Designed on Purpose!!

Psalm 139:13 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful I know full well.”

My Grandson Jack, was born 4/24/24.   He is a true blessing from God.  I feel so blessed.   Each of us are designed, knit together in our mother’s wombs.  We each have been created on purpose.  Enjoy being the person God made you to be!!  We are each unique and that’s a beautiful gift!!   Deuteronomy 7:6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the people in the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession.”      Today, live treasured!!!  Treasured like you are a new born babe!!

Be Authentic!

1 Corinthians 9:24 "Do you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  25 Everyone who competes  in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever........27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."   Training is something familiar to me.   I love to train for athletic events.  I don’t like to train by drinking 64 ounces of water a day.  My point is some of the things we do are easy for us and some are really hard.   We discipline our bodies so they don’t discipline us!!   When I was actively involved in alcohol rehab I preferred councilors that had “been there”.    If they were drinkers telling me how not to drink, I didn’t respect what they said.    Let’s run the race with endurance, perseverance and compassion!!   We will fall and get off course, but we can get back up and keep putting one foot in front of the other.     Personally I enjoy getting advice from people who know how to fall and get back up again!  They help me run the race as if I'm going for the prize!!🏆. If you’re the one giving advice, be encouraged to be authentic!!

A glance becomes a gaze

Proverbs 23:31 " Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! 32In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper."  What are you gazing at?   What we set our attention on grows!  Many people struggle with food particularly sugar.  Personally I  don’t keep those “goodies” in the house.  It is really hard for me to go past a pan of brownies with out having”just a little”.   Pretty soon I look at the brownies and they are half gone, because I keep having “ just a little”.  First I gaze at them…. Then I eat them.    Sin is like that.    First we gaze at it, then we think….” Just a little……then.    Sin makes us feel separated from God.    Sin can be so alluring, we can gaze at it more than we gaze at God.     When this happens we are not only caught in the first sin we then become caught in the sin of idolatry as it becomes more important to us than God.   Ahhh.  What a slippery slope that starts with just a glance.     We all are tempted by different things, keep your eyes on Jesus. He is the author and finisher of our Faith!!  When a particular sin takes root in my life , my prayers is, “ Lord, I am sorry, I am desiring this sin more than I am desiring you.   I want to desire You Lord! Please Lord change my heart!   Let me desire you above all else, else especially this sin!”   God already knows when we have something ahead of Him,,,,, confess it and let Him help you!! He will!!!

Persevere

 Romans 5:3 "Not only do, but we rejoice in our  sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, 4 perseverance, character and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."    ….8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.”   Much of my suffering is because of my sinful behavior.   I truly thought I would be done sinning when I was born again.  Humane existence is full of sin.    I can rehash my behavior over and over but that doesn't help at all.  For me to live a healthy life in Jesus.  I need to forget what lies behind and press forward to the high calling of God.   We are defined by who we are in Jesus.    Our sins (even the ones 2 minutes ago) are forgiven and forgotten!!!   Let's walk in our newness of life.  No matter how tempting it is to play our mistakes over and over again in our heads.   Persevere!!!     

Heed the warnings

Proverbs 22:3. " A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it."  I have said, “ I just kinda, fell into it”.  I didn’t  mean to do it, it just happened.”    Truth is before I sin I usually have some warnings.   The Holy Spirit starts tugging at my heart warning me.  I get uncomfortable in the situation.  I hear my self say, “this is a bad idea”.  Often I get convicted of my error,  but lack the “fight” to stop and do what’s right.   Psalm 46:10 “ Be still and know that I am God.”   We each have his still small voice of truth in us.   He gently leads us.  When I follow His still,  small voice ….even though it’s against what’s easiest and against what my friends are doing, I have the most peace.    Today, when you are feeling anxious about something you are doing, that you KNOW isn’t Gods plan for you.   STOP!! You can stop.  You are more than a conquer  through Jesus  Christ!!  Use His strength to heed to the warnings He is giving you!!😇🙏❤️

Safe in His arms

Nahum 1:7 "The Lord is good.  A refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him."    TRUST in Him!!  I’m envisioning being safe in my Fathers arms as a way to “ Trust” in God.   I am envisioning His loving arms around me and around those that I love in all circumstances.    Nothing is too big for God!!   When I remember how Big God is I can see how small my problems are.   Today be inspired to walk in the safety and security we have in Jesus Christ.   He is constantly holding you safely in His everlasting arms!!😇🙏❤️

He writes it in our hearts!! We know!

Jeremiah 31:33 “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord.  “ I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people.  34 No longer will man teach his neighbor, or man his brother, saying “Know the Lord” because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.” Declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”   Wow these are powerful verses!!!   He writes His law on our hearts and our minds. We have a new level of "sin consciousness ".  The closer I try to walk with our Lord the more I am convicted of my various sins.   When I intentionally chose to do the sin I know it is wrong I get a hardening  of my heart.   This separates me from feeling  close to God.  It doesn't actually separate me from Him because nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God.   But I feel separated when I intentionally choose sin.   These verses remind me I can have a fresh start every moment of every day.   He will constantly write His law on my heart and my mind and He will also constantly forgive my wickedness and remember my sins no more!!!     This constant forgiveness helps me continually keep trying to honor Him.     We all fall short!  Walk in His righteousness not our sin.  No matter how many times you stumble.   Keep getting up with Jesus!!! 😇🙏❤️

Quarreling?

