Be Strong In The Lord, In The Power Of His Might! by Myra Boozer

(Note: this was written in 2018 and is just as relevant for today!)

It is just so amazing to me what I have on my mind when I awake most mornings. Some thoughts stay with me all day long. Saturday morning I was thinking of Corrie Ten Boom and what a spiritual hero she is to me. I thought of her sufferings and her great faith. I thought about how strong she was, and could I ever be that strong in the face of severe persecution (which we may face in the near future, as Christians).

As I went to the kitchen, Bill was asking if I wanted to get out of the house and go to "Yard Sales." That used to be a big part of my life. Not so much anymore. I have more than enough stuff already. Well, we went, and very quickly I found a book that I had to have. The only one that interested me. It is Life Lessons from Corrie Ten Boom. The Lord set me up for that one.

As I was reading from the "Exclusive 3-in-1 Edition," of course, being of my nature, I did not start at the front of the book. I opened it about three-fourths of the way into it. Excerpts from the book: “It was a week after Betsie had died in Ravensbrück that I took my place in the ranks of women prisoners standing together in the icy cold of the early morning. ‘66730!’ That is my number, I said weakly as we took our place for roll call. ‘Ten Boom, Cornelia.’ That is my name. I thought how strange that they would call me by name when they always addressed us by number! ‘Come forward.’ We were falling in line for the roll call. Ten in a line, every hundredth woman, one step forward. My friends looked at me sadly. What does it mean? I asked inwardly. Punishment...freedom...the gas chamber...sent to another concentration camp?”

The rest is in my words. A young German girl shouted number 66730. Corrie stepped forward and was told where to stand. She was sent to the far right, away from the crowd, where now she could feel the bitter cold wind whipping through her ragged prison dress. Another girl, young and frightened, was sent to stand beside her. Roll call took 3 hours, and they were almost frozen. Corrie asked through chattering teeth, "Why must I stand here?" The girl’s answer was barely audible as it came from her blue lips. "Death sentence."

Corrie turned to the Lord. "Perhaps I'll see You soon face to face like Betsie does now, Lord. Let it not be too cruel a killing. Not gas, Lord, nor hanging. I prefer shooting. It is so quick. You see something, you hear something, and it is finished." Then as she looked at the girl, Corrie said, "Lord, this is perhaps the last chance I will have to bring someone to you before I arrive in heaven. Use me, Lord. Give me all the love and wisdom I need. She then asked the girl her name. She said Tiny, and she had been there 2 years. Corrie asked her, “Did you ever read the Bible?” Her answer was no; she did not. Corrie asked, "Do you believe God exists?” She said she did and wished she knew more about him and asked Corrie if she knew Him. Corrie began to tell her. "Jesus is always with us," and about the miracle he did in taking all her hatred and bitterness for her enemies. Jesus is willing to bring into our hearts God's love through His Holy Spirit. Corrie said it was a miracle that she had a chance to explain many things about Jesus. "The prisoners behind us listened too. I felt happy. Perhaps this was my last chance in life, but what joy!" She accepted Jesus, and Corrie told her, you now have a friend who never leaves you alone. (continued) 

Who Is God And What Is My Understanding Of Him?

Psalm 24:8, “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory.”

Who is the King of Glory? Who is the Lord God Jehovah? Who is God and what is my understanding of Him? This question comes resounding across the pages of history and has been debated by all manner of men in every generation. But what it comes down to is, “Who is God with respect to my understanding of Him and His relevance to my life?” Life must come to that benchmark in the totality of who we are as individuals. We must settle the question in each of us! We are totally and utterly LOST until we do!

The Apostle Paul is an excellent example of one who settled the question and in return gathered the harvest destined for his life. However, the process was not painless or effortless. For him to settle the question of who God was to him, he had to make some drastic changes.

First and foremost, Paul had to change his thinking concerning God. He thought he knew God! He thought he knew the mind of God, so he threw himself into adherence to the Law. His passion was to enforce the Law of God as interpreted by the religious leaders of his time. In so doing, he placed himself in a position to diametrically oppose Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus was the answer to Israel’s prayers. He was God’s Messiah to deliver His people. This was God’s plan! Therefore, Paul’s mindset made him an adversary to the very ONE that he professed to love.

Acts 9:1, “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.”

It is amazing how people can use their religious fervor for self-edification. That is one of the first clues that they are off course. There is no doubt that Paul pursued his vocation vigorously and as a calling from God. But also think of the notoriety he must have received from his superiors for a job well done. The religious establishment wanted to destroy this new movement of Christianity, and Paul was their number one man. (continued)

A Light In Darkness! by Myra Boozer

It used to be that when we went to Church, many of the husbands and dads who weren't living right (still sinning) would stay outside and talk and smoke. They knew the power of God and the convicting Spirit of the Holy Ghost would have them in the altar if they went inside.

This was back in the 50's and 60s, and there was no air conditioning. The windows were raised, and many times you could see some hanging around the windows. God's power was so strong that the altars would fill with people calling out to God to forgive them. Thankfully, even as a young child I knew that God was in the HOUSE and I yielded to the bidding of His convicting power.

Yes, I backslid, but not for long periods. We were taught to go back and do your first works over. Repent and be baptized again. I was taught never to be a hypocrite (one who pretends to be something they are not).

If ever anything turns the world off to Christianity, it is that very thing, for the Church to claim something they are NOT! God help us all to get real with God and with others and be the people we say we are. God's people, His Holy people, the Redeemed of the Lord, the Sanctified, the Church of the Living God.

