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

We All Have A Purpose

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

Live Your Dreams

"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