"As my relationship with God has deepened and grown more intimate over the past two decades since the accident. I've come to realize I'll never be satisfied with the kind of Christianity that far too many people settle for. I don't want to be a half-baked, half-hearted follower who submits to the Lord only when it's easy or when there's something in it for me. I want to love Jesus without limits. I want to be a woman who sees herself as the beloved bride of Christ, His chosen helpmate who joyfully pursues His presence and seeks to carry out His will with dogged determination, regardless of what it may cost me personally. I don't want to stop short of any goal God may have for me. When my body is buried in the ground, I want all the angels to say, "She shouldered her burdens with great strength, maximized her opportunites to bring glory to God and squeezed every blessing out of life that her Creator intended her to have." ~Shannon Ethridge from "Completely His" pg 9
A glimpse is seen of another shore, She knows He is worth striving for. A life that has been saved from sin O child don't be afraid to seek a far, far better country. (REV)
March 26, 2011
March 12, 2011
The Sin of Impatience
Over and over again the Israelites became impatient. They grumbled and complained against God and dishonored and quarreled those God had put over them. They constantly were looking back toward Egypt when their eye did not see the end.
O soul, how often do you lack faith and become impatient for what lies ahead. You, oh so quickly, look back to the "good old' days" forgetting the bondage your dear Father has freed you from. You forget how He has so often heard your cries and grumblings and supplied you with food and water in the wilderness. O feeble one, how quick you are to rely on your own eyes rather than on your God.
How often have your eyes deceived you; causing you to believe that a situation is impossible, that the end will never come, or even that God no longer cares and you are forsaken?
Now, dear soul, consider this, how often has your Father deceived you? Can you think of any time? Of course not! He will never leave you, deceive you, or not provide for you.
O Child of God, trust in your Father and look with eyes of faith towards the ultimate goal, for He will never disappoint!
O soul, how often do you lack faith and become impatient for what lies ahead. You, oh so quickly, look back to the "good old' days" forgetting the bondage your dear Father has freed you from. You forget how He has so often heard your cries and grumblings and supplied you with food and water in the wilderness. O feeble one, how quick you are to rely on your own eyes rather than on your God.
How often have your eyes deceived you; causing you to believe that a situation is impossible, that the end will never come, or even that God no longer cares and you are forsaken?
Now, dear soul, consider this, how often has your Father deceived you? Can you think of any time? Of course not! He will never leave you, deceive you, or not provide for you.
O Child of God, trust in your Father and look with eyes of faith towards the ultimate goal, for He will never disappoint!
March 11, 2011
Hasten the Coming of the Day
"The Gospel must first be preached to all the nations." ~Mark 13:10
"[L]ooking for and hastening the coming of the day of God..." ~2 Peter 3:12
Oh soul, keep in mind the second coming of Christ. Look for it, hasten it! Oh beloved of God, go out and share the gospel to all the nations, so that, the day of the Lord might come more quickly; for "the gospel must first be preached to all the nations" before our Lord returns. Go out, call souls out of their bondage; speak the word to all men, that Christ might be worshipped in every tribe and tongue and nation. He alone is worthy; deserving of all glory, honor, and praise. Will you not go out to see His name glorified as He has commanded?
"[L]ooking for and hastening the coming of the day of God..." ~2 Peter 3:12
Oh soul, keep in mind the second coming of Christ. Look for it, hasten it! Oh beloved of God, go out and share the gospel to all the nations, so that, the day of the Lord might come more quickly; for "the gospel must first be preached to all the nations" before our Lord returns. Go out, call souls out of their bondage; speak the word to all men, that Christ might be worshipped in every tribe and tongue and nation. He alone is worthy; deserving of all glory, honor, and praise. Will you not go out to see His name glorified as He has commanded?
March 10, 2011
"His Steadfast Love Endures Forever"
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever...to Him who alone does great wonders, for His steadfast love endures forever...to Him who led His people through the wilderness, for His steadfast love endures forever..." Psalm 136:1, 4, 16
Isn't it amazing that even when God led his people through the wilderness it says "His love endures forever". I think that if I was led through the wilderness I would start to wonder whether God loved me or not. It would seem like He didn't love me too much to have me wandering through the wilderness for 40 years suffering from illness and not having a set home and eating the same thing day in and day out. I'm sure the Israelites thought many times "If God loves me then why are we still out here!?" They grumbled and complained and could not see God's love in it, instead of being able to be thankful for the things that they did have.
