Childlike faith

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Without faith it is impossible to please God. But faith like a little child is what helps get us to heaven. When we were young we put our confidence in our parents to always take care of us. They were who we ran to when we were scared, worried and confused. When it was stormy outside and I didn’t know what to expect, in bed with my parents is where I would run. It made me feel safe.

I can remember times when we all ended up in there. No one got much sleep those nights but it helped. That is what our Heavenly Father wants. Run to him. Concerns, worries and questions. He wants to be there for us. Calm our storms. Defend us and care for us. He is stronger and wiser and more loving than any earthly father can ever be. With God all things are possible.

We need to know his words in the Bible and believe in them. All of them. I tell myself every day that I believe your words and choose to do your will, your way, always. I ask for him to help me do them always. It’s not my will but yours be done.

His ways are best for me and that’s what I want. Because I love and adore him I will keep all his commandments. When I screw up, and we all do, I run to him in repentance. Asking for forgiveness . I don’t want to sin and hurt him.

“Do you not know that the unrighteous and wrongdoers will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived : neither the impure or immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality. Nor cheats, nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foul-mouthed revivers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the Kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10 AMPC

I do not wish to be separated from God. I want my ways to please God. So many people do such things and believe they’re going to heaven. Oh I do not wish to be deceived. It is important to read and know God’s word. How else can you be sure you are obeying.

We don’t think of ourselves as robbers but do we pay tithes? Do we cheat on our taxes? Do we take things at work? The money we use is just that. Ours to use as we obey him and help others. We came into this world with nothing and leave with nothing. It was God who taught us how to earn that money and he deserves his tithe. I would rather be blessed on ninety percent than cursed on one hundred percent.

It is through our tithes that he uses us to serve the orphans and widows. Help those in need and support our churches. I love seeing all the great things my church is doing in hurting and lost lives.

I may be naive but I know Gods plans work. I want to be apart of what he is doing in my community. And one day I want to hear ‘ Well done my good and faithful servant’.

I want that more than ever.

This is Love

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“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” John 4:10. NIV

God loved us, each and everyone of us. At any given point in time that would be several billion people for several years. The God who created this wonderful planet and everything on it. Thought of each and everyone of us, before even time began, and he loved each of us with a perfect love. He is the great creator and He created love in the first place.

Propitiation means being reconciled with my God. I have been redeemed and nothing can separate me from the perfect love of my Father.

No one or nothing can ever love us with a perfect love. No one is perfect but God. We will all fail to love perfectly because we are not perfect. When men separate themselves from God, thinking that they are better or all they need, they are missing out on the greatest that this life has to offer. Saying, basically, I don’t need it!

The mercy and grace that my Father has for us, as well as the hope of eternal, forever perfect life, is not to be missed out on. I can wake every morning with a joy that is unbelievable but it is mine through his great love for me his daughter. I never ever want to lose that.

I have listened to so many people talk of their endeavors for that perfect life apart from God. There is such turmoil and striving after perfection. Happiness isn’t really an option. It’s just making sure you are better off than the next guy. That you have more than the next guy. Having more on your own is supposed to make you the winner. It doesn’t matter that it might never be enough to make you happy.

So many people go through life this way and it’s so sad. I don’t care if I have the most toys when I die. Not even if I have no toys. I can have nothing but the love of my Heavenly Father and a life with him forever. That’s all I want. I have learned over my time in this nursing home that our earthly bodies are failing. We can not know forsure that we will always be in the race for success.

But all I need to do is keep his commandments and love him all I can and love all others. That is simple to me because I have his help. In myself I can’t do that but with him I can do all things. This makes me happy! When someone asks me, ‘How’s your day going?’, I think of all I have and can’t help but smile.

I may be wrong, I don’t care, it works so great for me God’s way. I have a future and a hope that carries me through anything. When I face my final days on earth I have an eternal faith that God is waiting for me at the end with dessert. His glory.

He is Alive

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As I look back to all God has done for us this Resurrection Sunday I see a picture in my mind of a young man. With all the love of the Father in him. Remember this is a picture of what God is like a God that jealously loves us more than ever and wants us to have and be everything we can through him. He is standing at that door.

There is no hardware on the door, it can not be opened from the outside, only we can open that door. Open it to all the love, joy, peace and life out there that he has available for us. It is totally our choice. Life abundantly or death. Not only is it an eternal choice of life ever after we die, but true life right now.

Freedom from sin, death, hell, and the grave. That same power that raised Jesus back to life from that tomb of death, brokenness and darkness is available to everyone. It is free for the asking.

