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Open the Shades

Loaves & Fishes Coaching

Random thoughts. Journal entry:

“Good morning, God. I’m here—(it is very early a.m.)—SHOW me YOU! Be near! Love me in my love language, Lord. Heal me.”

“As I opened the shades this morning, I said ‘I want to see YOUR world. Not THE world, but YOUR world. And then I spontaneously began to sing ‘For the Beauty of the Earth….LORD of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.’ ”

((All spontaneous! Worship! Dear friend reading this blog post, I hope you let God be God in your devotional times. Have a basic plan, but let Him lead you where He wants to take you.))

The devotional I was reading said: “Let God’s Spirit–not the world–shape your mind.”

The Lord was preparing me for the opening of the shades.

For the beginning of the day. For what was ahead. How many times do we let the world, the news, friends, family, or circumstances shape our mind? And yet, when we open the shades and look for HIM, He shows up. He’s always there with us, but we become aware of His very presence when we actually LOOK for Him.

Wow! God is so great to bring it all together like that. The devotional, the song, the opening of the shades. He loves to connect the dots for us.

What a way to start the day!

Glorious! That’s it, isn’t it? Whether we realize it or not, we choose our mood for the day. The Lord says BE content. CHOOSE joy. GIVE thanks in all things. BE STILL and KNOW that HE is GOD. BE not afraid. You CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens you. PUT your hand to the plow and don’t look back. REJOICE in the LORD, ALWAYS. Again, I say REJOICE.

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself.Today has enough trouble of its own…

Matthew 6:33 & 34

The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Nehemiah 8:10

SUBMIT to God. RESIST the devil and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

SUBMIT to God.

There is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to TRUST and OBEY. Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you…From your mind…From your thoughts. Choose to deny the devil the chance to rob you of JOY. The JOY of the LORD is your STRENGTH.

Here ends my random thoughts. 😃

Meant to encourage and remind you to keep your eyes on Jesus. The author and finisher of your faith. To God be the Glory. Great things He has done…and He will continue to do…IF you Open the Shades and Seek Him above all else!

Until next time,

Let's Connect!Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com


Do You Ever Feel Like a Failure in Your Relationships?

Loaves & Fishes Coaching Logo

that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You;
that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

John 17:21 NKJV

What did Jesus mean?

When Jesus speaks of oneness, is He telling us to be in oneness with each other? That is what I had been taught for many years and I simply could not measure up. I have tried and tried to be in unity/oneness in thought and deed with all Christians. Jesus and God are ALWAYS in total agreement/unity/oneness about every single thing. Did he mean Christians would be able – even in the Spirit – to be in total agreement with each other about every single thing? If so, we have failed miserably!

Or…

is He telling us to choose to make it a priority to get to know God in such a deep personal relationship, so that the mind of Christ rules our thoughts. So that we are one in thought with God and Jesus. Is He calling us to a relationship that is like the oneness that only comes through surrender/submission to the Lordship of Jesus over us. As is between God and Jesus.

Jesus Himself

was not in unity with all the leaders or people in the “church”. He was not in total agreement even with His disciples. He was in total agreement only with GOD HIMSELF. As we are to be…

Is TRUE unity even possible human to human?

Have we been striving to make it happen? Does that striving kick God off the Throne and put ourselves there instead? Have we been thinking we are capable of being in unity with another person? Or with a group of people?

What if our goal is actually to be to SUBMIT to GOD and seek ONENESS with HIM only…To choose to seek friendship and fellowship in true Christ-like relationship with Him. And then, HE—working THROUGH us—will allow us to be a conduit of HIS power, HIS love, HIS mercy TO those He puts in our path. That would be UNITY/ONENESS with God, right? What is impossible with men is possible with God, in God, and through God.

Unity wasn’t forced in the Early Church.

People walked in unity only as a direct result of each one having a close personal walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. That caused them to experience times of having one heart/one mind. And, truthfully, they often failed miserably. STRIVING for UNITY doesn’t work. TRYING TO HAVE UNITY doesn’t work. Only SUBMISSION to GOD “works”.

UNITY cannot be the GOAL.

