FEELING UNAPPRECIATED?

Recently, I was thinking about how much the words, "I appreciate you" can mean. Sometimes, we feel as though others don't notice the things we do. In those times, we have to remember that our labor is for The Lord and not for people (Col. 3:17, Gal. 1:10). We know that when our labor is for The Lord, we never labor in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).  We can also rely on Him for encouragement by asking Him to provide it and allowing Him to choose the source. I put this into practice recently and was amazed how He brought it. 

Think about the pastor of your church. People always go to their pastors when they need prayer or counsel (nothing wrong with that- they are there to help you), but who is there for the pastors and their families when they need support? Many in ministry positions can feel unappreciated. As I was pondering on this, I had a thought that stopped me in my tracks: "How does God feel?"

There are people whom God created that ignore His presence daily and some, even His existence. People who acknowledge Him on Sunday but deny Him Monday-Saturday. People who honor Him with their lips but their hearts are far from Him (people who claim to know Him but live like they don't - See Isaiah 19:13, Matt. 15:8). People who run to God only when they have a problem or need something. Think how unappreciated He must feel. We all have so much to be thankful for. If the only thing God ever did for you was send Jesus to the cross so that we can be reconciled to God through Him and saved from eternity in hell (If you choose to accept this freely offered gift, repent & turn from sin you can be saved)-- that would be more than enough. But God is so full of love for us that He went beyond that (GOD IS LOVE). Jesus took our sicknesses and removed our diseases (See Matt. 8:27, NLT). God feeds us, clothes us, guides us. He gave us a Comforter, Counselor, Intercessor by giving us the Holy Spirit (See John 14:26, AMP) He invites us and eagerly waits for us to dive into a personal relationship with Him. He longs for you to go deeper with Him and give up those things which separate you from Him or hinder you from getting closer to Him. How many car accidents has a He kept you from having? How many times has He soared your life? How many times has He kept you from danger you were unaware of?

Next time you feel unappreciated, think how God must feel. That question totally wrecked me. Take time today to let God know you appreciate Him. He wants to be your EVERYTHING. He wants to fill every void. Thank Him for everything He does for you, everything He has given you, & simply for who He is. Here are some things to be thankful for that are often taken for granted: food & choices of what to eat, clean water, central heating & air conditioning, a vehicle, ac/heat in your vehicle, a home of your own, clothing, electricity, etc. I could go on and on, but many of the things we consider "basic needs" are things some people are doing without!

Spend time with God daily in prayer and in His Word. As you begin your prayer time daily, begin with thanksgiving! :) 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

- Psalm 100:4 (NIV)

Thank Him from the bottom of your heart for everything, but most of all for sending His only Son. 

Rachel Marie

THE TRUTH ABOUT PAUL'S THORN

Many people use “Paul’s Thorn” to use against healing. Let's see what the Bible says about it:

 

2 Corinthians 12:7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

*The Bible tells us exactly what Paul’s Thorn was. It was a messenger of Satan, not a sickness.

 

In “Christ the Healer” by F. F. Bosworth, he states, “The expression thorn in the flesh is not once used in either the Old or New Testament EXCEPT as an illustration. The figure of the thorn in the flesh is not in one single instance used in the Bible as a figure of sickness. Every time, the expression was used in the entire Bible, it is specifically stated what the thorn in the flesh was.” Bosworth continues by pointing this out in Numbers 33:55 and Joshua 23:13, as well.

Numbers 33:55 (KJV) But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which yet let remain of them shall be PRICKS IN YOUR EYES, and THORNS IN YOUR sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.

Bosworth points out: “The pricks in the eyes” and “thorns in the sides” of the Israelites were inhabitants of Canaan, not eye trouble or sickness. God was only using an illustration. Again, in Joshua 23:13, the Lord says of the Canaanites, “they shall be… scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes”. Again, the scourges in their eyes and thorns in their sides are the Canaanites.

 

Looking back at 2nd Corinthians 12:7, Paul specifically says that his thorn was a messenger of Satan, sent to buffet him. Bosworth concludes this portion of his sermon on Paul’s Thorn by saying, “Since Paul specifically says that his “thorn”was a messenger of Satan, sent to buffet him and make trouble for him wherever he went, why should we say it was something else?”

