Life is Hard

Have you ever wondered why life is hard? Most people wonder why Christians don't have easy lives. We think and sometimes say "why did that happen to them? They are such good people" as if GOD only allows bad things to happen to bad people. We must all suffer trials and must be willing to take up our cross. Whatever that may mean. Some of us have wayward children who break our hearts; parents with Cancer, marriages that are not what they should be, or suffer from depression or addiction. There are no perfect Christians and no perfect life for Christ followers. When we say "why is this happening to us" we really are revealing a serious problem in our spiritual lives. We are saying "I deserve better" "I am doing all this for GOD, so HE should do this for me".
I am a sinner saved by grace. I don't deserve what HE has given me, and i have no right to complain when things don't go as i have planned. HE has better plans and HE will never leave us. That is enough for me. In my weakness CHRIST is glorified!
2 Corinthians 12:9
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
9 But he told me: “My kindness[a] is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I will brag even more about my weaknesses in order that Christ’s power will live in me.

I am a sinner, saved by grace.
No matter what problems that i may face.
I have a Savior and i trust in HIS plans.
I know my life is safe in HIS hands.
The mountains may fall, the waters rise;
but my Father in Heaven is not surprised.
HE knows what I need, HE hears every prayer.
HIS ways are perfect, HE is always fair.
No matter how hard life may seem today.
I believe tomorrow, my GOD will make a way.

By Deborah Pinnell 08-01-11

What would you do for JESUS ?

What would you do for your Savior? Would you risk your life? Would you give it all away? Would you leave it all and follow him to a cross? Some of the people in the Bible had to decide what they would do for JESUS. They had to make a choice to follow or turn away. We have the same choice today. Will we go anywhere, anytime, and do anything to proclaim HIS Name? I am so sure that I want to live my life for HIM. I have not just accepted HIM as my Savior, but i have decided I want to live every moment glorifing the name of JESUS CHRIST.
I have read about people who are risking their lives just so that others can hear the name of JESUS. We here in America have no idea what the rest of the world endures every day. We are so comfortable and the biggest sacrifice we make in any given week is to give up a little time to either go to church or pray and do a devotional. We sacrifice a small portion of our money and we think that is all that is required of us. What if it cost you more to be a Christian? What would you be willing to give up? How much of your life really belongs to JESUS? Just a small portion?
Love the LORD your GOD with ALL your heart, with ALL your mind, and with ALL your strength. He does not just want a tenth of you HE wants your ALL! I read a statement this week that has really got me thinking. "What is JESUS worth to you?" We don't always put alot of value on something that cost us nothing. Persucuted Christians around the world know about sacrifice and they choose JESUS even though it will cost them their jobs, their families, their freedom, and even their lives. JESUS is so worth it ALL, but it doesn't cost us anything to follow HIM. If it did how many would still be a Christian. I have heard of a mother in Iran whose 3 yr old child was taken from her because she became a christian. The judge told her if she would renounce JESUS she could take her child and go home. She stood in the courtroom looking across the room at her daughter and with tears she cried she could never forsake her Savior. What a hard choice. I am so grateful that we don't have to live in a place where you are persucuted for the name of JESUS, but i am sad too, because we have so much more, but are not willing to do more with it.
When much is given much is required. We have more than enough when we have JESUS. HE does not bless us just so we can be blessed, HE blesses us so that we can bless others. We need to do more to proclaim HIS fame and to make HIS name known. So ask yourself now....What would you do for JESUS?

When Hope is just a word

when you feel broken and there is no end in sight

when youv'e tried your best but nothings ever right

when the problems seem bigger than you can comprehend

and the darkness surrounds you and the walls are closing in

when the weight of the world is more than you can bare

and the trials you're facing just don't seem fair

when the best you can do is just to pretend

when you feel like your alone, no one to call your friend

when HOPE is just a word, not something real to you

when all HOPE is lost and there is nothing left to do

when you have hit rock bottom, and you're feeling low

then it's time to turn to JESUS, and it's time to let go

let go of all the pain that your heart can no longer bare

let go of all the disappointments, and the fact that life's not fair

let go of all the anger thats welled up deep inside

let go of all the bitterness you fought so hard to hide

let GOD be GOD and realize that he can heal your pain

his abilities are endless and his love will never change

he is so much bigger than the problems we face each day

and the good news is; he's just a prayer away

so just drop to your knees and give up stress and doubt

allow your father in heaven to show you what life's about

HOPE can be more than just a simple little word you hear

it can be your way of life ,and it can cast away all fear

it can put you back on track and give you a fresh start

it can fill you with peace and joy and mend your broken heart

HOPE can't be lost if you hold on with all your might

and trust that JESUS CHRIST can make every wrong thing right



by deborah pinnell

Nothing Left to Say!!