Proverbs 17:14 "Starting a quarrel  is like breaching a dam; so drop a matter before a dispute breaks out."   …….22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”   I used to think,  "I had to be right".   My desire to be "right", locked me in to not seeing the validity of the opposing  view.  Today, I am much more likely to simply agree to disagree and enjoy what is, instead of trying to make things the way I want things to be.    Being content with not being "right " being content to not open up an argument and simply accepting the other person exactly as they are.  Is truly helping me have a cheerful heart.   A cheerful heart is good medicine.    How are you doing in this matter?   Do you need to be right? Do you need people to be like you?   Can you simply love people where they are? The cost of not ..... dries up the bones.😇🙏❤️

Walk in His newness of life!

Romans 4:25 "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."   This is the simple Gospel.  Christ died for our sins and gives us right standing with God.   We are RIGHT with GOD!!!  He died for all of our sins once and for ALL!!!    I can get pretty self condemning.    We each have been set FREE by the powerful gift of Jesus!!   Let's live in our justification today and walk boldly in the direction God is calling us.    Let's not look at our shortcomings.  Let's look to the fullness we are in Jesus Christ.    Through Him we can do all things!!   With Him we are more than enough!!!   We are set FREE!! Let's walk in this newness of LIFE!!  😇🙏❤️

Power, love and self-discipline

 2 Timothy 1:7 " For God did not give us a Spirit of timidity, but a Spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline....12 That is why I am suffering as I am.  Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to gaurd what I have entrusted to Him for that day......14 Gaurd the good deposit that was entrusted to you- gaurd it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us."       When I read these verses today it really resonated with me that I need to “Entrust” God with my day.    I also need to Gaurd the deposit He entrusted me with.   How profound!!    We are not given a spirit of timidity. We are given a Spirit of power , love and self-discipline!!! Let’s be inspired today to BE everything God has created us to BE!!   Let us each be bold as we trust Him with this day, being good stewards of what He has entrusted us!!😇🙏❤️

Doing Gods with a sinful desire?

1Peter 2:11 "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us."   Sinful desires war against our very souls!!   When we "give in" to the desires of our flesh our "good deeds" are not what people see.   Recently  I did a " good deed" and then complained about it.   I decided I deserved a reward for my good deed and didn't get what my flesh said was what I should.  How crazy!!! When I do a good deed it is to be from a pure heart not of selfish ambition.   My sinful desires tarnished my good deed.    Dear Lord please grant us all pure hearts  that honor you in all we think, say and do!! 😇🙏❤️

Let Jesus be your “Face lift”

Psalm 34::4 "Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."    Jesus is the best "Face Lift"!   One of my best friends used to say when you have Jesus in your heart, you look younger. She was such a beacon of light in all things.   We all have troubles.  We also all have the opportunity to TRUST Jesus in our troubles and in our good fortune.   Are you wearing your troubles or Jesus on your face?

Secrets keep us sick. Be bold!!

Proverbs 28:13 "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."   Proverbs 28:1. "The  wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion."    Our secrets keep us sick!!   We can’t attack unconfessed, unrepentant sin.   We are to be bold as a lion!! It takes courage to confess and turn away from sin especially the ones we find comfort in and enjoy.   Yes.  The “sins”we find comfort in and enjoy.   I did say that.    We can’t pretend that we don’t enjoy the sin that is holding us.   If we didn’t enjoy and find comfort in them, they wouldn’t be so hard to give them up and turn from them.   I spent 29 years wanting to turn from my alcoholism.   But I found comfort in it,  even though it was destroying everything I loved.     That’s the way it is with sin.  We all fight different sins at different times in our lives.   Openly confessing the sin takes away its power.   Jesus through His Holy Spirit helps us resist the sin and run to Him.    I’m not suggesting to share your dirty laundry with everyone, I am suggesting we each have the boldness to be able to confess and turn from the sins that so easily captivate us.   Do this by; “Clinging to the cross!!”   James 4;7-8

The company we keep

Proverbs 22:11 "He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for a friend." 

Proverbs 8:10-11 "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare to her."   I am meeting many new people this week.  It is so special when I meet someone that appears to have a pure heart speaks kindly, intelligently and uses good language.   On the contrary it is disheartening when I meet someone with insincere motives,  is harsh and swears.   Bad company does corrupt good character.    If I hang around people that use perverse language I will start to hear that very language come out of my mouth.   I am not immune from letting the company I keep “ rub off” on me.    I think it’s important to BE the love of Jesus to ALL people.   It’s also very important to have our main support  people be seeking the same wisdom we want to seek. (1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be misled: “Bad company

 corrupts good character.”).  I  like this quote : “ You’re only lonely if you don’t like who you are alone with.”  Be careful the company you keep.😇🙏❤️. I find I can "feel" very lonesome when I am keeping " bad company".

Thankful, multiplies

 Luke 9:16 "Taking the five loaves and two fish and looking up to Heaven, He gave thanks and broke them.  Then He gave them to the disciples to set before the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over."     "Being thankful makes what you have more than enough!!"  Is a plaque I have at home.    I can look at the lack or I can be thankful for what I have.    God has given me more than enough to do His good work!    I have been visiting my beautiful Aunts this week in Az.  I'm getting anxious about going home because I'm enjoying being here so much.   I have two days left.  If I choose to spend those two days anxious about needing to leave or anxious about anything than I am choosing to not be thankful for the time I have.   Life is here, there and everywhere.  Today let’s choose to live in thanksgiving for what we have.   God multiplies  what we have into more than enough!!😇❤️🙏

Be the living!!

1Corinthians 15:42 "So it will be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body."   I hope you all had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday!!! 1 Corinthians 14:47 "The first man was of the dust of the Earth, the second man from Heaven.  Thank you Jesus we can leave the perishable, weakness and dishonor of our natural bodies to be exchanged  for the imperishable, glory and power you provide us in our spiritual bodies!!!   Oh how marvelous is the powerful gift of Jesus!!!!   Be inspired to walk in your Spiritual body today!!! You have everything you need to do His good work in our here and now because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.    This weekend I heard a quote,"Why are you looking for the living among the dead?"   Today and everyday forward be part of the truly alive!!!!😇🙏❤️

Repentance?

