Promises For All Who Are In Christ

This Means WAR

2012-02-11T09:40:00.000-04:00

Around the world, even right now wars rage on. Some are for socio-economic reasons, some for freedom, some for religious regions, some for reasons no one can seem to remember. Do you realize there is a war raging on in the unseen world all around us. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickeness in the heavenly places," Ephesians 6:12 NKJV.

Every one of us is suseptible to the fall-out from this war. Believers in Christ are the target. Because we live to glorify God, we are the enemy. Satan likes to dress himself up to appear that which he is not. He has not earned the title of deceiver for no reason. He messes with our minds and many times we fall into the trap of agreeing with him and believing those lies.

For instance, looking in the mirror, I notice the gray hairs multiplying, wrinkles where the skin used to be smooth, extra pounds pulling at the cheeks and chin-I could go on but I'm certain you understand where I'm going. There are days when the enemy will whisper something like, "You're getting old, ugly, fat and no one loves you. How can they...just look at what you've become." In that moment, I have a choice. Will I believe and agree with what the enemy of my souls says OR will I take that thought to Christ and ask Him what He says about me? The choice is mine. It is quite simple to agree and then beat myself up for not dyeing my hair, not using a moisturizer when I was younger, and not shedding those extra pounds years ago. However, that is just what our enemy wants. Agreeeing with him gives him the opportunity to further assault us and our relationship with God.

The choice we need to develop is to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). In doing this, we can see what He really has to say about us.

You are made in the image of God. Genesis 1:26

He loves you so much that He died to take your place. John 316

He delights in you. Psalm 18:19

You are a friend of Jesus. John 15:15

These are just a few of the many things said about you. I encourage you to grab your Bible and read, study, meditate, and pray on the verses He shows you. When you find one that answers a negative thought you hear about yourself (or one you already believe), pray and ask God to heal your heart, mind, body, and spirit from the schemes of the devil. Give Him the permission to come in and cleanse you of your disbelief. Allow Him to fill you with the truth. Stand up to the enemy and fight. Do not allow him to manipulate and lie to you one more second. Take these thoughts to Christ. Fight the war against the enemy. Remember, we have one weapon in our arsenal; the Bible. The exciting thing is, it's the only one we need!

I encourage your to memorize theses phrase (or better yet, look up and memorize the whole verses from the Bible) then claim them over yourself. Thanks to Jesus we can go before our Holy and Heavenly Father in prayer, trusting Him to reveal the truth. May God be with you as you walk in obedience in all you do.

With blessings,

Natalie

Wisdom in Looking Back

2012-02-02T23:58:00.000-04:00

Hi all! I apologize for being so long since my last post. God has been doing amazing things in my life and I pray you can see Him working in yours too!! We serve a great God who is always near and always cares what we are going through. Of this I am certain. I have been reading through the Bible, following a chronological reading pattern, which I began in January. It amazes me how the Scriptures come alive each time I read it. No matter how many times I have read or studied an account or story in the Bible, each time there is a new lesson or promise to pick up. Truth is encapsulated within the covers of The Holy Bible.

I want to encourage you to pick up the Bible and begin reading it. If the whole seems too big, begin with a verse, then read a chapter, and then a book. It will amaze you how rich and wonderful the experience of relationship with God is when you read, study, and meditate on His Word. Romans 15:4 states it poetically. "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."

There is wisdom in looking back. Not looking back at all the negative things in our lives, but looking back at the things God has done. When I read the account of God speaking to Moses, raising him up as a leader (as unlikely as that seemed), and giving him everything he needed to bring those people (great in number) out of Egypt and eventually to the Promised Land; well, it makes my heart race.We know He was able in Moses' time, so why do we think He is not able now? We are talking about the same God who does not change.

In Luke 1, an angel appeared to Mary, announcing that she would become mother to the Messiah. He told her, "For with God nothing will be impossible." (vs 37) If you doubt God, you may want to take the time to get to know Him better. I encourage you to grab a Bible and start reading. Pray and ask Him to open your eyes to the truth. Pray asking God to open your mind to understand all that you read. He will reveal things to you as you are ready for them. It is amazing what we can learn, how we can grow, and how much wisdom there is in studying the Word of God. May He bless you and be near you as you journey with Him.

With prayers,
Natalie

Who AM I In Christ?

2012-01-17T16:27:00.000-04:00

Ever struggle with doubts and nagging thoughts that tell you negative things about yourself? If you do, what do you do next? Do you believe the lies of the enemy, or do you claim the truth about who you are as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ? Let's look at the truth. (There are many verses I could have used, but I chose just a few.)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2 NKJV

"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 NKJV

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God." 1 Corinthians 2:12 NKJV

"Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him," Colossians 3:9-10 NKJV

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:29 NKJV

We have the privilege of being the living temple of the Living God. Wherever we live, whoever we are, if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, He dwells within us. These are the truths and promises you can trust. When there is a voice or person telling you untruths, claim these promises and release the negative words. Train yourself to focus on the truth, no matter how loud the voice of lies are.

I strongly recommend you take these verses and memorize them, hiding them in your heart so when the poison darts of the enemy are launched against you, your shield of truth will be able to extinguish them. We need to know who we are in Christ. His promises are there for us. What He has promised, He will fulfill.

If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, yet you would like to accept His gift of salvation, there is no better time than now to do that. If you would like to, click on this link http://promisesforall.blogspot.com/2010/09/greatest-promise.html to go to one of my earlier posts that will lead you through the steps to a personal relationship with Christ. After reading it, take the time to pray through the steps simply. You do not need to use big words. The only requirements are to admit you are a sinner in need of a Savior, accept the work Jesus did-dying on the cross in your place-believing him, and commit your life to Jesus, asking Him to guide and direct your life.

May God bless you abundantly. May He guide you as you grow stronger and deeper in the Word of God. Trust who He says you are.

A Giving New Year

2012-01-03T10:11:00.000-04:00

I pray you all had a wonderful Christmas season. There is something very special about Christmas, the birth of our Savior. It is celebrated for a month, rather than simply a day. However, I want you to consider this celebration to last for the whole year rather than just for a season. What a wonderful gift we have been given, the promise of eternal life for all who will trust in the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior and give their heart to Him, believe in Him, and commit their life to Him. This is not just a promise at Christmas, but for each and every day.

Throughout the past month, I blogged about giving Jesus a gift for Christmas. What did you give Him? If you haven't given to Him yet, it is not too late. Decide now and give. Sometimes when we think of tithing (giving 10%), we only consider our money. However, what if we were to tithe our time too? What if we gave to God's people of our time and resources-money and all we have? Would the face of this earth be changed? What if we gave forgiveness, love, compassion...? What if we truly began to give of ourselves without thinking about what we would receive in return?

2012 can be a totally different year from the rest. This can be a year of giving. This can be a year of selflessness, being polite, and a year of radical Christianity. What if we would start to love like Jesus? What if we took His example and truly began to live like Him?

I challenge you to live a life of giving and trusting the Lord. Give it all to Him and ask Him what to do with it. He owns it all, we are only entrusted with whatever we have for a time. When we are gone, we cannot take it with us. May God bless you for your obedience and faith.

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,

That there may be food in My house,

And try Me now in this,"

Says the LORD of hosts,

"If I will not open for you the windows of heaven

And pour out for you much blessing

That there will not be room enough to receive it."

Malachi 3:10 NKJV

Unlikely Messengers

2011-12-22T12:47:00.000-04:00

We are quickly approaching the celebration of the birth of the Lord and Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. The days are quickly rolling by and most people are completing last minute shopping, cooking, cleaning and visiting. During this time, I encourage you to take your Bible and find a nice, quiet place. Open your Bible to Luke chapter 2 and read through the Christmas story carefully and prayerfully, asking God to reveal His truths to your heart.

In studying verses 8-18, I can picture this story unfolding. The angel appearing in the night sky, the shepherds frightened within an inch of their lives, then the awe they must have experienced as a whole host of angels sang praises to welcome and announce the birth of a long-awaited Savior. Amazing grace!

Meditating on these verses I realize the shepherds were not the most likely people for God to use-at least in the mind of many. Shepherds were lowly people, not those born of royalty or status. Just meek and humble men trying to earn a living to raise their families. Yet God chose to reveal the Messiah's birth to them first.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29, states it well, "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence." NKJV

Do you ever wonder if God can use you? Do you think you are not good enough, smart enough, thin enough, pretty enough, fill in the blank? Realize that God can use you. When He calls, He equips. No, you can not do it on your own, but with God, nothing will be impossible (Luke 1:37). There is nothing He cannot accomplish, and no one is out of His reach. I love this promise from God. Trust me. I am no one special. I praise Him and thank Him for salvation and life. He is my All Sufficient Father. Trust Him with your life and make Him yours today. Allow Him to use you as one of His "unlikely messengers".

May God richly bless you and be near you this Christmas season and throughout the New Year.
Natalie

Reflective Preparation

2011-12-12T22:08:00.000-04:00

In this the third week of Advent, it is my prayer that Christians everywhere take the time to reflect on their purpose for celebrating Christmas. In this time of reflection - which I also am taking part in - we can ask ourselves many questions. Some of which may be:

1. Who is the person (or people) I focus on the most in this season?
2. What is the greatest gift I have ever received and why?
3. What is the greatest gift I have ever given and why?
4. Who is on my guest list this year and does it include Jesus?
5. Is the nativity scene-that is probably part of your decorations-central to your celebration or just a religious symbol?
6. Is my heart right with Jesus?
7. What gift have I chosen to give Jesus this season and all year long?

These are just a few questions we can take some time to consider. When we do, we bring the focus away from the bobbles and fancy lights, tasty food, gifts, and many things that keep us from our true focus of CHRISTmas.

I pray you take the time to read Luke chapter 2, seeking Him. Don't just read it through, but experience it. Put yourself in the Story. For those of you who know it word for word, try to read it in another translation so it might be fresh reading, a way for God to truly get your attention, rather than just skimming it over. Soak up the truths and the promise of our Savior. The love He showers us with is incredible. As undeserved as it is, He continues to seek us out, draw us to Him and forgive us that we may be near to Him.

What an incredible God we serve! May this week and the days leading up to Christmas be a time of quiet, reflective preparation in your home and in your heart. May Jesus Christ be central as you celebrate CHRISTmas.

A Gift for the World

2011-12-06T08:35:00.000-04:00

"For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

We are now into the second week of Advent. The days continue to quickly slide by and the countdown to Christmas is on. The more I read and study my Bible this Christmas season, the more in awe I am of God's great love for us. That He would send His One and Only Son to this earth to live and then die for our sins...

I love this Scripture. The description of who this Baby would be is absolutely amazing. To think of Christ being born in a stable, not a nice barn as most of us in North America are accustomed to, but in a cave: dirty, dingy, dark, and dank. It is very humbling. What a place for the Savior of the world to be born! Yet, Scripture reveals the truth to us (Luke 2:7).

As we stroll-or run-through the days leading up to Christmas, may we remember it's not about the gifts or the toys, the gadgets or the food; Christmas is about the gift of our One and Only Savior of the world, coming to us as a babe, growing into a man who would give His life for us. Let's make it personal. He gave His life for you. If you were the only person, He still would have given His life for you. He loves you, dear one.

He is extending His hand to you right now. Will you hold on and give Him your heart, your all? Will you allow Him to be your Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace? When you think of Jesus, don't leave Him in the manger as a helpless babe. He is alive. He is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for you and for me (Hebrews 1). Remember whose birthday we are celebrating. Have you figured out what gift you will give Jesus this year?

What Will You Do?

