Impatience and Fear: What They Have In Common

By Zoe


                                             

“Be still, and know that I am God” ~ Psalm 46:10

We are such impatient beings. And when I say we, I mean people – the human race – in general. We talk to God about our problems or simply the desires of our hearts and, as soon as we are done telling God our problems or desires, we then go on trying to solve them or accomplish them on our own, in “our own strength,” instead of allowing God to give us the solution; He may do so through His Word, through something or someone when we least expect it, or through a sign. We decide how long is long enough to wait for God to answer our prayers. We just don't have time to wait on Him! What is He thinking? Does He not realize the urgency of our request?

When we ask Him for help, He may give us a solution right away through divine wisdom, maybe even divine intervention. But, what happens when it takes longer, when it seems as if He just didn’t get the memo? Impatience sets in. Then fear, the fear of, “what will happen if we don’t get the answer or solution to our problem?”

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” He will give us an answer/a solution when we are willing to be still and "patiently wait" for it. Waiting is not fun to do. It is difficult to wait, I know, but it is not impossible. God wants to give us the desires of our hearts and, with God, nothing is impossible. Therefore, we need to ask Him to give us the wisdom to wait on His timing and the strength as we wait for His provision/deliverance. We need to ask Him to “help us” be patient. That’s right, ask for help to be patient, a request not many people are willing to make out of fear of what God will then do as a result of asking for patience!

Notice I didn't say to ask God “to give us patience” (meaning we don’t have it at all) but rather, “to help us be patient” (meaning exercising the patience we already have). Are we asking for patience as our last resort - as a result of anger, desperation or frustration due to our circumstances – rather than asking for help to be patient as we wait for God’s timing and for His solution to unfold before us?

Knowledge brings understanding, understanding points us to the truth, and the truth is what sets us free. It’s not what we do that sets us free, it’s what we know. You see, God’s Word tells us that those of us who recognize that we are children of God and have received Him as Lord of our lives, He has given us the Holy Spirit, who serves as our advocate and Wise Counselor. And the Holy Spirit comes with benefits! Galatians 5:22 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, PATIENCE, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control.” These are the fruits that are produced IN us as a result of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. So if we are children of God, not only do we have a spirit of patience in us, but we also have a spirit of self-control. Isn’t that awesome? So we don’t need to pray FOR patience, but rather for help; help from the Holy Spirit to teach us to exercise the patience that already exists within us!

I hear people saying, “I don't ask for patience, no way. I have learned not to ask for patience, no thank you, not going there.” If you are one of those people, this one is for you. This is what I, once one of the most impatient people in the planet, have learned from spending time in God's Word and getting to know Him and His plan for my life. Not “my” plan, “His” plan.

First, He wants us to know that He LOVES us. Second, He wants us to know that He is who He says He is. So if He loves us and He is who He says He is, then, He will do what He says He is going to do. We can be confident that His Word will not come back void. That said He wants us to boldly come before His throne of grace with whatever is on our mind and in our hearts (from praise and thanksgiving to anger and disappointment); to do anything less than that would be an insult to His ability to provide for us and to deliver us from our circumstances.

People don’t ask/pray for patience out of fear. Fear that, "Oh what is God going to do now, what is going to happen to me now as a result of that prayer?" No! “FEAR NOT,” says the Lord all through His Word. Fear paralyzes us. God’s Word also says, in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of POWER, LOVE and a SOUND MIND (other versions refer to “a sound mind,” as self-control, discipline, sound judgment).”

Fear is such a powerful and debilitating emotion. Our enemy, the devil (and he is as real as our next breath and active in our lives), will use fear to rob us of our joy, which is part of the fruit of the Spirit, and to make us question God’s goodness and faithfulness. When we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, that’s when our enemy will begin to mess with our minds with the “what ifs” and making us feel insecure and doubtful. “What if I fail? What if I get rejected? What if I don’t get the job?” What if, what if, what if. Or he will use people in our life to make us doubt our talents, spiritual gifts (we all have these!), or things we are confident about; our enemy will use the type of people who are always asking, “Why? Why are you doing that? Or, why are you going there? What if?” Why not?!!!

God wants to give us the desires of our hearts. He wants us to have peace in our hearts and to experience fullness of joy. One way to experience peace and freedom in this fallen world is to know who we are. And in order to know who we are, we need to get to know the Author of our lives and take Him at His Word. We also need to learn how to pray. Don’t make prayer “just another ritual.” Prayer is simply a conversation, a dialogue; nothing more, nothing less. We may actually be praying for the wrong things (yes, there is a wrong way to pray). We may be praying for things we already have, but don’t realize we have them, or praying for things we don’t really need. When we know who we are and what we were made for, it makes it easier for us to boldly approach our Father in heaven with our requests.

If you know and believe you are a child of God, know that “the fruit of the Spirit” (love, joy, peace, PATIENCE, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control) is not something you pray for, it is something you already have in you. It is a done deal. It is a matter of learning how to tap into God’s power and learning to exercise and develop these gifts.

If you, on the other hand, do not consider yourself a child of God – you are someone who is seeking or has never made the decision to receive Jesus as Lord of your life – what is holding you back? Maybe you have been hurt by “religion” and all the politics involved with it, or maybe you have been hurt by “self-proclaimed Christians” and their hypocrisy. People, even God’s people, may misrepresent God. It is sad that even us Christians may misrepresent God at some point in our lives (in word or action), but it is a fact. If we were all perfect then we would not need Him. The best way to get to know God and who he is, it is by reading His Word and asking Him to reveal Himself to you personally as you seek Him. And when you ask Him to reveal Himself to you, believe me, He will! And you’re going to be like, “Wow, it’s true!”