 Matthew 11:20 "Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been preformed because they did not repent."

Repentance in Christianity means a sincere turning away, in both the mind and heart, from self to God.   A sincere turning from self to God.   This Easter weekend I'm spending time with my dear Aunts. One of my goals was to attend reflective services which we have.    Yesterday, for Good Friday we each nailed a nail in a cross to represent putting our sin on the cross and leaving it there.   Leaving it on the cross would mean not plotting on how to still have the sin.  A true repentant heart is leaving the old behind and pressing forward to the high calling of God.   Just as a dog returns to his vomit we can return to our sin.   This weekend and hereafter let the love of Jesus  help you truly have a repentant heart.😇🙏❤️

Why have you forsaken me?

 Matthew 27:45 "From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.  46About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi,Eloi, lama sabachthani?-which means, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"

Today is Good Friday.   When we run to our sin and hold it tight, we can feel like God has forsaken us.   Today's society has normalized so many sins.  That many may be deceived and not understand why God feels so far away.    No matter how far away God may feel, He is with you always!!   God was watching every moment when Jesus bore OUR SINS on that cross.  Sin is a liar, it tells us it's not a sin at all.  Sin separates us from ,"feeling the love of God."   Truth is God loves each of us so much that He gave His one and only begotten Son to free us from our sin and give us His right standing with God and eternal life. Jesus paid the eternal penalty for each of our sins once and for all on the cross.   Today let's simply be thankful for the cross.

Enjoy what is

Psalm 89:15-16 "Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence,Lord......They exult in your righteousness."   Yesterday I was reminded of an event from high school.  I had tried out for the female lead in Jesus Christ Super Star and I was chosen for the Chior.   I thought that was beneath me, so I quit.    I missed out in the fun of being involved in the play, because I didn’t get my way.    Funny how life gives you lessons and if you don’t pass the test, you get to repeat the same lesson.  Many times in my life, things have not gone “my way”. When pout about it, I’m reminded of the little girl who didn’t get the fun of being in the school play.   God protects us with doors that are open and shut.   Be inspired to enjoy Gods way today!!😇🙏❤️. "Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence Lord."

Keep trying

Psalm 89:26 "He will call out to me, "You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Savior."   Call upon the name of the Lord and you will be saved.    He is our Father, our God, our Rock and Our Savior.   That is enough.   

Proverbs 24:16 “for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.    This weekend I ran into an old friend.  She was struggling with a sin, she has a repentant heart but still struggling with the sin.  She was focusing on how afraid she is of the upcoming consequences.   The comfort I could give her is, “Yes, likely you will have consequences.   That is because you have a loving Heavenly Father that is helping you conform to Christ Jesus image.      He is going to be with you always.   His love for you is unconditional and will see you through all of this.    Call upon Him, Trust Him and keep on trying.   Sometimes it takes us a while to let go of the sin that so easily ensnares us.    God is here now helping you through it!!😇❤️🙏Keep turning to Him and keep trying to let go of the sin.   I spent 29 years trying to quit drinking, I had a large number of years spent in bulimia.   I’m so glad I kept trying.   We are all sinful humane beings.   Keep seeking God first.  No matter what!!!   He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Shrinking Back?

Hebrews 10:37 "He who is coming will come and not delay. 38 But my righteous ones will live by faith.  And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."  39 But we are not those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." Shrinking back is not walking in faith.  Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."    I heard a sermon of Charles Stanley.    He said, "The only thing worse than waiting on God, is wishing you had."    I am a type A personality, I am full of going out ahead of God and then asking him to bless my mess.   Waiting on God, being patient and trusting His way is a constant battle for me.  I always come up with a “ Kimberly plan” shrinking back in my faith.  I think “I” need to help God.   In the middle of the word “pride” is the letter "I".  In the middle of the word “sin” is the letter "I".    Today, I will be trying to let go of what "I" want and intentionally  want,  what God has for me.    This is my constant battle.    I spent a lot of time as a young adult in self help books, studying making things happen and taking charge of my destiny.  Truth is when I surrender that is when I'm the most successful.  😇🙏❤️.  Don’t shrink back.   God knows what He is doing!!  Walk Boldly in Faith today and always!!!

Sacrificial giving?

Hebrews 13:16 "And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."      Sacrificial sharing is sharing is sharing out of your lack not out of your abundance.    Sharing, either out of lack or abundance is good.    It's tax time.   This is the time of year I notice how much financial giving I have done over the past year.    I personally am disappointed that my giving wasn't a hirer percentage of my income.    Funny how I think I am being so giving but when I look at my numbers I'm pretty average.   This makes me think about if I'm truly being a sacrificial person or one after my own self interests.    Today, Gods Spirit is showing me I am thinking of myself more highly than I am.     Last night as I sat watching the clouds behind a tree

The tree looked like it was moving.   It was the clouds moving of course.    This image reminded me things can appear to us different t than they are.     Today I'm noticing I'm not as giving as I thought I was.    Thanks God for loving me regardless of my performance!!!  Thank you Jesus for your finished work on the cross. Thank you Holy Spirit for being my helper!😇❤️🙏.

Judgy?

