God wrote His story before creation came into being even before He created the heavens and the earth. Because God is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent He sees all, knows all, is everywhere at the same time and so powerful He can speak a word and it will be so. Because of who He is, God had a detailed plan to bring about the redemption of fallen man even before Adam and Eve were created and sinned in the Garden of Eden. It was God who planned to bring salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son. He determined the …
Put a Happy Face On It
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8: 28 One afternoon found me, Lisa, and my 2 girls heading to an appointment. As we rode along we chatted. Lisa asked a question, “What do you do with the bad things that come up in life? How do you handle those things?” I remained quiet for a moment and then deferred the question to my 11 year old girl. “What do you think honey?” She was silent for a time …
Deliberately Planned
Psalm 139: 13-16 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” I am the youngest of four girls in my family. The first three girls were planned and are stair steps, then 10 …
New Insight
Funny how finding an old journal written years ago brings back memories almost forgotten. Times of struggles and trials that brought me to where I am now were written down. Journaling has been my habit over the years and has given encouragement to me through each step along the journey. Why? This was something I did for myself and God used journal writing to draw my soul and spirit closer to Himself. Someone once said “you can’t see the forest for the trees” meaning you only focus on one tree seeing only what is in front of you instead …
For Such a Time as This
For Such a Time as This God’s name is not mentioned by Mordecai in his words to Esther, but God’s Sovereignty and His provision are clearly evident. Mordecai’s faith in God Almighty is steadfast. He has confident hope that God will provide. The only question is: does Esther choose to be part of the blessing? Will she see that all the events and circumstances of her life have been orchestrated to have her in this position for this specific time and this opportunity? There are many cautions in scripture about speaking rashly, gossiping, criticizing, and letting …
All Things Are Working
Just recently, I found myself in a place of hopelessness, a place where nothing could encourage me…not even the Scriptures, themselves. THANK GOD, that only lasted a day or two!! Once the wave of despair had passed, I pulled out my Bible and found exactly what I needed to press on. Everybody goes through a similar situation at some time or another, and I think it’s one of the devil’s most successful attack plans. Over these next few days, I thought I’d just share some of the verses that gave me divine encouragement. “And we know that all things …
The Expected End
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” ~ Jeremiah 29: 11 This is another anchor verse, one that I’m constantly reciting to myself. I can’t be reminded enough that God, Himself, is thinking of me, knowing everything I’m going through. To me, the most important part of this verse is the phrase “an expected end”. An expected end means finality. Whatever activity that’s going on will cease. You know what else comes with the ending of something? Results! No matter what …
Keep On Keepin’ On
“And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end:” ~ Hebrews 6: 11 Mr. Webster says that having diligence is “showing painstaking effort and application in whatever is undertaken; industrious”. I think the word is PAINstaking for a reason, lol. Sometimes, it really does become painful to keep pouring our efforts into something. Of course, it isn’t always physical pain – it can get to us mentally and emotionally, as well. But, we have to keep applying ourselves to the task. When I see the words “full …
You Should Not Be Ashamed
“And hope maketh not ashamed;…” ~ Romans 5:5 To keep this verse in context, this is the passage that says we glory in the trials, because they bring patience, patience brings experience, and experience brings hope. Therefore, all of what we’ve gone through has brought good (Romans 8: 28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ) if it results in hope. And, despite what the trial – what started the path to hope – may have been, we don’t need to …
Frustrated and Disappointed
“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.” ~ Psalm 62:5 One thing I bet we all know is that waiting on God can be frustrating! (It’s OK to admit it!) It’s only because His timing is perfect, and He knows how everything’s going to affect, well, everything…I also think that’s one reason He gives us a great big book of encouragement and promises! I try not to be one of “Daddy’s little helpers”, but I often am. It’s not because I’m trying to do things on my own, but sometimes, it seems like there’s …
Thoughts and Ways
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”~ Isaiah 55: 8-9 Hmm, another verse that reminds me that I tend to be one of “Daddy’s little helpers”, even though I try not to! It helps knowing that you do it, too SO many times, I think I’ve got it figured out! Granted, I’m usually going on events that have occurred, so I think my plan is the same as …
How Can I Know God’s Will
Many individuals live from day to day with no direction in life. They get out of bed in the morning, hurriedly shower and dress for another day, stop at McDonald’s for coffee and a snack, rush to work, perform their usual duties, then return home that afternoon through five o’clock traffic, eat dinner, watch television a few hours, and then go to bed. These are necessary activities, but do they fit into a larger overall plan God has for your life? Are you in the vocation to which God called you? Do you take some time regularly to have fellowship with your …
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