It's Worth It

IT IS WORTH IT!!!

 All that you are going through, the long days, the sleepless nights, the endless prayers, and the pressing.  It's all going to pay off.  Even the disappointments are designed for your good in the end. Just because things don't work out as you would like, does not mean it won't work out.  But according to God's Will it shall be so. Wherever you may find yourself, be encouraged, God is on your side!

Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.

Job 8:7 (KJV)

  I just want to encourage you all today and everyday that the hardships in life that you go through, the test and trials that come, and anything that you have to work for is worth it.  God wants what is best for you, He's not going to deny you unless it's for your own good, and He will bring you into the fullness of His blessings. 

Just hold on a little longer, be like Jacob, and don't let go until your blessing comes.  I can tell you from experience that when it does you won't have room enough to receive it.  That it will be better than you ever imagined.  And I'll tell you something else, He's not done yet!  He can, will, and always does exceedingly above anything we can expect or fathom.  So my prayer for you today is that you hold on, stand strong, and that the blessings of the Lord overtake you!

~God Bless U

There is Beauty in the Storm

Across town the snow is falling and the roads are getting slick, Mary begins to look out the window and worry.  Over the last hour the snow started to really come down and the newscaster is predicting over 4 inches in the new few hours.  Mary said to no one in particular, "storms come for no reason but to bring trouble". She starts hoping and praying her boss tells everyone to pack it up.  She can just see the traffic at a stand still.  Mary wants to get home to the kids, the school already said they would be dismissing early.  Soon the announcement comes that everyone can go, and to get home as soon as possible, it going to be a blizzard.  Mary becomes worried and fearful, the last time she drove in the snow someone almost hit her car and she knows today will probably be no better.  Curse this snow, Mary thought.

 

Now the snow begins to fall in the neighborhood and Alex and Hailey can't wait to get off of the school bus.  They hurry into the house and their Dad, Michael has just arrived home too.  They greet their Dad and inquire as to when Mary, their Mom will be home.  Michael reports that he just spoke with her and that she's on her way.  The kids get giddy with excitement and run toward the garage.  Michael continues into the living room.

 

Mary makes it home after a grueling bout with traffic. She walks in the house as the wind picks up and again curses the snow under her breath.  As she walks in the house she's greeted with warmth from the fire place and immediately feels warmth all the way down to her toes.  She come to the living room where she sees the window covering spread and open to reveal the shovels in the back yard and all the fixings to sled and make snow men. The snow is falling and its a beautiful sight! She also find Michael, Alex and Hailey gathered around the fire with mugs of hot chocolate. One is sitting to the side for her. Hailey exclaims they've been waiting for her to get home!  Alex explains how they were super excited to get out of school early and how they got everything ready to play in the snow later!  Michael holds his arms out so that she can come get comfortable with them and enjoy the rest of the day.  As she sits down he whispers into her ear "thank God for blizzards".

Mary considered her earlier feelings regarding the snow, about how it was such a hassle and just made for a miserable time.  As she thought to herself, she looked at her family and considered their outlook on the snow, she quickly realized that perception is everything.  That though snow and blizzards can bring about some ugly conditions in some circumstances,  they can also bring some awesome moments too. She realized there is beauty in the storm.

I pray this touched your heart today and that you will consider every side of  the situations you find yourself in.  Look for the beauty, if you happen to not be able to find it, look directly to God because He has purpose in everything.

~God Bless U

In the Paths of God

Good morning!  I pray all is going well with you today and if it's not I pray God's grace and mercy upon you right now.  (Agree with me in Jesus Name, Amen.)  I was praying this morning and I want to share with you one of the last parts of my prayer.  My words to God was "let me walk safely in your paths".  Right then and there I received a revelation that God has a path He has set out just for us.  we all know that we have individual walks, but did you ever think God has some avenues He has set up just for us to walk down.  For instance, we may be believing God for the better job. But what if you get the job offer and God tells you to stay where you are?  It seems you should take the "better job", but what if God is saying He has a work for you to do right where you are and the real "better: is coming later!  Or perhaps you think you should do a certain thing, but God nudges you in a different direction.  Because He knows what's best for us, and how our tomorrows will work out while we are still dealing with our yesterdays, we have to trust Him and the paths He has for us. Your path is not mine, and mine isn't yours. We may cross each other's paths from time to time, they may even run parallel for a season or even a lifetime, but these paths are just for you and the Father. The bible has much to say about our paths.  One scripture says,

 "Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established."  Proverbs 4:26

another says,

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" Psalms 119:105

There are many roads that lead to a lot of places, but the safest and most prosperous one is the one God Himself puts you on.  I encourage all of you to stop and say a quick prayer right now, and simply ask God to direct you in HIS paths.

God Bless U

1st Sunday 2016

Happy New Year All!!!

With the arrival of the New Year we have an opportunity.   We can decide to do it better this time.  What is "it"?   Whatever you feel can be done better than you did it before.   In my case, "it" to me is everything!   I plan to do a lot of things better. I endeavor to be a better wife, mother, friend, sister, laborer, minister, etc. 

There is no need for new years resolutions,  when God gives you a new mercy every morning.  What the new year brings is an opportunity to mark a reference point on your progress chart.   You have the opportunity to look back on 2015 and  assess where you've been, what you've done, how you've grown, and the areas that could use more growth.  The important thing,  is that you are continually growing in Jesus. 

A great scripture to meditate on is Luke 22:42.
"Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."

In this passage Jesus is praying to God about the gigantic task before Him... the Cross. Though He is completely divine, His human nature doesn't want to have to go through the devastation, pain, and turmoil He's about to endure on humanity's behalf.  He prays about it,  asking to be relieved, but in the end He boldy and bravely proclaims (*one of my favorite references and mantras of scripture) Nevertheless!!!  Not my will but your will be done! 

How awesome, how glorious, and what an example! Jesus, knew that He was the only One that was fit for the job.  So, though He, like any other person, would have rather not had to go through the unthinkable, He was so devoted to God that He
forsook what He most wanted and desired for what God wanted.  This is the same kind of devotion we should be pressing toward!

And then comes the reward...
When you reevaluate and start to pinpoint the areas to grow in, God is pleased. The Word of God says He's a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).  When we try harder in God, He helps us and rewards us for our diligence.  Looking back on my own list,  I've found that the greatest reward is realizing that I'm not the person I used to be.  It signifies that I'm getting closer to the person God has called me to be.

May 2016 bring you closer to who God had called you to be,  to who and what He has called you to, and from what He had called you from!

~GOD Bless U

When in doubt... Simply Jesus.

When starting a sunday school, bible study, blog, things like that, there is always the question of where to begin.  Whenever a situation or any problem presents itself, I simply start with Jesus!

He is the beginning and end of everything. The Word says, "enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise". (Psalms 100:4) So, I'll do just that. Thank you Lord for all that you have done, are doing, and will do in my life and the lives of your people. For you are the King of kings and Lord of lords, all things belong to You. For that, I honor and bless your Holy Name. ~Amen

Jesus is the answer to all that is going on in your life.  Without Jesus, we would still be seperated from God. It was the work on the Cross that brings us into the Kingdom of God. Without Jesus dying on the Cross for our sins we would be lost. John 14:6 says: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Thank God for sending His Son. Because through His perfect work everything that we could possibly go through has been overcome by Jesus Christ. The Word also tells us that Jesus personally understands.

Hebrews 4:15 in the NIV reads:

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin." 

So, know this, in all the things you could be going through, pray to God. He understands and is the only One that provides real relief and comfort. Let Him in, give it over to Him to work it out for you.

For the seasoned saints hang in there. All things work for the good of those that love God and are called according to His purpose. To the babes in Christ, let the Word of God lead you and keep you.

Remember, whatever may come or has come to try you, envoke the power of the Lord.

~ In all things... Simply Jesus.