Author: Sonja

Child of the King; Christian WP Blogger; Grandmother or five; retired 55 years; Property Landlord; Buckner International missionary for 10 years; struggling unpublished memoirs writer of non-fiction personal life events!

God Is My Refuge And Strength

On By SonjaIn Prayers For Peace, Prayers For Strength9 Comments
God Often Displays His Strength In Whirlwinds

Hello everybody. And how is the world treating you today? As for me and my house, all is well. Why? Because I am on vacation!

Belmont, NC

While on vacation, I was thinking…although we know that God is Spirit, references in the holy scriptures allows us to also attribute/ascribe qualifications of a personal or human nature to Him. When we do characterize God in this way, He becomes the very personification of humanity. That is why I can proclaim with assurance that He is my refuge and strength.

To realize that Jesus Christ is with me and I need not be afraid gives me strength and hope. Why? Because believe it or not, I’m not perfect! I make mistakes. I speak out of turn and sometimes without thinking. I sometimes forget special birthdays of friends and family members. I have also been known to forget to renew insurance policies and other business affairs. I may use profanity when I stump my toe. And although I try, I cannot always please everybody.

So, when I declare that God is my refuge and strength, I truly embrace the fact that He and He alone provides me a place of shelter and safety from the pursuit of all hurt, harm and danger. I take comfort in being in Jesus’ presence, trusting in His promise of eternal life. And I always lift up prayers asking forgiveness for all my short comings, mistakes and misguided afflictions I may bestow on others.

Another thing I ask of God is to include me in providing services to others. To always be generous in sharing my blessings with others and to remember to shout praises and adoration to the glory of God.

Just because I am on vacation with my family, I do not want to neglect my readers and followers of this blog message. I am grateful to God for allowing the Holy Spirit to converse with me each week and to remind me of the goodness of God. May you, too, be blessed and enjoy His presence each and every day.

My prayer for you…

Dear Heavenly Father. I truly thank you for Who You are and for making it possible for me to focus on the things that give me hope and to look away from those things that scare and frighten me. I praise you for the promise of eternal life and the assurance that you are my refuge and strength both spiritually and personified. Amen and Amen.

Scripture Lesson: “We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.wordpress.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager…Me!

    God Knows His Mathematics

    On By SonjaIn Prayers About Increase/Decrease, Prayers For PeaceLeave a comment

    Following is a reprint of one of my blogs from 2021…ENJOY

    Romans 8:28
    …and “All Things” include God’s creation, mankind, and Angels!

    One of the more popular themes in the Christian Bible are the stories and parables about situations that have to do with arithmetic.  In fact, the first place in the holy scriptures where the word referencing mathematics is mentioned is during God’s acts of creation of the creatures of the universe:

    “And God blessed them (the creatures), saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. (Genesis 1:22)
     

    There are also at least three scriptures in the bible that deal with addition and subtraction:

    You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. (Deuteronomy 4:2)  

    Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it. (Deuteronomy 12:32)  

    And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.  (Revelation 22:19)

    And, last but not least, the Bible has a lot to say about division.  This word appears approximately 68 times in scripture:

    But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.  (Luke 11:17)

    I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.  (Romans 16:17)

    My question to you is this: Do you also apply the tenaciousness of The ‘Mathematician’ as you pursue the gospel and deliver its message to the masses?

    Surprisingly, there is one disciple who experienced all four mathematical Truths while under the tutelage of Jesus of Nazareth. His name was Philip.

    portrait of Philip the Apostle

    ADDITION – While in Galilee, Jesus found Philip and invited this man to follow Him. Later that day, Philip found his brother Nathanel and invited Nat to follow Him. Jesus welcomed Nathanel and assured him that before this journey was over (people believing Jesus was sent by way of God), Nathanel would see heaven open and God’s angels descending to the Son of God. (John 1:43)

    MULTIPLICATION – While still in Galilee, Jesus looked and saw a great crowd following Him. Jesus said to Philip, where can we buy bread to feed these people. Philip doubted that no amount of money would be enough to feed this crowd of more than 5,000 people. Jesus showed Philip how just one loaf of bread and two fish could miraculously feed the people and have twelve baskets of food left over. (John 6:5)

