My name is Michelle Morgan! I love living my life for Jesus in everything I do! I love teaching, reading, gardening, cooking, running, writing, jump-rope and outdoors! I am so thankful to be a wife and mother of 10 wonderful children! My favorite is doing life together with my family and friends by learning and exploring through everyday life! I’m thankful for my husband, children and church family!
If I wait for everything to be perfect, It won’t happen! So, I may have some errors in my blog, but my beautiful children right at my side! I pray to write a book while in this journey. I hope and pray all of you and your families are blessed and take a step out in faith on your journey with Jesus! Don’t let the fear of mistakes hold you back!
2 Corinthians 12:9-11, But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong
Father God, I lift up all children today in prayer as you guard their hearts and minds from influences in this world that are not from you! The influence of not being invited and the hurt in causes! It’s a ripple effect that Carries on into adulthood! I pray for true friendships in the Body of Christ that are knitted together by your hand and not put together by just human hands! I pray against the spirit of rejection that it doesn’t cause a stumbling block in their walk with you in their life. I pray they follow your Holy Spirit and be given peace and joy as they focus on Your Kingdom! Help them and all children to discern how to live in this world but not be consumed by it by giving them wisdom from only your Holy Spirit! I pray for those who follow you to be only influenced by you! Give them eyes to see as they only follow your Holy Spirit! I pray they are given eyes to see your ways and not be clouded by ways and customs of the world! The gospel has been given through God’s one and only Son Jesus once and for all for everyone! To live out the great commission, sharing the good new about Jesus as Matthew 28:16-20 gives us all a responsibility as disciples of Jesus in all relational groups to reach the world for you one person at a time! Not just telling but living out what we believe is true! At times our kids don’t understand why they are not invited to what their friends are invited to, help them to see you seek your ways as you guard their hearts! You have invited all to be with you forever in heaven wanting no one to perish! Help them to be confident in You and hold on to you!
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/2pe.3.8-9.NIV
I lift my heart up to you, a mamma heart broken for my kids along with all the children not invited! Who are continually left out of their friends’ invites. Break my heart for what breaks your heart, mold me to be more like you! Let my heart not wander in my hurt! I’m on my knees lifting up all the mammas who hear the cries of their children wondering why not me! Help those mammas know how to lead their children! God loves you! Help me and everyone to love the way you love, forgive the way you forgive! Guide me and all of us in your truth from the Bible and teach us your ways continually, help us to see as we follow your Holy Spirit! I love you and I am unable to do anything on my own! I need you Father! I chose to follow you all the days of my life! Amen!
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Ephesians 6:10-20 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.6.10-20.NIV
The stone is rolled away!! He is Risen!! Jesus is Alive!! Today was the first time my family did a rock hunt. We colored different rocks and hide them around the yard for everyone to find. God is so Good! I’m so thankful for His love, Mercy and Grace! For for all of us, sister and brother in Christ to be Unified in the body of Christ! Praying for all of us to be the light everywhere we go as we focus on God Kingdom bringing Him glory by how we love and live for Him!
“Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” Ephesians 1:15-23 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.1.15-23.NLT
“Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside. When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened. ———- [The most ancient manuscripts of Mark conclude with verse 16:8. Later manuscripts add one or both of the following endings.] [Shorter Ending of Mark] Then they briefly reported all this to Peter and his companions. Afterward Jesus himself sent them out from east to west with the sacred and unfailing message of salvation that gives eternal life. Amen. [Longer Ending of Mark]” Mark 16:1-8 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.16.1-8.NLT
“As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.” Matthew 27:57-61 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.27.57-61.NLT
“Can I go to Bible camp?” I heard of all the wonderful experiences my brother had the year before when he went to Bible camp. With all my heart I wanted to experience the goodness of God. Unfortunately, my parents could only send one that year. I did go to Girl Scout Camp because I sold enough Girl Scout cookies! However, I thought that camp was the way to learn about God, so I needed to go to Bible camp too! When he returned home, he took the best notes for me and shared everything he learned. He is an amazing writer and some of his writings he turned into songs. It was so wonderful because I can see how God was working through my brother. He came home to share the Good News.
Later that summer, my mom told me I was invited to go with my friend Abigail to day camp. She visited her family next door to my house once a year, and she didn’t want to go by herself. I thought it was the best gift ever!! It was like Bible camp except during the day. Day camp lasted for two days, and two days was like forever to me! I remembered the delight I had in my heart! I finally made it to Bible camp!! I wanted to experience the goodness of God! I memorized the fruit of the Spirit too! I even earned a Lollipop that never tasted so sweet. Everything that day seemed sweeter!
It turns out the sweetest part wasn’t the Lollipop I earned, it was what God was doing in my heart! This brought me to this verse in Psalms. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:8-10 ESV. The pull on my heart I couldn’t ignore! Jesus was knocking on the door of my heart! I asked my friend about what I was feeling and asked questions about Jesus. I knew I needed Jesus! I knew I sinned and I felt helpless about it. I didn’t like the consequence of sin! It scared me too. Jesus loves me and paid the price for me and died on the cross for my sins. I didn’t have to earn His love and forgiveness. He already loved me. The last day at camp, I accepted Jesus in my heart! This gift I received is free to me and for everyone. I was so excited and wanted the whole world to know just like how my brother was when he came home from camp and shared the good new to me. I didn’t know what to do next, so the first thing I did was memorize the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:5-15!
