Chill Out and Eat Popcorn

Relax! That's all I have to say today. We all need to learn to just NOT receive every little thing that is said to us. Don't be on the defense all the time. Just let things bounce off that isn't supposed to be received. The Devil loves it when we get tangled up in a mess of offense/hurt/whatever. Don't give him the satisfaction of becoming like that. The Word of God says to hand over all of your burdens. That includes anything that is said or done against you. He'll take care of it! Ok? :-)

Precious Gifts

One of my good friends is having a baby shower today. So, this morning I went and got the baby a gift. I love shopping for baby stuff! Everything is so cute! The little hats, tiny little shoes and socks, and the adorable outfits. Awwwwwww. Babies are so precious! I know a lot of people who are getting ready to have babies. I can't wait to hold them! When my niece was born, I never wanted to put her down. Now I am going to be having another niece or nephew and I am going to love on him/her. I'm secretly hoping the baby is a boy.


Life is a miracle and so precious. It is truly amazing every time a baby is born. They are God's gifts. People always talk about babies being "little angels" but, I don't see angels, I see Jesus. Every little finger and toe was created by God. They have the fingerprints of God all over them.


Treasure these little gifts, because God loves each child. The Bible says that we have to become like one of these little ones to enter into the kingdom of Heaven. What a beautiful way to show our love for our heavenly dad, to be His sons and daughters.

David and Goliath

David and Goliath
by John Ferris

The Philistine army faced the army of Saul,

The giant Goliath came out each day to call,

Send me a man that’ll represent you in battle,

I’ll tear him in half, then scatter you like cattle.

Goliath the giant measured six cubits and a span,

Which was well over twice the height of even a tall man,

He had six toes on each foot and six fingers on each hand,

What this brute didn’t realize, was he was about to be canned.

The giant mouthed off for at least forty days,

The army of Saul did nothing but gaze,

They wandered about with their eyes all aglaze,

They’d lost all their hope, they were all in a daze.

But young David the shepherd had brought food for his brothers,

What sickened his heart was hearing men cry for their mothers,

What’s wrong with you guys, is there no bone in your back?

What you’re needing to do is to go on the attack.

Who’s this that challenges the army of God?

Give me five minutes, I’ll put him under the sod,

Allow me a chance at this vile Philistine,

This uncircumcised heathen has stepped over the line.

News of his words filtered back to King Saul,

Who was greatly impressed by his bravado and gall,

If his heart was in tune and he had heard God’s call,

Perhaps he was the one to make the giant to fall.

David was summoned to meet with the king,

Who offered to him if he would but bring,

The head of Goliath who he’d have to slaughter,

David’s reward, the king’s beautiful daughter.

Not only that, Saul promised to axe

Payment by David of the king’s tax,

As well as great riches beyond compare,

Ensuring a life without worry or care.

Saul said, I’ve no choice but to tell you the truth,

I’m just concerned by your small stature and youth,

Don’t be insulted, your zeal can’t be denied,

But David interrupted, and cautiously replied,

I tell you the truth, for lies I can’t bear,

In defense of my flock, I killed a bear,

Again, and I swear, be assured I’m not lyin’

On another occasion, I killed a lion.

So King Saul clothed David in his personal armor,

He replied in polite terms he was just a sheep farmer,

Who relied on his speed and his skill and his wits,

To go into battle weighed down, for him was the pits.

David went down to the brook, and picked out five stones,

Then called to Goliath and made himself known,

The giant couldn’t work out why from the whole mob,

They’d picked on a boy, to do a man’s job.

David replied, You come with a sword,

But I come to you, in the name of the Lord,

He gives this battle into our hands,

You’ll know all about it, when this shiny rock lands.

Goliath drew near to David, who ran towards him,

He let go his sling and made the giant’s lights dim,

The stone flew like a rocket and imbedded in his fore- head,

Before he crashed down, David knew he was for sure- dead.

David ran to the body and took up Goliath’s sword,

When he hacked off his head, the army of God roared,

When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead,

They turned on their heels, and like cowards they fled.

