Month: April 2019

God Is Good

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“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.” Nahum 1;7-8 NIVp

God is good. He cares for his children and always hears when we cry out to him. He does not like to see his children hurting. Especially at the hand of wicked and evil people. That’s how he is , He always brings punishment on those who are evil, sinners. Eventually judgement will come. Nineveh was a very worldly and corrupt city. Their reputation preceded them. That is why God asked Jonah to prophesy the destruction he had for them. But Jonah said no way and ran the other way. God sent a big storm to follow him . God always knows what we are up to. You can not hide from God. When the people found out he was running away from God they had no choice but to get him out of their ship. They still cried out to God to forgive them for throwing him overboard. But the minute he was out of the ship the seas grew calm. God is powerful. They were stunned. Well we all know what happened next. After three days in the belly of a fish yelling at God he agreed to go to Nineveh . He had not wanted to go because he knew God to be very merciful and loving. He knew if he warned them then they would cry out to Him and he would stop from sending judgement . They were so wicked that he thought they should pay. Well the minute he agreed to go, poof, he was on dry land. He headed for Nineveh and poured his heart out to the people letting them know all God had told him. Well you know what happened? They cried out to God for forgiveness and turned from their evil. And he forgave them. Jonah knew it. He was so upset he went just outside the city and sat down to pout. “Just kill me, I knew you would do that. I would be better off dead.,” he said. Well God let him sit there and fume for a while, but God sent a plant to grow up over his head to shield him from the burning sun. The next day when he woke up a worm came munching on that plant and it died. Well now Jonah was real mad. But God asked him why he was so angry? You didn’t make that plant. It was just an old plant so why should you care. You see that city is full of thousands of people that I made. Some were good and some were bad but I loved them. That’s why I had to warn them. Even when we are evil sinners. God still cares about us. If you come to Him and ask him to forgive you for bad tings you have done, even if they are really bad. If you are sorry for those sins he will forgive you.

Don’t you want to be on God’s side?

Gods Word

Annette Coffey1 Comment

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV

It has been the number one best seller for a long time. The most read book out there. It is in more homes throughout the world and is written in many different languages. it is our owner’s manual for living a full and abundant life. When we buy a new car or an appliance they come with an owner’s manual telling you everything you need to know to keep it running at its best. Trouble-shooting tips for every problem. Things you need to do and not to do. Who knows that item better than the one who designed it. I can remember when microwaves first came out. Oh, I had to have one. Just heating up a glass of water was an exciting experience. We tried everything that book said. We read all about this new invention. Learning what to do and what you should not do. We lived by that little book. Well the Bible is alive and active. It gives guidance for our most important possession, our life! It has advice, wisdom, what things to do and not to do. Things to do to get along peaceably with those around us. The more you do what it says the happier you become. It can tell you that it is normal to want what you want when you want it. Our flesh desires many things but not all are good for us. Even if they may satisfy for a moment. From the day you are born you want food when you are hungry, comfort when you are uncomfortable, and pleasure when you are bored. We want whatever will make us happy. There are billions of people living on this earth and we all need to live happily together. We all want to be happy and loved. God has promised each of us that he wants to give us the very best life, full and abundant, but we need to listen to him to know how to have that. He knows each and every one of us. He knows just what can make us truly happy. He can show us when others need help. Living by rules and commandments seems so rigid but it is more than that. It is a loving father wanting the very best for his children. Not wanting to see them hurting or struggling. Wanting the best for them always in this scary and dangerous world. God is A God of perfect love for he invented love. He loves each of us completely no matter who we are or what we have done. He wants to really get to know you and for you to really know him. He has things we should do and not do because he cares and if we just get to know him we will want to do them out of love knowing they are what is best. He has offered a free gift to everyone that will accept it. It is the way to life. Perfect life. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. I am learning more every day and happiness is ours for the asking. Power like you have never known. He doesn’t expect us to just obey. On our own we can’t. He promises to help us each step of the way. I have never known a friend so sweet.

Will you get to know him through his words?

Fire Down In My Soul

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“…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 NIV

This is a very comforting verse. But it is sometimes quoted as just the last sentence alone. But by doing that we are missing so much. It starts mid sentence with and. It tells us to be sure to put both sentences together. It’s important to know that when we obey everything he commands us, or strive to, that then he will be with us ALWAYS. Through the good, the bad, and everything in between. It’s easy to think we are alone in the hard times. But he tells us that he will NEVER leave us ever. He is right beside you, or maybe he’s carrying you through it. When I am faced with trials I have learned to make a fist. It reminds me that he is holding my hand. Together we are unstoppable and WILL prevail. I have been doing everything I can lately to feel his presence. It has become so important that I cry out for more of it. Going to church on Sunday’s and hanging out with good Christian friends, listening to excellent praise and worship music, and great words spoken by our church leadership is great. But when I come home to my little room all alone I want to feel that joy still. I hunger and thirst for righteousness and a song we sang comes back to me, Set a fire down in my soul, that I can’t contain and I can’t control. These are great words and I have cried out for this in my own life for a while. But any time you ask for more you have to be willing to take a step forward to seeing it happen. I love to listen to praise music. The words are so powerful. It’s exciting to sing words that you feel so strongly. I am not a songwriter but it seems like I could have said them. I wish I had. I love to watch good Christian movies, read good Christian books, devotionals and my Bible. All of these things can bring me into his presence when I am alone. I can pop my earbuds in and turn the music up while I’m playing games or doing a puzzle but I hear the words and I can’t help but sing along with passion. Like right now I am listening and ‘How I Need You ‘ is on. My heart just can’t help but join in. Some of the greatest times in his presence are right here in my room all alone. But never alone. I have a missionary from my church who is in prison in India and we have been praying for his release. This morning it hit me. The reason why the Apostle Paul could have so much peace while he was in chains, was because he knew what I have found. You can be lifted up where ever you are when you are in his presence. Even if you have no radio you can sing ‘Jesus Loves Me’ and praise till you are filled with his love. It doesn’t take money or things to attain. Just a fire down in your soul that just won’t quit.

