tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74320206742909340982024-03-15T21:09:34.504-04:00Growing Together in Grace and KnowledgeProviding Biblical insights encouraging you to grow in and through your struggles while equipping you to overcome.Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.comBlogger368125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-68565141966493419402024-02-14T11:49:00.001-05:002024-02-14T11:54:30.050-05:00A Brand New Season for Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"> </span></h1><h1 style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2_MTVbWy0WGkb8Tzm8kN72KLHAuvypecPxwJgczs1YG1mw5ivBWp6t7z4jwmScWmw0P_g8Xbz88Y2OMKiL9MUOAPxxSchVKXGkdEXIq35GO9ByfNcAm2O10KwOH7TSZU8mwoB_Ifgd4F4RACGL5deSQ7uYYvie8XlKQHGsZo4APDRZLy20_G1G3b9AF3/s1920/A%20Brand%20New%20Season%20for%20Growing%20Together%20in%20Grace%20and%20Knowledge.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2_MTVbWy0WGkb8Tzm8kN72KLHAuvypecPxwJgczs1YG1mw5ivBWp6t7z4jwmScWmw0P_g8Xbz88Y2OMKiL9MUOAPxxSchVKXGkdEXIq35GO9ByfNcAm2O10KwOH7TSZU8mwoB_Ifgd4F4RACGL5deSQ7uYYvie8XlKQHGsZo4APDRZLy20_G1G3b9AF3/w360-h640/A%20Brand%20New%20Season%20for%20Growing%20Together%20in%20Grace%20and%20Knowledge.png" width="360" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /></span></h1><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">A Brand New Season for </span></h1><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge</span></h1><div><br /></div><div>I had the privilege of serving God through the ministry of this blog from 2015-2020. You can check out my post <u>A Note to the New Christian Blogger: 5 Key Lessons I Learned in 5 Years of Blogging</u> <a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/12/Note-to-New-Christian-Blogger-5-Key-Lessons.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>In that post, I talked about the reasons why I felt the Lord was calling me to put more time into other areas of ministry and to give the blog a rest. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the past four years, I have continued serving as the Women's Ministry Leader at my church where we have grown into a beautiful fellowship of women who love to study the Word of God and to minister to each other and our community. I continue to support my husband as Associate Pastor and serve alongside him in our small group ministry. But one area of ministry that has changed is to my grandchildren. I had the privilege of homeschooling my special needs granddaughter for three years and now am proud to say that she is in public school and doing very well! And my grandson is now in preschool and loves it! I miss that season of seeing my grandchildren every day, but now find myself with more time to write again.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was recently presented with the opportunity to be a contributing writer at IBelieve.com where you can find Christian women inspirational blogs, devotionals and a daily verse. I was so impressed with their vision for the site's articles to feature authentic articles in a style of coming alongside other women in Christian love and encouragement. It appeared to be a "match made in Heaven" so to speak as Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge was created with that same mindset.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although I won't be posting new articles here, you can find me at <a href="https://www.ibelieve.com/" target="_blank">IBelieve.com</a> where my posts are, for the most part, published on a weekly basis. My style has not changed. You will find the same type of content from me over at IBelieve.com as you found here at Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge.</div><div><br /></div><div> My most recent submissions include:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Has God Stopped Pursuing Me?"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"How to Increase Your Faith in the New Year"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"4 Ways a Prayer Made In Faith Yields Results"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"4 Ways the Gospel can Reduce Stress and Anxiety in our Daily Lives"</i></div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you will join me at IBelieve.com. 😊</div><div><br /></div><div>I am truly enjoying writing again and am so grateful to the IBelieve team for allowing me the opportunity to write for them for God's glory.</div>Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-32035022605439821392023-10-24T12:14:00.001-04:002024-01-10T13:47:41.847-05:00Exciting News! Choosing To Trust God Companion Journal - 30 Practical Exercises to Break the Habit of Worry<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTFGBFZ-uSmc5VkcjQrGt1pLr65aER_4iy2ovs05kQgvaHSxBF0UpZBPps5kMnEVVrOyI1bVRS1kFMC_F8BUKNzN3QoLnmq9x5z5IObn2YPkDoIpw_4KYXBKJeheo-IVsB9DgDKfYHO9Uwl916ceiNH-vajHgWxXPsWTu8PvmyoNkH3_77WAkau3gQdQb/s1080/Revised%20Blog%20Post%20Image%20Choosing%20to%20Trust%20God%20Companion%20Journal.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Breaking the habit of worry" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTFGBFZ-uSmc5VkcjQrGt1pLr65aER_4iy2ovs05kQgvaHSxBF0UpZBPps5kMnEVVrOyI1bVRS1kFMC_F8BUKNzN3QoLnmq9x5z5IObn2YPkDoIpw_4KYXBKJeheo-IVsB9DgDKfYHO9Uwl916ceiNH-vajHgWxXPsWTu8PvmyoNkH3_77WAkau3gQdQb/w400-h400/Revised%20Blog%20Post%20Image%20Choosing%20to%20Trust%20God%20Companion%20Journal.png" title="Choosing to Trust God Companion Journal" width="400" /></a></div><br /><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!</span></h2><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Hello Friends! It's been a while - three years to be exact! </p><p>As my last post, <a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/12/Note-to-New-Christian-Blogger-5-Key-Lessons.html" target="_blank">A Note to the Christian Blogger: 5 Key Lessons I Learned in 5 Years of Blogging</a>, mentioned, I felt the Lord calling me to have a greater role in my ministry as helpmate to my Associate Pastor husband, helping out with the needs of my children and grandchildren, and serving as the women's ministry leader at my church. At that time, I didn't realize just how much life would happen. These last three years I have experienced A LOT of leaning into God's grace through various significant trials - 2023 being the most intense. I had to put into practice all the lessons I wrote about right here on this blog which, I will admit, wasn't easy. There was one conversation in particular with my brother when he said to me in the most non-judgmental, empathetic and encouraging way, "go read the devotional you wrote". This gentle reminder convicted me because I was reminded that this blog and the devotional I wrote,<u> Choosing to Trust God, Breaking the Habit of Worry,</u> was built on Truths to combat anxiety. So you could say I had a "put your money where your mouth is" kinda moment. For those of you who aren't familiar with the story behind the creation of the devotional, you can read about it <a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/04/choosing-to-trust-god-breaking-habit-of-worry.html" target="_blank">here.</a> </p><p>Along with many trials, this year has also brought a major life change for me. Since my last published blog post, I had the privilege of homeschooling my granddaughter while babysitting my grandson. It was a joy to watch Lexi learn and grow. I LOVE spending time with my grandchildren. That season has now come to an end with my granddaughter entering third grade public school and my grandson attending pre-k. I am proud to report that they are both flourishing and happy. With this latest life-season change, I am prayerfully considering what God would have me do next within my role as a Pastor's wife and in women's ministry, but also how can I use the new free time that I have.</p><p>There are a few directions I feel the Lord is leading me in, but for now, I took a small step of faith borne out of my intense year of trials which leads to my exciting news!</p><p>I have written a Companion Journal to be used in tandem with the <u>Choosing to Trust God, Breaking the Habit of Worry</u> devotional to further help facilitate the habit of giving your worries to the Lord on a daily basis. <b> </b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;"><span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">Each entry of the Companion Journal corresponds with a daily devotional entry FROM </span><span class="OYPEnA text-strikethrough-none text-decoration-underline"><u>Choosing to Trust God, Breaking the Habit of Worry</u></span></span></b><span class="OYPEnA text-strikethrough-none text-decoration-none"><span style="color: #783f04;">.</span> Within the pages of the Companion Journal you will find a personal question related to that day’s devotion. You will also find a Scripture prompt where you will look up and record Bible verses that directly speak to the area of concern you raised in the answer portion of the personal question. In addition, you will be prompted to pray, casting your anxiety upon the Lord. There is space provided to record any additional Scripture verses or Truths that the Lord brings to your mind in prayer. The journal entry pages will also have a reflective question for you to document either immediately or at a point in the future how the Lord moved in that situation. Finally, there are additional lined pages provided at the back of the journal for any further insights you would like to record from your 30 day journey of breaking the habit of worry.</span></span></p><p>The devotional, of course, can still be read on its own, BUT I created the <u>Choosing to Trust God Companion Journal </u>to be used WITH the devotional as a way to enhance the devotional's experience by DIGGING DEEPER into the why behind the reader's own struggles with worry through the personal question prompt, the prayer prompt, the Scripture work, and most especially the reflective question which answer may surprise you as you might discover its YOUR perspective that changed and not necessarily the object of your worry. Too often, we read a book meant to help us heal in a particular area, but then too easily we forget what we learned as the weeks, months and years go on. <b><span style="color: #783f04;">The Companion Journal puts feet to what you are reading in the devotional</span></b>, and therefore, in my opinion, will bring about a more resolute and lasting result for breaking the habit of worry.</p><p class="cvGsUA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="--font-size: 14.459px; --line-height: 1.4; line-height: 20px;"><span class="OYPEnA white-space-prewrap text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><div style="--font-size: 14.459px; --line-height: 1.4; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What a beautiful way to memorialize, much like the Psalmist David did, how God showed His faithfulness in those circumstances that initially caused you anxiety. You will find yourself returning to this journal for encouragement and inspiration in the years to come as you continually choose to trust God.</span></div><p class="cvGsUA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="--font-size: 14.459px; --line-height: 1.4; font-family: "YAFdJjTk5UU 0", _fb_, auto; line-height: 20px;"><span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none white-space-prewrap" style="font-style: italic;"></span></p><p>If you already own a copy of <u>Choosing to Trust God, Breaking the Habit of Worry, A 30 Day Devotional </u>and you would like to purchase a copy of the Companion Journal, you can click on the link below:</p><p><a href=" https://www.amazon.com/Choosing-Trust-God-Companion-Journal/dp/B0CLGHWDKN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TDYGA2P3BW3H&keywords=Choosing+to+Trust+God+Companion+Journal&qid=1698089441&sprefix=choosing+to+trust+god+companion+journal%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-1 " target="_blank">Choosing to Trust God Companion Journal, 30 Practical Exercises to Break the Habit of Worry</a></p><p>If you don't already have a copy of <u>Choosing to Trust God, Breaking the Habit of Worry, a 30 Day Devotional</u> and you would like to purchase, click <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Choosing-Trust-God-Breaking-Devotional-ebook/dp/B086927LPN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2V458SWA0ZJ15&keywords=Choosing+to+Trust+God+Breaking+the+Habit+of+Worry&qid=1698163775&sprefix=choosing+to+trust+god+breaking+the+habit+of+worry%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-1" target="_blank">here.</a></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">My hope for the Choosing to Trust God Companion Journal is that it will serve as a practical application before the Lord to build your trust and faith in Him and that it will provide a medium for God’s healing from the bondage of worry. I will be going on this journey along with you and am excited to begin!</span></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-60408234940211373742020-12-07T00:00:00.114-05:002020-12-07T00:00:00.222-05:00A Note to the New Christian Blogger: 5 Key Lessons I Learned in 5 Years of Blogging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoD3GHzS4sogPD__xTcSWWKRm7HC3VNbjXvhnQ3ESRbT81P01dn9EmdNsprZRUfsQbSpsy4clh2Bqg2oEmddSwzTgkAPtuZbwnVhPxK1Facd23Sl4Lvbp6O9ClaouXLN13sPpw-ocBmwo/s1500/A+Note+to+the+New+Christian+Blogger.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Yellow lined note pad" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoD3GHzS4sogPD__xTcSWWKRm7HC3VNbjXvhnQ3ESRbT81P01dn9EmdNsprZRUfsQbSpsy4clh2Bqg2oEmddSwzTgkAPtuZbwnVhPxK1Facd23Sl4Lvbp6O9ClaouXLN13sPpw-ocBmwo/w426-h640/A+Note+to+the+New+Christian+Blogger.png" title="A Note to the New Christian Blogger: 5 Key Lessons I Learned in 5 Years of Blogging" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Five years ago I embarked on the journey of Christian blogging at which time I created <u>Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge</u>. In my desire to go deeper into God's Word, I wrote content for this blog to humbly share insights that I had gained for the purpose of bringing encouragement and hope to gracious readers that together we would grow in the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. {You can read my first post, <u><i>Beginnings - in the Lord's Time</i> </u><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2015/01/beginnings-in-lords-time.html" target="_blank">here</a> where I describe my call to blogging.}<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Although I did not share this in that very first post, I had set a timeframe for myself to blog for five years and then to see where the Lord would lead me and whether it was His desire for me to continue blogging.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Over these past five years, I experienced God's presence and power working through me as I wrote. Time after time when I was finished writing a post, I would look at the words on the screen and think to myself, "Did I write that??". When I respond all Glory to God when offered any praise for my writing, I mean it. I personally don't feel that I am gifted in writing, but God... His leading produced content that I was proud of, all for His Glory.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge</u> has not been a popular blog by the world's standards, but it has been a humble blog which has afforded me opportunities to meet several amazing Christian women who although I have never seen them in person, have become great friends. I wrote more about this in my post <u><i>The Blessings of Blogger Fellowship </i></u>which you can read about <a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-blessings-of-blogger-fellowship.html" target="_blank">here.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As the title of my blog implies, this blog is about growth, and with growth, comes change, even for the writer of the content. Four years into my blogging journey, I had an epiphany of sorts regarding my blog which you can read about <a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2019/03/growing-together-in-grace-knowledge.html" target="_blank">here</a> in my post <u>Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge - REASSESSMENT</u> where I share about some of the struggles I experienced in my blogging journey.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The fifth year of my blog, the year I purposed to set out to seek the Lord for His will concerning the blog's future, I spent learning everything I could about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) with the desire to reach more people organically with the Word of God. I learned how to plan out the blogging year, how to research for long-tail keywords and keywords in general, and to write for my niche. Until that point, I wasn't writing to a specific audience per se, but I was <i>just</i> writing what the Lord laid on my heart. As I looked through my posts, I realized that indeed I was already being led to write to a niche by "providing Biblical insights encouraging people to grow in and through their struggles while equipping them to overcome." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And although my organic reach multiplied from 30 to over 300 a month, I felt like I lost something along the way...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: large;"><b>5 Key Lessons I Learned in 5 Years of Blogging </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-weight: normal;">LESSON #1 - Relationship with Fellow Bloggers</span></h3><div style="text-align: left;">Just like Christianity is about a relationship with Jesus, first and foremost, your blog must be about relationships - relationships with your fellow bloggers, fellow Christians and your fellow man. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I first began blogging, link-up parties were a great way to meet other Christian bloggers. And even though link-ups seem to be waning of late, I feel they are so important for building relationships with other Faith bloggers. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You will hear differing opinions about this, that link-ups "hurt" your blog because people will just click on your page quickly, leave and not engage, negatively effecting your "bounce rate" OR that link-ups waste time that could be spent producing content.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am here to tell you now that although I am a rule follower and always engaged with any post I visited at a link-up party, I wish I had been much more intentional in this area of blogging, to really seek out and build meaningful relationships through link-ups by visiting many faith bloggers, not just the "obligatory one". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When you build relationships in the beginning of your blogging journey, you will build up a subscriber base, but more importantly, you will be part of a community of Christian bloggers that support and promote each other. Through that mutual support and promotion, you will reach more people with your blog posts for the purpose of edifying, encouraging and bringing Glory to God. Organic traffic via SEO implementation may bring you more visitors, but they will more than likely just be passing by. Your subscribers are invested in you as you will be invested in them. They will be faithful in their visits and engagement.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As a Christian blogger this might be THE most important lesson I learned from blogging and one that <i>could have </i>actually changed the decision about the future of the blog which I will share later in this post...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-weight: normal;">LESSON #2 - Relationship with Fellow Christians</span></h3><div style="text-align: left;">People who know me will tell you I am an open book. I will share my struggles and am very transparent about it. This is a quality I like in other people as well. Authenticity and realness. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As Believers, we aren't supposed to have it "all together". In fact, it is in our weakness and struggles that we are the most powerful witnesses for Christ. By sharing, in full transparency, we are allowing opportunities for fellow Christians to come along side of us and pray; allowing opportunities for us to encourage another Believer in their own struggle, iron sharpening iron; and allowing opportunities to show God's faithfulness by spurring on another's faith as ours had been increased in and through the struggle.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If we are not careful in <i>how </i>we write for SEO, a fellow Christian visiting our blog will not find another Believer who might struggle as they do or is writing from their own personal testimony of God's provision and faithfulness, but will come upon cold words written like a "how-to" article for Christians. </div><div style="text-align: left;">We Believers are made for community and our blogs should reflect a citizen of Heaven ready to come alongside a fellow Believer in Christian fellowship through an authentic, personable blog.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-weight: normal;">LESSON #3 - Relationship with Fellow Man</span></h3><div style="text-align: left;">Despite what SEO experts might say as far as writing mechanics, Christian blogs are NOT the same as lifestyle or business blogs. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When a person is searching for lifestyle information or business information, a search engine result will lead them to an article describing specifics for their need. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When an unbeliever is searching for the deep things of God through Google, they are not looking for a wooden article, but are looking for a live, empathetic, feeling person who has either been where they are or has come through with Godly wisdom and is writing to bring hope and encouragement to their readers. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Christian bloggers are missing out on opportunities to truly minister to unbelievers if their posts are written as articles to inform rather than Words of life, written with feeling, by a servant of the Lord, translating through the computer screen as a genuine person who cares for them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-weight: normal;">LESSON #4 - Stay True to Yourself and God</span></h3><div>As I mentioned earlier, with growth comes change, but sometimes that change can remove the joy you once had for blogging. </div><div><br /></div><div>In a world where there are probably literally millions of blogs out there, you might wonder, what's the point of blogging? The answer to that question is different for every Christian blogger. We all have different reasons for blogging and all manner of Christian subject matter that we are either passionate about or gifted in to write content about.</div><div><br /></div><div>To ensure that you remain joyful in your service to the Lord through the ministry of Christian blogging, check in with yourself as you begin writing content for your blog - weekly at first, then monthly, then semi-annually and so on. See if there are areas that you are happy with, areas that need improvement and areas where you could stretch yourself further, all the while remaining true to yourself and your vision for the blog. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's so easy to get caught up in numbers, reach and engagement, but it could be that the Lord has set up your blog for such a time as this to reach just a few people, yet in profound ways. Ministering to just one person for the Kingdom of God brings Glory to God. Glorifying God is not predicated on a large following. No, He is glorified by the call of your heart to even reach just one person with hope, encouragement, wisdom and the love of God.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even though SEO training will tell you that blogs are not supposed to be personal diaries or personal stories about your own experiences and instead should be impersonal articles that people can find via search engines, as a Christian blogger, you are called to be personal by sharing a personal God with your readers - a God who wants to be in relationship with His children. Your blogs reach is not dependent upon Google, but on the Lord who leads those He has chosen to read your content for His specific purposes and for His Glory.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-weight: normal;">LESSON #5 - Know When It's Time to Stop Blogging</span></h3><div>You might be wondering why a note to a new Christian Blogger would talk about knowing when to stop blogging, but as in all ministry work, it is always important to continually seek the Lord for His direction.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, at the start of my blog, I had said I would see where the Lord would lead me after five years of blogging and whether to continue. In this last year, the fifth year, I implemented SEO throughout all of my posts <i>to see if I could </i>expand my reach for the Kingdom of God. (As you can see, I had not fully learned the points from Lesson #4 above...). In the process, I found that I was selling myself out, not being true to myself and not at all being authentic. I was writing to the long-tail keywords that Google suggested rather than creating content that the Lord placed on my heart to share - the whole beginning purpose of my blog! It's not that the SEO blog content was bad. It's not that the Lord didn't lead me as I wrote. In fact, it read like a Bible study which again isn't bad, but I was losing sight of myself and God in the process and simply writing for reach. <i>{Just to clarify, I am not judging those who use SEO. It definitely has usefulness. But I personally feel that for a Christian blog, if you choose to employ SEO, make sure to keep a part of yourself in the content which will make a genuine article that reads like talking to a friend.}</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Although my reach grew (hardly at all by popular blog standards), but grew none-the-less, their was no engagement and people were just "bouncing" off the site as the post's content was probably not what they thought it would be from Google's search suggestions.</div><div><br /></div><div>I began praying a couple of months ago about whether to continue writing for <u>Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge.</u> I put 120% into my blog posts and spend a lot of time on them. And although I mentioned that blogging for one still brings glory to God and might be how the Lord wants to use you in that season, in the season I am in now, I was beginning to wonder if I was not being a good steward of my time for the Lord. This was driven home to me by the following passage:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.…</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Galations 6:9-10</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I was growing weary of writing for the blog and I wasn't finding the same joy in it that I once did. You see, in the last year, my life and ministry plate has been filled to overflowing. And although the first half of the verse might say that I should not give up blogging, it is the second half of the verse that confirmed God's will for me at this time of my life. "Therefore, <b>as we have opportunity</b>, let us do good to everyone, and <b>especially to the family of faith</b>."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The front and center <i>opportunities </i>that are in my life right now are helpmate to my Associate Pastor husband, the needs of my children and grandchildren, and ministering to the women at my church. I was finding that the many opportunities God had placed right in front of me, I ended up resenting or feeling depleted in because I was also working on the blog. This became a tipping point for me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>I say all of this to point out that even if my experiment with SEO yielded thousands and thousands of daily visitors and my engagement for the blog quadrupled, the Lord had other plans for me... Whether my blog was wildly successful by the world's standards or as it stands now, a humble blog with a small reach, God is saying it is time to stop writing new content for this ministry and to instead focus on the work of the ministries that are right in front of me where I have opportunity to make the most of the time...</div><div><br /></div><div>Your blog may go on for 30 years! God's plans for the work He prepared for us to do before the worlds began are, of course, unique to everyone. This is my story. But I wanted to share as an example for how the Lord can work when He redirects our ministry efforts, whether it be with a shift within ourselves, a life that happens or new ministry opportunities. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>I can tell you that these past five years of blogging have been such a blessing to me, and I praise God for the content that would not be on this blog if it were not for Him. Indeed it has been a blessing to grow together in grace and knowledge with all those who took their precious time to read my blog posts. I will certainly miss them and blogging, but I am excited for this next chapter of ministry.</div><div><br /></div></div><div>It is my hope and prayer that as you embark on your journey as a new Christian blogger that you will remember these lessons I learned along the way by building meaningful relationships, staying true to yourself and God, and continually assessing your blogging ministry aligning it with God's will. </div><div><br /></div><div>May the Lord bless the work of your blog.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Proverbs 16:3</b></i></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: x-small;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><b>You might find me on these link-ups:</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="color: #38761d;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="https://www.embracingtheunexpected.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Grace & Truth</span></a>, </i><i><a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Woman to Woman Ministries</span></a>,</i><i> </i></span></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://anitaojeda.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Inspire Me Monday</span></a></span></i></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;">A Wise Women Builds Her Home</a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Spiritual Sundays</a>,<span style="color: #38761d;"> <a href="http://donnareidland.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Soul Survival</span></a>, G<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/category/good-morning-mondays-link-party/"><span style="color: #38761d;">ood Morning Mondays</span></a>, <a href="http://marygeisen.com/tellhisstory/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Tell His Story</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="http://www.simplemomentsstick.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith & Fellowship Blog Hop</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></span></i><i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="http://www.sarahefrazer.com/" style="color: #38761d;"> </a><a href="http://www.sarahefrazer.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Tuesday Talk</a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://countingmyblessings.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith 'N Friends</span></a><span style="color: #274e13;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://youresewtrendy.blogspot.com/" style="color: #274e13;">S<span style="color: #38761d;">itting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">House to Home</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> ,</span><a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wonderful Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> , </span><a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Literacy Musings Mondays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/" style="color: #38761d;">I<span style="color: #38761d;">mparting Grace</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Dance with Jesus</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mommynificent.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Booknificent Thursdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://crystaltwaddell.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Fresh Market Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Moments of Hope</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wonderful Wednesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> ,</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://faithadventures.me/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Tea & Word Tuesday</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/blog/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouragement Thursday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.marissawrites.com/2016/10/hearts-for-home-106.html" style="color: #38761d;">Hearts for Home</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Messy Marriage Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://afiremanswife.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Friday at the Fire Station Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://debbiekitterman.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Tune In Thursday</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.lylidunbar.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith on Fire Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://peabea.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday Scripture Blessings Link-up</span></a></span><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://mom-gene.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday Thoughts</span></a>, </span><a href="http://becomingpress.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Writer Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith Filled Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.godsizeddreams.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">God Sized Dreams Link-Up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://jaimewiebel.com/blog/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sitting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.betheeinspired.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Be Thee Inspired</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.aboundinggrace.co/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Graceful Tuesday Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://aboutachik.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Aprons & Pearls Link-up</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.trekkingthru.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank">T<span style="color: #38761d;">rekkingthru Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mississippimom.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Word Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">G</span><span style="color: #38761d;">race Moments Link-up</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://apronstringsotherthings.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Hearts and Home</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://www.worthbeyondrubies.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Worth Beyond Rubies</span></a> </span><a href="https://aspiritofsimplicity.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Seeking Sabbath</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Scripture and a Snapshot</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://welcomeheart.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Welcome Heart</span></a> </span><a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://outdoorsymommy.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Outdoorsy Mommy</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://anchoredabode.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Anchored Truth Tuesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.instaencouragements.com/blog">I<span style="color: #38761d;">nstaEncouragements</span></a> <a href="https://bluecottonmemory.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Remember Me Mondays</span></a></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://soaringwithhim.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Recharge Wednesdays</span></a> <a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a></span></div>Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-40633543451725978532020-11-30T00:00:00.001-05:002020-11-30T00:00:08.509-05:005 Ways to Navigate the Chaos of Your Life <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXL215S3o-YJMwhJaJ0ZtwOfdyeBm2MGZqZ6zvjPM0reFnn7mNI2xL630oCq7fBRQoSfCRYclogjEeJ9FZYNJr_A3hTIxy6pFDj9pexWxktueJXdcS4BKG_hIu_ICVU0Jt-b_XDjh6uyz8/s1500/5+Ways+to+Navigate+the+Chaos+of+Your+Life.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="black background with white fast motion highway with red streaks heading toward pine tree covered low hill" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXL215S3o-YJMwhJaJ0ZtwOfdyeBm2MGZqZ6zvjPM0reFnn7mNI2xL630oCq7fBRQoSfCRYclogjEeJ9FZYNJr_A3hTIxy6pFDj9pexWxktueJXdcS4BKG_hIu_ICVU0Jt-b_XDjh6uyz8/w426-h640/5+Ways+to+Navigate+the+Chaos+of+Your+Life.png" title="5 Ways to Navigate the Chaos of Your Life" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">It wasn’t really expected.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Maybe it should have been.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">However, I never saw it coming.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In the span of about 24 hours, several crazy storms collided together to form the perfect storm in my little world.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Several close relatives (including my son) contracted COVID. Also, unexpected doors closed and some unexpected bills appeared—all as the noises of crazy politics were streaming in the background.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">When I woke up the morning after all of the waves, winds, waters, and issues all clashed and clamored into my world, I began to pray.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">My prayer was simple… what do I do with all of this, Lord?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Maybe you’ve been there lately as well, wondering what to do with the anxiety, the crazy, exhausting, and the unbelievable things in your life.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">It’s possible you have also prayed as I did asking God what you should do with the chaos.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">As I began to pray, open the Bible, and journal, a few very simple thoughts formed. I share them with you today because they have helped me so much.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Here are 5 ways to navigate the chaos of your life:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">First, talk to God about the chaos of your life.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Open your mouth, your heart, your notebook, and tell God what you are feeling. Dump out the cares of your life onto Him.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">He is well-able to listen and handle your concerns!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Philippians 4:6 tells us, <i>“</i></span><i><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In Psalm 62:8, we are encouraged with these words, <i>“</i></span><i><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Pour out your heart to him, for God, is our refuge.