Are you suffering from an addiction that you have no control over that has you imprisoned in a spiraling downward motion of destruction. Are you hurting from unforgiveness towards someone who has caused you great pain in the past, something that has robbed you of all your joy and peace. Are you struggling from day to day with why you are even alive.

You can be free. Jesus is reaching his arms out to you. Arms that want to hold you and never let you go. To give you answers and hope. To make you happier than you have ever been. Help you have purpose and meaning in this current life. Won’t you let him in. Change is available through that door for you just open it.

It says in the Bible that all we have to do is ask Jesus to come in. Tell him that you have sinned and are not perfect. Ask him to forgive you for your past. A past that you have tried to do on your own. One that we truly need his help and power to enjoy. Ask him to help you to have the life he has for you. Ask him to help you do his will.

He will gladly hold your hand as his child today. He will give you a future and a hope.

The prison doors will swing open and you will walk into that glorious light.

That is not all! Talk to God have him show you what’s next. Read his words in the Bible so you will know how to live right. And lastly find good Christian family to unite with and to help you grow in this new life. They can show you truths that can help you have the most successful life ever.

May God our Father and Jesus his son richly bless your lives with the help of their powerful spirit to fulfill all they have for you forever and ever. Amen!

Bloom where you are planted

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After I had my stroke and moved to this nursing home I began to eagerly search after God and his ways. I wanted so much to do what he wanted me to do. I had tried living for myself alone and that had been an utter disaster. I realized that I needed his help more than ever. The more I looked back over my life the more I could see that he had always been there for me.

I really had a great life and I was sabotaging it. Wow I was a spoiled brat and did not deserve his awesome love. That didn’t matter because he was continuing to love me anyway. To help me get back to him. I kept asking him what I could do. One day I was going to talk to a lady that worked here and outside the door she had a plaque. It said ‘Bloom where you are planted.’ I felt God nudge me. That’s what you can do. I have you here for a short time and you will be going back home. But while you are here just rest in me.

That was it. Just be the best me I can be. Help out wherever I can. Nothing hard. I spent my days relaxing and reading ( which I had always wanted to do more of anyway). But I always tried to help others. I was always eager to help out. One day one of the leaders asked me if I would like to deliver the residents mail in our area.

I had wanted to be a mailman when my kids were little but never did it. Sure,that sounds fun! They showed me how my electric wheelchair could help deliver the mail in no time at all. While I was at it I got to know a lot of the residents. People were becoming part of my new family. It was like living in a close little town and I knew everyone.

Then one day I went to the laundry and asked if I could help deliver clothes to people. In no time at all I was helping them. They even gave me a bag of socks that needed to be sorted. I was keeping busy and having a good time doing it.

My son-in-law came by one day to show me his brand new iPad when they had just come out. Wow, I wanted one. I had a laptop that I had written a book about my stroke on but this was so much more. I told God if I could get one I would use it for him. I really meant it also. So my daughter went down to the Apple store in person to see about getting one. The shipments were going the minute they hit the stores. They had just got some in and had one left when she came in. I got one.

Now what was I going to do with it to help people. I had a friend download a Bible app that would play audibly. So I started thinking how people might not be able to read the Bible but they could listen. I had a woman that I had been visiting that could not move anything but her head. She laid in bed on her back and watched tv all day but she loved the Lord and talked about him a lot.

I decided to start with her. I could not speak very well so I had someone explain to her that I would like to play the Bible for her. I stayed about 30 minutes. I would come a couple times a week. She loved it so much. I even bought a praise tape on the iPad and would play that instead sometimes.

I asked a few other people if I could play the Bible for them. It went over really well.

One woman’s son came in while I was there and I got to meet him, We became good friends in no time at all. He actually get my first book published. I had finished it but didn’t know what to do next.

Our home had a resident council to help see that the residents rights were being met. They would meet once a month and I always went. I had brought up problems before that I had. Well they were looking for new officers and God told me to volunteer. So I offered to be treasurer since I had done that before in another club.

Every year at election time I just did not feel right about leaving. I went from treasurer to Vice President, and finally became president. I also felt led to volunteer to help out activities. What could I do? The girl asked if I could lead a Bible group. So I did.

I’m not trying to brag because I did most of these things to keep myself busy, so I wouldn’t be bored. The fact that they helped others was a bonus. The more I got to know the Lord, the more I wanted to do to show the love Jesus was giving me. He was always doing so much for me and helping me love my new home and family.

It’s a never ending circle. The more you do for the Lord, the richer your life gets. Then you want to do more for all those blessings you receive.

