This week’s devotion is on “backsliding.” This represents things in my life that I keep bringing to the Lord, asking for His help. Things like…Bible reading, a better prayer life, a closer walk with Him. Also things like being a better wife and mother, keeping my home organized and clutter free. To be more friendly and not so withdrawn from people, to improve my self-image of myself.

I pray and ask the Lord for help in all these areas. I know He hears my prayers, because for awhile, things will improve. I read my Bible every day, I pray, and I feel closer to the Lord. Things improve at home as well.

Then it happens. Something will happen, or someone will say or do something that will cause me to falter in my resolve to do better. Some little doubt or fear will creep in and cause me to stumble again. I know the Lord is always there to pick me up and set me on my feet again, but I often wonder if He ever gets tired of that. Why do I allow those things into my life that I know will cause me to falter and stumble. When I am walking close to my Lord, and everything is wonderful, why do I allow things in that take that all away! I guess it is the age old battle of the “old man” versus the “new man.” Satan doesn’t want me to have a close relationship with my Lord. He delights in seeing me falter and fall away from that sweet fellowship with God. The harder he can make me fall, the better he likes it. I need to determine to not let circumstances and tribulations come my way, it is at those times that I need to draw closer to the Lord. I need to set my eyes on Him, and rely on His strength to get me through the storms.

I bought a framed picture just before Christmas, and I love the “verse” it has printed on it. It says, “Sometimes God calms the storm…Sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.” This spoke volumes to my heart when I first saw it!

My prayer is that the Lord would indeed calm me when it is His will for me to go through the storm that is raging about me!

Vessels unto honour
is what we desire to be.
Lord, help us as ladies
draw closer yet to Thee.

You have brought us each together
for a very special plan.
Though Your purpose in our lives
we may not fully understand.

May our vessels be pure,
acceptable, and clean.
Help us serve You uprightly
in each and everything.

Fellowship and prayer,
encouragement and grace.
We find these things and more
in this very special place.

Thank you Lord for placing
a burden on someone’s heart.
I’m so very thankful that
with these ladies I have a part.

Some people just seem to be naturally clumsy. I prefer to call it directionally dysfunctional; it sounds nicer! Having been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and neuropathy and having lived with them most of my life, I can number myself amongst those that are “directionally dysfunctional.” Falling all over the place when I least expect it can be embarrassing and painful. There is one thing I have to do each time that happens, however; and that is to stand back up. Wheither I am able to stand on my own, pull up on my walker, or need the assistance of another, I always have to get up again.

In life, we fail and falter. Sometimes we land on our face. It is usually never intentional, but it happens. We are sometimes full of the best intentions. We go out into the spiritual battle on fire for God and excited, thinking nothing can stop us, not even the firey darts of hell. Sometimes we think we are invincible and because we are saved that nothing bad will happen to us. Life does not work that way; especially not the Christian life.

Sometimes things happen that we did not plan on; things that we certainly did not pray for. I know in my life I never planed to be twenty years old and using a walker. As a little girl my dreams did not include pain that makes me cry, no matter how hard I try not to. It certainly did not include embarrassing moments for the whole world to see!

So what does one do when they find themselves flat on their face, spiritually or literally? Do they lie there crying and hope no one sees them? Perhaps for a moment, but then they have to move their hands from their eyes and face reality. They have to get up!

Physically they may be able to stand on their own, but spiritually they need the hand of God. What a blessed day it is in a Christian’s life when they realize it is not what they can do, and it is not about them. It is all about what God can do and it has everything to do with Him.

It is when we find themselves fallen and unable to do a thing about it that God is able to do a work in our lives. God in His sovereign power knew all along what would happen. He could have stopped it, but He chose not to. Why? Because He has a perfect plan and we are privalidged to be a part of it! He has a lesson for us to learn, or perhaps a lesson to teach those who are watching us. We could lie there and refuse to get up, and we could throw in the towel, but what a waste it would be! I am so very thankful that I serve a God that knows each step I take!

 How can You be so patient,
With this unworthy piece?
I’ve struggled far too often,
And yet You do not cease.

 Still You gently mold me,
Though I fight against your will.
A vessel unto honour,
You will make me still.

 You know that I am dust,
You know each inward part;
You know my true desire,
For a pure and godly heart.

 And so You work so gently,
Where I fear for You to touch;
You take Your time because,
You love me very much. 