The army of Saul pursued them for days after days,

Then returned from their chasing to praise God and His ways,

By the use of the weak things to confuse the strong,

They learned that by His faith, they could never go wrong.

King Davids

If there is one thing that I pray for my Sunday school class is that they would walk away every week encouraged, knowing who they are and knowing that they can face any giant that they come up against. "They are only Junior Highers." I hate that statement! They have destinies and God is going to raise them up to be the Davids of this generation. Studies show that between the ages of 13-16, youth will make the most important decision of whether or not they truly want to serve God. WOW. I don't let a week go by without telling them how important they are and how God has something awesome in store for them. I asked them this morning in class what they wanted me to teach on starting this next month. They all said the book of Revelations. They want the DEEP things of God. Sometimes, I can feel the LORD's prescence so strong when I am with them and I have to keep myself from crying. I am looking at prophets, pastors, intercessors, warriors, and king Davids. I only have them for two years. But, in the small time I have them, I pour everything I can receive from the LORD into them. It is such a priviledge to teach them. They will probably not remember me being their teacher years from now. But, that doesn't matter. I just want them to have received revelation about who they are and who God wants them to be. I feel like a mom!


A few months ago I started going to the youth group at our church to just sit and watch. Again, I want to cry because I think, "God, wow, look at them! They are so amazing. Way more than I could have ever imagined." I've taught everyone on that leadership team and they are going way beyond me! I don't care if they remember me! But, it gives me so much joy to hear them speak! They talk about winning their schools and they PROPHECY!!! Prophets! They put ME to shame at times, because they are just so stinking passionate for God. I stopped coming to their pre-service prayer because I realized they don't need me there. I would stand there and not say a word and they would begin to prophecy and talk about the visions God was showing them and what He was speaking to them. The only week I ever said anything was because the youth pastor asked me to and guess what? I didn't know what to say! All I could say was that they were amazing and I could see how far they have come and it blows me away! Wow.


Anyway, don't put down this younger generation, because they are rising up wether you want them to or not. You are an influence in their lives and you will be accountable before God on how you teach them. Are you encouraging and lifting them up or are you putting them down? Please, don't be a Saul.

To Hold or Let Go

You know, Nintendo was where it all began. Seriously! LOL - well, for me anyway. I remember playing that thing for hours. I was so determined to win the Mario Brothers game. Then, this golden age of playstation came. I was hooked. There is nothing like having the satisfaction of knowing you have every chance of winning if you really concentrate and try hard. I would walk away with thumbs and hands so sore, I thought they would fall off. But, I was always determined to win the game. When I wasn't the one playing, I would watch the person playing and their every move. I would watch their mistakes and learn from them. I would watch their wins and learn from those as well. Then, there came the X-box. Yes, I said it. The X-box. I am definitely ALL GIRL, but, there is something about playing those games that make me want to win with everything in me and come out knowing I, Nickie, not my brothers, came out the victor. LOL - hey, I gotta win something, because I sure can't play football or basketball! I was a cheerleader. Although, I did play softball when I was in 5th grade. I was an outfielder. I would have to say that I was actually pretty good at it too. But, that was a long time ago. I do still like to play catch every once in a while, though.



Take a moment to think about this right now: Where does perserverance come from?



You probably thought, "well, God, of course." Well, that's obvious. But, here's another question. Why would God put within us the supernatural strength to perservere?



When you perservere, there is something waiting for you at the end. How long have you been sticking it out? Why? Why have you continued to hold on for this long? Why don't you just give up and walk away? Why don't you just say it isn't worth it and get on with your life? Why?



We are called to 'hold fast.' That means not giving up. The better question is this: Why would you want to give up? Don't allow the fear of failure to keep you from your destiny. I pray that God will teach you to hold to the things He has for you and let go of the things He does not.

The News

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment; and the one fearing has not been perfected in love.

1 John 4:18

My sister is going to have a baby! I'm so excited! She called really early this morning to tell us. We are all hoping that it is a boy.


