What do you do when you need to hear from God or need to see Him work in a specific situation but you can't hear or see Him? How do you keep the faith that He cares about you or hears you? How do you believe that it will all work out?
Quote from one of my older blogs by another title (12/9/08): "I was going through a situation that I was having to wait on happening and was having a hard time being patient."
Fast forward to 2/24/09, same blog...
"Still having to wait on the same situation. Was it hard? Is it hard? Yes, very much so!! ... The situation may or may not turn out as I hope but I give it to God and know it's His situation. He will choose what's best, and I accept that."
It's not easy when we can't see any change. Does that mean God isn't working? I don't believe it means that at all. It just means we can't see it. It's hard to keep the faith, to stay positive.
I introduced you to a couple of favorite devotionals I receive each day via email. It just so happens today, the same two, used the same EXACT verse, Rev. 21:4. We'll look at it in just a moment. Sunday I received another great devotional. It's title was "God is at Work."
Here are a few things they had to say...
The Mind of God Toward You
There is never a time when you're not in His thoughts, never a time without grace, never a time when He turns away from any need you face.
There is never a time when you're not in His heart, never a time without love, never a time when you're not blessed with good things from above!
Excerpt from the devotional gift book Always Loved by Roy Lessin.
The verse that was used on both blogs today was Rev. 21:4 "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
From Our Daily Bread ~ Think of a land of no sorrow, Think of a land of no fears, Think of no death and no sickness ...Think of a land of no tears. —Anon.
Today, when you don't know if you can hang in there. Today, when you think life is harder than it should be. Today, when when there's no change. THIS IS WHAT YOU DO...Keep your eyes toward heaven. Believers in Christ - We have hope!! TYJ!!
I am so very thankful!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Pray for Luke
If you follow me on FaceBook, hopefully you've seen mention of Luke, the little guy in my profile picture. Today is Friday, 1/21. Exactly three weeks ago, 12/31, Luke had around a 30 minute seizure and has been in the hospital ever since. Last year Luke use to come to Gophers, our 4-5 yr old program on Wednesday nights at Promise Land. He is so sweet, pleasant and gifted. I hated that he wouldn't be coming back this year. His parents have a blog where they are telling his story since his seizure. Click here to read about Luke's story. This is Luke (on the left) and his family. They are trusting God for His healing but I can tell you, it has really been hard on them. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE continue to pray for them. Pray for the doctors and hospital staff, that God will give them wisdom and will be able to find some answers.
God is using and will continue to use Luke and his family. In God's time. We are waiting for God's healing.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Never Did Figure It Out
I'm not sure why but today was one of those days where I felt on edge or agitated. Didn't know why or figure it out. Was it hormones? Did someone say something to set me off? I HAVE NO IDEA. During lunch, I logged on FaceBook real quick, and I saw where someone posted this awesome verse...
"Be Still and Know that I am GOD." Psalm 46:10
After I'd eaten lunch I went to the kitchen to wash my dish. As I stood there I wondered what my problem was and why I was feeling the way I was today. All of a sudden that verse came to my mind. It was like God was saying to me..."Relax! It's ok. I'm still God!" I stood there for a moment contemplating that idea, took a big breath, let out a sigh and breathed in His presence.
Some people think FaceBook is a waste of time. Probably 90% of the time, I try to post a verse, something from a devotional I just read, anything that can be encouraging. I have people tell me all the time how much they appreciate it so I know God uses it, which is my point and purpose. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! And now I was also encouraged. There have been other times as well. While I never did figure out what my problem was, I certainly did appreciate God putting that verse before my eyes like He did on FB.
"Be Still and Know that I am GOD." Psalm 46:10
After I'd eaten lunch I went to the kitchen to wash my dish. As I stood there I wondered what my problem was and why I was feeling the way I was today. All of a sudden that verse came to my mind. It was like God was saying to me..."Relax! It's ok. I'm still God!" I stood there for a moment contemplating that idea, took a big breath, let out a sigh and breathed in His presence.
Some people think FaceBook is a waste of time. Probably 90% of the time, I try to post a verse, something from a devotional I just read, anything that can be encouraging. I have people tell me all the time how much they appreciate it so I know God uses it, which is my point and purpose. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! And now I was also encouraged. There have been other times as well. While I never did figure out what my problem was, I certainly did appreciate God putting that verse before my eyes like He did on FB.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
LET ME INTRODUCE YOU
Today I want to introduce you to a couple of devotionals I subscribe to. When I got involved with Twitter, I found there are a lot of people who are bloggers, and I subscribed to quite a few, to put it mildly. I was so excited to read what other people were writing. Of course, I was soon overwhelmed with all the emails and blogs to read. So...I unsubcribed to most of them. Some were Christian in nature. Some were about life in general. Some were about food or raising children. You name it. There is such a variety in the blogging world. I wish I had time or energy to read them all. People are interesting and are from all over the country, from all walks of life. Now that I look back and think about the ones I still subscribe to, I realized that a few of my favorites are devotionals that I was subscribing to before I got interested in blogs. I want to introduce you to a couple of them now.
Late April 2009 I went to the Just Give Me Jesus conference with Anne Graham Lotz, Billy Graham's daughter. That was my first exposure to Anne. I quickly subscribed to her daily devotional. She is an awesome writer but what I think I like most is her ability to share great truths from God's word in such a small number of words. Click here to sign up for her daily devotional.
