Martha Noebel

You're All I Want

One day, as I started my morning, I decided that I wanted a can of cold soda. I was hot and the air conditioning had not kicked in yet at the office, so I went to the drink machine to get one of my favorite drinks. You can imagine my facial expression as I reached for my cold can of refreshment only to find out it was as hot as I was. One hot can of soda should not have left me feeling greatly disappointed, but it did.

Then I began to softly sing "You're all I want. You're all I ever needed. You're all I want. Help me know You are here." My heart was reaching out to God and my words were calling on Him for just a moment of His presence. Physically, I wanted a can of drink, but my spirit took over. I wanted something much more, a moment with God.

Sometimes there is this sense of wanting to see God, wanting to know Him in a special way. I wanted to feel Him. When this song came from deep within me, I realized I needed a touch from my loving Father.

"The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he understands how weak we are; he knows we are only dust" (

Psalms 103:13-14 The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

, NLT).

I went back to my office. A few minutes later, someone who had passed me in the hall and heard of my dilemma brought me a cup of ice for my drink. Can you believe it? That had never happened to me before. I was shocked.

Then the Lord reminded me of what I had really wanted. I wanted to know that God loved me and to have Him show me in a tangible way. Well, He certainly did just that.

"I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee"(

Jeremiah 33:3 Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

, KJV).

God is ever present with us. We all know that. He desires to show Himself to us in practical, loving ways. You see, I love Him, too. He truly is all I want and all I'll ever need. He let me know He was here. What a special day!

Christmas: The Real Story

CBN.com --When I think about Christmas, I always picture a manger. We should think about the reason that Jesus, the Son of God, came to this world as a baby. Without a doubt, His great love for us caused Him to step out of the heavens only to begin the trip to the cross.

So I felt we should also have a picture of Calvary when we think of Christmas. I like the message on a Christmas card I received. It says:

As the King, He had a different kind of birth...
He had a different kind of kingdom...
And He wore a different kind of crown

That is not your typical Christmas card, now is it? And then I think of the scripture,

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (
John 3:16 "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
).

The Living Water For The Soul Devotion I recently received said that God sets the pattern of true love here, the basis for all love relationships -- if you love someone dearly, you are willing to pay dearly for that person's responsive love. God paid dearly with the life of his Son. Jesus accepted our punishment, paid the price for our sins, and then offered us the new life he bought for us.

But what a sad picture to think about on one of the happiest days of the year. We do not want to picture our precious Lord on the cross, all bloody, torn, and dying. It is much easier to picture Him as the baby in the manger, all soft, warm, and cuddly.

Then I realized that we need to have hope and envision the completed cycle. The picture I would like to present to you is the one of the empty tomb. He rose from the grave and is no longer dead. He is very much alive. Better still, let's see Him standing at the throne of God, at the right hand of the Father. He is ever making intercession for us.

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us (
Romans 8:34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
).

The price has been paid for all our sins. The King of Glory is risen to His rightful place. Death could not keep Him down, the grave could not hold Him, and our wrong doings did not place such a weight as to destroy Him. But instead His love paid the price we could not pay, with a love we don't deserve.

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen (
1 Timothy 1:17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
).

Martha welcomes your responses at dvtd2hm1@aol.com

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Devotion To Christ

CBN.com Do we have a pure and simple Devotion to Christ? Do we have a Devotion or single-mindedness of heart that is totally focused on pleasing God? In the following scripture, Paul warns the Corinthian church of this very issue.

I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. For I promised you as a pure bride to one husband, Christ. But I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple Devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent (II Corinthians 11:2,3 NLT).

Our lives should consist of speaking to God and listening for His reply. We should be seeking His advice, wisdom, and guidance for everything in our lives. It would keep us out of a whole bunch of trouble if we would. Plus, without this mindset, we miss the sweetness of being close to the One who loves us and longs to speak truths to our minds and hearts.

I can think of the many times that I have missed good opportunities given to me by God because I was not simply devoted to Christ. My thoughts were self-centered. I did what pleased me and not what pleased the Lord. Now I find myself facing the consequences of those actions. I know God still loves me and has a special purpose and plan for my life, but I have made things a lot harder for myself than they need be. I have missed blessings that I wish I had not missed. If I could do things over, there are several things that I would do differently.

