Reba Bailes-Faith Filled Inspiration

Hello, thanks for joining me again.

Business first today. I am still having trouble with my comments page. I am getting some, although they might not look like it on your end. I will continue to work on it, but in the meantime, go ahead and comment in the box, and just hit enter when you are finished. Or you can sign up for emails as many of you have.  Thank you for your patience with this. My experience is that technology doesn’t always work as it should. Can you relate?

Through my efforts to write shorter blogs, today I will write about more that came to mind during yesterday’s blog. Namely my comment about the less fortunate and those of us who have more to give more. “For it is truly more blessed to give than receive.”

After time in the Word in my special quiet place, I lingered there. I decided to continue reading my “Art of Living” book by Norman Vincent Peale. Many of you are understandably unfamiliar with Mr. Peale. The copyright of this particular book is in 1937. His counsel using God’s Word, was instrumental in saving countless lives during the Great Depression. You may have heard of his book called “The Power of Positive Thinking”. This 1952 best seller encouraged millions and still does today. He tried to instill a spiritual renewal in America in those days. Does that sound like what is needed in America today?

In the “Art of Living” book I am in the chapter titled The Discovery of Happiness. I wanted to share some of the statements he made and a story he told that led straight to my statement “It is truly more blessed to give than receive”.

Norman started this chapter with a question. “If you could have the thing you most desire; if you could realize your dearest wish, for what would you ask?” He went on to say the wise man would conclude that the one great thing most to be desired in this fleeting life is that state or quality we call happiness. He states, “Happiness is something to be distinguished from pleasure”. In my Bible studies and blogs, I have pointed out the difference between happiness and joy. But as I read on, he describes happiness as a concept involving something much deeper, richer, more satisfying, more spiritual, and therefore longer lasting than pleasure.

This, in my opinion, describes joy. Joy/happiness is so much more than skin deep. It is bigger than and not reliant upon circumstances. And it is much larger than my emotions. I want the kind of happiness that comes from trusting God more than my circumstances, obeying God, and following God regardless of where that path leads, even if it is hard and means I leave my familiar comfortable places. This is the path to true joy/happiness. How about you? We do have a choice and we can settle for less. I admit, many times I have settled for less. But even at this age, I am learning to follow the Better Way. Thank You, Lord, Your ways are always better than mine!

In this discovery, Norman points out why the pursuit of other “good” things is why many of us are still discontent, unfulfilled, discouraged, depressed, and oppressed. “We seek God because our souls tell us the truth which our experience confirms that to find God is to find true happiness.”

So in order not to rewrite this entire chapter, I will get to his teaching that pertains to happiness in giving. I am paraphrasing some and italicizing his verbatim words. His teachings are simple but do not underestimate them because of that fact. He points out that  “the profound and the simple are first cousins”.  (This reminds me of my testimony of salvation as a 9-year-old girl. Thank You, Lord, for the simplicity of Your Truth.) He made the simple statement, “Happiness is not to be found in getting but in giving”. Does that sound familiar? It is not what you do for yourself that will give you the greatest happiness but, rather, what you do for others. There is no joy like it and it will make the whole world brighter for you”. “This was what Jesus was always trying to get people to do. Many Christians fail to do it, and their lives are like a twenty-five-watt bulb when they could shine with the brilliance of one hundred fifty watts.”   

He continues this message by telling of a distinguished writer who told him that “for years he had lived the selfish life, making money only to lavish on himself”. The man went on to tell how over time a feeling of boredom, weariness, and dissatisfaction overwhelmed him. The drabness of his days became oppressive. Pleasures were not to be found. The “love between him and his wife died and they divorced. Then it happened that he fell upon a strange secret. He learned that a Great Teacher was right when he said, “He that saveth his life shall lose it, but he that giveth his life shall find it a hundredfold”. This man truly had lost life, for little remains when happiness is gone. He was saving his life and he had lost it, but now he began to give it away, and wonder of wonders, he had it all back again, only this time much deeper and richer than ever before”. Later in his story he even stated, “Perhaps I’ve been converted.”

As I read this little, but powerful book, I can see why its title is so apropos. God is the Artist/Creator of our lives and by following the Artist’s instructions for life (His Word) our lives create a Masterpiece of artwork. The Art of Living! “There is no joy like it and it will make the whole world brighter for you”. Pretty incredible, wouldn’t you agree?

And before I could get to my computer to write my continuing thoughts from yesterday’s blog, today I read among many other things, Andrew Wommack’s daily devotional. There’s that word again, “devotional”. Lol!

Straight from the teacher’s mouth, or email in this case. 😊

February 19 Ministry In Action MATTHEW 8:14-17; MARK 1:29-34; LUKE 4:38-41

‘And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.’ Mark 1:31

How did Peter’s mother-in-law minister unto Jesus and His disciples? Did she sit them down and preach to them? Certainly not. Yet sometimes people think the only way we can minister to another is to admonish them with the scriptures.   Peter’s mother-in-law apparently ministered to them by serving them. The word translated ‘minister’ is the same word that was translated ‘deacon’ twice in the New Testament, and ‘serve, served or serveth’ eight times.   We can minister for the Lord by doing some of the menial tasks that many consider to be unimportant. Jesus said that even a cup of cold water given in His name would not go unrewarded (Matthew 10:42).   Many people are waiting for the important jobs to come along where they can make a big impact or receive a lot of recognition, while they pass by many lesser opportunities every day. But in the kingdom of God, we won’t be given any great opportunities until we are proven faithful in the small things (Luke 16:10).   Today, ask the Lord to show you ways you can minister to others by serving them. By Andrew Wommack

In 2017 I wrote a poem after missionaries from Haiti visited our church. The poem is based on filling the basic needs of a nation in starvation. It is in my book “Inspire Me” and the title is “Hungry Sheep”. Here are a few verses that express “Ministry in Action”. Beginning with verse three…
First we do like Jesus did, and show them that we care,
Feed them all we can with help from everywhere.
We go to where they are, turn our words into action
Doing what Jesus did, that’s the main attraction,… (skipping a few verses) Sharing God’s abundance and filling basic needs
Living out the Gospel, on Jesus more believe. The last two verses say…
Using those of us He calls, feeding hungry sheep together
Bringing the Gospel to the nations, glorifying Him forever!
You can read it in its entirety on page 32.

My dear friends, I could never put all of this together myself. And I couldn’t make it “less is more” if it wasn’t for your input, my desire to accommodate, and the Lord’s help in that also. I pray this has been worth your time to read and consider.

May our lights grow brighter through the art of living,

Reba  

Your comments are valuable, so I will use them to improve my blogs.

 A couple of you have suggested that I shorten my blogs. Lengthy ones are sometimes hard to stay focused on and find the time to read in one sitting (might not make it back to finish). Funny thing, I wondered about this but I also had other opinions.  Now with this in mind, I decided to make adjustments that I believe will better serve all. This reminds me of my poem “Brevity of Time” in my second book.

For all of these lengthy blogs that I seem to have plenty of, I will break them up into segments, as I did with my 3-part series “Losing My Sight”. That way for the ones who need shorter versions, you won’t need to try to hang in there for the ending. 😊And for me who has more thoughts to add, I can keep writing in the next segment. Those who want to read more can continue along with me. I’m hoping that will work better for us all. So let’s give it a try again. And keep those comments coming! I do hear and appreciate you.

Since I haven’t written about Valentine’s Day, I will share with you what happened on that special day.

I didn’t get up at my usual every early morning hour. I had somewhere to go so I had to shorten my quiet time. As I sat in my favorite chair, I asked the Lord what He had for me. I knew He had something special in those few quiet moments set aside with Him. I remember He meets me where I am when I make myself available to Him.

I decided to begin with the devotional in my Jesus Always book. As I previously mentioned, those devotionals can land us right where God wants us. For me to begin my time with a devotional is not typical. I usually sing along with some praise and worship music first. But as this came together it was ideal for the quiet moments I sat in His presence. The songs came later.

My Valentine’s “gift” of the Lord’s Word for February 14^th, 2025:

For some very odd reason, I read the devotion for November 14^th, not February 14^th. But no matter the reason or the date, it was His “gift” for the day which happened to be Valentine’s Day.

It began with, “I am always with you.” How is that for getting off to a great start to the day in His Word?

Some of you may remember in my last blog I mentioned my family going through some very challenging storms in life. Some commented that you were praying for my family. I want to thank you for that. The Lord is not only hearing our prayers, but He is answering.

The devotional continued to encourage me and lift me far higher than any troubled waters my family could ever find ourselves in. He is always with us!

The verse of scripture that I grabbed onto was Isaiah 54:10 NIV “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord who has compassion on you.” As I repeated those words and looked out my window at the Ozark mountains that I live in, my peace was restored and it gave me joy. The Lord’s covenant is a blood covenant that remains forever because it was made with Jesus’s blood. Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  God’s love is an immovable foundation even when the world around us is crumbling (mountains shaken and hills removed).

