But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. (Gen.6:8)

I thought I knew everything I needed to know about Ole’ Noah and the ark. Is it not one of the first Bible stories that we were taught as children?? Whenever we talked about Noah in Sunday School, or when my dad would tell me and my sister the Bible story before bedtime, my absolute FAVORITE part was when God put His “bow” in the sky, signifying that He would never destroy the earth again with a flood.   In fact, whenever we saw a rainbow in the sky, my dad would ask Kelly and I what that was, and we would yell,”A Promise!” So I guess, since I knew the account from the gopher wood to the olive branch,..lol… I never really studied this amazing act of God. Last night, that’s exactly what I did! Did you know that Noah’s name means “rest”? Yes! It does. When I read  the verse that says, “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord”, I  started thinking….what do you get when “Rest” finds “Grace”? I believe you find the perfect will of God. I know that’s the very place God wants us to be! Resting in His grace…abiding in His sufficiancy….trusting in His Word. Noah took God’s Word seriously, even though the world’s condition could have made Him skeptical and jaded. In spite of the corruption and chaos around Him….Rest found Grace. Wow. There is Ark prepared for us that we can retreat to when the floods come! We have a Shelter and Fortress. Hey, this world probably isn’t going to get any better…curruption and confusion reign when people turn their eyes and hearts away from seeking the Truth. BUT-in the midst of it all, we can rest in grace. That’s “a Promise!”

Meridian,MS

Do we pray believing that God hears and understands? Do we really expect Him to act in our defense, direct our wandering minds, calm and soothe our countless fears? We can believe that He hears, because He does! While in prayer not long ago, I did as David advised us to do. I poured out my soul to Him. I felt better just because I had spent time in His presence, talked and conversed with my heavenly Father. There was peace in that night of prayer. But THEN God was merciful, and like only a “God Who Hears” can do, He spoke. He spoke through this wonderful account of His graciousness-

2 Kings 20

1. In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. 2. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, 3. I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done [that which is] good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. 4. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 5. Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. 6. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.

The God Who hears, also sees and defends and heals. So know that when you pour out your soul (and your eyes) out to Him, that you have a Father real enough, with enough mercy to hear you!

I have a new myspace! Check it out and send me a friend request. The McRae’s myspace is being deleted, so if you are a friend to that site, switch over asap!  myspace.com/anniemcrae  

Also, I have 2 facebook accounts….one is a regular account and the other is a musician account, that I’m still working on..I’m trying to get with the program! haha.

facebook.com

Let me know when you receive your CD! I want to hear your comments on the songs..which one is your favorite, and why it ministers to you. 

Prov 3:5-7

Phi 2:12,13

 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.

I’m excited about the upcoming conferences that I’ve been invited to minister at!  I love to get together with a group of kids or ladies and seek the Lord. You never know how God is going to move and direct the services, but when the people have been praying, AWESOME things happen! The Lord has opened doors recently for me to speak, sharing my testimony and the message that the Lord has given me. This is a new avenue of ministry for me, but God is always faithful to send His Word and Holy Spirit. The anointing breaks the yoke of bondage in our lives. (Isaiah 10:27) Never fear what God has called you to do! Remember, He has had a purpose for you since before you were born! So work it out. I heard Rev. Tony Evans preach that today and it was powerful…..He already has a purpose. We don’t have to stress out about what it is, wish, dream, or conjure up anything…it’s there! And if He calls you OUT of your comfort zone, good! He will divinely equip you for the work. It’s all for His glory, for the Kingdom of God.  It’s up to us to work it out!

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth. 

John 4:23-24

I was in one of those services Sunday morning that was life changing. Five gave their hearts to God and everyone in the house was changed in some area of their life…that’s how awesome the moving of the Holy Spirit worked. From the very first Praise and Worship song, til the last prayer, salvation, restoration, and deliverance was being given…I just soaked it in as I worshiped, sang, and as I prayed with those at the alter. I tell you, revival has come to the Temple of Praise Christian Center in Lucedale, MS!  I caught myself just looking around, feeling what was taking place, and thinking what an honor it truly is to be in the presence of the Most High God-King of Kings. An overwhelming sense of gratitude for my Saviour and His sacrifice filled my heart and soul. Honored was the word that kept coming to mind.  Truly honored to be captured by such unconditional love! God is up to something….I feel like the church is being prepared for a great event!

Luke 5:4-7

 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.  And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.  And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto [their] partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. 

“Nevertheless, at Thy word I will”…..That’s what Peter said after He explained to God the enormity of the problem. I’ve caught myself doing that! “But Lord I can’t because….Lord, but they…Lord, I’ve tried that before…..Lord, you can’t mean me!….Lord, Lord, Lord!!” And here’s the part where the rubber meets the road. Do you trust God or don’t you? “Cast your nets out into the deep” says the Lord. “Inspite of all your failures, mistakes, and the disappointments of yesterday, just try it My way.” So you throw reason and a thousand more arguments and exscuses out the door, and say with Peter, “Nevertheless, at Thy word I will.” Suddenly, you’re calling for reinforcement, because you can’t handle the blessing! Those fish are going to take you under! “At Thy Word”. We listen to the wrong words. Take bad advice. Give in to the pressure from others. Sometimes we don’t know who to trust! But whenever He speaks, we can be sure that if we follow His instructions, they will lead to JOY! God has some pretty far-fetched ideas sometimes, but they are worth rolling up our sleeves and dragging that net back out again for some DEEP sea fishing!

The packaged “Purpose and Passion” CD will be here next week! All of you who have placed an order  will receive your copy shortly. Thanks for your patience!

Purpose and Passion, the single is going to radio! Be listening! Contact: rhonda@rhondathompsonpromotions.com

“Purpose and Passion” is up on iTunes and other online stores! Happy downloading:-)