Author: melanie

2 Tim 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love & a sound mind. 1John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…. Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, & He answered me & delivered me from all my fears. 1 John 4:8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.  1Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Col 3:14 Above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. —I have learned that there is a lot of joy & fulfillment that comes from giving, provided that giving comes from a place of love & not fear! Do you believe that if love is not shared, then it is not real love! Do you believe that there are those that can’t even experience real love because of the fear that binds their hearts? What about the ones that do nothing more than take & take! The ego within tries to manipulate or control! Is the ego empty from taking, manipulating or controlling?  Where is real balance found? God is the only one that really knows! Who is willing to find real love by surrendering to God? It is found in surrender! Do you fear surrender? Love vs fear! It is a struggle! Surrender is the final battle, because it is the submission to God! That is the only thing that overcomes fear, as well as control, & manipulation! Learning to Love right, always leads us closer to God! Love Mel

From Bill— Cat & Dog Theology – credit to Gerald Robison sermon. The Dog says: You feed me, you pet me, you house me – YOU must be God”. The Cat says “You feed me, you pet me, you house me – I must be God”.  Now consider, Are we Cat or Dog Christians? Dog theology looks with a longing love only to be with His Master in Heaven. While Cat theology – with a sigh of relief -seeks God mostly to avoid Hell. When we wake each day & utter our first prayer, when we read the word of God or hear it preached, do we see it from His perspective & desire to find out how we may glorify Him in all we do? Or do we selfishly seek all that God can do for us & all the blessings He can give us? By now, we must know the Bible plan is all about God & not all about us? Knowing it is all about Him – History is His Story –  taking the confusion away & helping us answer some of our questions of life like “why me”. & I t can remove some of the pressures we place on ourselves. Seek to love & serve His purposes then many questions will be answered. Much of the pain we induce to ourselves will be relieved. Being “dog-like” is a great picture of what it looks like to seek God! It’s a worthy spiritual goal. This is where we find the love we desire! Remember it is all about Him!! And He is not Santa, He is our Creator, with our salvation in His wings!—Isaiah 40:3 A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.”—Love Mel

Beast of burden! Gen 22:3 Abraham got up early in the morning to saddle his donkey, a small act, yet one of obedience to the Lord in order to offer Isaac up to God. Zech 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous & victorious, gentle & riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Luke 19:29-31 As He (Jesus) approached Bethphage & Bethany at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples. saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, & as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it & bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why you are untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’” Matt 11: 29-30 Take My yoke upon you & learn from Me; for I am gentle & humble in heart, & you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy & My burden is light.”Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, & He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved. Gen 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, & so fulfill the law of Christ.—The donkey is a sign of peace & service! He was created to carry burdens & the very fact that he carried our Lord into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, just as it was prophesied! Burden bearers are key to fulfilling the law of Christ! Just imagine you are going on a long hiking trip & have much gear to carry! Will you give the burden up or will you try to carry it all alone? It is time to trust our God! Take His yoke, because it is light! Living this life to the fullest for Him! Love Mel
Q: Rebekah L. Holt, “May we be like Christ’s donkey, willing and set aside, patiently waiting for our Master’s touch that we may fulfill the tasks the Lord has ordained for us to accomplish.”

Romans 8:28 .. ALL THINGS work together for GOOD to those that love Him & are called to His purpose. Psalm 27:13 Resist the temptation to throw away your confidence that you “will see the goodness of God in the land of the living.” Jer 29:11  “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out… plans to give you the future you hope for!“ Hebr 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Psalm 62:2 surly He is my rock & my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. — Have you ever considered throwing away your confidence? This is the point where God tells us to resist!! If we can do this one thing then we will see the Goodness of The Lord!! He has it all planned out! Even when we don’t understand we can trust in Him. For He is our rock, our fortress & our salvation. So choose to not be shaken for He is faithful. Love Mel

1 Thes 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Col 3:17 Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. James 1:17 Every good gift & every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Luke 17:15 When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back. He praised God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet & thanked Him. (One of the 10 Leper’s) 2Cor 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Hebr 13:15 Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. — In all things acknowledge His name, give thanks, & offer a sacrifice of praise! For our God loves a cheerful giver! Love Mel