New Years Tag

God bless you big brother Matt, thanks for thinking of me for this tag! I pray your 2020 will be blessed beyond measure, and that your ministry on and off line will continue to grow for God’s glory! ✝️ I wasn’t planning on sharing a verse, but this verse just came to my mind for you, so be encouraged…3 John 1:2 NIV, “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” ❤️🙏🏿

Photo by: Cottonbro (from Saint-Petersburg, Russia 🇷🇺)

1- Share a link back to the person who tagged you.
2- Share a link to the person who created the tag- jesusluvsall.wordpress.com
3- Share a favorite New Year’s Memory
4- Answer the questions of the person who tagged you.
5- Tag whoever you want.
6- Use any picture that you like for New Years.

My New Years celebrations have mostly consisted of going to New Year’s Eve service at church. The service would start around 9:00pm and go until midnight. There would be a sermon, and then the pastor would pray us into the new year. When I wasn’t in church, me and my family would watch the ball drop on T.V., then we would have prayer at midnight to thank God for another year. It has also always been a tradition to have Hoppin’ John or black eyed peas for the new year. But no matter what, I can say I always remember prayer, and thanksgiving being a part of all my New Years. For that, I’m thankful.

1- If you could celebrate the New Year anywhere, where would it be? I’m not sure but hopefully it’s somewhere beautiful with not too big of a crowd.


2- What is your favorite snack food for New Years? I don’t have a favorite snack food for New Year’s. But this year my cousin brought us some homemade ginger cookies and fruit cake that she made.


3- Have you ever kept a New Year’s resolution? If so, what was it? I honestly don’t usually make any New Year’s resolutions. But one year in the past, I think I did exercise for the first 5 months of the year consistently lol.


4- What do you want to do with your blog next year? I don’t have a specific laid out plan but I will keep praying and being lead by the Lord. I love blogging though and want to keep it up.


5- Do you prefer a big party or a small gathering to celebrate? Definitely a small gathering!

My nominees if you choose to participate: 🎉😊❤️

Deandra

Jacquie

Deb

Eileen

Socialimpactor

Happy New Year “2020”

Isaiah 40:31 AMP, ”But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

Happy New Year to you! It is my prayer that you have a Spirit lead 2020 as you wait in expectancy for all God has planned for you. May you continue to draw closer to Christ and find comfort, peace, healing, and direction in the truth of His unfailing Word. I pray that you would find security and strength in knowing that God’s presence is with you and that His love for you will never cease.

Photo by: Jill Wellington (from Michigan 🇺🇸)

As 2019 Comes To A Close

As 2019 comes to a close, I’m so thankful for the guidance and protection of the Holy Spirit. It’s been a very busy year for me, full of changes, challenges, and victories. My proudest moment this year was seeing my daughter graduate from college in May. Throughout the year, God gave me strength, and allowed me to successfully do what I needed to do. Of course there is always something more that could have been done, but that’s where we get to rest in Jesus and believe that everything that needed to happen, happened. And whatever else needs to happen, will happen in the future, at His appointed time.

Psalm 36:5 NIV, “Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”

I can’t imagine starting this new year without the assurance of God’s love and faithfulness. Knowing that He watches over us, as His children, brings the ultimate peace of mind. He holds every moment of our lives in His hands. We don’t have to fret over people, situations, or the disasters that are happening in the world today. We can just trust in God. It’s His grace that sustains us through every twist and turn that life brings.

Proverbs 3:25 NIV, “Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,”

Photo by: Miriam Espacio (from Barcelona, Spain 🇪🇸)

I love astronomy and was watching a program last night on black holes. It always amazes me to hear the facts about what is going on out there in the universe. In case you didn’t know, there is a supermassive black hole sitting at the center of our very own Milky Way Galaxy that’s about, 14.6 million miles in diameter, which is about, 4 million times the mass of our sun.

As I listened, I couldn’t help but think of the majesty of the Creator behind it all. He keeps the chaos of the universe in perfect order, including our planet Earth that makes its way around the sun at 67,000 miles per hour!! How much more will He see to it that we, His children, created in His image, have all that we need?

1 Corinthians 2:9 KJB, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Photo by: Wendy van Zyl (from South Africa 🇿🇦)

I believe that through daily surrender and prayer, God will open our hearts to experience things with Him that we have yet to imagine. Taking time to reflect on the ways God has worked in your life, reviewing the facts of His Word, (and the universe 😁) will keep us reminded of how BIG our GOD is.

I pray that your 2020 will be one where you walk closely with the Creator of the universe, and stand in awe of His presence and creativity as He works in your life daily. I’m excited for you as you continue walking by faith and seeking the kingdom of God. Open your heart to receive all God has in store for you! May you be blessed beyond measure in the coming year.

Thank you for all the love and support that you have given to me and my blog this year, and also thank you for your prayers! I thank God for each one of you.

Photo by: Jonathan Petersson (from Sweden)

Sunshine Blogger Award – 11

Thank you Barb at My Life In Our Father’s World for nominating me for The Sunshine Blogger Award. 🌻 I’m grateful you thought of me. Please visit Barb’s blog, where you will find daily inspiration to encourage your faith in Jesus.

Barb also shares writings about her work in ministry as a prison chaplain. You can read more about her journey right here: Behind Bars But Still Free

The sunshine blogger award rules:
1. Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you and provide a link back to their blog
2. List the rules and display an award logo on your blog post
3. Answer the 11 questions the blogger(s) asked you
4. Nominate 11 other bloggers to receive the award and notify them by commenting on any of their post
5. Ask the nominees 11 new questions

Barb’s Questions to Me:
1. How did get started blogging? I used to send email devotionals to a small group of family and friends but then God lead me to start the blog in May 2017. I stated blogging more diligently in early 2018.