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">So, take everything that is on your heart, driving you crazy, waking you up, and disturbing your peace and talk to God about it!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Second, praise God right in the middle of the chaos of your life.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Yes. I said praise.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In Psalm 95:1-2, we are told, <i>“</i></span><i><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh come, let us sing to the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">We don’t praise God because things are great, we praise Him because He is great!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Indeed, we don’t worship God because we like everything that’s happening around us, we worship Him because He is still completely in control of everything.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">So, to get your praise muscles flexing, try this activity.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Start with the letter A, and praise God for the attributes you appreciate that start with the letter, A. Do the same with B and continue through the alphabet.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Here are a few examples to get you started:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">A – Awesome, Amazing, Able, Astounding</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">B – Blessed, Big, Bountiful, Beloved</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">C – Caring, Compassionate, Creator, Close</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Third, turn on some inspirational music and let it move you!</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Music has the power to stir our souls and lead us to hope.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">There is something about the lyrics, the notes, the chords, the rhythms, and the melodies that can lift us up.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">You can find music on your phone, on the radio, on old records, old CD’s, on YouTube, or on a music service. Many of our cable services also offer music stations.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Here are a few types of music to try:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Christian/Gospel Music</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Instrumental/Classical Music</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Christmas Music</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Old Favorites</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Any music that lifts you up and inspires you</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Fourth, get outside during the chaos of your life.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">There is something about getting outdoors that makes everything seem better.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">When we see God’s creation and remember how powerful He is, life seems more bearable.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Colossians 1:16-17 reminds us, <i>“</i></span><i><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">So, take a walk, sit on the porch, work in the yard, drive with the windows down, or play with your kids outside.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">You will feel better!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Finally, try a change of scenery during the chaos of your life.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In the crazy days of this year, a change of scenery is greatly effective and helpful.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Why not get out of the house and go somewhere else?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Even if money is tight, here are a few suggestions:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Head to a local park to walk or ride bikes.</span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Find a place to hike and get out in the woods.</span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Find a restaurant serving outdoors, and go out to eat.</span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Take a drive through a pretty area of your city.</span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Go visit friends/family members.</span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Stay one night at a hotel or rental property – just to getaway.</span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Get out and take pictures together in your area.</span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Meet a friend and walk together 6 feet apart.</span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Visit an outdoor or drive-up church.</span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Go to the drive-in movies.</span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Visit a holiday lights display in your area.</span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Come up with a service project you can do as a family – rake your neighbor’s leaves.</span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Walk in your neighborhood together or all by yourself.</span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Check your local paper for activities that are still happening in your area that will get you out of the house.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">There is something refreshing about a change of scenery.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">It will do you so much good to get out of your house!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Conclusion:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">As I’m writing this article, I’m happy to let you know that my son and other family members are all healing and feeling much better.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Those closed doors can stay closed because I believe God just has something better.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In addition, those extra bills have been paid. Thankfully.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">As for the politics, that one is out of my control. I voted, and now I pray.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Honestly, my plan is to enter this holiday season praying, praising, moving to inspiring music, getting outside as much as possible and enjoying a change of scenery as often as possible.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">How about you?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">How will you enter this season?</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa4EYTKRTpdAZ1iKUIoJ9nG7zlQ_DSN8B9bXuP3Anp-cAVDpuASxcJBaCqGIy6PmlZ9uGyJilpPH2VgaQh75pO7WZU53uUeWqVS6uJk0et1mixD3kMc3RDPspeHL-TvmAjLDwWdVj8hM0/s1333/Melanie+Redd+headshot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa4EYTKRTpdAZ1iKUIoJ9nG7zlQ_DSN8B9bXuP3Anp-cAVDpuASxcJBaCqGIy6PmlZ9uGyJilpPH2VgaQh75pO7WZU53uUeWqVS6uJk0et1mixD3kMc3RDPspeHL-TvmAjLDwWdVj8hM0/s320/Melanie+Redd+headshot.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Offering hope, inspiration, & encouragement as a speaker, blogger, author, wife, mom, & Optavia Health Coach!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Hope Website - https://melanieredd.com/</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Email - helloredds@gmail.com</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><b>"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up…" </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><b>1 Thessalonians 5:11</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><i>Melanie is a Christian blogger, Motivational Speaker and Author. She’s written five books and has a sixth book coming out in December.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>She’s been married to Randy for the past 30 years and serving alongside him in ministry.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Additionally, she’s mom to two awesome young adults and a crazy Australian Shepherd.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>God’s grace never ceases to amaze her.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>You can find out more about Melanie & her ministry at www.melanieredd.com.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>You can connect with Melanie here:</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Facebook</i></div><div><i>Instagram</i></div><div><i>Pinterest</i></div><div><i>Twitter</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Ministry Synopsis:</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>The Ministry of Hope is all about helping others to succeed in ministry and in life. All of our messages, written materials, blog posts, and resources are designed to offer hope and encouragement.</i></div></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: x-small;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><b>You might find me on these link-ups:</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="color: #38761d;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="https://www.embracingtheunexpected.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Grace & Truth</span></a>, </i><i><a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Woman to Woman Ministries</span></a>,</i><i> </i></span></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://anitaojeda.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Inspire Me Monday</span></a></span></i></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;">A Wise Women Builds Her Home</a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Spiritual Sundays</a>,<span style="color: #38761d;"> <a href="http://donnareidland.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Soul Survival</span></a>, G<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/category/good-morning-mondays-link-party/"><span style="color: #38761d;">ood Morning Mondays</span></a>, <a href="http://marygeisen.com/tellhisstory/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Tell His Story</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="http://www.simplemomentsstick.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith & Fellowship Blog Hop</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></span></i><i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="http://www.sarahefrazer.com/" style="color: #38761d;"> </a><a href="http://www.sarahefrazer.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Tuesday Talk</a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://countingmyblessings.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith 'N Friends</span></a><span style="color: #274e13;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://youresewtrendy.blogspot.com/" style="color: #274e13;">S<span style="color: #38761d;">itting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">House to Home</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> ,</span><a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wonderful Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> , </span><a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Literacy Musings Mondays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/" style="color: #38761d;">I<span style="color: #38761d;">mparting Grace</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Dance with Jesus</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mommynificent.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Booknificent Thursdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://crystaltwaddell.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Fresh Market Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Moments of Hope</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wonderful Wednesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> ,</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://faithadventures.me/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Tea & Word Tuesday</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/blog/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouragement Thursday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.marissawrites.com/2016/10/hearts-for-home-106.html" style="color: #38761d;">Hearts for Home</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Messy Marriage Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://afiremanswife.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Friday at the Fire Station Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://debbiekitterman.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Tune In Thursday</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.lylidunbar.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith on Fire Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://peabea.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday Scripture Blessings Link-up</span></a></span><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://mom-gene.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday Thoughts</span></a>, </span><a href="http://becomingpress.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Writer Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith Filled Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.godsizeddreams.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">God Sized Dreams Link-Up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://jaimewiebel.com/blog/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sitting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.betheeinspired.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Be Thee Inspired</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.aboundinggrace.co/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Graceful Tuesday Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://aboutachik.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Aprons & Pearls Link-up</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.trekkingthru.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank">T<span style="color: #38761d;">rekkingthru Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mississippimom.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Word Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">G</span><span style="color: #38761d;">race Moments Link-up</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://apronstringsotherthings.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Hearts and Home</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://www.worthbeyondrubies.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Worth Beyond Rubies</span></a> </span><a href="https://aspiritofsimplicity.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Seeking Sabbath</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Scripture and a Snapshot</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://welcomeheart.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Welcome Heart</span></a> </span><a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://outdoorsymommy.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Outdoorsy Mommy</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://anchoredabode.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Anchored Truth Tuesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.instaencouragements.com/blog">I<span style="color: #38761d;">nstaEncouragements</span></a> <a href="https://bluecottonmemory.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Remember Me Mondays</span></a></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://soaringwithhim.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Recharge Wednesdays</span></a> <a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p>Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-90818593626240621162020-11-23T00:00:00.067-05:002020-11-23T00:00:02.178-05:00Why Praise is Your Greatest Spiritual Weapon Against Sin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ire2_4ROQxarupDR5llaH0nmmeKd8gBIH0rzCBXwFwrXuJUX77DuhX5dcwI2I8FWZcMwGqnxgMcG7il5x8U2k_cgc6oJjUC-djicQL_of6u-BdV3JF2ChcRPmXMcOeYCcr8Oxw2FXIb0/s1500/Why+Praise+is+Your+Greatest+Spiritual+Weapon+Against+Sin.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pink painted flowers occupying top right and lower left corners on yellow background" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ire2_4ROQxarupDR5llaH0nmmeKd8gBIH0rzCBXwFwrXuJUX77DuhX5dcwI2I8FWZcMwGqnxgMcG7il5x8U2k_cgc6oJjUC-djicQL_of6u-BdV3JF2ChcRPmXMcOeYCcr8Oxw2FXIb0/w426-h640/Why+Praise+is+Your+Greatest+Spiritual+Weapon+Against+Sin.png" title="Why Praise is Your Greatest Spiritual Weapon Against Sin" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">They say that we can't have a negative thought when we are feeling grateful. That being the case, gratitude is the antidote for negativity. Negativity effects not only our own Christian walk and well-being, but it also brings those around us down which is a very poor testimony. There is something else that reflects a very poor testimony, and that is when we are actively sinning against God. In our fallen state, we WILL sin. Yet much like how gratitude squashes negative thoughts, we have a spiritual weapon within our arsenal that acts in a similar fashion against sin - PRAISE! Praising God has the power to squash sin in a Believer's life. Let's look deeper into why praise is our greatest spiritual weapon against sin. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Praise as a Weapon of Warfare</span></i></h2><div>First we must look to Scripture to understand what spiritual warfare is...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Ephesians 6:12</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>and take every thought captive to obey Christ.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>2 Corinthians 10:3-5</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">There is an ongoing spiritual battle for the hearts of men as satan wants to turn the focus away from God. But for those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, the battle is already won as Christ overcame sin and death when He died on the cross and then rose from the dead. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When we remember God's great salvation through Jesus Christ, our Joy in the Lord and subsequent praise becomes a weapon of warfare, and I would argue our greatest spiritual weapon against our own sinful bents here on earth.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Because I rejoice in Your salvation.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>1 Samuel 2:1b</b></i></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Here we see how joy (praising God for His great salvation) is a powerful weapon against sin and satan. When we are tempted by sin or actively sinning, it seems counter to rejoice and praise God in the midst of that sin. But here we are not talking about the praise that comes from inner happiness, we are talking about joy in the Lord, remembering that great salvation that saved us from our sin, that removed our sins as far as the East is from the West.</div><div><br /></div><div>In this way, our praises to God will silence the enemy within that is tempting us in all manner of sin, and will give us strength to turn away from that sin. An attitude of praise creates an atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to work within and without in a powerful way.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>“Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> to silence the foe and the avenger.” </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Psalm 8:2 </b></i></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #ff00fe;">The Spiritual Weapon of Praise Ignites our Faith</span></i></h2><div>As we talked about earlier, we don't feel like praising God when we are in the thick of the battle. Typically in those situations our focus is upon the battle before us, whether it is dealing with the sin of someone else or dealing with the battle that rages inside of us against sin, a battle that seems like a losing one at times...</div><div><br /></div><div>But when we praise God in the battle, our spiritual weapon of praise will ignite our faith. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>1 Timothy 6:12 </b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>Here we see again the power of the cross fighting sin as we navigate these earthly lives. When we praise God, our faith in the salvation that we received at the foot of the cross will ignite and will remind us that Jesus' salvation is ours every minute of every day. This Faith will fight for us with assurance from the ever-present Helper to destroy the sin that so easily entangles us in our earthly lives. Rejoicing in our salvation is the best defense against Satan's schemes.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #ff00fe;">The Spiritual Weapon of Praise Invites God into the Situation</span></i></h2><div>When we activate the spiritual weapon of praise, we are essentially inviting God into our circumstances. It may seem like the last thing one would want to do ESPECIALLY in the midst of sin and especially if we are liking that sin, but if we develop the habit of praising God for His salvation, which already removed our sin at the cross, we will experience the power of God to overcome sin in our lives, right in the moment, and the stronghold of Satan will be broken.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>2 Corinthians 5:13</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>When we rejoice in His goodness and faithful love, Perfect Love will cast out the fear or the shame we might feel about our sin and God will meet us in our sinful situation while He looks at us through the veil of Jesus' blood. The battle against sin has already been won by Jesus and He will fight for us here on earth and give us victory over sin. When we are convicted of sin and offer the Lord praise for what He has already done for us on the cross, He comes into our sinful situation, leads us to repentance and redeems it.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">The Spiritual Weapon of Praise Causes the Enemy to Flee</span></h2><div><div>When we take up the spiritual weapon of praise, we are submitting ourselves to the Lord and His power thereby resisting the devil which causes him to flee. Satan hates having attention taken away from him and put onto the Lord. So much so that he doesn't want to be in the presence of any offering of praise to the Lord. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>James 4:7 </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>1 Samuel 16:23 </i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The next time you are struggling with sin, take the focus off of self and your selfish desire to sin and place it back on the cross. As you meditate upon the cross, remember how Jesus took upon Himself an excruciating punishment for YOUR sins and rose again from the dead. Remember this wonderful act of love on the cross which already removed your sins on the day of your conversion. The old sinful man has died, the new man has already been born again. Praise God for your salvation and you will deploy your greatest weapon against sin which will ignite your faith, invite God into the situation and cause the enemy to flee! Now THAT is a three-pronged offensive!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>For similar posts, please click on the following:</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/05/how-does-god-use-my-failure.html" target="_blank">How Does God Use My Failure?</a></i></b><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-antidote-for-feeling-like-failure.html" target="_blank">The Antidote for Feeling like a Failure</a></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/01/key-scripture-verse-will-make-you-an-overcomer.html" target="_blank">A Key Scripture Verse that Will 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target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Word Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">G</span><span style="color: #38761d;">race Moments Link-up</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://apronstringsotherthings.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Hearts and Home</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://www.worthbeyondrubies.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Worth Beyond Rubies</span></a> </span><a href="https://aspiritofsimplicity.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Seeking Sabbath</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Scripture and a Snapshot</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://welcomeheart.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Welcome Heart</span></a> </span><a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://outdoorsymommy.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Outdoorsy Mommy</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://anchoredabode.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Anchored Truth Tuesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.instaencouragements.com/blog">I<span style="color: #38761d;">nstaEncouragements</span></a> <a href="https://bluecottonmemory.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Remember Me Mondays</span></a></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://soaringwithhim.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Recharge Wednesdays</span></a> <a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-17624443260676252092020-11-16T08:30:00.020-05:002020-11-16T09:08:15.646-05:00God's Provision When Your World is Falling Apart<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycKiDTel4mZP02idpbL0tKYbVXBULuYBsJNHTefEn481NL9gtk25YB_arqNRoUL8isNvBAwymbVcO7pLqnxxkH7kk0QrsIgjQo9027o-LNaR8DW3zYstxtYh5EIJv_-mgvUgyXf5Kw7UH/s1500/God%2527s+Provision+When+Your+World+is+Falling+Apart.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunset with skys of yellow streaked clouds, rushing waterfalls cascading over mountain in the foreground with a person with a red jacket standing below looking up at the scene" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycKiDTel4mZP02idpbL0tKYbVXBULuYBsJNHTefEn481NL9gtk25YB_arqNRoUL8isNvBAwymbVcO7pLqnxxkH7kk0QrsIgjQo9027o-LNaR8DW3zYstxtYh5EIJv_-mgvUgyXf5Kw7UH/w426-h640/God%2527s+Provision+When+Your+World+is+Falling+Apart.png" title="God's Provision When Your World is Falling Apart" width="426" /></a></div><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Did you know that God has a provision in place for you, even when your world is falling apart? Not only has He provided a means for you to navigate this time of distress, but He has provided Himself, His very presence to be with you when it feels like your world is falling apart. You might say, "If God was providing for me, wouldn't my world have stayed secure, wouldn't circumstances have held together in such a way that all would not seem out of control?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Let's look to the Old Testament for some answers...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Those of you familiar with the Old Testament know that King David had his fair share of troubles. In fact, a majority of the book of Psalms is written in response to times when David's world was falling apart, those times when his enemies relentlessly pursued him to the point that he was hiding in caves for his very life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />A key story in the life of King David happened when he made plans to bring the ark of the covenant back into their possession. The Ark of the Covenant was called "by the name, the Name of the Lord" and it contained the stone tablets on which were written the very laws of God. Not only that, God's presence resided within and around the Ark of the Covenant. In essence, God's provision and presence embodied the Ark of the Covenant. Once the Ark of the Covenant was in their possession, they were singing and rejoicing, but then the ark was mishandled in a manner outside of what the Lord commanded when Uzzah tried to save it from falling off the cart. As a result, the Lord struck Uzzah down and David became angry with God. David then became afraid of the Lord and didn't want the Ark of the Covenant near him and took it to the house of Obed-Edom where it remained for three months. As a result, the house of Obed-Edom was blessed during that time. When David saw their blessings, He overcame His fear and sought to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't we tend to behave this way when handling the Word of God, which is God's very provision and presence to us - a modern day Ark of the Covenant if you will. We mishandle the Word of Truth either not fully believing it, misinterpreting the Scriptures to justify our sin or not relying on it when we are fearful and our world is falling apart. We in essence become, dare I say, fearful or apathetic toward reading the Word because it is not serving us in the manner we feel it should.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How can we develop an attitude of singing and rejoicing over the Word of God; a desire to return to the Word, the very presence of God, where we will experience His provision? How do we look to the Word and allow it to permeate our thoughts to the point of molding our hearts to believe, trust and obey, ESPECIALLY when our world is falling apart?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">When Everything Falls Apart, God is There</span></h2><div>Having not personally experienced an earthquake, I did, however, experience the Universal Studios "ride" that mimics a violent earthquake. As someone with vertigo, I'm surprised I even attempted this! As the "ride" was reaching it's crescendo, I remember just wanting it to stop, not so much out of fear of getting hurt, as I was in a controlled simulation, but I didn't like the feeling of being so utterly out of control.</div><div><br /></div><div>Life can feel that way, can't it? We are either going at our usual pace or have set plans and then suddenly the rug gets pulled out from underneath and we feel like we are in an earthquake, completely and devastatingly out of control. We might be blindsided or our world may have been slowly but surely unraveling until it finally fell apart.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's face it, in times like these it can be hard to see that God is right there with us. The thing is, He never left our side. In fact, He allowed our circumstances to show Himself big in our midst.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b><i>A man’s heart plans his way,</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>But the Lord directs his steps.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Proverbs 16:9</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Even though our world has fallen apart, the God who upholds the world in His powerful hands is in complete control of our circumstances. He has a divine purpose in the rubble. Where we see out-of-control ruins, He sees glorious reconstruction.</div><div><br /></div><div>When we set our focus on the unseen God, we WILL see Him. We need only look to the Word, where His provision dwells and rely on the Holy Spirit, where His presence dwells, to guide us in right understanding of WHO our God is and to shed light on His purpose in our circumstances.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>I have set the Lord always before me: </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Psalm 16:8</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Even when our world has fallen apart, we need not be shaken to our very core for we need only to set God's Word ever before us, and we will not be moved.</div><div><br /></div><div>We must purpose to memorize Scripture so that when the earthquakes of life occur, we will be armed with God's provision and will stand firm in His presence.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">How to Trust God When Everything is Going Wrong</span></h2><div>Let's go back to the life of David, a man after God's own heart, a man set apart by God to be King, a man who Jesus would descend from, a man who sinned against God and a man who struggled with fear when his world was falling apart. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yet despite the fact that David struggled with fear, he always trusted God in all circumstances.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>“The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>and the bear will rescue me from this Phillistine!” </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>1 Sam 17:37</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>David was in the habit of remembering all that God had already done for him. God built up David's trust through one faithful act after another on His part which started when David was a young boy, as we see in the verse above.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Psalms are a testimony of David's remembrances of God's faithfulness. David had no reason NOT to trust God because He continually remembered how trustworthy He was.</div><div><br /></div><div>When everything is going wrong in our lives, we can trust God just like David. We can draw from past trust-building exercises with God from our own lives, but most especially, we can go to the entire Canon of Scripture to see ALL the reasons why we can trust God. </div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of the day, the only thing we can absolutely trust is God! His Word provides wisdom, strength, courage and comfort to the weary soul whose world has fallen apart. If we've lost everything, we've lost nothing because we will always have God and His Word and that is absolutely enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>We must allow ourselves to look at the Word of God as if looking directly at God. See Him as the One who is Trustworthy when that which we trusted to be constant has fallen apart. Like Job, we will then watch God rebuild our world in miraculous ways.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">How to Keep Faith When Everything Falls Apart</span></h2><div>King David was such a man of faith. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he wrote these famous words...</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Psalm 23:1-6</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Here we see a prescription for keeping the faith when everything falls apart (walking through the valley of the shadow of death).</div><div><br /></div><div>Here David is saying that there is no need to fear evil <i>or </i>to fear when everything falls apart because God is with us, His rod and His staff (the Word of God) comforts us. The Word convicts and directs, comforts and strengthens, all to ensure that we do not fall into evil. When our world falls apart, we may feel like something evil has happened, but God, He is faithful to lead us to the table prepared <i>"before us in the presence of our enemies, anointing or head while our cup overflows".</i> That table God has prepared are all His faithful promises. We have a banquet that is overflowing with God's provision for us to partake of when we <i>pull our chairs</i> <i>up</i> to God's promises contained in the Word of God.</div><div><br /></div><div>If we take a further lesson from David, we will see that when He couldn't find an immediate reason to bolster his faith, that didn't stop him from keeping his faith in God strong. Instead, he remembered back to what God had done hundreds of years before when He brought the Israelites out of the bondage of slavery into the promised land.</div><div><br /></div><div>When our world is falling apart and we are finding it hard to keep the faith, we must look to God's past faithful provision in our own lives. We can also look to the faithfulness of God to His people by reading those accounts in the Bible. As a result of these reflections, we will find ourselves keeping the faith, even though our world has fallen apart.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hide Scripture, the very presence of God, in your heart, so that if your world were to fall apart, you will experience the provision of His Perfect peace.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>For similar posts, click on the following:</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/06/are-you-relying-on-gods-help-4-reasons-you-should.html" target="_blank">Are You Relying on God's Help? 4 Reasons You Should!</a><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/06/5-practical-ways-to-feel-gods-presence.html" 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Snapshot</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://welcomeheart.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Welcome Heart</span></a> </span><a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://outdoorsymommy.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Outdoorsy Mommy</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://anchoredabode.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Anchored Truth Tuesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.instaencouragements.com/blog">I<span style="color: #38761d;">nstaEncouragements</span></a> <a href="https://bluecottonmemory.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Remember Me Mondays</span></a></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://soaringwithhim.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Recharge Wednesdays</span></a> <a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a></span></div></div></div>Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-11223914182605370292020-11-09T00:00:00.036-05:002020-11-09T00:00:00.244-05:003 Biblical Ways to Diffuse Your Fear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWMT1BXLUUUTQhNX6LFsH7mfetmW74AG7j28btTJbAxBhtLfY61QyxxltsdRu8Ox1qiKdc1kli16VhkK6xQupqnpIrj-voWnLNi4lFsM2BDUgpMEEYbmQRWoBMEcSlg2XVhdnvWKVpEbH/s1500/3+Biblical+Ways+to+Diffuse+Your+Fear.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black background with orange flames from a fire in the foreground" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWMT1BXLUUUTQhNX6LFsH7mfetmW74AG7j28btTJbAxBhtLfY61QyxxltsdRu8Ox1qiKdc1kli16VhkK6xQupqnpIrj-voWnLNi4lFsM2BDUgpMEEYbmQRWoBMEcSlg2XVhdnvWKVpEbH/w426-h640/3+Biblical+Ways+to+Diffuse+Your+Fear.png" title="3 Biblical Ways to Diffuse Your Fear" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have you ever met someone that has never experienced fear? No? Me either... Fear is a part of life because life has pain, stressful situations and sometimes even danger. In some cases, it is our perception that is causing the fear and not necessarily an actual situation. Whether our fears are based on reality or perceived circumstances, fear feels very uncomfortable. But we can have hope no matter why we feel fearful...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Let's look at 3 Biblical ways to diffuse our fear.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What Does God Say About Facing Your Fears?</span></h2><div>The subject of fear might be the most talked about emotion of the Bible. In fact, some have counted 365 times that the Word of God says, "Fear not". Not sure if this is accurate, but for the sake of argument that would be a "fear not" for every day of the year! </div><div><br /></div><div>The Lord tells us that He will help us in whatever we are fearing, real or imagined:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Do not fear; I will help you. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Isaiah 41:13</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>He will deliver us from our fears:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again."