You are a person of value, a person who possesses unfathomable abilities, talents, skills and blessings. Psalm 139:14, "I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well". You have the power to choose whether you want to live a life of survival or a life of abundant living. Are you willing to become more of who you are meant to be? What do you want out of life? What are you willing to give for life? If you are ready to live in the present today, to count your blessings, to forgive and to trust, this book is for you. Each day is a gift from God. Thank Him. Trust that He has allowed you to live this day for a reason. Be willing to examine yourself and see if you are where He wants you to be. Be willing to grow for Him. Be willing to serve Him. Be thankful that He spared you and gave you life this day. I have been encouraged to see myself through the eyes of my son KT III who believes in me no matter what. I thank God for him. God wants us to see His son Jesus. Mark 9:22-24, "Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes".
The Face of Love Volume II
By Deborah A. ReevesAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2012 Deborah A. Reeves
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4685-4035-2Contents
Believe In Me.......................................1My Dear Lord........................................2Today My Lord.......................................3Getting to Know Yourself............................4Do I Know How to Live...............................5How Can I Understand................................6Success.............................................7What Will Success Bring.............................8Who is Successful...................................9Contemplate.........................................10Contemplating.......................................11Contemplated........................................12Hello...............................................13Hello Life..........................................14Hello to Living.....................................15How Can You.........................................16Each Day............................................17Decision Time.......................................18When It Is Time.....................................19It Is Your Time.....................................20Things..............................................21Looking At the Heart................................22I Will Esteem You...................................23Changes.............................................24Change..............................................25The Path............................................26Lately..............................................27Why Let the Past Trap You...........................28Examine Yourself....................................29Passage.............................................30A Note..............................................31Rest................................................32Resting.............................................33What................................................34A Good Work.........................................35Alive...............................................36Understanding.......................................37Wisdom..............................................38Value...............................................39Valuable............................................40Remember............................................41Family..............................................42A Prayer............................................44My Thoughts.........................................45When................................................46Trust...............................................47Made Special........................................48The Life............................................49Workmanship.........................................50Making It...........................................51God Cares...........................................52My Heart............................................53Brother's Keeper....................................54Tallahassee.........................................55Okay................................................56Can You Believe It..................................57Short...............................................58Better Person.......................................59Now.................................................60A Ray of Hope.......................................61Coming Back.........................................62Remaining In Your Love..............................63Remembering the Time................................64I Will..............................................65Reach Out...........................................66Oh How..............................................67Devoted.............................................68Your Light..........................................69A Prize.............................................70Thankfulness........................................71It Is Time..........................................72Tell It.............................................73If I Could..........................................74Open Wide...........................................75Before..............................................76When It Happens.....................................77Shadows of Things Before............................78Remembering When....................................79Whenever............................................80I Will Call on You..................................81When I Survey.......................................82God is Good.........................................83Daily Living........................................84Maturing in the Faith...............................85Awesome God.........................................87And Now.............................................88Where Is............................................89You Do Not Have To..................................90Please Let Me.......................................91A Gap...............................................92Living Here Below...................................93When the Time Comes.................................94Move On.............................................95It Is the Day.......................................96Be Wise.............................................97Only................................................98Believe All Things Are Possible.....................99You Know When.......................................100Remember Me.........................................101It Is Alright.......................................102Time................................................103It is Time for Joy..................................104Loving You..........................................105I Wish..............................................106Faithfulness........................................107Anger...............................................108The Way.............................................109Lord Help...........................................110You Know I Can......................................111It Can Happen.......................................112Live Now............................................113The Day.............................................114Lord Help Me to Be Strong...........................115Trust and Have Faith................................116Let Me Be...........................................117
Chapter One
Believe In Me
If you just believe in me, I can believe in the abilities God blessed me to have. Believe in me because God made me special, crafting me with his own hands, making me a unique individual with a multitude of talents and skills. Believe in me because God does not make mistakes. Believe in me because I am a child of God. Dear Lord, as I struggle with life's issues in this world, help me to believe in myself and believe in others. Lord help me to pray for people as I see them struggling through life as a pawn of Satan. Help me to forgive others and myself. Thank you, God, for your love and it is through Jesus I pray.