The GOAL is JESUS HIMSELF!!! Looking unto Jesus…personally, individually…each one for himself/herself is the ONLY WAY to UNITY/ONENESS. There are no shortcuts. There are no “programs”.

It is only through deep personal relationship with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. And then, we become LIKE HIM whom our HEART LOVES because it is actually HIM shining THROUGH us!!!

It is a journey we travel daily all our earthbound years!

Like John the Baptist stating that he, himself, must decrease, so that JESUS might increase. He knew that JESUS HIMSELF is the GOAL!

Isn’t that actually what our heart longs for in our human relationships? Jesus Himself. Unity with God, which then brings about HIS unity with us to human relationships. Because our eyes are then directed off of humans and onto God Himself. Isn’t that when the devil FLEES from us?

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

James 4:7 (NKJV)

After all these years of following Jesus, since 1975, I am still struggling with the “submit” to God part. I think I have it and then He shows me another layer of ME ON THE THRONE. UGH! But, I get back up, dust myself off, ask forgiveness and realize He has not given up on me. What a blessing!

What about you? How are you doing?

Personality and Jesus

Do you know who God created you to be? Have you ever stopped to think about how your personality affects the way you interact with others? Find out more in this new book by Pamela A. Taylor.

Personality and Jesus

Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com


Random Thoughts to Encourage Your Fellowship with the Lord

Loaves & Fishes Coaching Logo

  • Praise changes things
  • God’s grace is sufficient for you and me
  • Try giving thanks in the midst of all things
  • I KNOW God hears you and me. ALWAYS
  • Relationship matters more to God than the work we do in His name
  • Discontent is a disease. May God keep you and me from a complaining spirit
  • Mindset matters. Pay attention to your thoughts.
  • Change your mindset to live like an heir
  • Strongholds block the Light that demolishes strongholds
  • Worship & praise are God’s weapons
  • Daniel KNEW His God so he knew he was praying God’s will
  • Fight with God’s weapons. Pull down strongholds with spiritual weapons of praise and thanksgiving and worship
  • satan is defeated by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimonies
  • Fight against the belief system that stands against God’s promises

Mini conversation with God

 

Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV) Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Jeremiah 32:27 (NKJV) Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?

I asked God what it meant when He said nothing was too difficult for Him.

Me: God, I KNOW that nothing is too difficult for You. So, what do I need to do to put myself in the path of Your blessing?

God: Contentment. And ACT LIKE you have learned it (past tense). For the Glory of God! Act-as-if, until it is absolutely true in your life.

Philippians 4:11-12 (NKJV) Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned {past tense} in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased {to be lacking/humbled}, and I know how to abound {to be fully supplied/lifted up}. Everywhere and in all things I have learned (past tense) both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. *{emphases mine}

It is a choice to act-as-if, until it is absolutely true in your life.

What will YOU choose?

Questions?

Contact me if you want to talk about practical applications of LIVING this life of contentment in fellowship with the Lord God.

Personality and Jesus

Do you know who God created you to be? Have you ever stopped to think about how your personality affects the way you interact with others? Find out more in this new book by Pamela A. Taylor.

Personality and Jesus

Let's Connect!
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com


God’s Love Letter to You!

Woman reading book

God does the choosing

“God’s choice of you was not rooted in your usefulness, but in His sovereign love, displayed in the perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice of His Son who took on weakness and shame. You were not useful TO Christ—you are made useful IN Christ.”—Anchor Devotional. (emphasis mine)

He chose YOU to love

He wants you to love Him back. And, that actually happens when you read His love letter written especially for you and to you, His beloved! And when we love, we also want to be known and to be wanted and to be useful, right? The very best way to do that is to read His love letter to you–in its entirety. Don’t miss a word of what He wants to say to you!

Read through the Bible in 2022

No study guide or special homework. Just encouragement in the journey as you choose your own plan to read through the Bible in 2022. Becoming “equipped” to BE more useful…

The point is to do it!

It is a choice. Use any plan you like. Choose to read through or even choose to listen through–as some are doing. Great blessings await you when you practice this discipline.