God does give the desires of your heart! He created me and you in His image and knows everything about us. (Psalm 139) He made a way for me to go to camp when there seemed to be no way at all. It turns out the best gift I could ever receive in my life is the day I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior! Jesus paid for all my sins but not just mine every person in the whole world once and for all. Roman’s 6:23 NLT “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” Psalm 37:5-7 ESV
Petra is one of the first Christian artists I started listening too!
Creed
Song by Petra
I believe in God the Father, maker of heaven and earth And in Jesus Christ His only Son I believe in the virgin birth I believe in the Man of Sorrows bruised for iniquities I believe in the Lamb who was Crucified and hung between two thieves
I believe in the resurrection on the Third and glorious day And I believe in the empty tomb and the Stone that the angel rolled away He descended and set the captives free And now He sits at God’s right hand And prepares a place for me
This is my creed, the witness I have heard The faith that has endured This truth is assured Through the darkest ages past Though persecuted, it will last And I will hold steadfast to this creed
I believe He sent His Spirit to comfort and to reveal To lead us into the truth and light, to baptize and to seal I believe that He will come back the way He went away And receive us all unto Himself, but no man knows the day
I believe He is the Judge of all men, small and great The resurrected souls of men receive from Him their fate Some to death and some to life, some to their reward Some to sing eternal praise forever to our Lord
Psalms 34:1-22 NLT “I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing. Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord. Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.”
Psalms 37:1-40 NLT “Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land. Soon the wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone. The lowly will possess the land and will live in peace and prosperity. The wicked plot against the godly; they snarl at them in defiance. But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming. The wicked draw their swords and string their bows to kill the poor and the oppressed, to slaughter those who do right. But their swords will stab their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly. Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough. But the wicked will die. The Lord’s enemies are like flowers in a field— they will disappear like smoke. The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers. Those the Lord blesses will possess the land, but those he curses will die. The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing. Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever. For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die. The godly will possess the land and will live there forever. The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path. The wicked wait in ambush for the godly, looking for an excuse to kill them. But the Lord will not let the wicked succeed or let the godly be condemned when they are put on trial. Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed. I have seen wicked and ruthless people flourishing like a tree in its native soil. But when I looked again, they were gone! Though I searched for them, I could not find them! Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace. But the rebellious will be destroyed; they have no future. The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him.”
Praise the Lord!!! My heart is full of thankfulness and Praises! God is Love. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.136.1.ESV
I delight in God’s ways for my life. I desire His heart desire that no one would be lost but all people would fully know God’s love for them and receive the gift of salvation through God’s one and only Son Jesus!
I remember the day my husband and I felt stuck in 2004 after my fourth child was born! On our knees we prayed asking God to teach us His ways, so we can teach our children! “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.” Psalm 86:11-13 ESV
We did not know how to do this on our own. We knew we loved Jesus and listened to Scripture filled music but knew it wasn’t enough! We wanted to follow God’s ways but we were surrounded with the wrong ways and examples. I’m so thankful with all my heart for God’s Love, Mercy, Grace, and His Faithfulness! As I read Scripture today, Jeremiah 29:13 NIV, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” I remember singing praises everyday listening to scripture in songs and hymns and praying. As I continue to read the Bible, I didn’t realize at the time when I was younger I was meditating on God’s words day and night and even my children did too! I hungered and thirst for more of God daily as His word filled my heart and mind because they were in each song. “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:1-4 ESV
Soon our prayers led us to our church family today! I’m thankful for our sisters and brothers in Christ and how all of us are rooted and established in God’s love grow together, where God Spiritually knitting all of us together all over the world in Unity giving God endless Praise forever! Amen!
I will soon start again writing my journey. So many of my friends have said I need to write. I’ve stopped for awhile but God has placed it on my heart to start. I pray God guide me in the process. God Bless all of you! ❤️
“Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.” Psalm 86:1-17 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.86.1-17.ESV“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.” Psalm 63:1-11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.63.1-11.ESV
One of the Song I listened too around 2004. Desert Rose
Lost in a windswept land In the world of shifting sand A fragile flower stands apart There in that barren ground Feel like the only one Tryin’ to serve You with all your heart
And you wonder, wonder Can ya last much longer? This cloud you are under Will it cover you?
Desert Rose (Desert Rose) Dontcha worry, don’t be lonely Heaven knows, Heaven knows In a dry and weary land a flower grows His Desert Rose His Desert Rose
Sometimes holiness can seem like emptiness When ya feel the whole world’s laughin’ eyes If it’s a lonely day, know your on the Father’s wave He will hear you when ya cry
And He will hold you, hold you Your Father will hold you He will love you, love you For the things ya do
Desert Rose (Desert Rose) Dontcha worry, don’t be lonely Heaven knows, Heaven knows In a dry and weary land a flower grows His Desert Rose His Desert Rose His Desert Rose
Dontcha worry, don’t be lonely Heaven knows, Heaven knows In a dry and weary land a flower grows His Desert Rose His Desert Rose
Don’t be lonely, don’t be lonely (Desert Rose) Dontcha worry (Desert Rose) Dontcha know He’ll be with you? (Heaven knows, Heaven knows) He will hold your fragile heart O Desert Rose
Today is the last day of 2022! Remembering all God has done for me helps set my mind and heart on God’s Kingdom giving Him the glory for all the wonderful things he has done in my life and my family. “I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.” Psalms 34:1-3 NLT
I sit here in my chair holding my children by the fire, I look outside the sliding glass door to see chickens and dogs having fun in the snow! My heart is filled with comfort, joy and thankfulness for all his blessings and how God redirected my life to the path I must be on. I find so much confort reading scripture and in this verse from Psalms 37! “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”Psalms 37:23-24 NLT
We have a loving father who loves me and you! He leads me and you by His Holy Spirit! I trust His ways because His are over all! He created me for a purpose meant for giving Him glory!