    DIVISION – The Israelites were taught to trust in the One Spiritual God for everything. Jesus (The Physical Man) preached a message (aka The Way) that instructed the people to just trust in Him. All the people had to do was to follow the road He was on. Thomas doubted that Jesus’ road led anywhere. And Philip said to Jesus, Master, just show us the Father. Jesus’ response to Philip was son, you’re looking at the Father! (The message being that One Person could be divided into three!) (John 14:8)

    SUBTRACTION – Later on, an angel spoke to Philip and instructed him to go to a certain road and join an Ethiopian eunuch who was riding in a chariot and reading passages in the Old Testament book of Isaiah. The Holy Spirit told Philip to aide the eunuch in his interpretation and understanding of the passage he was reading. Since the eunuch was returning to his home in Ethiopia from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem where he had no doubt heard about the crucification of Jesus, Philip used this opportunity to relate Jesus’ life and fate over the Old Testament scriptures the eunuch was seeking an understanding of. The eunuch received and embraced Philip’s message and asked to be baptized. Philip immediately took him down into the water which was nearby. When they resurfaced, the Holy Spirit supernaturally removed Philip from the scene. (Acts 8:26)

    THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER:

    SPIRITUAL ADDITION VS. SPIRITUAL MULTIPLICATION (This caption and picture is borrowed from Google.)

    Spiritual addition in ministry is when someone wins other people to Christ, but does not disciple, train, and deepen those converts to go out and do likewise. While we will review the biblical basis for spiritual multiplication, for now let it suffice to state that in Matthew 28:18-20, we are commanded to go and make disciples, not simply converts.

    My Prayer For You:

    “Lord God Almighty, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, and the Multiplier of everything therein, You know me and my capabilities. You also know that I am a sinner saved by grace and the washing of the Blood of Your Son, Christ Jesus. Please touch me as You did Isaiah and his message and You did the Apostle Philip and his understanding. Make my sins disappear and be forgiven and that I will be prepared to be sent out into the world to proclaim the Gospel as one of Your messengers.” Amen and Amen!

    Scripture Lesson: Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I, Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)

    Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.wordpress.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager…Me!

    God Initiated For Mankind A Day of Independence

    On By SonjaIn Prayers About Freedom, Prayers For Peace2 Comments
    “God Shed His Grace On Thee“

    Based on the title above, I bet you thought that this week’s blog was going to be all about how and why America’s initial Pilgrims and Puritans sought their independence by seceding from Great Britain (England), which was their Mother country.  Well, your assumptions would be partially correct.  But what I really want to blog about is how those events of 1620 and 1630 line up with the word of God and the authority he has imparted to his Son, Jesus Christ, to dispense to his people regarding freedom.

    Prologue…

    On June 7, 1777, select members from the 13 American colonies met at the Continental Congress convened at the Pennsylvania State House to draft a formal statement declaring their independence and freedom from England.  Similar words had already been written in Galatians 5:1 giving all of mankind their independence and freedom in Christ Jesus.

    “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

    In the 1500s after breaking away from the Roman Catholic Church, due to a royal matrimony dispute, England created a new church denomination called the Church of England.  In addition, a royal edict declared that all England had to belong to this new denomination.  God’s word in James 4:7-8 provides guidance to all those who seek godly advice in such matters concerning the heart.

    “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded”.

    Approximately one hundred years later a group of worshipers in England known as Separatists sought to separate themselves from the Church of England so that they could practice their own religious customs freely.  Their leader, William Bradford, was successful in obtaining permission to establish a new colony in Virginia. Therefore, his congregation left England and set sail on the Mayflower in September 1620 for the New World (America).  Hopefully, the mindset of those Pilgrims aligned with the word of God which is written in Psalm 33:12.

    “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!”

    Ten years later in 1630, the Puritans, yet another group of reformers seeking religious freedom, readied themselves to leave England.  Basically, they wanted to flee the harsh punishments inflected upon all those who opposed the teachings of the Church of England.  (I have no idea if the Puritans’ incentive was based on this holy word written in Galatians 5:13.)

    “For you were called to freedom, brothers.  Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

    The Puritans headed out for the New World under the leadership of John Winthrop, with a charter from the Massachusetts Bay Company.  This group of worshippers finally settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.  It is recorded in history that this group did believe that God would protect them if they obeyed his laws and commandments.

