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Jesus Does Not Judge A Person By One Season-And Neither Should We :)

From Worthy Devotions:

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

“We came across this powerful story and wanted to share it with you.

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted them to learn to not judge things too quickly, so he sent them each on a quest to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. He sent his first son in the winter, his second in the spring, his third in summer and his youngest in the fall. When they had all gone and come back , he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no – it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed, he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

After hearing all his son’s responses, the wise father replied, “Sons, you are all right — because you have each seen only one season in the tree’s life. But you cannot judge a tree, or a person, or anything else by only one season. Most things can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons have come to pass”.

When I read this devotion, I can’t help but think how true it is-and how comforting. I know that I myself have a tendency to worry about those I love. Our husbands, our children, our family and friends. With so many people that we love, there’s always some that are doing great-and there always a few that are struggling.

And when it comes to our children especially, there are simply no words that can really explain just how much iStock_000002462782XSmall we love them. And as they grow up, there are times we can’t help but worry about them. Are they on the right track? Do they have the right friends? Are they truly learning to love the Lord? Have they found the kind of faith that will light their way both here and through eternity? The kind of faith that can never be taken away or torn down? And as they grow, there will be days when we look at them amazed that someone so wonderful could be our child! And there will be times that their love and thoughtfulness will bring tears to our eyes. But there will also be days when we worry and wonder if they will find their way. And there will be days when we are frustrated and angry with them.

heaven And it’s on those days, the hard days, that we need to hold onto this reading, because just as it says above, no man is judged by just one season. And we need to remember that when we are worried about someone we love, whether it’s our child, our husband or someone we love, Jesus loves them even more than we do. And just as we will never give up on them and just as we will always love them-so will He. So if there is someone in your life right now that you are worried about, remember, “With God All Things Are Possible”, and this life is a journey with many seasons. But for those who follow our Lord, regardless of the seasons, our journey will end in one place-in Heaven.

Is Your Faith Enough?

“Blessed are those who have not seen, but believe”.- Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior of our World iStock_000007198750Small (2)

A child’s faith is a beautiful, precious gift. It accepts without question the amazing love that God has for us. But as we grow into adults, each one of us will struggle at some time in our life to cross the bridge between a faith that is young and untried to a faith that will withstand any challenge. The question isn’t whether we will ever experience doubts, but rather what we will do when they occur. Perhaps one of the most important things we can do during those times is realize that Jesus does not love us any less on the days where faith does not come easy.

iStock_000005413574XSmall We know that to be true because after Jesus rose, one of his own apostles, Thomas had doubts. In fact, so much so that after the other apostles had seen Jesus, Thomas said that “Unless I see the mark of the nails — in fact, until I touch those marks and put my hand in the wound in his side, I will not believe,”. But Jesus did not stop loving him. For only a short time later, Jesus came and stood among the apostles and said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. And Thomas believed. And then Jesus told Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Diverse Students Praying You see, Jesus loved Thomas, just as He loves us. He forgave him his doubts. Just as He forgives us ours. We can’t help how we feel, nor can we change the fact that we will go through times in our life when we struggle. What we can do though, is choose what we do during those times. We can choose to follow Jesus or we can choose to turn away. We can choose to surround ourselves with those whose faith will help to build our own, or we can choose to spend time with those who would tear down our faith. We can choose to turn to the Word of God or we can choose the word of those who do not believe. The choice, as always is ours.

cross

So if you are struggling with doubts or questions. If you have faith, but sometimes wonder if it’s enough. If you believe, but occasionally wonder and worry. Stop worrying. You have chosen to follow our Lord-and that is enough. For Jesus’ love never changes and it will never falter. So no matter where you are in your walk with the Lord, just keep walking. It’s enough.

With God, All Things Are Possible-Even Today :)

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”-Mathew 5:14

In today’s world, being Christian requires great courage. In tomorrow’s world, it will require even more. And iStock_000003737011Small (2) yet in Mathew, it’s clear that we were not meant to hide from the storms that life can sometimes bring. Rather, we were meant to shine as a light for all. So that by our love for our Lord, and our love for each other, all might know hope-even in the difficult times. There’s a phrase often used in our faith “for such a time as this”. We were, each one of us, born for such a time as this. This time. This moment. For you see, despite the news headlines and seemingly overwhelming odds, the hope for our world lies where it has always been, it lies in the “power of God working in the hearts of His people-all His people”. And there is nothing more powerful than that. So, while we need to remain informed on all that is occurring in our world and we need to remain involved. We also need to remember that “With God All Things Are Possible.”.

Ezekiel 18New International Version (NIV): The One Who Sins Will Die

I think this is one of the passages that one really needs to read the whole passage to get the point. Yes, the title is frightening, but don’t forget that Jesus came 🙂

But I also think the point of the passage is that we are responsible for only our own selves. There are no grandchildren in Heaven (as the saying goes).

