Category: hope

God is Faithful, Forever

Published on by katiesencouragementforyou4 Comments

Scared, oh I thought I knew scared

Now I’m so filled with fear

I can barely move.

Doubts, I’ve had my share of doubts

But never more than right now

I’m wondering where You are.

I’m on the edge of fall apart

But somehow Your promises

 Find my troubled heart.

 When I first heard these song lyrics from the song: Truth I’m Standing On, I thought—wow, someone wrote a song that exposes my deepest thoughts and feelings.   I especially liked the line—I’m on the edge of fall apart.   Have you ever felt that way?  Like you are on the Edge of Fall Apart?

The song goes on to say:

This is the truth I’m standing on

Even when all my strength is gone

You are faithful forever

And I know You’ll never

Let me fall.

Right now I’m choosing to believe

Someday soon I’ll look back and see

This pain had a purpose

Your plan was perfect all along

This is the truth I’m standing on.

This is the truth I’m standing on, even when all my strength is gone—You are faithful Forever!!  God –You are faithful forever!!    This video is a man telling a powerful story from his life that illustrates so clearly  the faithfulness of God, and the steadfastness of God’s love.

God loves us with steadfastness, and faithfulness, teaching us how to love others as well.   This is the truth I’m standing on—a truth that encourages me as I pray it does you!

Remember The Rainbow

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The Rainbow—-it can inspire hope, it can calm nerves after a storm—it is a literal sign from God.

God gave mankind the sign of a rainbow, after He sent the floodwaters to destroy the earth.  He promised never to destroy the earth again, by floodwaters.

When our son died 9 years ago this September, something was destroyed in our family.  The age of innocence for us was gone.  The worst evil had found us—the evil of death.

We will never be innocent of this evil again.  It has been difficult to come through this time and find hope, and to trust God.

There is a song that perfectly expresses what I think God has been saying to me, and my family.  It’s called:  Just Be Held.

There is a line in it that goes, “Your world’s not falling apart, its falling into place.  I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held.” 

This year on my husband and my 33rd anniversary, we saw a beautiful rainbow.  It came after a truly violent storm.

As I looked at that rainbow, I thought that God had a message for us in that rainbow.  But I did not know what the message was.   Then two days later, we found out that our son’s family was in great danger during a hike, but they survived and came back safely to us.

Then our two year old granddaughter came close to peril, but she too was found and brought back safely to us.   In addition to all of this, one of our daughters almost drowned, but was saved by our other daughter.

During these times, I sensed the Holy Spirit saying to me, “Remember the rainbow.”

I do not know if in the future, one of my children or grandchildren or husband or myself, may be in peril—but I think “Remember the rainbow”, means that God does know—and He is in charge.  He has not stopped being in charge—even when I’m frantic and anxious—He has not stopped being in charge, even when my loved ones are in danger—He has not stopped being in charge—even when I can’t see around the next corner–and I don’t know what is going to happen next.   

Remember the Rainbow means that everything that comes into our life, has to come through God’s Hand of love.  It may not seem to be a loving thing; it may be something that shakes the foundations of our world—but it can not separate us from His love.  We can never be separated from His love.  Not even, by death.  Especially not by death.

Remember the rainbow, means God’s on His throne—and I can stop trying to control everything, —I can stop holding on so tightly to everything and everyone, and just be held.

 So–Remember the Rainbow and Be Encouraged!!

Lies We Believe

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Lie:  Everybody else has it all together except for me.

Truth:  

Rom 3:23:  For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

1Co 10:13:  The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience….

Lie:  There is no hope for me.  I will never change.

Truth: 

Eph 2:10:  For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 Phl 1:6:  And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Rom 12:1:  And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

 Rom 12:2:  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

When we look at these scriptures, we can see, that we are God’s work–but we are not His puppets—He wants us to respond to Him and what He is doing in and through our lives, by trusting Him, and offering our lives to Him.  This is when we really start to see the transformative work of God in our lives.  This is when Hope is born.

Rom 5:5:  And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Offering ourselves to God is an act of faith, just as beginning a relationship with Him is an act of Faith.    Faith can be expressed through prayer.  If you want God to fill you with His Holy Spirit, you can ask Him to do this.   Here is a link to click on that will explain more about being filled with God’s Spirit.

As always, May We Be Encouraged!

