tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56147428278649487262024-03-15T21:09:31.353-04:00Meagan NeedhamInspiration for a Deeper Relationship with JesusAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-3431077435156340812017-11-22T05:25:00.001-05:002017-11-22T20:22:50.180-05:00Thanksgiving Worship Playlist<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlrvL_yuFdhswGALRkcXSXo5bYbRl7xJMIPIukSS32d12RS1PLco3pwJBaPxhhLIpByn31ub4Hd7DaI1oi9m6aTfTYrPhnWsnnT0A8M9WGi5B0Oozs3ePp6rAimFrGGwWGn9cRw1wXAM/s1600/I+like+my+Jesus+music+at+a+Volume+that+I+cant+hear+the+enemy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Worship Playlist" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlrvL_yuFdhswGALRkcXSXo5bYbRl7xJMIPIukSS32d12RS1PLco3pwJBaPxhhLIpByn31ub4Hd7DaI1oi9m6aTfTYrPhnWsnnT0A8M9WGi5B0Oozs3ePp6rAimFrGGwWGn9cRw1wXAM/s640/I+like+my+Jesus+music+at+a+Volume+that+I+cant+hear+the+enemy.png" title="Worship Playlist" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and the holiday season officially begins! While I love this time of year, it can be extremely stressful. Rushing from house to house, buying presents, dealing with difficult family members, keeping track of all of the holiday parties, taking on serving opportunities, it's all great, but we take on so much and put so much pressure on ourselves that we begin to lose sight of what the holidays are truly about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lately, with a lot going on in my life, I have really begun to understand the value and the power of praise. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have always loved worship music, but when I'm feeling stressed out or just plain depressed, turning it on is usually the last thing I feel like doing. During this busy season, however, I've been very intentional about cranking up my favorite worship songs when I find myself in a bad mood or overwhelmed. I turn it up as loud as I have to and I always end up feeling so much better! </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It refocuses my mind and my heart on what is truly important and reminds me where true and lasting joy comes from, Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So with this hectic time of the year upon us, I thought I would share some of my favorite worship songs with you. My hope is that these songs will give you peace in the busyness, restored joy and a more meaningful holiday season.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm always looking for new music. What are some of your favorite worship songs? Let me know in the comments!</span></div>
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<em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </strong>I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands." </span></em></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Psalm 63:3-4</b></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-39660808660458777442017-11-17T08:49:00.000-05:002017-11-22T05:26:53.876-05:00I Walked into the Woods with My Husband and this is What I Learned<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My husband, Roger, loves to hunt. The world stops from October to January for him and it's all hunting, all of the time. I learned early on that I couldn't beat him, so from time to time, before it gets too cold because cold is not my thing, I join him</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A couple of weeks ago we went out on a Sunday afternoon. After loading me down with flashlights and reminding me how to use my gun (insert eye roll emoji), we headed to our stands. As Roger led the way, he checked the ground in front of us, stepping over fallen limbs and watching for dangerous critters. He held back limbs for me (most of the time) as I walked safely under them. He knew exactly which way to go as we made our way deep into the woods. He had walked that path many times before. As I followed in his footsteps, I thought of Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If I had been alone that day, I would have chosen a safer spot. I would have been afraid of the wildlife that I may have come across. I would have been scared of getting lost, especially when it got dark. I wouldn't have wanted to walk so far with so much stuff. But because my husband was with me, I had the courage to take the riskier path where the most deer would be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's the same in our lives. When we trust God enough to follow where He leads, He doesn't necessarily lead us down the most safe and convenient road, He leads us down the path that leads to the most blessing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Exodus 13 and 14, we find the Israelites recently freed from the hands of the Egyptians and ready to embark on the journey to the land that God promised them. They could have taken a straight, fairly short path to get there, but instead God instructed Moses to lead them through the wilderness and by the Red Sea. God had a plan to reveal His glory through this alternate route. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Shortly after, God hardened Pharaoh's heart and Pharaoh began to regret his decision to set the Israelites free. He gathered his large army and went after them. When the Israelites saw that the Egyptians were coming, they became terrified. They questioned why Moses would lead them out of Egypt just to die anyway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God caused a pillar of cloud to separate the Egyptians and the Israelites through the night as the Egyptians continued their chase. As they reached the Red Sea, Moses stretched out his hand and God caused a great wind that split the sea, allowing the Israelites to walk on dry ground to the other side. The Egyptians reached the Red Sea and attempted to run through it in pursuit of the Israelites, but when they reached the middle, Moses stretched out his hand again and the sea closed up, drowning each and every one of them, saving the Israelites from their hands.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because Moses was obedient to follow God down the most unlikely path, the Israelites experienced God's power and therefore believed in Him and trusted Moses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm sure when Moses and the Israelites learned that God was going to take them through the wilderness and the Red Sea instead of straight to their destination, the Promise Land, they were confused and probably a little irritated. But, if they had not gone the way the Lord instructed them to, the Egyptians probably would have caught up with them and they would have lost both their freedom and the opportunity to witness God's power at work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It makes me wonder what in my life I have missed out on because I was afraid or unwilling to be inconvenienced. I don't know about you, but there have been many times that I have clearly heard God's direction, but have told Him "no thanks, I'm going to stay right here where I'm comfortable. That would be too painful, too hard, I'd have to sacrifice too much. I know you'll love me even if I don't so I'm not gonna."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God doesn't promise us that His way will be easy or even safe. All throughout scripture though, we see that what He does promise is that He will go before us. And as He does He says He will <i>fight on our behalf</i> (Deuteronomy 1:30), m</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="color: #23221f;">ake the rough places smooth </i><span style="color: #23221f;">(Isaiah 45:2), </span><i style="color: #23221f;">protect us from behind </i><span style="color: #23221f;">(Isaiah 52:12), and </span><i style="color: #23221f;">will not fail us or forsake us </i><span style="color: #23221f;">(Deuteronomy 31:8). He says that if we follow Him we will </span><i style="color: #23221f;">not walk in darkness, but have the light of life </i><span style="color: #23221f;">(John 8:12)</span><i style="color: #23221f;">. </i><span style="color: #23221f;">Psalm 23:3 says <i>He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. </i>The places He leads us are for His glory so we can be assured His ways are good. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">Just like </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">I would have chosen a safer spot i</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">f I had been hunting by myself that day, I think if </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">the Egyptians had a say, they would have chosen the quicker route to the promise land. I would have hunted safely on the edge of a field and chances are, I would have seen a few does. But if I've learned anything in my short time hunting, it's that the bucks are not typically found in the fields. They're found deep in the woods. God's glory wouldn't have been as evident to the Israelites on the short cut, it was revealed in the long path through the wilderness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe today you're on a path that doesn't make sense. Maybe you feel God calling you to something that seems scary and uncomfortable. Maybe you've heard His voice over and over, but you've ignored Him for whatever reason. Be encouraged that j</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #23221f; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">ust like my husband did for me that day, as we walk down the path God has set for us, He walks ahead of us. He watches for danger and is careful to help us over every obstacle and lead us to the most prosperous place. He honors our obedience. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is a blessing waiting for us at the end of His path. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-62891782536339097342017-11-08T15:53:00.000-05:002017-11-08T15:53:28.710-05:00More Than Turkey: Cultivating Gratitude This Thanksgiving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Happy November everyone! If you're a holiday lover like I am, on November 1st the holiday season officially began for you. I love all things holiday and Christmas. Decorating the tree, wrapping presents, the lights, the food, the traditions, holiday movies and music, spending time with family. It really is the most wonderful time of the year for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All of those things are great, but the truth is the holidays are about so much more. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I want to celebrate by spending this month focused on gratitude. I wanted to do a little more than the typical "30 days of things I'm thankful for" posts on Facebook so I've come up with some ways to cultivate gratitude this season. I hope they are helpful to you too! </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Keep a Gratitude Journal</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This Thanksgiving season, start the practice of reflecting on your day and writing down a few things that you are thankful for each night. Get a new journal or even just jot them down in the notes section of your phone. However you do it, take the time to actually write (or type) these things down instead of just thinking about them. Doing that will cause you to really slow down, appreciate all of your blessings and solidify them in your mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is always something to be grateful for, even on the hardest days. Focusing on those things will change your perspective of your circumstances, whatever they may be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I think it's important not to just express our gratitude to God, but to others as well. Throughout this month, when someone does something nice for you or you catch someone in the act of generosity or kindness, take "thank you" to the next level and leave them a note of appreciation or recognizing them for what they did. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">There is nothing better than getting a hand written note. You could even leave it anonymously if you wanted.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When people feel appreciated it makes them want to continue to do a good job. So the result of showing our gratitude to others is more kindness, more generosity and more love. I don't know anything our world needs more of than that! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Read Through the Psalms</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know for me, one of the best ways to get my heart aligned with God's is to read His word so I think it's the first place we should turn when we want to cultivate gratitude in our minds and in our lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The book of Psalms is full of songs of praise and gratitude to God so it's a great book to read through during the holiday season. I'm currently going through <a href="http://shereadstruth.com/plan/psalms-of-gratitude/" target="_blank">She Reads Truth's</a> "Psalms of Gratitude" study. Join in with me or just spend some time every morning or before bed at night reading and meditating on a few Psalms. </span><br />
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<i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="text 2Cor-9-10" id="en-NLT-28927" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">"He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. </span><span class="text 2Cor-9-11" id="en-NLT-28928" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">You will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.</span> <span class="text 2Cor-9-12" id="en-NLT-28929" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. </span>As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God." </i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">2 Corinthians 9:10-13</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Paul explains to us in this passage from 2 Corinthians that God's purpose in blessing us is so that we can in turn be a blessing to others and the result of our generosity is that God is glorified. Giving is gratitude in action. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">I challenge you to find a way to put your gratitude to action this holiday season. Donate food to your local food bank. Volunteer at a homeless shelter. Invite someone who is alone or in need to your family's Thanksgiving dinner. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Give back in what ever way you can, big or small, and watch your gratitude multiply into the lives of others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I would love to hear how you're planning to make your Thanksgiving about more than turkey this year. Leave me your suggestions in the comments below!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 Thessalonians 5:18</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-51138741929434047852017-10-27T05:52:00.003-04:002017-10-27T05:52:55.565-04:00The Right Response to Tragedy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzjiOm-nBAawDlLU9auz9fSkHETU9Md_yEj94npzt6POjgmQ_bNRMITRZ9vSjyodnZ5fzvdIlKdAIcuKQGYWaHqJ-9YIR6UzaoFO_mKadWJCEzeGhCsuvmzTgb3sJpLu8u-ME7bcy9-E/s1600/tragedy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dealing with Fear and Anxiety" border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1290" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzjiOm-nBAawDlLU9auz9fSkHETU9Md_yEj94npzt6POjgmQ_bNRMITRZ9vSjyodnZ5fzvdIlKdAIcuKQGYWaHqJ-9YIR6UzaoFO_mKadWJCEzeGhCsuvmzTgb3sJpLu8u-ME7bcy9-E/s640/tragedy.jpg" title="Dealing with Fear and Anxiety" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tragedy. It's becoming too frequent lately. It seems every time I turn on the TV, the radio or scroll through Facebook another tragedy has taken place. And it's not just happening around the world or around the country, it has affected my state, my town and my workplace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This year has been marked by shootings, devastating storms, drug epidemics, people right here in my own world being diagnosed with cancer and losing loved ones too soon. Even some of my patients have had particularly heartbreaking circumstances. So much has happened I can't even recount it all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While none of this tragedy has happened to me personally, I'd be lying if I told you I haven't been affected. In fact, I'd be lying if I told you I have handled all of this bad news like a good Christian should, clinging to my faith, praying, shining my light and praising God for sparing my family. Instead, I've found myself infected with a spirit of fear and anxiety. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've laid in bed at night waiting for my husband to get home, wondering <i>if</i> he would come home. I've religiously checked the backseat of my car before getting in, <i>just in case</i>. I've driven more cautiously than ever before. I've double and triple checked that the doors of my house are locked. I've felt my heart sink when my phone would ring unexpectedly, thinking <i>oh gosh, what if this is a hospital calling me?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>When will it be my turn? What if something happens to someone I love? What if something happens to me? What if our house burns down? What if we lose everything? What if, what if, what if? </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My mind has been so distracted by these thoughts lately b</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ecause when bad things are constantly happening eventually they'll make their way around to me, right? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(I promise I'm getting to the good news!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe you can relate. After all I think it's a normal response to experience some degree of worry when the world is so uncertain and chaotic, even for Christians. But, as followers of Jesus, we can't let ourselves get stuck there. Instead God has been showing me that, in times of trouble, we must remind ourselves of three things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We must remind ourselves of <b>who God is</b>. When the heaviness of this world starts to weigh us down, I think the most important thing we can do is remind ourselves of the ONE who carries it all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"God is not a God of disorder, but of peace." </i>1 Corinthians 14:33 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of
man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?" </span></span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Numbers 23:19 </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"God is our refuge and strength. An ever-present help in times of trouble." </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Psalm 46:1</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"The Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not abandon or destroy you." </i>Deuteronomy 4:24</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"No one can snatch anyone out of my hand and no one can undo what I have done." </i>Isaiah 43:13</span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /> "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He
makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the
heights." </span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2 Samuel 22:33-34</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In
the midst of tragedy, heartbreak and devastation, God remains the same
(Hebrews 13:8). He is the safe place that we can run to and always know
what to expect: protection, comfort, love, guidance. He is the one
guaranteed constant in a world that is out of control. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The state of our world does not change the character of our God and it doesn't diminish His promises to us. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We must remind ourselves <b>where our hope comes from</b>. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One night, after some <span style="background-color: white;">horrible news,</span> I was driving home from work when God showed me something amazing. As I drove over the bridge, on my right a storm was rolling in. Black clouds were covering the sky and threatening lightening was striking all around, but as I looked to my left, there was a rainbow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Seeing that rainbow and that storm in the same sky reminded me that God is always there. Even during dark times He never leaves us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In order for there to be a rainbow, there has to be light. In fact, when a rainbow forms it forms in the section of the sky that is directly <i>across</i> from the sun. The rainbow doesn't form in the sunny part of the sky. That tells me that even though there appeared to be a storm on my right, the sun never left. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our lives are just like that. Even when we feel like all hope is lost, even when it seems like evil has taken over our world, the light of the world, the son, Jesus Christ, shines brighter still. <i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." </i>John 1:5</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God warns us that in this world we will have trouble, but He ensures us that He has already overcome it all (John 16:33). He promises us that all things work for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). He says His plans are to prosper us, not harm us (Jeremiah 29:11). He tells us that when we go through deep waters, He will be with us and when we walk through the fire we will not burned (Isaiah 43:2). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So when tragedy seems to be taking over, we have a choice, we can focus on the storm brewing all around us or on God's faithfulness that dwells inside of us. The state of our hearts and minds depends on where we choos<span style="background-color: white;">e to fix our gaze. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We must remind ourselves of <b>our purpose</b>. When you struggle with fear and anxiety sometimes the <i>seemingly</i> best way to deal with the state of our world is to ignore it. I know because that's what I've done. I don't watch the news, I don't read the paper (is that even a thing anymore?) and I typically check out when the conversation turns grim. I don't want to hear about it because then it becomes real. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But if giving in to fear and anxiety is our response to tragedy, what are we saying to the world about our God? I</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">f we disconnect from the world how will the world ever change? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Paul asks us in Romans 10:13-14, </span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then
