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Resting in God

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We all have heard this, just rest in God. It’s almost like sitting in your father’s lap and He says everything will be OK. I am learning more and more what this truly means! It’s about learning to Let go of what you can’t control and finding rest and comfort in the arms of a loving father. I’ve never been one full of emotion. I definitely cry more than Ever before – I do feel emotions, just a bit different than most. I just want you to see what is possible with unwavering faith! My sister has been battling cancer for 5 years now. My brother-in-law just lost his battle. They were diagnosed 1 month apart in 2021.

Losing someone is awful no matter how you view the person, but watching a love one suffer so intensely is far worse in my opinion. With that I say, if you know God you’d fully understand what I mean about that. Oh heaven, when the pain is gone and you are physically in the presence of God – I Can Only Imagine!

My sister has been in ICU for the last 2 weeks – we are just praying she’ll make it home for Christmas! However, this is what I want you to see or know! I have been in the hospital with her almost everyday, but not one of these days was I scared or worried. Our family though was struggling. I could see the worry, I could feel their sorrow. My husband asked me ‘Why are you having no reaction, no worry? You are scaring me.’ I replied, ‘What do you mean?’ He said, ‘you just got a call that they are rushing your sister to the hospital by ambulance and your reply was call me when you know something.’ Again I replied, ‘How do you think I should be acting?’ He said, ‘I dont know, but I feel like I’m worried to death. How can you not even be slightly concerned?’ I replied, ‘Im concerned, but that is not worry. My best answer is with my connection and faith in God. This makes me feel solid in my resolve that HE (God) said ‘I’ve got her.”

I didn’t jump up and rush to the hospital. I waited for the call and went to visit the next day. Through this all I have remained steady – even when she lost her hearing and her ability to speak for a few days. Everyone freaked out, but me. I remained calm and resolved that everyone was worrying for nothing. That is just how I really felt. I cannot control others’ emotions, but I can share why I am so calm. I simply said ‘God has her, do you trust that?’ My whole family is religious, so prayer is Huge, but resting in Him is completely different. That doesn’t need religion it requires real Faith. I’m learning most people don’t understand Real Faith.

Resting in God requires active Faith not just words or works. You have to learn to accept that faith is not something you learn, it is something you gain when you truly decide to follow Jesus. When you mediate on His words and His love, in time your relationship will grow, but your faith will grow too. You have to make the time to spend time with God. He should not only get the last few minutes of your day (in prayer), but you need to set aside deliberate time to get to know him personally. If you want a friendship – it’s a two-way street. You have to make time for that friend and that friend has to make time for you. God is really no different. He longs for a friendship with you, but you have to make the time! One thing that is really awesome about this is that God is waiting on YOU – no matter what time you call upon Him – He is waiting, ready to listen and grow with you.

Resting in God is the most peace I have ever felt this side of Heaven.

Mustard Seed Faith

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In my research, that you all know I love so much; I came across something very interesting. The mustard seed faith quote has even the most seasoned Christian still wondering exactly what it means. I’m seeing my mustard seed faith lead others to Christ because of the medical conditions I’m facing.

Now, what I mean by that is you must understand the mustard seed in itself. Yes, it is ‘just’ a miniscule dot, but its design is infectious. Let me explain. The Bible says in Matthew 17:20 “Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move; nothing will be impossible for you.” Another passage illustrates a comparison – Matthew 13:31-32 or Mark 4: 30-32 “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed….. Though it is the smallest of seeds; it grows into one of the largest of garden plants going on to become a tree. ” This just makes the mustard seed all that more interesting when it comes a biblical vocabulary.

I am not a farmer and just beginning to take up gardening. I had no idea how the science of each plant determines its entire life span. The right soil is one of the most important things to consider. I’m comparing that to your foundation and where you stand- is it solid, soft or permeable? Back to the science of the mustard seed – in the 1st century the mustard plant was invasive, growing rapidly and choking out other plants by dominating the nutrients. The mustard seeds could lay dormant yet viable in the soil for several years, this made eradication difficult if not impossible. Follow me here… Jesus and His parables (how he taught the lay people) make his logic of life so much more understandable. Except that mustard seed one… Never could figure that out, but now with science behind it (I think) I get it.

