The Word Illustrated #50--The dash in the middle

The Word Illustrated #50
© Pamyla Floyd
6/28/2010

The dash in the middle

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it -- Ecclesiastes 3:20

The span of a man or woman’s life varies. Some people live well into their golden years, still others do not live past the age of 30, yet still others live beyond 100 years of age. When we pass away from this world, the memorial mark for all to see is a tombstone. On it are our birthday and our day of departure from this life.

Inside of thirty days we are forgotton, unless we lead a life to be remembered. No one knows anything about us other than our name which is also on the headstone. But, what about the dash in the middle, it speaks volumes about the life we lived and left behind. How long we reside on this earth does not matter, but what we do while here matters.

The bible says that a good man/woman leaves an inheritance to his/her children's children! WE can begin to lead remarkable lives right now today. We can hold a door for someone, cook a meal, visit those in REhabilitation Centers, hospitals and jails. WE can give away those clothes that we haven't worn in a year. What about the food we throw out every 3 months. Someone could surely use it. We could help a sick neighbor by watching their children.

The list is endless folks. Remember the least that we do to another, we have also done to Christ, so make it good! But I tell you right now there are books that haven't been written, movies that have not been filmed, stories that have not been told, ministies, businesses, ideas that all die when we do, if we don't get up and get moving. Jesus came to give life more abundantly and if we don't use it fo the fullest we are not living abundant lives and our actions affect those around us. Yes, even you Mr/Ms Single. Life is for the living, live it!

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or want help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:

John 9:4 -- I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work

1Co 15:18 -- Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished

Note: the illustration is of a tombstone in a graveyard. Although the person is gone on, there is still life and beauty left behind

The Word Illustrated #49--Being the difference

Can’t see the image? Visit http://thewordillustrated.blogspot.com

The Word Illustrated #49
© Pamyla Floyd
6/21/2010

Being the difference

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your selves – James 1:22

Most of us without hesitation can think back to someone, be it a former educator, parent, friend or relative who made a difference in our life. Just as many of us, I’m sure, can remember when a stranger showed us favor that made a big difference in our lives.. WE also, can be a blessing to others. All it takes is a ”YES Lord, use me to bless someone else” attitude.

When we stop looking at our circumstances and put the focus on someone else, coupled with the YES attitude, God can and will do miraculous things in us and through us. It is not about power,recognition, or about fame; it is about doing what the bible says that we ought to do anyway. Some of you reading this can attest to being given a seat, a meal, fresh clean clothes or hot water to bath in. Because of things we have faced it should be easier to put problems in the capable hands of Jesus. We all come from different backgrounds and we each have unique and interesting stories of how the Lord provided in the darkest of days. WE should not want anyone else to fee the loneliness, pain or despair we did. Life is hard enough and we can be the difference in another’s life, if we allow God to use us.

I’m not saying to do the work of the Lord so that you can be rewarded, but believe me, you cannot outgive God. The bible says that He loves a cheerful giver! WE must however, be prayerful and led by His Holy Spirit.. If we try the spirit by the Spirit as the bible suggests we can never go wrong. I remember being sick, and not having any food. A friend came by, out of the blue, and crammed my refrigerator with food! When I asked her why, she simply stated that she had been in the same situation, and knew how it felt to be without.

Now, is she a doer of the word or what! I did not call her and ask for food, but I did call out to my Heavenly Father and He supplied all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. God is truly awesome! When I tried to repay her, she told me to bless someone else in need. Remember, man looks on the outward apperance, but it is God who looks on the heart. Be a doer of the word, be the difference and abundantly blessed!

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or want help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:
James 2:16 – And one of you usay unto them Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Matthew 25:43 – I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not

Note: The animated image is of woman. Her life has been changed, because someone stepped up, to be the difference!

The Word Illustrated #48--No thank you

The Word Illustrated #48
© Pamyla Floyd
6/16/2010

No thank you

And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive – Matthew 21:22

God uses us to bless eachother, and the person He sends may not be someone that we are particularly fond of. So, will you turn down what you have labored over in prayer because of who God chose to deliver it? Have we turned down answered prayer, because deep down we felt that it was OUR right time?

