LORD USE US FOR YOUR GLORY!
Dear Friends,
We often ask God to use us for His glory. He created us in His image and has given us a plan and purpose for our lives. We realize that He used a donkey to talk in the Book of Numbers, Chapter 22; He used an ax head to float in the Book of 2nd Kings, Chapter 6; A cock to crow in the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. He used numerous of people and things in the Bible for His glory!
The Prophet Ezekiel sticks out in my mind. God used Him to do, "Strange Things" in the Book of Ezekiel, Chapter 4.
God has used me to do, "Strange, yet beautiful things." One thing that He uses me to do is, Twirl in a circle in my church, at times. I've notice this happens when I am going through trials and tribulations that seems difficult to bear.
God will use us only if we want to be used by Him. We must seek His guidance through fasting and praying. It is imperative that we Study His Word because He speaks to us in His Word.
The Prayer: Father, we come to the Throne of Grace, thanking You for wisdom and knowledge as we seek Your face to take us to, "Higher Heights and Deeper Depths." We realize we can do nothing on our own because all of our help comes from You. Thank You Lord for Your goodness and mercy. Please keep us in Your Perfect Will. We believe by faith that is done and it is so. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen
Love you,
JoAnne Smith Hooks
www.joannesmithhooks.com
Dear Heavenly Father,
As we come to the Throne of Grace seeking Your Face for answers in our lives. We realize there is no other way we can survive without your guidance and strength. As we pray Your Word and only Your Word, we are asking You to deliver us from the snares of this world? We see Your Legacy that You left for the world to abide by through a simple prayer in Matthew 6:9-13, which says:
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.” Amen.
You showed us how precious we are through the eyes of King David in Psalms 23 by saying: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
You told us to be careful of our words in Proverbs 6:2, which says, “Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.”
Father, we see how You led us to 1Peter 2:9 which says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light”:
We are so grateful what Jesus shared with us in John 14:6 by saying, “I Am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Yet, in Psalms 121, You are telling us when we are down there is something we should do and that is to, “Lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”
For we realize, that if sickness should come upon us, we know we can always trust Isaiah 53:5 which tells us, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
You know why, Father? Because You promised us in Hebrews 13:5 that, “You would never leave us, nor forsake us.”
Therefore, we honor what You told us in Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”
Father, You gave us the assurance in Hebrews 11:1 when you said, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
And we know without a doubt that 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”
Father, in Closing: As we refer back to when we were sinners, we remember quoting; Roman 10: 9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Heavenly Father, we as a people are coming in agreement thanking you in advance for Your Mighty Miracle Working Power because we trust in Your Word and we believe by faith that it is done and it is so.
In Jesus name, we pray……Amen
Love you,
JoAnne Smith Hooks
www.joannesmithhooks.com
I have a great concern for our young people when it comes to Etiquette. So many have not been taught the importance of Etiquette.
Some may not even be aware that Etiquette exists.
Do we blame this on the Fast Food places or a lack of teaching in our homes? Have we thrown Etiquette out the door? In some restaurants, they refuse to place a knife or spoon on the table and you must request a glass of water. Who does that? What happened to the good ol’ rules of Etiquette?
Place your Napkin on your Lap when you sit at the Table:
Know your Napkin Etiquette — (From: The Daily Meal Entertainment.com site)
Do you think our young people know if they sit at a table, that their napkin is the one on the left? Be sure to put your napkin on your lap as soon as everyone is seated, and know if you need to get up in the midst of the meal to go to the bathroom that you should leave your napkin on your chair.
In Closing: What happened when people were kind with each other and knew how to talk on the phone? What happened to speaking to one in the passing by saying good morning or just a simple, hello would be sufficient? It is imperative to know some basic Rules of Etiquette. Some of these old-school rules of Etiquette really need to come back. Do you agree?
Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on this matter? It would be great if someone would establish a School of Etiquette in each city. Help us Holy Ghost?
Love you,
Mother JoAnne Hooks
www.joannesmithhooks.com
Parents need to talk about their family values and why these particular things are important to their family.
My mother, Mrs. Willie Mae Smith did exactly what the statement above required her to do.
Her mom, died when she was 8 years old and she was sent to live with an Aunt, which was her mother's sister. She was reared up with her cousins who became her brothers and sisters.
She left home at the age of 17 and lost contact with her family far over 60+ years. She refused to give up the search and finally found her baby sister & younger brother, prior to their death. We too refuse to give up hope looking for our cousins.
This is why I thank God for Facebook because it gave us an opportunity to connect with so many of our cousins. In this picture is only a few of them. My mom had 20 children, my Aunt had 16 children, my great Aunt had 16 to 20 children. Our search has just begun.
My siblings and I (Smiths) are related to the Dillards, Andersons, Carswells, Monroes, Knights, Taltons & Hesters out of Georgia & Florida. My Mother's baby brother, Nathaniel Talton Jr. was taking away when he was 3 years old. It was her desire to find him for many years. I am sure he has children out there some where and we refuse to give up the search. By faith we are believing God we will connect with as many cousins, as possible. We need each other because the value of a family is very important.
God told Adam & Eve in Genesis 1:28 Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:
Please keep us in your prayers as we continue our search.
We love our family!
Love you,
JoAnne Smith Hooks
www.joannesmithhooks.com
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