If you are someone who has not trusted God, I don’t know what your reasons are for not trusting Him, but I do know that God loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you. He knows you by name and if you were the last person here on earth, God would have still sent His Son to die on the cross for you, because that is how much He LOVES you. All you need to do to have access to this God who seems so distant is to receive Him into your heart and ask Him to reveal Himself to you in a way that you will know that what you are experiencing is from Him and not of man.


Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that you sent Your One and Only Son, that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Thank You that we don’t have to fear or be impatient because You love us and Your are our Healer, Provider, and Deliverer. Help us and teach us how to exercise the spirit of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) that You have given us. Please guard our hearts and minds from the enemy, and give us wisdom to know that when it seems that You are all we have, You are all we need. You are enough! In Jesus’ name, Amen and thank You Lord!


LIFE VERSES

Exodus 14:14 – “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still”

Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious (fearful) about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, make all your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”

Psalm 37:5, 23-24,28 – “Commit your way to the Lord; trust Him, and He will act…A man’s steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be shaken (overwhelmed), because the Lord holds his hand…For the Lord loves justice and will not abandon His faithful ones. They are kept safe forever”

"I Believe"

By Martin

Would you believe me if I told you one of the most powerful messages you could ever hear, on a daily basis, is something small enough to wear on your person? 

No, I am not referring to a cross necklace.  Although a cross is small enough to wear on your person.  But, when we wear a cross what are we doing?  We are making a statement.  That statement being, ‘I am a Christian’.  Yes, there is a message in the cross, but we do not wear it for the message.  It is a statement for others to see.  It is just like a wedding ring, I do not wear my wedding ring to remind myself that I am married.  No, it is a statement to others that I am married.

What about a WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) bracelet?  No, that is a question and perhaps a small message.  It is a symbol for us to think in a way of compassion.  It encourages the wearer to think in a different way than our flesh would otherwise think.  Instead of cursing at someone for cutting you off, or flipping them the bird, you simply slow down and allow them to pass.  So, there is a small message in that bracelet, but not a powerful message.

No, the powerful message I am referring to can be found in a TANDEM Bracelet.  Let me explain.  A TANDEM Bracelet is comprised of 5 key components; each being equal and just as powerful as the others.  The five key components are: the circles, the straight lines, the knots, the cord itself, and the hand-stitched cross.

The first item the circle, a circle never ends just like God’s never-ending love.  The straight lines represent the times in our lives when we are walking side-by-side with God; all is well and we are loving life.  Then we come to the knots.  The knots represent the struggles that we all face throughout our lives.  By looking at the knots you cannot tell one string of cord from the other.  Like the footprints in the sand, it is during these struggles in life that God is carrying us through.  The bracelet is made from parachute cord.  Parachute cord is also referred to 550-cord because one strand can withstand 550 pounds of pressure.  That is very strong cord, just like God’s love for us is very strong.  You see, God’s love for us is very strong whether we love Him back or not.  And the fifth component is the hand-stitched cross.  This is important because we know that there is only one way to The Father and that is through His Son Jesus Christ.  Jesus died for your sins and mine on the cross so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The Bible tells us that by being believers’ our lives will not be all sunny skies and cool breezes.  We will go through storms of life.  But, through His Word we know that if we believe we will not have to go through it alone.  He is our parachute and He will bring us down to safety.  For in Christ we are: Transformed, Accepted, New Creation, Delivered, Empowered, and Messengers of The Word.

Furthermore, we know that we face an enemy that we cannot see, hear, or feel.  But, we know that the devil exists and wants us to fail.  And left to ourselves we will fail every time, because we are born with a sin nature in us.  That is why we need to put on the Full Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).  And just as God told Joshua, “Have I not commanded you?  Do not be afraid, but be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).

I believe that one of the most powerful messages, that you could hear on a daily basis, is as easy as wearing a TANDEM Bracelet.

 

 

 

Encouragement For Today

By Zoe

"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to PROSPER you, not to harm you; to give you HOPE and a FUTURE" (Jeremiah 29:11).


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).


"Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust Him and He will act" (Psalm 37:4-5).

God has given you specific gifts and talents. And He did so ON purpose, FOR a purpose. He wants to use your energy and passion in amazing ways. He has given you a voice and He wants you to use it. 

Pray for REVELATION!! For God to give you wisdom and direction. Ask Him to lead and be willing to follow Him. Our bodies are a vehicle. Ask your Heavenly Father to take the wheel.

I am praying for you today!- Yes, YOU, the one reading this post!! I am lifting you up in the name of Jesus, for our Heavenly Father to wrap His everlasting arms tightly around you and for you to feel His peace, presence, purpose, and power in your life. I pray that God will bless you and give you strength and energy for this day. I pray for His protection and provision for all your needs, especially your most immediate needs today. I pray that He will give you wisdom, revelation, and direction. I pray that you will find peace and comfort in His promises. Take Him at His Word. He promises that "He will not leave you or forsake you" (Joshua 1:5); to "renew your strength" (Isaiah 40:31); to "help you and uphold you with His righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10); to "guard your heart and mind with peace that passes all understanding" (Philippians 4:6); to "carry on to completion the good work He started in you" (Philippians 1:6). I pray that even when you may not understand what God is revealing to you, that you will choose to trust Him anyway, knowing that He is in control and He will be faithful to His promises. His Word will not come back void. Receive His blessings. Receive His peace. Rise to the occassion. You were "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14) in the image of God, who created you with a special purpose and "plan" in mind (Jeremiah 29:11).  


