HANDY LITTLE CHART - GOD HAS A POSITIVE ANSWER

I received the following in an e-mail a while back and found the message so powerful that I hung onto it. I take it out and read it every once in a while, and it always nourishes my heart and spirit. I wanted to pass it on in hopes that it will lift you up as well:

 

YOU SAY/GOD SAYS
BIBLE VERSES 

 

You say: 'It's impossible'
God says: All things are possible 
( Luke 18:27) 

 You say: 'I'm too tired'
God says: I will give you rest
( Matthew 11:28-30) 

 

You say: 'Nobody really loves me'
God says: I love you
( John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 ) 

 You say: 'I can't go on' 
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15) 

 

You say: 'I can't figure things out'
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5- 6) 

 You say: 'I can't do it'
God says: You can do all things
( Philippians 4:13)

You say: 'I'm not able'
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say:'It's not worth it'
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 ) 

 You say: 'I can't forgive myself'
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1) 

 You say: 'I can't manage'
God says: I will supply all your needs
( Philippians 4:19) 

 You say: 'I'm afraid'
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
( II Timothy 1:7)

 

 You say: 'I'm always worried and frustrated'
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7) 

 You say: 'I'm not smart enough'
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30) 

 You say: 'I feel all alone'
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you 
(Hebrews 13:5) 

 Consider passing this on. You never know who may be in need. The first sentence is pretty powerful!

Father, God, bless all my friends in whatever it is that you know they may need this day! And may their lives be full of your peace, prosperity and power as they seek to have a closer relationship with you. Amen. 

How Well-Aquainted Are We

The Christian poet, Evangeline Fedor, in her “For Prayerful Reflection” collection said, “The Lord is acquainted with all our ways.” I read that just as I was considering Psalm 139, in which David speaks of how well God knows us. It’s like a parent who knows and loves her own child ~ and you can imagine how deep and far-reaching that is! ~ but God’s relationship with us goes far beyond that love and knowledge.

And like an earthly parent, God loves us unconditionally, guides us, protects us, and doesn’t give us everything we want ~ because it might not be good for us. When our prayers don’t seem to ignite an immediate answer, it could be

When the Holy Spirit Speaks

Hey everyone,
I've often felt confused about what I'm supposed to be doing vs. what I am doing. Ever felt that way?

The confusion stemmed from not trusting God to do the guiding that I've asked him to do. It's as if my asking fell into a deep hole or on "deaf ears". But the empty hole and deaf ears were mine, not God's. He is listening.

As it says in Psalm 4:3 ~ the Lord has set apart the godly for himself, the Lord will hear when I call him."

God uses people to answer our prayers, but he also uses the Holy Spirit to guide our hearts and minds. The Holy Spirit does not speak to us on his own, but relays only what he hears from God (see John 16:13). He guides us in our knowledge of Christ and directs our steps in the purpose of our lives.

I'm coming to find that this is not meant to be difficult, and we needn't worry about it. If our minds are open to God's guidance, we will be guided in all ways. Don't worry about thoughts or ambitions, they are put there for a reason. Constantly walk in God's light, and see what happens with the desires of your heart.

This isn't meant to say that if we ask God for guidance in becoming rich and famous, he's going to automatically answer that request. :-) But he will guide your steps, place the right thoughts and people in your life, to get where you need to go as his child. And as his child, he wants to protect you from harm and keep you from going astray in your walk with him. He's got your back, and your best interest at heart.

I will leave you with a verse that has a lot of power; it lets us know that God is listening. We need not worry over our decisions because God has a plan for you; what you are doing right now, if you are including God in your plan, is where you are supposed to be.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declared the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  Jeremiah 29: 11-13

May God richly bless your day!

New Blog ~ Fruit on the Branch

Hello everyone,
I've been thinking about writing this blog for some time ~ that is to say that I'm sure God put it in my heart to use my gift of writing for Him, and I'm finally doing it!

I've read the bible (beginning to end took me about 1.5 years) and I've been studying and learning the word for quite some time. And now I want to share it with you!

The reasons for doing this are many, but the main reason stems from what is probably my favorite verse in the bible:

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit ~ fruit that will last.  John 15:16 

In the first part of the verse, I love that God chose me to be "his". I'd never felt completely "chosen" before and the thought of it, of someone wanting me, loving me, exactly as I am, is the coolest thing ever! I know that my words sound rather childlike in my description of how I feel, but it seems that my relationship with God has finally become one where I recognize him as my father. That was a long time coming and we will discuss that in another post.

It took me a long while to recognize the second part of the verse, being the self-centered child of God that we can be, but in my maturing, it smacked me in the head like a wet tomato. He wants me to bear fruit!  That requires doing something. It requires being in service to God, which could mean a lot of different things: using our gifts, telling others about Jesus, helping others, reaching out to the orphans and widows, etc. Doing any of those things in the name of Jesus bears fruit on the tree of life.

So, I hope with the good grace of God to do just that. Thus, the title of this blog is "Fruit on the Branch". And I want to hear from you: your thoughts, questions, concerns, the fruits you are you bearing.

Let's connect today; I'm looking forward to hearing from you! May God bless your day!