Keep Looking Up

Bernadean Gates tells us, "Trembling, Kelley was internally 
screaming, Don’t look down.

It was hard to believe she had gotten herself into this terrifying situation. 

My friend Kelley and her husband had treated their sons to a tour of a famous cave. 

The day started out well enough. 

The boys thoroughly enjoyed spelunking, and Kelley was awestruck by the wonders of the massive cavern. 

Her excitement over the cavern continued until her family began their ascent from the cave. 

Kelley glanced down as she climbed up the ladder to exit the cave. 

She was suddenly paralyzed with the realization of the cave depth below her. 

She fought back her fear, knowing how thrilling this experience was for her sons. 

They were incessantly pointing out various things for her to see as they emerged from the subterranean region of the colossal cave. 

At this point, she was silently screaming, Don’t look down. 

Quickly she became aware that the only way for her to successfully exit from the cave was by looking up and refusing to gaze down even for a second. 

Her scream calmly became the whisper, Keep looking up, keep looking up, until she exited into the brilliant sunshine of that lovely day.

Paul wrote for us: "Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God." 

He reminded us to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. By doing that, we’re focused on what is important and we’re trusting God will move us ahead.
​
How often does a mother need to model absolute trust when every fiber of her being is immersed in trepidation? 

Children often begin to internalize trusting the Lord when they visibly see it exemplified in the lives of one or both parents in a real-life situation.

In your daily life, are you continuing to look up? Keep your focus on the Lord and His purposes for you. 

Failure to keep your sights fixed on Him results in disappointment and ineffectiveness in your personal walk with Him. Do as Kelley did and keep looking up. 

Eventually, you’ll emerge with greater wisdom, even from the darkest experiences, only to bask in the brilliant sunlight of our Lord’s love and care.

Father, may we with the Apostle Paul set our hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly things. 

May we focus our eyes on You."

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Col. 3:1-2 NIV

Keep Looking Up – Bernadean Gates
April 7, 2013

Bernadean Gates recently retired from teaching third graders in a rural school district in Oklahoma to assist her mother as a caregiver to her ninety-three-year-old father as he recovers from a stroke. 


Essential to his therapy has been her daily care of her parents’ small herd of cattle. 

She has had several articles published in Mature Living and Teachers of Vision. 

Bernadean teaches 4th-6th graders in Sunday school and serves as pianist in her rural church.
Read Bernadean’s devotions. 
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Let’s pray: Father, there are times when we are afraid, for sure. Help us remember that You are ever mindful of us, where we are, and what's going on. May we keep a peaceful attitude in our situation, and keep our eyes on You and Your provision for us. We thank You for keeping an eye on us!

And  "Father, help me to always be alert. I know that the devil roams around like a roaring lion looking for those who are aimlessly drifting through life. He sneaks in when we least expect it. Help me never to get too comfortable with my life that I drift aimless along, but rather keep me alert to the changing winds and tides – holding fast to You in the storms of life and in the calm seasons as well. In Jesus’ name, amen."  Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 46:10 (NKJV) "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Today’s quotes: Bobby Bomar – “God promised there is no reason to fear, He is always with us. David, better than anyone, understood fear. He faced more than his share. Still, he allowed God to be his defender. His protector. That has not changed to this day. Our Father still steps to the front to protect us.”

News & Stories » My Only Chance

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"I recently had the privilege of presenting a seminar in Tampa, Florida to the C&MA Council delegates on the topic of Christ Our Sanctifying Healer. At the close of the presentation, I read a statement which I share with you now..." [I read this and wanted to share it with you, my readers...]

Our thought  today: According to Ps. 139:17, 18 God's thoughts are of you, and He has an incredible opinion of you! 

Tomorrow’s post: THAT'S JESUS!  Dave Branon

A popular post:  When the Going Gets Tough   Be a champion, not a victim –"You (and your child) can choose to live your life as a champion or as a victim..."

  

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A Jungle

Max Lucado -It’s a jungle 
out there! And for many, 
hope is in short supply. 

What would it take to restore 
your hope?

Though the answers are abundant, three come quickly to mind. The first would be someone who knows the way out. 

And from that someone you need vision. Someone to look you in the face and say,

   'Don’t give up! There’s a better place than this.' 

Most importantly, you need direction. 

If you have a person with direction who can take you to the right place—ah, then you have one who can restore your hope.

To use David’s words in Psalm 23, "HE restores my soul!'

God, our Shepherd, majors in restoring hope to the soul! Loneliness diminishes because you have fellowship. 

Despair decreases because you have vision. 

Confusion begins to lift because you have direction. 

Please note– you haven’t left the jungle. It hasn’t changed, but you have. 

You have hope!

A Jungle  by Max Lucado

From Traveling Light

Listen to UpWords with Max Lucado 
at OnePlace.com

Let’s pray: 

   Father, we do need
someone to lead us when
we feel lost. 

   Help me remember that
each time I'm confused or feeling down.

   Thank You that confusion begins to lift when I have direction. I ask for Your guidance, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: 1 Chron. 4:10 MSG "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request."

