For as long as I've been a Christian, there have been favorite verses of scripture. One is Romans 5:8..."But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." It always brings to mind the words of the folk hymn, " What wonderous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreaded curse for my soul?" It really strikes my heart with the knowledge that God is so forgiving and loving that He would die for a person so undeserving.
That verse is such a message of hope! When we are locked in sin, the soul often is wracked with pain, knowing that there are things which aren't right in our lives. But, do we know how to dig out of it? Most of us don't. Until someone comes with a message of Hope in Christ, there seems no way out. When the Spirit of God brings it home to our hearts as truth, and we yield to it, life has a whole new meaning.
Another verse that brings me great joy is 1 Thess 4:16 & 17. This verse speaks of the return of our Lord Jesus, in the clouds...coming to take His believers to be with Him forever! This message of Hope and Promise holds us together when we are bombarded with difficulties on this earth. We know that 'this, too, shall pass' and we will be rescued, in God's own time, from all that we know as we live here. We will be taken up...and 'thus we shall ever be with Him in the air.' What greater Hope is there to look forward to than the living, face to face, with Christ through all eternity?!
What words of Hope do you cling to, and why? I'd be interested to hear them.
Be a blessing...and be blessed!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Facebook Ministry
Social networks like Facebook and MySpace can be abused, and I've heard complaints of people who have been 'stalked' and attacked by those who they'd accepted as friends. But, this posting will address the good things about these websites.
My involvement with Facebook came late into being. My adult children were constantly discussing it and who they'd reconnected with on the site. I thought it would be a good idea to join myself, to see who I might reconnect with from 'back home'. I had no idea then, what this website would mean to me.
It wasn't long before I found some friends from my childhood, and we spent time catching up on each other's lives. I found cousins and neices with whom I'd lost touch for one or another reason, and daily speak there to my daughters, hearing of their activities and of my grandchildren's accomplishments. It is a blessing to me to have this tool!
One morning as I was praying for some special needs for someone on my Facebook friends list, the Lord spoke to my heart, and I knew this was something He was urging me to do. So, that very morning, when I signed on, I sang as I typed the verse of a hymn into my status. I did this every morning for months. I knew it was a good use of Facebook, and that the message of Jesus and God the Father would make it's way to many eyes who otherwise would not 'hear' it. It was always an encouraging word to those who know Christ as Savior, or those who think they do, even if they've not yet truly made that decision. (and only God knows the heart!)
After having many tell me how the appreciate the 'uplifting words' I'd place there each day, I was being nudged in my Spirit to add a scripture verse each day as well. After all, the hymns, as wonderful as their message is, are words written by man. GOD's own Words needed to be shared! So...each day now, I think and pray about a verse to share. Often it is already on my mind upon waking; other times I think of a subject, and search for a verse that is perfect to share on that subject.
It is my belief that God is using Facebook as a tool for evangelism, one of encouraging the Saints and to edify the lives of others. I am grateful for His Spirit speaking to me about this, and am pleased to be used in this way. If you are reading this, I pray that you would pray for me as I minister in this way, that I'd have the right answers when those who are seeking come to question me about God and my faith. I also ask that you would pray for those who need the Lord to have their hearts pricked by the Word of God, and that they would choose to submit to His perfect will for their lives. Thank you all!
My involvement with Facebook came late into being. My adult children were constantly discussing it and who they'd reconnected with on the site. I thought it would be a good idea to join myself, to see who I might reconnect with from 'back home'. I had no idea then, what this website would mean to me.
It wasn't long before I found some friends from my childhood, and we spent time catching up on each other's lives. I found cousins and neices with whom I'd lost touch for one or another reason, and daily speak there to my daughters, hearing of their activities and of my grandchildren's accomplishments. It is a blessing to me to have this tool!
One morning as I was praying for some special needs for someone on my Facebook friends list, the Lord spoke to my heart, and I knew this was something He was urging me to do. So, that very morning, when I signed on, I sang as I typed the verse of a hymn into my status. I did this every morning for months. I knew it was a good use of Facebook, and that the message of Jesus and God the Father would make it's way to many eyes who otherwise would not 'hear' it. It was always an encouraging word to those who know Christ as Savior, or those who think they do, even if they've not yet truly made that decision. (and only God knows the heart!)
