Category Archives: McKee

The Bait

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riverbankWhen I was growing up we didn’t do a lot of fishing.  Once in a while my dad would take us down to the river bank. I love the thought of catching fish but I hated the thoughts of killing a worm or even touching them. My dad would bait my hook.. I wasn’t a natural fisher-kid. I think I was only about eight or nine, and everywhere I threw my line  I got snagged. I lost the sinkers, hook and the bait. One time I almost lost the whole pole

My dad was getting frustrated with me. He told me if I lost another sinker or if I got’ my line caught in weeds again, it was over. Seems my fishing days were on the line, literally. This made me sad. I was just beginning. Even at a young age I was not a quitter.

It was getting dark and my dad said I had to reel  my line in. I was petrified. I thought for sure my line was snagged.. My fishing line was going back and forth in the current. Strange I thought. I did not mention this to my dad as I felt like a failure already.  Now, the time of facing the music had come because we were going home.

caught oneMy dad came over to watch me reel in my line. To my great surprise there was a fish on the end of my line! To me that was a miracle! What I thought was a snag on a branch was actually this fish swimming around trying to figure out how to get unhooked. My dad came to my rescue as I never caught a fish before; I also never even took one off the hook. I felt bad for this fish. He was blinking his big eyes at me while hanging by the huge embedded hook tn his jaw. My dad said the fish was not big enough to keep so he got the hook out and released the Sucker (fish) back in the river. I hope it lived a long and happy life. Somehow the type of fish, a Sucker, is how we are to get sucked in by Satan’s hand-crafted and sharp hooks.

Sometimes I do the same stupid “mistakes” over and over again They are not really mistakes. A mistake sounds so much nicer than — sin. Regardless of what the sin is, it seems to pull me down the river and I can’t stop because of the hook in my jaw.

We all have weaknesses and I know full well what mine are. As foolish as it is sometimes I go fishing for them. Satan uses many things to bait us back into sin . He knows our weaknesses and how to lure us with his baited hook Once we take the bait we have “pleasure for a short time.” The really bad news is the bait he uses covers the hidden sharp hook. That hook will embed deeply into our jaw. We could easily die with the hook of Satan embedded in our jaw.

This is wisdom from the Old Testament even though it is not addressing hooks in the jaw….it could be applied to any sin in our past that tempts us.

Genesis 19:17 (NASB)

17 When they had brought them outside,  one said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the valley; escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away.”

Thankfully, our fish story doesn’t end there. Our Father will come to rescue us, when we repent and ask for help; He will gently get the hook of Satan out of our mouth. We have a loving Father in Heaven and Jesus our Savior died to save us from the sins that easily beset us. GOD LOVES US ALWAYS!

Galatians 1:3-5…3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil page, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.

These days I don’t fish. I still don’t like worms. However, I still get tempted by things in the world. Regretfully at times I take the bait. Then I am hooked again, needing to be rescued. God is graceful and compassionate. I get so tired of falling for the same old line yet the pull of the current seems too strong to resist. I know it is not too strong though as the LORD will make us a way of escape It is a choice to take the bait of Satan.

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has over taken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

May we never forget God loves us and gave His ALL for us The question that is in my heart of hearts is will I give Him my all, always. May we ignore the bait meant to take us down and hold on to JESUS who wants only the best for us. Our Prevailing Hope to overcome temptation is asking the LORD for strength. We can prevail over and walk away from whatever the most enticing bait. With God all things are possible. It is our choice to prevail over the besetting sin or take the bait and pay the consequences.

choice-

Brenda McKee

www.prevailinghope.com

 

 

 

 

How To Shatter Proof Your Dreams

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One hot, summer day the sun beat down on my 1978 Buick Sky-hawk. This car had a “hatch” with a big curved back window. I worked 3rd shift at the time and my car sat out with its windows rolled up in the afternoon heat. I was shocked to go out and find my back window literally shattered in hundreds of small pieces yet still in one piece.

shatteredHave you ever had a dream that was shattered by others or by circumstances? A marriage or a relationship? A horrible prognosis of an incurable progressive disease or other even worse diseases in which the cure/treatment seems as bad as the disease itself? Some couples have their lose hope in having a child after years of trying-dashing their dreams of a family to bits. Yet, for some people their life is like one who wins the lottery, a real dream come true and it seems everything they touch turns to gold. It seems unfair. Yet, life often seems unfair and for many it seems like the back window shattered in a hundreds of small pieces yet miraculously still holds together. Too often, for many there is nothing to hold the pieces of shattered dream together.

