This is my rest forever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
Psalms 132:14
It’s a restful Saturday here in Florida. I’m studying my Bible with Dominic, Freckles and Singer by my side and a warm cup of coffee. I have a watchful eye on the storm as I recover from the adventures of the week.
Do you ever push, push and push some more to make it through the week? I certainly do. It’s great that we can push to meet deadlines when we need to. However, when we don’t find rest from the physical, mental and emotional challenges we face, everyone and everything suffers. The good news is God gives us rest, and when we rest in his presence, we can renew our focus on life.
Today, take time to rest your body and mind. God bless you.
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. 2 Corinthians 12:10
Happy Thursday. This week has flown by for me. I fell asleep at 5:30 last night just exhausted from all the trials and tribulations. I do feel good that I can rest in the Lord knowing that my weaknesses have resulted in trials and persecutions that I have endured despite the temporary suffering, which in turn has made me stronger than I even realize. I look around, not with judgement, but with empathy at some of the people who have come in and out of my life. I’m talking about good people, who have made bad decisions that have left them in a tangled web of deception.
Do you feel like you are tangled up of in a web that is defeating you? Are you living a life where you are on top by hurting and manipulating others? Do you feel like your life is spinning out of control and you cannot stop it? Do you pay lip service to God when you need something, but fail to truly worship him? Well, today you can start over with God by your side. Today is the day where you can put the past behind you and ask for forgiveness, while forgiving others in your life. The sad thing about not moving forward and continuing the way you are going is you are hurting more than yourself. One day we all stand before God in judgement. Be the one who turns your life around and helps others!
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 KJV
Happy Tuesday! It feels like autumn in Florida, which is wonderful! I enjoy taking walks outside this time of year. It’s a great time to talk with God about whatever is on your mind. He always listens.
Do you feel like we are living in bad times? Are you and your family distressed by images seen on the news? Do you wonder if there is hope? I understand these feelings, because I have almost completely stopped watching the news. I watched the evening news last night and was disappointed that more of the reporting wasn’t focused on all the good that happened in Las Vegas. There were strangers helping strangers. There were medical personnel that stayed to help, when they could have just as easily gone home to their families. There were people who protected their loved ones. There were first responders, including Police Officers, who put their lives in danger for those around them. These are the real heroes and they should be celebrated more. If you are one of these people, I think you are wonderful! If you are worried about the events going on in the world, fight the good fight and trust God. He has a bigger plan than we can understand, but he will be with you no matter what!
The troubles of my heart are enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses.
Psalms 25:17
Tomorrow, one of our Sunday School readings is Psalm 25. As I read the verses, I was reminded of a friend, who shared a family divorce issue. Her anxiety levels were high and all she could see were negative results.
Whether you are going through a divorce, a tough week of college exams, or a family member with serious medical issues, worry will not help. As a matter of fact stress and worry take a toll on your body over time, and allow the Devil an opportunity to win. When we worry, we aren’t trusting God. Many times what we have fear and worry about never happens anyway. It’s a learned habit that is hard to break. The psalmist who wrote Psalm 25 had concerns, but chose unwavering faith in God, which also takes time to develop.
If you are going through tough times and you have a pattern of worrying, take advantage of this opportunity to develop your steadfast and unwavering faith. Often that is all it takes for the Devil to give up. God bless you,
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:13
It’s be nice to camels day! I hope you are having a wonderful week. How will you use your gifts to make a difference in the world around you?
Have you ever been invited to church by a Christian that is all gloom, doom and worry? Do you sometimes get overcome by the stress of the world so that you appear to be the same way? Do you ever wonder how you can keep a smile on your face when all that is around you is depressing? It is difficult sometimes to be happy when we let the stress of this world get to us. The important thing to do is turn our problems over to Jesus and trust him. Quit worrying! Live in the moment with a smile on your face, and plan for tomorrow. I have found that just sitting quietly thinking about how much I love Jesus makes me happy. Remember, we can’t change the world when we don’t have a cheerful heart. How could we ever convince anyone that being a Christian is great, if we are miserable? Often when I smile my spirits are immediately lifted, as are those around me. A cheerful heart and joyful attitude might the spark it takes to make a difference in your life and the world.
So today, put the joy of Jesus in your heart and a smile on your face, because you are a child of the one true God! Now, that is something to smile about! God bless you.
Happy Monday! I apologize for not having a post yesterday. Our Internet is out again and has been since Saturday. Here’s the good news, you can live without it. We spent a good portion of the day at church, came home, did a few chores, and enjoyed an evening reading. It was nice.
Yesterday, our church readings were on Jonah and the parable of the worker in the vineyard, which is found in the Book of Matthew. As one of my Sunday School class members said “this spells GRACE anyway you look at it.” When I read about Jonah, I could relate to how he felt about the Assyrians in the capital city of Nineveh. He thought they shouldn’t be saved, because they had taken over Israel and were holding the Israelites in bondage. I could also relate to the first workers in the vineyard parable. How often have I seen similar stories play out in life. So, my question in Sunday School was would you rather have justice or generosity? God’s love is forgiving and gracious. The rules that people have come up with to be fair, will never make it.