Father God, please renew our strength when we are weak and restore in us the JOY of Your salvation. When fear creeps in on us, remind us that You have not given us a spirit of fear, but one "of power, of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7). Do not let our emotions get in the way of YOUR plan and mission for our lives. Help us to trust You even when we don't understand. And please keep us mindful that You are "with us wherever we go" (Joshua 1:9) even when we don't "feel" Your presence. In Jesus' name, Amen and thank You Lord!

"What Are We Really Praying For?"

By Martin

Do you remember the story of the Good Samaritan?  What made him good?  Was it that he saw a guy on the side of the road bruised and bleeding and said to him, “I will pray for you”?  No.  Is he known for seeing the guy and not only walking by, but actually crossed to the other side of the street?  No.

The Good Samaritan was made good because he stopped and helped someone who was in his path and who needed help.  Now, did the Samaritan go out of his way?  No, the bruised man was in his path.  Why is that important?  Because people come into our paths of life for a reason.  We do not need to go out of our way looking for them; God will bring them to us.  Or, He will take us to them.  How many times do we say, “I need to go down [there] to help [them]”?  So, we go out of our way to help [them] and completely bypass all of those already in our path.

            This morning, I heard an advertisement trying to raise money to send over to Asia.  They want to go [there] when there are so many in need here.  People that we interact with on a daily or weekly basis.  People in our community that need the love of God but don’t have it.  The Good Samaritan was walking on his normal path when he came upon the man.  God put them together and the Samaritan responded when others would not. 

From Chapter 25 of 'My Purpose vs. God’s Purpose: For My Life'

 “If we tell someone who is down on their luck, ‘I will pray for you' and we do nothing to help them, then what are we praying for?  Are we praying that someone else would help them?  How about we start praying for ways that we could help?  God put us in each other's lives for a reason.”

"Protection From The Evil One"

By Martin


"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

'Full Armor of God' - Ephesians 6:10-18

What does that mean? We live in a world that is plagued, if not controlled, by evil and evil tendencies. Like in my previous blog posting, Satan definitely has a strong marketing scheme; and people are buying what he is selling on phenomenal levels.  God wants us to remember that He is with us ALWAYS. Not some of the time, not part of the time, ALL of the time!! Isn't that good to know?  The TANDEM Bracelet is a tangible reminder of God’s LOVE and His power.  Through Him we can do ALL things!!

We are also told that we need to take a stance against evil.  When we see those marketing schemes put forth by Satan, we can choose to buy from him or accept the FREE gift that God has for each one of us.  God said that He will be with us giving us strength.  Through our faith in Him, His strength will flow through us.  Additionally, He will provide protection for us. How are we protected? We are protected through His Word which was written down for us (the Holy Bible) and through our faith in Him.  This is good news!! 

www.TANDEM-Ministry.webs.com

"Satan's Marketing Scheme"

By Martin

            Why is it so easy for us to blame others for our shortcomings?  Perhaps we are afraid of assuming responsibility for our own actions.  Another possibility is that we are ashamed of what we have done.  Therefore, it is easier to displace the blame onto someone else in turn making us feel better.  And that is where Satan is able to manipulate our thinking.  Because that’s what a marketing scheme is all about.  Changing our mind to like something we might not otherwise like or even know about.

            Even though we are born into sin, we are all born as children of God.  And just like a company trying to gain more customers, Satan is putting forth his best marketing campaign to win our business.  He is able to do this by finding our greatest weakness and exploiting it.  For men, our greatest weakness is our eyes.  Most marketing companies would agree that sex sells; and that is why most marketing campaigns involve attractive looking people.

            Satan began his marketing scheme very early in our existence.  His first marketing campaign, which had a very captive audience, was about empowerment.   Not to say that empowerment is necessarily a bad thing, but it is when it goes directly against God’s commandment.  In Genesis 3:1, he said to the woman, Eve, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”  Satan pushed Eve a little bit further when she tried to resist the temptation.  “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good from evil.”  She already wanted to eat of the fruit; Satan just gave her the nudge she needed.  He baited her and she took it hook, line, and sinker.

            He continues to use the same techniques on each of us.  For a person in an unhappy marriage, he could use that to bait us.  Perhaps we talk a person of the opposite sex a little too much and a little too often.  He is baiting us to grow feelings for that person that we would not have otherwise.  And when we take the bait we do exactly what Eve and Adam both did; we blame someone else for our falling into temptation.  ‘If my spouse would only…’ fill in the blank.  For someone who feels that they are underpaid at their job.  Perhaps that person decides to steal from the company and uses the excuse, ‘if they only paid me more’. 

            Unfortunately, his marketing scheme is working very well.  We live in a world that is buying what he is selling in droves.  But, we don’t have to buy from him.  He is not the only business in the market.  There is another who is much greater than Satan.  There is one who will be there for us whether we buy from Him or not.  Satan only provides empty promises.  He will not be there to support us once we buy from him.  Just like a mosquito, once he gets what he wants he will move on.

            I want to dive into that a little bit here.  The mosquito gets what it wants and then leaves.  But, is that all the mosquito does?  No.  Mosquitos often times leaves its victims worse off than prior to the attack.  What comes from mosquitos?  Malaria, Yellow Fever, and West Nile to name a few.  And just like the mosquito, the devil leaves its victims worse off than prior to the attack.  What comes from Satan?  Insecurity, anger, jealousy, and the list goes on.