I am not sure what held the shattered pieces of the back window of my car together. I had it replaced. But I learned early on when dreams and plans are shattered there is nothing in the world that can hold life together but faith in God.  Life can be ruthless and brutal. We need the One Who Holds the World and Universe together to hold us together as well. At least, I know I do.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].

So how do we shatter proof the dreams of our life? We need to know and have faith in the Author and Finisher of Life. He gives us a Hope and a Future that goes far beyond life as we know it now. In fact, it is much more than a dream, it is the reality of knowing One Day we who accept Christ as LORD and Savior will be with our Creator where there is no more pain, no more tears or broken dreams. What is Heaven? It is a Kingdom where Jesus will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords (A JUST and All Powerful King). It is the Kingdom GOD planned from the beginning of time for His Creation but sin entered in this world.

The good news is Jesus came as our Redeemer to be the Way back to our Father and Creator. If we accept the free gift. Not only does God give us a hope and a future; it is much more than a dream that may or may not come true. Heaven is Bigger than our Biggest and Best dream come true. It will endure forever. Jesus came to give us Everlasting Life and a life that goes way beyond any dream. The Kingdom of Heaven it is beyond words. We can only be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven by accepting the free gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ.

Daniel 2:44
“In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.
We who know Him have a Prevailing Hope that endures…

stilllove2laugh

McKee

When The Vet Can’t Fix Me

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Things have been tough lately for me and my mom. I know when she hurts but it is I who bytheShadowhas been in a lot of distress lately. My mom struggles with Multiple Sclerosis and she tells me the doctors “manage” the disease but there is no cure. Unfortunately, there is no cure for me. I’ve already had many tests and more tests would pinpoint exactly what is going on with me. But my Vet, Dr. Heather has primary tests results with reason to believe it is a life-long condition with no cure. We are working on keeping the symptoms managed. The exact diagnosis and radical treatment would be super expensive and the treatment could be harsher than the disease.

Dr.Heather and Shadow

I love my Vet!

So what’s a dog to do? Number one: I take my medication and sleep more. Much of the time I seem “normal” to people but my mom sees my pain. I have good days and play hard then and I am still a good working Service dog for the most part. I love my job. I love my mom. Lately I wash away my mom tears as she hugs me more and tells me she is sorry. This I do not understand because she hasn’t hurt me.

My mom tells me Ancient Wisdom says there is a time for everything. There will come a time when my time is up; whatever that means. And there will be a time when my mom’s time is up also. My mom calls this time simply Heaven and that we will hurt no more.

But like my mom who has and is fighting a tough battle to keep on keeping on; so will I. With the help of my Vet, Dr. Heather and my mom- I will continue to fight until I can fight no longer. After all, there is much work to do and my mom needs me. We need each other.

If you are in a battle of any sort, fight on and never give up. We are doing all we are able to do. There will be a time when the “time” will come for all of us. For me and my mom that time is called Heaven.

How To: Reject Rejection

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Do you remember singing “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me?” That is half truth. Stick and stones may break our bones but names can and they do hurt us. No matter how we cut it, rejection hurts and even when we get over it seemingly, a flash back of a bad memories will flood our hearts with the intense pain of rejection and hurt.abuse

I was “married” once long ago for a short time. I won’t go into many details as they are not important. The only reason I am sharing this is to help those who think you can not overcome the rejection of one who is suppose to love you. The physical abuse/beating  actually hurt the core of my being more the bruises and injuries that healed eventually. The names I was called still echo in my heart at times and can bring the deep hurt back to my soul.  I forgave him before I left him the final time. Learning how to allow God’s love to wash away the hurt of rejection was a process.

I heard the words “you are no good,” “no one will ever love you,” and “you are just a worthless cripple,” then  moments after getting punished for being no good I’d hear “I love you.”  This made me feel like I was living in a night mare or the feature star of the “Twilight Zone.” The GOOD NEWS is my soul had an anchor in Christ and it held through those years and the few years it took to learn to reject – rejection through knowing the truth. This truth will set YOU free as well. The Truth is His Word. God loves YOU!  I am so thankful He loves us with His amazing love.

You will find in the pages of the living Word of God that God sent His Son to die for our sins. We all have sinned. No one is without sin, especially me- I know me and God knows me better. In the “marriage” I just sin differently than the X did. I wished he’d run off with someone and leave me alone. I started dreaming that someone would love me. During this whole time Jesus never left me or forsook me. He Who is the example of LOVE Himself, was loving me through this whole time. I was just too messed up to focus on the Greatest Love of my life. But I experience His protection.  The day came when I knew I needed to use common sense and leave. Praying for protection is wise but when things continued to get worse, it was time to run for my life literally. I needed to refocus my life to Living to love instead of living in fear.

So I left him. He stalked, balked, cried and pleaded. I finally got wise and all his antics went unheeded. Now, the hard part was to get past the past.  I started walking and listening to music. I walked for miles.  The one song I listened to over again and again was Don Henley’s “GET OVER IT.” (Beware! it is not a Christian hymn but still the LORD used it in a powerful way in my life.)

I knew I had to “get over it” and asked the LORD to help me, show me how…and He did. This was key and is key to rejecting rejection in my life.

Step One: Remember Who was beaten beyond being recognized, betrayed by the world He came to save, and rejected by His Father.  God had to turn His away from His Son when our sins were laid upon Jesus as He died on the Cross. The death, burial and resurrection is the key to freedom for all mankind. All we have to do is  accept the free gift of salvation and we become a new creation in Christ. Being a Christian doesn’t mean victory over the challenges of life are dropped into your lap and you never struggle with the hurt and rejection. It does mean we have the power in Christ to reject rejection because Christ made the way. Sin was defeated. To experience this life one must pursue knowing Him through His Word and prayer. As long as we are in the world we will have trouble but Jesus came so we can overcome. It is a fight of faith and takes diligence on our part. In other words, living a truly victorious life isn’t like going through a drive thru for a quick fix lunch. It is a life style make possible by the One Who loves us most- our Father Who is in Heaven through the Power of the Blood of Jesus Christ imputing to us His righteousness. It is a free gift.

Step 2. Focus ahead and don’t look back.We all have things in our lives we rather not remember. God remembers our sin no more so why should we dwell on it? I should have not of married the man I did. It took me longer to forgive myself than to forgive him for what he did to me. Forgiving him was easy. Forgiving myself took time. It did not need too.  God forgave me the first time I repented. That was the day of the wedding. But I had to live in the consequence of my choice. Sometimes we pay dearly for bad choices in this life BUT by His grace I not only got through it; I got over it! So can you!

Isaiah 43:18-19 English Standard Version (ESV)

18 “Remember not the former things,
    nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I am doing a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert.

Philippians 3:14 English Standard Version (ESV)

14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

The root cause of rejection is selfishness. No matter who has rejected you or hurt you there is the hope of breaking the chains of rejection off your life. The pain of rejection is like a prison we put ourselves in if we don’t learn to reject rejection. Those who hurt us don’t care that we are hurting. As long as we are in this world rejection from others, even those who love us may happen. But God sees every hurt and He cares. He has given us the key  and His power to reject rejection. As a believer we always have the power to reject rejection and dwell on the Love of God who gives true value and self worth.

If you don’t know Christ yet, will you accept the ONE Who will accept you just as you are? He loves you unconditionally and will bind up your broken heart. Words of rejection that come back to haunt me at times have lost their power. I remind myself of the One Who accepts and values me. I know I am loved by the Best. So are you.   stilllove2laugh

Questions? Please contact me or go to http://www.peacewithgod.net 

 

The Value of YOU

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by McKee

Many people think Christmas is about Santa and pretty lighted trees and getting gifts.  Most people think Christmas is about giving to others. One Person gave His All as Christmas is really about  the value of YOU.

into the room

We live in a world that no longer values human life. It grieves my heart. How many precious souls with potentials as great doctors, leaders, researchers for medical cures and valued human lives are murdered?  – http://www.worldometers.info/abortions/ 

Many countries and even in some states in America now allow people the right to die. Canada recently joined up giving those who are sick and even those who don’t want to go on living the right to end their life.  Canadians have right to doctor-assisted suicide

Back in the 1980’s a guy by the name of Jack Kevorkian -aka Dr. Death or Jack the Dripper, “helped” 130 people die. Yes, these people were suffering and many had Multiple Sclerosis. I am not belittling suffering. I experience it on a daily basis.  So what is missing in the world today where we causally allow the killing of humans beings without regard to the Great Creator and His plans for these precious lives? If we simply acknowledge the LORD and His purposes for our lives rather than dwell on life from the secular view point perhaps we wouldn’t be hasty to take the gift of life God has given us and take it without regard or fear/respect for our Creator or His plans for us. Regardless, how we think our lives should be; ultimately God has a good plan for our life, one with a future and a hope. We have lost the fear of Almighty God when we don’t value life He has given us or the lives of others.