Some have said you can't blame the sinner for not coming to the Lord. You must blame the Church for not being THE CHURCH. The Church is to be a light set on a hill for all to see the Love of God and to experience his forgiveness. But also to be A Light In Darkness to guide people to His TRUTH. 

Light Or Darkness?

Matt. 24:9, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

Our goal as the Body of Christ is not to offend or be offensive. However, offense is a characteristic of the end times. It is the struggle between light and darkness. Jesus said in His Olivet discourse that it would be this way. Many are offended because of the holiness of God’s Word. Many are offended when God shines His light into their darkness. Many are offended because they want to be justified in their sin, but sin and holiness can not inhabit the same space. The Holy Spirit will shine His light upon our lives and reveal sin’s darkness in us. At that point, we must choose light over darkness or be forever lost.

My hope is that you will pray this prayer with me! “Lord Jesus Christ, I come to you today in my human weakness, aware that any good thing in me is what you have created. There is no substance, no state of mind or conscience that transcends the work of the Holy Spirit in me. I yield myself to the work of Your Spirit. Take me, prepare me, and use me. If there be any good thing in me, use it for Your honor and glory. Jesus Christ be glorified in my life. I covenant with you to be what you desire me to be. I pray that my mind would be as the Mind of Christ, that my mouth would speak the Words of Christ, my hands would practice the Deeds of Christ, and that my feet would take me into the Way of Christ. Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. May I ever walk in your Word. Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me and my house. I am forever Yours. Be glorified in me! In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

If you prayed this prayer along with me, your failures are in your past. Repentance and submission are in your present. Triumph and victory are in your future! Praise be to the Lamb of God who was slain that by His blood we are washed clean! Light Or Darkness? 

Anointed For A Mission! by Myra Boozer

Do you feel you are here on planet earth with a purpose? Or do you feel you are just floating along with ease and comfort, with a "don't disturb" sign hanging on your heart? What wakes you up in the morning? Is it a prayer on your heart for someone or something you might could do to make this world a little easier or a little brighter? Or is it "Where is my coffee?" Where is my easy chair in life? Don't look at me! Don't talk to me! Don't expect to get a response from me because I am already spoken for. Life is a breeze, and my mission is "Me." I hope not!

Now that I have your attention, the Bible (the greatest book on earth) teaches us that we are not our own. We have been bought with a price, the precious Blood of Jesus Christ. Our "mission," like Jesus, is to do the will of the Father...all that He has laid out in His book, written by Holy men as they were inspired by the Holy Ghost.

I have been thinking of my mission as God's child, my husband's wife, my son's mother, my grand's Nana, my family's relative, my neighbor's neighbor, my church family’s spiritual relative, my lost world's watchman. Wow, this is a big responsibility, and I come up short in being all I need to be for these people. But I am coming more and more to the understanding that I can not always be what is needed or expected of me. However, I can maintain my relationship with God and let His love flow through me so that I can be filled with His Spirit and His Love...So that my MISSION is His MISSION with His ANOINTING. Whatever your mission, let God be your source, and you will be Anointed For His Mission!

Psalm 27:1, “...The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” 

A Revelation Of Our Future!

Ephesians 5:17, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

God wants to use you wherever you are if you are a disciple of Christ. God needs and wants individuals who are willing to serve right where they are. However, we must have a revelation of our future and where God wants to take us today. There is so much that the Lord wants to reveal to us if we will only position ourselves spiritually where we will hear Him. How does He want to manifest His glory in your life today? Who does He want to bless through you today? Whose life is He going to change for eternity through you today?

In Ephesians 5:15, Paul admonished his hearers to walk diligently or to be engaged, not being foolish, but wise. The original word for “wise” is “sophos,” which means “skilled.” Paul is admonishing us as hearers of the Word to walk diligently or be engaged by the Holy Spirit and by the Spirit be wise or skilled in forming His best plans and using the best means for their execution. It is time to lay aside all our plans and ask God to make us part of His plan.

Paul said in Ephesians 5:16 that we should make the best use of our time, because the days are evil. We must allow the Holy Spirit to have His freedom to do God’s work in us. We can’t be distracted by the carnal environment in the world. Be full of the Spirit! “...be filled with the Spirit,” so that there is no room for carnal influence.

We must be about the Father’s business. We must walk diligently, be engaged by the Holy Spirit, and allow Him to form in us the best plans and use the best means for execution. For that reason, I offer this prayer:

“Help me, Lord Jesus, to see Your future in me. Let me not be deterred by the noise of our secular society. Many issues cry out for attention, but the most important ‘cause’ is still the salvation of the lost. Oh, Holy Spirit, send your convicting power among us. Awaken the slumbering souls around us. Stir our churches to be yielded to Your move. Give us compassion to stand in the gap for the lost and suffering. You know every need that exists within the sphere of our influence. Reveal those needs to the Body of Christ and convict us individually to become engaged in Your plan to deliver and bring victory to whosoever will be drawn to You. In the Name of Jesus! Amen” 

Father God, Send Your Light! by Myra Boozer

Father God, send your Light that we may walk in it.

Send your Truth that we may proclaim it from the rooftop.

Send your Power that all may see your Glory.

Send your Love that we may be refreshed, renewed, and redeemed.

Send your Mercy that we may be rescued from the evil one.

Send your Holiness that we may be washed clean.

Send your Deliverance that we may go free.

Send your Freedom that all will rejoice and dance in the streets.

Send your Son that we may be taken away in the twinkling of an eye...to be where He is, forevermore...Amen!

"Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1:78-79