable to the Lord. And have NO
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but
rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those
things which are done by them in secret. But ALL
things that are exposed are made manifest by the light,
for whatever makes manifest is light.
Therefore He says: Awake you who sleep.
Arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.
Ephesians 5:8:14

God will bring you from darkness into light.
He will bring you from spiritual death to spiritual life,
And He will sustain you, He will guide you, and strengthen
you and never leave you alone, you will never face things
alone. Just surrender to him, repent, and receive his salvation
and forgiveness.

Remember

Love,
millie

Trusting Even In the Night Watch

2009-09-08T20:53:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Everyone,

I wanted to tell you I have been in the hospital, and not
on the computer much at all lately. I am still not well, but
hopefully will be with rest, and the correct medicines, and
following a diet strictly. Would appreciate your prayers.
It will be a long process, but one I pray that will end with great
success.

I wanted you to know while I was in there, the more
xrays and tests they took, the more they found. There
was 2 or 3 nights, I really fought a spiritual battle. Then
I realized, it was not my battle to win. My job was to
cling to my heavenly Father for all I am worth, and
face one day at a time, one thing at a time, and I will NOT
face it alone. God is always with me. And he can be
with you like that too. Just make sure Jesus is Lord
and Savior of your life, by repenting of your sins and
asking him to be your Savior. He will come into your life
immediately and forever change it. Then, get into
a good Bible teaching church, and read Gods word daily
for it will strengthen you, bring you hope, and teach you
how to grow closer to God.

I wanted to ask you a question.

Have you been still lately? I mean really still?
With no television or radio playing, no one to talk to.. just
sitting still?

I know I have told you we have a large back yard, full of
nurtured plants, a vegetable garden, and many rose bushes.
It is quiet back there. The only noise a occasional barking
of our dog, or the song of a bird. It is so restful. No noise.
Just the surroundings of God's beautiful creation.
A quiet place.

We all need that quiet place within us.. where the world
cannot intrude, where our troubles don't take precedence,
and where we allow God's spirit to whisper to ours.

A place that is a garden of refreshing.. of hope, of renewal.

If you have not found that quiet time, that quiet spot
then you are missing out on the most important time
in your spiritual life daily. Time with God.

We take time to talk to God, and then sit in his presence
and wait for his gentle leading and urgings in our heart,
and we sit until we feel peace.

Nothing you do, will matter more than this time.
Nothing. Everything else will pass away.

Only time with God will prosper and last.

Love others, savor them, enjoy the day,
but don't neglect the God you need above all else.

Then today you can say, I walked in the garden with
God, and He refreshed me and held me close.
I knew then, everything would be ok.

Love
millie

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed,
but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall
the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that
has mercy on thee.
Isaiah 54:10

Receive that blessed peace.. in the quiet times and small
corners of each day

****************************************

"God Speaking"

The man whispered, "God, speak to me" And a
meadowlark sang.
But the man did not hear.

So the man yelled "God, speak to me" And the thunder
& lightning rolled across the sky. But the man did
not listen.

The man looked around and said, "God, let me see you."
And a star shined brightly. But the man did not see.

And, the man shouted, "God, show me a miracle" And a
life was born.
But the man did not notice.

So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me, God, and
let me know you are here"
Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man.
But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

I found this to be a great reminder that God is always
around us in the little and simple things that we take
for granted. .even in our electronic age . . . so I would
like to add one more:

The man cried "God, I need your help" . . . and an
e-mail arrived reaching out with good news and
encouragement. But the man deleted it and continued
crying.....

The good news is that you are loved. Don't miss out
on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that
you expect.

Expect the unexpected....
It is called Faith :)

God's Everlasting Love

2009-08-27T01:15:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-26T08:13:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-17T08:28:00.001-07:00

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

2009-08-11T22:32:00.000-07:00

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