Writing and Art From A Life Redeemed by Jesus Christ

 Hear and Obey © 2011 Debbie Turner Chavers  I recently saw an advertisement on TBN for a microfilm bible.  The entire bible! It had to be viewed with a microscope.  This caused me to think about my own life and testimony. My daily life and choices.  Have I reduced the bible and its implications to a microscope size?  How hard do others have to look to find Christ in me?  I want God to live large in my life.  To hear as He hears, to be moved by what moves Him.  Are we listening? Has disobedience stuffed our ears?  When I was young, people would say "Take the cotton out of your ears." Cotton in this case would represent willful disobedience.  You put it there, you remove it.  Open your ears to receive God's good word for you. The hearing ear is a gift from God. Proverbs 20:12   The hearing ear , and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them. Matthew 11:15   He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. ...

Lately, I have been listening to the preaching of Joseph Prince.  His ministry sends daily devotional encouragements.  I like to encourage others in their life and their walk with God.  So one of the things I do in my own life is to seek encouragement from God, His word, and the encouragement given by others in these areas.  I really like how Joseph broke apart the different designations of gifting in today's encouragement. I am enclosing a link below to read it for yourself. This particular encouragement reminded me of Psalm 139.  For indeed God has designed each of us in particular.  There is no detail about us that was overlooked.  For we are fearfully and wonderfully made.  God fashioned each of us as His wondrous masterpiece.  I pray that we will see ourselves as His masterpiece and reflect His bestowed goodness toward one another.  Today, lift up your eyes and look unto Him, He is well able to meet your every need.  You ...

Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. People like to say, “I can forgive, but I cannot forget.” Have you heard that before? Now, in the first place, nowhere in the Bible does God tell you to forgive and then to forget. It is not in the Bible! The devil is adding something here to make the whole thing burdensome. God only tells us to forgive because God in Christ has forgiven us a debt we cannot pay. When we do this, we do ourselves a favor because harboring bitterness and unforgiveness can sometimes destroy our health! So just forgive and let God take care of the rest. When you really forgive, sometimes, He makes you forget. But sometimes, you still remember the incident because it was a major thing in your life. Yet, when you look back at it, the pain is no more there. The sting is gone and you are not bitter. Joseph had forgiven his brothers before they came and bowed before him. He remembered wh...

 Choices ©1999  Debbie Turner Chavers  Last month I realized that part of the reason I retreat from some situations is a refusal to take on someone else's "burden of disobedience". When you know that another has the knowledge and the ability to do God's word, yet refuses to obey, it is a burden. Their refusal and poor lifestyle becomes a burden to you if you allow yourself to be sucked into a whirl wind of rebellion. This is a choice. Yours and theirs. God has enabled us to make the right choice in all instances. Rebellion causes people to be miserable and blame others for their choices. Do not become a victim of their choice or their sin. We are to lift up the name of Jesus by our fruit. By confessing His word, by lending physical help when needed and prayerful help always. Yet, the wicked one is never satisfied with_______ (you can fill in that blank). Do not allow the choice of someone else to serve the devil make you a victim with them. Be Led by...

 Because No Man Is An Island copyright © 1997 Debbie Turner Chavers You can have your own way, always , when you are alone. There is always a cost. Are you willing to pay? Most things seem shiny and new when we first receive them. But humans overall quickly tire of newness. For after all there really is nothing new under the sun. The relationship,the job, the car, the house, the children...all things eventually equal work. Day in day out... work . Life is a continual adjustment to the other people and things in your life. This is not necessary if you are alone. Alone,you can have just what you want...no consideration of another persons feelings, needs,or wants. ALONE. Do you want to be alone? Every path has a destination. Are you headed in a right direction? Wrong direction? Your direction? Do you need to change course? Start over?   You alone make the decision that charts the course for your life. Simply and profoundly God loves you. ...

Daily I meet people who are at a cross road in life. A cross road. The place where two paths intersect at a given point. At the corner of my world I linger, looking for direction At times I give direction To those I meet Sometimes We meet briefly. Nod politely. At times we speak. t And cross. Sometimes walking on the same path. At times headed in a different direction. ~Debbie         © 2011 Debbie Turner Chavers All writing, poetry, posts, art, and photography, copyright © 2011 Debbie Turner Chavers. Protected by US and International copyright laws. All Rights Reserved.Scripture references taken from the King James bible. Would you like to see what I am currently painting? Click on these links http://artparables.com/ or http://debbieturnerchavers.com/

Based on the BEATITUDES by Rick Warren 1. Realize I’m not God; I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable. "Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor.” Matthew 5:3 2. Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover. "Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 3. Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control. "Happy are the meek.” Matthew 5:5 4. Openly examine and confess my faults to God, to myself and to another person whom I trust. "Happy are the pure in heart.” Matthew 5:8 5. Voluntarily submit to any and all changes God wants to make in my life. "Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires.” Matthew 5:6 6. Evaluate all my relationships, offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others when possible, except when ...

This small book covers such a big issue.  Scripture says that our tongue can be a blessing or create a world of trouble, so this was a needed read for me. I enjoyed the presentation of scripture and a chapter for each day dealing with a different aspect of speaking...or not speaking. There are 30 readings for 30 days.  Good common sense in the area of taming the tongue can be beneficial to anyone who wants to improve their relationships. There are checklists to go over in the back of the book for the continued discipline of taming your tongue.  There is an additional work book available also. James 1:26   If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue , but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain. James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member , and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! ~Debbie All writing, poetry, posts, art,and photography, copyright © 2011 Debbie Turner C...

 Marriage  This picture reminded me of marriage.  Two individuals united under His care, a couple sheltered under God's wings. Marriage.  Consider the verses below. Psalm 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler.   John 2:2   And both Jesus was called , and his disciples, to the marriage. Jesus did His first public miracle at a wedding.  He was invited, He was called to be there.  Have you invited Jesus to your marriage?   The Lord cares about your marriage.  He does all things well.  It is a very wise thing to call Jesus to your marriage .  The first step to the marriage miracle was...He was invited, and His instructions were followed fully. John 2:5   His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do [it ]. How wonderfully simple.  God says it .. we do it. ~Debbie *Book revie...

My Sin is Prettier than your Sin.  Can you see the absurdity of this statement? I did. Read John chapter 8 and consider.  Drop your stones. What is Jesus writing? "My sin is prettier than your sin". This sentence was given to me as I lay upon my bed the other night. I was trying to pray, yet I kept thinking of the flood of information, that had been delivered by several people to me over a period of days. I sorted through the different emotions that were trying to gain ground in my thought process. "Nothing doing", I thought.  We are called to have the mind of Christ. That settles it, I will have the mind of Christ. I was being asked to consider how I view someone else's sin versus my sins. I am asking you, encouraging you to do the same. Have you ever considered how easy it is to think self righteously about your sin versus the sin of others? Daily we are given an opportunity to view others and ourselves through the Word of God. On a personal level...

The beauty of communion.  I do not like pictures of a suffering Christ, yet I find great comfort in partaking in the Lord's Supper. I celebrate His victory, His obedience, that bought our freedom from sin and death. Matthew 26:28     For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins . The shedding of His blood bought you and I the beauty of salvation. Jesus has invited us to accept his offer of salvation and afterwards to remember his gift to us through the taking of Communion. We have been entrusted with the privilege of eating with the Lamb of God here on earth and in Heaven. To eat, drink and remember His sacrifice, therefore I take communion on a regular basis to remember Him as He said. If you do a study of the word blood in scripture, you will see that God is quite specific about its importance. There are 447 listings of the word  blood in the bible. As you read Joh...

July 1, 2011 Today I saw you for the first time A small blip A bud of a child, complete in Him Yet growing daily stronger Today I saw you for the first time In the belly of your mother, on a screen that showed the tiniest heart beat Almost imperceptible, yet beating in time with His plan His word has declared that you are wonderfully and fearfully made. I am grateful. Today I saw you for the first time. © 2011 Debbie Turner Chavers All writing,poetry,posts,art,and photography, copyright © 2011 Debbie Turner Chavers. Protected by US and International copyright laws. All Rights Reserved.Scripture references taken from the King James bible. Would you like to see what I am currently painting? Click on these links http://artparables.com/ or http://debbieturnerchavers.com/

The budget secrets were common sense tips.  I was raised by a thrifty mom who re-purposed before it became the "In" thing to do, or "Going Green"  etc...  She was creative in her financial sensibilities in most areas of our home life. Ms. Craker's discusses new ways to share gift giving joy in Christmas gift giving. This is an area of spending that a lot of people fall into a debt trap.  She shares many tips on how to avoid this money pit.  A quote from the chapter titled, Rethinking Gifts ,  " I don't know if I'm prepared to receive only a light bulb for Christmas...but I think we could all stand to dial it down about ten notches." I heartily agree!  My best gifts have always been those that were simple and spoke to me of the givers thoughtfulness not necessarily their abundant bank account. I liked the book.  It was an easy read and a doable process for most anyone.   There is a list of bartering websites...

Original water color painting " The Sabbath Man?" copyright © 1998 Debbie Turner Chavers Time to reboot! I want to encourage you to take at least 24 uninterrupted hours of rest. Notice I said take. This will require a determination and action on your part. Turn off phone, computer, etc.... and just chill out. I have begun to really appreciate the value of unplugging. Life still happens around you but even with all that you will be amazed at how much more you get done afterwards.....after the unplug! Being still to the best of your ability...a Sabbath rest from life. The suitcase, the laundry, the email..etc...can wait. Yes, wait. But an airing out of your temple can not. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Resting from our life gives the Holy Spirit time to clear cobwebs, open windows, renovate our rooms. Give Him place, rest. Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place , and rest a while: for there were many coming and going,...

Do you have a generous spirit?  Are you looking for ways to be a blessing?  Will you encourage and help others along the path towards God and His goodness?  I want to encourage you to be extravagant in praise.  A giver of good things, like your Father in heaven.  God is a giver.  It is absolutely amazing what a little encouragement can do.  Your smile, your word of encouragement, praise, or help can make a true life difference.  Don't dismiss your ability to minister the love of God to those in your life and your sphere of influence. ~Debbie Mark 16:15   And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 2 Corinthians 9:7   Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver . James 1:17   Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights , with whom is...

May God richly bless you today and may you arise in your God given anointing to do that which has been prepared for you. That you may walk in the light of His word and fulfill His will in your daily life today and always. In Jesus name, Amen. Countless hugs for each of you :-) because God has loved you with an everlasting love through His Son, Jesus Christ. Take a moment and rejoice with me...this is indeed very GOOD NEWS. ~Debbie All writing,poetry,posts,art,and photography, copyright © 2011 Debbie Turner Chavers. Protected by US and International copyright laws. All Rights Reserved. Scripture references taken from the King James bible. Would you like to see what I am currently painting? Click on these links http://artparables.com/ or http://debbieturnerchavers.com/

Questions and answers. From the very first days of my salvation I have been asked about and told of other peoples concept of once saved, always saved. So I decided to write a few of my thoughts on this question. ..once saved, always saved? From my perspective it has never been about whether Jesus changed His mind about my salvation, but did I? At any point in my walk with God, past, present or future, did I change my mind? Am I walking away from Him or toward Him? He has promised to never leave or forsake me. Did He mean it? Yes . Did I mean it? Am I backing it up with my obedience? Am I applying myself to the study of His word to show myself approved? So, I ask myself, "Have I applied it"? Am I applying it? His word, am I actively participating in my relationship with Christ?  Once saved? Yes, I was once saved. And since I am in a relationship with God through His son Jesus Christ, I have committed myself to the nurturing of this relationship. Not of works, lest I...

God loves us very much and desires for us to walk in His blessing and protective covenant. Today is a declared National Day of Prayer, but as a people and as a nation, God declares TODAY if you will hear His voice do not harden your hearts. *Hebrews 3:7-13 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in [their] heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren , lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. * Deuteronomy 18:10-14 There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh ...

A Mother, Quiet strength, that absorbs the repercussions of a family. Grace and wisdom that flows ribbon like through the family tree. Peace that finds comfort through the study and application of God's word in the landscape of everyday life. A Gardener planting trees of righteousness in her generations. Toiling and sunning in life's field Pulling strength from the vine, as the Sun of righteousness arises with healing in His wings. "Arise children and give Him praise" A Mother said at the beginning and the end of the day. A Mother Proverbs 31 woman, her generations will arise and called her blessed. ~Debbie © 2011 Debbie Turner Chavers ***Excerpt from my book  " Proverbs 31, Verse by Verse " © 2009 Debbie Turner Chavers Malachi 4:2   But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. John 15:5   I am the vine, ye [ a...

 Choices © 1999 Debbie Turner Chavers  Last month I realized that part of the reason I retreat from some situations is a refusal to take on someone else's"burden of disobedience".  When you know that another has the knowledge and the ability to do God's word, yet refuses to obey, it is a burden.  Their refusal and poor lifestyle becomes a burden to you if you allow yourself to be sucked into a whirl wind of rebellion.  This is a choice. Yours and theirs.  God has enabled us to make the right choice in all instances. Rebellion causes people to be miserable and blame others for their choices.  Do not become a victim of their choice or their sin.  We are to lift up the name of Jesus by our fruit.  By confessing His word, by lending physical help when needed and prayerful help always.  Yet, the wicked one is never satisfied with_______ (you can fill in that blank). Do not allow someone else's choice to serve...