The Faithful Love Of Jesus :)

The Faithful Love of Jesus. Could there be anything better? Or anything that makes us feel safer? To be loved by Jesus, it truly is all that we need 🙂

We live in troubled times, but the Love of Jesus will really be enough to see us through.

And I pray that you find it 🙂

Hearing God’s Voice :)

I was concerned about writing on this topic.  After all, many think that only “special” people hear God’s Voice, but that is simply not true.

We are all capable of hearing God’s Voice.  It’s a Gift that God gives ?.  Sometimes it seems like a big, booming, Voice.  Sometimes it’s a “still, small Voice”.  But it matters not which, because they are both God’s Voice.

But it’s up to us to listen to it.  To focus on it.  And to obey it.

So how does one get to the place where one can hear God’s Voice?

A good start is a prayer journal.  It’s very simple. We just write our prayers in it and then go back and mark them when they are answered.  Yes, no… it matters not.  Just write down how God responded.  You will be amazed at how many times God said “Yes” ?

The next step is to “Focus”.  We can’t hear God’s Voice, if we never listen to it.  And let’s face it, with the pace of life today, how much time do we actually spend in prayer, in reading our Bible, and in listening for God’s response?

I know I am bad at this too; I always want to “talk” with God, but I also need to practice listening more. 

So what is the next step? Believing.  Sometimes we think we hear God’s Voice, but we are unsure, and so we hesitate-too long.  One thing that may help you be more sure is:  God will never tell you anything that violates the His Teaching in the Holy Bible. And in that way, you can be more sure that it’s okay to obey that “still, small Voice”. ?

And what is the last step? Practicing.  For example, if you think you hear God’s Voice telling you to do something and it does not violate the Bible’s Teaching. Try it and see the results ?. 

At first, It may just feel like a quiet nudge.  Perhaps it’s to visit an elderly neighbor who may be lonely, perhaps it’s to bring food to the hungry, and perhaps it’s just to say a warm Hi to someone at the grocery store.  But you will find as you “listen”; you will hear God’s Voice more often ?

And really, can there be anything better than hearing God’s Voice ?

Will America’s History Be “Lost”

“As for the other events of Baasha’s reign, what he did and his achievements, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?”-1 Kings 16:5

So we learned from yesterday’s story about Baasha that God became very angry with him for leading the people of Israel in both the worship of idols and in sinning against God.  And we know that God did punish Baasha.

But there may have been something more…

In the “annals of the Kings of Israel”, it seems that Baasha’s other achievements were written about.  But the “annals of the Kings of Israel” was “lost” and so is the history of Baasha’s other accomplishments.

Today, in America, history is being both destroyed and rewritten.  Will America’s achievements one day be a “lost book”?

What is the reason that America is not mentioned in Revelations?

We need to Pray now, while we can 🙂

Warning From Kings!

Is this also a warning for America?

“16 Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu son of Hanani concerning Baasha: â€śI lifted you up from the dust and appointed you ruler over my people Israel, but you followed the ways of Jeroboam and caused my people Israel to sin and to arouse my anger by their sins. So I am about to wipe out Baasha and his house, and I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat. Dogs will eat those belonging to Baasha who die in the city, and birds will feed on those who die in the country.”

As for the other events of Baasha’s reign, what he did and his achievements, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel? Baasha rested with his ancestors and was buried in Tirzah. And Elah his son succeeded him as king.”

“7 Moreover, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Jehu son of Hanani to Baasha and his house, because of all the evil he had done in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger by the things he did, becoming like the house of Jeroboam—and also because he destroyed it.”-1 Kings 16:1-7

Baasha was the third king of Israel.  Although God had greatly Blessed him, he rejected God and led people away from God.  He also led them to worship other idols.  He led the people of Israel to sin against God; his evil was great.

Because of this, God took his “prosperity” away. His dynasty was ultimately destroyed and his son was assassinated.

Clearly, rejecting God did not go well for him!