And, if you already are doing this anyway each year, try a new version of the Bible for a fresh look and some fresh insights.

4 Benefits

  1. The WHOLE counsel of GOD is necessary to observe and learn how it ALL fits together, rather than just picking and choosing your favorite parts.
  2. The WORD of GOD provides wisdom and understanding for daily living. Sometimes you receive a direct word and other times you learn from an example provided in the text.
  3. JESUS IS THE WORD. Reading the WHOLE WORD of GOD helps you know Him better each day. He was with God in the beginning. He is, was, and always will be the very Word made flesh. He came and dwelt among us for a season. Now He is with God interceding for us.
  4. We learn to know on a personal level–Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit. And we become acquainted with His BEST plan for living the life of a Follower of Jesus Christ. It takes time and effort to develop that relationship. Reading the Word daily gives us the wisdom to know how to live out the Christian life that honors God, our Father.

When to get started

Now is the best time to start a Bible Reading plan. Today.

My plan

I am choosing to read two Old Testament chapters and one New Testament chapter each day; and on Sunday, I read a Psalm or two, along with the 2 Old Testament chapters…rather than the New Testament. That plan should get me through the whole Bible in a year!

5 Options

    1. Some are reading a new version of the Bible. This is my first time reading from New Living Translation. It can give a fresh perspective when you change to an unfamiliar translation. There are LOTS of options.
    2. Or read your familiar version. That is also a great idea! There is no right or wrong version. Just choose one and take the plunge.
    3. Some are listening to an audio version, because they are audio learners …. or they can listen while they travel to work in their car, for instance.
    4. One person I know is writing out in her own handwriting what she is reading. She says it helps her concentrate on the text better.
    5. I found this example through a Google search: NIV Reading Plans

There are all kinds of options out there for you. Just choose something and get started. TODAY!

Don’t try to make up for missed days.

Just start today and finish a year from now. Don’t get legalistic or bogged down or discouraged if you miss a day or so. Just pick up where you left off and keep going. All is well. Give yourself GRACE. Missing a day is not the end of the world. Just START and then take one day at a time. Before you know it, you will be finishing up your plan by reading Revelation!!! YAY for you!

Until next time…

My Father: Experiencing God's Love A-Z

Pamela Taylor invites you to join her in this interactive acrostic devotional journal designed to draw you into the extremely personal and abundant love God has waiting for you. Experience the "Just ask..." of His love for you!

My Father: Experiencing God's Love from A-Z by Pamela A. Taylor

Let's Connect!
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com


My Father. An Acrostic Devotional.

My Father - An Acrostic Devotional

My Father, thank you that you are My Provider

Your Word says…

”The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” (Psalm 18:2 (KJV)

Whatever I need, dear Father, You are it…whether it be physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, or financial. You are my provider.

Thank you.


My Father, thank you that you are Quiet-Spoken

Your Word says…

”the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” (I Kings 19:11b-12 NKJV)

In this noisy world, where so many people are raising their voices in order to be heard, You lower Yours. You are quiet-spoken.

Thank you.

–Excerpts from My Father, An Acrostic Devotional. Experiencing God’s Love A-Z  by Pamela A. Taylor

Why I wrote the book

It was a way of coping. I was experiencing so many changes. Some good, but many not so good. And sometimes it was difficult to settle my mind enough to pray. When experiencing unsettling times, I find that having structure in my life is very helpful. That’s why working through the alphabet with God in mind, was a great coping tool for me. And it continues to be. It is even now my current practice to use this book in my morning daily devotional times. I take one “letter” per day. for 26 days. In the book, I’ve even provided a blank page for each “letter” for you to write your own thoughts or prayers.

I shared only yesterday’s and today’s pages…the 16th day of the month – My Provider, and the 17th day of the month—Quiet-Spoken as examples…

Additional Personal Reflections

I wanted to share with you what I had in mind for possibilities. Here’s some things I added on my blank page next to

The 16th day of the month —

The alphabet letter “P”

  • Purposeful.
  • Passover Lamb.
  • Powerful: (You defend me from whatever threatens me harm—even the things within me that threaten to undo me.)

