A Good Work

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It’s interesting to think about what God intends and has purposed for this life. What does He want me to do? to say? How does He want me to live. Can I even live up to what He wants for and from me?

There’s an old children’s Sunday School song that says ‘He’s Still Working On Me’. His work isn’t finished until it is finished. Better yet, He loves working on me. He wants the absolute best for me.

He created me in His image. What does that really mean? First of all what is an image? According to Webster it is a visual representation, a mental or moral impression of something. Well, OK. I look like Him? I have an understanding (Incomplete, though it is!) of Him. Here’s the thing: I don’t act like Him, I don’t think like Him, I’m pretty sure I don’t look like Him. Why? Because of that darn apple. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s direction and took a bite the whole creation changed. Sin entered the picture.

Did that change me in God’s eyes? God is El Roi-the God who sees me. Does he want to see the imperfection, the sin in me. No! He does not. But He sent Jesus to the cross with my sin. He has forgiven and continues to forgive every part of me that doesn’t measure up so that I can reflect His image. WOW! Yes! He’s still working on me!

He's still working on me
To make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make
The moon and stars.
The sun and the earth
and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient
He must be.
He's still working on me.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

This post is in response to Week 10 of Deb Wolf’s 52-week Devotional Journal for Women.

    El Roi

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    God’s Word (the Bible) is designed to speak God into each of us. No matter whether it be the words of the Old or the New Testament these words are for each of us to apply to our lives.

    Hagar had been abused by her mistress Sarai. She was pregnant with the child Sarai wanted her to have because she (Sarai) was barren. Hagar got enough of it and she ran away, into the desert.

    Now God already knew what was going on but he wanted Hagar to understand that He was watching over her and everything that was happening to her. So he spoke to her. He basically asked, “Where are you going? What do you think you are doing?”

    After giving this some thought she answered with the words above. But there’s more to it. God gave her the ability to understand that He is always present and aware of everything that was happening to her. That He sees. That He cares. That He has a plan.

    It’s the same for us. God sees me! God sees you! He knows what what is going on in the world He created and in the lives of every person. He has a plan and a purpose for each and every one of us.

    The One and Only God of all this, who is, who was, and who always will be, sees me and you! He sees the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful, the sinner, the forgiven, and the redeemed. He sees, He cares and He wants to give and help every one of us. Then let Him! Just let Him!

    I wasn’t looking for this song but when I put the title in the search box this popped up. I listened. What a powerful picture this man paints of what God sees!

    Blessings to you and yours!

    Marie

    This post is in response to Week 10 of Deb Wolf’s 52-week Devotional Journal for Women.

    Who Am I? Who Are You?

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    Who did God create you to be? Do you know His plan for you? Do you compare yourself to the world?

    As I think about these questions my mind goes to Esther 4:14 – “…I am here for such a time as this”. God has a plan, a purpose, and a process for me. I know I am loved. I know He chose me. I know I’m forgiven. For me, that’s what matters.

    Am I immune to the world? No! I am tempted by the same things you are. Let me tell you something that recently happened. I am very active in the music and worship services of my church. I do not want any service ever to be the Marie Show. I want my part in the services to be all about God. Last evening, I went to Facebook to check what my family and friends had done on this Easter day. The first thing that popped up were pictures of the Morning Worship Service. There I was, in four of the 10 frames. Not only was I prominantly there, the outfit I had on made me look horrible. Am I immune to the world? No!

    Here’s the thing. The evil one uses this kind of stuff to get me to think I’m not what God thinks I am. Here’s another thing. I will not let him. I will be the woman God wants me to be. I will keep in mind that I am God’s Daughter, that He is expecting me as a permanent guest in His home, and most of all that He loves the real me! Even more than this He loves my family, friends, and neighbors, too!

    Blessings to you and yours!

    Marie

    This blog post is written in response to Week 9 of the 52-Week Devotional Journal For Women, by Deb Wolf

    I love to cross stitch and create charts using God’s Word. From time to time I will include one with a lesson. I hope you enjoy this! If you take the time to stitch it please send a picture to asatisfiedspirit@mail.com The flosses I used for this chart are DMC 915 Plum-dk and DMC 4 Tin-dk

    All items in this blog are my own copyright protected designs.  You have my permission to use the charts on this page.  Please respect my rights and work by not claiming them as your own.

    Miriam’s Song

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    “Words cannot control Him. We can simply ask Him.” This simple, yet powerful, truth permeates the pages of Jill Eileen Smith’s new book, Miriam’s Song.

    The story of the Exodus is thoughtfully enhanced by the telling of Miriam’s part in it. With a few historical twists and turns, and a lot of the author’s imagination, the ancient story comes to life.

    Although there is very little known about the real Miriam, there is much in this work that is plausible and possible. This very believable fictional retelling is worth every word. It flows with the ups and downs, goods and bads, of what was a very difficult journey.

    In all really good fictional stories, there are interesting ideas that are introduced to enhance the reader’s understanding. For instance:

    Have you ever given any thought to how dangerous it might have been to get water from Nile River? Crocodiles were a real possibility.

    The blood covering the doorways of the Hebrews protected them from death, just like Jesus’ blood on the cross does for us.

    When Pharoah asked Moses and Aaron to bless him, they just walked away. (See Exodus 12:32.)

    This is an absolutely, delightful, thought-producing, retelling of The Exodus. It’s definitely worth the read. I give it 5 stars. Thank you, Jill Eileen Smith.

    Blessings to you and yours!

    Marie

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell/Baker Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

    Loving God

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    How prepared are we to give our absolute loyalty and obedience in all we think, do, and say to God? That’s what loving Him means.

    To love God with our whole mind we have to know Him. To know Him we have to know His Word. Yes, we certainly should read it but there is more to it than that. We need to study it, pray it, memorize it, ponder it, and live it.

     

     

    To love Him with our whole being we have to make a conscious choice to make every action we take, every choice we make, every word we speak, acceptable to God. David, in Psalm 19 wrote these words, and they often come to my mind when difficult choices happen: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

     

     

     

    And then, we must love Him with all our strength which means using our time, talents, and resources for Him. You might be thinking that doesn’t make sense but it takes physical and mental power to ensure that everything we are given by Him is being used for Him.

    I hope you’ll find some time today, every day, to love on Him!

    Blessings to you and yours!

    Marie

    This post is in response to week 8 of Deb Wolf’s 52 Week Devotional Journal For Women.