            Do we want to buy what Satan is selling?  If we sit back and think about it, I believe the majority of us would say no.  The reality though paints a different picture.  More often than not our actions would indicate the answer to be yes.  The proof is in the performance.  Sure, we will say that we don’t want to buy from him.  But, when presented with the option our flesh may say otherwise.  We don’t get married to have an affair, but we know that it happens.  We don’t get a job so they can steal from the company that they work for, but we know that it happens.  We don’t wake up in the morning deciding that we will tell a lie that day, but we know that it happens.

"What Does It Mean To Be A Man Of Integrity?"

By Martin

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).


“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).




Unfortunately, there are many men, and women, in our society that lack integrity.  First off, what is integrity?  The easiest way to describe integrity is the way I learned it in the Army; integrity is doing what is right even when no one else is looking. Doing what is right, even when no one else is looking, is important.  But doing what is right even when the end result will most likely be disciplinary action, punishment, or isolation is even more important. When I was in Officer Candidate School (OCS) for the US Army and when I worked for the railroad, both times I was faced with an ethical dilemma.  In OCS, it was the instructors physically abusing the students; in the railroad, it was my boss specifically instructing contract personnel to violate safety rules for productivity purposes (productivity over safety).

Looking back on those situations, I can tell you right now, it would have been a lot easier to just look the other way, like everyone else in my OCS class and on that railroad facility.  But, I am a man of integrity and I cannot just look the other way, especially when I know it is wrong.  There are not many people that will reward you for having integrity.  Actually, it is more likely that the opposite will happen.


By Martin


Paul and Jesus’ half-brother James both have something to say about men of integrity.  I have adopted these two verses as my life’s verses.  “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

Not only does a man of integrity do what is right, he speaks in the same manner; lies do not become us.  When I was a kid, I remember taking a $20 from my parents. I looked into the pouch of money and thought, ‘they won’t miss this, they have plenty’. About ten minutes later, my mother came to me and asked me, in the politest way possible, if I had taken the money. My flesh wanted to say no, knowing that if I said yes I would receive a good beating. Nevertheless, I told my mother the truth and gave her the money back. I told her exactly what I had thought when I took it, "I didn't think you  guys would miss it". But they did miss it! Thankfully, I did not receive any punishment for taking the money, or for telling the truth for that matter.

God feels the same way about us. We are His children and when one of us goes astray He searches tirelessly until He finds us again (metaphorically speaking since He knows where we are at all times and our every word and thought). God loves you because you are His child. Regardless of how our parent’s love(d) us, He loves us even more. He has charged us, men, to be the head of our family as Jesus is the head of the church. As the head, we are called to do what is right at all times; even though it will be hard at times.

As for me, I might not be a senior manager for the railroad because I wouldn’t look the other way.  And, I might not be a company commander because I wouldn’t keep quiet. But, I know that God is watching down on me and He is proud of me. He is always watching. What we do on earth builds our home in heaven. 

Have you surrendered your life to Jesus? If not, you can do so this very moment by asking Him into your heart and allowing Him to be your Lord and Savior. I encourage you to get into a Bible-believing church and surround yourself with good Christian men. “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).

Don’t be afraid that you have done too much to be forgiven. If you have not taken anything else away from this testimony, please take this away, God will forgive you regardless of what you have done; blasphemy against the Spirit is the only sin that you cannot be forgiven for. “Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:31-32).

Dear Lord, thank You that You so loved the world ~ that You so loved me ~ that You gave Your One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. I am not defined by what I have done or by who others say that I am. Your Word says that I was fearfully and wonderfully made by You. Your Word also says that as I trust You I become a new creation. As I study Your Word and seek You, You have the power to transform me from the inside out, through the renewal of my mind. Please help me to trust and believe in You with all my heart and that I am forgiven. Thank You for loving me with everlasting love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

T.A.N.D.E.M.: "To Have And To Hold"

T.A.N.D.E.M.: "To Have And To Hold"

"To Have And To Hold"

By Martin and Zoe Howard

Family 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? Yes! And we still are! However, one thing has become evident to us throughout the last 9 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". When Zoe tells our story, she says that Martin "felt like home to me from day one....I loved his heart and his great smile. He was a gentleman and a family man".

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), experienced health challenges, owned two homes, got laid off from two jobs, experienced financial stress, 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), for God IS love (1 John 4:16). 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) and fight for our marriage, especially when the going gets tough, 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) 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 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).

Declare and claim your marriage victorious in the good, the bad, and the ugly. Hold on to God’s promise of hope and a future. Ask Him into your heart and into your marriage today. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart" (Proverbs 3:5-6) and for your every need, for He is faithful. He will "stengthen you and help you" in your time of need (Isaiah 41:10), He deliver you from evil, He will restore you, and He will set you free from captivity (temptations, addictions, idols). 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”

 

 

"Mustard Seed Faith"

By Zoe

Although the mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds in agriculture, it is able to grow into a large tree, sometimes in even the most adverse conditions.The Parable of the Mustard Seed can be found in the New Testament in Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:30-32, and Luke 13:18-19. This parable was told by Jesus. The parable describes the mustard seed, which is the smallest seed that was planted. The seed then grows and becomes a great tree in which birds can perch in it's branches. The tree which grew from the tiny mustard seed now provides security and shelter.

Just as a mustard seed can grow into a great tree that provides security and shelter, even the tiniest bit of faith can drive us to accomplish great things with God's help. Without God's help, we are relying on our strength alone to tackle our every day challenges. Before we know it, fear creeps in and hinders our confidence and self-esteem. Fear hinders our faith. Fear keeps us from fully experiencing JOY and from living our life to the fullest; it gets in the way of our dreams, our goals, and our potential. Faith and fear don't go together.