 Romans 2:1 " You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things."   Do you ever feel “judgy”?    I have more times than I’d like to admit.   Usually, when I feel this way, I find myself doing the exact thing I was judging someone about.   God is good at keeping us humble when we look in His Word for our guidance.    I remember being “judgy”, about someone that put their dog down before they went on vacation.   I have 7 days left before I leave town and I thought my beautiful dog would have died by now.   But she is likely not going to.    Many people have told me to “put her down”.    She was born the day I quit drinking so I  am struggling with putting her down.  She really doesn’t seem to be in pain and my vet said she is not.    She has difficulty standing and has issues with bathroom stuff.   Which I have been managing for quite a while sometime.     This verse today is reminding me of the lady who put her dog down before they went on vacation.   I am understanding that it wasn’t selfishness, it was her truly not wanting the dog to go through end of life without her.    Funny, how God is involved in our every moments.   May you see Him in your moments today too.😇🙏❤️

Are you drawing near or running from?

Psalm 139:7 "

Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  8 If I go to the Heavens you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 if I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,  10 even there your right hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."    He is with us always….even to the end of the age!(Matthew 28:20).   God is our constant comfort and strength, our blessed assurance.   On the flip side of He is with us always; my blatant sin makes me want to hide like Adam and Eve tried to do in the garden.  We can't hide from God.  He goes with us wherever we go.   When there is something that makes me want to hide from God verses run to Him; I simply confess it and plead for His help.  He already knows.    His love for each of us has no boundaries!!   I get such tremendous relief when I call upon the name of the Lord.  He loves us always and is always there to help us through!!😇🍀🙏 Thank you Jesus!!!   ( He loves us so much, He gives us consequences)

Life giving rebuke

Proverbs 15:31 "He who listens to life giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.  32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.  33 The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor."    Recently I feel into a behavior that was sinful.   A sin that I had felt I had long ago conquered.  Just a taste of that sin made me want for more.   Made me think “So what?”  My heart was hardened.   It was blatant disobedience that seemed to just take control.   When I look at the why, I am realizing that in my pride I am not seeking first the kingdom of God.  But I am seeking the fleshly desires of my heart.  I have been, "showing off".   Funny I didn't realize I was tell a dear Christian  friend pointed it out to me.   My "little sins" staring hardening my heart.  The other day a swear word came out of my mouth at church.   That was a huge indication of where my heart is.    I am very thankful for my friends life giving rebuke.    I don't like it.   I also love it.  I know likely,  I will have to face some disciple for these behaviors. I would rather to be disciplined and humbled than haughty and prideful.    Today and always, may God bless you with friends,(fellow sisters and brothers in the faith) willing to give, life giving rebuke in love.😇❤️🙏.  May you also be courageous enough to “in love “ give life giving rebuke.

Rise up!!

Romans 8:8 "Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."   This is a very short powerful verse.    Lately I have been toying around with justifying a behavior I know is against Gods way.     This verse is helping me understand that when I justify my sin and go in that direction without being convicted of it’s wrong, I cannot please God.    This seems so harsh.  I just have this one sin that the world says is totally okay that I want to justify.  Truth is that is a slippery slope.  Thank God He is convicting me.   Moses chose to not enjoy the passing pleasures of Pharos house to do Gods will.    May each of us identify and resist the devil and the sinful behaviors that so easily ensnare us and RISE UP!!!    Be Holy as He is Holy.  We all fail at this. The key is to not harden our hearts and pretend we can go on sinning and be pleasing to God.  Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Go the heights!!

 1 Corinthians 2:4 My message and my preaching were not with wise persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men's' wisdom, but on God's power."    Men’s wisdom,  we are bombarded with it!!!  Commercials, friends advise, movies, news, radio so many sources of men’s wisdom.   It is hard to stand on the “Word“ when we listen to the world.        Be careful today who you listen to.   Habakkuk 3:19 “The Sovereign Lord is my strength, He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.”    Whatever mountains you are facing today.   Let God’s Word enable you to go the heights!!!  Don't let this world's wisdom defeat you.    You are more than a conqueror in Jesus Christ!!!

Leave it behind and move forward in Jesus

 Mark 8:33 "But when Jesus turned and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter. "Get behind me Satan!" He said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of man."

James 4:7 "Submit yourselves, then to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and He will come near to you.  Wash your hands you sinners and purify your hearts, you double-minded."    Looking toward the things of man over the things of God.  Sometimes I think I’m riding the mountain top of Christ centered behavior and don’t even notice I’m taking a fall.  It’s PRIDE.  God has a way to keep me humble.   Usually it’s my sin.  True repentance isn’t sorrow or guilt, it’s turning from the sin and pressing on toward Jesus Christ.    We are new creations in Jesus.   The old is gone the new is here!   Unfortunately, we can easily fall into sin, even sin we thought we conquered.   No matter how many times we fall our Loving Heavenly Father is here to pick us back up again.   Sin has consequences.   Good thing, or we would keep on sinning without repentance .  We are not defined by our sin.    We are defined by the righteousness of Jesus Christ.     Where ever you are in your walk with our Lord, on the mountain top or in the valley, know you are His most treasured possession.   He will never leave you nor forsake you no matter how many times you fall.   Keep turning from worldly snares  and keep turning to Jesus.   It’s a sanctification process that gets us healthy and well, through the powerful gift of Jesus! 😇❤️🙏

Enjoy your work enjoy your life

 Ecclesiastes 3:22 “So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?”     Enjoy our work!!!    This is great advice!!!   We spend most of our waking hours at work, so if we choose  to be upset about our work life we will be upset about our lives.     I am currently retired from an amazing career.   During that career I had many things that were difficult.  I choose to see what was right.    In my retirement I still have to treat my life like my career.   I have to intentionally choose to do things I don't feel like doing.  I usually don't "feel" like cleaning the toilets or washing the floors.  I enjoy having my home clean.  I choose to enjoy the work because I enjoy the end product.   Attitude is altitude.    Today may you choose to enjoy your work and enjoy your life!😇❤️🙏

Single or married be courageous!!