The one thing I will never regret is my decision to give my heart to the Lord. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at a very young age. I can remember the song that was being sung that night when I came back from the altar. It was "Oh How I Love Jesus." To this day I feel a special warm feeling whenever I hear that song. I cried for hours because of the awesome love of God I felt. I might be telling my age a bit but when I gave my heart to the Lord, I had been kneeling on sawdust floors at a youth camp. Children all around me were crying, praying, singing, and enjoying the presence of God in such a precious way. I miss those times. I would love to see that atmosphere in our churches today.

The bottom line is that I have been devoted to Christ ever since that wonderful camp meeting. I have not been as close to God as I should have been, but He has never failed to be there for me. I love Him and want to now, more than ever, live a life totally devoted to Christ.

Looking for answers? Look here!

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Leave The Door Open

CBN.com -- I read a scripture in Matthew chapter 9 and saw it in a new and different way than ever before. It is

:

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. vs.10

And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? vs. 11

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. vs. 12

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. vs. 13

Now first of all, can you believe verse 10? Jesus was merely sitting in the house, eating with his disciples, when all of a sudden "many publicans and sinners" walked right through the door, into the house, and sat down. Verse 11 tells us that they reached over and began eating at the table. Jesus did not even seem alarmed or bothered by this. I can see this small living room filling up with strangers, one at a time. They began to eat and listen to whatever it was that the Son of God had to say.

I don't know about you, but if one night after cooking a big meal, putting it on the table, and sitting down with my family if one by one my neighbors came through the door and sat down well I would hardly be able to handle myself. That would be such an awesome experience. But if God did it before, He can do it again.

We are living in times when people are asking questions. We have the answers, so why wouldn't God send them over? There's a part of me that wants to eat dinner every night with my front door open. I want to expect that this could be the day when I will serve more than my four. My desire is to have a fresh Word from God on my lips because I don't know when I will be called on to share the love of God to someone who wants to know.

If we share this attitude of being open and ready to share God with those around us, I know the Father will send them to us. His heart is that all men would know how much He loves them. Our "open door" could certainly lead to an "open door" of someone's heart finding peace, love, and joy for eternity.

Martha welcomes your responses at dvtd2hm1@aol.com

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Easter Baskets or Empty Tombs

I was living up North several years ago when I first heard the phrase, "He Is Risen; He Is Risen Indeed!" The pastor loved to say the first part, He Is Risen, and wait with a big smile on his face for the congregation to finish the statement. (He Is Risen Indeed.) This was a favorite ritual every Easter Sunday morning.

Why did the pastor like saying it? I guess He knew it would fit with the sermon that day. He was sort of priming the pump, so to speak, for what was to come. Then a wonderfully, well-organized, properly prepared sermon on the death and resurrection of Christ would soon follow. Previous to this were three or four songs from the hymnal such as He Lives, He Arose, At Calvary, and At The Cross. It was the only Sunday we would sing these songs, so sing we did. We sang loudly and with a lot of heart.

I remember as a child that everyone wore fancy clothes on that day. It was the only Sunday that all the kids had new white shoes and pretty hats. Some of the girls even wore white gloves. Several of the moms and dads had a flower on their suits or dresses. Excitement was in the atmosphere. We knew an Easter egg hunt for all the children would begin after the service. There would be lots of beautifully colored hard-boiled eggs, jelly beans inside plastic eggs, hard candy-coated marshmallow eggs, and a very special large chocolate-covered candy egg. At home, I had a wonderful Easter basket filled with lots of candy and gum waiting for me too.

It marked the coming of spring. Pastel colors were everywhere. Flowers were blooming and the air was much warmer than a few weeks ago. It was such a happy time.

Now, I am older and I know Easter Sunday in a much different way. I now realize Easter is about death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus the Son of God was born so that one day He would die. He chose to become the sacrifice for your sins and mine.

The Bible says,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (

OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

NIV).

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." (

NIV).

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (

NIV).

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (

NIV).

It's so wonderful. By faith we simply believe in the great price that was paid for us. We sinned, Jesus died on a cross to pay for our sins, and on the third day rose from the grave. He is seated at the right hand of God making intercession for us.

He paid a very high price. He gave His life. He suffered so that we can live forever with God. If we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, we are saved. There is no condemnation for the things we have done. And with each mistake we now make, forgiveness is still ours to receive.

The tomb where Jesus was buried and from where He rose was left empty. Only the grave clothes were left behind. Because of His great love for us, and the power of God living in us, we too will one day be caught up with Him in the air.

"After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever" (

NIV).

Jesus is coming again for those of us who have asked Him to forgive us our sins. We are waiting for that day when the heavens will open and we will meet Him in the skies.