From the Introduction in the book:

”My hope is…{to} get you started seeing God with fresh eyes. Helping you feel more confident in your relationship with Jesus in thought and prayer.

“Perhaps you will find this A-Z approach to be a fun activity with your kids. Maybe on a road trip or walking outside in nature. Finding additional words to describe your Father God. The possibilities are endless. I’d love to hear from you about how A-Z has enriched your relationship with God.”

In closing, I was just remembering: women have shared with me their joy that they have found all kinds of uses for this A-Z discipline. When anxious or having trouble sleeping it is helpful to go through the alphabet with God in mind. The structure settles our minds and emotions. It helps to put things into proper perspective.

I hope you will be blessed by this and decide to purchase the book for your own times with the Lord.

If you already have the book, please share a review on Amazon so others can discover this sweet way to draw closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thank you for all you do.

Until next time…

My Father: Experiencing God's Love A-Z

Pamela Taylor invites you to join her in this interactive acrostic devotional journal designed to draw you into the extremely personal and abundant love God has waiting for you. Experience the "Just ask..." of His love for you!

My Father: Experiencing God's Love from A-Z by Pamela A. Taylor

Let's Connect!
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com


It Is Written…

Woman readıng Bıble on dock
It’s been awhile since I read through the whole Bible in a year. I’m not sure what happened. Why DID I stop?

It is time for me to begin that blessing again

I am hoping you might want to join me in this adventure in 2022. I really, really, hope you will! So, I am writing this blog post, as though you have said YES that you will join me!

Bible Reading Plan

The Our Daily Bread devotional has a Bible reading plan at the bottom of each day’s page. I have ignored that reading plan up until now. So, it is TIME to honor their hard work to provide it!

I plan on reading those Our Daily Bread through the Bible verses in the evening before bed. What a great way to end the day. I’m excited to begin!

Do what works best for you

What will YOU do? And WHEN will you do it? The point is for each of us to use the plan and the Bible version and the system that works best for you/me. I have tried many different Bible reading plans through the years, and each had different benefits.

Each Day

Each year, I notice creative new reading plans to choose from. You can follow my same plan or you can choose another. The point is to read through from Genesis through Revelation in a year. It will be such fun sharing this experience with you. Please let me know if you are joining me. We can pray for each other to complete the successful journey.

Delighting God

I can’t think of anything that would delight God more than His “kids” spending extended time together in His LOVE LETTER to HIS BELOVED (you and me) as we read through all of His word this year.

Which translation will you use?

I haven’t decided YET which translation to use this time through. I had wanted the Passion translation I’ve been hearing so much about. But when I went to order it, it looks like to me that it is only the New Testament. So, now I am not sure. What about you? Which is your favorite? Will you try a new version for this journey through the Bible together, or do you prefer staying in one and the same that you started years ago. There is no wrong or right way. We just need to commit to DO IT faithfully and daily. This is to get a full picture of the entire Bible every year. Not just our favorite books and verses.

Practical stuff

What time of day will you read these extended passages? Morning, lunch break, afternoon coffee break, evening? When? Where?

This is a time for expanding our knowledge of the WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD!

Remember, this is different from your devotional morning time, which is meant for connection. For fellowship. For direction.

December 31, 2022

On that last day of December, we can know that we know in our knower that we know our FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT in fresh, new delightful ways. And we will know that we have grown in our faith and accomplished what we set out to do. To be “hearers” of the entire Word. Which leads to being “doers” of the Word.

Thoughts

I want to remember to ask God to bless the reading of His word, and to speak to you/me as we read. You may want to keep a journal nearby as you read, to record fresh insights—or make notes in your Bible as God expands your knowledge and understanding of Him. Keep it simple so you don’t get overwhelmed to the point of quitting. And if you happen to get behind, don’t try to catch up. Just pick up where you left off. There’s no LAW that you have to FINISH on December 31. The point is that you DO FINISH what you start. Not WHEN you finish. But THAT you finish.