And when one day at last,
Your work with me is done,
A vessel unto honour,
Is what I‘ll have become.

 © 2008 Chelsie May

 Every thing she lays her hands to do she does it; she is not deterred from her task. Bathsheba is showing us her learned wisdom. Look at what she does, verse13 she willingly works with her hands. I know I don’t always do things willingly. Verse19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. Spinning is hard work. It causes many problems to your hands, dries them out causing bleeding blisters and pain, how much are we willing to go through to see to others needs. Verse 20-she strecheth her hands to the poor and needy, do I seek to look after others that are not as fortunate as I? There is so much more in this chapter for us to see. But remember above all verse 30, Favour is decietful and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord she will be priased. God is always with us, never leaving or forsaking us. He will never give us more then we can bear, seek diligently and pray earnestly, God will be your all in all and will help you to be what and who you need to be. Use your hands for God’s glory.   I pray that we will learn from Bathsheba ‘s mistakes and apply our hearts to do our best to build our house and bring glory to our God.  Remember Proverbs 31:28 

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.

* 1 package (18-1/4 ounces) white cake mix
* 1-1/4 cups water
* 1/4 cup vegetable oil
* 2 eggs
* 1 package (16 ounces) frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed
* 2 packages (3 ounces each) strawberry gelatin
* 1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
* Fresh strawberries, optional

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil and eggs on low speed until moistened. Beat on medium for 2 minutes.
Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
Using a serrated knife, level top of each cake if necessary. Return layers, top side up, to two clean 9-in. round baking pans. Pierce cakes with a meat fork at 1/2-in. intervals.
Drain juice from strawberries into a 2-cup measuring cup; refrigerate berries. Add water to juice to measure 2 cups; pour into a saucepan. Bring to a boil; stir in gelatin until dissolved. Chill for 30 minutes. Gently spoon over each cake layer. Chill for 2-3 hours.
Dip bottom of one pan in warm water for 10 seconds. Invert cake onto a serving platter. Top with reserved strawberries and 1 cup whipped topping. Place second cake layer over topping.
Frost cake with remaining whipped topping. Chill for at least 1 hour. Serve with fresh berries if desired. Refrigerate leftovers. Serves 10-12.

PreparationCombine the apples and applesauce in a 13 x 9 baking dish coated with cooking spray. In a bowl, combine the oats, wheat germ, brown sugar and cinnamon, then add the oil and butter. Crumble the mixture over the apples. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serves 6.

Sad Recipe 

I didn’t have potatoes,

So I substituted rice.

I didn’t have paprika,

So I used another spice.

I didn’t have tomato sauce;

I used tomato paste.

A whole can, not a half can,

I don’t believe in waste.

A friend gave me the recipe.

She said you couldn’t beat it.

There must be something wrong with her,

I couldn’t even eat it.

~LaDonna (Helm) Plienis

LOL…sorry, I just had to post that “recipe”!

Now, for a “real” recipe -

No Peek Chicken

Chicken, cut up

1 cup white rice (uncooked)

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup

1/4 cup water

1 package dry onion soup mix

Combine rice, soups, and water. Arrange chicken in greased cake pan; pour rice mixture over chicken. Sprinkle onion soup mix over the top. Cover with foil. Bake at 350 for about 2 1/2 hours. Yummy!

Doubt ~ this is something that I struggle with all of the time. I’m not good enough. Whatever I do is wrong. I can’t do anything right. Why would anyone want me as a friend. Doubt is a very powerful thing! It is so easy to become discouraged and depressed. I know this is not how the Lord would have me to be, but it so hard sometimes. When it seems that everything you do is criticized by someone else, it makes you feel, “Why do I even bother? I apparantly can’t do it right ~ so why bother?”

I know in my heart that this is a tool the devil uses to bring God’s children down. If he can get discouragement and depression into the heart of one of God’s children, then he is happy. When this happens we tend to be more focused on ourselves rather than on the Lord. Instead of asking for the Lord to help me, I try to find a solution myself – and 9 times out of 10, I fail miserably!!!!

Why do I keep doing this to myself? Why do I keep beating myself up over these things? God is always there to help me. Even when no one else understands (or even cares), He does! God doesn’t want me to feel miserable all of the time. He wants me to be happy and full of joy! He wants me to bring my doubts to Him and leave them there. He wants to take care of me, and help me get through my everyday tasks, no matter how mundane they may be. Thank you Lord for always being there!!