Blessed Suffering

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy," (1 Peter 4:12-13 NKJV).

At first glance, the title of this post seems wrong. Our humanity looks at the words blessed and suffering and does not see them working together. However, they complement one another quite well in the heavenly realm.

Everyone wants to be blessed We all long to see the pain stop, the cancer or disease to be healed, the relationship to be restored, the wayward child to return home, the money we need to appear, along with many other things, some of which you may be thinking of right now. I don't think we go out looking to embrace suffering, rather we seem to recoil and run from it. However, everyone has or will experience it.

Suffering can be blessed when we choose to embrace it when we experience it. Jesus tells us, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world," (John 16:33b NKJV emphasis mine). It is clear from this passage of Scripture that we will experience suffering but it comes with a promise to remember. Jesus has overcome the world. This is what we hold on to. This is where we can shine for Jesus.

We may be walking through some difficult valleys right now but we can choose how we walk. We can choose to hang our heads, drag our feet, and go through the struggle kicking and screaming, or we can embrace where we are and hold our heads high - looking away to Jesus - , walk on with steadfast assurance, and even skip and sing, praising the Lord for "counting us worthy to suffer for Him."

This may seem impossible but it isn't. I encourage you to memorize this Scripture - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). In Christ we are all overcomers. I also encourage you to listen to Mandisa's song "Overcomer." You can find it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8VoUYtx0kw

There is such hope in this song. The truth is that whether we are healed on this earth or healed in heaven is up to the Lord and He knows what is best for each of us. He loves us beyond anything we can imagine. It is through His will that we are here. Nothing comes to us that He doesn't allow. So you can rest knowing that if you are walking through a valley right now He is either right beside you or carrying you. You are not alone. Choose today to embrace your suffering, giving the burden to the One who understands completely. He will love you and guide you through. One day, you will be able to look back and see God's fingerprints all over your situation.

Heavenly, gracious, and merciful Father,
Thank You for Your promise to never leave nor forsake us. Thank You that we never need to walk through a dark valley alone. Lord, I call on You in Jesus' name to touch each heart who reads this post and seeks You out. Fill them with your blessed assurance that You are with them. May You be their sufficiency and meet their needs, bringing them to a place of healing in Your perfect timing. Grant them Your peace Lord in Jesus' name, Amen.

Never Separated

                                                   

What is going on in your life right now? Thinking about the people around me, there are many different circumstances people find themselves in each and every day. Some people are where they are by choice, some have no choice. I have friends who are going through mountaintop experiences: enjoying the presence of newborn babies in their families, waiting to have books published, finishing up college, preparing to graduate their children from high school, and such. I also have friends who are going through valley times: parents in long-term care facilities, illness of all sorts, times of struggle with family members, and the list goes on. Take a moment to think about your life. Where are you?

In whichever list you find yourself (and you may be going through times that place you in both), you can rest in the assurance that you have a Comforter and Redeemer in Jesus Christ. Paul was no stranger to tough times. In his life he was persecuted, beaten, shipwrecked, and imprisoned. But he continued to trust his Saviour. In Romans 8:38-39 he shares a promise we can cling to:

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,

nor angels nor principalities nor powers,

nor things present nor things to come, 

nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing,

shall be able to separate us from the love of God

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." NKJV

Did you see it? NOTHING can separate us from the love of God! I think of illness that robs a person of their faculties - that does not separate them from the love of God. What about  the loss of a job? No, that can't separate them from the love of God. Do you see? God's love is more powerful than anything. He is "the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last" (Revelation 22:13 NKJV).

Looking at where we are may give us perspective to see that God can work wherever He has us.

"To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven:"

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV

Remember, there is a time and season for everything. This season you are experiencing will not last forever. If you are experiencing a moutaintop time, don't lose heart. When the valley comes along, take time to look around. In the valley is where we grow, if we will take the time to focus on Jesus and not on the circumstances we find ourselves in. If you find yourself in the valley, keep you eyes on Jesus and be comforted in the knowledge that everything has a season, and seasons do not last forever.

Dear friends, keep your eyes on the Lord. Pray and draw near to Him.

Blessings, Natalie

The Promise of Eternal Life

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

By HIS Spirit

"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

Who Is In Control?

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.

Giving it All to God

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

"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.

If Peace is a Promise – Why am I Worried?

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

“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

“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.

The Greatest Promise

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?

Promises for All

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

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.