This week

So, now, this week, decide which version of the Bible you will use and if you need to purchase it, do it right away. AND decide if you want to use the same reading plan as me, or if you want to use another. DECIDE THIS WEEK. Decide if you will keep a journal handy with colorful pens to record your thoughts as you read and ruminate. Decide what time of day you will read. Make a notation in your appointment calendar. Be deliberate. Decide where you will read. Will you have a special Bible Reading Corner?

OK, then…

ONWARD, fellow warriors. Grab your sword (the Word of God) and let’s enter into the battle armed and ready to deflect the enemy’s arrows—prepared as as our Lord was, when satan tempted Him in the wilderness after His baptism. It was the official beginning of His ministry and He was prepared with the Word on His lips – the Sword of the Spirit – And His response to satan was … “It is written …”

May that be our goal.

Join me? I hope so. I pray so…

My Father: Experiencing God's Love A-Z

Pamela Taylor invites you to join her in this interactive acrostic devotional journal designed to draw you into the extremely personal and abundant love God has waiting for you. Experience the "Just ask..." of His love for you!

My Father: Experiencing God's Love from A-Z by Pamela A. Taylor

Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com


Guest Post: Emily’s Journey with Jesus

Nativity Set

Background

It was perhaps a decade or so ago that Emily Forsyth and I first met at church. She was young and pregnant with her fourth child. She was weary, but hungry to be all God intended her to be. Little did I know that the Lord would allow me to be a part of her “story” for all these years. I love being in the background, watching God work as he is molding her into a thing of beauty, fit for the Master’s use. She has found the path to the source of Joy.

God adores His “girls” and He is a good, good Father. He can be trusted to direct our steps if and when we surrender to His leading. He wants us to know that He is intimately involved in our lives, just as He has been in Emily’s. We are each a work in progress. And we all need someone to remind us it is not about us. We are merely to allow ourselves to be vessels through whom God works.

Emily has given me permission to share this article with you. She originally wrote it for her church newsletter. My prayer is that you will be inspired to stop and think how God might help you to more fully find your own unique path of decrease so that He might increase in your life.

And now…Here’s Emily……


…Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.

John 3:29-30

I just love how our church is buzzing with excitement over the children’s Christmas program! I can’t help but remember back in 1991 when the words were announced by the Sunday School Director, “and the role of Mary goes to…Emily!” That moment, my ten-year-old heart must have skipped a beat. I couldn’t have been more happy to have been chosen to wear that sky blue robe and hold the plastic baby Jesus as the congregation sang Silent Night. At that year’s Christmas eve program, I’m sure I was beaming with delight.

I have always felt the urge to be front and center. What is that about me? It’s not that I have many skills or talents to offer. It’s just that I sometimes don’t mind the “story” being about me.

Several years ago, I had taken a stance in front of a group of people, and in the days following, I began worrying. I found myself at an emotional low. I turned to an older, wiser sister in Christ for counsel. She patiently listened while I shared my heart. I told her of the people, and the things I had said, and how I must have sounded stupid, or unkind. They must have thought I was hateful. I carried on… After a while, she stopped me. She gently put her hands on my arms, and looked into my eyes. “It’s not about you, Emily.” What did she mean it’s not about me? I was the one with anxiety because of this stance that I had taken. Didn’t I have to get it straightened out to be myself again? But as she paused, that truth struck me. This. was. not. about. me. This was about GOD. Everything is. The moment I took myself out of the picture, and focused my concerns on the story being told about God through that situation, I could breathe again. Not only could I breathe, but I felt joy! John the Baptist said “…Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

From then on, I realized how much of my life I spent trying to play the starring role in a story that was never about me to begin with. I realized that I was created for a purpose, with giftings, and talents, and passions that were given to me to play a specific supporting role in God’s story. I was created to direct all attention to Him, like shining a spotlight, or making the announcement, or opening the curtain. I no longer had to be the shining star, because in His eyes, I already was! He made me precious in His sight! There is nothing more, nor less I can do to be worthy. And the joy is found when each of us works together to fulfill our supporting role as part of the body of Christ to further His kingdom and shine the light on Him.