Running to the Father

Published on by katiesencouragementforyou6 Comments

Month ago, I wrote about going through a time of being shaken.  In case you wondered—that time is still going on, and the shaking grows worse.  Sometimes I wonder if I am going to survive.  I find myself crying often.  I don’t even wear eye makeup anymore.  What is the point?  It will just get cried off.

So, what is to be done?  That’s just the thing—the circumstances are ones that I have no control over.  None.  They involve loved ones and their choices, and their illnesses.  So, I pray, I grieve, I speak truth and love into situations, hoping to comfort and encourage, and bless. I serve, I give, but I have absolutely no control. 

None whatsoever.  I know that I am facing the reality that I will lose people I love here on this earth.  I know that I am facing others ruining and wrecking their lives here on this earth.

So what is to be done?  Do I rail at God—hoping my anger, and my ire will motivate Him to move!!

Do I rail at the circumstances, hoping my anger will change the circumstances?

Do I pray, and pray, and pray, hoping my prayers will change the circumstances?  Yes—this is what I opt to do.  What I am finding, is that my prayers are not changing the circumstances—but I am changing.

I am changing from anger to acceptance.  I am changing from despair to hope.  Not hope that everything will turn out the way I want it to turn out—but hope that God will prevail over the darkness.  It is a hope that persists in spite of the circumstances.  It is a hope that is quiet and deep and stays.

It’s source is from God—so it is an immovable hope—or as Bill Sweeney, fellow blogger said, “An Unshakeable Hope.”   One of the blogs that Bill wrote, that I read this morning, is “One Day At A Time.”  Bill was diagnosed with ALS and had it for over 20 years before he passed away over a year ago.  I find the words of those who have suffered here on this earth and finished their races well—comfort me during my own suffering.   So here is the link to this blog:  https://unshakablehope.com/2013/07/29/one-day-at-a-time-2/          I hope it helps you as it did me.

May you be encouraged!!

Let Me Tell You ‘About My Jesus!!

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This week my daughter and I were riding in the car together, and this song came on. There is something about this song, MY JESUS, by Anne Wilson, that I love. We turned up the volume and listened to this bluesy singer, belt out, “Let me tell you ’bout my Jesus.”, as she also detailed the ways that so many of us today are in need. In reality, even if one does not “feel” the need for Jesus–we all “need’ Jesus. So enjoy this great song, but even more–be encouraged–because every thing she sings about is true–Jesus makes a way where there is no way!! Let me tell you ’bout my Jesus!! Amen!! Amen!!

LYRICS: Are you past the point of weary

Is your burden weighing heavy

Is it all too much to carry

Let me tell you ‘bout my Jesus

Do you feel that empty feeling

‘Cause shame’s done all its stealing

And you’re desperate for some healing

Let me tell you ‘bout my Jesus

He makes a way where there ain’t no way

Rises up from an empty grave

Ain’t no sinner that He can’t save

Let me tell you ‘bout my Jesus

His love is strong and His grace is free

And the good news is I know that He Can do for you what He’s done for me

Let me tell you ‘bout my Jesus

And let my Jesus change your life Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, amen, amen

Who can wipe away the tears

From broken dreams and wasted years

And tell the past to disappear

Let me tell you ‘bout my Jesus

And all the wrong turns that you would Go and undo if you could

Who can work it all for your good

Let me tell you about my Jesus

Who would take my cross to Calvary

Pay the price for all my guilty

Who would care that much about me

Let me tell you ‘bout my Jesus

May we Be Encouraged!!

God is Faithful, Forever

Published on by katiesencouragementforyou2 Comments

Scared, oh I thought I knew scared

Now I’m so filled with fear

I can barely move.

Doubts, I’ve had my share of doubts

But never more than right now

I’m wondering where You are.

I’m on the edge of fall apart

But somehow Your promises

 Find my troubled heart.

 When I first heard these song lyrics from the song: Truth I’m Standing On, I thought—wow, someone wrote a song that exposes my deepest thoughts and feelings.   I especially liked the line—I’m on the edge of fall apart.   Have you ever felt that way?  Like you are on the Edge of Fall Apart?

The song goes on to say:

This is the truth I’m standing on

Even when all my strength is gone

You are faithful forever

And I know You’ll never

Let me fall.

Right now I’m choosing to believe

Someday soon I’ll look back and see

This pain had a purpose

Your plan was perfect all along

This is the truth I’m standing on.