Definition of FEAR: to be afraid of, worried about or expect something (something bad or unpleasant)...Synonyms of fear: WORRY, STRESS, CONCERN, BOTHER.

That said, "What are you afraid of? What is your fear?"

What is holding you back from saying something, from writing something, from a dream, from receiving a blessing, from loving someone or "receiving" love, from forgiving someone, from smiling, from believing, from doing something you have always wanted to do - an art class, a trip, a hobby, dancing like nobody's looking, singing like nobody's listening, learning to play an instrument, going camping....I don't know...whatever it is, what is stopping YOU?

Did you know that the word BELIEVE is a verb? BELIEVE is "faith in ACTION".

Definition of BELIEVE: to accept or regard something as true; to have trust in the ability or worth of something or someone.

Dare to BE....Dare to BELIEVE....Just DARE!!
All you need is FAITH as big as a "MUSTARD SEED"

BELIEVE and let God do the rest!!

Father God, would You increase my FAITH today? Please replace my FEAR with FAITH. Keep me mindful that you did not give me a spirit of fear, "but one of power, love, and sound judgment" (2 Timothy 1:7). Help me to TRUST You - to BELIEVE - with full ccnfidence that You will take care of the rest. Amen and thank You Lord!!

"Created On Purpose, For A Purpose"

By Zoe

JEREMIAH 29:11

God has a plan for your life. Be assured that everything about you was intentionally created that way. God designed you exactly as you are on purpose, FOR a purpose. He wants to use you and bless you in an AMAZING way. He has given you a voice and, as Pastor Myron says, "You stop talking, you lose!".

Pray for REVELATION!!... Our Almighty God will give it to you!!

Lifting you up - yes, YOU, the one reading this post!! Lifting you up in the name of Jesus, that God will give you some revelation today. And that even when you may not understand what God is revealing to you, that you will choose to RECEIVE it, to seek wisdom and understanding about it, and to rise to the occassion. You were "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14) in His image, created with a special purpose and "plan" (Jer 29:11).

Father, please RENEW the strength of your children when they are feeling weak and RESTORE in them the JOY of Your salvation when discouragement creeps in. Please do not let our emotions get in the way of YOUR plan and YOUR mission. Thank You Lord. In the name of Jesus, name above ALL names, Amen!!
 

A Beautiful Song

By Martin

There is a beautiful song by Aaron Shust called "My Savior My God".  The song starts with the words, "I am not skilled to understand, what God has willed, what God has planned."  It is a wonderful song.
I decided not too long ago that I wanted to learn to play that song on the guitar.  So, I found a youtube video made by Aaron himself on how to play his song.  I started learning to play it about a week ago.  I feel like I am getting further along in the playing of the song.  Last night, I was playing what I know of the song to Zoe.  She could definitely hear the song coming to life. 
Zoe made a decision that she would like to learn to play an instrument before the year is up.  So, when I got up to do something she picked up my guitar.  I had the youtube video on and she began her attempt to play the song.  Once I showed her the key notes to get the intro, she was excited and began playing those notes over and over again.
Isabela decided she wanted to play as well.  Unfortunately, she wanted to play on the same guitar that Zoe was playing.  She suggested that Isabela get her own guitar, but she didn't want to do that.  It was more of an attention thing.  So, she got on the drums; which are quite loud.  Zoe and I decided to go out on the deck to play; we could not hear over the drums.  I agreed and grabbed one of my other guitars.  That way I could show Zoe the chord structures that Aaron uses in the song.  Samuel came outside with us to play.
After a while, we decided to go back inside because it was time to get ready for bed.  Almost immediately after walking through the door, I could hear the song playing on a guitar.  I was holding one of the guitars and Zoe was holding the other.  Neither of us were playing.  I looked on my tablet to see if the youtube video was still playing; but it wasn't.  I looked at Zoe as to see if she heard it as well.  I ran upstairs to see if possibly something was on upstairs.  But, nothing was on upstairs either.  During this time, I kept hearing the song.  The song played probably three or four times and it was just the introduction.  I heard it most downstairs where we had been playing it.  I came back downstairs and looked at Zoe.  I said, "We have a ghost!"  She said, "I know we do."  I added, "Well, it's good that it likes to play Christian music."
I sent a text message to many friends and family members about our encounter.  But, this was not our first encounter with a spirit.  Last year, Zoe and I had our picture taken in our kitchen.  In the background, you can clearly see a black figure.  The figure looks as if it is trying to get out of the picture.  Too late!  :)  We are not worried because we know we are protected by God and His Angels.  We also find it a great relief to know that the spirit that lives in our home loves Christian music.

"Radical Love"

By Zoe

 

God's LOVE is a radical kind of love. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

I have a 3-year-old son, Samuel. As I read John 3:16, I find myself asking the following question, "Would I give up Samuel, my one and only son, as a sacrifice in order for the sins of the world to be forgiven? Would I freely give Samuel up to take a punishment he does not deserve so that everyone who believes will receive the gift of eternal life?"....Wow...I don't know that I would. God didn't even think about it, He just did it because He loves us all so much....He gave His One & Only Son & by doing that He started a Love Revolution!!

We were created by Him & for Him, to be in relationship with Him & one another.

LOVE is the reason we are here. Have you received His gift of LOVE?

You need to know that whatever you've done, whatever keeps you up at night because of guilt, fear & shame....you are FORGIVEN.

God did not give His One & Only Son for His children to live in captivity. He did not give His One & Only Son for His children to live in fear.

