The Story in Nestor The Long-Eared Donkey

Last night, I pulled up YouTube for my children to watch one of my favorite Christmas claymations--"Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey". I remember watching this special on television as a child and I've noticed over the years it is no longer shown (probably because it talks of the Christ child?).

It's the story of Nestor, a donkey born with extremely long ears. Nestor was constantly made fun of by the other animals in the stable. Through some circumstances, he and his mother found themselves on their own, kicked out of the stable trying to survive a blizzard. Nestor's mother dies in the cold and he's all alone. Tilly, a cherub, falls from a cloud and is sent on a mission to help guide Nestor out of the wilderness. On their journey, Tilly tells Nestor all he has to do is be obedient to the sounds he hears with his long ears because his ears hear sounds other won't. Tilly guides him to another land where Nestor is taken in by an animal trader. The animal trader quickly finds out he has "a dud" of a donkey in Nestor because of his long ears. However, Joseph and Mary happen upon this animal trader's tent needing a donkey to make the long trip to Bethlehem. They pick Nestor because he's short enough for Mary to climb onto; not because of his ears. Through a sand storm, Nestor hears the guidance from above and makes his way to Bethlehem. While there, it's obvious the inns are full. With ease, Nestor remembers how warm and cozy the stable used to be when he was younger and guides Joseph and Mary to a stable where baby Jesus was born.

It was a sweet story and I obviously appreciate it more as an adult than I did when I was a kid.

In your life, there will be various trials and hardships that will come. There will be plenty of nay-sayers and wrong decisions made along the way. Through all of the confusion and frustration of life, we must go back to what we know. For Nestor the long-eared donkey it was the stable. For us, it could be the simplicity of one of my favorite children's songs:

Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus love me
The Bible tells me so!

Merry Christmas!

Stressed Out & No Where To Go

Stress is delivered to our front door every morning. Turn on the television and you'll get a heaping dose of it. Watch people pass you by at the local store and you'll see it written all over their face. Whether it's the rush to get Christmas lists completed, losing a job, keeping up with daily activities or just trying to pack everything you can into the day, it seems we're all stressed up with no where to go!

I Timothy 1:7 says, "For God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." When you are stressed, you are filled with fear. This drains your emotional power to have peace in your circumstances (a sound mind). In I Peter 1:13, Peter urges us to "Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober...." When a Roman centurion would "gird up the loins", he would pull his robe up to his knees and be ready to run and defend. It made him quick and kept him from tripping on his robe. What Peter is talking about here is the importance of being spiritually mobile or agile in order to protect your weak areas. For many, this is our mind, especially when stress comes in our life. When we wrap our minds around God's truth in knowing He cares for us and will take care of our needs and has plans to "prosper and not harm you" (Jeremiah 29:11), we are able to defend our thoughts from the devil's schemes to bring discouragement and hopelessness.

Through the stressors of the Christmas season, set your mind on being "girded", ready to do battle so when the negativity comes, you know how to bring the One who is victorious into the arena of your mind instead of allowing your thoughts to be controlled by despair.

(Barbie will be signing books Saturday from 11am-1pm at the Indianola Pecan House in Indianola. If your area store has sold out of her books, you can find them at www.barbiebassett.com .)

Going Home Another Way

My 5 year old son Will and I had just left the store ordering his birthday cake for this week. The parking lot was full with cars waiting while their owners shopped and other cars were turning in to find a spot to park. The congestion was thick as smoke just in trying to get out of the parking lot. When I got to the intersection, I saw the traffic and knew what I had to do to get out--I needed to go another direction in order to get home at a decent time.

"I thought you said we were going home?" Will asked from his booster seat. "We are going home," I said. He paused for a few seconds. "But this isn't how we normally go home," Will said. "Sure, we can get home going this way," I said. "Just wait and see." Another minute passed and Will was still confused. "But mom, this is NOT the way home," he said. "Trust me, son. We can get home going this way," I answered. Within minutes, we made it to a place familiar to Will. "Oh, I see where we are now," he said. "You were right, mom. You DO know how to get us where we need to go!"

How many times in your life have you felt like God was leading you down a road that had a posted sign which read "Wrong Way"? Galatians 5:16 says, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."

