The Greatest of These. . .

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8) 

It is by faith in Christ Jesus we are saved.  Salvation requires no work, only an acceptance to the freely given gift of grace from our God.  We believe in Him, fill our hearts with faith and receive the forgiveness He offers.  Our faith in Him can move mountains.  Through Him all things are possible.

"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.  May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you." (Psalm 33:20-22) 

As we continue our journey with Christ, we place hope in Him.  With each situation encountered, our hope in Him helps to persevere.  Under any trial our faith in Him strengthens our hope for Him to help and protect.  Our confidence lay in Him.  We believe, have faith and fill our hearts with hope in our fixed future in Heaven.

What about LOVE?

Well, you can be in relationship with another and stay faithful to them, hoping for the bright future you see ahead.  You trust the other, whether it is a spouse or friend, and know that the relationship is real, committed and strong.  You may long for the specific events planned for the future with the other.  You place hope in the other to help when needed.  As confidence in the other grows and the desires of the heart fulfill, the relationship strengthens.  But something remains empty; missing from the relationship. 

"For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." (Galatians 5:5-6)

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 John 4:8-10)

A marriage or friendship would not survive on faith and hope alone.  Expressing love to one another brings two hearts together, strengthening the bond.  My face lights up each time my husband declares love for me.  I will come home from a long day and he greets me at the door with a hug, dinner is ready to be served and the kids helped keep the house tidy.  My heart fills with joy.  Each time a friend invites me to spend time with them, I am ecstatic.  I know that I am loved through the acts of others to whom I have a relationship.

Well, God desires the same from us, His children.  He yearns to see the love you have for Him.  He first loved us and sent His Son to die and wash away all sin.  Now is the time for us to express our love and thanks to Him.  He sent us here to Earth to gain a relationship and further His Kingdom with children to enjoy what all He offers.  Yes, by faith we are saved.  Yes, through hope we trust and rejoice in what is to come.  But, if we do not love with all of our heart, the other two mean nothing.  God wants to feel loved, honored, important and accepted into our lives. 

What does love for God look like?  Well, for me, it is thanking Him each time I sit to eat, walk leisurely, go through a day without feeling the need to exercise, smile, laugh, receive comfort from my family or kiss my kids good night.  Love for Him reveals in my life by spending time with Him, inviting Him in each moment, mentioning Him with every opportunity and praying through deep conversation daily.  My love for Him cannot be put into words.  I am so blessed to have Him as my father and I cannot express to Him enough of the thanks and love I feel.  But, I plan on taking every day I am given to try and give back the love that I received from Him.  Will you join me today and express love to Him?

God, thank you for this day.  Thank You for my health, for saving me from the bondage I experienced, for giving Your Son to die and wash away all the yuck and sin in my life and for loving me just as I am!  My heart fills with faith in You and hope in all that You will provide for my life.  But most of all, my heart fills with love and such appreciation for the life I have been given.  I know your grace continues each day and I am free through You.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig   

A Perfect Pick

Today marks a wonderful day for our family.  Today my heart fills with thanks for all God does in my life.  Today I receive answers to all prayers.  Today I see a handsome, loving, faith-filled, young man make a stronger commitment to serving God.  Today, my husband becomes a deacon in our church. 

My husband portrays the perfect example of a man after God's own heart.  My husband accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior a few years back.  Since that day, my husband diligently seeks wisdom, direction and comfort from God.  God wraps His arms around my husband and guides his feet to the path leading to Him. 

My husband continually directs our family to Truth, uses each day to express love towards us, keeps an even temper, study His Word and serves wholeheartedly.  God placed my husband in charge of our household, to love and cherish me (which some days can be quite difficult) and the kids.  He never falls short in my eyes.  Each day, I feel my love has reached full capacity; just then, he does something that stretches that love even more. 

Today, a deacon will be added to the others at our church.  I may be bias, but I believe the church could not have picked a better man for the position.

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.  Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.  He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.  He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.  They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.  They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.  Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:1-13)

Today, I am so proud of my husband.  I am so happy for him to have the fulfillment of God in his life.  The light of God shines through this man every day.  

Thank you God for another day.  Thank You for my husband.  Continue to lead him and guide him.  The devil will prowl around and try to steal this life devoted to You.  Protect my husband and shield him from the enemy's schemes and lies.  Thank You for all the answered prayers I have sent up.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.

Sheree Craig       

NEVER too Late!

