Weekly Devotionals With Sherry\Lord Dry My Tears
 

Author Unknown

The pickle jar as far back as I can remember sat on the floor beside the dresser in my parents' bedroom. When he got ready for bed, Dad would empty his pockets and toss his coins into the jar. As a small boy I was always fascinated at the sounds the coins made as they were dropped into the jar. They landed with a merry jingle when the jar was almost empty. Then the tones gradually muted to a dull thud as the jar was filled. I used to squat on the floor in front of the jar and admire the copper and silver circles that glinted like a pirate's treasure when the sun poured through the bedroom window. When the jar was filled, Dad would sit at the kitchen table and roll the coins before taking them to the bank. Taking the coins to the bank was always a big production. Stacked neatly in a small cardboard box, the coins were placed between Dad and me on the seat of his old truck.
Each and every time, as we drove to the bank, Dad would look at me hopefully. "Those coins are going to keep you out of the textile mill, son. You're going to do better than me. This old mill town's not going to hold you back."
Also, each and every time, as he slid the box of rolled coins across the counter at the bank toward the cashier, he would grin proudly. "These are for my son's college fund. He'll never work at the mill all his life like me."
We would always celebrate each deposit by stopping for an ice cream cone. I always got chocolate. Dad always got vanilla. When the clerk at the ice cream parlor handed Dad his change, he would show me the few coins nestled in his palm. "When we get home, we'll start filling the jar again." He always let me drop the first coins into the empty jar. As they rattled around with a brief, happy jingle, we grinned at each other. "You'll get to college on pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters," he said. "But you'll get there. I'll see to that."
The years passed, and I finished college and took a job in another town. Once, while visiting my parents, I used the phone in their bedroom, and noticed that the pickle jar was gone. It had served its purpose and had been removed.
A lump rose in my throat as I stared at the spot beside the dresser where the jar had always stood. My dad was a man of few words, and never lectured me on the values of determination, perseverance, and faith. The pickle jar had taught me all these virtues far more eloquently than the most flowery of words could have done. When I married, I told my wife Susan about the significant part the lowly pickle jar had played in my life as a boy. In my mind, it defined, more than anything else, how much my dad had loved me.
No matter how rough things got at home, Dad continued to doggedly drop his coins into the jar. Even the summer when Dad got laid off from the mill, and Mama had to serve dried beans several times a week, not a single dime was taken from the jar. To the contrary, as Dad looked across the table at me, pouring catsup over my beans to make them more palatable, he became more determined than ever to make a way out for me. "When you finish college, Son," he told me, his eyes glistening, "You'll never have to eat beans again...unless you want to."
The first Christmas after our daughter Jessica was born, we spent the holiday with my parents. After dinner, Mom and Dad sat next to each other on the sofa, taking turns cuddling their first grandchild. Jessica began to whimper softly, and Susan took her from Dad's arms. "She probably needs to be changed," she said, carrying the baby into my parents' bedroom to diaper her. When Susan came back into the living room, there was a strange mist in her eyes.
She handed Jessica back to Dad before taking my hand and leading me into the room. "Look," she said softly, her eyes directing me to a spot on the floor beside the dresser. To my amazement, there, as if it had never been removed, stood the old pickle jar, the bottom already covered with coins.

 I walked over to the pickle jar, dug down into my pocket, and pulled out a fistful of coins.

With a gamut of emotions choking me, I dropped the coins into the jar. I looked up and saw that Dad, carrying Jessica, had slipped quietly into the room. Our eyes locked, and I knew he was feeling the same emotions I felt. Neither one of us could speak.
This truly touched my heart... I know it has yours as well. Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget to count our blessings. Never underestimate the power of your actions.

With one small gesture you can change a person's life, for better or for worse.
God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way.  Look for God in others.
 

The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or touched -

They must be felt with the heart ~ Helen Keller
Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.

"When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting I'm clean living"
I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say..."I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need CHRIST to be my glide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need HIS strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches, So I call upon His name.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow.
Share this with somebody who already has this understanding, as
reinforcement. But more importantly, share this with those who do not
have a clear understanding of what it means to be a Christian, so that
the myth that Christians think they are "perfect" or "better than
others" can be dispelled.

I thought you might like to learn a little about Texans...lol
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - TEXAS STYLE
People in Texas have trouble with all those shalls and shall nots in the 10
Commandments. Folks just aren't used to talking in those terms. So, some
folks out in west Texas got together and translated
the "King James" into "King Ranch" language: Ten Commandments, Cowboy Style.
  I sure can't think that here in America it wouldn't hurt to post these
anywhere ? even in a courthouse!
Cowboy's Ten Commandments posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in
Fairlie, Texas.
(1) Just one God.
(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa.
(3) No telling tales or gossipin'.
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meeting.
(5) Put nothin' before God.
(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.
(7) No killin'.
(8) Watch yer mouth.
(9) Don't take what ain't yers.
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff.
Now that's kinda plain an' simple don't ya think?
Y'all have a good Day.
 

***Psalm 59:16 - "But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will
sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble."
NIV

Dear Lord, I come to you tonight,
My heart's so sad and blue,
I need someone to talk to Lord,
I need to talk to you.
There's so much in my life right now,
I sometimes feel alone,
The problems that I'm facing now,
You said, you'd make your own.
Your know my heart, you feel my pain,
That's why I look towards You.
It's just that I don't understand,
These things I'm going through.
It seems that when I help someone,
It blows up in my face,
I sometimes feel that "you don't care",
What's happening in this place.
Why is it I don't feel your love
Or your amazing grace.
I need to feel your presence, Lord,
To know that you are mine,
I just can't go by "feelings" Lord,
I need you all the time.
I know your word is true_but Lord,
I need to feel your touch,
My heart is searching for you Lord,
I love you, oh so much.
I know you died upon that cross,
To take my sin and shame,
I guess you haven't turned away
That I'm the one to blame.
But do you think that you could reach,
Down from your throne above
And reassure me that you care,
And I still have your love.
You know that I'm just human, Lord,
Just made of simple dust,
And I can't handle things alone,
I need to feel Your touch.
I need to know that, though I fall,
You'll pick me up again
And help me through these problems, Lord
By holding to my hand.
So "Dry Away My Teardops" Lord,
I know not what to do,
But this I know, When I need help
I can always "count on You"!
 

Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together.
For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily,
consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your footprints are a
disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds,
circles, departures, and returns. For much of the way, it seems
to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line
with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently.
You and Jesus are walking as true friends!
This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your
footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now
walking precisely in His steps.
Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one.

This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints  inside the large
footprints seem to grow larger. Eventually they disappear altogether.
There is only one set of footprints they have become one.

This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back.

 This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all
over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of
prints. You are amazed and shocked.

Your dream ends. Now you pray:

"Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was
a new Christian; I was just learning.  But You walked on through the
storm and helped me learn to walk with You."

"That ! is correct."
"And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was
actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very
closely."

"Very good. You have understood everything so far."

When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose
that I was becoming like You in every way."

"Precisely."

"So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints
separated, and this time it was
worse than at first."

There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice.
"You didn't know?  It was then that we danced!"

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under
heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, A time to mourn, and a
time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:1,4.

Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through e-mail and they
spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the
Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny isn't it? Are you laughing?
Are you thinking? Spread the Word and give thanks to the Lord for He is
good!

Funny isn't it, when you go to forward this message, how many on
your list are not receiving it because you're not sure they
believe in anything?

...Sad.

It's not WHAT you have in your life, but Whom you have in your
life that counts.... Think about that.

I ASKED GOD
I asked for a flower,
He gave me a
garden.
I asked for a tree,
He gave me a forest.
I asked for ! a river,
He gave me an ocean.
I asked for a friend,
He gave me "YOU."

"For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the
land of the righteous, so that the righteous will not put
forth their hands to do wrong." --Psalm 125:3
 

I want to send words of encouragement out as my weekly devotional. I know losing a loved one is rough or surviving a terrible disease but when we feel alone God is there for us. He will never leave us. Even when we feel alone God is there. I hope you find encouragement in this. God Bless You. Sherry

You may be down and feel like God has somehow forgotten.
That you are faced with circumstances you can't get through.
Right now it seems there's no way out, and you're going under.
But God's proven time and time again, He'll take care of you.

He'll do it again, He'll do it again.
If you just take a look at where you are and where you've been.
Hasn't he always come through for you, He's the same now as then.
You may not know how, you may not know when, He'll do it again.

God knows the things you're going through, and He knows how you're hurting.
You see He knows just how your heart has been broken in two.
But He's the God of the stars, the sun and the seas and He is your Father.
And He'll calm your storm, and He'll find some way to fix this for you.

He's still God and He will not fail you.
He's still God, and He will not change. 
He's still God, and He's fighting for you.
Just like Moses, just like Daniel
Just like Shadrach and Meschach, Abendnego.