will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they
to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to
hear without someone preaching?"</span></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As believers our purpose here is to spread the love of God and make disciples. We can't do that if we cower down in fear and lock ourselves inside of our Christian bubbles. The world needs us to be the light now more than ever. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So
instead we share our hope. We point others to His word. We extend grace
when it isn't fair. We lead by example and the result is a little bit
of Heaven comes down to this broken world.</span> </span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Next time you find yourself overwhelmed by the constant influx of bad news and fear and anxiety start to take over remind yourself of who you belong to. Remind yourself of God's unchanging, unconditional promises to you and put your purpose to work. Find peace in knowing that <i>"this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come</i>." </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(Hebrews 13:14)</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-67129343798602662822017-07-14T12:11:00.002-04:002017-07-14T12:12:28.578-04:00Staying Close to Jesus Through a Busy Season<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJ2XRJK9pmKjBIvbYZsstLAA7TdF93pdkYUfj7FpsWqiWtrkke9B4etMhs6v6TGuw62m28OoTjMMtKhn38mAp9srHrgOuWc4ECYUeLDYP8wbTibu1AAE8YlIM5WWBGWTSMQckQa5zzAE/s1600/stayingclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Have Quiet Time When You're Busy" border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJ2XRJK9pmKjBIvbYZsstLAA7TdF93pdkYUfj7FpsWqiWtrkke9B4etMhs6v6TGuw62m28OoTjMMtKhn38mAp9srHrgOuWc4ECYUeLDYP8wbTibu1AAE8YlIM5WWBGWTSMQckQa5zzAE/s640/stayingclose.jpg" title="How to Have Quiet Time When You're Busy" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anyone else having a busy summer?!? I am not usually the busy type. Without any kids, a three day a week job and a husband who works all of the time, I usually have plenty of free time. I know, you're rolling your eyes at me right now, but it's true! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lately though, with remodeling a house, keeping up with this blog, vacations, work and regular household responsibilities, I have been a little overwhelmed. The one area of my life that has really taken a hit is my personal time with God and I'm starting to feel the effects. I've been more anxious, easily stressed and just plain moody.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jesus promises rest to those of us who are weary (Matthew 11:28), but we have to make time for Him in order to receive it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So if you've found yourself in the middle of a busy season too, keep reading for some practical ways to stay close to Jesus when life gets chaotic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Play worship music</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love worship music. It </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">gets my focus off of my circumstances and back on Jesus. Download some Christian music onto your phone or find a good Pandora station and whenever you would normally flip on the radio, listen to worship music instead. It will </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">bring a positive energy to your day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As you listen really focus on what the songs are saying and offer up the words to God in prayer and praise. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some of my favorites are Elevation Worship, Kari Jobe, Hillsong, Bethel Music, Lauren Daigle and All Sons and Daughters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Listen to Podcasts</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are a lot of great podcasts out there. You can find sermons from well known pastors and messages from Christian speakers and authors. Most churches offer their sermons online as well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Always have some earbuds handy and listen while you're in the car, mowing the grass, laying by the pool, waiting for an appointment, cleaning the house etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Podcasts are also a great option for when you're out of town and have to miss church. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you need a good place to start, you can my find my churches sermons <a href="http://subsplash.com/latitudechurch" target="_blank">here</a>! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Keep an Open Dialogue </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Prayer doesn't have to be done in a certain place, on your knees with your eyes closed. Instead, try talking to God all day long. Change the monologue in your head to a dialogue with God. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As you fold laundry thank Him for providing you and your family. As you pay bills, thank Him for blessing you financially. Pray for those less fortunate as you recognize just how blessed you are. When you think of a prayer need don't wait until the perfect time to pray, pray right then. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I think sometimes we obsess so much over the details of when, where and how we should pray that we end up not praying at all. God just wants us to talk to Him. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Bible tells us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). I think that simply means that we should always keep an open line of communication with God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Utilize your Drive Time</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I do some of my best praying in the car. It's the one place that I feel like I'm completely alone and there are minimal distractions. It's just me and Jesus and since most cars have Bluetooth capability people don't think twice (I hope) when they see me talking to myself! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On those days that you just can't seem to find any extra time, use your time in the car as your quiet time. Pray, listen to a podcast or crank up the worship music.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Be Flexible</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I like to spend time with Jesus first thing in the morning. I believe it's the best time because it sets my day off on the right track from the very beginning. But there are so many days lately that I have so much to do that I simply cannot focus first thing in the morning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be open to trying out a new time of day. Just because you didn't have your quiet time in the morning doesn't mean you can't do it another time. Maybe you could focus better at night when your day is done, try it out. During your lunch break do a quick devotional or read a few verses instead of scrolling through social media. Quiet time at an odd hour is better than no quiet time at all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe you're used to sitting down and reading multiple chapters of the Bible at a time, really studying them as you go. Give yourself grace in this season to do a little less. It's much better than not doing anything. Try out the <a href="http://first5.org/" target="_blank">First 5</a> app or use the <a href="https://www.youversion.com/" target="_blank">YouVersion</a> Bible app to find a short reading plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you're like me and when you sit down to have some quiet time all you can think about is what else you need to be doing, keep a piece of paper close by and jot down your to do list before you get started. That may help clear your mind so you can focus. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I believe that the key to staying close to Jesus during a busy season of life is to weave Him in to every aspect of your day. I hope these tips help you to do just that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If there are some other things that have helped you, leave them in the comments. I would love to hear them!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-11056208640627779532017-06-29T06:06:00.000-04:002017-06-29T06:06:02.733-04:00Unexpected Lessons in Ministry <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklYBCIELVbhyphenhyphenGND1gLiD9bSbtJeJd-nWuPAJczcLPWjqYDuvkNQ8iH5IYMQG81HEVzpWizvtzktbPVgGzv4dNSHxYHspBCrgcXtksC_6ZdVvMOY4iMBc6IbRtZQ_CD_UeC9K5FMKOOZQ/s1600/ministry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lessons in Ministry" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklYBCIELVbhyphenhyphenGND1gLiD9bSbtJeJd-nWuPAJczcLPWjqYDuvkNQ8iH5IYMQG81HEVzpWizvtzktbPVgGzv4dNSHxYHspBCrgcXtksC_6ZdVvMOY4iMBc6IbRtZQ_CD_UeC9K5FMKOOZQ/s640/ministry.jpg" title="Lessons in Ministry" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Are you exhausted from constantly striving to do good? Do you feel like you've been obedient to God's call on your life, but are discouraged because you aren't seeing any fruit? Have you been praying and praying for a loved one with no answer and no change in their behavior? Maybe you've been asking "what's the point in all of this?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have to admit that's how I sometimes feel about this writing thing. I love it and I know that God planned for me to do this and the words that I write are directly from Him, but sometimes it's a lonely journey. Recently, though, I received a gift that has really challenged my perspective. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">John Farmer was a man who I never had the pleasure of meeting, but I feel as if I know him. You see, he was a writer too and his son blessed me with a collection of his words. His writing is genuine and simple, but so powerful. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Without
having known him at all, I can tell you that </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">he loved God, </span></span>he loved his
family, he loved others and he loved to make people laugh. </span>As I read through his book, I found myself both laughing out loud and inspired to love and appreciate others more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What was most surprising about receiving a copy of John's book and hearing his story and the story of his family is what I learned about ministry. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>God uses even the smallest of ministries</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">John Farmer is not a household name. You won't find multiple books written by him on the shelves of bookstores. There aren't any interviews featuring him on Youtube. Even still, his work is meaningful and it's finding its way to the people God intended it for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the midst of ministry and our Christian walk, it's easy to obsess over the numbers. The number of people we lead to Christ, the number of good deeds we do, the number of dollars we give, the number of followers we have. We can become so focused on measuring our success by these numbers that we forget what we set out to do in the first place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm not saying that we shouldn't strive to reach as many people as possible, but the Bible tells us that </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-15-10" id="en-NIV-25599"><span class="woj">there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over <b>one </b>sinner who repents. </span></span></span></span></i>The pressure to reach millions is unnecessary pressure. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-15-10" id="en-NIV-25599"><span class="woj">If 100, 50 or even just 1 person is all we ever reach, Heaven is expanded and God rejoices. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-15-10" id="en-NIV-25599"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love the quote from Mother Teresa that says, "if you want to change the world, go home and love your family." </span> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-15-10" id="en-NIV-25599"><span class="woj">Sometimes the people that God has planned for us to minister to are the people who are right in front of us.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's obvious through his writing that John's family was incredibly important to him. His faith inspired his son, who inspired me and I hope this message inspires you. The living out of our faith has a domino effect. Never underestimate th<span style="background-color: white;">e impact you make b</span>y simply loving the small number of people God has entrusted you with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>God's timing is not our timing</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we serve God and use our talents to further His kingdom, our tendency is to want to see the fruit of our efforts immediately. Sometimes we do, but most of the time we don't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><span class="text Eccl-3-9" id="en-NLT-17345"><sup class="versenum"> "</sup>What do people really get for all their hard work?</span> <span class="text Eccl-3-10" id="en-NLT-17346">I have seen the burden God has placed on us all.</span> <span class="text Eccl-3-11" id="en-NLT-17347">Yet
God has made everything beautiful in its own time. He has planted
eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole
scope of God’s work from beginning to end.</span>" </i>Ecclesiastes 3:9-11</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love verse 11, <i>"people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end."</i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm reminded of Ruth whose faith and loyalty earned her a place in the genealogy of Jesus, though she never met Him on this side of Heaven. And Moses who never actually stepped into the promise land, but through his obedience to God played a major role in leading the people of Israel there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes our reward is what we leave behind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the front cover of John's book he wrote: </span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <i>"Never
miss an opportunity to be a positive influence on young people with
your proper actions, sincere pats on the back and words of
encouragement."</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He left a mission for all who read his book and it's being fulfilled even now by his son as he shares his father's encouraging words with others. <i> </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There will be times when the fruit of our efforts comes days, months even years later and there will be things that we do in this life that we never see the results of, but God promises a harvest <i>in due time</i> if we do not give up. Just know that <i>due time</i> rarely comes on our time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>His ways are not our ways</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b> </b></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm sure that he had many hopes for his writing, but </span>I don't believe "Big
John" knew the legacy his words would leave. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He didn't know that a student from his substitute teaching days would become a pastor, move to this small town and start a church. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He didn't know that his son would become a doctor, move to that same small town and be baptized by that same pastor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He certainly didn't know that I, a nurse who works with his son, would attend that same church and end up with his book in my hands. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But God knew all along and that's what I love about Him. He knows every detail. Where we'll live, who we'll meet, our careers, our dreams, our fears, our failures. He knows it all and he weaves it all together in His perfect plan to bring us all a little closer to Him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> So if you're feeling weary in whatever it is that God has called you to do, I want to leave you with a little prayer of encouragement from John himself:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">God, I hope that as I write, my pen you'll move along and give me the proper choice of words to make for the heavyhearted, a song.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Yes, please help me mix enough mischief in to lift the downhearted with a lurch,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">but please help me mix a message in to reach those out of reach of church.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For not everyone uses a family pew; some sit on an old bar stool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So please guide my pen as I write to tell them of the Golden Rule.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And certainly while I'm doing this I also inspire,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">for those who are already lifted up, to lift up a little higher. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And for those who have deafened their ears and don't try to listen,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">please help me to live a shining example, that in their eyes will glisten.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Not an example of spit and polish or of ceremony fire,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">but one of brotherly and sisterly love and concern for all mankind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And God please help me to live each day so that when my final lines are writ,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Saint Peter won't look up and say,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Hell! Here comes another hypocrite!"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-15-10" id="en-NIV-25599"><span class="woj">-John G. Farmer</span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-15-10" id="en-NIV-25599"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-26997646431808755902017-06-15T09:31:00.000-04:002017-06-15T09:31:14.528-04:00Make Some Room!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_UCnU39gt8PHJnKGYPbk4qIjlJzQ4RQ-BdOpSMLbc_NlqzDw3f9JP8B9xIdwHjHiZt47el1Baz_HE00YRIRxoFs627EW2GolpasPHISmKfxQJ_svfGCHyzNF0Ei9dhUcLuR53pJbR_Q/s1600/room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Make some room for God to move in your life." border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="854" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_UCnU39gt8PHJnKGYPbk4qIjlJzQ4RQ-BdOpSMLbc_NlqzDw3f9JP8B9xIdwHjHiZt47el1Baz_HE00YRIRxoFs627EW2GolpasPHISmKfxQJ_svfGCHyzNF0Ei9dhUcLuR53pJbR_Q/s640/room.jpg" title="Make some room for God to move in your life." width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There's a song that our worship band does called "We wait for you (Shekinah Glory)" and it is the most amazing worship song. If you've never heard it, go look it up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The song opens with the lyrics: <i>"we wait for you to walk in the room."</i> I've always thought of that line in a very literal sense: "God, come into the room. We're ready to worship you." But, as we sang it last Sunday, I heard something very different. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>God doesn't just want to come into the physical rooms of our lives. God wants us to <i>make room</i> for Him in every aspect of our lives.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Imagine a room so crowded with people you can hardly get from one side to the other. I was in a room like that recently. People were constantly bumping into each other. Everything moved very slowly. You couldn't hear what the person next to you was saying and if you walked away from the person you were with it was extremely hard to find them again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I believe that sometimes the situations in our lives get just like that. Our minds get crowded with our worries, our fears and the advice of others until that's all we can hear. We struggle to shift our focus from our own plans and ideas for our lives. Our </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">many unnecessary responsibilities keep us busy and steal our time.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Our unbelief puts a limit on God's power. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We wonder where God is, but e</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ven if He tried to come in we wouldn't notice Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If there is a situation in your life that God doesn't seem to be working on my question to you is: have you made room for Him to work on it? God</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> can't move if He doesn't have any space.