“Even now,” declares the LORD,
   “return to me with all your heart,
   with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

 Rend your heart
   and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
   for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
   and he relents from sending calamity. (Joel 2:12-13)

It is NEVER too late to begin a life centered on God.  You have the choice to believe in Him, trust His ways and follow His plan for your life.  You exist not by chance or accident.  Every event and every breath happens for a reason.  God does not create a person without a plan.  A construction site will not break ground without a blueprint, the proper equipment at hand and a reason for the structure to exist.  Whether it be a house, workout facility, shopping center or restaurant; someone had an idea, a plan and a purpose to build.  Well, my friends, God did not bring you to being without a plan and purpose.  He provides the exact tools needed to complete any task given to you. 

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." (Romans 15:4)

  

"and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:15-17) 

"In him we were also chosen,having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:11-12)

The time is now, today, this very moment, to accept Him as your Lord and Savior.  It is not too late to begin life fulfilling the plan set for you.  He will take all of you (past, present and future) and work it out to conform to His purpose and will.  Put Him first every day.  Let Him lead every step.  Use the tools and equipment provided in Scripture to become a servant of Christ.  His Word brings encouragement, guidance, forgiveness and a way of living that results in an Eternal life next to Him.  He will meet you just where you stand today, now, in this very moment.

Vacant land will remain until someone takes initiative to delegate an idea.  Once the first brick is laid, then step by step the structure comes to life and fulfills a great purpose for the once desolate land.  Refuse to let your heart, body and soul remain vacant.  Fill your whole being with Him.  Accept Him into your life and He will begin planting seeds, one by one to bring to life all the plans and purposes He holds for you.  You were chosen, predestined to live according to His blueprint, unique to you.  Will you take that blueprint today and agree to fulfill His purpose?  Break ground today and build a life to further His Kingdom.  It is NEVER too late to begin.

God, thank you for this day.  Thank You for the chance to begin life all over.  I know that Your mercies are new every morning and my past is pardoned.  Today, I choose You and know that pleasant things are in store for me.  Thank You for guaranteeing a future life in Eternity with You.  Thanks for providing the tools needed to stay in concordance with Your will.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

Don't Deny your Heritage

It amazes me to watch my daughter/son act like me or my husband.  It is as though I am looking in a mirror or watching an old home video of myself or my husband.  This makes sense because, as we all know, a child possesses equal parts of DNA from each parent.  Even more so, both children look up to my husband and me as an example of how to act in this world. 

Some characteristics they display are innate, while others learned.  For example. . .

• My daughter chews on her tongue while dribbling a basketball (innate b/c she has never watched me play).
• My son watches sports intently and makes the calls (learned from his dad).
• My son draws fantastically (innate from his dad).
• My daughter cleans like none other (learned every day of her life by watching me).

The above only lists a couple examples.  I could write down numerous I see daily.  As they grow, they may choose to change some of the learned characteristics.  They may refuse to partake in the innate characteristics, denying the similarities to us.  But, they will never lose the chemical makeup inside.  They will not forget what they learned from my husband and me as they grew each year.  They each have the choice to allow these characteristics to be active in their lives or lay dormant and create their own ideas of how to live and what little quirks to display.

"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:26-29) 

"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children  and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2) 

DNA comes from both parents through fertilization; but, one more additive exists when an embryo is created.  God's hand is present and touches every fiber of our being.  Therefore, God is in us from the beginning.  He is with us at all times from fertilization through Eternity.  We must choose to activate His character in our lives and allow Him to guide our motions, mouths and meaning here on Earth.  We were created by and for Him.  We each are heirs to God and cannot lose Him Who resides within.  Unfortunately, we have the choice to allow Him to live actively within us. 

The example of His Son, Jesus is given freely for us to follow.  There again, we have the choice to follow or ignore the teachings in His Word.  Failing to follow Him, leads to destruction.  If we choose to create our own ideas of how to live, follow a path laid by ourselves and deny our heritage; we lose our Eternal life in Heaven. 

By looking at and observing my children's behavior, others clearly see to whom they belong.  My children stand proud and gleam when others say, "You look just like your dad/mom," or, "You act just like your mom/dad."  Let us, as children of God, clearly show others by our actions to Whom we belong.  Let us be proud to display characteristics of our Father.  Begin every day by asking God to actively be in your life.  Shine His glorious light wherever you travel.