I then went to YouTube to play Don Moen’s song “Thank You Lord”. But instead, a map with a warning popped up that caught my attention. The warning was a very high likelihood of a major earthquake in the New Madrid Fault line in 2025. The New Madrid fault line runs through northeast Arkansas. A major earthquake can be felt hundreds or even thousands of miles away depending on the magnitude. But God had just given me the words in Isaiah 54:10. “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed…”

I am not left to wonder why these events fell into place as they did, although they seemed odd (November 14^th devotional on February 14^th Valentine’s Day) and unusual (my atypical start in quiet time). Now was the time to sing with Don Moen “Thank You Lord” which led to the “Revelation” song with Guy Penrod.

As I am praising my Savior all day long, the icing on the cake at the end of my Valentine’s Day was that my husband brought me beautiful roses and we enjoyed a special homecooked meal together in the quiet and privacy of our blessed home.

Now we are waiting out the biggest snowstorm our area has undergone in years. I am reminded of my blog “Joy Ride With the Holy Spirit”. He displays His Sovereignty over all the land. God bless those who are less fortunate and without warm shelter. And may the Lord continue to direct us who have more to give more. For it is truly more blessed to give than receive.

In Blue Skies, Butterflies, & Battlegrounds in my final thought I wrote, “Over the period it has taken me to write the narratives of these poems, the Lord has given me so much more. Each passing day I could add to what He has taught in these messages. I could recount the repeated times He has reminded me of the lessons I have gleaned from Him”.

I guarantee you there are many more thoughts on this subject! Lol! But I will agree that sometimes less is more for the moment.

God bless you until next time and I will say again, “ Your voice matters”.

In Jesus’s name,

Reba

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I hope your day got off to a great start! Mine has, so here I am to write about it. I must confess, I was going to go shopping before writing, but my heart said, “This comes first”.

So I am here to tell of my day thus far.

Our family is again, going through some very challenging storms of life. My time with the Lord sustains me and I thank Him. He always meets my needs abundantly. Instead of reciting all my needs, I invite the Holy Spirit to guide me to what He has for me at this moment, my daily bread.

I begin with a song or sometimes several that just effortlessly come to my thoughts. Yesterday the words to the song “Trust In God” were playing in my head. The words “I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered, I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered, He will never fail, He will never fail, That’s why I trust Him, That’s why I trust Him” were drawing me right where the Lord wanted me.

Immediately after playing the song on YouTube a teaching by Johnathan Cahn popped up next. This teaching was exactly what I needed to fill, not only my needs but the needs of my loved ones in the “storm”! I sent the song and Johnathan’s teaching to several, and my sister, Karen, came back with this… “For to You I entrust my life…my life is not my own”. Based on Jeremiah 10:23.

As in the song, “That’s why I trust Him!” The Lord is consistently speaking to me about trusting Him, and more importantly, learning to trust Him more. This is part of the reason I have been in a long season of remembering Who God is, Who I am in Him, and what He has done for me. NKJV Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You”.

There is no need to wonder why I penned these words in “Blue Skies, Butterflies, & Battlegrounds”…

“But my thanks are most of all when storms prevail…For when I’m weak and battle-worn is where I draw from you…You grip my hand, guide me through, the very one I’m desperate for… Thankful through life’s battlegrounds, I’m homeward bound, beyond the sky so blue!” The full poem is on pages 56-57.

Since the Lord has consistently brought “trust “to my thoughts, I recently decided to bring a study to the ladies in our church titled “Trustworthy” by Lysa Terkeurst. I have always relied upon Him to direct me to what He has for us and He always comes through. And I learn to trust Him more as I learn more of His trustworthiness.

Each and every day is packed with “golden nuggets” as I “tarry with Him”.

So for today’s nuggets to share. Who’s reading your mail?

Blessed Assurance was how this day began. A few verses from the old beloved hymn “Blessed Assurance”…

“Blessed assurance Jesus is mine, Oh what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood, This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long. This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.”

Oh, how I love the assurance in Jesus this song declares!

From there my thoughts went to a question that our pastor, Mark Laster, made in his message on January 6^th (I’m glad I took notes and even dated it). The message was titled “God Is In My Story”. He had a self-examination question for us that I was directed to reexamine this morning. The question is, “What if my story was written not by my actions that everybody sees, but what if my story was written in a book of what I thought?” I’m sure if he had asked us to respond, many, like me, would have been on our knees thanking God for not exposing our thoughts in our life story! Blessed assurance was given throughout Mark’s message that as believers in Jesus, our story is covered in His righteousness. No condemnation in Christ! I am glad I got to reexamine what I gained from that question. I was deeply humbled and so full of gratitude for the words, “Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood, This is my story, This is my song!”

Just moments later my poem “Sea of Forgetfulness” came to mind.

“One day I was walking along a dreary beach.

Love for living had spiraled out of my reach,

There in the sand exposed for all to see

My sins were written, all the evil about me.

Guilt and shame came crashing in

Thought I’d drown, didn’t care enough to swim.”

Friends, can you imagine all of your sins and all of your evil thoughts being written across the beach and exposed for all to see? Read on to the place where Salvation stepped in…

“The Gift He offered, I humbly received”. Pages 12-13 in “Inspire Me”.

What transpired through that poem still brings tears to my eyes…

“Washed clean by His righteousness, that’s where I stand.

Neither shame nor guilt, just pure white sand!”

There has been so much more revealed to me in this process I couldn’t possibly write about it all. But I must mention one more thing and then I will try to wrap it up.

In January 2017, I wrote a poem about the intimacy God wants with us. Its title is “Intimacy (Into Me See)”. It is in my first book also. Page 26.  It goes like this:

“We will make it short and sweet

As we lay it at His feet,

We rip off our masks

Never a painless task.

He tears down our walls

With His loving voice, He calls,

For in our hearts He sees

Our hurts and many needs.

“He beckons us draw nearer

Helps us see our Father clearer.

As into Him we see

THE INTIMACY

He has for you and me!”

This is our God’s desire for us! To have such an intimate relationship with Him that we can trust Him with everything! Even those things about us we would never want to be exposed to others. NKJV Hebrews 9:14-15 “how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? V15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”  

“Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit washed in His blood, This is my story this is my song!” Notice that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Eternal inheritance! My heart rejoices! Consider all that He has done for us! It is out of His great love for us that He deeply desires that intimate relationship with us. Have you known anyone else who has ever loved you like that? I know I haven’t! It is honestly hard for me to wrap my mind around it. But I believe His Word.

Blessed assurance in the storms of life, my thoughts not being revealed in a book for all to see in my life story, my sins not being exposed on the dreary beach, and the intimacy He so desires with me. All through time in His Presence through praising Him in song, scripture, lessons from trusted teachers, poetry, messages at church, and the Holy Spirit putting it all together for us in this blog, step by step.

This has been so much more fun, fulfilling, and valuable than shopping! I hope you agree!

Oh yes, mentioning shopping, as I was getting ready to go shopping (I thought), I opened my phone to listen to my favorite Christian radio station, KLRC. But I decided to check my emails instead as we have others in our church family going through their own set of storms.

My daily devotional from Andrew Wommack popped up first in the emails. Typically pop-ups are not desirable, but when the Holy Spirit is involved, the pop-ups are perfect. This one couldn’t be more perfect and I am grateful and in awe.

Here is today’s devotional that wraps up our theme of “Who’s reading your mail?” Honestly, I could hardly believe my eyes as I read this!

February 11^th John 4:4-26

GOD LOOKS INSIDE

The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.’ John 4:19

“This didn’t take any great discernment on the woman’s part. Jesus had just ‘read her mail’. He told her the most intimate details of her life. Anyone could have perceived Jesus was a prophet after something like that.   This woman suddenly realized that she was dealing with more than just a man. God was speaking to her. What was her reaction? She changed the subject. She brought up a doctrinal issue concerning the proper place to worship–anything to get Jesus’ attention off of her.   We all have a tendency to build walls of privacy around the intimate details of our lives. We are afraid to let anyone, especially God, look inside. But God already knows and He wants all of our heart.   Jesus brought this woman right back to the subject of her personal relationship with God. The place of worship or the forms of worship weren’t important. God was looking for people who would open their hearts–even the hidden parts–for Him to inhabit.   Likewise today, Satan tries to get us occupied with everything except the one thing that counts. God wants us to worship Him in spirit and truth. Anything less than that is not enough.” Reba’s note: I have indicated what I want to be emphasized in bold italics. Andrew’s emphasis is in bold only.

Would you like to go deeper in your understanding of this topic?   Check out Andrew’s free teaching, Are You Satisfied With Jesus?

The bookmark is one I designed for my new book “Blue Skies, Butterflies,& Battlegrounds. Finally the perfect wrap-up!

This leaves me to also wonder who’s reading my blogs? God bless you for taking your time with me. I pray you are looking forward to our next time together and please share your comment.

God bless and keep you,

Reba

I’m glad to be here writing to you again! I have a little different approach to what I have for you today.

My military-minded husband calls what I am doing “Passing the gouge.” It is a military slang term that refers to sharing inside information or tips with others to help them succeed. It is often passed from older veterans to the younger ones, helping them learn the ropes.