Now flash forward to America today.  Has our nation been greatly Blessed and yet rejected the God who gave us such great Blessings?  Have our leaders led many in America to sin against God.

You decide.  It’s a choice given to you by God Himself ?.  But be aware, choices always have consequences.

Jesus’ Warning!

When Jesus returned to His hometown to preach; many people would not listen or believe.  And although Jesus had performed many miracles, they still would not believe. And He left.

In Matthew 10:15, Jesus talks about what the future will be like for “towns” that reject our Lord’s message:   “15 Truly I tell you, it willl be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”

Sadly, this reminds many of our country today.  America has been greatly Blessed by God, but in return our nation has rejected God and the Teachings of His Holy Bible.

For example, an article on Fox News says that the term “Founding Fathers” has been deemed so offensive, the Federal Reserve has advised employees to avoid using it.  The Federal Reserve has also advised employees to stop using “he” or “she”.  Our Founding Fathers, and all those who sacrificed their lives to create our great nation deserve so much better.

Our children are taught in schools that gay marriage is acceptable, when it is not acceptable in the eyes of God.  Unborn babies are murdered every day.  Our society itself has become so self-centered, how could it possibly truly love one another?  (After all it’s hard to claim you love someone when you are busy hurting them) And clearly, our nation does not put God first!

We can not as a nation expect to reject our Lord and the Teachings of the Holy Bible,  and yet expect His Blessing as a nation.

America was built on the values and traditions of Faith, Freedom and Family.  We have survived the many challenges that we have faced  because God always came first.

For those who believe in Jesus, the future has not changed. We are going Home to Heaven for forever. Watch, Prepare and Pray.  God loves you and will hear your prayers always ?

For those who do not believe, it may soon be too late ,so for your own sake, Seek and Accept Jesus and be filled with the Holy Spirit while you still can. God loves you 🙂

Rest In Me :)

The Father Revealed in the Son

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

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.”-Matthew 11:25-30

Finding The Joy Of Christ On Earth :)

So often we focus on how wonderful it is that our relationship with Jesus brings us Home to Heaven.  But today, I want to shift the focus on how wonderful it is to belong to God in this world here on earth.

I’ve always seen my share of challenges.  I have had serious health issues both now and when I was young.  I’ve had days when I could not get out of bed and had to crawl to the bathroom because I was so sick. And yet, although I spent months in bed, God never left me. Instead God surrounded me with the love and comfort I needed to survive those years. And to survive them well! 🙂

  And I have had days when I have gone to work even when it was really, really difficult. Days where I had to stand to testify before the State House or Senate not knowing if I would faint from lack of strength. But God held me up through it it all. That’s the thing about God, if He opens a door, He always gives you the strength to walk through it. 🙂

That the family I was born into was not the best, is saying way too little.  But it’s not only my story to tell. Let’s just say that With God’s Help, you can survive anything 🙂

I’ve also been Blessed with a wonderful husband and two amazing children. I always think of my husband as my Knight in Shining Armor, because he is so good and so honorable. Old fashioned words, but still true. And I think of my two children as the best present God every gave me. Truly, they have given me such joy! They have all been such a Blessing in my life and I thank God for them everyday 🙂

 While being sick is no picnic, I’ve always been Blessed with a good home in a safe neighborhood.  And I have, for the most part, been Blessed with good doctors who care about me.  And I have been Blessed with really wonderful friends!  And I have been Blessed with years when I was well-and really enjoyed them ?

But more than all of these, I have been greatly Blessed with a Faith that has more than withstood the test of time. That’s another thing about God, He always gives us more than we ask for. His love and generosity are endless. Whether it was God or His angels sitting with me when I had to stay in bed when I was young or holding me up now, God has always been with me.  My Father has never left me and neither has Jesus or the Holy Spirit.  And The Holy Spirit has always lifted me up and out, especially when the suffering was too much.

There is a song called Dearly Loved by Shaylee Simeone that describes my life perfectly.  I have always felt dearly loved by God!  ?