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The word s</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hekinah</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> comes from the Hebrew word </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">shekinot </i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">which means to "settle in" or "dwell in." </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Whatever area of your life that God seems absent in, clear a space for Him to dwell in so that you can experience the fullness of His presence. That may mean freeing up some time to spend in God's word and prayer. It might mean surrendering your plans for your life so God can show you <i>His</i> plan. Maybe it means taking a leap of faith that doesn't make sense to you yet. Whatever it is, allow Him to settle in that free space today and do what only He can do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="text Eph-3-16" id="en-NIV-29268" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><b>"</b></span><span class="text Eph-3-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">I pray that out of his glorious riches<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29268B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29268B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> he may strengthen you with power<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29268C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29268C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> through his Spirit in your inner being, </span><span class="text Eph-3-17" id="en-NIV-29269" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">so that Christ may dwell in your hearts<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29269E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29269E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29269F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29269F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and established in love,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Eph-3-18" id="en-NIV-29270" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29270G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29270G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> to grasp how wide and long and high and deep<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29270H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29270H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> is the love of Christ, </span><span class="text Eph-3-19" id="en-NIV-29271" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">and to know this love that surpasses knowledge<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29271I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29271I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>—that you may be filled<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29271J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29271J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> to the measure of all the fullness of God."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text Eph-3-19" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><b>Ephesians 3:16-19</b></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-4485090602476805872017-06-08T07:00:00.000-04:002017-06-09T12:19:36.816-04:00What A Ghost Crab Taught Me About Jesus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdeWVD67arSue6jKxgX0hWvSDJ8S7vPe4yNGsWRkv13xcRvhRsNFkZg9Q-Pd4hsEhSW3c9nGARjicsDWa1HdZCfhvANCXMmLVfHCC1FjqxDWbH-zAzr8AY84N-ZG85XXloC-eZ6EjafQ/s1600/crab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What a Ghost Crab Taught Me About Jesus" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdeWVD67arSue6jKxgX0hWvSDJ8S7vPe4yNGsWRkv13xcRvhRsNFkZg9Q-Pd4hsEhSW3c9nGARjicsDWa1HdZCfhvANCXMmLVfHCC1FjqxDWbH-zAzr8AY84N-ZG85XXloC-eZ6EjafQ/s640/crab.jpg" title="What a Ghost Crab Taught Me About Jesus" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Am I the only one who still loves to hunt for ghost crabs on the beach at night?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, ghost crabs (also known as sand crabs) are sand colored crabs that spend their days hiding from predators in the sand. At night, when it's safer, they come out and roam the beach looking for food. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you shine your flashlight on the sand you will see them running all over the beach. It's a lot of fun to look for them and chase them down. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Recently, my husband and I did this and as our lights revealed all of the crabs hidden in the dark, the Holy Spirit revealed some things to me that I want to share with you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>God is always there, you just have to look</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My husband and I were walking in the dark for a long time before we turned on our flashlights to look for crabs. When I shined my light on the sand for the first time, there was a crab right beside us. In fact, there were crabs all over the beach and what I realized was they were there the entire time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How many of us are wandering in the darkness, wondering when God is going to show up and change our circumstances? God is just like those crabs. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Whether you're searching for Him, acknowledging His presence or not, He's there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Jeremiah 23:24, God says <i>"c</i></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>an a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? Do I not fill heaven and earth?"</i> Even if we don't choose to look for Him, even if we choose to stay stuck in the darkness instead of stepping into His light, He is there. He is in all places at all times. He's just waiting for us to call on Him.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you've been feeling distant from God, know that He is not far away. He hasn't abandoned you. He is standing at the door of your heart, knocking, waiting for you to allow Him in<i>. </i>He promises that if you seek Him with all your heart you <i>will</i> find Him.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34OpCB39Wm9LZg0Cc-RE-ImZIl-E9TVYfSnWY7Lvd2GSqqyDElrWrGNswp8ayZSUSL9QHwJz4npnCV416-m9R-neXf6v-HcQnhOjA_LR7XQjfODZ_HKQDEwoHOffqF0FhJqZh0ykMA8o/s1600/jer2324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How many of us are wandering in the darkness, wondering when God is going to show up and change our circumstances? Whether you're searching for Him, acknowledging His presence or not, He's there." border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1186" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34OpCB39Wm9LZg0Cc-RE-ImZIl-E9TVYfSnWY7Lvd2GSqqyDElrWrGNswp8ayZSUSL9QHwJz4npnCV416-m9R-neXf6v-HcQnhOjA_LR7XQjfODZ_HKQDEwoHOffqF0FhJqZh0ykMA8o/s640/jer2324.jpg" title="How many of us are wandering in the darkness, wondering when God is going to show up and change our circumstances? Whether you're searching for Him, acknowledging His presence or not, He's there." width="474" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>God is available to everyone</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That night the ghost crabs surrounded everyone, not just those of us with flashlights. </span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the same way, God's presence isn't limited to certain people. You don't have to be super spiritual, have grown up in church, know the Bible front to back or live a sinless life to experience the love of God. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">His Word says </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>everyone </i>who calls on His name shall be saved. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That includes the lost, the broken, the rich, the poor, those stuck in sin. Everyone. He requires nothing from you, just that you identify your need for Him and accept Him as your savior.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So many people believe that they can't follow Jesus until they clean up their lives. The truth is we can't truly clean up our lives until we follow Jesus. He didn't come for the righteous, but for the sinners.</span></span></div>
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<b style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we know Jesus we see things differently</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Having a flashlight made it easier to see the crabs just like knowing Jesus changes the way we see the world. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When we become followers of Jesus, He changes our thinking. Our reactions, our words, our perspective and our goals all change to glorify God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God, truly righteous and holy." </i>Ephesians 4:23-24</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A friend recently reminded me that when we know who we belong to we are able to handle tough situations with more grace. We are able to serve others selflessly and not sweat the small stuff because we know that our true reward is waiting for us in Heaven.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Following Jesus gives us a hope, peace and joy that completely changes our outlook on life. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If find yourself wandering in the darkness without a source of light, consumed by the lie that Jesus could never accept someone like you, I pray that you would simply call on His name. He is there, waiting to change your life from the inside out.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-74425668328367080832017-06-02T12:08:00.001-04:002017-06-02T12:08:19.083-04:007 Bible Verses for a Soul that Longs for Peace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdYOpQByrngcylVt4lMS3W0VB_votGNH2VkhTZV3A-VhbC_KGwQ8O3wbYyKNVSJEA08SaesIpnWq_CcjMrQDMmg38C8lAcAnR0Ads2U2cV05vOkikTiK9LCld2-s-bL0XkNCn7L1luXk/s1600/peace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bible Verses for Peace" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="854" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdYOpQByrngcylVt4lMS3W0VB_votGNH2VkhTZV3A-VhbC_KGwQ8O3wbYyKNVSJEA08SaesIpnWq_CcjMrQDMmg38C8lAcAnR0Ads2U2cV05vOkikTiK9LCld2-s-bL0XkNCn7L1luXk/s640/peace.jpg" title="Bible Verses for Peace" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Everywhere I look I see people who are living in the absence of peace. People who are in a constant state of busyness, people who are in an unnecessary rush, overwhelmed by their to-do lists, people who are frustrated by their circumstances and more. God doesn't call us to live this way though. In fact, He is called Jehovah-Shalom, which means "the Lord is peace." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The word <i>shalom</i> translates to more than just <i>peace, </i>however. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">According to Strong's Concordance, it means </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">wholeness</i><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> and </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">completeness</i><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">. This tells me that when we allow the peace of God to take over our lives we not only experience peace, but the fullness that He intended for us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Below you will find seven verses that I pray will bring peace to whatever situation you may be facing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1. </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isaiah 26:3</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."</em></span><br />
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<strong style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Romans 8:6</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;">These first two verses are key! Peace has so much to do with the things that we allow to control our minds. Galatians 5:22 (bonus verse!) tells us that </span></span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">"t</i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><i>he fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness" </i>so we can be confident that if we set our minds on the Spirit good things will come.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #23221f; text-align: justify;">"The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #23221f; text-align: justify;"><b>Deuteronomy 31:8</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #23221f; text-align: justify;">It's so comforting to be reminded that God has already walked through your future. Every failure, every success, every disappointment and every celebration. He's already seen it and He's already worked it for your good.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"> </span></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;">4. <i>"</i></span></span><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Do not be anxious about anything,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29449A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29449A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. </i></span><span class="text Phil-4-7" id="en-NIV-29450" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And the peace of God,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29450C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29450C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> which transcends all understanding,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29450D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29450D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Phil-4-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;"><b>Philippians 4:6-7</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I believe that prayer aligns our hearts with God's will and it's when we are aligned with His will that we experience true peace.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">5. "</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”</i></span></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">John 16:33</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we recognize that Jesus has already conquered everything, we are equipped to handle anything.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Phil-4-7" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">6. "</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #001320; font-style: italic;">Hear my cry, O God, </span><span style="color: #001320; font-style: italic;">listen to my prayer. F</span><span style="color: #001320; font-style: italic;">rom the end of the earth I call to you. W</span><span style="color: #001320; font-style: italic;">hen my heart is overwhelmed l</span><span style="color: #001320; font-style: italic;">ead me to the rock </span><span style="color: #001320; font-style: italic;">that is higher than I.</span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;"><i style="background-color: white;">" </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><b>Psalm 61:1-2</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Phil-4-7" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">7. </span></span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">"Be still and know that I am God." </i></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Psalm 46:10</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In times of worry and stress, stop and remind yourself of who God is. He is all knowing, ever present and all powerful. He is in control. Nothing comes as a surprise to Him. Nothing is too hard for Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">So you have some verses to remind you that God is our greatest source of peace, now what do you do with them? </span></span><br />
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Memorize them</b>. Memorizing scripture saturates our minds with the t</span>ruth. When our minds are saturated with truth, it's easier for us to recall God's promises when we need them most.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Pray them</b>. So often we don't even know what to pray. When you're at a loss for words, pray God's promises back to Him. For example, "God, your word says t</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>he fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. </i>Please help me to allow the Spirit to take over this situation and align my thinking with yours."</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Put them where you can see them</b>. Print or write out verses that encourage you and place them somewhere you will see them often (desk, bathroom mirror, car etc). I like to set Bible verses as the lock screen on my phone so every time I pick up my phone I see them.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Phil-4-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">I don't know what's stealing your peace today, but I want you to be encouraged that God is there, willing and ready, to reclaim it for you. I pray that these verses would be a source of comfort you and that they would not only bring an abundance of peace, but also an increased faith in Jesus.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Phil-4-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">"<i>May </i></span></span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span class="verse-13" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333;">the God of hope will fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Romans 15:13</b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-15173539060805624222017-05-25T09:56:00.001-04:002017-05-25T10:01:24.819-04:00The Day We Missed the Miracle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbMrlJYANlOQCFjexR9v_EWyNpHYntMuwdMyr7TlArq7dPEl4yfqAmECbGesZO000kzMwWLIFpclYtYPfNjHc7bwMODnoO1MvkBLz66VNiYQonXBU5RsA1AChQHujyY-Hn3IwB1CWJ6Q/s1600/miracle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="God is still in the miracle performing business. If you haven't experienced one, my question to you is: have you looked up lately?" border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbMrlJYANlOQCFjexR9v_EWyNpHYntMuwdMyr7TlArq7dPEl4yfqAmECbGesZO000kzMwWLIFpclYtYPfNjHc7bwMODnoO1MvkBLz66VNiYQonXBU5RsA1AChQHujyY-Hn3IwB1CWJ6Q/s640/miracle.jpg" title="God is still in the miracle performing business. If you haven't experienced one, my question to you is: have you looked up lately?" width="424" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last week I witnessed a miracle and I didn't even realize it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you didn't already know, I'm a nurse at the hospital on a cardiac step down unit. Our patients can crash at any minute and we're trained to handle that should it happen,</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> but on any given day things go the way they are supposed to and all crises are avoided. However</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, last week, during a single shift, we almost lost <b>three</b> of our patients.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On days like that you get extremely behind on your work. You most likely either miss lunch or stuff your face with the unhealthiest of meals in 5 minutes flat. You're overwhelmed, frustrated and exhausted. You wonder why you even became a nurse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So on that particular day, I was all of the above. Overwhelmed, hangry, exhausted and questioning my career choice. I called my husband on the way home (at least an hour and a half late) to complain about how terrible my day was.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I reflected on the day when I got home</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, I realized that my perspective was all wrong. </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes, it was awful. Yes, we were all at work way past our usual time playing catch up. No, none of us got a proper break. Yes, three people almost died, but glory to God three people LIVED! </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Three lives were saved and I'm close to tears as I write this because I'm just realizing what I experienced. How could I not see the miracle that happened right in front of me, the miracle that I got to be a part of?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Mark 6, we see Jesus' disciples experiencing something similar. The disciples are on their boat heading to Bethsaida. They are in the middle of a storm and having a terrible time crossing the sea. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jesus
sees that His friends are struggling so He walks out onto the
water to help them. When the disciples see Him walking on the water,
they are frightened and think that He is a ghost. It seems like a legit reaction, but here's the thing, the disciples had </span><i>just</i> witnessed Jesus turn five loaves of bread and two fish into a meal for 5000 +! You would think they would have realized who Jesus was and what He was capable of. But the bible says that the disciples had not yet understood what Jesus did with the fish and loaves and their hearts were hardened. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you go back and read the story of Jesus feeding the 5000, you'll see that the Bible doesn't tell us the disciples'
reaction to the experience. I think that maybe their reaction wasn't what it should have been. 12 people feeding 5000 sounds like a lot of
work so I can imagine that they were busy. I'm sure they were
exhausted. They were probably starving and maybe just a little aggravated because they would have beat the storm had they not been there so late. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I think that just like my coworkers and I, the disciples were still surprised by Jesus because they actually <i>missed</i>
the miracle He performed that day. Sure, they knew what Jesus had done.