</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i> Exodus 14:13</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The Lord will give us confidence despite our fears:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>What can Man do to me?"</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i> Hebrews 13:6</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus will fill us with peace in the midst of our fears:</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>John 14:27</i></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div>God will be our stronghold when we are afraid:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Psalm 27:1</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>When we meditate upon the <i>God WILLS</i> of the Bible, our fears will be diffused.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What are the Ways to Overcome Fear?</span></h2><div>Gideon of the Bible was the poster child for saying "what if?" out of fear...</div><div><br /></div><div><div><i><b>And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” And he said to him, “Please, Lord, <u>how can I save Israel?</u><u> </u><u>Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.</u>” And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” And he said to him, If now I have found favor in your eyes, then show me a sign that it is you who speak with me. Please do not depart from here until I come to you and bring out my present and set it before you.” And he said, “I will stay till you return.”</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>So Gideon went into his house and prepared a young goat and unleavened cakes from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and the broth he put in a pot, and brought them to him under the terebinth and presented them. And the angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened cakes, and put them on this rock, and pour the broth over them.” And he did so. Then the angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>touched the meat and the unleavened cakes. And fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes. And the angel of the Lord vanished from his sight. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the Lord. And Gideon said,“Alas, </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.” But the Lord </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.”</b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Judges 6:14-23</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Here we see God answering Gideon's <i>what if</i> by saying "But <b>I will </b>be with you and <b>will</b> grant you success", but Gideon still looked for a sign to confirm this to be true. </div><div><br /></div><div>As the story goes, Gideon asked the Lord for two more signs. God showed compassion upon Gideon's fears and indulged him with the signs he had requested.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although seeking after signs is probably not the best way to proceed when looking for ways to overcome fear, if we look deeper at Gideon's motives, it would appear He knew that His Heavenly Father would be the means to accomplish all that He asked Gideon to do. As a result of the fear, He put all of his focus onto God, albeit misguided through requesting signs, but focus on God nonetheless, because he knew he couldn't trust in his own strength, but needed to wholly trust in the Lord's strength.</div><div><br /></div><div>When Gideon obeyed and moved forward trusting God's faithfulness, He overcame his fear and the Israelites were freed from seven years of oppression.</div><div><br /></div><div>What seems impossible for us to accomplish is ALWAYS possible with God.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>For with God nothing will be impossible.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Luke 1:37</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>So in what ways can WE overcome fear?...</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Holy Spirit Power</span></h3><div>The power of God was evidenced not only in the signs the Lord performed for Gideon, but also in the ultimate victory Gideon had over fear. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>2 Timothy 1:7</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>We who are in Christ Jesus have received the Holy Spirit, and when we truly seek after the power of the Holy Spirit and walk in His ways, we will have the wisdom of God guiding our thoughts, moving them away from fear, and redirecting them to God and His goodness. Our minds will diffuse any thoughts of fear because God's power is greater than our fear. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Holy Spirit Love</span></h3><div>The Lord showed such patience and love toward Gideon. He did not rebuke Gideon for His fear, but answered his requests for signs and brought him to victory. </div><div><br /></div><div>Even later on in the story of Gideon, the Lord again showed loving compassion to Gideon's troops by giving them a way out if they were fearful.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people: ‘Whoever is fearful and </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’ ” So twenty-two thousand </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>of them turned back, but ten thousand remained.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Judges 7:3</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>Indeed, the Lord was doing this so that Gideon's army would be small enough not to boast in their own strength so that God's power would be glorified. BUT it is still striking how the Lord used their fear and trembling as a way to bring them comfort by allowing them to turn back.</div><div><br /></div><div>And for us, even now, the Holy Spirit brings us comfort by telling us great and wonderful things, especially about God's great love for us. When we are in tune to the love of God, our fears will be diffused.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> has not been perfected in love.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>1 John 4:18</b></i></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Holy Spirit Self Control</span></h3><div>Although the Holy Spirit wasn't present yet <i>in</i> Old Testament saints as He is present within us now, Gideon had the power of God active in His life, and not only active in his life, but interacting with him about his life. In the same way, the Holy Spirit is constantly active in our lives. Too often, though, we are so consumed with our fears, that we fail to <i>hear</i> the still small voice speaking peace over our lives.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>John 14:27</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>When Jesus went to be with the Father, He told the disciples that He needed to do so in order that the Helper, the Holy Spirit could come. Indeed, when we received the Holy Spirit on the day of our Salvation we were sealed with Peace, peace with God and peace within our hearts.</div><div><br /></div><div>If we allow ourselves to be fearful, we are wasting the precious gift that has been given to us, a gift that lives inside of us.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is when we must put on self-control through the Holy Spirit by {<i>destroying} arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>When we allow fear to rule our lives, we are acting in disobedience to the Father and ignoring the self-control that is ours through the Holy Spirit.</div><div><br /></div><div>When we recognize the schemes of the devil to try to put us back into the bondage of fear and we respond in the self-control of the Holy Spirit, we will diffuse our fears.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Overcoming Fear and Living By Faith</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;">As we have seen thus far, every part of the God-head acts together to bring us peace when we are fearful. As Believers in Christ Jesus, during the 21st century, we may not have God's presence in the Tabernacle here on earth with a cloud by day or a pillar of fire by night; we may not be walking along the roads with Jesus as His disciples did, BUT we do have the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us who constantly whispers in our ears, <i>this is the way, walk in it...</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We can look to the whole Canon of Scripture to find example after example of God's faithfulness in very fearful things such as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace when Jesus was right there with them in the fire and they came out with not a burn on them nor did they smell of fire. What sets this story apart is that these three lived by faith and trusted God when they told the king upon learning of their fate, <i><b>“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king.…"</b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We must have faith like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and believe God for deliverance rather than believing whatever scenarios our fears have cooked up.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>2 I will say[a] to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> my God, in whom I trust.”</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> and from the deadly pestilence.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>4 He will cover you with his pinions,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> and under his wings you will find refuge;</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>5 You will not fear the terror of the night,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> nor the arrow that flies by day,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>7 A thousand may fall at your side,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> ten thousand at your right hand,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> but it will not come near you.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>8 You will only look with your eyes</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> and see the recompense of the wicked.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> the Most High, who is my refuge[b]—</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> no plague come near your tent.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>11 For he will command his angels concerning you</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> to guard you in all your ways.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>12 On their hands they will bear you up,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> lest you strike your foot against a stone.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> I will protect him, because he knows my name.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> I will be with him in trouble;</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> I will rescue him and honor him.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>16 With long life I will satisfy him</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> and show him my salvation.”</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Psalm 91</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>When we dwell with God through His Word and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us in all things, we will live by the power of the spirit, experience God's love and renew our minds to be like Christ's, a mind that is self-controlled. In so doing, we will diffuse our fears.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>For similar posts, click on the following:</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/04/3-reassuring-reasons-not-to-be-anxious-about-future.html" target="_blank">3 Reassuring Reasons Not to Be Anxious About the Future</a><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/01/4-effective-truths-preach-to-your-anxious-heart.html" target="_blank">4 Effective Truths to Preach to Your Anxious Heart</a><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a 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</span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://countingmyblessings.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith 'N Friends</span></a><span style="color: #274e13;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://youresewtrendy.blogspot.com/" style="color: #274e13;">S<span style="color: #38761d;">itting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">House to Home</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> ,</span><a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wonderful Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> , </span><a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Literacy Musings Mondays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/" style="color: #38761d;">I<span style="color: #38761d;">mparting Grace</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Dance with Jesus</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mommynificent.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Booknificent Thursdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://crystaltwaddell.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Fresh Market Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Moments of Hope</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wonderful Wednesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> ,</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://faithadventures.me/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Tea & Word Tuesday</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/blog/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouragement Thursday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.marissawrites.com/2016/10/hearts-for-home-106.html" style="color: #38761d;">Hearts for Home</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Messy Marriage Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://afiremanswife.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Friday at the Fire Station Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://debbiekitterman.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Tune In Thursday</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.lylidunbar.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith on Fire Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://peabea.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday Scripture Blessings Link-up</span></a></span><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://mom-gene.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday Thoughts</span></a>, </span><a href="http://becomingpress.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Writer Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith Filled Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.godsizeddreams.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">God Sized Dreams Link-Up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://jaimewiebel.com/blog/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sitting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.betheeinspired.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Be Thee Inspired</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.aboundinggrace.co/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Graceful Tuesday Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://aboutachik.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Aprons & Pearls Link-up</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.trekkingthru.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank">T<span style="color: #38761d;">rekkingthru Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mississippimom.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Word Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">G</span><span style="color: #38761d;">race Moments Link-up</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://apronstringsotherthings.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Hearts and Home</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://www.worthbeyondrubies.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Worth Beyond Rubies</span></a> </span><a href="https://aspiritofsimplicity.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Seeking Sabbath</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Scripture and a Snapshot</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://welcomeheart.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Welcome Heart</span></a> </span><a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://outdoorsymommy.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Outdoorsy Mommy</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://anchoredabode.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Anchored Truth Tuesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.instaencouragements.com/blog">I<span style="color: #38761d;">nstaEncouragements</span></a> <a href="https://bluecottonmemory.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Remember Me Mondays</span></a></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://soaringwithhim.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Recharge Wednesdays</span></a> <a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a></span></div></div></div>Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-39481696819695085142020-11-02T00:00:00.056-05:002020-11-02T00:00:02.881-05:00How to Pray to GOD's Fullest Potential<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5sp15gCkLFAV1apa1HwoKqKFQNpp95gWaNbpc27MCNTjhN7NgPWvuL0OpZ3ZF6aSwpVtkdR9zW320J3O87pK2AYEkhJbSedUuCF_Da5Gm1yNdS7N4bayZ8ttYWvWF9mmt5wjhcL1RuEy/s1500/How+to+Pray+to+God%2527s+Fullest+Potential.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="several mountains of varying sizes behind each other with rainbow color skies of primarily yellows and pinks" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5sp15gCkLFAV1apa1HwoKqKFQNpp95gWaNbpc27MCNTjhN7NgPWvuL0OpZ3ZF6aSwpVtkdR9zW320J3O87pK2AYEkhJbSedUuCF_Da5Gm1yNdS7N4bayZ8ttYWvWF9mmt5wjhcL1RuEy/w427-h640/How+to+Pray+to+God%2527s+Fullest+Potential.png" title="How to Pray to GOD's Fullest Potential" width="427" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>How to pray <u>to</u> GOD's fullest potential. This may seem like an odd 'how-to". Isn't God's potential always full? Doesn't this statement imply that He may not operate at His full potential at times? Do I truly understand what God's fullest potential is? Have I actually experienced it?</p><p>As you can see the more questions we ask ourselves in response to this how-to statement, the more we recognize that there is indeed something to seeking God's fullest potential and praying to that end...</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Bible Stories About Potential</span></h2><div>We can learn much from the Apostle Peter's life when it comes to potential. A man who started out as a fisherman by trade. Peter was bold, out-spoken and quick-tempered. Character traits that could be perceived as negative, but God knew the potential He had built into Peter. Potential which developed into a man set apart by God to be one of the 12 disciples. The Apostle Peter became a prominent Pastor in the first century church and one of the most influential Christian leaders of that time! </div><div><br /></div><div>Peter certainly suffered growing pains to reach his potential. Yet along with the character traits mentioned above, Peter was also insightful and teachable, two traits that lend themselves to potential realized. Potential that came sometimes with great failure as we see in the story of Peter boldly proclaiming that he wanted to walk on water, yet ended up sinking when he put his focus onto the waves, away from Jesus. Not to mention his greatest failure - when the rooster crowed and Peter denied Jesus three times.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yet through these experiences, Peter grew in grace, humility, understanding, discernment and boldness. Culminating in the biggest growth in potential for a man who once denied Jesus out of fear of death, but died a violent death for the name of Jesus - COURAGE. Peter reached his potential for courage and preached the Gospel without fear.</div><div><br /></div><div>Like Peter, there is God-given potential in the children of God. But how do we apprehend fully God's potential in us?</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is God-Given Potential?</span></h2><div><br /></div><div>Every Believer in Christ has been created with the potential to bring God glory. But what exactly is God-given potential?</div><div><br /></div><div>Our God-given potential comes in the form of the "new man" that we became when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The old man died and the new man came to life. We are seen by God through the image of Jesus Christ and as such, we have the potential to walk in the character traits of Jesus. But there's the rub. Do we take advantage of this God-given potential?</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Micah 6:8</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>At the day of our conversion, we were sealed by the Holy Spirit who resides within us. The Holy Spirit nudges us and whispers in our ear "this is the way, walk in it". The Holy Spirit is there to bring out our fullest potential - a potential for <i>love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control</i>. But do we live in the reality of that potential?</div><div><br /></div><div>It is then that we must pray <u>to</u> GOD's fullest potential - to pray HIS character traits and ask the Lord to renew our minds so that the mind of Christ acts in and through us. God's fullest potential showcased outwardly in the Believer is that of a renewed mind in Christ Jesus. Let us pray to that potential and experience a renewed mind that expresses the fruit of the spirit. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>John 15:16</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">God's Potential In Us</span></h2><div>Each child of God has a unique potential that is built into them. As we saw in the stories of the Apostle Peter above, sometimes those potentials are disguised in weaknesses and struggles. We know that God is in the business of redemption, and He certainly redeems His especial potential for every Believer, even the ones that come with growing pains.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are one who is prone to worry and anxiety, God has built into you the potential for full confidence in Him and the peace that surpasses all understanding. To experience GOD's fullest potential to that end, we must pray Scripture back to Him, reminding ourselves of His past faithfulness and clinging to His Word which speaks in one way or the other to every circumstance that might bring worry or anxiety. Our Ever-Present Helper will answer and lead <i>us</i> into our fullest potential by giving us <i>His </i>fullest potential. We just need to pray God's Truths over our lives.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>John 14:27</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If you are one who is timid about sharing your faith, God has built into you the potential for boldness, in His name, to share the Gospel. Pray to the Holy Spirit who will remind you of God's <i>life-saving</i> Truths and then share with those He has brought to you for such a time as this. You will be amazed at the answer to this prayer as you find yourself speaking the Truth <i>from </i>GOD's fullest potential.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Matthew 10:19</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>When God places a call upon our lives, He desires for us to step out in faith and fulfill that potential in HIS strength thereby bringing glory to Him. We must pray His promises and believe that He is a promise-keeping God who will guide us, strengthen us and give us all wisdom as we step out in HIS fullest potential to do the works that He prepared for us to do before the worlds began.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>according to the power at work within us</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Ephesians 3:20</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>God is ALWAYS operating at His fullest potential. As Believers, we must not waste God's full potential, but pray <u>to</u> GOD's fullest potential which is the only way we will reach OUR fullest potential in Him. When we daily seek after God's fullest, we will be operating in our God-given full potential - a potential that brings with it a renewed mind in Christ Jesus, evidence of walking in the fruit of the Spirit, confidence in God, the peace of Christ, boldness for Christ and the Holy Spirit's power, a power that is at work within us.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>For similar posts, please click on the following:</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2019/11/powerful-prayer-that-yield-results.html" target="_blank">Four Powerful Attitudes in Prayer that Yield Results</a><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2018/04/gods-call-lords-presence.html" target="_blank">God's Call: The Lord's Presence</a><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2018/04/gods-call-lord-equips.html" target="_blank">God's Call: The Lord Equips</a><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2018/04/gods-call-lord-sets-us-up-for-success.html" target="_blank">God's Call: The Lord Sets Us Up For Success</a><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/08/are-you-timid-about-sharing-your-faith-5-confidence-boosting-motivators-for-timid-evangelist.html" target="_blank">Are You Timid About Sharing Your Faith? 5 Confidence Boosting Motivators for the Timid Evangelist</a><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2019/02/living-life-in-gods-faithfulness.html" target="_blank"><b><i>Living Life IN God's Faithfulness</i></b></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: x-small;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><b>You might find me on these link-ups:</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="color: #38761d;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="https://www.embracingtheunexpected.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Grace & Truth</span></a>, </i><i><a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Woman to Woman Ministries</span></a>,</i><i> </i></span></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://anitaojeda.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Inspire Me Monday</span></a></span></i></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;">A Wise Women Builds Her Home</a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Spiritual Sundays</a>,<span style="color: #38761d;"> <a href="http://donnareidland.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Soul Survival</span></a>, G<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/category/good-morning-mondays-link-party/"><span style="color: #38761d;">ood Morning Mondays</span></a>, <a href="http://marygeisen.com/tellhisstory/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Tell His Story</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="http://www.simplemomentsstick.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith & Fellowship Blog Hop</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></span></i><i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="http://www.sarahefrazer.com/" style="color: #38761d;"> </a><a href="http://www.sarahefrazer.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Tuesday Talk</a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://countingmyblessings.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith 'N Friends</span></a><span style="color: #274e13;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://youresewtrendy.blogspot.com/" style="color: #274e13;">S<span style="color: #38761d;">itting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">House to Home</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> ,</span><a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wonderful Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> , </span><a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Literacy Musings Mondays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/" style="color: #38761d;">I<span style="color: #38761d;">mparting Grace</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Dance with Jesus</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mommynificent.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Booknificent Thursdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://crystaltwaddell.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Fresh Market Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Moments of Hope</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wonderful Wednesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> ,</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://faithadventures.me/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Tea & Word Tuesday</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/blog/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouragement Thursday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.marissawrites.com/2016/10/hearts-for-home-106.html" style="color: #38761d;">Hearts for Home</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Messy Marriage Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://afiremanswife.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Friday at the Fire Station Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://debbiekitterman.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Tune In Thursday</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.lylidunbar.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span 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href="http://jaimewiebel.com/blog/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sitting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.betheeinspired.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Be Thee Inspired</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.aboundinggrace.co/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Graceful Tuesday Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://aboutachik.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Aprons & Pearls Link-up</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.trekkingthru.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank">T<span style="color: #38761d;">rekkingthru Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mississippimom.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Word Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">G</span><span style="color: #38761d;">race Moments Link-up</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://apronstringsotherthings.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Hearts and Home</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://www.worthbeyondrubies.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Worth Beyond Rubies</span></a> </span><a href="https://aspiritofsimplicity.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Seeking Sabbath</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Scripture and a Snapshot</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://welcomeheart.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Welcome Heart</span></a> </span><a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://outdoorsymommy.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Outdoorsy Mommy</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://anchoredabode.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Anchored Truth Tuesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.instaencouragements.com/blog">I<span style="color: #38761d;">nstaEncouragements</span></a> <a href="https://bluecottonmemory.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Remember Me Mondays</span></a></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://soaringwithhim.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Recharge Wednesdays</span></a> <a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a></span></div></div><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-90211296432179246652020-10-26T00:00:00.031-04:002020-10-26T00:00:00.604-04:00God is Still Good When Things are Bad<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-fROaJYNUD5cUKYQbCwxscG1GvCemISmgpuri-gLXqZX9DZF32r9cqIqLwxgIHbh7Y3bAWW6zTgRF06cZ3tqH92GSrVpynKFQAmo3QaTCVlEwTqV_aaz3VMblwylhsOd_1ysGZCjKPEt/s1500/God+is+Still+Good+When+Things+are+Bad.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="crescent moon against black sky" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-fROaJYNUD5cUKYQbCwxscG1GvCemISmgpuri-gLXqZX9DZF32r9cqIqLwxgIHbh7Y3bAWW6zTgRF06cZ3tqH92GSrVpynKFQAmo3QaTCVlEwTqV_aaz3VMblwylhsOd_1ysGZCjKPEt/w426-h640/God+is+Still+Good+When+Things+are+Bad.png" title="God is Still Good When Things are Bad" width="426" /></a></div><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have you ever asked God, "Why are things going so bad?" or "Why aren't You taking this difficult situation away?" It's okay, you can admit it. When there is a lack of understanding of why God isn't coming to your aid, in your timing, doubts may arise in your mind where you wonder whether God is still good or whether He cares. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />It can be hard to recognize God's goodness in the midst of hardship or heartache when our focus is solely on the problem, not on the Problem Solver.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The following points should remind us that indeed God IS still good when things are bad.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">If Everything Good Comes From God, Where Does Bad?</span></h2><div>The key to understanding the answer to this question, is to understand the Sovereignty of God. As Believers, we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. As Lord, God is sovereign over ALL creation and over ALL circumstances. He has full control and authority. </div><div><br /></div><div>God being sovereign over ALL creation and over ALL circumstances means that nothing that happens, happens without His express permission. Furthermore, the very nature of God's sovereignty is evidenced by His goodness. </div><div><br /></div><div>With that understanding we can know that even though God allows bad things to happen, He is still good and has a Divine purpose for that situation. God uses bad things for good.</div><div><br /></div><div>The popular story of Joseph in the Bible adds more clarity to this Truth...</div><div><br /></div><div>Joseph's brothers were jealous of the attention he received by their father. One day they threw him into a cistern, made it appear that he had been killed and sold him to traders. Joseph was later brought to Egypt where he was sold to Potiphar. The Lord showed him favor and Joseph was treated well by his captor and made his assistant. Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph, but when he refused, she framed him and he was placed in prison. Through a series of events, Joseph interpreted dreams for the King and as a result, he was appointed as second in command and ultimately was used by God to save His people from famine. When he was reunited with the brothers that left him for dead, he said these famous words of the Bible...</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>As for you, you meant evil against me, </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>but God meant it for good, to bring it about </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Genesis 50:20</b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our human minds cannot comprehend why suffering in this world happens the way it does, but what we can know for sure is that a good God has allowed it and that He ultimately means it for good. We may not see the fruition of that goodness, but that does not in any way detract from the goodness of God. God brings good things out of bad.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>But we have the mind of Christ.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>1 Corinthians 2:16</b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We simply hold onto the Truth that God is ALWAYS good, and ask the Lord to renew our minds to remember and meditate upon that goodness.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen?</span></h2><div>As stated earlier, we do not know the mind of God or what His specific purposes are for suffering, persecution, and oppression, but we can look to the Bible and see stories of how the Lord redeemed those very types of circumstances in the life of the early Christians and the purpose of those "bad" things.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Psalms offer great testimonies of how the Lord allowed suffering and how He used those situations according to His good purposes, sometimes not in their lifetimes, but long after they were gone.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or what about the Israelites who were left to wander in the desert for 40 years and were ultimately under the oppressive hand of Pharoah?</div><div><br /></div><div>How about the Apostle Paul who was called to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, but it seemed at every turn, something attempted to block his progress.</div><div><br /></div><div>Each one of these examples can be applied to our own lives.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Psalmists show us the human side of asking the "why?" questions, but then we see praises offered to the Lord before an answer was even evident. Despite the fact that they were in the midst of hardship, they trusted in the goodness of the God of their forefathers and didn't lose sight of that. </div><div><br /></div><div>We too can look to the God of the Bible for encouragement to understand why something might be happening in our lives or even look to the life of a fellow Christian or remember a past experience of our own. God's faithfulness will be evident in all of those experiences. We can trust that God will still be faithful in our present suffering. The "bad" situation then becomes a faith building exercise as we remember His past faithfulness and look forward to His continued faithfulness.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the case of the Israelites, their hardship was a consequence of their own sin. They were experiencing hardship because they were a stiff-necked people, but they were God's people and despite their sin, the Lord was constantly with them and providing for them, ultimately bringing the Israelites to the land He had promised them, a land flowing with milk and honey. </div><div><br /></div><div>When we find ourselves suffering due to our own sin, it is important to course correct by confessing our sins, repenting and trusting God to carry us through, asking Him to teach us through the suffering. As a result, our walk of obedience will be renewed.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then we come to the Apostle Paul who never seemed to complain. He could've easily said. "Really God?? I thought you wanted me to go preach over here and now I'm in prison?!" But instead of blaming God, He trusted God to do what He said He would accomplish through Paul and indeed that is exactly what happened. The Gospel continued to go out no matter what bad thing happened to Paul. Paul didn't see them as bad things, but as opportunities to see God work in amazing ways.