Another favorite devotional is an oldie and a goodie. It's a very familiar and well-known devotional but we're use to seeing it in paper form. Somewhere along the way, they decided to go high tech and put it on-line. I'm talking about Our Daily Bread. You know the quarterly...small booklet full of daily devotionals? It's been around forever, I'm sure, but it is a wonderful devotional. I see the paper form on my mother's side table, as a matter of fact. Click here to check it out!
There are more. I have others. I'll share them with you another day, alright? Until then, look these over and start your day off with a few minutes focused on God and His word.
Just sayin'...
Late April 2009 I went to the Just Give Me Jesus conference with Anne Graham Lotz, Billy Graham's daughter. That was my first exposure to Anne. I quickly subscribed to her daily devotional. She is an awesome writer but what I think I like most is her ability to share great truths from God's word in such a small number of words. Click here to sign up for her daily devotional.
Another favorite devotional is an oldie and a goodie. It's a very familiar and well-known devotional but we're use to seeing it in paper form. Somewhere along the way, they decided to go high tech and put it on-line. I'm talking about Our Daily Bread. You know the quarterly...small booklet full of daily devotionals? It's been around forever, I'm sure, but it is a wonderful devotional. I see the paper form on my mother's side table, as a matter of fact. Click here to check it out!
There are more. I have others. I'll share them with you another day, alright? Until then, look these over and start your day off with a few minutes focused on God and His word.
Just sayin'...
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
BE HAPPY
I heard the following on the Hallmark movie channel the other day..."To be truly happy we need two things. Love and forgiveness."
Sounds good, I thought, but something was missing so I added the following comments and posted it on FaceBook: "First we need to RECEIVE God's love and forgiveness. Second we need to GIVE our love and forgiveness. Both parts are really necessary in order to be happy. Think about it." Well, I got 10 "likes" and 2 comments. One of the comments was "The definition of love is God." So true!
God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. John 3:16 CEV
Yes, God is the absolute definiton of love. There is no better example. But isn't it crazy that we would/could receive His love and forgiveness, and not extend the same to others? We recently did a study on forgiveness in our Sunday LifeGroups. I have to tell you, I believe it was one of the best studies we've ever done. A lot of people are holding on to unforgiveness, and it is affecting them in such negative ways. Ways they don't even recognize. They will never, ever be truly happy until they can forgive and extend love to those who have hurt, betrayed or disappointed them. I was recently tested with this thing called forgiveness. God quickly reminded me that I had no choice but to forgive. Had I not been willing to do that, my life would have drastically changed and with that change, much sadness would have followed. I actually think forgiveness is more for the person who needs to extend it than the one to whom it is extended. This should actually be about FREEDOM. Until we can extend love and forgiveness, we can never completely experience freedom in Christ.
Are you holding on to hurt and unforgiveness? Ask God to release you from that. Ask Him to free you from the chains of unforgiveness; then you will be truly happy.
Just sayin'...
Sounds good, I thought, but something was missing so I added the following comments and posted it on FaceBook: "First we need to RECEIVE God's love and forgiveness. Second we need to GIVE our love and forgiveness. Both parts are really necessary in order to be happy. Think about it." Well, I got 10 "likes" and 2 comments. One of the comments was "The definition of love is God." So true!
God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. John 3:16 CEV
Yes, God is the absolute definiton of love. There is no better example. But isn't it crazy that we would/could receive His love and forgiveness, and not extend the same to others? We recently did a study on forgiveness in our Sunday LifeGroups. I have to tell you, I believe it was one of the best studies we've ever done. A lot of people are holding on to unforgiveness, and it is affecting them in such negative ways. Ways they don't even recognize. They will never, ever be truly happy until they can forgive and extend love to those who have hurt, betrayed or disappointed them. I was recently tested with this thing called forgiveness. God quickly reminded me that I had no choice but to forgive. Had I not been willing to do that, my life would have drastically changed and with that change, much sadness would have followed. I actually think forgiveness is more for the person who needs to extend it than the one to whom it is extended. This should actually be about FREEDOM. Until we can extend love and forgiveness, we can never completely experience freedom in Christ.
Are you holding on to hurt and unforgiveness? Ask God to release you from that. Ask Him to free you from the chains of unforgiveness; then you will be truly happy.
Just sayin'...
Friday, January 7, 2011
GOD HEARS ME
Listen, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Protect my life, for I am faithful. You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You. Be gracious to me, Lord, for I call to You all day long. Bring joy to Your servant's life, since I set my hope on You, Lord. For You, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, abundant in faithful love to all who call on You. LORD, hear my prayer; listen to my plea for mercy. I call on You in the day of my distress,for You will answer me. Lord, there is no one like You among the gods,and there are no works like Yours. PSALM 86:1-8
We recently had a tragedy in our church family and there is a little guy who use to be in our 4-5 year old group on Wednesday nights at church who is battling meningitis. It's been a sad couple of weeks, ending 2010 and starting 2011. What about for you? I need these verses, and I'm so glad I can call on God and know He hears my cry.
We recently had a tragedy in our church family and there is a little guy who use to be in our 4-5 year old group on Wednesday nights at church who is battling meningitis. It's been a sad couple of weeks, ending 2010 and starting 2011. What about for you? I need these verses, and I'm so glad I can call on God and know He hears my cry.
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