Tag: Faith

Surrender and Obedience

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Recently, I was reflecting on this verse and felt the need to repent of the many times I flippantly quoted this verse and took it for granted. I didn’t take time to prayerfully consider the fact, that in order to walk in God’s good plans for my life, I would need to live a life of surrender and obedience. Not just when it was easy or convenient, and not just when I felt like it. Surrender and obedience to the will of God are a daily requirement.

God does have a good plan for us, but it is up to us to choose to do His will daily, in order for those plans to come to past. We will have to sacrifice our will and choose His. We will have to be uncomfortable at times, in order to realize the joy of walking out His plans and reaping the rewards of a life fully dedicated to Him.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the good plans that you have for our lives. Forgive us of the times we have taken your goodness for granted, not being fully obedient to your leading in our lives. Help us to desire your will above our own. Show us areas of our hearts and lives that we are not committing to you and help us to make the needed changes. Thank you for your patience and mercy. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

God’s Power is Perfect

12 Corinthians 12:9-10 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

These were my mom, Belle’s, favorite two verses in the Bible. She has it engraved on the cover of one of her Bibles.

We can be strong, because of the grace that is given to us through Christ. When we are weak, He is strong. His strength and power never run out.

My dear mom, went home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus, on the morning of January 21st. Of course I miss her, and find it hard to believe she is no longer here with us. However, I am thankful for the life she lived and the love she gave to me, my family and countless others.

Mom was ill for awhile, so I am also thankful she is no longer suffering. I can’t imagine the bliss she is now experiencing, being in God’s presence for all eternity, with a new glorified body. She loved trees, so I thought of her when I chose this picture…

Photo by: Felix Mittermeier of Germany 🇩🇪

God’s grace is sufficient. That is a truth that my mom lived each day and I am thankful that through Christ, we can continue to live in that truth too. Weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties, do not change who He is. His power is perfect. We are secure in His love.

We are busy planning my mom’s memorial service, plus I am still processing the reality of losing her, it’s very difficult. So, I may not post every Monday for awhile, but I will still be checking in, reading and commenting, from time to time.

I ask for your prayers during this time. May God continue to direct your path as you trust Him, and as always, thank you for your love, support, and prayers. Blessings.

Unfailing Love

Psalm 57:10, “For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.”

God’s love is unfailing. That is something that really sticks out to me as I read this verse. The fact that His love will never fail us, is a powerful truth we can carry in our hearts and minds each day of our lives. No matter how shaky life may get, His love for us can not be shaken.

Many of us have had times in life where we doubted God’s love. Perhaps, even today as you read this, you are struggling to believe God loves you unconditionally. However, there is no need to worry, He will remain faithful and His love for you will never end. Keep trusting in God’s unfailing love. He is by your side.

Photo by: Soul Winner’s for Christ of
Florida, USA 🇺🇸

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Our Strength and Shield

Psalm 28:7, “The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”

Photo by: Luis Quintero of Panama 🇵🇦

What a joy it is to know we can put our complete trust in the Lord and that He will help us.

Walking through the difficulties of life can be tiring and discouraging. We may even wonder when things will change, but the Lord is our strength and shield.

We can rejoice and be thankful that He will renew our strength daily. He will surround our hearts with his love.

We can cry out to Him anytime of day or night, and He will provide exactly what we need, when we need it.

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Happy New Year! Live Free in Jesus!

2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

Photo by: Pixabay

One thing that the Lord has placed on my heart for this new year, is to “live free.” In Jesus Christ, we have the freedom to live free and be all that God wants us to be. I am sure, especially over the last several years, we have all been reminded of how fragile life is. It can be here today and gone tomorrow. So we have to make the most of the time on Earth that God has given to us. When we decide to exercise our freedom in Jesus Christ, God can use us to bring His love and light to those around us.

Photo by: Daniel Reche of Brazil 🇧🇷

Giving our hearts to Jesus, enables us to live free, freely giving away kindness, mercy, and compassion. We are free to live courageously. We are free to pray and study God’s Word. We are free to not compromise our faith, but instead to live a life of obedience to our God. We are free to trust Him fully. We are free to love.

We must be willing to freely give whatever God desires us to give.

We may not always want to give in the ways God tells us to; or give to the people He tells us to. But in order for us to experience all the blessings He has in store for us, we must be willing to obey His instructions, and give. He will faithfully help us.

Photo by: Julian Jagtenberg

God wants to take us higher in this new year. He wants us to live free! I pray that He will strengthen you for the year ahead and give you grace to obey Him and live free! I also pray that with every step of obedience you take, you will be blessed and that your heart will be filled with joy!

Happy New Year!

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Merry Christmas!

May you and your family have a Merry Christmas! Thank you for your love and support.

John 1:10-13 NLT

10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

Dear Father,

We thank you for allowing us to see another holiday season. We are thankful for the gift of Jesus, not just at Christmas, but each day of our lives. The blessings we have because of your love for us are endless. Teach us to live each day with a spirit of humility and obedience to your will. Empower us to live each day in your joy, peace, strength and love. We also pray for those who are hurting this Christmas due to some type of loss or illness. May they experience your comfort and receive the care and resources they need. Thank you Father, for being the good Father that you are; and thank you that your goodness and mercy follows us each day of our lives.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

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Abound In Hope

This is my prayer for you today…

Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Praises to our Lord, for the blessings of joy, peace, and hope. As we keep our hope in Him, may we confidently keep walking by faith and trusting in His love day by day.

Photo by: Thirdman of Belarus 🇧🇾

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