Heart Keepers Ministries

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rescue

THE EMPTY WAY

by Debbie on May 11, 2018

Written by Debbie Norred
April 24, 2018

You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. — 1 Peter 1:18-19

There are not many things in my life that I allow to get empty.

I always make sure our pantry is amply supplied, as well as our refrigerator. Which of course makes sure our stomachs are not empty.

I make sure our kitties have food and water in their bowls because I don't want their tummies to be empty either.

I always add paper and ink to my printer at home because I can't print when it is empty.

There is one thing that I am known to allow to get empty though. My car's fuel tank.

I really hate taking time to put fuel in my car!!

It's not that I don't know how. I do know how!

It was one of my very first jobs as a youth-- pumping gas!

My parents operated a Mom and Pop business which included the sale of fuel.

There were times when cars would be lined up for a long time waiting to fill their tanks so their cars could keep going. So I have lots of experience, believe me!

There have been more times than I want to admit when I have allowed my car to run out of fuel.

Anyone from my husband, my son, or faithful friends have come to my rescue.

The most resent time was an early morning after leaving the gym. My son and I had just had a very good leg workout and I was giving him a ride home.

His condo requires that we cross a busy bridge over a beautiful body of water.

This particular day, we were just cruising along when suddenly my car started sputtering and I looked at the fuel gauge and knew I had messed up! AGAIN!

My son strongly encouraged me to get out of traffic while the car still had momentum.

It was a busy morning on the bridge, and I knew if I called my husband he would most likely be away from his phone getting ready for work and I certainly didn't want to admit to him that I had failed to fill my car's fuel tank once again. Ugh!

So, I called a friend. A good friend, I might add. I called upon the youth pastor at our church. He and his family live very close to the bridge and I was hoping he could come and help.

So as soon as my son knew help was on the way, he started walking across the bridge with tired legs. Poor child! He knew he had to be at work on time because Mom wouldn't be. (family business)

It was a busy morning on the bridge, but my friend came to my rescue and filled my empty car with a little fuel. It was enough to get me going again and get me to a station to fill up.

Why am I telling you all this? Because when I read the Scripture in 1 Peter 1:18-19 the words EMPTY WAY OF LIFE stood out. Not only that, but I saw that this empty way of life had been handed down to me by my forefathers.

Yes there was a time in my life that I lived the empty way of life. Empty of God! But I made a decision to call a friend. That friend is Jesus. He came to my rescue! He filled my empty soul with his wonderful Holy Spirit. Suddenly I was full of life and he became the lifter of my head.

But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3 ESV

Are you living the empty way of life? Do you need someone to lift your head and give you hope? Are you so busy making sure that nothing else in your life is empty that you have forgotten God. Maybe it's time to call a friend. That friend is Jesus. He is more than just a friend though.

He is our redeemer! His precious blood purchased our souls. What a risk he took that day on the cross just hoping that one day you and I would call him for help and ask him to fill up all our emptiness with his wonderful Holy Spirit.

My friend that came to my rescue that morning on the bridge actually put himself in danger for me. He was adamant that I stay in the car while he filled my car with the fuel he had brought. Yet all the while he was having to keep a watchful eye on every car that closely zoomed by him.

I told him he was my hero! He blew it off as nothing! Yet I know risking his life on a busy bridge wasn't exactly what he wanted to be doing first thing in the morning. Oh, and did I mention, I woke him up and he was on vacation! I tried to pay him but he wouldn't take anything.

What a hero!

Jesus is our ultimate hero though. He built a bridge to God for us on the cross. No more empty way of life. All it costs us is a call to him for help.

Don't wait until you run empty before you call the best friend you could ever have-Jesus. He will answer and come fill your emptiness with abundant life. What a hero!

Dear Jesus,
I am thankful that I can call you my friend. I am thankful for the redemption you gave my empty life on the cross. Thank you for your precious blood that was shed for all my sins.
Jesus I call to you today to fill all my empty places with your Spirit. Holy Spirit I give you permission to work in my life and fill the areas of emptiness with your fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Thank you God for giving us Jesus to bridge the gap from the empty way of life to an abundant life. Thank you Jesus for rescuing me from this empty way of life. You are my hero. In Jesus name, Amen.

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HURRY! CALL 911!

by Debbie on October 6, 2017

As I was getting ready to go to bed tonight I noticed the time on my husband's cell phone said 9:11. I watched as he slept soundly in his recliner and I was thankful.

However, the 911 on his phone made me very aware that many are in a state of emergency right now.

So many things crossed my mind like a quick slideshow before my eyes.

From the friend who just shared with me about her sister's husband suddenly leaving his earthly home, seemingly so untimely, and going to his heavenly home and leaving many behind to endure all the pain and grief that such a unexpected situation would certainly cause.

Then I saw the many in foreign countries and my own country who have lost their homes and even worse their families to sudden freaks of nature such as powerful wind storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, mudslides and things that just can't be explained or truly prepared for.

Then the evil of unnecessary deaths happening at events that are supposed to be escapes from the stresses of life such as concerts, parades, marathons and company parties.

What does one do to find shelter? Who does one call upon?

There is a 911 in God's Word that is a safe and good place to start.

Psalm 91:1 says:

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

It's so good to hear first of all that the Word of God does not discriminate but clearly states that "whoever" is welcome to dwell in the shelter...!

Are you looking for a shelter from the storms of life that are trying so hard to beat you to a pulp? That are trying to drown you? That are trying to steal your joy? That are testing your faith? That are distracting you from seeing our big God? That are causing you to keep your eyes on the storm?

Then call your 911 God now!! The Most High God will answer and walk you through it. He won't hang up on you. He will give you comfort and wisdom to help you know what to do next. He also has some mighty powerful angels that he will send out immediately to rescue you , guard you and do whatever is necessary to keep you through this time of uncertainty!

As a matter of fact, Psalm 91:1-16 has more to offer than just a temporary storm shelter.

Take time to read it, pray it, believe it. There is a 911 call that you can make that will never hang up. The Most High God will stay connected to you as long as you will let him. Give him a call right now!

Most High God,
I'm calling your 911 number tonight on behalf of all people who are in emergency situations. Lord send your angels to minister to them and walk them through these tragic situations that they are trying to live through. Most High God I ask that you pull each one to you and shelter them under your wings and give their grieving hearts a rest. Lord all I can do is call and ask and respond to those that ask me to help. May many be helped by your emergency number in Psalm 91. May they read it, pray it, believe it and most of all be able to live through all that they are facing because you answer their emergency call and never leave them hanging on without your guidance and wisdom to walk them through it. You are faithful and available and we are so very grateful! Because of Jesus we are helped. Amen

PSALM 91

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

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