1 Samuel 7:12 - Samuel took a stone and set it up. . . ."He named it Ebenezer saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us."
Ebenezer - a kind of memorial made of stones; it symbolizes God's help and guidance.
It is good to look back and think about all the times God has guided you along your journey. The people he placed in your lives, the experiences that you have encountered, the injustices that have surrounded you, the answered prayers. God is always there loving you and taking care of you. We too, can have an ebenezer.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
GRACE
Galatians 6: 9-10 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
Each stressful encounter with another person gives us the chance to either focus on ourselves or to minister to another. Each difficult person we encounter: aggressive co-worker, annoying neighbor, the driver who cuts you off in traffic, gives us an opportunity to show grace.
When we stop outside our own concerns, we can help others in theirs.
Each stressful encounter with another person gives us the chance to either focus on ourselves or to minister to another. Each difficult person we encounter: aggressive co-worker, annoying neighbor, the driver who cuts you off in traffic, gives us an opportunity to show grace.
When we stop outside our own concerns, we can help others in theirs.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Freedom / Confidence
Mark 14: 36 - "Yet not what I will but what you will."
Faith needs to be more than just lip service. Faith that is genuine truly believes in God's promises.
We need to be careful and not fall into the trap of thinking because we are a people of faith that God is obliged to answer our prayers in our way and time.
Our faith, no matter how strong, will never merit favor with God. It won't cause everything to work out the way we want it to or think it should. Isaiah 55:8 . . . your ways are not my ways.
We are called to live faithful lives, but God is not at our beck and call. We need to remember God is a great God who keeps His promises and offers us a life of freedom confidence if simply believe him.
Ask God to nurture and minister to your heart. Give thanks to Him. Walk in grace and seek to live holy and perfect lives before God.
Faith needs to be more than just lip service. Faith that is genuine truly believes in God's promises.
We need to be careful and not fall into the trap of thinking because we are a people of faith that God is obliged to answer our prayers in our way and time.
Our faith, no matter how strong, will never merit favor with God. It won't cause everything to work out the way we want it to or think it should. Isaiah 55:8 . . . your ways are not my ways.
We are called to live faithful lives, but God is not at our beck and call. We need to remember God is a great God who keeps His promises and offers us a life of freedom confidence if simply believe him.
Ask God to nurture and minister to your heart. Give thanks to Him. Walk in grace and seek to live holy and perfect lives before God.
When the Time Comes!
Matthew 6: 14 - "God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
We all get caught up with worries of the future, the what ifs that can occur.
The point I am trying to make is meet today's problems with today's strength.
"Don't start dwelling on tomorrow's problems until tomorrow. You don't have tomorrow's strength yet. You simply have enough for today". - Max Lucado
We all get caught up with worries of the future, the what ifs that can occur.
The point I am trying to make is meet today's problems with today's strength.
"Don't start dwelling on tomorrow's problems until tomorrow. You don't have tomorrow's strength yet. You simply have enough for today". - Max Lucado
Monday, October 4, 2010
Simple Gifts
John 19:25-27 "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, 'Dear woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."
Each day is a gift from God, an opportunity to do or give to someone else. No one is too old, too poor, too ill to offer acts of love and kindness.
Jesus nailed to the cross, about to die, thought of Mary, his mother and John his friend. Even in His last moments he found ways to give to others. We need to practice selfless giving in all that we do.
Jesus has told us that our new covenant with God, is to love others as he has loved us.
Each day is a gift from God, an opportunity to do or give to someone else. No one is too old, too poor, too ill to offer acts of love and kindness.
Jesus nailed to the cross, about to die, thought of Mary, his mother and John his friend. Even in His last moments he found ways to give to others. We need to practice selfless giving in all that we do.
Jesus has told us that our new covenant with God, is to love others as he has loved us.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
God Never Lets Go
Isaiah 41:10 - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
One Sunday I woke up and everything seemed so complicated. So much drama everywhere. I wrote in my journal: There needs to be more love and forgiveness. I was having feelings of being overwhelmed. I ask God to let me feel his presence, to help me keep my focus. When ever I feel God's presence, I get cold chills and this lets me know He is near.
I decided to attend the Xperience service at our church with my husband and granddaughter. I normally attend the Traditional service because I sing in the choir.
As I sat down waiting for the service to begin, I sat wondering, thinking about all the giants I was facing. The music began and I started to focus on my surroundings. The song You Never Let Go was being played by the band. As I sang watching the words on the big screen, I got cold chills, I was so touched, tears came to my eyes and I knew God was speaking to me. I felt a warmth come over me. I knew it was God's loving arms holding me tight. By the time the service was over I was so filled with God's love, and assurance that no matter what, I knew He would never forsake me, never let go. I can count on Him to always be near.
Peace and joy doesn't mean that we won't have giants in our daily lives, it means that God is always near, never lets go and nothing we face will snatch us from God.
One Sunday I woke up and everything seemed so complicated. So much drama everywhere. I wrote in my journal: There needs to be more love and forgiveness. I was having feelings of being overwhelmed. I ask God to let me feel his presence, to help me keep my focus. When ever I feel God's presence, I get cold chills and this lets me know He is near.
I decided to attend the Xperience service at our church with my husband and granddaughter. I normally attend the Traditional service because I sing in the choir.
As I sat down waiting for the service to begin, I sat wondering, thinking about all the giants I was facing. The music began and I started to focus on my surroundings. The song You Never Let Go was being played by the band. As I sang watching the words on the big screen, I got cold chills, I was so touched, tears came to my eyes and I knew God was speaking to me. I felt a warmth come over me. I knew it was God's loving arms holding me tight. By the time the service was over I was so filled with God's love, and assurance that no matter what, I knew He would never forsake me, never let go. I can count on Him to always be near.
Peace and joy doesn't mean that we won't have giants in our daily lives, it means that God is always near, never lets go and nothing we face will snatch us from God.
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