 
 
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Son that our sins may be forgiven. Thank You for the gift of salvation & eternal life. Please replace my fear with FAITH. And may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Your name I pray. Amen."

Men of Courage or Integrity?

By Martin

            There is a song out by Casting Crowns called Courageous, used in the movie by the same name.  If you haven’t seen the movie Courageous, I would highly recommend that you see it.  It is a great movie!! 

            But, I am not talking about the physical courage.  Sure, in the movie they are police officers and they have to show courage in the line of duty.  Or, the man who fended off the would-be auto thief to protect his son.  I understand the physical courage that men need, but that is something that is built into us instinctively.  No, the movie was really about having integrity.

            “Where are you, you men of courage?”  Men of courage are everywhere.  We were designed by God to willingly die for our family.  It went along with the theme of the movie, I get it.  But, it was more like, ‘Where are you, you men of integrity?’  It doesn’t have the same ring to it, but it encompasses more of what he was trying to say.

            In the movie, the main characters made the decision to resolve to be the best men they could be; beyond reproach.  Of course, just as in our sinful nature, one of the men was unable to keep to the pledge.  And that is the problem that we all face every day.  To do what is right, even when no one else is looking, and even if it is frowned upon.

            It is so easy to fall prey to our sinful nature.  We make excuses for it.  And, we even find ways to justify our actions so we may continue to do them.  Why?  Because we are merely carrying out our sinful nature’s desire.  That is where I ask, “Where are you, you men of integrity?  It is easy to muster up the courage to stand-up to a bully.  But, it’s not so easy to say no when we really want to say yes.  It’s not so easy when you know no one else will find out.  ‘It will only be this one time!’  It’s never just that one time, is it?

            Will you be the one beacon of light in the dark night?  Or, will you be a whisper in the storm?  It is easy to do what it right, when it is the in-thing to do.  But, are you willing to do what is right when it could cost you your job?  Your friendship?  Your marriage?

            I challenge you, that for the rest of the summer you resolve to be a man of integrity.  Commit to do what is right….always and not just when it is convenient or easy.  Commit to not looking the other way because you want to get along.  Commit to being the man God has called you to be.  Be a man of integrity.

“A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12

“So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9

“Have I not commanded you: be strong and courageous?  Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Father, I pray for every man who reads this to be a man after Your own heart.  I pray that when faced with a difficult decision, that you will be with them.  Father, guide our steps and decisions.  We are the heads of our household, and we will choose to follow you.  Lord, please help those men who are struggling.  The men who know it is wrong, but don’t know how to stop it.  How to face the problems that have been created.  Be with those men who are lost and considering suicide as a way out.  Father, you know our hearts for you created us.  You know what we need to be the best that we can be.  Give us your guidance that we may know which way to go.  We cannot lead when we ourselves are lost.  So Father, please be with us that we may correct our ways, to lead our families, and strengthen our nation. 

I love you Father and I thank you for the gift of eternal life.  I know it won’t be easy, but I also know that I won’t have to go it alone.  Thank you Father for being there for me, especially when I didn’t deserve it.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

"Where Is Your Focus?"

 

"Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength;

they will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary;

they will walk and not faint"

~ Isaiah 40:31

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise that as we trust in You, our strength will be renewed. Please help me to keep my eyes fixed on You today and to be in constant communication with You. Encourage me in my failures, teach me humility in my victories, and give me wisdom to receive the blessings that You have in store for me today, as it is Your desire to bless Your children. Remove from my focus anything that is not from You, for You, or about You. In Jesus' name, Amen and thank You Lord. 

"Creating Space"

By Zoe

"The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful"

James 5:16

Three weeks ago, my friend Emilia shared with me that she and a group of people had been getting together at Bridge Church for morning prayer. She invited me to join her sometime that week. When I asked what time they meet in the morning, she responded, "4:30-7:00 a.m." Yes, 4:30 in the MORNING! I was like, "Are you crazy?!" Someone else in the conversation added jokingly, "God isn't even awake at that time!"

I have to confess that I am NOT a morning person so the thought of me waking up at 4:00 a.m. for anything other than an emergency, well, it was just not on my agenda. Did you catch that? "My" agenda. I didn't stop to think that it may be in "God's agenda" for me.

A few days later my family and I went to visit Bridge Church for the very first time. We went to their Sunday morning 10:00 a.m. service. Yes, 10:00 a.m. was more doable for me than 4:00 a.m.! The message that day was on creating space. It was titled, "Got Space? I have it. He wants it." We create space (spend time) for people and things we value. Who do you spend time with? What things, events, activities, and people do you "create space" for? I was challenged by these questions and they moved me to assess and evaluate "what" and "who" I am creating space for in my life.

Well I have come to learn that God has a good sense of humor. The moment we say "never", He says "now". On the same Sunday that I visited Bridge Church, before I went to bed that night, I found myself reflecting on this "creating space" concept and finally surrendering to God's agenda. I found myself saying the following words, "Ok Lord, You made me and You know I really am NOT a morning person. I am not even going to set up an alarm clock. If You wake me up before 4:00 a.m.tomorrow morning, I will go to Bridge for morning prayer". I then went on to bed. A few hours later, one of my dogs woke me up so I could let him out. Dragging myself out of bed (well not literally, but you know what I mean), I walked down the stairs and toward the patio door, half asleep. As I walked toward the patio door, I happened to glance at the clock. It was 3:43 a.m.! At that moment, I could do nothing but chuckle and, as I looked up to the sky, I said, "Ok Lord, I told you if you woke me up before 4:00 a.m. I would go. I'm going!" So I got dressed and off to Bridge I went! I'm telling you, God has a sense of humor.