For the rest of Bosworth's sermon, read the 14th chapter of Christ the Healer (this book can be found on amazon). Jesus healed me when I read this book. For more on healing, check out the follow videos on my YouTube: MY HEALING TESTIMONY, JESUS HEALS, & JESUS STILL HEALS EVERY SICKNESS & EVERY DISEASE. My YouTube channel is "Rachel Marie Ministries", or click the above tab "My YouTube". Most importantly, if you need healing, read through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John in the Bible). All through the Gospels, Jesus was moved with compassion for the sick & He healed them. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God revealed His will through the life of Jesus, so the best way to find out God's will is to read what Jesus did in His life on earth! He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposes in Christ (Ephesians 1:9).

BE RENEWED BY THE LIVING WATER

Even a tree has more hope!
If it is cut down, it will sprout again
and grow new branches.
Though its roots have grown old in the earth
and its stump decays,
at the scent of water it will bud
and sprout again like a new seedling.
- Job 14: 7-9 (NLT)

If you've been walking with God very long, you know that sometimes dry seasons come. Times when you are doing everything you are supposed to (i.e.: Spending time with God daily, living according to His Word, etc.), yet He still feels so far away. This can also happen if we have sinned (be sure to confess your sin to God & repent & turn from it) or if we have let some sort of idol take up residence in our lives (An idol can be anything that takes your focus off of Christ. Yes, idols can be the so called "gods" of false religions, but it doesn't have to be. It can be a relationship, an addiction, or something as simple as spending too much time on facebook or watching tv. God is jealous for our time and attention. He doesn't want us to put anything before HIM). Regardless of the reason, if you are in a dry season, this is for you:

So maybe spiritually you feel like the tree described in Job 14:7-9-- cut down and decaying. DO NOT GIVE UP. Keep on seeking Him. We will seek Him and find Him when we seek Him with ALL of our hearts (Jer. 29:13). Chase after Jesus as hard and as fast as you can. At the mere SCENT OF WATER, the tree will bud and sprout again like a new seedling. Use this dry season to show God just how desperate you are for Him by continuing to relentlessly pursue Him. If a cut down, decaying tree will bud and sprout again like a new seeding at the scent of water, how much more will we blossom by drinking in the LIVING WATER (John 4:10, 13-14)? 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
- Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Father, I pray for everyone reading this. I pray for those in a dry season spiritually. I pray that they would be encouraged. May they draw near to You, and feel You drawing near to them in return. I pray they will walk by faith, not by sight until they get their spiritual breakthrough. May they blossom daily, as they seek You, The Living Water. Bring a tsunami of Your Presence into every part of their being. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In His Compassion,
Rachel Marie

THE LORD IS MY PORTION

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 

- Lamentations 3:24 (NIV)

The LORD is our portion! How wonderful is that? Jesus is more than enough for us. In Him, we have everything. Without Him, we have nothing! No purpose, no hope, no salvation, no healing, no peace. We need to seek Him to be healed, fulfilled, joyful. Any other source of these things are only temporary. The world pursues happiness in money (money is not evil; the LOVE OF MONEY is), alcohol, drugs, parties, fame, premarital sex... They pursue happiness in a variety of sinful things, never looking to JESUS. They are looking for LOVE in all the wrong places, looking EVERYWHERE except to our Creator. Psalm 43:4 teaches us that God is the source of all our joy.

There I will go to the altar of God, 

to God—the source of all my joy. 

I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God! 

- Psalms 43:4 (NLT)

In HIS PRESENCE, there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).Worldly happiness is circumstantial & always leaves you empty. The joy of Jesus? -- It comes with no regrets, only benefits. We see this in Psalms 103.

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 

- Psalm 103:2-5 (NIV)

So today my question for you is this:

Are you allowing God to be the source of ALL your joy? Or are you still seeking happiness in sin or in idols? Remember that:

 "No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him."

- 1 John 3:6 (NIV)

Idols are not just other (so called) "gods" like Buddha or Muhammad. An idol can be anything. An idol is anything you put before Jesus. It can be sin or addiction, yes, but that isn't always the case. It can be a spouse or a boyfriend/girlfriend.It could even be something as simple as spending too much time on Facebook. I've said it before, and I will say it again: If you have time for social media, you have time to read your Bible. We need to spend time with Jesus daily in prayer, in His Word, & in worship. We need to renew our spirit daily just like we need to renew our bodies with sleep, food, and water. 

