Give The Great Physician Permission

A few weeks ago I fell and broke my hip and was warned that if I didn’t have surgery as soon as possible I would never walk again. As I was being wheeled into surgery to have the hip replacement I remember Dr. Darren Friedman taking the time to put his initials on the hip he was going to replace. He would only be putting a new hip on the leg with his name.

The Lord used this as a window to my soul.

Likewise The Great Physician also writes His Name on the foreheads of those that He will be working on as we go down to the Potter’s house and place ourselves on the wheel of transformation. This is where He will remove our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh.

Just as I signed a paper to give the doctor permission we must also voluntarily give the Lord permission to perform surgery on our hearts. He will only work on those hearts with His Name engraved.

Revelation 14:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

Jeremiah 18:3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.

Ezekiel 36:26 6 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 

CHALLENGE: Are you broken today? Give the Great Physician permission to perform the surgery and He will give you a new heart that will enable you to walk a new way.

Live One Day At A Time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we enjoyed a serving of dumplings at our favorite Chinese restaurant we had no idea that an hour later I would be on my way to New York Presbyterian hospital after a fall for an emergency surgery on my hip!

Surely we need to be in the moment and enjoy the present as truly a gift from the Lord. Now I am not saying that The Lord is not with us in the valleys as well as the mountain tops. As I look back on the past five weeks I see evidence of His presence and care in many ways as I begin to recover and learn to walk again. But it is the level of our appreciation during those happy moments that give us the unwavering faith to walk with Him through the valleys He allows in our lives.

Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

CHALLENGE: Enjoy the gift of every moment today. Walk with the King and be a blessing!

We Need Fathers after God’s Heart

Dad, walk in love and integrity for you are your child’s first earthly concept of their heavenly Father.

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His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Matthew 10: 29,31 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 

Three weeks ago after much prayer we decided to release our precious puppies, our Westie, Iona and our Scottie, Mr. Knightley, to a kennel to put them up for adoption. We struggled as we didn’t really want to let them go but felt it was the right thing to do so we would have the freedom to travel for ministry when called. Last year alone we were away from home overseas for twelve weeks. Although we had a dear neighbor who faithfully cared for them it was a big sacrifice on her part.

Well, three weeks ago almost to the day the dogs were adopted on the day I fell in New York City and broke my hip leading to a hip replacement which has disabled me from traveling for the next  few months. We even tried to get them back to no avail. Had we missed God we questioned our decision?

One of our biggest concern was that they would be separated. Was it too much to hope for that they would be adopted together?Would God move and cause  them to be adopted to the same family? While I was in hospital we got a message from the kennel that a family had adopted them both. We received the news in tears that God would be so gracious!

Several days ago I received the following letter from a “sister” in our church.

“Hi Maggie, I haven’t seen you and your husband for awhile at LCN.  I just wanted to let you know my super sweet neighbors adopted Iona and Mr. Knightley and I recognized them as they walked by my house from your post on facebook!  They look so happy!  A really great family has them.  I also gave Kim your book to read as well! She was sooo excited.  Just thought you’d appreciate knowing where your pups are!  Take care.”

What amazing and incredible news that they were together in such a wonderful family! How awesome that God would use this dear “sister” in church to let us know that they are happy. What were the chances of something like this happening? Needless to say we wept with joy, not just for our dear puppies but that God was able to do abundantly above all we can ask or think as according to Ephesians. If He is willing and able to care for two little puppies how much more will He care for me during this time of my recovery.

As the old gospel song says:

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

CHALLENGE: Be encouraged for no matter your need today, be it small or overwhelming Our Loving Heavenly Papa is interested in every detail of your life!

A Change Of Heart

Gen.1:31 And God saw everything that He had made and behold it was very good.

Although the environment and provision in the Garden of Eden was the very best yet sin still entered.Therefore we know by this that improving man’s environment will NOT change man’s heart. Only a personal encounter with God can change the heart.

 

Ezk 11:19-20 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: