"In His Image" (For ladies)

In His Image

 

Jesus, did you know me, too

When I was formed within the womb?

Did angels even care

To know that I was there?

 

At my birth, did they rejoice

Did they say, “Let’s have a holiday?”

And as I grew, were you there, too?

 

Now that I’m mature

Everything I do, every day I live

Does it really matter to you?

 

Jesus said,

“Daughter, yes, I know you…

Formed secretly in the womb.

We spread the heavens

With scarlet streams

And rejoiced and rejoiced and rejoiced

When you were birthed.

 

I saw you grow

A woman of creation, a creation of mine.

And now that you’re mature

There’s a secret I must whisper in your ear.

 

You’re a woman of worth

I attended your birth.

 

I found you so special,

So very unique.

You’re made in my image

Go quickly, bring forth the sheep.

 

I’ve a Kingdom you’ll soon see

Then you will know

Of your value to me.

 

I’ve paved your street

With purest gold

Your mansion is one you’ll like

All new, with everything bright.

 

Arise, daughter

Let me share

That when you’ve hurt

I’ve been there.

 

Touched your cheek …

Stroked your hair.

 

And when your babies came

I knew.  I saw your pain.

 

You’re a woman of worth,

I attended your birth.

Your force and your power

Knows no limit

When you, only you

Set your mind to it.

 

Now, go quickly, daughter

With head held high

And look while you work

For Gabriel … poised in the sky.

 

Know today the value of you

There’s no one else like you

That’s the secret

I whisper in your ear.

 

You are loved, my daughter

Made in my image

You are my child

And, yes …

I am your Father.”

 

                     ~ Jane Powell



For Children: JONAH'S CHANGE OF HEART

 

Jonah didn't want to preach

So he ran far away

His courage was just like jelly

And he wound up in the fish's belly.

 

He stayed there for

Three nights and days

And decided he'd

Just better pray.

 

"Oh, God...I'm about to drown

With sea-weeds all around

Lord, can't You see...

You've really made a believer outta me."

 

The Lord and the fish

Had a heart-to-heart talk

And Jonah was freed

To get out and have another walk.

 

God said, "Jonah, I think

You'd better go

And preach as I told you

A long, long time ago!"

 

So, off Jonah went

As fast as he could

Anxious to preach

The Word of the Lord.

 

And would you believe...

the People Believed,

Repented and prayed through

Turned every one from his evil way.

 

God rested, relaxed

And that made Jonah mad

When mercy is shown ...

It sure makes some so sad.

 

Jonah pouted

As some of us do

When Ninevah survived

He said, "I could just die."

 

So, God make a gourd

To cover his head

Jonah was glad

For the shade of the shed.

 

Then God sent a big worm

To eat at the gourd

An east wind and hot sun

Old Jonah was gonna burn.

 

Jonah said, "It's so hot

At the top of my head...

Better for me

If I were soon dead.

 

God said, "Jonah,

Why are you upset?"

He answered, "I grieve for the gourd

Why, I even fret."

 

Well, God told Jonah

Quite a thing or two

"Never you mind

'Bout what I decide to do.

 

If I spare Ninevah

And all the people there

More than 120,000 youngsters

Who've not yet heard their share

Of preaching and the good news

That I really, really care.

 

Jonah, it's a good time

For you to

Have a heart!

 

Or the next time

I come

I'll bring

An even bigger worm!

 

That ole worm

Will want more

Than just a plain

Ole gourd.

 

I'll let 'em

Eat on you ...

A Dry. Dead

Spiritual Bore."

 

~ ~ Jane Powell

.......

When I left my mark on a tree....

Notice the picture of the tree on the right?  It's a tree on Mt Nebo.  It's one of two trees at the end of the driveway as you are entering  a campsite...

I passed it when I entered the parking space....but not when I left the parking space.  I was SURE I was clear - and suddenly....WHOP! I was jarred and surprised at the same time!   I hit the tree.  Yep.  I left my mark on the tree.  Can you see where the bark is rather flattened inside the red circle?  That's where I slammed the back of my car into it.  I did it.

I got out of my car ... not believing what just happened!  I finally notice the rear quarter panel was a little out of line....but basically not too much damage.  All the way home I struggled with thoughts of  the deductible....how to get it  fixed...and what will it cost?
Upon arriving at my daughter's house, I pointed out the damage to my car.  Suzette looked at it and before I knew what happened she popped the panel back into place!  Wow.  What a relief.  I couldn't believe she did that!!  My problem was solved!  Man, was I happy.
 
My car is fine.  But, I certainly left my mark on that tree.  Of course, no one will ever know!  Each time I go to Nebo I see that tree and remember the time I knocked the fool out of it.  I didn't hurt the tree.  But it scared me.  I am very careful now - I watch for skinny trees on the mountain.  Lol.

