"Let's Give a Little Jesus"

Let’s Give a Little Jesus,

a thoughtful word or deed,

An act of generosity

for someone who’s in need.

Let’s Give a Little Jesus,

to everyone we meet~

The salesclerk or the server,

the person on the street.

Let’s Give a Little Jesus,

to everyone, large or small…

For Jesus, Lord and Savior,

is the greatest Gift of All!

By Lisa O. Engelhard

Dear Lord, please fill me with Your Spirit and the desire to share a Little Jesus with those I interact with today, that lives may be blessed and You receive the glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Speaking Volumes When Facing Hardships

"That is why, in Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" ~ 2 Corinthians 12:10, NIV

I have learned that the Christian life involves hard work. It requires us to give up anything that will get in the way of our relationship with God, to run the race of life patiently, and to fight sin with the power of the Holy Spirit. To follow Jesus does not mean that we will not face conflict or struggle in the race. Believers and non-believers alike will face hardships and discouragement, but it is how we respond to those circumstances that will set us apart from those who don't know God.

When we choose to live for Christ, we become ambassadors for Him and the way we live our lives will speak volumes to those around us. The way we live and treat others will be a testimony of God's work in our lives and in our hearts. Others will follow our example, particularly those closest to us (our children, spouses, family, friends) and we have a responsibility to them if we are living for Christ, as we claim to be.

The way we respond to and deal with struggles and discouragement will demonstrate our Christian faith and character. We will be able to accomplish and endure anything as we follow Jesus and draw on His strength. Then we can use our growing strength to set a example for, help, and encourage those around us who may be weak and struggling.

We can speak volumes to others without having to say a word. The way we live and respond to the circumstances in our lives will speak volumes to those around us and even to those watching from a distance. We never know how our gestures and our actions will affect someone. Our actions could be a blessing or a discouragement to others.

No matter what you are going through today, believe that you can and will endure all things through Christ. As you trust Jesus and draw on His strength, make it a point to be a blessing to someone today.

Dear Lord, please help me to be a blessing to others and to live in a way that will speak volumes about You to those around me. Thank you for being the source of my strength, courage, and endurance. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

POWER VERSES

Acts 14: 22, NIV ~ "We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God"

2 Corinthians 12: 10, NIV ~ "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong"

2 Corinthians 6: 4, NIV ~ "As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance, in troubles, hardships and distresses..."

Encouragement For Today

What have you been worrying about lately?

Our fast-moving and changing society can cause crippling anxiety and worry if we don't make a conscious effort to learn how to deal with situations that tend to frustrate us and produce anxiety. I will be addressing worry and anxiety, in relation to what Scripture says about them, in more detail on a later post. For today, I just wanted to share these words from the apostle Paul (Philippians 4:4-9); words that provide us with some specific steps to help us deal with any thing or situation which would tend to frustrate us and produce anxiety.

Philippians 4: 4, 6-9, NIV:

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you"

Dear Lord, please free me from worry and anxiety. Teach me and help me to dwell on and put into practice whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and of praiseworthy. And may You receive the honor, glory and praise for it all. Thank you Father for the power in Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

"Who You Are When No One's Looking: Choosing Consistency, Resisting Compromise" By Bill Hybels

"Character is what we do when no one is looking...the courage to do what needs doing, the discipline to make decisions and carry them out; the vision to see far into the future and deep into people’s hearts; and the endurance to keep going in spite of ridicule, discomfort or simple boredom" ~ Bill Hybels

We are all at our best when it counts. But what are we like when no one's looking? That's where character comes in - being consistent even when it doesn't seem to matter. Courage. Discipline. Vision. Endurance. Love. These character qualities are quickly becoming endangered. All too often we hear of marriages falling apart, governments lying, businesses cheating and scandals rocking the church. But with God's guidance and strength, we can maintain character that lasts despite temptations and troubles.

Character: Preserving Endangered Qualities

Character – the word is seldom used in the Bible, and we don’t see it very often in newspapers or hear it on television. Yet we know what it means, and we immediately recognize its absence.

People who never use the word character look around them at junior-high promiscuity, busy abortion clinics and the current epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases, and they mourn the passing of morality. They see elected officials taking bribes, business leaders demanding kickbacks and investors parlaying inside information into untold wealth, and they lament the demise of integrity. Or they read about battered wives, jobless husbands and abused children, and they wonder what is happening to caring.

Character, a wise person once said, is what we do when no one is looking. Character is not what we have done, but who we are.