Today’s quote: Eddie Jones – “To Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory … be glory, majesty, power, and authority … now and forever. God is able to lift us up and carry us through the tough times so we can shoulder the burdens of others.”

Some thoughts today: (1) Put Jesus first in your heart and life, (2) fellowship with members of your church family, (3) break bread together as Christians, (4) and take time to be alone with God.

- Pray to keep these priorities straight in your life.

- Are you a spiritual humidifier before others, making the atmosphere pleasant when you come around?

28th- Sunday’s post:  The Power of One Single Act
James Cagle

30th- Tuesday's post:  #3 Ground-level Spiritual Warfare
C. Peter Wagner

10/2- Thursday's post:  #4  Occult- level Spiritual Warfare  
C. Peter Wagner

4th- Saturday's post:  Why Perform Acts of Kindness?
Jean Oathout

A popular post: Keep Looking Up Bernadean Gates
tells us, "Trembling, Kelley was internally screaming,
Don’t look down. It was hard to believe she had
gotten herself into this terrifying situation."

This is the very best book there is!

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I invite you to check out the above link, to see the many interesting topics of Christian Poets and Writers. 

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Where authors and readers come 
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Light Us Up!

Lisa Buffaloe-While praying for a friend’s upcoming ministry conference, in my spirit I could “see” a dark place, a place with much opposition.

I felt there was much hard ground to navigate, much darkness, but as I prayed I could "see" a crack in the earth, a dark crack opening and the opposition falling in. Then, God's light came blazing forth from the crack getting brighter and brighter as the crack grew wider and wider. (Google image, Man praying).

What a Friend We Have In Jesus

 

 

Kelly Balarie- The fog was thick; I couldn't see out the window. Dazed, because I woke at 3:45 this particular morning, I stared into the grey abyss. I let my imagination go . . . What if Jesus came to me through that fog right now, arms wide open? In that moment, it was as if I could see Him...approaching me. I imagined how it would feel to see -- and be seen -- by Jesus. Fully exposed, I wanted to run to Jesus, but then I thought... (Google image, A buck on a foggy morning)

Mysterious Ways: Blooming Suzie

 Tammi Georgianna tells us;  “ 'Dear Mommy,' the letter from my six-year-old daughter, Leigh-Ann, said.

   I opened it up. Inside was a drawing of a sorry-looking plant that was missing most of its leaves.

   'Bloom, Suzie' she’d written at the bottom. I had to laugh. I knew just who Suzie was...

  It was my last month of college and I was working full-time. My mother, who lived three hours away, had taken Leigh-Ann up to her house for a few weeks while I finished up exams.

   Leigh-Ann loved Mom. After all, Mom was a character! She had a great sense of humor…and a funny habit of naming inanimate objects. Her first car was Daphne and, you guessed it, her favorite houseplant was Suzie, a prized African violet.

   Suzie bloomed the most beautiful, vibrant purple flowers I’d ever seen. Mom would show her off to everyone who stopped by. 

'Isn’t Suzie something?' she’d say, as if Suzie were a person. 

I had to admit, Suzie really was a spectacular plant. Leigh-Ann had drawn her many times, always with big, full buds.

    But lately Suzie had been dormant. Mom tried everything—new plant food, putting her on a different windowsill, more sunlight, less sunlight. Nothing worked.





   Suzie was all out of bloom!

   I held Leigh-Ann's latest drawing in my hands and knew she was confused. 

'Don’t worry about Suzie,' I’d told Leigh-Ann when I called her that night. 

'Grandma won’t give up on her.'

   Three years passed. Just before Christmas, Mom died. 

The grief was overwhelming. After her funeral I loaded up most of her clothing and donated them to her favorite charity. That's when I saw Suzie.

   'Can I take her?' I asked Dad.

   'She’s hardly got any life in her,' he said. 'Are you sure you want to keep her?'

   He was right. She looked worse than I’d imagined. But Mom wouldn’t have given up. Taking care of Suzie would help me honor her. I put Suzie in the back seat and set off on the long, snowy drive home.

   Four hours later, I pulled in my driveway and reached back for Suzie.

   She had bloomed. They were the most beautiful, vibrant purple flowers I’d ever seen."

   I missed Mom more than anything. Thanks to an inexplicable coincidence, I knew she was still with me."

Mysterious Ways: Blooming Suzie

By Tammi Georgianna, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Mysterious Ways Magazine Claim your FREE ISSUE of our NEW magazine, Mysterious Ways! Filled with true stories of everyday miracles that remind us that there is something more, something greater in our lives. Click Here Now!

 

 Used with permission

[Father, open our eyes to things You're doing daily to please us, and that let us know Your Presence is always with us.]

Today’s quote:  Joyce Meyers: Are you fully committed? You never have to be afraid of what God asks of you. He is a good  God.

Our thought for today: God holds your destiny in His Hands!

Tomorrow’s post:  Prophetic Action: Prayer Note #103  Dutch Sheets

A popular post:     But God!        {He meets our needs!]                                                                     

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TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE PROBLEM

~ Andres Merrell- “Take your eyes off the problem,” God whispered.