I’m so very thankful for all of God’s loving kindness and everlasting love to me and my family! He has carried us through so many valleys and more. In the valleys there have been so many blessings! I’m thankful for each place the Lord has led me and my family. Through the Valley I have learned so much through the Holy Spirit as He molds me and shapes me through each and every trial and storm. The rain has washed me, while the thunder and lightning shook me! I trusted every step He had me take! Even in the darkness wasn’t darkness because of his incredible wonderful light illuminating the way! I know God keeps every promise. I look for His beautiful rainbow. I fixed my eyes on Him because He knows the path I need to take to teach me His ways and build spiritual muscles of unshakable faith in hard times! To teach me to be content with little and with much. God surrounded me with warmth through wonderful sisters and brothers in Christ who encouraged and challenged me to seek him more deeply. I’m so incredibly thankful for all my sisters and brothers in Christ who are a blessing to me and my family. Because we know what it is like to not have these special knitted relationships in the body of Christ. As I meditate on God’s living words this morning, it reminds me how important it is to continue to remember all that God has done in my life and my family! Because my husband and I wanted our children to know the love of God and who they are in Christ! We wanted them to have sisters and brothers in Christ! It was in our 30’s that God Surrounded us with his loving kindness and led us to where we needed to go. We were rejected in many groups because we are a large and loud family. My husband and I loved the Lord with all our hearts and prayed to show us how to raise our children for his glory! When we both prayed on our knees and wrote out our prayer, we mailed it to a group of prayer warriors! God lifted us up and out just like that and led us to who would teach us how and led us to our church family today! We chose to teach our children the truth about Jesus and God’s design for relationships. It’s harder as adults to develop friendships in the same way as children. It takes longer and that’s ok. We trusted God as he led my husband and I on a journey of a lifetime! It is important to remember and talk about all God has done and continues to do all the days of your lives! It will change your focus from self into giving God endless praise!
I’m writing this because God had placed this on my heart to share how important it is to remember all of God’s goodness in all the busyness! God’s word from the Bible is filled with how we need to stop, slow down and listen! As I wake up into 2023, I pray for me, my family, and all of you to only follow the Holy Spirit! I pray for wisdom and discernment that only comes from Him alone. We need our abiding relationship with Jesus as the Holy Spirit is knitting us together in the body of Christ forever for His Kingdom! We need to pray continuously for each other as we live out the endless love God has for all of us while drawing those who don’t know Him yet to His wonderful light!
“Then David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly: “O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever! Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.” 1 Chronicles 29:10-12 NLT
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 NIVB Experiencing God is living your life (race) step by step, hand in hand with Jesus! Just like a physical race, you feel every up hill, down hill, desert flats through scorching valleys! It’s talking through the burning feeling you feel with every breath you breathe in the scorching temperatures to the burning feeling in your legs and arms! It’s even when every limb in your body is so frozen that you struggle to keep them moving. It’s the feeling when you are passed up and all alone! It’s struggling when you are overlooked left behind in the dust! There will be times you feel so exhausted like your legs and arms are like jelly! My daughter once said, “my arms are like noodles!” In my spiritual race, I don’t want to miss out on experiencing what God can do through each moment good, hard, or bad and experience what He has for me while running my race home to Him. Each day I look forward to not only seeing but experiencing what God will do as He develop perseverance – strength that only God himself builds in us as He spiritually knits us all together in Unity in Him building us all up for His Glory! “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”” Hebrews 10:36-37 NIV His ways are higher then my ways and so are His thoughts are higher then ours! I want to experience God with every step through all circumstances and trials while in relationship in the Body of Christ!
So let us all follow the Spirit of God by living our lives humbly under God’s mighty hands surrounded in His wonderful light! There is no better place to be! Let us all pray continually together in Unity by focusing on what we have in common while choosing to follow Jesus who is the Author and perfecter of our faith! All of us continually giving God glorious praise for His Kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven! Let us follow Jesus marvelous and wonderful ways by how we live our lives completely humble, and completely surrendered to God’s ways and not the ways of the world! This is so those who are of the world and don’t understand or know God’s love will be drawn into God’s unconditional love for them by how our actions in the body of Christ match what we do. This kind of love that God has for everyone surpasses all human understanding because the world doesn’t love in the same way. Especially when we all come from different places in life yet we have the love of the Father flowing in us and through us as we are led by the Spirit of God! I pray for all of us to have our Fathers heart! Let us slow down to hear His small still voice and be patient while putting up with each other! God promises to finish the good work in me and all of you until the day of Christ Jesus. Can you see it? The finish line the 12 gates with a pearl on each gate and streets made of gold so pure you can see through it. With Jesus arms open wide! Amen!
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of Lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:11-16 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/1ti.6.11-16.NIV
“Ands let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/heb.10.24-25.NIV“The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:21-27 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/rev.21.21-27.NIV“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/heb.12.1-3.NIV
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 NIVB.
