Fire and Flood Protection

Christians can know we have a protection in this world and it is a truth that many do not comprehend.  It is always available to the saved.  We have heard and read these stories most our lives yet we fail to claim the promises.

Daniel tells of the 3 Hebrew children that were put into the heated furnace. To survive the fire was totally impossible, and yet they felt no heat or flame while inside. This is an astounding miracle for our feeble mind to embrace!

Isaiah 43:2 kjv When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Some promises we can claim!

̶ Jesus keeps a constant vigil over us.
̶ His attention on us is very deliberate and we can find a strength we did not know was even available.
̶ He covers us and puts an enclosure around us.
̶ We have His protection against the deceitful attacks that are brought against us.
̶ His Grace surrounds our very soul and gives us protection.

In this world we encounter much difficulty but His Spirit controls the effects of the tribulation we face. We travel through intense times when our faith seems to make no sense.

When our faith is weakened ̶ His Grace surrounding us becomes strengthened.

It is as though God is saying to us, “Here are waters, and you must pass through them, the waters are on the road you must pass. The rivers have no bridge over them so you must go through the river. But, I will not let you pass through the waters alone because you would drown. I will go with you and will keep them from overflowing around you. While passing through them I will protect you.” Wow, what a security for the believer!

We can rest on the faithfulness of an unchanging God. It is upon that strong foundation I find rest.

Making Time for Others

copied from Simple Reminders

The older I get the more I realize that I am just not comfortable in groups of people. It is just much simpler for me to stay home than to go to a social gathering. There are times I want to catch up with old friends and enjoy a cup of coffee and a dessert but I find it a daunting tasks to do so.  Most of the time I force myself to put it on my calendar because socializing is out of my comfort zone. Long after the event is over it isn’t important what I wore or how awkward I felt but that I made room for someone or something I enjoy.

I need to learn how to make time for people who need me by making time in my heart and in my home. Time is something we all have and yet everyone has a need for our time. For me to sit selfishly in my home because that is where I am comfortable, is not allowing the Holy Spirit to use me where I am needed.

I am reminded of this verse and He promises me that His presence is with me whether I am comfortable or not. John 14: 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Being sociable is almost always an inconvenience. Being with those who need us is not about my own comfort but it’s about making others feel safe and happy with where they are. Jesus made time for everyone, for all types of people—friends; whether rich or poor, people who betrayed Him, strangers and foreigners, the little ones, and so many more. Making time for others was a character of His ministry.

Jesus didn’t die on the cross for me to be comfortable but for me to be conformed to His image. Me being conformed to His image is me taking time to give to others…comfortable or not.

God, Help!

Recently I have been in several situations that I called on God immediately and He was there.  There was not time for me to get on my knees in a prayer closet and go into a long dialogue prayer.  I needed to reach MY Heavenly Father by simply calling His name. It was a simple, “God, Help!”  Have you ever been in one of those situations?

As time would go on, I would pray over and over, “God, please we need a miracle!” This was not a miracle for me personally but for my immediate family. He always hears my cries and He always answers.

God would answer my prayer with exactly what I needed at that exact moment. I wanted a complete and immediate miracle but God said, I will sustain you through it all, ” My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness…” 2 Corinthians 12:9 That wasn’t what I  wanted to hear but that was the answer.

I knew the same God that turned the water into wine and parted the Red Sea was the same God I was calling upon. I had NO doubt that He was capable of performing a miracle. Had I not been in conversation with Him on a daily basis I wonder how much catching up I would have had to do before asking for a miracle?

Right in the middle of my deepest heartache, in the darkness of the pain my heart felt, God’s presence has always been steadfast and immovable. Through my struggles, He continually comforts me with His Word. When I cry out in my darkness, not knowing what the future may hold,  He will always be with me and our family regardless of what we may face.

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”Isa. 43:2

I will always pray for complete healing.  I know that God will so tenderly hold us and comfort us while we face the trials together.  At the same time, in those special moments of tenderness He still continued to carry on and still be God to the rest of the world!

– Thank you Jesus for loving me so!

“The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.”
― Billy Graham

Is it so hard to — Just Love?

One of the sad spiritual conditions to the Christian believer is “fault finding.” For some reason it seems to me that many have a strong tendency to pass judgement on people. Perhaps we feel this is our duty as a “Christian” or maybe even God has “burdened our heart” to help someone grow in their spiritual life.

There is a sense of their own righteousness or holiness and it should be considered. Too many times they believe they have fallen into a sense of entitlement because they have been in church all their life.  They believe they are the one that is right and it is their job to point out the error of your way. They are the one that has analyzed your actions correctly based on the their view and at this time you have been put under the label of a ‘evil sinner.’

Have we as Christians lost the feeling of joy when we realized that we were unconditionally loved and accepted by a loving Savior?  Have some in our spiritual family lost their sense of brokenness and emptiness?  Do we no longer feel the deep need for God because we have now reached a plateau of holiness?. We are not going to reach each other or the world by placing guilt or shame on others when “WE” think they messed up!

We can only reach the world by loving and serving in joy and peace! That is what Christ did.

Now to quote what I have heard my husband say so often, “We often hear it said, It was love and not nails that held Jesus on cross, and it was! How about we use love and not nails to bring others to the Cross of Calvary.”

Will I ever be…..

Sometimes my mind just pings back and forth so fast like ping pong balls bouncing off the table.  I start to think of one thought and then before it is completed another one pops in my mind. I really want to learn how to blog….but, oh if you could just take a walk with me inside this mind….

I want to fix dinner tonight and make this delicious dish that I saw on Teresa’s blog at  cant stay out of the kitchen.  Ahhhhh…. And for dessert I may just try these  brownies Judy can cook!  Lindsey always has delicious desserts.  I don’t understand how she’s so tiny & gorgeous!

I look forward to these posts It’s all about ladders!  Who would think to post of nothing but ladders?  A ladder company! Creative thinking!

And humor?  Why couldn’t I be blessed with humor and talent like clotildajamcracker?  Everything she writes is wonderful.

I’ve always admired those who can do a bucket list and go for it. Way to go lesleycarter! She does it all!

Ok! Ok!  I’m trying…I promise!oneanna65 …Breath…Breath…Breath.

I so understand yalandarose. I really think she could be our sister!  If she only knew just how connected we really were!

Cindy Knoke’s holler sure doesn’t look like the holler that I came out of in Ky!  But I love our conversations!

Always interesting post here and I say FIGHT!  nutsfortreasure with all you have!

And do you love this cheerful face?  I DO! beingzhenya And she’s starting a new job!  Woo Hoo!

And is so faithful to pray for us! shofar Thank you!

But my very favorite is my lifelong friend.  It doesn’t take long to understand who the writer is in this friendship!  What a gift God gave me when I was given Renee.

So many more blogs that I love! My sister Kelly and I are just learning how to blog.  We’ll catch on….just hang around!

~Jen

Lou Giglio

“God’s plans for your life far exceed the circumstances of your day.” ~Lou Giglio

Blessings on your new day!  ~Kelly

In His Presence

“I am ruined!  For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”  Is. 6:5

 

 

 

 

 

 

One glimpse of the glory of God and our hearts are changed forever, amen? 

Corrie Ten Boom ~ Don’t Worry

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”  ~ Corrie Ten Boom

 

 

Sing Praises Unto The King!

“O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.” ~ Psalm 96:1

Many times throughout Scripture we are urged to sing praises to the Lord. 

PA DUTCH BAKED BEANS

Who doesn’t serve baked beans for the 4th of July? This recipe passed down through the generations is sure to please a crowd! Enjoy!!