Comforting Words

“Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23, 24. “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” “Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy.” Micah 6:8; 7:18. “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do well.” Isaiah 1:16, 17. – {6T 148.3}
These are the words of God to us. The past is contained in the book where all things are written. We cannot blot out the record; but if we choose to learn them, the past will teach us its lessons. As we make it our monitor, we may also make it our friend. As we call to mind that in the past which is disagreeable, let it teach us not to repeat the same error. In the future let nothing be recorded which will cause regret in the by and by. – {6T 149.1}

Book Report

Ok everyone! Here's the "book report!"

First, "Learning Lessons from Furry Friends":
In 2011 I sold 61 copies.
In 2012 I sold 81 copies
In 2013 I sold 10 copies so far.
That's a total of 152 copies of my book!
Next, my newest release, "The Prodigal Pup":
In 2013 I sold 34 copies so far.
That's a GRAND TOTAL of $186 copies of my books sold! YAY!!

But here's the deal. In order to just BREAK EVEN, I need to sell OVER 6,000 copies of books. Want to help me out? Take a look at my books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and www.TeachServices.com. If you haven't already, buy a copy for a child that you know. If you've already done that, then please take a moment to rate and review the book. This will help to get it noticed.

Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement! I really appreciate it!

 

Conviction and Encouragement

This was written by my friend Hannah, and posted on her blog (which I encourage you to subscribe to!): http://www.hannah-rayne.blogspot.com/. If the message that she has shared in this post does not convict, challenge, and encourage you, then I don't know what will. And I repeat her question: Will you join the ranks? Will you lay yourself on the alter of sacrifice in order to let the Lord take control? I want to! But I know that I can't do it alone! I need the Lord's help, and I need your prayers!

Revolution's Flame

I’m tired of dreaming Revolution but not acting it. I’m tired of the complacency that follows me everywhere. I’m tired of the fact that it’s so easy to spend hours talking with friends, and yet so hard to spend an hour on my knees. I’m tired of reading those quotes about young people finishing the work, and not doing a thing different. I’m tired of having plenty when there are children starving with nothing. I’m ready for a change. Aren’t you?

 

I might not be going to Africa tomorrow. In fact I know I won’t be. But aren’t there people starving here in America too? Starving for love—starving for Jesus?

 

Isn’t it time for a change? I mean a real one. Not one that just begins and ends in our imagination; but one that changes us, our friends, and eventually our corner of the world?

 

Isn’t it time to pray like we’ve never prayed before? Not just for ourselves but for each other? To not even think twice about spending an hour on our knees, at any time, if that’s what the Master calls for?

And isn’t it time to put aside all foolishness? I mean, when was the last time we got together and our first thought was to talk about Jesus? And even if it was, somehow it wasn’t what came out. I’m tired of how awfully easy it is in the moment to burst out laughing at the end of a funny story and soon be on to one of my own, and yet how hard it is to keep a straight face and totally change the direction of the conversation. Where do funny stories fit into the Revolution?

 

I’m only sharing what He’s put on my heart. And I know it’s not just my heart He’s working on. Because this whole Revolution—it’s something we embark on together.

And yet somehow we’ve got to start living it, not just for a day, but for a lifetime. How? This is the question I’ve been pondering, and I’m coming to the conclusion that the only way is through a total heart change.

 

Because you know what it’s like. One morning I wake up all ready to jump out of bed and spend time with Him, and the next day I have no enthusiasm. That’s got to change.

 

And I’m sure I’m not the only one who has those times when I’m so close to Him that I can almost sense His heartbeat, but then a few weeks (or days) later I feel a million miles from Him.

And yet somehow, I just don’t think we can be living the Revolution one day and not the next. He’s got to change our hearts so that we get out of bed whether we feel like it or not, and fall on our knees. He’s got to place in us the burning desire to live in His presence, so that when He feels a million miles away, we won’t rest until we know our heart is knit with His.

 

And we’ve got to put aside our feelings and live by faith. We can’t just live it when we feel like it and just dream it when we don’t.

 

Luther lived revolution in his day. What was his key? Prayer. Bible study. He didn’t just read a daily devotional and pray a “help me be good today” prayer. It was hours of prayer, hours of time in the word. It’s what gave not only Luther, but the fathers of our faith their power.

 

And so, I am challenging myself, and I’m inviting you to join me. An hour of uninterrupted time on my knees everyday. Maybe you’re all doing it already, and I’m the last to catch on…

As for all I’m going to say on my knees for an hour, or how it’s going to fit into my schedule when I’m traveling, to be honest, I don’t know. But He does. And this Revolution is because we love Him.

Let me share a prayer from my journal this morning, and let me tell you again—I want to live this Revolution together.

 

“Revolution’s flame, begin in me. Put me heart and life aflame. More than anything this world offers, light my heart with loyalty. Self—let it be no more. Only the dead wood is ignitable. Take away my plenty; my all is Yours. Just let that fire burn bright in me. Bring the furnace seven times hotter, until I am pure gold, reflecting You. Change my heart—make it like Thine, until my life matches my words. No more dreaming about Revolution—let me live it.”

 

The enemy is waiting to knock us flat. But in my mind I see a battlefield with a line of soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder. The enemy tries to break through their ranks, but he can’t. Sooner will they give their lives than give him the victory. Their prayers are constantly ascending for each other. They stand, a solid line of soldiers—fighting together.

 

I’m ready for Revolution. Jesus, I’m looking forward to that hour tomorrow morning. And I’m thinking I won’t be the only one. Do whatever it takes to make us live Revolution. I’m in, if You’ll lead me.

--Written by Hannah Rayne, inspired by the Lord