By A Whisper of God’s Grace

I’ve made it a habit to pray before I drive, but particularly when I drive at night because I just don’t see as well after dark as I used to. God demonstrated just how awesome He truly is last night when He answered my prayer to keep me from hitting anyone or anything on my way home. A woman with three children (all wearing dark clothing) was trying to cross the street on the other side of the car in the left turn lane. There was a car in the lane to my right, but behind me. I didn’t see two of the children begin to dash across the street until they were in front of my car. I only missed hitting them by a whisper of God’s grace. I belong to and serve an incredibly awesome God. Thank You, my Father.

Jury Duty

I had a fall the other day while on jury duty. I went out to buy lunch at the street vendor just outside the courthouse. On my way back inside my toe caught the edge of one of the concrete blocks that was slightly raised in the sidewalk and down I went onto my right knee. From there my body proceeded to roll toward the wall while my lunch and purse went the other direction.

Lots of people helped me up while trying to make sure I was alright. Limping back to the jury lounge I found a deputy who got me a small baggie with ice so it wouldn’t swell any more than absolutely necessary. I repeated the ice later that evening and had no appreciable swelling that I noticed. All my friends and I prayed that it would heal quickly and it did. Thank You, my Father! (Being diabetic everything heals veeery slooowly.)

Toward the end of this session I had to report for duty again and found out why my heavenly Father allowed me to fall that day. He’s soooo awesome! Someone had taken a can of white spray paint and painted all the raised blocks on the edges so that they are VERY visible so no one else will fall the way I did. Yes! Awesome! Thank You, Father, for allowing me to know the reason behind this.

Love in Christ,

 Pamela

We Are Chosen

Ephesians 1:4 – For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

1 John 4:19 – We love because he first loved us.

Matthew 20:16 – “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Matthew 24:22 – If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

Luke 10:20 – However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

John 6:37-39 – All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.

Romans 8:28-39 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 – Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Ephesians 1:9-11 – And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment–to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, …

2 Timothy 1:9 – …who has saved us and called us to a holy life–not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, …

Love in Christ,

Pam

Looking At Life’s Changes

Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear; rather look to them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He has kept you hitherto,–do you but hold fast to His dear hand, and He will lead you safely through all things; and, when you cannot stand, He will bear you in His arms…. The same everlasting Father who cares for you today, will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

~Francis de Sales (1567—1622)

Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)

Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV) – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard form me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Sometimes God Moves Quickly

Sometimes God moves quickly enough to make my head spin. There have been so many changes in the last couple of months and each has been a great blessing. God has me learning lots of new stuff and dealing with some stubborn old stuff. It’s wonderful to have God in control. I soooo don’t have to worry about stuff anymore. God is good all the time. Thank You, Father.

Love in Christ,

Pam

Ladies’ Ministry Testimony

The Ladies’ Ministry at Victory Home is moving forward splendidly. One of our ladies has been given opportunities to witness to other women who come into the Victory Home Thrift Store on Military Highway. She has been glorifing God with her testimony and the way in which she runs the store. It is thrilling to watch others hunger for the Lord they see in her. Thank You, Father, for sending this wonderful woman to us.

Love in Christ,

Pam

Victory Home Thrift (Military Hwy.)

The Victory Home Thrift on Military Highway in Chesapeake has officially been taken over by the Ladies’ Ministry. Yay!

Things have been a little slow lately though what with all the snow and the bridge closings. This has given the ladies time to reorganize and put a few feminine touches on our displays.

The lady in charge of our reorganization is doing a super job with God’s guidance. Her dependence on God for clear guidance and direction in everything she does is very exciting to watch.

We’re slowly changing the atmosphere in the old Firebrand Building which houses our newest Victory Home Thrift Store. We would enjoy having you stop by to see all the changes we’ve been making and hope to see you soon.

Love in Christ,

Pam

Time Sure Does Fly By

It seems like only a few days ago I had made a post here, but it has actually been over two months. When I was younger it seemed as if I had all the time in the world to get things done. Now that I am much older the days seem to whiz by and I feel there aren’t enough hours in a day to get done all the things I wish to accomplish. This, of course, would be the time God would choose to teach me to slooooooow down.

Have you ever noticed that when you’re in one of these periods in your life that’s when God chooses to teach you the thing that’s the exact opposite of what you’re doing? There was a time not all that long ago that my patience was stretched right regularly to the breaking point and that’s when God decided to teach me to have great patience especially with others.

Right now I’m always in a great hurry to get things done and move on to the next thing and God is telling me I need to slow down, take my time, get it right the first time instead of having to do it all over again. Hmmm, I wonder why there is never enough time to do something right the first time, but there always seems to be time enough to do it over once (in our hurry) we’ve made a real mess of it.

Thank You, Father, for all your lessons. I sure wish my stubbornness would take a hike so these lessons would be easier to learn.

Love in Christ,

Pam

Ladies’ Ministry Donations

Just the other day someone donated 2 twin-size comforters, 2 pillows, a bag full of towels, and a bag full of wash cloths. We’re almost halfway toward having the bedding and bath linens for the Ladies’ Ministry which begins on October 15, 2010. We still need comforters and pillows for 2 more twins beds as well as sheets and pillowcases. I’m positive God will provide the rest. He’s always faithful in supplying our needs. Thank You, Father.

Love in Christ,

Pam