The Advocate

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‘But in fact it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the advocate won’t come, if I do go away then I will send him to you.’ John 16:7

Back before Jesus was around it took a lot of faith to get by. It took believing God was real without seeing much proof. Without God’s living word to see Gods perfect plan working. Even with seeing Jesus compassion, wisdom, strength, and miracles you had to believe that it was real. The apostles did because they knew Jesus was just a man but he did some great and mighty things that no man could do. He had that same spirit with him helping him to fulfill his purpose. Because he did go back to the Father we have that same spirit helping us just like Jesus. The advocate he promised is working in us and he is always interceding for us. We are not alone but have the same help Jesus had and they say we will do greater and mightier things than he did, and that’s pretty great. All we have to do is believe and all things are possible. The apostles couldn’t believe getting by without him but we have him with us always. They thought he would be around for years to come, even though he told them he had to go for their best. They didn’t think he should go because he had to free his people first. That is how they saw it happening. You have to realize that with all the help we get from the Holy Spirit that some pretty amazing and exciting things can supernaturally happen. The more faith you have the more you get blessed by some exciting things. Seeing may be believing but if you want to see the supernatural you have to first believe and then you see. Our lives can be amazing if we just believe.

Accidents

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‘You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.’ Luke 1:45

To believe impossible things is not easy. When Abraham and Sarah had tried for many years to have a child and were unable to, being fertile. They chose to believe that God would make a great nation through them and that they would have a child. Mary also believed that even though she was a virgin that she would have a son. Elizabeth doubted that she could have a child at her age, but she chose to believe it would happen just as God said. When you are faced with challenges that make it hard and impossible for the dreams God has given you, will you choose to believe? Many others throughout history have chosen to believe and God did mighty things through their lives. You will be blessed if you trust in God. The impossible will come to pass with God’s divine power. Mary did not only believe she praised God in the midst of her doubts. All things are possible to them who believe. Even though she was young, unmarried, and would probably be stoned for getting pregnant out of marriage she was willing to trust God, not the circumstances. She had to be scared but she praised God and said, ‘Let your will be done just as you said.’ If she hadn’t believed who knows what would have happened to us.

Believing God

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“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:45

To believe impossible things is not easy. When Abraham and Sarah had tried for many years to have a child and were unable, being fertile. They chose to believe that God would make a great nation through them because he said that they would have a child. Mary also believed that even though she was a virgin that she would have a son just as the angel said. Elizabeth doubted that she could have a child at her age, but she chose to believe that it would happen just as God said. When you are faced with challenges that make it impossible for the dreams God has given you, will you choose to believe? Many others throughout history chose to believe and God did mighty things through their lives. You will be blessed if you believe the impossible will come to pass with God’s divine power. Mary did not only believe, she also praised God in the midst of her fears. As a teenager the thought of having a child out of wedlock, when she very likely was to face stoning and ridicule. But she knew that God would make it happen. Can we believe what God says in our life when we are abused, broken, handicapped, uneducated, poor, single or whatever hurdles we face. It may be hard but God has put you just where you are for such a time as this. You are in his will and in the palm of his hand. Where you are is where he can use you better than anywhere else for his kingdom and his glory. I had a massive stroke at a young age and God has used me to write encouraging books and devotional blogs when I couldn’t do much physically because I was so handicapped. The handicap was his plan all along and though it was hard to see it at the time, I came to realize that I could make a big impact in my world because my handicap gave me a platform to share with others. You may not like where God has placed you and it may be difficult but if you are willing to trust God he will give you the strength and the wisdom to be used mightily for him also.

