Author: Marjorie Holmes
Women's Devotional Bible
NIV

I am GRATEFUL, God, that I have finally come to realize your purpose for me.

Just when or how this came about I can't say. It wasn't sudden and dramatic, the way it happened to Paul on the road to Damascus, or Peter Marshall with his experience on the Scottish moors.

There have been no visions, no voices, no letters written in fire upon a wall saying: "Do this." "Do that." "This is your reason for being."

No, my search for you and for the meaning you had for my life has been uncertain, groping, erratic, filled with accidents, false goals. Sometimes I seemed to sense that purpose, clearly see it; but it vanished like a mirage in the harried, often cruel business of everyday.

Yet, somehow you keep track of your floundering creatures. Maybe because life is so filled with defeat and heartbreak, we find ourselves turning to you, yielding ourselves to your will, fighting less furiously for selfish, often empty goals. And when this happens we find that you have turned our sufferings and our failures to little stepping-stones.

Looking back, we see them. These rocks which gradually, all unknown to us, you have been shaping to lead us toward our purpose.....And we have been following! However blindly, however zigzag the course, yet we have been moving toward it.

And looking about, we see there are results. There are signals, heartening little affirmations, unexpected proofs.

However humble our circumstances or undramatic our talents, our true purpose has been revealed. We were meant to make this particular contribution to the world.

And so we must do it well. Do it with faith and patience, with all our strength and passion. And in so doing discover who we really are.

Ephesians 2:8-10 Philippians 2:12, 13

I have several posts ready and will be posting them over the next several days. Thank you for reading...continue. I sincerely hope and pray you have found something useful in your walk with God in my writings. Please leave your comments or suggestions for further study.

May God Bless and Keep You Forever Walking Beside Him,
"JJ"

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Jackie Pickels
http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/thread/456577.aspx
PrayerWarriorsUnite.com "Coming Soon"

Showing Me Purpose

Isaiah 48:17 This is what the Lord says ~

Your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God,

who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.

Isaiah 48:12-19 " Listen to me, O Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he;

I am the first and I am the last. My own hand laid out the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens, when I summon them, they all stand up together.

" Come together, all of you, and listen: Which of the idols has foretold these things? The Lord's chosen ally will carry out his purpose against Babylon; his arms will be against the Babylonians. I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission.

" Come near me and listen to this:

"From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time it happens,

I am there. "

And now the Soveriegn Lord has sent me with his Spirit.

This is what the Lord says ~ your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. " I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea. Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before me."

This shall continue into my next post. The Lord's purpose for me has been heavily on my heart as of late. Till my next... "JJ"

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Jackie Pickels

http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/thread/456577.aspx

PrayerWarriorsUnite.com "Coming Soon"

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I know it's been about a week since my last post. I've been quite busy, with the Lord, however.

My husband and I began the "Cleansing Stream" class. We have been working on our assignments, we're behind, but pushing forward.

I have been praying heavily for people who have emailed me for prayer, as well as, my pastor and church family. Praying with my husband, and praying for leaders in government.

Our country, all officials within our government do need our prayer. I encourage you to begin prayer today.

1 Corinthians 1--What does this Chapter mean to you?

We will be going to the Healing Rooms today for prayer. Hopefully, when I return this evening I will write again.

May the Lord Bless You, "JJ"
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Jackie Pickels
PrayerWarriorsUnite.com ' Coming Soon '
http://community.adlandpro.com/go/joypix/myWebPage.aspx
http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/thread/453807.aspx
http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/thread/456210.aspx

I found these pages in an old notebook, and have decided to share them with you. They are prayers I made a few years ago or several years ago, there is no date on them. I have more, and maybe as time progresses I'll share those also.

From: God
To: Jackie

You are so precious to me. You are as a precious gem; a diamond, a ruby, emerald, or even the finest pearl.

This is why I sent my beloved son, Jesus, to shed his blood for you on Calvary.

When you cry, I cry; when you hurt physically or emotionally and are crying in agony -- I am there crying with you, holding you in my arms crying; Just say my name -- I'm here, I'm here, I'll say shhh! We will fix it, you can't, but oh, I can! It brings me so much joy! That you have finally called on me to help you! I desire for you to call on me daily -- it grieves me when you don't. For I have the power to help you through that morning drive to work, being in the hospital with you, or for someone else -- I have the resources, the power to move heaven and earth (literally). I want to hear your hopes and dreams, your needs, and desires. I am there for you in the big mistakes and the small ones; to help guide you back to the straight and narrow pathway that is for my saints!

Ya know what we are, as Christians; God's work in progress. Either somebody said something to me or I did something; then a few days later as I had written a couple paragraphs and looked up some scriptures... Joyce Meyers "I'm Okay and I'm On My Way" came to my mind! So I guess my topic isn't original; I obviously needed to do more reading & studying ...

Accepting the Holy Spirit's leading -- I read the book of Colossians, meditated, re-read it, underlined scriptures and meditated ; again and again, and yet again I read Colossians, highlighting and underlining scriptures, meditating and meditating on what I had read. Then I read it, yet again, in my KJV and again in the amplified: Yes, I meditated some more on these words of Wisdom.

A Christian is God's Work in Progress

We, us Christians, are all, God's work in progress. If we will allow Him, only if we allow Him, God will transform us; minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day; from Glory to Glory. However, it is our CHOICE we must make!

