I am so thankful and so grateful to all those friends and family who since hearing the news of Dude's upcoming deployment in December, have prayed and will continue to pray for Dude, as well as for me.
The Lord gave me this scripture this morning, as I continue to go to him more frequently about having complete peace about this.
He says in John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid".
I also read in Isaiah 26:3 - 4, another familiar passage, that has a whole new and fresh message for me - "You Lord, will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal". The Hebrew word for the peace mentioned here, translates into " a full, genuine well-being".
You might be in a place in your life when you too, need to know the peace that passes all human understanding. We all face different trials and tests of faith throughout our walk here on earth, and I pray that these passages will speak peace into your heart as they have done for me.
Blessings,
Janelle
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Take No Thought for Your Life
Today I'm posting from my devotional, "My Utmost for His Highest", by Oswald Chambers.
He says, "A warning which needs to be reiterated is that the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things entering in, will choke all that God puts in. We are never free from the recurring tides of this encroachment. If it does not come on the line of clothes and food, it will come on the line of money or lack of money; of friends or lack of friends; or on the line of difficult circumstances. It is one steady encroachment all the time, and unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the standard against it, these things will come in like a flood.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:25, "Take no thought for your life". "Be careful about one thing only", says our Lord, "your relationship to Me". Common sense shouts loud and says, "That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, I must consider what I am going to eat and drink." Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing the thought that this statement is made by One Who does not understand our particular circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things so as to make them the one concern of our life. Whenever there is competition, be sure that you put your relationship to God first.
"Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." How much evil has begun to threaten you today? What kind of mean little imps have been looking in and saying - Now what are you going to do next month - this summer? "Be anxious for nothing", Jesus says. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the "much more" of your heavenly Father.
This all goes along so well with the series of teachings our pastor has started off the new year with - "In God We Trust".
This past Sunday's notes said:
1. Do not put your trust in yourself - Proverbs 28:26
2. Do not put your trust in your own wisdom and understanding - Proverbs 3: 5 - 7
3. Do not put your trust in money - Proverbs 11:28, 18:11
4. Do not put your trust in your own planning - Proverbs 21:30, 16:9
5. Do not put your trust in man's approval - Proverbs 29:25
This sermon really hit home with me, as well as the devotional today, as I am guilty of all the above at times. My prayer is that my faith in God's faithfulness will be strengthened, and I will look to Him more each day, to fulfill the promises He makes about meeting all our needs.
Have a blessed Tuesday...
Janelle
He says, "A warning which needs to be reiterated is that the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things entering in, will choke all that God puts in. We are never free from the recurring tides of this encroachment. If it does not come on the line of clothes and food, it will come on the line of money or lack of money; of friends or lack of friends; or on the line of difficult circumstances. It is one steady encroachment all the time, and unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the standard against it, these things will come in like a flood.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:25, "Take no thought for your life". "Be careful about one thing only", says our Lord, "your relationship to Me". Common sense shouts loud and says, "That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, I must consider what I am going to eat and drink." Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing the thought that this statement is made by One Who does not understand our particular circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things so as to make them the one concern of our life. Whenever there is competition, be sure that you put your relationship to God first.
"Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." How much evil has begun to threaten you today? What kind of mean little imps have been looking in and saying - Now what are you going to do next month - this summer? "Be anxious for nothing", Jesus says. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the "much more" of your heavenly Father.
This all goes along so well with the series of teachings our pastor has started off the new year with - "In God We Trust".
This past Sunday's notes said:
1. Do not put your trust in yourself - Proverbs 28:26
2. Do not put your trust in your own wisdom and understanding - Proverbs 3: 5 - 7
3. Do not put your trust in money - Proverbs 11:28, 18:11
4. Do not put your trust in your own planning - Proverbs 21:30, 16:9
5. Do not put your trust in man's approval - Proverbs 29:25
This sermon really hit home with me, as well as the devotional today, as I am guilty of all the above at times. My prayer is that my faith in God's faithfulness will be strengthened, and I will look to Him more each day, to fulfill the promises He makes about meeting all our needs.
Have a blessed Tuesday...
Janelle
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Faith & Works
Today's verses from James 2: 14 - 17
"What good is it, my brotheres if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead".
This is not to say that we are saved by works, but that a faith that does not produce good works is a dead faith. Faith as a living, productive trust in Christ - genuine faith cannot be 'dead' to morality or barren to works.
We are to reach out to those in need, just as Jesus did. As we give, we are in turn blessed. It's the spiritual blessing we should reach for though, and not fall into the trap that is often preached that if you give, then God will give you material blessings. Material things rot and fade away - they can be stolen, as Jesus teached.
I pray that this weekend will bring many of God's blessings in your life - ask him to show you how you can bless someone.