Endangered Character Qualities

People give evidence of strong character in hundreds of ways every day:

• A woman confronts her terror of public speaking so she can tell her church congregation about her miraculous answer to prayer. That’s courage.
  

• A man vows to get up twenty minutes early every morning to jog around the block, and he keeps his vow. That’s discipline.

• A high-school teacher patiently draws out an inattentive student and discovers she is a gifted writer. That’s vision.

• A college student, overwhelmed by tests and term papers, considers dropping out, but decides to stay and study instead. That’s endurance.

These four traits are all on my “endangered character quality” list. They aren’t glamorous, and they aren’t easy. Therefore a lot of people try to get along without them. But the most endangered quality of all is the one that we all think we want – love.

Unfortunately, when we say we want the character quality of love, most of us mean only that we want to be loved. We hope people will admire us and treat us affectionately, and we will try to do the same for them. But people of character go beyond the warm fuzzies to the hard work of loving. They do this in many different ways, often without realizing that they are showing strength of character:

• A woman refuses to make any more excuses for her husband when he misses work because of a hangover. That’s tough love.

• A man notices his daughter’s tear-stained face, and so he sits down and encourages her to tell him what’s on her heart. That’s tenderhearted love.

• A parent gives up an attractive job promotion so the family can stay in the town where they have made friends and put down roots. That’s sacrificial love.
  

• A young widow offers forgiveness to the drunken driver who hit and killed her husband. That’s radical love.

Love, says the apostle Paul, is the most important Christian character trait (1 Corinthians 13:13), and it is probably the least understood. It is extremely difficult to learn to love unless we also have other character traits: the courage to do what needs doing, the discipline to make decisions and carry them out; the vision to see far into the future and deep into people’s hearts; and the endurance to keep going in spite of ridicule, discomfort or simple boredom.

Developing a Strong Character

Character cannot be developed through good resolutions and checklists. It usually requires a lot of hard work, a little pain and years of faithfulness before any of the virtues are consistently noticeable in us.

Developing character, however, does not have to be a grim task. There are secrets to developing each of the character qualities. More important, Jesus Christ – the only person who has ever consistently excelled in every virtue we could name – offers to develop his character in us as we follow Him. This is an offer we can hardly refuse.

Salvation Is Free

No matter how wonderful your character is, it will never be wonderful enough to earn God’s approval. As important as character is, it is not a way to earn salvation. That is because salvation cannot be earned – not even by courage, discipline, vision, endurance and love.

Salvation is a gift from the heavenly Father to us. It cost Him everything – the death of His beloved only Son. It costs us nothing. Hard work cannot earn it; neither can good behavior or sterling character. The only way we can enjoy a relationship with God is by coming to Jesus Christ, our hands outstretched and empty, and saying, “Lord, I want to follow you. Please take me into your family, scrub me, give me new clothes and make me like you.” And Jesus will do exactly that. He will take us as we are and assure us that we are His forever. Then – slowly at first, but surely – He will mold us and shape us until we resemble Him.

This book is for two kinds of people. First, it is for you who, whether Christian or not, admire character strength and see the urgent need for it in our society and in yourself. Second, it is for you who, having given your life to Christ, yearn for spectacular transformations and dazzling displays of virtue.

Character is our world’s most pressing need. If all five billion of us had strong characters, there would be no wars, no hunger, no family breakups, no crime, no poverty. We will not live in such a perfect world until Christ returns and the earth is made new, but, in the meantime, we should not despair. To the extent that our own characters grow stronger, the world will be a better place.

POWER VERSE

1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13, NIV ~ "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love"

Dear Lord, please give me the guidance and strength to develop and maintain a strong character that lasts despite temptations and troubles. Please help me to choose consistency and to resist compromise in order to grow in love, courage, discipline, vision and endurance. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Encouragement For Today

When you grow tired and weary, remember that. . .

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grown weary, they will walk and not be faint"
(Isaiah 40:30-31, NIV)

Whatever trial you may be facing today, remember that
GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOUR PROBLEM.

"With God all things are possible"
(Matthew 19:26, NIV)

"In all your ways acknowledge Him and
He will make your paths straight"
(Proverbs 3:6, NIV)

Dear Lord, please give me more of You and less of me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

"Your Reaction Shows Your Christianity"

"People are known not by how they act when they're in control, but by how they react when things are beyond their control" ~ John C. Maxwell

“Your Reaction Shows Your Christianity”

From Think On These Things: Meditations For Leaders

By John C. Maxwell

The mind is a powerful thing. How you think determines who you are. That’s why Scripture directs us to be careful about where we focus our attention. A leader’s ability to achieve anything great for God begins in his/her heart and mind.

