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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.

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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.

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 🙂

Following Jesus to Heaven

To All My Friends

The way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. We tend to think that the only way to Heaven is through following the behavior that is in the Bible. But Jesus came for those who are sinners most of all. He loves us. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. Of course we should. But we should also accept that we may fail, and God Still Loves Us.

Going to Heaven is not about how good we are, but about how good Jesus is! So please, don’t give up. Jesus loves you. There is nothing you, or the world, can do to change that. No matter what we each have done, Jesus’ door is always open; for He will never stop loving us. He will never stop being there for us. Because He loves us. He was crucified for us. And He rose again for us. And He loves us-always. Don’t ever give us-because Jesus won’t…

Before we speak. Is it True? Is it Good? Is it Wise?

A friend sent me this story, it was so good, I couldn’t resist sharing 🙂

Once upon a time, in a remote village, there was reputed to be a person whom held knowledge in high esteem. All the townspeople, even some strangers that traveled from far away, came to consult with this person regarding personal questions or perhaps philosophy shared. One day an acquaintance met with them and said, “Do you know what I just heard about your friend?” “Hold on a minute,” the wise person said. “Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you’re going to say. That’s why I call it the “Triple Filter Test”. The first filter IS Truth. Have you made absolutely sure what you are about to tell me IS True?” “Well, no,” the other person said, “actually I just heard about it and…” “All right,” said the wise person. “So you don’t really know if it’s true or not. Now, let’s try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?” “Umm, no, on the contrary…” “So,” the wise man continued, “you want to tell me something bad about my friend, but you’re not certain it’s true. You may still pass the test though, because there’s one filter left – the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?” “No, not really.” “Well,” concluded the wise man, “if what you want to tell me IS neither true, nor good, nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?”

God’s Word shares with you that… the tongue IS a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is SO set among the members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature. That no man can tame the tongue. It IS an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it you bless your Heavenly Father, and with it curse others, who have been made in the likeness of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. That these things ought not be so. No spring yields both salt water and fresh…. God’s Word also shares…For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness IS sown in peace by those who make peace.