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“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

What we think about and what we let in our lives is what we become. Sin brings troubles and thinking negative thoughts brings bad things. What we say and dwell on is so important. If you want a blessed and good life then you will listen to the creator of life. He knows his creation well. When you speak scriptures over your life it encourages and helps you remember what’s important. Thinking about how great things are in your life, even if it was just a delicious meal or a beautiful sunrise will bless your soul. Being thankful is a learned habit that takes your focus off the bad things in life and back to God who gives all good things. God makes all good things for us to enjoy and appreciate but not so we can get things to fill our homes and our lives with stuff. Then we let them bless us and not God which is no blessing at all. God doesn’t want us to not have nice things because we need them to live. But if God helps you to have a fancy car or a big house be sure to thank God for them and just remember that God gives the job that helped you buy them. Get involved with a good Bible believing church and attend regularly, in person not online. We need the fellowship of other believers to encourage us and rub off on us. The more you do things God’s way the more blessed your life will be.

Faith To Believe What God Can Do

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“So we fix our eyes on what is not seen, but on what is unseen, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

So much in this life cannot be seen with our eyes. It takes eyes of faith from our hearts. There are so many things going on behind the scenes that most people just haven’t experienced because they get focused on what’s going on right in front of them. The sad thing is they are usually focused on the negative things happening and they miss the good things. God is always working in our lives and unless you expect to see miracles all around you then you don’t. There are miracles in God’s creation that people just don’t think about. Just the human body is so intricate but amazingly resilient and can adapt to the challenges they face such as handicaps. Even outer space and all the stars and planets but God knows them all by name even though man can’t even number them all. Physical miracles happen every day all over the world and when you pray bold prayers you get to see so many. Things that just don’t make sense are happening everywhere because God isn’t limited by the laws of nature because he has complete control over all nature. When you start focusing on the good things and begin thanking God for all the wonderful things he does for us the more good things you see. Think of all the wisdom God has given us to do so many great things. Things like heart transplants and microcomputers. Going to the moon or building skyscrapers. So unless you take your eyes off of what’s all around us you will miss what’s really important.

Real Life

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“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” Romans 8:11

Jesus Christ gave his life for the world. And after he gave his all he was resurrected to new life. Now he sits at the right hand of the Father. As King of kings and Lord of lords. Not a bad promotion from the life of struggles and pain he had here on earth. But all mortal man struggles and suffers pain. That is life in this world but after we, his children, give our all in this life we too get resurrected bodies in heaven where there is no more evil, death, pain and all that is negative that was in the world ruled by Satan and his followers. There will be only perfection forever and ever. And special rewards for a life lived for the Lord. I don’t know about you but I can’t wait. I have read books about people who have gone to heaven and returned for whatever reason to continue life on earth and it sounds amazing. I know nobody can even imagine the things God has planned for us in our forever home. Pretty exciting stuff. All the good things we treasure in this lifetime but it never stops in heaven it just goes on and on. People don’t really like to give up the good stuff here on earth. To deny themselves and take up their cross to bear sounds harsh but the more you give up in this life the greater heaven will be because I know God rewards richly. The funny thing about not wanting to give up things is that most people don’t understand Godly riches. Even here I have found Godly riches and they aren’t stuff, but joy, peace, wisdom and strength. Things I can’t get on my own. Things only God can give. Things like Gods presence all the time, miracles, divine encounters and relationships with different people he plans. Stuff too exciting to miss.

Integrity

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“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:10

Can God trust you to do the right things? It doesn’t have to be a lot. Just simple actions added together can make a big difference. God doesn’t need us. He could do it all on his own. But it grows us little by little. When everyone just puts their little bits together with others it can make a huge difference. Consider how many Christian’s contribute, and that’s not always all of them, but added together, wow. All you are given is a test by God. Because if he doesn’t test us he can’t see how much we grow from it. It doesn’t need to be a big commitment or a lot of faith to change someone’s life. You can change your life and the lives of those around you by consistently showing you care and are faithful. Doing the good thing and saying what God has for you to say. Once you say something or do something it’s in the past but your words and deeds speak volumes about your character. Acting out of emotions can get you in trouble and hurt others when we want to be loving and caring. People don’t always hear what they say it just comes out and it may even be doing harm to them as well as others. We need to be encouraging and uplifting to others by the little things we do. If somebody says or does something we don’t like maybe it’s because they are hurting or in need. If we are compassionate we will try to help them. Changing their attitude. Bring a smile to someone’s life today by the things that you do and you may make a big difference in their lives.