 I can honestly tell you that in my 40 years of life, I have never been motivated to wake up at 4:00 a.m. for ANYTHING! But the moment I stepped foot into Bridge Church 3 weeks ago for morning prayer, little did I know that God was about to rock my world. I haven't stopped going to morning prayer since the first time I went. Throughout the last 3 weeks, God has brought me to a higher and deeper level of intimacy with Him that I had never experienced before.

We gather at Bridge Church every morning from 4:30-7:00 a.m.to be in God's presence and to pray for the nations, to pray for our country, to pray for the men and women who fight for our freedom, to pray for our city, to pray for our government, and to pray for each other. It has been an amazing experience. The time we spend there, the people, and the testimonies are encouraging, inspiring, and empowering. What an amazing group of faithful prayer warriors, sacrificing sleep in an effort to "create space" for God and to humbly bring before Him, in prayer and with thanksgiving, the needs of others. We have a desire in our hearts to "create space" for the One who is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1).

Prayer is simply having a conversation with God. And the power in prayer is not even on the prayer itself, but on the One we pray to. When we humbly come into His presence, He reveals Himself to us and we begin to see who He is. We begin to see Him for “Who” He is rather than for “what” He can do for us. He loves us and wants to have an intimate relationship with us. He is a gentleman, therefore, He doesn't force His way into our hearts. He waits until we invite Him in. Once we have taken that step, He meet us right where we are. We don't have to "fix" ourselves before we can come to Him. He IS the Fixer! In the midst of our storms and brokenness, He lifts us up, He carries us, and He RESTORES what has been broken. He takes what is broken and molds it into a beautiful masterpiece. He may bend us, but He wont break us because of His faithful love which endures forever.

 Three weeks ago I surrendered to God's agenda for me to join the 4:30 a.m. daily prayer group. I have been going every day since then. Through the faithful prayers of committed prayer warriors, I have witnessed “miracles, signs and wonders performed through the name of God's holy Servant Jesus” (Acts 4:30).

I invite anyone with a desire to experience God's presence and with a desire to have a higher level of intimacy with Him, to join us. We would love to see you, pray for you and your loved ones, and pray for any specific needs you may have at this time. I can confidently say, you will be blessed and you will never be the same. We were not created to walk life's journey alone. We were created for relationship; relationship with our Creator and relationship with each other...to LOVE and ENCOURAGE each other along the way.

Who and what do you "create space" for? I challenge you to create space for 4:30 a.m. prayer and see what happens!! God wants to bless you.



Heavenly Father, please give me wisdom and strength to create space for You by surrendering completely to Your agenda for me. Help me to trust You with all my heart and not rely on my own understanding; in all my ways to acknowledge You, and You will direct my paths. In Jesus' name, Amen and thank You Lord.

Is today gonna be a David or a Goliath kind of day?

           
By Martin

            Your morning starts like every other morning.  The alarm clock goes off, child jumps on the bed, the neighbor starts his lawnmower, or whatever wakes you up in the morning.  Once awake, you begin your morning routine and then it hits you…….today is {fill in the blank}.  Perhaps today is going to be the start of finals, first day on the job, your day in court, or another day at your dreaded dead-end job. 

            How are you looking at the day ahead?  Is it too big for you to handle?  Are you in fear of what is in store?  Today is just too much for any one person to handle; at least that is how you perceive it to be.  That was how the Israelites saw Goliath.  Even by today’s standards, Goliath was a giant.  He was strong, skilled in the art of war and killing, and very intimidating just to look at. 

That is how you are looking at your day.  You are afraid to face the inevitable.  The scenarios you are creating in your head is only makes it worse.  What if {blank} happens?  What if I {blank}?  What if ….?  These questions control your mind as you scare yourself into submission.  You are going to have to face today whether you want to or not.  In the same way, someone had to face Goliath.

            All of the men of the Israelite army were so terrified of what might happen that they wouldn’t even try.  But one man decided that he would make a stand.  David was not a soldier.  He wasn’t even a strong man.  David was the smallest brother in his family.  He had no training in the art of war.  But David had something that none of the other men had; belief that he would not have to face Goliath alone.

            God tells us time and time again, that when we accept and believe in Him, we will never again have to face our problems alone. 

• “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) 

• “The One who sent Me is with Me.  He has not left Me alone…..” (John 8:29)

• “An hour is coming, as has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave Me alone.  Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” (John 16:32)

            David knew that even though Goliath was a giant, he would not have to face him alone.  David was skilled at throwing stones with his sling; most likely from his experience as a Sheppard.  Even with this skill, he still relied on God to give him the strength to strike quickly and accurately. 

            God will give you the same strength to face whatever problem lies before you today.  Ask Him to be with you today.  Lay your burdens upon Him and He will carry you through the fire. Do not sit in fear of what could go wrong today.  Face your day head-on knowing God’s got your back.

"Be devoted to one another in love.
Honor one another above yourselves"

Romans 12:10

It was hard rolling out of bed this morning but off to Bridge Church we went this morning at 5:00 a.m. for morning prayer. Three kids (oh yea, they go too!) & Bible (my WEAPON of choice) at hand...Off to Bridge Church to pray for the nations, to pray for our nation, to pray for our city, to pray for our government, to pray for the church as a whole, and to pray for each other.

It's going to be a great day!!



"Broken and Restored: My Personal Testimony"

By Zoe

"I will praise You, because I have been
fearfully and wonderfully made"

(Psalm 139:14, NIV)

Have you ever felt depressed, lonely, overwhelmed, or wondered what the meaning of your life is? I became fully aware of the effects of sin in my life by age 35. I realized I had managed to violate all Ten Commandments. I felt as if I was sinking in a raging sea of depression and anger.