When I adapted the principle that “it’s not about me,” everything changed. I stopped striving and over-preparing, and watching to see what others were thinking of me. I knew that it no longer depended on me to get it right, but that God would always get it right. My relationships, my health, my finances, and my faith all grew stronger. Now, whenever I feel consumed with thoughts about what people think of me, or whether I am succeeding or failing, I stop and find a way to serve someone else in the name of the Lord Jesus. It’s amazing how small acts of service toward others can relieve feelings of anxiety or depression. It’s a way of directing our attention away from ourselves. It’s because we were created for that — to play a supporting role in God’s big story! If we do His work, we will find a joy that passes all understanding.

So, to that ten-year-old little “Mary,” I would say, “hold that Jesus high and make sure the light shines on Him. Don’t worry if you fall out of the spotlight, because there is no greater blessing than to be the one who makes great the name of the Lord.”


Emily ForsythEmily Forsyth

Emily finds her joy in Jesus, coffee, and people. As the only extrovert in her family, she admires her quiet, steady husband, Aaron, and their four children. They homeschool and live in Clear Lake.


God Loves Aardvarks: And God Loves Me

"Thank you, God, that you love all the animals and bugs. You love funny looking aardvarks and you love me."

Thankfulness through the alphabet. That's what this fun book will teach the kids in your life.

God Loves Aardvarks and God Loves Me

Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com


Excuses, Excuses

Noah and the Ark

We are all weary. Many are fearful. It’s easy to fall into making excuses. I’m tired. Nobody cares. Nobody will listen. People will think I have lost my mind. I don’t have the time. What if Noah’s father and grandfather hadn’t been godly examples? What if Noah refused to build the ark. What if…???

Favorite Bible Character

Recently, I was asked who is my favorite Bible character. The only rule was that we had to name someone other than Jesus. Who would you name? And why?

That was an easy question for me to answer. For years, I have said , “I want to be like Enoch!” My friends used to laugh but now they expect it. Are you laughing now? Enoch was an amazing man. He lived during the time of Noah and some say apparently he became more focused on God after the birth of his son, Methuselah, whose son was Lamech, whose son was Noah. And the days were so evil, that God told Noah to build the ark. He preached to the masses. And he built an ark.

God said until Methuselah died, the judgment of the flood wouldn’t come. According to J Vernon McGee, Methuselah means “when he is dead, then shall he be sent (see Jude below).” The environment was horrible before the flood. So:

  • If Adam = year 1
  • Year 687 from creation, Methuselah died
  • Noah was born 1056 from the creation of Adam
  • The flood came 1656 = the year Methuselah died

My head is spinning with all that. Maybe yours if too. I hope I copied it down correctly. But you get the idea.The Bible never ceases to amaze. Prophesy made. Prophesy fulfilled.

Family Tree

So, it is not a stretch of the imagination to believe that great grandfather Enoch, grandfather Methuselah, and father Lamech were Noah’s mentors, just like New Testament Timothy’s mother and grandmother. I don’t think I have ever heard a sermon about my role model, Enoch. Yet, just look at the necessary part he has played in Bible history. Without Enoch, there literally would not have been a Noah. So why don’t we talk about Him? Enoch is mentioned throughout the Bible. Here are some of the references from Genesis, to Hebrews, to Jude.

Enoch. An ordinary man with extraordinary faith

Genesis 5:21-24 TLB (Enoch walked with God)
“Enoch was 65 years old when his son, Methuselah was born. Afterwards, he lived another 300 years in fellowship with God, and produced sons and daughters; then, when he was 365, and in constant touch with God, he disappeared, for God took him.”

Hebrews 11:5 TLB (Enoch pleased God)
“Enoch trusted God too, and that is why God took him away to heaven without dying; suddenly he was gone because God took him. Before this happened, God had said how pleased He was with Enoch. You can never please God without faith, without depending on Him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that He rewards those who sincerely look for Him.

Jude 14-16 TLB (Enoch witnessed for God)
“Enoch, who lived seven generations after Adam, knew about these men and said this about them: ‘See, the Lord is coming with millions of His holy ones. He will bring the people of the world before Him in judgment, to receive just punishment, and to prove the terrible things they have done in rebellion against God, revealing all they have said against Him’. These men are constant gripers, never satisfied, doing whatever evil they feel like; they are loud-mouthed “show-offs” and when they show respect for others, it is only to get something in return.”

