Truth is I did not sit to write yesterday; does not mean I did not sit, just no writing. And when night-time came my eyes were much too heavy and my brain too foggy. BUT this morning when my beloved read our Guidepost Calendar devotion a thought came!

Child-like and childish.
What a difference, said the Guidepost Author!

Matthew 18:3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. via Matthew 18:3 NASB – and said Truly I say to you unless you – Bible Gateway.

1 Corinthians 13:11 King James Version (KJV)
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
via 1 Corinthians 13:11 KJV – When I was a child I spake as a child I – Bible Gateway.

JESUS said we must become child-like to receive His salvation. Paul said when he matured in faith, he put away childish things.

Child-like.
Innocent. Dependent, without burdens. Wide-eyed wonder.

Childish.
Selfish. Boisterous. Demanding. Eyes closed to anything but what he/she wants.

I see the difference.
Oh let me grow up to be child-like!!

Thank You, ABBA. This makes me smile and encourages me.  I pray it will others. Amen and amen.

PFT – click HERE.

His Ministry to you,
Kathie

Another Friday!
They roll around so quickly!

July 8, 2011
A day to celebrate.
Joshua is 12 today.
Oh my goodness – how did 12 years come and go so quickly.
He’s a beautiful lad; brings me much happiness.

I am confident I have shared it before but let me do it again—my life verse as some have coined it.  A verse or verses that at a time or season in your life were a ‘lifeline’ to you; verses that you would call to mind again and again and as you did you found strength to take another breath.  Verses that kept faith alive. Verses that gave you courage to keep on keeping on. And still do.

These are mine:
Psalm 145: New American Standard Bible (NASB)
17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds.
18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.
via Ps 145:17 – 18 – Passage Lookup – New American Standard Bible – BibleGateway.com.

The particular season that brought these verses to me has gone but the strength, comfort, faith and peace that came with quoting them to myself remains.
So, what are your lifeline verses? Care to share?

So happy to report Dylan is feeling better than was expected one day after surgery; even ate some mashed potatoes today!

LaJuann’s cousin, Floyd Kittrell, will be having open heart surgery in the morning (Friday) and she has asked that we pray for his surgery and recovery.

Allison, Misty and Willow Grace are continuing to improve but all still need prayer.

PFT — click HERE

ABBA, thank You for the privilege and trust we have been given to pray for these. Thank You for progress and good reports, we are delighted to receive them. And we pray for Floyd that his surgery and recovery will be text-book perfect. And I am continuing to remember others — John – that epidural he had today I pray it will bring the relief intended and thank You for Valerie’s new position, I pray she will prosper in it and others will be blessed and grateful for her position. I am still asking that you heal Kerri and Diana. And Kathy and Joe, you know the needs there even better than I and I ask for Your best for them. Randy and Jimmy – it’s been a long road for them and You have been faithful, thank You and I know You will continue, thank You, ABBA. And, we are remembering Willow Grace, Misty, Allison, Betty, Melinda, Elaine, Karen, Janet, Jenny, Carolyn and Julia, Ruth and Cynthia, Larry and Claudia, Ray and DeLois.  Thank You for hearing our hearts for each of these and others we have read. Amen and amen in JESUS Name.

Listening to the Laughter,
Kathie

I’m still spending time with Isaiah 61.

2 To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,
via Is 61 – Passage Lookup – New American Standard Bible – BibleGateway.com.

I am receiving direction and counsel from this verse I think about just what is my message. Just what is it that I as a Servant (a handmaiden, if you will) of God am supposed to proclaim?
What does it mean to proclaim the favorable year of the LORD?
What does it mean to proclaim the day of vengeance of my God?
And who are the ones who mourn?
And what is this comfort for them?

At Luke 4:19 and 20 JESUS quoted these very verses from Isaiah.
By faith our JESUS knew He was The Anointed One.
Further He said:

21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
via Luke 4 – Passage Lookup – New American Standard Bible – BibleGateway.com.

He knew He was the favor of God to man, the Salvation of God made flesh and bone. That He was that flesh and bone!  Can you imagine as a child (before the age of 12 even) reading that passage in Isaiah and knowing by faith that He was The Anointed One?!  Oh I hope there is heavenly video of that moment. I want to see it! By I’m off point here.

He proclaimed He was The Anointed One and that in Him we could receive the Favor of God the Father.

And I get to proclaim that too. So do you.

He proclaimed a day of judgment. He proclaimed there was eternal hell for those who refuse the Salvation of the LORD.

I am commanded to proclaim that too. So are you.

This I know: proclaiming the favor of God is much more pleasing to proclaim than the vengeance of God. Yet if people are to mourn and be comforted they must hear the whole proclamation. And when they hear and they believe and they mourn and they receive, they are comforted!

3 To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. via Is 61 – Passage Lookup – New American Standard Bible – BibleGateway.com.

But it’s not just any old mourning that will do. That ‘oh woe is me’, ‘poor, pitiful me, don’t you feel sorry for me?’  No. Not that kind of mourning.

This kind of mourning: To grant those who mourn in Zion

To mourn in Zion. To come to JESUS and JESUS alone with your grief that you are a sinner and worthy of the vengeance of God and know that in HIM alone will you be comforted.

And glory of glories, I get to experience this and then proclaim it!  And so do you!

Are you just shaking your head in amazement? Me too.

ABBA, again my prayer is HOLY SPIRIT in JESUS Name keep plowing the soil of my heart and planting this Precious Seed until it brings the harvest in me and through me that You desire.
Thank You, thank You for Willow Grace’s safe arrival. I pray for healthy growth for her in mind, soul and body. I pray for health and recovery for Misty and for Allison to be made whole with this surgery. Thank You for these dear people and all that You are doing for them and through them. And Kerri and Dylan, special and dear, You know my heart for them; I just want all to be well with them. And I am thinking of all the others and calling their names to You. Thank You for allowing me to be a part of what You are doing for them and those specific unspoken(s), and Israel and America and local Churches and the dire need we have to repent and set our hearts and our mouths, hands and feet and resources to proclaiming to and rescuing people in JESUS name. There is so much I don’t understand; so much I cannot see; but I am rejoicing that You are revealing step by step. Amen and amen.

PFT. Click HERE to speak their names to ABBA.

Blessed to be one of the LORD’s handmaidens,
Kathie

Melinda texted to say Willow is here–4 pounds, 7 ounces. Arrived at 5:18 PM (I think that must be Eastern Time).  She is on cpap but not a vent and she cried well! Dr. Hartline said she was doing well and to keep praying. Love, Melinda.

I am rejoicing and I know you all will be too when you get this news!!

The LORD’s handmaiden,
Kathie