https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014%3A19&version=NIV

Today, being the day before Easter,  I have spent the day remembering and thanking the Savior for His resurrection power and life!  I have had moments of being depressed and discouraged with the knowledge that I am far from what God wants me to be.  I then had the Spirit reminding me of who I am in Him; I am a daughter of the King! Also, there is the beautiful promise that what God starts in a person’s life, He will complete it (Hebrews 12:2).

That is one of the Enemy’s ways to rob us of the joy of who we are in Him; Satan loves highlighting our faults and weaknesses.  Listening to a Billy Graham message, he was encouraging me that failures and trials should be looked at as a storm before the victory.  Jesus has riden in the boat of humanity and has crossed over into the Father’s Kingdom.  He is our Elder Brother, who can be trusted and follwed (Mark 3:34; Hebrews 2:11; Romans 8:29).

The Spirit was given to us for encouragement and power; let us walk in that power daily! He has paved the way and has given His life to save His younger siblings. The beautiful thing about His strength is that it is not like ours, which can fade and give out (Isaiah 40:31).  Thank you, Jesus!

https://www.christianity.com/bible/niv/romans/8-19-21

In preparation for Easter, and in celebration of my restored marriage, I wanted to talk about Romans 8:19-21 and to let you guys hear this Brandon Lake song.  I am sure it is quite evident that the creation is groaning in expectation of the Church being raptured, and the new heavens and earth being created. That is so encouraging to dwell on!

These worn-out bodies are not going to have to suffer forever,  nether will the earth or animals.  It is beautiful that God gives acceptance to those who repent.  We don’t have to carry that heavy weight of sin. It is able to drop at the foot of the cross; it makes me recall the scene in Pilgrim’s Progress of Christian finally getting his load removed when reaching the cross.

Since Christ put His down-payment for the sins of mankind, we are assured God will forgive and restore. He has given the promise that if His people would humble themselves and pray/repent, then He will heal the land (1Chronicles 7:14). Oh, how I pray that America will lay down its pride and commit itself to following God! In ending this devotional, I would like to have everyone pray for my husband and I.  We are going to be sharing some worship songs, and then Alan will give the testimony about how God brought us back together.  It will end with the invite, there at the Community Meal , for anyone to repent and to be restored.  For those reading this who have not come to Christ or are backslidden, I plead with you to enter the joy of your salvation.  The Father is waiting with outstretched arms.

Psalm 34:18 NIV–The Lord is close to the brokenhearted (Bible Gateway)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2034%3A18&version=NIV

Yesterday, my parents and I were watching a message from Joni Eareckson Tada .  She runs an organization called Joni and Friends.  It covered a subject she has been familiar with for about 50 years; it was on the subject of suffering and how God uses it.  She has been suffering from quadrapeligia, in addition to fighting a battle against breast cancer.

In this particular interview, Joni shared how the years of suffering have taught her to be grateful for the struggles.  It has taught her that each of us has been given a cross to carry.  Our Lord was continuing to minister  to people up until the night of Gethsemane.   I pray God enables us to shine through the times we feel broken.

As far as God shining through us in our brokenness,  it made me recount the time the Lord worked in Gideon’s life (Judges 7:18,20).  The pitchers were broken, and the company went forward with torches and a battle cry. The shout proclaimed the mightiness of God and strength given to Gideon.  As one who feels weak from emotional and health issues, I have had to  let God break me and loudly proclaim His power.  Let us all let our disabilities push us into announcing to Satan, ourselves, and the world the amazing God we serve.  Please scroll down and share with the group the greatness of God!

Phillipians 1:6

New International Version
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

I am sure everyone of you has felt the disappointment of not being able to complete a task; either because of incorrect choices made, or because of life’s circumstances. I have some good news for you! The news is that Jesus Christ will not leave projects undone. He completes things, restoring and using avenues one would never imagine.

He started with a perfect creation, which included mankind.  When this fell and became something other than His character, He went out of His way to restore and save by coming to Earth and going to the cross. He will save all of those who ask Him into their hearts; He is coming soon for His bride and is going to make a new Heaven and Earth!  In the meantime, it is very important for us not to lose heart; we should not put God in a box (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Time and time again, my family and I have been rescued by our Savior!  There have been healings and miraculous provisions.  We all should put our hope in the Cteator and be open for Him to work… His will, not ours ( Luke 22:42).  May God bless you as you seek His will, and I would love to hear of ways Jesus has worked in your lives.  Please leave your comments below.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2037%3A25&version=KJV

     The Lord is faithful and will  provide!  He is our Father, the one who created us and the universe. Jesus taught how we shouldn’t stress out over what we are going to eat or wear.  He pointed out the provisions made for birds, and how the fields were clothed with lillies (Matthew 6:26,28).  Granted, we are to work with all our might unto the Lord; if we do this, we will experience His peace and provisions. If we labor just to benefit ourselves, we will not have the Spirit’s blessings and multiplications.

     With David, I can testify throughout my life that I have not seen God’s servants not being taken care of.  God uses other people,  miraculous circumstances, or being taken to Heaven to provide for us.  I was thinking how we need to be careful not to put God in a box; He is more than we can ever imagine (1 Corinthians 2:9).  Let us let the hard seasons of life draw us closer to Him, not to push us away.  I believe God uses hard times to teach us to trust in Him, nothing else.

John 8:31-32

31)To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32)Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

      How many times do we as humans find ourselves asking what the truth is on issues or people?  If we are honest, we will channel these questions to the Lord.  While He was on Earth, we found that Christ was praying to the Father, constantly, as He embarked on each day’s ministries.

      Jesus emphasized the importance of perseverance, the God inspiried utilization of talents… read Matthew 25:14-17.  We are not supposed to hide our talents; instead, we are to use them for the glory of God.  What our Lord has created has a purpose. The truth is that we are special and chosen.

      When we dwell on what His Spirit reveals to us about ourselves, that is when we will be inspired to step out in faith.  Step by step, He is going to lead us into His perfect will.  I want to encourage all of us to not listen to ourselves, to others, or the Enemy.  May we all be fruitful disciples of Christ!

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20136&version=ESV

       This month, we celebrated Valentine’s  Day; I figured this would be the perfect time to talk about the subject of love and how perfectly Christ has demonstrated this.  The place to start would be Jesus Himself.  As John stated, those who do not exhibit love really don’t know God  (1 John 4:8).  In 1 John 4:16, the Apostle went on to state that those who practice love abide in Him.

     That leads right into Psalm 136, which highlights the mercies/love of God expressed in creation.  It then describes how God punished the Pharoah and led the Children of Israel through the Red Sea.  It went on to describe how God took care of them in the Wilderness and defeated their enemies in various battles. Obviously,  the greatest expression of Christ’s love would be His death on the cross.  He saw how needy mankind was and stooped down to save us.

     To close this blog/devotional,  I wanted to open the door for those who don’t know God to let Him in.  I wanted to encourage that, and for those who know Him to remind them of how loved they are.  When we renew our minds and live in Him, we will have fruit that shows this type of love.  In my life, many times, the Holy Spirit has shown me that my lack of peace could be related to not letting Him fill me with His love.  After all, John also highlighted that perfect love casts out all fear ( 1 John 4:18).  Our Heavenly Father is the only one I know of who has perfect love!  Please share ways God has demonstrated this love in your life, down in the comments.  God bless!