We must, each one of us, find our way to the Lord.

For each of us will either receive Christ’s Mercy or God’s Justice. It’s up to us, but we each have to choose 🙂

Ezekiel 18

18 The word of the Lord came to me: ²“What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:

“‘The parents eat sour grapes,
and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?

³“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. ⁴For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.

⁵“Suppose there is a righteous man
    who does what is just and right.
⁶He does not eat at the mountain shrines
    or look to the idols of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife
    or have sexual relations with a woman during her period.
⁷He does not oppress anyone,
    but returns what he took in pledge for a loan.
He does not commit robbery
    but gives his food to the hungry
    and provides clothing for the naked.
⁸He does not lend to them at interest
    or take a profit from them.
He withholds his hand from doing wrong
    and judges fairly between two parties.
⁹He follows my decrees
    and faithfully keeps my laws.
That man is righteous;
    he will surely live,
declares the Sovereign Lord.

¹⁰“Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things^[a] ¹¹(though the father has done none of them):

“He eats at the mountain shrines.
He defiles his neighbor’s wife.
¹²He oppresses the poor and needy.
He commits robbery.
He does not return what he took in pledge.
He looks to the idols.
He does detestable things.
¹³He lends at interest and takes a profit.

Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he is to be put to death; his blood will be on his own head.

¹⁴“But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things:

¹⁵“He does not eat at the mountain shrines
    or look to the idols of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.
¹⁶He does not oppress anyone
    or require a pledge for a loan.
He does not commit robbery
    but gives his food to the hungry
    and provides clothing for the naked.
¹⁷He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor
    and takes no interest or profit from them.
He keeps my laws and follows my decrees.

He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. ¹⁸But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.

¹⁹“Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. ²⁰The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.

²¹“But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. ²²None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. ²³Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

²⁴“But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.

²⁵“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? ²⁶If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. ²⁷But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. ²⁸Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die. ²⁹Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?

³⁰“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. ³¹Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? ³²For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

Laugh Out Loud, Love Completely, Live As If This Were Your Last Day…

Which of God’s commandments is the most important one? Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment”. And the second is “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these”. -Jesus

It’s been another week of bad headlines; sometimes it almost seems that it might be easier iStock_000005162197Small just “not to know”. And yet as Moms, we need to know; Because keeping our children safe and providing them with all that they will need to grow up in to caring, compassionate and faithful adults who will one day be able to go in pursuit of their dreams is -our job.

On the other hand, once we know all of the bad news-what do we do with it. How do we “fix it”. The answer is-we don’t. “Fixing it” is up to God. For us, as Christians, we simply need to do what we have always done: Love God, and love each other. For that is all that God requires and it is all that Christ commanded. So this week, no matter the news, pledge to find the time to laugh out loud, to love completely and to live at least one day-as it if were the last day before Jesus comes back. Take one day-and be completely happy. No matter what. For with God, “all things are possible”.

Why do some succeed and not others?

A friend sent me this from Worthy Devotionals, it seemed so perfect I couldn’t resist sending it on ?

“Roger Babson, a famous statistician was having lunch with the President of Argentina, “Mr. Babson,” the President said, “I have been wondering why it is that South America, with all its natural advantages, mines of iron, copper, coal and silver, rivers and great waterfalls is so far behind North America?” Babson replied, “Well, Mr. President, what do you think is the reason?” He answered, “..South America was founded by the Spanish who came in search of gold. North America was founded by the Pilgrims who went there in search of God.” If we live a life of seeking gold — the blessings of God but not God Himself — we end up losing both. The Pilgrims, who gave us the wonderful holiday of Thanksgiving, came in search of God. It is because of this that America has reaped blessing upon blessing.” “Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

The Hope For Our World :)

With the state of our world and our country– it would be easy to at times become discouraged. Accept for one thing. One thing never changes. God is still God and Jesus is still coming back.

And as for the world we live in? The hope for our world is still where it has always been, in” the power of God working through the hearts of people”. All the people. And that hope still shines brightly in our country. It always will…

In God We Trust: The Best Job Of All :)

Like any one, I can get caught up in worrying about the economy, the job market, or any one of a number of the challenges we are all facing. But there is something our Lord said that not only brings me great comfort, but also brings me down to earth-where I belong.

Our Lord said, “Thus says the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me…”-Jeremiah 9, Verses 23 & 24

Now there’s a job-for all of us. After that, what more can be said…

May God Bless each of you and your families, now, and always.

Faith: Taking God At His Word

“Faith isn’t the ability to believe far and long into the misty future. It’s simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step”

-Founder and President of the Ministry to the Disabled

Philippians 4:8New International Version (NIV)

“8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. “-Amen 🙂