Useless Learning

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“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God, nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:21-22

I have the opportunity where I live to hear people speak their mind. And so many things they say are so sad and wrong. Not just wrong in my eyes but in Gods. People really do understand that there is a creator and they use words like hallelujah, or thank God, or you,re blessed. But they don’t really understand what they’re saying. People spend a lot of time and money to get smarter and have the credentials to prove it. But the smarter they get the less truth they actually know. Considering what professors are teaching them as truth, which is a bunch of false truths. It is no wonder. My granddaughter just started college this last fall and I know the things she will face and I am so concerned and pray that her strong upbringing will stay strong. Just the curriculum of education now days is so distorted and even some teachers don’t believe it but they are paid to teach it. So is it any wonder that college students who believed in God don’t end up continuing to believe because they believe college professors are right. Staying strong with God takes work to keep the fire burning, even for a strong Christian. Reading the word of God, studying it, memorizing it, and putting it to use. Fellowship with other strong Christians. We are stronger together and God is for us so whoever is against us can’t prevail against us. People who put their trust in anything but God will not have the strength they need to stand in the world today. So, do not trust in your education, your job, your friends, your money or your lovers. They may not even be on your side like only God can be. You can appreciate people and stand strong with them and support them. But remember to always seek God first and encourage them to do the same.

Seeking

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“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6

The Lord is always working on behalf of his children. There are so many things he is doing that we don’t see. This life can be so exciting because it isn’t necessarily just what we can see. We also have a spiritual world and it is very busy. The more we spend time with the Lord the more we discover. When you know him and his ways and promises you have so much more power to face this life. What works and what doesn’t work and how to have an abundant life. I know personally I can’t get enough. The more I know the more prepared and equipped I am to do things well. I pray more and more all the time because all prayers are answered but so many times it’s a miracle that comes and that’s exciting. You’ve heard you don’t get what you don’t ask for. That is so true and I have seen God do some amazing things that I didn’t even think could happen and now I can pray bold prayers believing. God doesn’t always answer the way we would ask but he knows better and has a better plan than we do. The more we open ourselves to God’s ways, the more we are open for the impossible because nothing is impossible with God. When you stop expecting and just let God surprise you, you will watch amazing things start to happen. I love to read what people have to say about God and what he is doing in this world. Some pretty amazing and exciting stuff is going on around us and we don’t even know half of it. People just don’t know what they are missing out on by focusing on the world around them.

Tasting

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“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8

I have so many people around me who have believed lies and untruths about the Lord and I’m always wondering what I would tell them if the opportunity arose. God says we should always know the hope we have and why we believe. But the biggest reason is that I know things that they may never know because I have seen and felt Gods goodness. I think of it like anything I’ve learned to love. I love good food. I think food can be an amazing experience. Like a juicy fresh strawberry or pineapple. I remember the first time I tried crab legs soaked in hot butter. They were sooo good. Well God made all of that for us to enjoy because nothing is too good for his children. He is so much better than everything. I grew up going to church every time the doors were open and I learned all the Bible stories and I lived a great life. But I didn’t really think about God much. It wasn’t till I wanted more and decided to go all in and search for more that I started to learn more. God had taught me a lot but I was still eating baby food. Baby food is somewhat bland. I started praying every day about everything that affected my life. I started reading all I could about God. I began going to church every week and got to know some great people. I would sit and listen to praise music all morning and listen to what others had to say about God. As I started to immerse myself in him he began teaching me things. The more you pray the more miracles you will see. And the more I saw the more I prayed for others and everything I might feel I needed. It was all giving more flavors of God. Now I’m getting new revelations every day and I know that my God is amazing me and blowing me away so much all the time. I couldn’t imagine not having God in my life every minute. I can’t take my eyes off of him. He is so exciting in some amazing things he has done. People love fantasy and make believe because we wish there was more to life. Well there is but their eyes are blinded by pride, greed, and evil. They keep their eyes focused on all that isn’t good and away from all that is good. I can see why they are jaded. I have never felt happier, and my life in a nursing home is not much. Every day is exciting with God. Have you ever fallen in love? Nobody is perfect and they have flaws, but butterflies flutter in your stomach and every day brings so much happiness. Gods kind of love will never let us down and there is so much more every day. So take a taste and see.