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”” Hebrews 10:36-37 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/heb.10.36-37.NIV
“He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”” Revelation 21:6-8 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/rev.21.6-8.NIV
2 Timothy 2:22 ESV So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
James 2:22 NIV You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
Psalm 22:22 NIV I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you
My favorite is watching my children eagerly wait to open their gifts! It is a huge struggle for me too! The same questions every day, can I open just one or how many more days till Christmas? This morning I sat on the couch and noticed one of my younger kids snuck over to the tree to sneak a peek at one of their presents! One little tear here and one tiny rip there! I said, if you keep peeking it won’t be a surprise! I love how God teaches me something new and the amazing part is, if we are to busy we might miss it! He teaches us so much through our children as we lead them we will learn even more!
Today is Christmas! ❤️ We are so thankful for our family and all our sisters and brothers in Christ! 💕 We are so thankful for God’s love, Mercy and Grace! ❤️ God gave us a His living word, The Bible to give us a glimpse of His special plan for us starting in Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 9:6 and Micah 5:2-3 and more! We will discover how God’s word is alive and active!! He shows us in action of how much He loves everyone person in the world! John 1:14-18 NIV, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” God has a plan from the beginning to save us from Sin and He keeps all His promises!! We can not do anything to save ourselves! We need Jesus who came here to take us lovingly by the hand to show us the way, because Jesus is the way, the truth and the Life! We can’t go to the Father in our own way, but only through Jesus! We have to chose to follow! He didn’t want us to be stuck eternally separated from Him because of His love for us all! God gave us the best Gift, His Son Jesus, who died for us all, He rose on the third day and is alive preparing a place for all those who believe and follow Him! John 14:3 NIV, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
I’m thankful we have the Bible, so we know the truth! We need to be careful on depending on watching Bible Story on TV or any device to present the Bible to our children! We have been given the blessing of our children and raise them to know the truth about Jesus! I do like watching movies however each movie is slightly different because of what is added to or taken away! We need to be on guard on what are children watch on TV, because they may think it is make believe or not real! I recently picked up a Christmas book. It had things in the story that were far from what actually happened in the Bible mixed with some truth! This is confusing to children! We need to be reminded by reading the story to our children as the Holy Spirit leads us and teaches them! Hebrews 13:8 NIV, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” With the variety of movies out there, I thought about how more then ever, As parents, grandparents and guardians together, help our children learn the truth through the Bible, so as they grow up, they will know to match up to what they see or hear to what the Bible says is true! We need to stay in truth in order to live out what we have learned from reading from the Bible! As we watch movies together, guide them in truth, so they grow discerning what is right and wrong! We won’t know which path to take if we neglect filling ourselves up with God’s word first! The world is loud and busy with many wonderful things God has blessed us with, but we need to be careful. Romans 12:2 NIV, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” We need to fill ourselves up with God’s living words that give life, so we can be the light God called us to be for His Glory!
John 14:6 NIV Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Proverbs 22:6 NIV, Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Isaiah 60:1 ESV Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Psalm 25:4-5 NLT. Show me the right path, O LORD ; point out the road for me to follow. 5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Psalm 119:105 NIV Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
2 Timothy 3:16 NIV, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
“Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Extol the Lord, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion. He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat. He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow. He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws. Praise the Lord.” Psalms 147:7-20 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.147.8-20.NIV
I only want to be in Your wonderful light! There is no other place I would rather be than in your presence resting at your feet Praising you forever! Reveal my heart Jesus, wide open, every part of me exposed where no darkness can be hidden! Search every part of me, unveil my eyes and help me see even if I feel like hiding because, I only want to be in your wonderful light! Help me to become more for you, as I become less for me! Let it be Your will be done, for only Your Kingdom come forever with you!! Amen!
1 Peter 2:9 NIV But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
John 8:12, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 ESV, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
1 John 1:5-7 ESV, “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light,as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Every person in the world has their own race to run in life! When I was in high school, I had a difficult time with direction and worse I needed glasses too, but didn’t know it yet! One day, I was running this most awesome race in the woods! So many colors and the air was filled with the fragrance of fall! We all lined up to run our race and suddenly a shot signaled us to go! I took off with all my heart and just kept going, I didn’t look back leaving everyone behind! I was excited because Fall is my favorite time of the year and the best part for me, the rain! I loved running in the rain!! I was so far ahead! It was quiet, peaceful and so beautiful! Finally, I realized, I didn’t know which path to take! I had to make a choice, do I just keep going not knowing where I was going or slow down and ask! There was no one around me and it was so quiet! I made the decision to slow down and ask the person behind me! She was surprised and could have lied to me too! I wanted to finish my race but I couldn’t do it alone and I needed help! I could not see the lines marked out for me and was completely depending on the person behind me! She pointed the way as I followed because I couldn’t see with the lines especially with all the rain. We can’t see the path marked for us in our life but we can trust God who is the one who marked it for us! I remain confident in what Jesus told me to do that is clearly marked out to share the good news about Jesus wherever I go! Matthew 28:16-20 NIV, “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Through this experience, I learned something about following! We all follow something or someone and to be a good follower means you either will go the right way or the wrong way depending on who you chose to follow! As we live our life, we must pray and pray for each other as we seek God first and His righteousness while we trust God in all parts of our life! We can remain confident Jesus will be with us and never leave us! Romans 12:2 NIV, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” There are two choices, either we will follow the world (conform) or God (transformed by the renewing of your mind) Our foundation is our starting block for our spiritual race and we must surround ourselves with people who will be your guard rails pointing you back to Jesus! We need our abiding relationship with Jesus, to know which way to go and that means we need a relationship with our sisters and brothers in Christ to help us, encourage, support, remind, spur us on, and point out our blind spots! God will surround you with people in your life at the right time, a cloud of witness! Hebrews 12:1 NIV, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” The things that hinder us could be pride by thinking we know best or not willing to listen to the wisdom God places in our life!
