Sat, 11 May 2024 01:30:37 -0700WeeblyFri, 18 Jul 2014 20:10:49 GMThttp://teresabrown.org/blog/july-18th-2014For those of you struggling to make sense out of what's happening (or not happening) in your personal world, this is for you:

"Trusting even when it appears you have been forsaken; 
Praying when it seems your words are simply entering a vast expanse where no one hears and no voice answers; 
Believing that God's love is complete and that He is aware of your circumstances, even when your world seems to grind on as if setting its own direction and not caring for life or moving one inch in response to your petitions; 
Desiring only what God's hands have planned for you; 
Waiting patiently while seemingly starving to death, with your only fear being that your faith might fail - 
"This is the victory that has overcome the world";
This is genuine faith indeed." 

-George MacDonald
]]>Wed, 16 Jul 2014 20:11:46 GMThttp://teresabrown.org/blog/july-16th-2014On a recent stroll down the beach I noticed that most of my fellow beach bums were not looking at the majestic ocean but down at the sand for some treasure washed in from the sea.

So in the spirit of beach 'bummery', I lowered my head and began my quest for something beautiful from the deep. But try as I may, I only saw broken shells. So I picked up one of those shells and wrote in the sand, 'JESUS SAVES.' A little farther down the beach I stooped and wrote 'NEED HELP? TRY GOD!' As far as I walked I left a written treasure of hope for those coming behind me. And I did it using seemingly useless, broken shells. 

Some of you may think God is finished with you because you have picked up a few cracks along the way. You believe you've been cast aside because you have been hit by one too many waves and you have lost some of your luster. Well, excuse me! GOD AIN'T LIKE THAT! In fact He is searching for broken shells who will take what's left and write 'LOOK UP!' across the sands of this world. 

That's how this old, chipped, and broken shell is spending her day. Spreading hope with what's left. JOIN ME! There is still plenty of sand.
]]>Wed, 25 Jun 2014 20:12:46 GMThttp://teresabrown.org/blog/june-25th-2014I was asked to repeat something I shared in my 'Sunday Morning Bible Study' with you. (Rom 8:16-17)

We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ . . .
Our Father will never forsake us, mislead us, forget us.
When we fall, He lifts us up.
When we fail, He forgives us.
When we are afraid, He comforts us.
When we are hurt, He heals us.
When we are broken, He mends us.
When we can't see the way, He leads us.
When we are hungry, He feeds us.
When we face trials, He protects us.
When we face persecution, He shields us.
When we face loss, He provides for us.
When we face death, He carries us home.

We are daughters of the eternal King, made in His image and saved by His grace. Absolutely nothig can touch our lives without His permission. And He is continually busy working all things out for our good.
]]>Sat, 21 Jun 2014 20:13:41 GMThttp://teresabrown.org/blog/june-21st-2014Recently I stood in the pitch black darkness of a church which had been boarded up and closed down for years. A group of us stood in a circle praying with a single flashlight between us. 

Someone suggested we conserve the battery and turn the flashlight off while we prayed. That left us standing in complete darkness, which made me uncomfortable because of the possibility of spiders and mice. 

So, I bowed my head but kept my eyes open. To my surprise, flooding through the dusty stained glass was the light of a brilliant full moon. The electricity in that room had been turned off long ago by the actions of godless men, but darkness could not diminish the power of God's own light in that holy place.

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world . . . Let your light shine," Matt 5:14-16. Remember, A light, no matter how small, shines brightest in darkness.
]]>Tue, 17 Jun 2014 20:15:14 GMThttp://teresabrown.org/blog/june-17th-2014One Young Girl Writes: "My dad says I am enormously gorgeous. 
I wonder if I really am?"

"Sarah says you need to have beautiful long, curly hair. I don't!
Justin says you must have perfectly straight, white teeth. I don't!
Jessica says you can't have freckles. I do!
Mark says you have to be the smartest. I'm not!
Stephen says you have to tell the funniest jokes. I don't!
Lauren says you must live in the nicest neighborhood. I don't!
Matthew says you must wear the coolest clothes. I can't!"

"But every night at bedtime my dad gives me a big hug and says, 'You are enormously gorgeous, and I love you.' "
"My dad must know something my friends don't"

"You were skillfully wrought ... Fearfully and Wonderfully made, Shaped and formed in your mother's womb," Psalm 139.
By your Father's hands. The very hands of God!

YES! You are Enormously Gorgeous!
]]>Fri, 13 Jun 2014 21:49:27 GMThttp://teresabrown.org/blog/june-13th-2014Miriam Goldstein was an art student who wrapped her entire body in plaster, waited for it to dry, and then removed the plaster to reveal a perfect mould of her own body. When she looked at the mould her fears were confirmed. She thought it looked more like a sea creature stranded by the tide than a human body. 

