POWER!

I am sitting here on the morning of the 22nd of December, with my flannel lined jogging pants on, two pairs of socks, a sweater, AND a jacket!
It is COLD!!!
We have been without power since 4 am this morning! (it is now 10)

I was awake at 3 am – the wind was blowing hard, the power flickered off and on again a couple times at that point... Our little pup - (12 year old, 6 pound Yorkie) -
does not like the wind so he started to bark... we got up to let him out for a moment and he almost blew away!
I lit candles and hubby went out to get the generator going... He was supposed to slaughter Christmas turkeys today!
That won’t happen without electricity!

I began to think about how dependent we are on our power source!
No lights;
No heat;
No fan on the furnace;
No coffee;
No toast;
No oatmeal;
If all one has is an electric can opener – no tuna sandwich even!
Fridges and freezers stop working;
No phone;
No internet;
Can’t use the debit cards;
Can’t pump gas;
And --- on & on it goes!
We take it all for granted!
Well, - I do! How about you?

Oh Father God, please don’t let me take YOU for granted!

I can’t help but think at this time about the POWER source HE is!!!
I am so thankful that HE never “goes out”...
He never “flickers” off and on...
He is always there!
Always present!
Always waiting to supply HIS POWER to any situation in my life!
Thank You, LORD!

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God
for the salvation of everyone who believes:
first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Romans 1:16

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love
and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary,
they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10: 3-5

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,
he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Hebrews 1:3

Our God is a powerful God; His Word is powerful; Thru His Holy Spirit indwelling us He gives us His power; And that POWER is our weapon against the enemy!

I am so thankful for the power He gives me to overcome fears; to maintain peace in the midst of painful circumstances; to stand strong against the devil; He is the SOURCE of it all...
But –
If I don’t stay connected – plugged in - to that source - my power goes out!
My strength is diminished; My fears return; My thoughts get taken over by the enemy;
And I begin to get ‘cold’... Cold towards Him; towards others;
His power keeps my heart soft – without it my heart hardens!

Dear Father God,
May I never take You for granted!
May I always be aware of the Source of POWER that You are to me!
May I stay deeply connected to You!
In all circumstances!
Thank you, Lord for the POWER that you give to us when we choose to believe you!
Praise you,
In Jesus name,
Amen.

Dear friends,
This is my prayer for you this day...
As we move into a New Year I pray that you will connect to Him on a deeper level than ever before!
That you may KNOW and BELIEVE that He is the ultimate POWER Source; That He is your Strength and Shield!

Have a blessed day - In HIM!
Resting in HIM,

Ruthie

“SHOULD”

Have you ever thought about the number of times you say
the word “SHOULD” in the run of a day?
Have you ever thought that by telling others they “should”
you are trying to control them?
Did you know that women wanting to control the people in their lives
is a result of the Fall as recorded in Genesis?

What have you felt when someone has said to you that you “should” -
blah, blah, blah...?
Has it left you feeling obligated
even though you might not fully agree with the “advice”?
Or do you see it just as an expression of opinion and that
it’s OK not to follow the “advice”?

What does this word actually mean?
The dictionary gives these definitions:
· Obligation or duty
· A recommendation but not a requirement
· Advice
· An expectation
· Expression of opinion

*** I wonder ***
Do women use this word more than men?
I’m not going to say that is so because I don’t know.
I do know that I use “should” more than my husband does!
Is that a good indicator?
Maybe – maybe not!
Think about your own experiences for a minute!
I know when I say he (hubby) “should” do something I have the expectation
that he will do it!
I’m giving my opinion but I think it’s a good opinion and
therefore he should do as I say!
WOW!
How crazy is that?
That means I’m pretty controlling...
That I know better than him!

As a counselor I have been trained not to place my opinions and expectations upon the client!
Not to give “advice”.
My role is to look at the situation objectively,
(using God’s Word as our guide)
and then come up with options that the client can choose from.
The final call is theirs – they make the decision ...