Events in my life that resulted in built-up anger and depression included divorce, abortion, miscarriages, addictions (which were my escapes), loss of home, bankruptcy, and relocating 5 different times with the railroad and the Army within a 6 year period. I felt overwhelmed by the guilt, shame, loss, and bitterness that were rooted from my sin and the emotional pain that accompanied it. But, while life’s disappointments can be endless, there is Good News. The Good News is that we are not supposed to carry our burdens on our own. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He paid the price of our sins, that we may be forgiven and freed from captivity. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are offered forgiveness and the gift of salvation and eternal life. He created us to be in relationship with Him. We are called by our Heavenly Father to ask Jesus into our hearts and to trust Him with our lives. To trust Him with our live means to surrender all to Him, allowing Him to be in control of our lives.

I grew up going to the Catholic Church and going to Catholic schools. I learned a lot of religion, but not enough about having a personal relationship with my Creator. It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom that I realized I needed to make some changes in my life. For the first time in my life I acknowledged that I was a sinner in need of a Savior. I felt so overwhelmed that there were times I would cry out to the Lord and ask Him to just take my life. I did not want to live anymore. I could not function. I felt paralyzed. I resorted to alcohol, cigarettes, and, occasionally, to marijuana as my escapes to numb the pain. Escapes numb our pain, they don't heal it. As a result, I lost myself completely and dug a deeper hole for myself. Anxiety filled my veins. I felt like the life was being sucked out of me. You see, our enemy, the Devil, is on a mission to destroy us. He is a liar and his strategy is to attack our minds by filling them with lies and making us question God’s goodness and faithfulness and pointing us toward independence from God, instead of dependence on Him. The devil “comes to steal and kill and destroy” us (John 10:10), making us feel defeated, unworthy, and abandoned by God.

God does not abandon His children. He pursues us and hears our cry. He promises to “never leave us or forsake us” (Deuteronomy 31:6-8). His Word tells us that “His grace is enough” (2 Corinthians 12:9), that He is “our refuge and strength” (Psalm 46:1), and not to fear because He “is with us wherever we go” (Joshua 1:9). When I couldn’t feel His presence in my life, it wasn’t because He had abandoned me. It was because I had abandoned Him. I was running from Him instead of to Him. But God does not give up on His children. He persisted to pursue me and be a constant presence in my life. When I reflect on all the times He tried to get my attention, I realize that I was just simply not paying attention or felt unworthy of His grace. I was too busy trying to do it all in my own strength rather than relying on His strength.

Well God got my full attention on Easter Sunday 2007. For the first time in my life I fully understood His sovereignty and my need for Him. It was the first time I understood that being a good person is not what saves us and gets us into heaven. Salvation, spending eternity with God instead of separated from Him, cannot be earned by good deeds and good conduct. It is a gift from God that we receive through our faith in Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).



On Sunday, April 8, 2007, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I was one of the many people who crossed the bridge that was set up on the altar that day, symbolizing the transition from our old ways (relying on self) toward a new life (relying on God). I followed with believer's baptism on June 24, 2007 at the age of 35.

God has transformed my heart and my life from the inside out. I have learned that I cannot change others, but I can make changes in me. I have experienced “God’s peace that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). I am now able to thank God “in all things” (Romans 8:28), even during the trials, because nothing I go through in this life will ever compare to the sacrifice Jesus made for me on the cross.

God does not want us to get comfortable in our faith. He wants to stretch our faith and get us outside of our comfort zones in order to purify our hearts and refine our faith. He wants us to draw closer to Him and to trust in His plan for our lives. He wants us to trust that He is in control, in His provision, that He goes before us in all we do, and that He will strengthen our faith and our character along the way. I have learned that I need to trust God and “not to rely in my own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5-6); that I do not need to understand the “why” of everything. God's Word is alive and does not come back void.

In order to know who we are and our purpose, we need to get to know our Creator. God is love and in the business of healing, restoring, and transforming lives. I am now able to love and forgive in the way He has loved and forgiven me, unconditionally. God has blessed me with a godly and loving husband and two healthy and beautiful children. And, one by one, He has restored broken relationships in my life. He is at work in my life in ways I never imagined possible. He is at work even now, as I write this testimony, reaching out to someone who might be able to identify with my experience. God wants you to come to Him as you are. All you have to do is ask Him into your heart and take Him at His Word. He tells us to, “take My yoke upon you...and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30). I have witnessed God’s unconditional love and transforming power in my life. I believe that Jesus is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14: 6).

I am no longer a prisoner of my sin, living under guilt and shame. “My chains are gone, I've been set free. My God, My Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood, His mercy reigns. Unending love, Amazing Grace” (Amazing Grace). “I am a new creation in Christ. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence” (2 Corinthians 5: 16-18). There is freedom in Christ. And, friend, that is Good News!

POWER VERSES

Philippians 4:13 ~ “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

James 1: 2-3, NIV ~ "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.”

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10, NIV ~ “My 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 1: 3-4, NIV ~ “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves received from God.”


Dear Lord, thank you for Your gift of salvation, a gift that cannot be earned. I am saved by Your grace alone, through faith in Your Son Jesus, who paid the debt for all sinners (for my sin) on the cross. Please keep me mindful of Jesus' ultimate expression of love on the cross and that my past does not define who I am or my future. Please give me the wisdom, courage, and confidence to trust You and to walk in victory, knowing that my identity is in Christ alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen and thank You Lord.