Jesus experienced misunderstanding, ingratitude, and rejection. But He was never bitter, discouraged, or overcome. To Him, every obstacle was an opportunity.

Brokenheartedness? An opportunity to comfort. Disease? An opportunity to heal. Hatred? An opportunity to love. Temptation? An opportunity to overcome. Sin? An opportunity to forgive.

How do we react when criticized? There’s always someone in the crowd who will criticize. By the way, some people find fault so freely you would think they were getting paid for it. Many people have been hurt under the banner of constructive criticism. Here’s an interesting observation: It’s constructive criticism when I criticize you; it’s destructive criticism when you criticize me.

Whether criticism is unjust or just, a person shows his or her true mettle by how he or she responds. The best way to lose an enemy is to treat him like a friend. It would help each of us to realize that there are times we make errors and display shortcomings. In our relationship with our Heavenly Father, we don’t need justice – we need mercy. In our relationships with others, we should be quick to give mercy and slow to demand justice.

When tempted to react in an unchristian manner, we should do the following:

1. Realize that everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

The other person’s life is no easier than yours. Perhaps today he or she is lonely, misunderstood, and hurt. A sure indication that a person hurts inside is the confirmation by what he or she says on the outside. Such a person may hurt you by what he or she says or does because of inward hurt.

2. Reacting in a positive, reassuring manner will produce better results.

Recently I hit another car while traveling on a four-lane highway. The driver of the other car was frightened and angry. Immediately I apologized, assured her that I had an excellent insurance company, and told the patrolman I was at fault. I made a friend out of the person whose car I had bumped. How? By a positive reaction to a negative situation.

3. There’s no better way to witness for Christ than by your Christian reactions.

The fruit of the Spirit, as listed in Gal. 5:22-23, is not to be displayed only during the easy times. These attributes are given so that they will become a part of daily life and be in evidence even when things go wrong. If someone is hungry and become irritable toward you, give him/her a piece of bread and butter. That’s showing kindness. But at the same time, why not spread a little jam on it? That’s lovingkindness. That’s the right reaction. That’s genuine Christianity.

POWER VERSES

Galatians 5:22-23, NIV ~ “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law”

Philippians 4:6-9, NIV ~ “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you”

Dear Lord, please help me to dwell on what is good and to live out my faith. In my relationship with others, help me to be quick to forgive and to give mercy and slow to demand justice. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Encouragement For Today

Whatever trial you may be facing today...

"Put on the full armor of God

so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes"

(Ephesians 6:11, NIV)

And remember that...

"God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times,

having all that you need, you will abound in every good work"

(2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV)

As you interact throughout this day, put your faith into action.

Seek God's approval and not that of men.

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?

Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men,

I would not be a servant of Christ"

(Galatians 1:10, NIV)

Passage Lookup: http://www.biblegateway.com

Dear Lord, please keep me mindful that I have all I need in You. Give me strength and wisdom as I seek Your will and not that of men. Be my shield of protection when the enemy strikes and tries to bring me down. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

"When the Enemy Attacks"

"Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” (James 1:2-3, NIV)

Apparently someone who knew me from high school visited my blog. He/she posted what was meant to be a hurtful comment under the "A Refuge of Hope" post, but God is good and He turns bad into good. So this negative comment (which I did not erase from my blog, by the way) inspired me to write this entry. I hope this will encourage others to not be ashamed to live your faith and that to love God does not make you a "religious freak".

The following is the anonymous comment that was posted:

“You've got to be kidding me Zoe! What cult do you belong to? We all go through highs and lows in life, doesn't mean you need to become some religious freak and try to save everyone’s soul! What a joke! Once knew you from Mercy”

I love the Lord and I’m not ashamed of it. When you are doing things in the name of Jesus and are living your life for Him the enemy will strike because his goal is to prevent God’s people from doing God’s work.

I have been attacked and called a “religious freak” because I love God and take delight in reaching out to others and sharing what God has done and is doing in my life. This is not the first time I have been faced with adversity and it will not be the last. In my opinion, when we share with others how God is working in our lives, we are giving Him the honor that He deserves. So any attempt to prevent me from doing what God calls me to do, is just more fuel of inspiration. God has given me the gifts of encouragement and evangelism, and I intend to use them.