With that said, here is my “inside information and tips to help you succeed.” The Passing the Gouge…

Our church has monthly Leadership Meetings. During those meetings, each leadership couple or individual tells of something they have experienced or are experiencing to encourage and strengthen the overall team, therefore, strengthening the church body as a whole. Our Pastor fondly calls what we bring “Golden Nuggets.”

Now on with the “Golden Nuggets” part…

Marty and Lori Boyd ended our 2024 meetings with a bucket full of nuggets and I have their permission and honor to pass these along to you. You know I am a big promoter of believers sharing what God has done in our lives to build each other’s faith and spiritual growth. The Boyds did just that! I am excited to dive into the bucket!

First Marty shared three of the most impactful events in his life. We had a time limit or I know he could have shared a multitude more. Each was unique in its theme and uniquely impacted each of us. I must say he did an excellent job of causing us to feel that we were in the moment with him as he told and even acted out these events. I do believe I will always remember the effect this has had on me. It even brought me to reminisce many of my most impactful moments, much like the ones I share through my poetry and narratives. Or how about my blogs? “Defining Moments” in particular.

After Marty’s turn at the microphone, it was his lovely wife, Lori’s, turn. We often use “lovely” loosely, but Lori bears a lovely that comes from the inside out. Much like was brought to light in my poem “Behold a Mirror” in my second book.

Lori began by explaining how her story came about. I don’t remember her saying she was doing anything in particular, maybe just doing housework. It was nothing like climbing a mountain or fasting for forty days and nights to hear God’s voice. But she did hear the Lord speaking to her as she was simply going about her chores. Not an audible voice but in a way that there was no mistaking it was Him speaking. I can relate to that. How about you?

The following is what the Lord said to her. “The World vs God” is brought to you by Lori Boyd via me.

The world says there is no God – God says, I am the alpha, the Omega, the beginning and the end.

Revelation 22:13

The world says life is all about self-gratification- God says it is better to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35

The world says I am ugly-God says you are all together beautiful

Psalms 139:14

The world says it’s okay to be jealous or envious-God says love your neighbor.

Matthew 22:39

The world says to be afraid- God says fear not. (repeatedly)

Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:6

The world says take sins and make them legal-God says follow my commandments.

John 14:15

The world says it’s okay to lie-God says the truth shall set you free.

John 8:32

The world says it’s okay to live in sin-God says for the wages of sin is death.

Romans 6:23

The world says once a sinner, always a sinner-God says ask and you will be forgiven.

John 1:9

The World says you don’t need to go to church- God says the church is the body of Christ. (multiple times)

1 Corinthians 12:12

The world says it’s okay to steal-God says ask and it will be given.

Matthew 7:7

The world says let someone else raise your children-God says I have given you children as my gift.

Psalms 127:3

The world says it’s okay to use the Lord’s name with profanity- God says take my name and keep it holy.

Ezekiel 36:22

The world says you don’t have to be appreciative of anything- God says thank him and praise him daily for his gifts.

(multiple) Psalms 92:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:16; 1 Chronicles 16:34

The world says to change the meaning of the bible to fit your life- God says my word is everlasting and unchanging.

(multiple) Psalms 110:38; Isaiah 40:8; Malachi 3:6

The world says it’s okay to worship anything you desire – God says you shall have no other gods before me.

Exodus 20:3

The world says prayer is useless- God says pray without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:16

The world says God doesn’t answer prayers- God says My will be done.

(Lord’s prayer) Matthew 6:9

The world blames God for bad things that happen to them- God says for all good things come from me.

James 1:17

The world says  I don’t need God to get to heaven- God says I am the way, the truth, and the life.

John 14:6

The world says nobody loves you-God says I love you so much, I sent my only son to die for you.

1 John 4:10

The world says God’s love isn’t forever-God says I will love you with an everlasting love.

Jeremiah 31:3

The world says you are all alone- God says you are not alone, for I am with you.

(multiple) Isaiah 41:10

The world says give up – God says I will carry you.

Isaiah 46:4

The world says you can’t be happy-God says keep the joy of the Lord in your heart.

Nehemiah 8:10

The world says there is no hope- God says all things are possible for those who believe.

Mark 9:23

The world says God doesn’t know you- God says I knew you before you were created in your mother’s womb.

Jeremiah 1:5

The world says God doesn’t know me personally- God says I know the number of hairs on your head.

Luke 12:7, Matthew 10:30

The world says there is no cure- God says I am the great physician.

Mark 2:17

The world says you have to be first to be the best- God says whoever is first shall be last and whoever is last shall be first. Matthew 19:30

The world says you can’t have enough- God says I will give you all you need.

Psalms 16:5

The world says you can’t -God says fear not for I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

The world says God is dead – God says I am the living God.

Mathew 22:32

The world says God is not with you-God says where two or three have gathered in my name, there am I.

Matthew 18:20

The world says you have to be perfect – God says all sinners come boldly to the cross.

Hebrews 4:16

The World says I don’t have time for God- God says seek me first.

Matthew 6:33, Proverbs 3:6

The world says money can buy you happiness- God says for the love of money is evil.

1 Timothy 6:10

The world says the more money you have, the more important you are- God says it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Mark 10:21-25

The world says there is no eternal life-God says my salvation is all you need. Romans 6:23.

Lori had written what she heard several years before she shared it with us. Marty was led to the scripture that so aptly backs it up. The way we know that the Lord is truly speaking to us is that it will always line up with His Word in the Scripture. Spend some time reading each statement and your Bible. You will find more of God’s truths revealed for developing a more personal and intimate relationship with Him. With God’s Word as the God Sword, we can shut the mouth of the deceiver. The timing was right for them to pass the gouge with their golden nuggets. He can use us to encourage and strengthen others to be successful in this world of lies and chaos. The world is only getting darker and the Lord is steadily pouring into us, His people, the Light. As our Pastor said in tonight’s meeting… “It overflows”.

As I wrote this blog, I found it interesting the commonalities we have in writing. I too, hear the Lord, not in an audible voice, but I hear Him, nonetheless. I write what He gives and reminds me of, and then His Word backs up the messages. Then opportunities arise in places we never imagined sharing with others. Passing the gouge to be successful at building His Kingdom and glorifying Him. Remember iron sharpens iron. As my “Body Builder Food” poem in “Inspire Me” (Books)says in a few random verses:

He also told us, “He is the Word”

The Bread of Life, our loins to daily gird.

You see it’s this food we  need as believers

Growing strong and equipped to win unbelievers.

His Church, His Body, becoming what it was meant to be…

To be strong in the Word and the Spirit of Life

Nourished and filled your light shining bright

Building the Body to fight the good fight!

I thank Him for this opportunity and the Boyds for what they do as leaders in our church and community. They carry the Light and it does overflow.

Thank you for reading what Lori and I have written and as always I hope that you have been blessed with a bucketload of nuggets. Be sure to tell others! Look what we would have missed if Lori and Marty had not shared what they were given. This is your opportunity to multiply what God gives to you, to overflow filled with His “Body Builder Food”. After all, we have so much to share as we grow individually and then in the Body of Christ’s Church. We believers are the Church! Remember the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

I do hope you will join me again as I pass the gouge and gain more nuggets for the bucket. Hey, that might be a good poem! Lol!

Blessings to you my friends,

Reba

Good day, my friends, In today’s blog, I decided my opening should follow up on two statements I made in two of my previous blogs. I have found summarizing my words in a short blog challenging. There is so much! Thus a follow-up.

I have a close friend, Joanna, who jokingly said it took her an hour to read one of my blogs. I reassured her that I could have written much more! Lol! Her statement reminded me of a book I had many years ago titled, “Could You Not Tarry With Me One Hour?” by Larry Lea. At the time that I got that book, I was a young Navy wife and mother of two small girls. My thought just looking at the title was, “How in the world would I spend an hour praying and reading the Bible?” How is that for being honest?:) My husband was gone most of the time so as you military wives and spouses of those who are extensively away from home know, the demands and responsibilities were on me. I was too young spiritually to know that although the duties were great, my time with the Lord would have been a burden lifter. During those earlier years, I also had the misconception that I was saved for eternity, and from then on, I was to do the best I could with what I was given. Of course, I believed God helped us out! He proved Himself faithful over and over to me. Thankfully I stayed in Church, Bible studies, and experience with the Lord, which He used to help correct some of my misconstrued notions and false sense of responsibility. Again, thank God for His correction and continued spiritual growth!

The Lord gave me a poem to further confirm that He was with me all along and the benefits that come with more time with Him. I’ve heard it said, “The busier your day is, the more time you need to spend with the Lord.” I have learned why. The benefits are incredible.

The poem I referred to is “God in Our Seasons” in “Inspire Me”(my first book) pages 42-43. Here are a few lines from that poem:

Your love through the years You have faithfully showered

In Your Word for each day, You strengthened and empowered

When I reached out to you in my most difficult hour.