The starting block matters in our spiritual race! It’s starts with a relationship with Jesus, God’s one and only Son! God’s perfect gift for all of us! James 1:17-18 NIV, “17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” The world patterns are like the sinking sand, changing wind patterns, and moving shadows which will lead you astray, lost and eventually alone! If we don’t have a solid foundation, we will follow anything that benefits us during that time or phase in life we are going through! It would be like chasing the wind or following shadows! It didn’t make sense to my cross country coach when I asked the second place person where to go, and it won’t make sense to people who don’t know God’s love yet! There is no competition in the body of Christ!
When we chose to be transformed my the renewing of our minds, we chose to follow Jesus example filling ourselves up with His living words! Our race is marked out for us and it’s not a race to be in competition with each other because we are all individuals made in God’s image to do good works planned for us to do in advance! We are all apart of the body of Christ United with our sister and brothers! My coach only saw from the outside and didn’t know what was going on within the individual race we were running! We have to be guarded by truth from God’s living words from the Bible to not assume what we think we see in other peoples life or heard! We are instead supposed to love the way God loves, encourage, and support while we spurs each other on to love and good deeds! Life can get hard but don’t give up and don’t give up on each other including yourself! The battle isn’t against flesh and blood! We glorify God when we Unify together in Jesus by loving the way He loves, and forgive the way He forgives by not holding records of wrong! God’s love is never ending! John 14:27 NIV, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Psalm 136:1 NIV, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
Galatians 6:9 NIV Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another— and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 11:8 NIV, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV, “10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Philippians 4:4-9 NIV, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.And the God of peace will be with you.
“Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” Acts 10:34-35 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/act.10.34-35.NIV
When I was in the middle of cleaning, the sky began to change rapidly from light gray then dark! Gradually an illuminating glow shined behind the darkness as the rainbow slowly appeared out of no where! I thought to myself, “no rain, no warning!” In my excitement, I said, “look a rainbow!” Someone in a mask actually went outside to see the rainbow and said, “I need the pot of gold!” Then he left just like that! What do we look for when the sky is gray? Who do we turn to when the sky turns dark? The world seeks treasure on earth that is temporary and won’t last, however when you seek God and what He has for you, it will last for eternity with Him! It is important as believers to live out being the light and salt of the world to those who don’t know God’s love yet! We need to pray for everyone! In the mist of this moment, I found myself on my knees thanking God of what matters most as I change out the trash can liners! Yes, you can pray and work at the same time! 😊 With no warning, the rainbow just appeared, just like that! We too must be ready! Awake, Alert, sober minded!! We must keep our lamps full no matter where we are in our day because the glory of God lit up the sky tonight reminding everyone that God keeps all His promises! ““Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:13 NIV Each color compliments one another in an orderly way as it reflects God’s story, to seek the lost through His one and only Son, Jesus! He very much loves every person in the whole world!! James 2:2 NIV, “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.” Each color is unique and has a purpose! Not all parts of the rainbow shines at the same time but each part shines in God’s perfect timing in complete Unity in Him! All you need to do is, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
““At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:1-13 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.25.1-13.NIV
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Philippians 2:1-2 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/php.2.1-2.NIV
The world’s ways can consume us like the suffocating world of smoke from the fires around us! It’s like pressing into the glass of your ice water in hope to get a breath of fresh air while escaping the heat holding your glass. How do we get a breath of fresh air in a world filled with so many different ways to find relief from the smoke? The smoke is like all the pressure around us from all sides telling you to do this, think this, run from that! It blinds you and even distorted what is right in front of you! How do we live in a world full of distractions that keep us on the purpose God has for us to do in the consuming smoke around us? We are called to live a life set apart from the ways of the world. John 15:19 NIV, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” Instead of searching wisdom through the internet, we need to be searching for God’s wisdom in the Bible!
How do we react when pressure in life is like wearing a mask in the heat while the air is filled with smoke? Do we stop and Pray and run to scripture (Bible) to find and match up what going on with what God says we should do or go with what feels right and even search for it in the internet? There so much controversy over who thinks what is right or wrong! The only solid truth that we can stand firm on comes from the Bible! We need to remember and be reminded! “Remember, your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:7-8). God is the same yesterday, today and forever.