My God How Great Thou Art

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The one sure thing we are here on earth for is to give praise to our King. He so deserves it. Think of all he has done for you in your life. I’m fifty-eight so I have many good years to thank him for. I can look back over my life and see how amazing he has been over the years.

Many people have contemplated these same things and have come up with great praise songs to show God how much they adore him. This morning at church we sang ‘How Great Thou Art’. As I sang the words resonated throughout my heart. Oh how much I felt these words.

‘Oh Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds thy hands hath made

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder

Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul, my savior God, to thee

How great thou art, How great thou art

Then sings my soul, my savior God, to thee

How great thou art, How great thou art

And when I think of God, his son not sparing

Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing

He bled and died to take away my sin

Then sings my soul, my savior God, to thee

How great thou art, How great thou art

Then sings my soul, my savior God, to thee

How great thou art, How great thou art

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And lead me home, what joy shall fill my heart

Then I shall bow with humble adoration

And then proclaim, my God, how great thou art

Then sings my soul, my savior God, to thee

How great thou art, How great thou art

Then sings my soul, my savior God, to thee

How great thou art, How great thou art

God truly has done so much for me. Sending his one and only son to be born of a virgin. In a poor young family. His was not a life of privilege and esteem. Just the opposite. His life was difficult just like ours. He can understand our burdens and pain. Sin tried so hard to break him but, he overcame it.

He did all that gladly. Gladly, not just getting by, but there was joy in his heart as he suffered. He knew this was the only way we could be together forever. Unless we were redeemed by that perfect spotless lamb, it could never be.

This world he created is one thing, one mighty thing, but think of how he has enriched this world by working in the lives of billions of humans giving them great wisdom and ideas that continue to make this world better and better. People whose hearts have touched the world so.

People like mother Teresa, Billy Graham, Martin Luther King. They have made such a difference in so many lives. People like Moses, Elijah, King David, and Saul(Paul). Where would we be without them. Many would not be sons and daughters of our King.

Think about that day when as sons and daughters we will see his face. Standing before him FOREVER. In that wonderful place he has prepared for us in advance.

That awesome perfect place where absolutely nothing is too good for us. His building plans surpass all we can imagine.

Oh God how GREAT thou art!!

How Big God Is

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I went to the movies one night and it got me thinking. How big our God is. Throughout history, for thousands of generations God has been creating people and endowing them with great things to be world changers. He has given that power to all people. It doesn’t matter if you are black or white or green, male or female, Jew or Gentile, rich or poor. We are all God’s children and He wants the very best for us.

Just think of all people past, present and future God has placed on this planet. He cares about each one. He knows the hairs on our heads. He can design us each differently for the time we are in this earth. We can all be world changers.

Look at Esther in the Bible and Rahab and King David. Just to think of a few.

They were nobody’s till God made them somebody’s. He wants to do that for everyone, if we will let Him. To be made for a unique purpose should be the cry of our hearts. “Let me be a part of what you are doing in the world, today and every day Lord.”

Think of all the important people in the world. Inventors, writers, athletes, world thinkers like Einstein, doctors and others who make a great difference in our lives. God made them for a purpose.

Every morning I thank God for someone making coffee beans into coffee as I enjoy my breakfast with a hot cup of coffee. And I can’t really do anything without thinking of Him and something he did. Everything that is or was or will be in the future came from Him and the knowledge he gave someone.

Look at mother Teresa and all she did for the world and hurting people. Or Billy Graham and all the people who came to know the Lord through his ministry. Bill Gates and technology, Henry Thoreau , Isaac Newton, Henry Ford and I could go on forever. These people changed our lives. Could we live without these things, sure but God wants us to have them.

They make our world evolve, getting better every day. In this movie men were working at putting a man on the moon. They just couldn’t get it right. The trajectory was all wrong. Well God gave a bunch of black women unbelievable talent in mathematics and science. They were looked down on in those days of segregation. But they showed America what they were made of. Changing the way people saw black people. Martin Luther King did so much to change thinking towards black people. God used him mightily.

I am a child of God

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I am a child of God. My God adores me. He adores all of his children. Just keep telling yourself this each day. First thing to do is thank God for this new day he has given you and choose to rejoice in it. God wants you to have an abundant life. He is for you. You can confidently go before him and ask for success, knowing his will is for your best.

“I know the plans I have for you, “says the Lord””, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”” Jeremiah 29:11. NIV

Each day is planned out in advance for me. He knows just how my day will go. I can confidently trust him. Spend time with him before your day begins. Give him a chance to tell you things you need to do. Ask him for the strength to meet your days needs. Tell him that you want to be in his will for you.