But while staring at that plaster cast something finally fell into place. All her lifeshe had thought that beauty was defined by the culture she lived in or the people who surrounded her. But in that instant she realized that the mould, separate from the person she really was, was just a lifeless, useless, empty shell. 

Beloved, when God looks at you what do you think he sees? That mould that others see and identify you by? Does God focus on that lifeless, useless shell? 

No! Your Heavenly Father, looks way deeper than that. He looks at the real you, apart from all the glitz and glitter we gals wrap ourselves in to try to gain the approval of others. He sees His beloved, beautiful daughter. He is speaking to you right now. Listen! "You are precious in my sight, you are honored and I love you." Isaiah 43:4.
]]>Tue, 03 Jun 2014 21:50:34 GMThttp://teresabrown.org/blog/june-03rd-2014Another 'SHARE' from Sunday Morning. Be blessed!

I pray that the 'life journey' you are on is filled with hope. I pray that 'no one' or 'no thing' is able to weaken, steal or destroy your hope for it is an essential, priceless commodity which sustains every Believer. Hope allows us to reach for what we cannot see and believe in what we have not yet attained. It is given by God and it is based on our confidence in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Hebrews 6:19, assures us, "The hope we have - is an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast."

Romans 5:5, says, "Hope does not disappoint." It points us to One greater than ourselves. One Who can do things beyond our limited capabilities. It is impossible to live an abundant Christian life, filled with joy and devoid of fear, unless we have hope. Therefore, "We . . . have strong encouragemnet to seize the hope set before us," Hebrews 6:18.
]]>Mon, 02 Jun 2014 21:51:15 GMThttp://teresabrown.org/blog/june-02nd-2014This week I'll be sharing with you some excerpts from my Bible Study on Sunday. Be blessed!

As a girl I was traveling in the car with my family one very rainy, spring night. We were headed to Damascus, Va., a short, three mile trip from our home in Sutherland, Tennessee. When we started back we noticed the creek that ran parallel to the road we were on had swollen and was spilling over its banks. A flash flood now covered the main highway and blocked our only way home. With no time to turn around we were swept into the swirling water. 

I was so scared I could hardly breathe. But unlike me, my dad remained calm. "Don't be afraid," he kept saying. "I've traveled this road many times before. I know where I'm going and I know what I'm doing."

On that dark, fearful night I was sure of only one thing. My father was trustworthy. He had never failed me before. So I kept my eyes on my dad rather than the muddy water right outside my window. And true to his word, he got us all home safely.

Your Heavenly Father is with you on whatever road you are traveling today. Trust Him to get you to your destination safely. "Do not fear, for I AM with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I AM your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand," Isaiah 41;10.
]]>Tue, 13 May 2014 21:52:08 GMThttp://teresabrown.org/blog/may-13th-2014I have several speaking engagements this spring. In fact one, this Thursday night, May 15, at West Monroe Baptist Church.

Each time I begin to prepare a message I am required to pray and wait on God for inspiration. I confess, I have tried to take shortcuts. Tried jotting down my own clever thoughts rather than waiting for God's fruit to ripen in my mind. But He won't permit it. He is particular with what I say in His name. I've learned, the hidden manna of His message only comes after an undetermined period of waiting.

In reality, most Christians are annoyed when God says, "Wait." We want quick fixes, easy answers, and solutions to our problems 'right now.' But God isn't interested in you or me 'moving on' until He has finished what He is trying to accomplish in our lives during the 'wait.' To abort the wait is to give birth to weak and 'Spiritless' lives and insure failure in whatever ministry we attempt. In God's Kingdom the 'hidden' wait always comes before the 'public' work. 

"Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart," Psalm 27:14.
]]>Sat, 19 Apr 2014 21:52:54 GMThttp://teresabrown.org/blog/april-19th-2014You're tired . . . aren't you? Overwhelmed by the exhausting, never-ending, 'day-in-day-out' routine of your life? And at night weariness shares your pilow and robs you of much needed sleep, while your mind tries to work out tomorrow's agenda. But Proverbs 3:5, says, if you are leaning on your own wisdom, you'll never get off this debilitating treadmill. 

Beloved, "Lean on God." Sit at His feet and rest your weakness against His strength. Don't say anything! 'Leaning' speaks louder than words. Don't offer Him clever prayer clich'es with "God is good . . . God is great," beginnings, and "Now I lay me down to sleep," endings. Spend your time 'leaning'. Cling to the hem of His garment and let that be your security blanket tonight. Just lean! Nothing more. "What a fellowship. What a joy divine. Leaning on The Everlasting Arms."

Have a blessed Easter! If you don't have a place to 'lean' on a regular basis, come sit by me at McKee Road Baptist Church. I'll save you a seat and we'll be "Learning To Lean," together.
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