My prayer for you:

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that everyone reading this would seek their joy in You alone. Help them allow You to fill any voids in their hearts. Help them

Hide Your Word in their hearts, that they may not sin against You. May they never be lacking in zeal, but keep their spiritual fervor, serving The Lord. Show them

If There are any idols in there lives & if so, help them give them up. Help them put You first always. May they make time with You their top priority every day. May they hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall Be filled. May they relentlessly pursue You. May they realize You are their portion. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You;

Your right hand upholds me.

- Psalm 63:8 (AMP)

This is my lock screen. It reminds me daily to chase hard after Jesus! :) 

Fall In Love with Jesus,

Rachel Marie

EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

- Romans 10:9 (NIV)

This Scripture tells us how to be saved. It's simple. People make it complicated. Many think they have to clean up their life before they can come to Christ, which is far from the truth. You can come to Christ as you are, repent of your sins, & do as instructed above (you can do this right now, wherever you are- but if anyone has questions, I'm willing & eager to help with no judgement). THEN, Jesus will help you clean your life up & give up the things in your life that fail to please Him. He doesn't expect you to do it in your own strength, but by relying upon His Strength. Now I know many of you are already saved, and you are welcome to pass this message along. But some of you are not: God knows which ones. Don't be ashamed, just make the change. :) some people say this life is hard, but life is much harder without Christ.. With Christ, you can have peace, love, mercy, forgiveness, salvation & healing. He will strengthen you in every situation & be your constant helper. He will fulfill that void no one or nothing else ever can. Jesus is the only way to Heaven. Some argue that it's too hard to leave a life of sin & live for Jesus, but I challenge them with this: What is more difficult? To live for Jesus & go to Heaven? Or to live any way you want & go to hell? "Good people" with "good morals" & "good intentions" go to hell every day. God extends the invitation to Heaven to everyone, with one condition alone: A personal relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.

If you're not saved or if you're not sure you're saved, you can pray this simple prayer: 

(note: you don't have to say this word for word. This is just an example.)

Father, I repent of my sins. I ask You to help me turn from all sinful ways. I believe You sent Your Son, Jesus, to the cross to die & be resurrected to wash away all my sins. Jesus, please come into my heart & be my Lord & Savior.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

-- if you just prayed that prayer, you may be wondering what's next. Find a Bible in a translation you can understand. A great place to start is in the Gospel of John. Begin to live according to what the Word of God instructs. We all make mistakes sometimes, but His grace is sufficient & we must focus on doing what pleases Him instead of focusing on the things we cannot do when we live for Him. This will make us much more successful in living joyfully & fulfilled in Him. Obeying His commands is how we show our love for God (1 John 5:3).

Some people plan to get saved right before they die. You don't know if you will have the time. Some people die instantly in an accident & there's no time to make things right with God. Don't take that chance. Make things right now & begin to live your life to fullest by living for Christ. 

Also, don't feel like any sin is too bad for you to come to Christ. God forgives even the prostitutes, thieves, murderers, liars, & adulterers, etc. Jesus didn't even condemn the woman who was caught in the act of adultery. Instead, He told her "GO AND SIN NO MORE (John 8:11)". He forgave her & simply told her to leave her life of sin. Yes, it really is that simple.

for, “EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 

- Romans 10:13 (NIV)

In His Love & Mercy,

Rachel Marie

The Majestic One

For the LORD is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals his thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the heights of the earth. The LORD God of Heaven’s Armies is his name! 

- Amos 4:13 (NLT)

I love Scriptures about the might & power of the LORD God Almighty! Oh, how majestic, powerful, yet beautiful & compassionate is He! It's a mind-blowing phenomenon that the omniscient, one & only God would have such great love for us that He would send His one & only Son to save us from the bondage of our sins, to set us free once & for all from the law & sin & death for all. This gift is freely given to all who will believe & accept Christ & obey His Word. When you get a chance, read Habakkuk 3. It shakes me up to hear about HIS POWER! Job 38 is another magnificent Scripture about the infinite wisdom, power, & sovereignty of our God! Oh, may we be filled to the measure with all the fullness of God! May we press on to know Him more and more every day, never remaining satisfied with where we are of Him because He is just so good we need HIM more and more. HE must become greater and greater, we must become less & less! May we present our bodies as a living sacrifice before Him. May our lives, worship, prayers, and study of the Word be a pleasing aroma to Him daily. May we all set aside time daily to spend alone with Him! May we come to know the power in His Name: Jesus! May we have the power, together with all God's holy people, to know the height, depth, width, and length of the love of Christ! May we be more than just hearers of the word, but actually do what the Word of God says. We may work to enter into that rest. We know the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few-- we ask The Lord to send laborers into the field. Light the flame to a never ending, all consuming fire that will forever burn in our hearts to fall more in love with The Lord JESUS Christ daily & strive to bring a smile to His face.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

In His Amazing Love & Compassion,

Rachel Marie 

Christmas Blessing

Because it is so powerful and moving, I wanted to share a few of the lyrics to probably my very favorite Christmas song, titled, "Mary, Did You Know?". I am not sure who originally penned these words, but I do know that God's anointing was upon the author's hands.

Mary did you know that your baby boy

Will one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy

Will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered

Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little baby

You've kissed the face of God?

One of my very favorite Christmas songs! What's your favorite Christmas song? This one is so powerful. My favorite line is, "Mary, did you know when you kiss your baby boy, you've kissed the face of God?" Oh, what a glorious privilege Mary had to get to kiss the face of God in her earthly life! She didn't have to wait until she got to Heaven to kiss our Beautiful LORD & Savior. Can you fathom kissing the face of the all powerful, one & only God? The God who LOVES, saves, heals & delivers all who are willing to commit their lives to Him.. Seeking His beautiful, Pure, and holy face.. Keeping His commands.. Diving into His Presence not just on Sunday but every single day, we need to DIVE INTO HIM: into His Word, in prayer & pure worship. Oh what a beautiful surrender it is when we give all of our hearts, all of our lives, all of our worship over to Him. 

Father, in the name of Jesus,

I pray over everyone who will receive this message. May those who aren't saved or those who have strayed come running into Your Awesome Presence, your loving arms once again. May their spiritual eyes, ears, & hearts be opened unto to Your Truth, your light, Your peace, love, mercy, & grace. I pray that all their friends and family would be saved bc we know that the GRACE OF GOD is so merciful that He offers salvation to ALL PEOPLE (Titus 2:11). God, let Your servants draw nearer to You so You will draw near to them. Help us fall more deeply in love with Jesus every single day. Make us willing to obey You & surrender every aspect of our lives to You. Thank You that by Jesus' stripes we are healed: physically, mentally, emotionally, & spiritually! Thank You for the birth of Jesus.. That When He died & was resurrected, He redeemed us from the terrible bondage of sin & sickness. The veil was torn & we do not have to endure the agony of separation from God when we submit to You. Thank You that we are fulfilled by You. Nothing will ever satisfy the restless hearts until they surrender to Jesus.

Help my brothers & sisters in their times of trials & encourage them & lift them up.

Help them To be a blessing to others & guide them to show Others the infinite love of Christ! I pray Your will be done in the lives of my family & loved ones, just as Your will is done in Heaven. Help us bring more Glory to Your Name. Bring healing & restoration & please restore the years the locusts have eaten.

Remind them they are Never alone. May they all be filled to the measure with all the fullness of God.

In Jesus' Holy Name I pray,

Amen

Remember that the Birth of Jesus is the real reason we celebrate. He came to this earth to be an example of how we should live & to redeem us from all of our sinful ways. He bore away our shame, guilt, sin, sicknesses. Glory be to God! We have so many reasons to rejoice in HIM. He has given us so much to be thankful for: Salvation, Peace, Healing, Forgiveness, Grace, Mercy, Comfort, Compassion, Freedom... & so much more. Through CHRIST, comes EVERYTHING good. He wants you to let Him be your everything so He can fill you up to the measure with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19). Like a loving Father, He gives you everything you needs & cares for every meticulous detail of your life. Don't forfeit our loving Father, God, for the things of the world that Satan tempts you with. Surrender & celebrate Christ. Oh, He has given us so much.. May give to others, just as He has given unto us..

Think of & pray for those in need this season. It is a very lonely time of year for some. Most of us can do something to help someone out this Christmas, something to give to someone in need. Here are a few suggestions: visiting the nursing home, hospital, or serving in a local soup kitchen. You can make a donation to a soup kitchen if you cannot volunteer. Think of those who are starving, orphaned, & widowed this Christmas. Ask the LORD to show you how you can help these people in desperate need of love this Christmas & help supply needs to them that are taken for granted by most. Show the love of Christ this Christmas season & in every season.