What God means is that He wants your faith no matter how small, to represent real true faith. Your faith and trust in God will be invasive to the hearts of others. We all start off in the tiny beginnings of Christianity, to be grown into the faith believers we are today. When faith of Christians becomes so strong it can withstand all the winds and stay planted in that faith knowing one day will be your day to sprout.

Faith the size of a mustard seed simply means to engage your faith, let it out – Be Invasive, Be of strong roots (faith in Christ is your root- not familial), stay steadfast. God wants you to understand it’s not the size of your faith – it’s the depth of that faith. God will grow true faith into immense proportions in every believer who spreads His gospel IN Faith.

Pieces

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God uses our broken pieces to build his masterpiece. Today I was looking for a new topic. I’ve been writing and thought for sure I had another ‘whole post’ written out. Well today God would not let me find it. All I could find were pieces written here and there not compiled yet into one location. As I read these little phrases or paragraphs, I began to notice a pattern. Not one laid out all nice and neat, but one that truly came together as I would flip from page to page, open notebooks and legal pads full of writings. The sentences that fit so well together created this post exactly as God intended it.

We leave pieces of ourselves everywhere we go. That was God’s intention when He created us. He wanted us to leave pieces behind (letting go of sin or planting seeds) so that we are being recreated or helping to build the future as God intended. He wants us to touch or be touched by someone or something as to be inspired to give away pieces. This post, however, is Powerful when the pieces come together.

Soon All will come to Light – Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand. Pay attention to the Godly teachings. The more you do this the more you will understand. To those that are open to the teachings more understanding will be given. To those who chose not to listen will lose what they have. Be Aware of the Humanist (Religion) and its teachings. (More to come on this)

God sees everything perfectly and will help you to see His Will for your life. No matter where you are in this life – think maybe you were born for just such a time as this. If you were ever to question, which generation will face the Tribulation – the prophecies are clear – for We are Near! He equips us with knowledge to share.

Here we stop the pieces, and I see a message so clear. A call for disciples. Learn what you can – spend your free time in the Word of God so you too can see a message so clear!

Dead End

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When life seems to be falling apart, we often find it’s all a part of God’s plan. He is using this to lead you down His chosen path for you. We find Him in some of the unlikeliest of places. It is there in those painful experiences we are prepared to fulfill the purpose He has for us.

God’s plans come through when our plans come to an End!

What appears to you as a Dead End is often God’s divine intervention. If you are staring at a dead end, be hopeful; for this just may be the miracle (or break-through) you’ve been needing. God can use supernatural means to show you His power, but most often He just wants you to have faith that it can happen. Faith is often needed to produce that miracle, but God is too big to have a prerequisite. What I can say to this is even though Faith is Not a requirement, if you have faith to keep a steadfast belief in Him you will activate a living lifeline where miracles are a natural occurrence. God reveals Himself in subtle ways, some so subtle they get lost among the everyday clutter, other times they will make you ‘gasp’ because you didn’t realize ‘He knew you so well.’

Just know that your Dead End is Only a New Beginning – One you can include God in to open the lifeline for your soul!

Greater

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Are you a doubting Christian? As I have seen God work and Bless so many – why others who are also dutiful in their Christianity seem to miss the blessings. The Devil lives with us; Each and every living being on this Planet is subjected to his relentless lies and deceit. Sometimes no matter your level of faith – You are tested! Tested simply to see your reaction. God wants you to be Greater at life, at love, at conviction, but to be Greater we have to Lose. Lose our selfishness, lose our pride, comparison and often this will be a loss of things or people we love. God’s mission is to teach you how to be Greater than All our insecurities. God wants us to dream Big! Yet, He also knows to reach greatness, we must start small. Each small thing you feel is insignificant is a stepping-stone to something bigger. God can’t trust a doubting Christian with Big Dreams or possibilities for it will hinder the Greater outcome. Sometimes God will offer you the ‘greater’ version, but it will require full submission and surrender. And we know this is harder for a doubting Christian. Most often because it requires Great sacrifice to follow Gods will completely and that can be scary, even for the devout. We must All remember God will never ask you to do anything that He has not already equipped you for- even if the task feels overwhelming. However, this is when you have to remove the doubt and fully surrender your dreams, your desires, your hurt (past or present) to a God who knows how to Bless you Greater than you could have dreamed.