I was reading something the other day about women being “controlling”...
and it took me to Genesis 3...
“The Fall of Man”
This chapter is packed with “how not to be” in our human relationships!
{I am not going to say that you should read this before going on!!!!!}
J J J

Eve took charge –
She believed a lie –
thought she knew better than God Himself – because she believed the lie
she pulled her husband into the lie –
and as a result they were banished from the Garden of Eden!

Don’t get me wrong here –
Adam played a part in all of this but Eve took the “leading role” –
This was not the role God had intended for her.
He created her to be man’s helper – his helpmate!

God has been teaching me this for the past 3 -4 years ...
I am to be my husband’s helper;
I am to love, encourage, admire, respect, stand with, and build him up.

Genesis 3:16 –
Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you

I am quoting now from the The Nelson Study Bible – NKJV:
- the word “desire”
can also mean an attempt to usurp or control –
We can paraphrase the last two lines of this verse this way:
“You will now have a tendency to dominate your husband
and he will have the tendency to act as a tyrant over you.”
The battle of the sexes has begun.
Each strives for control and neither lives in the best interest of the other.
The antidote is in the restoration of mutual respect and dignity
through Jesus Christ.
This is a totally new revelation to me ...that the word ‘desire’ could also mean
I would want to dominate (control) him!

Go figure!
I thought it was the devil...
But it’s a result of the Fall! Sin! The curse!
I now see this in a different light!

Jesus has been changing me so much over the past few years ...
It is only through Him and His grace that the controlling nature has diminished ...
[Note - I didn’t say it was ‘gone’]
and the word “should” is slowly leaving my vocabulary.

I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

Ephesians 5:15-23...
These verse give us a pattern for our relationships!
We’ll look at these another time -
for now I pray that you will read and mediate on these Scriptures...
and let the Lord make the necessary changes in you
to become the woman He’s created you to be!

Blessings on you today!
Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

Think on These Things

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just,
whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely,
whatever things are of good report,
if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy –
meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:8 (AMP)

He Spanned the Gap

There’s a gap that exists between God and man –
that He spanned when he went to the cross.

He came to earth, birthed in a lowly manger...
Now He sits on a glorious throne!

He was rejected, beaten,
Cursed and oppressed –

Resurrected!

And reigning on high!

This season we celebrate is only half of the story!
Let’s remember the cross
as we celebrate His birth!

Resting in Him,
Ruthie

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life.

It’s Christmas Time!

Dear Lord,
It’s Christmas time –
A time to honor Your birth.
Born of a virgin;
in a manger;
coming to earth as both man and God!

As we delight in the lights and the gifts,
and family, and friends –
may we keep YOU in our hearts...
And remember -
You are the greatest gift of all!

We love You, Lord!
Thank you, Jesus!


Have a very Merry Christmas time!
Blessings of the Season to you!
With Love,
Ruthie

“A Baby Changes Everything”

These words were part of the chorus of a song that was sung as a special in church this morning...
(I am writing this on Sunday afternoon although
it won’t be posted for probably a week or so!)

A beautiful song, beautifully sung!
A baby changes everything! How true!

The baby Jesus – God – coming to earth as a babe in a manger!
To save the world!
To bring forgiveness, love, peace, hope, and joy to us!
How amazing!!!
I am so thankful for this truth!

As I reflected on this after lunch,
I remembered when my daughter told me she was pregnant;
how I knew her life would never be the same;
how that baby would change everything.
However, I truly didn’t know how much it would change my life!
Any grandmothers out there that can say “ditto” to that?
What an amazing journey we’ve been on for the past 6+ years!

I congratulated a young couple this morning on the news of their pregnancy...
I know the grandmother is waiting in anxious anticipation for the changes
this new baby will bring into her life – into this family’s life!

I have so many friends who are grandmothers!
Who would ever have thought it!
I guess I thought I’d stay 35 forever ... a mother!
But a grandmother?
Just goes to show yah that time does go on, and seasons of life come and go!

I feel led to share this poem with you today!
I wrote this immediately after Ang told me she and Paul were pregnant!
May this bring joy to your hearts!

To Our New Baby!

A Baby!
A Miracle from above!
A Baby!
We’ll shower you with love!

A New Life!
We don’t even know you yet!
A New Life!
We can’t wait ‘til we have met!

