Thanks to All…

Thanksgiving means many things to each individual. To me it has truly always been a time of thanks. This year is no different. Below I have written a letter to all with sincere thanks.

When I refer to “family” in the following please note this covers “all” my families…. my international church family comprised of many brothers and sisters of faith all over the world, many I have never seen nor spoken to, my local church family including all of my brothers and sisters at Grace Community Baptist Church in Moncks Corner, SC, my church family from Salem Baptist Church in Richmond, Va. Redeeming Grace Baptist Church in Mathews, VA. Grace Baptist in Talyors, SC. My seminary families at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and The Southern Baptist Seminary. My work family at Genworth Financial, especially those in the Genworth Action Center. Wow, I am so blessed to have all of these brothers and sisters and I have not even mentioned my biological and marital family…… just know that when I say friends and family this includes you.

Dear Friends and Family,

How can I begin to thank God and all of you for the multiple blessings I have recieved this year.

Words alone seem so pale in comparison to the vibrant beauty to be found in the relationships and blessings received.  There have been some large obstacles and some deep times of sorrow and disappointment but these moments seem minute when they stand aside the largesse of those blessings extended through all of you.

May we all look earnestly and acknowledge that which we must be Thankful for….

Again thanks to all of you that the Lord has and will purpose in my life. To God be the glory.

In His Service,

Cindy Bailey

Word4Women

A prayer for the Sabbath… Grace Active and Alive

 

O God, may Thy Spirit speak in me that I may speak to Thee. I Lord Jesus, great high priest, Thou hast opened a new and living way by which a fallen creature can approach Thee with acceptance.

Help me to contemplate the dignity of Thy Person, the perfectness of Thy sacrifice, the effectiveness of Thy intercession.

O what blessedness accompanies devotion, when under all the trials that weary me, the cares that corrode me, the fears that disturb me, the infirmities that oppress me, I can come to Thee in my need and feel peace beyond understanding!

The grace that restores is necessary to preserve, lead, guard, supply, help me.  And here Thy saints encourage my hope; they were once poor and are now rich, bound and are now free, tried and now are victorious.

Every new duty calls for more grace than I now possess, but not more than is found in Thee, the divine treasury in whom all fullness dwells.  To Thee I repair for grace upon grace, until every void made by sin be replenished and I am filled with all Thy fullness.

May my desires be enlarged and my hopes emboldened, that I may honour Thee by my entire dependency and the greatness of my expectation.

Do Thou be with me, and prepare me for all the smiles of prosperity, the frowns of adversity, the losses of substance, the death of friends, the days of darkness, the changes of life, and the last great change of all. May I find thy grace sufficient for all my needs.

Let there be Light

Some of you out there may be familiar Patsy Clairmont. She is a ball of fire and a real Woman of Faith. The story I am about to tell is a story told by Patsy in reference to one of her best friends and how God works.

Patsy begins by sharing how she and Carol had been friends over 50 years and since Carol was the reticent type, Patsy was often her voice.
She describes Carol as very quiet and demure.

As she continues Patsy shares that a little over a year ago Carol was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Patsy says she saw this small quiet woman stand up straight, shoulders back and assured. Medical treatment was begun and the outcome… sucess!

And then came more news. The cancer was back, but this time not just in one location but all over. The friend who had been assured and confident, was now bent over in sadness.

As Patsy went to the throne of grace in prayer for her precious friend she called upon the Lord to provide His Word for Carols comfort. As she prayed and meditated, a little voice inside said, let there be light Patsy recognized this as Genesis 1:3, she read it all and asked God for the rest of His message, and once again the voice inside said…LET THERE BE LIGHT!!!… now at this point Patsy starts to really “talk” to God… saying, Now God I know that Genesis 1:3 is important, it is right there in the beginning and this is great…. BUT???
Carol needs comfort Lord…remember in the middle of Your Word…those things called Psalms. Maybe that would be better.