2011-11-28T15:57:00.000-04:00

Yesterday marked the beginning of the 2011 Advent season. As we step into this time of year, many of us are filled with thoughts wondering what to get each person on our Christmas lists. There are children and parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, coworkers and aquaintances. The list goes on and on.

Last week, as I prepared my Sunday School lesson, the question that rolled around in my mind was one that struck me in a profound sort of way and is still on my mind. What will I do for Jesus this Christmas season? We are-in fact-celebrating His birthday. His gift should be the one to be most concerned with. Thinking on this question, I look at myself and think about what I have to offer Him. He has given me abundant life and promises too numerous to mention here in a few words. Anything I can think of seems to come up short. However, as I search my heart and pray for guidance, I trust He will help me to know what it is I should give Him.

Have you considered this question before? Maybe, this question is one you focus on each year. If not, maybe you would like to think about it. In the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season, let's not forget the wonderful, blessed gift of Jesus we have all been given. May we remember the true meaning of this holiday is not gifts, but the giving of life from our Savior, Jesus Christ to each and every person who will call on His name to be saved (John 3:16-17).

So my question for you is this: what will you give (or do for) Jesus this Christmas?

Powerful Praise

2011-11-21T11:23:00.000-04:00

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance." James 1:2 NASB

What trials are you facing today? Have you thanked the Lord for them? James admonishes us to consider it all joy when trials and hardships come along. Something from this passage of Scripture that leaped squarely off the page into my focus, and rested on my heart was the word when. James doesn't say if-he says when. Dear friend, trials will come. If you haven't encountered them yet then God bless you, however they will undoubtedly come to us all in one form or another. Likewise, for those of us who have and are encountering them now, how are we handling them?

Acknowledging His sovereignty over our lives and laying it all down before Him, that is the greatest gift we can give Him. Tough times are around us everywhere. I don't think I know of anyone who is not encountering some kind of trial at this time. Each one is very different. Each person deals with their "stuff" differently. However, don't judge a book by its cover. Realize that some are more private than others and do not want to share it. Yet, for the most part, we all struggle or have challenges of some kind.

Can you praise Him anyway? Can you lift your hands, right now wherever you are and thank God for all the things in your life, good and bad? Will you trust Him to "never leave you or forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5) and to be with you wherever you go? Relying on Him and going through trials will test our faith and produce endurance.

Here we have another promise. When our faith is tested it produces endurance. In order to run a marathon, we must have endurance. Like a marathon, this life on earth we have been given to live takes endurance. It is riddled with times of testing. How we go through it is what matters. Are we going to allow it to make us bitter or better? The choice is one each of us make, each and every time we come up against some kind of trial.

Let's commit to raising our hands and falling on our knees praising God through the storm, until we see the sun break through. He loves you so much. He knows every part of you, even to the hairs on your head. Trust Him. Have faith in Him. Give Him all of you.

Dear heavenly and gracious Father,
Lord, thank You for Your promises. Thank You for always being with me and guiding me through every day. Help me to trust in You more and more each day. I pray for Your guidance, wisdom and discernment as I face trials. Help me Lord, to look to You, lean on Your Word, and praise You in the midst of all that happens.
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Spiritual Checkup

2011-11-13T17:20:00.000-04:00

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 NKJV

Have you taken the time lately to analyze your relationship with Jesus? Whether or not you have, there is no time like the present to get alone with the Lord and your Bible, prayerfully reading the Scriptures to examine yourself. We have the wonderful privilege of a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe, thanks to Jesus Christ and His gift of salvation at the cross.

On a scale of 1-10, how important is that relationship—one being not important at all, ten being the most important relationship in your life? We have promise upon promise to hold on to, with words of encouragement for the darkest of days. Joy and peace {just to name two} are gifts waiting for us; ready to be opened.

It amazes me how we can become so absorbed in family, life, church work, volunteering, our jobs and hobbies leaving our relationship with Him until last. Our focus can be shifted so He comes first then the rest comes after. The better we know Him, the more trust and faith we will have in Him.

Bad things sometimes happen in our lives and we want someone to blame. Sometimes we blame God. Yet, when bad things do happen, we are given an opportunity to ask God what He wants us to learn from that particular trial. Growth is never easy. Just ask a teenage whose legs are aching from the growth in their bones. We have a Savior who is with us always and who loves us with a love that is greater than we can begin to understand. That is the hope we have in Him.

Isn’t it exciting to know He cares? He loves you beyond your wildest dreams dear one. Let the truth of the Scripture soak into your soul and may you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Let's pray together,
Heavenly Father, thank you Lord, for Your amazing grace that meets us fresh and new each and every morning. May we not take it for granted, not even for one minute. Lord, speak to us through the powerful Words of the Bible. We long to know You more. Help us to know You better and to trust You more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Blessed Understanding

2011-10-27T20:00:00.000-03:00

"The unfolding of Your words gives light;

It gives understanding to the simple." Psalm 119:130 NASB

If you had an electrical problem in your house, you would probably call an electrician.

A problem with your car would find you seeking the advice of a mechanic.

When you are experiencing trouble or pain, fall to your knees and seek the One who loves you and knows you better than anyone. Jesus Christ died and shed His blood so we could have an intimate, personal

relationship with God Almighty. Don't allow anything to come between you and your Lord.

In addition to prayer, seek the guidance of the Bible. The Bible is our guide book for living.

It has what we need to know. It teaches us how to live.

The Word of God is truth. Psalm 119:60

The Word of God is light. Psalm 119:105

The Word of God is alive and able to break through barriers. Hebrews 4:12

Not one of us is able to know all things. No one except the Lord Himself. Yet, reading God's Word

-The Bible-

will open our understanding to the Truth. The prayerful daily practice of Bible reading will teach us, strengthening our relationship with the One True God and our Lord Jesus Christ. As we listen to the Holy Spirit teach, we can develop discernment and wisdom that will enable us to hear His voice and give us the courage to follow His will for our lives.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this day. Thank you for Your promise to never leave nor forsake us. Thank You Lord for Your Word that reveals truth to us. We need Your touch and Your wisdom Lord. Pour out Your Spirit upon us that we may experience the Word of God with fresh eyes and a fresh understanding. Reveal the truths to us as You know we are ready for them. Lord, we pray for a blessed understanding of Your Word. Give us the courage and boldness to walk in Your Truth. In Jesus name, Amen.

I would like to challenge you to take time each day for the next 40 days to read from your Bible. Don't just read it to say you've done it, but pray and ask God to reveal what His Word is saying, and ask Him to direct you to apply it to your life. Some days you may read a verse or two. Other days, you may read a chapter or maybe more. How much you read is not important. Learning from and applying the Scriptures to your life is the goal of this challenge. If you miss a day, don't fret or give up. Remember, tomorrow is a new day and keep on going. He wants to spend time with you. Why not start right now? He's waiting for you!

The Promise of Eternal Life

2011-10-17T09:45:00.000-03:00

If you knew your life would be over tomorrow, what would become important to you in that moment? Would you consider what you did not have or would you wonder if your family and friends knew how much you truly loved and cherished them? Would you thirst for more stuff or would you be content with what your life was? Would you think about eternity and what that really means? Are you ready to meet Jesus face to face and answer the questions, "What have you done with the gifts I have given you? What did you do for Me?"

Revelation reveals the end of the earth as we know it and the beginning of the beauty of God's promise of eternity with Him. Revelation 22:12 says, "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done." {NKJV}

This is not just a nice story but reality for everyone. Everyone who chooses Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. John 3:16 reveals the promise, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." {NKJV}

Did you notice the word "whoever" in the above Scripture? There is a choice each one must make. You either choose the Lord Jesus as your Saviour or you don't. Choosing Jesus bridges the great gap that separates us from God the Father. There is but one path to Him, the path that calls us to put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I was watching a commercial about a new show that will discuss if we can live forever. My response was, "Yes of course you can, if you have Jesus in your life." It is exciting to think that life does not end when we die. Our life here with our friends and families may cease to exist, yet we have a home in heaven, with Jesus and the Father. There we will live eternally, without the stress or hurts of this life.

Have you made the choice that leads to life? If not, take some time and learn about Jesus and the promises He has made. Get a Bible and start reading it if you haven't already. Find a Bible teaching church that stresses Biblical truths and begin to pray, seeking God and His will. Give your heart and life to the Lord and may we meet one day in eternity.

With blessings,
Natalie

Overcoming Temptation

2011-09-30T11:47:00.000-03:00

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

What a promise! Do you hear God's voice speaking to you through this passage of Scripture, recorded so long ago? We serve the same God today as He was yesterday, and so He will be tomorrow. That excites me and I hope it excites you too!!

Have you ever been tempted and fallen, knowing it was wrong? If so, you are not alone. However, this is not a pattern we need to continue falling into. We can pray and God can heal and cleanse us from our faults and sins. We have hope in overcoming temptations. This passage is our promise from our eternal, loving Father who wants more and better for us than we can begin to imagine.

Realize that temptation is not sin. Acting on the temptation is the sinful behaviour. Remember God's promise to always provide a way out. Will it always be easy to see and follow through? No, maybe not, but we will always have a choice. Sometimes in the midst of temptation, our emotions and feelings cloud our judgement and thoughts. It is then we need to call on the Holy Spirit dwelling within us to make the truth clear and audible. When we know the truth - that there is a way out - it is easier to find it if we will take the time to listen to the voice and nudgings of the Spirit in our hearts.

If you are struggling with temptation, take the time to memorize this Scripture verse. Write it down, put it in your phone, put it on your desktop, mirror, the dash of your car, your refrigerator. Put it in front of you, over and over until it is rooted deeply in your heart and mind. Trust in the Word of God to be your anchor in the storm. Cry out to Him when you feel the temptation coming on. Allow Him to fill the spaces in your heart and longings. He is there. His presence is what we are all searching for.

Let's pray together:

Dear glorious and gracious Father,
Thank you for Your promises that draw us nearer to You. Thank You for Your presence, for Jesus Your Son, and for the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Lord forgive us when we fall. Forgive us for giving into our temptations. Lord, come fill us with Your presence and cleanse us of the sinfulness we fall into. Lord, we pray for Your strength to overcome temptation. We pray for Your wisdom and discernment to see the way out You will provide. Father, help us to be more like Jesus, trusting completely in Your will for our lives. We love You and wait expectantly, In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

By HIS Spirit

2011-09-20T15:01:00.000-03:00

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit." These words are recorded in the book of Zechariah chapter 4 verse 6. I have been getting back into the routine of things just like everyone else out there. Summer comes and there are more things to do. Expectations run high and we all want to get in as much as is humanly possible. For some of us the weather didn't cooperate as much as we would have liked but fall is coming in just a few short days anyway. In the comfort and familiarity of routine, I have been struggling with wondering if I am doing enough. As a person who feels the need to be productive, that always seems to be the question.

It amazed me how God spoke to me. Feeling this way and spending time in prayer with Him, these are the words He quietly spoke to me. I knew I had heard them or seen them before, but I wasn't sure where. I wondered if maybe it was on a flyer or written in a Christian Living book I had read. I needed to know so I went to the Source and pulled out my Bible. I found it in Zechariah. Though in the Scriptures, God did not say, "Natalie, not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," I know I can claim this promise as can anyone who claims Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour.

What a wonderful peace we have, resting in His Word and His promises. We have available to us, the inspired Word of God, true and reliable. This promise, along with so many others, gives me strength when I'm not sure which way to go. There are times we can get so busy working for the Lord, we forget to spend time with the Lord. This verse reminded me there is nothing I can do to earn my salvation. Jesus did that at the cross. When I am unsure or when you are unsure, the best thing for us to do is reach out in prayer, read the Word of God-the Bible-and trust, having faith that He is and always will be. The more time we spend with Him, the better we will know Him, the better line of communication we will have and we will be able to hear from Him when we are doubting and unsure.

