Autumn Brings Change

 

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the Fall"
-- F. Scott Fitzgerald

Job 14:14 If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

Change. Seasons change and with them life.  Life comes with many seasons.  We live in a world of change.  Every change concerning us, with the time and season of it, is unalterably fixed and determined by a Supreme Power, and we must take things as they come, for it is not in our power to change what is appointed for us.

Autumn is a season of change, transition and renewal.  Everything is dying.  But too, if you notice, Autumn brings such beautiful colors.  As their bright green colors fade, the leaves eventually turn to such brilliant colors of crimson, gold, red and orange, offering us a wonderful spectacle to behold, a brushstroke of genius only God can artfully paint.  Then, those leaves must fall, leaving that beautiful tree bare and vulnerable as it must survive the harshest of seasons.  It seems they fall almost as quickly as they change.  The tree must go through that season to begin a new life, a new cycle, with budding blossoms fragrant and beautiful.  In order to flourish into a new season, the trees must let go of its decayed leaves.  The leaves fall from their branches as the wind sweeps in.  The swirling leaves are stirred by the wind as they fall.  The change is happening.  The transition has come.  The renewal is essential.

For us, this season of life can be the hardest.  It moves us into a real cold time.  Autumn is a short time for us, yet it brings major changes.  Change is hard, but there is beauty there that we do not yet see.  The air gets cold around us and there has to be a dying out to life at this time.  Just as the trees must let go of their decayed leaves, we must let go of any unnecessary weight in our lives.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

What are you holding on to that may be preventing a freshness to the new season ahead?  What is hindering your fresh relationship with God? Let it go!

All glory comes then when you dare to begin, dare to change, ushering in each new season, and forever trusting God with each unpredictable new step.  Never stop believing and growing.  We can never fully know what God's intentions are for us, but we can always do our absolute best with where He has placed us right now.  Only then, when we have learned all there is to learn and are truly grateful in this place, this season, will God move us to a new, more bountiful, and blessed season.

Get ready.  The windy time it brings sort of just sweeps us into our next season.  But no worries, this next season brings clarity.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Connie J. Schmoll

Troubled Waters

I was reading in John 5:1-9 about the man who was healed by Jesus at the Pool of Bethesda. There were a multitude of sick folk there waiting for the moving of the water. At a certain season, it was believed that when an angel went down into the pool and troubled the water, the first to step in was healed of their sickness.

 

The Pool of Bethesda had a strong attraction. When the water was troubled, the first to DO this – step into the water – they would be healed.

 

I believe that God will “trouble our waters” just to get us to the place He needs us to be. It isn't about the pool at all. Think about this: When the waters are troubled, the ships have to seek out a port, a place of safety very quickly or risk being capsized. For us, when difficult situations (troubled waters) arise, we run to God, or to someone who knows God and ask for prayer. Because we know it is GOD who is our Refuge and Strength.

 

Check out Psalm 46:1-3. I got excited when God led me to this portion of Scripture. I thought...wow! Fits perfectly.

 

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though THE WATERS THEREOF ROAR AND BE TROUBLED, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.”

 

In this story, it seems Jesus was there to heal this one man, yet I believe that many others left healed as well – not by the “troubling of the waters” in the pool, but by the powerful spoken words of Jesus.

 

Under the shelter of religion, there are the sick, lame and blind who can't be healed unless they do a work, walking into the pool, dipping themselves. They are helpless and hopeless, so near the pool. But Jesus has none of the Law's requirements to put upon us for our healing, only to believe in the One who is greater than angels. Just as this man and many others, we look for our healing from outside circumstances, instead of seeking the Healer. People travel here and there, to this event and that conference, seeking their healing, instead of seeking The Healer!

 

We sit on our mat, self-imprisoned by the circumstances of our life, waiting for them to change, when what needs changed is within. Jesus doesn't change our circumstance. He changes us. He calls us into a new way of being, seeing, acting, speaking and thinking. It makes our circumstances more manageable and we engage them from a different place and position. “The Pool of Bethesda” is drained of its power over us. There is freedom, where once was imprisonment.

 

Are you sitting on your mat just waiting on things to change? Are you constantly looking for “a pool of Bethesda”? Are you constantly seeking your healing? Seek Your Healer!

 

STAND UP, TAKE YOUR MAT AND WALK!

 

*I included the song, "Bridge Over Troubled Water". I still can't believe that after GOD gave me this thought, this song then played one day over the Christian radio station! GOD IS GOOD! 