We’ll love you and guide you,
And teach you many things;
We’ll play with you, nurture you;
I know our hearts will sing!

We’ll cry with you, and hurt with you,
And kiss away the pain;
We’ll laugh, and love, and sing, and play
Thru sunshine and thru rain!

Know this for sure, my little one;
We love you from the start!
You’re wanted and you’re treasured,
You’ve captured all our hearts!

You’re a Blessing! And a Gift!
So Precious – from above!
A Wonder! And a Joy!
An expression of HIS Love!

May 12, 2002
Mother’s Day – from your Grammie!

On November 13 /02 – 6 weeks early – precious Madison Joy was born!
How true the words – a baby changes everything!
She had a rocky start; but I knew God was with her!
I have prayed for her from the moment I knew of her!
My heartfelt prayer being for her to know this other baby – Jesus –
Personally!

One day we had a conversation – she and I – and she was asking where Bampie was ...
“Bampie” was my dad who died when she was 3 - she doesn’t remember him but she recognizes him in pictures!
(I have a picture on my fridge of her, her mom,
and Bampie when she was quite little!)

I told her Bampie was in heaven –
Of course she wanted to know how he got to heaven.
Long story short, I told her that if we have Jesus living in our hearts –
if we’ve asked Him in – we’ll go to heaven when we die!
“I have Jesus in my heart”, said she!
And this grandmother broke into tears!

This Baby whose birth we celebrate this time of year WILL make a difference – WILL change everything – if we ask HIM into our hearts!

I pray for you all – that you know Him personally!
That you have allowed Him in – and allowed Him to change your life!
He WILL change everything!
Praise the Lord!

Blessings!
Merry Christmas!
Ruthie

Christ the Lord

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy which
will be to all people.
For there is born to you this day in the City of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be the sign to you:

You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:9

HE’S THE REASON !

He’s the reason I’ve been forgiven;
that I have peace;
that I walk in grace;
that I live!

He’s the reason I have a song I my heart;
that I am filled with joy;
that I am content;
that I live!

He’s the reason for rejoicing;
for trusting;
for growing!

He’s the reason for praying for the lost;
for the broken;
for the burdened!

He is the reason – the answer – to life eternal!
I am so thankful for the life He has given to me!
...so thankful for His coming to earth to save one such as I;
to save one such as you!

Dear friends,
Thank Him today for what He means to you!
For what He has done in your life!
And KNOW....
The best is yet to come!

Blessings on you!
Merry CHRIST-mas!
Ruthie

From the Cradle to the Cross

His love for us is so great
that He came to earth as a tiny babe,
with a manger for His bed.

He gave up the splendour of heaven for the corruption of earth,
to bring a message of love.

He lived as a man,
persecuted and ridiculed
because of the message he brought.

He was obedient to his Father’s will,
and sought to bring mankind to Himself.
He lived His love for us while He was here on earth.

His love for us is so great that he fulfilled His Father’s plan,
took our sins upon Himself and died on the cross for us...
For me!
For you!

His love for us is so great that He looks down from heaven
and desires for all to come to Him.

His love for us is so great that
it spans the gap from the cradle to the cross.

Father God,
I will never be able to fully express to You
the debt of gratitude I have for what you did for me!
Thank You, Lord!

Thank You, Lord, for coming to earth in a lowly manger
and then going to the cross for me!
Praise You Lord, for spanning the gap for me!


Dear Reader,
May these words reflect your thoughts today!
Express your love and gratitude to Him!

Christmas Blessings to you!
Ruthie

Immanuel

Just a note:
For the next 3 weeks I will only be posting 3 X per week...
“Thankful Tuesday” and "Truth-filled Thursday”
will return in 2009!!!
God Bless!


“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son
and shall call His name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14

Immanuel means “God With Us”!
This conveys the idea that God came down to earth in fleshly form,
lived amongst us,
extended His love to humans in order to save and redeem us,
and give us eternal life with Him!
WOW!

He is with us!
Scriptures tell us that He will never leave us nor forsake us!
He’s always there!
How comforting that is to me!

When I think about “God with us”
I also think of the Holy Spirit indwelling us
and us being “in Christ”.
I hope that’s not confusing!

