Sunshine Blogger Award – 6

Thank you Mrs. Holliman at GOD’s LOVE for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I love the message that your blog has about Christ and the urgency you have to tell everyone about His impending return. You are truly a vessel that God is using. Keep going strong Mrs. Holliman and don’t lose your fire for spreading the gospel!!! πŸ”₯πŸ™πŸΌπŸ”₯πŸ™πŸΌπŸ”₯

Please visit Mrs. Holliman’s blog at:

GOD’S LOVE

RULES:

1. Use the sunshine blogger award logo

2. Give thanks to the blogger that nominated you

3. Answer the 11 questions given to you

4. Nominate up to 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 questions

Mrs. Holliman’s 11 questions to me:

1. What is you favorite thing about life?

My favorite part of life is the privilege I have to know Christ. I’m thankful for the lessons He teaches me. I look forward to all He has in store for me and the ways He will use me to help others. πŸ™πŸΏ

2. How do you feel about what the world is becoming?

A lot of bad things are happening in the world and things are getting increasingly worse. I just try my best to stay close to the Lord. I also strive to obey His Word so I can be a light to others. 🌎

3. Do you love the beach?

I’m not really a beach person but the beach is beautiful. The ocean is definitely something to be respected. I have read about the different layers of the ocean. I still can’t believe there are deep sea creatures in the last two layers living in total darkness, with little oxygen and food, freezing temps, and pressure equal to the weight of about 48 Boeing 747’s!! It’s an amazing place, but even more amazing is the God who created the oceans and all its inhabitants. πŸ–

4. Has your heart ever been broken before?

Yes, in relationships. But I’m thankful I’ve learned to keep my eyes on Christ because no person including myself is perfect. I’m also thankful for the healing He has brought to me. πŸ’”+✝️=❀️

5. What makes you happy?

A nice slice of pepperoni pizza (ok maybe 3 slices) and a good Netflix movie! Lol πŸ•

6. What is your favorite movie?

Private Benjamin πŸŽ₯

7. If you had to choose between Hawaii and Bahamas, which one would you pick? Why?

Since I live in Florida, the Bahamas is only 30 minutes away by flight, but I would go with Hawaii. Hawaii would feel more like a real trip since it’s much further away. Plus I’m looking forward to the pineapple they have there, my favorite fruit. 🍍

8. Are you an outdoor person or indoor person? Why?

Indoor. When I think of outdoors, I think of things like boating, hiking, camping etc. I don’t do any of those things. 🏠

9. Where do you find inspiration for your blog posts?

The Bible, my personal experiences, and the things going on around me. The Holy Spirit helps me to bring all that together. When I feel stuck, I ask God for help. πŸ’‘

10. If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you be?

I’m not sure, but it would be a vegetable of some sort. πŸ₯¦

11. What is one way you relieve stress at the end of the day?

Reading πŸ“š

My nominees are below. If you choose to participate, please answer Mrs. Holliman’s questions.

Big Sky Buckeye

Journey in His Word

Rooted In Faith

Wise Hearted

In The River

Stand Firm in Your Faith

1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV, β€œ8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

As believers in the body of Christ, we will all endure test, trials, and tribulations. There is no way around it. However it brings strength, encouragement and comfort to know that as believers we are never alone. Not only is the Holy Spirit with us, we also have one another. We all share a common goal of fulfilling God’s purpose here on Earth. We all share a common hope of spending eternity in heaven with Jesus once our work on Earth is done.

As we go through the pages of God’s Word, we also can read the many stories of triumph and perseverance of those who came before us. Their faith in God helped pave the way for us today and set an example for us to follow.

There may be times in your walk with God where you do feel isolated. Unfortunately it’s possible to have these feelings of isolation even with other Christians around, because different Christians are in different stages in their walk with God. Plus everyone has different challenges they are facing.

I pray that if you do feel alone, that God will send the right fellow believers your way that you can connect with. I also pray that you would be refreshed and find endless hope, joy, and satisfaction in our Lord Jesus.

Jeremiah 31:25 NIV, β€œI will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

Above all else, stand firm in the faith. Don’t give up the fight. As believers, we are all headed home to eternity. But until that blessed day arrives, may our lives be an example of God’s love to those around us. May we share the message of hope and restoration that has been made available through Jesus Christ.

Have a wonderful day!

Faith Defeats Our Giants

1 Samuel 17:26, 32 NLT

26 β€œDavid asked the soldiers standing nearby, β€œWhat will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?”

32 β€œDon’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. β€œI’ll go fight him!”

David, the young shepherd boy, is a great example of what will happen when we act in faith and leave our fears behind. David understood His true identity. He knew that He was a child of God. He was confident in God’s ability to protect him. He understood that with God’s help, he would be victorious over Goliath, the Philistine giant that he was going to fight. David also remembered that God had given him victory in the past, when he had to fight lions and bears to protect his sheep.

Although David was a shepherd, and Goliath was a warrior who had been fighting all his life, David didn’t let that discourage him. He wasn’t the least bit concerned about Goliath’s qualifications. He knew that all he needed was the power of God to operate on his behalf. Because of David’s faith in God, he was able to defeat the giant Goliath with a simple stone.

1 Samuel 17:45 NIV, β€œDavid said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

David’s story reminds us that no matter what β€œgiants” we must face, when we put our faith in God, He will equip us with all we need to win the fight. David never let fear hinder him, and neither should we. The same God who empowered David, will empower us. No β€œgiants” we face are too big for our God.