After having many tell me how the appreciate the 'uplifting words' I'd place there each day, I was being nudged in my Spirit to add a scripture verse each day as well. After all, the hymns, as wonderful as their message is, are words written by man. GOD's own Words needed to be shared! So...each day now, I think and pray about a verse to share. Often it is already on my mind upon waking; other times I think of a subject, and search for a verse that is perfect to share on that subject.
It is my belief that God is using Facebook as a tool for evangelism, one of encouraging the Saints and to edify the lives of others. I am grateful for His Spirit speaking to me about this, and am pleased to be used in this way. If you are reading this, I pray that you would pray for me as I minister in this way, that I'd have the right answers when those who are seeking come to question me about God and my faith. I also ask that you would pray for those who need the Lord to have their hearts pricked by the Word of God, and that they would choose to submit to His perfect will for their lives. Thank you all!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Reminders...
No one knows as well as I how much I owe to our Lord for His gift of salvation and newness of life. I do attempt to do the things I know that would please Him. Every now and then, however, I am reminded that I might not be all that I should be as a Christian.
I am grateful that His Still Small Voice speaks, by His Spirit and through His written Word, to my heart. As a shepherd with an errant lamb, my Good Shepherd gently leads me on the path to a better way. He is patient with me, knowing my silly reasons for thinking and doing all that I do. His hope is that I will grow to be more like Him as I walk with Him. It is my hope, too.
Recently a new reminder was presented. I have been reading a number of new blogs, one of which is written by a young woman who was formerly a member of an Amish community. She writes with such honesty and humility and conviction! As I read of her hardwork, her bright attitude, her gentleness and lack of judgement and complaint, I think how I must look in comparison. Much of what she was raised with in her faith are so foreign to me, and I'm sure she could say the same about my life. It has led me to examine my ways, to hold my tongue, to rethink the thoughts that form judgements of others.
I'm not saying that I'm comparing myself to this woman, I don't need to do that. What I need to do is to look at myself and try to see where I'm falling down in my life as a child of God. If comparison is done, it should be Jesus that I need to measure up to.
Lord, please forgive my failings. Help me to keep my eyes on You, and to grow closer to You in my efforts to measure up to all that You would have me to be. And...thank you for all the reminders you send my way to help me to please You.
............................................................................................................................................................................
I am grateful that His Still Small Voice speaks, by His Spirit and through His written Word, to my heart. As a shepherd with an errant lamb, my Good Shepherd gently leads me on the path to a better way. He is patient with me, knowing my silly reasons for thinking and doing all that I do. His hope is that I will grow to be more like Him as I walk with Him. It is my hope, too.
Recently a new reminder was presented. I have been reading a number of new blogs, one of which is written by a young woman who was formerly a member of an Amish community. She writes with such honesty and humility and conviction! As I read of her hardwork, her bright attitude, her gentleness and lack of judgement and complaint, I think how I must look in comparison. Much of what she was raised with in her faith are so foreign to me, and I'm sure she could say the same about my life. It has led me to examine my ways, to hold my tongue, to rethink the thoughts that form judgements of others.
I'm not saying that I'm comparing myself to this woman, I don't need to do that. What I need to do is to look at myself and try to see where I'm falling down in my life as a child of God. If comparison is done, it should be Jesus that I need to measure up to.
Lord, please forgive my failings. Help me to keep my eyes on You, and to grow closer to You in my efforts to measure up to all that You would have me to be. And...thank you for all the reminders you send my way to help me to please You.
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Tuesday, October 5, 2010
With a Grateful Heart
Lord, it is with a grateful heart that I come to You this morning. You do so much for me that tends to be overlooked. I know that You know that I don't purposely ignore You and all that You do, and perhaps I've no excuse. But, there are days when it seems that I'm so busy that I don't remember to say 'thank you', even if I remember what it is that You've done.
Maybe that's why You tell us in Your Word to 'Be still and know that I am God." When I find those quiet moments in which I can be still and reflect upon You, I realize so many things. I remembered the prayers which were prayed and I see what Your answers were. When I look around me, I realize all that You have granted me in my life, which makes my life more comfortable. Even the fact that I can sit and 'listen' to You in stress-free moments is a wonderful gift. The word and meaning of 'stress-free' is also a tremendous offering from You.
The world around me...the colors, the views, the amazing environment....it's all so overwhelming, when I sit back and think about it. All You had to do was 'think' it into being. Not only did You think 'tree', You made each type of tree....fir, pine, disiduous. Not only did You think 'color', You spoke hues and shades of each color. What Your thought resulted in was an overwhelming beauty that we might notice, but not offer thanks for.
