tysthatbind

But our citizenship  is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,     who, by the power  that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies  so that they will be like his glorious body.  -  Philippians 3:20-21 We are just passing through. Heaven is where our true citizenship lies. It is important that we keep our eyes fixed on the prize.  While we are here we continue to shine our light and to enjoy fellowship with one another.  But every now and then think about that beautiful city of God prepared by the Lord for His people. Talking about heaven. God bless! In Christ, Sis. Stephanie 

             They are new every morning...                        - Lamentations 3:23a Every day God grants mercy.  He wakes us up with fresh grace.  Opportunities exist to start over.  Starting over does not always require big moves. Something as small as an attitude adjustment, a shift in focus of changing direction can give us a new start. Every morning, new mercies, starting over. God bless! In Christ. Sis. Stephanie

Hold   fast  the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.   -2 Timothy 1:13 It seems like things are getting worse in some instances instead of better.  But, I am still holding on.  Justice where is it? This question is uppermost in many minds.  But, I am still holding on.  Trouble does loom large.  But, I am still holding on. Still I am holding on for I know that God has not changed.  Still I am holding on for I know that God hears and answers prayer.  Still I am holding on for I know that God is gracious.  Still I am holding on for I know that God is good.  Still I am holding on for I know that God cares.  Still I am holding on for I know that God is just.  God will not fail.  God will deliver.  God is!  God is! God is!  Still I am holding on for I know for a certainty that God is! God bless! in Christ, Sis. Stephanie

  "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also."  - St. John 14:18-19 I remember as a little girl going to Missionary Society meeting on Monday, prayer meeting on Wednesday, choir rehearsal with my grandmother on Thursday. There was Sunday school, morning service, BTU and evening service on Sunday.  As a child the scriptures were like the sprinkles on a cupcake for me.  The substance and what I remembered most and treasured was the routine and order.  I looked forward to the church gatherings.  I was able to see my church friends and fellowship.  I enjoyed singing songs and participating in activities.  I particularly loved the singing and the expressions of worship.  The fact that I was being fed the Word of God all the while did not fully sink in.    I had to grow to understand the power of the sermons. The Lord has a way of reminding us of the bridges that have b

As for me, I will call upon God; and the  Lord  shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.        - Psalm 55:16-17 Father God, Before the break of day I need the presence of the Holy Spirit for I realize that no alarm clock can wake me but only a touch from the Lord.  I need the power of God to move for it is in Him I have life.  Lord God before day breaks, give me Jesus. At the start of the day, give me Jesus. I need the Lord to lead and guide me throughout the day. I need him to guide my thoughts and actions and govern my tongue. In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus.  When it gets rough and I cannot see my way Father God send Your Holy Spirit. I know that all power rests in the hands of Your Precious Son. He has promised never to forsake me. Through the meditation on Your Word renew my strength. Give me Jesus. Thank you Lord. In Jesus Name. Amen. God bless! in Christ, Sis. Stephanie Give Me Jesus - Negro Spiritual 1

"I had fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."      Psalms 27:13 "Everywhere you go there is trouble.  Everywhere you go there is strife.  Everywhere you go there is something that worries you.  But, remember, my God is standing by."              - Walter Hawkins Trouble does not always announce itself. Sometimes it seems that almost out of nowhere it is sitting next to you, looming over you or chasing you.  No one is exempt.  There may be seasons of calm but there are also seasons filled with storms.   Jesus tells us in St. John 16: 33   " In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Trouble can make us tremble but it doesn't have to make us faint.  It can tire us but it does not have to weary us. Galatians 6:9 " And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Don't faint because you don't have to. 