1Corinthians   “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”

Joshua 1:9 “ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”    I am a divorced woman.    When I first went through the breakup I was sure it would be “easy” to replace my husband.   WOW!!!  That is some serious messed up thinking.  At the time I was a practicing alcoholic.   I had a lot of “stinking thinking”.   Some of my friends are currently going through relationship break ups.   It’s truly one of the hardest things there is to go through being rejected by someone you love.   God never rejects us!!! He will never leave us nor forsake us.   Be strong and courageous in your marriage or in you singleness.   God knows exactly what you are going through and He is with you always.   Constantly loving you beyond your wildest dreams!!😇❤️🙏

Not as bad as I used to be

 Nehemiah 9:3 "They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent an other quarter in confession and worshipping the Lord their God."   Can you imagine spending over half your day learning the Word, confessing and worshipping?   I have a hard time getting my clients to read a verse a day.  I used to wake up in the morning and “work out.”Now I wake up in the morning and spend time learning the word, and worshipping God.   My mantra is; When you put on your faith you are fit for anything “.  ( I still value exercise, I value Faith more. 1st Timothy 4:8) When reading this verse I am reminded that I truly don’t spend much time in confession.   My sins aren’t as loud today as they were 20 years ago when I was actively drinking.  But I am humane so I am still full of sin.   In AA we have a saying, “ Our secrets keep us sick.”   Today I am inspired to look at my heart and truly confess what my pride is telling me is “Reasonable behavior and desires”.   The world’s standards are not Gods standards.   Joyce Meyer says,”I am not as bad as I used to be, but I’m not where I want to be.”   It's very good for my health to stay in confession and worship.

No matter what

Nehemiah 9:6 "You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heavenly worship you."   Reading this verse I am remembering how GRAND our Heavenly Father is.  He is also amazingly intimate.  He knows each of our words before we even form them.   He is so GRAND!!   I am in the middle of a remodel project.   I am  getting a bit overwhelmed by the can of worms I opened.   I am feeling the money crunch as everything is adding up past my budget.  I am tempted to be anxious.   Our Lord is GRAND.   He didn't bring me this far to drop me now.    Chapter nine of Nehemiah talks of the many ways the Israelites turned away from God and how when they turned back He showed compassion on them.   Even if I am way over my head here..... God is GRAND.   He did not bring me this far to drop me now.    A remodel project is not personal.  Many of us are going through things much more emotionally challenging than this.    Our God is GRANDER and more intimate than we can think.   He will never leave us not forsake us.   He will not drop us now, NO MATTER WHAT!!!    Trust!!!   I feel a bit embarrassed to bring up a silly remodel project.  But my anxiety about it is real and woke me up last night.   If something is causing you anxiety no matter what it is.   It's not to small of a problem for God.   He wants you to call upon Him!!  He is ever present, ever listening, ever loving!!!!😇🙏❤️

Do not Grieve!! Let His Joy be your strength

 Nehemiah 8:10 "Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks and send some to those who have  nothing prepared.  This day is sacred to Our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."   Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!!    Sometimes i get mad at people and have a hard time practicing forgiveness.    We are commanded “not  to take offense in the first place”,  we are to forgive.  Forgive not only once, but over and over again.  This can be so against our humane nature.   My humane nature wants to hold a grudge and be justified in my anger  my Spirit man says "Love Them!"   When I am walking in  unforgiveness my souls aches and I am grieved.  Do not grieve!!! The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength!!    No matter how personal the offense seems to be it is best to not take offense.   Hurting people hurt others.  Most of the time if I look at what wrongs people are committing including my own  it's out of a broken Spirit trying to find comfort in a moment and not having the patience to "Wait upon The Lord.” We all face many, many  trials in this life.   Let’s get through them without malice or grief by keeping the Joy of the Lord as our strength!!! 🥳🙏❤️No Matter What!!!!

Only if it’s in the Lords plan

Lamentations 3:37 " Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?  38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? 39 Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins?”   …….55 “I called your name, O Lord, from the depths of my pit.  56 You heard my plea: Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.”  57 You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.”

Yesterday I spoke of my pride; thinking other people should do things the way I do them.    My pride is also very evident when I think God should do things the way I think He should do them. I am humbled by these verses remembering that even if I am not a fan of what is happening, I can TRUST God has His hand upon it all and as I call out to Him, He hears!    Are you walking in pride or humility?   Don’t worry, there is a method to what appears to be the madness!!

Judgy?

Isaiah 26:3"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, is the Rock eternal."…12 “Lord, you established peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.”     Trusting God is sovereign give me peace.   I often struggle with pride.   God has given me many talents.  Sometimes I think it’s me who has accomplished this or that.    Yes of course, I physically did whatever.   It is FIRST GOD that gives me the ability.  Today I’m thinking of where I would be if God didn’t give me the ability to get and stay sober.   I’d likely be in a complete mess if alive at all.   Even with this heart knowledge I can get prideful.  I can think of myself more highly than others. I can be “judgy” in my heart.   My humane nature says “Why doesn’t that person do what I’m doing?  My way is good”.  Everything I have comes from God.  Everything I will ever have will come from God.   When I TRUST in His amazing provision I can feel His Peace.    Today.  I will simply try to stay thankful.  If I’m tempted to think others should be doing what I do…. I will simply Trust that God is working His Way in them too!😇❤️🙏

Be equipped

Hebrews 11:20-21 “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen"

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday , marking the first day of Lent.   Years ago I started giving something up for Lent as a daily reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for me by leaving Heaven and living a perfect life, of a servant,  in this world, so He could fully pay our sin debt with His sacrificial deaf.  Giving us by faith salvation and eternity in Heaven to look forward to.   Wow.   What a powerful gift, the gift of Jesus!!    With Jesus we are truly equipped with everything good  to do His will.     I am trying again this Lent season to remember daily the Powerful gift of Jesus.  I will try daily to simply rejoice and be glad in it!!   May you too be in awe of Jesus this Lent season and beyond!! 😇❤️🙏

Be filled this Valentine’s Day.

Proverbs 14:30 "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."   Today is celebrated as Valentine’s Day.  This is a day that really promotes having that “Special Someone”.     I have been single most of my life.  When I celebrate Valentine’s Day I choose to be thankful for what I have not what I don’t have.  I have the love of Jesus that will never leave me not forsake me.   I have friends that I can send a note to to let them know I am thinking of them.   I have family, sisters brothers, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins……. Today as I look at everything I have it far out weighs having someone that will send me flowers.   Today the “ world “ may tell me my life is missing someone.   That is a lie.   God is with each of us supplying all our needs in His perfect timing.  Even those I’m missing that are in Heaven today, He has them safe in  perfect love.   Happy Valentine’s Day!!   Today is the day the Lord has made let’s rejoice and be glad in it!!!  Let’s be thankful for what we have.    Our greatest gift is the powerful gift of Jesus!!!  Let us nurture all the gifts He has given us today!!   Let us simply be thankful for what is!!😇❤️🙏

What comes out when you get squeezed?

Matthew 12:34 "You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings forth evil things out of the evil stored up in him."     When you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out.   🍊when we get squeezed what ever is in us comes out.   Our emotions are largely determined on how we let ourselves think.  It’s best not to take offense in the first place.   Proverbs 23:7 “As a man thinketh in his heart, so shall he be” KJV.   We can’t control random thoughts that enter our head.  We can control how we process them. I have to be in constant, self talk. So I can live a holy, healthy, happy life.  I have to keep reminding myself to see everything through the eyes of Faith,  Hope and the Love in Jesus Christ.     When I do  Faith, Hope and Love comes out even in the midst of my most difficult times.   😇🙏❤️.  This is one of my favorite things about the powerful gift of Jesus!!!

Think well

 Philippians 4:8 "Finally,  brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praise worthy- think about such things."     I can easily talk myself out of things.   Yesterday, I went to an amazing ski clinic put on by Eric at Nordic Mountain.  I am so thankful I didn't "talk myself out of it".  One of the other instructors in my group said the same thing; he almost talked himself out of going.    I'm thankful I focused on why I wanted to go and not why I didn't.     Our thoughts, largely determine the direction of our lives.     Today, will you be thinking about what's right?   Will you intentionally be thinking in faith and hope?   A large part of our health and wellness is determined by in our thoughts.   Be inspired to; “Think well!!"

Be the example of unconditional love

Psalm 112:4-7. 4 Even in the darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. 5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. 6 Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.  7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast trusting in the Lord."    As I was reading Psalm 112 the sunrise started shinning on my face.    Such a fresh beautiful start to my morning!! I couldn’t ignore these verses after that experience.   They remind me of my Great Grandma Holt.   She was a rock in my life as a young, troubled junior high girl.   She made sure I went through confirmation class.   Studying the word of God during that difficult time is when I first really knew Jesus loved me personally.   It was a life changer!  The love of Jesus was shown to me in the beautiful lady.  The Bible and studying the word, lead me to Jesus.  This God fearing, Jesus loving woman had the patience and kindness in humane form to help me understand love can be unconditional.   Today, I aim to be the woman that helps others know the love of Jesus is possible.   I hope this help you aim for that too.😇❤️🙏

Be Holy…. It’s possible!!

Hebrews 10:10 "And by that will, we have been made Holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” We have been made Holy!!!! We are Holy, not because of what we do, but because of what He did!!     Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."   I can get pretty down on myself because of things I have done or things I have left undone.  Some of my friends accuse me of being way too hard on myself.    But I see the depravity in my own heart.  I know the thoughts I think, I’m too ashamed to share.    I can't be Holy on my own.    Jesus makes us Holy!!!  He makes us Holy even when we “just can’t get it”.   I spent 29 years addicted to alcohol.  Even then, He could have made me Holy, but then alcohol was my God not Him.   Be encouraged to Be in Jesus today.   Let Him be the one you seek with all your heart.  Accept the forgiveness He died to give you and the Holiness He lives to grace you with!!   Be Holy as I am Holy….are the words  of Jesus!   His work not ours, believe this, keep the faith and Your actions will naturally  follow suit!!   Praise the Lord for His mercy and grace!! We are His Holiness!!!

God or man pleasing?

Mark 7:6 "He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:  "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." 8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding into the traditions of men.”    These are the words of Jesus.   Recently I have been thinking about my motives for my behaviors.   Is it to do right for man or for God?   Today, I will try to ask myself before I do things.  Will this honor God?

Are you a good team mate?

 Ephesians 4:16 "From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."     We are Team Jesus!!  When I read this verse today it reminded me we need to act as a team.   Many marriages and families split up because they forget they are on the same team.    We are team Jesus!!  Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”   Sometimes I get to be a teacher, when I wear that hat it’s easy to see the importance of being patient and building others up in love.    How are you doing keeping unity on your team?

