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Ever thought ‘If I could just get a break!” So many times we think it is the ‘Big Break’ that will ‘Open the Door’ to success in life. Or maybe because we came from ‘The wrong side of the Tracks’ is what we blame for holding us back. Maybe blame the family you were born in or ‘I’m the black Sheep’ philosophy. ‘If only’… things had been different in my life… (more…)
I have decided there will always be someone who is prettier than me. There will always be someone with a bigger house, more friends, better clothes, a better job, and more money than me. There are some that seem to value success on the wealth of a person, judge their value on their looks or the success on their accomplishments.
I was never really interested in trying to be better than another in outward appearance but I see more and more that it is important to some. What I do see is when we fix our eyes on those qualities it makes our relationships with others turn into power struggles. I have seen some that have spent so many fruitless days wanting or trying to measure up to someone else.
Coming from my background, I spent my life never being smart enough, never being beautiful enough, never being the one family or friends wanted, never having my worth defined by wealth, status, or success. But according to what I read in the Scripture it is very clear what is valuable to God. He isn’t mentioning the words like success, wealth, clothes, or jobs but clearly it says what the Spirit will produce in one’s life and heart, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:…”Galatians 5:22-23 And these things are available to everyone. That is the part I love about God. He offers it to everyone!
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When reading the list I am thinking, OK, this must be a joke! Right? …And why did they just name Republicans and not Democrats? Usually easy for most of us to say because we know that is what we are suppose to say. Moderately easy to believe but so very difficult to actually practice…Without Him! We do not even have the ability to love to this degree on our own. We can not create it on our own.
Only His undiscriminating love that causes the sun to rise on the good and the evil is the only One that can produce this kind of love. All He has asked of us is to release our hearts to Him. We are still caught up in our eye for an eye thought that totally releasing our heart to the love that Jesus wants us to have for others is a so foreign to most.
He wants us to love like HE loves. Christ loved me first – end of story! (I have a lot of work to do on this subject!)
Matt. 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
−Life doesn’t always turn out the way we imagined it would.
−We have been confronted with loss, been battered in the storms, and sometimes dazed at not knowing what happened.
−We live in a fallen world and it’s all part of living here.
−Regardless of the circumstances we face – there is always hope.
−A hope that is true no matter what we have been through.
−Hope in God whose ways are higher than ours.
−Hope in the future He Promised He has begun to prepare for us.
−Hope that even though the rain clouds have come they will surely bring flowers tomorrow.
−I can’t even begin at this time to comprehend how He will bring this to pass.
−There is no limit to what My God can do.
−All I know is I Believe.
Isaiah 43: 2 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.
~Jen
God gave Abraham a command to take his only son and offer him as a sacrifice. I’ve often wondered what was going through Isaac’s mind? I know times were different then and this wasn’t uncommon but….
Was he thankful his Dad obeyed God? Did he feel forsaken? I just can’t imagine! Wonder what our thoughts would be? (more…)
Have you ever experienced times that just shook your world in ways you could not have imagined or anticipated? We’ve all had those times. We’ve all had those “one phone call from my knees” moments.
Each time we learn just how fragile life really is. We all are just one phone call away from unimaginable news and experiencing our own “one phone call from your knees” moment.
I am so thankful for a God that hears me every time I pray. He is all powerful and yet tender enough to gently speak to my heart and comfort me in those moments.
I know many people are experiencing moments of discouragement, hurt, dismay, and chaos today. Maybe you feel overwhelmed by the circumstances in your life. Whatever you’re feeling, know that we do care for you. But even more importantly, know and trust that God cares. He is with you in the midst of your situation and He wants to comfort you! If we can pray with you on something in your life, please let us know.
Our hope it in the Lord! “Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.” Psalm 33:20
~Jen
Myself: What message would you like me to send to the believers back home?
The persecuted: Please tell them we are their brothers and sisters in the faith. We love Jesus so much. We NEED their prayers! Our brothers and sisters are being put in prison because they love Jesus and will not renounce their faith. They are being put among the hardest of criminals and sometimes beaten daily. They are denied medical attention as well.
Has there ever been a time in your life When There Were No Words…Just Tears? This past year I have shed many tears alone in the night. Many times I thought my heart would burst from the pain I felt of almost loosing 4 of our children. Our daughter fled for her life on the mission field. 2 of our boys were in a near death car accident & the other son has a fatal blood disease. God saw my tears then, He still sees my tears…when I can’t even speak a word. (more…)
He told me to contend for the faith that he has entrusted to me. To fight for and take care of the faith that has been delivered unto me. Jude 1:3 …”that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. …” (more…)
It’s 8pm and our 32 yr. old son just went into emergency life saving surgery. There are many things that just do not matter anymore.
Sitting in a surgery waiting room I do know these things.
―I did love him beyond anything I thought possible!
―I know for sure I invested my time in his life.
―What joy my heart felt when He asked me to pray with him.
―He knew without doubt about his salvation.
―His life reflected his salvation.
―Life is uncertain. I’m glad I invested in him so I have no regrets while I’m waiting.
~Jen
God does reassemble shattered pieces 