My Sunday School Class is awesome! They teach me more than I teach them and my life has been blessed beyond belief by each one. One member said he saw the parable as talking about salvation at the end our life. I hadn’t thought of it that way, but that is true. How many people are saved on their death-bed? It is good that God loves us either way, but don’t wait. You never know when your time on earth will end.
The best part of Sunday School yesterday was hearing stories from each person about the miracles God has worked in their lives. God’s timing is always perfect and I see it with each story I hear. Sometimes as Christians we need to take time to share. It makes a difference.
Have a wonderful day and remember that God’s grace is always enough! God bless you.
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16
I hope you are having a wonderful Saturday! Today is Dominic’s six month Birthday. Does this little guy look six months old?
Do you ever feel like you are doing all you can, and you keep getting knocked down? Are you running a race where unexpected obstacles are thrown into your path? How about unexpected bills? Are you trying to avoid drama, but it keeps finding you? Are you striving for excellence but still making mistakes? Do you finally make it to the weekend to find that you have more to do than time will allow? I feel that way too sometimes.
God calls us to live a bold life. We are made strong in his image. Yet we are imperfect in our ways. That’s okay. We don’t have to be perfect. Isn’t that great! Are you are working hard to obtain “things”? Paul told Timothy in his letter of encouragement that we came into this world with nothing, and that is the way we will leave (1 Timothy 6:6-8). That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t plan for the future, because we know that Joseph helped the Pharoah by planning for years of famine ( Genesis 41). Also, Proverbs 6:6 and 30:25 references people should behave like ants, who work hard and store up for the winter. God doesn’t want us to be foolish and try to keep up with what others are doing. He doesn’t want us to compare ourselves with others. It leads to bitterness and we will never gain understanding about what appears to be unfair if we are constantly comparing. Instead, work hard in the moment and plan for the future. Take one day at a time, and remember what is most important in your life. Love God first and foremost. Then, love those around you. When you become too stressed, take a break. Take a walk and enjoy our beautiful world. If you can’t get out, spend time with a faithful pet, like Dominic. Talk to your Heavenly Father. He understands and will bless you beyond measure.
I hope you have a wonderful Saturday. Live boldly and trust God. God bless you!
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29
Good Morning. This morning I have some good news to share. I received my Advanced Diploma in Theology in the mail yesterday! One thing I have learned from working and going to school is to never belittle a class someone is taking to improve themself, especially if they have a family and work. Just the effort is worth positive acknowledgement. Learning and growing is difficult and rewarding. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones and routines, and stretch ourselves in ways we never knew possible. When we do this with God by our side, he guides our steps and path. That’s good for all of us! Also, I have learned that there are people in our lives that can make self-improvement easier or more difficult. My husband is very supportive and has stepped up to make my tasks easier. If you have someone in your life who is trying to do better, help them if you can.
Obtaining this degree was pure joy!
Have you ever been short-tempered? Have you found yourself tired, but pushed to meet deadlines? Have you ever taken out your bad day or frustrations on some undeserving person? Do you feel like others don’t understand sometimes? Do you find that certain behaviors send your tired mind into a tailspin of suspicion? Do you ever go to work with high expectations for yourself, only to go home wondering “what just happened?” Well, I’d like to say I have never done any of this, but I have been there many times. It is wonderful that we can ask for forgiveness and rest knowing that God understands, but what about the people around us. They have expectations too. I try to ask others for forgiveness, but is that enough? Most of us try to improve. I know I do, but sometimes the simple act of trying sometimes makes things worse.
One thing we all need to do is rest and turn to God. In Isaiah 41:19 God tells us to fear not because He is with us. He understands and is there to help us. Then, we need to follow the instructions of Jesus in Matthew 11:28, “come to me all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” When we ask for forgiveness, we should also ask for help in controlling our behavior. The next step is REST. Sometimes we just need to slow down and rest.
Today I encourage you to turn to Jesus and rest. God bless you.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12
It’s a wonderful Wednesday to rejoice in the Lord.
Have you ever been tempted? What’s your weakness? Tobacco?Alcohol? Sex? Prescription Drugs? Food? Illegal Drugs? Hurting Others? Lust? Thrills? Shopping? Pride? Recognition? Power? Satan? Do you have more than one weakness? Well, you are not alone. Everyone, including me, has many weaknesses.
Romans 12:1-3 says that we can counter temptations by filling our minds with good thoughts of Christ and refusing to comprise. God sees us with perfect eyes just the way we are and we should remember that is who we are. We are no more and no less. The enemy knows our weaknesses, and uses them against us as often as we will let him. As a matter of fact, we usually leave a door open for him to come in. Remember “[g]reater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). God will always be greater than Satan. He will bless us, when we don’t give up.
Today, join me in staying strong through temptation. God bless you.
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. Lamentations 3:25
Praise the Lord it’s Sunday. Today was my second day of teaching adult Sunday School. I love it. I’ve never taught a class of anything before, so I’ve been a little uncertain of my capabilities. Yet, even after being sick, God showed me that he was with me and that I could do all things through him. Before I started our minister told me that we might not have many in the class for a while, but I had about 10-15 people both Sundays. They seemed interested. God has blessed me so much. I loved it! I pray that he will continue bring me more students. When I left church this morning, I felt happy and at peace. I pray God will continue to use me and work through me. I apologize for posting late. I sat down and woke up three hours later.
I encourage you to pray and let God work through you. God bless you.