They were there; they helped him. My coworkers and I knew that three
lives were saved, but instead of experiencing the miracle, we were focused on what the miracle was costing <i>us</i>.</span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How often do we miss the amazing things God is doing both around us and through us because our perspectives are all wrong? We allow our emotions to cloud our circumstances until we can't even see what's right in front of us.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My pastor always says "the servants see the miracles" and I believe that, I really do, but I think sometimes we servants <i>forget to look up.</i> In the midst of all of our serving and busyness we get on sort of an autopilot mode. We pray, we serve, we give. God provides. We check it off the list and move on, never stopping to appreciate His power. My call to my husband that night should have been one of celebration, but my focus was on all the wrong things. So instead, I complained when I should have been rejoicing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last week three people could have died, but they didn't. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God is still in the miracle performing business. If you haven't witnessed one, my question to you is: have you looked up lately? It may have just passed you by.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-18143431925677820892017-05-11T09:49:00.000-04:002017-05-11T14:48:25.268-04:00To the Childless Woman on Mother's Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm writing you this letter today because I know that this week of celebration may be sparking some sadness in you. There are commercials on TV and the radio, cards, flowers and balloons in every store reminding you of what you already know: Mother's Day is coming up and you <i>still</i> are not a mom. While most every holiday magnifies the fact that you don't have children of your own, none stings quite as badly as this one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't know why this Mother's Day finds you childless. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe you're still single even though you always thought you'd be married with at least a couple of kids by now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe you are married, but your husband isn't ready for a baby.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe you've been trying to get pregnant for what seems like an eternity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe you're recovering from a miscarriage or mourning the devastating loss of a little one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe you've been given the heartbreaking news that you'll never have children of your own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe you're impatiently waiting for a phone call that there's a child waiting for you to adopt or foster. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe you're a stepmom who never feels like you're good enough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe you don't want children at all, but you struggle with feeling like less of a woman because society tells you that motherhood is your primary purpose in life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe you've lost all hope.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know I could never begin to understand the pain of your circumstances, but whatever your situation, I know you're hurting while everyone else is celebrating. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know that you force yourself to put on a brave face even though you're dying inside. When people ask you when you're going to start a family or what you're waiting on you answer with grace although you can't stand everyone's invasive questions. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know that you lie to cover up your pain when you tell people you enjoy your freedom and your quiet, "easy" life. I know you feel like everyone is talking about you. You bet they're wondering if you're struggling with infertility or if your marriage is falling apart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know what it feels like for your heart to ache as you hold someone else's baby and I know how it feels to be numb, not even wanting to be around babies anymore. I know that you sometimes roll your eyes when you see <i>another</i> pregnancy announcement on Facebook. I know you feel guilty for you lack of excitement for others. I know that you feel left out and like you don't fit in with your friends anymore. They seem to walk on egg shells around you as to not hurt your feelings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know about your Pinterest board; the one filled with nursery designs and pictures of irresistibly cute babies. I have one too. I know that sometimes you sneak over to the baby section at Target, imagining what it would be like to be shopping for your own baby while deep down feeling like you've lost your mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know that you're hurting. I know you feel empty. Lonely. Impatient. You feel hopeless. I know that sometimes you even feel angry. You ask God <i>"why me?" </i>But Jesus wanted me to tell you something this Mother's Day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He wanted me to tell you that <b>childlessness does <i>not</i> define you.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jesus wants you to know that your identity is not found in your circumstances; your identity is found in Him. You are not broken, unworthy, inadequate or less of a woman because you don't have or can't have children. The truth is, nothing in this world can dictate who we are. The only One who decides our identity is the One who created us. And the One who created you says:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>You are loved</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." </i>Jeremiah 31:3</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." </i>Zephaniah 3:17</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>You are chosen and you are God's special possession </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">"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." </span>1 Peter 2:9</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession." </i>Deuteronomy 7:6</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>You are God's masterpiece</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><i>"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." </i></span>Ephesians 2:10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>You are valuable</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span class="text Matt-10-29" id="en-NIV-23447" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. </span></span><span class="text Matt-10-30" id="en-NIV-23448" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23448A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23448A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Matt-10-31" id="en-NIV-23449" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." </span></span></i>Matthew 10:29-31</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;">"What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? </span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;">You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor." </span></i>Psalm 8:5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>You are the dwelling place for the Holy Spirit</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own." </i></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 6:19</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>You are worth dying for</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." </i></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Romans 5:8</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><i>“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." </i>John 3:16</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>You are redeemed</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace."</span></i><span style="font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ephesians 1:7</span></span><span class="p" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">You know what I realize when I read those statements about my identity in Christ? I see that God's love and His favor over my life do not require anything from me except that I believe and receive them. His promises don't say "once you are married, then you'll be redeemed" or "when you become a mom, then you'll be valuable to me." He takes us just as we are and He uses our pain for our good and His glory. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hope that your future is full of tiny fingers and toes, little league games and carpool lines, but until then I hope you will allow God to replace your sorrow with joy, your hopelessness with faith and your emptiness with the fullness of His love. I pray that you would come to know that your identity in Christ is unchanging and unconditional. Rest in that this Mother's Day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Psalm 34:18</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-16629897342887813632017-05-01T13:05:00.002-04:002017-05-01T13:05:47.661-04:00How to Take Hold of a Life that's Flying By<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraZPwHm4wgQB1ehnAgbzO-n4M5AOx9KJH-F1Ux6FXeQk9wbtgCLMU1QOyCKbsboJ2pNUQ2VLwVjuf2elVAsKp3Q8Yp9Rxlum-cUf_IhtRlOF65pW3xQWYgoc9drs6FNoWWbf7iMp55OE/s1600/takehold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Make the most of your time" border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraZPwHm4wgQB1ehnAgbzO-n4M5AOx9KJH-F1Ux6FXeQk9wbtgCLMU1QOyCKbsboJ2pNUQ2VLwVjuf2elVAsKp3Q8Yp9Rxlum-cUf_IhtRlOF65pW3xQWYgoc9drs6FNoWWbf7iMp55OE/s640/takehold.jpg" title="Make the most of your time" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Psalm 90:12</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I remember riding in the car with my dad one night many years ago as he played a song for me. It was a significant song, one he wanted me to hear so that I would learn something. Neither one of us can remember what song it actually was, but I have always remembered one of the lyrics was "you can only count on time" (Google has convinced me I misheard the lyrics and that no such song exists). Anyway, wrong lyrics or not, it has stuck with me ever since. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Aside from God, time is the one thing in our lives that is constant. It cannot be changed. You can't slow it down or speed it up. You can't rewind or fast forward it. A minute will always lasts 60 seconds, an hour 60 minutes, a day 24 hours. Time goes on. If there's nothing else that we can put our trust in, we can trust that time will go by. I have found comfort in this on hard days, but in this, I've also found great fear. The years speed by faster the older I get. A school day used to feel like an eternity, now a week comes and goes before I can catch my breath.<span style="background-color: white;"> If you let it, it will utterly terrify you. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The concept that our time is short is nothing new. Almost every great artist has written a song about it. There are countless quotes reminding us of it. But did you know that even scripture warns us of our limited time and urges us to spend it wisely?</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">"Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">James 4:14</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">"Man is like breath; his days are like a passing shadow." </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Psalm 144:4</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"So </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise, but live wisely</span><span style="background-color: white;">. Use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times. So do not be foolish but learn what the Lord wants you to do."</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Ephesians 5:15-17</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“LORD, </i></span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">remind me how brief my time on earth will be</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">. Remind me that my days are numbered–how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Psalm 39:4-5</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So what do we do with this assurance that our time is short? In a world obsessed with instant gratification and shortcuts, how do we slow down and savor the time we've been given?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Take Your Eyes Off of the Screen</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We live in a society that has a need for constant stimulation. I don't know about you, but I can't wait in line or at a stoplight without pulling out my phone to mindlessly scroll through Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat. I find myself reaching for my phone to distract me in times of stress and worry or simply out of boredom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">An hour flies by in an instant as my face is buried in my phone, consumed by the lives of others as my own happens around me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I see my happiest days through my screen as I take a ridiculous amount of pictures in a desperate attempt to hold onto the moment forever. Pictures that will be forgotten, lost among pictures of last night's dinner and screenshots of hairstyle inspiration, until I'm forced to delete them to make room for more fabricated "memories." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We worry so much about taking the perfect picture or crafting the most compelling status update to make our lives <i>appear</i> interesting that our lives actually become dull. Our attempts to impress others steal our attention and rob us of the present. Filter enhanced pictures and staged snap chat stories take the place of real life experiences. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Now I'm not saying that our phones and social media are all bad or that we should never take pictures. We just need to be mindful of how much time we're spending on these things so that we can recognize when we are using them for good and when we're just wasting precious time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">To really experience our lives to the fullest, we need to get more intentional about actually </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">living</i><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> in the moment instead of living to </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">document</i><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> it. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Stop Rushing to the Future</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My husband and I are very future oriented people. We're planners. We don't make decisions without considering how they may affect our lives down the road. It's good, really. There is a sense of security when you live that way, but there's also a nagging little voice inside of my head that reminds me we aren't promised the future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Are you living so much for the future that you're missing the present? Do you have the mindset of "when I get here, when I have this, when I meet this goal....then I'll be happy, then I'll start living, then I'll enjoy my life...?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">It's great to have goals. It's great to set yourself up for a secure future. But it's not okay to trade today for uncertain tomorrows. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Proverbs 27:1 says </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I've had patients tell me that they spent their lives working nonstop, planning to finally start living once they retired. But then they got sick and so far their retirement has been spent in and out of the hospital not feeling well enough to enjoy anything, their hard earned money being depleted by the cost of medications and doctor bills.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The thing is, we can plan, we can put money aside, we can work hard and we should, but we never know what tomorrow will bring or if tomorrow will even come at all. So if we want to be good stewards of our time, there has to be a balance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">1 Timothy 6:6 tells us that wealth is found when we are fully content with what we have right now (my paraphrase). Today is full of so much blessing and promise, s</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">top rushing through it to get to tomorrow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>But Stop Wasting Time</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Can you imagine how it would feel to get to the end of your life and realize all of your dreams are still just dreams? Either out of fear or procrastination, you never accomplished anything you hoped to. I'm not scared of death. I know that Heaven is going to be far better than life here could ever be, but I am scared of wasting my time, of not living to my full potential.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I love what </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ecclesiastes 11:4 says: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"w</i></span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">hoever keeps staring at the wind won’t sow</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">; whoever daydreams won’t reap." </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God doesn't honor our plans, He honors our actions. As His children we are equipped with everything we need to be successful. So t</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">hat dream you've been scared to go after, chase it. That job you've always wanted, apply for it. That talent that you keep hidden, use it. Live your life confident in the favor of God instead of in surrender to fear and doubt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Just like that old song my dad and I can't remember despite it's impact, life comes and goes so live it while you can. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Dale Partridge said, "we can't do anything about the length of our life, but we can do something about its depth." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Can you change the way you're spending your time to add depth to your life today? </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-21189624911365225092017-04-14T12:30:00.000-04:002017-04-14T12:30:07.611-04:00What's So Good About Good Friday?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, Christians everywhere are celebrating Good Friday. The story behind this day is familiar to most everyone. It is the story of a king who lived a spotless and pure life. He performed miracles, granted healing to people who had been sick for years, fed the poor and loved everyone he met. Despite all of this, his people turned against him and sentenced him to death. This is the day we call Good Friday, but you may be wondering what exactly is so <i>good</i> about it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's look at this story through the eyes of the king today. Look beyond the blood, beyond His wounds, beyond the cross and beyond the tomb and we will see that Good Friday is a day to celebrate because the death of Jesus was good indeed. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We see blood, He sees salvation!