John 3:16, Romans 5:17,18, Romans 8:1-4, 12, 13

Because we are a work-in-progress; we are subject to error, of making mistakes -- Praise God for our Lord Jesus who shed his blood for our mistakes, some big ones, as well as, the small one's

I Corin. 6:12 (11), 6:19,20; 10:23,24, 31,32; 10:16

Magnify Your Lord God Only in Your Life!

With Christ's Love, "JJ"
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Jackie Pickels
PrayerWarriorsUnite.com ' Coming Soon'
http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/thread/453807.aspx
http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/thread/456210.aspx
'Next Site' PrayersUnlimited.com Christian Books on Prayer & Intercessory Prayer
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Are you close to God? Do you depend on God? Many claim the title "Christian", but ignore what Jesus teaches in the Bible. Which teaches "true" Christianity, becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. What does it mean to be a "Disciple" of Jesus Christ?

Belief in Jesus is the requirement for eternal life. Matt. 7:21,22 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evil-doers!'

Belief REQUIRES action! Those that enter heaven are those that do the Father's will.

Loving God...Matt. 22:36-40 NIV "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commanments.

If we believe, we stop sin, and love God with everything we have in us, no matter how difficult it is in the flesh, we continually strive for this. Meaning: talking or praying to him regularly, reading, learning His Word.

Self-inventory looks at the passions and desires of your heart in order to determine if you are a Christian. These questions are not about your conduct, but about WHO you are. They look at your HEART attitudes.

Do you want to obey God? 1 John 2:3, 4

We know that we have come to know him if we obey His commands.

Do you love Jesus? 1 Corin. 16:22

If anyone does not love the Lord-- a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!

Do you confess your sins to God? 1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Do you love others? 1 John 4:8

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Do you love the world more than God? 1 John 2:15

Do not love the world or anything in the world, If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Is the fruit of the spirit obvious in my life? Gal. 5:22, 23

But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control against such things there is no law.

These are marks which indicate that you are spiritually alive. Marks of a Christian ~~

Till tomorrow sometime... With Love in Christ "JJ"

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Jackie Pickels

PrayerWarriorsUnite.com "Coming Soon"

http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/thread/456577.aspx

Adult resignation...it is really quite funny

http://homestead.com/deehymn/closerwalk.html

Song ~turn your volume up and Enjoy!

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Becoming close to God is easy in one aspect, and difficult in others. I suppose it depends on the person. Seeking to know God, and learning how to know God is what I'm after. To keep step with the Spirit, live by the Spirit is easier said than done. Definately cannot depend on yourself, doing it in your own power is fruitless. Depending on God can be difficult when you're used to doing things yourself and extremely independent. Learning to be independent was a must for me after my mother's death in 1975. So, I have to now learn how to be dependent upon God.

REALIZE

We soon find it all but impossible to live the Christian life with our own strength and goodness. It is through God's strength that we know goodness. When we realize this, surrender becomes our priority. In seeking to unite our will with God's more fully, we don't want a fixed blissful union with him, one that is filled with passivity. Surrendering to Him means growth and progress. It is the freedom of moving forward with and through him, so that each of our relationships and all of our work, worship, suffering, and play reflect what he wants of us.

~Judith C. Lechman

Being so indepent has made it difficult to walk out the Christian walk of life. Yes it is difficult to give up your control of things ( or what you think is your control). As I've come to know God, however, it does become easier to give up the reins. Especially when you're giving them to someone who has only your best interests at heart.

What makes it difficult is that I really didn't believe that was the case in my beginning walk with God. I suppose I was quite conceited, actually, I know I was. I've never thought of myself as conceited before, and would never have used the word to describe myself. However, I thought I knew what was best for me in my life. Then I find out that it's not my life at all, but his. "We were bought with a price, Christ's death on the cross." That his death is the price he paid for me.

I guess I'll have to finish this later, it's time for getting ready for church. This afternoon we're having a friend come over for fellowship and food. My Husband & I are going to be involved with "CelebrateRecovery.com" in our church. So, until late this evening or tomorrow morning...

With Christs Love, "JJ"

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Jackie Pickels

PrayerWarriorsUnite.com "Coming Soon"

http://community.adlandpro.com/go/joypix/myWebPage.aspx

http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/thread/453807

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Do you know God? You do know of Him? You do know about Him? But, do you know Him? That seems to be my mission right now, is seeking to know God more intimately, passionately, reverently. Maybe you'd like to join me in my quest to know God?

The invitation is open to anyone and everyone who would like to learn how to know God, as I explore the traits of his character which from what I understand is listed in Galatians 5:22-25 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Quite a list, huh? Is it a mountain too tough to climb? I don't think so, for we are to strive to become like Jesus. Don't you think God knew how difficult the task would be before he gave the instructions? I believe he knew exactly how tough it would be, that's where depending on God comes in; we're not supposed to rely on our own human abilities to arrive at this level.

Notice in the verses above it says ...have crucified the sinful nature... That I believe we are to do on a daily basis.

Let me know your comments and insights regarding "Knowing God" I'd like to hear from others..."JJ"
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Jackie Pickels
PrayerWarriorsUnite.com
http://community.adlandpro.com/go/joypix/myWebPage.aspx
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