Every life leaves a mark....somewhere.... or on someone, good or bad.  

Jesus certainly left His mark on this world.  It was never the same after He came, died, and rose again.   He left His mark on my life, too. 

As I watch society attempting to erase all signs of God and His Son, Jesus, my heart is grieved.  They will never be able to eradicate Jesus.  Never!  It's too late.  He has already left His mark on this world.

Around the first coming inscribe the word HUMILTY in letters large and bold. Around His second coming inscribe the word GLORY so that all the world may see. Nothing could be more natural than a triumphant return of our victorious Lord. Though He was once “despised and rejected of men,” He will one day return “in power and great glory,” heralded by angels and accompanied by his saints.

He is....
The Messiah - The Son of David (Matt 1:1)
The Son of God (Matthew 2:15).
The Miracle Worker The Holy One of God (Mark 1:24)
The King of Israel (Mark 15:32)
The Son of Man The Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)
The Son of God The Only Begotten Son: (John 1:14,18)
The Lamb of God (John 1:29,36)
The Bread of life (John 6:35)
The Light of the World (John 8:1)
The I AM! (John 8:58)
The Resurrection and life (John 11:25)
The Way, the Truth, the Life (John 14:6)
The True Vine (John 15:1)
The Ascended Lord The Prince of Life (Acts 3:15)
The Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42)
The Hope of Israel (Acts 28:20)
The Deliverer (Romans 11:26)
The Lord of the dead and the living (Romans 14:9)
The Last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45)
The One Who Sets Us Free The Lord Jesus Christ (Gal 1:3)
The Christ of Riches The Head over All Things (Ephesians 1:22)
The Cornerstone: (Ephesians 2:20)
The God Who Meets Our Every Need The Name above all names (Philippians 2:9)
The Fullness of The Godhead The Image of the Invisible God (Colossians 1:15)
The Hope of Glory (Col 1:27)
The Soon Coming King The Lord of Peace (2 Thessalonians 3:16)
The Mediator Between God And Man The King of Ages (1 Timothy 1:17)
The Great God and Saviour (Titus 2:13)
The Friend, Closer Than a Brother The Lord Jesus Christ (Philemon 3)
The Faithful High Priest (Hebrews 2:17)
The Author and Finisher of our Faith (Hebrews 12:2)
The Great Physician The Lord of Glory (James 2:1)
The Judge at the door (James 5:9)
The Chief Shepherd The Living Stone (1 Peter 2:4)
The Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)
Everlasting Love The Eternal Life (1 John 1:2)
The Righteous (1 John 2:1)
The God our Saviour The Only Wise God our Saviour (Jude 25)
The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! The Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last: (Revelation 1:17, 22:13)
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5)
The Word of God (Revelation 19:13).
The King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16)
The Bright Morning Star (Revelation 22:16)

Yes, indeed.  Jesus has already left His mark on this world.  And He is coming again.
...

Part II - How to Diminish Your Struggle Time in Every Trial

^{Luke 8}

²² One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. ²³ As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.

²⁴ The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. ²⁵ Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”
The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

Psalms 32:6  "For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found:  surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him."

Amplified:  "...surely when the great waters [of trial] overflow they shall not reach [the spirit in] him."

Your spirit can remain free regardless of the situation or circumstances you face.  You need not be overwhelmed.  There is victory because of your belief in the Word of God.  Speak the Word in prayer.  Release the Word, along with the power of the Holy Spirit, in prayer.  God will move for you, He will give you understanding and thus, break all bondages.

Psalms 77:10  "...but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High."  11 - "I will remember the works of the LORD:  surely I will remember thy wonders of old."  12 - "I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings."

Mark 5:39  "And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still.  And the wind ceased, and there was great cam."  40 - "and he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful?  how is it that ye  have no faith?"    or ...  "Where is your faith?"  Luke 8:25

NOTE:

In Prayer Times, Jesus was Awake

Disciples slept.

 

In Times of  Storm, Jesus slept.

Disciples stayed awake.

 

Jesus was consistent in His prayer life.  Accounts are written in scripture of Jesus praying all night to the Father.  Luke 9:18 says, "...as he was alone praying."  Luke 55:16 reads, "He withdrew himself into the wilderness and prayed."  Jesus was consistent in His relationship with the Father through prayer.

 

Power was evident in the life of Jesus before the storm arose on the sea.  He didn't have to stop and pray through after the storm appeared. 

 

Consistent praying gave Jesus Consistent Power!

 

Active Power Enabled Jesus to Demonstrate Authority Over Every Situation!

 

The disciples were in bondage to fear.  They could not demonstrate domination until their spirit was delivered.

