Dear Heartstrings family and friends,

We don't often hear the word domain. It sounds rather stuffy and old. At least in my ears. Today, it is relevant. We either live in the domain of Satan or the domain of God Almighty. Pause and think about this.

Will you continue walking, choosing and communicating. We all have been given a path. We choose. We do this every day of our lives. One leads to destruction and eternity of bondage and pain apart from God. One path leads to eternity in the sweet presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

I know how the enemy works in my own life. He distracts me and tempts me to follow my own will. What I want. What I think is best. But, as I have said before...Father knows best. 

It is not the matter of my physical troubles, although Jesus heals. It is not the matter of my emotional discontent, because Jesus fills with all we need. It is not a matter of the spirit behind the day I am living in, because Holy Spirit covers me and helps me to stay true to the path. I have to ask myself, what spirit am I following? What will my mind dwell on? What will please Father God?

WE give thanks to God! I will let His Word speak. Colossians 1:10- "That you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing  in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition]."

We really can choose to walk in His domain, His kingdom. In the intimacy and fullness and freedom our hearts long for. The world cannot supply us with this so if you are looking for answers there, you will be deceived. 

Verse 11-12 says, "[We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light."

Verse 13-14 says..."[The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins."

What a Mighty God we serve! Why cave into the depravity of those calling us to follow them! We each choose where we will stand. Even though most days, there is something to complain about...I am trying. And God knows I am dust. But, He will not give up on me unless I continually square my shoulders and turn from Him. His grace goes far beyond what I can imagine!

Read on in Colossians and ask Holy Spirit to teach you, to reach you. He will honor that prayer. I will leave you with this. Colossians 1:23 says,

"[and this He will do] provided that you continue to stay with and in the faith [in Christ], well grounded and settled and steadfast, not shifting or moving away form the hope [which rests on and is inspired by] the glad tidings (the Gospel), which you heard and which has been preached to every person under heaven."

Once you ask Jesus to forgive you of sins He redeems your life back to the Father and then seals you with Holy Spirit. This is where eternity is changed. Simply by coming to Jesus Christ. We are transferred into His Kingdom, His domain. He is then our first love.

I have read this chapter before and every time I learn how to lean and rely more upon the Lord. This Word is Living and will never let me down. All I need is found. All I desire is found. He is Faithful and True. I pray that you will spend time alone with Him today. No matter what you suppose to be true by the words of others, check it out for yourself. Because you alone will stand before Him. Pray for one another and continue even when it seems no one is praying for you. My God can do anything!

Abundance is...walking in the Light

Hello Heartstrings family

There is little time for fluffy words. Only the True Word of God is what stands the tests of time. One after another family members are leaving this earth. Suddenly it makes the reality of how tender life is a reason for me to pause and enter into silence.

I have spent time trying to satisfy my pain. Both emotional and physical. With the same fiction that I used to be drawn to. The war with Israel is real. Not a game. The loss of one family member or friend is real. Not a game. All of my idols are crumbling at my feet. The things and the plans I trusted are in a pile of broken pieces. Who can deliver me?

If you are asking the same questions, then come away with the Lord. Into His presence. There will be rejoicing even in the midst of tears. Sorrow and sadness, yes, but assurance that Gods Love is abounding and rich in mercy and grace. Trust the Lord with your heart today.

Find a quiet place to open your Bible and read Gods Love Letter. You won't be disappointed, I promise!

Psalm 43:5 has really come alive to me. "Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my [sad] coutenance, and my God."

You know king David? When his son was dying he mourned and grieved intensely. When his son was dead, king David got up, washed and put on clean clothes and went on rejoicing. The people around him didn't understand why the sudden change. David knew the secret.

Do you? Will you cling to Jesus my friend? With all that has come upon you do not forget God. So important! Do not run to your idols. Get rid of them and turn any and all over to the Lord. 