We are seed planters everywhere we go either good or bad! How we handle pressure in this world is an opportunity to plant seeds to those who don’t know God’s love yet or water the seeds already there! We have an influence wherever we go and each day we choose who we will we serve. You can only choose one, because you can’t serve two masters. You will love one and hate the other. Matthew 6:24 NIV, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” What kind of seeds do we sow? The seed you plant comes from the master you serve, God or money (world) What you put into your mind comes out of your heart and it effects your choices. Do we sow in The Spirit, by loving God and everyone with love and respect or the flesh, love when you feel like it at the time or because you know yoursuppose to love. 1 John 4:18 NIV, We love because he first loved us. It is impossible to love without God because it’s His love in us that make it possible to love the way He loves. You cannot give someone a drink of fresh water when yourcontainer is empty. Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world,but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Father God, praying that we will be all You called us to be for your Will to be done on earth as it is in heaven for your Glory! Praying for for Unity as all our sisters and brothers in Christ cling to your ways and hold onto truth according to your living word in the Bible! As all, sisters and brothers, everywhere gather in prayer for one another be Unified in you, living for your purpose for our lives in everything we do to further your Kingdom. I meditate on your living words all throughout the day, it refreshens me (a breath of fresh air) way down deep in my soul, as “we are hard pressed from each side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV). I keep my eyes on you, Jesus who is the Author and perfector of my faith who has good planned! I trust everything you said in the Bible, that you want us to have an abundant life in you! All scripture is from your breathe! I will not give up on doing what is good because I trust in your plan and will drop my ways for only your ways! I will not overlook the urgency you put in me and all of us, to share the Good News about Jesus, your one and only Son who came to save all people, once and for all because you love all and want no one to perish but have life in you! I will fix my eyes on you even if things like when I slipped of the counter in the process of moving last year made it difficult to move around. I will lean heavily on you because I desperately need you to guide me day and night! As you fill me with your strength and not my own, I am able to continue and will never give up! Praying with All my heart, that I become lesser (i) as YOU become more in me to further your Kingdom Come forever with you in heaven!“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV)
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” Psalms 1:1-6 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.1.1-6.NIV “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2co.4.7-12.NIV “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.” Romans 6:5-10 NIV https://romans.bible/romans-6-8
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/heb.12.1-3.NIV
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
The world has become even more flashy, busy and noisy full of distractions with breaking news stories and many versions of social media to capture our attention! The rising and falling temperatures everywhere raise concern for everyone, as the world changes and shifts constantly! However, God says, there is nothing new under the sun! Ecclesiastes 1:9 NIV, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” This is why it’s so important to be in scripture so we can be ready! 1 Corinthians 10:11-13 NIV, “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” We need to stand firm and stay awake, alert and sober minded by keeping our lamps full! The distractions of this world can consumed us mentally and even weigh us down! As we drive down the road or even walk down the street, news and even music is playing everywhere! You don’t even have to try, news is everywhere no matter where we go! The need to know is overwhelming! What we consume in our minds by what we watch or read effect how we think and how we live out our day! We can get consumed by all the world events along with everything going on in your lives which can effect our emotions, reactions, and decisions! We need a filter to help us filter out the garbage! The filter we need is God! 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” The world around us is huge but God is in control of it all! Revelation 1:8 NIV, ““I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” God is our filter!
We can learn so much from the Bible as we live out our own lives! Exodus 14:13-18 New King James Version! Moses said to the people, “the Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” In the NIV, It says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”Be Still (you shall hold your peace), really caught my attention! You shall hold your Peace, caused me to dig deeper in God’s word! I can see why we need to hold onto Peace! Everywhere around us is the opposite of Peace or different verse of Peace! But, the Peace we hold onto come from God not the world! Romana 12:2 NIV, “ Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.” We need to stand firm on truth and hold onto every living word from God! Because the word of God is our solid foundation! The patterns of this world is sand! Sand is not stable and always shifting and changing. What we are going through can cause us to react the same way the Israelites did when everything looked impossible! We can learn so much from them! What would you do in their situation? What are you going through similar to this where everything looks impossible? Exodus 14:10-12 NIV, “As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” The Israelites were panicking and attacking Moses saying so many things! Even today, we can react the same way when the pressure and expectations feel consuming in our lives! The cares of the world aren’t meant for you to hold! We are to give them to Jesus! 1 Peter 5:6-9 NIV, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
We need to remember who God is! “God is I Am who I Am” Exodus 3:14-15 NIV, “God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.”God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob has sent me to you.’ “This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.”Not only do we need to remember but we need to remind each other in love and respect to not give up on doing good, fix our eyes on Jesus who is the Author and perfect of our faith, seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteous, humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, love unconditionally because love covers a multitude of sins, depend on God’s understanding and not ours, take each though captive and make it obedient to Christ, and live out our day thinking about what is true because Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, as we meditate on His living words day and night!
When we live out Peace in our lives, we have an unexplainable calmness within us from God while everything around us is a raging storm! The Peace within gives you confidence to do the very difficult steps in your life to get you to the next destination. The next verse says in Exodus 14:15 NIV, “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.”Be still (peace) an action preparing the steps to move forward! Now God says, Move On! We are not meant to do nothing by staying still! When you seek God first and His righteous in prayer and reading the Bible, your choosing His ways and not your own way! The world is always full of choices and is full noise telling you to go this way it that way! The voices are overwhelming! However with God there is only one way and that is “through” Jesus, God’s one and only Son! We need to follow the Spirit of God! We must move on (go), trusting God will lead the way! I’m sure, the Red Sea looked like a closed door, but It wasn’t! Just because a door looks closed doesn’t mean it really is! Also, just because a door closed on you, doesn’t mean it was closed by God! As we move on forward, we need to stand firm on the rock (Jesus) keep praying, keep trusting God and follow Him! It was impossible in the eyes of the Israelites! However, nothing is impossible with God! Just like for me last summer, it seemed impossible especially not knowing if we were suppose to stay there or go. But, through prayer we continued moving forward to building and repairing where we lived at the time! Then as we worked, we received a call! God showed us the answer! We must go! We wanted to just be delivered from place and felt stuck! We felt as though the harder we tried to leave something kept us there! However, when under pressure we look at our situation through what we are going through! However, God has a bigger and clear view because He is God the creator of everything and everyone! God loves everyone and it wasn’t just about us! God has no favoritism! It was about everyone involved in our lives and who was on the land with us! We don’t know God’s plans but we know all of us are together for a reason! Just as he knit us in our mothers womb! He is spiritually knitting us in the Body of Christ! We didn’t accomplish everything on this land, God did this through our sisters and brothers in Christ! It seemed like forever to get everything moved and we still had so many details to where we would go next, but we continued to trust God by fixing our eyes on Jesus and knew it would be worked out as we continued forward! God will show you the way, but it definitely doesn’t always happen right away, sometime it’s right at the last minute! When you live out your faith in God, other people with be drawn in. It looked like a closed door and seem impossible but just like the red seas opened, we too, must trust God and move on “go”! We can’t just sit and wait for everything to unfold! We need to be still (you shall hold your peace) live out what you believe to be true by trusting God and move on (go) as God amazing and wonderful ways unfold!
