Oh How He Loves!

Sometimes when reading God's Word, I like to place my name in the scriptures in place of other names.  I know God's Word is His love letter to me.  As I was meditating upon this passage, I found great comfort in adding my name to it, making it personal to my current situation.  Whatever you may be going through today, allow God's Word to speak to you in a personal way. 

Isaiah 43: 1 But now, O (Rhonda) , listen to the Lord who created YOU.  O (Rhonda), the one who formed YOU says, “Rhonda, Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed YOU.  I have called YOU by name; YOU are mine. 2 Rhonda, When YOU go through deep waters, I will be with YOU. When YOU go through rivers of difficulty, YOU will not drown. When YOU walk through the fire of oppression, YOU will not be burned up; the flames will not consume YOU.  3 For Rhonda, I am the Lord, YOUR God, the Holy One of Israel, YOUR Savior. Rhonda, I gave Egypt as a ransom for YOUR freedom; I gave Ethiopia and Seba in YOUR place.  4 Others were given in exchange for YOU.  I traded their lives for YOURS because Rhonda, YOU are precious to me.  Rhonda, YOU are honored, and I LOVE YOU!

Now you put your name where my name is and allow it to comfort and encourage you.

From the Heart of a Child

While taking a shower the other day, my oldest son went outside without me knowing about it.  When I had gotten dressed I went to look for him because I realized he wasn't in the house.  I assumed he would be riding his skateboard on the carport like he usually does or either his bike.  When I went to the door, he was balling up a piece of paper that he had written something on and was very discouraged.  I said "What is wrong Jeremiah?" and he said "NOBODY STOPPED!"  I said "Stopped for what?" and he said "I was trying to sell drink to people that ride by that are thirsty, the world is full of thirsty people and nobody stopped!" 

My heart immediately broke for him as I realized all the effort he had went through to accomplish what he had set out to do, all for it to fail right before his little eyes.  On his paper he wrote "Diet Mt. Dew $5 a cup", which I agree is rather expensive.  I said "Why were you trying to raise money?" and he said "I was trying to sell enough drink to buy us a car".  I get emotional every time I think about this, because he was so discouraged, but even more so because I realize he has such a big heart and at the same time is so tender-hearted as well.  His intentions were to raise money, but in his mind he thought he would also be helping someone else with their need.  Here is a picture of his little project.

As I thought about this incident, I also thought of how Jesus has already paid the price for our salvation. He is standing there waiting at the well, to give living water to the thirsty so they will never thirst again, but so many people ride by and don't even acknowledge Him. 

John 4:13-14(NKJV)  "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.  But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

Do You Believe God Is Able?

In Matthew 9:28,29 the blind men came to Jesus and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”  They didn't know the outcome of their situation, but they believed He was able to heal them.  The 3 Hebrew boys knew the God they served was ABLE to deliver them from the fiery furnace, they didn't know what the outcome would be either, but they KNEW their God was ABLE (Daniel 3:17). 

Mark 9:23 says "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." 

It's one thing to Believe in God....but do you BELIEVE the GOD you BELIEVE IN?  Do you Believe His Word to be TRUE?  Do you BELIEVE that whatever problems you may be facing, that GOD IS ABLE to do what you need Him to do in your life?

Are You Free?

Today I was talking with a gentleman who is currently an inmate in a correctional facility.  He made a statement that really sinked into my spirit.  He said "I am free on the inside, just not free on the outside".  I told him that there are many people in the world who are free on the outside (free to come and go as they choose) but bound by the chains of sin on the inside (spiritually walking around in sin's prison).  This gentleman spends most of his time locked in a correctional facility, but that doesn't mean he is not free.  If his heart is right with God, he is free regardless of where he lives! 

I am thankful for my national freedom that I am priviledged with in this country. I am thankful to those who have played a part in making it all possible. I am thankful that I can go to the House of God and worship my Savior freely and my heart goes out to those in other countries who aren't blessed with the same freedom. Things are happening in this country that I know that God is not pleased with and it is my heart's cry for America to turn back to God. I am proud to be an American and I am proud to proclaim that IN GOD I DO STILL TRUST!!


When I think of freedom, I realize that it is a state of personal independence. That may be the case on a national level, but spiritually in the eyes of God we are not free apart from Christ. The day I asked Jesus into my heart to forgive me of my sins was the day I experienced what it really means to be free! Thank You Jesus for my FREEDOM!!!

John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

My Dream Come True

In August 2007, I started my study through the CAPS program at Lee University to pursue a B.S. Degree in Christian Ministry (Pastoral Studies).  I actually started my registration at another college and was in preparation of furthering my A.A.S. Degree in Business Administration to pursue a B.S. Degree in Accounting.  However, God had different plans for my life and how it all happened is really like a blur to me.  As I followed the path God laid out before me, He allowed my dreams to come true.  It was my dream to go to Lee University after graduating high school, but I never saw that dream fulfilled.  I knew my family couldn't afford to send me away to college, so I placed that dream on the back-burner so to speak.  However, God never ceases to amaze me.  Psalm 37:4 (NIV) says "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart".  That is exactly what God did for me. 

I didn't pursue a deeper education to become "somebody special", I am already "somebody special" in the eyes of my Father.  I started this journey to pursue a deeper knowledge of God's Word and to learn as much as I could to be an effective disciple of Jesus Christ.  In the first few months, God began to deal with my heart and ask things of me I felt I was not capable or equipped to do.  I still feel I am not, which is good, because as long as I do what I "CAN" do, God will make up for what I "CANNOT" do.  I accepted the call of God upon my life to minister His Word and it is my heart's desire now to do all that He requires of me.  I Can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phil. 4:13)  My next goal is to obtain my ministerial credentials through the Church of God.  As I walked across the stage on May 7, 2011 I could feel my Heavenly Father looking down upon me with pride, knowing my dream had come true.  I couldn't have done it without Him, and I know I wouldn't have even been in the program to begin with had it not been for His guidance in the process.  My promise to God :   "Where YOU Lead Me I WILL FOLLOW!!"  To God Be the Glory!!!