Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock..."

Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door,

I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."

     It was our first real night spent around our new dinner table. I prepared a simple dinner, pork chops, mashed potatoes, corn and applesauce. Our 7-year-old set the table. My husband took his seat while I made his plate. Then, I set his plate in front of him. Without hesitation, my husband humbly said, "This is so nice." Then, he reached out both of his hands, palm side up. We all held hands and my husband began to pray, "Lord Jesus, there are no words to express how grateful I feel right now. Thank you for this meal and for bringing my family home to me." Tears overflowing!

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To read this author's personal testimony please go to: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html

Inspiring others through the work of the HOLY SPIRIT

Recently, I felt overcome with emotion as we said our heartfelt 'goodbyes' to our close friends of Nipomo. So many cards, flowers and tears! Later, after we finished unpacking, I reread those sweet cards. Amazingly, each person expressed the same sentiment, "You have touched my heart and helped me to feel closer to God." How humbling! Someone so ordinary as me could inspire another person to learn more about such an Almighty God.

 Three and a half years ago, I prayed, "Please Lord, use my life to bring others to You. Through those cards and letters, God confirmed that He had answered my prayer! Therefore, today I prayed, "Almighty Father, it is a joy to serve You! Please continue to guide me as You allow Your light to shine through me. In Your Holy Name. Amen."

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To read this author's personal testimony please go to: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html

Why would I think buying Christmas presents brings Joy?

My husband & Son golfing together

As a Christmas gift to my husband this year, I wanted to buy him a round of golf. I thought, "It has been while since he has been able to spend time with our now 23-year-old son. Maybe they can resume that old tradition of playing golf together on Christmas morning."

However, a round of Golf is expensive, especially where we live. In fact, I figured I would have to spend around $100.00 on this gift. I wondered, "How am I going to generate this amount of money when I haven't worked since March 2011?" http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/unemployed-mother-turns-down-needed-to.html. I decided to sell some of my belongings to afford the gift. So, I listed items I knew would sell on Ebay.

Perhaps, I became too focused on buying Christmas presents this year. Because, this morning I found myself setting my closed bible aside to curiously inquire about my Ebay Seller account. I noticed right away the bids for the items I was selling had increased. This meant that I would be receiving more money. I would have thought this would make me feel happy. Yet, for reasons unknown to me at that moment, I was feeling a little let down.

As a result, I grabbed my bible and walked away from the computer desk. As usual, I allowed the pages to fall open and land as they may. As God would have it, they settled on 2 Kings Chapter 5. Right away, I wondered, "What does leprosy have to do with my day?" Still, I kept reading. It took me a little while to digest the story. I had to pause frequently. Then when my eyes finally caught verse 26 I knew what God was communicating to my heart!

2 Kings Chapter 5:26

"Then he said to him, "Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?" (NKJV)

My eyes welled with tears as I quietly whispered to my Lord, "It is time when You say it is time!" Then, the most loving and caring voice spoke to my heart, saying, "Don't you have everything you need?" I simply and humbly replied, "Yes Lord." Then, He said, "Then what is it you need money for?" I thought about how Christmas wasn't about buying presents for others. So, wiping the tears from my eyes, I replied, "Nothing Lord."

The Word of God-A love Story

After that, something happened that had never happened to me before! I heard the Lord say, "I love you, my sweet daughter." Sobbing, I replied, "I love you too Lord!"

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below! 

To read the first written and published personal testimony 

please go to: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html

Christmas Everyday!

John 15:8-11 (NKJV)

By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

        Before December 2008, I experienced many Christmas' when I felt disheartened. All year long, I had waited in anticipation for that magical day. I had joyfully awaited the company of family and a smell of delicious turkey filling the air. I put all of my hopes in the events of that one calendar day. Yet, I never truly understood its meaning. Perhaps that is why December 25 often felt like just any other day. Then, on October 20, 2008 I accepted God's holy gift of His only Son, Jesus Christ. And, from that moment on, my life changed.
        Now, everyday feels as though it it's filled with Christmas joy.  For example, one day, while picking up my young son from kindergarten, I noticed two men who were struggling to retrieve their keys from their locked car. I could tell they had been laboring for quiet awhile because of the sweat on their brows and the weary look on their faces. Just as my son clicked his seat belt, I heard God's voice say, "Go tell them you are praying for them." So, I told my son, "I'll be right back. I need to tell these men something."

I left my car door ajar as I ran over to the two men. I repeated God's exact words. “I am praying for you.” Then, I returned to my car, clicked my seat belt and slowly began to drive away. Unexpectedly, the parking lot stoplight turned red and we came to a dead halt. Suddenly, the two men began to jump up and down. They began waving their arms up over their head and yelling at the top of their lungs. "Hey! It worked, It worked!"  Joy unspeakable! Then, one of the men sprinted to my car. I rolled down my window as fast as I could and extended my hand out to him. The man slapped the palm of my hand so hard that I could feel the sting all the way home. My eyes welled with tears, not from the pain in my hand, but the joy in my heart.

Minutes later, we returned home. I thanked God for using me in that precious moment to grow the faith of these two men. Then, I thanked Him for growing my own faith and my young son’s too!

Joy Unspeakable
Text: Barney E. Warren, 1900
Music: Barney E. Warren, 1900

I have found His grace is all complete,
He supplieth ev’ry need;
While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet,
I am free, yes, free indeed.
I have found the pleasure I once craved,
It is joy and peace within;
What a wondrous blessing! I am saved
From the awful gulf of sin.
I have found that hope so bright and clear,
Living in the realm of grace;
Oh, the Savior’s presence is so near,
I can see His smiling face.
I have found the joy no tongue can tell,
How its waves of glory roll!
It is like a great o’er flowing well,
Springing up within my soul.

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below! 

To read the first written and published personal testimony,

please go to: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html