At this point she pauses in the telling of the story and asks…. Have you ever tried to “counsel” God!!…… and exclaims… I would not advise it!

She hesitated before picking up the phone to call Carol, what was her friend going to think about, let there be light? Hearing Carol’s voice on the other end of the phone she begins to speak about how she has been praying for her and that she believes God has a scripture to share with her and quickly says let there be light you could have heard a pin drop in Carols house, such was the stillness on the other end of the phone. Again Patsy says, Let there be light and slowly Carol says thanks.

Patsy ends the conversation and begins to talk to God; again. Lord, I don’t understand but I told her. You heard her, silence. I don’t think it was very comforting. Loudly she hears “let there be light“

As time went by Patsy continued to pray for Carol and did not bother God with “her” ideas of what scripture may be best for Carol. Once again the phone rang. It is Carol.

Carol bgins to talk so fast, Patsy can barely understand what she is trying to say. “Patsy, I did not get it at first. The doctor was showing me my scans and guiding me through what to look for, as I looked he said light, we want to see light, see the light Carol, that those are your antibodies killing the cancer, The light is great!

Her sullen and downcast friend was elated.

You see friends she was elated because Patsy had been faithful to intercede on her behalf. She had approached the throne of grace for a word from God for her friend, she had “questioned” God not out of a lack of repsect for God, but out of a love for Carol. She had faithfully delivered God’s message even when it was evident it had not been recieved well.

Now the two women could praise God, that through their doubt or lack of understanding. He knew. He knew the light was in her body, He knew the cancer was being killed….. He knew.

Sisters, whenever you approach the Lord, strive to remember His words to us in Isaiah 55:8: “For My thoughts [are] not your thoughts, Nor [are] your ways My ways,” says the LORD.”

Listen, and follow Him, even when every thing within you says, “this does not make sense,” God does not have to make sense to us… He is God. The God who will heal your wounds and never forsake you.

Shalom

Tears Have a Voice…Your Pain is Known

“The Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.”
Psalm 6:8

In the past two weeks, I have had friends who have faced the death of a dear loved one. A Daughter grieves for her Mother, A Mother grieves for her unborn child, a sister grieves for her sister, and now just this morning, A Mother grieving for her youngest son, now a man. Additionally one of my husband’s hospice patients has died. Death as it were has been much on my mind of late. Looking through some devotions I have on grieving, I came across the following:

“Do not stand
at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds
that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight
on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the
morning’s hush
I am the soft uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star that
shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there.
I did not die.
— Anonymous

This is a beautiful picture and can be so comforting; but as a Christian I must realize that as my loved one departs there are only two possible destinations: Heaven or Hell. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, “Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” Knowing this we cannot look at anything and believe our loved ones spirit lives in the wind, the rain or even the sunlight. What we can say is this:

I am not there……
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep,
Remember me as you must,
With my Lord in whom I trust.
Rejoice each day as you may.
Knowing with the Lord I am to stay,
Remember me as you feel the rain,
As our Lord in heaven, knows your pain
Your tears have a voice,
He knows your pain
Stand not at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die
Long ago the Lamb was slain,
So with Him in heaven I remain
Crbailey © 2009

A prayer for the Grieving

Dear Heavenly Father,
We come to you today as your children crying out to our Father in Heaven, we have peace as we know you are a gracious and loving God who heals broken hearts and will bind up our wounds. We know that you are compassionate as you have seen the suffering of your only begotten son, Jesus Christ, who was persecuted and died, not because of any sin he committed bit as a result of our sinfulness. We praise you and thank you for this peace beyond understanding. We can rest as you will keep us in perfect peace as our hearts and minds are steadfast and we trust you. We rejoice with you this day as The Word tells us that precious in Your sight is the death of one of Your saints. We thank you Lord for the time, no matter how small, that you have graciously granted us with our now departed loved one. We praise you with the understanding that morning by morning new mercy see, as great is Your faithfulness. You are our portion and we wait on You. We exclaim with tears burning our eyes, The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away blessed be the name of the Lord. Amen and Amen

An Evening Prayer

O lover of Thy people, Thou hast placed my whole being in the hands of Jesus, my redeemer, commander, husband, friend, and carest for me in Him. Keep me holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners; may I not know the voice of strangers, but go to Him where He is, and follow where He leads. Thou hast bathed me once for all in the sin-removing fountain, cleanse me now from this day’s defilement, from its faults, deficiencies of virtue, harmful extremes, that I may exhibit a perfect character in Jesus. O Master, who didst wash the disciples’ feet, be very patient with me, be very condescending to my faults, go on with me till Thy great work in me is completed. I desire to conquer self in every respect, to overcome the body with its affections and lusts, to keep under my flesh, to guard my manhood from all grosser sins, to check the refined power of my natural mind, to live entirely to Thy glory, to be deaf to unmerited censure and the praise of men. Nothing can hurt my new-born inner man, it cannot be smitten or die; nothing can mar the dominion of Thy Spirit within me; it is enough to have Thy approbation and that of my conscience. Keep me humble, dependent, supremely joyful, as calm and quiet as a sucking child, yet earnest and active. I wish not so much to do as to be, and I long to be like Jesus; if Thou dost make me right I shall be right; Lord, I belong to Thee, make me worthy of Thyself. Amen.

Right and Wrong Prayer…..Which Do You Say?

The richest blessing that prayer can bring–is to bring us into closer communion and agreement with the all-holy and the all-loving God. The very first essential to all right prayer–is unconditional submissiveness to God’s will.

“Find your happiness in God–and He will give you the askings of your heart.” This is the exact rendering of Psalm 37:4, and it throws a flood of light upon the important question of–what is right prayer–and what is wrong prayer. A great deal of prayer is born of selfishness, and takes on the airs of dictating to our Heavenly Father. It is not humble supplication, born of a devout, submissive spirit; but it amounts to a demand. God’s promises to His children are not unconditional; and we may not presume to dictate to the God of wisdom and of love.

What is laid down distinctly, as the indispensable quality of right asking in the above quoted verse? It is a right feeling towards God. When a soul comes into such an entire submissiveness towards God that it can honestly say, “Nevertheless, not as I will–but as You will;” when that soul delights in seeing God reign, and in seeing His glory advanced–then its desires will be so purified from the dregs of selfishness, that they may be fearlessly poured out before God. In this frame of unselfish submissiveness, the soul may indeed come boldly to the throne of grace, and ask for grace suited to its every need. The desires of God–and the desires of a sincere Christly soul, will then agree. God loves to give to those–who love to be submissive to Him. They are as willing to accept His “no” as His “yes,” for they are seeking not their own desires and glory–but His! As a kind father loves to grant the reasonable requests of a dutiful son, so does our Heavenly Father love to grant righteous and reasonable requests of His children!

A man stands in a row-boat out on a lake, and pulls upon a line attached to the shore. His pull does not move the solid ground one hair’s breadth–but it does move his boat towards the land. In like manner, when I attach the line of my desire, fast to the everlasting throne, my faith does not expect to move the throne–but to draw me closer to it. When I get more and more into harmony with God–I receive all that my heart most desires. Finding my happiness in Christ–I am satisfied. Money, health, promotion, ease, and all kindred worldly cravings, are only lawful–when they are subordinated to God’s higher desires for me.

The question now arises, What are right desires? As far as my ignorance has been enlightened by the Word, I would reply that every desire is a right one–which aims only to please God–and not SELF. Grace does not forbid desires–but it purifies and directs our desires.

Nay, the Bible exhorts us to “eagerly desire the greater gifts.” 1 Corinthians 12:28. Wisdom from above, strength for the hour of need, faith, grace, love and kindred blessings, are in harmony with God’s promises. These are the very things which God has told us to covet!