</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For my Jesus loving heart, it is painful to recount what Jesus went through on the day of His death. He was betrayed by His beloved followers. He was mocked. He was tortured and beaten until He was nearly unrecognizable then He endured an agonizing death on a cross. The Son of God, the only man to ever live a sinless life, wrongfully suffered the brutal punishment of a criminal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Right about now you're wondering where the "good" comes in, right? Hebrews 9:22 tells us that "w</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ithout the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As Jesus hung there on the cross every evil deed, every selfish thought and every act of rebellion was erased. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">he good is that </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the spilling of His blood was the cleansing of our sins.</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." Ephesians 1:7</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>We see pierced hands, He sees Healing</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As Jesus was nailed to the cross, the sin of the entire world was driven into His hands and there it remains today. Human strength could never bear the burden of sin so it was placed into the hands of the one who has the strength to hold the world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the weight of our sin and shame is too much to bear, <u>His nail scarred hands serve as a reminder that through Christ, we are healed.</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was on Him and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5</i></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We see a cross, He sees victory!</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With a voice, tired and weakened, Jesus declared "it is finished" as He took His final breath on the cross. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While our thoughts of the cross may echo death and defeat, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hebrews 12:2 tells us </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"for the joy that was set before him, Jesus endured the cross." </i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus understood that the glory waiting for Him and for us on the other side of the cross was worth dying for.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cross is not a symbol of death and defeat. <u>The cross represents victory!</u></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Death is swallowed up in victory! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh death, where is your victory? Oh death, where is your sting?" </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 15:55</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>We see a tomb, He sees eternity!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus told His disciples that although He would die, after three days He would rise again, but as the stone was rolled over the door of His tomb, I can imagine they began to doubt His promise. Their beloved mentor and friend had died and was now dwelling in a tightly sealed and guarded tomb. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To us, death is final. It's the end. All hope is lost. But, Jesus' death was different. There was no tomb sealed tight enough and no guard strong enough to contain him and </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">out of Jesus' death, eternity was born!</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Because He conquered the grave, we can have confidence that we too will experience the eternal life He has promised us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So today, we celebrate. Celebrate His blood that bought our salvation! Celebrate His wounds that healed our own! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Celebrate the victory of the cross!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Celebrate His death that lead to eternal life! We celebrate because today is a good, good Friday!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-26617997690374296412017-04-09T06:06:00.001-04:002017-04-14T12:30:27.270-04:00Palm Sunday: 4 Reasons to Praise<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today is Palm Sunday. Today we celebrate the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem for His final days on Earth. It marks the beginning of what we call "Holy Week," the week leading up to Easter. Jesus arrived in Jerusalem that day on the back of a donkey, a symbol in that day of peaceful intentions. Palm branches were spread on the ground, a symbol of victory. What I want to talk about though, is the praise of the people who were there when He arrived. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As Jesus rode in to the city, His people lined the street. They shouted "blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!" They celebrated because of all of the amazing things they had seen the Lord do and because they knew He was the messiah and had come to rescue them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Pharisees who were in the crowd did not appreciate the praises of the people so they told Jesus to silence them. Jesus' response to them is so powerful. He says, "I tell you, if these were quiet, the very stones would cry out!." What He is saying is there is <b>nothing</b> that can stop the praise of our God! He is worthy of praise therefore He WILL receive it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad: let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them: let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the Lord.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 96:11-13</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hope to stir your heart a little today with some reasons to praise God!</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Testify of His Goodness</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When we praise we are celebrating God for who He is and for everything He has and has not done. When we begin praising our hearts begin to recall, not only His present faithfulness, but His faithfulness throughout our lives. Our praise has the ability to spill over into the lives of people around us. I can remember when I was a new believer and I would watch other people worshiping with such joy and freedom or hear them speak His praises in such an intimate way. I longed for what they had. P</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">raise is contagious. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So praise to tell of God's faithfulness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His faithful love endures forever!" Psalm 136:1</i></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Praise Changes Our Perspective </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thursday night, on my way to church, I was in an off mood. It was just one of those days when you feel weighed down by nothing in particular and you just seem to have misplaced your joy. I honestly thought about turning the car around and heading home, but I am so glad I didn't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The minute the worship band started playing something in me changed. The heaviness that I felt was lifted as we belted out "Your Love Never Fails." Taking time to step outside of myself and worship the One who is deserving of all praise is so good for my soul. It can realign my priorities, adjust my opinions and strip me of my selfishness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's not just my own praise that changes my perspective. Sometimes during worship someone else will catch my eye. Sometimes it's someone who I know has been through heartbreaking circumstances, but has their hands lifted. Other times it's a man, who usually looks bored, clapping along. Occasionally it's an unashamed teenager at the altar. Whoever it may be, the praises of other people deeply move me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So praise because praise shifts our focus from ourselves and places it on God.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever."</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Psalm 30:11-12</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkLjXZHH5aG3n_ANdloH-dWGeD0LcoUhisVI6iSySVUXenqz4bllO_2237AjyFHi8MzlVmmjzjY5Hr2hW0RolIZZxCGas3QvB1FcYb4VgykOGNRGLj2d9wfaPV1-pOEg8_wWZlbIoXK4/s1600/palm-422968_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="4 Reasons to Praise" border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkLjXZHH5aG3n_ANdloH-dWGeD0LcoUhisVI6iSySVUXenqz4bllO_2237AjyFHi8MzlVmmjzjY5Hr2hW0RolIZZxCGas3QvB1FcYb4VgykOGNRGLj2d9wfaPV1-pOEg8_wWZlbIoXK4/s640/palm-422968_1920.jpg" title="4 Reasons to Praise" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Praise Makes the Enemy Flee</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are multiple accounts in the Bible when God's people obtain victory over their enemies through praise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Acts 16, Paul and Silas are in prison. While they are praying and singing hymns, an earthquake shakes open the prison doors and loosens the bonds of the prisoners. After witnessing this miracle the jailer himself receives Christ and sets Paul and Silas free.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Joshua and his people defeat Jericho (Joshua 6) by circling the city wall seven times while praising the Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 2 Chronicles 20 we see Jehoshaphat and his army praising God. As they do, their enemies get confused and begin fighting among themselves until they completely destroy each other, leaving Judah victorious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So praise because our praise defeats the enemy!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you."</span></i></span><span class="p" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Psalm 8:2</span></i></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is Worthy</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We really don't need any reason to praise other than because Jesus is worthy of our praise. He traded a life in Heaven for a life on earth. He took on human form. Undeserving, He suffered rejection, physical pain, abuse and a humiliating death on a cross. He did it all for us so that we may know Him and have everlasting life with Him in Heaven. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So praise because our praise belongs to Jesus alone!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i>"Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure His greatness." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i>Psalm 145:3</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I want to encourage you to spend this week in a constant state of praise. Keep a list of things to be thankful for each day. Keep your radio turned to worship music. Thank Him just for who He is. Thank Him for what He has done and what He has yet to do. Most importantly, in the spirit of Holy Week, thank Him for the sacrifice He made on the cross!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" Psalm 150:1-6</i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-77829071487090005502017-04-07T11:41:00.000-04:002017-04-10T21:56:48.222-04:00What You Should Know About Becoming Like Jesus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUpXJvFD9TPoVSMtux27d45i0Rk6JRkRYuVE3mSWnbx5lul614T3lMjFOla8-sAY-I46nYzmDVMqymsi-Dy7DoyjPfDoiYda4NyEhpdlVehZLme09TcmKJZcMx-isI36oT86yROwHmss/s1600/likejesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Becoming Christ-Like" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUpXJvFD9TPoVSMtux27d45i0Rk6JRkRYuVE3mSWnbx5lul614T3lMjFOla8-sAY-I46nYzmDVMqymsi-Dy7DoyjPfDoiYda4NyEhpdlVehZLme09TcmKJZcMx-isI36oT86yROwHmss/s640/likejesus.jpg" title="Becoming Christ-Like" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There have been times in my faith walk when I have asked God, "when will I stop struggling with this? I know you have set me free so why am I still falling back into these feelings, these actions, these habits?" Maybe you've felt this way too. Like no matter how much you pray, no matter how much you believe that in Christ you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), you just can't break free from your old ways. Perhaps you're not a follower of Jesus at all. You believe that Jesus won't accept you because of your past, your addiction, your friends etc. Whatever your situation, I want to tell you that it's okay. You don't have to have it all together because we have a God who does. Yes, His desire is for you to become more like Him, but there is freedom in realizing that becoming like Christ <u>is a process</u> that takes time. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Bible calls this process sanctification, which is a fancy word that simply means "to make holy." Despite what you may think, becoming holy doesn't happen immediately when we accept Jesus as our Savior.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even Jesus' disciples who were with Him every day, witnessed first hand His power and knew His promises to be true struggled in their faith. In Luke 8:22-25, we see them terrified of a storm even though Jesus is with them. A few chapters later (Luke 11:1) we see that t</span>hey were unsure how to pray. Phillip questioned who Jesus was (John 14:8-11). Peter was ashamed to admit his faith (John 18:17). Judas betrayed Jesus for money (Matthew 26:14-16). Thomas doubted the risen Lord's identity (John 20:24-29). So if Jesus' very disciples were not perfect we can be confident that He does not expect perfection from us either. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Know that you're accepted, but also know that staying the same isn't acceptable</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The great news is that Jesus accepts us just as we are. The Bible says that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Did you catch that? Jesus died for us <i>while we were still stuck in sin.</i> He didn't wait for us to clean ourselves up first. He saw us as we were and He gave up His life for us anyway. Before you even had the opportunity to deny Him, Jesus paid the ultimate price for you. If you think that you're too broken to be loved by Jesus, rest assured, He <i>already</i> loves you, just the way you are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When we proclaim to be His followers, however, God calls us to a higher standard. We can't</span> let the fact that Jesus accepts us as we are drive us to complacency. Our purpose as Christians is to make Jesus known and we do that by showing people who He is through our own actions. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ephesians 4:22-24 tells us to</span> "<span class="text Eph-4-22" id="en-NIV-29295" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">put off<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29295AV" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29295AV" title="See cross-reference AV">AV</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> your old self,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29295AW" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29295AW" title="See cross-reference AW">AW</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;</span><span class="text Eph-4-22" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"> and </span><span class="text Eph-4-23" id="en-NIV-29296" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">be made new in the attitude of your minds;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29296AY" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29296AY" title="See cross-reference AY">AY</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Eph-4-24" id="en-NIV-29297" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">and put on<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29297AZ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29297AZ" title="See cross-reference AZ">AZ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> the new self,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29297BA" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29297BA" title="See cross-reference BA">BA</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." We come to Him imperfect, we're accepted, but we must strive to change.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Embrace the Process</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There's purpose in the process. God doesn't perfect us the moment we receive Him because if He did we would never truly realize His power and our desperate need for Him. </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is when we witness Him lift us up out of the pit of sin that we realize both how weak we are and how very strong He is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The work that He does in us shapes our testimonies and our testimonies minister to others. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is the joy in the journey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness" (James 1:2-3). </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Keep Seeking</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You know how when you spend a lot of time with someone you start to act like them? The same is true when we spend time with Jesus. </span>Take an active role in your sanctification process. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Study the Bible, spend time in prayer, find a community of believers to do life with and hold you accountable. The more you seek Jesus and saturate your life with Him, the easier it becomes to live a life that honors Him. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Plant the good seeds of righteousness and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and shower righteousness upon you." Hosea 10:12</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Receive Grace</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The process of becoming more like Christ can lead to a lot of frustration. There will be times when you feel you will never change, like the standard is just too high to meet. You'll feel you've made progress, then a situation will arise that will cause you to backslide and leave you feeling hopeless. This happens because, truthfully, the standard <i>is</i> too high to meet. None of us will achieve a completely sinless life. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) because the glory of God is beyond our human ability. This is where grace comes in. God's grace is sufficient, it covers our weaknesses and our failures. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Give yourself permission to receive grace, pick yourself up and allow your moments of weakness to shape your future. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Back to the disciples. Despite their failures, their weaknesses and their spiritual immaturity, Jesus trusted them with the Great Commission (to make disciples) and He trusts us too because He is there to guide us. He is not intimidated by our shortcomings. Following a perfect God does not require us to be perfect, but it should make us better. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-11164630126881806802017-03-24T12:37:00.001-04:002017-04-10T21:54:19.701-04:00The Cost of Your Excuses<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Excuses. We all make them. We use them to justify things like why we can't lose weight, can't get out of debt, can't get that job we've always wanted and more. Robin Sharma said "excuses are just the lies your fears have sold you." Have you ever stopped to consider the reasons behind your excuses and what your life would look like if you stopped making them?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I want to share a parable with you that I hope will challenge the way you think about excuses.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8-7IdkwoBPt9AolVZ-mLOX1wRaRl_GyuVMn3N7bCSn51oNOit2B5jVcLnmuJXgGh3m_UxDMnxLZIuDagb6t1toa7MnqFy4esvmRXcXnCUgYghX3J4cj5JYXm0V9eQk4elUqK7tnpmoA/s1600/excuses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What has God prepared for you that your excuses are getting in the way of? " border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8-7IdkwoBPt9AolVZ-mLOX1wRaRl_GyuVMn3N7bCSn51oNOit2B5jVcLnmuJXgGh3m_UxDMnxLZIuDagb6t1toa7MnqFy4esvmRXcXnCUgYghX3J4cj5JYXm0V9eQk4elUqK7tnpmoA/s640/excuses.jpg" title="What has God prepared for you that your excuses are getting in the way of? " width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Luke-14-16" id="en-NLT-25538" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Luke-14-17" id="en-NLT-25539" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">When the banquet was ready, he </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Luke-14-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">sent his servant to tell the guests, "Come, the banquet is ready."</span></span> <span class="text Luke-14-18" id="en-NLT-25540" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">But they all began making excuses. One said, "I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me." </span></span><span class="text Luke-14-19" id="en-NLT-25541" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Another said, "I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me." </span></span><span class="text Luke-14-20" id="en-NLT-25542" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Another said, "I just got married, so I can’t come." </span></span></span><span class="text Luke-14-21" id="en-NLT-25543" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, "Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame." </span></span><span class="text Luke-14-22" id="en-NLT-25544" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">After the servant had done this, he reported, "There is still room for more." </span></span><span class="text Luke-14-23" id="en-NLT-25545" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">So his master said, "Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="text Luke-14-24" id="en-NLT-25546" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet."</span></span></i></div>