Janelle
"What good is it, my brotheres if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead".
This is not to say that we are saved by works, but that a faith that does not produce good works is a dead faith. Faith as a living, productive trust in Christ - genuine faith cannot be 'dead' to morality or barren to works.
We are to reach out to those in need, just as Jesus did. As we give, we are in turn blessed. It's the spiritual blessing we should reach for though, and not fall into the trap that is often preached that if you give, then God will give you material blessings. Material things rot and fade away - they can be stolen, as Jesus teached.
I pray that this weekend will bring many of God's blessings in your life - ask him to show you how you can bless someone.
Janelle
Monday, August 11, 2008
Facing Life's Trials
Today I'm starting the book of James, found in the New Testament. Most believe that this was written by the brother of Jesus.
This book focuses on teaching practical living for Christian believers.
The first part of Chapter 1 is about the trials of life, which we all face from time to time. Verses 2 - 4 say, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything".
We don't often go into one of life's trials with a joyful attitude, but the Lord is speaking to us through James, that this is His way of facing them, and when we apply this attitude to our lives, it will only benefit us in every way.
Most of us can probably say that patience is not one of our virtues. We live in a society that has trained us to expect instant gratification for just about everything. We find ourselves saying, "God give me patience". Well if we ask him for that, we need to expect him to test us in it! How else will we learn patience if we don't experience something that requires it from us?
James says that our faith develops perseverance - the stronger we become in our faith in the Lord's faithfulness, the more mature we become spiritually.
I know there are several areas in my life right now that I consider trials. I am having some health issues that I'm trusting the Lord to get me through, and I think the hardest trial I face right now is one of anxiety regarding my son joining the U.S. Army and going off for basic training next week. I have to keep reminding myself that when my son was a young child, I dedicated him to the Lord, and just as I trusted the Lord to help me in raising him, I have to now put my trust in Him to protect my son - to strengthen him as a man, both spiritually and physically, so he will in turn, be able to face all the trials that will be in front of him over the next few years.
Pray for our sons and daughters who are serving this great country we live in. It is because of their service, that we have the freedoms that all to many take for granted.
Blessings,
Janelle
This book focuses on teaching practical living for Christian believers.
The first part of Chapter 1 is about the trials of life, which we all face from time to time. Verses 2 - 4 say, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything".
We don't often go into one of life's trials with a joyful attitude, but the Lord is speaking to us through James, that this is His way of facing them, and when we apply this attitude to our lives, it will only benefit us in every way.
Most of us can probably say that patience is not one of our virtues. We live in a society that has trained us to expect instant gratification for just about everything. We find ourselves saying, "God give me patience". Well if we ask him for that, we need to expect him to test us in it! How else will we learn patience if we don't experience something that requires it from us?
James says that our faith develops perseverance - the stronger we become in our faith in the Lord's faithfulness, the more mature we become spiritually.
I know there are several areas in my life right now that I consider trials. I am having some health issues that I'm trusting the Lord to get me through, and I think the hardest trial I face right now is one of anxiety regarding my son joining the U.S. Army and going off for basic training next week. I have to keep reminding myself that when my son was a young child, I dedicated him to the Lord, and just as I trusted the Lord to help me in raising him, I have to now put my trust in Him to protect my son - to strengthen him as a man, both spiritually and physically, so he will in turn, be able to face all the trials that will be in front of him over the next few years.
Pray for our sons and daughters who are serving this great country we live in. It is because of their service, that we have the freedoms that all to many take for granted.
Blessings,
Janelle
Monday, June 30, 2008
Running the Race
The 11th chapter of Hebrews spoke of faith, and gave examples from the OT about many of what we know as "heroes" of the Bible in their faith, when things seemed impossible for them. Chapter 12 starts out referencing back to them and it says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart".
There are a lot of messages in those three short verses.
The things that hinder us as believers can be doubt, unbelief, fear...anything that opposes faith in the Lord's faithfulness. The race that we run is our daily walk as a Christian; sometimes it's an easy road, sometimes it's got its share of trials and sorrows. The solution to keep from falling out of the race is to keep our eyes focused on Jesus. Think about Him, his life, and all that he went through for each one of us.
Not only did he live a sinless life, but he was put on trial, beaten, mocked, spit upon, and betrayed by those who had once followed him. He kept his eyes and his heart focused on the promises that God the Father had given him, and he willingly laid down his life for us. If we let the reality of what Jesus did for us be a constant thought in our minds, and how he promises us of a life eternal with him in Heaven if we only believe in him, then it's a whole lot easier to get through our daily lives with a spirit of faith and hope, just like Jesus did.
If you are not a believer, but question the existance of Jesus not just as a man, but as God himself in the flesh, I urge you today to give those questions to the One who can answer them for you. Let God reveal himself to you through Jesus, the living Son of God, "THE way, THE truth, and THE life".