"He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding." Jeremiah 51: 15
My Dear Lord
Dear Lord, help me in the ways that I need today. Dear Lord, help me to understand that you can do all things. Dear Lord, help me to see how to walk in your way day by day. Dear Lord, help me with the desires of my heart. Dear Lord, help my heart to be God centered. Dear Lord, let my faith bring glory to your name. Dear Lord, I need your help each and every day. Thank you for being My Dear Lord.
"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34
Today My Lord
Today, my Lord, I feel frustrated, ignored and unvalued. Today, my Lord, I feel tired, misunderstood and sad. Today, my Lord, I know the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, hope, patience, longsuffering which you have equipped us with in full measure. Today, my Lord, I know that you care for me and will be with me no matter what. Today, my Lord, help me to hold on to your hand. Today, my Lord, help me to see through your eyes and not my own. Today, my Lord, help my heart to be molded in the way you would have me to live, to love, to give, to understand, to behave and to forgive. Today, my Lord, let me be more like You.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." Galatians 5:22-26
Getting to Know Yourself
How can I do what I need to do to go forward in my life? How can I be honest with myself and face my deepest fears? How can I live with others and not lose myself? How can I move from one place in my life to another? How can I see myself in the midst of crowds shouting the noise of their egos? How can I see beyond the aimless throng quickly going nowhere, sweeping up everything in their wake?
"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." Psalm 27:14
Do I Know How to Live
Do I know how to live? How can I live in the present and not fall back into the past? How can I live through the pain I feel from day to day? How can I handle the guilt of not doing all I can for others? How can I live independently and be dependent on others? Do I take stock of the time I am given today? Is it time to slow down and say, "Thank you", to smile and to acknowledge all those with whom I come in contact. Do I take the time to live today in the fullness of the moment? If not, why not? Do I know how to live?
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." John 14:23
How Can I Understand
How do I assimilate into this world with an understanding of my mission? How can I feel adjusted when others are regularly finding my faults? How can I understand the pain I feel and be okay with it? How can I not allow my emotions to control my life? How can I understand who I am? How can I see others who are so deep in their sorrows and not have compassion? How can I see others abusing themselves and not see their value. How can I walk in others' shoes and understand they are in need of care? How can I understand the mysteries of life and not be curious.
"And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel" Malachi 1:5
Success
Oh Lord, what is success? What do I do to be successful? Do I want success? What benefit will it provide me? How will it change my life? Do I need to change my life? Do I live by what the world determines is success? Am I successful? How can I tell?
"... that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Joshua 1:8
What Will Success Bring
Will success make my life easier? Will people greet me with more care and respect? Will I receive volumes of kudos, praises, accommodations and recognition from others? Who decides if and when I am successful? Will my success be a blessing to others? Does success bring more responsibility? How do I accomplish success each day of my life? Is there an opportunity to achieve success with each new day? Is success established with each step we take? Is success in the action of just showing up in my life each day with gratitude?
"Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed." I Chronicles 22:13
Who is Successful
Is success a feeling or is it a state of being? Who defines successful? Who is successful? Will I recognize successful people on the street? Will they have more than others? Will they be happier, safer, friendlier, stronger, kinder or more spiritual? What is success to you? Do you see the person with great riches as successful? Do you see the person who has many friends and associates as successful? Do you measure the height and girth of a person's character as successful? Are you successful? I will let the Bible describe success.
"Jesus said unto him, THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIND. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, THOU SHALT LOVETHY NEIGHBOUR ASTHYSELF. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:37-40
Contemplate
As I take a moment to reflect, I can see many changes in this life. I can see that I have traveled many trails, walked many steps. What is my direction? How far will I go? How long will I go? I don't know, but what I do know is that God has been with me every step of the way. I will not stop. I will go forward toward the goal. I will reach out to extend myself to others. I will reach down to help another up. I reach up in prayer knowing that I am here only through the grace of God, who has granted me another day of life. I will stand on solid ground daily.
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." Psalm 18:2
Contemplating
God has made me a better person. God has taught me to shift my load from my shoulders to Christ's shoulders. He has given me the strength to walk through fire, stand through a storm and kneel in prayer. I contemplate most how I have learned to let the Lord fight my battles. I contemplate surrendering to God.