You have helped me all along, and now I see clearly

My time with You, You desired so dearly.

You wanted to guide me, comfort me and carry my load

In this life’s daily journey, the long narrow road.

You were there to teach me, love me and be my all

My time with You would have made my struggles so small.

Several verses later I ended with this:

I will take time to share my seasons, to help others see,

And encourage them all to take time with Thee.

For our time with our Maker makes our burdens light

If we choose the Giver of Time, in all our seasons of life!

Now this leads right to my first statement I consider a follow-up on my blog titled “IF” a Big Two Letter Word. I will quote part of the first paragraph…

“He is reminding me of the truths of His Word as I first get still and sit in His Presence. As I organized files and rediscovered things I had written down in years past, I realized The Lord was leading me to do what He called me to do in this season of life. I thought He started with my first poem, “Expressions of His Endearing Love” in my first book “Inspire Me”, but I now see that it began many years ago.”

This explained why I had jotted down moments in my life without understanding why.  The Lord was preparing me to do things that I had never imagined for use in a future season of life. Then He inspired me to write poetry, narratives, and blogs. A whole series of callings on my life that I could have never dreamed of. The means to fulfill: My Mission Statement: To glorify God through writing, sharing His Word, and my life experiences, communicating the love of Jesus Christ to add to His Kingdom.

“I will take time to share my seasons, to help others see,

And encourage them all to take time with Thee”.

Now for the next follow-up on my blog titled Defining Moments, I will quote the statement I made about using devotionals and the additional thought.

“BAM! I was ready to get things in their proper order because I have to admit, I have been known to read a devotional and the verses of scripture referenced in it or listen to an online sermon or prophecy without really making time for just me and the Lord in His Word.

(I am adding this thought. It is not wrong to read a devotional or listen to a sermon as it may sound like I am suggesting. After all, this was taken from a devotional! Those things can land us right where the Lord wants us in His Word. But there are times we spend doing only those things that prevent us from simply being still before God (I’ve mentioned sitting still doesn’t come to me naturally) and letting Him speak to us personally through His Word. You know that One-on-one time.)”

I truly hope you got a clear understanding of how I view devotionals because shortly after this blog I came upon this note I had made on my phone.

“Listening to the birds sing and how the mockingbird stood out. Gazing at the stillness and beauty of the details of my front yard. The tall oaks and dogwood that made it through an oak falling on it, and the beautifully shaped redbud I had transplanted. The flowers, weeds, and bugs along with the funny squirrels… so beautiful! Everything thing was so still as I noticed the sun’s rays increasing as it rose and cut through the thick trees. This all brought my thoughts to God and His incomprehensible creation. Then I started reading my devotional in my lap that I had already opened to today’s date, June 18^th. As I read about “STILLNESS AND TIME WITH THE LORD… IMMANUEL GOD WITH ME. THE LONGER YOU GAZE AT ME THE MORE YOU CAN REJOICE IN MY MAJESTIC SPLENDORS,” a strong breeze blew through the tree tops right in front of me! Most would not believe it unless they saw it! The other trees were still as these few swayed so beautifully. I caught my breath as I recognized the Holy Spirit is in the wind and every breath I breathe. Praise God for my time with Him to, as my Pastor would say, fill my tank!”

This occurred about 10-11 years ago. There I was, sitting still in His Presence with my devotional in my lap speaking to me the Truth of God’s Word. The devotional I referred to is one that dear friends, (Karen and John) gave to me as a birthday gift. It is Jesus Always (Embracing Joy in His Presence) by Sarah Young. Here is the full devotional for June 18^th.

“Could You Not Tarry With Me One Hour?” Now I see clearly what I miss when I don’t and I don’t want to miss out on anything God has for me. How about you?

It brings tears to my eyes as I not only see the Lord putting all of this together for me but also experiencing what He has for us by “Tarrying With Him”. The words in the old hymn “How Great Thou Art” come to mind,  “I scarce can take it in”. The hymn’s first and second verses praise God for the beauty of nature. The third verse shifts our thoughts to God not sparing His Son to die for us. No wonder my tears and that I can scarce take it in. My God, how great thou art!

Tarry defined: To stay there longer than you meant to and delay leaving.

By the way, our Pastor Mark Laster gave the message at our church last Sunday. The title was “God is in Your Story.”

To God be glory,

Reba

Are you surprised that I’m writing again so soon? You can’t imagine how God is stirring me to write and teaching me the blessings in obedience. He is reminding me of the truths of His Word as I first get still and sit in His Presence. As I organized files and rediscovered things I had written down in years past, I realized The Lord was leading me to do what He called me to do in this season of life. I thought He started with my first poem, “Expressions of His Endearing Love” in my first book “Inspire Me”, but I now see that it began many years ago.

This morning He led me down a path (His Word) that brought me back to my last blog, Aye Aye, Captain. Mainly to focus on commitment and obedience.

I used the US Naval crew, specifically the cook, laundry crew, and the Missile Fire Control officer, to point out the necessary training, dedication, commitment, and obedience it takes to achieve their mission. I mentioned what their disobedience could incur. Their actions are a reflection of our Naval forces. That is a direct reflection of our nation!

Then I continued by using the church (believers in Jesus as Lord and Savior) as a parable or analogy to the crewmembers. I want to point out what the Lord showed me about the disobedience of God’s people, namely the U.S. of America. I find it interesting that this comes right after not only “Aye Aye, Captain”, but the inauguration of our 47^th President Donald Trump.

I am doing a 52-week study on the names of God. Today I was reading the lesson on the name Yahweh Lord God. For a deeper study, Deuteronomy 28:9-13 was suggested. The title of 28:1-14 is Blessings on Obedience so I began reading in verse 1. As I was reading of all the blessings of obedience, I wondered why we would ever choose to be disobedient. But read on Reba. So I did! The following verses 15-68 address the Curses on Disobedience. Wow! That’s a lot! 14 verses on obedience and 53 verses on disobedience! We can’t say the Lord Yahweh did not warn His people! And this is the best part yet…

I am using the Bible that I mentioned in a previous blog. It is the one my daughter, Andrea, and her husband, Jared, gave me last Christmas. It is called the Evidence Bible in the New King James Version.The commentaries are by Ray Comfort. Ray, a New Zealander, is drawing much of his commentaries on evangelism from his experiences in open-air preaching for twelve years.

Here is Ray’s commentary for Deuteronomy 28:15:

“The divine butler. As of 2010, America was over $13 trillion in debt (a trillion is a thousand billion). That is no small change. Ironically, hundreds of billions of that debt was to Arab nations, $900 billion to China, and $128 billion to Russia. (I will add that the only debt we should owe to any nation is to obey the Captain of the Lord’s host and do as He instructed in the Great Commission. Obedience to the call of the soldiers in the Lord’s Army.)

Back to Ray’s commentary on the state of America in 2010: Over 2.8 million homes were in foreclosure, with 4 million foreclosures estimated by year-end. A gallon of milk costs as much as a gallon of gas. And a gallon of gas costs an arm and a leg. Add to that the bad news that over 2.3 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer that year, many of whom were children.

ABC News reported that more than 60% of the U.S. was in a drought. We became used to seeing onslaughts of floods, hurricanes lining up our coasts, and killer tornadoes by the dozens ripping up the nation like there’s no tomorrow. And of course, we are in a war on terror that it seemed we couldn’t win.

The above are all signs of God’s dealing with a sinful nation. If you find that hard to believe, read Deut. 28 and see what God warned would happen to Israel they forsook His Law and turned their backs on Him. Underline the places where Scripture warns that they will get into financial debt to other nations and become the tail and not the head. Think about those nations to whom we are in debt. Underline where God says that aliens will flood the country, that their enemies will overcome them, and that disease will plague them.

As you hold your pen, also hold on to your theology, because this chapter will destroy any image of God as a celestial Santa Claus or a divine butler.  He is a God of justice and wrath as much as He is of love and mercy. To form an image of God with only one or two of His virtues, and to leave out the others, is to create an idol in your mind.

We are no different from ancient Israel. These sufferings have come to us because we have not been thankful to God but instead have forsaken His Law. “And I.  say please don’t miss this part!”  If we heed the Ten Commandments, they would show us our sinful state and drive us to the cleansing blood of the Savior. Hearts and minds that are responsive to God, and not political change, is the key to healing for our land.” by Ray Comfort

My friends, here it is the first month of 2025, fifteen years after this commentary. I can tell you with all assurance that America’s decline is evident in every area that Ray pointed out and then some. Fires are now raging like never before in some of the most beautiful and expensive areas of California. It is shameful to mention the atrocities of abortions and the hate crimes across our nation. Can we see that God warned America of the things that would happen if we turned our backs on Him?

But praise God in the Old Testament He gave us the way back:

 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and heal their land.”