God sees what's ahead and knows the congestion, the slow downs and the delays to achieving His will in your life. He knows which detours and back roads to lead you on. We must fight the urge to jump out of the moving car, even when the scenery doesn't look right. There may be times when you look out the window of your life and think, This doesn't look familiar, God. I think you took a wrong turn in my life because this makes no sense. I thought you said you had a plan for me? A plan to prosper and not harm me?

But God is the driver and leans over to you in the back seat and says, I know exactly where I want to take you. It may be the long way around to you, but it's a direct path to Me. So, trust Me.

The next time you feel like God drove you to a dead end street, trust the One who created the map!

(There are only 1,200 copies remaining of Barbie's new book, "Carry An Umbrella When There's No Rain in the Forecast: 365 Days of Living by Faith". They are available at stores in Jackson, Kosciusko, Brookhaven, Mendenhall, Batesville, McComb & Yazoo City. Barbie will also be signing at the Indianola Pecan House in Indianola this coming Saturday from 11am-1pm. You can also purchase her books at www.barbiebassett.com .)

Difficulties Into Deliverance

No one wants to suffer, whether it's emotionally or physically.

In John 9:1, Jesus' disciples met a man who was blind from birth. They asked Jesus who sinned--the man's parents or the man since he was born blind. Jesus replied in verse 3, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." Jesus basically told them they were asking the wrong question by asking why this adversity was allowed. The Savior then anointed the man's eyes with mud, which he was to wash away in the pool of Siloam. The man came back with his eyesight restored.

Even when Jesus rode a donkey through Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the people were exuberant with excitement waving palm leaves. But Jesus didn't share in their excitement because he knew his physical suffering was close at hand. In John 12:27-28, Jesus said, "Not My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name."

In literally one of the most horrific weeks of His life, Jesus didn't ask, "How can I get out of this?" but "How can God be glorified?"

God doesn't waste your suffering. The Lord knows how to turn our difficulties into deliverance and our problems into praise. He will glorify His name in the lives of His children, whatever their afflictions may be. Be more concerned for God's glory than for your relief.

(Barbie will be signing books in Yazoo City at Essco's today from 11am-1pm. Her newest book continues to sell out at her book signings. Check these stores for available copies:

Jackson: Lifeway Christian Store & Lemuria Books
Mendenhall: Mendenhall Grocery & Grain
Batesville: Promises & Praise
Brookhaven: Expectations
McComb: Edgewood Interiors
Yazoo City: Essco's

Or, they can be ordered at www.barbiebassett.com)

He Wants More

My daughter Gracie shared with us after lunch Sunday some of her class lesson on the Israelites. In listening to what she learned, I realized the Israelites suffered from the same problem many Christians do today. They enjoyed the good preaching and teaching but weren't willing to move from there. Too many of us like to sit on our padded pews in a climate-controlled building where someone else will pre-digest what God has to say and then regurgitate it back to us in a half-digested form (perhaps we're afraid it may set too heavy on our stomachs?).

I've gotten to the point in my own life where I've started praying, "God, I'm tired of everybody else hearing from You! I'm going to lock myself away in a room and stay there until I get a fresh Word from You."

The early Church didn't have access to what we call the New Testament for many years. The Old Testament scriptures were expensive rolls that stayed locked up in synagogues. The only scriptures they had were verses from the law, the Psalms and the prophets that had been passed down orally from their relatives. So what did they have? They walked and talked with Him in such a rich level of intimacy.

God said in Exodus 33:14, "My presence will go with you and I will give you rest." I Chronicles 16:37 says, "Honor and majesty are in His presence; strength and joy are in His sanctuary."

God is tired of having long distance relationships with his people. He was tired of it thousands of years ago in Moses' day, and He is tired of it today. God really wants to have an intimate, close encounter with you today.

(Barbie's book continues to sell faster than anticipated! She will be signing copies in Vicksburg Tuesday, 11:30am-1pm at Crown To Heels. Barbie will be signing at the Raleigh Library this Thursday from 11:30am-1pm. And, she'll be signing in Yazoo City at Essco's this Friday from 11am-1pm.