God loves each of us and wants to bless us more than we know. I pray that none of these statements sound familiar. “Lord, I know that I asked for X amount of money, but Ms. Blah Blah, doesn’t even have a job, I can’t take money from her”, or “Lord, I asked for this blessing a year ago, it is taking too long and I’m tired of waiting”. The list could go on and on.

God has a time and a season for everything, and if we really wanted or needed what we asked of Hm it wouldn’t matter how long it took or who He used to get it to us. Our blessings are out there, floating around us in the spiritual realm waiting to be delivered. Please, let’s be careful of every idle word that comes out of our mouths, I believe that we will be judged for them.

If we aren’t hearing the answers then we need to minimize the distractions that around us. The television, radio and telephones can keep us from hearing His still small voice. The voice of others that are not glorifying God by gossiping or slandering others are a hold up of blessings also. If we are not diligent in seeking God through prayer and His word, the deceiver will seduce us so that he can get our attention away from God. The Lord has said that His sheep know His voice. If we vow to work on sharpening our relationship with Him, we will KNOW when He is speaking to us, and listen as He directs us in the way of more abundant living.

God gave His very life so that we could walk under an open heaven! It’s time to be honest and own up to the fact that we’ve said “No thank you” because we were ignorant to the process of getting and receiving answered prayer. We can repent, ask forgiveness and get it straight!

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or want help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:

Psalms 20:6 –- Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed, he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand

Matthew 7:11 -- If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Note: the animated image is of a peaceful room (the blessed place), a place where blessings flow constantly, and those blessings are represented by floaters that are blowing across the room.

The Word Illustrated #47--Strength in numbers

The Word Illustrated #47
© Pamyla Floyd
6/6/2010

Strength in numbers
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen – Matthew 28:20
satan is counting on us to NOT know the word of God, so that he can convince us that we do not matter—that we have messed up too badly, too many times etc. But if we confess our sins He is faithful to forgive and remember them no more. For those who desire mates, he tortures and makes them think that they are unworthy of being loved and will always be alone. He then separates us from everyone so that he can break us down completely, and throw us into the pit of depression.

If we allow pride to keep us from seeking help, we are giving him permission to steam roll over us! God promised to perfect those things concerning us, but we have to do our part too. We must seek to have a personal relationship with Him. We learn who He is through His word, and we get closer to Him through prayer.

No matter who you are, or what you are facing, if you are a born again believer in Christ, you are never alone. We have the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit and all the heavenly hosts with us.

Psalms 4:3 says the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself and that he will hear when we call Him. How awesome is that? Even more awesome is the fact that when Jesus was on the cross, He said “It is finished!” Healing is ours; we can be whole—spiritually, physically and mentally. We don’t have to suffer, and watch life pass us by, we are loved dearly. It is finished! You have the victory through Jesus Christ, and you are not alone.

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or want help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:

Psalms 34:6--This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles

John 10:28--And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand

Note: the illustrated image is of a man standing with clouds of confusion all around him. He is isolated as a result of allowing satan to drag him into the pit of despair.

The Word Illustrated #46--Thank Him in Advance

The Word Illustrated #46
© Pamyla Floyd
6/2/2010

Thank Him in advance

The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it -- Proverbs 10:22

We all have things we need in this life. But we MUST keep our focus on God. He is the most important thing, and in order to get to know Him we must study His word. It is alive, refreshing and in it we find His will for our lives.

Far too many times we wait until we are in a jam to call on the Lord. If He is first in our lives, then the relationship we have with Him puts us in better standing with Him. If we have a right relationship with Him we don’t have to panic or wonder whether He hears us or not.

In I John 5:14-15 there are specific instructions on how to know if our prayers are heard. If we pray in the will of God, we can be confident to know that He hears us AND that He will grant our petitions. Asking Him to break someone’s legs for us are NOT His will.

God already knows the ending right from the beginning. When Jesus went to the cross, He said that” It is finished”. The doubt, fears, worries are done with. We walk by faith and not by sight! Go ahead and thank Him, and do your dance in advance!

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or want help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:

And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod -- II Samuel 6:14

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth -- III John 1:2

Note: the animated image is of a duck dancing before the Lord and thanking Him in advance for what He has already done!