Expectation

There is an expectancy in my spirit today.

This morning I read in Matthew 4,

"The  people who sat (dwelt, enveloped) in darkness have seen a great Light, and for those who sat in the land and the shadow of death Light has dawned."

The "Light" that this verse is speaking of is Jesus! The people of that land had sat wrapped in worldly darkness for a long, long time. The darkness in this verse is referred to as "the shadow of death". 

There was great hope because Jesus had entered that dwelling of darkness. He came as light to invade that great abyss of hopelessness and despair.

When God created the world He said, "Let there be light and there was light."

God let there be Light in this forsaken land of Zebulun and Naphtali. 

Jesus was the One who cried, "Let there be" in Matthew 4 because His words in the very next verse (17) begin with, "repent!" 

I love the definition that the Amplified version of the Bible gives for repentance:

"that is, change your mind for the better, heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins.........for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

In other words, "Let there be Light in your life!"

We have a choice.

How desperately He wants us to choose Light over darkness. He calls us out of our tomb and invites us to walk in resurrection life!

There is sunshine in my town today after days and days and days of rain.

It is so inviting to see the dawn of a sunshiny day. My soul is dancing and full of energy ready to run!

The sweet Lord is illustrating these wonderful verses to me. What an amazing God!

So I am expecting to see the Light in my day.........all day! 

Should the sun find more clouds to crawl behind, I will remain in the Light of His glory. I will be listening for His voice that leads and directs and points to a life of freedom. I will expect to see His fingerprints everywhere I go because the Light of the universe has so graciously called me to a day in the Light!

With anticipation!

Cheri 

Knowing Him

In the very beginning I was drawn to my husband because of his sense of humor. I thought he was the cutest thing on two feet! When I got to know him better, I realized he was not really trying to be funny. He is just naturally comical. There have been times in our marriage when I wasn't sure that I should keep laughing or begin to cry over his amazing personality. 

I have gotten to know Scotty on many levels through our life together. He is so interesting. 

Not to long ago we went through a season that was extremely difficult for our family. It was in this season that Scotty demonstrated the love of Jesus to me like no one else ever had. He loved unconditionally, was firm, but kind, merciful, patient. He was amazing! He was such an example to me and to the rest of our family. I got to know my husband at a whole new level through the trial we were experiencing.

I have gotten to know the Lord at many different levels. First I knew Him as Savior. He became my salvation when I was nine years old. Through the years He has been many different things to me. Helper, restorer, deliverer, mentor, teacher, giver. He has been kind, trustworthy, faithful, determined, patient, hope,  my peace. Joy! He has been life to me! He has been everything to me! 

I have known Jesus on so many levels, at so many stages, and in so many circumstances. My favorite way of knowing Him is as my friend. He is my best friend. He knows and understands me even when I don't understand myself.  He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is a friend that will be faithful to the end. He will never leave me or forsake me. He will never lie to me, steal from me, or condemn  me. He is on my side. He wants me to succeed and not fail. He is for me and not against me. He will bless and encourage me all of my days. He will not change. He will be just as He is FOREVER! He is not ever going to change His mind about our relationship! We are in this thing for the long haul! Eternity!

I am so thankful to know Him! Do you know Him as friend?

Blessings,

Cheri

Hind's Feet

I love Habakkuk 3:19 from the Amplified version:

"The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet, and will make me to walk, not to stand still in terror, but to walk and make spiritual progress upon my high places of trouble, suffering, or responsibility."

This is my meditation for today.

Glory!

Cheri

Justified

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12

The word justified means, "just as if I had never sinned". 

My life is now hidden in Christ and the Father can no longer see my wretchedness but only His holiness.

This humbles me. 

I deserve punishment. I receive grace.

I deserve justice. I receive mercy.

I deserve nothing less than death, but I am given new life.

I love that the Lord would be so generous to me. I am so thankful. I rejoice in my salvation.

I am a receiver needing to be a giver.

The Lord has been wrestling with me all night. It is this very issue that He has brought to light in the wee hours of morning. My heart has been exposed. It has caused great despair.

When others offend, annoy, frustrate me..........I do not treat them with grace. I do not treat them as if they had never sinned against me. I don't easily release past offenses. There are certain people that were destined to be an irritant in my life. Sandpaper. Ughhh!!!!!

There was victory at the end of our match this morning. The Lord won. True to His nature He awarded me the prize. Grace.  He has given me grace to let them go. He has given me grace to begin again. He has given me grace to forgive myself.

There will be more sandpaper moments. There will be grace to treat those who offend with grace and mercy. I trust that He has made me rich in this. I will choose to walk in it.

Justified!!!!!

Cheri

Prized Possession

Have you met Volle? (pictured with her daughter)

She lives in the slums of Bangalore, India. 