In Jackson, they can be found at Lemuria and Lifeway Christian Store. In Brandon, Miss Priss boutique has a few copies. The Briar Patch in Carthage, Expecations in Brookhaven, Edgewood Interiors in McComb & the Mendenhall G&G all have a few remaining copies left. Her books can also be ordered at www.barbiebassett.com.)

Barbie is away doing book signings. She will be emceeing the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation's Ag Ambassador Competition Saturday along with signing her books at the Jingle Bell Market in Pearl (Trustmark Park) from 11am-12:30pm. Then she will be traveling to the Briar Patch in Carthage signing books from 2pm-3:30pm.

Her books can also be found in Jackson at Lifeway Christian Store & Lemuria and on www.barbiebassett.com.

Giving God Your Time

One week ago, I set out on my book tour with "Carry An Umbrella When There's No Rain in the Forecast: 365 Days of Living by Faith". I have been overwhelmed at the sales. In just over 1 week, almost one-third of the books have sold. Every store keeps selling out. It goes to show that God's people are hungry for more of Him.

Last weekend, I spent on the farm with my family and got to attend my home church, Crowder Baptist Church. The pastor talked about the importance of sharing our talent, treasure and time with God. Now, how many times have I heard this sermon? But I was more convicted this time around than I have ever been.

Malachi 3:8 says, "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings." Then God goes on to say in verse 10, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

As I looked at my own life, I began to see while I've been faithful in sharing my tithes and talents given by God in various ways to all people, I am failing miserably when it comes to the "time" part. Home schooling, speaking across the southeast, my WLBT career along with the book tour, working for American Family Radio, doing hundreds of other things that I won't list here and having a husband and being a mom, my schedule is packed. I'm lucky if I get a few hours of sleep a night. And because of all of this, I'm guilty of verse 8--robbing God---of my time.

Why do we feel like we can offer up a prayer here or there in the busyness of our life and think God is satisfied with that? Our spouse wouldn't be happy with a quick "hello" and perhaps a half-hearted hug as we ran out the door, so why do we think God is? The way circumstances around me are going, I need to be giving God the very BEST of my time--what is first, not what is left. When that happens, God promises to bless you in a was which can only be described as coming from Him.

(Barbie will be signing her books at Edgewood Interiors in McComb December 1 from 11:30am-1pm as well as being the guest speaker at First Baptist Ridgeland's ladies night out that night. On December 2, you can catch her at the Mendenhall Grain & Grocery from 11:30am-1pm. Over the weekend, she'll be in Pearl & Carthage. Check www.barbiebassett.com for specifics.)

A 'Happy Thanksgiving' Message

The book tour kicked off Saturday in Brookhaven and what a day it was! The books sold out in just over an hour with just over 200 books sold. I was honored to meet some fine, sweet people along the way including meeting up with Rebecca Amic who I've gotten to see several times.

My website has been processing orders all weekend for the out-of-staters. And, I was able to personally give one of my editors a signed copy at church Sunday as a thank you.

Now as we gather with our families for Thanksgiving, I am praying that the "eyes of your understanding will be opened so that you would know the hope to which he has called you.." (Ephesians 1:17-22) I believe this scripture encourages us to see what God has already DONE for you and I.

Forget the turkey--I'm thankful for the Lamb!

(Barbie will be signing copies of her new book and her 1st book Tuesday at Josephine's on the square in Kosciusko. She will be signing at Lifeway Christian Store in Jackson this Friday, 10am-Noon and at Lemuria from 1pm-2pm. Both books are now available at www.barbiebassett.com .)

It's Here!

"Carry An Umbrella When There's No Rain in the Forecast: 365 Days of Living by Faith" (retail $14.02) is now available. This daily devotional for college students and men and women of all ages shares how you can continue to have faith in God's provision for you even in the "dry spells" of your spiritual walk.

My first book, "Forecasts & Faith: 5 Keys to Weathering the Storms of Life" has sold almost 6,000 copies in it's final printing. There are limited quantities of "Forecasts & Faith" left.

