Encouragement Thread

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I know that some christians are hurting right now, and I want to start an encouragement thread. Post a positive story or encouraging bible verses. Jesus Christ is the only one who can take our pains away. That's why He died.

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
>
>Then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened - everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how
>could you do this to me?" he cried.
>
>Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke
>signal," they replied.
>
>It's easy to get discouraged sometimes when things appear to be going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your
>little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
>
>For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.
>
>You say, "It's impossible."
>God says: "All thing are possible". (Luke 18:27)
>
>You say, "I'm too tired."
>God says: "I will give you rest". (Matt 11:28-20)
>
>You say, "Nobody really loves me."
>God says: "I love you". (John 3:16 - John 13:34)
>
>You say, "I can't go on."
>God says: "My grace is sufficient." (II Cor. 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 in Me." (Phil 4:13)
>
>You say, "It's not worth it."
>God says: "It will be worth it." (Romans 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." (Phil 4:19)
>
>You say, "I'm afraid."
>God says: "I have not given you a spirit of fear." (II Tim. 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 don't have enough faith."
>God says: "I've given everyone a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)
>
>You say, "I'm not smart enough."
>God says: "I give you wisdom." (I Cor. 1:30)
>
>You say, "I feel all alone."
>God says: "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Heb. 13:5)

 

[Maharg]

Thank you for posting this. I don't have anything to add just yet, but thank you - it meant a lot to me personally.

Maharg

 

[Lilli]

Thank you for posting this! I am in need of some encouragement at the moment - I've printed it out and posted it on my refridgerator.

Lilli

 

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You are welcome. I'm going to try and post something like this everyday. If anyone has something feel free to post it.

 

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THE TOUCH OF GOD ---<
by Max Lucado

In Scripture the leper is symbolic of the ultimate outcast: infected by
a condition he did not seek, rejected by those he knew, avoided by
people he did not know, condemned to a future he could not bear. And in
the memory of each outcast must have been the day he was forced to face
the truth: life would never be the same.

The banishing of a leper seems harsh, unnecessary. The Ancient East
hasn’t been the only culture to isolate their wounded, however. We may
not build colonies or cover our mouths in their presence, but we
certainly build walls and duck our eyes. And a person needn’t have
leprosy to feel quarantined.

One of my sadder memories involves my fourth-grade friend Jerry._* _ He
and a half-dozen of us were an ever-present, inseparable fixture on the
playground. One day I called his house to see if we could play. The
phone was answered by a cursing, drunken voice telling me Jerry could
not come over that day or any day. I told my friends what had happened.
One of them explained that Jerry’s father was an alcoholic. I don’t
know if I knew what the word meant, but I learned quickly. Jerry, the
second baseman; Jerry, the kid with the red bike; Jerry, my friend on
the corner was now “Jerry, the son of a drunk.” Kids can be hard, and
for some reason we were hard on Jerry. He was infected. Like the leper,
he suffered from a condition he didn’t create. Like the leper, he was
put outside the village.

The divorced know this feeling. So do the handicapped. The unemployed
have felt it, as have the less educated. Some shun unmarried moms. We
keep our distance from the depressed and avoid the terminally ill. We
have neighborhoods for immigrants, convalescent homes for the elderly,
schools for the simple, centers for the addicted, and prisons for the
criminals.

The rest simply try to get away from it all. Only God knows how many
Jerrys are in voluntary exile—individuals living quiet, lonely lives
infected by their fear of rejection and their memories of the last time
they tried. They choose not to be touched at all rather than risk being
hurt again.

Some of you have the master touch of the Physician himself. You use
your hands to pray over the sick and minister to the weak. If you
aren’t touching them personally, your hands are writing letters,
dialing phones, baking pies. You have learned the power of a touch.

But others of us tend to forget. Our hearts are good; it’s just that
our memories are bad. We forget how significant one touch can be. We
fear saying the wrong thing or using the wrong tone or acting the wrong
way. So rather than do it incorrectly, we do nothing at all.

Aren’t we glad Jesus didn’t make the same mistake? If your fear of
doing the wrong thing prevents you from doing anything, keep in mind
the perspective of the lepers of the world. They aren’t picky. They
aren’t finicky. They’re just lonely. They are yearning for a godly
touch.

Jesus touched the untouchables of the world. Will you do the same?

 

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LOVE LETTER FROM JESUS


How are you? I just had to send you this letter to tell you how much I love you and care about you. I saw you yesterday as you were walking with your friends. I waited all day, hoping you would walk and talk with me too. As evening drew near, I gave you a sunset to close your day, and a cool breeze to rest you. Then I waited, but you never came. O yes, it hurt me, but I still love you because I am your friend.