 



Truth: 

YOU CANNOT DOMINATE

UNTIL YOU DEMONSTRATE.

AND YOU CAN'T DEMONSTRATE

UNTIL YOU ARE DELIVERED.

 

Once you are delivered from bondage, you can demonstrate authority.  Then...you can dominate situations and circumstances.  Frustration comes from attempting to dominate and  demonstrate when we are not delivered.  Our spirit is in bondage.  We have unbelief.  Our prayer life is weak.  We are still struggling in the storm.

 

Jesus took everything away from Satan, stripping him of his power.  Then, He turned around and gave you that same power which was given to Him by the Father.

 

When you are in a storm or a trial:

• You do not argue with the trial ... you speak to it.
• You do not attempt to persuade the storm ... you command it.
• You do not plead with the enemy ... you rebuke him. 

 

Get a dialogue going with Jesus and He will tell you about a miracle that is on its way.

 

Activate your faith. 

Stand firm on the Word. 

Speak to the storm. 

Diminish Your Struggle Time.
Live an Abundant life.

 

"Don't leave life as it is ... anyone can do that."

 

PART I - How to Diminish Your Struggle Time in Every Trial

^{Luke 8}

²² One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. ²³ As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.

²⁴ The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. ²⁵ Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”
The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

Jesus was asleep in the boat.   He turned a bench into a place to lay his head.  All was well.  He could rest.  The disciples have faith; surely they can handle anything that comes along. 

A fierce storm arose.  They couldn't battle this kind of storm.  They woke Jesus saying, "Don't you care that we are going to die?"

 

The true test of character is how we behave when we

don't know what to do." 

~John Holt

 

One storm - reveals a boat filled with water.

     One boat filled with water - reveals men filled with fear.

          Not one man filled with faith was to be found.

 

A TRUTH:  One Storm Only Needed One Man to Rebuke It!

 

The Active Faith of One Man or Woman Is Enough!

 

Fear breeds Fear!

 

Where Fear is Evident, Faith is Not!

 

With Jesus in the boat they still feared for their lies.  They had a perishing mentality. They were experiencing a "Maalox Moment!" 

 

Battered, exhausted men...high-pitched, urgent communication...intense physical weariness...and all hope gone!  How long had they toiled and trained every muscle to stay afloat?  How much water had they bailed out of the boat?  Mow many words of fear were spoken as they battled this storm with their natural abilities?

 

The disciples were competing with out of control circumstances. As long as you spar with a storm, it will continue to rage!   THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO STRUGGLE!  Faith instead of fear would have stilled the storm.  Jesus could have slept until they arrived on the other side of the sea.

 

THEY COULD HAVE DIMINISHED THEIR STRUGGLE TIME !

 

How to identify your struggle time: 

 

-The time frame between the first evidence of the storm and the moment they called on Jesus equaled Their Struggle Time.

 

It was also their opportunity to demonstrate dominion over natural elements.  Instead, they suffered anxiety and fear.  They did all they could do using their natural abilities and reasoning.  Believers do this all of the time!  The disciples had reached the point most of us reach in a trial...

• I've done all I know to do.  I guess there's nothing left to do but pray.
• I don't know what else to do but call on Jesus
• Jesus, I've tried everything I know, You are my last resort.

"Jesus, don't you care that we are perishing?"   They included Jesus in the "we"... not realizing that  No Storm Can Cause Jesus to Perish!  He is a greater power.  Matthew 28:18 "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

 

This trial consisted of natural forces.  The Supernatural is dominate over natural forces every time...at all times! 
 

Never Underestimate the Supernatural,

Making it Less Than or Equal in Power to the Natural!

 

The following points reveal results of struggle time and little faith:

• They wasted their travel time
• They allowed needless anxiety'
• They wasted their energy
• They revealed their level of faith
• They wrestled with the storm
• They had a boat filled with evidence of the storm
• They must empty their vessel
• They received a rebuke from Jesus.

To be continued ...
..... 



Marie Prayed for Me Today...

The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create,

to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love

and to be greater than our suffering.

-Ben Okri

 

When my cell phone rang today I noticed on the screen that it was my friend, Marie, calling.  I love to talk to Marie.  She loves God with all her heart.

 

The neatest thing happened. When she realized my case of respiratory 'stuff' was still lingering, she just stopped talking and started to pray!  Oh, how I loved that!  I enjoyed His Presence while she prayed.  It was a moment to cherish. 

 

Now, Marie is real.  She is very real.  She's real with God.  I especially like that about her!  I envy her ability to talk to the Lord as though He's standing next to her, or sitting in a chair in her living room.  There's no pretense, no flaky stuff, no phony business....she is as honest with the Lord as a person can be.  I'll have to admit, that is refreshing.   I don't know of anyone I'd rather have pray for me than my friend, Marie.