When we turn our lives over to Him...
He saves us;
And the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us!

1 John 4:4
“Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world.”

We become new creations when we are “in Christ”...
when we become “born again”.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new.”
2 Corinthians 5;17

This doesn’t mean we become like Him over night...
It is a process –
He dwells in us!
And He changes us!
I am so thankful for that!

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,
who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
Romans 8:1

Those who are “in Christ” are not condemned!
We are no longer under the sentence of the law –
we are empowered by the Spirit to live for Christ!
Hallelujah!

I pray this Christmas Season will find you reflecting on
“God with us”;
“Christ in us”;
And “us in Christ”...
And what this means to you and your Life “With and In Him”!
Praise Him and Thank Him for these truths!

Blessings of the season!
Ruthie

BEHOLD!

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son,
and shall call His name JESUS.”

Luke 1:30-31

The Genealogy of Christ

Genealogy means “origin.
In the first-century days one’s genealogy proved that they were an Israelite,
the tribe they belonged to, and the qualifications of certain Jews for religious duties.

Do you know your genealogy?
Do you have a record of your genealogy? Who your ancestors were?
How far back in your history can you go?
I have some information related to “who begat whom” in my parent’s families... all because I have a sister-in-law who researches such things.
Actually, she traced back about 6 generations ago and found that my husband and I come from the same line way back there on our father`s side .... so we say we are “kissing cousins” !!!
:)

In Matthew1:1-17 we are given a record of the genealogy of Christ!
Have you read this or just skipped over it? There was a time when I skimmed it – and possibly skipped it – but now I find it amazing what one can see in Christ’s lineage!

Here is what one Study Bible says about the genealogy of Christ...

“Christ’s genealogy is crucial to historic Christianity. Matthew traced the lineage of Christ back to Abraham to show that He was a Jew, but also back through David to inform readers that Jesus is qualified to rule on the throne of David, an event still in the future.”

Another comment that I have read numerous times regarding the genealogy of this time period is that women weren’t usually mentioned.

I am quite taken with the fact that Matthew mentions 4 women besides Mary, the mother of Christ... and 3 of those 4 women had known sin in their lives!
· Tamar [v.3] – involved in a scandal with Judah
· Rahab [v.5] – a Canaanite harlot
· Uriah’s wife – Bathsheba [v.6] – sinned with David
· Ruth [v.5] – was not an Israelite

If you don’t know the stories of these women I encourage you to spend some quiet time researching their histories and checking out how our awesome God turned their lives around!
In His GRACE He forgave their sin and placed them in the lineage of Christ!
That just blows me away!!!!!

I am brought to tears thinking of women I know who feel so unworthy because of their own pasts or that of their ancestors! God can forgive and redeem it all if we just give our lives over to Him! His AMAZING GRACE does that for us!
Hallelujah!

I let the Spirit lead as I write these devotionals ... many times I’ve started with my own idea and God has taken it in HIS direction! I’m no longer surprised that He does that! However, I am AWED when He does!!! I ask Him for direction and guidance and wisdom, for His Words to be spoken here, for His Grace to be shown here – and invariably He takes control!!!
I KNOW He has a plan for me, and for everyone reading these ...
HIS PLAN!

My intent today was to talk about Christ’s lineage and the prophecy about His birth... I’ll leave that for another day!
God has led me in the direction of speaking to women – and men – who will turn their lives over to Him...
We don’t have to “have it all together” before we do that!
We don’t have to “be perfect” before we do that!
We don’t have to “have all the answers” before we do that!
We just have to KNOW that we are helpless and hopeless without Him!

Think about your lineage!
Will you be the one to begin a new line thru the generations?
Will you be the one to show future generations the King?
Will you be the one to see family saved because of your prayers?

I pray you will!!!
As you mediate on these thoughts today I pray for God`s blessing to be upon you!

Merry CHRIST-mas!
Ruthie

Jesus Before Pilate

Pilate was debating whether he had cause to execute Jesus.
He and Jesus had some discussion –
these words were spoken:

“You are a king, then!”said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king.
In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.
Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
John 18:37

Then Pilate questioned “what is truth”...