Our Heavenly Father does not hand the reins over to us–when our selfishness grasps after them. Nor does He allow our ignorance to be the judge of what is best for us. He often surprises us by sending something better than what we petitioned for. But infinitely the best thing which He can give us–is His favor and grace. If we find our supreme happiness in these–oh, how our souls are purified from all base, selfish, wayward, and wicked desires! And with what banqueting on His love, and with what foretastes of heaven–are our best askings answered!

Theodore Cuyler, “Wayside Spring from the Fountain of Life” 1883

God will meet all your needs according to the richness of His glory in Christ Jesus Philippians4:19

Dear Lord,

We approach the throne of grace with heavy hearts for the need all around. For physical healing, for mental healing, for spiritual healing by salvaltion through faith. We come with faith Lord. You have taught us that a cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. We beseech you Lord to grant us peace that we may remain cheerful of heart. That our brothers and sisters who are physically ailing may be comforted. For Tim, Sully, Auntie M, Earl, Roxanne, Anna, Angie,Harold, Mike,and scores of others that you know of. We pray that comfort and peace may be with Jervey, Linda, and those that you have entrusted to Greg’s care so they may know that Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints and we know that you Lord heal the brokenhearted and bind up their woundsLord for all of yours who are downcast, may they cling to you as their refuge and strength an ever present help in trouble.Father, we know there are children of yours who are suffering in the name of your son Christ Jesus, we ask that you bring them comfort in their pain, knowing that Blesed is the man who perserveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that you have promised to those who love you. Finally Lord we pray for Bill, Ken, Tim, Melissa, Katy,Rick, Harold, Robert and many not named, that they may turn from ungodliness, worldly passions to live self controlled godly and upright lives in the present day receiving salvation by grace. Keeping us all in You until the day of Christ Jesus. We ask all of this in the name of your son Jesus Christ. Amen

Receiving Affliction with Courtesy

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your Statues. Psalm 119:71

I will continue to get stronger and stronger each day with the Lord’s help and guidance:)…. this was posted by a friend on FaceBook recently. She like so many others has been experiencing great affliction and with God’s grace is doing wonderful. I have heard witness to how her “Christ centered” dealing with so many tough situations.

May we all learn by her example and receive affliction with courtesy and through God’s Grace…..

COUNT each affliction, whether light or grave,
God’s messenger sent down to thee; do thou
With courtesy receive him; rise and bow;
And, ere his shadow pass thy threshold, crave
Permission first his heavenly feet to lave;
Then lay before him all thou hast. Allow
No cloud of passion to usurp thy brow,
Or mar thy hospitality; no wave
Of mortal tumult to obliterate
The soul’s marmoreal calmness. Grief should be
Like joy, majestic, equable, sedate,
Confirming, cleansing, raising, making free;
Strong to consume small troubles; to commend
Great thoughts, grave thoughts, thoughts lasting to the end.

Aubrey Thomas de Vere, (1814-1902)

The Lord God Bird and God’s Provision

It is so neat how God makes His presence known at just the right moment. For those of you who have never read Eugenia Price novels, nor read any lore about the Sea Islands of Georgia, then you probably have no idea what a Lord God Bird is! For those of you in Arkansas you may know the name as a result of the spotting of the ivory billed wood pecker, thought to be extinct.

The Lord God Bird is a name used for either the Ivory Billed or Pileated Woodpecker. These birds received this special designation as a result of their size and sound. They are so spectacular that according to folk legend those who see it spontaneously cry out – “Lord God!” The story is embedded in the history of America itself. The ivory-billed woodpecker was once common throughout the Southeast, frequenting hard-to-reach old growth cypress swamps.

Now you are all probably wondering what this has to do with “God”. Well… as some of you know Greg had been interviewed for a Hospice Chaplains job on the last day of school in June and he had been called this week for another interview. Well he got the job and as he left the office in downtown Charleston and got into the car he looked up and there it was… the beautiful majestic “Lord God Bird”. A beautiful part of God’s creation to enjoy as Greg praised God for all His grace.

