INTRODUCTION

My purpose in writing this is to share with you thoughts and stories about how God has lead me through my whole life, guided me in specific situations throughout my life, and protected me in some very special circumstances. This will be shared in Sections 1, 2 and 3. As you read I would like you, my reader, to ponder your own life, and see how God has been doing that for you also. Know that He knew you before you were born, that He has been watching over you throughout your life, and that He guides and protects those who give their lives to Him and become His children. Psalm 139:13,15 says: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb...My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place."

In Appendix A, I list the translations used for the scripture references. Then I list scriptures regarding spiritual armor, heaven and hell, judgment, protection, and forgiveness. I also give a section of recommended verses to memorize. It tells us in Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." As we study the Word of God and come to know His way of thinking, we can come closer to Him and become more like Him. In Proverbs 4:20, 22 we are told some significant words: "Listen closely to my words...for they are life to those who find them." So I encourage you to listen closely to His words. They are sprinkled throughout this book. They are very significant!

"My son, if you accept my words, and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones." (Proverbs 2:1-8)

"Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord." (Proverbs 8:34-35)

In this book I begin by sharing with you my "Spiritual Journey" and encourage you to see your life also as a "Spiritual Journey." The steps of this journey are explained in Appendix B, along with other helps to disciple you along the way. You will also find in Appendix B how to commit your life to Christ, how to have a daily quiet time, some possible Bible reading plans, and information about spiritual armor for protection.

In Appendix C, I mention authors of books that have been meaningful for me to read, knowing I surely can’t remember all the great books I have been privileged to read over the years. I try to suggest 1 or 2 books by some of my favorite authors, and you can see if you like those authors too... and look for more of their books if you do. I have learned a lot by reading other people’s "thoughts and stories" as I hope you learn by reading mine.

Please know this scripture as you read this book: "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God...I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power." (1 Corinthians 2:1, 3-5)

Please realize I am not coming in superior wisdom or in eloquence, but I am praying for the Spirit’s power to invade each word in this book and communicate to each person who reads it exactly what that person needs to hear and understand to grow spiritually.

If you are reading this book and find you just don’t grasp what is being said or just don’t find anything here which encourages you in your inner person, perhaps you need to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in that. Or perhaps you have never really invited Jesus to come into your life and be your Lord and Savior. If you haven’t done that, and would like to learn how, you will find that discussed in Appendix B under "How To Give Your Life To Christ."

Remember the scripture says in 1 Corinthians 2:14 "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." And in John 16:13 it says: "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you in all truth."

If you are not sure whether you have clearly asked Jesus to come into your life and be your Lord and Savior, you can read that section and go through that commitment so you can be absolutely sure you belong to Him (and therefore have His Spirit in you). I had a time in my life as an adult when I did that. I went through a time of recommitment to the decision I had originally made as a child of 10. When I did, I shared this with a friend and then felt like I was floating on a cloud of joy! The Spirit renewed our relationship and we became closer and closer day by day in our Quiet Times. At that time I wanted to be rebaptized to symbolize this new death to the old self and resurrection to the new life in Christ, and eventually I was.

Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
(Psalm 96:3)

One day in my Quiet Time the Lord drew my attention to the scripture above. He impressed me that He wanted me to write a book which would tell of His Marvelous Deeds among all peoples, both in my life and in others’ lives. You will find many stories of His Marvelous Deeds sprinkled throughout this book. That is one reason this book was written.

This book is meant to be an encouragement for you. Hopefully it will strengthen your faith as you read how the Lord has revealed Himself and His ways in these thoughts and stories. I have been praying for you as I wrote the book.

Joan ("Jo Ann") Whitacre Royer
August 2004