The waves rose higher and higher as they rushed toward the shore. I stood at the water’s edge and dug my toes into the sand. The waves threatened to take me under as I fixed my eyes on them—just like the circumstances that had invaded my life. ( ID 120960649 © Oceloti |Dreamstime.com)

Miracles

 

I cannot count the miracles that meet me everyday

From waking in the morning til at last I slip away

Into the peaceful rest of sleep I find in Christ my Lord

That knowing Him without reserve His comfort does afford

 

But sadly sometimes doubtful of His working in all things

I lose the deeper blessing that His grace is offering

And let my mind slip into that which takes my peace away

And lose sight of those miracles that light my path each day

 

Forgetful of the promise that all things that come from Him

Are worthy of my focus on just how He works through them

In miracles I cannot see but will see one day soon

When Christ returns in glory if I keep my heart in tune

 

With His through daily study as I grasp His thoughts through prayer

And grasp the many principles for life He wants to share

That help me see there's so much more to living life each day

Than just the things that folks pursue that help them find a way

 

From one day to another adding age but not much more

Not really sure just why they're here or what they're living for

With sadly no connection outside of the ones they know

Who likewise are as lost as they with no place left to go

 

Beyond this place we're living in that soon will meet its end

And with it all the lonely folks that had not met my Friend

Who called them daily to accept His Gift nailed to the tree

The tree that held the Lamb of God Who died for you and me

 

To grant to us the miracle of grace that does not rest

But works for us in unseen ways through every trial and test

To make and mold and fashion us to be the more like Him

Embodying the character that is the more like them

 

Who fill the realms of heaven seeing everything we've done

That brought the greatest agony on Christ the Father's Son

But by grace is forgiven through His mercy crowned with love

That is the motivation of the ones who live above

 

The clamor doubt and worry of this world that's here today

That soon will be but just a wisp when sin is burned away

And all the mighty miracles not seen are then revealed

And shown for what they truly were for those the Spirit sealed

2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Romans 8:24-28

Miracles

Lee Forbes

Let's pray-

     Father, we don't know all the miracles that You bless us with everyday from morning until night, but help us know that You're working in all things for our good. May we not lose sight of the miracles that we can see to increase our peace and comfort.

   We sometimes forget You promised that You work through them and that one day we will understand when Christ returns in glory. Please keep our hearts in tune with You through daily study, and help us grasp Your thoughts through prayer.

   May we see there's so much more to living life with You each day, than pursuing things that other folks find to be of interest, which fail to show the way to You. They are adding age, but not much more, and are lost, with no place left to go.

   All lives will meet their end, and all the lonely folks will soon meet my Friend, Who daily called them to accept His Gift that was nailed to the tree, the tree that held the Lamb of God who died for them and us.

   We ask for the miracle of grace to work in unseen ways through our every trial and test, that we may become more like Jesus in character. He sees everything we've done, and has given us grace to live more like Him each day.

   We will see all the miracles You've performed for us, beginning with the greatest agony of Christ, Your Son. For through Your grace and mercy, You've crowned born-again believers with love and the promise of life eternal.

   For our Salvation, being the biggest miracle, we give You thanks! We pray today in Christ's name, for Him to receive glory through our living. Amen

366-370 one-line KJV Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 

366- Ecc. 3:6 "A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away."

367- Ps. 35:2 "Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help."

368- Ps. 83:1 "Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God."

369- Ps. 20:9 Save, LORD: let the King hear when we call."

370- Matt. 7:20 "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

Quote for today-

A successful marriage doesn't happen by chance. It takes commitment, sacrifice and a great amount of determination.

Here are the most popular blog posts of the year (according to Dr. James Dobson's Faith Talk) that helped our readers strengthen their marriages.
 

10.	Do You Accept Your Spouse as is?
9.	Your Marriage Needs a Line of Respect
8.	Do You Enjoy Teasing Your Spouse?
7.	5 Everyday Ways to Build Intimacy with Your Spouse
6.	4 Steps to Mend a Broken Heart
5.	What Kind of a Husband are You?
4.	Your Sex-Starved Husband
3.	3 Reasons Why Wives Feel Like Giving Up (and What Husbands Need to do About It)
2.	6 Essentials for Greater Intimacy that Every Husband Needs to Know
1.	Understanding Husbands' and Wives' Differing Complaints

Save this and refer to it often.

Today's guest post-

Overcome Panic with God

 Victoria Peace Green

I heard the hummingbird’s frantic wings beating and witnessed its panic.

My routine morning quiet time happens just outside my bedroom door. In springtime, I leave the French doors slightly open. The little circular table to the right of the doors is where Jesus and I come together before the day gets going.

One day, chaos broke loose just inside the door. Looking up to the loud vibrating in the corner of the room, I could barely tell what was happening. A hummingbird had found its way through the slightly ajar doors and was terrified.

For CFC Sunday services 10 or 10:15, and the recorded daily devotions. 

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Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage

Upcoming posts-

     #71 Kneeling, they Conquered

27th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

     #72 The Way to Spiritual Greatness

29th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

         You'll See Her Again

31st- Saturday's post by Jennifer Bensor Schuldt

     #73 God Needs You to Prepare His Way

11/3rd- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel