SOS-A Desperate Call For Help

Psalm 107 The Message 

1 Oh, thank God – he’s so good! His love never runs out. 2 All of you set free by God, tell the world! Tell how he freed you from oppression,3 Then rounded you up from all over the place, from the four winds, from the seven seas. 4 Some of you wandered for years in the desert, looking but not finding a good place to live, 5 Half-starved and parched with thirst, staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion. 6 Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God. He got you out in the nick of time; 7 He put your feet on a wonderful road that took you straight to a good place to live. 8 So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves. 9 He poured great draughts of water down parched throats; the starved and hungry got plenty to eat. 10 Some of you were locked in a dark cell, cruelly confined behind bars, 11 Punished for defying God’s Word, for turning your back on the High God’s counsel – 12 A hard sentence, and your hearts so heavy, and not a soul in sight to help. 13 Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time.14 He led you out of your dark, dark cell, broke open the jail and led you out. 15 So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves; 16 He shattered the heavy jailhouse doors, he snapped the prison bars like matchsticks! 17Some of you were sick because you’d lived a bad life, your bodies feeling the effects of your sin; 18 You couldn’t stand the sight of food, so miserable you thought you’d be better off dead. 19 Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time. 20 He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death. 21 So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves; 22 Offer thanksgiving sacrifices, tell the world what he’s done – sing it out! 23 Some of you set sail in big ships; you put to sea to do business in faraway ports. 24 Out at sea you saw God in action, saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean: 25 With a word he called up the wind – an ocean storm, towering waves!26 You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out; your hearts were stuck in your throats. 27 You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk, you didn’t know which end was up. 28 Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time. 29 He quieted the wind down to a whisper, put a muzzle on all the big waves. 30And you were so glad when the storm died down, and he led you safely back to harbor.31 So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves. 32Lift high your praises when the people assemble, shout Hallelujah when the elders meet! 33 God turned rivers into wasteland, springs of water into sunbaked mud; 34Luscious orchards became alkali flats because of the evil of the people who lived there. 35Then he changed wasteland into fresh pools of water, arid earth into springs of water, 36Brought in the hungry and settled them there; they moved in – what a great place to live! 37They sowed the fields, they planted vineyards, they reaped a bountiful harvest. 38 He blessed them and they prospered greatly; their herds of cattle never decreased. 39 But abuse and evil and trouble declined 40 as he heaped scorn on princes and sent them away. He gave the poor a safe place to live, 41 treated their clans like well-cared-for sheep. 42 Good people see this and are glad; bad people are speechless, stopped in their tracks. 43 If you are really wise, you’ll think this over – it’s time you appreciated God’s deep love.

A Desperate Call
As you can see in this one passage of the scriptures in Psalms that there is no calamity that is too hard for God to breakthrough and help you. You are NOT too far gone to be brought back. 
Prisoners 

Wanderers

Sinners 

Storm-tossed

Sick

Hungry 

Thirsty

Hopeless

Depressed

Gloomy

Rebels

Despisers of God

Fools

Sufferers 

Dying 

Afflicted 

Drunk

Wicked 

Poor 

All these types of people in this particular passage cried out and asked God for help. God heard their desperate call and delivered them. 

Send out your SOS to God to rescue you!! 

Run back to Him. 

Come To The Altar by Elevation 

Jesus is calling…

Come to the Altar 

The Father’s arms are open wide 

Forgiveness was bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ 
Listen in and see that you are not too far from God to be found. Not only does He save you, but He restores what was lost. 

Bonus: He increases your everything!!
His deep love is waiting for you. 

Thankful,

Kelley Allison 

http://www.bowlofsplendor.com 

Hardened To Difficulties

Don’t you just love it when you are reading the Bible and a scripture jumps out at you? 

I ran across this scripture the other day and it blessed me so much, I just have to share it! 

When I read it I thought, “Lord this is what you’ve done with me!”

 The scripture is Isaiah 41:10 (Amp. version)-

 “Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.”