Light in the darkness

Psalm 139:32 "even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."   We all go through dark times.    When I say dark times I personally think of the hardest time in my life.   I am sure you do that too.   When I look back at that time, in the darkness there was His Light and Life.  Faith in the love of Jesus was the light in my tunnel.   His Light anchored my soul and gave me hope to hold unto.  The more I sought God, the brighter His light shone.   Dark  times, unfortunately are part of this life.  Even in the darkness we can walk in the light!!!😇🙏❤️

Rest for our soul

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.   29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

You will find rest for your soul!!!   I often have to take a deep breath and remember, His yoke is easy and His burden is light!    When I remember everything is Gods’  and He is in control.  I can exhale and simply; TRUST Him!!   Sometimes things seem unbearable, those times become bearable when I remember I am not bearing them alone!   I am a child of the Most High God, and the Most High God is for me!! He will not drop me now or ever!!!!   Take His yoke upon you, let your burden be light!! He loves you more than you can imagine!! He loves the ones you love even more than you do!!!!😇🙏❤️

Truly known and loved

Psalm 139:13 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful I know full well.”    His  works are wonderful let us know full well!!!    One of my dearest friends had a birthday yesterday, I thought of this verse.   Our Heavenly Father designed each of us uniquely.   There is not a hair on our head that He doesn’t know, or a thought that we think, or a desire in our heart that He doesn’t know.  Yet, He loves us anyway!!    Today know full well, you have been knit together in your mothers womb.  You are known and loved Completely!!!😇🙏❤️

Be an example not a persecutor

 1 Peter 5:7  "Do not be domineering over those assigned to your care, but prove to be examples to the flock."     Discernment!!    When I read this passage today I could t help but think of shoving the Bible and my view points down someone’s throat.   That is not loving.   We are to do all things in love.   When we act judgy, superior because we believe we, are not winning souls for Jesus but in fact turning people away.   Be the love of Jesus today toward all people!!   People need to see you have something special,  to want what you have.   Be the love of Jesus today, live by example, practice loving discernment.   😇🙏❤️ Jesus died for everyone of us while we were yet sinners.

Choose love

1 Corinthians 16:14 "Do everything in love."    A friend of mine that I coach was trying to decide how to best handle a situation.   I asked her, “What is the most loving thing to do?”   We talked it through and she picked choices that were the most loving.    Sounds simple right?    Not so much.   When faced with decisions I often him and hah.   Mainly because I know what the most loving thing to do is, but my selfishness gets in the way.   Today choose to love!!😇🙏❤️( Even if it’s the hardest option, often it will be.). Jesus said, “Love others as I have loved you.”  Aren’t you glad Jesus didn’t take the selfish way? John 13:34-35

Mustard seed faith?

Acts 2:21  "And everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved."

Matthew 17:20 "He replied, "Because you have so little faith, I can tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain; Move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."   When my twins were born 31 years ago my uterus ruptured.   I was bleeding out and the medical staff was running me to the OR.  On the way I heard them yell out, “Call the clergy!”, I knew I was in trouble.  I yelled out, “I’m Lutheran get me a Lutheran pastor!” Then I said a prayer, “Jesus I need your help!”  I called on the name of the Lord!   Immediately I was surrounded by a warm white light and I felt a peace that surpassed all understanding.  I knew that I knew I was going home.  I could feel the welcoming of my family it was the most real thing I have ever felt.  Then I heard a voice that said, “ You can’t go yet, those twins need you.”   Immediately I was whooshed  back into my body.    I woke up in the recovery room.   As I awoke I remember thinking , “ Oh No not this life again, like a weight had just been put on my shoulders.  Then I remembered the voice, “You can’t go yet those twins need you.”   I gathered up my strength to go forward here.   I have not feared death since this moment.   I know, that I know when  I called upon the Lord I was saved.   At that point in my life I only had faith the size of a mustard seed.

Never Alone!

Matthew 28:20 "And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age."    I take such comfort in, “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”   These are the words of Jesus.   Sometimes, I really wish I had a life mate.  I don’t because I have already made a mess of two marriages.  Those were both over twenty years ago and I’m confident if God gave me a husband now I would be much more careful with that relationship.   But at this point that’s not Gods plan for me.  There are many of us single people out there.    For my best health I have to focus on my completeness in Jesus Christ.  I can do this when I remember He is with me always, even to the very end of the age!    I need never to feel alone, because truly I am never alone.   Complete health is being complete and content in our lives.    If I focus on what I don’t have I am not living in the fullness of God.   Honestly when I was married and didn’t have a true connection with my husband or Jesus that is when I suffered with loneliness.    I praise God I don’t have to be lonely when I am seemingly alone!!! Thank you Jesus!! You are with me always!!!!😇🙏❤️   Be inspired to live in the fullness of God!! I was lonely in my marriage because when my husband wasn’t meeting my needs I didn’t let Jesus meet my needs.    A humane can never meet the needs of our souls. Whether you are single or married be full in Jesus first.   He is with you ALWAYS!!!

Blessed assurance to fight doubt

John 6:67 "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the twelve.  68 Simon Peter answered him, " Lord, to whom shall we go?   You have the words of eternal life. 69. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."    When Jesus spoke of eating his flesh and drinking his blood that was a very hard teaching.   Currently many of us take communion and are renewed by it.   Truth is sometimes unbelief enters our minds and hearts.    The thought of, “What if this is not true?” Attacks us.   Personally I have had a white light near death experience,  I am absolutely convinced it is true.   Plus the many other miracles I've witnessed, helps me with a blessed assurance. But still,doubt attacks me.  It is very humane to doubt.  God is way bigger than we can possibly imagine and believing with a child like faith is the only way I have found to have hope and peace.   I can not possibly reason out the power of the sacraments.   I can not reason out God.   He and His ways are way beyond my understanding.    I choose to believe.    I choose to trust.  Why would I not?    What hope could I have if I didn't TRUST God?  What comfort would there be, to stubbornly say there is no God?        One prayer I use often is, "Lord I believe help me with my unbelief."(Mark 9:24)