Righteous Submission

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If we are going to obey God… we have to overcome the opinions of people around us and dedicate ourselves to being consistently righteous. This means you’ll have to learn to submit. Submit yourself to God in order to discover who you are and what your purpose is. Do not fear the disapproval of others. Ultimately there are two choices – Please God or Please People! For instance, some think, we should be attending church because we need God to help us! Or for an example, We need healing; so we better not gossip for it is unrighteous. It is amazing how ‘holy’ we can act when we need a breakthrough, but the consistently righteous person tries to do what is right All the time – not just when things look bleak or they are in need of something. Submission to our living God is a decision, but to submit is a condition of the heart!

Your relationship with God must always have a top priority above all things in your life. Praise and worship do Not come naturally to the flesh – it is something we must Will ourselves to Do. The consistently righteous person regularly does what is right because it is Right. God honors this because it reflects a heart of humility and a desire to obey God and God Loves that! A righteous person knows to balance their prayers of asking with prayers of praise and thanksgiving. Jesus makes us righteous – so that we can approach God with Boldness and confidence when we pray. We should surrender our desires to God and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us as we make requests in prayer.

Broken

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Sometimes God has to break us. Break us from old or unhealthy habits, break relationships and friendships, break connections we thought were inseverable or break our stubbornness (often with pain -physical or emotional.) He does not break us to hurt us, but to grow our character. I have always been a do-er, a fixer if you will! I see an issue and I just jump right in – often headfirst! No looking before I leap – no time to reflect; I just dig my heels in and Do! Do whatever it takes- push my feelings and thoughts aside – there’s work to be done! Busyness is who I am or who I was. I wore it like a badge; it felt good to know my friends and family knew I was a motivator. I was often called on to help out with whatever task needed to be done. They knew when I showed up the task would be accomplished no matter what!

I thought I would take time and slow down after my sister’s cancer battle – That was the plan! Only I discovered slowing down was not an option for me – I didn’t know how. God chose to show me how and certainly Not the way I would have liked. He broke me! My ability to do has come to a halt, which is very uncharacteristic of me. I was still trying to fill the voids with busyness even after I promised God and myself that I would slow down. I remember my sister saying once that if I didn’t have chronic back pain, I’d probably be unstoppable. I told her then, I knew it was something God used to keep me humble. Little did I know at the time that 20-year pain was only a precursor of the main event.

Going through some old writings I found a personal journal entry from February 2022. A month after my sister’s oncologist said, ‘we’ve ran the race as best we could – there is nothing more I can do.’ Also, turns out it was 5 months before God healed her and 7 months before my ‘incident’ that has seemingly taken me out the rat race. I felt broken at the time, but that was emotional – something I’ve mastered at putting in a box to continue my busyness. Over the last two years, God has chosen to slowly Break me Physically! This is something I don’t know how to commandeer, but I have learned more about resilience than I ever dreamed. However, I’m discovering God is using this physical brokenness to heal the emotional brokenness I’ve fought my whole life. God doesn’t break us to hurt us, but to Heal us!

Anger

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Anger is one of the most common and destructive emotions known to mankind. Galatians 5:20-21 ‘lists hatred, strife, and wrath in the same category as murderers and drunkeness…..’ Anger takes many forms. Most do not regard themselves as angry because they don’t understand the many disguises anger takes. (Spirit Controlled Temperment by Tim LaHaye)

Sixteen Variations of Anger (also from same book)

  1. Bitterness 9. Wrath
  2. Malice 10. Hatred
  3. Clamor 11. Seditious
  4. Envy 12. Jealousy
  5. Resentment 13. Attack
  6. Intolerance 14. Gossip
  7. Citicism 15. Sarcasm
  8. Revenge 16. Unforgiveness

Which of these is your ‘go to’? Mine is sarcasm – didn’t realize that until I read this book. We all have things we need to learn about ourselves. The sooner we notice how we each receive and handle each emotion we are presented with, the easier it may be to open that door! Refer back to ‘Open the Door‘ posted in May of 2022