The bad part of it is that my sister's health is really bad. The doctors say that she wasn't even supposed to live through her last pregnancy. But, she did, and my niece is 7 years old. I choose to believe in the report of the LORD who can make all things possible. The doctors are thinking the worst. I let myself think the worst for about five minutes this morning and it was a horrible feeling. Now, I am trusting God and I know that He is going to take care of my sister and this baby.


But, I will be honest, I struggled with one thought all morning. "It isn't fare." It isn't fare that she has had to deal with pain all her life. It isn't fare that she can't just be happy that she is going to have a baby without having the fear of death hanging over her. But, who am I to say that? God is in control and He understands better than I do. I look up to my sister and her strength. She is one of the strongest people I know. Yet, she isn't even a Christian. But she trusts God. That is so unbelievable. I know that when she comes back to the LORD she is going to be an amazing Christian. She is truly a wonderful person and an awesome mother. She is a beautiful person inside and out. It breaks my heart that she has to go through what she has.


I'm probably just rambling. But, what I want you to know is that even if it doesn't "seem fare," God knows better than we do. I have prayed every day for 14 years for my sister and I have not only prayed for her to come back to God, but to be healed. God is faithful and I know both of those prayers will be answered. I don't know how, but they will be. All I know is that unless I hand this whole thing over to God, it will tear me apart worrying over it. Is there something you are having a hard time handing over? Is there something that keeps coming to you as not being fare? Maybe it's time to let go and let God take control.

Pure Words

"For all the negative things we might say (or believe) about ourselves, God always has a positive answer."

THINGS WE SAY:

It's impossible.

I'm too tired.

Nobody really loves me.

I can't go on.

I can't figure this out.

I can't do it.

It's not worth it.

I can't forgive myself.

I can't manage.

I'm afraid.

I am always worried and frustrated.

I don't have enough faith.

I'm not smart enough.

I feel all alone.

WHAT GOD SAYS:

All things are possible.

(Luke 18:27)

I will give you rest.

(Matt. 11:28-30)

I love you.

(John 3:16 - John 13:34)

My grace is sufficient.

(2 Cor. 12:9 - Psalm 91:15)

I will direct your steps.

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

You can do all things with me.

(Phil. 4:13)

It will be worth it.

(Romans 8:28)

I forgave you.

(1 John 1:9 - Romans 8:1)

I will supply all your needs.

(Phil. 4:19)

I have not given you a spirit of fear.

(2 Timothy 1:7)

Cast all your cares on me.

(1 Peter 5:7)

I have given everyone a measure of faith.

(Romans 12:3)

I'll give you wisdom.

(1 Cor. 1:30)

I will never leave you or forsake you.

(Hebrews 13:5)

The Enemy loves it when he can fill us with all sorts of junk, including lies. Instead of listening to those lies, we should identify them as such and look towards the truth. The worse the Enemy can make you feel, the better he feels. Stop listening to him and listen to God.

The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Psalm 12:6

He Makes the Way

I feel like I am on this kick about listening to God's voice and time and all that. But, it is really pressing upon my heart to talk about it lately. So, here's another one!

Most of my life, time seemed to go by soooooo slow. Do you ever feel like that? That thought usually goes through most people's heads at least once a day. I laugh at myself all the time, because I get frustrated when I have to wait in the drive-through for more than a minute. We seem to expect everything to be quick. We want our food now, we want the water in the shower to be warm now, we want everything NOW. We have such a low-patience scale.

For the past several months God has been teaching me a huge lesson. I always tended to look at the future. I didn't care about the NOW. I wanted this day to end and the next to begin. Now, every day I wake up, all I know is that day. Weird, but true. You may be thinking that is impossible, but it's really not. I have been blessed, then again it isn't what I think of at times as a blessing, to know things that God has revealed to me about the future. When He used to show me things I would get so excited and I would focus on that time coming, but I would miss out on what He was doing right then. I don't want to miss out. Now, I just walk in peace. Sure, there are times that I have my doubts, but I always come back to knowing that my God is making a way. I can't make the way. It's like this old song that I know about "Jesus made a way when there was no way." It doesn't say "Nickie made a way..." Not at all!