Have a blessed week and remember to tell those you love how much they mean to you.
Janelle
There are a lot of messages in those three short verses.
The things that hinder us as believers can be doubt, unbelief, fear...anything that opposes faith in the Lord's faithfulness. The race that we run is our daily walk as a Christian; sometimes it's an easy road, sometimes it's got its share of trials and sorrows. The solution to keep from falling out of the race is to keep our eyes focused on Jesus. Think about Him, his life, and all that he went through for each one of us.
Not only did he live a sinless life, but he was put on trial, beaten, mocked, spit upon, and betrayed by those who had once followed him. He kept his eyes and his heart focused on the promises that God the Father had given him, and he willingly laid down his life for us. If we let the reality of what Jesus did for us be a constant thought in our minds, and how he promises us of a life eternal with him in Heaven if we only believe in him, then it's a whole lot easier to get through our daily lives with a spirit of faith and hope, just like Jesus did.
If you are not a believer, but question the existance of Jesus not just as a man, but as God himself in the flesh, I urge you today to give those questions to the One who can answer them for you. Let God reveal himself to you through Jesus, the living Son of God, "THE way, THE truth, and THE life".
Have a blessed week and remember to tell those you love how much they mean to you.
Janelle
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The Lord's Faithfulness
Faith....something that we all have, but what is our faith IN?
Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see".
I use to think that my faith in the Lord was what kept me going. I think the older I get, the more I realize that it has NOTHING to do with me at all, but my faith should be in the Lord's faithfulness. It's all about HIM!
He has promised us that he would never leave us or forsake us - when I'm going through a rough spot in life, and feel alone - do I really keep my faith focused on his faithfulness to that promise?
He has promised us that he will provide us all that we need - when things get tight financially, do I hold onto his promise that Jehovah Jireh IS my provider, or do I let myself get into a state of fear of "what am I going to do". Yes, I wrestled with this one this past week, and had to repent for letting fear replace my faith in his Word.
He has promised us eternal life with him in Heaven - I think it's easier for us as Christians to hold onto that promise. I don't question my salvation, or that when I leave this earth, I'll go straight to heaven to be with the Lord.
So why can we take Him at His Word in some things and not others? I think because as humans and our sin nature, we let "self" get in the way - we try to handle things and figure out things for ourselves far too often, instead of running to what should be the source of our faith - that is Christ Jesus.
Verse 6 of Hebrews 11 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him".
I want to please my Father, God. I want my faith in His faithfulness to grow more each day.
I pray you have a blessed weekend, and that the Lord will prove His faithfulness in your life in that area in which you're struggling.
Janelle
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The Patience of Faith
Today, I'm taking from Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest" devotional journal.
Patience is more than endurance. A saint's life is in the hand of God like a bow and arrow in the hand of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint can't see, and He stretches and strains and every now and then the saint says, "I can't stand anymore". God doesn't heed - He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God's hand!
It's hard to give over control to someone other than ourself. We all have the tendency to think that we can do it best, and most of the time it leads us down a road of self destruction.
Like the analogy above, an arrow has to have the bow to give it direction; without it, the arrow is can't soar - it has no power on it's own. So are we, when we try to go about without putting ourselves in the hand of God.
God wants us to soar - so put yourself in His hands and enjoy this incredible ride, we call life!
In the movie, "Parenthood" the old grandmother recalls her younger days when she would go to the carnival and ride the roller coaster. She mentioned how some people were to scared, so they stayed on the easy rides like the merry go round - going nowhere but around and around. She liked the roller coaster - the thrill and the unexpected were exhilarating - the ups and downs, the unexpected turns.
Put yourself in the hands of God today - take the ride - enjoy the unexpected!
Janelle
Patience is more than endurance. A saint's life is in the hand of God like a bow and arrow in the hand of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint can't see, and He stretches and strains and every now and then the saint says, "I can't stand anymore". God doesn't heed - He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God's hand!
It's hard to give over control to someone other than ourself. We all have the tendency to think that we can do it best, and most of the time it leads us down a road of self destruction.
Like the analogy above, an arrow has to have the bow to give it direction; without it, the arrow is can't soar - it has no power on it's own. So are we, when we try to go about without putting ourselves in the hand of God.
God wants us to soar - so put yourself in His hands and enjoy this incredible ride, we call life!
In the movie, "Parenthood" the old grandmother recalls her younger days when she would go to the carnival and ride the roller coaster. She mentioned how some people were to scared, so they stayed on the easy rides like the merry go round - going nowhere but around and around. She liked the roller coaster - the thrill and the unexpected were exhilarating - the ups and downs, the unexpected turns.
Put yourself in the hands of God today - take the ride - enjoy the unexpected!
Janelle
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