I saw you fall asleep last night, and I longed to touch your brow, so, I spilled moonlight upon your pillow and your face ... Again, I waited, wanting to rush down so we could talk. I have so many gifts for you.

You woke up late this morning and rushed off for the day. My tears were in the rain. Today you looked so sad; so alone. It makes my heart ache because I understand how you can hurt so much. My friends let me down too and hurt me many times.

But I love you.

I try to tell you in the quiet green grass. I whisper it in the leaves and trees and breathe it into the color of the flowers. I shout it to you in the mountains, streams, and give the birds love songs to sing. I clothe you with warm sunshine and perfume the air. My love for you is deeper than the oceans and bigger than the biggest want or need you could ever have.

We will spend eternity together in heaven. I know, though, how hard it is on earth. I really know, because I was there too, and I want to help you. My Father wants to help you, too. He's that way, you know. Just call to me and ask me -- talk to me. It is your decision ... I have chosen you, and because of this, I will wait ...

Because I love you.

Your friend,

Jesus

 

[Lilli]

I remember my amazement a few years ago as I watched what happened on a corner lot I passed frequently. First, a gas station was built, which took about a month, from excavation to inside finishing. Then a developer bought the property to construct apartments. That gas station was gone in one day! On Tuesday morning it was there - on Wednesday morning there was nothing left. What had taken a month of steady work to erect was torn down in a day.

What's true of construction is even true of young believers. It takes time and patient effort to build them up, but a harsh word of criticism can tear them down in seconds. I'll never forget the look on the face of a teenager we had been discipling from a non-Christian home. When an adult leader she respected heard about something unwise she had done, he yelled at her, "What did you do a stupid thing like that for? You ought to know better!" It took us a long time to build her up again.

The Christians in Corinth weren't perfect either. But when Paul wrote to them, he began by commending them for their expectation of Christ's return. Let's be Christians who build people up, not tear them down, because we have learned the power of an affirming word. - Dave Egner

"I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus." 1 Corinthians 1:4

 

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Amen Lilli, thank you for the post.


What is God telling you with the problems He blesses you with?
The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you; Depending on how you respond to them.Unfortunatly most people fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in our lives.They react foolishly and resent thier problemsrather then pausing to consider what benefit they might bring.Here are five ways God wants to use the problems.

1.God uses problems to DIRECT you.Sometimes god must light a fire under you to get you moving.Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention?"Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways"Proverbs 20:30 (GN)

2. God uses problems to INSPECT you. People are like tea bags....If you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot water! Has God ever tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal to you?"When you have many kinds of troubles,you should be full of joy,because you know these troubles test your faith,and this will give you patience."James 1:2-3(NCV)

3.God uses problems to CORRECT you. Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove.But you probably learned by being burned.Sometimes we only learn the value of something....Health,Money,a relationship...by losing it."it was the best thing that could of happened to me,for it taught me to pay attention to your laws."Psalm 119:71-72(LB)

4. God uses problems to PROTECT you. A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious.Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do.His unemployment was a problem-but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management's actions were evenetually discovered."What Man intended to harm me ,God intended it for good ."Genesis 50:20(NIV)

5. God uses problems to PERFECT you. Problems,when responded to correctly ,are character builders. God is far mor einterested in your character then your comfort . Your releationship to God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity."We can rejoice when we run into problems...they help us learn to be patient.And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust in God more each time we use our patience , until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady."Romans 5:3-4 (LB)

Here's the point : God is at work in your life-even when you do not recognize it or understand it. But it's much easier and profitable when you cooperate with him."And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,Who have been called according to his purpose"Romans 8:28
"God warned them of this in the scriptures when he said , "I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that causes people to stumble, and a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed." Romans 9:33

 

[pockleberry]

The nxt time you feel like God can't use you, just remember...

Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a lyer
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
Mary Magdalene was, well you know
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religous
Timothy had an ulcer
AND Lazarus was dead!
...no more excuses now



I don't know who wrote it but i thought it was worth posting here x

 

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A Brothers Song




Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in Mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her.


The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee. In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three...every Minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee. The days inched by. The little girl got worse.


The pediatrician had to tell the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst." Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral.

Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. "I want to sing to her," he kept saying. Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen made up her mind, though. She would take Michael whether they liked it or not! If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket. But the head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, "Get that kid out of here now! No children are allowed." The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!"

Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray---" Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady. "Keep on singing, Michael," encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes. "You never know, dear, how much I love you, Please don't take my sunshine away-" As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr. "Keep on singing, Sweetheart!!!" "The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms..." Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her. "Keep on singing, Michael." Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. "You are my sunshine, my only Sunshine. Please don't, take my sunshine away..." The next day...the very next day...the little girl was well enough to go home!

 

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Depends on whose hands its in

A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Mark Mcguire's hands is worth $19 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Pete Sampras' hands is a Wimbledon Championship.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal.
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A sling shot in my hands is a kid's toy.
A sling shot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God's hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it's in.

As you see now it depends whose hands it's in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams,
your families and your relationships in God's hands because -- It depends whose hands it's in.

 

[pockleberry]

hey thanx for that I don't think I have ever really thought of things in that perspective before....x

 

[2scoops]

Carl's Garden

Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well.

Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight of him walking down the street often worried us. He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII. Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he may not make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with its ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity.

When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for caring for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded in his characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up.

He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened.

He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, "Would you like a drink from the hose?"

The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, "Yeah, sure", with a malevolent little smile. As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm, throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing everything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and his wallet, and then fled. Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg.

He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came running to help him. Although the minister had witnessed the attack from his window, he couldn't get there fast enough to stop it.

"Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?" the minister kept asking as he helped Carl to his feet. Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head.

"Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday." His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose. He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water.

Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked, "Carl, what are you doing?"

"I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately", came the calm reply. Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, the minister could only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place.

A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat was unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose.

This time they didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head to foot in the icy water. When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off down the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughing at the hilarity of what they had just done.

Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth giving sun, picked up his hose, and went on with his watering.

The summer was quickly fading into fall. Carl was doing some tilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches. As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer tormentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack. "Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time." The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarred hand to Carl.

As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and handed it to Carl.

"What's this?" Carl asked.

"It's your stuff," the man explained. "It's your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet."

"I don't understand," Carl said. "Why would you help me now?"

The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. "I learned something from you", he said. "I ran with that gang and hurt people like you. We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn't hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate."

He stopped for a moment. "I couldn't sleep after we stole your stuff, so here it is back." He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say. "That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, I guess." And with that, he walked off down the street.

Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride that still smiled back at him from all those years ago.

He died one cold day after Christmas that winter. Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather. In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn't know sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church.

The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life. In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, "Do your best and make your garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden."

The following spring another flyer went up. It read: "Person needed to care for Carl's garden." The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one day when a knock was heard at the minister's office door. Opening the door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed hands holding the flyer. "I believe this is my job, if you'll have me," the young man said.

The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the stolen watch and wallet to Carl. He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As the minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, "Yes, go take care of Carl's garden and honor him."

The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done. In that time, he went to college, got married, and became a prominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it.

One day he approached the new minister and told him that he couldn't care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, "My wife just had a baby boy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday."

"Well, congratulations!" said the minister, as he was handed the garden shed keys. "That's wonderful! What's the baby's name?"

"Carl," he replied.

 

[2scoops]

The Bible says to have an answer for why you believe, to those who ask you. This is a good example of an answer to one of the most common reasons people give for ignoring God and His goodness. A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists." Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things." The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist." "How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!" "No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside." "Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens, is people do not come to me." "Exactly!"- affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world." If you think God exists, send this to other people---If you think God does not exist, delete it! BE BLESSED &BE A BLESSING

 

[Lilli]

"And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." 1 John 3:5

There are products on the market designed to remove specific stains. My wife has top-level certification in the use of products designed to remove stains, which are frequently located on the fron of my shirts. My nature is to wear what I had for lunch. God knew that about me and He sent Peggy and her arsenal of sprays and prewashes to remove the stains. The stain removers must be stain free or they won't work.

As humans we have a sin nature that stains our lives and our souls. God knew that about us; and He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to remove our sin. We can be assured that Jesus can get the job done because He has been certified by the Father as sinless.

If your life has been dirtied and stained by sin, and you have not already confessed them, give them to Jesus and have the stains removed.

Father God, thank You for taking away the sins that stained my life. I pray that all who read this will depend on Your Son Jesus to take away their sins.

-Pascal Brown Oxment, Jr.

 

[2scoops]

Amen Lilli, great post.

 

[2scoops]

~When we worry~
​

You've been on my mind and heart. I see you struggling and planning, worrying and sweating, crying and running, at a furious pace. You're trying to move that mountain by yourself again, huh?

God asks that we cast all our cares on Him because He cares. Think about what your worrying says to God when you refuse to give things over to Him.