If being obedient to what God has called me to do with my life makes me a “religious freak”, I don’t mind the title. If expressing my love for the Lord will hurt my reputation, I can live with that. Nothing that I go through in this life will ever compare to the sacrifice that Jesus made for me on the cross. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. So if I have to take some heat here on earth for the cause of Christ, it is all worth it to me.

So to the enemy I say, ‘bring it on’. Your attempts to steal my joy will not succeed and they will definitely not stop me from doing God's work. They will only be fuel to my inspiration. God can and will turn any negative into a positive. I am confident that God goes before me and will prepare the way in all I do. “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV).

The enemy cannot steal your salvation so he will use any and all circumstances in your life to try to steal your joy. Don’t give the enemy that much power. Hold on to God, the Rock that cannot be shaken, for His power is perfect in your weakness. “That is why, in Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV)

When trouble comes your way and your faith is being tested “let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow” (James 1:2-3, NIV).

Dear Lord, please keep me mindful that Your power is perfect in my weakness. When trouble comes my way and my faith is being tested, please give me the strength to endure all things in Your name and for Your sake. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

"A Refuge of Hope"

"God is our refuge and strength" (Psalm 46:1, NIV)

When God first put it in my heart to start this blog, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to keep up with it on a daily basis. I am a stay-at-home mom and, well, you know how busy it can get on a day-to-day basis. Isabela (4 yrs) and Samuel (6 mo) keep their Mommy and Daddy plenty busy! So when I started the blog, my initial goal was to work on it at least once a week. Well, I should know better than tell God what I cannot do or how I want to do it. He quickly reminded me who is in control and how I am to do it.

It still amazes me how God will use our weaknesses for His purpose. Don't tell God what you "can't" do because He will make sure to show you that, through Him, "YOU CAN" do it. He will equip you and qualify you to get the task done, especially when the task at hand is to deliver His message.

A special thank you to my loving husband, Martin, for his continued support, encouragement, and inspiration.

Because it is my prayer to reach out and provide hope and encouragement to as many people as God allows me to through this blog, Martin came up with the name "A Refuge of Hope". And that is my hope, that this will be a "safe place, a shelter from danger" (Refuge) where there is "a fervent desire and confident expectation" (Hope) that God's plan for us to prosper will be fulfilled (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).

Whatever God is getting ready to do in my life, I am in!


POWER VERSES

Jeremiah 29:11, NIV ~"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"

Dear Lord, thank you for being my Refuge of Hope and for making yourself available to me anywhere and anytime. Please keep me mindful of the task ahead and that through You it is already a done deal. Thank you for the work you are doing in my life and for what is yet to come. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

"To Have and To Hold"

By Martin and Zoé Howard

Our Motto: A family that prays together stays together.


"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails" ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8


On July 25, 2012, we celebrated 9 years of marriage. As we reflected on the last 9 years, we both agreed that God is the glue that keeps us together and strong. For those who don't know our story, we met through a singles website. Two weeks later got married. Everyone who loves and cares about us thought we were crazy. And, well, they had a point!

Was it love at first sight? Maybe. Were we crazy about each other? Definitely, and we still are. However, one thing has become evident to us throughout the years and that is that God had EVERYTHING to do with our union. When Martin tells our story, he says that he knew all he "needed to know...Zoe's heart and that she loved God and family" and the rest he "would learn in time".

In the last 9 years, we have moved six times, lived in four different states (NE, TX, UT, VA), lost two babies, welcomed two premature babies into the world (both healthy today), owned two homes, got laid off from two jobs, experienced the challenges of military life, transitioned to homeschooling our children, a close family member passed away, and two friends we were close to and loved dearly committed suicide.

We have had our share of ups and downs in our 9 years of marriage, but the one thing that has remained constant is the LOVE and power of God in our lives and in our marriage. Scripture tells us that God’s love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8, NIV), for God IS love (1 John 4:16, NIV). We have learned that love is not a feeling, but a choice. A decision to stay committed to each other no matter what.

With everything life throws at us on a daily basis, if we don’t put on the full Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18, NIV) and fight for our marriage, our marriage will be in trouble. Our enemy, the devil, will use any and every opportunity he gets to try “to steal and kill and destroy our faith” (John 10:10, NIV) and our marriage.