I am finding I really can do without them! In fact, what once soothed my soul turns out to be the deceivers tools. There is such freedom in following hard after God!

Finally, from Psalm 42:8 I will close with this..."Yet the Lord will command His loving-kindness in the day time, and in the night His song shall be with me, a prayer to the God of my life." 

May the peace of God and the fellowship of His presence be with you now and for always. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Abundance is...now and for always

Welcome to Heartstrings!

We hear all the time about wars and rumors of wars. For some, the effects of war hit too close to home. If it doesn't, be prepared for the day may yet come that will touch you deeply. 

I do not want to bring you down. These are just the facts. Where do you go when the sounds of war are so close? And, why not prepare now? It never pays to be laid back and unaware.

I know for myself, the battle comes even to me. My spirit wrestles when night falls and my mind longs for peaceful slumber but, instead I get to pace the floor, repeating the scriptures and lifting praise along with those prayers I send up to God. 

Today, once again, I turn to the Word of God. Ephesians 6:10 says..."In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

I am unable to draw strength from the media, social or otherwise. Although, I am always listening for a good report or scripture to encourage my soul.

"Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil."

Have you noticed how David prayed in the Psalms? He could have written these verses by his own experience. The armor that Saul supplied was inadequate, too heavy. God showed Himself to be enough when David faced Goliath! It only took one of those smooth stones to do the job to lay the giant out flat. I love that!

"Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]."

Resisting the enemy is a choice. Yes, the days are becoming more obvious with evil. There is danger. At each time of crisis we are given all we need to stand firmly in place. God is with us!

The next few verses...14-18 tell us what God's supply looks like. Read it several times and make this your prayer everyday. Thank God for the supply! It is all we need.

We hold our ground with the belt of Truth. We stand in integrity and morality with God wearing the breastplate of righteousness. Our feet are prepared to face the enemy with stability, promptness and readiness that is produced by the Good News of Peace. We lift high the covering shield of faith which will quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked one. We wear the helmet of Salvation and the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God to fight the enemy.

And one more important thing...we pray at all times, at all times in every season in the Spirit. We stay alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all God's consecrated people.

Always give thanks to God for His perfect provision. In all circumstances, at all times. So, be empowered through your union with the Lord Jesus Christ. Where ever you are be looking up and follow in His steps. He will never leave you or let you down. You are loved and given an amazing free gift of Life. Be assured today that you have a home in heaven waiting for you. Bless you all in the matchless name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Abundance is...He is enough

Gather with us for Heartstrings

I know you must be busy. Life is moving so fast it seems I can't keep up with all that is going on. Why should I? Because to give up and give in to fear, worry, anxiety is to accept defeat. This is not the time for that resolution. But, we are encouraged to know the heart of God and invite Him to teach us, to lead us into all truth. Ask for His counsel and wisdom today, whatever your circumstances.

Time IS short isn't it? The most I can do some days is just to give thanks to the Lord. I want to keep my eyes fixed on Him. My place to know what to do and where to go are found in God's precious Word. There is life!

Are you a child of God? Romans 8:16 says..."The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God."

Are you Redeemed from the hand of the enemy? Psalms 107:2 says..."Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has delivered from the hand of the adversary..."

Do you know you are forgiven?  Colossians 1:13-14 says..."[The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins."

So then, you have been saved by Grace through faith! Rejoice with me! Ephesians 2:8 says..."For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God."

If you are striving, you are not believing God is in control. If your life is bound up in the issues of life, obviously you haven't been made free. Shake off the dust that has covered your feet and turn, repent, and your walk will be lighter. Just knowing God is in control of all that concerns you will make your heart light. Surrender. His eye is upon you and His heart is for you.

I keep thinking about heaven. Do you want to be there? You only have two choices you know. And, yes, there is a hell. A dark separation from God. It is risky to play games when your life could be snuffed out in a moment. Look around you. See. So many die without the gift of eternal life. Their choice was made. What will you decide?