Let's pray together:

Heavenly and gracious Father,
Thank You Lord for who You are. Thank You for Your Spirit, Your power and Your might. Lord, forgive us when we struggle or think the things we do will draw us nearer to You. Lord, help us to spend more time in Your presence, drawing nearer to You and having an open and clear line of communication. Thank You for Your Son Jesus, whose shed blood on the cross has cleansed us from sin. Thank You for eternal life and the Spirit that dwells within us. May we learn to lean on You, trusting You to know the answers for our lives and the direction we need to go. May our eyes remain focused on heaven and an eternity in Your presence. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV

A Promise for Your Family

2011-09-01T21:07:00.000-03:00

School time is here! I have spent this week back into the routine of home schooling our three daughters. They are now in grades 9, 7 and 5! I can hardly believe it. How quickly one year passes and another begins. One thing I rest in as each year passes and my precious babies grow and mature into young women are the promises God has revealed through the Holy Scriptures.

Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) says, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” I love the promise of this Scripture. However, did you catch the whole and complete meaning behind it? Do you see the responsibility He has entrusted you with? In the very beginning of the promise God reveals to parents that it is our job to “train our children in the way they should go”.

How do we train them? We can begin training them to look to the Lord for all of their needs. Study the Word of God together, pray with your children, thank Him for the food before you each day, praise Him for the weather (even the rain and snow), when you go out into the world remind them that God created it all. If your children go to public or private school, remind them that God gave the inventors and scientists, mathematicians, politicians and teachers the ability and skill to do their jobs. In everything we do, everything we see, everything around us, God’s fingerprints are all over it. Isn’t that exciting? He made it all. He deserves all the glory, honour and praise.

When our jobs are done and we have trained our children, we can confidently cling to the promise our children will not depart from His truth. They may stumble, they may fall, but remember, they too are human. Yet, if you have raised them in the knowledge and admonishment of the Lord you have His Word. To further study how we can train our children I suggest you prayerfully study Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Take the time and make the effort to apply these verses to your family life. God loves you so much. He wants to be the focal point and the cornerstone for your family. Will you invite Him in and train your family for all eternity?

When in Doubt...Wait on the Lord!

2011-08-24T12:03:00.000-03:00

Waiting has become part of life in North America. When we leave our homes we wait for traffic. We pick up the phone to call about anything, many times we are put on hold and made to wait. We go to the grocery store and we wait for a cashier. We even have to wait for our friends and family to finish texting, talking on cell phones or sign out of facebook. In a world where waiting is inevitable, why do we think every prayer we pray should have an instant answer?

There are things we are unsure of in our lives and we need guidance and direction. We pray and ask the Lord to give us proper discernment and wisdom and expect instant gratification. Sometimes we get an immediate answer and other times we don't. How do you react when you do not receive clear directions? Do you wait on the Lord or do you get frustrated and do whatever you think you should at the time? Learning to wait on the Lord is a discipline many of us would do well to learn.

David learned to wait on the Lord. His life was filled with times of victory, but he also had times of disobedience and discouragement. We are bound to have testing times but it is what we do with them that counts. Learn to rest in the quiet and wait on Him. When you are unsure of which way to turn or which path to take continue to love and wait on God, serve others in whatever capacity you can and share the message of hope Jesus has given you. It is not always easy, but He has promised to be with you and take you through (Hebrews 13:5).

One of David's Psalms beautifully describes this time of waiting and the victory that comes with it.

"I waited patiently for the Lord;

And He inclined to me,

And heard my cry,

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,

Out of the miry clay,

And set my feet upon a rock,

And established my steps,

He has put a new song in my mouth-

Praise to our God;

Many will see it and fear,

And will trust in the Lord."

Psalm 40:1-3 NKJV

Higher Thinking

2011-08-15T10:48:00.000-03:00

Has your heart ever been burdened not knowing what to do next? Have you experienced pain and the frustration of indecision when it seemed a decision needed to be made promptly? I wish I could tell you that I have a quick three-step process to cure what ails you but I don't. What I have discovered is the truth of the Scriptures which brings me much assurance and peace. "For 'who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?' But we have the mind of Christ," (1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJV).

God's promises to His followers are all within the covers of the Bible waiting to be discovered. Let me try to demonstrate what I mean. For most children-and some adults-Christmas comes with much expectation and anticipation. The thought of a tree dressed in majesty and beauty, gifts piled underneath, displaying wrappings of red, blue, green and silver. Bows and ribbons flow gracefully from the rich tapestry of colour. The anticipation comes to a peak on Christmas morning when everyone eagerly waits to dive right in, peeling and pulling back the wrappings to see what lies inside. Once all is revealed, then the play can begin. Games and toys are played with. New cookware is used to prepare a feast. Those special items received are treasured deeply.

This is a picture of God's promises to us. Once we hear and understand the gifts and treasures in the Bible, we can begin to claim them and apply them to our lives. This particular passage from 1 Corinthians is exciting because we can have the mind of Christ. As believers in Jesus Christ, we have the awesome privilege of being the dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can take our thoughts captive to Him (2 Corinthians 10:5) and wait on His timing and answers to our concerns and questions.
May you find your strength and power in Him,
Natalie

Dear glorious and gracious heavenly Father,
Thank You for the promises in the Bible. Lord, in Jesus name, I pray You will open up the truths as they apply to me and give me the mind of Christ. Lead me O Lord and teach me Your way. Thank You for Your leading and guiding. Forgive me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness that I may be Your shining light in this world where You have placed me. May everything I do bring You glory and honour. In the mighty and powerful name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Spirited Giving

2011-08-05T22:05:00.000-03:00

"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work," 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.

God's ability to supply for our needs is limitless. He has the resources to bless us with every good thing He so chooses. Remember that truth. He chooses. This passage of Scripture helps me keep giving in perspective. That is, God wants my giving to be directly related to my heart attitude. When we give cheerfully we bring Him glory. When we don't, it reveals our lack of faith in His ability to supply our need.

There is need all around us. This morning I glanced at the newspaper and saw an article about the devastating loss of children under five in Africa. It breaks my heart. In our community-as I'm sure in yours-there are needs so great it is difficult to think about. How can we ever get to the end of it all? Maybe we can't. There is an enemy roaming around this earth and he is doing all he can to drag us to a place of helplessness. But we serve a Saviour, Jesus Christ, who is bigger than any of the loss or devastation we see, and we can each do our part.

If we keep our eyes and hearts focused on Him, He will direct and guide us to help heal some of the hurts. Provide for some of the need. Give comfort and hope to some of the lost. It begins with each of us down on our knees in prayer, seeking the Lord's will for our lives then taking the steps in obedience. A shift in our heart attitude and walk can make all the difference in the world. What if each of us did our little part? What if we took the time to seek God's face and respond to the need He has for us to fill? Life could change as we know it.

There may be a revolutionary turn-around this world has never yet seen. Let us consider verse 8 that holds a special promise. "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." Trust in Him, pray and be obedient. Trust He will provide for everything He asks of you then watch Him work. May your steps of obedience bring Him glory by making a difference in this world.

Trusting and serving my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
Natalie

We All Have A Purpose

2011-07-29T11:26:00.001-03:00

In Ephesians 2:10, Paul clearly states a promise God has given to all believers, everywhere in the world, across the centuries, past, present and future. Beyond that, His promises are for believers whatever your age or station in life. Hold this one tightly. Unwrap it as though it were the most precious gift-just as all the promises in the Bible are-and apply it to your life. Remember that these gifts and promises are not to place on a shelf and admire, but are to be used in your life.

Are you ready for the promise? Here it is. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

You are His workmanship- God has created you special and individual. You are not like anyone else in this world. He has designed and fashioned you to stand out and be all He has created you to be. Who are you created to be? That is something you need to take to the Lord in prayer. He is willing and able to show you if you would just ask. Seek His will and purpose for your life. He may not speak in an audible voice, but He might. He may not give you an answer in the moment you ask, but He can. The truth is we must first seek His face with a true and repentant heart. He will guide us and direct us if we will give our hearts to Him. Guard yourselves against the schemes of the devil. He is real and he wants to destroy you. If you listen to his lies you will begin to believe many things about yourself that are not true. You were created by God and God doesn't create any junk. Dear One, you are precious in God's sight. He loves you like no one else.

...created in Christ Jesus for good works-One thing I can tell you about your purpose with confidence is this; you were created for good works. Jesus came to this Earth all those years ago to show us how to live. He forgave those who hurt Him. He loved those who were in need. He healed the lame, fed the hungry, hung out with those who on the surface looked unworthy. Can we say the same? Good works can mean a range of things. The point is this. Through prayer and quiet in the Lord's presence, He will guide and direct you into the good works He has prepared for you. It is amazing what one act of kindness can do. For instance, when you take the time to smile or say hello to someone, there is the potential to make a huge impact on another life who then may make impact on another, and so on...

...which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.-From the beginning, God had a plan for your life. He created you male or female, placed you in the city, town or village in the part of the world, in the time and generation you are in for a reason. He knew what colour your hair would be, how old you would live to be and what your purpose would be. He does not want it to be a secret. Have you taken the time to truly seek His will and plan for your life. Know that His plan is perfect and when you are walking in it, there will be trials, but along with those trails come the joy of knowing the Lord.

Having a friend and personal relationship with Jesus Christ has held me up in times I felt I would be crushed under the weight of oppression I was experiencing. A personal relationship with Jesus is the one thing in life we all seek-whether we know it or not. Whatever you may be struggling with-and we all have struggles-realize that Jesus understands. If you don't believe me, read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the Bible and see for yourself. He is there standing at the door of your heart, knocking and waiting. He is a gentleman and will not force you, but He will be there when you are ready to accept His gifts and promises.

May He be your joy and your strength. With many blessings,
Natalie

Full Faith

2011-07-18T20:40:00.000-03:00

"Above all, taking that shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one," Ephesians 6:16 NKJV.

Faith is the essence of Christianity. We live by faith. We go into the unknown on faith. We trust Him by faith. Faith in the work that Jesus Christ did on the cross; dying for my and your sins. Not just in death but He rose again, victorious over death. Jesus Christ rose. He arose. He came back from death, conquering death, the grave and sin in our lives, if we will just have faith in Him.

Faith. We can have it. It is ours for the asking. Give your life to Him and He will fill you. Be obedient to His call on your life and He will never leave you. Do not trust your feelings. Feelings lie. They deceive. Trust the promises of the Bible. When Jesus promised that He would dwell within believers that is what He meant. He gave us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us: to guide and direct us.

Each time we follow the prompting of the Spirit our faith grows a little bit more. Our shield gets a bit bigger. Stepping out in faith is not easy, but it promises the reward of trust and growth. God never said any of this life would be easy. In fact He promised that we will have difficult times, but He would always be near us.

Have you been listening to the Spirit or do you quench it? Do you do those things the Spirit asks or do you go the other way? Have faith and follow the Spirit's leading. He will never lead you and leave you, but He will take you through whatever He is asking of you. Have faith. Follow Him.

Detour Through the Desert

2011-07-07T07:55:00.001-03:00

Has God given you a vision of what your purpose is? Is it clear in your mind; what He has called you to do? Are things progressing as you thought they would or are you faced with nagging thoughts that maybe you heard wrong? Maybe you misunderstood.