    Approximately one hundred years later in 1777, the New World (America) had received an influx of new migrants from England, and they had established thirteen colonies along the coastal lands of America.  It was now time for the new settlers to officially gain their independence from the Mother country, Great Britain.

    On June 7, 1777, the Continental Congress met to formulate a document seceding all colonies (in force at that time and in the future) from England’s ownership and rule.  Due to in-house bickering and political disagreements, Congress had to establish a five-man committee to draft a resolution to be agreed upon prior to voting.  The resolution was finally passed and ratified on July 2, 1777.  Hear what the Bible says about legislated freedoms in 2 Corinthians 3:17 and Romans 8:2.

    “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

     In conclusion of this brief American History Lesson, please allow me to draw another quote from the Holy Bible; John 8:36.

    “So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

    THUS, AS A RESULT OF THESE ACTS CHRONICLED ABOVE, A FEW DEVOTED INDIVIDUALS ESTABLISHED THE 4TH OF JULY WHICH HAS BECOME A NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

    Below is a prayer in song for the land and inhabitants of America. Skip the commercials and stand and salute the American flag as you prayerfully listen to the words. Just CLICK the name Kate Smith.

    Kate Smith – God Bless America – 1938 Irving Berlin – YouTube

    Scripture Lesson: “That the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” Romans 8:21

    (All Scripture quotes in this blog are from the English Standard Version (ESV).

    Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.wordpress.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager…Me!

    God Desires For His Disciples To Grow Spiritually

    On By SonjaIn Prayers For Life Changes, Prayers For Peace, Prayers For Spiritual Growth11 Comments

    How does one measure spiritual growth?  But to put it more succinctly, how does God measure spiritual growth?  My personal response is based on the Holy Scriptures:

    “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
    “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:7 KJV

    You might be tempted to measure spiritual growth with the same yardstick as one would measure personal growth, but you would be ‘dead’ wrong.  I put the word dead in bold letters and single quotes because the duration of our personal lives end in death; but the duration of our spiritual lives live on for eternity!

    Let’s explore this week’s conversation with God a little deeper…

    Earlier this week I received a troubling phone call from a senior friend exclaiming that the Holy Spirit had been troubling her all morning placing me on her mind.  The caller was perplexed and sought through prayer what it was she was to say to me.  My friend said the mental inclination was that she was instructed to give me three scriptures to read and meditate over:  namely, Matthew 18:18, 19 and 20.

              18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you lose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19  “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.  20  For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

    Now, this form of communication might seem strange to you, but since I, too, experience this kind of interaction with spiritual encounters, I listened to my friend’s telephone message with great enthusiasm.

    So, after our conversation ended, I immediately began to read and search the scriptures to see under what situation/condition these biblical verses were dispensed by Jesus.  This messianic teaching was given to church members who attempted to restore fallen members back into the congregation.  If, after making several unsuccessful attempts to reunite the fallen members to the fold, and they do not listen, then you are to treat them as though they were a pagan or a tax collector.

    Prayerfully, I conversed with the Holy Spirit and inquired what does this scripture message have to do with me. I received this answer:  You will recall that a couple of weeks ago you asked for godly intervention on resolving a disagreement you were having with a family member.  You are to apply these scriptures to your situation and therein you will find the godly answer. 

    The main question according to Matt. 18:15 is whether the ‘sister or brother’ is a member of the Household of Faith and has accepted the sonship of Christ Jesus.  Seemingly, this information is important when counseling the individual in question.  If the individual has accepted Christ as their personal Savior, I am to attempt to agree in conversation with them the teachings of the Lord.  If, however, the individual in question is not a Believer, extend an invitation to them to consider following Christ just as you would a tax collector or pagan.  God alone will judge both performances and lovingly act in both persons best interest…yours and your (temporary) foe.

    Blessed Reassurance…

    This was my first case wherein I received a PERSONAL response from God and had my prayer answered direct from on High.  Words cannot express how blessed I felt to have receive that heavenly telephone call from my friend.  She admitted to me that she did not know under what circumstances she was led to contact me…all she knew was that she could not rest until she had delivered the message.  Hallelujah to her obedience and faithfulness. In other words, God wanted me to continue to grow in finding ways to resolve spiritual matters. Why? Because it is extremely necessary for each and every child of God to grow daily in our spiritual walk, and to increase our faith and to become stronger witnesses in his service.