There are only 3,000 copies my new book, so not everyone who has bought "Forecasts & Faith" will be able to get this one. With the rush of the Christmas season, I can't guarantee there will be ample copies for Mothers Day next year.

In the Jackson area, the book is already available in Lifeway Christian Stores and Lemuria. It is also available to purchase on my website for the out-of-staters.

Thus begins the book signing tour, which kicks off this weekend in Brookhaven! I would enjoy visiting with you and taking pictures with you at any of these locations:

November 19, Book Signing, Expectations from 10am-Noon, Brookhaven
November 22, Book Signing, Josephine's from 10am-Noon, Kosciusko
November 26, Book Signing, Lifeway Christian Store from 10am-Noon, Jackson
November 26, Book Signing, Lemuria Books at Banner Hall from 12:30pm-1:30pm, Jackson

December 1, Book Signing, Edgewood Interiors from 11:30am-1pm, McComb
December 1, Guest Speaker & Book Signing, First Baptist Church Ladies Dinner, Ridgeland
December 2, Book Signing, Mendenhall G & G from 11:30am-1pm, Mendenhall
December 3, Book Signing, Jingle Bell Market from 11am-12:30pm, Pearl
December 3, Book Signing, The Briar Patch, 2pm-3:30pm, Carthage
December 6, Book Signing, Crown To Heels, 11:30am-1pm, Vicksburg
December 8, Book Signing, Raleigh Public Library, 11:30am-1pm, Raliegh
December 10, Book Signing, Essco's, 11am-1pm, Yazoo City

Sometimes You Have To Keep Your Mouth Shut

When the Holy Spirit gives you a word in due season, be careful who you share that with.

Joseph learned the hard way. God gave him two prophetic dreams which excited him. I'm sure he was tired of being mistreated and talked about by his older brothers. So when he had a dream he would be someone important one day and told his brothers, the Bible says in Genesis 37:5, "they hated him all the more". When Joseph told his father Israel (or Jacob) the revelation God shared with him through his dream, his father "kept the matter in mind" (verse 11). Due to Joseph's mouth, he went through years of captivity and slavery. God brought him out of that once he changed his mouth, and you know the rest of the story.

I learned years ago when I'm given prophetic dreams or a word from God concerning myself, there are only certain people I can share that with. Those whom I thought I could share it with are the exact ones who have used it against me. At times, I've told no one and kept it to myself until the appointed time when God manifested it, or brought it to be.

The devil likes to use people who "don't get it" to spoil the word you've been given either through doubt, ridicule or through their ostracizing you. There are some people in your life who will never be happy for you and share the joy of God working in your life. Pray for discernment if God has revealed something specifically to you as to who, if any, you should share that with. Don't allow the devil to steal your joy like he did for Joseph.

(Barbie is the guest speaker tonight at Broadmoor Baptist & will be the guest speaker at First United Methodist in Clinton Tuesday. Her new book is set to arrive later this week which she'll be sharing details on an upcoming blog.)

The Purpose of an Angel

I was honored to be the Mistress of Ceremonies for the Salvation Army's "Evening with the Angels" event last night as they recognized 4 people in the state who have acted as God's hands for others in giving their time, talents and love to other people in need. Completely unexpected, they gave me their "surprise angel" award and my husband offered the most kind tribute to me in his speech. So, I began to think more about the job of angels.

Anytime you see an angel mentioned in the Bible, they are sent with a Word from God. The word "angel" comes from the word anggelos. Angels are essentially ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14). When people in the Bible saw an angel, their typical response was to fall on their face in fear out of reverence and awe. The names of the 2 most notable angels are Michael and Gabriel.

The rest of the unnamed angels in Scripture carry out a variety of tasks for God: worship, praise, revealing, guiding, providing, protecting, delivering, strengthening, encouraging, answering prayer and caring for believers at the moment of death.

In no way am I comparing Christians to angels. However, you never know when God will deputize you to bring an encouraging word, a helping hand, or even use your financial resources no matter the amount to minister to someone else at their appointed time of need.

Always be prepared act as God's messenger when you hear the call.

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at Goodwater Baptist in Magee Saturday; Broadmoor Baptist in Madison on Monday & the First United Methodist Church in Clinton Tuesday.)