Scripture has the ability to reveal truth in a very special way. Looking back to Exodus 13:17 we see God made a distinct decision to send the children of Israel the long way around. "When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, 'If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.'" (NIV)

God could have chosen to send them directly to the Promised Land, but He purposefully chose the long road. If you take the time to read through the whole account of the Israelites' journey out of Egypt in the Book of Exodus, you will find that these were a "stiff-necked" people-much like ourselves-who needed training and time in the wilderness.

It is possible God has called and shown you your specific ministry, yet things are not progressing in the way you thought they would or should. You may have your own agenda and timetable set. Be patient and accept the truth. God is not about our timetable. We see time as a hindrance but God, who created time, uses it to accomplish His perfect plan. His timing is Perfect. Perfect.

There is no use wasting your time or energy kicking against it. Accept it. Embrace the challenge and allow your desert detour to shape you gracefully in preparation for whatever the Lord has ordained your ministry. Your time will come. When it does you will be ready. He will make all things beautiful in His time. You may still have to learn some hard lessons but with His grace and by the power of the Holy Spirit that works within you, none of your obedience will be in vain.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight," Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV).

Gifted Workers

2011-06-30T11:56:00.001-03:00

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministires, but the same Lord."
~~1 Corinthians 12: 4-5 NKJV

Within the body of believers-that is the universal church as a whole-there are many spiritual gifts. Some differ greatly from others. There may be one who is great leading children's ministry, but put them in a group of adults and they don't know what to do. The same goes with the church administration, that person is probably a whiz with numbers and keeping things running smoothly, but put them in a room chock-full of youth and they may squirm. Each of us has been gifted by the Holy Spirit to do our part. Each part put together brings a balanced body of believers together that function as the "local" church.

We all have our part to play whether we realize it or not. In the church we need and depend on those who run a Sunday service: worship leaders, musicians, prayer partners, those who give spontaneous testimonies and the pastor or the one who brings the message are just some that come to mind. Then there are those who teach Sunday school, prepare coffee and a snack for pre or post service fellowship, the prayer warriors who will pray about everything and anything someone asks them too. There are also the elders and leadership of the church. Don't forget about those who serve in other ministries that the church you attend may offer such as women's ministries, small groups, missions and local outreach, youth group leaders and so on.

Do you see how important each of these ministries-and I've only named a few-are? Each is different and has its own place, some are more out in front and others behind the scenes. However, the Lord knew the differences of each of us and has made a place for all to fit and serve Him using their own gifts. God is so amazing and I hope I never lose the sense of awe in Him and His power. He has purposed you to serve in your local body of believers. Do not despise small beginnings if you are just starting out. Have faith that He will put you exactly where you need to be. Dig in and work hard for Him. Where are you serving right now? If you aren't pray about it and trust that He will place you where you need to be. Thank Him for gifting you in whatever area it is and work for Him. Be thrilled to be part of His wonderful plan and keep you eyes on the prize: eternal life in Heaven with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Where else would you rather be?

Living Faith

2011-06-22T14:25:00.000-03:00

Faith: what does it mean? Does it mean trust, belief or hope? Faith is each of these and all of these. Faith is like a muscle; it grows and develops the more it is stressed and stretched.

We can put our faith in many things. Some put their faith in their money and think, "If I have enough money, I will never want for anything. Then I will truly be happy." Some put their faith in people thinking, "So and so will never let me down," only to find out that their faith has been misplaced. Some will put their faith in the status they hold thinking, "If I become a big-time star or get that new position at work, then I can stop worrying and really be happy." I could go on and I'm sure you can think of some yourself. However, money gets spent, people mess up and the higher your pedestal, the further you have to fall.

Any time we put our faith anywhere other than in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we are headed for a fall. We will be hurt and disappointed. Sometimes it may feel like the pain will never go away and the hurt can never be repaired. Some of you may be saying, "I've put my faith in Him before and it didn't work for me. What makes this time any different? Why should I believe this?

To begin with, putting your full faith in Him means putting your wants and wishes aside. It means letting go of your hopes and dreams and beginning with a clean heart and mind, focused on His will for your life. Psalm 139 tells us that God created each one of us "one stitch at a time." He created us with a plan and a purpose (Jeremiah 29:11). If we are praying for what we want without knowing what His plan is for us, we are praying in vain. However, when we can lay aside our selfish desires and focus on the One who knows us most intimately, then we can begin to live up to our full potential and be filled with joy that is not dependant on the circumstances that are our lives.

Will you let go? Will you submit your life to the Father? Will you look to Jesus to leads you by the power of the Holy Spirit so you may have life to the full as it is intended to be (John 10:10)? If you are ready, seek the Lord and pray. Take the time and ask Him to forgive you for trying to do it your own way. Thank Him for your life and pray that He will reveal His plan to you for your life. Have faith in the promise that He has created you for a plan and a purpose (Jeremiah 29:11) and wait on the Lord to reveal the truth to you. May He bless you abundantly for your obedience.

In Him,
Natalie

Water Walking

2011-06-14T12:15:00.000-03:00

When was the last time you said, "I can't do it. That is just too hard!" Maybe it was earlier today or maybe it has been awhile. Personally, I have said it too many times about too many things. In the past few weeks-maybe even months-I have been preparing to get my new book out into the world. The Lord laid this message on my heart, gave me the words and the courage and led me through each step to hold a final product in my hands: Spiritual Training 101: Preparing for Eternity.

Has it been easy? No. Has it been rewarding? Yes, because I am doing what I have been called to do. However, when I was first called by the Lord to write, I had misgivings and feelings of inadequacy which I still wrestle with. However, I am learning that God is always near. He has a special relationship with us through the blood of Jesus Christ. He gave His Son so we could have a personal relationship with Him. When Jesus left the earth, He sent the Holy Spirit to minister to our hearts and lead us in all things. We are fortunate to be able to have such a close personal relationship with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

I think of the passage in Matthew 14:22-33, when Peter has the opportunity to grow in faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. The disciples had a busy day, following the Master, listening and learning how to reach out to people. Jesus needed to go off by Himself and spend time in the presence of His Father. He sent the disciples off in a boat across the lake to meet up with them later. While they were in the boat a storm came up and rocked and twisted the boat. They became very afraid. As time passed, they looked across the water and beheld a vision like that of a ghost walking on the water. Their hearts grew very afraid and they cried out in fear. Jesus then called out to them, "Be of good cheer,! It is I; do not be afraid." The disciples could not believe their ears. Peter quickly answered Jesus telling Him, "Lord if it is You; command me to come to You on the water."

I'm not sure if Peter had thought about what he was saying or if it just came out. I wonder if he was going through a moment of terror as he actually heard these words coming from his own mouth. Have you ever experienced that thought, wondering who was saying that, then realizing the truth...it was me?

Jesus then told Peter to come to Him and Peter did. In that precious moment, Peter truly walked on water! He had his eyes fixed on Jesus. He must have been gushing with excitement, overflowing with joy. Then something happened. His mind kicked in and the realization of the storm blocked his view of Jesus. He began to sink, the fear of drowning swept over him like the dark of night. He cried out for Jesus to help. "And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'"

You see, doubt and fear are two of our greatest hindrances. Whenever they creep in, they have the potential to overwhelm us and cover us to the point of death. Jesus came so we could have life to the full. He can give us the power and strength to do all things. Isn't that a wonderful promise? Do you believe it? Do you have the faith in Him that He can get you through all of those tough things that you cannot see accomplishing? He is waiting for you to call out in His name and request the strength from the Father to do and be all you are called to be. You do not have to feel oppressed. You have the power of Jesus Christ to cling to.

I have been completely amazed by what He has done in my life. He has given me the strength to accomplish things I have never thought possible. He has opened doors I could not see a way of even peeking in. Jesus is absolutely amazing and the courage and strength He offers as a gift will amaze you if you will take the time, jump out of the boat and go water walking with Him.
~quotes from the NKJV

Dear Heavenly and Gracious Father,
I thank you for this wonderful day. Thank you for giving me the gift of life. Lord, I know you have asked me to __________________. Lord, in Jesus name I ask for the strength, courage and power to do the work You have given me. I pray that You will stay by me and help me to grow in my faith of You. Keep me in Your loving care and may my focus never leave You. In the powerful and blessed name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Pictures from Spiritual Training 101 Book Launch

2011-06-09T14:19:00.000-03:00

My husband Rollie and I at my book table for the launch of Spiritual Training 101: Preparing for Eternity.

We had a wonderful evening! Rollie and the girls shared a skit focusing on preparing to train for a 5k run. It was much fun to watch them and listen to their way of sharing. After they finished, Marion Sabine opened the service and shared a bit about how she has mentored me and watched my growth. I was able to share my heart for this work the Lord assigned to me and how important it is for each of us to prepare for eternity. We have such a short time on this earth and our treasures really should be stored up in heaven. Our family then had the awesome privilege to minister through sharing of a few songs of praise and worship to our King. Thank you Jesus for Your call and Your giving me the strength to obey. If you would like to order either of my books, you can contact me or click on either cover to the right.

May you grow in the grace of Jesus Christ.
With many blessings, Natalie

Spiritual Training

2011-05-26T19:41:00.000-03:00

I launched my new book Spiritual Training 101: Preparing for Eternity on Tuesday. We had a wonderful time of laughs, music and fellowship. These are the things God calls us to do; share our gifts and talents with those around us so they may see His glory shine through. Matthew 5:16 Tells us to, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (NKJV) I am excited that God has blessed our family with the gifts and talents He has and that we can do skits, share the Word and sing His praises. Thank you Lord.

God has given us all a purpose and wants for us to fulfill it. One of those things for me is to write. This book is a Bible study taking the reader on a journey with the Lord to grow in their faith and spiritual discipline. Please understand that it was a struggle for me by times because I did not just record these things, but God lead me through each one. Jesus held my hand and wiped my tears as I reached beyond myself and had faith that He would be with me. Growth is never an easy thing, but He has promised to be with us always.

Preparation is something we do for every aspect of our lives, so why not for our eternal life? It is the most important thing so shouldn't we take it more seriously and make spiritual training an essential, daily part of our lives? Spending time in His presence and pouring our hearts out to Him draws us closer and into a deep, personal relationship. That is what His desire is. John 3:16-17 say it best, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (NKJV)

Have you answered the call to His voice? Are you ready to take a leap in faith? What do you have to lose?

Obedient Prayer

2011-05-16T18:01:00.000-03:00

It amazes me how God can speak to the heart and accomplish just what He says He will do. As humans we can be fickle and forgetful, but God is not like that. Let me share an awesome experience.

Last week, I had a lot going on in my life and house. There were days that I did not spend as much time in the Lord's presence as I would have liked to. I think that happens to all of us by times. Sunday mornings we get up and ready for church and go early so we can pray. (We are in the middle of replacing our church which was consumed by fire on the 22nd of March so our prayers are not only for the service but for direction and unity in the body as we stretch toward the goal of rebuilding.)

We were a bit late on this past Sunday-later than usual anyway-and I rushed to the place where I normally go to meet with the Lord. As I took my spot and opened my prayer, I felt the urge to just be still and quiet. As I knelt there I felt a peace and stillness fill my heart. Within a short time a still, small voice within my soul asked me to pray for the seats in our sanctuary. I quickly thought that I didn't know how many there were, but just as quickly remembered my husband telling me two weeks ago that they changed the layout and set up 109 chairs.

