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Well… for this entry, you will notice I have added 31 references on the subject of fear.  That should give us some glimpse of how much the Lord wants to help us in our moments of fear.  He is such a protective and caring God!  The main point I pulled from the passages has to do with His Character.

      It is so amazing that one of the fruits of the Spirit is peace.  The peace element is tied into love ( Galatians 5:22-23).  We know God is love.  He has promised to be with us always to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).  In Acts, Jesus promised to send a comforter (John15:26-27).  Yes, we have a Comforter; but, there are many times we fall short in the area of faith.  Our doubt starts to creep in, and we end up running back to Him.  It is beautiful that God does not condemn, but only quells that doubt.  After all, I noticed many Psalms that speak of God overcoming fear in the Psalmist’s life.  If David had that issue and overcame it with God, so can we.

      This topic was heavy on my mind this week.  Personally, I have had a tough time.  My body has not been feeling well with a virus, my Husband has worked a graveyard shift, and my Mom has had many Dr appointments.   One of them was in lieu of getting a lumpectomy on her breast for cancer.  At any rate, that is what I have had to face.  I would love it if several of you wouldn’t mind sharing some prayer requests or testimonies of Christ being your peace giver.  May God bless you as you look to Him!

https://youtube.com/?v=eU38zWunA5g&si=UX6FKesYJoVH1watchlId

     This last week, listening to this song on KLove, it made me want to reach out and comment on it.  Throughout my life, I have had a problem with perfectionism.  There has always been a thought in the back of my mind that maybe somehow I could try hard enough to get things correct.  Well, that is not the solution… Christ told us that all of us have sinned.  Unfortunately, it is in our nature (Romans 3:23).

     Praise God, it is not based on what we can muster up…it is based on His love!  We can, as His children, live a life walking in His joy, power, and strength.  It reverts back to us abiding in Him as the branch (John 15:5).  That is true life!  I don’t know about you, but I want that to happen more with me.  After all, it is what God desires of us…to have hearts after Him (1 Samuel 13:14).

Psalm 23:1-5

Yes, folks, we can rest assured our Good Shepherd has us!  We are so prone to be like sheep…very skittish, not that bright, and need of constant care.  It sure relieves me to know that my health and care is taken care of by God…it is not relevant to my strength or smarts!

God makes sure those who are His have what they need and are led on the best path.  When they are not able to muster enough energy to carry on, He carries them to the other side.  It is encouraging to know that He restores our soul…let us ask Him to renew our souls! 

https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.7.11.KJV

God As Compassionate/Omniscient Father

     Every now and then we should stop ourselves and reevaluate the characteristics of God.  After all, He is the I Am.  Our unhappiness stems from putting the Lord on the level of our understanding.  In actuality, we shouldn’t be judging life through our own lenses; but, need  to ask Him to help us see things like He does.

     When we ask for the Spirit’s assistance, we are able to live a more peaceful life.  It will result in laying hold of His desires.  What God wants for us is always best and will always come to fruition.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to live my life fighting the will of God.  It makes more sense to trust our Heavenly Father to take care of us.  Lord, increase our faith!

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+37%3A18-19&version=NIV

      Last weekend was one of anxiety and uncertainty.  My Husband received a message from his boss that he needed to have a meeting about some alleged accusations.  Last week, in Alan’s meeting with his superior, it was shared that the reports were of supposed roughness with the public.  It was decided by my Spouse, as he sought the Spirit’s guidance, that he was going to resign on grounds of lack of support from management.  So, presently, he is looking for another position.

     My Father, who had gone through persecution and uncertainty at work, recommended we both read Psalm 37.  The 18th and 19th verses jumped out at me.  It is a reminder that the upright are covered by God.  He is our sustainance and inheritance… He will be the one to take care of our offspring, and when we are childless, He is the life that can be given through us to the world.

     To close this blog’s entry, His covering will be with us through these perilous times (2 Tim. 3:17).  When we go through seasons of substantial hardships, we need to remember that God is using it to shape and mold us into individuals who are like Him.  I exhort all of us to spend our days dwelling on the Scriptures and to be sensitive to His Spirit’s leading.

     I do have to say that counting my blessings has increased my faith.  What the Enemy wants you and myself focused on is the belief that if God hasn’t worked right away…it must mean He has forgotten us.  To the contrary, God sees us and knows what is best for our lives (Ps. 33:18).