    My prayer for you and me…  

    Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your intervention in this matter. Please direct my steps in turning back to You for direction. I praise You for the prosperity that You have planned for me, for the heavenly future that You have prepared for me and your children. My continued prayer will be that all those persons who still reside out of the ark of safety will hear the Gospel, repent and accept Your invitation to take up the blood-stained banner of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen

    Scripture Lesson: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”  Colossians 2:6-7

    Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.wordpress.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager…Me!

    God Dictated A Letter To My Son On Father’s Day

    On By SonjaIn How To Pray For Others, Prayers For Life Changes2 Comments
    Happy, Happy Father’s Day to my son, my son!

    Dear Jason,

              Actually, you gave your mom the best Father’s Day gift the last time you both spoke on the phone the other evening.  You shared that early one morning after you awoke you turned over in bed and ‘Something’ led you to pick up the Bible and it opened to the story of young David fleeing from his oppressor, King Saul.

              You continued to share with her that when King Saul went into a cave to relieve himself, David tip-toed up behind Saul and cut off a portion of his garment.  Later that day in the re-telling of the story, you said David called to King Saul and told him of the opportunity he had to actually kill Saul.  David also showed the king his evidence of the cut-off piece of the king’s garment.  King Saul was shocked and agreed that David’s actions towards him were more honorable than the king’s actions toward David.

              What you did not realize, my son, is that as you ingested this bible story and as you retold it to me with such enthusiasm, you were living out a scripture written in James 1:25. “The man (Jason) who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues  to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”  {Emphases placed on the bold and underlined words.}

              Oh, how you blessed your mother with the sharing of God’s holy word.  And you admitted that the story meant a lot to you, too.  May you forever keep up your pursuit for godly wisdom, by looking into God’s word, practicing it and not forgetting it!  In all thy getting, get an understanding!!! (Prov. 4)

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

    My humble prayer for all fathers everywhere…

    Dear Heavenly Father and Deliverer of us all: First, and foremost, we thank you for your leadership and guidance through this trying world. We sincerely also thank you for the legacy of the written Word and the spirit-filled examples therein. We implore your forgiveness for our inherent ingratitude and for not always returning to you to give thanks. We graciously receive the understanding provided by your Holy Spirit as we seek to apply the life-lessons intended for our benefit that are related in the chapters of the bible.

    Yes, King Saul was so jealous and bitter towards young David that he sought to kill him, BUT, you had other plans for David’s life. And you and you alone gave David the victory. I sincerely pray that whatever plans you have for other fathers in the world who are seeking after you and looking intently into the perfect law, that you will lead, guide and protect them until traveling days are done. That you will always find them doing the work of the Kingdom and not forgetting from where their help comes from.

    I pray these words in the matchless Name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

    Scripture Lesson: “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)

    Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.wordpress.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager…Me!

    God Said: “Wait I Say On The Lord.”

    On By SonjaIn Prayers For Patience, Prayers For Peace4 Comments
    “Having to wait doesn’t mean your needs will never be met; it just means your answer is delayed.”

    It’s easy for someone to say to you, “Stop complaining”!  Or “Why are you always in a state of discontent”?  And Heaven forbid your sour disposition carries over into the way you perceive God working through your life.

    Some people would label that a funky mood…

    Well, sometimes, but not often, I find myself in a funky mood.  And I hate myself for it.  I’m too stubborn to break free, make that call and apologize.  The circumstances are eating me up.  My negative thoughts keep telling me it was not your fault.  So why should you be the one who takes the blame and makes the first steps to right a wrong. 

    My prayers on the subject have become self-centered and I imagine displeasing to God.  I’m whining and feeling alone.  Since my angst is against a family member, and I am the elder, I feel disrespected and innocent.  Which way should I turn?  Where shall I go for solace? 

    I know what the Lord requires of me.  He would want me to stop being dissatisfied with my present circumstances.  I know He would rather I make peace with my situation and call on Him to provide the timing and consoling words to make amends.

    So, here is what happened. I had a conversation with the Holy Spirit, and He reminded me of the request Jesus made to his disciples to remain in Jerusalem and to wait on the gift His father had promised them.  Had they not waited, they would have missed receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit which was poured out on the assembly.