The Bible talks about the road we are on being narrow. Yet, we tend to wander into the grass sometimes because we want it just a bit wider. Why? Because we get tired of not having elbow room. What I mean is, there is something in us that longs to rush ahead or step out of the boundaries that are set for us. Yes, there are boundaries. Do we always keep them? No, but we should.

God doesn't always show me alot about my life. He reveals like peeks here and there, but honestly, He gives me more for others than myself. I used to think that was so stinkin' odd and not all together fare. This question always tends to get at me "Why is it that God can give you exactly what someone else needs to hear, but He doesn't always give what you need to hear?" You know, I really don't know. All I do know is that God has never failed me. You know, honestly, I think God revealing stuff to me about others is better than stuff about myself. The reason why is because, I get the chance to sit back and watch them walk into the destiny God has for them. I usually don't tell what I see, unless God wants me too. Have there been times when I wished I could tell? Oh, boy, don't even get me started! I face that every stinkin' day. "If only I could just drop a hint, God!" I feel like I am betraying people by not saying anything and everything in me wants to tell them what God is saying to me. But, I can't. It is really a test of my patience. Try knowing something for YEARS and never being able to tell and watch people get hurt time and again. It breaks my heart. But, I know I have to trust and obey, because God knows better than me.

So, why am I saying all of this for? LOL - I have no idea!!! Just kidding! I do have a point. God's time and plan is greater than ours. Even when God shows you something, it doesn't mean you are to always tell. If it is supposed to be known, He will give you the right time. But, don't rush ahead. No matter how hard it is, you have to trust God. You want to know something? God is so much smarter than us. He doesn't see just a part, He sees the whole. Don't worry, be patient, and just listen to Him.

Jesus

When I was a little girl I can remember going outside early every Saturday morning when I lived in Rhode Island and I would preach to my dog, Zonia, and her puppies. I would try to do it just the way I had seen the children's pastor do it in children's church. I would pace back and forth and pause every so often, putting my hands on my hips and staring right into the eyes of each squirmy, crawling, little puppy. I would tell them the story of Jesus and how He came to earth to die for all people. I would get so excited that my voice would get louder and louder. Then, once I had preached all that I wanted to, I would go sit on my swing and sing songs. What did I sing? You know, I really don't know. I would just make up songs about Jesus and God and angels. I loved to sing. I dreamed of one day being able to preach in front of real people. I would get so excited and lost in that dream that there was no doubt in my mind that it was going to happen. As a little girl, I had no idea what it even meant to be a pastor or to preach. All I knew was that if I was going to preach, I wanted to tell everyone about Jesus.


While I was living in Rhode Island, I attended a Christian school. Yeah, I had to wear the uniform and all. I can remember that every morning we all had to line up and your class had to go in to the chapel and sit in their assigned row. My favorite part was when we got to do the pledge of allegiance. But, we didn't just get to pledge allegiance to the American flag, but to the Christian flag and the Bible too. Every time I recited those words to the Christian flag and the Bible, I would put my whole heart into it. "I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's holy word. I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path..." To say those words meant that I had to MEAN those words. It wasn't about the book. It was about what the book stood for and whose words were in it.


As Christians, we are all called to preach. We are all called to share the gospel. If we don't even know the words that are in the Word of God, then what gospel are we preaching? Are we telling others what we "think" will save them? If we truly grasped what a gift the Bible is and really knew what it says, then this world would be different. America would be different. Yet, look around. There are so many denominations and they can hardly get along. We all choose to take what we want or have been taught from the Word of God. Yet, we miss out on EVERYTHING that it is trying to tell us. We worry so much about how to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. But, really, our message is far from being that. We are afraid of what people will think. We are afraid to talk about the only one who can save. How can we be a witness for Christ without sharing with everyone that we come in contact with who He is? As a little girl, I understood this more than I do even now. I wanted to preach about Jesus. I didn't want to preach about The Father's Love, Signs and Wonders, Moses, Jonah, Joshua, David .... I wanted people to know who JESUS was. I knew that was the most important message that could ever be given. When Jesus ascended into Heaven, what did the disciples preach on? Jesus and His kingdom! They understood the importance of the message to the point that they gave their lives for it.