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are finding roadblocks as a wife, as a parent or in your ministry work, trust that your good Father has a perfect plan and wait expectantly to see Him act. But you must be patient. God works within His own perfect timeline. God's goodness is not determined by how quickly He answers our prayers.</div><div><br /></div><div>God allows bad things to happen, but His goodness brings redemption to all those circumstances whether it be in our lifetime, after we die or when all is revealed in Heaven. God's goodness is not constrained by time.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Psalm 145:9</i></b></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Will God Turn MY Bad Situation Into Something Good?</span></h2><div>There are times when we will experience the Lord turning a bad situation into something good. In hindsight, we will be able to see the good in the bad.</div><div><br /></div><div>A loss of a job or career that puts you on a new path that you pursue and find great fulfillment in. </div><div><br /></div><div>The failure of a marriage that you fought desperately to save, which ultimately leads you to a spouse who loves the Lord and loves you as Christ calls him to.</div><div><br /></div><div>The death of a loved one that develops in you a compassion for others where the Lord uses you mightily to minister to them.</div><div><br /></div><div>An addiction of a family member or friend that causes them to hit rock bottom where they cry out to Jesus and are saved.</div><div><br /></div><div>These are just a few familiar examples to show how God can turn our bad situations into something good. But you get the drift, although hardships are about our personal growth and God showing His goodness to us, sometimes a hardship we are going through has less to do about lessons in our own life and more to do with how God is going to use us in another person's life.</div><div><br /></div><div>We can know that the Lord is Good, that His plans and purposes for our lives, even in bad situations, are saturated in His goodness and mercy.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Psalm 23:6</b></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Psalm 31:19</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>For similar posts, click on the following:</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/08/3-biblical-encouragements-for-remaining-hopeful-in-hardship.html" target="_blank">3 Biblical Encouragements for Remaining Hopeful in Hardship</a><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2019/12/5-promises-from-god-bad-things-happen.html" target="_blank"><b>5 Promises from God When Bad Things Happen</b></a><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: 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href="http://anitaojeda.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Inspire Me Monday</span></a></span></i></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;">A Wise Women Builds Her Home</a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Spiritual Sundays</a>,<span style="color: #38761d;"> <a href="http://donnareidland.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Soul Survival</span></a>, G<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/category/good-morning-mondays-link-party/"><span style="color: #38761d;">ood Morning Mondays</span></a>, <a href="http://marygeisen.com/tellhisstory/" target="_blank"><span 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style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://youresewtrendy.blogspot.com/" style="color: #274e13;">S<span style="color: #38761d;">itting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">House to Home</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> ,</span><a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wonderful Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> , </span><a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Literacy Musings Mondays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/" style="color: #38761d;">I<span style="color: #38761d;">mparting Grace</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Dance with Jesus</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mommynificent.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Booknificent Thursdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://crystaltwaddell.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Fresh Market Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Moments of Hope</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wonderful Wednesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> ,</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://faithadventures.me/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Tea & Word Tuesday</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/blog/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouragement Thursday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.marissawrites.com/2016/10/hearts-for-home-106.html" style="color: #38761d;">Hearts for Home</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Messy Marriage Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://afiremanswife.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Friday at the Fire Station Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://debbiekitterman.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Tune In Thursday</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.lylidunbar.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith on Fire Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://peabea.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday Scripture Blessings Link-up</span></a></span><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://mom-gene.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday Thoughts</span></a>, </span><a href="http://becomingpress.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Writer Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith Filled Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.godsizeddreams.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">God Sized Dreams Link-Up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://jaimewiebel.com/blog/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sitting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.betheeinspired.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Be Thee Inspired</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.aboundinggrace.co/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Graceful Tuesday Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://aboutachik.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Aprons & Pearls Link-up</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.trekkingthru.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank">T<span style="color: #38761d;">rekkingthru Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mississippimom.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Word Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">G</span><span style="color: #38761d;">race Moments Link-up</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://apronstringsotherthings.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Hearts and Home</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://www.worthbeyondrubies.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Worth Beyond Rubies</span></a> </span><a href="https://aspiritofsimplicity.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Seeking Sabbath</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Scripture and a Snapshot</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://welcomeheart.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Welcome Heart</span></a> </span><a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://outdoorsymommy.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Outdoorsy Mommy</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://anchoredabode.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Anchored Truth Tuesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.instaencouragements.com/blog">I<span style="color: #38761d;">nstaEncouragements</span></a> <a href="https://bluecottonmemory.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Remember Me Mondays</span></a></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://soaringwithhim.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Recharge Wednesdays</span></a> <a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-89004821082798384382020-10-19T00:00:00.066-04:002020-10-19T00:00:00.278-04:003 Practical Ways to Depend on God More<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifOB2QrNIod6JZtF3AOahjxESUcpbSiNBuxGxO_z8oofOIdGxWKsw-zUfh6KnQYDM2dOXxVzsMRPIf3EXxhwIwgYXLaKnbeCqHAZMfSR9W_0mOfAWl6oZ7hks6IBVHy1hzyvLalhgRh6P/s1500/3+Practical+Ways+to+Depend+on+God+More.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mountains with fog settling in between pine trees in the foreground against the backdrop of a light orange sunset sky" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifOB2QrNIod6JZtF3AOahjxESUcpbSiNBuxGxO_z8oofOIdGxWKsw-zUfh6KnQYDM2dOXxVzsMRPIf3EXxhwIwgYXLaKnbeCqHAZMfSR9W_0mOfAWl6oZ7hks6IBVHy1hzyvLalhgRh6P/w426-h640/3+Practical+Ways+to+Depend+on+God+More.png" title="3 Practical Ways to Depend on God More" width="426" /></a></div><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you feel that you could depend on God more? Is your default response in situations to depend upon yourself alone? Are you more apt to depend on God in serious situations and less in every day circumstances? If you answered yes to all of these questions, you are not alone.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Unless as small children we are raised to continuously depend on the Lord in all things and develop that habit, we will tend to want to figure things out on our own, rather than ask the Lord for help. Sounds silly actually. Here we have the God of the Universe, Creator of ALL things, Savior and Redeemer, yet we decide to depend on ourselves as the default response and not ask God for help? One of the reasons we default to depending on ourselves is that we are a forgetful people. In other respects we might feel there will be a "quicker response", and in more cases than not, it is pride.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Whatever the case, the Lord is ready and waiting for us to depend on Him. He desires to help us in ALL things, not just the big things. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />So how can we learn to depend on God more?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What Does the Bible Say About Depending on God?</span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>I depend on God alone; I put my hope in him. He alone protects and saves me; he is my defender, and I shall never be defeated. My salvation and honor depend on God; he is my strong protector; he is my shelter. Trust in God at all times, my people. Tell him all your troubles, for he is our refuge. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Psalm 62:5-8</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This verse sums up in a perfect nutshell why we need to not only depend on God more, but always. The Lord is our ever present help. He is all knowing, all powerful, eternal, infinite. He is our Creator. He is our Savior. He is Sovereign and in control of all circumstances. How could we not depend on him as our first course of action?! </div><div><br /></div><div>The Lord cares about everything that we care about, from our smallest decision to our biggest struggle. God created us to be in relationship with Him. He created us to depend on Him. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"> 3 Practical Ways to Depend on God More</span></h2><div>As children, I'm sure you all learned the drill of what to do if your clothes caught on fire: STOP, DROP AND ROLL.</div><p>We can apply those same actions as a means to practically depend on God More.</p><p>Before any decision; when your schedule is overwhelming; when you find yourself beginning to worry; when you are in a crisis:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>STOP! </b> Stop and take the focus off of yourself and your situation, and redirect it onto God. Depend on Him.</li><li><b>DROP</b> "Drop to your knees" and pray. Ask the Lord for wisdom regarding a decision; to multiply the work of your hands when you are feeling overwhelmed or for guidance on what should stay on the schedule and what should go; for peace when anxiety is overtaking you; for help, direction, a cool head and calm spirit within a crisis. Seek the Lord in His Word. Spend time with Him. <i>Man <u>lives</u> by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.</i> Drop and depend on it!</li><li><b>ROLL</b> In Joshua 7:10, the Lord says to Joshua, <i>Stand Up! What are you doing down on your face? </i> After we have stopped and placed our focus on God; prayed and asked for guidance, we roll forward in full dependence on the Lord. In so doing, we extinguish any tendency of taking our eyes off of Jesus and putting them "back on the waves". Instead, we continue to press on depending upon the strength of the Lord alone.</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Philippians 4:19</b></i></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Benefits of Depending on God</span></h2><div>When we depend on God, we actually do more. When we depend on self, there is the illusion that more activity is happening, but nothing can compare to the unseen, great and mighty activity of the Lord in all things when we depend on him.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is freedom in depending on God. This may seem counter to what our human nature feels. Most people prefer to depend on themselves. Even very young children, as little as one year old or maybe even younger, want to exercise their independence and will get quite upset if you try to do something that they have determined they can do. When we depend on ourselves, we feel in control and not bound to another person for help. But the reality is, we are actually putting ourselves INTO bondage because we are depending upon ourselves, and that's when we feel the overwhelm, the worry, the panic.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>John 6:63</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>If you are looking for freedom <i>in</i> the small nuisances of life, the uncomfortableness of difficult decisions, the hecticness of packed schedules or workloads, messy life circumstances or crisis situations, depend on God and you will experience the benefit of His strength, His provision, His wisdom, His direction and most especially His Love.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>For similar posts, click on the following:</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/06/are-you-relying-on-gods-help-4-reasons-you-should.html" target="_blank">Are You Relying on God's Help: 4 Reasons You Should!</a><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/06/5-comforting-scripture-prayers-that.html" target="_blank">5 Comforting Scripture Prayers that WILL Bring You Peace</a><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/09/when-to-act-and-when-to-wait-on-god-3-things-to-consider.html" target="_blank">When to Act and When to Wait on God: 3 Things to Consider</a><br /></b></i></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: x-small;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><b>You might find me on these link-ups:</b></span></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="color: #38761d;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="https://www.embracingtheunexpected.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Grace & Truth</span></a>, </i><i><a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Woman to Woman Ministries</span></a>,</i><i> </i></span></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://anitaojeda.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Inspire Me Monday</span></a></span></i></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;">A Wise Women Builds Her Home</a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Spiritual Sundays</a>,<span style="color: #38761d;"> <a href="http://donnareidland.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Soul Survival</span></a>, G<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/category/good-morning-mondays-link-party/"><span style="color: #38761d;">ood Morning Mondays</span></a>, <a href="http://marygeisen.com/tellhisstory/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Tell His Story</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="http://www.simplemomentsstick.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith & Fellowship Blog Hop</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></span></i><i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="http://www.sarahefrazer.com/" style="color: #38761d;"> </a><a href="http://www.sarahefrazer.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Tuesday Talk</a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://countingmyblessings.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith 'N Friends</span></a><span style="color: #274e13;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://youresewtrendy.blogspot.com/" style="color: #274e13;">S<span style="color: #38761d;">itting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">House to Home</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> ,</span><a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wonderful Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> , </span><a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Literacy Musings Mondays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/" style="color: #38761d;">I<span style="color: #38761d;">mparting Grace</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Dance with Jesus</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mommynificent.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Booknificent Thursdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://crystaltwaddell.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Fresh Market Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Moments of Hope</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wonderful Wednesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> ,</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://faithadventures.me/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Tea & Word Tuesday</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/blog/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouragement Thursday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.marissawrites.com/2016/10/hearts-for-home-106.html" style="color: #38761d;">Hearts for Home</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Messy Marriage Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://afiremanswife.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Friday at the Fire Station Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://debbiekitterman.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Tune In Thursday</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.lylidunbar.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith on Fire Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://peabea.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday Scripture Blessings Link-up</span></a></span><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://mom-gene.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday Thoughts</span></a>, </span><a href="http://becomingpress.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Writer Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith Filled Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.godsizeddreams.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">God Sized Dreams Link-Up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://jaimewiebel.com/blog/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sitting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.betheeinspired.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Be Thee Inspired</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.aboundinggrace.co/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Graceful Tuesday Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://aboutachik.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Aprons & Pearls Link-up</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.trekkingthru.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank">T<span style="color: #38761d;">rekkingthru Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mississippimom.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Word Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">G</span><span style="color: #38761d;">race Moments Link-up</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://apronstringsotherthings.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Hearts and Home</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://www.worthbeyondrubies.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Worth Beyond Rubies</span></a> </span><a href="https://aspiritofsimplicity.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Seeking Sabbath</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Scripture and a Snapshot</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://welcomeheart.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Welcome Heart</span></a> </span><a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://outdoorsymommy.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Outdoorsy Mommy</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://anchoredabode.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Anchored Truth Tuesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.instaencouragements.com/blog">I<span style="color: #38761d;">nstaEncouragements</span></a> <a href="https://bluecottonmemory.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Remember Me Mondays</span></a></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://soaringwithhim.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Recharge Wednesdays</span></a> <a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a></span></div></div>Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-62270387919826054122020-10-12T00:00:00.013-04:002020-10-12T00:00:00.236-04:00How to Experience Joy in the Christian Life<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjom6ZbTaGGBXYJaM2dM6aAscysV0IXGMaqXapfGqR-oUc2Wk2LSv8vTgo-Rhg_OxddyFBzibAVvdSmTkv70NQiuC8Y4nEFmmun4mKd5VbXl7lhJW5H2l-cDBUY8VXeqUM86Xvw1MBqQZuX/s1500/How+to+Experience+Joy+in+the+Christian+Life.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="light pink and dark pink wildflowers in tall grass in the foreground against a backdrop of light blue sky" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjom6ZbTaGGBXYJaM2dM6aAscysV0IXGMaqXapfGqR-oUc2Wk2LSv8vTgo-Rhg_OxddyFBzibAVvdSmTkv70NQiuC8Y4nEFmmun4mKd5VbXl7lhJW5H2l-cDBUY8VXeqUM86Xvw1MBqQZuX/w426-h640/How+to+Experience+Joy+in+the+Christian+Life.png" title="How to Experience Joy in the Christian Life" width="426" /></a></div><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What images come to mind when you think of the word joy? Do you envision pre-Christmas/Christmas celebrations with all the promise of fun family gatherings that the holiday brings? Are you reminded of your wedding day and all the hope the future held? Do you think about a pregnancy announcement or the birth of a sweet baby?</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Oxford dictionary defines joy as follows: a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But does joy mean the same thing in the Christian's life, a life with ups and downs, trials and tribulations? Are we supposed to feel great pleasure and happiness in the midst of pain? Can we still be joyful no matter what the circumstances are?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What Does the Bible Say About Finding Joy?</span></h2><div>The Bible records at least 100 verses about joy. But one key verse stands out as a joy prompt for every day...</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Psalm 118:24</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>It may sound cliche, but every day truly is a gift from God. When we wake up and we are still breathing, we have reason to rejoice. Greeting each and every morning rejoicing that God has upheld us through the night and blessed us with another day does a lot to rewire our brains to be joyful. It puts our day into perspective no matter what we might face. </div><div><br /></div><div>Every day ordained for us by God has a Divine purpose from our good Father, no matter what that day might look like. We can be glad in the day and rejoice in it because our joy waits expectantly to see all that God will do. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Philippians 4:4</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The Lord prepares a table before us every morning of choice blessings. We need only ask to see them and our spiritual eyes will find joy, even in the most difficult circumstances.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>John 16:24a</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>Finding joy each day comes just as sure as the sun rises.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">How Do We Get the Joy of the Lord?</span></h2><div>Have you noticed there are some Christians that just exude an inner joy, a deep down quietness that expresses itself through a calm and gentle demeanor, even amidst trials? Where do they get it from and can I have it please?</div><div><br /></div><div>Every Believer in Christ Jesus has the joy of the Lord residing inside of them through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is one of the spiritual gifts.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Galations 5:22</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>But how do we truly experience that joy? How are we filled with the joy of the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div>First and foremost, we go to the Word of God.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Jeremiah 15:16</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Psalm 16:11</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>The more and more we saturate ourselves with Scripture and let it soak down deep inside, we will develop the habit of seeing our lives and circumstances with the joy that is set before us, our Heavenly home which awaits every Believer. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's like waiting for our wedding day, the birth of a child or a great vacation, no matter what is going on in our lives at the moment, even the hard stuff, we have this underlying joy and excitement knowing what is to come. Sometimes that might be the only thing we have to hold onto when we are going through hard times. Truly experiencing joy in Christ alone, not our external circumstances plus Jesus, but God alone.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">How to Find True Joy in the Midst of Struggles?</span></h2><div>When life is hard, it's hard to feel joyful. In the thick of it, we might be so focused on the problem at hand, that we forget where our true joy is found. It's like we need the Lord to come up to us and say, "Look at me dear child. I am right here. There is purpose in this pain, and I will make your joy complete."</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.…</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Hebrews 12:2-3</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>Let us not grow weary and lose heart, but instead keep our eyes on the One who is preparing a place for us where there will only be rejoicing, never another tear.</div><div><br /></div><div>Interestingly, the Word of God tells us to COUNT IT ALL JOY when we meet various trials...</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i><b>Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, or you </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>James 1:2-4</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>Trials are meant for our joy?? It would appear so! </div><div><br /></div><div>While we are on this Pilgrim journey our Faith is continually being tested and built up. The Lord is preparing us for Heaven. Trials are tangible evidences of the Lord working in us so that as we continue down the narrow road that leads to Heaven, our way will become easier and easier, as we will become more and more steadfast and less likely to waver when trials come which will result in less and less worry, less and less fear and more and more dependence upon God and His strength. Now that is something to be joyful about!</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is the Key to Experiencing Joy in the Christian Life?</span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> and no one will take your joy from you.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>John 16:22</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>The Word of God promises that no one will take our joy away from us. But sometimes we <i>allow</i> others to steal our joy, and that's on us...</div><div><br /></div><div>It's definitely not easy when we are around very negative people, those who complain about EVERYTHING. We are social creatures and a majority of us could probably admit that we find ourselves picking up the traits of those we spend a lot of time with, and unfortunately, that can include negativity.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other times, we may try to counter every negative comment with a positive one, only to find ourselves becoming exhausted with every rebuttal that whips back to us.</div><div><br /></div><div>So how then do we have joy in situations like this? What is the key to experiencing joy with difficult people and when life gets hard?</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Biblical joy is choosing to respond to our circumstances through an eternal lens remembering that the Lord uses every aspect of our lives to develop within us a dependence upon Him that only He can satisfy, one based on His goodness and love.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's that simple. It's a choice to ask God for wisdom, for help, for strength, for insight, and He WILL answer...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>James 1:5</b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...and there we will find joy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jesus embodies our joy in every aspect. Believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit. He reminds us over and over again of the joy that is ours in Christ Jesus. When we truly listen to that still small voice speaking joy over our lives, we will live in that joy and wholly experience it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>For similar posts, click on the following:</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/09/how-to-live-in-blessings-of-god.html" target="_blank"><b><i>How to Live IN the Blessings of God</i></b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><i> </i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/07/5-biblical-ways-to-enjoy-life-and-have-fun.html" target="_blank">5 Biblical Ways to Enjoy Life and Have Fun</a></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div 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style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://outdoorsymommy.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Outdoorsy Mommy</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://anchoredabode.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Anchored Truth Tuesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.instaencouragements.com/blog">I<span style="color: #38761d;">nstaEncouragements</span></a> <a href="https://bluecottonmemory.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Remember Me Mondays</span></a></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://soaringwithhim.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Recharge Wednesdays</span></a> <a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-72499860603660700192020-10-05T00:00:00.046-04:002020-10-05T14:30:49.504-04:00Finding Contentment When Life is Hard<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEV6tTXclFYDBcaQxBqTfBy9w0XsrrbJHhh7tNf8gnXSuzylHVfmCx-m68SFQolCYkkzwPqslsFPFS8ygYCnbLlNZUiVe-Q5dHOwall-hLaE2NHl940UdWIfeH0uCMdxXGv4gEjsWTjmlG/s1500/Finding+contentment+When+Life+Is+hard.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black and white photograph of snowcapped mountain pass" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEV6tTXclFYDBcaQxBqTfBy9w0XsrrbJHhh7tNf8gnXSuzylHVfmCx-m68SFQolCYkkzwPqslsFPFS8ygYCnbLlNZUiVe-Q5dHOwall-hLaE2NHl940UdWIfeH0uCMdxXGv4gEjsWTjmlG/w426-h640/Finding+contentment+When+Life+Is+hard.png" title="Finding Contentment When Life is Hard" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Do you find it easy to be content - especially when life is hard? What are those things in life that threaten your contentment? What does it mean to truly be content? Is there a secret to contentment?</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>contentment: a state of happiness or satisfaction</i></p><p>We will be looking to God and His Word today to find the answers to these questions.</p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What does the Bible say about contentment?</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;">Biblical contentment is the same as the contentment the world seeks after as far as the definition goes, but there is a difference... the Source of happiness and satisfaction.</div><div><br /></div><div>So what is the Believer's true source of happiness and satisfaction?</div><div><br /></div><div>The great theologian Jonathan Edwards said, “The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Satisfaction, contentment and joy are synonymous in the Christian life. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Then I will go to the altar of God,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>to God my exceeding joy,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and I will praise you with the lyre,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>O God, my God.</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Psalm 43:4</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You make known to me the path of life;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>in your presence there is fullness of joy;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Psalm 16:11</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and you shall be like a watered garden, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Isaiah 58:11</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Psalm 17:15</i></div><div><br /></div><div>When we have a true understanding of Biblical contentment and where our source of true happiness and satisfaction come from, we will find contentment, even in times of trouble.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">How do you find contentment in your life with God?</span></h2><div>If we are being honest, life with God is not easy. I can remember a Pastor saying, "Jesus never said life was going to be easy!"</div><div><br /></div><div>Many of us I'm sure have fallen pray to the idea that because we are Christians, nothing bad will happen to us or things won't be tough, but that is losing sight of what it means to do life WITH God. We may not be promised an easy life, but we ARE promised contentment in the midst of all that goes with life. Yet, do we apprehend it?</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Finding Contentment in the Will of God</span></h3><div>This can be especially difficult when life becomes difficult or there are a series of events that have taken their toll on us, some maybe even catastrophic. We may question is this really God's will for me? Why would He not answer my cries for help? Why is He not getting me out of this bad situation?</div><div><br /></div><div>These questions alone create discontentment with the will of God. Are we to beat ourselves up for asking these questions? No. It's a natural human response to trials and tribulations. But what we should do when asking those questions is go to God's Word and His promises for the answers. It is there that we will find contentment as we see His past faithfulness to the Christian characters of the Bible and can know that those same promises are true for us today.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Finding Contentment in Obedience</span></h3><div>Let's face it, if we are being honest, obedience to the Lord can be hard. It's a constant daily - hourly really, struggle to obey. </div><div><br /></div><div>At the center of our disobedience, is wanting to be satisfied in our own selfish desires rather than satisfied in obeying the Lord. Yet are we really happy when we are disobedient? On the contrary, deep down we are unhappy with our sin, as our minds and heart are at war with each other, one wanting to follow the Lord and the other wanting to follow self.</div><div><br /></div><div>So why then are we so discontent in our obedience? Because we will never find true happiness or satisfaction in ourselves. Despite all the Instagram posts and meme's that essentially say "Your the only one that can make yourself happy", we know, without a shadow of a doubt, that only God can make us happy and fill us with true contentment.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is the Secret to Contentment when Life is Hard?</span></h2><div>Just to be clear, when life is hard, no one is expecting any of us to be happy or satisfied about the trials themselves. In hindsight, yes, maybe, as we can see the why behind the hardship and thank God for it, but in the moment, it is okay to feel dissatisfied and unhappy about the situation.</div><div><br /></div><div>So then if that is the case, how can we possibly find contentment when life is hard, uncertain, scary? What IS the secret? </div><div><br /></div><div>The Secret to Contentment, especially when life is hard, is to focus on the Lord - as Sovereign, As Savior, and as the ALL sufficient One.</div><div><br /></div><div>As Christians we know that God is the supreme authority and in control of all things. But do we truly know this with our hearts. Discontentment would say we aren't living in this reality.</div><div><br /></div><div>Contentment comes from resting in God's will for your life, His perfect plan that He ordained before the worlds began. </div><div><br /></div><div>What we may see as a terrible situation in our lives, we know that it is good because the Lord has ordained it for His good purposes. </div><div><br /></div><div>We do not know the mind of God. And although we may not understand why our marriage was allowed to end despite every effort on our part to save it in obedience to the Lord or why we received a scary diagnosis or why we lost our livelihood despite years of hard work or why our child walked away from the faith after raising him/her in the Lord, we can remember God's goodness and trust Him to redeem the situation for ourselves and maybe even for the benefit of someone else. </div><div><br /></div><div>We can find contentment in the goodness of God in times of trouble.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus salvation to us is not just limited to the cross, but He is our Savior every minute of every day. An ever present help in times of trouble. We can be content in the knowledge that He is our Lord and Savior, it's not just a title, it's a loving relationship that is eternal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our contentment must be found in the ALL sufficiency of God. He has made Himself to be our satisfaction in ALL things. We see account after account in the Bible of His desire to be with His children every step of the way and to provide ALL that they needed, especially when times are hard.