    Since my talk with the Holy Spirit, my prayers have been strengthened and less self-centered.  My cry is to the Lord on High is now this; Holy Father, I am sorry for my actions thus far and the way I have handled this situation between me and a close family member.  I confess that I have been deliberately slow in making restitution and righting a wrong that has caused so much pain.  I beseech thee, Lord, to give me the strength and tenacity to offer forgiveness and to extend an olive branch in this instance.  Please go before me and prepare the way.  In the precious Name of Jesus. Amen

    Yes, sometimes it takes a village of saints to send up prayers on behalf of another brother or sister.  So I am also asking your prayers on my behalf, in this situation.  God is good all the time and I know he will answer us in his own time.

    Grayscale Photography of People Raising Hands
    Sometimes it is hard to admit our faults…

    Scripture Lesson: On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about.” Acts 1:4

    Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.wordpress.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager…Me!

    God Has Made Us Fearfully and Wonderfully, Hallelujah!

    On By SonjaIn Prayers About God and Me, Prayers For Peace2 Comments
    Which facial expression depicts your mood today? Are you familiar with Who, what, when, where and why you were created? Is your Maker pleased with your performance? Should you be enrolled in a Meditation Group or a Physical Therapy Class?

    I learned something today.  And it almost equates to rocket science.  That is because, people do not usually connect Meditation exercises and good health practices as subjects that go hand in hand!  More than likely, that expression is quoted as, “It’s NOT rocket science!”

    Got a minute?  We need to talk…big time!

    I have mentioned to you in earlier blogs that I recently started a Mindfulness Meditation Group at the apartment complex where I live.  Needless to say, it is off to a great start!  Well, today, I had my first doctor prescribed physical therapy session and was thoroughly examined by the therapist by performing leg and arm exercises to see where my lack of strength lies and what areas of my torso needed to be revitalized. My therapist needed to design a complete 3 month therapy program for me.

    To my surprise, the therapist had me to tighten and hold in my stomach muscles while performing all the leg movements/exercises, as I held on to two side bars with my hands for balancing. The therapist advised me to continue breathing as I performed these tasks.  Boy of boy, was I struggling to remain balanced and to complete the exercises in the prescribed time frame. What an exhaustive work out.

    I was ashamed of my poor performance (which lasted for one hour), because during my meditation classes, I instruct the attendees to practice proper breathing methods for 20 minutes (stomach extended when inhaling and stomach deflated when exhaling), while during that time, rotate their wrist, ankles, toes, neck, and jaws.  The only difference in moving body parts in physical therapy exercises and meditation is that you are standing for one and sitting or reclining for the other.

    Now here is where the two exercises meet the road.  Experts in both fields of study (meditation and physical therapy) clinically agree that in order to maintain good health, a person should at least dedicate 30 to 60 minutes a day to the breathing activities mentioned above. When they do this their blood pressure numbers can be lowered, anxieties can be erased, and a happier disposition can be experienced by all.  Researchers also claim that these improvements come about because stretching and proper breathing helps reduce stiffness in the arteries, which is ascribed to improving both blood flow and blood pressure. In addition, exercising sends fresh air to the brain to help ones thought process produce more positive functions and less negative dispositions.

    WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do?)

    Now, King David wrote:  “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully(*) and wonderfully(**) made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”  Psalm 139:13-14

    Note: (*)  “Fearfully, when translated from the Hebrew means with great reverence, heart-felt interest, and with respect.

    Note (**)  “Wonderfully, when translated from the Hebrew means unique and set apart.

    God was way ahead of the game all along. Those health experts were playing catch-up! The Holy Spirit suggest that you study your bible to show yourself approved. Apply the Lord’s teachings and excel in all your duties and performances rightly applying His word and truths.

    So, both my new meditation assignment, and my doctor’s latest prescription for me go hand in hand.  Oh, how the Lord does order my steps.  He is in charge of all of my business. And He also designs a clear path for me to follow.  My prayer for each of you is simply this:  Dear Heavenly Father, the New Year is almost halfway over and we wish to stop right here and give thanks to You for the unending promises that You have planned for all of us to be prosper during this year.  Many of us have not as yet realized our hopes and dreams and we are becoming anxious because five months have already come and gone.  But never the less, we are trusting in You and know that Your word is true and that You want to give us a future and a hope.  Please hear our cries and help us to listen to Your voice and to obey Your will.  In the Matchless Name of Jesus I pray.  Amen!

    Scripture Lesson:  “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.  Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:11-12

    Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.wordpress.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager…Me!