God was with His people the entire time, leading them every step of the way. "The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night." Exodus 13:21
He provided them with food when they were out in the wilderness and there was none to be found. "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'I will rain down bread from heaven for you.'" Exodus 16:4
And if they had had no other reason to give thanks they should merely have given because God is worthy, "For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise..." 1 Chronicles 16:25
The Children of Israel did not keep these things in mind and therefore it caused them great suffering in all aspects of their life. They were not joyful in the Lord and did not remember His love for them even when they were stubborn and grumbling. Let us learn from the Israelites that even when things seem to be going badly and we cannot see the Lord's loving hand in it, He is still our loving Father. He is there before, after, and during the all trials that we go through and He is worthy of love and devotion. Let us give thanks to our Lord, for His steadfast love endures forever!
Isn't it amazing that even when God led his people through the wilderness it says "His love endures forever". I think that if I was led through the wilderness I would start to wonder whether God loved me or not. It would seem like He didn't love me too much to have me wandering through the wilderness for 40 years suffering from illness and not having a set home and eating the same thing day in and day out. I'm sure the Israelites thought many times "If God loves me then why are we still out here!?" They grumbled and complained and could not see God's love in it, instead of being able to be thankful for the things that they did have.
God was with His people the entire time, leading them every step of the way. "The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night." Exodus 13:21
He provided them with food when they were out in the wilderness and there was none to be found. "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'I will rain down bread from heaven for you.'" Exodus 16:4
And if they had had no other reason to give thanks they should merely have given because God is worthy, "For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise..." 1 Chronicles 16:25
The Children of Israel did not keep these things in mind and therefore it caused them great suffering in all aspects of their life. They were not joyful in the Lord and did not remember His love for them even when they were stubborn and grumbling. Let us learn from the Israelites that even when things seem to be going badly and we cannot see the Lord's loving hand in it, He is still our loving Father. He is there before, after, and during the all trials that we go through and He is worthy of love and devotion. Let us give thanks to our Lord, for His steadfast love endures forever!
Faithfulness
"What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?" Romans 3:3
O Child of God, what wonderful questions these are for one so unfaithful!
Can our faithlessness nullify God's faithfulness? "May it NEVER be!" (Rom. 3:4)
What wonderful Truth that God's faithfulness does not rest on us but on Him, who can never be unfaithful!
O Child of God, what wonderful questions these are for one so unfaithful!
Can our faithlessness nullify God's faithfulness? "May it NEVER be!" (Rom. 3:4)
What wonderful Truth that God's faithfulness does not rest on us but on Him, who can never be unfaithful!
March 09, 2011
Keep on the Alert
"Take heed, keep on the alert..." ~Mark 13:33
"...Be on the alert!" ~ Mark 13:37
Christian, are you prepared for the coming of Christ? Are your shoes and jacket on? Is your food packed and ready to go? Are your affairs in order and ready to be left behind? Or are you sleeping? Have you become too comfortable in this world; making it your home and forgetting that you are a pilgrim in a stranger land?
Dear Soul, WAKE UP! Sleeper, arise from your bed! Your home is not here. This is but a passing phase that will be over before you realize it. Are you ready for eternity? Be on the alert; be watchful for your Lord's return. Do not be found asleep lest you be left behind and thrown in to hell far from the presence of the One whom should be loved the most.
Listen to the word of God and take heed, keep alert that you may not miss the hour of Christ when He comes!
"...Be on the alert!" ~ Mark 13:37
Christian, are you prepared for the coming of Christ? Are your shoes and jacket on? Is your food packed and ready to go? Are your affairs in order and ready to be left behind? Or are you sleeping? Have you become too comfortable in this world; making it your home and forgetting that you are a pilgrim in a stranger land?
Dear Soul, WAKE UP! Sleeper, arise from your bed! Your home is not here. This is but a passing phase that will be over before you realize it. Are you ready for eternity? Be on the alert; be watchful for your Lord's return. Do not be found asleep lest you be left behind and thrown in to hell far from the presence of the One whom should be loved the most.
Listen to the word of God and take heed, keep alert that you may not miss the hour of Christ when He comes!
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