I met her two years ago. We are sisters in Christ. 

There were so many beautiful women of God that I met while I was there. Women love Jesus with such a passion in that country. It was a humbling experience for me. I came home with an earnestness and even a desperation to know my Jesus more.

Volle is a paid servant for the pastor's wife of the church that we served. Her home is in the slums across the street from the church.

I was introduced to her on my first trip to India. She speaks very little English, but she graciously took my hand, looked me in the eye and asked, "You have Jesus?"

I took her hand in mine and said, "Yes! Yes, I have Jesus!"

Our lives are so different. My home looks like a mansion compared to the one her family lives in. She walks almost everywhere she goes. She does not have material treasures. 

Yet we have something in common. That one thing will bind us for eternity! Jesus!

Meeting Volle impacted my life beyond words. She would never envy the riches that I have because I live in this country. She knows she has it all! She has Jesus! What more could one want? She never dreams of coming here. Her sights are set much higher. There is a better place than the United States to dream about.  

Her faith is to be envied. She prays for the impossible and believes that her  God will provide for her. And He does! He provides in amazing ways! She expects Him to.

Out of all the people that I met on my first trip to India, Volle was the one that I most desired to see again when I returned in February of this year. 

My second trip to India was so special. I felt as if I had returned to family. 

I spent a lot of time with Volle. I could not always understand her words. She could not comprehend mine. Sometimes we had an interpreter. I can tell you that we shared something more special than words.....His name is Jesus. 

He was right in the midst of us. 

He says, "Where two are three of you are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of you!"

He was right there in the midst of us. I couldn't help but linger with her because His presence was so special.

I can hardly wait to introduce her to you. I know that you have probably dreamed of the day when you will meet Esther, Ruth, Mary, Anna, Lydia, and other women that we have so loved and been inspired by from the Word of God. Please add  Volle to your list. You will not want to miss her!!!! Oh, and when you get to heaven, if you cannot spot her, just look for me. I am sure that she and I will be before the Lord's throne hand in hand worshiping together.  

Lord, please bless Volle and her family today. Speak to her heart. Encourage her. Let your fingerprints be seen in her life this day as she worships You. Thank You for my sister! She has impacted me for eternity! Amen!

Because He Lives!

Cheri

ps. Volle is alive and well as far as I know. I just don't know if I will ever get to see her again this side of heaven. I look forward to our next reunion whenever, however, and wherever that might be.

Souls

I recently enjoyed an editorial in The Pentecostal Evangel called A Model For Revival by Ken Horn. The article speaks of the Welsh revival of the early 1900's in which an estimated 100,000 souls were saved. Two men in Wales began to bow in humility before God and ask, "Lord, bend me." That became the theme of the revival of that day.

Soon they were pleading with the Lord for 100,000 souls. 

I was wondering if the Lord was thinking, "Ask for more! Believe for more! Pray for more!"

There are two quotes that the author of the article shares.

"Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil's reach as humility." (Jonathan Edwards)

"Water always fills the lowest places first. The lower.......a man lies before God, the speedier and the fuller the inflow of the divine glory will be." (Andrew Murray)

Today I am asking the Lord to bend me.

My second request is that He will give me souls! I am asking for 100,000 plus because I do not want to set a cap on it. 

Would you like to see revival? 

I know revival begins with one heart that is prostrate before the Lord. 

When others join the one, many will come into the Kingdom. I believe that nations can be saved.

Would you like to join my prayer for 100,000 plus souls? 

There is power in agreement.

Nothing is too difficult for our God!

Believing with you!

Cheri

Not My Will

I am beginning to notice that I have a strong will. 

A strong will has been helpful many times in my life.

It has helped me to endure, persevere, press into my God.

At times this will of mine is a great enemy to me. It demands it's way! 

Stomps it's foot and echos with shouts inside of me, "It's not fair!" 

I am sure that Jesus had moments when He wanted to tell the world,

"It's not fair! What is wrong with you?" But He didn't! He didn't speak to

the world about it. He took it all to His Father. 

Soon there would be resolve in His soul....."Not My will, but Yours, Father."

A surrendered will. A yielded heart. A life that is willing to bow before the Lord and

say, "Your way! I desire Your way!"

A heart yielded to the Father is a great joy to Him. When we obey Him, we embrace Him. Our obedience brings a fellowship that is so sweet. His smile rests on a surrendered life. 

The Lord will always say, "Amen" to our prayers when we are praying His will. Sometimes when I am praying, I ask myself, "Am I going to hear Him say amen to this?" If not then I must change what I am praying for. 

His will is best......everytime. His "amen" is powerful. I am listening for His "amen" to my prayer today! I hear it when I pray that He will bless you!

Amen!

Cheri