Hope in the Lord

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world."   John 10:27 " My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.  28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  29 My Father, who has given them to me is greater than all.  No one can snatch them out of my Fathers hand.  30 I and the Father are one.    John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.”      My Dad passed on Thursday.   I really feel a hole in my heart.  I loved it when he said,"Hey Kid!"  He had a really cool Spirit in him.  He was 19 when I was born.   He barely knew life without being a dad. He passed with my sister and his loving Wife of 45 years by his side.  His entire family was there for him in his final hours.  Pretty beautiful, peaceful passing. I'm so very thankful he was my dad. I was able to tell him so. My last memory bog my dad was him saying, “I love you, gave him a kiss good bye and he smiled at me and waved.   I didn’t realize at the time it was a good bye on this earth.    I had thought he could would recover.   In Heaven he is fully recovered. Thanks so much for all your prayers.   🙏❤️.   2 Corinthians 5:17 "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old is gone, the new is here!    Another verse that gives me comfort.    When we get to heaven.    We take off these Human bodies and put on our new glorified bodies, where there are no more tears, fears, fralities or sickness.   We will have pure joy.

Don’t get chocked out!

Matthew 13:22 “The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.”    Don’t let the Wrong Spirit lead you intentionally praise God for what is good, praise Him, He is bigger than any dream or worrisome thought.   Praise Him that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.   Praise Him, His arm is not too short.   Praise Him, He knows, He cares and He is making everything right!!     He loves each of us more than we can imagine!!! Praise Him, TRUST Him and let His Spirit of peace and truth rule our hearts!!❤️😇🙏

Hope, power and wisdom

Ephesians 1:17 "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and His incomparably great power for us who believe.  That power is like the working of His mighty strength."   The hope and power of Jesus Christ is with us, in us and for us!! I forget to tap into that hope and power.   I simply forget, especially when I am emotionally stressed.   How silly.  When I am feeling stressed that is when I need His comfort the most.    This week instead of calling on God in my stress I emotionally puked on the people around me making my anxiety theirs, they had enough of their own.   As a result I made very poor decisions.  I read my Bible but didn’t take the time to sit quietly seeking His will.   I didn’t sit quietly and seek His ways.  Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God,…”    If you feel you’ve lost your strength, determination and direction.  Don’t stress, simply be still.  Seek and you will find, knock and the door will be open.    

Seek and Trust

 Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself   Each day has enough trouble of its own."   I love these two verses.    33 reminds me to truly seek Gods will in my life.  34 tells me trust Him and don’t worry.  My step mom says, “I don’t worry unless the doctors say worry.”  I love it when she says that, it reminds me to stay in my moment.  My dad has been in the hospital for  a couple weeks and it’s a long haul.  Yet they both keep preserving.  Thanks so much for your prayers.   Don’t worry, TRUST God!!!   His grace and mercy are limitless.   He loves each of us and those we love more than we do.    We cannot understand God.  He is beyond our humane comprehension.   We can TRUST Him.  Seek Him with our whole hearts and know He has everything in His very capable hands!!😇🙏❤️Seek and Trust!!

Everything we go through gets us to

Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."   Everyone has trials in this life.   We each have something that distracts us from trusting God completely.   Some of us have health issues, family matters, financial problems and a multitude of sins that are difficult to to resist.    What ever you are going through, even a horrible health diagnosis; remember “ Philippians 4:13 “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” .   This life may give us one challenge after an other but everything we go through gets us to where we are going.  “Heaven is just beyond the clouds.” (A quote from one of my dearest friends.). Be strong today and look forward!    I like the saying,”Keep looking up, to keep your chin up!”  Even if we get 100 years here, it’s small compared to eternity!! 😇🙏❤️

Be radiant!!

Psalm 34:5 "Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."   One of my best friends used to say, “When you have Jesus in your heart it shows on your face.” She was always so radiant!!  She was one of my dearest Christian friends, she didn’t tell me what I wanted to hear, she told me the truth no matter how difficult the truth was for her to say to me.   Iron sharpens iron and true friends tell you the truth with love.   I find it’s easiest to speak the truth to my friends when I can quote a Bible verse that fits the situation.    My opinion is simply that, my opinion, the Word of God, now that speaks truth.   It’s sharper than a two edged sword, and profitable in all things.   Be inspired today, let His word live in your heart, it’ll come out of your mouth and will radiate your face!!!😇🙏❤️

Go and do!

James 4:14. " Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  15 Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.  16 As it is, you boast and brag.  All such boasting is evil. 17 Anyone then who knows to do good he ought to do and doesn't do it sins." This New Year I am going to try really hard to fight,”I don’t feel like it”.   It is always easier to do nothing than to do something.   I often do t “feel like” driving to things.   Yesterday I made an effort to be where I knew I wanted to be and my soul was deeply rewarded.    Putting in the effort, is worth it.   When I don’t go the extra mile, my world gets really small and I am not shinning for Jesus.   I enjoy sitting quietly, reading and praying.  The fruits of my relationship with God are used well when I go and do.  I hope this helps you remember to go and do.    When you do, it can be such an uplift!!   It’s also so wonderful to let beautiful people shine on you.   😇🙏❤️. Happy New Year.   Go make the effort!!!

Happiest New Year!!

Colossians 3:17 "And whatsoever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."    Happy New Year!!  Sunday our pastor spoke on approaching the New Year with a new commitment to God.  It touched my heart and made me reevaluate my plans for 2024.   I do want to seek God first, but honestly I find myself leaving Him out of my hopes and dreams.  So when I look at my want to I realize I am not wanting Gods way, in  my deepest thoughts.  I want what I want and then I ask God to bless it.   I think it’s very hard to want what God wants for me and be patient and wait for it.   This year my plan is to keep trying to seek God first and His ways.  I will do this with a continued firm commitment to read His word daily and reflect and trust on it, in my life with thanksgiving.  Happiest New Year to you!!😇🙏❤️