Be Still

This morning as I watched the news as I do every morning, I started to feel so burdened down about the way this world is heading.  It seems all we hear about is fighting and anger and chaos.  It seems like things have gone so far downhill so fast recently.  I can't help but be reminded that God is coming soon.  Things are really starting to fall apart in this world as our nation has rejected God and calls it "equal rights for all".  A nation that rejects God will surely fall.  If we're not careful, we can get so caught up in the news of the turmoil of this world and forget that this is only our "temporary home".  We are only on this earth for a season. Yes, I am concerned about the things going on in our nation and across the world, but I believe that if we dwell on these things constantly, we'll only get angry and bitter and forget that God is preparing a better home for us.  That's the home we should be more concerned with.  As this world deteriorates more and more, we need to look to God more and more.  Keep your eyes on Jesus, not on the storm surrounding you.  Where is your faith today?  Yes, we try to stay informed as all citizens should so we can make wise decisions and  we certainly should exercise our rights that we're fortunate to still have in this country and stand for what is right and fight to keep God in America as long as possible.  I'm not saying we should isolate ourselves by any means or be ignorant.  What I'm saying is the more we see the end time approaching, the more we need to look up-look up to Heaven, look to God.  Our God is an awesome God. This world is just a foot stool to Him.  He has a plan that's been foretold in scripture and must come to pass, but if we keep our eyes on Him, we can have that hope that we will see Him one day face to face.  He loved this world so much that He suffered and gave His life for us before we were even born so that we could have a hope, so that we could have fellowship with Him and really know him personally.  He wants to be a friend to everyone of us, but we must believe that He is and humbly ask for forgiveness from our sin and lay our lives at His feet and ask Him to come into our hearts and make us more like Him. He'll take the burden that you carry and give you a new hope, a new life. The Bible says in John 3:16-"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life."  And when people truly understand all that Jesus sacrificed for us and how much God loves us, how can they not want to spend the rest of their lives showing Him how much they appreciate all He's done and sacrificed for us.  But, if they choose to reject Him...if our nation chooses to reject Him...God does not force Himself on anyone, He's given us a free will to choose for ourselves. He calls and He pleads with us, but it is still our choice to heed His call.  If we choose to ignore His voice and say "thanks but not thanks, I want to live the way I want, I don't need you", then we've made our choice to refuse God's love.  But if we turn to Him, with our whole hearts, He will keep us in this end day.  The time is truly short and God will one day say "it's time" and call his people home to be with Him.  So, let's keep our minds and hearts tuned into Jesus.  Keep our minds stayed on Him.  This world is lost and needs Jesus.  Let's redeem the time we have left and reach as many as we can with the gospel of Jesus Christ so they can have that same hope in Jesus that we do.  When things get rough and the battles come, and they will certainly still come, whether you're saved or unsaved, look to Jesus all the more...go to the word of God and get encouragement for your soul...sing a song throughout the day at work, keep joy in your heart in the midst of it all and most of all, stay on your knees, don't neglect your prayer time.  Keep in tune with God, heed His voice and keep that communication line open and just keep on praising Him.  He loves to hear the praises of His people.  Whatever you're going through, I encourage you to put your faith and trust in God-He WILL see you through.  Let your heart rest in Him and Be Still...

            

Ride out your storm

From a very young age, my husband and I were brought up in the same church, going to Sunday School, youth activity, and eventually even joined ministries.  We've always shared a strong foundation in our christian faith. But as we've grown older, and married, storms have come to test that faith and our little boat has been tossed and rocked by the waves.  There have been many times I thought we would capsize and be torn apart as the storms were just too strong.  Yet, today we are still standing.  And I believe that is because of Jesus and the foundation we share in Him.  That anchor keeps us holding fast when the storms of this life rage against our little boat.  I will not lie and tell you things have always been rosy.  We've been tested and tried and faced some severe blows that almost destroyed us.  We've faced temptations and trials, and there've been times we didn't even seem to "like" one another.  There was a time when I thought I'd lost my husband forever.  He had changed so much that I didn't even know him anymore.  The man I thought I knew seemed to be gone.  Everyone told me to give up and find someone else.  But, deep inside, I knew he was still "in there" and I wanted him back.  I couldn't just give up on him, after all, I was his wife and if I wasn't willing to fight for him, what kind of wife would I be.  So, I  took it to God, crying out to Him.  I knew God was the only one who could make it all right.  After all, He knows us better than we know ourselves.  He knows our hearts.  So, I prayed and cried and prayed some more.  One morning, my husband surprised me by asking me if I would be willing to go back to church with him and believe for God to fix our marriage.  So, we went.  I'll be honest, it wasn't easy and things didn't change overnight, it took time and patience and a new understanding.  But healing began to come.  God began to mend our broken hearts.  And I sincerely believe it is because of the foundation we share in Jesus.  Neither of us could drift too far away from God that He couldn't still reach us. When we face trials today, I remember that struggle and how God brought us through.  Today, if you're facing a storm in your family, I encourage you to take it to God.  There is still hope.  God knows your hearts and He can knit them back together again.  I won't tell you that everything is perfect for us now, we still face trials and temptations like every couple.  But I know that God will be with us through them all if we keep our eyes on Him and let Him direct our path. Don't let the situation you face cloud your vision so you can't see God. He'll be there in the midst of it all and He will bring you through.  Keep your eyes on the goal.   If you're facing a difficult situation, don't give up, take it to God and keep on walking. Sometimes the battle we face is not physical, but spiritual.  Don't put your faith in what you see.  But put it in God. Don't quit. The devil is trying to destroy families anyway he can.  We have to fight him spiritually, and the only way to do that is on our knees.  Prayer will keep your family together and save your unsaved loved ones.  No matter what you're facing today,  don't give up.  Your battle is almost over.  And what a victorious day that will be.