GREAT HOPE!

"My God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all I can ask or think."
Ephesians 3:20
When I was pregnant with my son I spent nearly three months of my pregnancy on complete bed rest. In fact I had already went into premature labor once and the hope was to delay the delivery of my baby until I was at least 36 weeks. Even though my time spent in bed seemed as though it would never end, I knew deep down that eventually this time would pass. Soon I would endeavor into the new welcoming of my beautiful and much prayed for son! The Bible tells us "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
Many times we are faced with struggles in life that teaches us how to be more patient and understanding. God helps us to work through these situations with hope that there is an end to our circumstance or trial. For He is the only one who can change circumstances and deliver us from trials anyway! These times teach us to depend less on ourselves and more on Him. We learn the meaning of faith and what it means to be faithful. He is always faithful and on time, He is the way the truth and the light. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
There is great hope in Him!

Just a little LOVE testimony!

Well it's Valentines Day, so I thought I would take time to testify about what the Lord's done for me! The Lord has been so faithful, and I can honestly say He has given me everything I prayed for in a husband! He is the man I plan to spend the rest of my life with, he is my best friend. He is a God fearing man, a man that respects, and prays with me. My husband loves me whole heartily, and I am very thankful for him. We have spent a little over ten years together, and I can honestly say I love him more and more with each passing day! God has truly given me my hearts desire, and the love we share together is greater than anything I could have ever imagined or hoped for. There is no doubt in my mind how much he loves me, my happiness is so important to him, he is considerate and sincere. He works incredibly hard for his family, he is such an awesome father to his children and would do anything to protect his family. Our four beautiful children complete our God given family! I do not deserve the goodness of the Lord or His blessings, but I am eternally grateful. I know that all my blessings come from Him, I pray we never stray from His will. With the Lord guiding our love and lives, we will conquer all! Although our marriage is not perfect, every relationship has it's issues that must be worked through. But if I were to lead my marriage by my own standards and expectations, our marriage and family would be destined for failure. The word clearly reveals great promise and rewards to those who diligently seek and serve Him. If we hold on to His promises and continue to acknowledge Him in all we do, the Lord will continue to bless the life we have built together! I am so thankful for the commitment, love and unity in our marriage!

I WILL SING OF YOUR MERCY FOREVER!

"I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations." PSALM 89:1
His love is everlasting, unchanging, and endures all things! In adversity He is our strength, our rock, He is our unshakable strong tower to cling to. His goodness does not waver, He does not favor one above another. He is just in all his glory and majesty! He is the giver of our hearts desires! Just as the blood was applied to the lintel of the doorposts, His protection still today leaves us completely covered! There is solid truth in His word that we can claim and surrender to. He will openly reward us with guaranteed promise and blessings! Renew yourself in Him today, for He is the light in the midst of darkness.
Lord, we pray you open our eyes so we may see more clearly your ways, open our ears so we can hear you speak more clearly. Give us the strength to endure, the faith to trust you, and peace that passes all understanding. Help us to work diligently, keeping busy with work that edifies and builds your kingdom, help us to worry for nothing, and praise you for everything! In Jesus name, Amen!

LORD, HELP ME TO ENCOURAGE RATHER THAN ENABLE!

Whatever God asks you to be, He enables you to be! ~Ann Ortlund
The dictionary defines the term enable as :to make able; give power, means, competence, or ability to; authorize. Through the will and power of God, He makes the impossible.......possible! Mark 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible." If we are not careful we can become enablers to those around us. Too often we approach a person and their problem as a "problem solver", some thrive on this seemingly need of codependency for a feeling of self worth. The "I can save them if I fix their problem" approach will never work, this mentality will only make things worse. We are not saviors, Jesus Christ is the one and only Savior, He alone saves! It's hard sometimes drawing a line between being there for someone who is going through a difficult time or being the type of person who is enabling someone from taking responsibility for their own actions and behavior. The way we handle our relationships with others shows much about our walk with God. So how does God expect His people to help others with their problems? Romans 14:12-13 "So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause of fall in our brothers way." So back to the question, God expects His people to give truth to our brother and allow him to make his own decision. Whether or not one chooses to act on the truth he has been given is up to the individual! Sometimes we fear our loved one is incapable to work our their problems in the right way, so it is especially hard to let go. We must know our place with God, understanding that our value does not depend on what we attempt to do for others, but we are valued because of who He is and we are in Him! Ephesians 1:17-19 "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know that is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of His glory His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power." WE SHOULD NEVER GIVE ANYONE A FALSE SENSE OF HOPE OR SECURITY THROUGH OUR OWN WORDS OR VAIN SOLUTIONS TO THEIR PROBLEMS. WE SHOULD GUIDE THEM THROUGH SCRIPTURES SO THEY MAY FIND THE ANSWERS THEY ARE SEEKING THROUGH THE TRUTH IN HIS HOLY WORD! We should pray for spiritual wisdom so we can lend help through Scripture, we must spend time in intercessory prayer for our friend or loved one, fasting during a time of need gives added strength and encouragement as well! Being a loving friend who listens and encourages is far more beneficial than one who enables one to change on their own. We can be such a great witness for the Lord by exemplifying our dependence on Him. God comes to those and works miracles for all who seek Him!