Nevertheless....

I love finding nuggets of blessings in a freshly read verse in the bible....you know, a little nugget of truth from God's Word that tugs at your heart at that right moment. Or a scriptural nugget of promise when your are feeling low and in need of hope for your situation. Or how about that nugget of instruction tucked away in a very familiar Bible passage seen with a new insight. For me, it's better than a warm cup of coffee first thing in the morning or a Dove chocolate in mid-afternoon to boost me through the day!

Yesterday, I found this sweet scriptural nugget for my soul as I was flying back home on Midwest Airlines. It is from a very familiar story...one told many times in my Sunday school years and in the pulpit of the preachers I have been blessed to be under. Take a few moments to read it and live in its moment. Then dwell for a minute on the bolded word that captured my attention and let it capture yours...

Luke 5 (NKJV)
1And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
6And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
7And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
10And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Nevertheless...have you noticed that word there before? Every other translation reads with "but" or "because" which does not depict the value of the action here. It really is a powerful statement....nevertheless...Jesus spoke and a heart and a will responded. Nevertheless...God is revealed and a life is changed for the eternal. Nevertheless represents faith...it represents obedience...it is an obedient faith.

No matter how many different directions I am being pulled in, no matter how many failures I fall to, no matter how many rejections I face....nevertheless, at Thy word I believe...I walk forward in faith because God is good and so very faithful!! Obedient faith is a choice. Can you say nevertheless today?

Believing Him~Pamela

Please be sure to pray for Elaine at Peace for the Journey as she begins her battle with breast cancer. Thank you!

Scriptural Weapons

Do you feel like you play mind games with your past? You know, those haunting memories of past mistakes that satan likes to throw at us when we are at our best, or, at our worst for that matter. Thrown at us to knock us off course from the truth of God's forgiveness and grace. Know what I am talking about? Surely I am not alone in this. The mind is a powerful thing to behold and many a battles can occur there. These battles have the power to destroy a person mentally, physically, and spiritually. Satan knows if he can play with our thoughts and actually affect our well-being, he wins against our creators control and ownership of us.

There are so many great Bible studies out now dealing with this very subject and I think it would benefit us significantly to explore these studies. Even without these studies though we have a weapon readily available for us. Daily I fight him in this area but I have the one weapon he cannot win against and that's the Word of God!!

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. ~ 1 Thess 5:23 (NLT)

God knew this battle would not be easy for us. He knew that with each insult, each attack that if we would handle it with His Word we would gain so much more...such as holiness...scantification...victory. This is His aim for us.

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. ~ 1 Cor. 15:57-58 (NLT)

Be strong and immovable...even in our thought life. One guaranteed way to do this is through scripture. I love praying back scripture. I started doing this years ago after reading and studying through Beth Moore's book "Praying God's Word". It has been the best salve, the best medicine for my body, my mind and my soul. So this morning as I was contemplating this subject on my ride in to work, I knew I needed a piece of scripture to put to memory to fight against satan every time he planted a thought into my mind referencing my past failures that had the potential to destroy my well-being. He, God, gave it to me and I give it to you challenging you to also put it to your memory and throw it at satan every time he attacks your mind:

You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin. Selah ~ Psalm 85:2

Just what I need every time my past failures are brought before me...a reminder that I am forgiven! Believing this, I can throw back this verse to him verbally as his fiery insults and untruths attempt to penetrate my well-being. Even more what I appreciate about this verse is how it ends. Selah. Peace. Yes, peace...what we obtain when we use this verse as a weapon. Try it!

If you have a favorite verse you like to use as a weapon against satans attacks, please share it here. We can never have too many scriptural weapons these days.

Believing Him~ Pamela

Messages in the Clouds...

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:11

Here recently I am having the privilege of traveling quite a bit with my job. It is just for a season, for "training" but I am loving it to be honest. I love most of all boarding those planes and taking in those views when we are high in the sky. This past week I took off late in the evening heading for Houston. The flight had been delayed an hour due to storms between my home and Texas. I had settled in with a new book but still the wait was a bit irrigating. However, when we got up into the sky I turned my eyes away from my book and looked out and was literally taken back in amazement by our Creator. I put my sun glasses on partially because of the suns rays but also because of the tears welling up.