  "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."  - Romans 5:1-5 God does not leave us in the dark as it relates to life situations and how to handle both success and failure.  His Word is our guide and through the study and application of His word we grow in wisdom.  We are able to search the scriptures and in addition, through the Holy Spirit's searching of us we are led often times to the exact verse we need at precisely the right time to meet the need, answer the question, stand the storm... Acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior ensures us a place at t

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.            - Romans 15:1-7  There's a lot going on. Some days are better than others. There are times when we feel strong.  At other times we may be hard pressed to put one foot in front of the other.  There's a lot going on.  It can be overwhelming. When we are feeling l

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.    - Colossians 3:15  I have so much to be thankful for. During this time of uncertainty, I am thankful for Faithful God. In the midst of so much chaos and unrest, I am thankful for peace that surpasses understanding. I am thankful to have a thankful heart. For I have learned in 2020 how much I have taken for granted. Have I guarded my heart? I have learned that you can have thankful thoughts and relish in thankful moments, glad tidings. But God had to shake some things up.  He moved some things out of the way.  He put other things and people out of reach.   God has been asking me some searching questions.  When the Holy Spirit informs you that God wants your whole heart, thankful mind is quick to say yes because you're grateful that God is speaking.  Thankful heart journeys have you going for broke.  2020 has revealed the need to stay wrapped in the garment of praise. I a

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Psalm 107:29  In the midst of high tides, soaring waves, and unsettling currents, the Lord can calm the storm.  Raging storms can and do show up in our  lives in many forms. Yet, the response that calms the storm is found in the Ruler of wind and water,  Jesus Christ. May I recommend Jesus? He will chase your storms away.   Look! The life boat is coming this way. God bless! In Christ, Sis. Stephanie

For  if thou  a ltogether holdest thy peace  a t  this   time , then shall there enlargement  a nd deliverance  a rise to the Jews from  a nother place; but thou  a nd thy father's house shall be destroyed:  a nd who knoweth whether thou  a rt come to the kingdom  for   such   a   time   a s  this ?                  - Esther 4:14 God places us in certain places at specific times to accomplish His will.  Sometimes we would rather go another way.  Our plans may be far removed from the assignment.  Yet, the safest place for us to be is in the will of God. What is God's will? His will is that we love Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.  His will is that we love our neighbor as ourselves.  His will is that we let our light shine so that others might see our good works and glorify Our Father in Heaven.   God's will. May we hasten each day to do and to be in His will always and for a time such as this, God bless! in Christ, Sis. Stephanie

  There is none holy as the LORD: for there is  none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. - 1 Samuel 2:2 God is Awesome in power. There are words to a song that so beautifully express my heart today: “When I think about the Lord how he saved me how he raised me, how he filled me with the Holy Ghost, how he saved me to the uttermost.  When I think about the Lord...” There is none holy as the LORD: for there is n one beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.  God bless! In Christ, Sis. Stephanie 

  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.           - Proverbs 25:11  It is not always easy to know the right words to say. What to say when hearts are broken...when jobs are lost...when grief seems unbearable. It is not always easy to know what to say.  I have found however that when that right words are spoken they are golden. I love you. I'm praying for you. Apples of gold. God bless! in Christ, Sis.Stephanie

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;          - Ecclesiastes 3:2  Watches are not as popular as they once were. I grew up wearing a watch beginning in elementary school when I received my first Timex. I still wear a watch today. Many people rely on  cell phones, clocks on the wall at home or work to check the time.  And then there are those occasions when one may ask  another: What time do you have? Each individual has the right to check the time according to their preference. But, it is imperative that we do remain aware of the time.  We should make the most of what time we have.  We have this moment. Lord willing we have this day.   Lives will begin today. Babies will be born. Lives will end today.  There is a time for everything.   There are dreams that will be planted today. Beautiful flowers will bloom in gardens.  Likewise, there are weeds that will be p!ucked  up. Everything happens in its time. God bless! In Christ

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:        - Ecclesiastes 3:1  There is a purpose a reason for everything that happens in life. My father taught us that there is no such thing as coincidence. His mother, my grandmother loved poems. There was one favorite that she sent to me in a letter that I still have.  I am sharing it today in hopes that it will encourage you as it has encouraged me throughout the years.  There's A Reason For every pain that we must bear, For every burden, every care - There's a reason For every grief that bows the knee, For every tear-drop that is shed - There's a reason For every hurt, for every plight, For every lonely, pain-racked night - There's a reason But if we trust God as we should, All this must work out for our good. He knows the reason.    Author: Unknown God bless! In Christ, Sis.. Stephanie 

