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January 30, 2009
A Daily Cup of Cowgirl InspirationHarvest Time
Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the
workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest
field." Matthew 9:37-38 NIV
The year was 1967 and I remember it like it was yesterday.
"Oh, my back is hurting." I said, crawling on my knees in the garden, while picking green beans.
"Child, your too young to have a backache." Grandma sternly told me.
Dad worked hard planting
the garden and tending to it. So, naturally grandma thought everyone in the family, including a 6-year-old
kid, had to help harvest the fields.
I wasn't just real happy with grandma's remark. In
fact, I wanted to tell her that it would be much easier to run down to the Piggly Wiggly grocery store to buy a can of
beans.
I bit my tongue though and refrained from saying anything. I knew better. Biting my tongue would hurt a
lot less than a good old-fashioned spanking from mom or dad. Talking back to our elders was just not allowed.
I decided then and there that picking beans would be my present and my future, at least until those bean plants
dried up in the field.
Corn, squash, okra and cucumbers were some of the other vegetables that
I helped harvest.
My backache soon became a distant thought as I sat down at the supper table
to eat the delicious bounty from our labor.
I learned a lot from working in that garden, including the
fact that timing is of the utmost importance when picking vegetables.
I think of that garden often.
It took the whole family to till the land, plant the seeds, water the plants and finally harvest the crops.
Jesus told his disciples in this passage of scripture that the harvest was plentiful, but the workers were few.
I've had many excuses for not helping in God's garden with the harvesting of souls for His kingdom. I've
often been too tired, felt bad, had a backache, or maybe, just telling someone about Jesus felt too uncomfortable at
the time.
It's always puzzled me that it seems easier to talk about the weather or the world's
affairs rather than to talk about Jesus and His love.
Screaming and yelling for our favorite football
team in front of a large crowd comes natural. Yet, we feel that praying the sinner's prayer with others should be
done in private.
Jesus is saying those same words to Christians today. The harvest is plentiful, but
the workers are few. People need to know about Jesus more today than ever. It's time to tell others about Him
and to help bring in the greatest soul harvest of all time.
Get on your garden shoes friend, the fields are ready
to harvest.
Dear Lord, Forgive me for my many excuses and use me as a worker to bring in the
harvest of souls for your kingdom. Amen.
Until Next time,
Happy Trails and May the good Lord
take a liken to you!
January 29, 2009
A Daily Cup of Cowgirl InspirationRejoice!
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 KJV
As I woke
up this morning, I heard a noise coming from outside my bedroom window. I listened closely, and finally figured
out that it was birds. They were singing their little hearts out.
I'm not a morning person at all.
In fact, it takes me awhile to wake up, then a little bit longer to actually get up and get around. I'm
a grouch in the morning. I admit it, although it's not a good trait. I need my breakfast and at least
two cups of coffee to make me human.
"Chirp, Chirp, Chirp." The birds continued their morning
song.
Suddenly, I felt something that I haven't felt this early, in quite awhile.
I felt JOY! I wanted to jump out of the bed and sing too.
"This is the day that the Lord hath made.
I will rejoice and be glad in it." My heart sang out.
Then, I felt a little twinge of guilt. Shouldn't
I feel joy every morning when I wake up or better yet, every moment of the day?
Joy is defined as a feeling
of happiness or a sense of well-being. Rejoice means to feel joy or great delight.
There are so many
things in my life that make me happy. Knowing Jesus is my Lord and Savior, my family, friends, church, reading God's
word, and going camping are just a few of the those things.
No wonder, I felt joy bubbling in my heart this
morning. I have so many things to be thankful for that God has so graciously given me.
Jesus loves me and
that fact alone is enough to make me rejoice 24/7.
Friend, Jesus loves you too! What all has God given
you that makes you happy?
I can hear you now! Join in with the birds and me as we sing our hearts
out.
Let's REJOICE and again I say, REJOICE!
Dear Lord, Thank you for
your love, for salvation and for giving me so many reasons to rejoice. Amen.
Until Next time,
Happy
Trails and May the good Lord take a liken to you!
January 28, 2009
A Daily Cup of Cowgirl InspirationDon't Rob From God!