Enoch walked the walk

Like Abraham, Enoch was a friend with God. He did not make excuses. Or act like a victim of his time. Or whine that things were hard. Rather, he made a conscious decision to separate himself from the vile wickedness of his culture. He did not sugar-coat his message.

Words to live by: The circumstances of Enoch’s life were never an excuse to walk ungodly. – David Jeremiah

A summary recap:

  • Enoch walked with God
  • Enoch witnessed for God
  • Enoch pleased God
  • Enoch went to be with God

Like, Elijah, Enoch went directly to God without first dying. So, when I talk to God about this, I remind Him that I don’t want to be like Elijah. A flaming chariot flying up to heaven sounds scary, 😨 but I DO want to be like Enoch. 😃 And I literally daily remind myself of why God was pleased with him. It’s a tall order to walk the walk like he did. To NOT allow circumstances to be an excuse to walk ungodly.

What about you? Who is your choice and why? Leave a comment, or better yet…contact me to set up an appointment to talk.

My Father: Experiencing God's Love A-Z

Pamela Taylor invites you to join her in this interactive acrostic devotional journal designed to draw you into the extremely personal and abundant love God has waiting for you. Experience the "Just ask..." of His love for you!

My Father: Experiencing God's Love from A-Z by Pamela A. Taylor

Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com


Stepping Confidently into the 4th Quarter of 2021

Sun setting over a pumpkin patch

Can you believe it? 2021 is 3/4 behind us. Many of us have been like a fish out of water. Our regular routines have been disrupted and our plans have been smashed against the proverbial rock. So, now what? I don’t know about you, but I want to finish out this year well. How about you? Join me? Can we do this deliberately and confidently? YES! I absolutely believe that we can!

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

How shall we start?

Let’s start with prayer: Lord, Jesus, we want to honor You in the midst of confusion and scary things. We have not come this far to give up now. But we turn to You as our Guide. Our Ever-Present Help in times of trouble. Our Strong Tower. Our Wisdom. Our Provider. Our Healer. Our God.

You are our Creator–You created us just the way You knew we would need to be in order to finish the work that You prepared in advance…before the creation of the world…in fellowship with You! You knew what TODAY would bring and what we would need in order to navigate through it. For Your Glory!

Two Choices

I am reminded that there are ONLY TWO choices. We are either seeking God or forsaking God. There is no lukewarm middle ground. It is either one or the other. And…Since you have already read this far, I am going to assume that you are SEEKING GOD. Praise the Lord for that!

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pain.”

C. S. Lewis

Anchor devotional September 30, 2021

“We need God. He cares about us.He promises that one day He will end all brokenness and suffering. We may not understand why He has not ended it yet, but we do know that He came and entered into it with us through Jesus.”

He is with us in our laughter and in our tears.

I want to stop a bit here to meditate on the “WITH US” part of that last quote. He entered into it WITH US THROUGH JESUS. That’s BIG! That’s how we are able to continue. We are not alone. He is Immanuel. WITH us.

Psalm 27:8

“My heart says to You – Your Face, Lord, do I seek.”

Actively seeking

That is a choice that sets you and me apart from others. Unfortunately, some are getting into Heaven “by the skin of their teeth”, but we want something more than that. We want the joy that comes from being in communion with God when we ACTIVELY seek the Lord and His Word and His ways. And, that, my friend, puts you and me right smack in the middle of a deep joy-filled relationship with the Lord. And THAT, is…

the safest place to be AND the wisest place to be—right in the center of His will—in a two-way, back-and-forth relationship with the Lord.

Take time to step back and PLAN to finish this year well…don’t leave it to chance…

I would love to hear about your plans.

My Father: Experiencing God's Love A-Z

Pamela Taylor invites you to join her in this interactive acrostic devotional journal designed to draw you into the extremely personal and abundant love God has waiting for you. Experience the "Just ask..." of His love for you!

My Father: Experiencing God's Love from A-Z by Pamela A. Taylor

Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com


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