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.           - 1 Corinthians 3:6-7    In the beginning God took His time speaking the world into existence.  "Let there be..." was the pronouncement and so it was.   From the earliest of time the Lord has entrusted us with so much.  The natural process of planting and sowing, the spiritual truth of reaping what you sow. Through the gifts God has imparted to each of us is through the Holy Spirit, He has sown into us that we might share with others. Through this sharing we plant, others may water or nourish. But God, always it is God Who gives the increase. As Paul expounds in 1 Corinthians 3, the one who plants is nothing or the one who waters. In.short, it is not about us, never about us, it is all to the glory and for the glory of God. God bless! In Christ, Sis. Stephanie

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.             - Proverbs 18:21  Our words are powerful. They can encourage, inspire, and inform. Our words misplaced can divide, destroy and devour.  Wisdom expounds, “choose your words carefully.” I have learned that when I listen more and speak less the words that are expressed tend to be more thoughtful. Words that are more considerate of others rather than centered on me. It is also true that the more seasoned our speech is based on  the foundation of the scripture, the more long lasting the impact. When we wound with words it is not always on purpose.  Yet, if we have as our purpose to speak life, our efforts to do so must be intentional, deliberate and graced by God. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.  - Psalm 19:14  God bless! In Christ, Sis  Stephanie 

Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.            - Deuteronomy 4:1-2  We can’t negotiate with God. He is the top, middle, and bottom line.  He does not use an eraser or need the back space key. For He makes no mistakes. No rewrites. No proofreading. No editor. He is God alone. His Word is unchanging.  The same Word  applies to every person in the entire world. One Lord over all. The Word is unlimited in its power. Precise in its ability to cut to the chase. God said don’t add to His Word and don’t diminish it.  Do not mess with the Word of God. It’s just fine the way it is. God bless! In Christ, Sis. Stephanie 

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.           -  3 John 1:11  Follow what is good. Look for the good.  It is there. Sometimes it gets buried under the rubble. It may be hidden behind the clouds. Your view of the good might be obstructed by the grime on the windows. It may take some scrubbing to get to it.  But good exists. We are instructed not to follow evil but that which is good.  God has given this instruction so we can be certain that good remains to be followed. With our eyes on Christ we can step confidently. We have the Holy Spirit to lead us on. Follow what is good.  Look for the good. It is there. God bless! In Christ, Sis. Stephanie 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.               - Galatians 5:22-23  I love this passage of scripture. The fruit of the Spirit is not a singular list. Rather it is a full list. A fruit filled life is a life marked by love and peace. It is a life of longsuffering which is a patient presence.  The fruit filled life is a gentle life.  A fruit filled life is graced with goodness.  It has faith as its foundation. Meekness exists, that is, strength under control. Temperance, self control is a part of the fruit filled life. The fruit of the Spirit is a list built by God. It is abundant in its instruction by providing us a way to take inventory of ourselves. Fruit filled. Let our lives in Christ illustrate the healthy glow of a soul nourished by God.  Fruit filled. God bless! In Christ, Sis. Stephanie

Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.             - Psalm 145:2-4  In loving memory of Adrianne. Family is important. From the time I was a child this was stressed.  Respect for parents. Loyalty to family and love for siblings.  I was blessed to know my paternal great great grandmother, great grandmother, and grandmother. My aunts, uncles and cousins were and are people I enjoyed fellowship and friendship with. Family is important. Two days ago my beautiful cousin passed away.  Two weeks ago she reached out to see if I was okay because she didn't hear from me that morning. Every day we communicated. I sent a text yesterday morning. No response. Instead a phone call telling me she had passed.   Family is important.. For every person the Lord has allowed me to call family I am thankfu

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.                 -     Galatians 5:1  Jesus has made us free. No longer are we bound. We are not enslaved.  No chains hold us. The ransom has been paid.   Control over our lives as Christians is under the direction of the Ho!y Spirit as we yield to Him.  And even when it appears as though we are "shackled" by physical , mental, emotional, or spiritual restraints we must stand fast in liberty. The truth is Christ has made us free. Therefore, we are not to get tied up and tangled up in bondage. In confidence we can stand fast.  Knowing for a certainty that Christ has made us free. God bless! In Christ, Sis. Stephanie