Although this focuses on Old Testament Law living, we must know that the Law was given to show us our sinful state and draw us to the cleansing blood of the Savior. The Lord is a Righteous God and He must pour His wrath on unrighteousness. That’s what He did in the New Testament at the cross. He poured His wrath on Jesus, the cleansing blood of the Savior. So, you might ask, “Why do we need to be obedient if Jesus did this for us?” First, I would say, out of gratitude to Jesus for the suffering He did for us, that we would desire to be obedient as He was to the Father. This was all to restore us to right standing (righteousness) with the Lord for a relationship with Him. It was for our benefit. As I mentioned before, why would we not be obedient? Obedience brings blessings. He loves us so much His desire is for us to have His blessings. He made the way but we must choose.

Countless numbers of God’s people have been praying for our nation and we know God hears the prayers of His people. Many are choosing the way back to Him by humbling themselves, praying for forgiveness, seeking God’s face, and turning from their wicked ways by choosing Jesus and following Him. By the way, in seeking God’s face, remember the only way to the Father is through His Son Jesus. John 14:6 NKJV “Jesus answered, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Through the Word of God; it is not only our training manual, light to our path, and supply for every need, but it is also the way, the truth, and the life that we live in Christ. His righteous way of living in us, that frees us from the lawlessness of the world. You know, the curses of disobedience!

He gave it all so that we can have it all; all that is good in the Lord’s sight for His people. The amazing thing is, is that He gives us choices to make. If we choose His Son, His Word (training manual), and obedience to His teaching, filled with the Holy Spirit we are equipped with everything we need for victory and walk in His blessings. And the best part is we are a spiritual reflection of the One that made it all possible through His obedience to the Father. By (Spiritually) “looking like” our Father, others desire to know the God we serve.

My poem “Behold a Mirror” in “Blue Skies, Butterflies, & Battlegrounds” Books, helps differentiate between physical reflection and Spiritual reflection. On pages 42-43 the last few verses say:

 “With unveiled face, I see who I really am

I look like my Father, the great I Am

Beholding the Spirit of the Lord transforming me

From the mirror’s lies, glory to God, I now have liberty!

I found 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 as my scripture reference and see it as confirmation of the message in the poem.

NKJV “Now the Lord is Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord”.

And Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”.  We renew our minds to God’s Word. Away with the lies of the enemy!

I know there is a lot to unpack in this continuation of commitment and obedience. The main point and the reason for the title “If”, is there are blessings “if” we are obedient to our God. “Captain, I will obey.” “If” we choose disobedience there are consequences as with most things in life. Consider for a moment why our prisons are so full of prisoners. By America’s disobedience and dishonoring God, many are made prisoners to the enemy. We are the reflection of a nation in decline right into the enemy’s hands.

It is my prayer and many godly men and women of God, that America will soon again reflect the Godly nation that we were created to be.

It begins with each individual “If” you are called by His name. “If” you are not His, through the cleansing blood of Jesus and His righteousness, you’d better choose today. For we are not promised tomorrow. Proverbs 27:1 and James 4:13-17. By doing so you are choosing God’s blessings and, if not, you choose curses. Only “If”!

As always this has caused me to look at my own life as the Lord looks right at my heart. I hope this has done the same for you without condemnation but for correction. It is said, that although God loves us just the way we are, He loves us too much to leave us that way.” He provided the way for the transformation now we get to choose. Praise God!

Anticipating our transformed America, so that we can be a blessing to all nations as intended,

Reba

Yes, this picture is of my husband at his “Piping Over” ceremony after 20 years of service in the US Navy.

Yesterday as I was going about my daily chores, I was thinking. I wasn’t thinking about anything specific; I was just thinking as usual. Am I the only one? 😉Someday I must write a poem titled “I Think, I think too much!” Lol! But amid my random thoughts, there was a shift to something I felt drawn to listen to and certain I needed to write about.

If you have read about me and some of my narratives you may remember that my husband, David, served 20 years in the US Navy. I considered this thought may have stemmed from seeing and hearing how the military operates. Whatever the cause, the Holy Spirit began to unfold a lesson, therefore a purpose for the shift in my thoughts.

So, here we go…

I was considering how a naval vessel operates, mainly the various tasks among the crewmembers that accomplish the ship’s purpose. There are various ships, therefore varying in their specific purposes. But in all instances, there is a chain of command. After requesting a brief review of this chain of command from David, I quickly realized that it has far more links than is necessary for this lesson.

Let’s just start with the Commanding Officer of the ship. He has the authority to use everyone and everything at his disposal to accomplish their mission. Each department has a department head with certain training and authority over his team. Each team member has his position among the crew. Power, authority, and control are used and alongside it, dedication, commitment, and discipline are necessary for success. Does this remind you of my recent blog where I mentioned the God of Order?

As I focused on just a few of the tasks that could appear quite menial, it was evident that each was significant in the overall “success” of the ship. Taking it another step, I was considering what it would be like if the crewmembers decided they didn’t want to do their task. Disobedient!

Here are some of the examples and thoughts I had about these few:

Let’s consider the Cook. We all know how vital meals are! He or she has limited food and utensils to prepare meals with. They have had training in that area and have agreed to do that task. They cooked and all ate.

Now let’s consider if the cook never got a “thank you” from the crew, only grumbling, complaints, and insults. Would the cook have the option of not cooking? Would it make his job less vital to the functioning of the crew? Or how about the laundry crew? I dare say they get accolades for their hard thankless task. What if they just quit or made excuses for everyone’s clothes being smelly and mildewed because they didn’t put them in the dryer? These two examples reminded me of the blogs I wrote titled Losing My Sight parts 1-3 and Appreciation. Please read them some time and see if you agree. You will need to scroll down on this blog page from January 31,2024 through February 16, 2024.

Then my thoughts shifted to the Missile Fire Control Officer, which was one of David’s jobs aboard a guided missile destroyer he served on. What if he told the Commanding Officer that he didn’t want to watch the radar scope for countless hours on end? Or he didn’t want to pull the trigger when he was told because he thought the timing wasn’t right? I think a dishonorable discharge would be in store for that person or worse yet, their ship blown up! This example reminds me of my poem “My Will Be Done?” in my book “Inspire Me”.

A few verses from it:

“This life I live renewed by Thee. Fulfilling my purpose Thy will for me

YOU’RE my daily portion, filling every need; Keep my heart humble, far away from greed

THY WILL BE DONE, YOUR will for me, from this day onward, my heartfelt plea!”

As my thoughts moved on to the various tasks, training, personalities, and experiences of the crew members, it was obvious it took commitment, dedication, discipline, and hard work from everyone. And the consequences, some being detrimental, of not doing their part. Disobedience! Of course, some were more dedicated and were bigger contributors to the overall functioning of the ship than others. Some received more awards, recognition, and fulfillment than others and were advanced more quickly and further than others. There are those whose motivation and purpose for joining the military were for all the wrong reasons. All of these were factors in the ability of the crew to accomplish the ship’s purpose and a reflection of our US Naval Forces.

So, the question is, “Why were my thoughts on such as this?” Could this be used as a parable? Right away I thought of the Church. In this instance, we believers would be the shipmates or crewmembers. (My Pastor says we call coming together “Fellowship” because we are all fellows in this ship together.) LOL! Do you see why I think that I think too much? Ha! Ha! 

But seriously, who has top authority over the church? Who is the Commanding Officer of the entire ship? God the Father in Ephesians 1:21 NKJV set Jesus “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but in that which is to come.” And Colossians 2:10 NKJV says, “and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”

As my thoughts were processing through the comparison, I was getting a clearer picture of how the body (crewmembers) should be dedicated to the Lord, committed to serve Him, trained (in the Word), and disciplined by the Holy Spirit to serve our purpose and accomplish our mission. We would be a “healthy” reflection of Who Jesus is therefore honoring Him. How about the Lord’s Great Commandment and the Great Commission? His will for us!

I stopped writing last night and I thought it was because it was getting late. That doesn’t usually stop me though!

This morning the Lord showed me why it was time to stop. He had more clarification of why I was drawn to listen to these thoughts and was certain that I needed to write about it. I will share today more of what was revealed about this parable.

As I was writing about God being the Commanding Officer of “we fellows in this ship together”, I knew there was more than I had written. And I’m sure that there is plenty more to discover as we seek a deeper understanding going forward.

Honestly, I wasn’t asking the Lord for more on that topic when I was “being still” before Him this morning. I was praying some specific verses of scripture for those who are in bondage, rebellion, and hardened hearts through pride and selfishness. Disobedience!

Then there it was…

The scripture that most directly addresses the Lord as the Captain is Joshua 5:13-15. Reading this passage gave me an excitement for the Lord’s Word that I could hardly wait to continue writing.

Joshua encountered a man with a drawn sword who reveals himself to be the Captain of the Lord’s host, signifying that the Lord is the commander of the heavenly army. Do you know we believers are in the Lord’s heavenly army here on earth? We are soldiers (crewmen and women) with the Armor of God and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God in Ephesians 6:17. We are equipped with Hebrews 13:21 “every good thing to do His will. And He may accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” And get this, my friends, Romans 8:11 NLT “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by the same Spirit living within you.” Doesn’t this give us an understanding of the power and authority given to us through Christ?