I know I'm late getting this out but I've been busy trying to encourage several who are down.
I know I usually give a scripture or a poem but this time I feel like we all need a laugh so I hope you enjoy this
(you gotta love what goes through a child's mind)

A pastor was speaking to a group of second-graders about the resurrection of Jesus when one student asked,

 "What did Jesus say right after He came out of  the grave?"

The pastor explained that the Gospels do not tell us what He said.

The hand of one little girl shot up. "I bet I know what He said! He probably said, "TAH DAH!'"

TEN THINGS GOD WON'T ASK

    1...God won't ask what kind of  car you drove, He'll ask how
many people you drove who didn't have  transportation.

    2...God won't ask the square footage of your house,  He'll ask
how many people you welcomed into your home.

    3...God  won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet,
He'll ask how many you  helped to clothe.

    4...God won't ask what your highest salary was, He'll  ask if
you compromised your character to obtain it.

    5...God won't  ask what your job title was, He'll ask if you
performed your job to the best  of your ability.

    6...God won't ask how many friends you had, He'll ask  how many
people to whom you were a friend.

    7...God won't ask in  what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how
you treated your neighbors.

    8...God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about
the content of your character.

    9...God won't ask why it took you so long  to seek Salvation,
He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and  not to the gates of Hell.

 

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:16 & John 3:34 )

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I don't have enough faith"
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith
(Romans 12:3)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

 

The Scoundrel can't stand your submission to God.

Therefore submit to God, Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
James 4:7
 

The Snake can't beat even though he bites.

And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.

Genesis 3:15
 

$20 Bill
A well-known speaker started off  his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill. Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this  $20 to one of you but first, let me do this. He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then asked, "Who still wants  it?" Still the hands were up in the air.
Well, he replied, "What if I do  this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind  it into the floor with his shoe.
He picked it up, now crumpled and  dirty.
"Now, who still wants it? "Still the hands went into the  air.

My friends, we have all learned a  very valuable lesson.
No matter what I did to the money, you still  wanted it
because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth  $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped,  crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are  worthless.
But no matter what has happened or what will happen,  you will never lose your value.
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely  creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.
The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know,
but by WHO WE  ARE.
You are special - Don't EVER  forget it."
If you do not pass this on, you  may never know the lives it touches, the hurting hearts it speaks  to, or the hope that it can bring. Count your blessings,  not your problems.
And remember: amateurs built the  ark ..professionals built the Titanic.
      If God brings you to it -  He will bring you through it.

The fiend can't be your friend.

For what fellowship was righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

II Corinthians 6:14

The Arsonist can't beat the heat.


The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are.
Revelation 20:10

When the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future.
 

The discourager can't keep you depressed.
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.
Psalm 42:11

The Dethroned can't be in charge.

For the kingdom is the Lord's, And He rules over the nations.  Psalms 22:28

       Things to think about

> 1. Give God what's right -- not what's left.
2. Man's way leads to a hopeless end -- God's way leads to an endless hope.
3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
 4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.
 5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma--but never let him be the period.
 6. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.
7. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a face-lift.
 8. When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty.
 9. Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church.
10. We don't change God's message -- His message changes us. 
 11. The church is prayer-conditioned.
 12. When God ordains, He sustains.
  13. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning. 
 14. Plan ahead -- It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark. 
 15. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.
  16. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.
 17. Exercise daily -- walk with the Lord.
 18. Never give the devil a ride -- he will always want to drive.
19. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.
20. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.
 21. He who angers you controls you.
 22. Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.
 23. Give Satan an inch & he'll be a ruler.
24. Be ye fishers of men -- you catch them & He'll clean them.
 25. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called...
 26. Read the Bible -- It will scare the devil out of you

God will never leave you or fail you
What kinds of blessings does God send our way?
For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you."
Hebrews 13:5

One of the most fearful concepts in life is the utter termination of a cherished relationship. Whether we call it abandoning, forsaking, giving up on us, or divorce, the portrait is a sharp line drawn in a relationship�a line that quickly becomes a great gulf between the two persons, putting them out of reach of one another. And one of the greatest consequences of being abandoned is that it threatens our feeling of self-worth. "I was worthless, so I was abandoned. I had something wrong with me, so no one wanted me." How comforting to know that God will never abandon anyone who loves him.
Shared by Sherry from God's Daily Promises

                                                This  week's promise: Hope gives us courage
                                                  What can I do when things seem hopeless?
 Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the LORD . . . 1 Samuel 1:1-28
In the midst of Hannah's hopelessness, she prayed to God, knowing that if any hope was to be found, it would be found in him.

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