Our Master

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“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”.

1 Peter 3:15

Jesus is Lord over our lives because we have been purchased by his extraordinary gift of salvation. He deserves our everything. People just don’t understand what they are giving up by not knowing him. He offers us so very much by just believing that he is who he is. Accepting that he does want our very best. And that he is very capable of delivering. I spent over half my life believing that he existed but not knowing him. It took someone being so passionate and sure of what she had and being willing to share it to wake me up. Now I could never imagine my life without him. From the moment I wake up until I fall asleep at night he is always on my mind. I cannot say thank you enough for all that he has done and keeps doing. He is not just my boss that I work for, because now that I’m retired he is my boss for he is my closest companion. I try very hard to listen for that small whisper of do this or try this and to jump to do it.There is nothing to good for me or anything that I don’t deserve. He feels that about everyone, too. We are supposed to do all he commands and run from the past sins with his help. We are called to live righteous and holy lives just as Jesus did. Our work is also furthering God’s kingdom and loving others. We should do everything excellently as to the Lord. Go the extra mile.

Eyes On The Prize

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“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1

Christ did die and he did rise again just like he said. He did return to the Father and is seated at his right hand forever more. Now he has sent his spirit to live inside of us and be with us always. Hallelujah! Now we are no longer doing this hard life on our own. We get everything we need when we need it. It’s no wonder people are suicidal and depressed all the time because they don’t have hope. It’s a difficult life and then we die. That is so sad. If people only knew what they are missing out on because they are blind to what’s really going on all around them. So many amazing and awesome things and wonderful promises are ours. We can be depressed looking at all that is going on around us or keep our eyes on the prize like Jesus did. We are his prize just like he is our prize. So many things await us as children on God. I never really saw them when my eyes were busy trying to get everything I thought I needed. But now I hardly need anything because he has become my everything. Now that I live by his truths and not my own truths I can see how well they work. You don’t even need to care about Jesus or even believe but the blessings and curses just keep happening just like he said they would and now I can live with that power on my side instead of it working against me. He does not expect us to do it on our own. We have other brothers and sisters through the church. And he helps in so many ways. Do you want wisdom, strength, peace, just ask. If we ask believing we can have what we ask if it’s God’s will and is best. Only he knows what is best but we need to accept that he knows the whole story and trust his wisdom. We have a rich inheritance waiting for us when we do get home. Also rewards for a life well lived for the kingdom. So much to look forward to.

Grace

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“Grace and peace to you from God and Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 1:2

As Gods precious children we have been chosen since before the world began by God to receive every personal blessing. Everything we will need to finish strong. That encompasses so many things because God is gracious. Elegance and beauty, effortless, pleasing and attractive, favor and goodwill, especially favors by our superior. Clemency and pardon, temporary immunity, freely given and unmerited favor of God, influence by the Holy Spirit to give strength, the virtue of excellence, one of the elect. Moral strength, royalty. Wow that is a lot of blessings. Those are all things that should be said about Gods children. I’m sure the world would love those things to be said about them but they don’t necessarily have Gods grace in their lives. But even though God is willing to do so much there is one thing he can’t do for us. That is to believe. Without believing it is impossible to please God and receive his blessings. The biggest blessing is when Jesus paid off our incredible debt with his blood so God could forgive us. He didn’t have to but he gladly did. For every single person God has called he would have died just for them alone. But there are millions. So many brothers and sisters that we may never get to know them all. No matter how far gone you think you are, if you were called by God he will keep working on you till you get it right. He has never lost one of his beloved. There is nothing we can do to be forgiven or nothing we do will keep us from being saved because God will get it done in his time. We have been washed in Christ’s blood. Whatever it takes he will do because he loves us so much. Some people he has to smack up the side of their head and say wake up, what are you doing? Because we are pretty stubborn at times. We also seem to think we have so much time to waste. But one minute we’re a kid and the next someone is calling us grandma. Life goes by fast.