Living Each Day By Faith

2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV, β€œFor we live by faith, not by sight.”

Although living by faith as a Christian is a unique privilege, it’s not always an easy thing to do. A life lived in faith is good because we don’t have to be limited by what we see. We can trust God for more. We can believe Him to move in situations that are beyond our control and understanding. At times it’s hard because in our humanness, we desire to know all the answers. We want to be able to figure everything out and have all the details.

Lately I have had to remind myself that I don’t have to have all the answers, because God does. We can only do what He has given us the ability to do. We can only know what He has allowed us to know. Then, we have to be brave enough to live by faith and leave the rest to Him.

I have learned that living by faith means we have to take life one day at a time. We have to trust God to provide our needs each day. Worry always sets in when we become consumed with trying to figure out the details of the future.

There have been many times I have allowed myself to worry about something, only to find out later, that God had already worked everything out for my good. I wasted time and energy worrying. Remembering our Heavenly Father’s good deeds, will strengthen us to keep trusting Him in the future. Jesus lived by faith, and our Heavenly Father has called us to do the same. He makes no mistakes and will always do what is best for us.

Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV, β€œHe is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”

A Gift From God

Ephesians 2:8 NLT, β€œGod saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”

This verse is such a refreshing reminder. Our salvation is a gift from God. There is nothing we did or can do to earn it. The Father’s unconditional love for us, caused Him to send His only Son to die for the sins of the world.

John 3:16 NIV, β€œFor God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Everything that was needed for us to have salvation and eternal life was completed by Jesus Christ on the cross. All the praise and glory belongs to our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s an amazing privilege we have to know God intimately, through His Son.

The love we have for God should drive us to take action and serve Him wholeheartedly, but still the works we do can not save us. The works we do help draw others to Him. He is the Source. Thank God for His mercy and grace. His Holy Spirit lives in us and works through us to help share His love with a dying world.

Rejoice and be glad because God’s holy, and magnificent plan is perfect. All we have to do is believe and receive His free gift. He is so good.

3,2,1 Quote Me – Hope

Thank you Sheree at View From The Back for thinking of me and tagging me. I love reading about your travels and viewing the lovely pictures on your blog. 🌷

I thank God for the strength He gives me through Jesus Christ to have Hope. πŸ™πŸΏ

β€œIsaiah 40:31, but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

This tag is the work of Rory @ https://aguycalledbloke.blog and I thank him too for his many efforts to engage all of us at WordPress.

Guidelines:

β˜€οΈThank the person who nominated you

β˜€οΈThank the creator of the tag (Rory)

β˜€οΈList the 2 quotes you selected

β˜€οΈSelect 3 nominees

My Two Quotes On HOPE:

My 3 nominees for the HOPE tag are:

1. Sam at Saem’s Blog. Sam recently wrote an awesome article about having hope through depression. He also shared about his own struggle with depression.

Depression: There Is Hope

2. Mrs. Holliman at GOD’s LOVE. Mrs. Holliman recently wrote this inspiring article that tells how we can have hope through receiving God’s peace.

Peace of Mind with Love Jesus Christ Our Heavenly Father

3. Choralade at Love Melodies. Choralade’s recent article was excellent and encourages us to keep believing.

Don’t Stop Believing

Because He Trusted In God (part 2)

Daniel 6:23 NIV, β€œ…And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.”

When I finished writing about Daniel’s ordeal with his coworkers, I was reminded of a time when I was working with a very difficult co-worker. I had just been promoted to junior accountant and she was the senior accountant who was responsible for my training. She spoke to me very rudely, and if I made any sort of mistake (which was inevitable since I was in training), she would blow things way out of proportion.

She would complain at times to the manager, or other accountants, in an attempt to make it seem like I was doing a horrible job. No matter how well I did, it was impossible to please her. Some days I even dreaded going to work because I didn’t want to cope with her foolish behavior. My family and some of my close friends were praying continuously over the situation. The prayers are what helped me to be strong and keep going. I knew God was with me in the β€œlion’s den”.

After working with her for about a year, I had had enough. I felt God was leading me to talk to the manager (again). But this time I told the manager if I had to continue working with that accountant, I would leave the company. That was when things turned around. The manager apologized for not taking action sooner, and immediately moved me to work with another senior accountant. The senior accountant I had been working with was humiliated, because to her this was like a demotion. The manager told me pride was most likely the reason the previous senior accountant was acting so badly. She was fearful her work wouldn’t be perfect because of me. (Proverbs 16:18 GNT, β€œPride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall.”)

This new senior accountant told me her goal was to help me get promoted. In addition to training me, she would also have weekly one on one meetings with me so we could discuss any concerns. Well after two months of working with her, I did get promoted from junior accountant to senior accountant! It was amazing to see how after dealing with unfair treatment from the previous senior accountant, God was moving on my behalf. As a bonus, the old senior accountant ended up resigning a month after I was promoted. This was even better, because now she was gone completely.

Even though working with her was unpleasant to say the least, I knew it was all part of God’s plan. I was able to pray for her salvation, and did so for quite some time even after she left the company. I also learned more about working with difficult people, and saw first hand how ugly pride can be. Daniel had to go all the way to the lion’s den before God delivered him, but he never stopped trusting God. I had to keep trusting God when dealing with my difficult coworker. I also had to trust His timing.

So whatever you may be going through, keep trusting God to provide what you need. Keep trusting Him to deliver you at the right time. No matter how long you must wait, remember…His grace is sufficient for you, and His power is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).