 

 

BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER by Simon & Garfunkel 

Summer Brings Fullness

 

SILENT SEASONS OF THE SOUL

Summer Brings Fullness

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

I was on my nature walk and looking around, I thought, Wow! Such FULLNESS! All the trees have blossomed. More flowers are in bloom. Babies are born: A cute kitten joins the family at breakfast. Hungry baby birds chirping from the corner roof of our home. Garden plants are flourishing! And with it all comes all the pesky critters as well that serve their purpose.

I think of summer time as a real fun sunshiny time in our lives. There are so many things to do and enjoy in the summer months. Weekends at the lake, backyard barbecues, pool parties but yet there are also those times when the Lord has nursed my broken heart more than once through the years with gifts of sunshine and ice cream. Because even though summer brings lots of sunshine, there may come extremely hot periods of spiritual challenges. There will be trails of beautiful and bittersweet moments. Some summers have overflowed with joy and some filled with deep sadness and pain. Each summer is unique and has it's own story to tell. But as we get deep into summer, there comes a time where it can get pretty hot and dry.

With summer being a cultivating and fruit bearing season, in our walk with God, we get into enjoying this mountain top experience and get so busy, we can neglect some things we should be doing for our spiritual life, and all of a sudden, our life becomes dry and barren and we may find ourselves in a 'desert experience'. This is where we long for the things of God once again. We develop a “thirsting” in our soul. And of course, Jesus Christ is that Living Water that we need to quench that thirst.

As the deer panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:1-2)

It is so important that during this fruit bearing season, the fruits of the spirit must be cultivated and the way to do that is to always remember who the Gardener is and remain in Him. Embrace the abundant life that surrounds us. Seize the joy of the season, relax, have fun, celebrate, abide in gratitude for the blessings. Yes, Fall & Winter will soon come but do not let thoughts of the unknown rob you of the joy of the moment. There is so much of God during this time but then will soon come … the change.

Connie J Schmoll

Spring Brings New Life

SILENT SEASONS OF THE SOUL

Spring Brings New Life

As I peered out the front window and seeing the rain pour down, just as with the cold Winter season, I had to remind myself that the rainy Spring season has its purpose as well. Our outdoor plans would have to wait.

After a cold and harsh winter, we always eagerly anticipate Spring. What do I like about Spring? Springtime makes me think of new beginnings. Spring brings New Life!

During the Spring season, we can experience many rainy days. Rain is a necessity to all life. When rain falls after a long dry spell, all nature undergoes a refreshing or a revival. Little or no rain results in barren land. The ground is parched – desperate for the rainfall to quench its thirst. Rain is much needed to bring growth. Flowers popping out of a hard seed, pushing their way up through the dirt, a deep dark place is opened, eventually tasting the bright rays of sunshine and finally blooming in all their glorious color. Trees budding. The sound of birds singing. New life of beauty springs forth.

Rainfall or the storms of life, as we may refer to our life's trials are never fun, yet they are needed. Just as God brings rain to wash the impurities from the atmosphere, for the same reason, the storms of life come to purify our hearts. We receive a lot of rainfall in our lives at times, but we must realize that trials in our life helps us to grow in the Lord.

Hebrews 6:7 "For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God."

In the end, Springtime brings us our biggest hope when we celebrate Easter. When Jesus was crucified on the cross, He did a complete work for us. He said, “It is Finished.” He took our sins, our struggles, our inadequacies, and all our fears to the cross with Him. Just like the world may think it has victory over us, Satan thought he had victory finally over Jesus. But the story didn’t end there. Jesus not only took our punishment on the cross, He conquered death and rose again on the 3rd day.

We not only serve a God who creates amazing beauty, but we serve a God who loves us so very much that He sent His son to die on a cross for us and defeated death by rising again. I can't think of a better time than on beautiful Spring days to reflect on the love the Father has for us. The troubles of this world will fade away, but the love of God, the work on the cross and his victory will last forever.

In longing for some future good, we forget that every day—regardless of the weather or our circumstances—is a gift from God to be used for His glory. We must stay the course because the things we experience today will lead us to where He needs us to be tomorrow.

Isaiah 55:10-11 “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater, So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

Connie J. Schmoll

Rushing Wind

 

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit. -- John 3:5

I remember the day that I was born of the Spirit. What an awesome experience! The inside of me was changed! I remember standing at the window of the little house I lived in, just staring out the window and wondering how I could explain this awesome experience to others. I was so excited about my new life and longed to tell others, but to find the words was not easy.