Will a Man Rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed
thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord
of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to
receive it. Malachi 3:8-10 KJV
My Aunt Larue was the children's church leader where I attended church
when I was a small girl. All the kids loved her, especially my older sisters and me. She taught us so many things.
The most important lesson she taught me was that we should not rob God.
She taught us a song based
on Malachi 3:8, 9 and 10. After 40 years, I still find myself singing that song, especially during financial
hardships.
I learned at a very early age that ten percent of whatever God gives us belongs to
Him. Paying tithes, no matter how big or how small, gives us the assurance that our Heavenly Father will take care
of us.
In this time of economic collapse, it would be so easy to become fearful of what lies ahead.
But as christains we know that God's blessings won't stop.
Here's a news report you won't
here on CNN or any of the other major networks. It's the Good News, taken straight from God's word.
MAJOR NEWS BULLETIN: God promises to open the floodgates of Heaven as he bestows blessings upon blessings
to all those who give God what already belongs to Him. It is also promised that these blessings will be poured
out from Heaven until they overflow.
Don't be fearful friends! Don't be shaken by the
news reports you watch on your television or that you read on the internet. Trust only in the good news that comes from
God, the greatest financial advisor you'll ever meet. Have you checked your "paid tithes account" investments
lately? It's looking good, friend!
Dear Lord, Thank you for Aunt Larue and for all the many blessings
you've given to me. Help me to share your good news and to bless others as you have blessed me. Amen.
Until Next time,
Happy Trails and May the good Lord take a liken to you!
January 27, 2009
Daily Cup of Cowgirl InspirationCan't Never Could
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth
me. Philippians 4:13 KJV
"I can't do that." I use to tell Grandpa
when I was a little girl.
"Can't never could." He'd always tell me. "There's no such
thing as can't."
I found many things difficult as a kid, especially doing my algebra homework.
I'd always go to grandpa for help. After all, his and grandma's house was only a block away. Plus,
the fact that grandpa almost became a math teacher helped too.
Before, I could hardly show him the math problem;
he would give me the answer. I would then explain to him that I not only needed the answer, but I also needed to
know how to solve the problem.
Something that came so easy for grandpa was really difficult for me. Quite
honestly, I thought algebra was just pure nonsense.
"Grandpa, I just can't do it. It makes no sense."
I would tell him.
"Can't never could. There's no such thing as can't. How many times
do I have to tell you that?" Grandpa would say again.
He always encouraged me saying that I could do anything
that I would set my mind to.
Those childhood days are far behind me now. As a grown up,
I still find myself in situations that I find difficult.
It never fails when I think or say that I can't
do something, you guessed it, I hear grandpa's words of wisdom.
"Can't never could. There's no
such thing as can't."
As Christians, we face many trials that are tough. At
times, we may even feel that we just can't make it through. During those times, it's encouraging
to remember the words found in Philippians 4:13.
There is absolutely nothing that you and I can't
do. If you're facing a difficult time, hang in there friend. Remember, can't never could, and most of
all, know that you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.
Dear Lord, Thanks
so much for grandpa's words of wisdom and Lord, help me to always remember that there is nothing I can't
do with your help. Amen.
Unitil next time,
Happy Trails and May the Good Lord take a likin to you!
4:10 pm
January 26, 2009
Daily Cup of Cowgirl InspirationAre You Hungry?
And Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Luke 4:4 KJV
There are times when I guess all of us have had what I call hunger pains. Maybe you've heard this expression,
"I'm as hungry as a bear."
I usually get hungry sometimes in the late afternoon, right before supper
or for some of you folks, dinner.
Eating well and balanced meals and snacks are a must to stay healthy.
Most of us learned about the food pyramid when we were growing up in school. We need 2-3 servings of protein daily,
2-3 servings of dairy, 3-5 servings of vegetables, 3-4 servings of fruit and 6-11 servings of breads and grains.
The food pyramid chart was designed to help us make healthy food choices.
If you fail to eat less from the
protein group, and eat more from the bread group, you'll soon find your not eating correctly.
As God's
children, it's also important that we eat from God's word. A little portion here and there helps, but feasting
daily on the scriptures will give you strength, a healthy body and mind.
