My Closet . . .

I have been blessed with a large master walk-in closet.  The two sliding doors entering the closet, are full length mirrors.  I have more than enough poles on both sides for hanging garments and consequently, I have more clothes than I really need and should give many away.  I have an ironing board set up for removing wrinkles however, I get lazy and avoid wearing garments that need to be pressed.  The end wall has ceiling to floor shelving, which holds boxes with contents that I have no memory.  When visitors come,  I am quick to close my closet doors, because it's a mess and desperately needs my attention. 

                                                                    Matthew 6:5
                                                      (Jesus speaking to his disciples)

When you pray enter into your closet and shut the door, pray to your Father, who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret shall reward you openly.

Before I enter my prayer closet, I need to spend time reading God's Word.  It's like looking into a mirror so that I can see my true reflection as the Holy Spirit convicts my heart to truly reflect the image of  Jesus.  As I enter in by faith, I will choose the garments of salvation that God has purchased for me to wear.  I will pray and ask God to reveal to me any spots or wrinkles that I need His forgiveness.  I will not only be concerned about my own needs, but prayerfully ask God to show me what I have that I can give to others.  I will pray and ask God to show me those things in my life that have no eternal value and discard them.  When Jesus comes, I don't want to be quick to close my prayer closet door because it's a mess and I regret never giving it any attention. 

                                                                    Morning Prayer
Dear Lord,
    May a day never be that I don't enter my prayer closet to be with You.  Amen ~

What Do You Want For Christmas?

During the holidays we are frequently asked, "What do you want for Christmas?"  Our list can be endless, sending our loved ones out on a wild goose chase, in effort to grant our every wish.  Have you ever noticed that upon receiving those treasures we seek and desire, there is still something missing? 

It's not what we need, it's who we need for Christmas?  We all need Jesus Christ.  We need more of Him everyday in our lives!  Isn't it ironic that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas, the gift of Love from God and yet we seek after every other thing under the sun, except the Son?  There is nothing that we could ask and receive on Christmas morning that would change our lives now and forever, than to open our hearts and receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  Only Jesus Christ can make us whole and fill our empty souls.  Only through the Son, will we truly find life and the purpose for our lives.  

For those of us who have Jesus in our hearts. . . when probed with the question, "What do you want for Christmas?" our heart's response will be, "Thank you, I already have everything I need. . . I have Jesus!"
                                                                    
                                                                    Philippians 4:10
And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

                                                                     Ephesians 1:7
In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

                                                                     Morning Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
      Thank you that the most wonderful gift that any of us could open for Christmas is the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ!  May we open our hearts to Him more and more each day to receive the fullness of His joy!  Amen ~

Unwrapping the Gifts. . .

I was nine years old and so excited about Christmas!  Days before the tree was  decorated and presents were already under the tree.  It was very clear to me which ones had my name.  I was so tempted to touch the packages and feel them, but I knew I would get into big trouble!  However, no one said I couldn't stare them down?  So I spent a lot of time sitting in a chair closest to the tree,  studying those presents intently until I was able to identify the contents of each one.  Christmas morning proved that I was right on!  I remember receiving a Barbie doll, Barbie clothes and pajamas.  I was a very happy and thankful girl! 

                                                                   Ephesians 1:3 (entire chapter)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.......

I am now sixty years old and I am so excited about Christmas!  However, it's no longer about the presents under the tree, it's now all about the presence of Jesus Christ in my life.  I am spending time in my favorite chair and I'm studying the gifts that are mine in Christ Jesus! 

These are the gifts of God's Son unwrapped:  Acceptance* Adoption* Blameless* Blessed * Chosen* Forgiveness* Freedom* Holiness* Love*.   I am a very happy and thankful woman!   

                                                                    Morning Prayer
Dear God, 
     This Christmas, may the eyes of my heart be focused on unwrapping the gifts that You have given to me through the birth of Your Son, Jesus Christ.  I want to receive all that You have chosen for me.  Amen ~

Give To Him a Call . . .

"Now where did I put my cell phone?"  This morning I was anxiously looking all over the house and  couldn't find it anywhere?  I usually panic when I lose it, because that is my lifeline to communicate with my friends and family and what would I do if I had an emergency?  I carry it by my side all day long, for fear that I might miss a call!  After exhausting my search I asked my husband to call me, so that I would hear the ring and locate it.  He laughed when I answered the phone and said, "Hello this is your crazy wife!"  I had plugged it into the wall to re-charge.  Wouldn't you have guessed that this would have been the first place I would look?      