Try Not To Lose Your Focus

Yesterday afternoon, my husband and I spent the day shooting skeet and targets.

Focusing is key, even with my bad eye sight. If I keep my hand steady and line the sight just so, all the while knowing what I'm shooting at, I'm a pretty accurate shooter.

But after shooting skeet with the shotgun, my shoulder took a beating. My accuracy wasn't the best.

It's still a good "pattern", but I could definitely tell the difference in what being tired and not focused will do for your trigger finger.

Romans 8:5 says, "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."

In other words, when you try so hard at fixing the issues in your life and you don't rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you lose your focus. You begin operating in the flesh instead of operating in the Spirit. The devil knows when you make that conscience choice because you become a threat to him and what he's trying to accomplish.

Don't let your weariness prevent you from focusing on the cross of Christ. Keep your eyes on God's Word and increase in your daily walk with Him and you won't miss the mark!

(Barbie will be the guest speaker tonight at the First United Methodist Church in Brookhaven. She'll also speak at the Salvation Army's Angels event Thursday night & she's the guest speaker at Goodwater Baptist in Magee Saturday morning.)

Gone But Not Forgotten

It's been such a tragic week in central Mississippi this past week with the deaths of children and young people. I talk more about my brother's experience noted here in this video in my 1st book, Forecasts & Faith: 5 Keys to Weather the Storms of Life. Although there isn't much that can be said at a time like this, perhaps this video I did several months ago will bring peace to someone who has lost a loved one and also answer some questions.

http://vimeo.com/17366543

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at Trinity Baptist Church in Vicksburg Saturday morning. She'll also be doing an "Aging With Style" event in Natchez at 1pm.)

Barbie is away hosting the Halloween Blood Drive with editorial cartoonist and radio talk show host Marshall Ramsey. The blood drive started at 6am this morning and will continue until 6pm tonight. She will return to the blog this Friday.

(Barbie is also the guest speaker of the Mississippi Singing Churchmen's banquet in Jackson.)

This & That

Central Mississippians have a chance this weekend to be the FIRST to screen a new movie that will be released in the Spring 2012. Jackson and a couple of other cities were pre-selected to "test market" the movie called "Octoberbaby". This movie is from the creators of "Facing the Giants", "Fireproof", and "Courageous". "Octoberbaby" is about a naive college student who embarks on a road trip to find her biological mother and discovers hope, love and forgiveness in the process.

The limited release of this movie will occur tonight, Saturday and Sunday at Tinseltown Movie Theatres in Pearl and the Malco Grandview Theatre in Madison. Check those theatres for times. If you're interested in supporting a movie that has a meaning and purpose, check it out and show up:

http://www.octoberbabymovie.net/

Monday is Halloween and a day I always look forward to because of the opportunity we have to make a difference in the lives of many by donating blood. This year's Halloween Blood Drive at Mississippi Blood Services proves to be another fun one as each donor receives Marshall Ramsey's limited edition t-shirt, free pizza provided by the Pizza Shack and is entered to win Malco movie theatre passes and an inflatable movie screen! Here is this year's commercial (oh, what a blast this was to work with Marshall & Dracula!):

Here is a sneak peak at the t-shirt Marshall has created just for the blood donors. As always, Marshall exceeds the expectations of his fans:

Doors open at 6am Monday at Mississippi Blood Services. I look forward to seeing you there!

(Barbie will be signing her first book, "Forecasts & Faith: 5 Keys to Weathering the Storms of Life", Saturday from 1pm-2:30pm at Apricot Lane at the Renaissance in Ridgeland. This book has sold out of the retail stores & limited quantities are available for the next few months.)

Trusting God Is Not A Feeling

I had a blast speaking at a room packed with women at First Baptist Raleigh Saturday. We had lots of laughs and hugs and I got to see some faces I hadn't seen in a while.

I was told about a young girl in the church who had recently made a public profession of faith and been baptized only to be bullied and made fun of my her classmates at school. It brought back old memories for me and just some of taunting I went through as a child and continue to go through as a grown woman. I even have the 'anonymous' posters to this blog who like to call me a religious freak every now and then.

