Thursday, May 12th - Psalm 18:1-6

Hey!  Another beautiful day we enjoyed today.  Isn't God's creation awesome?  Did you see the sunrise this morning?  Wow!  What do you think of these?

I don't know that either of these pictures has a lot to do with tonight's scripture, but I thought of them as i watched the sun rise this morning.  As I knelt in His presence, I was in awe of His beauty.  What a picture He paints for us each and every day.

You know as you read the passage for tonight, I am struck with "dependence."  "I love you, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge...my shield....horn of my salvation, my stronghold....I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies....He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ears."  Psalm 18:1-6
What an amazing scripture.  I am dependent on Him!  He is my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer, my refuge, my shield, my stronghold and I am saved through Him!  I cannot live without Jesus in my life along with the Holy Spirit!  I trust Him!

Let's take a moment to pray in prayer!  Remember P-Praise R-Repent  A Ask  Y-Yield
Enjoy your evening!

Cheri Lynn

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 - Matthew 5:33-37

Hey GEMS!

What an awesome night we had together tonight!  Nicki's Favorite things - Ms Pearl's audition video for ABC Extreme Home Makeover (don't forget to pray in prayer for this!) - the worship time with the worship team and then the lesson from Lisa!  Whew!  I am pumped!  I am high on Jesus!  I am flyin' with the Spirit! 

"Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes', and your 'No' be 'No'; ......vs 37a

We don't need to swear by anything, but simply tell the truth and answer with yes or no!  In today's world, every other person feels like they have to swear an oath because there is no integrity or trust or truth.  If we live the life that He has called us to live, we will be above reproach and have the integrity that we need to be able to say 'Yes' or 'No" and mean it!

I hope you have a great Thursday!  I will talk to you again tomorrow night!
Love y'all!     Cheri Lynn

Tuesday, May 10th - Hebrews 10:35-37

Hey GEMS,

It seems like forever since I have been with y'all!  I can't wait until tomorrow night!  :o)

Our passage tonight is short and yet so deep!  "Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God; you will receive what He has promised.  For in just a very little while, 'He who is coming will come and will not delay."
In Christ we have CONFIDENCE and can walk tall and know that HE is with us every step of the way - the narrow way!  We PERSEVERE and look to the prize, our REWARD at the end of a great race.  We strive toward that goal and we RECEIVE His PROMISE - ETERNAL LIFE!!
This was written long ago and they were looking for the return of the Savior, just as we are today!  That time will God the Father will look at God the Son and say, "Jesus, Son, it is time - Go and get Your bride, the Church - bring them HOME!!"  MARANATHA!!

I will see y'all tomorrow night!  I love you!
Cheri Lynn

Monday, May 9th - Matthew 5:10-12

Hey GEMS!

What a gorgeous day it was today!  Tomorrow promises to be much warmer - 87 degrees!  I think we are just going to jump into summer!  Yeah!  Which do you prefer - summer or winter?  I am more of the warm weather person, but I don't like 100+ degree days!  But anyway, summer is very close!

"Our passage tonight is a tough one!  "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."  Matthew 5:10 
Many of us will never know what true persecution is, but I have heard about it first hand.  I had a friend in Portugal that was a minister in an African country.  He was arrested several times for preaching the Word and was tortured and beaten.  He would lie on the cold floor of the prison in his own waste and even had to drink his own urine.  This happens even today!  I can remember listening to my friend's testimony and tears rolled down my face and I heard him say, "I would do it again if I had to, because I love my Jesus so much more than this world!"  He has received his prize and is now in Heaven with his Jesus that he loved so much!  I can't wait to see him again!  One day.....

Dear Lord,
May we stand firm and may we testify of Your love to all that we meet.  If we are persecuted, may we stand tall and proclaim Your Name above all others and know that we are Yours!!!  Thank you for Your guidance and Your never ending love!
In Your precious Holy name - Jesus!  Amen

Sunday, May 8th - Happy Mother's Day!!!

Happy Mother's Day GEMS!

I hope you had a great day celebrating with your families.  My day was full of surprises and was one for the memory books.  My son served me breakfast  - 2 eggs and wheat toast - in bed!  (I got the coffee at church!)  He was so very proud of himself and I was equally proud of him.  It was great!  They gave me some nice plaques and then we went to both services at Eastview and then on to a friends for lunch where I was pampered the whole afternoon.  It was great and I so enjoyed watching my kids play and climb trees and just visiting with my friend! 

James 1:12 - "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."

We need to persevere - be patient - stand firm - int he face of struggles and trials of all kinds.  With the Holy Spirit within us, we can weather any storm!  This verse gives us continued hope and a reason to live!  We will stand with HIM in eternity!  Maranatha!!!

I can't wait!  I want to see everyone of my fellow GEMS there!  Let us "consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds...." 

I love y'all!
Cheri Lynn

Saturday, May 7th - James 1:2-4

Good Morning GEMS!

It is a beautiful morning and I am so glad to see the sunshine if just for a little while today!  It's a little brisk, but I stand in awe at HIS creation.  The beautiful sunrise He paints is amazing! 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  James 1:2-4

It is my desire to grow and be more like Jesus and to see the world I live in through HIS eyes.  By developing perseverance I am working on a step to continue that process.  I don't think that the joy that is referenced in verse 2 is the laugh out loud happiness.  It is that joy that is deep inside, that personal relationship with our Lord and Savior and the "joy" and assurance we have in eternal life - serving HIM with all that we are.  I look at it more as an excitement and challenge to develop and mature in my walk with Jesus. 
It is hard and I know there are many times that I fail, but I keep trying.  As Lisa said, We can be patient in suffering - it is a choice!

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your Mother's Day!  Remember, it is a choice!  Choose to persevere!

Love y'all!
Cheri Lynn

Friday, May 6th - Matthew 7:1-5

Hey GEMS!

First of all I want to wish Jenny Hall a happy birthday.  Hope you had a great day Jenny!  Welcome to the club!  :o)  It is great!!!!

Pretty straight forward verses tonight.  Do not judge - anything!  Isn't it easy to judge things?  The way people dress; the accent they have; the people that hang out together; and stereo-types!  We have all done it and Jesus says DON'T!!  Pretty straight forward command.  Will you listen?  I am!

I had the opportunity today to participate in the Chick--A Leadercast that was simulcast to 2nd Presbyterian in downtown Bloomington.  It was a great day!  There were lots of "Leaders" that spoke and/or were interviewed.  The CEO of Chick-fil-A was there, the CEO of Coca-Cola, John Maxwell and Dave Ramsey.  A lot of the speakers mentioned God and having faith in Jesus and talking about praying!  Wow!  There were alot of people in attendance (almost 300) and yet God's name was mentioned several times!

We were not judged today, but we are at times.  "They must be Christians because they just prayed before they ate!"  Let us not judge one another - lest we be judged!!!

Have a great Saturday everyone and Happy Early Mother's Day!
Love y'all!

Cheri Lynn