There is so much found in God's Word. Jesus brings Life, Peace and Hope to your story if....you will allow Him the place of Master. He is not cruel as you have known earthly masters. And, Holy Spirit is drawing you to come closer, isn't He? Why depend on the counsel of the world or even your family. You may hear that you are a Christian because you were born into your family and they have always attended church. No, you, and I were born in sin like all the other people walking this earth.

Each person decides Who they will serve. Now is the time. It really is the eleventh hour! Time may not play out the way you hope. That job may not come. That son or daughter may not return home. That doctors report may not bring good news.

What matters is where you will spend eternity. I pray you choose the right Master. Ready Romans chapter 8, if you have decided to follow Jesus. It is a road map you will understand.

I pray you know you are chosen by the Father, redeemed by the Son and sealed by the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus! The trinity is for you! Rejoice that you have been brought into the family of God!

If this should be my last entry to Heartstrings, I sincerely pray you see clearly, with open eyes and heart, you need Jesus. WE all do. May you find eternal peace today in the matchless name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Abundance is...ready and waiting

Dear friend of Heartstrings,

Are you thirsty? What are you thirsty for? Do you know you can come to Jesus, the Living Water and find your thirst satisfied. Right now. Why wait?

A memory was triggered for me while reading in Isaiah about chapters 40-44. I saw myself there. From a decision I made in my past. A time of searching for an answer to remedy my hate for how my body looked. I didn't measure up. It was so ingrained in my thinking, this lie, that I was never really comfortable without my masks and just so cover-ups. I was so ashamed that I didn't even run to God Who made me! 

I new from a young age that God made us. That we are fearfully and wonderfully made. You know Psalm 139? Well, I hated that Psalm and felt so agitated to the point of yelling at God for the mistake He designed me to be. I never once looked up to His face or I would have seen the incredible, boundless love He had for me.

I chose the way of altering surgery, to enhance my womanhood. The consequences nearly killed me! I cried out to God for forgiveness. Soon, I accepted His perfect love and still went through some extremely rough years. While going through it though, I knew He was with me and would take me to the other side. Somehow, someday.

To make a long story short, now years later, I want you to believe with all your heart how precious you are. You are made by Him the same Author of this heaven and earth and all creation. What was intended for evil, God will make good. No matter what your circumstances are or if you are still running in the opposite direction of His forever love. His arms are open wide to hold you and comfort you.

I don't know who I am speaking to today. I only know I had to obey. I wish we could sit together and share stories of God's wonderful mercy and grace! Someday. Heaven will be wonderful! All that suffering will be tried on the fire. The dross gone and in its place beauty from the ashes. We are promised the oil of gladness for our mourning and a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness! That also is found in Isaiah. Search it out.

I make this my personal scripture...Isaiah 43:1..."But now [in spite of past judgements for Israel's sins], thus says the Lord, He Who created you, O Jacob, and He Who formed you, O Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives];I have called you by your name; you are Mine."

It was not God's plan that I make bad choices. It was His plan though to save me through those bad choices. There will still be times ahead. Deep waters that I must trust Him to go through with me. He promised I would not be overwhelmed. When the fire blazes in my life, as troubles do come, I will not be scorched or burned. 

For the Lord my God is the Holy One. He is able to keep me. He is able to keep you. Do not fear to call out His name people! He is longing to hear your voice directed to Him, not see you chattering your worship to a dumb idol. Pause and think about this!

He made us to set forth His Praises. We still have a short time here to bless the heart of the Lord by telling others His Great Love. Do not sit there till the enemy makes you sleepy. Get up and shine the Light. Offer fresh Living Water to all who are thirsty. They cross your path everyday. Do not assume they are okay. Ask. They, most of the time, tell you what is troubling them if you ask if you can pray for them. Trust God to make all your appointments.

I pray in the matchless name of Jesus Christ that fresh Life and Liberty will fall upon you through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Abundance is...we have a story to tell