Do you ever ask that question?
You can KNOW that God’s Word is TRUTH!
Christ came to earth – the reason we celebrate this season of year – to bring TRUTH to a needy world!

This season fills me with joy and peace and hope – He is the “reason for the season”...
May that be your focus as you prepare for Christmas!
Keep the truth – Jesus Christ – as your focus!

Blessings to you!
Merry CHRIST-mas!

Ruthie

You’ve Been Tagged!

In the Blogger world people will “tag” each other – just like when we played tag as children!
I know you’ve all played that game...
Sometimes I didn’t want to be tagged and I ran like crazy – other times I wanted to be tagged so I could get someone!

When a blogger “tags” someone they usually have a list of questions for them to answer and post on their blog:
then that person tags someone else!

I wasn’t tagged as such – however, I was reading a Christian site and she had been tagged with this “BOOK TAG”:

“open the book closest to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56.
Write the 5th sentence, as well as 2 to 5 sentences following that.”

Her Bible was sitting alongside her and she wrote down the Scripture she found on that particular page! And then wrote about it! “What a cool idea”, I thought!

I looked around me and saw 3 Bibles on the table next to my computer, but on the chair right next to me was a Bible Commentary... I began to reach for a Bible but said to myself,
“Now, why would you do that ...the Commentary is closer!”

Here is what I read on page 56, 5th sentence –
On her knees she pleaded, Lord help me!
This took me to Matthew 15:21-28:
The Faith of the Canaanite Woman

First – Have you ever been in this position?
On your knees, pleading with Him to help you?
I have in the past and I’m sure I will be in the future!
And – I KNOW He is there and will do what is best for me!
I pray you know this too!

Second - Please read Matthew 15:21-28 before you go on!
This morning I read the Word – then the Commentary... I knew He eventually healed this woman’s daughter but I never understood what verses 26 and 27 meant.

I am quoting now from The Bible Knowledge Commentary – Walvoord & Zuck:
“To get away from the questionings of the religious leaders, Jesus withdrew from Israel and went north into the region of Tyre and Sidon, the Gentile coastal region of Phoenicia. Tyre was 35 miles from Galilee and Sidon was 60. There He met a Canaanite woman. Centuries earlier that area’s inhabitants were called Canaanites. She pleaded with Him to have mercy on her demon-possessed daughter. She addressed Him as Lord, Son of David, a messianic title.
But even that appeal could not help her, for the timing was not appropriate.
When Jesus failed to answer her and she persisted with her appeal, the disciples urged Jesus to send her away. They seemed to be asking, “Lord, why don’t You go ahead and help this woman?
She isn’t going to give up until You do.”
Jesus reminded them, I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel (Matt.10:6).
He had come to offer to His own people the kingdom promised through David centuries before. Thus it was inappropriate for Him to bring blessings on Gentiles before blessings fell on Israel.
But the woman was not easily discouraged.
She saw in Jesus the only chance for help for her child. On her knees she pleaded, Lord, help me! Jesus reply caused her to realize her position, for He said it would not be right to take the children’s’ bread and toss it to their dogs.
He was picturing a family gathered at mealtime around a table, eating food provided by the head of the household.
The Gentile woman saw herself in this picture. She was not a child of the family (of Israel) eligible for the choicest morsels of food. But she saw herself as a household dog (a Gentile; the Jews often called gentiles “dogs”) eligible to receive crumbs that might fall from the master’s table.
She was not wanting to deprive Israel of God’s blessings. She was simply asking that some of the blessing be extended to her in her need.
In light of such great faith (Matt.8:10), the kind of faith Jesus was looking for in Israel, He granted her request.
Her daughter was healed...that very hour. This gentile woman’s faith contrasted with Israel’s leaders who were rejecting Jesus.

Oh Father God!
Thank You for Your blessing upon me!
Thank You for making it such that I never need to feel like a “dog”, or that I’m not worthy to ask for Your help!
Thank you for sending Your Son!
Thank You for the work of the Cross!
Increase my faith that You might say of me “because of her great faith......”!
Praise You, God!