    God Reveals My Continence To Others Through His Premise

    On By SonjaIn Prayers About God and Me, Prayers For Peace4 Comments
    ON ANY GIVEN DAY, HOW DOES GOD SEE YOU?

                                    

    All kidding aside, and absolutely without bragging or being presumptuous, please allow me to explain the title of this blog.  Ask yourself these two questions:  How would you like to be perceived by others, and which spiritual entity are you striving to mimic?  You have only two choices:  Truth or deception.

    During my current octogenarian years of residing in a senior living lifestyle, regretfully, I do not socialize with immediate family members, old life-time friends, and acquaintances as often as I used to.  Two to six months could easily go by without making face to face or social contacts with them.  Whenever we do hook up, I am often greeted with endearing expressions of reunion like this: “Oh, how good it is to hear your sweet voice.  I have missed your laughter and spirit.  And I have longed to sit and listen to the wisdom you impart and to have you relive all your exciting adventures you encountered while on foreign mission trips.”  They also sometimes express that they were just thinking about me the other day, and here I am calling them today.

    “Somebody upstairs must really like you!”  That is often their conclusion.

    Please, please do not think I have been exaggerating this recounting of loved one’s greetings towards belated reunions.  For after receiving these warm comments, I am truly humbled, mystified, and grateful as to how others perceive me.  And, above all, I give God all the honor, all the praise and all the glory for His infusion and sharing of His love and compassion in my life.  I truly praise Him for allowing the Holy Spirit to infuse me in such a godly manner.  I praise Him for going before and after me.  My sincere prayer is that He will do the same for you.

    Therefore, please allow me to continue in prayer for all of you out there:

    Dear Heavenly Father, we all stand in awe of You.  And we wish to express our gratitude by kneeling before your throne of grace and subjecting ourselves to the righteousness of Your Son, Christ Jesus.  Our prayer is to always remain in constant touch with You by living close to You and obeying Your precepts and commandments.  It is reassuring to read in Your holy word that You will never leave us nor forsake us.  So, according to Your love and kindness, please continue to lead, guide, nourish and protect us daily, and show us Your will for our lives.  May we always be a reflection of your continence and glory as You order our steps. Amen and Amen!

    Now sit back and enjoy this Gospel Song and be refreshed, renewed and refilled with the presence of the Almighty?

    Just click the title below, skip the commercial and tune in:

    ORDER MY STEPS IN YOUR WORD – YouTube.flv – YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com › watch4:57http://www.hearandplay.com/go/?p=music45&w=gospelkeys.Mar 19, 2012 · Uploaded by account5able

    Scripture Lesson: Jehosaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.” 1 Kings 22:5

    Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.wordpress.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager…Me!

    God Allowed Me To Enlighten Others Regarding Spiritual Things

    On By SonjaIn How To Pray For Others, Prayers About God and Me3 Comments

    This has been a strange week for me.  For some reason I feel more organized than usual.  I have also been more centered and grounded in my daily pursuits.  I have found myself thinking ahead and making a concerted effort to give only one emotional thought my undivided attention and concentration, instead of trying to resolve all the world’s problems in one day.   This week I have been free from frustrations and despair. Hallelujah!

    I must confess (as the late soul singer
    James Brown used to sing) ….
    ”I feel good. Doodah…doodah…doodah
    …do!!” 

    So, now that this week has just about come to an end (today is Friday), I want to pause in all my ‘doing’ and give thanks to how the Holy Spirit has organized my time and allowed me to ‘just be’ in the moment.  There is no doubt that the weekly instructions I am imparting to a few residents at my apartment building on mindfulness meditation are strengthening me, too.

    Do you realize that most of us go throughout our day ‘doing’ a host of things that are merely filling a void of not ‘being’ organized.  And because we did not actually complete any of those tasks, they are still on our plates the next day.  This cycle is repeated day after day.  We never truly clear our minds of rehashed problems.  The sad part is that we expect certain situations to complete themselves based on our inadequacy or inability to resolve it in a timely fashion.

    Because life is difficult, during this week, the Holy Spirit led 3 people to me to give spiritual advice to that could help them un-clutter their minds from the trials and tribulations of this world.  Thanks be to our Lord and Savior that my countenance and demeanor were free to receive their dilemmas.  As I reflected on how I assisted them, I soon realized that my response to each one was the same.