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Philippians 4:10-13</b></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>When we shift our focus off of our problems and place them squarely on our Sovereign Lord and Savior, we will experience His all sufficiency and there we will find contentment when life is hard.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>For similar posts, click on the following:</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/09/how-to-align-your-will-with-gods-will.html" target="_blank">How to Align Your Will With God's Will</a><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/08/3-biblical-encouragements-for-remaining-hopeful-in-hardship.html" target="_blank">3 Biblical Encouragements for Remaining Hopeful in Hardship</a><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/04/how-to-trust-god-in-times-of-uncertainty.html" target="_blank">How to Trust God in Times of Uncertainty</a><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/03/powerful-key-truth-that-will-unlock-secret-to-happiness.html" target="_blank">A Powerful Key Truth that will Unlock the Secret to Happiness</a><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2019/11/foster-hope-when-circumstances-disappoint.html" target="_blank"><b>How to Foster Hope When Circumstances Disappoint</b></a><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: x-small;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><b>You might find me on these link-ups:</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="color: #38761d;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="https://www.embracingtheunexpected.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Grace & Truth</span></a>, </i><i><a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Woman to Woman Ministries</span></a>,</i><i> </i></span></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: 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style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://peabea.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday Scripture Blessings Link-up</span></a></span><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://mom-gene.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday Thoughts</span></a>, </span><a href="http://becomingpress.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Writer Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith Filled Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.godsizeddreams.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">God Sized Dreams Link-Up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://jaimewiebel.com/blog/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sitting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.betheeinspired.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Be Thee Inspired</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.aboundinggrace.co/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Graceful Tuesday Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://aboutachik.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Aprons & Pearls Link-up</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.trekkingthru.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank">T<span style="color: #38761d;">rekkingthru Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mississippimom.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Word Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">G</span><span style="color: #38761d;">race Moments Link-up</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://apronstringsotherthings.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Hearts and Home</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://www.worthbeyondrubies.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Worth Beyond Rubies</span></a> </span><a href="https://aspiritofsimplicity.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Seeking Sabbath</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Scripture and a Snapshot</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://welcomeheart.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Welcome Heart</span></a> </span><a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://outdoorsymommy.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Outdoorsy Mommy</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://anchoredabode.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Anchored Truth Tuesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.instaencouragements.com/blog">I<span style="color: #38761d;">nstaEncouragements</span></a> <a href="https://bluecottonmemory.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Remember Me Mondays</span></a></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://soaringwithhim.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Recharge Wednesdays</span></a> <a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-57902258540067264952020-09-28T00:00:00.017-04:002020-10-12T14:18:20.420-04:00How to Live IN the Blessings of God<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVq98ob7gXJ0Crz59zlb5cGYrAoGiMt6l0cBXqK-lD_ca8LsSiF3EYfQUTl1IZeJY4VMkr-zap3HUvjLhELrZ1QGN064MOgDO9pl4Pv013ONFOl_Tk6G9sYzxn1xg0VOIRkpreNgCEjVa/s1500/How+to+Live+in+the+Blessings+of+God+%25281%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black eyed susans on black background with sun shining through on right upper corner" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVq98ob7gXJ0Crz59zlb5cGYrAoGiMt6l0cBXqK-lD_ca8LsSiF3EYfQUTl1IZeJY4VMkr-zap3HUvjLhELrZ1QGN064MOgDO9pl4Pv013ONFOl_Tk6G9sYzxn1xg0VOIRkpreNgCEjVa/w426-h640/How+to+Live+in+the+Blessings+of+God+%25281%2529.png" title="How to Live in the Blessings of God" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you ever think, how come so and so's life is so blessed, but mine not so much? If we are being honest, that thought probably has crossed all of our minds at one time or another. We tend to look at the external blessings of someone as a sign that they are highly favored and blessed, but blessings don't just exist by external means. Blessings come in all shapes and sizes. We are ALL promised blessings from God, but do we actually live in those blessings...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies...</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i><b>And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Your throne shall be established forever.’” In accordance with all these words, </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2 Samuel 7:8-11</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here we see God recounting to David the blessings he has already been given and proclaiming the blessings David and the future generations WILL receive. Pronouncements of blessings are not just reserved for the men and women of the Bible for we too have a revelation from God of the blessings He has promised to us - the Word of God, but do we truly apprehend those blessings and live IN them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I believe that if we meditate upon and put into practice the following three considerations, we will enjoy God's blessings every minute of every day of our lives, truly living in those blessings.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What Does It Mean to be Blessed by God?</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>The Lord bless you and keep you!</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>The Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you!</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Numbers 6:24-26</span></b></i></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The word bless means <i>to speak well of</i>. Indeed, the Lord speaks well of us! We are blessed just by being known by God and being His children. He loves us so much that He sent His Son to die in our place so that we would receive the blessings of His eternal favor. Those blessings are not just reserved for Heaven, but are ours to be enjoyed every day of our lives here on earth.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If Jesus were the only blessing we received, it would be enough for He has abundantly blessed us with Himself! His grace, His redemption and His amazing love.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ephesians 1:3</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In our humanness, we perceive blessings as receiving fame, fortune, good health and great relationships. But a blessing doesn't always come wrapped up in a pretty package tied with a neat bow. Sometimes blessings come in the midst of heartache. Other times, the only way to receive the blessing, is by walking a hard road.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the greatest blessings we have received is the Holy Spirit, in whom we were sealed on the day of our salvation. And it is through the Holy Spirit that we receive blessings to endure during a hard season - His presence, His help, His provision, His comfort. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>that He may be with you forever;</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">John 14:16</span></i></b></div><div><br /></div></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">How to See God's Blessings in Your Life</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One way to attract God's blessings to your life is to recognize that they are already there! No one can stop God's blessings. His blessings are there all around us and within us. Evoking God's blessing is simply to acknowledge it. When we bless someone, we aren't conjuring up a blessing from God, but proclaiming His existing blessing upon them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the main ways we <i>see</i> God's blessings is through His Word. Throughout the Bible God's past, present and future blessings are outlined, all to edify and encourage us to live IN those blessings.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There are also additional ways to see God's blessings...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We see the blessings of God in His creation; </div><div style="text-align: left;">We see the blessings of God in our breathing; in our hearts, in our minds and in our gifting</div><div style="text-align: left;">We see the blessings of God in our spouses, our children, our parents, and our extended families.</div><div style="text-align: left;">We see the blessings of God in His Grace and His mercy to us on a daily basis.</div><div style="text-align: left;">We see the blessings of God when we practice a grateful heart, searching for God in ALL things</div><div style="text-align: left;">We see the blessings of God in His provision and love.</div><div style="text-align: left;">We see the blessings of God in prayer, answered and yet to be answered.</div><div style="text-align: left;">We see the blessings of God in our heartache</div><div style="text-align: left;">We see the blessings of God in Jesus</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Come, Thou Fount of every blessing</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Tune my heart to sing Thy grace</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Streams of mercy, never ceasing</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Call for songs of loudest praise</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Teach me some melodious sonnet</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Sung by flaming tongues above</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Mount of Thy redeeming love</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Robert Robinson</span></i></div></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Living a Life IN God's Blessings</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The life of David shows what it means to live a life IN God's blessings. David, a man after God's own heart, walked through a lot of hard seasons, some caused by the consequences of his own sin, and others due to the sins of men. David enjoyed prosperity and rest as well. In ALL those circumstances, David penned the Psalms where he humbly voiced his doubts, his concerns, his fears, but he didn't leave it there... David always went on to praise God for His blessings - past, present and future. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2034&version=NIV" target="_blank">Psalm 34</a>, David extolled the Lord encouraging all who are afflicted to praise God along with him. David lived IN God's blessings despite his affliction.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+77&version=ESV" target="_blank">Psalm 77</a>, David's soul refused to be comforted. He said he was so troubled he could not sleep. So when there was nothing to rejoice about in his current circumstances, he remembered the past deeds of the Lord and His wonders of old. Here we see David enjoying God's blessings, despite the anguish within him.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In Psalm 115:12-13, David acknowledges God's future blessings using language that is sure, with no shadow of doubt. He lives in those blessings as if they were present blessings.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Lord remembers us and <u>will bless</u> us:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> He <u>will bless</u> his people Israel,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> he <u>will bless</u> the house of Aaron,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>he <u>will bless</u> those who fear the Lord—</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> small and great alike.</i></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: 400;">Indeed, as the opening Psalm of this blog post indicates, David and Israel enjoyed rest, and his throne was established forever. Through the line of David came Jesus our greatest blessing.</div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: 400;">In order to live IN the blessings of God, we must take a page out of David's Psalms and live in a constant state of gratitude, for there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for in God's economy, no matter what the circumstances. The more we practice gratitude, the more natural it will become to recognize God's blessings and the more our brains will rewire to apprehend and live IN those blessings.</div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: 400;">Remember, even if you are walking through one of your toughest seasons, and you feel like all hope is gone, recount what the Lord has done for His people thousands of years ago, for a thousand years is like a day to the Lord. Their blessings are your blessings in Christ Jesus. </div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>For similar posts, click on the following:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2019/11/praise-god-when-do-not-feel-like-it.html" target="_blank">3 Reasons to Praise God When You Don't Feel Like It</a><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2019/07/how-to-experience-pleasant-life.html" target="_blank">How to Experience a Pleasant Life</a><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/10/how-to-experience-joy-in-christian-life.html" target="_blank"><i>How to Experience Joy in the 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style="color: #38761d;">Faith Filled Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.godsizeddreams.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">God Sized Dreams Link-Up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://jaimewiebel.com/blog/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sitting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.betheeinspired.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Be Thee Inspired</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.aboundinggrace.co/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Graceful Tuesday Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://aboutachik.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Aprons & Pearls Link-up</span></a> </span><a 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href="https://aspiritofsimplicity.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Seeking Sabbath</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Scripture and a Snapshot</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://welcomeheart.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Welcome Heart</span></a> </span><a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://outdoorsymommy.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Outdoorsy Mommy</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://anchoredabode.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Anchored Truth Tuesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.instaencouragements.com/blog">I<span style="color: #38761d;">nstaEncouragements</span></a> <a href="https://bluecottonmemory.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Remember Me Mondays</span></a></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://soaringwithhim.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Recharge Wednesdays</span></a> <a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a></span></div></div></div></div></div></h2>Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-39376201120467729242020-09-21T00:00:00.005-04:002020-09-21T00:00:00.144-04:00Am I Good Enough for God?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_6-rEDxqcSnEAmQdYRduc5jKOrYBx2M-lpaAs9-prgFIJrikoe-UytmM3v_mpbdI2irydAFXlofq-LlTB7gxTfOU-FOvrD1c3NnW399WqZ6XA6OQiGxvswUJ5mW8oVGULUCCfOiopfmg/s1500/Am+I+Good+Enough_.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gold Oscar award on maroon backyard with white stars" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_6-rEDxqcSnEAmQdYRduc5jKOrYBx2M-lpaAs9-prgFIJrikoe-UytmM3v_mpbdI2irydAFXlofq-LlTB7gxTfOU-FOvrD1c3NnW399WqZ6XA6OQiGxvswUJ5mW8oVGULUCCfOiopfmg/w426-h640/Am+I+Good+Enough_.png" title="Am I Good Enough For God?" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Every Believer at some point in their Christian walk begins to doubt and asks themselves the question, <i>am I good enough</i>? Even though we have the head knowledge that Jesus died for our sins and that we have been pronounced not guilty by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, those pesky doubts of unworthiness and feelings of not good enough creep back in. We become discouraged and may spiral into struggles of besetting sin and a "what's the use?" attitude of "I'll never be good enough for God". </p><p>Those thoughts right there are Satan's MO in an attempt to render God's children impotent in their Spiritual walks and their service to God.</p><p>I'd like to offer some encouragement for those of you who are struggling with feelings of <i>not good enough</i> by taking a deeper look at some of the questions you might ask yourself when doubts about whether you are good enough crowd out the Truth of who God says you are.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Am I Good Enough for God?</span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. <br /></b></i><i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1 Timothy 1:12-14</span></b></i></div><p>The Apostle Paul was indeed a blasphemer, persecutor and insolent opponent of Jesus. He persecuted Christians to uphold the traditions of his ancestors who did not believe in a Gospel of Grace, but the works of the law. So if Paul, who was an enemy of God in the worst kind of way was saved by Grace and pronounced good enough, YOU are not only good enough in God's eyes, your are a testimony of His goodness.</p><p>As a Believer, the above verse serves as a reminder to preach the Gospel of Grace to yourself when you start asking, <i>am I good enough for God</i>. </p><p>And what does God say about your doubts of not feeling good enough? </p><p>God says, I chose you before the foundations of the world to be my precious child, set apart for Me. When I look at you, I see that you have been washed clean by the blood of Jesus who died for your sins. I see NOT GUILTY <i>written</i> over you. You are made in MY image. You are my beloved creation and all that I create IS good! </p><p>So the next time you feel doubts of <i>am I good enough for God</i> creeping in, remember not only are you good enough, you are absolutely PERFECT!</p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2 Corinthians 5:17</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live,</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i> but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh</i></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i> I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Galations 2:20</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for</i></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i> his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1 Peter 2:9</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Am I Good Enough to Serve God?</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">John 15:16</span></b></i></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you find yourself holding back if a ministry opportunity presents itself? Has a Pastor, Elder, Deacon, fellow congregant or mentor seen something in you that they felt would be a good quality for a ministry position, but you just had this nagging feeling that you weren't good enough to serve God in that capacity or maybe in any capacity and declined?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By way of encouragement, I'd like to share what I learned from my own experience when I too wrestled with this question.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Years ago, when I was in the throws of my anxiety (you will find many blog posts on this site under the tag "anxiety" where I have shared about my struggle with anxiety and how God delivered me and continues to deliver me), I stepped out of my comfort zone and attended a Ladies Bible Study at my church. After a year of participating in Ladies Bible Studies, I was approached by a seasoned Christian who pulled me aside and asked me if I would pray about being one of the Ladies Bible Study facilitators as she would be stepping down from that role. Not only that, she asked if I would pray about being the lead mentor for our church's Mothers of Preschoolers group. I confess that there was a part of me that wanted to say I would pray about it knowing full well I had decided no to the request, but I was <i>good </i>(see what I did there? lol) and I DID pray about it. In the end, even though I was concerned about my Achilles heel of anxiety and not being good enough for those roles, I felt that the Lord was actually confirming a deep desire in my heart to serve in both of those positions. You see, despite my anxiety, I had always envisioned myself speaking to women's groups and/or being in a women's ministry leadership position. I know! That seems counter to my anxiety! lol. Had God not moved that sweet lady at church to see <i>"my goodness"</i>, I would've never saw it in myself. Fast forward 10 years, and I am now serving alongside my Associate Pastor husband as his helpmate, and I also serve as the women's ministry and women's Bible study leader at our church. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes it takes someone else to see that you are good enough when you do not see yourself as good enough. Heed their prompting, for you will be blessed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Whether someone comes alongside of you and recognizes that you are good enough, all that really matters is that GOD says you are good enough. For as the above verse from John states, He chose you and appointed you to bear fruit in His name by serving Him in whatever capacity He places before you. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You ARE good enough to serve God, because He created you to do just that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>For we are his workmanship, </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>created in Christ Jesus for good works, </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>which God prepared beforehand,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> that we should walk in them.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ephesians 2:10</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Am I Doing Enough for God?</span></h2><p>Have you ever felt guilty that you aren't doing enough for God? Have you looked at another Believer's life and thought, "wow, look at all the ways she's serving God and I'm over here doing nothing for God..."</p><p>Although it is important to serve God, especially in your local church, it's important to look at what you are focusing on as service and how you are perceiving what that is "supposed" to look like.</p><div style="text-align: left;">There are different ways the question <i>am I doing enough for God </i>could be viewed. The story of Mary and Martha offers insight...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>and it will not be taken away from her.”</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Luke 10:38-42</span></b></i></div></div><p>Martha is busy with all the preparations. Is her work important? Absolutely! But she was focused on that as being the MOST important work. Jesus gently reminded her that Mary's choice was better as she was sitting at Jesus' feet listening to His teachings.</p><p>When you find yourself in a season where it is hard to physically serve in the local church body or anywhere really such as being a busy young mom, having a sickness or disability, in the throws of family issues or in your sunset years and unable to get out, you are still good enough for God and are still doing enough for God. </p><p>When you are in one of those seasons, it doesn't take the Christian out of the person or make you any less in God's eyes. In fact, you probably cling to Him even more, much like Mary in the story above, and that indeed is enough for that season. For God is not looking at your "to do list" for Him, He cares about one thing only and that is your relationship with Him. If you've asked yourself the question, am I doing enough for God, you might be tending to focus too much on the activity of being enough for God rather than being still before God as enough for Him.</p><p>As you sit at the feet of Jesus, you will gain more insights on ways to do even more for God. He will lead you spiritually and guide you physically. When you are in close relationship with the Lord, you will always be doing enough for God because you will be worshiping Him in mind, body and Spirit.</p><p>Remember, the reality is we could never do enough for God to repay Him for what HE did for us! But that is not said to discourage, but to encourage you that ALL that you do for Him is in actuality GOD doing it through you. Therefore, all glory to God because HE does it all!</p><div style="text-align: left;">The next time you ask, Am I good enough for God? Am I good enough to serve God? Am I doing enough for God? Answer yourself back with the Gospel of Grace. Preach to yourself over and over again and those questions of doubt will turn into statements of Truth!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">I AM GOOD ENOUGH FOR GOD</h3><h3 style="text-align: center;">I AM GOOD ENOUGH TO SERVE GOD</h3><h3 style="text-align: center;">I AM DOING ENOUGH FOR GOD</h3><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><i><b>For similar posts, click on the following:</b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-antidote-for-feeling-like-failure.html" target="_blank">The Antidote for Feeling Like a Failure</a><br /></b></i></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/05/how-does-god-use-my-failure.html" target="_blank"><b>How Does God Use My Failure?</b></a></i><br /><i><br /></i><i><b><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-epitome-of-grace.html" target="_blank">The Epitome of Grace</a></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/04/giving-yourself-grace-biblical-perspective.html" target="_blank">Giving Yourself Grace - A Biblical Perspective</a></b></i></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/05/3-biblical-ways-you-are-called-to-serve-your-church.html" target="_blank"><i><b>3 Biblical Ways You Are Called to Serve in Your Church</b></i></a><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/02/4-practical-ways-to-incorporate-service-into-daily-life.html" target="_blank">Four Practical Ways to Incorporate Service into your Daily Life</a></i></b></div><div 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center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="color: #38761d;"><span face="" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="https://www.embracingtheunexpected.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Grace & Truth</span></a>, </i><i><a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Woman to Woman Ministries</span></a>,</i><i> </i></span></span><span face="" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://anitaojeda.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Inspire Me Monday</span></a></span></i></span><span face="" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;">A Wise Women Builds Her Home</a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Spiritual Sundays</a>,<span style="color: #38761d;"> <a href="http://donnareidland.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Soul Survival</span></a>, G<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/category/good-morning-mondays-link-party/"><span style="color: #38761d;">ood Morning Mondays</span></a>, <a href="http://marygeisen.com/tellhisstory/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Tell His Story</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span face=""><a href="http://www.simplemomentsstick.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith & Fellowship Blog Hop</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></span></i><i><span face=""><a href="http://www.sarahefrazer.com/" style="color: #38761d;"> </a><a href="http://www.sarahefrazer.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Tuesday Talk</a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://countingmyblessings.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith 'N Friends</span></a><span style="color: #274e13;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://youresewtrendy.blogspot.com/" style="color: #274e13;">S<span style="color: #38761d;">itting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">House to Home</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> ,</span><a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wonderful Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> , </span><a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Literacy Musings Mondays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/" style="color: #38761d;">I<span style="color: #38761d;">mparting Grace</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Dance with Jesus</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mommynificent.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Booknificent Thursdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://crystaltwaddell.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Fresh Market Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/" 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Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-65052902215440404282020-09-14T00:00:00.037-04:002020-11-09T19:15:50.482-05:00How to Align Your Will with God's Will<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID5HenYBkMRdQ2u9UNCygBx1DkJF8uV1IJV3mY80jU_M3xqvzpOUYijxpbN6YtYpYkTZtvU6aYM5YR0yjZXnX6Gpjk9MuBD9uGdK3mE6fCA8zqVZbYyDnJEVtBaEF4-TCj0D3o-BOUp_K/s1600/How+to+Align+Your+Will+With+God%2527s+Will.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dark profile silhouette of woman standing at dusk looking up at the moon with a flock of birds fling over backdropped by a sky with red hues" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID5HenYBkMRdQ2u9UNCygBx1DkJF8uV1IJV3mY80jU_M3xqvzpOUYijxpbN6YtYpYkTZtvU6aYM5YR0yjZXnX6Gpjk9MuBD9uGdK3mE6fCA8zqVZbYyDnJEVtBaEF4-TCj0D3o-BOUp_K/s640/How+to+Align+Your+Will+With+God%2527s+Will.png" title="How to Align Your Will with God's Will" width="426" /></a></div>
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When seeking the will of God in a matter, we can sometimes confuse our selfish desires as God's will for the situation. It's important to be totally honest with ourselves concerning our natural bents. Do they lean toward wanting what God wants no matter what the cost OR do they tend toward selfishness.</div>
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You might ask yourself, do I bristle at what I am perceiving to be God's will? Am I afraid of God's will? Am I not willing to let go of my own will in favor of God's will. If you've answered yes to any one of these questions, than you probably struggle with aligning your will with God's will. <br />
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So how can we align our wills with God's will? Let's look to God and His Word for our answers.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">How Do My Goals Align with God's Will</span></h2>
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It might be good, as the first order of business, when seeking to align your will with God's will, to conduct a self-assessment...</div>
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Are my thoughts focused on God and His desires for me through His Word? Am I wholly relying on God daily whether it be in a mundane task or a big decision? Do I look at myself and the world through a Biblical lens? </div>
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Basically, everything we do in life is a goal that we have set for ourselves. It is not just left to a broad vision or a daily task sheet, but our thoughts, our views, our decisions all have a subliminal reach that we naturally attain toward...</div>
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Unfortunately, in these sinful bodies, we more times than not seek after selfish goals and selfish thinking.</div>
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Keeping this in mind, we must ask ourselves, are my goals aligned with the will of God?</div>
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As Believers we should be students of the Word of God. If we are not already, we should aspire to make time every day to spend in the Scriptures. To truly understand the will of God, we must learn everything about Him. In His great love and mercy, we have His love letter, the Bible, that details everything we need to know about God and His character. As we become immersed in the things of God through His Word, we will find that our thoughts, ideas, views, decisions, the way we carry out daily tasks and our long-term vision will be <i>goals</i> that are aligned with God's will in obedience to the Father.</div>
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<b><i>Do not be conformed to this world, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>what is good and acceptable and perfect.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Romans 12:2</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">God Plants Desires in our Hearts</span></h2>
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<b><i>Delight yourself in the Lord, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>and he will give you the desires of your heart.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Psalm 37:4</span></i></b></div>
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This verse is so interesting because it doesn't say that the Lord will give you the desires of <i>His</i> heart, but of <i>your</i> heart. Yet the clue about what these desires are come from the first part of the verse... For when we are delighting in the Lord, we are indeed desiring everything about Him and want what He wants. His desires become our desires.<br />
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Too often I think this verse can be taken out of context to mean that because we are followers of Jesus, He will give us the desires of <i>our </i>hearts. And indeed this is true when we are truly delighting in the Lord as described above, but there are times, when the only person we are honestly thinking about is ourselves and what WE desire. {Preaching to myself here...}<br />
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It is God who changes the desires of our hearts. As we daily are being sanctified, the Lord is planting His desires deep within our hearts. As we grow in our walk with the Lord, we will find that our desires will change more and more from what we want to what God wants. <br />
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When we don't rebel and allow God to work through this sanctification process, our wills naturally become aligned with God's will.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">Prayers for Alignment with God</span></h2>
If there is ever a prayer that the Lord will answer <i>{and I'm saying this for dramatic effect for we know that no prayer is too insignificant for the Lord}</i>, it is the prayer lifted up to the Heavenly Father from a child of God seeking to align themselves with the will of God.<br />
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<b><i>This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1 John 5:14</span></i></b></div>
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It's certainly God's will that our will be aligned with His. Talk about stating the obvious! lol.<br />
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But if we are being honest, there may be a part of us that hesitates to pray this prayer because we are not "ready" or willing to give up our own will, just yet... Or an anxious heart might be afraid to pray for our wills to be in sync with God's will because we fear that there could be pain or suffering in God's will for our lives. Others might have a resentment toward God's will as they've <i>perceived</i> it played out in the past...<br />
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The fact of the matter is, God's will is not thwarted by anything, not even our own stubbornness or fear! <br />
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<b><i>“I know that You can do all things</i></b></div>
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<b><i> and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Job 42:42</span></i></b></div>
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This verse can bring us great comfort, no matter what our struggle might be in giving up our wills to the Lord's, because He promises...<br />
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<b><i>For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,</i></b></div>
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<b><i> plans to give you hope and a future.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jeremiah 29:11</span></i></b></div>
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We are God's creation, His masterpiece, His children, His friends, the ones He sent His Son Jesus to die for. How then could His will for us mean anything less than abounding Eternal Love?<br />