Lord God, Creator of all things...I give you thanks. Not just for the creation You spoke into being, but for everything that You have brought into my life. For every pain that I've endured and You have allowed, for it has brought with it some meaningful lesson. For every moment that You've kept Your hand upon me, enveloping me in Your care even when I was unaware of it, I praise You. So many things, Lord, swim through my thoughts right now....and I thank you for each one.
More than all else, Father, I lift my gratitude for Your love and Your tremendous plan of salvation which You made known to me. Without that message, without Your plan, I'd be wandering lost and alone, but because You made a way, I belong, eternally, to You! And, my heart is full of thanksgiving. Bless God...
Maybe that's why You tell us in Your Word to 'Be still and know that I am God." When I find those quiet moments in which I can be still and reflect upon You, I realize so many things. I remembered the prayers which were prayed and I see what Your answers were. When I look around me, I realize all that You have granted me in my life, which makes my life more comfortable. Even the fact that I can sit and 'listen' to You in stress-free moments is a wonderful gift. The word and meaning of 'stress-free' is also a tremendous offering from You.
The world around me...the colors, the views, the amazing environment....it's all so overwhelming, when I sit back and think about it. All You had to do was 'think' it into being. Not only did You think 'tree', You made each type of tree....fir, pine, disiduous. Not only did You think 'color', You spoke hues and shades of each color. What Your thought resulted in was an overwhelming beauty that we might notice, but not offer thanks for.
Lord God, Creator of all things...I give you thanks. Not just for the creation You spoke into being, but for everything that You have brought into my life. For every pain that I've endured and You have allowed, for it has brought with it some meaningful lesson. For every moment that You've kept Your hand upon me, enveloping me in Your care even when I was unaware of it, I praise You. So many things, Lord, swim through my thoughts right now....and I thank you for each one.
More than all else, Father, I lift my gratitude for Your love and Your tremendous plan of salvation which You made known to me. Without that message, without Your plan, I'd be wandering lost and alone, but because You made a way, I belong, eternally, to You! And, my heart is full of thanksgiving. Bless God...
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Let Go....
Lord, why do I stress over things? Why do I think there's something I can do about them, like I'm in control? Time and time again, I've done something with that idea in mind, only to fall flat on my face. I can NOT fix it! But....I know Who can!
I'm learning. I've been praying for almost as long as I've been breathing. Somehow, I always knew that You were there, and listening. Of course, my early prayers were more like playing "Let's Make A Deal" with You and most often those prayers were answered in a way that I was happy with. As I grew older...and a little wiser...I learned to pray in a different way, but still hoped things would turn out my way. Now, these days, this old lady has learned that YOUR way is the best way, no matter what I might ask for or think I'd like to see.
I've figured out that there's really not one thing I can do about anything, and that worrying is such a waste of time. When I pray, I know You hear. I know You are not sleeping or inactive. I know You are interested in doing what is best, and I know that no matter what I want, You will have Your will. So....I'm learning to let go.
Thank you, Jesus, for always doing what is best. Thank you for helping me to Let Go and turn it over to You. You've already got the controls, but You do delight in hearing me say, "Go ahead. You drive. I'll just sit back and watch the scenery."
I love You, Lord! Drive on.....and I'll try not to be a back seat driver.
I'm learning. I've been praying for almost as long as I've been breathing. Somehow, I always knew that You were there, and listening. Of course, my early prayers were more like playing "Let's Make A Deal" with You and most often those prayers were answered in a way that I was happy with. As I grew older...and a little wiser...I learned to pray in a different way, but still hoped things would turn out my way. Now, these days, this old lady has learned that YOUR way is the best way, no matter what I might ask for or think I'd like to see.
I've figured out that there's really not one thing I can do about anything, and that worrying is such a waste of time. When I pray, I know You hear. I know You are not sleeping or inactive. I know You are interested in doing what is best, and I know that no matter what I want, You will have Your will. So....I'm learning to let go.
Thank you, Jesus, for always doing what is best. Thank you for helping me to Let Go and turn it over to You. You've already got the controls, but You do delight in hearing me say, "Go ahead. You drive. I'll just sit back and watch the scenery."