I trusted in the fact that if God asked me to do it and I was obedient, He would do what He said. We had a wonderful service and I was filled. After the service was over, I went to the back and checked the count and what do you suppose I found? 109! I felt a joy and peace flood my soul. What a wonderful gift! Who else could do something like that? I must admit, I was amazed but I shouldn't be. God is so good-ALL the time. He is trustworthy and keeps His promises. It wasn't long after that I realized each and every time we pray in His will, what He wants for our lives, He will provide.

His reminder to me is one I share with you because we all need to know that we serve a Saviour who loves us and desires a personal relationship with each of us. Have you opened your heart and your prayer life to Him? Do you take the time to quietly wait in His presence for an answer? He is waiting for you. He wants all of you. He will ever be with you and lead and guide your life to give you life more abundant.
With many blessings,
Natalie

Faith in the Fire

2011-05-06T14:41:00.000-03:00

"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!"
Psalm 27:13,14 NKJV

Have you seen the goodness of the Lord or have you given up? Are you wondering if He is really there or if He has forsaken you? I have been there. I have wondered if God really cared. Over the past few years I have learned something very important in all of this.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5 NKJV

I have found that to trust in Him means to step out on faith, to do the things He asks of me even when they are hard. Sometimes it means people won't like me and sometimes it means I run the risk of looking like a fool. God is real, He is there and He has a perfect plan for your life. To find His plan may mean you have to give up your plan. It may mean giving up on the pursuit of something you think is so incredibly important. It remains true that if your plan lines up with His will-He will bring you to that place victoriously despite the circumstances that may be blocking you. His plan is perfect for your life and that may also mean walking through some fires.

Don't despise time spent in the fire. Change your focus and attitude about it. When we put precious metals into the fire, it refines them and makes them pure. With your attitude and heart focused on God, your time in the fire will refine you too. While in the fire, focus on seeking His face and His will, His Word and His ways and you will come through the fire, refined and pure...victorious in Him.

With many blessings,
Natalie

Perfect Peace

2011-04-27T12:28:00.000-03:00

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" John 14:27 NKJV.

Do you believe this promise? Can you begin to wrap your mind around this promise that came to believers right from His own lips? This morning in my oldest daughter's Bible lesson was this promise. I read it over and over considering myself. Do I believe this? Yes, I do!! Does my heart get troubled? At times it does. Why? Because I have failed to imprint this promise on my heart and claim it for my own.

As a growing and maturing Christian, I love to read and study the Word of God. His promises are woven in the text of the Bible throughout every bit of writing from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21! That excites me beyond anything else I can imagine. As I read and study, the Bible comes alive to me. The words that are recorded speak to my soul in ways that I cannot describe.

This morning as I read through this Scripture, I had to stop and think about it. How do I prevent fear and worry to take over? The solution is the same prescription as getting rid of any other negative: more of Him. More of God, more of the Word of God, more time spent in His presence in prayer, fasting and listening for His voice. More following His will and His way for each moment of every day of my life. The closer I draw to Him, the fewer times of fear, hopelessness and despair I will experience.

What about you? Are you ready to take the plunge to trust in the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit? Are you ready to believe that He can give you lasting and perfect peace? Are you willing to take the time to memorize and study the Word of God so you will be able to claim His promises for your life?

We do not live in a perfect world. Jesus told us we will have times of trouble, but in the same breath He promised that He is in control (John 16:33). Will you allow Him to be in control? Will you take the time necessary to develop a deep and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour? Will you call on Him and obey His voice so you can accept His gift of everlasting peace and eternal life?

Consider it dear one. Jesus loves you and will come to you if only you will call on Him. "Jesus said to Him, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'" (John 14:6 NKJV).

Grace Revealed

2011-04-20T20:00:00.000-03:00

Easter is almost upon us and I can't help but think of the sacrifice that was made for believers once for all time. All those years ago, Jesus walked His final footsteps on the dusty paths of this Earth on His way to the cross. What must He have been thinking? I'm sure I don't know, but I know His heart must have been overflowing with love because at any point in time He could have called on "more than twelve legions of angels" (Matthew 26:53 NKJV) to come to His rescue and changed the course of life for all of us.

If Jesus hadn't died on the cross we all would be getting what we deserve, death (Romans 6:23). Because of His sacrifice, we have the choice to spend eternity with Him. Have you made your choice? You may think you have all kinds of time, but only God knows the time you will leave this earth. It is reality. We are all born and we all die. There is hope though. Hope in a risen Saviour who went to the cross and died for the sins of anyone who will humble themselves and pray for the forgiveness that only Jesus can give (John 3:16).

But the story didn't end there. It didn't end on the cross. The story continued. Three days later, Christ rose from the grave. He defeated death and the grave. He defeated the enemy of humankind. Jesus defeated the powers of sin in our lives. We can choose to live our lives in obedience to God (Romans 6:12-14). Isn't that an exciting promise? Looking toward Easter, what better gift could you receive than the one Jesus holds out to you now - the gift of eternal life with Him. He is holding it out to you, waiting for you to accept it.

If you would like to accept His gift of salvation here are the steps from a post I wrote last year titled The Greatest Promise.

If you are not a Christian but would like to join the family of God, the steps to becoming part of the family are very simple. The first thing one must do is admit that they are a sinner because we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We are all sinners and make mistakes. It does not matter how many good things we do, we are still sinners. With this admission we also need to realize that the penalty for being a sinner is death (Romans 6:23). We neither deserve to live eternally, nor do we deserve forgiveness, yet God has so graciously provided a way. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we can come to Him.

The next step is to believe with everything in you that Jesus Christ died for your sins (Romans 5:8). He died for each of us, but it is important that you make it personal. Can you say, Jesus Christ died for my sins, and truly, completely in your heart know it and believe it? If you are struggling with this truth, I recommend you read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Read them praying that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes so you may see the truth of what Jesus has done for you.

Last but not least; you must commit your life into His capable hands (Romans 10:8-10). Confess to the Lord that you need Him to lead and guide your life. Give your life into the hands of God and let Him make the changes He desires in your life. He created you and has a plan for your life. Will you submit to Him and give Him full control?

May this Easter find you at peace and part of the family of God. Wherever you are, whoever you are remember, God loves you. He adores you and as one of my favorite hymns says, "Jesus blood can make the vilest sinner clean."

May God bless you and keep you.
In Him,
Natalie

Rebuilding in Victory

2011-04-14T20:03:00.003-03:00

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 will be a day my church family will not soon forget. We lost our church to a fire. However, in the midst of the turmoil there is always victory. The Sunday after the fire, our service was held on site and it was an incredible time. The next week we were relocated to a space at the A.D. Lab in Weymouth. Our congregation did not miss a beat. The Lord provided and everyone worked together to make it happen.

It always amazes me when God shows up. Our prayers go up and sometimes it seems as though they will never be answered. I have learned and am continuing to learn that His time is the right time. His way is the right way. His will is the will we need to be seeking. When we follow His plan, we will rise from the ashes victoriously.

The plans are proceeding as the building committee meets and prepares to bring ideas to the church body. As a congregation our task is to be in prayer-continuously and unceasingly. Prayer is what will move things along. When we pray for God's will to be revealed, He will reveal it. I also believe He will provide for all our needs if we give it all to Him for His glory and for His work to be done here on earth. Second Corinthians 9:8 says, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; NASB.

Please pray for our church as we go through this time of rebuilding. Pray that God will reveal His plan and purpose for His people of Havelock Wesleyan Church-wherever He wants us to be and whatever He wants us to be doing.

For more information on the rebuilding of our church please go to www.rebuildingfromtheashes.blogspot.com.

Conversational Bible Study

2011-04-05T21:11:00.003-03:00

How many times have you sat down to read the Bible and didn't understand a word you read? Has this ever happened to you or am I the only one? It used to be a very familiar process for me. I love to read. I mean really love to read. I can read a 500 page novel in a couple of days without any problem. However, reading a novel and reading the divinely inspired Word of God are two very different things.

It has been my experience even now, when I take the Bible and decide I'm going to read it, I don't get much out of it if I approach it the way I do any other book. Yet, if I take the time to inquire of the Lord what He wants me to learn and pray that He will reveal the truth of the Holy Scriptures to me, His Word comes alive and the experience is fulfilling.

I have learned so much in the last few years, just changing my approach to reading the Bible. Prayer is so incredibly important. It is our way to have a conversation with God. We can come before Him and lay out our hearts without fear. When we read the Bible, we are hearing from God. When we pray or praise the Lord as we read we are entering into a conversation with Him. Isn't that exciting?

Take some time even now to pray before you read a passage and ask the Lord to reveal the truth to you. You may have to wait in His presence and He may answer you immediately. That is up to Him. One thing you can count on is His promise to hear you. He hears and He cares.

"Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, And teach out of Your law, Psalm 94:12 NKJV.

Comfort in Times of Distress

2011-03-29T20:54:00.005-03:00

"I cried out to God with my voice--

To God with my voice;

And He gave ear to me.

In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;

My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing;

My soul refused to be comforted" (Psalm 77:1-2 NKJV).

How many times do we get discouraged and just give up? Is that what the Lord wants for us to do? Never!! He wants us to be in prayer continually focused on Him and His way and His will. He hears our prayers and moreover; He knows our hearts.

He is with us always, yet sometimes we must walk through some fires so we can be refined.

If times were always good and carefree, would you still serve the Lord?

Would you know that you could trust Him, in good times and bad? I remember hearing Kathy Troccoli's song How Would I Know for the first time. It was like a light bulb went off in my head and that song touched my heart in a very profound way. The line if there had never been a battle how would I know the victory, has continued to bless me and speak to me.

Life is a series of battles. Some big and some small. Some trials take one person to the end of themselves, others take whole groups of people. Whatever the battle, know the Lord is there. You can lean on Him, calling upon Him day and night, knowing without a doubt - He hears you and He cares more than anyone. When those times come: pray, believing He will answer. Wait for His promise to be fulfilled. However long it takes.

It will be worth it!!

Who Is In Control?

2011-03-21T14:52:00.004-03:00

I must apologize for my lack of posting in the last little bit. Still, God is busy at work and He is answering prayers and moving things forward-always. Have you ever really stopped to think about what God is doing in heaven? I have. I have read through the Scriptures looking for glimpses into heaven and there are some awesome ones! Sometimes we think of God sitting on His throne basking in praise and laying back. However, the Bible tells us He is at work also. Job 1:6-12 we see God is having a meeting. It says, "the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them" (verse 6 NKJV). If you read through this portion of Scripture, it should become apparent to you that Satan is not allowed to do anything without God's say so. The Lord is in control. That is a promise you can count on. He has your best interests at heart. Sometimes in all of the day to day things: heartache, a bad diagnosis, children gone awry and anything else that you are struggling with, it is hard to see God. What if you put God in front of it all and looked at the circumstances through Him? What if you clung to the promise from Hebrews 13:5 that says, "I (meaning God) will never leave you nor forsake you" (NKJV)? When we view life through the Lord instead of the Lord through our circumstances we are left with a peace that cannot be explained. Realize that God holds the whole world in His hands, that means He holds YOU too. I pray that He will be with you and that you will accept His gift of peace, joy and love. If you do not yet have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, scroll down to my blog post "The Greatest Promise" and accept His gift of salvation.

Blessings For The Day

2011-03-04T09:57:00.003-04:00

Lately, each day I get up, I realize spring is just around the corner (getting closer by the day). Each morning the day gets a little longer and a bit brighter. Today the sun is shining and there is so much heat in the sun. What beauty and majesty and hope! God is so good. All we have to do is look around to see His hand everywhere. The painted sky at night: seriously, who could think to put that many colours in the sunset but the Almighty Himself? The beauty of a child sleeping soundly. The laughter of a friend you haven't seen for a long span of time. So many wonderous things God has blessed us with and we so often don't take the time to appreciate it because we are so busy. I encourage you to take the time to notice and praise the Lord for the little things in your life that you take for granted. Even the things that don't seem so great right now. Thank the Lord for the good and the bad. Thank Him for the triumphs and the trials. He has created them all. He wants to do something wonderful in your life. Give it all to Him, praise Him always. Change your outlook and He can change your heart. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV emphasis mine).