To that young girl and anyone else who is made fun of because of their being a Christ follower, I say to God be the glory! Psalm 112:6-8 says, "A righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have not fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes." Isn't that why Christians are persecuted anyway--those who see them living out their faith are fearful of their own future here and in eternity?

Trusting God is not a feeling; it's a decision, even when the doubt and adversaries come.

(Barbie will be speaking at the Mississippi State University BSU Tuesday night.)

Abiding

My parents have a small vineyard in their backyard with muscadine grapes. Those vines are always so full with grapes they begin to sag close to picking time. My children love to pick them off the vine and eat the fruit right there on the spot. What's happening on the inside of the vine is what counts.

Jesus said in John 15:9, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love." Jesus was suggesting we find real love in His love. If we really abided in His love and time with Him, we would come away feeling so full, so cherished, that we would rush back to Him whenever we could.

You can read all of the devotions and Bible reading for years without actually abiding in the love of Jesus. Reading a book about a person isn't the same thing as knowing the person who wrote the book. Our challenge in abiding is to go from dutiful activities to a living, budding relationship with God.

Just as with the vine, in abiding, what happens on the surface doesn't count; what's happening inside does.

(Barbie will be speaking at First Baptist Raleigh Saturday morning & to the Mississippi State University BSU Tuesday night.)

Do You Have Peace?

Peace is hard to define, but if you have it, you know it.

Even when the hounds of hell are belittling you, Psalm 91:1-2 spells it out: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.'"

Colossians 3:15 says, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." The Bible says God prepares a table before you in the presence of your enemies (Psalm 23:5). That means even through your darkest days of conflict with others, God blesses you for your enemies to see. (He did it all through scripture for His children; He's not finished yet!)

God's peace transcends the human resources you and I may try to use to bring ourselves peace.

God cannot fill a cup that's already full with everything else going on in your life. So how do you have peace in the presence of every circumstance? You allow God to be your refuge. Psalm 32:7 says, "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."

If that doesn't make you want to shout "Amen!", then your shouter is broken!

(Barbie will be speaking at First Baptist Raleigh's ladies luncheon this Saturday. Dates for 2011 are almost gone! If you are interested in getting Barbie booked to speak at your event, go to www.barbiebassett.com and click on "Contact".)

Stop Caring What Others Think of You

How long as it been since you've been so hungry for God that it consumed you to the point where you couldn't care less what people thought of you?

A lady viewer recently called the tv station and complained, "The blouse Barbie is wearing is too revealing. A Christian woman such as herself should never wear something like that." I think the producer who answered the phone was so shocked and offended by HER complaint, that the producer hung up on her!

It's time to rise up and pursue His presence and chase after God. God is uncomfortable with our self-righteous selves. We aren't as "all together" as we think we are. So what are we to do? John the Baptist suggested one thing: repentance.

Matthew 3:1-3 quotes him saying, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"

Repentance prepares the way and makes the road of our hearts straight. You cannot live in His presence without repentance. Repentance permits the pursuit of His presence. It builds the road for you to get to God or for God to get to you!

So here it is: how long has it been since you said, "I'm going for God"? How long has it been since you laid aside everything that ever occupied you and ran down the road of repentance to pursue God?

(Coming Soon: Barbie's new book, "Carry An Umbrella When There's No Rain in the Forecast: 365 Days of Living by Faith")

Prophetic Words

The Lord is not against you. Jeremiah 29:13 says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

I believe in the prophetic word. When I was given a prophetic word, I knew it was for my future and not my present. My mother and others have spoken prophetic words over me at a particular time and I knew it was coming from God. It propels you forward and repels things off like the attacks of the devil, temptations and other things designed to make you stumble (all the more reason for you to prophesy over your children, your home, your marriage and yourself).

A few weeks ago, we totaled my husband's truck in a head on collision with a black bear on our way to Florida. Last week, I had a head on collision with a deer at night. Having had a few days to think about both instances, I remembered some prophetic words spoken over me years and even weeks ago.

The devil may try to get you to second guess what God is doing in your life or the direction in which God is leading you. But this is not a time to be conferring with flesh and blood, but a time to get a Word from Heaven.

