Journey Of Faith

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

There are no guarantees in this life. One minute your home is filled with happiness, the next it is filled with sorrow. One minute you are active and full of life, the next you are passive and weak. At times we feel cherished and surrounded by love, other times abandoned and isolated. It seems that life is a roller coaster of emotional ups and downs, and regardless of what inner strength you may possess there are times when these attacks wear you completely down. This is where our journey of faith starts; we must understand and be assured that God loves us and will stand by us in the good times and the bad. He is delighted in our moments of achievements and praise, and stays very near and protects us when we are vulnerable and faint.

"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." (Romans 5:5)

When things seem to be crumbling in and around my life, I find myself needing to remember to get back to the basics and focus on the true meaning of life; simplicity in God's love and the hope for a better future. True happiness is when we draw close to the source of happiness by obeying and trusting in His assurance of protection and guidance; we will never outgrow our need for His power and leadership. When resolutions to a problem seem nowhere to be found, and I just can't seem to pull myself up from a deep hole of desolation, I know I possess a reserve of power and faith to call upon my Lord to help me meet every challenge and trial. He will hold me in His loving arms and encourage me to draw from my inner strength so that I can clearly see the light at the end of any dark tunnel.

"The Lord will keep you from all harm-He will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." (Psalm 121:17)

Work And Play

"So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 8:15)

God always knows how to plan, balance, and evaluate a perfect agenda for me, and I give Him thanks and praise for an amazing two weeks (well needed!) of vacation. My husband, youngest daughter, and I spent the last two weeks in the company of my oldest daughter and two precious grandsons who we haven't seen for quite a long time. What joy and unexpected surprises children can bring into a home; they lighten up the daily grind and and normal routine we can often get caught up in. After spending the first week planning and exercising activities in and around Boise, we had the opportunity during the second week of vacation to experience firsthand some of God's glorious creation while camping in the Sawtooth mountains. What a relaxing and yet energizing time we shared; a perfect way to wrap up the last of our visit. After many sad good-byes, I now felt a renewed state of mind to pick up where I left off at home and work. I am so thankful for the many great memories made in the last couple of weeks that we all shared and will hold on to until our next visit/vacation.

"That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God. I know that everything that God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it." (Ecclesiastes 3:13-14)

God wants us to be happy and to pursue good and worthy goals in life. We must find joy and pleasure in everything we do, and accept each day as it comes whether it's smooth or rocky. Sometimes we get to play, but many times we have to work. He planned and is involved in all of our moments; His desire is for us to trust Him and yield to His design and purpose every day. God has refreshed and strengthened me during this time of play so that I can move on and find the same joy and contentment in my work. The essence of man's life is to be successful in this world and find joy, peace, and contentment each day with it's measure of work and play.

Spring Of Living Water

"I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and He who believes in me will never go thirsty. " (John 6:36) "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:38)

I have been reading the book of John lately, and OH! how blessed and thankful I am to have invited Christ into my life and become a Christian, knowing that I have been given a spiritual life which will live on in a relationship with God forever. How magnificent it is to me that He is the bread of my life! How my heart breaks for the unsaved! There are so many people who reject God's word, and who think they are alive, but in the spiritual world they are dead. This death is from a lack of spiritual nourishment and separation from God. I love to re-read the verses in this book declaring that salvation is free for anyone who will receive it. Whenever I am down in spirit from issues at work, home or even my health, there is no one who can supply the sweet comfort and assurance that I receive from God. Through grace, He has given me hope and the promise of eternity. I look forward and eagerly await the opportunity to share God's eternal promise to everyone searching for this spiritual nourishment.

"I am the resurrection of life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26)

Faith in Jesus Christ alone is the only way to receive the gift of eternal life. By becoming a Christian, we are invited to become a part of God's family. And being born into God's family means we have inherited the greatest gift of all...eternity! I can look forward to eternal life because Jesus promised it to all who believe and have faith in Him. He is preparing a place for us to spend eternity with Him. It gives me hope when I battle daily situations in my life on earth, because no matter what happens on earth...God is in control! In a world of problems, evil, and disappointments, Christ calls us to endure in our faith and wait for His return to bring us everlasting peace.

"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you; I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." (John 14:2-4)

When we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are strengthened and nourished by His words, and empowered by His Holy Spirit. Eternal life is a spring of living water within us flowing out and giving us confident assurance for our future. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live in all believers, and I do believe and trust that I have no need to fear the present or the future because of His promise for eternity. The most satisfying venture on my human journey, is knowing that at the end of this road there will be cause for thanksgiving and celebration! :) :)

I Walk In Freedom

"Now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Freedom is the result of God's infinite and eternal love, and when we are children of Christ we have the freedom to celebrate His love and live a full and joyful life. It's so exciting to grow in the Lord and experience freedom to truly love and serve others! The most gratifying thing for me is to care for each other and minister to someone's mind, heart, and soul by living my life as an example for all to see. Sometimes it takes every bit of discipline and energy I can muster to share my time and a positive attitude (especially when I am not feeling very positive myself!) with family and friends, but through prayer and conversation with God, He directs me and gives me strength to be a blessing in someone else's life. I feel blessed and complete when I can nourish a friend, my family, or co-workers with words or actions and boost their confidence and/or brighten their day.

