Almighty Chicks: Blog & Devotional

Matthew 13:16 But God has blessed you, because your eyes can see and your ears can hear!

I am married to a very humble man. He will tell you we are so blessed, why would we even want for more. Of course that is what he tells me when our air conditioning is messed up and I’m complaining. But that is his philosophy. He is very content, even when I’m a stressed out mess. Sometimes it calms me down and sometimes I just want to throw a fit. (just joking) Sometimes it is hard to see how blessed we are when the world is throwing crap at us all of the time. We can be like the seed that was thrown in the thorn bushes. We know that God loves us but evil tries to poke and prod us into worrying about all of our trouble.

I’m the world’s worst at this. I try to take on more than I can, or problems arise that my self righteous being can’t fix on my own. I try everything possible, then will reluctantly turn it over to God. I let the world blind my eyes to my blessings. I let my joy be stolen. I’m working doing better about trusting God. I can tell you he is always there for you but do I take my own advise, not often. I am doing much better about realizing how blessed I am and that God is in control of my life. As a Christian, I am in unchartered territory for me right now. I’m learning more about Jesus than I’ve ever learned in my life. I’m amazed at how blessed we are, all of us. Even if you are in a bad situation, you are blessed. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, we are forgiven and loved, there is NOTHING that makes us worthy. So how blessed are you?

Count your blessings. My prayer life has converted from condemning myself for what I did wrong or what I should have done to Thanking God for all he has done in my life and for what he has in store for me and my family. Thank God for your blessings, even if you don’t think you have many. You are a work in progress, he knows we are human and we aren’t perfect but quit any negative and focus on the positive, it will get better.

I’m sorry it’s been a while. I’ve been suffering from some writer’s block. I’ve been feeding my soul with good preaching and learning of the bible and it’s hard to compete with what I’m feeding on J . So until next time, keep your head up, faith strong and remember you are greatly blessed, highly favored and deeply loved.

Fun In The Sun/SON!

It has been a crazy week. I’ve been really busy at work, my uncle Bill passed on to see Jesus, family in from California contemplating moving back to PB and getting ready for the BIG AUDIT. UGH, my first one and I can’t help but be nervous, it’s from the real estate commission, I’m a random pick, just my luck.

My plan was today after church to spend the day stuck in files reviewing to make sure we are set for the audit, that plan changed. During Pastor Paul’s wonderful sermon, he hit some points that really hit me.

As always, he was preaching Jesus and how wonderful he is and we can rest in his finished work.

This all made me think of my worries over the audit and of Psalms 121 in which in my Bible it is titled, “The Lord Will Protect His People” Psalms 121: 5 The Lord is your protector, there at your right side to shade you from the sun. (6) You won’t be harmed by the sun during the day or by the moon at night.

That is some major reassurance to me. I know that the LORD IS ALWAYS WITH ME! We may experience some trials but the Lord is always there. Jesus came and died for our sins. There is no work we can do, no money we can give to get this salvation that Jesus death provided. NOT ONE of us deserves this gift but we all can have it. God just has to see our love of Jesus in our life. We have to take him into our life and then we are reborn new in Christ. We can rest in Jesus.

Ok, for the title of this: Fun in the sun/SON. I have been fretting over all I had going on and of course neglecting my family so I took the day off to spend the day resting in Jesus and spending time with this wonderful family that the LORD has blessed me with. It is so easy to get caught up in life and forget the simple blessings that God has given us. So I spent the day in the pool with my hubby, son and some really good friends. We hung out and talked about how good God is and how blessed we are together. I felt no guilt because I wasn’t working. I know this audit will be fine, God has blessed me with my business and If I’m messing up, let’s get it fixed now. I try to do the best job I possible can and that’s all I can do. I can rest with Jesus in the boat during the storm. So THANK YOU JESUS for all my many blessings and keep showing me opportunities to share with others the peace from your love that I’m experiencing. Even in the storms I know your are at my side. AMEN!!

I hope you all are having a wonderful summer. I wish you all much blessings and favor, and know you are loved by God. Until next time keep your head up, faith strong and make every minute count. Lots of Love, AMY!

Matthew 6:33 (King James Version)

 ³³But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Good words for today.  Ever since last night I’ve been singing the song that is based on that verse.   Our Pastor used that verse at one time and it has stuck with me. 