    Only fear the  Lord , and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.  - I Samuel 12:24 Consider How Great - by  sdktyus@2020 There are so many great and wonderful things God has done It is impossible to tell it all I cannot recount the numerous times The Lord caught me before the fall So many great and wonderful things Miracles He has performed in my life He has done these marvelous works even when I chose wrong over right There are so many great and wonderful acts the Lord continues to perform He causes the blessings to rain and pour down in the midst of mighty storms Mercies new each morning, faithfulness abounds both day and night Gracious, Awesome, Righteous Lord keeps turning  darkness into light Only to fear Him in humble reverence, just to serve Him all my days Just to declare His great and faithful truth and offer worthy praise This is my soul's sincere desire this is my prayer to do Great and Mighty God I thank You for a

And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live?And I answered, O Lord  God , thou knowest.     - Ezekiel 37:2 There are times when it may seem like the life has gone out of a dream...a project...a home...a relationship. We search for a way to restore what seems beyond repair.  There is One with the power to restore. He has the power to restart. The Lord has the ability to renew. The Holy Spirit can revive and give new life. Ezekiel was in the valley filled with dry bones. He was asked a question by God: can these bones live?  His response  was one of faith: O Lord God, thou knowest. The Lord knows every deferred dream. He cares about the broken hearted. He is Able God. Can these bones live? If it be God's will.  He knows the answer to all of life's questions. His desire is that we trust Him for the answers. O Lord God Thou knowest. God bless! in Christ, Sis. Stephanie

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth .          -  Matthew 28:18  All power belongs to God. All control. All strength. All wisdom. All means all.  All good comes from God. Every good and perfect gift is from above. All means all.  All life is given and sustained by Almighty God. He is all knowing, He is all wise.  He is the Creator of all. All means All. All in All.   All means all. Crown Him Lord of All. God bless! In Christ, Sis. Stephanie 

Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.   For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.   For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.                                                       - Luke 6:42-44 There is a saying that sooner or later the truth is going to come out.  Yes, truth does prevail. A good tree does not bring forth corrupt fruit, bad fruit.  Neither does a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  This is plain.  This is simple.  It is true.    I cannot say, should not say, to my brother or sister let be pull out the mote in your eye. Let me tell you about yourself.  I firs

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. - Romans 8:24-25 Sometimes the Holy Spirit presses the repeat button and the title of the today's blog is a recurring theme. It is a message that resonates with me and I trust that it also will touch the spirit of someone else reading this today.  The enemy would like us to give up hope.  The pressure is to have us throw in the towel and become complacent.  The intensity of the attacks are becoming relentless and there are days when our hearts are torn as we see the destitution all around us. We may wonder how much more can be endured.  But God in His Word continually reminds us not to lose hope.  Hope saves us fr

Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.  - Proverbs 16:8  Sometimes less is more. Better to have a few good friends than to keep company with those who are not trustworthy and do not desire peace. Better to have a “little” with peace than a lot with chaos. Thus the scripture a little with righteousness is better than great revenues without right. Sometimes less is more.  God bless! In Christ, Sis. Stephanie 

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. - Psalm 90:12 January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August and now it is September. It seems as though the start of 2020 is a distant memory.  It is almost a blur.  So much has happened since January 1.  Unlike other years in my lifetime, there is something that has glaringly united the world. this year. United in a way that could not have been anticipated.  The pandemic presented itself and continues still. I cannot help but think about the other things that connected us world wide that were not often talked about.  For example, In the beginning God.  In the beginning God created.  All that we know, our very being and that of all of the world, from the beginning it was God.  I think about this.  I marvel at this fact.  And it is to God I pray to teach me, to teach us to number our days. Teach us how to apply our hearts unto wisdom.  Instruct us in our daily walk.  Remind us of what is important.  Hel

But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?    - John 12:37-38 Everyday the Lord is performing miracles.  He is providing.  He is healing. He is restoring.  So many miracles.  Some are seen.  Some are hidden.  But, miracles nonetheless.  Just as in olden days, there are those who witness the miracles performed by God and do not believe. So many miracles. So many opportunities the Lord grants each day.  I am learning just how miraculous it is to be able to wash my face in the morning.  Some people cannot. Being able to drink water.   There are those who do not have clean waters and others who cannot swallow.  Miracles.  So many miracles.   My mother used to recite a quote to my siblings and me: "A man complained because he had no shoes until he met a man who had no feet."  Miracl