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<span class="text Luke-14-24" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: x-small;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Luke 14:15-24</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I hope the last line of that parable shakes you up a little bit like it does me: "None of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet" Like the man who prepared the banquet, God has made incredible plans for each of us, but just like the banquet guests we tend to make excuse after excuse in our spiritual lives. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-14-24"><span class="woj" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We make excuses out of fear, laziness, lack of time, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">lack of resources, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">lack of confidence. The list goes on. But as we continue to make excuses, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we continue to miss out on what God has for us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For a long time I felt God calling me to be on my church's prayer team. I longed to stand at the altar and lift up people who were hurting and rejoice with those who were rejoicing, but I had more than a handful of excuses why I couldn't. Most of my excuses came from a place of fear. I argued that I wasn't qualified, I wouldn't know what to say, I was too young, no one would want to pray with me anyway. I justified my disobedience by believing that "someday" I would be spiritually mature enough. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Despite my resistance, God continued to nudge me, despite his nudging I continued to make excuses, for <i>over a year</i>. Eventually I decided I would no longer ignore God's voice and I <i>finally</i> joined the prayer team. Throughout the first service my heart pounded, I couldn't relax, couldn't focus on the sermon. Even my sister who was sitting next to me commented on my nervousness. When it came time for the invitation, I stepped out of my seat and hesitantly headed to the altar and took my place next to people I considered much more qualified than myself. Immediately my fear was gone and I knew I was right where I was supposed to be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That's the thing about saying "yes" to God's plans for our lives, when we do, all of our excuses are made void. If it's time you don't think you have, He'll make it. If it's confidence you're lacking, He'll provide it. When you believe you're unqualified, He qualifies you. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What I've found is that the things I excuse myself from are typically the things that God wants to use to stretch me, to develop me into the person He created me to be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My questions for you today is what has God prepared for you that your excuses are getting in the way of? </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-28560477452433300272017-03-18T12:14:00.002-04:002017-03-18T12:14:47.234-04:00Reflections on "The Shack"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.theshack.movie/">(Source)</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you haven't read the book or seen the movie, "The Shack" is a story of a man named Mack whose daughter is kidnapped and murdered in a shack in the woods. After the tragedy, Mack struggles to overcome his feelings of unforgiveness, guilt and resentment towards God. In the midst of "the great sadness," he is mysteriously invited by God himself to come to the shack and it is there that Mack finally receives the healing he desperately needs.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This story can teach us so much about God's character and His relationship with us. Here are the things that God reminded my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>God Desires to be in Close Community with Us</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When Mack arrives at the shack, he meets God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus. Together, the four of them spend the weekend like friends, sharing meals and good conversation. As I was watching the movie I was thinking to myself how amazing it would be to have a similar experience, to spend a weekend with God, face-to-face. I can see us sitting on the porch sipping coffee, taking long walks, just resting, Him patiently answering my million questions as I attempt to soak up all His wisdom. Just as quickly as the thought came, the Holy Spirit countered it by reminding me that we have access to that closeness with God every minute of every day.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The nearness of God, it's the encouraging text from a friend who doesn't even know your situation. It's the racing of your heart as He nudges you out of your comfort zone into His will. It's the scripture that you "accidentally" stumble upon when you need it most. It's a gorgeous sunset at the end of a bad day. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The thing is, God won't </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">send us a hand written invitation in our mailbox, but He tells us </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends" -Revelation 3:20. </span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;">There is nothing God desires more than intimacy with His children. All we have to do is open the door. "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" -James 4:8.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>God Knows Us</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;">In the beginning of the movie, Mack explains to some new friends that "Papa" is his <i>wife's</i> name for God, but it's a little too intimate for him. Because of some pain from my past, </span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">I can so relate. The thought of God as a parent has always made me a little uncomfortable. Instead, I like to think of Him as a close friend. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">Understanding that Mack may feel the same in the midst of his self proclaimed failure as a father, </span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;">"Papa" chooses to reveal Himself to Mack in the form of a woman. I love that! What a beautiful example of God's intimate knowledge of us. He created us therefore He knows us. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">"O </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: start;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">, you have examined my heart</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and know everything about me.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-139-2" id="en-NLT-16218" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
You know when I sit down or stand up.</div>
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<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-139-3" id="en-NLT-16219" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
You see me when I travel</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and when I rest at home.</span></div>
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<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">You know everything I do.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-139-4" id="en-NLT-16220" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
You know what I am going to say</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">even before I say it, <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-139-5" id="en-NLT-16221" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
You go before me and follow me.</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">You place your hand of blessing on my head.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-139-6" id="en-NLT-16222" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,</div>
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<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">too great for me to understand!"</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-139-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Psalm 139:1-6</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Life is Much Easier when We Accept God's Help</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;">Just like Jesus tested Peter's faith by asking him to step out of the boat and walk on the water with Him, Jesus does the same with Mack</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;">.</span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"> Later in the movie, Mack attempts to walk on the water by himself, but finds he can't. How often do we try to go at life on our own only to find ourselves sinking? </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From my experience, when I try to handle situations on my own, I find that my situations handle <i>me</i>. I get stressed out, easily offended, I lose my patience and I lose sight of the good around me. Mark 10:27 says "With man this is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." It's the days that I allow Jesus to take my hand and walk with me that I find strength when I thought I had none left, patience even when I'm spread thin and joy in the struggle. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;">"Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us" -Romans 8:37. </span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">Jesus takes Mack's hand, reminds him that things are much easier when they do them together and they take off on the water with ease.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>God Doesn't Highlight the Evil</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you're like me, as Mack headed out to the shack, you were assuming he was going to find out the details of Missy's death, maybe even meet her killer face to face. You were thinking, <i>what will God say to Mack about the murder of his own father? </i>But, as I think back on the movie, I realize that highlighting the evil in Mack's life was never Papa's intention. He t</span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">ells Mack "when all you see is your pain, you lose sight of me." When we dwell on our past, our failures, our disappointments and our mistakes, we rob ourselves of the blessings that our pain can produce. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">2 Corinthians 4:8-10 says "</span><span class="text 2Cor-4-8" id="en-NLT-28828" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. </span><span class="text 2Cor-4-9" id="en-NLT-28829" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. </span><span class="text 2Cor-4-10" id="en-NLT-28830" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text 2Cor-4-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">When we experience suffering in the this life, we can rejoice because we know that through our suffering God draws us closer, redeems us and makes us more like Him. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">God didn't invite Mack to the shack so he could relive the pain and suffering of losing his daughter. He brought him to the shack so He could reveal His glory through the suffering. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">There has been a lot of controversy surrounding this movie, but if you haven't seen it I highly recommend it. It may be just what you've been needing to set your relationship with God on fire again.</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-8548538767533051002017-03-09T15:07:00.001-05:002017-04-10T21:50:24.656-04:00Exposing the Lies of Satan with God's Word<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Just do it, God will forgive you," you're smart, you don't need anyone's help," "fighting this battle all alone will prove how strong you are," "drink one more, eat one more piece, you will feel so much better."</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These statements and others like them have two things in common: they sound good, encouraging even, but <u>they are lies</u>. You've probably heard some statements like these echoing in your mind at some point and wondered whose voice you were hearing. Is it God encouraging you or the devil deceiving you? </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Satan will often </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">whisper things in your ear that sound so close to God's word that you can't distinguish who is speaking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 2 Kings 18, we find Judah on
the brink of an attack by Assyria. Urging them to surrender, the king of
Assyria, Sennacherib, sends a message to Judah, he says:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Make your peace with me
and come out to me. Then each one of you will eat of his own vine, and each one
of his own fig tree, and each one of you will drink the water of his own
cistern, until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of
grain and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey,
that you may live, and not die.” </i>(2 Kings 18:31-32)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What caught my attention about this passage was that the promises King Sennacherib makes to the people of Judah sound oddly similar to some of the promises of God. Here we see Judah's enemy tempting them with lies that are masked with the word of God. So if King Sennacherib was clever enough to use this tactic surely Satan, who the Bible calls the "deceiver of the world," knows this trick as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So what do we do? How can we
distinguish the lies of the enemy from the promises of God when they sometimes
sound so similar? When Judah's king, Hezekiah, received the message</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> the
Bible says, he </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">went into to the house of the Lord and spread the message before Him</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. I believe that to distinguish God's voice from the lies, we must do the same. We must collect all the messages our hearts are receiving and take them to God in prayer and measure them up against His word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let’s practice doing that and break down King Sennacherib’s message to
uncover some common lies of our enemy and see what Jesus has to say about them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Our
Strength is Enough</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Each
of you will eat of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>his own</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>vine, and each one of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>his own</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>fig tree.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Satan
tries to convince us that we are able to sustain ourselves in attempt to
separate us from God. He'll distract you from praying and reading the Word,
deeming it unnecessary. He will fill you with pride to prevent you from asking
for help. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Jesus tells us:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Remain
in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself
unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in
Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he
it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>(John 15:4-5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Apart
from me you can do nothing.” We weren’t created to go through this life alone,
figuring things out for ourselves and relying on our own strength to get us
through. We were created for constant connection to the vine, Jesus, whose
strength is made perfect in our weakness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">We Can Satisfy Our Souls</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Each
one of you will drink the water of his own cistern.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
enemy will make us believe that the things of this world (alcohol, drugs, TV,
social media, money, material possessions etc.) will fill the void in our
lives. For a while, these things may help, but the problem with “drinking from our own cistern” is that eventually our cisterns will run dry and the things that once made us feel better will leave us feeling more empty than before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But,
there is hope, Jesus tells us:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>“Whoever
drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.<span class="apple-converted-space"><sup data-fn="#fen-ESV-26160a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-26160a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]"> </sup></span>The
water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to
eternal life.”</i> (John
4:14)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I
believe that we are all created with a God-shaped void in our souls so it's
only when we turn to Him to satisfy our deepest desires that we experience true
and complete fulfillment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">It’s okay to stay the way we are</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">King
Sennacherib promises that he will take Judah away to a land that is<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>“like their own land.” </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Similarly,
Satan tricks us into thinking that it’s okay to stay the way we’ve always been.