I have always loved the clouds in the sky. I would love to lay on the soft grass of spring or summer as a child and watch the clouds floating by. If you looked hard enough and long enough, you would feel like you were floating. Remember? OR how many times did you look for shapes within the clouds? Sweet memories.



On this trip I saw the biggest, fluffiest, whitest clouds and literally just a planes wing depth away. The wing of the plane would tickle their edges and yet they did not move, did not change shape, but just floated there where God had planted it....or should I say painted it.



There was a horizon of sort...I am not sure if it was made from the heat or moisture but it looked like a landscape of sorts and the clouds looked like it's mountains. It made me think of heaven. It seemed so pure...so beautiful. A little piece of heaven brought down for my eyes to behold? Maybe, maybe not but I do know it took my breath away and left my heart beating faster like a child excited for that new gift. That vision was a gift from above and I embraced it.



Not one of those big beautiful clouds were alike. All of them different, just like us. I realized that we see only part of the clouds from the ground. God truely has the better view looking down on them. When you are above them, or beside them, you realize the magnitude of how they seem to blossom into a masterpeice. I left my book closed on my lap for a long time and just praised Him...Oh how I needed that vision of Him through those clouds in that horizon high above the earth.



When I was flying home a few nights later, the sun had set and we were experiencing some turbulence. Again, out my window was God at work in the clouds...this time in a darken gray cloud displaying it's own fireworks as lights danced back and forth throughout it's mass. It was an incredible light show. I could not tell if lightening was actually shooting to the ground or if all the activity was strictly within the cloud itself. It was awesome all the same. It took my breath away...again.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:11

Did you take time to see the beauty of God in His creation today? By doing this were you also drawn to the eternal? When I was young, I was amazed at how the human body worked...so I became a nurse to know it better. I am even more amazed with this creation on earth that we call our temporary home...and so I seek to know God better so I can spend eternity with Him. Can you even imagine that if it can be this beautiful here now, how much more beautiful will it be in heaven? Big sigh.

My awesome God and Creator, You WOW me beyond words, beyond expression, beyond feeling. You are more than I can wrap my mind around on most days but I ask You for more..more of You..of Your works...of Your presence. I praise you for all that You have created, for all that You have done, and for all that You are yet to do. You know I am flying out again next week...can we meet again in the sky? Will You be so kind as to WOW me again with your masterpiece in the heavens? Thank you Lord...thank you for showing me your greatness once again. I can't help but sing your praises!!

Sing to God, sing praise to His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds — His name is the LORD— and rejoice before Him. ~ Psalm 68:4

Believing Him...Experiencing Him~Pamela

Perfect That Which Concerns Me Lord...

My Holy God, my Jehovah Rapha,

Life can sure throw some wild pitches. Sometimes it literally feels like a painful punch! I'll be honest in that I can't always tell if it is from You or from satan. Yet in all the chaos and busyness of my days, even with my failures, You give me a treasure and assure me of not only Your presence but Your love and mercy. You awe me Lord. Sometimes these treasures are found in something beautiful You created placed in my path, or it has been in the thoughtful words or act of kindness from another...but most times I find it in Your Words.

I love Your treasures.

I cherish these treasure.

You always know what I need and miraculously place it within my reading just at the right moment. Something written so many years ago written just for me. It amazes me Lord. This weekend You gave me this....

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me;

Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever;

Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

~Psalm 138:8

What concerns me today? A rebellious child? An illness? Unanswered questions? Depression? A stronghold that I am in battle with? An unsaved family member or friend or neighbor? A broken heart? A lonely heart? Maybe I feel defeated, unappreciated, or unwanted?Maybe it's this new job, a new ministry, or for that fact, a lost job or a lost ministry. You know. You have searched my heart, You know my anxious thoughts (Ps 139: 23-24) and so You gave me this...

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me

I may not understand why I am going these thing that concern me but You do. You have a plan. A perfect plan. What a comfort this bring me today. Thank you Lord. I am excited at what the outcome will be. I pray I do not get in the way of Your perfecting process.

And then I am humbled, Father, with this thought of Your perfecting process in me. Like Paul, I can say "I m the worst of sinners" and I do not deserve this. I desire it but I am not worthy. But that is not how You want me to focus my mind is it? Your still small voice whispered in my inner being today "I choose you for this because I love you and I have plans for you in this....plans that will glorify me through you" and with that I can pray...

Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever;

You are so good God. Your mercy and love is more than I can wrap my mind around on most days. I don't deserve this but I embrace it and I praise You. I praise you for Your greatness, for all that I have, and all that I have been through, and I ask Lord...

Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Remember me and how far we have come together. Place your covering of protection on those things we have built together Lord. Continue to lead me on this new journey before me. There will be days that you will have to carry me. I can be weak like that...

yet...I feel so strong in You on those day I allow you to carry me.

Grow my trust.

Grow my faith.

We have done some good things together and it is sometimes hard to let go of what one grows but I trust that You need me to work for you in another way. Let it be to me as you have said, I am your servant (Luke 1:38). Perfect that which concerns me Lord. And while your at it, point out anything in me that offends you. I want you to delight in me. Make me holy.

Believing You~Pamela

Meekness

I am on a journey to capture meekness in my life. As I was searching for healing from a recent event, God boldly brought to my attention this need that I have for it. I am listening [sigh]. It may be a long journey but I am up to it. I am determined, even desperate to secure it. I have seen it in others, I have to have it for myself. I have learned so much about this word in my studies. Surely if I continue to seek it out I will find it come to life in my own being.



Meekness. It is not a popular character trait of this world. You don't necessarily get to "the top" by being meek, hence, many associate meekness with weakness. But the opposite is true. Jesus listed it as the third characteristic of the perfect man in his sermon of the beatitudes found in Matthew 5. It is an adjective describing Christ in several scripture throughout the Bible making it even more valuable to explore. So, this is what I have learned about meekness so far....


*Meekness is having a submissive, trusting attitude towards God and others.


*To be meek is to be gentle and humble of heart (Mat. 11:28-30).

*Meekness is manifested in its reaction to evil, it is anger under control.

*Meekness is a cure to bitterness!


*Meekness is a work of God's Spirit in our lives.

*Meekness is endurance.

*Meekness is being willing to forgive.

*Meekness is never self-centered


Then I was taken to Psalm 37 in my study (Lord Only You Can Change Me by Kay Arthur) and it has the message of meekness spread throughout it's verses, especially when facing difficulties. I took it a bit further than Kay and I want to share with you it's truths. From Kay....


*A meek person trust and delights in God (vs 3&4)

*A meek person is committed to God (vs 5).

*A person of meekness will wait and rest in God (vs 6-8).

*A meek person's confidence is in God (vs 9).

* A person of meekness will be rewarded by God (vs 11).

and may I add.....

*A meek person seeks to live righteously and by doing so...

-she will be held up by the Lord (vs. 17, 23-24)


-she will not wither in times of disaster (vs 19).

-she is generous (Vs26)

-she is protected by the power of God (vs. 28)

-she will be filled with spiritual wisdom (vs. 30)

-she will put God's word to heart (vs 31)

-she will find peace (vs 37)

-God will be her stronghold (vs. 39)

-God will be her help and deliverer because she takes refuge in him (vs 40)


Can you see a beautiful picture of meekness here? Can you see the colors of Christ's spirit dancing along the canvas? When you look at Christ, you see meekness as it was meant to be: gentle, humble, loving, forgiving, intolerant of sin (controlled anger), wise, giving, and at peace. It blocks bitterness from taking root in your life, or as in my case it removed the roots that had already taken hold. It is fed by mediating and dwelling on God's word, putting His truths into practice and by trusting God.


Only God can make you meek. You have to be willing. I would love your thoughts on what you have learned in your life about meekness.

My Holy God, my Sovereign God, I praise you for the tools you have provided to lead me on this journey and the peace I carry that can only come from You. Make me meek but only for your glory. I trust you and accept whatever comes into my life as being first filtered through your hands. I accept everything that comes into my life without murmuring and without retaliation (and you know how hard this one is for me). Grace my soul with your Spirit. Cover me with your protection. Hold my hand and lead me on this journey. Carry me when I am weak. Strengthen me when it seems impossible and I have lost any endurance to achieve what you have commanded....to be meek for your glory. I love you Lord, I want to love you more and to honor you. ~Amen

Onward...march...

Believing Him~Pamela

Jehovah Rapha

Jehovah Rahpa, God is my Healer.