    With the aide of the Holy Spirit, I reminded them that both the man Job in the Old Testament and Jesus, the Son of God, warned in the holy scriptures that man is born to endue trouble.  And because of that biblical truth, we can expect our share of difficulties. 

    My first encounter was with a friend who had just experienced a car accident.  According to her recollection of the mishap, she was innocent because the pedestrian carelessly ‘walked‘ into the side of her car.  The second encounter was with a male friend who wanted me to justify his decision not to accept a volunteer leadership position while on a mission trip because God had only imparted to him to ‘become‘ a missionary and not an ‘unpaid‘ organizer with extra responsibilities. (His emphasis was on the word ‘unpaid’.) And the third encounter was with a female friend who felt ‘guilty‘ because she had made a promise and signed up to participate in something that required a small monetary contribution, but later reneged. She was seeking forgiveness.

    While none of these incidents were earth-shattering to me, they were wrecking havoc on my friends. Therefore, I did not make lite of them. I listened with sympathy…AND…with putting all else aside, gave each one my undivided attention. I even inquired of them what else they were troubled with. And that question opened up another half-hour of discussion time. I tried to be encouraging and in the end gave them comfort in knowing that in the midst of all these difficulties, no matter how great or how small, they can depend on the fact our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has already overcome the world. That in spite of everything, they should look on the bright side because it is during hardships and difficult times that draws us more closely to God.

    While praying for them, I also reminded them that trials and difficulties are good for us because they also help to nurture perseverance and strengthen our tenacity to grow in faith. Amen.

    Scripture Lesson: I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

    Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.wordpress.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager…Me!

      

    God Played a Joke On Me…He Gave Me An iPhone 11 for Mother’s Day

    On By SonjaIn How To Pray For Others, Prayers About God and Me, Prayers For New Beginnings3 Comments
    White Egg With Painted Face And Crown Of egLeaves
    “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; those who seek find; and to those who knock, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 TNIV

    It’s my fault.  I guess this time, I went too far.  Even in knowing that God is a God of his Word, I was still surprised and pleased when he allowed Jesus Christ to honor my latest prayer request.  And just as His promises are His bond, I put Him to the test…and asked for a brand-new Apple iPhone 11 for Mother’s Day!  And guess what, I received one!

    My bio-logical son gifted me with this awesome piece of technology that can do everything, but bake a cake!

    Also, while giving thanks for my marvelous gift that will soon have me stepping up to the plate as a ‘tech-key’, I ran across another one of Jesus’ parables in Matthew that will help me to witness to a dear friend who is experiencing some remorse as to the manner in which he spoke (or as he put it), berated one of his older sons for carelessly exposing other members of the family with Covid-19.  This friend spoke at length in a vehemently mannerism and indicated to me that he intends to continue the discussion with his son the next time he sees him.

    Ouch!

    At the time of this conversation with my friend, I was in no position to prayerfully witness to him, nor was he in any state of mind to receive any words from on High.  But after reading and meditating this week on the following Scripture passages, I will make a concerted effort to re-rehearse our earlier conversation and offer him, with the aide of the Holy Spirit, a more civil way to engage his son in conversation. For it is written in Matthew 7:1-6 TNIV:

    “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in someone else’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from the other person’s eye.” 

    Now, let’s get back to my new iPhone 11.

    This week, I am prayerfully asking you guys out there to send up a special partition for me and any other persons who have just received some sort of communication device that they will be using to lead or draw someone closer to Christ.  First pray over the instrument and dedicate it for the use of the Kingdom.  Rebuke all wicked and evil spirits from flooding the atmosphere, highways and byways with disruptions, confusions, misspoken words and gossip.  Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you to make a concerted effort to be in contact with those persons whom He desires to communicate with.  Thank Him for loved ones, friends, family members and provisions that make it possible for everyone’s needs to be met while we are still here on earth, and our traveling days are not yet over.  Please pray to the Lord for us and ask Him to forgive us for at times, finding it hard to share our faith with others.  Help us to always be able to witness freely and in a godly manner about You and Your words of wisdom and understanding.  In the precious Name of our Lord and Savior…Jesus Christ.  Amen!

    Scripture Lesson: “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me His prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. (2 Timothy 1:8)

    Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.wordpress.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager and prisoner…Me!