While staring out the window, I noticed it was a windy day. As I looked up, I watched the branches of the trees sway back and forth. And in that moment is when "a thought" came to me. I knew it was the wind causing the branches to move yet the actual wind could not be seen; only the effects. I had never thought of it this way before, that we cannot actually see wind. Then it came to me! This was a brilliant way to explain about my experience of when the Spirit of God rushed into me, leaving such an effect of change soon to be seen on the outside as well. Wow! I got really excited!

Being a new Christian, I had not read much of the Bible, so little did I know that this "thought" that came to me, was also in the Word of God. When I did read it later in John 3:5, it was another great time of excitement that came upon me. I realized then, that God had communicated with me, something that came from Him before I had even seen it in His Word.

In Acts 2:3-4 Luke mentions the Spirit, with the same description of a mighty rushing wind, that came and filled all the house where they were sitting. What an awesome sight it must have been then and what spiritual power that was manifested there.

I heard a song that reminded me of this, called "Rushing Wind" by Keith Green. My husband, Don sang it once in Church. I had heard this song before but until he sang it that day, I had not really heard the words like I did on that day. Here are a few lyrics from the song:

Rushing wind blow through this temple, Blowing out the dust within
Come and breathe your breath upon me, I've been born again

Holy Spirit, I surrender; Take me where you want to go
Plant me by your living water; Plant me deep so I can grow

You see, in just the past few weeks, God, once again, has done a miraculous work within me. Although this time, it wasn't the born again experience but still it came like a rushing wind. It was this song that helped me to be able to see and explain what had taken place inside of me.

As some may  know, my husband services computers for many local friends and businesses in our area. There are times when he goes to check out people's computers and he will always take along a can of compressed air. Most PC users never get inside their computers for anything unless they know what they are doing, so when my husband is the first to open them up, he sees a great accumulation of dirt and dust inside. He uses this compressed air to blow all this dust out of the computer. This helps the computer to stay cool and not overheat.

I began to think about my experience with God and realized that this was the exact picture of what God has done in me. His Spirit as a rushing wind, blew out the dust and dirt of the past, cleansing me within, bringing restoration and healing to me. Oh how refreshing!

Allowing a great amount of dirt to stay inside your computer for along time can cause problems in the computer. It is just the same in our life. There is so much dirt that we can accumulate from past hurts and if we allow them to lie dormant inside of us, we start to have major problems in our lives.

I have made this "Rushing Wind" song a prayer unto the Lord, daily asking Him to blow through this temple, blowing out the dust within. Surrender to Him now and allow Him to cleanse you of all your past hurts and pain, and bring restoration and healing to your spirit.

Connie J. Schmoll 

RUSHING WIND by Keith Green

Winter Brings Clarity

 

 

 

SILENT SEASONS OF THE SOUL

Winter Brings Clarity

I used to dread the Winter season until God began to speak to me about the Silent Seasons of the Soul and just as with the seasons of life having its purpose, so does the seasons of our soul.

Many people will resort to relocating to a warmer climate because they despise the cold or think it would be better for their health. I used to think the same thing until I read about how even the cold season has its health benefits.

The other day, I was standing on our back porch and I looked out across our back yard and noticed how clearly I could see the old empty, beat up mobile home across the alley. It has sat empty for years and is now uninhabitable and torn up, and is basically just an eye sore.

Before all the leaves had fallen from the trees, this mobile home was not even visible. Then I looked around and realized just how much more visible things were now. Step outside. Look around. Look at how much more you can actually see now.

This reminded me of a video I watched of Melissa Helser sharing about the “Necessity of Seasons”. (I've included the video below for your viewing). A great lesson of encouragement.

When the winter season comes after the leaves have fallen from the trees, you are able to see things beyond what you could before. The “winter” seasons of our lives can be the greatest opportunities to see what is to come, for us. Our winter season's process does not have to be in vain. Even though the winter of our soul can bring forth a cold, pressed, dry and lifeless life, it has its purpose and God can reveal the most --- giving much clarity of situations.

What clarity is winter trying to show you? What is it that you may need to let die in order for God to bring about life? Never wish away winter and end up missing out on its true purpose because Winter Brings Clarity. And clarity exposes purpose by unveiling expectations.

When I looked up the root word of clarity and its meaning? I saw words like, brightness, radiance, glory, splendor, clearness, make clear.

It's also important that you need to be rooted and grounded in Christ and His Word and commit to spending each day meditating on Scripture. You'll need clarity in order to move forward in life into your next season. Clarity brings more energy and focus to your day.