We live in a world filled with a lot of avenues for finding healing don't we? There are more self help books on the shelf then we could possibly read in our life time. What about all the counselors, psychiatrist, and other therapist which are are in great demand-all because we live in a messed up world. They are good and I believe God puts them there to guide us towards Him but you know, I have to agree with Kay Arthur in my reading today...God is all we need.

He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction. ~Ps 107: 20 (Amplified)

I have sat in their chairs, read those book and for a short time, I may have been comforted and even guided but many times I still found myself frustrated, fighting the same demons, not quite whole from whatever it was that brought me to that chair. It has been a constant struggle for me...this bitterness & unforgiveness. It has been one thing after another that has fertilized its growth in my life. Even when I have claimed to have given it to God it has remained rooted deep in my soul. I have struggled with alleviating this. Have you ever worn these shoes? Surely I am not alone.

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. ~Jeremiah 17:14

Two things have become very apparent to me...finally. It is not rocket science. It is simply a part of letting go of our selfish pride and truly surrendering to God in all things. I personally have not gotten this right for 47 years. Until now...

First, you have to praise Him no matter what. There have been days when I have had to reach deep because I was so discouraged and disheartened. Recently I wrecked my car that I am not too fond of. I was hoping it would be totaled. It's not. I praise God for the wreck because I did get that loose piece of grill replaced on the front because of this. I praise God that no one was hurt, no tickets were issued.

You praise Him anyway. Then look for Him to work in it....the weeks we had the rental van worked out great because my daughters birthday fell in that time and I now had more seats to transport the kids to the party destination. Insurance is paying for the rental.

You praise Him anyway.

Second, if you are ever going to be healed, if you are ever going to be made whole, you must have the balm of Gilead. I have been studying Jeremiah. Those days are very similar to our days. Destruction and evil prevailed even in the lives of Christians. Jeremiah asked his people in chapter 8, verse 22

Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?

Jeremiah was trying to get the attention of the people to turn away from all the other remedies they were trying in their attempt to find peace and healing and to turn to God, the ultimate physician and healer. Just like today. God's Word is the balm they needed for healing and the same applies today. And ladies...this time I am a testament to this!

After a devastation that so threatened my faith, I choose to read and memorize my scripture verses I had recorded in my spiral for this year. Even when I didn't feel like it, every morning I pulled out that spiral and mediated on Gods Word. It was amazing how scripture I had chosen months ago was now the balm for my wounds. I had recorded scripture to pray for each circumstance in my life that was causing me pain and daily I focused on it. It has been amazing how it has soften me and healed me.

I now sit here before my computer FREE. More free than I have ever been in my life. I truly can say I can account this healing all because of His Words. This nagging bitterness and unforgiveness had been replaced with a peace that surpasses anything I have ever experienced...daily. Words spoken last week that normally would have hurt were swept over my heart unoffended...truly unoffended.

Kay Arthur stated in her book "Lord Heal My Hurt":

"If God is able to save man from himself and his sin, if God is able to save man from hell, and it God is able to make a person a new creature in Christ Jesus all through faith in His Word alone, then can't God enable us to live above our hurts as we take Him at His Word? "

Take Him at His Word!! I did and it worked!! For 47 years I have known scripture but not like I do now since I started memorizing it a year and a half ago. No greater transformation has occurred in my life. There is no excuse not to do this. I even bought my husband his little 3X5 spiral to start His journey in this. I wasted too many years not doing this. You have to be in the Word to do this. constant repetition of scripture daily has an amazing affect. Meditate and dwell on it. Memorize it!

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. ~Proverbs 18:10

Kay also stated:

" Once the bitterness, resentment, anxiety, or pain is removed, there comes a new softness, a quiet serenity bringing new beauty. "

And that my friend can only come from God!

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever,” (Psalm 73:26).

Friend, who do you run to in times of trouble? Who do you run to first? Jehovah Rapha...He is your healer, He is the great physician. Run to Him! It's more than just praying though praying is vital. Dwell with Him in His Word and see what happens. I can promise you that you won't be disappointed. Be patient. It took two months for me this time but the healing has indeed come from Him and Him alone. I would have it no other way.