This Is The Day

2011-02-14T08:04:00.003-04:00

This is the day that the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 NKJV Happy Valentine's Day It is Valentine's Day, a time to let those special people in your life know they are special and loved. How do we do it? Well, that seems to be different for everyone. For some it's a simple, I love you, for others it is candy and flowers. Still others wish to make a spectacular event of the day. Cards, gifts, dinner and special time with their special someone. Today is the day that the Lord has made. He has ordained it special not because it is a holiday but because it is another day He has given you. The love of God is so much bigger than Valentine's and much bigger than we could ever begin to comprehend. How big is it? For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life - John 3:16 NKJV (emphasis mine). If you are struggling today because you think no one loves you or that you are all alone, cling to the promises of the Lord. He loves you with an unending and enduring love that knows no limits. Call out to Him in faith and He will hear and answer you. This is the day!

Peace in the Valley

2011-02-07T09:29:00.003-04:00

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, This morning as I was praying, I realized something of great importance and felt I should share it. There are times when we go through many hardships and trying times. Our lives seem to be falling apart all around us and we don't know what to do. Those thoughts and feelings should drive us to our knees seeking God's wisdom and Word. He is the giver of life and there is nothing that comes to us that He has not sifted through His loving hands (1 Cor. 10:13). He knows how much we can take and will always give us a way out. What became clear to me today is the ability to grow in our faith only happens when we are in our valley experiences. Isn't that amazing?? Stop and think about mountains and valleys for a moment. We all enjoy the mountaintop experiences where everything is great and the view is awesome, but when you are standing up there and really look around, what do you see? Shades of gray and brown. Rock, maybe some snow. But look down into the valley. The river sparkling and dancing in the center of a lush, green garden of beauty. The rolling land covered in vegetation. Flowers and shrubery bursting forth in growth and the promise of new fruit. The valley is where we grow too. Psalm 23 describes the valley experience. We can lean on the Lord during all of our times. Good and bad. Call out on Him today. Do not wait until you feel there is nowhere to turn. The Lord is waiting to hear and answer your prayer.

Leaning on Him

2011-01-29T13:39:00.003-04:00

"He gives strength to the weary and increses the power of the weak" (Isaiah 40:29 NIV). Do you ever have times that you are just plain tired? I go through that scenario every so often and looking to the Word of God helps me fill up again. Today, I would like to share some Scripture verses with you praying that you will be refreshed and renewed in His presence. "Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand" (Psalm 37:24 NIV). "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble" (Psalm 9:9 NIV). "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:14 NIV). "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV). "This is love:not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:10 NIV). May God bless you and be near you. I pray that He will speak to you and that you may hear His call. Lean on the Lord and He will uphold you. In Him, Natalie

Giving it All to God

2011-01-21T19:57:00.004-04:00

Have you ever dreamed of living a life without stress that zaps you? Do you want to be free from fear and anxiety? Is it possible in this world we live in? When your burdens become heavy and your stress too much, where do you turn? Is there anywhere, does anyone care? Have any of these questions plagued you? Are you seeking deeper meaning and wanting more peace, joy and rest in your life? If you are, look to the Lord. Admit to Jesus Christ that you are a sinner , believe that He gave His life for you, and commit your life to Him. (For more details, see my post "The Greatest Promise".)He will satisfy all your needs, over and above anything you can imagine. Just look at the Scriptures that promises you these things. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved," John 3:16-17 (NKJV). (Jesus is speaking)"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly," John 10:10 (NKJV). "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourself; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast," Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV). "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us," Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV). This is just a small taste of what promises are contained within the pages of the Bible. We do not need to carry burdens, worries, fear or frustration. Take some time even now and pray that Jesus Christ will free you from the bondage of these negative emotions, give it all to Him and live life in freedom. With blessings, Natalie

Jesus is Our Refuge

2011-01-14T21:17:00.002-04:00

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden 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 NASB) The last month has been a very busy time for me. I'm sure that you know what I mean. When I get busy, it becomes eay to "let things slide" that I would normally do. Maybe the floor won't get swept as often. The laundry room may get piled up more than normal or maybe the dishes get left until sometime later. What about time with the Lord? Well, I don't like to admit it, but I will be the first to raise both hands and claim, guilty! I have allowed "life" to get between me and my time with the Lord. When that happens things spiral out of control. I become short-tempered, frustrated, and irritable with a tendency to become overwhelmed and depressed. Reading this verses remind me to look to Jesus. He does not want or expect me to carry heavy burdens. However, it is my responsibility to seek Him out, bring the burdens to Him, unload it all, and leave my worries, fears, and cares in His hands. Are you heavy-laden? Are you burdened? Are you ready to unload it all? Is there something you can do about it? The answer is YES!! Spend time in His presence: read the Bible, pray, pray , pray, and wait on the Lord. Give Him time to reveal His will to your heart. Allow the Holy Spirit to fill you and wash over you, cleansing and healing all the way. Giving it all to Him and He will bring you rest.

Live Your Dreams

2011-01-01T14:18:00.004-04:00

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10 NKJV Are you living up to your God-given potential? Are you excited each day about your life and what you will be doing? God has created each person for a specific purpose. When we are living out that purpose, there is peace. When we aren't, there is turmoil within our souls. This does not mean that everything will be perfect all the time but our general sense of wellness will be peace-filled. Each one of us has a dream. There is something down deep inside that we want more than aanything. Maybe you have forgotten it. Maybe you have been disappointed over and over and you've buried it somewhere deep within. Maybe you've given up on it. What is it? Take some time right now in this moment and say outloud whatever it is. Write it down and look at it in black-and-white. Do you realize that God creates dreams within us? Do you realize that He has created you for a purpose? Are you ready to claim that purpose and lay down your life, allowing Him to take control and lead you in that purpose? If you have been struggling with your purpose, take some time to get alone with God and seek His will for your life. Pray without ceasing for clarity and direction then do whatever He leads you to do. Living in your purpose is a wonderful way to begin a new year. Trust in Him for guidance and strength. Lean on Him and allow Him to fill you with joy and peace. Walk in the fullness of life that Jesus promised each of His followers in John 10:10. "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Happy New Year. May the Lord bless you and be near you in 2011. Natalie

Christmas Giving

2010-12-15T08:32:00.003-04:00

CHRISTMAS: it has been dubbed as, "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," yet for many it is quite the opposite. Christmas can be a time of stress and dread. It can be a time of frustration, heartache, anger or even pain.

There are many families, orphans, widows and widowers who will not celebrate a Merry Christmas this year. The reasons are as different as the people themselves. Some may not have the monetary resources to have a big celebration. Some may be dealing with loss. Some may have lived through Christmases with huge disappointments that time has failed to heal. Some may have family members who will not be with them this year, for one reason or another.

What can we possibly do to help?

The first and most important thing Christians can do to help is to pray. Pray that God will bless those in need in a very special way this Christmas. Pray that God will send help to those in need. Pray that their hearts would be open to receive the gift God has for them. Pray for God to heal and bind up the wounds of those who are hurting.

Next, you can put action to your prayers. If you know of a need and are able to fill it, go ahead and do so. Do not wait for someone else. God may have laid them on your heart for a purpose-not just to pray, but to bring them some joy.

To accomplish this may mean giving of your time, money or other resources. It may seem trivial or just too hard, but it could bring about big changes to the landscape of eternity.

If you are wondering what you could possibly do, I have a few suggestions if you will allow me.

1. Gather some friends and go carolling through town.

2. Go carolling at your local senior's centre.

3. Give to the Salvation Army, Food Bank or Soup Kitchen or other group that helps the needy of your money and/or time.

4. Give to a local family in need: provide them with a Christmas feast and gifts.

5. Go to the hospital and sit with, read to or talk with someone who is lonely.

6. If you are blessed with money this season that you were not expecting, donate it to a family in need or an organization that helps those in need.

7. If you want to do something that is on-going, sponsor a child.

These are but a few things we can do to make an impact. Be prayerful and ask Jesus to show you what you can do. What better way to spend Christmas than to help a neighbour in need? What better gift could you give Jesus this year?

"For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to Me."

Matthew 25:35-36

Each time we help someone, we are showing the love of Jesus and shining His light. May your light shine this Christmas season and all year long, lighting the path for those in need.

What's in a Name?

2010-12-10T00:15:00.003-04:00

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 NASB How do you think about Jesus this time of year? Is He a baby in a manger? Is He simply another decoration in your home? Or does His name stir something deep-down within your heart and soul? The names of Jesus in this passage of Scripture gives us a picture of the Lord we serve. He is not just a baby, born of a virgin in a stable so many years ago. He is our Wonderful Counselor. Jesus lives within each one of us, abiding in us through the Holy Spirit He sent to dwell within believers. We have access to be counselled by the best if we would listen and wait for His wisdom. Jesus is our Mighty God. Who else could heal the blind, lame and sick? Who else has the power to raise the dead? He is also our Mighty God. Mighty are the things that He does. "Nothing is impossible with God," Matthew 19:26 (paraphrased). Who else is that mighty? Jesus is our Eternal Father. He was there when the foundations of the earth were put together. He is here now and He will be here when the earth passes away. He is the One who is, who was and who is to come. He will be there always in all ways. That is a Promise you can count on. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He came into this world to give us peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). If you do not have His perfect peace, take the time to claim it for your own. It is there for the asking. All we must do is ask and in faith believe and receive. What a wonderful gift this Christmas to accept. The love and peace that only Christ can give us. Dear Lord, Thank you for the many blessings of my life. Father I pray in the name of Jesus that You would reveal Your truths to me in simple and clear terms. Father, I release my will and my ways and accept Your will and Your ways. Cover me with Your peace and joy You alone can give. Fill me with the fruits of the Spirit that I may be complete in You. Father, let me look past the baby in the manger and see the Man, Jesus who is here with me now, who always has been and always will be. Thank You for all You are. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Blessed Endurance

2010-12-01T11:35:00.001-04:00

“Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and see the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful,” James 5:11 (NKJV). The Christian life is not all peaches and cream. There are some blemishes and pits. Christians walk through trials and fires, just as anyone does. However, we have a secret weapon: faith. Where God is, there is hope. Sometimes, hope is all we have to cling to. Do you know the song that goes, “for the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley…”? Going through the valleys of our lives is where we grow. Stop for a minute and think of the valley. In the valley is where the lush green grass, fruit trees and flowers take root, burst forth from the ground, grow, blossom and bear fruit. This is the place where it all happens for us too. We long for mountaintop experiences, yet our growth of faith and endurance come from being tested in the valleys of our lives. When you have reached a mountaintop experience, take the time to enjoy it. Take it all in and bask in the glory that is God’s alone. But don’t tarry there too long. Pray, believing God’s promise to “never leave you nor forsake you,” (Hebrews 13:5), and head wherever He takes you—even if another valley is what awaits you. It is often difficult to explain to someone who is struggling with physical, emotional or spiritual battles that they are being blessed, but it is true. Take Job for instance: He had it all, he lost it all, and through it all he never lost his faith in God. In the end, he regained it all with more added to it. God blesses those who endure. Will you take the time to praise the Lord for being with you, whether in a mountaintop or valley experience? Will you allow Him to lead you into the valley and follow, without hesitation? “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths,”(Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV).

