Author: Bill

Rev 2:17 (RSV) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, & I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’ Isaiah 62:2 The nations shall see your righteousness, & all the kings your glory, & you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. Isaiah 56:5 I will give in my house & within my walls a monument & a name better than sons & daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. — God promises an everlasting name that will not be cut off! Our relationship with our God is everlasting providing hope to all who seek after Him! A person’s very identity is rolled up into his or her name. So what is in a name given by God? “Eternal Life & the promises of God all rolled up in a NAME!” Maybe it is God’s way of saying “You are mine & you are loved!” Praise Him! Love Mel

Prov 1:8 My son, keep your father’s instruction, & forsake not your mother’s teaching. Ex 20:12 Honor your father & your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Eph 3:14-15 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven & on earth is named, 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. — Families are our foundation & Mothers & Fathers are key to that foundation. God tells us to honor our mothers & fathers! — 1 John 3:1 (BSB) Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. & that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. — Love is the key to our family with God! Love well & be sure to tell your mothers this Sunday how special they are! Love Mel

All have a blessed Mother’s Day!

Hebr 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Psalm 56:8 (ESV) You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Matt 10:30 (NLT) The very hairs on our head are all numbered. — God keeps a record of our tears, He also keeps a record of our faithfulness & struggles. God cares! — He tells us in Psalm 126:5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!— He goes on to tell us in Psalm 126:6 He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain. — Our tears are seeds that we sow for a harvest to come! Now that is truly worth shouting over! No matter, don’t ever give up, God has got you! Love Mel

1 Thes 5:16-18 (ESV) Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Rom 12:12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 

—The word for hope in Hebrew (Tikvah), is  concrete expectation. Tikvah is a rope that we can hang onto when the world seems out of control. God tells us to rejoice in this Hope.  

The Hebrew emphasizes “waiting patiently” for the Lord, enduring trials, & persevering in the face of hardship! It basically is telling us to stand firm, with sling shot in hand as we face our giants in this life putting our full trust in Him! 

I have a plaque on my wall that says “worry about nothing & pray about everything”! That is my favorite. I use to be a real worrier, but once I learned that He could handle the things I worry about & all I had to do was to trust Him with the outcome!  If/when I start to worry then I automatically start to pray! ie “Pray without ceasing”! It’s the only answer! 

So if you ever wonder what the will of God is for your life it is to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. “ Love Mel

1 Cor 13:2 (NIV) If I have the gift of prophecy & can fathom all mysteries & all knowledge, & if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have LOVE, I am nothing. Rom 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of SINS. Prov 10:12 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over ALL wrongs. — Without LOVE we have NOTHING! Love has the power to cover & forgive all wrongs. No matter what choosing love aligns us with God’s will & promotes good, covers sin & ALL wrongs! So what is LOVE?— 1 Cor 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.— Love is a reflection of Jesus’! Love Mel