"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?" Psalm 27:1
Contemplated
When I have taken a moment and contemplated my life, I can clearly see that I am not in control. I have never been in control and that is my blessing. I know better than to rely on my own strength, my own knowledge, my own faculties. God has taught me how frail I am, how much I don't know and how little I can do. God has taught me how much I need him and I thank God that he is my loving father.
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" Psalm 118:6
Hello
It is time to wake up! Take time to look around, to feel the breeze, to smell the flowers, and to taste the sweetness of life's fruit. Hello! Greet each day as a blessing. Take the time to thank God for a brand new day. Say, "Hello and Thank you Jesus", to the pain in life that lets us know that we are still alive. Say, "Hello and Thank you Jesus", to the opportunities we have each day to serve another. Just start with "Hello and Thank you Jesus".
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" Matthew 6:25
Hello Life
Hello life and the newness of this day. Hello to the smiles that bring our lives a little more cheer. Hello to the deaths that teach us how to value others while they are present in our lives today. Hello to the discomfort which causes us to change. Hello to the emerging you. Know that you are a growing, changing individual, whether you realize it or not. You are not who you used to be, nor are you who you will be. Make a decision to welcome life each day.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24
Hello to Living
Hello to living in the present, in the now, in the newness of life. Hello to challenges that stop us square in our tracks. Hello to the people who care about us no matter what. Hello to the sadness which brings tears to wash away pent up feelings and cleanse away toxins. Hello to living every day with a smile on your face and joy in your heart. Hello to living your life while you have the opportunity. Say hello to living and live strong with courage. You were created for a reason.
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4
How Can You
How can you be you? How can you look at the green grass and not see life? How can you see the bright blue sky and the warm rays of the sun and not feel joy? How can you smell the sweet fragrance of flowers, the sensational smell of spices and not understand passion. How can you see the different shapes, colors, people, cities, countries, heavenly bodies and marvelous wonders and not experience love, power and majesty. How can you look at the ingenious way our bodies are created and work cooperatively to maintain, grow and develop into fantastic instruments which produce outcomes that we could never imagine? You have what you need and more to grow and mature. You are made in the image of God.
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." Genesis 1:26
Each Day
Each day is an opportunity to live life to its fullest. It is an opportunity to get to know yourself a little better. Each day allows us a chance to look within and see who we really are and what we can become. It allows us time to experience new dreams, hopes, passions, compassion and desires. It is time for us to look at the world with fresh new eyes and make things happen. It is time to reach out to others in ways that reflect love, joy, hope, security, connection and peace. It is time to stop being negative or angry, wasting time being upset and plain mad about things. It is time to make a decision whether to lead change or follow change. Each day, it is time to look outside of ourselves and view others as special human beings with unique talents and abilities which enhance the world for all.
And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation." Psalm 35:9
Decision Time
What are you doing with your life? What have you done in your life? Whose life have you contributed to for their good, seeking nothing? What are you doing right now? Are you part of the positive growth or the negative woes? You know. Others know also. Our lives are not so secret. It is time to understand that each of us has something wonderful to offer to each other. It is time for us to stop looking up to or down at people. It is time for us to say,"We are all blended in many ways." It is time to smile and say, "Thank you God for everyone I have encountered and will encounter." God has put people in our lives, in our path for our growth, strength and encouragement. God has given us an opportunity to learn good and bad things from each other and to make decisions. Our lives are richer each day that we let go and let God use us for his glory. It is decision time today.
"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;" Ephesians 5:1
When It Is Time
When it is time I will call you. I will call you when the season is right. I will call you when the morning breaks. I will call you when I feel warm and cheerful. I will call you when the darkness overtakes the day. I will call you and the smile on my face will light up the room around me. I will call you when the laughter causes friend and foe to unite. I will call you when the cold causes my body to draw inward for the desire to warm up and feel my inner power. I will call you when I hear your call for hope, companionship, joy, assistance and love. When it is time, I will be there.
"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." Psalm 62:8
(Continues...)
Excerpted from The Face of Love Volume IIby Deborah A. Reeves Copyright © 2012 by Deborah A. Reeves. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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