God, thank you for this day.  Thank You for the freely given gift of grace and acceptance into Your family.  Please send Your Holy Spirit to be active in my life today.  Consume my whole being and shine Your light through me so others see clearly to Whom I belong.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

Enduring Each Season of Life

I dread the cold winters.  My blood pressure remains low; so, the cold weather increases the chill I experience regularly due to BP.  I spend most of my time throughout the day trying to stay warm.  I find it hard to function.  I would much rather bundle up in my robe and blanket and remain still for the day.  I am not really worth a hoot during the cold months.  I become so exhausted trying to get warm.  It feels impossible to survive the day.

My van dreads the cold winters about as much as I do.  The cold engine has a difficult time functioning correctly.  I must allow enough time for my van to warm up or driving may become risky.  If the engine is cold, the accelerator refuses to do its job and the gages will give up and fail to work.  The van lacks the power to work under such terrible conditions.   

I believe my van and I would rather bypass this season and begin the summer months.  

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Hebrews 10:35-36)

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)

Although I would love to live only the warm months and remain comfortable, I know I cannot.  My van also must endure the cold months.  Outside circumstances, beyond my control cannot cause me to give up.  I need to learn what I must do to persevere; layer my clothing, take hot showers, drink something warm, and try to avoid the outside for long periods of time.  My van must be kept in tiptop shape to survive the winter.  It needs proper care; oil changes, tires with good tread, full tank of gas, etc.

In order for us to fulfill our purpose in life and not give up, we must refuse to allow outside circumstances, the evil in this world, to alter our faith and perseverance.  Though many trials will come in this lifetime, God never leaves our side.  He remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  He provides strength to endure, learn, increase faith and uses those times we experience to help others.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.  This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." (Proverbs 3:5-8) 

Our physical health plays a huge role in surviving hardships.  Our bodies must be at the level of health God intends to better endure hardships.  Give God your menu plan each day, your level of activity, your addiction to toxins and the contents that fill your mind.  He knows what is best for each of His children.  He will help you eat right, exercise properly, avoid harmful ingestions and provide Truth to fill your thoughts.  Then, you are better equipped to face any trials that may come.  He is with us and will take care of us!

I believe we all would love to live only the good times in life and remain comfortable.  Sorry, this is not what God intends.  He wants to grow our faith, strengthen our walk and shine His light through us under the most difficult circumstances.  Some days may feel impossible to survive or you feel lacking in strength to endure such terrible conditions; but, take heart He has overcome the world.  The battle is already won and He who is in you is greater than anything this world will throw at you!

God, thank you for another day.  Thank You for all the tools to survive, endure and persevere.  Continue to teach me the necessary steps to function and fulfill Your plan on my life.  Keep me nourished.  I give my meal plan to You today to fill my body with enough food for me.  I give you my activity level so I may not exceed the amount of movement for my body frame.  Feed me Your Word constantly so I may keep my spirit filled.  I trust in You for You created me and know what is best for my life.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

He will Respond

My daughter spends most of each day asking questions.  She will inquire about anything unfamiliar to her so to better understand a new concept, situation or item.  She will send out requests often for a snack, drink or specific toy.  Upon leaving the house, she will call upon me for socks, shoes, coat and security blanket (we dare not leave home without it).  I quickly respond to each inquiry to appease my daughter.

My day consists of losing, forgetting and dropping items.  I lose my keys, my 'to do' list, my cell
phone (yes, I have called it from our land line many of times) and my patience multiple times throughout a 24 hour period.  I will walk into a room and forget the very reason I went in there.  At work, I will drop everything I touch.  Numerous times throughout my shift I drop coin from a transaction.  My day also consists of seeking those lost items, racking my brain to remember what I am to do and closely scanning my perimeter to find items dropped.  More often than not, all things are found and completed.

My husband will not let anything get past him.  He would not walk past a door without opening it to see what lies on the other side.  He tries new things, figures out solutions to problems and remains confident in any task presented to him.  He succeeds more than not.  If he avoided trying or feared stepping out in the unknown, then very little would be accomplished.  He gives every situation and task 100% effort.

Where am I going with this one? . . .

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8) 

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ (Jeremiah 33:3)

"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29)

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." (Ephesians 5:15-17) 

Call to God always.  Ask Him for guidance.  Seek wisdom from His Word.  Listen closely, with all your heart, mind and soul to clearly understand His answers.  Once the answer is clear, do not fear the unknown.  Take every opportunity given, every open door presented and each moment lived to fulfill your purpose.  God will clearly show you the way when you ask, seek and open doors!