The devil knows he cannot steal our salvation, so he will try to steal our JOY every chance he gets. Well, guess what? Our victory has already been won on the cross. We are not supposed to carry life’s burden on our own. We need to "Fireproof" your marriage (http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/) and remember that, in a fire, we never leave our partner behind. Whatever challenges any of us who are married are going through in our marriages, we need to be intentional to remember that our spouse in not our enemy; the devil plays tricks on us (he lies, he deceives) and he is our true enemy; he is the fire in your marriage. We need to be intentional to attack the devil (with God's Word), not our spouse. We need to be intentional to send the devil back to where he belongs and claim our victory. We need to DECLARE our victory, BELIEVE in our victory, and RECEIVE our victory.

We have learned that the secret to success and happiness - not only in marriage, but in ALL things - is in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and the rest will be added to you". God has a plan for our marriage and that plan is to prosper us, not to harm us. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).

Claim your victory today and hold on to God’s promise of hope and a future. Ask Him into your heart and your marriage today. Trust in Him for your every need. God is faithful and He will deliver you from evil and set you free. His Word does not come back void.

6th Wedding Anniversary - VA Beach - 2009

9th Wedding Anniversary - Omaha, NE - 2012

Dear Lord, please come into our hearts and into our marriage. We surrender all to you and you alone. Thank you for the work you are doing in our lives, in our marriage,and for all that is yet to come!! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

POWER VERSES

1 Corinthians 13:4, NIV ~ “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”

2 Thessalonians 3:3, NIV ~ “The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one”

Psalm 18:35, NIV ~ “You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great”

Ephesians 5:23-25, NIV ~ “Wives, submit to your husbands in everything, as the church submits to Christ. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”

"Staying Connected To The Vine"

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NIV)


Today I read a devotion titled “Genuine Faith” by Micca Campbell (http://www.miccacampbell.com/). Micca’s devotion was very encouraging and it caused me to reflect on “What is genuine faith?” and “Why do I do the things I do and who am I doing them for?”

Micca describes genuine faith as “a relationship between us and God that begins by faith, is lived by faith, and ends in faith. It's that simple. Everything else - such as good works - flows from the source of this relationship.” Faith “is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1, NIV).

We are not meant to carry life’s burdens on our own. Jesus paid our debt on the cross. Our job is to trust Him, to have faith in Him. When we place our faith in God, we no longer have to carry our heavy loads. We can surrender it all to God and He will deliver us. Having faith is not about religion but about relationship, having a personal relationship with our Creator. It’s not about telling God what we want to do for Him, but rather seeking His will for our life and allowing Him to lead the way; it is looking to see where God is working and joining Him there. I don’t know about you, but when I try to do anything in my own strength and anything that is out of God’s will for my life, I fail every time. When I do what He calls me to do and in His strength, I am successful every time and can find joy in all things no matter what the circumstances.

My life before I placed my faith in Christ is not one I want to go back to, but it is one I am thankful for because it brought me a step closer to my Creator and to this awesome place of true joy and genuine faith in Him. Before I began to trust Jesus, to truly trust Him, if someone would have asked me “why do you do the things you do and who do you do them for,” the answer would have been “me.” I did it all for me, out of selfish desires and wants.

I am still a work in progress and have yet so much more to learn, but if you ask me today “why do you do the things you do and who do you do them for,” the answer is simple. I live my life for the One who gave me life. I do what I do for the One who taught me how to love (1 John 4:19, NIV) and whose love endures forever (Psalm 118:1, NIV); the One who goes before me, who will never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV); the One who puts the love and joy in my heart no matter what life brings; my Source and the Source of all things.

What’s the secret to living a life of genuine faith and true joy? It’s simple. Stay connected to the Vine. Make a daily commitment to connect with God. We can connect with Him anytime and anywhere through prayer. There is no right or wrong way to pray. To pray simply means talking to God. Praying is like anything we do, it takes practice. But once we master it, we will reap the rewards. Ask Jesus into your heart today and trust in Him for your every need. God is faithful and He will deliver you from evil and set you free.

Dear Lord, please help me to stay connected to the Vine. Help me to surrender my all to you and to trust you with my every need so I may bear your fruit and reap the harvest you have promised. In Jesus' name, Amen.

POWER VERSES

John 15:5, NIV ~ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing”

Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV ~ “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged”

Philippians 4: 4, 6-7, ESV ~ “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus”

Philippians 4:13, NKJV ~ "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

"The Full Armor of God"

Ephesians 6:10-18, NIV:

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying..."

So today resolve to put on the full Armor of God, for "the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4, NIV). Trust in the One who is in you. Ask Him into your heart and trust Him for your every need. God is faithful and He will deliver you and set you free.

