Apron Strings Devotional for9/29/99

9/29/99

Good Morning....
Jesus loves You!!

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Having the reality of God's presence is not dependent on our being in a particular circumstance or place, but is only dependent on our determination to keep the Lord before us continually.
-Oswald Chambers-

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Hi Dear Friends!!

And welcome new ones! I pray this finds your day going well in our Lord Jesus!! This devo has a combination of themes, but I sense a timeliness in each one. So, you can either pick your own or reach for a bag and get 'em all! ( smile ) Please, be blessed and see ya at the end!!

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for the peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The second picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest.... a picture of a perfect peace.

Which of the pictures won the prize? The King chose the second picture. Do you know why?

"Because," explained the King, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."

-Author Unknown-
Received from: Skylark265@aol.com
Thanks Sharon!!

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"There is a practice that is most powerful in keeping us united with God.
That practice is the constant recollection of His presence."

-St. Alphonsus Liguori-

Received from: Hissong777@aol.com
Thanks Jan!

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JESUS WANTS TO KNOW

If you never felt pain,
Then how would you know that I'm a Healer?

If you never went through anything,
How would you know that I'm a Deliverer?

If you never had a trial,
How could you call yourself an Overcomer?

If you never felt sadness,
How would you know that I'm a Comforter?

If you never made a mistake,
How would you know that I'm Forgiving?

If you knew all,
How would you know that I will answer your questions?

If you never were in trouble,
How would you know that I will come to your rescue?

If you never were broken,
Then how would know that I can make you whole?

If you never had a problem,
How would you know that I can solve them?

If you never had any suffering,
then how would you know what I went through?

If you never went through the fire,
How would you become pure?

If I gave you all things,
How would you appreciate them?

If I never corrected you,
How would you know that I love you?

If you had all power,
Then how would you learn to depend on me?

If your life was perfect,
Then what would you need Me for?

-Author Unknown-
Received from: Curler7@aol.com
Thanks Glendia!

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Luke 15:3-4
And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

Last night my dear husband and I went to a restaurant to grab some grub. The restaurant we patronized is our favorite one in the whole world, but not necessarily because of the food. Don't get me wrong. The morsels are excellent but there is another reason we go, and this has been the same reason for about 4 months. We go because we love the "Server." This particular one is such a precious heart and we request her each time. We even have our own booth which she guards dearly if she knows we are coming.

Last night, however, my heart was heavy and while she was gone to get our salads, I shared this with Jimmy ( my hubby ). He gave me a concerned look and asked why. My mind had wandered back to an email I recently received, and it is one that has circulated for quiet some time, so I am sure most of you may have seen it. It was about a person who had a dream, and in the dream they were standing in a line on Judgment Day, waiting to hear "Well done." You see, this person was a Christian. Well, in another line was a familiar face. It was someone he/she saw in the halls at work. They would exchange hellos, and make small talk. But in this line, the coworker looked at the dreamer with big tears in her eyes and said:

"Why didn't you tell me about the God that you do know, You went to church each week but never invited me to go? You never told me of his saving mercy, that he died on the cross And now it is too late for me and my soul's eternally loss I see you saved yourself and that you are among the chosen few, But tell me, couldn't you have made an effort, to try and save me too?"

It was this email that made my heart heavy, for I realized that I suddenly had an urge to share Jesus with our Server, but I felt like a poor witness. In fact, I felt like a rotten witness. I just felt like this pearl diver that makes it known he is a pearl diver, but doesn't bothers to share his pearls. After I explained this to my Darlin, he looked me straight in the eye and said, "Don't lean into that condemnation. It's the enemy and he will feed on those negative thoughts. God will make a way for you to witness to her if your heart is willing."

I took those words to heart and as the night wore on, He did make a way. It happened so naturally, I knew it was God. For most of the night, we were the only customers in the restaurant, ( and that was a rarity ) and she ended up pulling up a chair while we shared Jesus, and she shared her own heart. It was fabulous! She didn't commit her life to the Lord just then, but I know in my heart that seeds were sown, and God is doing a work.

If He puts someone on our heart, it is for a reason. The Holy Spirit empowers us with the right words at just the right time. He was preparing my heart the whole time to share, but the enemy attempted to sow seeds of doubt at the same time. Jimmy immediately recognized this and spoke the truth. ( Thank you, Sweetheart! )

I love the way the Lord orchestrated the circumstances in our instance. I realize now that even though I read that email in times past, I needed to read it again so that it would be fresh on my heart for "such a time as this." And we initially had no plans to go to that restaurant last night. In fact, our original plans were to grab a quick sandwich somewhere and then go home. But that wasn't God's plan. Our friend is that important to Him, just as we all are so very important to Him.

I am going to ask something of each one of you. Take a moment to say a prayer for our friend. Her heart is ripe and the Holy Spirit is moving. I believe our prayers combined will boost this precious lamb straight into the arms of Jesus.

If you ever get that same burden with that same obstacle, just remember: "Don't lean into the condemnation. It's the enemy and he will feed on those negative thoughts. God will make a way for you to witness if your heart is willing."

I feel strongly led to enclose that whole story as an ending.. Even if you have read it before, read it again, and ask God to help you to read it with His eyes and listen for His Heart, as he puts someone on yours.

JUDGMENT DAY
( Author Unknown )

I was standing at the seat of judgment, waiting for my turn
Thinking of the houses and the treasures I would earn
Thinking of how I'd lived my life just as a Christian should
Thinking of how I'd always done what was right and what was good

I knew that when my turn would come with the Father and the Son They would look at me and my life and say to me "Well Done" I knew that I was sinless, and my life beyond reproach I got more excited as my time began to approach But just then I looked around and who should I see, But the lady that I worked with, just down the hall from me We always passed each other with a wave and a smile And when the time would allow we would chat for a little while We would talk about our jobs, our kids, and various little things.

Our conversations always pleasant and laughter it would bring Just then she looked up, and her teary eyes locked with mine And my smile faded when I realized she was in the other line She began to speak the words that broke my heart in two It pains me now to remember as I share these words with you

She said "Why didn't you tell me about the God that you do know, You went to church each week but never invited me to go? You never told me of his saving mercy, that he died on the cross And now it is to late for me and my soul's eternally loss I see you saved yourself and that you are among the chosen few, But tell me, couldn't you have made an effort, to try and save me too?"

Just then I sat straight up in bed, my heart pounding in my chest

Thank God it was just a dream, but my spirit still couldn't rest I realized that I couldn't keep my God a secret among friends But that I must learn to always share the hope that the gospel lends

So I encourage you not to wait until it is too late Go and tell everyone you meet that your God is so, so great!

Amen!!
God Bless You All!!
And remember..
Jesus loves you and I do too!

In Christ!!
Carol
Justaservn@aol.com

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