God waits to for you to come to Him.  He will respond to questions and concerns.  He will come to you as you pursue Him.  He will provide opportunities for you and not leave you without purpose.  These are promises found in His Word.  He fulfills all of His promises, so relax and believe in Him to provide, be present and allow favorable circumstances.  Trust in Him will all your heart and live in His timing, not yours.  Open that door to the unknown with the full confidence in God!   

God, thank you for another day.  Thank You for the opportunity to work and serve You.  I am here to obey Your commands and step out into the unknown without question.  I know You will provide strength through every situation and make all things work for the good.  Thanks for listening to me, being present every moment and guiding me to fulfill my purpose in this life.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

In His Presence

I experienced one of those days.  The kind which feels like Heaven!  The last day of my Christmas break I spent carefree, joyously, in the presence of my most favorite man and filled with smiles.  It actually began the night before. . .
. . .I became excited before laying my head down to sleep, knowing the next day would be a whole day spent on a date with my husband.  I awoke with a smile, went about my morning ritual and helped the kids get ready.  My husband drove our son to school and came back to pick me and our daughter up.  We dropped her off at my mother-in-laws for the day.  Then, our date officially began.  We had a few goals in mind, but nothing set in stone for our time together.  I felt like we turned back time to high school when many of dates were spent traveling to a nearby city to shop, eat and maybe catch a movie. 

We shopped, held hands, laughed, enjoyed some Starbuck's, shopped some more and ate lunch at a place we often visited in our younger years.  At each store, we helped one another pick out clothes.  We stayed by each other's side and rarely separated.  The day was all about US!  I mentioned that I wished this day could last forever. 

But, Satan never misses a beat.  He tried to steal my joy, but I refused and clung to God's Word and presence.  Satan threw lies my way each time I stepped in a dressing room, when I entered Starbuck's, the moment I sat down to pick out lunch and then again at supper.  He also tried to bring anxiety to me as we ate lunch later than my usual time.  I firmly said, "Satan, get behind me and quit trying to be a stumbling block to my joy.  Leave this day for God, Brian and me to enjoy."  The enemy even had the audacity to try and end my night with anxiety.  Snow and ice fell to create a disaster for traffic.  The bridge that led us home shut down.  We traveled our 25 miles home in 2 and 1/2 hours. 

In the past, knowing my night did not occur as planned and that we would need to eat supper out after already eating lunch out, would have sent me in a tailspin.  Then, not sticking to a schedule for my meals and allowing for specific obsessions and compulsive behaviors I must complete; plus trying on clothes all day and seeing myself in the mirrors continuously, would have sent me over the top.  Boy, God has brought me a long way.  I clung to Him and I enjoyed every minute of my day with my husband.  The travel home allowed Brian and I to bond even closer as we reminisced of the 'old days'.  Thank You God for a glimpse of Heaven!  Thank You for allowing me to see how far I have come through Your strength!

"Teach me your way, LORD;
   lead me in a straight path
   because of my oppressors.
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
   for false witnesses rise up against me,
   spouting malicious accusations.

 I remain confident of this:
   I will see the goodness of the LORD
   in the land of the living." (Psalm 27:11-13)

 "Give me a sign of your goodness,
   that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
   for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me." (Psalm 86:17)  

Our days are filled with goodness from God.  He continually confirms His presence among the living.  He will open your eyes to the progress made on the journey planned for you.  Praise Him for the blessings, healing, comfort, love, joy and peace.  His power will defeat any lies from our enemy.  Stay close to God and Satan will gain nothing on your life. 

God will throw His arms around you and protect from any schemes or lies coming at you.  He loves you unconditionally, never quits helping, comforts in every trial, provides strength to persevere and (did I mention?) never quits helping.  Rest assured, He always comes through for you.  Reach to Him to receive inner peace which passes all understanding.  He can and He WILL do immeasurably more for your life than you can ever ask or imagine.  Praise be to God always!

God, thank You for another day.  Thank You for being present in my every moment.  I enjoyed my day so much with You and my husband.  Thank You for such a loving, fun, faithful teammate here on Earth.  Continue to strengthen our relationship as we keep You at the center.  Thank You for bringing me to where I am today and defeating the enemy.  Lead me down the straight path always.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig