|
Viewing 82 - 87 out of 87 Blogs.
| Page:
|
|
|
|
10 |
The Final Victory Today, all over the world, there are many people facing situations which threaten to send everything they hold dear crashing to the ground. It may be the result of bad decisions or circumstances completely out of their control; but either way, they awoke in the middle of a whirlwind and absolutely cannot determine which direction to turn. At one point in my life I was in this very situation . There are many others who awoke tired and discouraged, and don't even know why. Today is much the same as others but they're questioning the usefulness of continuing.But, my brothers and sister let me encourage you to keep pressing on never give up, keep the faith ...and remember that not trying is just like giving up... Jesus Christ has a plan for all our lives.I can make this bold prediction about today, not because I have any insight into this particular day or period of history, but because that is the nature of life. We live in an imperfect world filled with imperfect people. The result is a bunch of imperfect circumstances not just one ! Even when we begin to walk with Jesus we struggle with these imperfections which distract us and steal our joy.Why begin a message on such a depressing note? First, we need to understand we're not alone. Many more people are struggling than we can possibly imagine. The need for encouragement is huge and will increase as the time of our Lord's return draws near. Next, we need to know how we can live a life of peace and how we can pass this peace to others.When we place our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we don't receive the promise of a trouble free life ~ we receive the promise of an Eternal Life in the presence of God. Many of our troubles here on earth will remain, but an understanding of our eternal promise should encourage us as we shift our focus from life in terms of days and years, to life in terms of eternity; "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Corinthians 4:17).Jesus saw these same struggles in His disciples. He wanted them to live a life of peace and contentment, but He also knew they would face many difficulties. After a night of teaching His disciples about their relationship with the Father through faith in His Son, Jesus gave these words of encouragement: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."Jesus came to conquer sin and death through His sacrifice on the cross. When we come to Him in faith and receive the transforming gift of His Spirit, we ought to keep this truth at the front of ALL our thoughts: the battle has already been won! As we climb into the ring day after day ~ even as we grow weary, lose a few rounds and want to quit ~ let's always remember that through our risen Lord we have an eternal hope. Let's continue with the peace and assurance that in Christ we have been granted the final victory.
I LOVE THIS...
A--Accept
Accept others for who they are and for the choices they've made even if you have difficulty understanding their
beliefs, motives, or actions.
B--Break Away
Break away from everything that stands in the way of what you hope to accomplish with your life.
C--Create
Create a family of friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams, sorrows, and happiness with.
D--Decide
Decide that you'll be successful and happy come what may, and good things will find you. The roadblocks are only minor obstacles along the way.
E--Explore
Explore and experiment. The world has much to offer, and you have much to give. And every time you try something new, you'll learn more about yourself.
F--Forgive
Forgive and forget. Grudges only weigh you down and inspire unhappiness and grief. Soar above it, and remember that everyone makes mistakes.
G--Grow
Leave the childhood monsters behind. They can no longer hurt you or stand in your way.
H--Hope
Hope for the best and never forget that anything is possible as long as you remain dedicated to the task.
I--Ignore
Ignore the negative voice inside your head. Focus instead on your goals and remember your accomplishments. Your past success is only a small inkling of what the future holds.
J--Journey
Journey to new worlds, new possibilities, by remaining open-minded. Try to learn something new every day, and you'll grow.
K--Know
Know that no matter how bad things seem, they'll always get better. The warmth of spring always follows the harshest winter.
L--Love
Let love fill your heart instead of hate. When hate is in your heart, there's room for nothing else, but when love is in your heart, there's room for endless happiness.
M--Manage
Manage your time and your expenses wisely, and you'll suffer less stress and worry. Then you'll be able to focus on the important things in life.
N--Notice
Never ignore the poor, infirm, helpless, weak, or suffering. Offer your assistance when possible, and always your kindness and understanding.
O--Open
Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the worst of times, there's still much to be thankful for.
P--Play
Never forget to have fun along the way. Success means nothing without happiness.
Q--Question
Ask many questions, because you're here to learn.
R--Relax
Refuse to let worry and stress rule your life, and remember that things always have a way of working out in the end.
S--Share
Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others. Everything that you invest in others will return to you many times over.
T--Try
Even when your dreams seem impossible to reach, try anyway. You'll be amazed by what you can accomplish.
U--Use
Use your gifts to your best ability. Talent that's wasted has no value. Talent that's used will bring unexpected rewards.
V--Value
Value the friends and family members who've supported and encouraged you, and be there for them as well.
W--Work
Work hard every day to be the best person you can b e, but never feel guilty if you fall short of your goals. Every sunrise offers a second chance.
X--X-Ray
Look deep inside the hearts of those around you and you'll see the goodness and beauty within.
Y--Yield
Yield to commitment. If you stay on track and remain dedicated, you'll find success at the end of the road.
Z--Zoom
Zoom to a happy place when bad memories or sorrow rears its ugly head. Let nothing interfere with your goals. Instead, focus on your abilities, your dreams, and a brighter tomorrow. I RECIEVED THIS FROM LAVONNE A SISTER IN CHRIST FROM MY YAHOO 360* I WANTED TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU ALL GOD BLESS HAVE A HEAVENLY DAY ALWAYS, YVONNEMARIE
|
|
"Faith"
Posted On 12/19/2006 12:44:52
|
Faith as a grain of mustard seed...
{Read} Matthew 17:20
We have the idea that God rewards us for our faith, it may he so in the initial stages; but we do not earn anything by faith, faith brings us into right relationship with God and gives God His opportunity. God has frequently to knock the bottom board out of your experience if you are a saint in order to get you into contact with Himself. God wants you to understand that it is a life of faith, not a life of sentimental enjoyment of His blessings. Your earlier life of faith was narrow and intense, settled around a little sun~spot of experience that had as much of sense as of faith in it, full of light and sweetness; then God withdrew His conscious blessings in order to teach you to walk by faith. You are worth far more to Him now than you were in your days of conscious delight and thrilling testimony.
Faith by its very nature must be tried, and the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God's character has to be cleared in our own minds. Faith in its actual working out has to go through spells of unsyllabled isolation. Never confound the trial of faith with the ordinary discipline of life, much that we call the trial of faith is the inevitable result of being alive. Faith in the Bible is faith in God against everything that contradicts Him ~ I will remain true to God's character whatever He may do. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" ~ this is the most sublime utterance of faith in the whole of the Bible.
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10, NIV).
A Word :
“The Bible is a revelation of the fact that God is love. Many people misunderstand this attribute of God. ‘God is love, ‘does not mean that everything is sweet, beautiful and happy, and that God’s love could not possibly allow punishment for sin. When we preach justice, it is tempered with love. When we preach righteousness, it is righteousness founded on love. When we preach atonement, it is atonement planned by love, provided by love, given by love, finished by love and necessitated because of love. When we preach the resurrection of Christ, we are preaching the miracle of love. When we preach the return of Christ, we are preaching the fulfillment of love. No matter what sin you have committed, or how terrible, dirty or shameful it may be, God loves you.”
The Security of Love
“One way we experience God's love is in the security we find in him. As we face the uncertainties of life, Paul's eloquent words in Romans 8:38-39 give us great assurance: ‘I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 8:38-39, KJV). Our son, his wife and our grandchildren are living in a fairly dangerous area in a developing nation. I am often asked if I worry about their safety. My reply is a quotation which I heard years ago: "Safety is not the absence of danger, but the presence of the Lord." Whoever wrote those words must have received the idea from King David, who wrote from a dangerous place, ‘I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety’ (Psalm 4:8, KJV). God is with his children, and as he is love, we can rest in the security that the presence of the all-powerful One is with us” .
Lord, we can do nothing to be worthy of Your love. We are so thankful that You loved us so much that You sent Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin. Please help us to live as Your forgiven children, motivated by Your love in all we do. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen Always ,Yvonnemarie
We Need To Build According To The Spirit When the armies of Babylon made their final invasion of Jerusalem, they took many captives into exile and completely destroyed the temple ~ destroyed God's dwelling among His chosen people. After many years, a group of Israelites were allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild.This group began the work with great excitement: "With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord, 'He is good; His love to Israel endures forever'" {Ezra 3:11}. But they soon encountered opposition; "The peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building" {Ezra 4:4}. The opposition grew until all construction came to a standstill.God sent a message through the prophet Haggai to encourage His people to return to their important task.Haggai 2:4~5"Be strong, all you people of the land," declares the Lord, "and work. For I am with you," declares the Lord Almighty. "This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear."God encouraged the people by reminding them He was still with them. He had rescued His people from slavery so He could dwell among them, and He had given His Spirit as a guide and comforter; "They were given rest by the Spirit of the Lord. This is how You guided Your people" {Isaiah 63:14}.Today, WE are His temple: "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" {1 Corinthians 3:16}. The same Spirit who was given to be with God's chosen people of the past is the same Spirit who now fills us and gives us the power to live a victorious life in Christ ~ gives us the power to build according to God's perfect plan.Jesus said the Holy Spirit will "remind you of everything I have said to you" {John 14:26}. We have all heard and read the truth ~ we know how Christ desires for us to live ~ but the Spirit is given to "guide you into all truth" {John 16:13}. The Truth is our only building material, and the Spirit holds the only plans. He will guide and direct as we listen and prepare our heart to follow.God sent His Son to set us free from sin, and He gave us His Spirit so we may live in freedom and build a temple which glorifies His name. There are many in the world who seek to discourage and make us afraid to continue building, many who create fierce opposition. But let's continue the work He has already begun. Let's continue to walk in victory and daily build according to the Spirit. I know this is not easy but, brothers and sisters its the best way and only way to live a fruitful life as we fall just dust yourselves off and get up keep on going ...going....going....
The Potter's Hand Years ago, God taught the prophet Jeremiah what it meant to be a sovereign God. He taught that His plan WOULD be fulfilled ~ one way or the other. Either His children would submit to His gentle guidance, or He would bring discipline to teach them the need for obedience.Although God has the ability to directly give us understanding, His usual method is to teach us through His Word and then allow us to see the application and gain wisdom through our experiences. In order to give a clear understanding of His sovereignty, God told Jeremiah to go to the potter's house and wait for His message.Jeremiah 18:3-6"So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the Word of the Lord came to me: 'Can I not do with you as this potter does?' declares the Lord. 'Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in My hand.'"Jeremiah understood that God was the Potter and had total control over the shape of the clay. How foolish it would be for the clay to complain or rebel; "Can the pot say of the potter, 'He knows nothing'?" (Isaiah 29:16). The Potter will continue to mold the clay. If the clay begins to harden in its unfinished state, the Potter loves the clay enough to crush it down, sprinkle it with water and begin anew.The only way for us to become all that God desires is to yield and remain moldable. We have no ability to shape ourself! The Potter is creating something eternally beautiful - we are being "conformed to the likeness of His Son" (Romans 8:29). Oh, if we could only trust that His shaping is so much better than anything we could ever create. How prideful to think we can do better!There may be times when we have rough edges which must be removed. There may also be times when we need to be crushed down so the shaping process can start over. But we must trust the Potter and believe the results will be worth any pain or discomfort; "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).Our Heavenly Father is in complete (and loving) control. Let's daily be filled with His Spirit and commit our lives to His shaping process ~ a process which undoubtedly will last a lifetime! Let's remain moldable clay and yield to the shaping of the Potter's Hand Bless each and everyone of you Love Peace In Jesus Christ Name Yvonnemarie
| Page:
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