Trusting, Trusting

2010-11-23T07:53:00.003-04:00

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord. Do you find that a difficult task? Do you sometimes think you should be able to handle it—whatever it is—all by yourself? Many times we trust in our own abilities and brilliance to get us through. This passage of Scripture tells us different. We can put our faith in Jesus Christ and then trust in Him with ALL our heart. This is what He desires of us: our whole heart. As a race, humans can get headstrong and independent. We think we have all the answers to all the problems of the world; yet when it comes to our own lives, they may be quite a mess. Leaning on the Lord to give understanding is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. Having the ability to admit to our shortcomings is a gift. We are unable to do it all, or know it all. However, with the presence of the Holy Spirit who dwells within each believer, we have the power to seek guidance from the Lord about any and every situation in our lives. When we look to Him for direction and guidance, we are admitting to our inability to do it all on our own. This is a positive step. This is the kind of humility God can use. There is tremendous freedom in allowing God to take the lead of your life. I have found there is much less stress in my life when I allow Him to take the driver’s seat. Whenever I get independent and think I can do it alone, fear and frustration set in. Yet, giving the lead back to Him results in peace that I cannot explain. Whatever we do, we can make a choice to keep God at the front. Give Him all of your cares and concerns then trust His decisions. He will direct you and take you places you could not imagine going. Remember to acknowledge Him in all you do. Take the time to listen to what He is saying to you. He will amaze you.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I give You thanks and praise for who You are.

Take my life Lord and lead me in Your way.

Mold me and make me into Your image. Forgive me for being headstrong and independent.

Heal my heart and guide my life. Lord, I give You control and trust in Your will.

In Jesus' holy and mighty name I pray, Amen. If you are not a Christian and would like to understand more, scroll down the page to my blog post titled, The Greatest Promise.

Powerful Prayers

2010-11-08T10:32:00.002-04:00

“Now this is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him,” (1 John 5:14-15 NKJV). Have you taken the time lately to stop and think about the prayers you are praying? What is it you are asking for, and why? What do you hope to happen as a result to your prayers being answered? Jesus gave us the perfect model for prayer when He gave us The Lord’s Prayer. You can find it in Matthew 6:9-13: “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen,” (emphasis mine NKJV). Sometimes we think of prayer as a magic chant or magical method of getting what we want, yet that is not what prayer is about. Prayer is our line of communication with our Lord and Savior. It is a way to deepen and strengthen our relationship with Him. When we pray according to God’s will, things change. We may not always want to pray His will be done, because for the most part, human beings want what they want, when they want it. We live in an instant society. Instant coffee, instant potatoes, instant stain remover; we desire instant gratification… You get the picture. Not all of our prayers are answered instantly. Some may not be answered at all. Yet, we are to continue on, praying, knowing and believing that God is sovereign. Having said that, we can go back and examine; praying in His will. His will; will be done. So how do we learn to pray in His will? We seek Him first. Spend time in prayer sharing and also listening to what He is saying to you. I have been known to go to the Lord with a checklist. I want this, this, this and this and I want it done in this way. Selfish? Oh, yes. Is this what He desires for His children in prayer? I don’t think so. Learning to pray His will simply means going to Him and asking what we desire, but in the end of it all; simply pray, Lord, not my will but Yours be done. This can be extremely difficult for those of us who like to feel some kind of control. When we surrender our will to His: that is faith. Remember, His desire is to give us the great things, not just the good things. When we truly stop and take time to follow His way and His will, we will be blessed with the great things. God knows what we need and the best way to give it to us. Will you pray, Your will be done, and let God be God?

If Peace is a Promise – Why am I Worried?

2010-10-27T14:19:00.002-03:00

Peace is a strange thing. We desire it, we want it, we strive for it, yet it can be elusive. Why? Maybe we are trying too hard. Jesus’ peace is a promise He made over 2000 years ago. “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,” (John 14:27). Jesus left His peace with everyone who would choose to become one of His children. Many times we spend our days striving to “find” peace, when it is right there for us to grab hold of. Peace is a free gift God holds out to you. It is like the most beautiful gift, wrapped in shiny gorgeous paper, with ribbons and bows flowing from it. He holds it out to you right now, even in this very moment. Like every gift the Master holds out to us, we must be active in our acceptance. Accepting the gifts He has means taking them, unwrapping, and using them. What good would a birthday or Christmas gift be if you took it home and put it on a shelf unopened? Even if it was a book with the answers to all of your questions, or all the money you could ever want or need, it would not do you one bit of good unless you opened it and used it. Each day is new, filled with promises and hope. Reach out to Jesus, accept His gift of salvation and all the promises He has for you. Do not make the mistake I did and think that everything would be perfect without trouble or glitches. Realize that Christians also have trouble, yet we can have “peace that surpasses all understanding” when our hope and focus is on Him. Give Him control of your life and trust that He wants more and better for you than you can possibly think of or hope for. It is not easy to relinquish control, yet it is possible. What is peace to you? Have you ever really thought about your expectations? What would a peaceful life look like to you? Seek the will of Jesus for your life, keeping your focus on Him and He will fill you with His peace in all circumstances.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-10-10T15:25:00.001-03:00

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5 NKJV Tomorrow we celebrate Thanksgiving. Have you thought about the things you are truly thankful for? In each one of our lives, there is something to give thanks for. It may be something small or something huge, but we can all find at least one thing to be thankful for. Take some time this weekend and record some of the things you are thankful for. The promise of an eternal life in heaven with Jesus is something I am thankful for. Knowing that everyone is on level footing and all are welcome is something to be truly thankful for. Forgiveness, grace, mercy, peace, hope, and wisdom; these are all promises to His children. Isn’t that cause for thankfulness? When we enter into His presence, we can do so with boldness knowing that our prayers will be heard. We can enter with thanksgiving because He is and always will be. We can make the conscious choice to praise Him even if we don’t “feel” like it. If you are going through a bad time, take a moment and praise God for something. Find one thing He has done and praise Him for it. Remember, His truth does endure. Pray that He will give you understanding and a discerning heart to hear from Him.

Active Faith

2010-09-26T15:48:00.001-03:00

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know,” (Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV). This promise recorded in the Old Testament is so often taken lightly in the day and age we live in today. We have a great and mighty Savior, who died for our sins and cares for each one of His children as much as a mother cares for her newborn babe. So many times we pray and do not hear an audible voice answering our prayers and are deceived into believing that God did not hear us. Do not be deceived dear ones. God hears every prayer, those spoken and those of the heart. Faith is not acquired without some action. We are not born with enough faith to last us our lifetimes. To grow our faith, we must do our part. Living in close relationship with the Lord, praying constantly and continually calling upon His name are all ways to grow your faith. Remember, His timing is not necessarily the same as yours. I remember praying for a change in my husband’s job. He was working long, tiresome shifts. Our children were very small and they didn’t see him very much. I was getting as stressed out as he was. We were becoming more and more disconnected as a family and I prayed that God would make a change. Oh, how He has a sense of humour! Not long after I began praying, Rollie lost his job. That was certainly NOT the kind of change I was looking for. Now, being able to look back, I am able to see God’s mighty hand at work in many areas of our lives. Had he stayed in the job he was in, we may not be where we are in our relationships with the Lord. Have faith in the fact that God sees “the big picture” when all we see is the small corner of our situation in the moment we are in. Whatever you may be struggling with or whatever situation you are in, call on Him and He will answer you. Trust Him and have faith in Him, knowing that He loves you completely.

Peaceful Living

2010-09-19T21:19:00.004-03:00

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God: and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) I used to think that to live was to worry. Worry was my constant companion. There was always something to worry about and when there wasn’t, I could quickly find something. Worry was my middle name. However, thanks to the grace and mighty power of the Lord, that is changing in my life. I remember walking in to see our new pastor – after my family had started going to church – with a heavy burdened soul. I was not yet convinced that the God who created the universe could ever really know me. Not only that, but why would He care about me. After talking with the pastor for a little while he looked squarely at me, leaned forward and asked “What are you looking for?” It didn’t take me long to reply. I told him in one simple word. PEACE. Then I shared that I wanted to have a life that was peaceful on the inside. I am not naïve enough to believe that God will make everything perfect in my life but I thought that maybe, just maybe, I could find a peace. The type of peace you carry inside, knowing everything will be okay even though all around may be trials and hard times. As I prayed about this and my prayer partners began to pray for me, I started to feel this place in my soul that felt sunny. It’s the only way I can describe it. Amidst all the turmoil and hardship and through all the tears; somehow God revealed to me in this place deep within that He was there and He was bigger than all that other junk going on. I remember praying one night and asking the Lord to show me what I needed and when I opened my Bible the verse at the beginning of this entry is the one that He showed me. I love this passage of Scripture. What a promise! God is so good. Although there are still struggles and situations that come up, I have this place where I know that everything will be okay. No matter what, God is bigger. His purpose is bigger. His aim is higher and His intention is always for good. Now when I am tempted to worry I try to remember this Scripture. I’m not always perfect or even good at it, but through His grace, His love and His timing, I know that all will work for good and there is much peace to find in that. Trust God to be Lord of your life. Give Him controlling interest and He will guide and direct your life to amazing places. Don't be like I used to be doubting Him, but put your faith in Him. Do not trust your feelings, but trust the fact that He wants more and better for you than you can begin to imagine.

Sufficient Grace

2010-09-11T21:54:00.003-03:00

"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness," (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV). Is His grace sufficient for you? In my Christian walk, I have found His grace to be all sufficient. I have gone through spiritual battles, family problems, and health issues (my own, family and friends) just like everyone else. Each time a battle surfaces in our lives, we have a choice to make. Either we can decide to take control and deal with the problem ourselves or we can choose to pray and release our cares to God. When I choose to deal with it myself, it usually becomes a great burden, too overwhelming to deal with. The fear can grow out of control turning into a monster. On the other hand, if I consciously choose to take the time to pray and give it over to God's way and timing, then I experience peace. Please don't get me wrong. I didn't say it was easy; but I do experience a peace that surpasses all logic. Knowing that I cannot control the outcome, but realizing that Jesus can, gives me wonderful peace. Admitting my weakness opens the door to allow God to be God, revealing His strength through me. Each one of us has limitations but God's power to take us through difficult (even impossible) circumstances is limitless! Are you able to let go of all the "bad" things you are dealing with right now? Are you able to say to God, "Have thine own way Lord," and truly mean it? Can you admit to your inability to control the events of your life and relax, knowing that God who created everything you see out of nothing cares and is truly in control? Will you step out of the way and give God control of your life and say to Him, "Your grace is sufficient for me," meaning it? Jesus died so we may have abundant life, not just a mediocre one. Lean on Him. Allow Him to "run" your life. Give Him the control and grab on tight. Follow Him wherever He leads. It may not always be easy, but you will never be alone. Trust in the One who loves you completely and have faith that His grace is sufficient and it will be.