Thank you Jehovah Rapha, My Holy God, for your love, your grace, and your forgiveness. I fall short too many times but you are the one I can always count on. The wounds were deep this time but You were the strength of my heart. I have learned how sweet and how pleasant it is to dwell in Your Truth and to be healed. Oh Father, Help me to lead others to the "balm of Gilead"...your Word, your healing. I am your servant. ~ Amen

Believing Him~Pamela

Train-Wrecked

Have you ever hit a down point in your life, felt so low, so lost, so alone, and so absolutely devastated? Have you ever felt that it could never get better, be resolved, or find healing? Have you ever felt as if you couldn't endure any more pain? That's what we, my husband and I, call "train-wrecked". Some may prefer to reference it as "ship-wrecked" or "in a pit" but it is all the same. Something you did or that someone did to you destroys any sense of worth or integrity you once held on to and like Joseph with his coat of many colors, you suddenly find yourself rejected, betrayed, and alone. It's a cold dark world, very lonely, and extremely painful.

When my husband and I joined our church 5 years ago we soon began leading a Sunday school class for adults. We found that everyone had a story of grace in that class. Some had been through divorce, some had experienced adultery. Some had lost children, others had children who were traveling down some pretty scary paths. Some had experienced drug and alcohol addiction prior to meeting God. Our stories depicted sin at its finest but we all had found that God's grace card trumped it all.

Jokingly one Sunday my husband referred to the class as the train-wrecked class. No one was offended. The name stuck and now there is a plate above the classroom door signifying this title. Train-wrecked...ruined...devastated...but not defeated thanks to the work of the Holy spirit in our lives. But it doesn't always work out that way for everyone does it?

Without the power of God's spirit in our life that sin or devastation can destroy you and literally take your life from you. It's hard to "keep up your courage...and have faith in God" as Paul wrote in Acts 27:25. Shock, disbelief, and the pain often blurs our vision to see God at work around us and blocks the ears of our heart from hearing His still small voice through those around us, from a song on the radio, or the words of another.

Having recently lived through another "train-wreck", I found myself in turmoil over what I knew I needed to do (and didn't have the strength to do) and what I emotionally wanted to do. My saving grace wasn't found in my church or the people around me, partially because I didn't reach out until I had had time to process it. I was humilitation so, instead, I buried myself in scripture. I pleaded for His truth and His light to guide me-not away from it-but to Him (Ps. 43:3).

Being so fresh from this recent "train-wreck", I have to say I would prefer not to have any more in my life time, but, the refining process does me good. Did I really say that? Lord have mercy, that's not an invitation for more! Yet, this peace and comfort I have today, that I finally grasped in a tearful fit, is because God answered my prayer to cover me with His Spirit.

James said in chapter 3, verse 4: "Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go".

When you think about the steering of a train or a ship it really is amazing how it gets around. When we are steered by God, covered by His Spirit, it is just as amazing if not more. And that was my prayer, even in my short-lived bitterness. I want Him to steer me not the "train wreck"!

We have had to close some doors in ministry for a period of time. I am already sensing why and where God is leading us, leading me. Though it is painful to "let go", my heart is excited for what lies ahead.

We did not have the support we should have had with this last "train-wreck". No 9-1-1 calls went out from our church family though they should have. In my humiliation I did e-mail some friend who lived afar for support. God knows how much I appreciated their words of support and prayers. The salve that was put on our wounds came after the infection of bitterness had set in. However, healing is taking over. God is taking over.

As I sat in our church pews this past weekend and felt the pain of these last two months, I noticed the tears in another ladies eyes on the other side of the sanctuary. A new face in our service to me. Why haven't I paid more attention to the people who sit in the pews? Then after my tearful fit that Sunday night (which started from watching a video set to Christian music showing the Gethsemane garden where Jesus prayed before His devastation and the tomb where Christ was buried and rose again) this prayer came to my heart...

"Father, help me to be to others what we needed during this difficult time".

The thought has come to me that maybe my eyes have been open to the "pain" of others such as what I saw in the pews. I have been selfish as I think back to the many Sundays at church I had been to busy to notice. Maybe? Right? Well, I plan to continue to pray this. My husband is praying this with me. We cannot lose faith...others need to be reached out to.

Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. ~ 1 Tim 1: 18-20

The refiners firer is good. It saved me from ship-wrecking my faith. His Word has been my healing and has saved me.

He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction. ~Ps 107: 20 (Amplified)

His Maidservant~Pamela

PS: go to http://www.onesoblessed.com/ to win a copy of Elaine's new book "Peace For the Journey"!!