When I was five years old someone told me the story of Jesus. That is when I gave my life to Him. No other story would save me. No one else had given His life to save mine because He loved me. My reaction to Jesus was all because of learning the truth. How can we expect the world to act any less?

Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
2John 1:3

Wisdom & Knowledge

PROVERBS

1:1-9, 20-23, 28-30

"The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings."
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. "

"Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. "

"Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof."

Yet, even though this was all said, people still do not seek for wisdom. To this day there is a small amount of people, specifically in America that try to rely on their knowledge alone. We do not need to fill our minds with useless knowledge but the knowledge that the LORD is offering to us. We need wisdom that can only come from the Holy Spirit.

God Speaks

Wow - so - where to start.... Last week, I went to Redding, California with the leadership team from my church. I didn't go really "expecting" anything to happen, I simply went with an open mind and just ready to receive from the LORD. I didn't really know what to "expect". One of my friends asked me what I "wanted" from the conference. I told him that I "wanted" to never be the same and to leave Redding a changed person. I did. I can't explain it all exactly, but I don't feel like the same person I was just over a week ago. My whole attitude has changed. I even see things differently. Since last week, God has just been giving me word after word about His glory coming. I cannot shake it.

I never asked for my eyes to be opened, but they have been for a long time. There have been days when I thought I was going crazy, because of what I was seeing, hearing, and feeling. But, everything that the LORD prophecied to me has happened. Two years ago He gave me a vision of the lost in the city. He showed me what would happen. Now, it is happening. There are so many things like that which have strengthened my faith in God. For a time, I just thought what I was seeing were just visions, but they were actually prophetic. It really blows me away. God is so awesome and He knows what is getting ready to happen today and what will happen years from now. God is in control. Why do we worry so much? There is no need to.

You know that feeling of being pressured into something? Don't you hate that? If you don't, then there's something a little odd about you. I can't stand to make a decision because I am pressured into it. I like to think, pray, think some more, chew on it, read the Bible, pray, think a little more, eat popcorn while I think and pray some more, take long walks and pray ..... yeah, it sort of goes on like that until I hear from God. The sad part is that sometimes God is giving me an answer all along, but I have a tendency to be stubborn at times and it takes me a while before God finally says, "Hey, dummy, I have been trying to tell you what to do all along." Yeah, God calls me things like 'dummy' all the time...fondly of course.

My point is that so many times we wear ourselves out trying to find an answer or make a decision when the whole time God is holding up a neon sign with flashing lights that says, "Listen to Me." Hmmmm - why is that so hard to do? Well, because we tend to make things too complicated. We come to a fork in the road and sit for years thinking, "ok, if I go left there could be all sorts of horrible traps just waiting for me, but, if I go right....the Devil may be waiting there to jump me." Oh, come on! No matter what we do, we are going to face unpleasant situations. For goodness sake, you have to make decisions about what you are going to EAT every day. Now, we all tend to go for that hamburger, cheesecake, pizza .... but, even though they are great, they all have consequences. No matter what we do, we can't run away from facing giants. Stop being so afraid of making decisions and take a look in God's direction. He's standing there, staring at you in the middle of the road that you are supposed to take.

I really don't have much more to say today. I am just in awe of God. To question what He speaks to us individually as well as corporately just shows a lack of faith in Him. What is He speaking to you right now? What has He been speaking to you? Are you questioning it? Why? Because others may not understand? Or you can't fathom it yourself? I have made more decisions in my life than I can count that I did not understand. Each one that was led by God really was like staring at a mountain that God has said go through. But, faith can move mountains. It's so true! It's so much easier to receive a word from God than to question it. You try questioning it and what do you think happens? You will end up taking the long road. It's so much easier taking the direct route to God's will. So, whatever God is speaking to you right now, however impossible or improbable it may sound, just listen and obey His voice.

"Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice..."

Exodus 5:2b