nothing left to say
i have nothing left to say, no words come to mind
i am empty now Father, i leave it all behind.
no prayer list to lift up, no urgent request
i come to you only to ask for your rest.
let your fountain of peace wash over my soul
refresh my spirit LORD, come make me whole.
renew my mind so i can focus on what's right
draw me into your presence, wrap me up in your light.
carrying the weight of the world had worn me down
until i remembered ,your'e the one with the crown.
So speak to me FATHER i long for your voice.
i bow down before you, my heart cries "REJOICE"
for you have been good, so faithful and true!
JESUS you are my KING... it's all about YOU!
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, you alone deserve to be praised!
I am speechless, awed by your GLORY! yes, i am so amazed!

by deborah pinnell

Isaiah 50:4
The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

I long each day to hear you LORD, to be taught by you.
Your Words breathe life into my spirit. I truly am amazed by you !LORD

I am so grateful to GOD!

GOD of all creation come cover me in Grace.
Send down your sweet mercy, you are my hiding place..
Seeking, ever seeking, for more and more of you.
Longing, ever longing, ‘ till I am made brand new.
Clean out this heart dear Father, empty my very soul.
Then come and fill the vacancy, you can make me whole.
I am nothing without you Lord, an empty shell at best.
But when you are present with me, my soul finds it’s rest.
Peace oh sweet, sweet Peace that no one understands.
Safely resting, secure forever; in the palm of your great hands.
Without you I am nothing special, a broken, wounded mess.
But in your word I find I’m someone you have chose to bless.
With the wisdom and the knowledge only you can provide.
I can be encouraged daily, as I walk right by your side.
Your light shines down before me to guide my path each day.
You are the truth, you are my life, you are the only way!
JESUS, my lord and savior there is no one but you!
I will praise your name now and forever, what more could I do?
By Deborah Pinnell

Today is Easter

Today is a day of celebrating and time for reflection. We must look back to the cross. Everything hinges on the fact that JESUS did indeed die on a cross and He did indeed rise up from the grave. Without his sacrifice we would be condemned. I am so grateful that my debt has been paid in full. There is nothing I must do, He did it all for me. We are called to take up our cross and follow him, which means we are to die to ourselves and live to declare HIS glory. I love my Savior and I will live my life in HIM and HE in me.

you paid the price
You paid the price...you died for me.
You took my place on calvary.
My sins were yours, my debt you paid.
Now i'm redeemed, now i am saved.
I owe you my life, each hour, each day.
I owe much more than i can repay.
You are my hope, you are my all in all.
I only desire LORD to answer your call.
To do your will and tell of your gift to me.
How you sacrificed yourself, so i could be free.
You gave me something i could never deserve.
For me a place in heaven you have reserved.
And one day I'll be there falling at your feet.
I long for that day when at least we will meet.
So i can thank you JESUS for the greatest gift ever known
And spend eternity praising you, when i am finally home.
By Deborah Pinnell

Grace is Great!

By the grace of GOD I am who I am. I was saved by His grace. I rely daily on His grace and I am in Awe of His grace. JESUS died to take my sins away. Does that just boggle your mind to think that He left His majesty behind to take on the form of a human and to live as a poor person. He who had it all gave it all up for me.
I can not even imagine that He would leave heaven for earth just for me, much less that He would suffer and die for me. It is GRACE. Grace is something you don't earn or even deserve, but it is a gift that we recieve when we believe in JESUS. A full pardon for all of our sins. He paid for them at Calvary. We are covered by his blood shed on that Good Friday. I wrote this poem for my speach about Grace, but it is really all about Easter. I hope you soak in the message that JESUS paid the price for you and that He loves you more than anything. Take the gift! You will never regret it!

Dear Jesus your Grace is more than just amazing to me.
Your blood was shed so sinners could finally be set free.
On the cross at Calvary you perfected GOD’s great plan.
To rid the world of the curse of death brought on by one man.
You came to bring Salvation for those who would believe it.
And you gave the gift of eternal life to any who will receive it.
By your sacrifice we live, by your wounds we all are healed.
Because you came, because you died, our destiny is sealed.
You could have called ten thousand angels to rush down to your aid,
But You chose to stay and suffer, for our debt had to be paid.
Sin has to be punished, or GOD would not be just and true.
So instead of getting what we deserved, He placed our sin on you.
It wounds my soul to think about you dying, nailed there to a tree.
I know I don’t deserve you LORD, why choose a wretch like me?
But then you gently remind me of that sweet, amazing Grace.
The gift I could never have earned and a debt I can never replace.
For GOD so loved each one of us that he sent you as our Savior.
Now we can rest, safe in your arms, for we have found your Favor.
By Deborah Pinnell