Multiple Sclerosis along with many other physical challenges remind me every day that I must choose life. Choosing life means purposely living the best day possible. Yes, I am in chronic pain that limits me. I have been paralyzed and blind and didn’t think I would see the age of 30 as the disease progressed quickly early on.  It was when M.S. hit me in my early 20’s I knew I had to find Hope. I found my Prevailing Hope in Jesus Christ.  I came to the point that I knew even IF things got real bad and I was bedridden and could only open my eyes and smile; I would do that for the glory of God. The Word of God gives us a choice and it is this verse in Deut. 30:19  that became real to me:

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, 

Besides the many examples in the Bible of those who went through difficult struggles, some to the point of death; I have been inspired by many who live today who face insurmountable odds yet choose life and live for the glory of God purposely with passion.  No life is not easy for them but they recognize life as being the gift it is from our Great Creator. He is the Potter and we are the clay. The following are just a few who have inspired and touched my life by their lives.

Choosing life is no matter how hard life gets is the choice I will make. It is always easy? NO. But God gives us the grace we need as we seek Him. He has put great value on not just my life, but yours. YOU (we) are ultimately the reason Christ came to this earth. He came to redeem us from our sin (for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God) as we needed a Savior.  God made The Way, gave us The Answer and gave us The Life all bundled up in a manger. His Name is Jesus.

For God So Loved the World (YOU)

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

The bottom line is no matter what you face, no matter the trials, no matter the deep hurts or daily chronic pain you may experience your life has great worth and value. So much that God gives YOU the choice of choosing life  everlasting or refusing it. The Word of God even tells us it is His will that we choose life…but He will allow us to choose death.  Dear One, keep in mind the wages of sin is death and it is not simply not existing anymore, it is a place of torment.  I urge you to make the choice for ( Christ) – Life during this Christmas season when God gave His Son as evidence of His great love and value for YOU.

For more information please email me or click on:

http://www.peacewithgod.net

And Merry Christmas to YOU and those you love! –

Christ is The Way. He is The Prevailing Hope we have. Jesus

Christ Jesus is The Only Way.
He is The Prevailing Hope we have.

When Hope is Beyond Reach

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What does one do when h/she no longer sees the light at the end of the tunnel? Is there a burial ground for broken hearts? What do we do when life is shattered by words, stabbed by mistrust, and shot by consuming jealousy and manipulation; until a punch in the face dealt the final blow? What does one do when all that is left is a heart that is bleeding to death?

There are times in life when hope is nowhere in sight. These are the desperate times. Sometimes life brings us to a crossroad.  It is a cross road of making changes we do not want to make. Yet to stay in the same place life would be a mere existence.

Being a child of God doesn’t exempt us from real issues. Along time ago I made the decision to be real with God-He knows me better than I know me- anyway. Even if all I can do is weep before Him; He understands my tears. I can trust Him with my emotions. He is big enough to handle my fears, my broken dreams, and even the truth that I have moments when hope is beyond my reach. I found out God has a much greater reach. He has never failed to reach down with His Presence and love me through the times of writhing pain whether it is physical, emotional or spiritual.Support

The Word of God has many examples of hurting people who were open and honest about the pain in their lives. Jeremiah asks God, “Why is my pain unceasing, and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail?” (Jer 15: 18)

The greatest thing that changes when I voice my struggles and heartaches to the LORD is me. If only we knew how Great is our LORD and how much He longs for a us to have a relationship with Him, He would be the first One we run to when we are in pain of any kind and He would also be the One we give our deepest thanks to for being our loving Father. If we don’t give continual thanks to God, why should He continue to listen to our pleas? (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Jeremiah learns from trusting God with all his emotions as he writes in Jer. 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.” (note that he not only trusts in the Lord; Jeremiah wrote TRUST IS THE LORD.)

Life can hurt us so bad that we lose hope. Sometimes hope is just behind the veil—we can’t see it. Like Jesus Who said He would never leave us or nor forsake us- we often don’t feel His Presence but He is with us. When we voice our deepest pain to the LORD it changes us. Will we still go through pain in this life? I don’t know how to avoid it while we are on earth. But with the LORD we will go through it.  Hope is often behind a veil we create when we bury our pain deep within our hearts. We need to deal with it by giving it to the One who is well able to help us. As we trust God and share our pain with Him (remember He already knows but longs for a relationship with you and me) our hearts will be filled with His Prevailing Hope. He is the One who loves you. He is the One who can  heal and restore your heart with His love, joy and peace that passes understanding. He will guide you through the deepest raging river of pain and help you find the pathway to safety and place of peace. He is the Only One who can do that. He loves You.                      -McKee

God’s grace is sufficient for all the human race;

God’s grace is sufficient for who are in this place.

