Then She Spoke

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace, In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Aren’t you glad that our God is amazing and wonderful. He defeated the enemy once and for all time. He also does not need anything from us. He is so wise, strong, and loving. He made this beautiful world for us. He hung the multitude of stars in the sky and he knows each one by name. The earth is at a perfect angle, neither too hot nor too cold, so we could thrive. The rains come and the rains replenish the earth. Seed time and harvest were all his designs to take good care of us. He only asks that we love others and help provide for those who can’t. If we need something he is always there for us and always has the answer. He always works for the good of those who love him. He is never taken by surprise but knows everything before it ever happens. He even knows our hearts and our minds every minute. He still loves us no matter what we are thinking. I know I have had some pretty stupid thoughts. When hard times come he gives us the strength and the peace to get through it. We don’t have to worry about what tomorrow holds because he is already there and working on our behalf. If I need wisdom, he has more than enough for me. He shows me great insights and helps me understand things I need to do. He gives the wisdom, strength and knowledge to do exciting things and even invent exciting things to continue advancing our world. Look how far we’ve come in just a few thousand years. Medical science has come so far and can cure so many of satans sicknesses and diseases

“ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

I read the other day that we should count our blessings but who would be crazy enough to ever think they could possibly count all the good things God can do. God cannot change he is good always that’s just who he is. Even though evil and bad things still happen he will use them for his purposes which are for our good. So even a bad thing can be good. Example: I had a bad stroke which took so much away and now I’m living in a nursing home. Bad, but if I hadn’t had a stroke I wouldn’t have turned my life around and I was heading down a destructive dangerous path. Now I am so very happy and living all out for the Lord and helping others. The first thing I think of is the brand new day we receive every morning at just the precise time. No matter if you even care about God or not he wakes you up with air in your lungs and a new sunrise. Even if it’s raining it’s to nourish all living things. The winds come and go, tides go in and tides go out, the world keeps revolving around the sun and moon giving us different seasons to enjoy. There is so many different climates and scenery around the world to experience. Some cold and some warm you can have whatever you want. God supplies food for all life and more than enough and variety with no end. Look at the sparrow who never worries about where its next meal is coming from. He has given us the ability to think and reason. To invent some amazing things even going to the moon. There are zillions of plants and animals to enjoy. Look into the night sky and realize that he knows every star by name throughout the galaxies. He made families and friends to love and appreciate. Books to help take you to exciting places and times. The roof over your head and clothing to wear to protect you from the elements. Cars, planes, trains to get all the way around the world in just hours. My son-in-law flies around the world all the time to Brazil, Paris, Venice, and Greenland. He never knows where he might end up but he loves seeing so much.l could go on and on but there isn’t room for everything. Just remember that you will have problems but never as many as your blessings so be thankful for everyone. God Is Good!

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says, do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

The one who can always help us wants to help us with everything. He wants to be our very best friend. The one we rely on every time. He wants us to trust him to always have our best interests in mind. He is in control of everything that goes on and he always knows what is best for our lives. He has so many things that he will do for us. Wisdom, power, strength, peace. What is your need right now? He desires for you to lean on him. The way we grow closer is by trusting in him and watching him turn things around in our lives. There is always going to be a mountain in front of us that needs moved and many times we try everything we can before we give God a try. We waste a lot of time trying to be independent. I understand how important independence is because I can’t do much on my own anymore. I need help with so much but I still want to be able to help others. Even if it’s something little. It makes me feel valuable. People like to feel needed and loved. Doing things for others is the way God has asked us to live. Giving of ourselves whether time, financially, or doing something special for someone else is how we show that we care. God showed us how much he cared by sending his Son to die in our place. He gave his very best shouldn’t we.