So you see, Easter isn't at all about Easter baskets full of candy, pretty clothes, or spring flowers. It's about an empty tomb. He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

God in the Everyday

Is healing for today? Does God really want to use his people to minister healing to others? Can anyone be healed? Do I have to go to church to be prayed for so I can be healed?

These are all real questions asked by hurting people on a regular basis. I have a story I would like to share. You be the judge.

I was in the car with my teenage daughter getting ready to go to the store. I pulled partially out of the driveway and then noticed my neighbor across the street. She was in her driveway taking the groceries out of her car. I stopped the car and went across the street to speak to her for a moment. I did not have any idea what God was getting ready to do through me. I just wanted to ask her a question.

We talked for a moment or two and then as I turned to leave she told me she wanted me to remember her in prayer. (Now to my knowledge, she does not have a personal relationship with God.) However, she was hurting and wanted help. She shared with me that the doctor had diagnosed her with macular degeneration of the eyes. I thought to myself that this was one of those ugly diseases for which there was little or no cure.

My heart was filled with compassion for her. Without even thinking, I asked her if I could pray for her right now. Surprisingly to me, she said yes. I grabbed her hands while we were standing in the driveway and began to pray. I felt the power of God as I prayed and I knew God was doing something great! She stood there with tears in her eyes and thanked me for praying. We hugged and I left feeling really excited. My daughter watched the whole thing and wanted to know what had happened. I told her and asked her to also help me pray for this precious neighbor.

A few days later, my daughter came into the house and said she had been talking to our neighbor. The neighbor told my daughter she would have to learn to see through what looked like a black spot in the middle of her eye forever. Her eye had healed some but this was the best it would get. My daughter told her that the doctor's report is not necessarily true. She told her the spot in her eye can be healed and that God could do it. The neighbor didn't seem to believe what she was hearing. She only knew she had an eye disease that was making seeing a challenge.

It wasn't long, only a few short weeks, and my neighbor was calling out to me while standing in her yard. She said to tell the prayer group who had been praying for her that it worked. I was ecstatic! The only prayer group was my daughter and myself. God had used a short prayer in a driveway to change someone's life forever. She was healed!

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come (
Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see,that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD's favor has come.*" OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
New Living Translation).

I told her in the prayer for her that God would get all the glory. This is why I am writing this article. It is all HIS. Praise the Lord! I am so thankful I took the time to pray. I am glad my daughter has learned that the report we listen to is not the doctor's report but the report of the Lord.

If God speaks to you in your "Everyday" living, go for it. He is the "God in the Everyday." He wants to use whoever is willing to step out. The results will amaze you.

God Speaks Today

When I was a single parent, I was working three part-time jobs trying to make ends meet. I had a young son to care for besides myself. I was living in a motel for the winter and times were hard.

I did the best I could and trusted God to help me. I guess I was worrying too. One night I woke up after hearing a male audible voice that spoke loudly, firmly and yet compassionately to me. The voice said, "You don't have to worry anymore." I was so startled that I sat up in the bed and looked around. I just knew someone had to be in the bedroom with me, yet no one was there. There was an awesome peace that came over me. The worry left and I knew that God was with my precious little boy David and me.

Yes, God did take care of us. We had our good times and our bad times, but God had let me know I did not need to fear anything.

Another time I had completely run out of groceries. I was determined I would not be a burden to my parents. I did not tell them of the need. Instead, I trusted God. That next day a Christian neighbor who lived across the street called and said that God told her to give me something. Isn't it great how God can speak to His people and allow them to bless others? She came over with bags and bags of groceries. She had no idea we needed the food. I was so happy, as you can imagine.

Yet another time I didn't have the money for my rent. I prayed and prayed. I had a peace that God was going to meet my needs before noon on the day it was due. At eleven o'clock that morning, the secretary from my church called. She told me there was a check for me covering the full amount of my rent. God had spoken to someone to bless me so that He could show His faithfulness to me once again. I was so thankful to God and to my church.

Whatever may be going on in your life today, know this: God loves you. He will be in control if you let Him. Speak to Him and then listen for His voice. Expect Him to take over the circumstances and know with great assuredness in your heart that He is going to meet your needs. Don't doubt or question His ability to provide. Feel His awesome love for you. Look and listen for His direction. God is still speaking today!

"When I think of the all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope" (
Ephesians 3:14-20 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,* the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.* I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
NLT).

Martha

Noebel

Contributing Writer

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