Dear Lord, please be my shield of protection. Give me the courage to put on the full Armor of God and to trust You with my every need. Please give me the wisdom and the courage to claim the victory I have in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

"An Impenetrable Defense"

As I was reading my devotion today, it made me think about some of the conversations I've had in the last week with friends (and a couple of strangers) who are going through difficult circumstances in their lives at this present moment....So, as God so powerfully does it, He put it in my heart to share this in the hope to reach out to and encourage someone who might need to hear these words today.... As always, I thank God for the courage to post and deliver His message for I could not do it in my own strength. I pray you will be blessed by the message and may God stir things up in the hearts of those who really need it today...May you feel His amazing Peace, Presence and Power in your life today!

From the book "Moments of Peace from the Psalms":

"Are you facing a problem that's a lose-lose situation no matter how you look at it? You aren't sure who to trust, and you're heartbroken about the way you've been betrayed? It's difficult to know what to do. Count on God as your impenetrable defense."

My Thoughts:

I encourage you to surrender it all to God, for He will protect you and guard your heart. Easier said than done. Yes. An impossible task. Not for God. So today, "do not despair. Rather trust God to shield you in your situation" (Moments of Peace). Your situation may be bigger than you, but it is not bigger than God. And God is the One and only who can turn a lose-lose situation into a victory. Trust Him and claim your victory today!

Dear Lord, I surrender my all to you. Please como into my heart and help me to remember that nothing is impossible with you. Please be my shield of protection, my impenetrable defense. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

"The Power of the Cross"

On Tuesday, January 27, 2009, I delivered a healthy baby boy via c-section a month early due to pre-eclampsia. On Friday, I was discharged from the Labor and Delivery unit. By 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning, less than 2 days later, I was back in the hospital due to a severe headache and a sick feeling all over my body. I remember the drive to the hospital on that cold Sunday morning. I told my husband that I felt God had a purpose for me at the hospital we were headed to. I did not know what His purpose was, but I knew that He would reveal it to me in His time.

While in the Emergency Room, I found out that my pre-eclampsia, a form of high blood pressure that can occur during pregnancy, had gotten worse and was beginning to affect my liver. My blood pressures were in the 200s/100s and my liver enzymes were elevated. Pre-eclampsia, if not treated, will lead to seizures and will result in kidney and liver failure. While waiting to be admitted into the hospital, I felt the pain and discomfort in my body getting worse. I found my focus switching from God’s purpose for me toward my physical pain.

I was soon taken to a room in the Labor and Delivery unit. As I was being transferred from the stretcher into the bed of my assigned room, I noticed the cross on the wall. I was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. My focus was re-directed from my physical pain back to God’s purpose for me there. I began to reflect on the cross and what it meant to me. It was at that moment that I realized that the most important piece of equipment in that hospital room was the cross on the wall. Nothing I experience in this life will ever compare to the sacrifice that Jesus made for me on the cross. God would deliver me so I could “proclaim what the Lord had done” (Psalm 118:17, NIV).

God put it in my heart to witness to and share copies of my written testimony with everyone who entered my room that week. So I did. From doctors, nurses, and lab technicians to the housekeeping and food service staff, I handed out more than 50 copies of my testimony throughout the course of the week. It resulted in many spiritual conversations. One life was saved, others encouraged. My life, extremely blessed. I was overwhelmed with emotion that God used little ordinary me to do something extraordinary. I am a sinner who falls short of God’s glory, but He faithfully pours His love and grace on me daily. God will use anyone who makes himself/herself available to Him and is obedient to His will.

God does not want us to get comfortable in our faith. "Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow" (James 1:2-3, NIV). He will use our weaknesses for His purpose, for “His power is perfect in our weakness…when we are weak, we are strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV).

We are all sinners who fall short of God’s glory, but His love for us is unconditional and it “endures forever” (Psalm100:5, NIV). Make no mistake, GOD LOVES YOU right where you are. Even in your suffering; especially in your suffering. Do not be discouraged, for "the Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV). God knows you personally, He knows your circumstances, and He will deliver you. Ask Go into your heart and trust Him with your every need. He is faithful and He will deliver you from evil and set you free.

Dear Lord, thank you for the sacrifice you made for me on the cross. Please keep me mindful that nothing I experience in this life will ever compare to the sacrifice you made for me on the cross. Thank you for being such a loving, faithful and forgiving God. In Jesus' Name, Amen.