What are we seeking in our relationship with Jesus?  That is something I never knew until very long ago.  Do I have a religion with Jesus or a relationship?  He wants a relationship with us.  The Holy Spirit is in each of us, we don’t have a religion with it, and we have a relationship with it.  I have changed my thoughts about this.  I know have a relationship with Jesus.  Just as you would have a relationship with a family member or friend.  God is our Daddy!  I am seeking more of God/Jesus and his righteousness.  Hallelujah!  This might be something simple that you already realize but it took me a long time to move from religion to relationship.  Have a simply marvelous day, give praise for the many blessings you have, and much love to you all.  Keep your head up, faith strong and make every minute count!  Amy        

I feel like I say the same prayer over and over.  I’m definitely not one of those blessed people that can say these awesome prayers.  I’m a very “God is great” type of girl.  But sometimes I just go to pray and go blank. 

Romans 8:26 (New International Version)

 ²⁶In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

I’ve been studying Romans for the last week or so.  Not too long again I read Francis Chan book “Crazy Love” (you all should read it- AWESOME).  But he suggests that we should read the bible as if we are for the first time again.  So with open eyes and no predetermined ideas that is what I’m doing.  It is so amazing to see God’s Grace and Love in Romans and to see it fit my life.  I don’t feel so bad as a Christian reading Romans because GOD LOVES ME!! 

Not only has the writer’s block hit me but also the pray block.  I go to pray and my mind goes blank.  I need a notebook and write ahead of time what I should pray for.  But I forget I have a relationship with GOD.  Do I take a notebook when I’m talking to my husband?  NO, although sometimes I should.  So even though I might not be saying these powerful prayers God knows my thought and needs.  Sometimes I just sit still and in my head say “Thank you Jesus”, really what more else is there to say.  We can be selfish and pray “Oh, help me sell a house or help Matt to do well at his game” which sometimes I do pray that but he already knows that.  He knows we are weak and we need his help.  We are just kids; we rebel occasionally because our flesh is weak but HE IS STRONG.  God knows our heart and knows we aren’t perfect but it is great that our “DADDY” interceded for us.  So even if you can’t come up with the big awesome prayers, just say “THANK YOU DADDY”.  We can’t give enough thanks because no matter how bad life is we are greatly BLESSED!!

I wrote you the other day with the excitement that I thought I was going to be able to go to the Psalms 31 Women’s She Speaks seminar this year.  WELL, not going to happen.  My nephew is getting married that weekend plus I really didn’t have the $1700 to go.  It would have taken me peddling many candles to make that money.  God must have something else in store for me.  I am working on several big announcements for you Almighty Chicks.  I hope to start announcing them soon.  So until next time keep you head up, faith strong and make every minute count.  Lots of Love, Amy!

Philippians 4:4-6 (New International Version)

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

I’m at an odd spot. I have felt for several years now that God is calling me to more. I’m feeling drawn to getting out of my boat again. I’m really comfortable in my little boat, just rocking along. But I have this churning inside and I know that it’s God. I think he is trying to wake me up. I know what it is. I have felt very drawn to this seminar that is held in Concord NC. It is sponsored by The Proverbs 31 women. It is for women like myself that have an outreach ministry of all different kinds. For some reason I’m scared to even consider this. My insecurities are blazing about the possibilities. I don’t feel that I’m a good enough Christian to expand my works. I still goof up and say a bad word, think bad things about others, I’m not real compassionate, I don’t pray like I should. I’m definitely not a Beth Moore by no means. But this feeling is not going away. And of course after the insecurities come the excuses. First of all I can’t take off from the office for almost a week. I have a small real estate company, I do everything from answering the phones, paperwork to cleaning. I think the place will fall apart if I take off for more than 2 days at a time. Then you have the finances, as I said I have a small real estate company ‘REAL ESTATE” the market hasn’t been all that great and I just don’t have the extra money, by the way, what is extra money, my money is always the just scrape by or whoa, we can pay last months bills now. Next, THE FAMILY, how on earth can I expect my family to go without me for 5 days? Ok, I’ll admit I’m making excuses. We all know if this is something God wants me to do I will find the way.

I’m taking this to the Lord in prayer. If this is what he is directing me to, he will show me a way. I’m so thankful for kicking me out of the boat last time with the development of Almighty Chicks. That had me scared to death. I’m not a gifted scholar. I don’t use proper grammar but somehow he has shown me a gift (I guess you can call it that) that I can use to show others his Grace & Mercy. I’m asking that put me on your prayer list that God will help take away the hurdles if this is his will for me.

It’s taken me a while to realize this but I really struggle with anxiety & insecurities. I sometimes get my feelings hurt by acquaints and friends. This is something that has really slapped me around and makes me doubt myself and what God has me doing. This is just some of the battles of life. But thankfully I have a heavenly father that loves me more that I can imagine. He sent his son to die for my sins. Every day I come more to the realization of that and I want more and more for God to look at me and see his son in me. I want God to see my love and appreciate for Jesus dying on the cross and I know I can never live up to that but I am feeding on the love of Jesus (that was a sermon title recently-doesn’t that sound great!). I am growing in my Christian walk because of God’s grace. I know that these anxieties and insecurities don’t matter because in God’s eyes, I’ve fine! If he sees me as fine then I can see myself as such.

Thank you all so much for being a part of Almighty Chicks. I know I haven’t been sending out too much lately. I’ve been dealing with writers block. I’m really enjoying feeding on the love of Jesus. I try to spend each day reading and listening to the word and growing. I look forward to sending out more to you all soon. So remember you are forgiven and loved. You are saved by God’s grace. Keep your head up, faith strong and make every minute count. Lots of Love, Amy!

Denial of Jesus

^{John 18:17-18}   “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter.
      He replied, “I am not.”

 ¹⁸It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

I have to share this story with you.  We have a friend that has cancer.  When my husband told me that our friends cancer is back (which is his second go around of it), I broke down crying and told him, you have to talk to him.  Gordon knew exactly what I meant. Our friend doesn’t go to church and I really don’t think he’s a Christian, not for sure though.  Gordon and I both feel we should share the Love of Jesus with him.

The other night our friend invited Gordon over.  I had picked up some cd’s from our church to give to our friend.  These cd’s are powerful messages about the Grace of Jesus, how God knows we aren’t perfect but loves us anyways.  They aren’t condemning, just very loving.  I told Gordon “hey those cd’s are on the bookshelf” and Gordon said “oh, I’ll give them to him another time”.  Well my hubby went over to our friend’s house.  Sitting around the fire pit, the friend looks at Gordon and says “you look content watching the fire”, Gordon’s answer back was “I’m just at peace . . . .”  Instantly the thought pops in his mind of Peter standing around the fire after he denied Jesus.  Gordon comes home a little later and tells me of this, with tears in his eyes, he knows he had his opportunity and missed it.  And with tears in my eyes I tell him “I know, we’ve all done it”.

WOW!  Even now typing this, I start crying again.  We are presented with opportunities all the time to share the love of Jesus with others but due to so many different emotions at the time we don’t share.  It might be because we don’t want to look like a weirdo in front of someone, step on their toes, embarrass them, offend them, you can just keep feeling in the emotions, you know them, we all do.

Let’s flip the coin, last week a friend of mine missed church so I brought her the cd from Wednesday night service.  They are always so good you don’t want to miss one!  Took it to her at work,  sitting there was a mutual friend of ours, (GOD OPPORTUNITY), we had been telling her about our church and how it is so nice to hear the message of God’s grace and abundant love.  So with us both sharing and I had more cd’s in the car to give her,  we took advantage of the opportunity.  She came to church Sunday, been listening to those cd’s.  Monday she calls me and tells me her world has been turned upside down, in a good way.  She is seeing that God loves us soo much!  Praise God!!! 

We have opportunities all of the time to show God’s love and we don’t take advantage of them sometimes.  We are scared to at times.   But know, God loves you and sometimes even if you don’t say anything, your mannerisms and actions can speak of his love to others.  I can tell you that my husband may have missed his opportunity but the change in his life is very visible to others and although he has missed that opportunity, which he will have others with our friend, he has shared the love of Jesus with many of his other friends lately, invited them to church and everyone sees a difference in him.  He just looks happy and content now.  Thank you JESUS!  So until next time keep your head up, faith strong, and make every minute count!  Lots of Love, Amy

Judgmental People, UGH!!! I really am tired of people judging others. Who died and made them judge. NOT MY JESUS and when they claim to be just these awesome Christians yet they act like they are better than others and condemn others. Who do they think they are?

John 8:7 (King James Version)

7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

I try not to stir the pot and stay in my own little world. I’m very guarded when it comes to friends and don’t let many people into my ring of friends. I’m sure not one to judge someone because I am far from perfect. I get mad, let a bad word slip. I will end up gossiping at times. But I’m not an ill spirited person and would never hurt someone intentionally. I’m also very protective of the few friends that I do have. I don’t like it when others are mean to them.

All of this is coming from something I’ve been dealing with. I can’t say anything about the situation and I know that God is in control. Are you without sin? Then don’t cast a stone at someone else. Don’t judge, that is not our place. Your relationship with Christ is between you and Jesus. My relationship with Christ is between myself and Jesus. You don’t know what someone is dealing with when you aren’t in that inner circle of their life so don’t judge. Don’t be mean spirited.

All this being said, by not judging others, I have developed some really good friends with people that aren’t like me. Open your eyes to others around you. By judging someone that is different than you, you might be missing out on a great gift from God, true friendship with someone.