 

But, let me tell you what touched my heart the most!   As she was praying, she said, (and I wrote it down so I wouldn't forget)..."Lord, just love on her....just baby her."

 

Ah, my ... heart ... melted!  Baby me?  Baby me?  Well, to tell you the truth, I would love that!  God, go ahead and baby me!  Please!  

 

To 'baby' someone is to give them extra attention -  to make everything as easy as possible for them.  Treat them with kindness and say encouraging words, even when they don't need encouragement!   When you are babied  ... your needs are met without having to ask for a thing.  It's all good! 

 

It might be that 'babying' someone is to bail them out when they know they've messed up.  Or, to give a hug or an understanding nod ... instead of the scolding they so deserve.

 

It simply means: to be treated as though you are a person of value.  It indicates that there is someone endowed with the capability and desire to nurture you into what you can become - not destroy you because of what you are.  It means there is someone who cares.

Jesus is that Someone!   He has treated me far better than I deserve.  When I strayed, He led me back to the path of righteousness.  Grace allowed me to mature, putting behind me all the foolish things I've said and done. 

The lyrics to the song, No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus, says it best:

No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There's no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
O how much He cared for me.

All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me,
All my heart was full of misery and woe;
Jesus placed His strong and loving arms about me,
And He led me in the way I ought to go.

Jesus is that Someone!  He babied me by shedding His blood on the cross for my sins.  He rose from the grave and now sits at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for me. No one cares for me like Jesus.

Oh, thank you, Marie....for such a beautiful prayer.  It touched my heart.  To be 'babied' is rare for many of us.  I doubt there's a man or woman alive who receives too much love. 

But, just so you know, Lord....I'll take all the love and care you want to pour out on me!  And I give you praise in advance! 

Thanks, Marie, for praying for me!
...

ANNIE, GET YOUR GUN!

They say: Annie Oakley was an incredible shot who was raised 'Doin' What Comes Naturally'...

Our society today is almost like the wild west.  Part of a news headline today reads: 'Almost Like the Wild West'.   The rest of the headline goes like this: School Bus Fight Between Students Ends in Deadly Shooting Between Mothers.

Two moms became involved in their daughters squabble, and they decided to take up the fight! These two mothers allow this quarrel to escalate to the point of setting a time to meet at the O K Corral.   Almost like the wild west!

After a series of events, the news reported that one of the women was killed by a shot to the chest.  Almost like the wild west!  Two women at the O K Corral?

Research shows that at the real O K Corral, the entire gunfight lasted approximately 30 seconds.  The following day, the headline in the 'Tombstone Epitaph' newspaper read, “Three Men Hurled into Eternity in the Duration of a Moment.”

I don't know how long the two women of Mercer County, West Virginia spewed and sparred at their designated place of meeting - but I do know at the end of the scuffle, one of the women lay dead.  One of the two daughters is now without a mom.  All because of an argument on the school bus.

Have we succumbed to this in America?  Are we quickly approaching the days of wearing a holster and gun, just like Annie Oakley?   We are seeing the results of a godless society.  We are watching a lawless society in action.  People are angry.  Tension is high. 
 
There is a demonstration of the flesh in our country by people that exceeds anything I've seen in my lifetime.  Anything goes.  If  you are angry, then by all means, lash out!  Throw restraint to the wind.

You say, "We are civilized.  These things can't happen in America!"  May I tell you: These things are happening in America! 

When God is rejected and pushed out of every facet of life and treated with such disdain in a nation, you can count on it...the least provocation will unleash a pent up rage inside every human.  It did so for the two mothers who recently vowed to continue the fight started between their girls.

We are in need of a great revival.  A soul-stirring, soul-shaking revival.  A revival seeped in conviction.  A revival rich in anointing.  A revival power-packed with the move of the Holy Spirit.  A revival that transforms lives. 

The depth of a revival will be determined exactly by the depth of the spirit of repentance.

"The true man of God is heartsick, grieved at the worldliness of the Church...grieved at the toleration of sin in the Church, grieved at the prayerlessness in the Church. He is disturbed that the corporate prayer of the Church no longer pulls down the strongholds of the devil." - Leonard Ravenhill 

"We need a Heaven-sent revival, a burning fire from on high,
A purifying passion and a forsaking of our stubborn pride.
We need a vision of eternity, of Hell and the Judgment Day,
A fervent love for our Savior, that will gladly serve and obey.
We need a Pentecostal purging and a breaking deep within,
A vision of God Almighty and a river of tears for our nations sin.
We need a Heaven-sent revival, a burning fire set ablaze.
Yet, we'll never see such glory, until the Church begins to pray." - David Smithers

“Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.” –Daniel  9:3-5 

God, send Revival to America once again! 
...