Today, I’m sitting here in the heat watching my beautiful children drive each other around on ice chests in the yard! I’m looking back at this moment last summer, thinking as I’m reminded, God works in action! We continued moving forward as we stayed close to God all the way through! He faithfully brought in sisters and brothers, and our family to help get us out of an impossible situation! Where we went wasn’t expected but a wonderful blessing in the waiting! Through it all we first and most importantly, seek God and His righteous as we pray through our day in each decision! We must also, be completely humble! No matter what, God will be with you and everything He plans for your life is for good for those who are called according to His purpose! So, knowing that helps me when it’s so hard to see where or when, especially in the heat right now. The heat pokes at the flesh but we need to follow the Spirit of God! When you are a child of God you can we confident that He has good for you! It might be hard to see this because of the trials and struggles we go through, but it’s important we allow God to mold us to who we are to become for Him! Mosses had to go through trials too! You can be confident that all the days have been set in your life before your even born, and God has it all worked out already! We just need to be still, as we move forward because God has work for us to do, we need to actively sharing Good News in not only what we say, but how we live for Jesus! We are to be the the light by living out the love we have from God and for others because God loves us first! We are to keep going as He unfolds our day for His glorious purpose which is good for all those who believe in Jesus and follow Him! He wants none to be lost!
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.Revelation 3:14-22 NIV, “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”Philippians 4:1-9 NIV Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.Final Exhortations 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 NIV, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.”
Matthew 5:43-48 NIV “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV https://www.bible.com/111/rom.12.2.niv
““Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”” Matthew 7:24-27 NIV https://www.bible.com/111/mat.7.24-27.niv
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NIV https://www.bible.com/111/mat.6.33.niv
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV https://www.bible.com/111/heb.12.1-3.niv
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 NIV https://www.bible.com/111/php.4.8-9.niv
It amazes me how God works! We get to see the short cuts the Israelites could of went through as we read the Bible, to get to the promises land! However, God knows what it would take to work out the old patterns in their lives as they learn to depend and trust Him with all their hearts! What the younger generation experienced must have been amazing with their parents while spending 40 years in the desert and extremely hard! They experienced God’s power and Glory as they journeyed to the promise land! He knew what it would take to grow the new generation up for Him as he met the old generation where they are and made sure they were completely taken care of! The flesh can be hard to please as the intense, hot and dry land must have been hard! They learned hands on lessons that they can trust God and depend on Him! He never left them! “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to given them light…Exodus 13:17-22NIV, “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle. Moses took the bones of Josephwith him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.” After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”
God loves us so much, he doesn’t leave us or forsake us! God does and continues to do the impossible! As we try to escape the blistering sun, the cloud by day makes more sense! God protected them by giving them shade from the fierceness of the desert sun! It also, get so dark and cold at night and He led them with His guiding light as they kept warm! He surrounded them with His presence and great and wonderful love! Today, we don’t have the cloud or fire! The good News is we have the Good News “Jesus” who is the light of the world! His living Words through the Holy Spirit gives us guidance to our day. He is with us and He will never leave us, He gives wisdom, He gives us direction, so we never have to fear being left on our own to figure things out. He goes ahead of us, he walks with us, and He guards our ways! His Word is truth and life, it shows us the way to walk in this dark world. We are called to be the light of the world!