I’m very blessed to have some great friendship but it took me dropping my guard and not judging people. God works in mysterious ways. He is so good to us and all we have to do is know that you forgiven and loved. Jesus paid for our sins. Thank you Jesus for your Grace and blessing in my life. Wishing you much Grace and blessing too. So until next time keep your head up, faith strong and make every minute count. Love, Amy

John 19:30 “It is Finished”

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

What powerful word of “It is Finished”.   At that moment, Jesus life passed and he returned to his father.  All of this issued in the New Covenant, Jesus took all of our sins and paid for them with his life. 

I’ve been reading an awesome book by Sheila Walsh “Beautiful things happen when a woman trusts God”.  I would like to do a book club with this book if any of you are interested (email me and let me know).  Anyways there is one quote from it I want to share with you “Nothing in relationship with God depends on us getting it right.  His covenant takes care of that.  We just get to love, trust and follow him all the way home”.    Think about that for a minute. 

We all try to beat ourselves up when we mess up.  We all mess up from time to time.  Nobody is perfect, but isn’t it reassuring to know that “It is Finished” and all we have to do is trust, love and follow Jesus.  But it seems so hard to take that advice.  We are a generation of “Me” people.  I was raised to rely on myself so it’s been a struggle to turn it all over to Jesus.  But since I have worked to change that all, I have such a peace about life.  It might be crazy at time, I might be wondering how I’m going to pay my bills or such but I know that it will work out.  Jesus is by my side and I am trusting in him.

I hope that you can find that trust in Jesus today.  Pray about it.  Pray that you are filled with his spirit and joy.  And NO ONE can take away that Joy.  So until next time, keep your head up, faith strong and make every minute count.  Love, AMY!

Rest

I don’t even know where to start this one! My heart is so full and I want to say so much but the words just won’t come out. My brain is swimming with so many thoughts.

I have experienced such a change in my life. First of all I need to thank a good friend for inviting me to a different church than what I was use to going to. It has opened my eyes to the loveliness of Jesus. That has brought about the biggest change in my life in many years. In fact it has change my entire families thoughts of church and Jesus. But all of these changes are because of Jesus. For the first time in my life I’m seeing him in new light.

Matthew 11:28-29 (New International Version)

28″Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

I went to church this morning and one of the many verses that were used was the one above. That seemed to bring all of this together. For the first time in my life I have come to Jesus and he has given me to true rest. I am leaning on Jesus, not my self righteousness self. I have humbled myself before him and I have found rest.

I never thought the events of the last few months would lead up to this but as always Jesus was working in me. I never gave it much thought that I was sinning by being so self righteous. Let me explain what I’m talking about being self righteous. It’s not that I thought I was better than anyone else, it’s that I thought I could solve all the problems on my own. When I saw problems I thought “Jesus just opened my eyes to a problem, he must want me to fix it” , so basically I was working myself to death and I was thinking I was doing “God’s Will”. It wasn’t until someone pointed out to me that I was wrong by that. I was relying on myself, not on Jesus. I needed to rely, lean on Jesus and quit trying to take on the world problems myself.

Since then, that is what I’ve been trying to do. I’m sorry I haven’t been sending out many devotionals lately but I’ve been feeding my soul lately in Jesus. I had become a dry well. What good am I if my well is dry? I will continue to send out devotionals as I feel led but right now I’m taking a small break to refocus my eyes on JESUS. I appreciate all of the support you all have sent me and I still feel that God has much good in store for Almighty Chicks. So until the next time we meet, keep your head up, faith strong and make every minute count. Lots of Love, Amy J

Isaiah 53

1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.

8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.

and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.

As I have shared, I recently changed to a different church. Wednesday night we had one of the most touching services that I have ever been to. I normally don’t get too emotional but I wanted to go cry afterwards for all that Jesus suffered for us (BTW, you can check out the service on Facebook- go to Paul White Ministries, well worth watching or listening). But I wanted share the above passage. It amazed me to see Jesus in Isaiah. Jesus died for my sins. God knew that we were sinners, not perfect, but his son was perfect and he shed that perfect lamb for us unworthy sinners. After Wednesday night I have new feelings of Jesus dying for me. I don’t have much to say, no words can describe my feelings. I’m just so unworthy. Let the will of the Lord prosper. Remember that Jesus died for us. He loved us enough to lay down his life and die for us. I know I’m not like Jesus but I can do all I can to see his beauty in all. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. I hope that you all can stop a few moments this weekend and see the beauty of Jesus in all that surrounds you. Think before you act or speak. Spread the love that Jesus showed to us all. Be kind to everyone. Just some of my thoughts about Easter. Hope you all have a Very Happy Easter.

Keep your head up, faith strong and make every minute count! Love, Amy!