I think of the Passover story and how the Angel of Death passed over the homes and families of those who had the blood over their doorpost.

In the same way, God still has a future for you!

Barbie had a collision last night with a deer. She is okay but is busy tending to personal affairs. She will return to the blog Monday.

High Entertainment Worship

It seems like our church services today are designed to be more man-pleasing services set to itch a tickling ear and to be full of entertainment. Unfortunately, these kind of meetings have very little of our sacrificial love poured out to God who alone deserves our praise and worship.

I believe God would rather have moments with a few people who really love Him than for everyone to come and be entertained. It's like we're hosting a party for God in which we trade presents with each other while totally ignoring His presence.

Psalm 103:1 says, "Bless the Lord, O my soul." It doesn't say "O Lord, bless MY soul." God is tired of reaching into His pocket to dispense the blessings of His hand. He wants us to enjoy the fellowship with His face.

(Barbie will be speaking at MADCAAP's Hope for Today event Tuesday night & First Baptist Church of Vicksburg Thursday night. This event is SOLD OUT.)

Manifested Presence of God

I traveled to San Francisco last week to be honored at the Rodan & Fields national convention.

I was fortunate enough to get a window seat on the flight to California. Looking at the cloud formations, there is no way a person cannot be moved in feeling God's presence. To know God's eye was on that cloud as it was building higher and higher into the sky was an overwhelming thought.


Psalm 32:8-9 says, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you."
God is everywhere, but He doesn't turn His face and His favor everywhere. That is why He tells us to seek His face. Yes, He is present with you all of the time but how long has it been since your hunger for Him caused you to crawl up in His lap like a child and take the face of God to turn it toward you? God desires intimacy with you and His face should be our highest focus.

The Israelites referred to the manifest presence of God as the skekinah glory of God. When David talked about bringing the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem, he wasn't interested in the gold-covered box with artifacts inside it. He wanted the blue flame that hovered between the wings of the cherubim on top of the ark. That's what he wanted because it signified that God Himself was present. And wherever that glory or manifested presence of God went, there was victory, power and blessing.

I want the restoration of the manifested presence of God in my life. Just as when Moses was exposed to the glory of God, the residue of that glory caused his face to shine so much that when he came back down from the mountain, the people said, "Moses, you must cover your face. We can't bear to look at you."

Whatever or whoever is exposed to the manifested presence of God begins to absorb the very matter of God.

Who or what are you allowing yourself to be exposed to today?

(Barbie will be speaking in Oxford Saturday at Noon for "Girls Day Out" sponsored by Baptist Memorial Hospital. This event is SOLD OUT.)

Barbie is away on business for a few days, but will return on Friday, Sept 30. You can check out www.barbiebassett.com to see where she will be next!

Are You A Hot House Christian?

When I was growing up, my aunt had a greenhouse business. We often referred to it as a "hot house" because it was! During the busy planting season, or just to play around some days, I would help transplant tomato, marigold, periwinkle and numerous other vegetable and flowering plants in her hot house.

We would usually start by opening old pint sized milk cartons, fill them with soil, then separate the "baby plants" individually which had been grown in a larger container and place them into the milk cartons to grow bigger on their own. It didn't take me long to realize how easy it is to uproot one of those baby plants. Why? Because their roots weren't sturdy and deep yet.

Joshua 1:8 says, "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it." And just before Joshua was about to go into battle, God told him in verse 5, "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life."

If you aren't staying in the Word daily and reading books that increase your faith, your roots can't grow deep. When the winds of change and criticism blow, you are easily uprooted just like those plants in the hot house.

There was a time in my life when the anonymous emails, letters, voice mails and even posts right here on my personal blog bothered me and hurt my feelings. Now that my roots in God's Word and my faith in Him is stronger, those critics don't bother me anymore because I know who they are and more importantly, who they are being manipulated by.

It's time we stop being hot house Christians!

(Barbie's speaking schedule is booking up quickly! Go to www.barbiebassett.com and click on "Contact Info" to contact her publicist if you're interested in Barbie speaking at your church conference, convention or banquet.)

This Kind of Faith

Faith is trust.