 I can look back on my life and clearly see that God has strengthened and hardened me to difficulties. Every time that something bad has happened to me, I have ALWAYS thought, “I know that someone else is going through something worse.”

I know in my heart that God put that capability in me.

 It doesn’t matter what you may be going through, God wants to help you! He WILL help you IF you let Him. Go to Him, talk to Him like you would talk to your best friend. (He likes that!) 

Just pour your heart out to Him and allow Him to heal you with His love and tender mercies! 

In God’s love,

Tracy Mason 

Real Help

Whatever enemies are tracking you down or have you surrounded and keeping you up at night, be comforted and encouraged that the invisible God is much more real and powerful than any visible enemy.   

Davis had armies of enemies trying to track him down and God was right there shielding him from harm. David was able to sleep and awoke rested tall and steady.  

Real help comes from God.   

Be fearless before the enemy mobs. 
We have no reason to fear.
 He has never lost a battle! 

~ XXOO Michelle Bollom 

God! Look! Enemies past counting! Enemies sprouting like mushrooms, Mobs of them all around me, roaring their mockery: “Hah! No help for him from God!” But you, God, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet, you lift my head high; With all my might I shout up to God, His answers thunder from the holy mountain. I stretch myself out. I sleep. Then I’m up again—rested, tall and steady, Fearless before the enemy mobs Coming at me from all sides. Up, God! My God, help me! Slap their faces, First this cheek, then the other, Your fist hard in their teeth! Real help comes from God. Your blessing clothes your people! ~ Psalm 3:1, 3, 5, 7-8 1-2 MSG  

While On Vacation

I took so much more home with me on this vacation……..

As I see so many people over indulging at an All-Inclusive resort on excessive food and alcohol, I am saddened at the neglected children running around while their parents get trashed. Sadly, I was one of those parents at one time but thankfully now I choose to abstain from all alcohol. Sometime even still though my over indulgences and selfishness can take me away from my family in other areas.  

I hear angry and short-tempered moms and dads nursing hangovers and screaming and cursing at their children. Some in languages I don’t understand but their body language and tones are clearly understood. Sadly, I was one of those parents at one time, and can still be short and not as gracious as I should. 

I witness several entitled and unruly children talking back to their parents, screaming and throwing fits. One little boy around 9 years old was so disrespectful to his mother calling her stupid and telling her to sit down and shut up over and over. I was shocked and speechless. 

I watch and listen to a dad playing ball with his son and notice the smile on his son’s face is not there- it has faded because each time his pitching and catching skills are not up to his dad’s unrealistic standards his dad makes him run sprints on the hot sand and calls him sissy and other derogatory names. The little boy is clearly not having fun, but is struggling for his dad’s acceptance and approval. Sadly, I was a task-master of a mother with unrealistic expectations too at one time. 

I see so many people checked out playing on their phones but sitting right next to their families. Couples sitting in strange uncomfortable silence.  As I celebrate 20 years of marriage this year, I too remember years of strange and uncomfortable silence and am so grateful for a good, solid and loving marriage now. 

At first I was so annoyed by seeing and witnessing all of this. I just wanted to read my book and quietly listen to the waves…I wanted to tune it all out but then I knew God was answering my prayer.  

You see, I had asked God to show me specific people through Divine Encounters that needed Him and If I could be his hands, feet and mouth this week. 

Suddenly, Carlos, the waiter comes up and hands me a water bottle and asks what I want from the bar. I say, nothing right now. He said, it’s not too early for alcohol. You sure?, I then say – I don’t drink alcohol. He asks surprised, you never drank alcohol? I say, oh no I did, I just don’t drink anymore. He asks when? A month? Why? How? He is very interested in the answer.  
I begin to share that I had a problem with alcohol and after having a dream and receiving a word from God I gave it up almost 4 years ago.   
He said, Oh I wish I could! I want to but I can’t, it’s so hard. 
I said- I can pray for you.  
He very excited and anxiously replies – Please!