2. Other than Jesus what Biblical “character” would you most like to spend time with? Without a doubt, Daniel! I love his resolve to be obedient to the Lord and do what was right.


3. How many places have you lived? I’ve lived in Virginia, Florida, Michigan, Alabama, and during my time in the military, South Carolina, Maryland, Indiana, and South Korea.


4. Where/How do you blog? (ie home office on PC, in my recliner on lap top) Mostly in my room on my cell phone using the WordPress app when I’m writing blogs. When I’m responding to comments and reading other blogs I do it in many different places.


5. How has your life changed since you started blogging? It has become a part of me and I enjoy it. I feel thankful to be part of the blogging community.


6. If you had zero subscribers, would you still blog? Yes. I started with zero and it was a while before I had any followers.


7. Do you attend a small, medium or large church? I haven’t joined a church yet since I just relocated, but my church in Florida had a main campus that was large and about 12 satellite campuses that were smaller. I attended one of the satellite campuses.


8. Why did you choose that particular congregation? I liked the sermons that the pastors taught.


9. How long have you been a Christ follower? I accepted Christ when I was 9.


10. What is you favorite holiday & why? I never really thought about a favorite holiday. But if I had to choose, it would be Christmas. It’s a joyous time of year and it’s nice to remember the Savior’s birth. The decor is pretty too.


11. Other than blogging are you involved in any other ministry? As I mentioned I just relocated and haven’t joined a church but in Florida I was on the Teacher’s Ministry to help encourage teachers and the Single’s Ministry.

My nominees are below. If you choose to participate, please answer Barb’s questions. Thanks so much for your blogs, you’re an inspiration. 🤗❤️

Amazing Grace

Beyond Limitations

Entrepreneur Mama Blog

Faith, Love, & Dreams

Introverted Evangelist

¡Write…my love story!

JCT Born Again

Just A Jesus Girl

Knowing Jesus In Confusing Times

Marriage Psalm 91:1

Young Ambassadors

God’s Love Brings Healing

Jeremiah 17:14 NIV, “Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”

“Lord your love just keeps on healing me, no matter how I bruise, if I just trust you, your love just keeps on healing me.” These are words from a song by Deniece Williams called, “Healing”.

God’s love does bring us healing from the brokenness and pain we have experienced in life. There is nothing that can’t be cured as a result of His healing power working in our hearts. Even the damage that sin has done can be repaired by God’s love.

Although at times we do have to endure the consequences of our sinful choices, we’re never alone as we go through the process of healing and restoration. God is always there, sending us the help we need. He places the right people and resources in our paths to help bring healing to our hearts and lives.

Photo by: VisionPic .net

Everyone is different, and so we all process things differently. However, through it all God is faithful. The prophet Jeremiah called out to the Lord for healing. He knew that all He needed was in God’s hand. Life sometimes brings some very heavy burdens our way, but God promised to carry our burdens when we give them over to Him.

Psalm 55:22 NKJV, “Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Whatever you may need, cry out to God and expect to see Him bring the healing you need for your exact situation, regardless of what it is. Don’t allow fear to hinder you from calling out to God. Fear tries to convince us that nothing will ever change. There is no situation that is beyond the reach of God’s healing power. There is hope in His love. Allow His Holy Spirit to bring you comfort, peace, and healing today. Like Jeremiah, we can praise Him in the midst of our trials and disappointments because we know His love brings healing.

Merry Christmas

Luke 22:41-42 KJV, ”…Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, may we always remember His words,

“…nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

These words should be the cry of our hearts too. To do the will of our Father in heaven, should be our life’s purpose. It should be our top priority every day. The story of Christmas, was part of God’s magnificent plan to redeem mankind and give us the free gift of salvation. Free to us, only because of the price Jesus already paid. Jesus died so that we could live, free from sin and shame. He died so that we could live with Him in eternity.

I pray that the reality of God’s love, and the hope that we have in Jesus Christ, would be your foundation today and always. May His presence anchor your soul in comfort and peace. May your heart be filled with joy as you reflect on the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. He was born and He lived so that He could die for our sins. The sweet baby in the manger endured unimaginable pain and agony, all because of His great love for us. He was obedient to the Father’s will because of love. May we love and live like Jesus, our Savior.

Have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🎄 ❤️🎄

Photo by: Dana Tentis

Blessed As You Trust

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Trusting in the Lord will keep us fruitful. Our lives will produce good things that bring Him glory. We don’t have to fear ruin or be consumed with worry. We are blessed when we place our confidence in Him. Allowing Jesus to be our foundation, keeps our hearts secure. I recently read this quote by Deborah Smith Pegues…

“There is a calm assurance, a noticeable sense of peace that emanates from those whose trust is in the Lord.”

Trusting in God is not only for us, but it’s also for those around us. It shows others how magnificent our God is. It’s a testimony to His faithfulness in our lives. Being able to flourish, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, because we trust God, draws others to Christ.

In Christ, we can abandon all of our fears, and trust Him as we wait in faith for the good things He has promised us. When we stay committed to Him, continue to serve Him, and acknowledge Him in all of our ways, He will direct our paths. He surrounds us with His love and favor each day. We are blessed when our trust is in the Lord.

Photo by: Philip Ackermann