"In Him (Christ) and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence" (Ephesians 3:12)

By trusting Christ, I know that I am loved and accepted to freely live for Him. It is a privilege knowing I can approach Him with freedom and confidence and experience the joy of becoming the person I am meant to be. By continuously seeking God's salvation and trusting what He has planned for me, I know that I am free to walk about in freedom. God already knows my every thought (!), and yet He wants me to talk to Him honestly and share every moment of my day with Him. He encourages me and gives me strength and freedom to look beyond my own problems and focus on other people's needs instead. The result is a "win-win" situation because it takes my mind off of my needs and situations and leaves me a feeling of great satisfaction to be of service to someone else.

"I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to Your commandments." (Psalm 119:45)

I want to live my life in a way that glorifies God, and I pray that He will continue to provide me the opportunity to lead others into the freedom that can be found in knowing Christ.

Nourishing Fellowship

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)

My heart and soul requires a daily dose of fellowship. Without the support of other believers, I am more vulnerable to the stresses of life and the attacks of the enemy. Fellowship is a gathering of people who come together to worship and give thanks to God, and also to encourage and build each other up. Not only is it important for me to boost others up, I have a vital need to be boosted too! :) I know that I gain strength when I pursue daily activities and interactions with others. We give each other strength when we encourage and stay focused on the Lord, and it also helps us stay on course so that we won't be tempted by the trappings of the world. It's important for my well being to seek ways in which I can encourage and support others just as God encourages and supports me.

"For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them." (Matthew 18:20)

As Christians, we can't live in isolation. We need one another, and should gather regularly with other followers of Christ anywhere and everywhere as often as we can. It makes us stronger if we try to be of service and help in meeting our loved one's needs. Without the continuous nourishment of fellowship, not only can we not be a benefit to others, but we ourselves become starved of the benefits that come from being in these blessed relationships. Family and friends are our most valuable assets, and the encouragement we give each other is what helps us to push through to the finish line, win the race and fulfill God's purpose in our lives!

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (I Thessalonians 5:11) 

So let's all be sensitive to each others need for encouragement, and offer supportive words. Let's all get involved in fellowship with one another, cherishing every moment and being thankful to God for the opportunities. After all, we will all spend eternity together! :)

Rely On Him!

"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

The past week has been a hasty and excessive week of stress and anxiety at not only work but in my personal life as well. By mid week I found myself getting physically and mentally sick with thoughts and worries, and although I participated in my daily prayers and worship (yes...only participated!) it hit me that I was not truly giving it to God. Since when do I think I have control? What kept me from fully relying on God? I completely lost myself in trying to manage time, money, and circumstances without dependence on God. How well I know and have learned a "bazillion" times in the past that God is stronger than all of my fears and anxieties put together! When the going gets tough, I know perfectly well that I must talk to Him about my problems as if I were talking to my best friend.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

Relying on God can be very effective in managing our persistent worries and anxieties. It is not always easy to realize the fact that God is in control, and that He listens and will help us if we ask Him. I had to stop and remind myself this week to be totally reliant on Him. I rediscovered that God wants to be involved in my everyday. Giving up on my own ability and trusting His is a choice I had to make, and once I submitted and humbled myself to Him I felt a spiritual release of worry, and a spiritual calmness and peace! Sometimes it takes risking it all, and removing all obstacles that "shut" Him out. We must let God mold and shape every area of our life. If I don't trust God I better be careful, or else I may find myself blind, and my life torn apart!

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)

RELY on God In the midst of the storm,

REST within His comforting arms.

KNOW tomorrow is safe in His hands,

TRUST even when you don't understand.

STAND fast in courage day by day,

WALK by faith when you don't know the way.

EMBRACE the Lord and abandon all fear,

BELIEVE with all your heart...

HE is near.   (Rebecca Barlow Jordan)

Eternal Not Material

"Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless." (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

For some reason, we like to own the things we love, even when it's not necessary. The more "stuff" we have the happier we are. Unfortunately, I think that many people place too much value on owning things and showing them off to others in order to make an impression. Maybe some people are greedy because somewhere along the way they haven't had their basic needs met, and they can't get enough of anything; they always want more and don't care if it is at someone else's expense. Someone who is the richest person in the world still wants more; it's a hole that never seems to be filled. If you try to create happiness by accumulating wealth and material items, you never have enough. Obviously this isn't true for everyone, but it saddens me to look around and see everyone's "stuff", and the need and greed for more when there are so many down-and-out, empty, and exhausted people all around us.

"May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light." (Colossians 1:12)

Our possessions are a gift from God, and everything good comes from God. If we place value of our possessions or relationships above Him, He is very likely to take them away. He wants us to view what we have with the right perspective. We all have our basic needs and should be thankful at all times for everything God has provided us. We are only here on earth temporarily, and God wants us to share with His people who are in need, and to practice hospitality. As Christians, we should not hesitate to offer hospitality because we are too busy or think that we are not "wealthy" enough to entertain. Love is always perceived to be real if it is demonstrated in a tangible way; God demonstrates His love in tangible ways and extends this even to His enemies, and requires that we too love our friends and enemies in tangible ways. All the wealth and material things we cherish here on earth are temporary, but the greatest memories we will have as we get older are those we have shared with loved ones and people in need.

"Gratitude is an attitude that hooks us up to our source of supply. And the more grateful you are, the closer you become to your maker, to the architect of the universe, to the spiritual core of your being. It's a phenomenal lesson." (Bob Proctor)

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

To wrap this up...I believe it's important to remember that life is not all there is; there is life after death! And knowing that we will live together with God, with new bodies and everything we could possibly need should be our primary focus for an everlasting life! :)