Do you want that fire?

Be Still

Annette Coffey1 Comment

“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV

If you are following the Lord there are times you need his input. The most important place to be is in his presence. So many times when I go through changes and trials I just need to know that he is there. He is always with us but I can deal with anything when I feel he is with me. Life can get busy and complicated and at times I know he is saying, be still.

A couple of years ago I had to have a planned surgery. It was just supposed to be a couple of days but I had a bad reaction to the anesthesia and I got really sick. It was touch and go and I ended up in the hospital for two weeks. When I got home I was very week so I spent a lot of time in bed resting. It also was a very dry time because I was too weak to pray and read my Bible.

I was just sleeping so much. I don’t really remember a lot of it. What I do remember is the enemy attacking my mind and trying to convince me that I was dying and even God couldn’t help me. I was on my own. Well that is not true but at the time he had the upper hand and it was tough.

I was in and out of it and really just wanted to sleep and not feel anything. When I started feeling better I managed to start praying and reading a little of my Bible . I had missed that sooo much. The words brought so much peace to my soul. But I really just liked to lay there and feel him reminding me of his love for me. Verses came to mind. Telling me how much he loves me and how much I can do for him.

When I got back home after what seemed like a month. I still slept in till 10 or 11 am every day but always spent the last hour or two in prayer over everything that mattered to me. I would just lay there listening for a while and resting, but I really started to like these times with God. When we are busy crying out to God. Whether well are trying to get him to give us just what we want or disagreeing about how to handle an area of our lives, God can’t get a word in sometimes.

We need to just be quiet. Time to hear just what he has for us. He is the supreme and mighty God of all the earth. He knows all. What he has to say is very very important. It may be as simple as, “trust me”. We usually want more info but we don’t always get it. Those two words remind us just who he is. He has told me in his word that what he wants, he gets. Nothing is impossible for him. He also promises to work everything for my best.

I know he’s got my back. I know he is very trustful. Sometimes he will give me a verse and my mind will dwell on it. So many positive thoughts will run through my mind and get me excited. Something to write about. He might remind me of things I need to do that day. Something I can do to help in a certain situation. Something I may have been worrying about.

Last week he said get your earphones out. I put them in when I got up and turned some music I had been listening to before on. While I was playing games I began listening to the words and ended up praising and worshiping for a while as the words sunk in. It was a great time really uplifting to me. Awesome morning. Thanks God.

He can encourage so much in such simple ways but we have to give him time in our busy schedules to just “be still”. It’s hard to just sit there. My mind has a tendency to wander but he still speaks when I’m not speaking. These times are becoming more and more special every day. At times I can’t sleep in the night and I will get my praying over so I can just rest in his presence.

The more you do it the more enjoyable it becomes. Do you remember how much it meant to just hit the snooze button when you just wanted a few more minutes before work? Well that few more minutes with him in the morning is a hundredfold better.

Will you take time today to let him talk to you?

If My People

Annette Coffey1 Comment

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

I have quoted this verse many times. But I never really understood the verse till I heard someone teach on it. It meant so much more to me when I saw what each word was saying to me and I just had to share it. I hope it can bring some light to you too.

‘If my people ,’ this at one time meant the Jewish people. They were known as God’s people. He had special things for them his special people. The promised land was a good and rich land where they would be free to worship God the way he wanted. Because they were his people they should want to spend time with him. Especially after all they saw him do for them. And in such mighty and awesome ways.

‘ who were called by my name,’ these were not just any people. These people had a calling on their lives. God doesn’t just call everyone. There are some that will never accept God. No matter what he does or who he is there is evil in this world that will always be there. He is not going to spend much time on those who will never change. He has too many who he Can reach that he wants to reach. They are a priority. He doesn’t expect the last group to pray. They are too proud they don’t need nor do they want any help.

‘ will humble themselves and pray,’ get our minds off ourselves and back on the God of the universe. The one who made us and knows us. He knows what we need and what’s best for us. If we will just turn back to him.

‘ and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,’ we are an imperfect people. On our own we can do no good thing. But we are called by him. He wants to help us. He wants us to seek him and his ways. To help others and to see that their needs are met.

‘then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin,’ to make an effort to sin no more. To obey his laws. If we make that effort then he will forgive all of our sins. See us as righteous before him. The people he died for and greatly loves.

‘and I will heal their land.’ This nation was at one time founded on the principles of God. We were a very blessed country. He did so much for us but the sin of his people has brought us down. We are no longer that great and Godly country. Pride has taken over and we have rejected our first love. Younger generations have rejected the God of their parents. Serving themselves above all. They no longer need God. But our land is in trouble. So much violence and sin. We need to wake up.

Do you want to see our land be great again?