And sadly,there have been times when I was a young that I made my share of mistakes. I wanted God to “fix” me and I was unwise in not realizing that God had given me way more than I had lost. God did not move, but sadly I did.  Unfortunately, we all make our own share of mistakes. Some are through our own doing, and some are because we were hurt by someone else.  But if we call upon Jesus, God uses all of it to make us stronger and more compassionate, and enables us to use our experiences to help others.  Our Father loves us so much that He simply uses our mistakes to our good, or the good of someone else.  He always will  ? .  That doesn’t mean we will never face any consequences for our choices-we will.  But it does mean, that ultimately, we will see good come from them.  ?

So life can, at times , be easy or difficult, pain or joy filled.  The key is to find our way to happiness and peace – either way. 

And that happiness and peace-it lies with Christ.  It always has; it always will ?

I wish I could explain the happiness and peace that can fill my heart.  Or how asking Mary to Pray for me has made such a very real difference in my life.  Being with God can be like flying. If I am afraid at times, With God’s Help, I never let it stop me. For With God, All Things Are Possible. It’s amazing.  And sitting with Jesus just makes me smile, all the way inside and out.  And being filled with the Holy Spirit fills me with an indescribable joy ?

Is my life like this always?  24/7?  No.  There are times when my burdens weigh heavy on me, when suffering overwhelms me, when I hurt for some one I love or worry about their welfare.  Or sometimes some one hurts me.

But belonging to God means I always know where to go. For my Joy and my Help is in Jesus.  It means my heart is full and my life is even fuller. 

And having experienced both Pain and Joy, I really appreciate God’s Gifts to me ?

And this is what I pray for you, that you find Joy in Christ too! 🙂

Forgiving When Anger Seems Justified

Forgiveness is a decision.  Through His Son Jesus, God forgives us and so we need to forgive others. And we do.  But forgiving someone is not the always the same as “feeling better”.

Anger that seems justified is hard to work through.  Sometimes someone really hurts us. And it seems unfair, but it doesn’t change the fact that we need to.  Pain and anger take up valuable space in our brain and in our heart.  And they waste our time. They have to go 🙂

And there is something else that pain and anger do to us that is really dangerous:  They can harden our heart!

So what can we do with our hurt feelings when they seem so justified?

I can only share what I do with mine.  I can’t change some of those feelings myself.  I can’t always “make myself feel better”.  So I ask God to change my feelings for me.  Too soften my heart and to give me compassion for the person who hurt me. I ask Jesus to help me and I ask the Holy Spirit to fill my heart. And I ask Mary to pray for me.

And I try to think about the person who hurt me. Perhaps someone hurt them or perhaps it was just a really bad time in their life.  Perhaps they don’t know Jesus yet.  Or perhaps they are suffering themselves.  The list of why good people do bad things is endless…

We’ve all been there and we thank God that Jesus came to Save us from our sins!

Asking God to help us with our feelings works and it’s a prayer that God is happy to answer.  Sometimes it can take a bit, but it always works.

Try it, God will answer. Be the Light ?

Feeling Forgiven :)

Someone once wrote that “you don’t have to Feel forgiven, to BE forgiven”.  And that is such a true  statement!

So often, we ask in Jesus’ Name to be forgiven for something, but we still feel guilty.  And because we still feel so guilty, we feel unforgiven.

But that is just not True.  It’s how we Feel, but it’s not a Fact.

My Dad used to say that “sometimes feeling just lie”.  And he was right.  Feelings often lie.  Think how many times your “feelings” have “told” you that somehow you are not enough.  Not pretty enough, not smart enough, not funny enough, not strong enough….  But it’s not true.  You are enough ?

The same is true with being forgiven.  Our “feelings” may “tell” us that we are not forgiven, but they are lying.  We are forgiven 100% through our relationship with Jesus.

So don’t let anyone tell you different, not even you!  Lol.

We ARE completely forgiven and because we are, we will all go Home to Heaven-together! 🙂