The Greatest Promise

2010-09-04T19:05:00.002-03:00

John 3:16 says, “For 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,” (NIV). One of the most exciting promises in the Bible is found in this passage of Scripture. God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to live, die and be resurrected for us. If you are a Christian, have you ever really taken the time to meditate on what that means? Do you realize that the scars on the hands, feet and side of Jesus are there so each one of us can find forgiveness and be made wholly acceptable before God? If you are not a Christian but would like to join the family of God, the steps to becoming part of the family are very simple. The first thing one must do is admit that they are a sinner because we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We are all sinners and make mistakes. It does not matter how many good things we do, we are still sinners. With this admission we also need to realize that the penalty for being a sinner is death (Romans 6:23). We neither deserve to live eternally, nor do we deserve forgiveness, yet God has so graciously provided a way. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we can come to Him. The next step is to believe with everything in you that Jesus Christ died for your sins (Romans 5:8). He died for each of us, but it is important that you make it personal. Can you say, Jesus Christ died for my sins, and truly, completely in your heart know it and believe it? If you are struggling with this truth, I recommend you read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Read them praying that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes so you may see the truth of what Jesus has done for you. Last but not least; you must commit your life into His capable hands (Romans 10:8-10). Confess to the Lord that you need Him to lead and guide your life. Give your life into the hands of God and let Him make the changes He desires in your life. He created you and has a plan for your life. Will you submit to Him and give Him full control? Who is this promise for? YOU. This promise is for all. It is for anyone who will humble themselves and cry out to the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him to forgive them of their sins and invite Him into their lives. No one is too far gone to be saved. No sin is too great for Jesus Christ to forgive. No, not one. You do not need to add anything else. The blood that Jesus shed was the requirement and payment for our salvation. It excites me to know this and to share it with you. Putting our lives in the nail-scarred hands of Jesus Christ is a powerful thing. Allowing Him to make us into the people He has created us to be, will fill us with a peace and joy that surpasses anything we could ever imagine. It does not mean however, that your life will be all roses and daisies. There will still be trials and hard times but you will never be on your own. With Jesus by your side, you can be assured that He will stay near. He is never more than a prayer away. Will you put your life in His hands and allow Him to become everything to you?

Changes, Changes

2010-08-26T15:39:00.002-03:00

Fall is quickly approaching. It is easy to see here in Nova Scotia. The evenings are beginning to chill off. The days are getting shorter. The first day of school is just around the corner. Even the leaves are in the first stages of change. Our lives are a series of changes. We are born, then we grow into toddlers, young children, preteens, teenagers and then adults. Through each step and stage, there are challenges and many changes. Do you remember your first day of school? I don’t. What about the day you got married? I remember it as though it were yesterday. I was so happy. I found the person who was going to make me happy forever. Not long after that, we had our first spat. It was over something so insignificant – I can’t even remember! Do you remember your children being born? What joy! Looking at that beautiful face, counting fingers and toes, marveling at the beauty and perfection that lay in my arms! Children bring about much change in life. For me, nothing will ever be the same. After having children, my thoughts and opinions have changed very much. Accepting the Lord in my life as an adult has brought change as well. This is another place where my thoughts and opinions have radically changed. My priorities have shifted to the eternal rather than here and now. With Jesus Christ as the centre of my life, I no longer dwell on the “things” I don’t have. I rejoice in my relationship with Him. Through all the changes that have happened and the ones that will happen, Jesus remains the constant. Though I did not always know Him or have a relationship with Him, He has always known me. He has been a gentleman, patiently waiting for me to call on His name. When I did, He was true to His word and came to my rescue. He will do the same for you if you will let Him. Through all the changes Jesus is there, longing to be the One True anchor in all of our lives. Will you release your cares and worries? Will you call out to Him in your good times and bad? Will you allow His promises to satisfy your soul? If you will, there is no change too big or too hard for you to get through. He will take you through every valley leading and guiding your every step. Look to Jesus to be the foundation of your life and you will not go wrong.

Step by Step

2010-08-19T13:39:00.004-03:00

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 NKJV I love to watch a toddler learning to walk. One step, maybe two and down they go. However, they don’t stop there. Up they pull themselves, eager to get on with it. One can almost hear the thoughts in their little minds, “I can do it. I can do it.” Seldom have I experienced a look of terror or defeat in a little face.

We are rather the opposite. As adults, we tend to give up too quickly; willing to admit defeat at the slightest obstacle. God, on the other hand, never gives up on us. He is constantly there as a source of strength and power just waiting for us to reach out and grab on to the blessings He has promised us.

Reading His Word and meditating on His truths will shed light on every part of our lives if we will go to Him. We can have faith knowing His Word will bring us through good times, bad times and all the times in between. It is our responsibility to take the initiative to step out on faith wherever He asks us to go. His promise is to never leave us nor to forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

I have learned something extremely important and fundamental about God. He shows us the next step after we take the first one. He wants our faith. He desires for us to lean fully on Him and who He is, not on what we can accomplish on our own. We have no need to impress Him with our wit or strength, but to show Him our devotion is in Him. When we release our selfishness, and embrace Him, He will illuminate the path that leads to blessings.

Can you make a commitment to Him today, with all your heart, trusting in His promise to lead the way and light the path He has chosen for you? Will you follow Him wherever He takes you? Take time to pray that God will lead you and light your way; believing in His promises and taking that first step of faith in Him.

A New Life

2010-08-11T09:47:00.002-03:00

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone: a new life has begun.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT This promise is not to be taken lightly. It is filled with hope. This Scripture verse tells us that we are made a new creation in Christ. We are no longer the person we once were. We can live victorious lives because, “The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” Are you stalled in the past? Do you feel controlled by your past? Does it seem like you wear your past on your sleeve for the whole world to see? Then this promise is for you! You do not have to believe the lies of the enemy that says you will never be any different or that you are a loser (or a whole range of other lies). You have a promise of a new life and hope in Jesus Christ. Every single person has a past. There are things in your past that you could not control. There are things in your past you could have chosen to do differently. There are things you may wish you could forget. Choosing right now, in this moment, to live for Christ and asking for and accepting His gift of forgiveness for your mistakes and believing Him, gives you a new life. You can rejoice in the fact that you are a changed, new person. Can you commit your life into His capable, nail-scarred hands? Can you allow Jesus to heal the wounds of the past, whether they are self-inflicted or inflicted at the hands of someone else? Can you allow Jesus to come into your life and make you whole? Your new life will not be perfect. Don’t think of this as a miracle-cure or a cure that will happen in a moment in time. It may take many times of giving your hurts to the Lord, before you feel the pain recede. But, it can and will happen when you give it all to Him. Jesus told us that there will be times of trouble, but we needn’t be afraid because He is with us. When we give our lives to Him, we can call on Him anytime and He hears our prayers. One of my favorite promises is Hebrews 13:5, “…I will never leave you nor forsake you,” (NKJV). And He doesn’t. He is there in all ways, always. One important fact to realize is that our relationship with Him is active and living. It is not a one-sided deal where He gives and gives and we take and take. We need to spend time in His presence, speaking and listening for His still, small voice that speaks to our hearts. He may also use our circumstances and the Christian people around us, but rest assured He will speak. Don’t allow your past dictate your future. Everyone has “skeletons” in their closet – so to speak. Accept the promise of a new life in Jesus Christ, give your heart to Him, believe that He loves you and wants better for you than you can imagine, then commit your life to living for Him. Seek His will and direction for your life and live in His promises. He is waiting for you to call out to Him.

All Things for Our Benefit

2010-08-04T10:42:00.000-03:00

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 Do you believe this statement as recorded by Paul? Do you believe that God uses ALL things for our good? Do you also believe that whatever happens to you – good or bad – God has allowed? Everything that happens to us will be used by God for the purpose of our growth in Him, if we will let Him. Whatever the circumstance, whatever the occasion, He can use it to bring us closer to Him and to become more like Him. I have learned this truth over and over. Going to Ontario this summer, we were traveling on Route 9 through Maine. The van we were driving started shaking and making noise. My husband pulled off the road, onto a beautiful turning spot (that the Lord provided), and saw two lugs had broken off the front driver’s side tire. Looking back toward the road, he found both lugs on the ground in the space close to where we had parked. After tightening the remaining lugs, we ventured into Brewer and after much prayer and God’s hand leading us, we were repaired and once again on the road. Through all of it, I did have a moment or two of worry, but mostly a heart-cry to God asking, “What do you want us to learn from this, Lord?” When you are in the midst of a crisis or troubled time, do you cry out, “Why me?” or do you ask, “What do you want me to learn from this?” Believe me, I am far from perfect and I have far to go in my walk with Christ, but I am learning and growing through the circumstances of my life. One thing I know without a doubt is this: when I keep my eyes on Christ, viewing the problems through Him, I am much more at peace and my faith grows. When I see the problem first, fear takes over. Do you believe that God is in control and He truly wants what is best for you? Do you realize that He died for you and me, to pardon us from all our sins? Do you understand that the promises contained in the Bible are for anyone who will humble themselves before Him and ask for His forgiveness? Jesus loves you. He is waiting for you to say the word. Trust Him to know what is necessary in your life to make you more like Him. When times of trial come along, and they will, ask, “What do you want me to learn from this, Lord?” and quietly listen for His answer. Remember, He is in control and what He does is for our benefit.

Promises for All

2010-07-21T22:21:00.003-03:00

From the first verse of Genesis to the last verse of Revelation, God’s promises are recorded. Each promise is there for whoever will chose Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Promises ranging from abilities to wisdom and everything in-between are covered in the pages of the Bible. The Bible is not just another “good” book. It is a life manual. All the questions we have, all the things we wonder and worry about will be answered when we prayerfully read the Scriptures and allow God to speak to our hearts. Not everything will be revealed to us at once. Each time I read Scripture, I am amazed at how it comes alive a bit more. Once you have read the Bible through once, don’t think it’s all over. Reading and rereading the Bible will help us learn more and grow deeper in relationship with Him. The most important relationship you will ever have is the one you share with Jesus Christ. Making time for Him in your day, each and every day, will bring benefits you can not imagine. What are you searching for? What is it that would fill you? Whatever your answer, you will find in the Scriptures. Are you looking for joy? I suggest Philippians. Peace? Try Psalm. Wisdom? Read Proverbs. Do you want to read about the miracles of Jesus? Read John. Whatever you want to find out, you can find it in the Bible. If you want to go deeper, I suggest a good study Bible and a concordance. We live in a society (especially in North America and the Western World) that has information right at your fingertips. When you find a passage of Scripture promising what you are searching for, memorize it. Take the time and effort to imprint that verse on your heart. The more we know God, the closer relationship we have with Him, and the more we love Him. It is easier to have faith in the One we love, than the one we do not know. Take some time and make it a priority to get to know Jesus intimately. Prayerfully read and study the Scriptures, taking extra time thinking and praying about the ones that “pop” off the page at you. Those are the ones God will use to speak directly to your heart. Make Him first in your life. Accept His gifts to you and use them. He loves you and is waiting for you.

Hope

2010-07-15T12:24:00.001-03:00

Promises are something we do not take very seriously anymore. Watching T.V. we see advertisements promising miracle products one after another. We read promises for weight-loss and hair removal products that work wonders. If you are like me, you may believe that maybe this time, maybe this is the product that will work. Many times I have tried advertised products, and many times I have been disappointed.

There is hope though. The best-selling book of all times has the answer. Jesus Christ makes promises and keep them. He is the One we can look to and know that His promises will not fail. We can have faith in Him and everything He says. He is honest and trustworthy. He will always be there, unchanging and approachable. He promises us in the Bible that we will have tribulation and trials, yet He will be near us. He explains that He is the same today, yesterday and forever. He also tells us that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

There are times in life when we feel all alone. There are circumstances that seem to be too heavy for us to bear. Taking time to focus on Jesus, remembering what He went through because He loves us will help get us through. Know His love is bigger than all the problems of this world and pray with an open heart to recieve His promises. If we will pray, seeking what He wants us to learn from each experience, we will draw nearer to Him and develop a closer and deeper relationship to Him. This is where we all need to be. In the center of His will, held close by the Master.