I love You, Lord! Drive on.....and I'll try not to be a back seat driver.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Lord, I'm having one of those Goliath moments. You know....the ones that are too big to think of without some heart pounding and some mind racing. No matter what speeches I give to myself, the fears continue to rise.
Yes, I know, Lord. There's no sense getting stressed out about the unknown future events. But that's exactly what causes the stress....the unknown! When you know what to expect, you can prepare yourself to deal with it. But there's no dealing with the unknown.
I guess that's where trust in You comes into play. Why would I need to trust if I knew what was coming and how to deal with it? So, I determine to trust You in this stuff, and stop trying to figure these things out. I make a decision, here and now, to place this in your hands and not take it back. I place it in your hands and leave it there. You know best how to untangle the knots and make straight the entanglements that cause confusion and mess. I don't know how to handle anything, and anything I do would not accomplish anything, for I don't know what I'm facing in the future. And....what can I do about it, anyway?
Here, Lord. Take these stresses, these fears and this giant moment that weighs on me. I ask that You might refill those spaces within me with peace and knowledge that You've got it all under control. I know You do....and I will practice trusting You for whatever I'll need today and in the future days. You know that I love You, Lord and I know that You love me. Together we'll get through the known and the unknown.
Thank you, Lord....for....everything.
Yes, I know, Lord. There's no sense getting stressed out about the unknown future events. But that's exactly what causes the stress....the unknown! When you know what to expect, you can prepare yourself to deal with it. But there's no dealing with the unknown.
I guess that's where trust in You comes into play. Why would I need to trust if I knew what was coming and how to deal with it? So, I determine to trust You in this stuff, and stop trying to figure these things out. I make a decision, here and now, to place this in your hands and not take it back. I place it in your hands and leave it there. You know best how to untangle the knots and make straight the entanglements that cause confusion and mess. I don't know how to handle anything, and anything I do would not accomplish anything, for I don't know what I'm facing in the future. And....what can I do about it, anyway?
Here, Lord. Take these stresses, these fears and this giant moment that weighs on me. I ask that You might refill those spaces within me with peace and knowledge that You've got it all under control. I know You do....and I will practice trusting You for whatever I'll need today and in the future days. You know that I love You, Lord and I know that You love me. Together we'll get through the known and the unknown.
Thank you, Lord....for....everything.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Blessed
Lord, so often I hear the news of some trial or huge challenge that one is facing. My heart fills with compassion for that one, and my words form in prayer, asking You to give all that the person needs in order to come through victoriously.
I am blessed to be able to help in such a way. I've had situations that were too big for me to handle gracefully, and You've always answered my prayers and those of others who pray on my behalf. Thank you for providing for me...grace for every situation. You never fail us.
I am blessed to have that gift, and the knowledge that You never leave us or forsake us. You love your children and care for them without measure, without discrimination, without condition.
Lord, thank you for that love and care. I don't deserve such love, not because of anything I've done, and yet, You freely give it, not in payment for my behavior, but because You are God.
I am truly blessed to be one of Your children, and as long as I live and breathe, I pray that I will be a well-behaved child. I hope that when I see You, face to face, that You will say to me, "Well done, good and faithful servant." I don't want You to say that because it will be a reward for me, I want You to say it because I pleased You. I want to please You because I love You and because You have blessed me in so many ways, I want to give back.
Thank you, my precious Savior, for every blessing You have showered upon me. Help me to live my life in such a way that You are blessed by my life, and that others, too, will be blessed by my love for You. Amen
I am blessed to be able to help in such a way. I've had situations that were too big for me to handle gracefully, and You've always answered my prayers and those of others who pray on my behalf. Thank you for providing for me...grace for every situation. You never fail us.
I am blessed to have that gift, and the knowledge that You never leave us or forsake us. You love your children and care for them without measure, without discrimination, without condition.
Lord, thank you for that love and care. I don't deserve such love, not because of anything I've done, and yet, You freely give it, not in payment for my behavior, but because You are God.
I am truly blessed to be one of Your children, and as long as I live and breathe, I pray that I will be a well-behaved child. I hope that when I see You, face to face, that You will say to me, "Well done, good and faithful servant." I don't want You to say that because it will be a reward for me, I want You to say it because I pleased You. I want to please You because I love You and because You have blessed me in so many ways, I want to give back.
Thank you, my precious Savior, for every blessing You have showered upon me. Help me to live my life in such a way that You are blessed by my life, and that others, too, will be blessed by my love for You. Amen
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