“As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” John 9:4

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters , stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor for the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

Ever since forever Jesus has been the light of the world. When he came to earth as the son of God he shined that light for all to see. But there was still darkness in the world. There will always be darkness in this broken world but it is getting darker all the time. Sin is still sin and the sins of today are not much different than thousands of years ago. Pride and ego and selfishness still cause people to do things to better their lives or so they see it that way. The Israelites served other gods that they did not know and even sacrificed their children to satisfy these gods. What kind of god would expect you to sacrifice your own children to make them happy. God may have asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on an altar but he would have never let him succeed in doing it. He wanted to see if Abraham would trust him, and he did. But he also promised that he would be the father of a tribe of people that would be as great as the stars in the sky and they were. He always keeps his promises. Today people are still sacrificing their children to their gods. The god of convenience and selfishness. Things haven’t changed much. The Pharisees didn’t believe Jesus was God’s son and that God sent him to this world because they liked being looked up to as the religious authorities and they couldn’t give that up. They made their own rules and they liked it that way. People haven’t wanted a god who would tell them what to do even if it was better for them. People like to do what they please. If God says marriage is between one man and one woman then they want it their way. So they redefine marriage to suit themselves. A person can be anything they want to be. They can make their own reality. It’s no wonder that people are so confused and depressed because there is no absolute truth in our world. The darkness in this world will continue to get darker all the time. There will come a day when the darkness is so strong that try as we can they just won’t listen anymore and then Jesus will return and our work will cease. But until that day we need to be that city on the hill that shines their light brightly.

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.” Colossians 1:13

“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

We have been raised with Christ. Because he defeated the enemy and the grave when he gave everything for us. We have been set free. We no longer belong to this world we have become aliens and are just here temporarily. We have a new home, a heavenly home. Do we really believe that? It has already been done. I like to imagine what it will be like one day. I love the song and the movie but it is truly exciting to think about perfection. Although I don’t think I can truly imagine it. Although I have read many books about near death experiences and what they experienced. I think about all my relatives that I know. Let alone all those that passed before me. I can’t help but be so excited for what they are experiencing. Sure I miss them but I don’t grieve over them. Heck they wouldn’t want me to. That is why we don’t feel like we belong and people just don’t understand us. But remember, we don’t belong. We have been set apart, a peculiar people, we are here to shine the light of Christ dwelling within us. We have been called to bring others into the kingdom of God. To share the good news of a great hope that is available to all. That is why we must stay here for a while and can’t just go home. The godhead doesn’t need our help and could do it themselves but it is actually a privilege that helps to perfect us on our journey. It is actually bonding us together with our brothers and sisters in Christ who we will one day spend eternity with. We need to keep our focus where it belongs. We are now royalty and we need to behave more like it and our Father the King every day. We are like ambassadors who have been sent with the highest rank we could have below Christ himself. But since he no longer lives on earth we get that honor. We need to take that responsibility seriously. We are now royalty no longer here to serve ourselves but him who we serve. That is why we have laid our life down for him. There shouldn’t be anything that he has asked us to do that we wouldn’t do. I am very proud of the cross of Christ and proud to be his daughter. It may be uncomfortable to speak out at times but it would be very rewarding. It is pretty cool to share and have people agree with you and get excited about it. It really is exciting news and not everyone thinks you’re nuts. If they do I just feel really sorry for what they are missing out on not embarrassed.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Hallelujah and Amen! Isn’t it great to know that God has your back and will never let you down. In the very beginning God was as the trinity. Jesus is the light of the world and God is also a very bright light. In fact we cannot see God while there is sin in our lives because his glory is so amazing that we would burn up. When we get to heaven there will not be any need for the sun, candles, flashlights, or light bulbs because God’s glory radiates out so bright that it will be day light forever because we won’t need rest or sleep because our bodies will be perfect. When I was young my family loved to go camping and at night we would build a huge bonfire and sit around telling funny stories. It was dark all around but our area was like daytime. Have you ever lit a match in pitch dark and you could see that bright flame far away. We all have the Holy Spirits light burning inside us when we know God and have accepted him into our lives. We are to share that light with the rest of the world. A small church is like a small fire and when you get a bunch of Christian’s together it could burn a forest down. God created everything and evil started with his creation and he controls all he has made. So Satan may think he has a chance but we win in the end. There will only be perfection in heaven forever with no death, pain, or tears ever again. This is so good to dwell on because you can’t help but be so encouraged.