                                                                     Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

When I find myself being anxious, I must ask God in prayer, to give me a call so that I can find my way back to Him.  He is my true lifeline to peace.  Often I need to ask Him for direction in my life or help in emergency.  The greatest benefit is the fellowship we spend together.  Each morning my soul needs to be plugged into God and re-charged.  He must be by my side all day long, because I never want to miss an important message from Him. 
Call me crazy but it's true!
                                                                       Morning Prayer
Dear Lord,
    You give to my heart such peace, knowing that You are always by my side and available to hear my calls.  What would I ever do without You?  I love you Lord.  Amen ~ 

   

Prayer For Cold Food . . .

After shopping for hours my sister and I needed some food to boost our energy, so we made a quick drive-through Burger King for french fries.  They were fresh out of the fryer and they smelled so good!  Karen reached in the bag and grabbed a hot fry and said, "Deb, let's pray."  So . . .  I began to pray and I thanked God for my sister and our time together and our shopping success and safe travels, etc. etc. etc.  She finally said, "Debbie!!  My fries are getting cold!"  Well excuse me sister!  Ha! Ha!  Later in the day, she hesitated to let me pray over the next meal.  Imagine? 

My daughter Kelly had prepared salads for our lunch and she asked me if I would like to pray.  As I was praying I was so moved, that I began to get misty and when I said, "Amen" she said, "Mom it's only a salad!"  And we both just laughed. 

                                                                 Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Tomorrow as we gather around our Thanksgiving Table, I hope that we will be so captivated with our thankful prayers to the Lord for all His blessings to us, that our food gets cold!   After all, it's not just about the food. . .

                                                                  Morning Prayer
Dear Lord,
    Tomorrow, may our hearts be consumed with thankfulness  to You and Your goodness to us.  Amen ~  

A Thanksgiving Table . . .

My daughter is very busy making all her plans and preparations for our family Thanksgiving Holiday.  She will have a lovely table all prepared with nice linens and of course handmade place cards with each of our names.  She will have beautiful centerpieces of fresh flowers and candles.  The kitchen island will be loaded down with the most delicious foods and her homemade pies are just out of this world!  We will have more to eat than what we can possibly consume!  So much to be thankful for.

                                                                       Psalm 23:5-6
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  

A true Thanksgiving Table is set for only two.  The Lord has prepared a table for each of us and He waits daily for us to come and dine with Him.  When we accept His invitation, we will find our name inscribed upon His hand.  The fragrance of His love and the light He brings to our soul, is truly captivating!  His daily bread is more than what we can possibly consume and we understand that He has blessed abundantly above all that we could ever fully express our thankfulness for.   

                                                                       Morning Prayer
Dear Lord,
     I pray that each of us will accept Your invitation to sit with You at Your Thanksgiving Table.  We have so much to thank You for . . .   Amen ~   

Over The Bridge . . .

This weekend we wanted to be with our family, so we made reservations at a Hotel in Lake Havasu. The map indicated that it was located just West of Hwy. 95 on McCulloch Blvd.  Sounds pretty simple until you try to find this place!  We finally humbled ourselves and called our son telling him, "We can't find the Hotel!"  In order to get there, we had to follow John in his car.  We did not know that in order to go West on McCulloch, we had to go East and then head West again and cross over the London Bridge.  He told us, "Dad, there is no way you would have found this place on your own." 

                                                                 John 14:6
              Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life;
              no man cometh unto the Father but by me.

Someday we all want to go to Heaven and be with the Father.  We imagine in our mind that we know how to get there.  We may think it's pretty simple to just live a good life and be a good person,  but God knew we could never get to Him on our own merit.  So He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to be a bridge that we may cross over to be with the Father for all of eternity.  If we humble ourselves and cry out to Jesus Christ, He will show us the way.  Jesus told us, "There is no way to the Father but by Me."

                                                                Morning Prayer
Dear Jesus,
     You not only became the bridge for me to see the Father, but You have also invited me to walk with You on my journey to the other side.  You knew from the very beginning that I was terribly lost and needed direction and You alone have paid the price that someday I will see You face to face.  Thank you Jesus!  Amen ~