We say things like “I was born this way,” or “this is how I’ve always done it”
and we accept that because we’ve bought into the lie that how we are is how we
will always be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jesus
tells us in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>2 Corinthians 5:17,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>“<span style="background: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has
passed away; behold, the new has come.</span>”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: rgb(253 , 254 , 255); color: #001320;">When we become followers of Jesus we become
brand new. Through Him our thoughts, words, habits, desires, our actions and
reactions all change to glorify God. God wants to do something new in you;
don't settle for staying the same.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Submission
to the enemy gives us life</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Make
your peace with me....that you may live and not die.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sennacherib
promises to spare the lives of the people of Judah in exchange for their
surrender. In the same way, the devil tricks us into believing that submission
to him leads to freedom while submission to God leads to bondage. He'll make us
believe that if we give our lives to God, God will take away everything we
love: our non-Christian friends, our hobbies, our money etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Bible reminds us, </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"This
is eternal life- that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom
you have sent."<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>(John 17:3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Close connection with God will never leave us feeling deprived, left out or lonely. He is our comforter, our joy, our peace and the giver of true everlasting life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
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<o:p></o:p>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Satan lures us in with God's words because even <i>he</i> knows
the power they hold. Do you know that power? Commit yourself to becoming so
familiar with the promises of God that you cannot be deceived. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-85544972591319579882017-01-07T20:02:00.002-05:002017-04-10T21:52:01.170-04:00Reading the Bible Better<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TJbYEcRJMlJI5Znb-pT9NZgMaJYv3z4M_Wkix3zuvNmXGaqO1t6GrcuJtJ9RruR1t5IYwc-H43p8ccbUY7tiycGJw_OctZSvsLUvERP9cFwIwspDo0ZNMF6GHlpbvAnzv8mRjwr7pn4/s1600/biblereading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Read the Bible" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TJbYEcRJMlJI5Znb-pT9NZgMaJYv3z4M_Wkix3zuvNmXGaqO1t6GrcuJtJ9RruR1t5IYwc-H43p8ccbUY7tiycGJw_OctZSvsLUvERP9cFwIwspDo0ZNMF6GHlpbvAnzv8mRjwr7pn4/s640/biblereading.jpg" title="How to Read the Bible" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Studying the Bible is one of my favorite things to do. I don't just say that because that's how good Christian girls are supposed to feel, I mean it!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Any given morning, you can find me curled under a blanket on my couch with a cup of coffee, my Bible and at least one journal. It hasn't always been that way though, reading the Bible used to be something I did because I felt like I was supposed to. I would read (sometimes fall asle<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ep)</span> and check it off of my list, but I wouldn't get anything out of it. I know I'm not alone in that. I hear people all of the time say things like "I just don't understand it," "reading isn't my thing," "the old testament isn't relevant to me," "I don't know where to start." Like I said, I get it. I've been there. BUT, the Bible is full of so much encouragement and wisdom I hate the thought of <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">others</span> missing out on <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it</span>. So below I have listed my<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>tips for making the most of your Bible study time<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> so you<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> can find the s<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ame joy I <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">have found in <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">reading God's wor<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">d.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Pray </b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before you even open your Bible, let God know that you are willing to learn, but you need His help. Pray that He would open your mind and your heart to receive whatever it is He has to teach you. Pray for focus and understanding. Pray for God to reveal to you<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> what</span> His word s<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ays about <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Him and how it </span></span>applies to your life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span class="verse-number"><b>"</b></span></i><span class="verse-5"><i>If any of you lacks wisdom, you
should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and
it will be given to you.</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>" J<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ames 1:5</span></i></span><i> </i>
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Use</span> a translation you understand </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b> </b>Look, it is not true that the King James Version is the only translation that is accurate. It may be the <i>most</i> literal translation, but if you don't understand a word of it, it won't do you any good. Go to a bookstore and compare different translations side-by-side until you find the one that you like. Having translation that makes sense to <u>you</u> will make a big difference. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Us</span>e a commentary </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b> </b>When I started reading the Old Testament, I got frustrated. I knew that there were valuable lessons to be learned, but as I was drowning in genealogy lists and in-depth descriptions of Temple building materials, I couldn't decipher those lessons on my own. <a href="https://enduringword.com/#commentary">Enduringword</a> is an amazing resource that I believe transformed my Bible reading time. It is a free commentary o<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">f</span> the entire Bible. Commentaries are great for those times when you are reading and just think "HUH?" I encourage you to try to think for yourself before you look for the explanation in a commentary, but I think using a commentary will help you learn to think deeper as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b> Read passages that you don't understand in multiple translations</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes
when I'm reading, I'll come across something that either doesn't make
sense or doesn't speak to me like I think it should. In those
situations, I like to re-read the same passage in a different
translation. I've found, a lot of times, a verse that doesn't stick out
to me in one translation, can speak volumes when I read it worded a
different way. An easy way to do this is with a Bible app that lets you
swi<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tch between </span>translations.</span> <b> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Don't try to read cover to cover </b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This may work for some, but in my opinion, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">if you <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">start in Genes<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">is<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">t<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ry to read straight t<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hrough to Revelation, you will never get there</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>. The Old <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Testament can be tough to get through so </span>I like to flip flop between the Old and New Testaments. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">F</span>or example, read Genesis then Matthew, Exodu<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s then Mark</span>. Find a reading plan or come up with your own. There's no right or wrong way to read it. One good piece of advice I've heard is to pick a reading plan and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">cross out </span>the dates to take the pressure off yourself. Like a workout schedule, if you miss a day, often you will feel like you've failed and will quit altogether. So ignore the dates and read at your own pace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Don't be af<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">raid to write in your Bible<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Bible will become so much more personal when you let go of the thinking that <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it is too s<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">acred to write in. T<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">he B<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ible is <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God's gift <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to you and He wants you to enjoy it. Highl<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ight or un<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">derline favorite <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">verses, jot <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">down your thought<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s in the margin<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s, mark life changing passages with the date you re<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ad them. When you write in <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">your Bible, you leave your<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">self reminders of God's promises and a record of Hi<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s work in your life. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Make <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bible reading a</span> priority</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The more time you spend in God's word the more you will under<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">stand it and the more you will want to read it<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> so </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s</span>et <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">asi<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">de<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">time to spend in God's wor<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">d and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">stick to it!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and
night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then
you will be prosperous and successful." J<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">oshua 1:8</span></i><span class="p"><br /></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><b> </b> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">T<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">his is simp<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ly </span>what has worked<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> for me</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">in </span>my few short years of Bible <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">study. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I still have so much to learn<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">!</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My hope is for you<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> all to <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">develop a deep love for God's wor<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">d</span></span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you have any tips of your own, I would love to he<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ar th<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">em!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-52704926992261458482016-08-04T16:06:00.000-04:002016-08-04T16:06:25.072-04:00The Strength in My Weakness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I don't have a green thumb. It's
not necessarily that everything I plant dies, but more that I lack the
motivation to take care of my plants once they've been planted.
Nonetheless, like most women, I like flowers and I want my yard to look like
something out of Southern Living (currently, my grass hasn't been mowed in
over 2 weeks and there are dead flowers on my porch...) so sometimes I get
the urge to plant things. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFvKF3WieBMHFMBli-_5ag4Wg_cgv_KAA1LEjB10Duu3rslLB4f7m36BsPSA6ZFghsWacDoyWhOsklDkE8jkG85Y1iE9TVdvIBjmQRwGx8elSBNSIrlJyEg3CMihPpbzll_C-p40EgtU/s1600/flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 Corinthians 12:9" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFvKF3WieBMHFMBli-_5ag4Wg_cgv_KAA1LEjB10Duu3rslLB4f7m36BsPSA6ZFghsWacDoyWhOsklDkE8jkG85Y1iE9TVdvIBjmQRwGx8elSBNSIrlJyEg3CMihPpbzll_C-p40EgtU/s640/flower.jpg" title="2 Corinthians 12:9" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A couple of years ago, I planted four gardenias across the
back of the house with the hope that my yard would be filled with
their heavenly aroma all summer long. Well three out of four
survived and I considered it a victory! Of the gardenias that
survived, there is one that is significantly smaller than the others and it
was planted a little too far over so it sort of gets in the way. I've
considered just pulling it up because, honestly, it looks silly. But, this
summer, God used that little bush to speak truth straight to my heart.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One day I discovered that my little runt had four
beautiful blooms on it while the others had none. As I stood there admiring
them, I was reminded that God isn't threatened by our weaknesses. In fact, His word says that it is through our weaknesses that His strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians
12:9). What I saw as a flimsy twig growing in the ground, begging me to
mow it over, God saw as a <span style="background: white;">strong plant,</span> full
of potential and worthy of all the beauty it was created to possess. I
believe that's exactly how He sees each of us. When He places a calling on our
lives, He equips us with everything we need. He fills in the gaps of our
inadequacies with His perfect strength and creates something beautiful. If I
had pulled that gardenia out of the ground, I would have robbed it of its
purpose, never allowing its beauty to be revealed and I may have never learned
this lesson. A lesson I so desperately need as I navigate God's plan for my
life. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4iOR9i-Mg3KeDETC25JWgI5f6NLMSpHimN3xvZF-e4YOE1OswlFS2bNm75wTyvsMXUhx7JHrypMy44wX_Na4JyubE2DHp9EyiTdA_xa_Cn4BszRWYoBOBKAlpS_8xQkX0Z_LmxgBbJg/s1600/IMG_2200.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="2 Corinthians 12:9" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4iOR9i-Mg3KeDETC25JWgI5f6NLMSpHimN3xvZF-e4YOE1OswlFS2bNm75wTyvsMXUhx7JHrypMy44wX_Na4JyubE2DHp9EyiTdA_xa_Cn4BszRWYoBOBKAlpS_8xQkX0Z_LmxgBbJg/s640/IMG_2200.JPG" title="2 Corinthians 12:9" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The truth is sometimes I feel a lot like that gardenia, too
small, too inadequate, too weak to make a difference. But, if I allow
those thoughts to rule in my mind, I miss living out the purpose for which
I was created and blessing others with my gifts. We can't let our weaknesses cripple us. Instead, we must turn to the one who's power is activated by our willingness not by our qualifications. God has a purpose and a plan for the smallest, the
weakest and the most unlikely of us all. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"God WILL make this happen, for He who calls you is faithful."</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But he said to me, “My
grace i s sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power
of Christ may rest upon me.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2
Corinthians 12:9</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-31135889445737549422016-03-09T08:00:00.000-05:002016-03-10T05:56:05.629-05:00Easter Devotional: Lay Down Your Cloak<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgwriDmNq-yh6KZKphecyFbaVEOX24vxhiroJTnJ5L6d1ERFN6HsyMM1LOrG6hiH7NodvyJ-KllydgprcSiYmDMUwNoSDDm1960DSSEUN1vqAaI8R8UTmyp1dEtd5CCNwJdji67HgYmw/s1600/easterdevo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Matthew 16:24" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgwriDmNq-yh6KZKphecyFbaVEOX24vxhiroJTnJ5L6d1ERFN6HsyMM1LOrG6hiH7NodvyJ-KllydgprcSiYmDMUwNoSDDm1960DSSEUN1vqAaI8R8UTmyp1dEtd5CCNwJdji67HgYmw/s640/easterdevo2.jpg" title="Matthew 16:24" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Scripture: </b>Matthew 21:1-11, Matthew 16:24</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Matt-21-8" id="en-NLT-23809">Most
of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others
cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.</span> <span class="text Matt-21-9" id="en-NLT-23810">Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Matt-21-9">“Praise God for the Son of David!</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Matt-21-9">Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>!</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Matt-21-9">Praise God in highest heaven!”</span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Matt-21-9"><b>Matthew 21:8-9</b></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Matt-21-9"> </span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We've all heard the old tale. Guy and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">girl are out on a date, walking </span>down the street when they come up on a puddle. The gentleman takes his jacket off and lays it over the puddle so the lady can walk across without getting he<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">r feet </span>wet.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>This seems silly, but <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">w</span>hen Jesus arri<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ved in Jerusalem, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">His people<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> greeted him with<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> the same gesture</span></span></span></span></span>. Matthew 8 says <i>"most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him."</i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Wh<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ile I'm sure the<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> streets of Jerusalem were dirty, I don't think Jesus's<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> followers were concerned about<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">him getting a<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> little di<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">rt<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> on his feet. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I believe<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> that<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> by laying down their <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">garments</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, they were <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">displaying<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> their willingness to <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">bring <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">glory to their<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> sav<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ior </span>reg<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ardless of what it cost them.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">J<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">esus tells us in Matthew<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> 16:24 that if<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> we want to be <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">H<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">is disciples,<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> we must turn from our<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> self<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ish ways and take up our crosses. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes this mean<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> giving up our free time to minister to someone who's hurting.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> It may mean <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ditching</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> habits that<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> don't honor God<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'s word or donating money to <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a worthy cause instead of buying something we don't need, but<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> really want. It could mean risking your repu<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tation to share your story and bring <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">someone<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to salvation</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Whatever it may be, </span></span></span></span></span>Jesus doe<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sn't call <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">His disciples</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to stand<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> clean and comfortable while He does<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> all of the work. He <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">calls us to<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">join him in the trenches where <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">soul<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s are<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> saved and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jesus is glorified. </span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Dear Lord, today I <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">as<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">k for your forgiveness for the time<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s I have stoo<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">d o<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">n the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sidelines<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and left you <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to work<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> alone</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>. I <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">pray that <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you would help<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> me<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to ful<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">fill your command <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to lay down my selfish <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">desires <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">so that I ma<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">y bring glory to your name.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Amen </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZaMRRr33hA">(Source)</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i> </i> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-24707715983385885422016-03-06T08:00:00.000-05:002016-03-06T08:00:14.606-05:00Easter Devotional: You Are Not Alone In Your Suffering<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvox95d9kXQi-9bSP8WkA0hP20sEzJCtn2UZBI8ht9j939HJHp5F5_m5EU4QNtCl0Sa2P1qUO-S5BtxgOCMaZgTCky_J_OI4X6SvbfK5qWpZ1dKODNIBzPwi27LbzlXioLph15LQyqj7o/s1600/easterdevo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Easter Devotional" border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvox95d9kXQi-9bSP8WkA0hP20sEzJCtn2UZBI8ht9j939HJHp5F5_m5EU4QNtCl0Sa2P1qUO-S5BtxgOCMaZgTCky_J_OI4X6SvbfK5qWpZ1dKODNIBzPwi27LbzlXioLph15LQyqj7o/s640/easterdevo1.jpg" title="Easter" width="640" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Isa-53-3" id="en-NLT-18691"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Scriptures: </b>Isaiah 53:3-6, Hebrews 2:18</span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Isa-53-3" id="en-NLT-18691"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span> </span></span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Isa-53-3" id="en-NLT-18691">"He was despised and rejected—</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-53-3">a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-53-3">We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-53-3">He was despised, and we did not care.</span></span> </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Isa-53-4" id="en-NLT-18692">Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-53-4">it was our sorrows that weighed him down.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"</span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Isaiah 53:3-<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(NLT)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have you ever<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">been through a tough time and felt completely <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">alone</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">? Have you b<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ought in to the lie that<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> you<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">r situation</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> is evidence that God doesn't love you? <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I think we can all<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> agree that we've felt this way at some point in our lives.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I wa<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nt you to take some time today to think about Jesus' life here on ear<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">th. I do<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">n't mean the people <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He healed, the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mira<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">cles <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He performed<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> or <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">his perfect example of <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">love. Instead, I wa<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nt you to reflect on the pai<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">n</span> he endured because that pain serves a beautiful pur<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">pose</span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">F</span>or the<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> short<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> time<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Jesus</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> was here, he wa<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">despised, rejected, betrayed, beat<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">en<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> a<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nd sentenced to a brutal death</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">none</span></span> of which He <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">deserved<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> The pur<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">pose<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> of <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">His suffering is realized</span> in </span></span></span></span></span>He<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">brews 2:18<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">: </span><i>"sinc</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>e He himself has go</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>ne through suffering and testing, He is able to help us when we are b</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>eing tested.</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>Jesus<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, the king of kings and lord of lords, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">took human form and endured <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">human angui<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sh </span></span>so that He c<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">an</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> better r<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">elate to us<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">,</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s</span>o He c<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">an </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">better gui<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">de <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">us and min<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ister to our hearts in <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">times of h<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ardship<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ever you may be going through <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">today, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">know that you</span> have a God in heaven who <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">loves you so much He was willing to <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">trade his pl<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ace on the throne for a life of agony to<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> become your wonderful counselor</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear Lord,<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> tha<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nk you for <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">your willingness to </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">live</span> a life you didn't deserve so that <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you could be my <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">comforter and counselor in t<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">imes of need</span>. I th<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ank you that I do not have to feel alone in my suffering beca<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">use you <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">go </span>be<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">fore me. Lord, I pray that you would h<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">elp me to reme<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mber that<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> t<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">he tria<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ls of this life do not sep<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">arate me from you<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, but, in<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">stead,</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> draw me closer.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Jesus'<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">name, Amen.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-44204527480312117102016-02-27T12:05:00.000-05:002017-04-10T21:45:52.663-04:00The Best Approach to an Unbelieving Spouse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While God's word tells us that we should avoid relationships with nonbelievers, sometimes we find ourselves smack da<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">b in the middle of an </span>unequally yoked <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">part<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nership</span></span>. Maybe you were nonbelievers when you got married and then one of you <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">gave your life to </span>Christ later down the road. Or maybe you married a nonbeliever hoping they would eventually change. Whatever your situation, it happens and when it does, the Bible tells us that there is still potential for good. 1 Corinthians 7:14 says<i> the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. </i>Now this does not mean that if you are a Christian your husband or wife is automatically saved. What it does mean is that your influence on your spouse's life may be strong enough to win them over. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While the potential exists, it doesn't always happen easily and rarely on our time making being married to a nonbeliever incredibly frustrating. So what do we do? How do we </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">minister to our </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">spouses without beco</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ming discouraged and </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">driving them away?</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">y</span>our <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">l</span>ight <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s</span>hine </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Matt-5-15" id="en-NLT-23226"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Like a pile of dirty