At times anxiety expresses itself in fear or anger. ‘A tense anxious person is much more likely to become irritated and angry.’ What we place in our minds is a product of our desired outcome. These emotions can take you outside the Will of God. The mind only gets the information that it is given. So, whatever you choose to put at the forefront of your brain – is all you will think about. Are you choosing actions that reflect you are seeking salvation through studies and prayer or are you choosing to focus on the things of this world? Our emotions Can and Will carry you outside of God’s Will, if you don’t learn to recognize it and rectify it. Scripture says, ‘an angry man is a fool.’ Ecclesiastes 7:9

The Power of Giving

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God calls us to ‘not withhold good.’ Proverbs 3:27 When God blesses you – not only should you give thanks, but you should also use that blessing to be a blessing to others. Sometimes we need to ask God to open our eyes; so we can be honest with ourselves and to others. The Holy Spirit will Always Do Good! When we are filled with the spirit we seek out ways to humbly serve God. It is within you to Give, but this is to be done by choice. The Free will we all live by allows us the option to give or not to give. To do what is right and good. We can All give something – Share your time, your energy, your money, your prayers and share your heart! The best test of your capabilities is to take something from your home (not something you’ve tucked away and forgotten about), this means you have to make a conscience effort to choose something that you like, you use – you enjoy. What can you part with that still has meaning to you? Take this item and put it in the car – ride it around with you until the opportunity arises for you to make a choice as to whether you will really give it away.

God enjoys testing our character. He loves to see us Choose HIM. He truly tested me last month as he told me to give My Bible away! Now, this Bible has been the same bible that helped save my life. I was sentimental about it and when He first suggested it, I hesitated and said Um, No! In my heart I was not sure I could part with it, but He doubled down and did not suggest again. He said, ‘as an act of obedience I didn’t ask you, I told you!’ I was hopefully (understandably) a little hurt (that He would take this treasure from me.) Well, I went yesterday to buy myself a new bible. Personally, my favorite go to version is the NLT – New Living Translation. It takes the other versions and puts them into words we most understand. I have taken time to check this I promise. So let me share for just a moment the very first thing I read as I open ‘My New Bible’

Beloved Daughter, you are precious to Me. I long to give you the desires of your heart, but I don’t want any of the blessings I give you to draw you away from Me….. All the gifts that I give to you come with a beautiful purpose. ….this is from Thrive Devotional Bible Day 58 ; Author Shari Rose Shepard

I may have never seen this passage written directly to my heart from God through someone like me. I love his confirmations of promises he’s given. What a blessing her writings are, in the pages, placed exactly where one might seek a better understanding of a certain passage. How grateful I am to have given my bible to someone God chose, which allowed me to step into yet another one of His beautiful blessings upon my life.

Open Your Eyes

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Let’s start this one regarding prophecy – written in the Good Book Ezekiel talked of a Russian and Islamic coalition. They would come together to orchestrate an invasion. Have you seen the signs? Do you know what this means? Do you wonder why? Radical Islam has a deep hatred that dates all the way back to Isaac and Jacob. For Russia it’s about Control; their desire to cast a stronghold on the entire World.

As the world’s consumption of natural resources increases the sanctions will become clear. God uses Ezekiel to illustrate. (Ezekiel 38:4) ‘The Lord will put hooks in your jaws to lead you out.’ If you analyze this with todays’ signs – We as a nation (or people) can and will be controlled by whatever our needs are! So, with hooks, we are snared and pulled in the direction to fulfill our needs. What so many are missing is that God can provide and fulfill All of our needs. As we study prophecy and spend our time devoted to allowing God to direct our steps – We know these are the birth pains Jesus speaks of. We see what others are blind to. The plan, the future, the Words of God will play out exactly as it is illustrated to us in the Bible. If you cannot see or do not understand what you are seeing – I urge you to educate yourself! Open your eyes and Your Heart! If you have not considered the ‘environment’ to be a factor in the End Times – know that everything you See happening today was the picture the prophets told us centuries ago. Be Still and Know!