This, we know, is how we accomplish our mission, our purpose, the Great Commandment, and the Great Commission. But in God’s ship, we do have a choice. As my examples of the Cook, laundry crew, and Fire Control Officer, if we don’t do our part the whole ship suffers. Without our dedication to the Lord, committed to serving Him, trained (in the Word), and disciplined by the Holy Spirit, we will not be a “healthy” reflection of Who Jesus is and the power of the Holy Spirit in us. After all, our Captain of the Lord’s host gave us the Great Commandment NKJV Matthew 22:36-39  “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Next, the Great Commission: Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Now these truths, my friends, are how we are to live as dedicated, committed, obedient, disciplined members of the “crew”. Victory in Jesus, all to His glory!

On January 13^th,2017 I was inspired to write a poem I titled, “Sovereign Captain at the Helm.” It is in my first book “Inspire Me”. When I wrote this poem and noted the scripture references, I didn’t even know about the scripture in Joshua 5:13-15. But He showed me today! He promises us if we seek Him we will find Him, when we search for Him with all our heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV. I thank You, Lord for teaching me and giving me more desire for You.

Here are a few verses at the end of my poem “Sovereign Captain at the Helm”:

Allow Him to be the Captain of your life vessel

Storms, remember, are not yours to wrestle,

When LOVE, GRACE, AND PEACE in your ship reside

Your voyage successful, calmly into destiny you glide,

Till your sailing is over, Eternity on the other side.

Again, I trust by sharing my directed thoughts that I am fulfilling my mission statement, but most of all, the Great Commandment and Great Commission.

God bless you and thank you for joining me in this opportunity to commit, dedicate, and be obedient to our Sovereign Captain at the Helm. Will you join me in saying…AYE AYE, CAPTAIN? Aye aye captain is a nautical phrase that means “I understand and will comply with your order”. It is used in the US Navy and the Royal Navy. It is a way to show that the speaker understands the order and will carry it out. We use it in response to an order from a person of higher rank.

Until next time and as always in His name,

Reba

Greetings to you all everywhere,

Today I will write of a defining moment that began in November 2018.

Some of you might remember the picture I included of me in my Joy Ride With the Holy Spirit blog. There I sat at my desk with the unorganized files that I was searching through in piles all around me. I not only found the file I was looking for, but I also did a good deal of organizing. When I have things in order, I benefit in many ways. Another way specifically is finding the topic that I am writing about today.

But before I move on to this Defining Moment, I should mention the message in our sermon for last Sunday’s service. We have several pastors in our church, and on this day, Pastor Rusty Jones took the pulpit.

He spoke of our God, a God of Order. He began in Genesis, a great place to start, wouldn’t you agree?

God told Adam not to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil (then Adam told Eve). I would like to point out in Genesis 2:16-17; and 2:20-22 that God told Adam not to eat that fruit before He had even created Eve. You might ask why point this out? I say it explains why the Bible says that sin came through Adam, not Eve. I am reminded that I pointed this out in my poem “Nothing New Under the Sun” in my book “Inspire Me”.  By not listening to God’s command to protect them, disorder came upon Adam and Eve and their lives in the garden. Before that time, everything was in God’s perfect order by His design.

As our Pastor progressed in his sermon, he used the word “order” as an acronym and a valuable teaching tool. It certainly resonated with me. Let’s look back at the first paragraph of this blog. “When I have things in order, I benefit in many ways.”

This sermon talked about order in our spiritual life and this is how he used the acronym:

Our responsibility: Psalm 69:32

Request God’s guidance: 1 Chronicles 15:11-15

Desire righteousness: Matthew 5:6

Engage our culture: 2 Samuel 6:18-19

Ready to dance: 2 Samuel 6:13-15

I have included a few of the scriptures that our Pastor used and I hope you look those up. We can see how we benefit from following God’s order, but it doesn’t stop there. We benefit physically and emotionally by following God’s order for our lives in those areas also. Just think of the joy King David had as he danced before the Lord and everyone! Spirit, Soul, and Body…oh how connected we are!

Now for the Defining Moment of this day…(although taken from what I wrote about in November 2018). Do you remember what was going on in your life during this month and year? I don’t remember many specific events, so I am glad I wrote this down.

Here is what I wrote:

One morning (I didn’t include the day) I headed for the couch with my devotional. My devotional was from the makers of the “Chosen” movies and it was titled “Chosen” also. As I settled myself on the couch, I noticed my Bible lying on the ottoman. I left it there and continued with my devotional.

The title for that day was “Wolves” on day #38:

As I read about false prophets, I was thinking of all the fake news and preachers that have “watered down” the Gospel and of course, the false prophets. The authors did an excellent job of describing the wolves and evil schemes.

The last paragraph jumped off the page at me! “But detect we must, lest we be deceived. So how do we do that? We stop opting for one-off Jesus stories and spiritual inspiration and go directly to the inspired WORD OF GOD!! We read His stories and meditate on His Words. We replace instant gratification with long-term soul satisfaction by allowing Christ to determine our preferences and desires. We reject any message promising ease or lack of resistance as contrary to Jesus’s example and message. We learn who He is and who we are in Him. WE ARE CHOSEN.  Not by wolves to be exploited, but chosen by the true and living God, to be with Him now and for all eternity.”

BAM! I was ready to get things in their proper order because I have to admit, I have been known to read a devotional and the verses of scripture referenced in it or listen to an online sermon or prophecy without really making time for just me and the Lord in His Word.

(I am adding this thought. It is not wrong to read a devotional or listen to a sermon as it may sound like I am suggesting. After all, this was taken from a devotional! Those things can land us right where the Lord wants us in His Word. But there are times we spend doing only those things that prevent us from simply being still before God (I’ve mentioned sitting still doesn’t come to me naturally) and letting Him speak to us personally through His Word. You know that One-on-one time.)

On with what I had written:

So I gladly picked up my Bible and started reading the book of John. I hand out Pocket Testaments which are the book of John and I had recently given one to two of my grandchildren, Drake and Anna.

I started in chapter 6…So much of Jesus’s righteousness, forgiveness, the truth of who He is, and before you know it, I’m in chapter 9. JESUS HEALS THE BLIND MAN. When I came to verses 39-41, I realized I needed a better understanding of those verses (remember I tend to make things somewhat complicated). I looked it up in Matthew’s Concise Concordance and several other reliable resources and this is their explanation…The Pharisees were full of pride and would not accept the Gospel of Grace. Still blind in the darkness. That brought clarity (no pun intended) and I could see it was pretty simple and I was complicating it as I had done previously. Thank you, Lord, for clarifying Your Word and helping me with my natural tendencies.

Then my thoughts went back to chapter 6 and the story of the boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish. I imagined how the boy’s mother, who had likely packed his lunch, felt when she either heard or saw how the Lord worked His miracle for the multitudes. It came alive to me and brought me so much joy even though I have read and heard this story many, many times.

By this time, David and I were ready for breakfast. As I am writing about this in this blog, again, a poem comes to mind… “Feasting At His Table” in my “Inspire Me” book. I feasted first on His Word and was filled. Then I was ready for the day.

Now continuing… Of course, I just had to tell David what I had walked through in my quiet time in God’s Word and yes, my Chosen devotional.

When I came to the part of the 5 loaves and 2 fishes my thoughts and discussion went to the meaning of numbers in scripture. 5+2=7; 5, meaning grace, 2, meaning unity, and 7, meaning finished or complete. David asked, “Where does it say, in the Bible the meaning of numbers?” I said, “God uses numbers, animals, colors, and everything He created to help us learn more about Him, for example, the Lion. Jesus is called the Lion of Judah but in other instances, the devil is like a lion roaming the earth to see whom he can devour.” We talked about the difference between the two lions; one lion being Jesus protecting and defending His people the church, and the other lion, the devil to kill, steal, and destroy. The false prophets in sheep’s clothing, and us listening to fake news and watered-down sermons instead of going straight to God’s Word referred to the wolves.

Ok, so we finished our conversation on wolves, lions, and numbers, over breakfast, and went about our busy morning. I, speaking for myself was still processing so much that was already packed in that morning, meditating on God’s Word.

Anna, our youngest grandchild was about 6 years old at that time. I sat down to visit with her as she ate breakfast that same morning. Immediately she was eager to tell me about her dream. She said, “I just had it, Grandma, so I can remember it easily.” In her dream, she was in her classroom and the teacher announced that it was time for recess. Anna was sitting on a couch and the wall behind her disappeared so she could see the children playing in the playground. She saw them playing with a lion! The lion appeared very tame and the children were petting it and talking to it. She was very concerned because she knew the lion was a wild animal and could seem harmless but suddenly attack them! Then she woke from her dream!

Wow! What a morning!

 First going to the inspired Word of God.

Reading about the wolves and not following them (false prophets, “watered down” sermons, or fake news.)

Seeking clarity of scripture and tendencies to complicate the message.

God is giving and using the meaning of numbers, animals, and everything He created. The example we discussed of the lions mentioned in the Bible and the difference.