laundry when we are expecting company, we tend to close Jesus up in our
hearts in the presence of nonbelievers.</span></span></span><i><span class="text Matt-5-15" id="en-NLT-23226"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></i><span class="text Matt-5-15" id="en-NLT-23226"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We do this because we're scared they may think we are strange, that we're judging them</span></span></span><i><span class="text Matt-5-15" id="en-NLT-23226"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></i><span class="text Matt-5-15" id="en-NLT-23226"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">or we're worried we may come across as too pushy.<i> </i>But I believe that hearts are changed through the example of others. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Y</span>our spouse <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">may <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">not<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> have </span></span></span>accepted Jesus because he/she has never seen what it truly means to have a relationship with Him. As someone your spouse is around every day, you are in the perfect position to be an example of that relationship for them.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be open about who Jesus is in your life. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be honest about your <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sins<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> so they <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">see that Jesus accepts us as we are. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Speak of Him as a friend </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and a</span>llow your spouse to see the joy and peace<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jesus </span>brings you. Love them the way <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jesus <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">loves you.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span class="text Matt-5-15" id="en-NLT-23226"><span class="woj">No
one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is
placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-5-16" id="en-NLT-23227"><span class="woj">In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.</span></span></i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Matthew 5:15-16</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be willing to be different. Be willing to be strange. Be confidant in your faith because Jesus says that we are the light of the world. Our light may be the only one our spouse ever sees. Let it shine!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Recognize that the fight is not yours </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When it comes to our
unbelieving loved ones, we have tendency to place a tremendous amount of
responsibility on ourselves for their salvation. This can leave us feeling weighed down and defeated and can place unnecessary distance <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">in our relationships</span>. </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love what 1 Corinthians 3:6 teaches us- <i>I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. </i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Allowing ourse<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">lves</span> to believe this</span> lif<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ts the weight right off of our shoulders <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and places it in God's <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">very ca<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">pable </span></span>hands. </span></span>The truth is that all we can do is plant the seeds. The outcome is between your spouse and God. </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And
I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will
take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive
heart. </span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ezekiel 36:26.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Pra<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">yer<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>and Patience </span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ultimately, I think<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> that <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">prayer<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> is the most powerful tool <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we</span> have w<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hen dealing <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">with<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">an unsaved<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> spouse. It<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> is through <a href="http://hearinghisheartbeat.blogspot.com/2016/02/7-scriptures-to-pray-over-your-husband.html">prayer</a> that God can b<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">egin</span> working in your spouse's<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> heart</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> while encouraging you in the pursuit. </span></span></span></span></span></span>When you feel defeated, pray. When you <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">want<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nag <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">your spouse, pray. When you start<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to see the fruit of your effort, pray! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Ask God to <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">not only change your spouse's heart,<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> but to lead you in ministering to your<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> spouse in <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a way that is pleasing to Him</span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. </span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Bible says that anything we ask according to His will<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> will<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> given to us. What <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it</span> doesn't say is that it will be given to us immediately. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">in<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> our waiting time that we often<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> experience a spiritual growth spurt. God uses our wait to draw us clo<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ser to Him and enhance <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">our f<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">aith.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>Reme<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mber that Abraham <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">was <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">100 years old when Iss<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ac<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> w<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">as<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> born.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>God is fai<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">thful to ful<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">fill <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">His promises, we <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">just have to be patien<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">t with Hi<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">m. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>The <span class="sc">Lord</span> is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the <span class="sc">Lord.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span class="sc"> </span></i><span class="sc">Lamentations 3:25-26</span><i> </i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you are struggling in a relationship with a nonbeliever, I want to encourage you that we serve a God <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">who is capable of moving even<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> the most stubborn<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and resistant mountains. Continue to shine your light and when it seems impossible<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">reme<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mber<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> that you are simply God's <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">seed sower. He will take care of everything else. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-70885239622936376782016-02-13T11:28:00.000-05:002016-03-03T18:21:52.250-05:00The Love Language That Will Change Your Marriage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have you heard of <i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">T</span>he 5 Love Languages </i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">by Gary Ch<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">apman</span></span>? If you haven't, you should look it up, but I'll bring you up to speed for now. The book talks about the<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>five different ways in which each of us prefers to receive love: quality time, physical touch, gifts, words of affirmation and acts of service. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We all have a different love language<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. U</span></span>nderstanding your spouse's love language allows you to love him/her in the way they are most receptive. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUAdrMeMWR6s3kMoTrVj-mSu7IKiAnjfcykmJ1BVvnERCxSOKWbpQjFlrZexUIcHc7Da4Rkig9_M6eKby9JpX3I7lejMUs7ez4vehai7VZWSy6Fx5dzUvJXVSGKWvDNM_L9GXchiIKPE/s1600/lovelanguage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="love languages" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUAdrMeMWR6s3kMoTrVj-mSu7IKiAnjfcykmJ1BVvnERCxSOKWbpQjFlrZexUIcHc7Da4Rkig9_M6eKby9JpX3I7lejMUs7ez4vehai7VZWSy6Fx5dzUvJXVSGKWvDNM_L9GXchiIKPE/s640/lovelanguage.jpg" title="love languages" width="610" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To determine your love language, you can take the quiz <a href="http://www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/couples/">here</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(This would be a great V<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">alentine's Day ac<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tivity<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">!)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Knowing your spouses' love language is a great key to loving them well. However, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">believe </span></span>that it is equally, if not more, important to understand t<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hat m</span>ost of us tend to show love in <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">o<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ur own love lang<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">uage</span></span></span>. We do this with<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> good intentions. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If we would love it, our spo<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">use definitely would too, right? Wrong. </span></span>We <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">d<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">on't realize that wha<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">t<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> fills our love tank may <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">not eve<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">n regist<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">er as an ac<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">t of love <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to our spouse</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> This has<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> happened plenty of time<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s in my marriage and I'm sure it has happened in yours. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Imagine<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> it's your b<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">irthday and yo<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">u've had <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">your eyes on a pa<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ir of beautiful diamond earrings you saw at the mall. You sub<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tly <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">drop<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> hints, but you never actually come out and ask for<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> them<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> (your love language<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> is gifts). <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Th<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">at day, your husband wakes up at the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">crack of d<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">awn and sne<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ak<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> out of bed<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. He cleans the house and<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> then heads outside to wash your car<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> (his love language is <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">acts of service). You wake up and<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, while you<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'re surprised<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, you can't help but f<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">eel <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">di<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sappoint<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ed<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> about your "present" and you<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">r</span> disapp<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ointment <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">spills over in<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to th<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">e rest<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> of your day. You<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">r husband wonders wh<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ere he went wrong. Poor guy. He <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">thought <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">he was doing something so wonderful for his<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> wife on her birthda<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">y, but it's almost as<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> if she didn't even notice.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Sound familiar? These situations happen<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> more often then w<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">e realize<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">not <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">just o<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">n special occasions. We go about our days feeling unloved and it's typically our own fault<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. We focus on the things <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">our spouse isn't <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">doing instead of the things they are doing. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">W<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">e have love<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> language </span>tunnel vision. All we can see in<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> front of us <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">are those<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> diamon<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">d earrings that we didn't get<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> so we miss <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the great lov<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">e that's happening all around <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">us.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 13:5 says that love "does not ins<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ist on its own way."</span> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> This Valentine's<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Day, I c<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hallenge you to <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">graciously receive your spouse's lov<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">e. W<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hether it i<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s deli<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">vered <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">in a bo<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">x with<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> a pretty bow or comes in the form <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">of a selfless act of service, </span></span></span></span></span></span>know that it came from the heart</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. Make it a p<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">oint to notice the litt<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">le things your loved one<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s do for<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> you.</span></span></span></span> You may be surprised<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to find you are far m<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ore loved than you think you are.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Happy Valentine's Day! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934128638383697212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614742827864948726.post-76700627156802774012016-02-08T19:03:00.000-05:002017-05-31T21:24:17.738-04:007 Scriptures to Pray Over Your Husband<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> As a wife, do you feel <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">an overwhelming <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">resp<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">onsib<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ility for your husba<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nd<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'s physical, spiritual and mental <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">well being</span>? I<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'ve <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">been there.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span>I used to be the wife who thought it was her duty to fix her husband. From small annoyances to big issues, I thought if I didn't guide him in the way <strike>he should</strike> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wanted him to </span>go, he would never change. I would <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">G</span>oogle ways to change him, nag him <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">constantly</span>, whatever it took. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But In the end, s</span>piritual back pain w<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">as all that came of my efforts to sh<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">oulder problems that weren't mine to <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">solve</span></span></span></span>. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I finally figured out that it wasn't my job to fix my husband, that his "problems" were between <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hi<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">m and God,</span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I </span>experienced freedom from the false sense of responsibility I had carried around and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">my husband a<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ctually began to c<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hange</span></span></span>. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> it's not easy to give up the control<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As women, we think it's ou<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">r job t<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">o take care of everything and everyone. But, the Bible says that we are to <i>be still and know that HE is God </i>(Ps<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">alm 46:10). Did you <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">catch that<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">? </span></span><b>He is God, we are not</b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>.</b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>We have to learn how to get out of his way and allow <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">H</span>im to do what only <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">H</span>e can do. The<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> best way to do that is to get down on our knees, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">speak our requests</span> and allow Him to<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> do the rest</span>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Below you will find 7 scriptures t<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">o help you<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> start praying for your husband tod<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ay<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">!</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Medi<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tate on them, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">write them down, say them just <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">as they are. Whatever you do, I believe there is so<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> much power in <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">p<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">raying <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God's<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> word back to Him.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1. For Good Health</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God with your body." </span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 6:19-20</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2. For Strength in Hard Times</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." </span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Isaiah 41:10</span><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3. For Godly Friends</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools wi<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ll</span> suffer harm." </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Proverbs 13:20</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Do not be deceived: bad company ruins good morals." </span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 15:33</span><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4. For a Passion for God</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i> </i>Mark 12:30</span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5. For Protection From Evil</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch
out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand
delivers me." </i>Psalm 138:7<i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>6. F<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">or Wisdom</span></b></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of
your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what
is good and acceptable and perfect." </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Romans 12:2</span><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">7<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Joy</span></span></b></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"I
pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy
and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with
confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Romans 15:13</span><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> know that many times we feel like we are fighting a lo<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sing b<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">attle, that even if we are praying for our husbands, our prayers aren't being h<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">eard or that th<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ey are too <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">big</span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> I want<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to encourage you tonight that <i>God is cap<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">abl<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">e of immeasu<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">rably <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">more than we can<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> as<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">k or imagine </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(Ephesians 3:20)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> E</span>ven when it's taking longer than we would like <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and </span>the results aren't <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">exactly what we asked for<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, you can rest assured that while you are<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> still</span>,<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>He is <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hard at work</span>.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></i><br />
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