We all need to keep hydrated and need water to drink, especially in the extreme heat! I love how God teaches us through scripture how as our physical bodies need water, we need spiritual water where we will never thirst! What do we do, when we thirst in the hot and dry desert heat? What do we crave in the waiting for a rain that drenched us to the bone? Romana 12:2 NIV, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.” What you chose to do in the waiting matters! Where we spend our time matters! We are not suppose to be just hears of God’s word but doers as well! James 1:22 NIV, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” God says don’t conform to the patterns of this world! What does this mean? When we break this down, you will see that what the world says is the opposite of what God says! God says, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteous! When we seek God first, we are choosing to meditate on God’s words day and night as we live out what He says! We are filling ourselves up with His living words from the Bible while thinking and talking about them day and night! The world says empty your mind but God says fill it up with Him! But what we fill ourselves up in the waiting, matters and it must come from God! We need to guard our mind which flow into our hearts because out of the heart the mouth speaks! Philippians 4:8 NIV, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Not only do we fill ourselves with God’s living words while meditating day and night, we need to put them into practice in every part of our lives! Especially through the storms and trials in our lives! When you stand firm by being planted by streams of living water! You will be blessed because of God’s living words flowing into your life which gives you life forever in Jesus! Psalm 1:1-3 NIV, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” These dry and thirsty times are a reminder about who we hold onto while God walks with us as He molds us to be more and more like Him! We hold onto Jesus who is the author and perfectly of our faith! Who gives us living water where we will never thirst! In these thirsty days where the land even longs for a drop of rain! When the sand is so dense, the dust makes it hard to breathe or even see what’s going on around us! We need to remember, stay in God’s word and in relationship with our sisters and brothers in Christ! In Psalm 77, “I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak. I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked: “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion? Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters though your footprints were not seen.You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
When the storms in life are raging and they come in So many different ways and you’re going through trials, remember, stand firm on the solid foundation of Jesus who is the vine” John 15:5 NIV, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Trust God, who cares deeply for you! His thoughts for you are as numerous as the sand in all the world and nothing can ever separate you from the love of God! Even if the dust in the air makes it hard to stay focused, fix your eyes on Jesus who makes a way when there seems to be no way! When you meditate on God’s living words that give life, day and night, you will be blessed! You will be rooted in Jesus and will able to stand strong in Jesus, You will know what the world offers is temporary and won’t last like a sudden mist that comes out of no where! If might feel awesome but don’t be lead away from what your suppose to do! The mist really is temporary because it evaporates in an instant. 1 Peter 5:6-9 NIV, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
Through the dust storms, we need to stay connected to the vine (Jesus)! As we fix our eyes on Him by staying focused on the kingdom mindset! We will have peace and joy that can never be taken from you! Even during storms in your life! The sand of the world will become an overflow in our lives as it shifts and moves! But you will not be moved! The sand washes things away! If your not on guard by taking the full armor of God, you will be swallow up by every distraction or care of the world! It’s like waves in the ocean! But remember, Hebrews 13:7-8 NIV, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Even when it gets hard, don’t give up on doing good! Galatians 6:7-10 NIV, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Living out God’s love by living in His truth throughout our daily lives, will lead others to want to know God’s love too and we will be reminding each other not to give up! As we fix our eyes on Jesus and seek Him first in all we do, you do you will find Him, when you seek Him with all your heart! Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
We can’t depend on our own strength because nothing good comes from it! Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. It’s in our weakness that we bring God glory! 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 NIV, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” We must abide in Jesus who is the vine and God is the gardener! We will never thirst as our bodies do, because we are filled completely up with Him! We must cling to truth( Jesus)! Our bodies may struggles but we grow stronger as we grow spiritual fruit that bring God continual Glory! As I fall, I will stand, as I trip, I will remain! Everything we go through in life is an opportunity to grow more to know God’s love as we glorify Him!
Revelation 22:16-17 NIV, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
I have so much to write and don’t know where to start! There has been so many changes! God is so good, loving and wonderful to us! I haven’t written in awhile as I’m filled with so much thankfulness, and decided today is the day! How you start the day matters so much! It’s best to start the day before your feet touch the ground, putting on the full armor of God! We need Him to withstand the cares of each day! We need to stand firm unified in truth not turning to the left or the right! With so many distractions in our lives and things to do, we lose focus! We are calledto be Holy in all we do as we live our lives for God! However, we needtobesobermindedwhichincludes not being overwhelmedwithsuchbusynessin our schedules ect. that we lose sight on what trulyimportant! When we overwhelmourselves to exhaustion, we can’tsee, hear or think clearly anymore! 1 Peter 5:8 NIV, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Each day and all day we needtoput on the full armor of God! Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”Each day is an opportunity to glorify God and share His love everywhere we go! However, sometimes life happens fast with busy schedules! Time slips through our fingers because we either lost track of time or slept in! My heart is troubled about how little times we actually have! Everyday is a gift and I want to do all I can for God. Lamentation 3:22-23 NIV “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Yesterday, we were in a hurry to get everyone ready to go! I noticed how everyone seemed stressed to get this and that done before they left! Suddenly, as my husband started to leave, I stopped with a strong urgency to pray! We all prayed together and off they went! What can we do if we find ourselves in these situations? In the scrabble to accomplish so much in our day, we can stop anytime to pray and listen! I’m thankful we took the time to listen and pray as He led us through the rest of the day! Shortly afterwards, my husband’s tire blew and the car lost control on the road! They ended up hitting a soft bank of dirt! My boys said, even though they felt like they were going fast, it was a gentle crash! I’m thankful for God’s protection! As we seek God no matter what time it is during the day, it’s never to late to stop, pray and listen to what God has to say! He talks to us through prayer, reading the Bible and our sisters and brothers in Christ. We keep learning and Growing as you experience all God has for us. Matthew 11:28-30 NIV, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
The Bible shows us how to live our lives through life experiences each person had in the Bible! They struggled through how they felt. All through scripture we see how God helps us in every circumstance and struggle. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV, “Rejoice always,pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. He even carries us through storms as we rest safely in His hands! Moses talked with God about everything and asked all kinds of questions!God didn’t hold back and He wants us to talk with Him about everything! God worked through every emotion with Moses. God worked through Moses and Moses mirrored everything God wanted him to do because he trusted God with all his heart! Keep seeking God by asking questions!!! God will strengthen us as we seek His will first in everything! Matthew 6:33 NIV, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” As we live out His Kingdom come and His Will be done on earth as it is in heaven, every day through every circumstance you might be going through, you will grow to know God more! When you seek God, you will find Him, when you seek Him with all your heart! As we all pray for each other we will be stronger together because we are all unified in Christ! John 10:10, NIV: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them down. I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalms 118:1-3, 5-29 NIV https://www.bible.com/111/psa.118.1-3,5-29.niv“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”” 1 Peter 1:13-16 NIV https://www.bible.com/111/1pe.1.13-16.niv
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:1-17 NIV https://www.bible.com/111/col.3.1-17.niv