As humans we can't
live on bread crumbs alone and as Christians we can't either. We must eat food to live. We must also
eat well-balanced portions from God's word on a daily basis to live a healthy Christian life.
If you're
hungry, grab a healthy snack and drink plenty of water. But friend, if you're hungry for more of God, grab
your Bible and feast on His word. It will give you life everlasting!
Dear Lord, Help me to feast
daily upon your word. Thank you for the strength it gives me. Amen.
Until next time,
Happy Trails and May the good Lord take a likin to you!
11:41 am
January 22, 2009
Daily Cup of Cowgirl InspirationJesus is in the Cleaning Business
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 KJV
Jordan,
my three-year-old great niece was sitting at the dinner table with her parents. Her mom, April, asked her if she remembered her memory verse that she learned in Sunday school.
After a few moments it was obvious that Jordan couldn’t remember.
“Jordan,
it’s the shortest verse in the Bible found in John the 11th chapter and the 35th verse.”
Her mom softly said, trying to joggle her little memory.
Jordan suddenly looked
up at her mom and with a big grin on her face said, “Jesus swept and he mopped, too.”
Jordan’s
parents did their best to not burst out in laughter. After all, wept and swept did sound similar.
It was, however, apparent to Jordan that if Jesus swept the floor, he surely must have mopped it, also.
Upon refection of Jordan’s translation of this scripture, I’ve come to the conclusion that she was wise beyond
her years.
I have to agree with Jordan. I believe according to 1 John 1:9, Jesus really does do housework.
If we'll only ask, He will come in and do a thorough cleaning. Jesus will sweep and mop away
all the dirty sins in our life and make us clean, pure and white as snow.
Yes,
my friend, Jesus is in the cleaning business. He makes house calls and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. There is no job too big or too small and best of all; his services are free of charge.
Dear Lord, please do a daily cleaning in my life. Remove all the unnecessary clutter and
the dirt. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness and help me to be more like you. Amen.
Until next time,
Happy Trails and May the good Lord take a likin to you!
January 21, 2009
Daily Cup of Cowgirl InspirationSharing the Load of Others
Bear ye
one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Galations 6:2 KJV
Every other Wednesday, I keep
my seven year old great niece Hailey. I feed her breakfast, put in her favorite movie and then drive her to occupational
and speech therapy, which is 45 minutes from my home.
Hailie is autistic. She was diagnosed when
she was three years old. Her mom, Nikki works at a local insurance agency to provide not only for Hailie, but
also for her two younger sisters.
Having a child with a disability leaves Nikki at times
on the edge of exhaustion. She depends on her family for help.
As her aunt and Hailie's
great aunt, I try to do my share to help out.
Bearing one another's burdens is something
that any loving family member would do in this situation, but to me it's more than that. It is a gift from
the Father above.
God's word tells us to "give and it shall be given unto you." Helping
Hailie and her mom has given me more than this aunt could ever give to them. They both inspire everyone to believe
that with God all things are possible.
Friend, you may know of someone today that could use just a little bit of
help to ease the load they bear. The blessings that you'll receive in return are beyond measure.
Dear Lord, Help me to always be available to do my part in bearing the burdens of
others. Amen.
Until next time,
Happy Trails and May the good Lord take a likin to you!
3:13 pm
3:05 pm
January 20, 2009
Daily Cup of Cowgirl InspirationGod First, Others Second
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:
this is
the first commandment.
And the second is like, namely
this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment
greater than these. Mark 12:29-31
KJV
Today is a day that will go down in history. The 44th President
of the United States was sworn in to office. As a nation, we need unity. You might not always agree with your
leaders, but it's of utmost importance to keep them in your prayers. Remember to pray for our new President
and all the new leaders as well as those who are leaving office.
Our nation faces so much crisis.
Job loss and financial instability are just a few of the things that we are facing.
As fellow
Americans, let's remember first of all that our nation was founded on God. It's time we put Him back in our
nation, back in our schools and in each of our lives.
We also need to stick by our neighbors, friends and
family during these trying times. We need each other more than ever.
Dear Lord, Help us as a nation to put you first and help us to
love each other the way you love each one of us! Amen
Until
next time,
Happy Trails and May the good Lord take a likin to you!
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