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Ask the Holy Spirit to prompt you to seek His will in all things. Pray that He would search your heart to see if there be any wicked way in you, any selfish motive or desire, that is not the will of God and to flesh that out. Pray that you would walk in His will each and every day...<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">Walking in Alignment with God</span></h2>
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Now that we have taken an inventory of our <i>goals</i>, chosen not to rebel against God's sanctifying work within us and prayed sincerely for God's will to be our own will, it's time to walk in alignment with the will of God.</div>
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And the Lord promises goodness to those who love His will and walk in it.</div>
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<b><i>Trust in the Lord with all your heart, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>and do not lean on your own understanding. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>In all your ways acknowledge him, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>and he will make straight your paths.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Proverbs 3:5-6</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i>You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>that you may live, and that it may go well with you, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Deuteronomy 5:33</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i>But I say, walk by the Spirit, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Galations 5:16</span></i></b></div>
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There is no need to hold onto our own wills, because they will only lead to discontentment and heartache. Instead, we must trust in the Lord and He will make our paths straight. We need not fear the will of God, because He promises that it will go well with us. And when we walk by the Spirit, we will no longer bristle at or be resentful of God's will.</div>
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May we all align our wills to the will of God.</div>
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<i>“The safest place to be is in the center of God's will.”</i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Corrie Ten Boom</span></i></div>
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</div>Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-51012544438189831552020-09-07T00:00:00.032-04:002020-11-09T19:16:34.929-05:00When to Act and When to Wait on God: 3 Things to Consider<br />
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When faced with an important decision in life or a choice of paramount proportions, it is important to know when to act upon that which the Lord has revealed to you and when to wait on God before moving forward.<br />
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God's Word tells us...<br />
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<b><i>If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">James 1:5</span></i></b></div>
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Not only are we to seek God's wisdom for direction concerning a matter, but even after we sense that God has given us the green light, we must seek His wisdom before acting.<br />
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Let's consider the following three things when making a decision to act or to wait in the context of having already received a green light from God.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">The Importance of Waiting on God</span></h2>
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Patience is not a natural bent of ours. In fact, this is becoming more and more apparent in an age of entitlement and wanting things yesterday. We have been essentially trained to have zero tolerance for waiting. And I'm preaching to myself here... There are areas in my life where my patience runs thin and I end up resenting the wait.<br />
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In God's economy, waiting should be as natural as our breathing.<br />
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The Word of God spells out God's patience in carrying out His perfect plans. And yes, a thousand years is like a day to the Lord, but even so, we are part of God's creation and God's creation has been designed to wait on the Lord.<br />
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<b><i>For the creation waits with eager longing</i></b></div>
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<b><i> for the revealing of the sons of God.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Romans 8:19</span></i></b></div>
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So how can we be patient with God when He makes us wait even though He has already given us the green light?<br />
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Look to His Word for encouragement...<br />
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<b><i>But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; </i></b></div>
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<b><i>they shall mount up with wings like eagles; </i></b></div>
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<b><i>they shall run and not be weary;</i></b></div>
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<b><i> they shall walk and not faint.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Isaiah 40:31</span></i></b></div>
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The Lord has built renewal into waiting. Waiting on God's timing builds character and trust in a God who is always acting even when He is telling us to wait.<br />
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<b><i>For still the vision awaits its appointed time; </i></b></div>
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<b><i>it hastens to the end—it will not lie. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>If it seems slow, wait for it; </i></b></div>
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<b><i>it will surely come; it will not delay.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Habakkuk 2:3</span></i></b></div>
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It is especially important to wait for <i>God's appointed time </i>to move forward when He's given you the green light...<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"> When God <i>Tells</i> you to Wait Even Though He Gave you a Green Light</span></h2>
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<br />Let's say you've spent much time in prayer seeking the Lord for direction regarding a ministry idea, asking what is the will of God concerning this matter. You may have been praying for months or years! After waiting on God, finally the day comes when you feel confirmation in your spirit that the Lord is leading you to move forward in this new area of ministry... But does that mean you should act right then and there?<br />
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Let's learn a lesson from Judges on the consequences of acting hastily in that which the Lord has given a green light for...<br />
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<i><b>The Israelites went up to Bethel and inquired of God. They said, “Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Benjamites?”</b></i></div>
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<i><b>The Lord replied, “Judah shall go first.”</b></i></div>
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<i><b>The next morning the Israelites got up and pitched camp near Gibeah. The </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Israelites went out to fight the Benjamites and took up battle positions against </b></i></div>
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<i><b>them at Gibeah. The Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down twenty-two thousand </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Israelites on the battlefield that day. But the Israelites encouraged one another and again</b></i></div>
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<i><b> took up their positions where they had stationed themselves the first day. The Israelites </b></i></div>
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<i><b>went up and wept before the Lord until evening, and they inquired of the Lord. They said, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites?”</b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b>The Lord answered, “Go up against them.”</b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b>Then the Israelites drew near to Benjamin the second day. This time, when the </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Benjamites came out from Gibeah to oppose them, they cut down another</b></i></div>
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<i><b> eighteen thousand Israelites, all of them armed with swords.</b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b>Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. And the Israelites inquired of the Lord. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministering before it.) They asked, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites, or not?”</b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b>The Lord responded, “Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands.”</b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Judges 20:18-28</span></b></i></div>
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Here we see that indeed the Israelites sought the Lord for direction three times, but it was only after the third time that they did not suffer defeat. According to Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, Israel was defeated the first two times because they acted hastily, moving forward without careful planning and without depending on God <i>in </i>the battle.<br />
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There is much wisdom in not acting hastily once you've received God's green light, ESPECIALLY in something where you carefully sought the Lord prior. It would be a shame to obey in the first, but when the rubber meets the road, to disobey and go out in your own strength rather than waiting on the Lord.<br />
<br />Before moving through God's green light, consider when to act and when to wait on God through continued prayer; careful, prayerful planning; and dependence on God through the entire process.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">When to Act and When to Wait on God</span></h2>
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I am going to use the story of a dear friend of mine and sister in the Lord as a practical application for determining when to act and when to wait on God once you've received His green light.<br />
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When my friend was a teenager, she felt the Lord had placed a call upon her heart to start a ministry for providing a place of solitude and rest for Pastors, missionaries, Christian workers and fellow believers. The Lord had even given her a name for this ministry and inspired her mind's eye with what the buildings and grounds would look like...<br />
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Even though the Lord had given her excruciating detail about moving forward with this ministry, it was not time to act... In fact, it was about 15 years later when my friend felt that the Lord was taking her out of her holding pattern and moving her to go through a green light that was given by Him 15 years prior.<br />
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Fast forward, and this ministry vision that the Lord placed upon my dear friend's heart many years ago is now closer to a reality. When the Lord's timing finally came for her to act upon the green light, she was amazed at what God had been preparing for her - a property that looked exactly like the vision the Lord placed upon her heart all those years ago, right down to the house, the outbuildings and the land! She and her family have been living there for at least five years now and continue to wait upon the Lord to begin actively running the ministry. There have been green lights and red lights along the way. Throughout all of this, of course, His timing has been absolutely perfect!<br />
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My friend has unceasingly prayed and sought prayer from fellow Believers for this ministry which prayers continue today.<br />
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Although I gave the Reader's Digest version of my friend's story, there are indeed deeper lessons from the full story, lessons about knowing when to act and when to wait on God...<br />
<ul>
<li>The Lord provides green lights for casting a vision. As we wait for it to become a reality, the Lord is maturing and strengthening us for service in whatever area we sought direction in.</li>
<li>God orchestrates circumstances, sometimes in ways that are painful, that are working toward moving us through a light that has already been made green by Him</li>
<li>God's timing is perfect. While we wait, He is preparing that which He will eventually move us forward through.</li>
<li>If there will be a season of pain in moving forward with that which the Lord has signaled is time to act upon, move forward anyway, there will be abundant blessings on the other side of pain.</li>
<li>Even when God gives the go ahead to act, be patient in moving forward to ensure wisdom in direction, movement in His strength alone and reliance wholly upon God.</li>
</ul>
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In reflecting upon these insights from my friend's story, we can see the fruitful blessings that will be our reward for discerning rightly when to act and when to wait upon God when He has already given us the go-ahead.<br />
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May we contemplate the importance of waiting on God, heeding the Lord when He <i>tells </i>us to wait even though He has given us a green light, and prayerfully considering when to act and when to wait upon God.<br />
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</span><a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wonderful Wednesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> ,</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://faithadventures.me/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Tea & Word Tuesday</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/blog/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouragement Thursday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.marissawrites.com/2016/10/hearts-for-home-106.html" style="color: #38761d;">Hearts for Home</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Messy Marriage Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://afiremanswife.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Friday at the Fire Station Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://debbiekitterman.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Tune In Thursday</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.lylidunbar.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith on Fire Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://peabea.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday Scripture Blessings Link-up</span></a></span><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://mom-gene.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday Thoughts</span></a>, </span><a href="http://becomingpress.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Writer Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith Filled Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.godsizeddreams.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">God Sized Dreams Link-Up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://jaimewiebel.com/blog/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sitting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.betheeinspired.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Be Thee Inspired</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.aboundinggrace.co/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Graceful Tuesday Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://aboutachik.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Aprons & Pearls Link-up</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.trekkingthru.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank">T<span style="color: #38761d;">rekkingthru Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mississippimom.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Word Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">G</span><span style="color: #38761d;">race Moments Link-up</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://apronstringsotherthings.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Hearts and Home</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://www.worthbeyondrubies.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Worth Beyond Rubies</span></a> </span><a href="https://aspiritofsimplicity.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Seeking Sabbath</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Scripture and a Snapshot</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://welcomeheart.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Welcome Heart</span></a> </span><a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://outdoorsymommy.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Outdoorsy Mommy</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://anchoredabode.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Anchored Truth Tuesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.instaencouragements.com/blog"><span style="color: #38761d;">InstaEncouragements</span></a></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://soaringwithhim.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Recharge Wednesdays</span></a> <a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a></span></div>
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<br /></div>Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-27033588565967969462020-08-31T00:00:00.000-04:002020-08-31T00:00:03.362-04:00A Trial of Waiting - Guest Post by Rebekah Neal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEnS5AYFS2nZq20RxyQjKlk-aDfgTdHlyGFPnomvR9UCwldGyjucwL6brl-PLvST_hMV7v-XwO3B5UgRpVJJnom98-HxuKshAo2pV_in9vXRZJWJzipivtvF_z71DqgppxWNUkOnFQWs2/s1600/A+Trial+of+Waiting.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dried up dandelion covered in snow with snowfall around" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEnS5AYFS2nZq20RxyQjKlk-aDfgTdHlyGFPnomvR9UCwldGyjucwL6brl-PLvST_hMV7v-XwO3B5UgRpVJJnom98-HxuKshAo2pV_in9vXRZJWJzipivtvF_z71DqgppxWNUkOnFQWs2/s640/A+Trial+of+Waiting.png" title="A Trial of Waiting - Guest Post by Rebekah Neal" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Overcoming a Trial By the Lord’s Strength~~ a Trial of Waiting</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-621874d8-7fff-cecf-9bc7-703b935c22ed" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">And streams in the desert</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The parched ground shall become a pool,And the thirsty land springs of water;</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">In the habitation of jackals, where each lay,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">There shall be grass with reeds and rushes.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Isaiah 35:6-7 NKJV</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Nothing so clears the vision and lifts up the life, as a decision to</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> move forward in what you know to be entirely the will of God.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">~John G. Paton</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 360px; overflow: hidden; width: 640px;"><img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6G51IcvXXYYDeBztzG9kcUJQ2Ux3tWZOo_oHtP9Cczxr2QvIDtPTo1MAV0lxrE-cYQBfaSQr_0dtWGIU_DeH-JNlDsabODrxomoV6x05etPW03lsEYlrdrkYDz3vlYijBpYlU7Qxspfg/s640/hernhut1.jpg" height="360" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/CrC-s3XEkn_1e8hy_s-A_4ekunp_h8aHaOS8PQAnJxp5ngm3wtUc2e1fd1qUCYnXQ5jNkGt4iBYMqREXbeTUS4YgUpFmqgd9vCijiwdNQXo_al8-9NxOjIp_GEfJdZjAS_78A5Ra5YeTwBwkkg" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /></span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Several years ago, </span><a href="http://www.readytobeoffered.com/2015/10/flying-to-summer-land.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">our family moved</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> from Rhode Island to Wisconsin,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> obeying our Heavenly Father's leading and calling in our lives to begin </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">a ministry in the Midwest. We came with a minivan packed full to the</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> brim and I came with a very fearful heart, but also with a heart that </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">hoped in my God's precious promises. He went before us. And that first</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> year in the great "wilderness" of Wisconsin was one of the most difficult</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> years of my life, but I would not trade it and </span><a href="http://www.readytobeoffered.com/2016/02/the-gift-of-quietness.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">the lessons that the Lord</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.readytobeoffered.com/2016/02/the-gift-of-quietness.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> taught me through it</span><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">for anything. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I missed my family and friends dearly. But I found in my loneliness</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> a Friend in Jesus. </span><a href="http://www.readytobeoffered.com/2016/09/grace-in-midwest-wilderness.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I found peace in the quietness of seeking Him</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> I found rest in depending upon Him alone when there was no one</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> else to turn to. Truly, He gave me </span><a href="http://www.readytobeoffered.com/2016/03/when-you-just-cant-do-it.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">grace in the wilderness.</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">My husband and I came out to the Midwest </span><a href="http://www.readytobeoffered.com/2015/03/an-impossible-prayer-request.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">to begin a ministry</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">--people </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">have asked </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">why Wisconsin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">? Do we have family here? Was it work-related? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The very short answer is no. We moved to Wisconsin after years of </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">seeking the Lord and becoming convinced that this was where He wanted</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> us to be--that this was where He wanted us to begin the ministry that He</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> called us to. We moved here in a simple act of obedience to the Lord as</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> He enabled us by His grace--an act of obedience that I struggled with up</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> to the very end when the Lord strongly spoke to me through a Ravi</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> Zacharias sermon and through His Word. </span><a href="http://www.readytobeoffered.com/2016/07/midwest-ministry-update.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I said </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">yes</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> to the Lord through</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.readytobeoffered.com/2016/07/midwest-ministry-update.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> many tears. </span></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Years before that, I had begun to pray--to pray for the Lord's direction and</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> guidance in my life in regards to this particular calling. I was around 18 </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">years old when the Lord spoke to me--and I never imagined at that point how</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> much time would pass before He accomplished His purpose in this particular area. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">16 years of waiting ended in a beautiful and precious answer to prayer. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 426px; overflow: hidden; width: 640px;"><img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGstsC6ETTttoqvmrvaUwoNdO8RzWCOmMMMwnRXuBq-rRdSW76iGLxyJntuYolRBShDiWQx4uW5mUHCTVqVMJkmrKSnaKBa5kLroJx5sOIddPxXmMoSYBgf5CGhvZUKSQxHWuEsrZEj4/s640/hernhut3.jpg" height="426" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/qfOl0CLgdhmfQuhqq-JxuF1YH7ieLMdu3L8CogxMdTWgVXobZ_19los6dBQS38Gs9nRc42zLklOcqUEwieHTLvi9z62wVSj5DjxhGlmqmpvfy4IaoTM9k4CeTs2_khYI9s54flKKEDVOBivl4w" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">My husband and I came to establish a place of rest in the Midwest--a place</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> where fellow believers can come and have a respite from the world as they</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> seek the Lord, a place for missionaries to stay, a place for pastors to come</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> apart for a time of refreshing, or for any Christian seeking rest and quietness.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> It needed to be a peaceful place with enough room to house our brothers and sisters. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">When we arrived here, my heart was burdened with three main concerns. A </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">job for my husband that would provide for our family, a solid Gospel-driven </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">church, and a place--a home, where we could conduct this ministry.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The Lord mercifully provided a job for my husband in his field just before </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">we moved here and then recently opened up the door for a different job closer</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> to our home in response to our prayers for His provision. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He opened up a place for us to worship Him-- a church that we have come to </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">love and where the Gospel is preached boldly. This was another precious </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">answer to prayer. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">And then came a great trial to my faith~~a trial of waiting upon the Lord when</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> everything seemed hopeless. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">My third concern-- for a place, a home; this prayer went unanswered. I struggled</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> when the time came for our lease to be renewed. We had been here for about a year, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">living in a rental home that was not the most cost-efficient place to live. We were </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">traveling a good distance to church with two small children and my husband, after</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> the Lord opened up the second job here for him, was commuting about an </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">hour-and-a-half to work each way. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I felt as though it would be "wiser" to move closer to our church and closer to my </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">husband's job. I prayed and struggled and sought the Lord, earnestly trying to explain </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">to Him why moving at that point would be best . . . </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I heard the Lord's silence. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">We looked at homes to rent in the area where we felt that we should possibly move.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> We considered purchasing a smaller home, which would be more cost-effective</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> than renting, while we waited for the Lord to open the door for a home for our ministry. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I felt hesitant, but we continued to explore options. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The Lord kept stopping us--a house would already be rented or an offer had already </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">been made on a home that we were looking at. My husband and I began to think that</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> perhaps the Lord had a different plan in mind and that we were supposed to stay </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">where we were, at least for the time being--but we just could not understand </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">why</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">We looked at one final house, hoping that maybe the Lord would show us otherwise. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">That night, I read a passage in the devotional </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Streams in the Desert</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">--</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">When the cloud remained . . . the Israelites . . . did not set out. (Numbers 9: 19)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">This was the ultimate test of obedience. It was relatively easy to fold up their tents</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> when the fleecy cloud slowly gathered over the tabernacle and began to majestically</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> float ahead of the multitude of the Israelites. Change normally seems pleasant, and</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> the people were excited and interested in the route, the scenery, and the habitat of</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> the next stopping place.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Yet having to wait was another story altogether. “When the cloud remained,” however</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> uninviting and sweltering the location, however trying to flesh and blood, however</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> boring and wearisome to those who were impatient, however perilously close their</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> exposure to danger— there was no option but to remain encamped.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The psalmist said, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> cry” (Ps. 40:1). And what God did for the Old Testament saints, He will do for</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> believers down through the ages, yet He will often keep us waiting. Must we wait</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> when we are face to face with a threatening enemy, surrounded by danger and fear,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> or below an unstable rock? Would this not be the time to fold our tents and leave? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Have we not already suffered to the point of total collapse? Can we not exchange</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> the sweltering heat for “green pastures . . . [and] quiet waters” (Ps. 23: 2)?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">When God sends no answer and “the cloud remain[ s],” we must wait. Yet we can </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">do so with the full assurance of God’s provision of manna, water from the rock, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">shelter, and protection from our enemies. He never keeps us at our post without</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> assuring us of His presence or sending us daily supplies.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Young person, wait— do not be in such a hurry to make a change! Minister, stay at </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">your post! You must wait where you are until the cloud clearly begins to move. Wait </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">for the Lord to give you His good pleasure! He will not be late!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">And so, against what I humanly deemed as "wise and prudent," I decided to wait upon</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> the Lord for His direction without actively seeking to move forward until I knew His</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> hand leading; my husband and I committed to this course of seeming "inaction,"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> renewed our lease, and decided to wait again upon the Lord in prayer. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 424px; overflow: hidden; width: 640px;"><img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwA8jLbP55f6E3kOvFkKKo5aSlIEF9v0qAxK7XRTeWAKknb6nCsBFfufLjB6gTap3HRs5qDfD2EU9_ex0p5epnzfMo2py2dZHaU6o_zEx1Ir2PaTTgq4WqHilw9xJA8XSnB6DSvt1ilk/s640/cardinal-1884283_960_720.jpg" height="424" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UAPUx61NhVs9X6FGuCOateon8eC_DEr3-GgRMLi-KkaTcndAyYbHQZY3D4u0cf3jaFIJs8qAGwWOdhq7HKvTG7nMKLWfiS2pxdEtTV0zb449qcf9YQu6uu4BMEvYkWhsp8M-9M4JBJ19gSdPNQ" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">And interestingly, someone very close to me kept reminding me not to limit the</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> Lord--I honestly was very doubtful that the Lord was going to open the door at</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> that point for a home for us that would be the place for our ministry-there seemed</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> to be too many obstacles and I just didn't see humanly how it could be done . . . </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> But this person kept telling me to wait patiently--that I and my husband never knew</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> what the Lord would do and at the same time the Lord continually kept reassuring me </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">through His Word that He was ready to act in His perfect way.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The housing market remained grim. I worried and wondered and fretted and then </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">returned to trusting in the Lord as we waited. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Nothing</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> came on the market that </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">was suitable. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Finally, as the time drew closer to when we would need to make a decision about</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> whether or not to renew our lease again (the 6-month period that we had leased our</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> rental house for was drawing closer to its end again), I believed that the Lord was</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> telling me to seek Him more deliberately in prayer, and I set aside a period of time</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> to do this. During that time, still </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">nothing</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> still came on the market. Yet I waited,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> believing that His hand had led me to wait upon Him earnestly in prayer and so I did . . . </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Right at the end of this time of prayer and seeking the Lord, a house came on the</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> market. I can only attribute what happened next as a miracle from the Lord's hand in </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">direct answer to prayer. The house exactly fit what we were looking for for our ministry.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> It was set on almost four acres in a peaceful setting. Its outbuildings and layout would </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">perfectly accommodate what we have been called to do. And in the Lord's perfect mercy,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> the style of the home is one that I love--an old-fashioned 1890s house that reminds me</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> of my beloved New England. Tears of joy come to me even now as I write this, and</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> now that we realize that the Lord has given us this place for this time, for His purposes</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> I can only say</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I waited patiently for the Lord;</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">And He inclined to me,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">And heard my cry.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Out of the miry clay,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">And set my feet upon a rock,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">And established my steps.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He has put a new song in my mouth—</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Praise to our God;</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Many will see it and fear,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">And will trust in the Lord.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Psalm 40:1-3 NKJV</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 412px; overflow: hidden; width: 640px;"><img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_czhdxDiNqe57j19CIs0T7ZkcE_r-pUWn5nt-KiRuvHQxiNDHx-PKrIfk7C2XkaGPdPPMeIPZYqqCOcKPop_ossZ8POjeCqYaYrngO5ggapzwn7il9dbVeAW2fCQznPHu0k72dOXWEgo/s640/hernhit4.jpg" height="412" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-87wNX-azlYXR-dSIWUTGgnuo1eYufYoJrcnmwnMRbgctT_vx2PS5bKtcrcU7TJlUMasweQ25tcXJU-jh1nLJzZ7AbVJEwb22CzxcaTX5XIoBXrNUzprCNmzadOzKzaBedgBDSEWcburrVNnZg" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Furthermore, to add to the Lord's merciful hand in all of these things, the home</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> is located within a much easier commute to my husband's job and close to our church.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> It is in a very rural setting, and yet easily accessible for people to find--I was concerned</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> that we would be "out in the boondocks," in order to find something suitable, but the </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">opposite is the case--we are in a rural setting, located near a state park, but also in a place</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> that is easy to find and access, which would be helpful for the kind of ministry that the </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Lord called us to. It is actually as though this home was made for what the Lord spoke to</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> us about--more than 100 years ago, no less! The Lord never ceases to amaze me and to </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">challenge my "finite" thinking with His infinite plans.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">There were times when I doubted the Lord. There were times when I truly questioned my</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> own sanity--when I questioned whether the Lord had really spoken to us. We had</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> relocated halfway across the United States; some people literally thought that we </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">were crazy, or at best, misled. But I held on to the certainty that the Lord had spoken</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> to us and that He would fulfill His purpose, and He has. At the same time, the Lord</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> held on to me and helped me and strengthened me in my times of discouragement. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">And He showed me His goodness in a wonderful and miraculous way. He gave us our </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">home for His ministry. The trial of waiting ended in His merciful answer to prayer.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Looking back now and writing this, I see that if we had done what seemed "wise" at </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">the time, if we had trusted in our own understanding and ignored the Lord's gentle</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> voice leading us to wait, we would have been locked into another lease or have </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">purchased a home just before the Lord was ready to act and not have been able to </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">move forward into the ministry that He called us to. I have learned through this</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> experience once again, as I have in the past, that </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">it is always better to wait upon</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> the Lord when there is doubt</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">. It is always better to trust in His wisdom, even if it</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> seemingly contradicts the best of human wisdom. His plan may seem like it doesn't</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> make sense, but He is preparing His best for us if we will wait upon Him and receive it. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">And so I praise Him for answered prayer—the answered prayer of 16 years, the</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> prayer that I prayed in a little bedroom in Rhode Island as a teenager—and I praise Him</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> for the trial of waiting which led to His answer. And I pray that He would continue to</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> pour out His grace in my life and make me into a willing vessel to accomplish His</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> purposes. I pray that He will use this place of rest for His glory. And I pray especially</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> that this testimony would strengthen other believers who are in a "waiting" place to hope</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> in the Lord and trust utterly in Him. He is good to those who wait for Him. And they</span></div>