So right there under a cabana on the beach I reach for Carlos’s hand and pray– 
God, deliver your beloved son from the bondage of alcohol. Give him the strength to resist the temptation. Help and deliver him now. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
With tears filling up in his eyes – he whispers-

Thank You So Much Senorita. 
I replied, Gracias, my pleasure.  

Can you all join me and pray for Carlos and for all the families, the children, the marriages and for any other areas we may find ourselves struggling in. 

Lord – give me your eyes and ears to see and hear. Help me not to be annoyed and quick to judge. Help me instead to remember all the ways you have delivered me, and have my first thought and reaction be to pray for those in bondage to be delivered too. 

~ XXOO Michelle Bollom 

Let Him Reign

  
As most of you probably already know, the Houston area was hit with extreme rain and flooding over the last ten days! It started Sunday evening, April 17th and by Monday morning many homes were flooded and the rain continued to fall and the creeks continued to rise! They are calling it the, “500 Year Flood” as we had record-breaking rainfall in excess of 16 inches in less than 24 hours in Cypress and surrounding areas.

I must say, it was the worst storm I have experienced in my 30 years of living in Texas; even my 26 year old daughter climbed in bed with us, along with our two dogs. It was a night that I will never forget as we watched the lightning continuously illuminate the sky, while the thunder pounded and the wind blew with great fury! Sleep was impossible, as the emergency alerts kept screeching on our cell phones, flash floods were everywhere.

When the rain finally susided late Monday afternoon, there was wide-spread devastation throughout the City. Neighborhoods were under water and so many families lost their homes and most of their belongings. The news showed rescue after rescue of people who were stranded in their homes and cars and that fled to higher ground for safety. Even horses were rescued and had to swim to safety. It was a day that most Houstonians will remember forever. As the creeks continued to rise and more and more homes were flooded it also continued to rain off and on throughout the week. 

I believe there is a moral to every story and this one shows the humanitarian side that always seems to comes out in a crisis. We all love it when people “rise to the occasion” and help one another in difficult times. There is a true spirit of love and respect that emerges when people join together to help their neighbors and people they may not even know in times of need. Some even risk their own life to rescue another from impending danger!  

It is times like this when we all stop and realize just how small and helpless we are and how BIG God is! We call it “Mother Nature”, but in reality it is “Father God”! We are definitley not in control of our circumstances, and it is God’s grace that we are alive and well! He is mighty and will REIGN forever!  

        “You have heard, “love your neighbor and hate your enemy”, but I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteousness.” Matthew 5:43-45

Shine on,
Deb Hicks

BowlofSplendor.com

Help Is On The Way

  

Friendly Tip: If You Need Help, ASK For It! Help Is On The Way!

 
When Lereine was about seven weeks old, I was tired. I was exhausted; and I did not know it was appropriate to ask for help. At this point of mother hood, I was thinking to myself; I cannot operate like this for the rest of my life! Have any of you experienced the same moment? If so, you know exactly how that feels.

 

I knew that I needed something; but I did not understand it was okay to ask for help. I was Lereine’s sole care taker at the time, so I assumed that because she was my baby that I could not ask for help. I thought it would be rude or inappropriate.

 

The same applies in life. GOD gives us our baby and we spend every day trying to nurture it. Sometimes we forget that we need help from him and the village to help us.

 

One lesson that I learned is that if you need help- ASK. I wanted help, I needed help; but I didn’t ASK for it.  

 
GOD knows you need help; but he wants you to ask him. The moment I set aside my pride and started asking for help is the moment my life started changing. I encourage you to get out of your own way and ask for exactly what you want or need. Know this- GOD is here to help you! Your help is on the way.

 

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 41:13 I am the Lord your God; I strengthen you and tell you, Do not be afraid; I will help you.’

Friendly Activity: The week I want to leave you with an uplifting song! When you are feeling discouraged, are afraid to ask, please listen to the lyrics.  

I know you need help at this stage of your life. When GOD gave you your baby, he knew you would need a little help. When you find rest in him, he will be there to help you.

 

May you find rest in him!    