Dear Friends...
May this be your prayer today!
May you know that He is ready to help when you ask!
Do you have a need today that you’ve been unable to fix?
Do you see in Him the only chance for help?
Is your faith sure?
Do you need more faith?
Ask Him!
Pour it out to Him and He will help you!
Praise God!

I trust this has blessed you today!
I’m tagging you now!
Pick up the book closest to you at this moment , go to page 56,
and write down the 5th sentence you find there.....
You never know how God will use that in your life today!
Or you may be surprised to realize which ‘book’ you’ve been spending a lot of time in!

Blessings of the Season to you!
Merry CHRIST-mas!
Ruthie

THANKS!

I want to say a heartfelt “thank you” to all those who send along encouraging comments!
And comments telling me how God is speaking to your hearts!
It blesses my heart to know that God is speaking to you...
Praise HIM and to HIM be the Glory!!!!

I get lots of SPAM comments ... don’t understand how that works –
but I just delete them and keep on truckin’!
Blessings on yah!

THANKS
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15

His indescribable gift!
His SON!
The Holy Spirit!

Mercy!
Grace!
Redemption!
Forgiveness!
Love!
Peace!
Hope!
Joy!
Heaven!

Dear Father,
I am so very thankful for your gift to me –
to the world!
May we be ever aware of what you have done,
are doing and will do, for us, in us, and through us!
May we give YOU the Glory!
The Praise!
With a thankful heart I Praise You, Lord!
In Jesus Name, Amen!

Blessings to you today!
Merry CHRIST-mas!
Ruthie

The BEAUTY of a Woman!

I am writing this devotional specifically to women...
Just this morning I had a conversation with a lady who has recently divorced and who feels very alone – especially in this Christmas Season.

Every woman has an innate desire to be loved and cherished – just as she is!
To be seen as beautiful!
Not so much physically – but with that inner beauty that shines forth
and is attractive to those she comes in contact with!
It seems that the world we live in today focuses on the outward beauty of a woman.

Have you ever met someone who is physically beautiful but has an “ugly” spirit?
Maybe she harbours bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, anger.
This woman’s soul has been wounded and healing has not occurred.

In contrast, have you met someone whom the world may not say is “beautiful” but exudes the most gracious, loving, and tender spirit?

I have met both types of women... My heart’s desire is to be that one who has an inner beauty
that shines forth and attracts people.

I read something the other day that stated “a woman becomes beautiful when she knows she is loved”.

KNOW you are loved, dear sisters ...
Our Heavenly Father loves us with a love that is beyond any human love
KNOW it!
BELIEVE it!
And LIVE it!

A couple weeks ago Sunday arrived and I attended church...
Praise and worship was wonderful...
The music was very inviting and worshipful...
A little girl of about 3 – 4 years of age began to dance in the aisle... Twirling around so her dress flared out... I know she felt very “beautiful” at that moment in time!
She surely must have felt like a Princess!

I wonder...
Does she know she is a Princess?
Does she know she is Loved?
Does the divorced woman living alone know she is a Princess?
Does she know she is Loved?
Do you know you are a Princess?
Do you know you are Loved?

YOU ARE – YOU ARE !!!

With Jesus as your Savior, You are daughters of the KING! A Princess!

As woman we must open our hearts to Him – to His gentle calling upon our lives!

A couple years ago I read a book- “Captivating” by John and Stasi Eldredge...

And I am presently re-reading it.
I encourage you to get a copy and read it for yourself.
The following is a quote from these authors:

“A woman in her glory, a woman of beauty, is a woman who is not striving to become beautiful or worthy or enough. She knows in her quiet center where God dwells that he finds her beautiful, has deemed her worthy, and in him, she is enough.”

I say, “Hallelujah! Praise God!
Father God, I pray for everyone reading this to know they are worthy, they are beautiful...they are enough!”
(just couldn’t let that pass by without commenting! J)

“He will quiet you with his love” (Zeph.3:17).
“A woman of true beauty is a woman who in the depths of her soul is at rest, trusting God because she has come to know him to be worthy of her trust.
She exudes a sense of calm, a sense of rest, and invites those around her to rest as well.
She speaks comfort; she knows that we live in a world at war, that we have a vicious enemy, and our journey is through a broken world.
But she also knows that because of God all is well, that all will be well.
A woman of true beauty offers others the grace to be and the room to become.
In her presence, we can release the tension and pressure that so often grip our hearts. We can also breathe in the truth that God loves us and he is good.”