Remember, your soul will not stay dark forever. You have the confidence in knowing that just like the trees, you WILL bloom again, because the next season is coming, and with it....NEW LIFE.

“Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints” Ephesians 1:17-18

Other Scriptures to meditate on: Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 4:5, James 1:5, Ephesians 3:16-17, Philippians 4:7, Psalm 119:130

 

 

Necessity of Seasons

https://youtu.be/VP7y0hw4GrY

 

 

The Empty House

In our little village, there are numerous buildings and even houses that sit empty. There is a pretty house located on main street and for years, the owner had intentions of turning it into a Bed & Breakfast but it never happened. Instead, this home sits empty. It is not good for houses to sit empty for years, not being maintained. They become run down, sometimes broken into and vandalized and can even become hangouts for druggies. It saddens me to see this place just sit empty, when it could become a home for a family to fill with good things!

This reminded me of the “Empty House” parable that Jesus shared in Matthew 12:43-45:

“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.”

OUR HEART IS LIKE A HOME. When we come to Christ, our heart is cleansed. If we do not make the effort to fill our home with good things, then evil things are likely to return and with a vengeance and then there is the danger of our heart becoming hardened.

God’s presence should be an ongoing experience in our lives. If his presence is missing from our lives something else will take his place.

When a person empties himself of sin, yet remains empty, not filling himself of Godly things, then the evil spirits return and find it empty, and brings 7 other spirits with it, making the state of that person worse than before.

Using demon possession, Jesus warned that it is not enough to go through an initial period of repentance and removal of sin, unless reformation continues and something positive is put in place. Otherwise, the end might prove worse than the beginning.

If you have found yourself slipping back into your old ways, begin asking yourself:

-- Have I been filling myself with Godly things?

-- Have I started missing Church? Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the Word of God (Rom 10:17)
-- Do I feed myself on God's Word? Read Bible Daily. Fill heart with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs. (Eph 5:19)

-- What kind of people am I keeping company with? Choose your friends carefully (1 Cor 15:33) They will either help or hinder (Prov 13:20)

It does no good for us to “clean up our act” while avoiding a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ. All those things of the world that you choose to partake of, attempting to fill that void in your heart, will not bring you fulfillment. It is just temporary, and will bring harm and destruction.

Keep in mind.....

You cannot have communion with darkness and expect the Light of God to dwell in you. (2 Cor 6:14-7:1)

Connie J. Schmoll

How Long O Lord?

As I revisited Psalm 13, I wanted to reshare this. It was freeing to me to see how David speaks honestly to God on how he is feeling, knowing that God is big enough to take care of his doubts and frustrations.

“How long O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?”

We’ve all felt this way one time or another. I mean…think about it. God’s plan for our life is not laid out in a nice little blue print. It gets hard at times to get through those rough roads that we encounter along life’s way.

This got me thinking about how many times we try to hide from God how we really feel. It’s kind of silly of us really because God knows our true thoughts and feelings. He knows our hearts better than we do. He already knows all about our situation but he wants to hear it from us. He desires that relationship with us, no matter what we may end up coming to Him with: praise, grumbling, anger, hurt, problems, etc. He just wants our honesty. Why is it so hard to be honest with God?

Are we afraid He won’t love us? Are we afraid He’ll reject us or strike us down? Do we try to act so super spiritual when we go through some hard times but deep inside we feel angry with God? Be honest with Him. Believe me, He’ll honor your honesty. And just like Missionary Ken Oliver said, “God can do more with honest anger than dishonest praise”. I personally believe that being honest with God about how you are feeling about your situation can actually get the situation taken care of a lot sooner.

Look at this again how Psalm 13 ends: “I have trusted in Your loving kindness and my heart will rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord for He has dealt bountifully with me.”

David does not end with his feelings. He began with how he feels but he ended with what he knows! Have you ever done that? Personally, I never really gave much thought on this but after reading this, I can remember many times when I poured out my heart in frustration, anguish and perhaps even saying things I didn’t really mean…to others and to God. But deep inside “WHAT I KNOW” was so much greater than “WHAT I FELT” and I ended up always overcoming those feelings.

When I feel God is not there, well…I KNOW He is. When I feel He doesn’t really care, deep inside, I KNOW HE REALLY DOES. When I feel I’m not loved, of course I KNOW HE LOVES ME!

How do I KNOW all these things? HIS WORD. This is why it is important to Hide the Word of God in our heart. When you have so much of His Word in your heart, you will always come out victorious over your feelings. God’s Word IS my WINDOW OF HOPE!

Remember, when you’re overwhelmed with life’s trials, JUST BE HONEST with God. Our faith cannot be based upon what we see or feel, and the circumstances cannot change what our hearts know to be real. SO KEEP BELIEVING IN WHAT YOU KNOW IS TRUE!!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=23&v=P_0h5CpNkoQ

God Wants To Wreck Your Life!

It's not everyday that you hear such a message as this one that I heard on Sunday, July21st, that ...

"God wants to wreck your life! So that He might give you His life to be your own!" -- Father Christopher at Kearney St. George Orthodox Christian Church.

There's a popular message always being preached today that GOD wants to prosper you. BUT what does that prosperous life look like to you? Is it the same as what GOD sees for you?

I am totally convinced that our lives have to fall apart in order for His purpose to prevail.

Proverbs 19:21 ~ Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Just Say Yes!

What great FAITH and TRUST in the LORD, to be willing to always say to Him, as Mary did, no matter the situation, "Let it be done to me according to your word."

From Luke 1:26-56. The angel appears to Mary, whom he calls "full of grace" and tells her that she will be giving birth to an amazing person.

That's A LOT to take in. It requires a great deal of faith and trust on her part to believe this news. But she is up to the task, and her response is one that we can all learn from: "Let it be done to me according to your word."

When we give God the great "yes" that Mary did, it frees Him to do what Luke tells us in a nearby verse: "nothing is impossible with God."

What is GOD asking of YOU? Tell HIM yes today, and see what impossible things He does.

God, thanks for giving us such a great example in Mary.

Connie J Schmoll

Find Peace In Being Still

As I laid in bed Sunday evening, after prayer time, a few thoughts from the Lord entered my heart and I knew it was time to write.

Life can bring such great and wonderful moments, can't it? But as I am sure that many of you are totally aware of, we also will find interwoven in our lives, times of disappointment, as we may see them. I spent a number of years always feeling down from all of life's disappointments until I began asking … But could these times not be God working out His plan? I have learned that just because something may not work out the way we wanted it to, does not mean that it should always be seen as a disappointment, but could very well be God's appointment for the time. This was when I began applying Proverbs 3:5-6 to my life.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”.


Trust in the Lord
We must learn to fully trust in God in every situation no matter how it looks to us or even if we do not understand. We don't always have to know the “why” of a situation, but only that God sees the beginning and the end, so we must trust that He is working His plan for our life through it all.

Lean not on our own understanding
When we come up against some things in life that are perplexing, we cannot assume that our human understanding of things is always a perfect guide. Human understanding is limited by a person's knowledge and experience. But as I said before, God sees the bigger picture and knows the beginning from the end. Sometimes we need to look past human wisdom and allow the Spirit of God to direct our lives. Our human reasoning wants an explanation, but the Spirit of God says, "Trust Me!"

Acknowledge Him
It is not always easy to accept an outcome of a situation when we wanted so much for it to be different. Acceptance or acknowledging God in a situation is a very important attitude that we must have in order to incorporate our trust in Him. It helps us accept the outcome in a situation no matter how it looks to us, knowing God was in it.

And just to share ... Ephesians 2:10
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

We never have to fear the road that we have ahead of us, because Christ prepared it specifically for us to walk. Though the road may be treacherous and narrow, especially at the speed life has been going lately, at the end of it is Christ!!

I pray that all of you who are reading this, will keep your eyes fully on Him, trust Him with all your heart and acknowledge Him in everything, and He will direct your path that will always lead to Him and His Will!

Here is a song that God led me to, that has ministered to me and my situation.  No matter how difficult it may be, I WILL find peace in being "still" when a situation is His Will.

"I'll Wait" by The Katinas   https://youtu.be/AC00jhBerYQ

Unconditional Love

In Loving Memory of LilyBud & ChampyBoy

"Dogs teach us many things but none more important than to love unconditionally"

We just recently had to put down our two little dogs. I did not realize just how hard it was going to be. It was such a heart-breaking experience. I must admit also that the after affects have been so difficult to overcome. Guilt has been a really hard one we've been battling. But I have learned throughout my walk with God, that over time, He will not only bring comfort and healing but also teach me something through the healing process.

Once my little fur babies were gone, my husband and I have both been left with this void inside of us. Such emptiness we feel. Why? Because dogs give unconditional love. It made us begin realizing that for 12 years, we have been experiencing unconditional love from them and now that love is gone. Pets are just like family and no matter what, they love us unconditionally and that is why we feel that void in our hearts once they are gone.

The Lord began speaking to me about how He has allowed us to experience that unconditional love through them and He said, “Now that they are gone, Connie, Now Accept Mine.” Do you know what just came to me today as I am writing this? DOG spelled backwards is GOD!

I find it hard sometimes to really comprehend just how much God does love me. And I often ask, why is it so hard? After all, He died for me! That act in itself should be proof enough!! Why do I always doubt His love for me?

I loved my little dogs SO MUCH and I miss them. I miss that love they gave to me and the trust that they had in me. It made me realize just how much that I long to be loved in that way and I know others do too.  Every soul seeks that unconditional love. So it is just as important for me to do the best I can to begin showing that same love to others. Deep down inside I want to believe that GOD loves me that much. I want to truly receive it. Sure, we know that His Word tells us He loves us. We know that! But have we actually truly received it and accepted it that no matter what we go through in life, we will never ever doubt His love again?

Maybe you've already reached that point. Personally for me, that revelation has become very big and deep for me right now and is beginning to fill up every space in my heart that I had allowed other things in to occupy, that was crowding His Love out. I desire to be completely filled up with His Unconditional Love.

If you are going through something today that has totally left a void within you, and you seem to find yourself trying to fill that void with other things but find it isn't working, I can tell you that it is because when each of us were created, we were created with that void in us that was only made to be filled by GOD and His unconditional love for us.

Now...Accept His today!!

Connie J. Schmoll

I found this online today and thought it was really cute!   https://youtu.be/H17edn_RZoY

Remember Humility

On Friday, December 20^th, 2018, I noticed pain in my mid back. The pain increased as the days went by and would move around, to underneath my rib. I began realizing that it most likely was a kidney stone because I'd had them in the past and usually too large to pass. Not getting much sleep for the next few days, I began praying each night to the LORD for healing. Speaking and Praying the Word! Sunday morning at Church, as I voiced my health concern to others, nobody seemed interested in praying for me. Sorry to be honest but most seemed more interested in “feeding their flesh” from the moment we arrived, till the time we left. By Sunday evening, I was in extreme pain and almost gave in to have my husband take me to the ER, but instead I continued to pray and cry.

When Monday morning came, my husband got up, to get ready for work. Before he left, he prayed for me and told me to start praying, “Lord Jesus Christ, Have Mercy on Me!”. So I began praying that all day. As the day went on, the pain began to slowly decrease until it was completely gone. Thank you, LORD!

That same day, I began reading Luke 17, about the 10 Lepers who Jesus had healed. Do you know what they spoke out to Jesus?!!?  “Jesus, Master! Have Mercy on Us!” Interesting, huh? I began studying and researching Scripture where others had prayed the same thing. To list a few Scriptures: Luke 18, Matthew 20 and Mark 10. Also Psalm 31:9-20, Psalm 57:1-6, Psalm 86:3 and Psalm 123:3-4 mentions it.

The Mercy Seat was a gold cover or lid with two Cherubims beaten out of the ends of it to cover and create the space into which God would appear. This gold cover was placed on the Ark of the Covenant (Ark of the Testimony), a gold covered wooden chest with lid cover described in Exodus as containing the two stone tablets of the 10 Commandments and the Rod of Aaron. (to symbolize God's given leadership and priesthood endowed with miraculous power during the plagues of Egypt that preceded the Exodus. In the teaching of the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant was designed to be a symbol of the Presence of God in the midst of His People.

I know that we've been given authority to boldly speak His Word, but sometimes this message can be brought out in a way that people may tend to forget “humility”, and wishing bad upon those who wrong us instead of “forgive them, for they know not what they do” with a heart that Jesus had. We must be careful that we do not develop this arrogancy, that state of acting superior.

By praying, “Lord Jesus Christ, Have Mercy on Me”, not a bit of pride could ever be present. Through all of this, what the LORD whispered softly to my heart was … "Connie, Remember Humility".

Psalm 123:3-4 "Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud." 

May we never forget how very much in need we are of a Savior and Healer. May we never forget where He brought us from. May we continue to pray for those who are still there where we used to be.

Worship the LORD with me to this powerful song that the LORD place on my heart and always ….

Remember Humility.
Connie J. Schmoll

https://youtu.be/5mmOcpJE9HU

The Gates of Worship

Today's Reading: Psalm 100

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” - Psalm 100:4

Whether the gates of some cities were built for defensive or ceremonial purposes, they all represent the difference between being outside or inside certain areas of the city. Some are open; some are closed to all but a few.

The gates into the presence of God are always open. The familiar song of Psalm 100 is an invitation for the Israelites to enter into the presence of God through the temple gates. They were told to “shout for joy” and “come before him with joyful songs” (v. 1-2).  Shouting for joy was an appropriate expression when greeting a monarch in the ancient world. All the earth was to sing joyfully about God! The reason for this joyful noise was that God had given them their identity (v. 3). They entered the gates with praise and thanksgiving because of God's goodness and His steadfast and enduring love which continues through all generations (v. 4-5). Even when they forgot their identity and wandered away from Him, God remained faithful and still invited them to enter His presence.

The gates into God's presence is always open, inviting us to come and worship.

Will YOU enter in?

Remain Strong In Me, Reinforce Your Foundation!

In recent weeks, the Lord has been speaking a great deal to me about the importance of our foundation in Him. Although many of us are walking in His will over our lives, it is possible to neglect the intimacy required in our relationship with Him and therefore miss His reaffirming presence in our lives. He is our foundation in all things and we are called first to continue to build on what will allow us to stand firm when stepping out in His name.

Not too long ago I was reading a story about a couple working on a deck that seemed to be weakening at the core of it's foundation. I found myself moved by what was exposed as they ripped away the beautiful tough exterior. Underneath the durable surface, much of the framework used in building the foundation had rotted over time. What was meant to hold everything together had been neglected and it became weathered by the elements and storms it was exposed to. The decay of what was once strong had caused such a weakness that it crumbled with the lightest touch of their tools.

I was overwhelmed with what the heart of the Lord was speaking to me and what He wants so many of us to hear. As I continued to read, I heard Him say, "You must always remain strong in me. Reinforce your foundation before moving forward."

Personally for us, we've been there, attended here and there, believed this and refused to believe that, in a constant battle to keep deception out. Untruths constantly trying to creep into our lives from people we least expected.

A time comes when through all the chaos, one must take the time of rest, remain strong in Him and reinforce your foundation, walk exclusively by faith, trusting in everything He has taught you from His Word alone.

"Forever O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven." Psalm 119:89

Be Fully Persuaded!

Romans 4:20-22 "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness "

If God has ever spoken to you about something:
-- Stagger not at the promise of God through unbelief
-- Be strong in faith, giving glory to God
-- Be fully persuaded that what He has promised, He will do!!

At the End of our Road is Christ!

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

With all the trials that we go through, this verse should comfort us. Before time began, God knew where we would be and what we would be doing. We are all handcrafted by God for good works. The most comforting thing about Ephesians 2:10 is that we don't have to fear the road that we have ahead of us, because Christ prepared it specifically for us to walk. Though the road may be treacherous and narrow, especially at the speed life has been going lately, at the end of it is Christ!! This is why in every situation that we encounter, we need to "acknowledge God" in it. Acknowledging God in every situation helps us incorporate trust in Him and He will direct our path. Proverbs 3:5-6

Glimmers of Light

John 1:5 "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."

When we are going through trials, we tend to forget the promises that God has spoken to us. Don't let it happen! What God told you in the light, remember in the darkness! His Word is true during your time on the mountaintop and in the valley. Just keep praising and believing God. There is a reason you are in the valley...a lesson to be learned. Learn it, apply it to your life, and continue to grow in Him! And always be listening!

God does not leave you in the dark alone. He makes darkness his secret place. (Psalm 18:11) And there is always something to be learned. God is always speaking. Keep listening for His voice through “glimmers of light”. It only takes a glimmer of light to dissipate the darkness.

Those glimmers of light can come through many different ways. God knows you personally. Begin to listen and see the ways that He speaks to you. For example for me:

1. God Speaks Through His Word.

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Always stay in His Word during times of trial. When reading His Word, something always “jumps off the page” and pierces my heart, being exactly what I needed.

2. God Gives An Encouraging Word 

Psalm 119:103 "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

God speaks words of encouragement through other people. He can use them to minister to you or sometimes the person doesn't even know they are being used. They just say something that really brings revelation and comfort.

3. God Ministers Through A Song  (Songs of Deliverance) 

Psalm 32:7 "Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah."

Keep praising God through the dark times. I have found many times where God brings just the right song that ministers to my heart bringing deliverance to my situation.

4. God Speaks Through Parables

Mark 4:2 "He taught us many things by parables."

I have found in my own personal life where God will use what He knows are my favorite things, to speak to me, teaching me lessons, through parables just as He did in His Word. For example, one of my favorite things is butterflies. Using the life of a butterfly along with some of my own personal experiences, through inspiration from God, I created the heart and purpose of a book I wrote and had published in 2004. 

He knows what we need, even before we ask!!  (Matthew 6:8)

What “glimmers of light” has God used to bring you out of a dark time?

One Wound At A Time

I saw this on Facebook and wanted to share. It really spoke to my heart.

 

ONE WOUND AT A TIME
by Ministries of Francis Frangipane


The Bible says, “Pursue peace with all men” (Hebrews 12:14). Pursue means we aggressively take the initiative to make things right. It means we act on behalf of Heaven rather than allow another's anger to serve the purpose of hell.

However, we must be realistic. When we reach out to a deeply offended person, they will likely be repulsed by our first efforts. Scripture tells us, “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a citadel” (Proverbs 18:19). If a person has been hurt, they will need trust to be restored, and this process of initiating trust can actually be painful to both parties. A wounded person may lash out. You may feel like the price of restoring the offended person’s trust is simply too great to pay.

Let me share an insight I received about the basic nature of relationships and reconciliation. My wife and I were “bird-sitting” our oldest daughter’s pet conure. A conure is about half the size of a parrot with similar coloring. However, this creature was hostile. Each time I’d touch the cage, it would squawk and try to bite me. After several initiatives on my part at being nice, I said to myself, “Why bother?" So inwardly I made an evaluation that we had been given a “killer conure” to watch. Obviously, I concluded, this bird came from the wrong side of the tracks.

My wife, however, decided she was going to love this little bird. Even though it was just as aggressive toward her as it was with me, Denise relentlessly extended herself toward little India. Each time she fed it by hand, the bird attacked, taking chunks of skin from her fingers with each bite. Denise would yell in pain, then instantly return to talking softly, reaching into the cage with food.

After a week or two, the bird finally began to relax. Her survival instincts based on my wife’s gentle response, convinced India that my wife was not a predator, but a friend. Soon it permitted Denise to reach into its cage without attacking her; a couple more days and I discovered this aggressive little finger-eater perched lovingly upon my wife’s shoulder, its little round head snuggled warmly against her neck, cooing in her ear.

Denise won the heart of this little bird: it loved, because she first loved it. You see, the problem with the bird was not aggression, but fear. My wife allowed herself to be wounded so trust could be established; when wounded, she did not retaliate. She won the heart of this little bird one wound at a time.

As I watched this little drama unfold, I saw something basic, yet profound, concerning God’s relationship with us. Trust is not an accident; it is the result of love that pays a price.

Isn’t this the way of the Lord with our own hearts? He came to us, yet we repeatedly wounded Him. Instead of retaliating, Jesus prayed, “Father forgive them.” He proved over and over again that His love was safe, that He was not our enemy.

Even when we rebel and sin He shows us mercy, working to restore us to Himself. It is His kindness , the Scriptures say that lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4). He repeatedly shows Himself trustworthy, merciful and loving. He knows that, in time, we will come to rest in His goodness. And as we do, we let Him reach into our cage; we climb upon His hand, and He carries us on His shoulder.

As He has been to us, so He wants us to be toward others, even those who may appear hostile and alienated from us. Paul tells us, “Love suffers long” (1 Corinthians 13:4 NKJV). We must be willing to let ourselves be wounded, even repeatedly if necessary, in pursuit of healing relationships. We must prove, not just in word but indeed, that our love is real and our hearts are trustworthy. Whether we face divisions in families, churches, or in the racial conflicts we see today, only when trust is established, can healing begin.

Waiting At The Window

There is one thing that almost everyone does when they get up in the morning. It is just a natural thing for us to look out the window or door because we want to know what the weather is like. Many decisions we make for the day are based on the weather. We decide what to wear based on the weather and some times people even let the weather dictate their mood for the day.

The thought came to me of how we never really know what life is going to bring us each day. It could be a "stormy" day where everything goes wrong or maybe a day of "sunshine" where lots of good things happen. Perhaps the day brings a little bit of "drizzle", just enough to cause confusion in a situation. This is why I think that "Waiting At The Window" first thing in the morning is very important. Beginning your day with God will make all the difference in the world when it comes to what you may encounter throughout that day. We can be prepared for what awaits us if we take the time to receive from God.

No matter what awaits us beyond that window, no matter what storms that life may bring, we can always find that calm and peaceful place in God. It is always a special time if we choose to sit by the window in the cool of the morning, a quiet and peaceful place alone with God, daily glimpsing through the window of hope, waiting on the word for a situation.

"I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord, more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning" (Psalm 130:5-6)