God responds to your faith. He doesn't respond to need. If that were true, God would wipe out sickness and poverty in the blink of an eye. Neither does God respond to our pleading. But God responds to the faith He sees in our heart---to those who are 100% committed to trusting Him in all situations, at all times and for all things.

James 1:6 says, "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

Faith is not about what we can do for God. Faith is about what God desires to do for you, in you, and around you. Faith is believing God will act in His infinite wisdom and power on your behalf.

The devil's fiery darts are no match for this kind of faith.

It's Time To Trust Him

I've been away for a while and had quite the adventure including hitting a black bear, meeting Christian singer Kari Jobe, spending time on the beaches of Destin and speaking to a sold out crowd of over 300 at Clear Branch Baptist Church in Wesson! It's good to be home.

I was able to have plenty of quiet time while away which was good for my spirit--moments to reflect and press ahead to where I feel God is leading. That doesn't come without some questions and thoughts of worry and anxiety, though.

One of the simple past times we enjoyed on the beach was watching the birds and their daily activities. The cutest were these younger birds which would race close to the water when they receded, but run as fast as their little legs would take them away from the surf when it pushed to shore. They would peck at the sand for their meal and the children had fun watching them operate.
All I could do was think of how anxious I was in knowing what the next step was for me in many different areas. In watching this little bird, I felt the Lord say "Trust me." When I tried to negotiate with the Holy Spirit and convince the Lord that I've always trusted Him and surely there was something else I needed to do? I kept hearing, "Trust me. If I provide for this little bird, I know the plans I have for you."

Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he not speak and then not act?" Whoa! When God speaks to you about a situation in your life or a promise that He's given, be sure He will act upon it.

So, why don't you trust Him!

Barbie will be away for a while, but will return to the blog in a week. She will be the guest speaker at Clear Branch Baptist Church in Wesson on Sept 10.

The Lesson in the Rubber Snake

Never let your 5 year leave his toys in your bathtub.



As I was preparing to clean house last week, I gathered my supplies together. I leaned over the tub to commence with my can of scrubbing bubbles when I almost jumped out of my skin!

I took a second look and realized it was Will's rubber coral snake. Silly! We don't have coral snakes in this area, I thought. I picked up the snake, put it in the small basket where he keeps the rest of his bath toys and got back to business.

Has something caught you off guard recently? Perhaps it was bad news at the doctor's office or at your work, your finances are looking bleak, or maybe even the relationship you thought was stable is on shaky ground.

When Joshua succeeded Moses, he had quite the daunting task ahead of him. He looked out and saw all of the nations before him and, no doubt, was overwhelmed with fear. Moses told Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Forsake means to 'leave entirely; to abandon'. If you've read Joshua's story, you know how it ended.

It is so easy to let fear grip you when you encounter something unexpectedly. Before you let that happen, take comfort in knowing God is with you and he will not abandon you. Don't let your fear get in the way of your faith.

And if you look a bit closer, you may see what you thought was worth being afraid of...really isn't after all.

The Power of Joy

A viewer sent an email recently with a question:



"I know everything in your life can't be going as good as it appears it is. You're always smiling. How do you smile and seem so happy all of the time?"



This viewer is correct. We all have bad days, trials, hurts and various things that weigh heavy on our mind. However, joy is a choice you make.



You have God's promise, but it seems like nothing is changing--nothing is happening. You keep waiting, but you keep your joy level set on high because you are expecting to receive. James 1:2-4 says, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Joy gives you staying power. It helps you stay in a position of faith while God is working a miracle. If you rejoice and praise God while you are waiting for the answers to your prayers, you can smile through the dark days.



Your joy is a demonstration of your faith in the supremacy of God and His Word. Rejoicing is a demonstration that you believe God's promises and trust His faithfulness to do what He has said He will do. David said in Psalm 119:162, "I rejoice at Thy Word, as one that findeth great spoil." How would you act if you discovered a treasure chest of gold? When we get thrilled with the Word of God is when it comes alive and we see supernatural results.



There is serious business being done in heaven when we rejoice in the Lord continually. There are answers to prayer, healing, and provision found in the amazing power of joy!