Prayers

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“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” Hebrews 5:7

Jesus was so close to his Father and wanted to do everything to please his Father. But he was still human. He needed extra strength and wisdom to do what he was called to do just like we do but he also felt pain, anxiety and hurt. He had honest emotions just like we have so he does understand all we go through. But does that mean that God didn’t hear his cries? Of course God heard and he always hears are cries also. But sometimes we need to go through certain times for a very good reason. It may be just as simple as gaining strength. I know for sure I wouldn’t be the person I am today if not for the trials. It also has helped me grow in trust because I have seen God overcome so much in my life and in lives around me. We may want our prayers answered the way we want but that’s not always best because we don’t know all the ramifications. It doesn’t do us any good to get upset with God and basically demand our own way. That would just lead to hurt feelings and frustration. Just imagine if Jesus had not suffered and died on that cross. If there was no death there could be no resurrection. If Jesus had never been resurrected then we could never be resurrected either. I am so glad God stuck to the plan and one day I am assured eternal life in paradise with him forever.

Stability

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“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still’, then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” Mark 4:39

God is the one who created everything and he has control over everything. every day dawn comes to a brand new day and the sun sets every day when it is time to rest up for another brand new day. The thing about brand new days is that we can always have a do over. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Make changes or ask for forgiveness so you can go for a better life. Tides come in and tides go out. Winds blowing keep the weather changing at the proper time bringing rain or snow when needed. God is so good and he knows just what we need. The animals don’t worry, they know their next meal will be provided. Everyone has bumps in their road and everyone’s bumps are different but God is more than able to smooth the road. It brings so much peace to let God be God and trust him. We don’t have control even if we like to think we do. What will be, will be. We can do all we can to do all that we can to cooperate with the God who is in charge. We do our part by keeping his commandments and always praying and seeking wisdom we can keep the bumps to a minimum. There are always rocks in the road but we need to keep our eyes, not on the rocks but on the one who knows the beginning and the end of the road. And one day God is going to say, ‘Son it’s time for you to go get your bride.!” And there will be no more rocks, forever. Amen

Love

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“You have heard that it was said, ‘love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Loving people is not always easy. People aren’t perfect and they do things we don’t like and they hurt us and fall short of ours expectations. The only one who will never hurt us is God. He will give us the strength we need to love anyone he puts in our lives if we ask him. Many people don’t know God and don’t have his help in their lives. When you don’t know God you do things that cause hurt first to yourself and also to others. When you are hurting because of your poor mistakes you tend to hurt others. Misery loves company. If I feel bad why shouldn’t others. But when you are totally and perfectly loved by you Father you have the strength and the wisdom to show that same love to others in a way that will totally amaze and confuse others. They just don’t understand that kind of love. The more you treat people with respect and love the more they will treat others that way. I have a nurse who had a patient who was the typical grumpy old man, because he was confused and others around him we’re also confused and had uncontrollable problems that irritated him, so he was always yelling at everyone around him. This nurse went out of her way to show him love and respect and he started being kind in return. Others still irritated him but with less outbursts. We all need love just like air and when we don’t get it we suffer. So go out of your way to love and respect those around you and they might surprise you.

Discipline In Love

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“because the Lord disciplines those he loves. as a father the son he delights in.” Proverbs 3:12

Nobody likes to be disciplined but we all want to grow. To learn new truths and overcome problems and make a difference with our lives on this earth. But have you ever grown much while things are good and comfy? No! But after you have overcome a problem in your life, and seen how God was working all along you become more trusting. We all need to be able to trust God to do what he does best. When we do we can rest in the comfort of knowing that it’s not us who gets things done. He is always working in the lives of those that love him and are called to his purposes. This world is broken and Satan is always trying to get our eyes off of God and on our problems and what may happen. Of course most problems we worry about will never happen but in the meantime he has us so upset and worried. I used to always worry about death and pain, things I couldn’t control. But when I had my stroke and almost died I was in such peace. I am his and he was just working my life for the better. Since then my life has changed so much and I have such peace. I used to worry about having my needs met even though I made good money. Now that I have no income God has abundantly provided all of my needs and I always have money to give to the church and I always have an over abundance of stuff that I have to give away because I have only so much space where I live. I have learned that always praying first when I worry and spending more time praying for others in my life keeps my life rocking smoothly. God is always taking care of me and my concerns before they even show up because he loves me just like I am his little princess, and I am.