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<i>Rebekah Neal is a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, the wife of her dear husband, Bill, and the mother of two cherished little ones, Deborah and Elisha. Her desire is to know and love the Lord more profoundly and to grow deeper into His ways. Rebekah loves the woods and their rambling paths, her family, working with her hands, singing, reading missionary biographies, gardening, and the smell of wood smoke on a cold autumn night. One of her first loves is writing prose and poetry about the workings of her Heavenly Father in the greatest and smallest details of life. Get to know Rebekah better at her blog, <a href="http://www.readytobeoffered.com/" target="_blank">Ready To Be Offered</a></i></div>
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Bekki is a very dear friend, and I am so happy that she shared her amazing testimony of prayer, perseverance, steadfastness in following the Lord - even when it came with great sacrifice, AND the ultimate abundant blessings she and her family received as a result of their obedience in waiting upon the Lord. Thank you Bekki for sharing your story here at Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge. 😊 </div>
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Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-19631372347165901302020-08-24T00:00:00.034-04:002020-11-09T19:16:58.777-05:00Are you timid about sharing your faith? 5 Confidence Boosting Motivators for the Timid Evangelist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDZ0YuPdxS-qRqlY474OiTuQb74dV3JmUi_CfvzYvvycC_dJ2W7g9eeLW4xhB5JfdvhLLrrZ2kgkzvjOlDQUV8MewSI79tuWNb5baCQH9Md2rI1xlA_4MHSeMl1KiOs7CoIJnx5sY7Ulu/s1600/5+Confidence+Boosting+Motivators+for+the+Timid+Evangelist%25281%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chipping blue closed outside door with raised panels and barred window across the top with chipping cement walls surrounding the door" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDZ0YuPdxS-qRqlY474OiTuQb74dV3JmUi_CfvzYvvycC_dJ2W7g9eeLW4xhB5JfdvhLLrrZ2kgkzvjOlDQUV8MewSI79tuWNb5baCQH9Md2rI1xlA_4MHSeMl1KiOs7CoIJnx5sY7Ulu/s640/5+Confidence+Boosting+Motivators+for+the+Timid+Evangelist%25281%2529.png" title="Are you timid about sharing your faith? 5 Confidence Boosting Motivators for the Timid Evangelist" width="426" /></a></div>
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I am one of those people that prefers to take a literal word meaning to the verse, <i>And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and <u>some as evangelists</u>, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; </i>because then I have an excuse that because I am not a natural evangelist, the Lord couldn't possibly have called me to be one. My thinking is flawed, I know... Anyone else with me? Anyone else timid about sharing your faith?<br />
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Well, the Lord worked on me recently as I was studying the Word of God where I was struck by 5 confidence boosting motivators to spur on even the most timid evangelist.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">What does the Bible say about Professing Your Faith</span></h2>
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To take the fear out of evangelizing, we must first look to the Bible to spur us on in the sharing of our faith. </div>
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<b><i>But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>always being prepared to make a defense to anyone </i></b></div>
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<b><i>who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; </i></b></div>
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<b><i>yet do it with gentleness and respect,</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1 Peter 3:15</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i>For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for </i></b></div>
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<b><i>salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Romans 1:16</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i>And that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be </i></b></div>
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<b><i>proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Luke 24:27</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i>How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are </i></b></div>
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<b><i>they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear</i></b></div>
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<b><i> without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Romans 10:14-15</span></i></b></div>
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<i><b>The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say at the moment when you need them.</b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Luke 12:12</span></b></i></div>
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Indeed there are Christians who are incredibly gifted in the area of evangelism. Those Believers who can't help but share with anyone they come in contact with. In fact, they have no problem going door to door to share the Good News with total strangers - the very thought of which raises anxiety in those who would not be comfortable around strangers let alone sharing about their faith with them. </div>
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Not all Believers have a bent toward this type of extroverted evangelism, but we ALL have a faith story that contains a powerful witness of God's work of salvation in our own lives, a story that needs to be shared with our families, with our classmates, with our co-workers, and with our neighbors. God's Word is very clear about that...</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Motivator #1</span></h4>
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<i>The Lord provides the Words for you to speak and prepares the heart of the recipient to hear.</i></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Fear of Sharing the Gospel</span></h2>
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So what causes anxiety and/or hesitancy in a Believer to share their faith.</div>
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The Word of God tells us that the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. As people, we don't like to either offend or upset others, and that's a loving mindset to have, but how loving is it, if we've let fear discourage us from being used by God to witness His love to someone who in that moment is indeed still perishing?</div>
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There is, of course, the fear that we don't know what to say or that we are going to somehow mess up or make things worse by sharing our faith.</div>
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And finally, it's hard for many people to just approach strangers and start sharing about their faith.</div>
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You might find that ALL of these reasons add to your anxiety about sharing the Gospel.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Motivator #2</span></h4>
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<i>Motivate your inner evangelist by letting the fear of sharing your faith be an opportunity for God to show Himself big, both through the Words He will prompt you to speak and through the response of the person with whom you are sharing.</i></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Sharing Your Faith Without Fear</span></h2>
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Are you wondering? How can I share the Gospel without fear, ESPECIALLY if I am an introvert at best.</div>
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We know that those whom the Lord has called, He WILL bring to Himself</div>
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<b><i>just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>that we would be holy and blameless before Him in love</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ephesians 1:4</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Motivator #3</span></h4>
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<i>I believe that not only does the Lord choose us in Him before we even take our first breath, but He also chooses those who will be the conduit for sharing the Good News for those He has chosen.</i></div>
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<i>Just that knowledge alone should encourage us to share our faith, even our introverted selves, for we know that ANYTHING God has preordained WILL come to pass. There is no fear when God is in the details!</i></div>
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When we are timid about sharing the Gospel, we must let our love for God and for those who are lost guide our actions.</div>
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<b><i>Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1 Samuel 3:7</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i>He said to him, "Behold now, there is a man of God {Samuel} in this city, and the man </i></b></div>
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<b><i>is held in honor; all that he says surely comes true. Now let us go there, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out."</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1 Samuel 9:6</span></i></b></div>
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I love how these passages about Samuel shed light on God's plan of salvation for EVERY individual, from pre-conversion to serving the Lord. </div>
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God will order the steps of those He has called to meet up for a Divine appointment with the <i>beautiful feet that will bring them good news</i>. </div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Motivator #4</span></h4>
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<i>When we share the Gospel, it is not just for a moment in time, but you are being used by God to usher in Kingdom hands to do important Kingdom work that He has already prepared for them to do before the worlds began. God has already done it! It's that simple! Share your faith and God will do the rest.</i></div>
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There is power in the Word of God...</div>
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<b><i>And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and <u>let none of his words </u></i></b></div>
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<b><i><u>fall to the ground</u>. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel </i></b></div>
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<b><i>was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1 Samuel 3:19-21</span></i></b></div>
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More encouragement from the story of Samuel. We see here that when we share our faith coupled with the Word of God, He will not allow those Words to fall to the ground. </div>
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Once again, we see that God does ALL the planning and preparation for those He has called to eternal life, we are merely called to execute that plan, not in our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit.</div>
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<h4>
<span style="color: magenta;">Motivator #5</span></h4>
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<i><b>So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; </b></i></div>
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<i><b>It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, </b></i></div>
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<i><b>And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.</b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Isaiah 55:11</span></b></i></div>
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<i>As you see, I've saved the best motivation for last! We can have full confidence that our words will not fall flat, no matter how much we second guess what we said reflecting back on the conversation; no matter how few words we said; no matter if we were nervous or faltering; God sent YOU, even in your weakness, because what He set out to do through you WILL BE accomplished and will succeed for His purposes.</i></div>
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Just remember, YOUR story is YOUR story - a story that God wrote for you and one that He has chosen specific people to hear, to be touched by in a relatable way, through what He has done in you. Now go out and share!</div>
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Have confidence timid evangelist! For when you are weak, He is strong!</div>
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<i><b>For similar posts, click on the following:</b></i></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2018/04/gods-call-lord-sets-us-up-for-success.html" target="_blank">God's Call: The Lord Sets Us Up For Success</a></i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2015/11/is-god-calling-you-to-do-hard-thing.html" target="_blank">Is God Calling You To Do a Hard Thing?</a></i></b><br />
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<b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2015/09/urge-to-push.html" target="_blank">Urge to Push</a></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/11/how-to-pray-to-gods-fullest-potential.html" target="_blank"><i>How to Pray to GOD's Fullest Potential</i></a><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>
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Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-69560903937925386262020-08-17T00:00:00.063-04:002020-11-09T19:17:21.342-05:003 Biblical Encouragements for Remaining Hopeful in Hardship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOUNB9BnF5S3s5Lm4eVevId-BXuCWv7sApYUF3bcF9uRhIYWvMrGH0k-JgJnZWwP1KSlpntAVYMvOAgMx4pjObLUjiKZfMOtOn3EA81wWu0SmWGXLQM9YOFp_EYY_KW-oJ8k8rIOjG4fb/s1600/3+Biblical+Encouragements+for+Remaining+Hopeful+in+Hardship.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Woman on horse riding through desert sand dappled with footprints and blurred out blue sky with wispy clouds" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOUNB9BnF5S3s5Lm4eVevId-BXuCWv7sApYUF3bcF9uRhIYWvMrGH0k-JgJnZWwP1KSlpntAVYMvOAgMx4pjObLUjiKZfMOtOn3EA81wWu0SmWGXLQM9YOFp_EYY_KW-oJ8k8rIOjG4fb/s640/3+Biblical+Encouragements+for+Remaining+Hopeful+in+Hardship.png" title="3 Biblical Encouragements for Remaining Hopeful in Hardship" width="426" /></a></div>
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Early on in my Christian walk, I chose the word HOPE as my "life word". At the time I'm not sure I fully grasped what that would look like in practice, especially in times of hardship. Whether you have claimed HOPE as your "life word" or not, I imagine, at one time or another, you too have struggled to practice hope in the midst of suffering...<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">What does God say about hope? </span></h3>
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Let's look at a few bible verses about hope to help answer this question.<br />
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<b><i>But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>in those who hope in his steadfast love.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Psalm 147:11</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i>The hope of the righteous brings joy, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>but the expectation of the wicked will perish.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Proverbs 10:28</span></i></b></div>
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Here we see that everything about hope essentially points to joy. Whether it be the joy of knowing that God takes pleasure in those who put their hope in Him or the joy the righteous experience in hope.<br />
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A hopeful heart is a joyful heart.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">Does hope come from God?</span></h3>
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You may ask, so where does my hope come from exactly?<br />
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<b><i>May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><i>Romans 15:13</i></b></span></div>
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<b><i>For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>plans to give you hope and a future.</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><i>Jeremiah 29:11</i></b></span></div>
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God is our ONLY hope in life. Human beings are flawed and will fail us, but God never will. Therefore, our hope is sure because it comes from the Lord. Just as we have been filled with the Holy Spirit, we have been filled with abounding hope.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">Hope in Suffering Bible Verses</span></h3>
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<b><i>Now hope does not disappoint, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts </i></b></div>
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<b><i>by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Romans 5:5</span></i></b></div>
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It would be impossible to list every Bible verse that speaks to the hope we have in Christ Jesus, even in the middle of our suffering. For the entirety of Scripture testifies over and over again to a trustworthy God in Whom we can confidently place our hope.<br />
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Now that we've looked at what God says about hope, reminded ourselves of where our hope comes from, and recognized that the entire Bible testifies to a trustworthy God in whom we can squarely place our hope, let's look at 3 Biblical encouragements for remaining hopeful in hardship.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">My hope IS in the Lord</span></h2>
What is hope? The Biblical definition reads as follows:<br />
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<i>is the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in His faithfulness.</i><br />
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As we saw earlier, the essence of hope brings joy and that very hope comes from God. But are you apprehending that great hope when trials come along?<br />
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Too often we are not exercising faith over fear, but instead we are allowing the fears to hide the hope that has been given to us by our faithful God. The strength of our hope is exercised when rooted in God's faithfulness, a faithfulness that manifests throughout all of Scripture and makes itself known in our own lives.<br />
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When we trust god in ALL circumstances, even the hard situations, we are then proclaiming to our own hearts, "My hope <b>IS</b> in the Lord!" at which time our thoughts and actions will put that proclamation into practice.<br />
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By constantly reminding ourselves, ESPECIALLY in the midst of suffering, "My hope IS in the Lord", we will experience the joy that God promises. <br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Suffering and Hope in the Bible</span></h2>
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The Story of Esther is a beautiful testimony of Hope in God in the midst of immense trial. This is a good Biblical account to highlight hope in practice because the book of Esther doesn't expressly even mention God, but we know from the actions of Esther that indeed her hope was placed squarely on the God of Israel.<br />
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<b><i>Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king's laws, so that it is not to the king's profit to tolerate them. If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed...</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Esther 3:8-9a</span></i></b></div>
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There was great mourning among the Jews when the decree went out. Their futures looked absolutely hopeless...<br />
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<b><i>And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>“Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also </i></b></div>
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<b><i>fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Esther 3:12-17</i></b></div>
<br />
Prior to this conversation, Esther expressed her concern about approaching the King without being summoned as it could mean certain death for her. Her famous words, "if I perish, I perish" were uttered when she resigned herself to intercede on behalf of her people.<br />
<br />
Here we can see that Mordecai had hope in what God could do through Esther's position, "for such a time as this", and in turn, we can see that Esther was placing her hope in God as she sought the Lord by calling for three days of fasting and praying after which she felt led to put together a plan to intervene for her people, a plan in which she placed her full hope in God to act through.<br />
<br />
After the fast, things actually got worse as Haman built gallows to hang Mordecai! Yet, this news did not deter Esther from remaining hopeful and continuing to carry out the plan she received from the Lord to rescue her people from certain death.<br />
<br />
Then it happened... A simple sleepless night for King Xerxes changed the entire trajectory of Haman's evil plan. Mordecai was now being honored and Haman was being sentenced to hang! The King sent out another edict that would give the Jews permission to fight for themselves, and in the end the Jewish people were saved from annihilation.<br />
<br />
What encouragement can we find from this story?<br />
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The power of the Hope that lives within us! When things <i>appear</i> the most hopeless, that is when God shows Himself the most faithful!<br />
<br />
The Lord allowed the circumstances in the story of Esther to show His power to orchestrate circumstances to bring about His perfect outcome to satisfy His perfect will. As we saw in the promise from Jeremiah 29:11, His plans are not to harm us, but to give us hope and a future.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Hope in the Midst of Suffering</span></h2>
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Are you in the midst of suffering right now? Are you seeking hope in time of need, but are having trouble finding it?<br />
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Just how do you endure suffering?<br />
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All of these questions have their answer in the God of Hope.<br />
<br />
There isn't a page of Scripture where you will not find hope. The bible verses may not speak directly to your hardship, but they indeed speak about the faithfulness and trustworthiness of God, which is the very definition of hope - having confidence in our faithful God who has proven His trustworthiness time and time again.<br />
<br />
Suffering is never easy. Trials are never easy. Hardships are never easy. But when we look at those circumstances through the lens of almighty God, we can put our hope in the expectation that He WILL come through big and in ways that exceed even what we<i> hoped</i> or imagined!<br />
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And while you are waiting with expectant hope in the midst of suffering, place your immediate hope in God's love and compassion for you, His precious child... And He will quiet you with His love.<br />
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God will see you through. You are never alone. You can trust God in the storm.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hebrews 6:19</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<br />
We have a God who tells us, "Remain hopeful in hardship, for I am the God of hope, your hope is sure in Me."<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2019/11/foster-hope-when-circumstances-disappoint.html" target="_blank">How to Foster Hope When Circumstances Disappoint</a></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/10/god-is-still-good-when-things-are-bad.html" target="_blank"><i>God is Still Good When Things are Bad</i></a><br /></b></div>
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<br /></div>Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-81959793116633855052020-08-10T00:00:00.018-04:002020-11-09T19:17:41.007-05:00Does God Hear My Prayer?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB88T0hyiH1evj3h1KxbSmgjH5OKDw3GX38fx5xyinpV3SWB1SDNZCN-hda0GGxswLS3Qs1zjmjrfyIfcEgC1S3b2U4uJGu6D_2cigem7uZJZGzhO2ix7XaMAwoN6Bq9MwseRD6vF7WBL1/s1600/Does+God+Hear+My+Prayer_.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Man holding arms outstretched looking at a rushing waterfall producing a rainbow" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB88T0hyiH1evj3h1KxbSmgjH5OKDw3GX38fx5xyinpV3SWB1SDNZCN-hda0GGxswLS3Qs1zjmjrfyIfcEgC1S3b2U4uJGu6D_2cigem7uZJZGzhO2ix7XaMAwoN6Bq9MwseRD6vF7WBL1/s640/Does+God+Hear+My+Prayer_.png" title="Does God Hear My Prayer?" width="426" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Does God Hear My Prayer?</span></h3>
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When you are praying, do you actually envision and think about the fact that God is actually hearing YOU the moment you think or speak a prayer? Are you speaking words into the air or are you thinking them in your mind more as an exercise in prayer rather than truly grasping the fact that God is hearing you at that very moment?<br />
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If we are being honest, I'm not sure how many of us truly take hold of the absolute Truth that whenever we call out to the Lord, by whatever means, He hears us in real time. Some of us may struggle that He ever hears us at all...<br />
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I believe that if we set our minds to envision our Heavenly Father with His ear to our hearts, hearing in the present moment our prayer, any anxiety we might be feeling which is prompting us to pray, will dissipate because we are entering into true fellowship with the Lord, a back and forth exchange, talking to Him, believing that He is listening and waiting to hear back from Him.<br />
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For those of you who may struggle with grasping hold of this or even believing it, I hope that the following points will reassure your mind that indeed God is listening ALWAYS and He hears you.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">What should I Say or Do for God to Hear My Prayer?</span></h3>
In the Word of God, there are many verses regarding prayer, but there is one portion of Scripture where Jesus indeed tells us <i>how</i> to pray...<br />
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<b><i>“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>“Our Father in heaven,</i></b></div>
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<b><i>hallowed be your name.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Your kingdom come,</i></b></div>
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<b><i>your will be done,</i></b></div>
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<b><i> on earth as it is in heaven.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Give us this day our daily bread,</i></b></div>
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<b><i>and forgive us our debts,</i></b></div>
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<b><i> as we also have forgiven our debtors.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>And lead us not into temptation,</i></b></div>
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<b><i> but deliver us from evil.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Matthew 6:5-15</span></i></b></div>
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Jesus has given us not only a formal prayer here, but guidance for prayer.<br />
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In a nutshell, we are to come before the Lord with a contrite heart asking for forgiveness and forgiving those who have offended us, praising God, praying for His Kingdom, praying for His will to be done in our lives, seeking His spiritual food, and for deliverance from falling into temptation.<br />
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The prayer is very God-centered, not me centered.<br />
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But it is also important to note what Jesus says prior to the formal prayer. He exhorts us NOT to <i>"heap up empty phrases... for they think they will be <b>heard </b>for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need <u>before</u> you ask Him."</i><br />
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There it is, the Lord hears the prayer of your heart before you utter a word! It can simply be, "Jesus help me!" You have essentially incorporated the entire Lord's prayer in those three words. You are recognizing Jesus as Lord; you are seeking first His Kingdom; you are submitting to His will; you are recognizing you need Him and can't do it on your own; and you are seeking deliverance from whatever you need help from.<br />
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God hears the humble prayers of the saints.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">How Do I Know if God is Listening to My Prayer?</span></h3>
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Do you ever think to yourself, can God hear my prayer? It's okay if this has crossed your mind. It's a hard thing to grasp when you are praying to an <i>unseen </i>God, in the physical sense that is. I mean look at the Israelites who had God right there in the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, yet often they still didn't think He was listening.<br />
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<b><i>The LORD has heard my supplication, The LORD receives my prayer.</i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Psalm 6:9</span></i></b></div>
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Or are you battling debilitating fear where you are so caught up in the noise of the battle that rages inside of you, that you forget that God hears you through the turmoil in your mind?<br />
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<b><i>In my alarm I had said,</i></b></div>
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<b><i>“I am cut off from Your sight.”</i></b></div>
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<b><i>But You heard the sound of my pleading</i></b></div>
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<b><i>when I cried to You for help. </i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Psalm 31:22</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>I called on Your name, Yahweh,</i></b></div>
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<b><i>from the depths of the Pit.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>You hear my plea:</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Do not ignore my cry for relief.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>You come near when I call on You;</i></b></div>
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<b><i>You say: “Do not be afraid.”</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lamentations 3:55-56</span></i></b></div>
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Are you searching for wisdom in a matter that seems impossible?<br />
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<b><i>And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according </i></b></div>
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<b><i>to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” </i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1 John 5:14-15</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i>But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;</i></b></div>
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<b><i> the Lord hears when I call to him.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Psalm 4:3</span></i></b></div>
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Have you been praying years for a circumstance to change?</div>
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<b><i>But truly God has listen<u>ed;</u> </i></b></div>
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<b><i>he has attend<u>ed</u> to the voice of my prayer. </i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Psalm 66:19</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i>For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>and his ears are open to their prayer. </i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1 Peter 3:12a</span></i></b></div>
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We can know that God is listening to our prayers because He has promised to.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">What Happens When God Doesn't Answer My Prayer?</span></h3>
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Although it may seem like God hasn't answered your prayer. Indeed, God answers ALL prayers.</div>
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I want to encourage you that if you have not received an answer to a longstanding prayer or if you are waiting for an answer to prayer, that does NOT mean that God did not hear your prayer.</div>
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<b><i>Before they call I will answer;</i></b></div>
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<b><i> while they are still speaking I will hear.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Isaiah 65:24</span></i></b></div>
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There it is right there! God has promised that He WILL answer our prayers and WILL hear our prayers.<br />
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God never goes against His promises.<br />
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The book of Hebrews gives an account oftentimes entitled the "Hall of Faith".<br />
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All of these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance...<br />
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<b><i>These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received </i></b></div>
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<b><i>what had been promised, since God had planned something </i></b></div>
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<b><i>better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hebrews 13a; 39-40</span></i></b></div>
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Although these verses state that these faithful saints did not receive what was promised, the promises were fulfilled, just not in their lifetime.<br />
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In the same way, when we pray, although we may not receive the answer to prayer in our lifetime, that does not mean God did not hear that prayer. As we saw earlier, He WILL answer.<br />