This is the truth I’m standing on, even when all my strength is gone—You are faithful Forever!!  God –You are faithful forever!!    This video is a man telling a powerful story from his life that illustrates so clearly  the faithfulness of God, and the steadfastness of God’s love.

God loves us with steadfastness, and faithfulness, teaching us how to love others as well.   This is the truth I’m standing on—a truth that encourages me as I pray it does you!

Hope Pursued

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Mark Cavendish won his 3rd stage today—stage 10!!  Wow!!  In my last blog, “Hope“, I wrote about how when Mark won his 1st stage, I cried with him, as I felt hope and elation with this racer who thought he was done and came back to win.

Hope!!  It is so needed!!!  One of my favorite verses in the Bible is in Jeremiah 29:11:  “For I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

This was written to the exiles of Israel—living in Babylon– taken into exile by Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylonia.  He ruled from 605 B.C. to 562 B.C.   The Israelites were told by God through the prophet Jeremiah, that they would live in Babylon for 70 years, and they were to take wives, have children and work for the good of the kingdom they were in, and they would be called back to Jerusalem at the end of that 70 years.

These people had just experienced calamity—they had been taken from their homeland as slaves—they had lost everything they had—they knew that they had experienced this because they as a People—the nation of Israel– had been disobedient to the Lord—for centuries.  They had disobeyed Him in every way (breaking all His commandments)—and He had been patient with them—sending them prophet after prophet to tell them to turn back to Him, and they ignored Him and killed His prophets.

After their captivity, God tells them, “I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.    Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.

Does this ancient manuscript have any meaning for us today?  I think it does.  I have been reading through Revelations recently.

Did you know that Revelations is written in code?  Christians were being persecuted, and Revelations was written to a persecuted church. Many Christians were in hiding.  John wrote Revelations, and he wrote it so that it could be interpreted if one knew the prophesies in the Torah—or the Old Testament.  They are the key to decoding Revelations.  All of scripture is connected, as it is all inspired by the Holy Spirit.

I remember when I was in High School, there was a student who did a talk in his English class on what was going to happen in the future based on the book of Revelations.  Word got around that he was giving this talk, and students from other classes, asked to go and listen to his talk—the room was absolutely packed—and students were even milling around the room in the hallway to try and hear what this young man was saying. People want to know what is going to happen in the future, and the Bible tells us what is going to happen.

Even if you never read Revelations or the prophets in the Old Testament—the message is consistent—it points to a Holy God, a fallen people, a need for the Messiah–the Savior– it points to Hope. 

Our Hope is in God.  He made us, He gave us laws that reveal His Holiness and how much we fall short of that Holiness, then He gave us Jesus to bridge the gap between us and Him.

 Jesus died for each of us to set us free from our bondage as slaves in the kingdom of darkness and bring us into His kingdom.  This is a gift from Him that we can each choose to accept or deny.  If we accept it, we will have a relationship with God that will continue for eternity.  We accept that relationship with God by our faith.  We can communicate our faith in prayer.”

God is telling us, “I know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.”

May we be encouraged!!

Hope!!

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One of our family rituals is to watch Le Tour de France, a bike riding race, that takes 21 days, as the riders race day after day through the picturesque streets of France, finishing in Paris, France.  (Sean wanted to be a bike racer, so we watch because of Sean and his love of biking.)

We munch on croissants and drink coffee, and cheer on the racers.   It is only stage 7, and already, we have cried with Mark Cavendish as he won a stage, (he has won 2 stages so far).  Mark Cavendish thought he would never ride in another Tour—when he was asked to ride rather last minute—by the Deceuninck–Quick-Step Team.

I wondered as I shared his tears, why I was so moved by his comeback.  I think it is because it is a visual representation of hope for us all.

Many of us feel the weight of this past year, of businesses closing, of life seemingly changing in rather scary ways.  A trip to the grocery store reveals increased prices, gas prices have increased, building materials have skyrocketed—the future is uncertain—and many of us are more than just concerned.

Perhaps we are like Mark Cavendish, thinking we are out of the race, that we may never race again, and suddenly we are called back into the race, and amazingly, we may even win a battle!!  Life is not over for us yet, there is hope, there is hope!!

And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.   Romans 5:5

God is still with us! 

That is why I shared Mark Cavendish’s tears—because God is still with us and is leading us to win our race!!  1 Corinthians 9:24; Hebrews 12:1

May we be encouraged!!