 

Good Night Friend,

 

Lereca Monik 

 

The Promises of God

  
Do you ever find yourself in a moment of doubt toward God? If it makes you feel better, I will go first and say that sometimes, sadly, I do. Some days, I feel like I must wear him out with my neediness in the Help Department. I feel like He must need to put me off because there are millions more worthy requests for help in front of mine. Or, that somehow my disobedience, intentional or not, has encouraged Him to teach me a lesson by making me wait or giving me less than He had originally planned. But I was wrong! In trying to catch up on my Bible reading plan this morning, I found something really life-changing in Romans 11: When it comes to a promise He’s made to us, God cannot, will not, ever find Himself in a position where He looks at you or me and winces and says ‘Oh, sorry! I just couldn’t work that out for you this time.’  

 

For example, right this very minute, God and Abraham are together in Heaven. I can guarantee that God is not having to avoid Abraham or make excuses to him or hedge around on His promise toward Abraham’s descendants, the Jewish people, to bless and redeem them. I know that Abraham is in full worship and adoration of God and is in direct communion and unbroken fellowship with Him. Here’s what Romans 11 says: Yet the Jews are still beloved of God because of His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Sure, the willfulness of the Jewish people plays a part. Both historically and currently, they almost entirely turned away, turned their backs on God. Does this mean God failed in His promise to Abraham? Does this mean that God has rejected His Jewish people forever? Of course not! His purpose was to make His salvation available to the Gentiles, and then the Jews would be jealous and begin to want God’s salvation for themselves. But because they have turned away from Him, God turned and offered salvation to the Gentiles – you and me. He even used their disobedience to pronounce a blessing upon others. As is His nature, He is delaying His judgment as long as possible so that as many as possible can be saved. Yes, it is true that some of the Jews have set themselves against the Gospel now, but this will last only until all of you Gentiles have come to Christ – those of you who will. And then Israel will be saved.  

 

For God’s gifts and His call can never be withdrawn; He will never go back on His promises. Make no mistake here: God does not, cannot lie. He doesn’t make errors in matters of judgment or timing or in His promises to us. He keeps them all! Even the ones we don’t rightly understand from our puny perspective. How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His methods!

 

Look at just how intricately He designed the human body, the design of the stars, galaxies and solar systems, the laws of physics and gravity, the weather and its purpose for sustaining our lives here on earth. Do you think someone Whose very word created and sustains these things is capable of failure in His plan and care of us? Do you think that our problems or the consequences of our sin is too hard or too much for Him to solve? For who among us can know the mind of the Lord? Who knows enough to be His counselor and guide? The One who is creative and merciful enough even to redeem disobedience to save others?  

 

Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are His wisdom and knowledge and riches! Use this wonder at His will and creative redemption to take another look at your own circumstances. How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His methods! Turn your wonder into a sure trust that the God who began this beautiful love story will weave your story in and the way He helped you when you asked, as a testament to His love. Whatever is it you are dealing with today, His promises to you are true. Ask him, once more, for His help.

      ~Debbie Bouckley 

Set Apart

  
I entered the local Feed Store to get food for my pets when I heard all this “chirp chirp” noise in the middle aisles of the building. I got so excited thinking it’s almost spring time and that means new chicks and ducklings are for sale. 

I quickly got what I needed and headed over to the glorious sound of the baby chicks. 

Immediately, I noticed one chick all by itself and separated from the others in a huge container. I asked the feed store worker why she was all alone. He said she must have hurt her foot on the move to the feed store. My heart sank as I looked closely at her back right leg dragging behind her as she attempted to move forward. I thought immediately: I have to pray for a miracle for her leg and foot to stand up right and have no more pain!! 

So I did!! 

Some things are not to be shared with everyone to hear out loud. I prayed in my head with intense focus, looking at her back leg! Right after I prayed I watched to see if the little yellow chick jumped up and started running around flapping its tiny wings in a happy healing dance. 

No such luck. She was exactly the same dragging her leg behind her looking lonelier than ever. My next step was to ask to pick her up and seal the deal. 