God’s grace is sufficient for each of use to see’

God’s grace is sufficient for me, yes even me. -jStark

Perception of Pain

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On my medication bottle it reads “take one every 6 hours as needed for pain.” Problem 1. Pain med seldom work for 6 hours. Problem 2. Even if the pain med worked for 6 hours, they will not prescribe the amount needed to get through a month taking it “as prescribed.” This world is a painful place to live and we all at sometime –seek long term relief -whatever the “PAIN” may be. For this reason temporary solutions do not have the power long term HOPE does. Psalm 38:15 For in thee, O Lord, do I hope

” Our perception is our reality” is a concept I was taught many years ago. Time is an example of how our perception can change. When I was 20 years old, I thought my friend who was 25 at the time was “old.” Now that I am older someone who is 25 is young. What changed? My perception.

Physical, emotional, spiritual - All Pain Hurts

Physical, emotional, spiritual – All Pain Hurts

When the pain is severe a second can seem like an hour and a day can seem like an eternity. We seem to put more emphasis on living the “good life” investing in new homes, cars, raising family and building a future on earth. There is nothing wrong with these things. But we need to not neglect what God says about life.

James 4:14 For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

There are many things I do not know. The one thing I do know is to stay focused in the Word of God. His Word is Truth. God’s Word doesn’t change with my perception. His Truth stands unchanged even when everything changes around us. Life is like a vapor – obviously a short time in comparison to Heavens’ forever and ever. I am determined to stay focus to live my “vapor” to the best of my ability to share the Gospel, Good news to the world. John 3:16 Then One Day those of us who have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ will be with Him forever.

Rev. 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Those who do not accept Jesus Christ as their LORD and Savior will experience pain as I cannot describe and it will never end. God doesn’t send any human to Hell, it the choice man makes. Do not reject such a great salvation available by accepting Jesus Christ. Hell is a real place and even if life now is difficult and things we go through are painful; it is nothing compared to spending forever in Hell.

Hell is for the devil and his angels Matt. 25:41 and for all whose name is not written the book of life. Rev. 20:15

Hell is described as: a “furnace of fire…weeping and gnashing of teeth” Matthew 13:50

Hell is forever, never gets better, pain/anguish will have no remedy -“the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever and they have no rest day and night” Revelation 14:11

GOD LOVES YOU and He is gives you the free will to know Him or do your own thing and ignore this great salvation. Choices have consequences so choose wisely.

Pain is a reality of life on earth. Some people go through more, some people have very little, so it seems. My perception of pain has changed and infused with Hope. I know it won’t last forever. God’s Word says life is “like a vapor.” In the midst of it all by God’s grace live my “vapor” well for God’s honor and glory. cropped-cropped-someday-free.jpg

Romans 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

Forever is a long, long time – I choose Christ, who do you choose?

Click here to find out how to make Jesus LORD and Savior of your life.  http://www.peacewithgod.net/

—McKee

 

Using The Pain

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Pain is a constant companion I despise. It is with me always and seldom goes away. Medication helps me deal with this unwanted companion but like boomerang it keeps coming back.

Pain keeps coming back!

It keeps coming back!

So how do I…we use the pain in our lives? Whether our pain is physical, emotional, or spiritual we can choose to use it. I cannot deal with pain on my own because it is too powerful and overwhelming. However, I know the One Who created me and has never failed. Seeking His wisdom on “using” the pain of our lives rather than becoming a victim of it is how I begin to battle pain. Pain can put us in a desperate place of isolation. I often feel like my body is a prison of pain but that is when my heart is unfocused.

The key that releases me from the grip of pain is focusing on His WORD.  The pain is still there but I will not allow it to have power over me. It has caused me to seek out and find solid Hope, a prevailing hope and purpose in life. I found the ONE Who sustains me through it and by His grace be productive in life and help others.

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

63 O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.
4 So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.

6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches,
7 For You have been my help,
And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.

9 But those who seek my life to destroy it,
Will go into the depths of the earth.
10 They will be delivered over to the power of the sword;
They will be a prey for foxes.
11 But the king will rejoice in God;
Everyone who swears by Him will glory,
For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.