When you worry about money, you're telling Him He is unable to provide for His children. Although He has riches beyond belief in Heaven, He is too stingy to share them with you.

When you worry no one understands you, you're telling Him although He has been with you since before you were formed in the womb, and has carved you into the palm of His hand, He doesn't know you. When you worry whether you will have enough food, you're telling Him that although He rained down bread from Heaven in the desert to feed His children, you are the one He's forgotten.

When you worry your enemies will have victory over you, you're telling God although He has give you spiritual battle gear to defend yourself, despite His track record of being a giant slayer, Red Sea divider, lion's mouth closer and a furnace cooler, He can't handle your co-worker, your neighbor or a former friend.

When you worry your chilren have decided to follow the world instead of your example, you're telling God He doesn't keep His promises. Despite the fact you have raised them in the way they should go, they'll stray because basically, He lied.

When you worry because the doctors have told you children are impossible, a cure is impossible, healing is impossible, you're telling Him this world controls your fate. You're saying prayer time with Him is merely something to pass the time. You're saying although He raised the dead, made a virgin conceive, opened the womb of a woman well past eighty, healed a 12 year issue of blood, made the blind see and the lame walk, He can't help you.

When you worry you won't be able to do enough to earn forgiveness, you're telling Him "that's ok Lord, no need for Your Son to die, I can earn my own forgiveness." Let's just act like Jesus never died, and tell Him never mind, He doesn't need to go to the cross.

When you worry no one will love you, that you'll be lonely for the rest of your life, you're telling him that His love is insufficient. He couldn't possibly love you enough to ward away loneliness. You're saying although He has promised life more abundantly, He was lying. Despite the fact He started off saying that is not good that we be alone, He's changed His mind.

When you worry and refuse to give the problem over to Him, you're telling Him although He could create the world He can't handle what's going in your world, so you will. You are saying He won't work things out, obstacles cannot be overcome, mountains cannot be climbed, healing cannot occur, what is lost will not be found, joy does not come in the morning, He is not the God of a second chance, the promised land has been swallowed up by the desert, you have discovered the height, depth and width of His love and found it to fall short of your needs.

Think about all you're saying to the One who loves you the most and who has all the power. Really think about it. Then open your hands and release what you've been holding. Bow down on your knees and ask forgiveness for doubting Him. Walk away with a peaceful heart noting the footsteps going before you making the crooked places straight. He will provide food in the wilderness and cause water to spring forth in the desert.

Stand in a stream with waters around your ankles. The waters that pass by you at that moment will never be there again. So it is with the past. Let it go!

~Why worry when you can pray!
​

 

[soaring as eagles]

Brand new you

Have you ever noticed the way a groom looks at his bride during the wedding? I have. Perhaps it's my vantage point. As the minister of the wedding. I'm positioned next to the groom. By the time we reach the altar, i've been with him for some time backstage as he tugged his collar and mopped his brow. But all that changes when she appears. And the look on his face is my favourite scene in the wedding.

Most miss it. Most miss it because they are looking at her. but when other eyes are on the bride, i sneak a peak at the groom. If the light is just so and the angle just right, i can see a tiny reflection in his eyes. Her reflection. And the sight of her reminds him why he is here.

And such are precisely the feelings of jesus. Look long enough into his eyes and there too you will see a bride. Dressed in fine linen. Clothed in pure grace. From the wreath in her hair to the clouds at her feet, she is royal; she is the princess. She is the bride. His bride. \walking toward him, she is not yet with him. But he sees her, he awaits her, he longs for her.

Who could bear to live without her? you hear him whisper

And who is this bride? Who is this beauty who occupies the heart of jesus?

YOU ARE. You have captured the heart of God. As a man rejoices over his new wife, as your God will rejoice over you. (Isa 62v 5)

Meditate on it, remember it, focus on it and allow his love to change the way you look at you.

from When Christ comes- max lucado

 

[Lilli]

Effective immediately, please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. I know, I already gave you the 10 Commandments. Keep them. But follow these guidelines, also.

1. QUIT WORRYING
Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST
Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all... God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME
Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on My list. Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For My sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE
Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do My job.

5. TALK TO ME
I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your voice. I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest friend.

6. HAVE FAITH
I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me; you wouldn't want the view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE
You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT
I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND
Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please, know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF
As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by me for one reason only -- to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me. Don't ever forget that!
~~~
With all My heart
I love YOU!
God

Author Unknown

 

[2scoops]

Good posts soaring as eagles, and Lilli, really enjoyed them.