Just then I hear this lady who was across from the chick pens say, “I will take that hurt chick over there!”. I interrupted her and the attendant, asking, “What are you going to do with her she has a hurt foot?”. “Oh, she will be fine. I will take care of her.” The lady smiled saying, “She will be raised to lay eggs and maybe I will sell her to lay eggs for someone else.”

I wanted to go hug her. But I stopped myself. I have to go back there every month to get food for my animals. 
“Yeah!!! You are her answer to prayer. I just prayed God would take care of her and now you are taking care of her!!” I shouted back to her!! I didn’t mention my inner chick prayer that included a miraculous healed leg with a spontaneous jump for joy flap. 

I drove home and thanked God that He sent this lady to help take care of the hurt chick. I immediately started thinking how this lady would not have even noticed this chick if it wasn’t separated and struggling with a hurt leg. 
Because the chick was “set apart”, she was chosen by the lady specifically to help the chick heal and be given extra care and love. 

I felt God speaking to my heart. 

He whispered to me. 
Kelley, when you think you are all alone and hurting separated all by yourself. 

You are not. I am actually drawing you closer to Me. I don’t make bad things happen. I am immediately there when the trials come. I will pick you up and care for you. Feed you and help you get back on your feet. 

Sometimes miracles can happen suddenly and sometimes they are a perfected process happening in my safe hands of love and attention. 

We are set apart at times so that we can easily be seen by others to help and God in the process of healing. We are strategically identified as one who needs a little extra TLC by our loving Creator and those who are called by Him to be His helpers. 

We are stronger together!

Set apart, 

Kelley Allison

http://www.bowlofsplendor.com

Everything’s Alright

  

How long have I been in this storm?

So overwhelmed by the ocean’s shapeless form

Water’s getting harder to tread

With these waves crashing over my head
If I could just see you

Everything would be all right

If I’d see you

This darkness would turn to light
And I will walk on water

And you will catch me if I fall

And I will get lost into your eyes

I know everything will be alright

I know everything is alright
I know you didn’t bring me out here to drown

So why am I ten feet under and upside down

Barely surviving has become my purpose

Because I’m so used to living underneath the surface
If I could just see you

Everything would be all right

If I’d see you

This darkness would turn to light
And I will walk on water

And you will catch me if I fall

And I will get lost into your eyes

And I know everything will be alright
And I will walk on water

And you will catch me if I fall

And I will get lost into your eyes

Lyrics to Storm-by Lifehouse 
Do you feel 10 feet under and upside down?  

Sometimes do you just wish you could have Jesus with skin on or in the very least catch a small glimpse of Him and see how He is working all things out?

Don’t let barely surviving become your purpose.   Stop living just under the surface. He didn’t bring you this far to drown. 

It will ALL be alright. 

Everything’s Alright 

           ~XXOO Michelle Bollom

Watch this weeks SongSunday by Lifehouse here:

Strong Shoulders

  

You carry my weakness, my sickness, my brokenness all on Your shoulders
Your shoulders
My help comes from You

You are my rest, my rescue

I don’t have to see to believe that You’re lifting me up on Your shoulders
Your shoulders

Listen here to this weeks SongSunday 

“Shoulders” by King & Country 
When confusion’s my companion

And despair holds me for ransom

I will feel no fear

I know that You are near
When I’m caught deep in the valley

With chaos for my company

I’ll find my comfort here

‘Cause I know that You are near
[Chorus:]

My help comes from You

You’re right here, pulling me through

You carry my weakness, my sickness, my brokenness all on Your shoulders

Your shoulders

My help comes from You

You are my rest, my rescue

I don’t have to see to believe that You’re lifting me up on Your shoulders

Your shoulders
You mend what once was shattered

And You turn my tears to laughter

Your forgiveness is my fortress

Oh Your mercy is relentless
[Chorus]
My help is from You

Don’t have to see it to believe it

My help is from you

Don’t have to see it, ‘cause I know, ‘cause I know it’s true
[Chorus]
My help is from You

Don’t have to see it to believe it

My help is from you

Don’t have to see it, ‘cause I know, ‘cause I know it’s true

                     ~XXOO Michelle Bollom