The joy it brings when we see God work His miracles. Like the mother who packed the boy’s lunch of loaves and fish.

The Pharisees are blind due to their pride and not accepting the Gospel of Grace. And the ones that had been blind could see clearly as they accepted Jesus as their Savior. The power of the Gospel of Grace!

And my precious granddaughter had a dream with the wall disappearing so she could see the innocent children playing with a lion and the danger it posed. I would have thought that the lion was Jesus, but Anna was afraid of the lion and was very aware of how it could turn on them. So, we knew that was the roaming lion seeking whom he could devour and he is certainly after our innocent children!

These were all in my mind, messages from God. I praise Him and thank Him from the bottom of my heart!

The end of my 2018 writing.

So, in my New Year’s Eve blog, I started with unorganized files and the need to get things in order. I even included evidence of that mess! Lol! By getting better organized I benefited by finding what I consider a defining moment that I had written about. What a good way to start the new year!

Our sermon this past Sunday on “God is a God of Order” was the bonus just waiting for that day. I couldn’t have ever organized all of these events myself. I have learned some valuable lessons but mainly a deeper understanding of God’s ways. And that they are always the best in all areas of my life because He knows we benefit from order. He is a God of Order!

You may find this interesting also. What is a defining moment?

A defining moment is a point in your life when you’re urged to make a pivotal decision, or when you experience something that fundamentally changes you. Not only do these moments define us, but they have a transformative effect on our perceptions and behaviors.

I believe our time with the Lord and His Word, and the numerous other things He puts together for us should lead to defining moments. They should not only define us as His chosen ones but transform our perceptions and behaviors therefore changing us to look and live more like Jesus. Christians! Christ followers!

Reflecting on defining moments can help us understand how they have shaped us, and how we can continue to grow. What are some of your defining moments? Maybe you should write them down. I’m glad I did.

 I hope I have motivated you to not only do this but get your life in order by spending time with the Lord and His Word first, then include devotionals, videos, songs, blogs, testimonies, etc., and let’s certainly not leave out poetry! Lol!

Most of us have such busy lives! But even if you have to set an alarm to get up earlier God will help you get everything else in order and redeem your time. Let’s keep the acronym ORDER in mind. The first letter O represents Our responsibility and keeping God’s order has benefits we can’t imagine. Oh, my brothers and sisters let’s get Ready to dance!

Thank you again for spending your valuable time reading my blogs and books.

God bless you,

Reba

My greeting was going to be Good morning. But as I started writing,  I looked at the clock and it was 12:25 pm CST. So good afternoon! I wouldn’t say my morning got by me for surely nothing of great importance “got by me”. My morning has been in prayer and richly deep in the Word. I received forgiveness, correction, clarity, and a deeper relationship with my Lord and how to go forward in this new year.

 Now I am ready to write.

As a couple of weeks have passed since Christmas and I look at my first week of the new year, a certain poem came to mind that I would like to share with you. It is one I wrote on December 27^th, 2016, in my first book, “Inspire Me”. The title is “Post-Christmas Reflections”. If you have my book, it is found on page #27.

It goes like this…

When Christmas is over now what do you see?

Are we still laughing and singing our praises to Thee?

Or are we like old Scrooge, still living in greed

Are we living in peace where striving has ceased?

Where the love in our hearts, we have finally released?

Or are we back to the old ways of living for self?

As we mindlessly place our idols high on the shelves

Did the reason for the season slip quickly away?

As we, like sheep, go blindly astray?

    PLEASE LET IT NOT BE!

Now this day is a great place to start

To share all year long, the love of God, straight from our hearts!

As I read what I was inspired to write eight years ago, I have some thoughts about the message in this poem. You guessed it, I’m going to share them, also.

1. Are we still laughing and singing our praises to Thee? Were we ever doing this? Or instead stressed or worried about finding just the right gift for people that we love but didn’t need any material thing. Wearing ourselves out not only physically by shopping for gifts but how about decorating our yards and homes and writing cards and letters? Worrying about how we would pay for all of it and accumulating debt we should never have? We wear ourselves out not only physically but emotionally and financially. How about spiritually?
2. Old Scrooge? Greed? Maybe we need to consider the better gifts.
3. Living in peace? The peace of God is through His Son the Prince of Peace. He’s the only way to peace by having a relationship with Jesus Christ by faith. Through receiving and giving forgiveness, obedience, and loving others more than ourselves. And it is a fruit of the Spirit so allowing the Spirit of God to rule in our hearts will bring peace. No living in strife when walking by the Spirit. The Bible has much to say about peace and how to live in it.
4. How about releasing the love in our hearts? If we are lovers of ourselves, money, material things, greed, and unforgiveness, we don’t have the love of God. So how can we release something we don’t have?
5. Back to the old ways? Or were the old ways the only way we knew because we never knew the true meaning of Christmas, or Jesus Himself? We must not be deceived about this!
6. The “idols on the shelves”  are anything that we put before God, like pleasures of life, money, education, and even other people. Everything that people hold in high esteem or that can draw our attention away from God. Think about that for a while. Bring it to the Lord for correction. 2 Timothy 3:16 ESV “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” Revelation 3:19 ESV “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” I thank God for the love He poured out on me for the correction I received from Him again this morning by humbly repenting.
7. Again, did the reason for the season slip away? Or did we ever know the true meaning of the season? Was it Santa, snowmen, parties, and Disney movies? Hmm
8. Talk about blind sheep going astray! Or were we ever on the right path?

Wow! I don’t know about you but this was a very close examination of my heart, lifestyle, and where I’m heading in 2025 and thereafter.

Now, this day, this post-Christmas reflection with examination can be a great place to start!

Spend some time with Him in His Word first. Humbly letting Him examine our hearts giving us His loving correction. “To share all year long, the love of God, straight from our hearts!”

I recognize that there is a possibility of condemnation in my thoughts and words about this poem. And please know that I do not believe the Lord does not want us to enjoy any of the things I listed that we sometimes do. The point is why and how we do what we do to celebrate Christmas! This is the reason we come before God for reflection and examination. He knows us far better than we know ourselves. My poems “Dark to Light” and “Cleaning Out the Clutter” point out these truths.

And I would not dare finish this reflection and examination without pointing out some all-important facts about myself.

Some of you may remember that I have said the messages in my poems speak to me as well. As my Pastor has said, his sermons speak to him also. I only share these things as a way to draw us closer to Him, His Word, and a better understanding of who we are in Him. No casting stones here, as my poem says in “Casting Stones” in Blue Skies, Butterflies, and Battlegrounds. Books. Or how about “Harvest Seed” (in the same book)? “Your guiding Word to follow Jesus Showing others the way So there will be an abundant harvest For Your return on that glorious day!” pg. 156. Or the poem with the odd-sounding name, “Walking on My Knees”? “Walking on my knees might sound really odd, But it’s clearly a way to walk humbly before God. You see if I start in prayer on my knees His strength for this day is mine to be seized. Humbled, surrendered, dependent on Him…” pg. 77. “Distractions” gives us some explanations as to why we have so many distractions. Have you ever noticed how distractions are ramped up during Christmas? This poem helps explain why distractions and how we can overcome them.

Another fact about myself is I have done many of the wrong things that I listed starting with #1! Ouch, that would really sting, but again, let’s look at what God says when we are forgiven. FREE FROM INDWELLING SIN: Romans 8:1 “There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Only the enemy condemns, God lovingly corrects. And the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” What if Paul had allowed the regrets of his past mistakes to hold him back from his destiny in Christ? I need to consider the same for my life. Did you know Paul wrote two-thirds of the New Testament? That should speak volumes to those of us who would allow the enemy to condemn us of the past. It does to me! And I have heard Andrew Wommack say it this way, “I haven’t arrived yet, but I have left the station.” Lol! I’m joining Paul and Andrew in pressing forward and I hope you will too.

So back to the beginning of the day. My time with the Lord, His Word, and all that He has given me, prepared me to write. The purpose is for a deeper relationship with Him in His Word, Holy Spirit guidance correction, forgiveness, freedom from indwelling sin, and “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Here in this new year 2025 and thereafter.

Are you with me? I do pray that you are and that this time of reflection and examination has stirred you and given you a hunger like no other for His Word and His Way. Did you read my blog titled The Word, The Will, The Walk, The Way? I told my testimony of salvation and how you can be saved and I mentioned we all need clarity of the Word of God so we can know the Will of God and Walk with Him in His Ways.

I do look forward to our time together after my time with the Lord. Meanwhile, I am continuously grateful for your time and responses. If what I am sharing has benefitted you, please share my books and blogs with others.

God bless and keep you,

Reba

Good New Year’s Eve my friends,

Here I am reflecting on 2024 and something, in particular, came to mind that I want to share with you.

During this time of reflection, on this New Year’s Eve, I am reminded of a dream I had several years ago. I keep thinking that I should write about it. I confess my organizational skills are considered by some as “pathetic”. But that sometimes works to my benefit. As I wade through the piles of unfiled or filed in the wrong place documents, Bible Studies, letters, medical info, invoices… well that’s really telling on myself. Anyway, I discovered things that are nice additions to my dream story.