Timing

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“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.” James 5:7

God is not limited by time like we are. He always was and he will always be. He has all the time in the world and that is why his timing is perfect and never early or late. He also brings the rain in its season at just the perfect time when the sun is warm enough and the soil is ready. Our timing on the other hand is not his timing. We want it when we want it. But we cannot see the whole picture. When Abram was promised that he would be the father of a nation he was old and it didn’t seem possible but God still took his time. When he speaks something into existence it doesn’t just happen right then because he is using broken people and sometimes people don’t even know him or that he is using something we do or say to work on someone else and it all takes time. Hearts need to be prepared and strengthened for what’s happening. When God told Joseph about the Israelites being held in bondage in Egypt and how he would free them nothing close to that had happened but it was in the works. I’m reading a fascinating book about Israel and Gods people and how he is drawing them through everything they are going through to him. It’s mind boggling. But God speaks things that aren’t as if they are and then they are. Just like that. Well it takes a little while, but you get it. So much is going on behind the scenes that we don’t have any idea of. One day we’ll get to be with God forever and I am looking forward to that day. Whether he comes in the clouds or I go home it will be well worth waiting for. We can trust that God is working in the good, the bad, and the ugly, but when he is done it will be perfect.

Love Is

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“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2

It is God’s will that we love others the way he has loved us and I hate seeing someone treat others improperly and in anger. But I never really thought of the consequences. I do know that people can bring on consequences in their life because of sins in their lives. We can do so many things like taking drugs or robbing banks that can end very badly but just being mean? I read this verse this morning, I mean I really read it. It says that everything you do is exactly what will be done to you. Think about your day, about everything you say to others and do to others. Is that how you want treated? It can go the opposite way too. Do you like it when people say good morning or I love that green blouse on you it brings out your eyes and you look awesome. Do you like it when someone prays for you when you’re not feeling well. Or when someone invites you to a party or to just have coffee. These things make us feel important. But that is love. Making someone feel special and respected and well loved. Did you just ignore the people around you as you went through your day. That isn’t being mean but could you show people you care in a small way or even a bigger way. Let’s say you’re shopping and the person in front of you is short a $1, offer to pay it. Have you ever been a $1 short, it’s embarrassing and upsetting. Do you say something when someone irritates you? Maybe they are having a hard day and maybe that’s just how they are but being loving might change them. Maybe you could say a quick prayer for whatever is hurting them. Loving others isn’t always easy but if you just put yourself in their shoes for a minute you might have more understanding and compassion. I like my day to go well and I like to interact with people. People are what is special about life. Not just your friends and family but all people. Why not try to make your friends and family bigger by making someone new apart of it by loving someone new.

Provision

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“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” Matthew 10:29

Worrying will not accomplish anything. We all worry though. We fear not having enough, fear of the unknown, fear we won’t measure up to the next guy, not being able to provide our needs. But God is ultimately in control of it all. He doesn’t just give us enough he wants us to have abundance. This world tells us we need more and just the right things. Prada, Rolex, BMW, and everything there is to get. He who has the most toys wins, right? I always worked hard and had a good life but it wasn’t till I no longer had a job and an income that I stopped worrying about stuff. I don’t have room for much stuff anyway. But I have learned after 64 years that God has always taken good care of me and he isn’t retiring, ever. When you have very little you realize you don’t need much. I always have food, clothes, books and my IPad and God and that’s more than enough. My supplies seem to go much farther than they used to. Because I can’t do much anymore I don’t need much. Everything I can’t do is done for me and I have a comfortable home. Although it is shared by 100 + others. I like always having people around me. They are my family. I do tend to stay by myself to read and write. That’s why I have to have my IPad so I can do plenty of research and save my writings. But you tend to be a lot more grateful the less stuff you have. My family is real important. My church and church friends. Being able to be able to do everything during the day on my own. Independent for the most part. It may take me four times as long as someone else but God does help me to get it done. I learned that the wisest thing I can do is pray about everything, even the little stuff when I’m thinking about it. Don’t ignore your concerns but take them to God. If you do that then you have plenty of time to joyfully enjoy your day. A day spent with God is always enjoyable.