     Those times that you and I become despairing and downcast, we need to stop ourselves and focus on the work the Holy Spirit has done in and through us (Ps. 42:5).  He is going to be faithful and carry us through life.  He is the God that does not change, amen!

     To close today’s entry, I want to honor my upcoming anniversary and thank God for bringing  my husband and I back together.  He heard my prayers for Alan, that it didn’t matter to me if the marriage wasn’t put back together… all I wanted to be sure of was his salvation.  God honored that prayer and worked on the heart of my backslidden spouse. This coming Sunday will mark the 4th year of being reunited…19 years in total.  That was just one of the times my Heavenly Father has comforted and moved in my life.  If at all possible,  please share with me and others the times God has shown he cares.  Love you all in Christ!

     

Counting my Blessings/ Seph Schleuter

Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Good day to you all!  I know I have posted a blog in the past on this subject, but today I needed to dwell on it over and over.  I am experiencing anxieties concerning my Husband’s and my health.  I am also thinking about my Mom’s upcoming surgery on Monday.   Finally,  my mind is thinking about Family members and co-workers who do not have a relationship with Christ.  I do know that as people see Christ flowing through me, they will be more inclined to reach out to Him…1 Corinthians 11:1.  So, in closing, let you and I plug into the Holy Spirit’s power today and always…He is there to give us supernatural peace!

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. NKJV

Today I had to read Philippians 4! I think I would call it my life chapter. It was one of those mornings where I felt no encouragement or strength. I felt like there was no reasoning behind continuing in waiting for various issues in my life….life is monotonous. This chapter, though, pointed out what to dwell on, and that we can get through everything God has placed before us in life.

You may ask, “What should I be thinking about or dwelling on?” Paul explains in verses 8-9 to focus on what is noble, just, pure, lovely, and is of good report. I have heard pastors mention that if you take those characteristics, only one person fits that description….our risen Lord, Jesus. That is plenty to give thanks for, and should give us joy. Let us be like Habakkuk, and praise Him for His salvation and strength {Habakkuk 3:17-19}…no matter what our crops look like. .

In Philippians 4, Paul goes on to share how he has learned to accept being both poverty-stricken and to have much….the answer was Christ. This brings to mind Proverbs 30:9. Our prayer should be one of asking God to be our provision….when we look to ourselves, it will never satisfy. This was asking God to provide so there would not be the temptation to steal; or, to not be in the position where we would be so comfortable in what we have that we do not find the need for God. May God be the Provider, and may we not trust in our emotions, strength, or wealth! May we remember what Isaiah recorded, about how and where our strength comes ( Isaiah 40:31). Let us be patient and wait on Him for our renewed strength!

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

   I do not know how those in the world survive each day!  They have no hope for the future…once death comes, they will face an eternity apart from Christ.  It is truly taking life into their own hands…there is fear involved.  There is evidence that true love has not been found….perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18).

     As we come into the Easter season, let us remember that there is no fear of death for those who are in Christ.  He loves the world and gave Himself for it (John 3:16). It is wonderful to know that death and the grave have no effect on us anymore…with Paul we say that death has no sting, and the grave hasn’t won ( 1 Corinthians 15:55)! Everyone, He is risen!!

L

1 Corinthians 11:1

Be ye followers of me, even as I am of Christ.

The question of how to live life can be summed up in this verse from the Apostle Paul. When we seek to follow God, it is wise to find counsel from those who are abiding in Christ and are exhibiting fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). If you get proper discipleship, then over time you will become more mature in Christ and will be able to be strong examples for others to follow (1 Peter 2:2).

On answering this subject, Paul was enlightened by the Spirit to encourage others to seek God. When they will seek God with all of their hearts, they will be given answers to their questions…they will have verification that what they see and hear from a person is of God. It kind of reminded me of the compliment Paul gave the Berean Church, as they searched the Scriptures (Acts 17:11).

I wanted to share, in closing, that I am grateful for my Dad and pastors like Pastor Chuck Smith. They would always emphasize the importance of following Christ. When you observed how they lived their lives, you were able to see Christ in them. I would love for you to share how God has given you examples to live by. Keep following Him!🙏😊