Dear sisters!
I felt I needed to share this with you –
I believe someone needs these words today!
I pray God speaks to your hearts to let you know that you are loved!
Pray for His words to fill your heart and soul so that you Live them out and that you Rest in Him!

Be still and know that I am God!
Psalm 46:10


For I KNOW whom I have believed!
And I REST in HIM!
Princess Ruthie
:)

Merry CHRIST-mas!

Ephesians 1:7

In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation)
through His blood,
the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses
(shortcomings and trespasses),
in accordance with the riches and generosity
of His gracious favor.

Ephesians 1:7 (AMP)

Jesus - in the driver’s seat!

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
Psalm 91:1-2

Last Thursday I travelled to my daughter’s in Sackville.
I arrived before she finished work, so when I picked up a house key from her she gave me directions to the sitter’s to pick up my granddaughter. I had no trouble finding the house,
managed to get Madison in her seat and off we went.
However... by this time it had turned dark and had started to rain...
somehow I got turned around and found myself “lost”!
This little voice from the backseat says,
“Grammie, I’m scared. I don’t like being lost.” I said, “Don’t be scared! Say a little prayer, and I’ll call Mommy and she’ll come get us!” So we said a prayer together, then I called Ang.
She told me to stay right where I was...she’d come to us!
Prior to this Madison and I had talked about all the things
we would do together over the next couple days ...
one of which was going out for supper that night - (just the girls!)
As we were following Mommy home, from the back seat I heard Madison say,
“Grammie, how about when we go out for supper we let Mommy drive.”

Of course, I agreed with her! and I marvelled at the unconditional faith and trust she has in her mom! How like a child who has learned to trust!
The first stage of development in a child’s life according to one expert is
“trust versus mistrust” which occurs in the first 18 months of life.
Some children don’t learn how to trust because of circumstances in their lives ... my heart breaks for them!

I also couldn’t help but think of myself and Christ!
When I try to be in the driver’s seat I get myself on the wrong road and I get lost.
I have said to Him, “Lord, I don’t like being lost!”
I need to give Him the wheel everyday and let Him drive!
Oh, how I want to have that unconditional trust and faith in my Lord!

Do you trust Him with everything? In everything?
Or are you still trying to control some aspects of your life?
Are you still at the wheel?
Like the song says...”Jesus, take the wheel”...
May this be your plea to Him -
not just in times of near crashes but always, everyday!
Is He at the wheel of your life?
Is He your PILOT?

I have seen a license plate that says, “Jesus is my co-pilot”...
When I see that I want to tell the driver of that vehicle that HE needs to be their PILOT... the one in control of everything!

Dear Friends,
Think about this today... What are you holding back from Him? And Why are you holding it back?

Give it all to Him, friend!
He is over all, in all and through all!
(Ephesians 4:6)

His rest and peace will come to you when you give Him control of your life!
I pray you will do that this day!

Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

TRUTH!

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6

Do you believe these words? I pray you do!

HE is the only way to the Father;
The only way of Salvation;
The only way to Heaven.

He reveals God to us;
His death and resurrection are the only Way to the Father!
Salvation can come no other way!

Dear Friends,
I pray these Words of our Lord resonate with you today!
If you are His – praise Him and thank Him!
If you don’t know Him personally –
THIS IS THE DAY!
Make today your “Salvation Day” by asking Him into your heart!
Bless you precious one!

Ruthie
For I KNOW whom I have believed!

The ROCK!

Many years ago I lived on a river.
In that river there was a large rock that was a visual guide for me to determine the water level of the river...

If I could see most of the rock, the water level was low;
If it was almost covered, or totally covered with water, of course, the water was high!
Many times I would look out at the river and take note of that rock – And I’d think,
“Jesus – THE Rock - is the guide for my life.
He is all I need to live my life by.
His Word is filled with instructions for me in my daily walk!”

Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

2 Samuel 22:42
The LORD lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let God be exalted,
The Rock of my salvation!

In Hebrew the word for ‘strength’ also means ‘rock’. God is our protector .... our strength and our stronghold!

The Scriptures – God’s Word –
The only Self-Help Book for living...
The only Marriage-Manual...
The only Child-Rearing Book we need...

HE – is all we need.

When I counsel with individuals or couples, I use God’s Word as the only Book we need to look to for guidance.
Not only does He give us direction, guidance, wisdom when we ask for it... He will strengthen and enable us to do what we need to do!
He will be our ROCK!
But only if we permit Him to!
He’s wants our active participation in changing our lives.

YES –
He is able – and He does change some things immediately upon salvation!

I recall a gal saying to me one time that she couldn’t understand why God had taken alcohol addiction away from someone she knew and left her still struggling with her addiction!
I know that God wants her to totally depend upon Him;
And she is doing just that!

He wants to be her Rock!
Her Strength!
Her Stronghold!

He wants to be YOUR Rock!
YOUR Strength!
YOUR Stronghold!

Dear friend,
I pray today that He is your Rock!
That He is all of this and more!
That your Strength comes from HIM and Him alone!
That your direction comes from Him and Him alone!
Meditate on this thought today and let Him be that for you!

Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

Thankfulness

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
2 Corinthians 9:15

His indescribable gift – HIS SON!
Does that not make your heart overflow with thankfulness?
It does mine!

Being thankful is not a “feeling” – It is an “attitude”!

Is it your attitude?
There are times when it is NOT my attitude because
my selfish nature gets in the way and I CHOOSE not to be thankful!
How silly is that?!

Dear One,
Learn to be thankful!
CHOOSE to be thankful!
Take on an attitude of thankfulness!
Don’t let your wishy-washy feelings dictate your attitudes every day!
Keep a gratitude journal –
Thank Him for His salvation!

Praising Him today, I remain
Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

“I AM”

Recorded in the Gospel of John,
are seven times when Jesus uses the words “I am”.

There are two things here that spark an interest of mine...
One being the number 7 and its use in scripture;
the other being the words “I AM”.

For now, I will tell you that the number 7 has three fundamental meanings:
· Full
· Complete
· Oath

And the number seven is scattered throughout His Word!
Why did He do that?

HUMMMMMMMMM...
That’s for another time!

This is by no means an exhaustive writing on the I AMs of Jesus
as recorded by John. My desire is to introduce them to you, and for you to spend some time studying them and what they mean to you!

· John 6:48 – Bread of Life
· John 8:12 – Light of the World
· John 10:9 – The Door
· John 10:11 – The Good Shepherd
· John 11:25 – Resurrection and Life
· John 14:6 – The Way, The Truth, The Life
· John 15:1 – True Vine

Just seeing those in print as a “list” makes me grateful,
and I can’t go on writing without thanking Him for Who He Is!
Thank You, Father for your provision for us thru Your Son!

Can you imagine living without sustenance, light, protection,
knowledge and truth,
connection, heaven?
I can’t!

There was a time in my life when I looked upon the “church” with some disdain! I bought into the thinking that Christians were hypocrites;
that this life was all there was anyway, so why did it matter?
Then a lady came into my life who lived her Christianity...
She showed love to everyone; had compassion and grace;
she modeled what the Christian life was all about.
The more time we spent together, the more I desired her peace,
her confidence, her grace, her gentleness.
I witnessed people ridicule her for her faith...
not to her face but behind her back...
She knew this though and she persevered!

I KNOW with all my heart that God was not willing that I should perish
and that He was drawing me to Himself!
Thank you, LORD!

At about this same time I began to hear that Jesus loved me!
That He is the Way, the Truth, the Life;
He is the Bread of Life;
The Good Shepherd;
The Door;
The Vine;
Resurrection and Life – eternity in heaven!
That He would bring Light, Peace, Joy, Confidence into my life!

I am (me - Ruthie) so thankful for HIS I AM(s)...
May they bless you today!
Meditate on these Scriptures and let them fill your heart with HIM!

Joy and Peace to you today!
Ruthie