Whatever your pain is you can choose to use it. Instead of trying to figure out why or trying run from it, I choose to face it with joy even if mixed with my tears -in the midst of pain.. I choose to worship the One Who Knows and loves me and will never leave me. The Bible never says life on this earth will be easy. But God does promise never to leave us and His Word is Truth. We can go through pain and challenges and even praise Him in the midst of it because He is with us! We don’t have to know why -we need to know WHO will bring us through these times. We need to trust our Creator Who knows the beginning from the end.

If pain is a part of your life, choose to use it -read the Word and really get to know the ONE Who works all things out for His Glory. Do what you can to resolve pain but at the same time know He is well able to bring you through the Storms of this life. One day my friend, He will wipe away all tears and there will be no more pain.

REV3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

Until then, knowing the LORD and His Word is my Prevailing Hope.

-McKee

A Peace Treaty That Will Work

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-McKee

Memorial Day is the day we honor our men and women who died while serving and protecting our United States. Many sacrificed their lives fighting in wars against our enemies. The United States of America is a great country. And those who fought deserve our respect and honor. We need to remember in tangible ways what they fought for as we are losing those very freedoms for which they paid the ultimate price protecting and defending.

As people prepare for the long holiday weekend we have our parades, American flags are put in the cemeteries and there are many ceremonies to honor our Service men and women. People will be swarming to the beaches, getting together with family and friends, throwing steaks or burgers on the grills and perhaps watching the big race on television. This is good and fine but there is much greater reason for celebration on a daily basis, even in the world of war, pain and death we live in. There is Hope for true freedom and peace in the future!

Personally, I choose an everyday celebration no matter how I feel  or what the bad news is. There is Always Good News! Jesus Christ gave His life as a Sacrifice for the sins of the world that we may choose to have everlasting life. A sacrifice had to made to save us from our sin. Sin separates us from God and the wages of sin is death. Jesus paid the price so you and I do not have to pay. John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

Salvation is priceless, precious and a FREE Gift to us; yet is the greatest sacrifice in the history of mankind.

Crucifixion of Jesus Christ at SunsetThe Cross of Calvary is a story of God loving us so much He sent His beloved Son, Jesus Christ to restore a relationship that was broken. Jesus did not have to die for us, but He chose to because it was His Father’s will and because He loves us. He gave up His life of His own accord In John 10, He states that only He has the power to lay down His life. He proved His power over death by His resurrection. He Lives -you can go visit His empty tomb if you want.

Know what God desires most? He wants a relationship with His Creation – us. That is what God desires most. God so love the world that He gave… Truly this is the sacrifice worth remembering and the life worth celebrating. We are free indeed; the Ultimate Peace Treaty was paid in full by the Blood of Jesus Christ.

Thank You LORD for saving my soul, Thank You LORD for making me whole, Thank You LORD for giving to me, Thy Great Salvation so Rich and Free.chosen

For more information on this FREE Gift of Salvation Visit:

http://peacewithgod.net

Longing For That Day…

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Do you love someone so much that you never want to be apart? Do you have a heartheart to heart connection with someone?  Do you long to see their smile or feel their warm embrace? It’s a joy to hear them laugh and see him/her walk through the door!  The times you spend together are the Best moments of your life. When a person completes you and you complete him/her it is like heaven on earth. There is a longing to be with each other.

Can you imagine being with and loving someone for so long that it seems like forever? Then something happens that separates you. Each day you go through the motions, do your duties and even do them with joy but inside there is a longing for that day when you will be together again.

There is another One Who loves you like that and so much and more.

Jesus came to earth to do the will of His Father. He was with His Father since before the beginning of time. Imagine the physical torture, the mental anguish, and the rejection of men during the time He was on the Cross. He changed history and our destiny. For the first time ever, His Father had to turn His back on Him because all the sins of the world were placed on Him as He hung and died on the cross. Jesus, the perfect sacrifice for our sins – had to be separated from His Father. The pain and torture of death on the cross pales in comparison of that of being separated from the One Who loves him. But the Joy of obedience and making a Way for you to be saved was worth it all.

Hebrews 12:2-3 NASB who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus rose again on the 3rd day, redeem us from sin and is ALIVE now. Do you jesushugknow Jesus? Without Christ, you will never experience love like the love of GOD and His Presence. This I know, not just because my Bible tells me so… because I experience His love. When you choose to accept Jesus as your LORD and Savior you will know LOVE for yourself.  And One day we will be absent from our bodies and present with the LORD — no more longings.

http://peacewithgod.net

–McKee