My father is awesome. Look how well he has always taken care of you. Let him know how great he is. He can keep each person in his perfect will. Everyone, everywhere. I can be strong and courageous for he is with me wherever I go. He is my strength when I am weak.

My daddy is the King of the whole earth. There is no one greater. If God is for me then who should I fear. No one! I am a royal daughter. The apple of his eye. No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor mind has conceived the things he has for me because I love him.

Even in my wildest imagination I can’t guess what he has planned. He loves to give me good gifts. This makes me love him more and more. I want to do all I can for him..

Yesterday he gave me a wonderful present. My very good friend had been in the hospital for three weeks in a diabetic coma. Doctors said there was no hope she was on a respirator with no signs of life, but she woke up and they brought her home yesterday. She is her old self but weak. Gods not done with her yet. I am so happy. He loves her too and has great plans for her life.

If you love your God and have been called to repentance he has an awesome plan for you too. Trust in his plan for your life. Seek him and his will. And see how great life can be.

The Wages of Sin

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The wages of sin is still death. God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. You can’t expect to get a get out of sin card free no matter what. The gift of God is a free gift and God will never leave you or forsake, but you can leave. It is a thing called free will. You can’t expect to get into heaven just by doing your own thing. God has promised to forgive your sins. Have you asked him to lately.

“God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, We have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his son, purifies us from all sin.” 1 John 1:5-7. NIV

I believe I saw an ‘IF’ in there. If we walk in the light. So how we act is important. We no longer sin or if we do we sincerely ask forgiveness for that sin and promise never to do it again, and mean it. We can’t get by with habitually sinning and expect him to overlook it. At some point God will leave you to your own desires that rule over you.

“If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15. NIV

“Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6. NIV

Jesus did not sin. Although we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We have hope. We a talking about trying to live a sin free life. A life of integrity. Trying to do all he wants us to and truly loving him and others. Not doing the things we know he does not want us to.

It sounds like hard work. But he will give us strength when we are week and help us turn from sin if we ask. He has given us everything to help us the minute we believe on him and ask his forgiveness. He loves all of his children and is always drawing you to the light.

He has also promised to bless us many ways in his word. You can actually live a blessed life by following his commands. A win win situation. Eternal life in heaven and extra blessings. How awesome. Reading his word helps to know his will for your life. How can you know his commands if you don’t read?

Practice the ACTS of prayer. Adoration, confession, Thanksgiving, and supplication.

This is a good tool for prayer. Tithing is the one way God asks us to test him. You can not out give God just try. Helping those in need. And fellowshiping together. These all bring blessing to your life.

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:17 NIV

Go out there and enjoy doing the things that will get you to heaven and bless you.

Miracles all around us

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Believing in miracles is difficult for many people. If you asked most people they would love to see a miracle in their life. Most can probably remember one occurring in their life or the life of a friend or family member. Miracles are happening, though, every minute of every day. God is performing many miracles and just his nature is a miracle. We just need eyes to see them.

Living in faith helps us to see more of God’s miracles. If we have faith to believe in God we can see miracles. What is a miracle: an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause. That sounds like God to me. From day one he has been doing miracles.

Making our entire world and universe and everything in it in six days. Yep a miracle. Why is that so hard for some to believe. It takes real faith. Faith is: confidence or trust in another person or thing: faith in another’s ability. By reading the Bible over and over your faith will be strengthened.

Another way to increase faith is in prayer which is:a devout petition to God or object of worship. Every time we ask God for something to be answered by him we are opening ourselves up to a miracle. We tend to do things ourself until it gets out of our ability. Then we need him to come to our need. That’s when miracles happen.

The more we pray for God to work in our lives and in those around us the more miracles we will see. As our faith grows by seeing God do amazing things we ask him to do more.

Tommy Barnett has believed God for many things in his life and in turn this has changed the lives of his children. They now are believing God for more and more miracles. Dreaming for extra amazing moves of God has become this family’s legacy. The more risks this family takes the bigger the rewards become. It has gotten to a point where day to day living takes more miracles to get by. Just the monthly budget for a church of that size with all of the ministries they are involved in to remain solvent requires miracles every day.

When you get to the point where you believe God to use you more and more in your life. He is able to show you more and more of his ways. Miracles are a big part of his ways. John 14:12 always seemed odd to me. It says: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” NIV. Me do greater works than Jesus?

That always seemed hard to believe. But Jesus is in heaven with God and he is interceding on our behalf with his father. He is believing with me for me to see God work. That’s got to cause miracles to happen.

So if you want to see miracles in this life just ask God to meet more needs. Needs for you, your family and others in your life and you will see many more miracles.