Too often we rush in and out and miss those small reminders that God places everywhere. As you walk through your life this day and always,
take time to stop an dlisten to what God is communicating through your surroundings.

We confess with shame

Are you satisfied with your prayer life? Do you ever get to the end of the day and realize you have missed multiple opportunities to intercede before the throne of grace on behalf of friends and loved ones? If you are with me and can be counted amongst those who have not prayed as you should. I encourage you to seek His face and His grace today!

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

O Eternal God, who alone has immortality, ever living in glory, unchanged, unchangeable, bend down Your ear to hear. We confess with shame–past hours wasted in unprofitable reading and other worldly entertainments. If future days are ours–guide us that no more time be squandered in vain pursuits.

Impress on our minds . . .
the shortness of time,
the work to be done,
the account to be rendered,
the nearness of eternity,
the misery of lamps expired, when the voice of the Bridegroom is heard.

May we never forget that . . .
Your eye always sees us;
Your ear always hears us;
Your recording hand commits all to a book of remembrance;
all hidden works must be unveiled at the judgment day!

Above all things–may we seek Your favor!

Above all things–may we dread Your frown!

May Christ be the pulse of our hearts.

May He speak in every word of our lips.

May He shine in every step of our earthly walk.

Grant our requests, for His dear sake. Amen.
(Henry Law, “Family Prayers”)

Getting Through the Valley

Have you ever prayed the 23rd Psalm? For those of you who may not be familiar with this passage in the Bible, I will post.

The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want, He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside still waters, He restoreth my soul, He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake.

Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I shall not fear, Thy rod and staff they comfort me You preparest a table in the presence of mine enemy, You anointed my head with oil, My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.

And I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever…Amen

Surely a beautiful picture of walking with the Good Shepherd, The Lord Jesus Christ.

Many of us are going through some very hard times, some of these hard times have been brought on by our own personal sin of being unfaithful stewards of what the Lord has entrusted to us… some as a result of the sin of others, who in their personal greed for money, power and possessions have created a very devastating  economic crisis.

With the permission of a friend Stacey, I am posting a note from her relating to her husbands job loss a year ago. Please read over this and seek God’s face in whatever you or yours are going through. Please share you comments of how you are handling these times and especially how we may intercede on your behalf. Thanks Stacey for your heart and your willingness to share these words of Godly wisdom.

I’m waxing philosophical today since it was one year ago today that we learned Rick was no longer going to have a job! He’d been driving a forklift for 6 years and while he didn’t enjoy it he was paid well for it, it was a steady paycheck and it came with great benefits. We were devestated after he lost his job and it took awhile to pick up the pieces. But we have learned so much from this last year and I thought I’d share it with others who might be going through the same thing.

What we have learned since March 19. 2008.

1. God is faithful.
2. God WILL provide everything you need.
3. Sometimes the you don’t NEED everything you think you do.
4. That 5 people can live peacefully in a 2 bedroom house. MOST of the time anyway! lol
5. To let people help and not be ashamed that you need the help.
6. Satan loves to tear families apart and will use a job loss to try and do just that!
7. Placing blame and pointing fingers does no one any good at all!
8. An “old dog” can learn new tricks! Rick became a salesman at the age of 38!
9. It’s okay to go against the flow as long as you are following God’s leading! We have taken the road less traveled and it’s a beautiful road!
10. You can go through one of the hardest, most gut wrenching, terrifying years of your life and look back on it and see God’s hand and protection in it all! And that it is GOOD!

Many of you are out of work right now or experiencing other hardships. We understand and we are praying for you. God is good. He is working RIGHT NOW for your good. Trust Him! Love Him! Chase hard after Him!! He will see you through this!!

God bless!
Stacey