Yes, this is me although I don’t even recognize myself from the back view. My white hair hasn’t reached that far yet! Lol! But the evidence of my disorganization is apparent. I know some of you will get a laugh, and some can relate.

So, I will get to the story because there is no telling what will be added if I don’t. Ha! Ha!

First of all, the dream I titled “Joy Ride With the Holy Spirit”. I actually wrote the month and year the dream occurred, August 2014.

The winter weather outside was the most severe ice and snowstorm I had ever witnessed. Although it was nighttime, it appeared light because of the intensity of the white ice and snow. David and I stepped outside and saw our car sitting outside in the storm. I decided I had somewhere I must go. However, I could not fathom the destination, urgency, or purpose in ever considering the possibility of driving in those conditions. David was pleading with me not to go. It was far too treacherous! But I knew I had to get in the car and go anyway. Much to my surprise when I got in the car it started up and began moving on its own. I remember seeing David standing there as my car drove past him. With my hands gripping the steering wheel all I could see ahead was an ice-covered road with sharp jagged ice formations jutting along the narrow path. The road was very curvy as I was navigating through frigid snow-covered mountains. Despite the danger, I was unimaginably calm. The car was effortlessly gliding as it maneuvered through the danger. As I went around sharp curves, I could see the edge was a huge drop off the side of the mountain. But still no fear! I started praying and was so full of joy I could hardly contain it. Then I saw huge, jagged mountains ahead of me with razor-sharp peaks, but these mountains were barren and brown. At this point, I let go of the steering wheel and started praying in the spirit in an unknown tongue.  The joy elevated and the peace intensified. The ride with the Holy Spirit was thrilling beyond my wildest dreams (no pun intended). Then I woke up! As I lay in my bed, soaking in the experience, I said, “What a ride!” I didn’t want it to end. I just knew the Lord had a message in this incredible dream.

Here’s what I got:

Note about Ice and snow in the Bible: Ice represents God’s power over the elements and seasons. Job 37:10  NKJV “By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen”. Job 38:29 “From whose womb came the ice? And the frost of heaven, who gives it birth?” Psalms 147:17 “He casts out His hail like morsels; Who can stand against His cold?” Snow is also used to represent God’s power and purity. Isaiah 1:18 NKJV “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins be like scarlet, They shall be white as snow, Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” And in Psalms 51:7 David also uses this concept in his prayer. “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” On the Desiring God link it points out in Psalms 148:7-8 “Snow is purposed by God to glorify Him and “do His bidding.” Snow has a Sender (Job 37:6), frost has a Scatter-er (Psalm147:16), and God uses both to showcase His supremacy (Job 38:22).

As I did this research and read each scripture, it gave me a much greater appreciation of, not only the dream but my heavenly Father Who blessed me with such a dream. Oh, what a ride!

Here’s another note about the dream to consider. I got in the car to travel somewhere. I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew I had to go! No matter sight or circumstances. That is called faith! That faith was in something bigger than me. It was the Spirit of God with me!

I searched the internet again but this time it was for the scriptures that tell the meaning of traveling. In the Bible, travel can mean a variety of things. First, in Genesis 1:28 God tells Adam and Eve to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth. God wasn’t telling them to leave the Garden. It can be interpreted as a divine command to travel, or to extend the Garden of Eden. Travel can also be a pilgrimage of faith. It can be a metaphor for a spiritual journey, where God leads people toward a deeper relationship with Him and to learn to trust Him more. That’s where again I had the faith to get in the car when it didn’t seem rational under the weather conditions. And the letting go of the steering wheel came into play. Letting go and letting God bring me into a deeper relationship with Him, and trusting Him more. Traveling in the Bible also represents our life’s journey. In that journey, by trusting the Lord and seeking His will, He will show you the right path. Proverbs 3:5-6. Psalm 32:8 says He will guide you on the best pathway for your life. And He will advise you and watch over you. It gets better and better doesn’t it, my friend? I will list more scriptures I found and I’m sure you will find more to explore. Isaiah 30:21; Exodus 13:21; Psalms 121:82 Corinthians 5:7. And I have to write out Hebrews 11:8 “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going”. Oh to have the faith of Abraham, not just in my dream state, but in real life!

I believe the Lord is trying to convey an all-important message to us, don’t you? The Bible Repository link is where I found these verses, but they have 35 in total for us to read and further our understanding of God’s purpose in this dream.

And I believe this is why on this eve of the new year, I was reminded of this dream and was able to find where I had written about it amid the clutter.

As we look to the new year we can be confident that we have everything we need in this life’s journey. Have faith, and confidence in God’s Word, His promises, and His indwelling Holy Spirit that never leaves or forsakes us, no matter sight or circumstances. Be willing to surrender to Him and His plans and He guides us all the way on our journey home. It just can’t get better than that, can it?

AND WHAT A JOY RIDE IT WILL BE! Praising our Savior all the way, for making the way to the Father and our eternal home sweet home. It seems perfect for us to celebrate the new year right after celebrating the birth of the One who made the way for the Joy Ride With the Holy Spirit.

To finalize this blog I am adding a couple of things I discovered in my search through my files.

First is an article that Paul Thigpen wrote titled “Joy Stealers”. This is a good time to give this some prayerful reflection too.

If to see God is to know Him, to know Him is to love Him and to love Him is to enjoy Him, then anything that obscures our vision of God will inevitably diminish our joy in the Lord. 

Here are some common joy-stealers: 

GUILT. In loving God the Scripture says, we turn our heart toward Him, and in disobeying God we turn our heart and the “eyes” of our heart away from Him.(see for ex. 1 Kings 11:4,9). When we stand in unconfessed sin, we turn our back to God, and in losing our view of Him, we lose our joy. For joy to return, we must turn around again. The Bible calls it repentance; to face the Lord once more. 

FEAR.  Fear robs us of joy because it makes God seem far away. When the things that frighten us seem closer at hand than God, they also seem larger than God. Their proximity intimidates us and rivets our attention until we can no longer see the Lord who stands beyond them. 

For joy to return, we must gain some “analytical distance” on what frightens us by holding it up in the presence of God in prayer and redirecting our attention to God in worship. When we recapture a view of God near at hand(the vision of prayer) and on His throne reigning over the situation (the vision of worship), fear subsides, and we can once again take delight in God’s goodness and power. 

ANGER. When someone’s offense against us occupies our mental and emotional attention, we have little left over for the Lord. Anger clouds the eyes of our hearts and obscures our view of God, draining away our joy. The cure: We must forgive if we are to have our joy restored. 

DISCONTENT. At times our days seem filled with dull moments and insignificant concerns—fixing a child’s bike, doing the laundry, shuffling papers on an office desk. With our nose to the grindstone and our eyes to the ground, we fail to see the Lord in our daily movements, and so we move in a joyless routine. But if we lift our eyes to the Lord who rules over even “the day of small things”(Zech 4:10), our joy returns as we realize that the mundane moments we find so tedious are the common stuff from which we build a lifetime of faithfulness that pleases Him. 

DESPAIR. When we give up, concluding our situation is hopeless, we lose joy because we’ve taken our eyes off the all-sufficiency of God and fixed them on our own failure. We’re looking for God in a broken mirror. To find joy, we must throw away the mirror and instead, with hope to the great Artist who is making of us a masterpiece that is yet unfinished (Eph 2:10). 

SUFFERING. When we suffer, God suffers alongside us; that is, in part, the meaning of the cross of Christ. Yet grief, the ancients agree, is a “constriction” of the heart, and with it comes a narrowing of our sight, a loss of our heart’s peripheral vision, So if we would regain a vision of God in our suffering—and with it, our joy—we must turn to glimpse our hurting Lord right beside us, sharing our pain. In that moment, His face can stir in us a profound joy in the unsearchable love that would stoop to bear our sorrows as His own. 

Joy in suffering grows deeper still when we behold the Lord beside us in yet another sense, We are “seated… with Him in the heavenly realms” (Eph 2:6. The day will come when we will “reign forever and ever” with Him (Rev.22:5). Next to that triumphant eternity, the suffering of today or even of a lifetime grows infinitely small and so the joy of our vision of final glory can pour comfort and hope into the thirsty ground of our present pain. 

By Paul Thigpen 

I discovered some areas that I definitely needed to work on and I know I have the Holy Spirit (Helper) on that journey also. So let’s not let our JOY be stolen!

And I have a friend, Linda Greenler, who turns doodles into works of art. Glorifying Jesus! Joy in Him! Thank you, Linda, for sharing your talent with us!

I truly hope as you read what I have written that you will benefit by drawing closer to our Lord. And if you haven’t read my books, I hope you will in the new year. Just click on the word “books” and it will take you to my books page.

I have readers from 15 different nations (some of whom have already stepped into 2025), and I appreciate each one of you. I believe God will multiply that number and use what I write to serve His purpose for calling me to write. To Him is the glory!

Have the happiest New Year ever and enjoy the ride, in Jesus’s name,

Reba