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Years ago, I heard a testimony given by a grandson about his grandmother. He told the story that he was a wayward child and got into a lot of trouble. His grandmother faithfully prayed for Him to come to faith. The grandson did ultimately come to faith, but not until ten years after the grandmother had died. She did not receive her answer on earth, but in Glory, she knows it was indeed answered, in God's perfect timing.<br />
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It is also important to take off the blinders we may have put on expecting the exact answer we hoped for. When in fact, the Lord has answered, just not in the way we had thought. It is always important to look at the bigger picture. Trust in who God says He is and who you are to Him.<br />
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When you pray, do not become anxious if the years are ticking off with no answer, remember God has heard your prayer.<br />
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You might think, if He's heard my prayer, do I still need to repeatedly pray it. Yes!! When you continually seek the Lord in a matter of prayer, you are showing your sincerity in that prayer.<br />
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<b><i>Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’</i></b></div>
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<b><i>“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”</i></b></div>
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<b><i>And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? </i></b></div>
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<b><i>I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Luke 18:1-8</span></i></b></div>
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Trust in His loving timing when a prayer has gone <i>unanswered</i>.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">How Does God Hear All of Our Prayers At Once?</span></h3>
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It's hard sometimes to wrap our finite minds around an infinite God - His omnipresence {always present} and His omniscience {all knowing}. But it is in these very attributes that we can know that God hears EVERYONE's prayers, in the moment.<br />
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<b><i>O Lord, you have searched me and known me!</i></b></div>
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<b><i>You know when I sit down and when I rise up;</i></b></div>
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<b><i> you <u>discern my thoughts from afar.</u></i></b></div>
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<b><i>You search out my path and my lying down</i></b></div>
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<b><i> and are acquainted with all my ways.</i></b></div>
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<u><b><i>Even before a word is on my tongue,</i></b></u></div>
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<u><b><i> behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.</i></b></u></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Psalm 139:1-4</span></i></b></div>
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The Christian faith is built on one essential Truth, it is about a relationship with Jesus, not about a religion.<br />
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As Jesus' redeemed child, you have His undivided attention. It's as if you and He are the only ones who exist in the universe.<br />
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Many verses in the Bible regarding prayer use the word "call" - a word that conjures up a quick response from the one being called to...<br />
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<b><i>The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>To all who call upon Him in truth.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Psalm 145:18</span></i></b></div>
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This side of Heaven we won't be able to grasp fully God's infinite and amazing abilities, but what we must grasp is that God indeed does hear our prayers and our cries to Him.<br />
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Recall those times you <i>have</i> received an immediate answer to prayer to remind yourself that God hears YOU in the very moment you cry out to Him. <br />
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May our prayer lives be enriched as we meditate upon the fact that God is actively listening to us the moment we pray.<br />
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And say to yourself, God does hear my prayer.<br />
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<b><i>For similar posts, click on the following:</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2019/11/powerful-prayer-that-yield-results.html" target="_blank">Four Powerful Attitudes in Prayer that Yield Results</a></i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2019/05/gods-only-child-me.html" target="_blank">God's Only Child. Me!</a></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/10/god-is-still-good-when-things-are-bad.html" target="_blank"><i>God is Still Good When Things are Bad</i></a><br /></b></div>
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Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-47094688698938874262020-08-03T00:00:00.040-04:002020-11-09T19:17:59.447-05:007 Ways to Discern God's Voice<div style="text-align: center;">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">How to Know God's Voice from Your Own</span></h2>
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When speaking of God's <i>voice</i>, it is important to clarify that the voice of God is not an audible sound, heard by the human ear, but a voice that speaks to the heart of the Child of God through the activity of the Holy Spirit.<br />
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<b><i>And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>“This is the way, walk in it,” </i></b></div>
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<b><i>when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Isaiah 30:21</span></i></b></div>
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God has sealed us with the Holy Spirit as surety that we have been cleansed from all unrighteousness. As such, a heart guided by the Holy Spirit will walk in obedience to the Word of God and acknowledge God for who He is, One worthy of worship in every way.<br />
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Believers must be careful when saying "God told me to {fill in the blank}". Before making such a statement, we must be sure that what we are ascribing to God is indeed <i>from </i>God and aligns with His Word.<br />
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The following story from Judges 17 will help to illustrate the trouble a person can get themselves into when they assume they have <i>heard</i> from God.<br />
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<b><i>Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some household gods and installed one of his sons as his priest. In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>A young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, who had been living within the clan of Judah, left that town in search of some other place to stay. On his way he came to Micah’s house in the hill country of Ephraim.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Micah asked him, “Where are you from?”</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>“I’m a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah,” he said, “and I’m looking for a place to stay.”</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>Then Micah said to him, “Live with me and be my father and priest, and I’ll give you ten shekels of silver a year, your clothes and your food.” So the Levite agreed to live with him, and the young man became like one of his sons to him. Then Micah installed the Levite, and the young man became his priest and lived in his house. And Micah said, “<u>Now I know that the Lord will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest.”</u></i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>Then six hundred men of the Danites, armed for battle, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol. </i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>So they turned in there and went to the house of the young Levite at Micah’s place and greeted him. The six hundred Danites, armed for battle, stood at the entrance of the gate. The five men who had spied out the land went inside and took the idol, the ephod and the household gods while the priest and the six hundred armed men stood at the entrance of the gate.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>When the five men went into Micah’s house and took the idol, the ephod and the household gods, the priest said to them, “What are you doing?”</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>They answered him, “Be quiet! Don’t say a word. <u>Come with us, and be our father and priest. Isn’t it better that you serve a tribe and clan in Israel as priest rather than just one man’s household?” The priest was very pleased. He took the ephod, the household gods and the idol and went along with the people. </u></i></b></div>
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<b><i>Then they took what Micah had made, and his priest, and went on to Laish, against a people at peace and secure. They attacked them with the sword and burned down their city. There was no one to rescue them because they lived a long way from Sidon and had no relationship with anyone else. The city was in a valley near Beth Rehob. </i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Judges 17: 5-13</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Judges 18: 11,15-19,27-28</span></i></b></div>
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<br />
Micah essentially took the fact that a Levite came near his home and agreed to be his father and priest as a sign from God. He allowed what he saw to guide the interpretation of what he felt he<i> heard </i>from God.<br />
<br />
As the story unfolds, we see that the Levite was not devoted to Micah as he was easily persuaded to take the idol Micah had formed as well as the other household gods from the house of Micah and then left to be a priest to the Danites. But the betrayal didn't end there. After the Levite became the Danites priest, the Danites went on to attack Laish,<i> a people at peace and secure. </i>The consequences were far reaching, not just effecting Micah and his household.<br />
<br />
I realize this is an extreme example, but it helps to shed light on the importance of accurately discerning the voice of God.<br />
<br />
I believe there are seven ways to discern God's voice.<br />
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: magenta;">Alignment with God's Will</span></h3>
<div>
<span>Years ago, I read a biography about George Muller, a Christian evangelist and the director of the Ashley Down Orphanage in Bristol, England. The main focus of the book highlights how George continually sought God's will for funding and ministry endeavors.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
George Mueller established the following guidelines for himself when seeking God's will concerning a matter to ensure that he was <i>hearing</i> the Lord's direction correctly:</div>
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<i>1. I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that </i><i>it has not will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are </i><i>ready to do the Lord’s will, whatever it may be. When one is </i><i>truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the </i><i>knowledge of what His will is.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>2. Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple </i><i>impressions. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>3. I seek the will of the Spirit of God through or in connection </i><i>with the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be </i><i>combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay </i><i>myself open to great delusions also.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>4. Next I take into account providential circumstances. These </i><i>plainly indicate God’s will in connection with His Word and </i><i>Spirit.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>5. I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>6. Thus through prayer to God, the study of the Word and </i><i>reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the </i><i>best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at </i><i>peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I </i><i>proceed accordingly. In trivial matters and in transactions</i><br />
<i>involving most important issues, I have found this method </i><i>always effective</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
These steps are fundamental for understanding how to hear God's voice aright. </div>
<h3>
<span style="color: magenta;">Take Self out of the Equation</span></h3>
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Whenever we are determining whether we have <i>heard </i>from God concerning a matter or not, we must first take self out of the equation. We must empty our thoughts, opinions and desires about the matter and leave them at the foot of the cross.<br />
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In order to recognize the voice of God, we must have tunnel vision on Christ alone.<br />
<br />
If we are looking at our circumstances whether perceived outcomes or what we hope for, we risk imagining we have<i> heard</i> from God, when really all we have heard from is ourselves.<br />
<br />
It is so important to check our motives before seeking to <i>hear</i> from God. Are we simply going through the motions of prayer, even though we've already decided how <i>we </i>will orchestrate the circumstances to our desired outcome or are we earnestly desiring to hear from God, no matter what that might look like, especially if it is not what we hoped for?<br />
<br />
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<i><b>Many are the plans in the mind of a man, </b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Proverbs 19:21</span></b></i></div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
When our mind and heart are aligned with the Word of God and His will, we will be able to discern God's voice for His glory.</div>
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<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">How to <i>Hear</i> God's Voice When Making a Decision</span></h2>
<div>
Decision-making probably constitutes the biggest area in which people desire to hear the voice of God. I know when I've been faced with a difficult decision, I have thought to myself, "I wish the Lord could just stand right in front of me and say, 'Karen, choose this job.' or 'Karen, buy this house' or "Karen, move forward with this project.'"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I would say seeking after signs for recognizing God's voice is very big in the area of decision-making. Take an employment opportunity, one might think because other doors closed and only one remained open, that must mean that God is <i>telling</i> them to take the job through door #1, but if they are only relying on the signs, they may regret that decision later.<br />
<br />
George Mueller told the story about how he was praying for a large sum of money to help fund another orphanage. Indeed, a check for the exact amount he prayed for came in the mail. However, when George followed the steps for hearing from God (see above) concerning His will, he discerned that the money wasn't meant for what he prayed for, but for another area of ministry. And indeed, as the circumstances played out, the check was not meant for the original prayer request. George had correctly discerned the voice of God, where most people would've saw receiving the exact amount of money they prayed for as a direct answer to that very prayer and would feel sure that they <i>heard</i> from God.<br />
<br />
We do not need to look for signs to <i>hear </i>from God. We need only to listen with discernment through what we know is true in the Bible and what we know to be the will of God in seeking Him.</div>
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<h3>
<span style="color: magenta;">Seek God Sincerely</span></h3>
<div>
Jesus gives us a beautiful example of what it means to seek the Lord sincerely when we desire to hear from Him.<br />
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<i><b>And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, </b></i></div>
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<i><b>where He knelt down and prayed, </b></i></div>
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<i><b>“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” </b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Luke 22:41-42</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Here we see probably one of the most relatable moments to Jesus when he makes a request to the Father to "take this cup from me". In our weakness, many of us will stop here. {Preaching to myself}. But the Lord, in all His perfection, desires the Father's will over His own.<br />
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When we desire to <i>hear</i> from God, we must do it with all sincerity. This reminds me of "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" where Linus proclaims that the Great Pumpkin is looking for the sincerest pumpkin patch. As the hours go on with no appearance from the Great Pumpkin, Linus uses the "if" word - "<i>If</i> the Great Pumpkin comes..." As soon as the word comes out of his mouth, he agonizes over the fact that the Great Pumpkin now won't come because he showed disbelief.<br />
<br />
When we halfheartedly seek to <i>hear </i>from God, are we really being serious that we want to <i>hear</i> from Him? And will we even<i> hear</i> the true voice of God or will we only <i>hear the voices in our head.</i><br />
<br />
In order to discern God's voice, our hearts must sincerely desire whatever it is that the Lord desires for us or our situation.</div>
<h3>
<span style="color: magenta;">Be Patient</span></h3>
<div>
<span>When seeking to hear from God, be patient when waiting for Him to respond.</span><br />
<span><br /></span>
<span>The Children of God are on the Heavenly Father's perfect, loving timetable. He is the God who works wonders behind the scenes, orchestrating events according to His perfect will and His perfect plan for His children.</span><br />
<span><br /></span>
<span>Don't convince yourself that you have <i>heard</i> from God, if what you have <i>heard</i> does not align with the Word of God or only aligns with the plans you have purposed in your mind.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
<div>
There are certainly enough stories in the Bible of people who decided to take matters into their own hands when receiving a promise from God, only to create a problem where there never needed to be one because they were not patient.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
There are also times where you may wait to <i>hear</i> from God concerning a matter of prayer for a very long time or not even <i>hear </i>in your life time, but that doesn't mean He hasn't heard you or that He is not working to accomplish your desires in His perfect way.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
God's trustworthiness should fuel our patience. When we patiently wait to<i> hear </i>God's voice, we are wholly aligning ourselves with God's will.</div>
<h3>
<span style="color: magenta;">Don't Always Believe What You See</span></h3>
<div>
I touched on this a little bit earlier in the post, but I wanted to delve a little bit more into the aspect of "what you see is not always something you should believe".<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
We have a God who is not constrained by that which we see, yet so often, we put God in a box and assume that He can only work through what we see.</div>
<br />
Too often we think that we have <i>heard</i> from God when we see something that we feel has changed the trajectory of our circumstance and then act upon it, when that might not even be the case at all.<br />
<br />
How many blessings would not have been missed or how many regrets never needed to happen, if we realized that we have a God who works in the unseen realms. His activity never ceases. He is always working on our behalf. He orders our steps and He numbers our days.<br />
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We will<i> hear </i>from God and be blessed by <i>His voice</i> when we believe that the God of Heaven, who we have not seen before us, is working in unseen ways.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i> and yet have believed."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">John 20:29</span></i></b></div>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Praying to Hear God's Voice</span></h2>
<h3>
<span style="color: magenta;">Pray Continually</span></h3>
<div>
<span>Prayer is the means by which we communicate with God. It is through believing prayer that we <i>hear </i>from God. When we pray according to the Scriptures, allowing ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit, we will be able to discern God's voice. </span></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: magenta;">Alignment with Scripture</span></h3>
<div>
<span>The more we study the Scriptures, the more we will <i>hear </i>God's voice. The Word of God tells us everything about our great God and Savior</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span>
The children of God have been equipped to <i>hear</i> God's voice.</div>
<div>
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span><i><b>My sheep hear my voice, and I know them </b></i></span><i><b>and they follow me. </b></i><br />
<i><b>I give them eternal life, and they will never perish,</b></i><br />
<i><b>and no one with snatch them out of my hands.</b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">John 10:27-28</span></b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><span style="color: magenta;"> </span> </b></i></div>
</div>
<div>
As Believer's it is so very important to heed the voice of God. In order to do so, we must understand how to discern God's voice.<br />
<br />
I talked a lot about discerning God's voice related to seeking to <i>hear </i>from Him, but it is also important to mention that as believers we must always be listening for the voice of God speaking conviction, wisdom, wise counsel, comfort and love to our hearts.<br />
<br />
May we all experience, with discernment and understanding, the wonderful gift of God's voice.</div>
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<div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>For similar links, click on the following:</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-voice-bible-edition.html" target="_blank">The Voice - Bible Edition</a></i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/03/3-reasons-why-god-might-be-waiting-to-answer-prayer.html" target="_blank">3 Reasons Why God Might Be Waiting to Answer Your Prayer</a></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/09/when-to-act-and-when-to-wait-on-god-3-things-to-consider.html" target="_blank">When to Act and When to Wait on God: 3 Things to Consider</a></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://growingtogetheringraceandknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/09/how-to-align-your-will-with-gods-will.html" target="_blank">How to Align Your Will with God's Will</a><br /></i></b>
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<i><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></i><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span><i><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></b></i></span></i></div>
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Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-64627135993556548322020-07-27T00:00:00.002-04:002020-10-26T19:27:19.185-04:002 Powerful Words that will Increase Your Faith in God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you've spent a lot of time in the Psalms, you will notice a style of praying that is powerful, and I believe is the key to increasing your faith in God...<br />
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The Psalmists use two powerful words, "{God} <i>will</i>".<br />
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<b>The definition of <u>will</u> is: <i>expressing inevitable events</i></b><br />
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Those inspired by God to write the Psalms, spoke the Truth of who God is, highlighted what they knew His character to be and claimed His promises, many times in the midst of severe trial.<br />
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This is a beautiful template for building your faith in God...<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">How to Increase your Faith in God</span></h2>
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If we take our cue from the Psalmists, we can look through all of Scripture for "{God} will" statements of the Bible, meditate upon them, memorize them, and pray them.<br />
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There are a few areas where we can struggle with our faith that I'd like to focus on for today's post.<br />
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<i>These heavy hitter verses will increase your faith...</i><br />
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<i><b><u>You will </u>keep him in perfect peace,</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Whose mind is stayed on You,</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Because he trusts in You.</b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Isaiah 26:3</span></b></i></div>
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When we are anxious or afraid, we have God's assurance that He WILL keep us in perfect peace when our mind is stayed on Him.<br />
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It's that simple...<br />
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Trusting God, staying focused on His Words, His Attributes and His Love will increase our faith in Him.<br />
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<b><i><u>God will </u>strengthen you with his own great power </i></b></div>
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<b><i>so that you will not give up when troubles come, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>but you will be patient.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Colossians 1:11 NCV</span></i></b></div>
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<i>Just a disclaimer... Even though this is part of the Apostle Paul's prayer for the Colossians, this version began a new sentence with "God will". And although Paul is petitioning the Lord to do these things in and through the Colossians, the Truth of this <u>God will</u> statement is confirmed by other verses in the Bible for all Believers. </i><br />
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We seem to be at our weakest when troubles come. Both emotionally and physically, our emotions take their toll on our bodies.<br />
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Here we see that God WILL not only strengthen us with His great power, but He WILL help us to not give up when troubles come AND, <i>wait for it</i>, strengthen us with patience! In our humanness, patience is not necessarily a virtue.<br />
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This verse will go a long way in bolstering our faith in God as we rely on His strength.<br />
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<b><i>And my <u>God will</u> supply every need of yours </i></b></div>
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<b><i>according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Philippians 4:19</span></i></b></div>
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A big pet peeve I'm sure of many people is when someone tells them off-handedly "Oh, don't worry. It'll be fine." Yet that person is not walking in your shoes or experiencing what you are. Sure, we aren't supposed to worry, but sometimes that is easier said than done. It is better to be a listening ear for someone or to offer encouragement.<br />
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But there is Someone who tells us not to worry, Words we must listen to in order to strengthen our faith... <i>"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”</i><br />
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Jesus doesn't tell us not to worry off-handedly, He is telling us not to worry because HE will supply EVERYTHING we need for life and living. The Lord is our Provider. He takes great pleasure in helping His children, for then He is glorified.<br />
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May we all feel our faith increasing as we hold on to the Truths of these "God will" statements that He WILL supply our every need, He WILL strengthen us and He WILL keep us in perfect peace.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">How to Build your Faith and Trust in God</span></h2>
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Now that we have started our faith strength training by reading the "{God} wills" of the Bible, it's time to start claiming them for ourselves.<br />
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One of the best ways to start out is to remember back to God's past faithfulness. As we recall each time the Lord brought us through a trial, healed us or a loved one, provided for us when the money ran out, strengthened us for a difficult task or calmed our anxious hearts, we will be retraining our faith muscles to build upon our existing faith.<br />
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It would be a great faith-building exercise, whether there is a Bible verse for it or not, to write down all the "{God} dids" that we have already experienced and to turn them into "{God} wills" for the future. I'm sure we would be in awe!<br />
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Building our faith and trust in God can be a daily exercise too! By setting out each day to be mindful of "God sightings", we will see Him working in and through our circumstances. Every night by recounting all the day's blessings, our faith will be strengthened as we call to mind how God has worked in and through us, showing His faithfulness and trustworthiness.<br />
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As for faith-building into the future, the very act of stepping out into an unknown area we feel God has called us to, will build our faith as we trust God to direct, guide and sustain our steps.<br />
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Our faith and trust in God will increase as we recall His past faithfulness, recognize His present trustworthiness and believe He will be faithful in the future.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">How to grow in faith</span></h2>
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Our faith will grow when we spend much time in prayer and meditation on all that God WILL do for us, rather than focusing on those things we<i> feel</i> He can't do. Remember, nothing is impossible with God!<br />
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It is also important to pray and meditate upon God's eternal love, His character and His attributes to reinforce our "{God} wills"<br />
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Prayer will increase our faith through a strengthening of our relationship with the Lord.<br />
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In the same way, the Word of God increases our faith through the accounts of the saints before us who tell of God's great faithfulness.<br />
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When we believe that <i>God will,</i> all we have to do, then, is rest in those promises, it's that simple.<br />
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Not only will these two powerful words "{God} will" increase our faith, but we will find blissful freedom in a faith that is built on God and God alone.<br />
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<br />Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-50446779153401459002020-07-20T00:00:00.002-04:002021-02-15T20:34:37.837-05:00How to Study the Word of God Effectively<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCSV9SK5NWMyBcL3LG7kYx7HGxhzgBLHX10cJ12l7Zf2TeJF3Io0pH80xPg3WfjdPsmL2zRiKXgvqpDAR1OStqzoG6ZlyZKq8Cj_-DMxCV9XfeJ_b0GtgaZZ3TThw-BpxxnSyHQALDUt-/s1600/How+to+Study+the+Word+of+God+Effectively.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hands holding a map" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCSV9SK5NWMyBcL3LG7kYx7HGxhzgBLHX10cJ12l7Zf2TeJF3Io0pH80xPg3WfjdPsmL2zRiKXgvqpDAR1OStqzoG6ZlyZKq8Cj_-DMxCV9XfeJ_b0GtgaZZ3TThw-BpxxnSyHQALDUt-/s640/How+to+Study+the+Word+of+God+Effectively.png" title="How to Study the Word of God Effectively" width="426" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">The Importance of Studying the Word of God</span></h2>
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<b><i>All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2 Timothy 3:16-17</span></i></b></div>
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The means by which Believers strengthen their relationship with the Lord is through the study of the Scriptures. The entirety of the Bible proclaims the beautiful love story of Christ with His Bride, the church. Those who study the Word of God will be blessed as they comprehend all that Christ has done, will do and is doing for those who are His. The more a Child of God studies the Scriptures, the more they will understand the character and attributes of the living God.<br />
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The Word of God is alive and active giving life and hope to all who study the Scriptures. The Bible indeed prepares us for everything that the Lord commands us to do. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to renew our minds to be more Christ-like thereby equipping us to walk in obedience.<br />
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I found this newer acronym for BIBLE which I like even better than the old one:<br />
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<i><u>B</u>asic <u>I</u>nstructional <u>B</u>ook for <u>L</u>iving <u>E</u>veryday</i></div>
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But the original works just as well:<br />
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<i><u>B</u>asic <u>I</u>nstruction <u>B</u>efore <u>L</u>eaving <u>E</u>arth</i></div>
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Indeed, when we study the Word of God, we will benefit greatly as we gain a storehouse of wisdom and knowledge for life and living, all to bring Glory to God.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Understanding the Word of God</span></h2>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Prepare</span></h3>
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I want to preface this sub-section by saying that Bible intake can be done anywhere at any time. God's Word is alive and active and will meet you right where you are. Whether you are a mother who never has a moment alone and steals a second in the bathroom to read a verse of the day or a corporate executive with project deadlines who listens to the Bible during their commute, God's Word will touch and speak to you wherever you are.<br />
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For the purpose of today's post, I am focusing more on effective <i>study</i> of the Word of God.<br />
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No matter what your station in life is, it is important to try to have a goal set for a time to be in the Word. For those of us with flexible schedules, it's important to "schedule time in" to spend in the Word of God. It should really be the most important item on our itinerary!<br />
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If you are able, find an area in your home where you can study the Bible uninterrupted and without distractions. Might I even suggest putting your phone in a different room than the one you are in.<br />
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A study Bible with a concordance and the use of Bible commentaries are wonderful tools for furthering your study of a passage once you have read it for yourself and allowed the Lord to <i>speak </i>to you.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">Pray</span></h3>
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But you might ask, "how do I understand the Word of God?"<br />
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Once you have a quiet place to study the Word of God, pray. It's soo very important to ask the Lord to give you insight and wisdom before you study the Word. For He has given us the Holy Spirit who guides us in understanding all things related to the Scriptures.<br />
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<i><b>Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, </b></i></div>
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<i><b>but the Spirit who is from God, </b></i></div>
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<i><b>so that we may know the things freely given to us by God </b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1 Corinthians 2:12</span></b></i></div>
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It is also important that while you are in a passage of Scripture and maybe have questions about it or are trying to understand it deeper, pray again. Pray for clarity and understanding.<br />
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<h3>
<span style="color: magenta;">Scripture interprets Scripture</span></h3>
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For effective study of the Word of God it is important to understand how to rightly read Scripture for proper interpretation.<br />
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When reading a book of the Bible, you must first consider the genre, the author, the audience being addressed, and the author's intended meaning and purpose for writing the book in order to be able to put the passages of the book into context.<br />
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A book of the Bible MUST be considered with the whole canon of Scripture.<br />
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You will notice that your Bible has references to other verses within passages of Scripture. As you look up these references, you will gain more understanding and context for the selection you are reading, allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. An excellent Bible for doing just that is the Thompson Chain Bible.<br />
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Remember, the Bible is inerrant and will not contradict itself. Therefore, when studying a passage of Scripture, you must keep in mind what the whole Bible says about that topic.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Ways to Study God's Word</span></h2>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Inductive</span></h3>
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The inductive Bible study method considers three areas when reading a passage of Scripture: Observation, Interpretation and Application.</div>
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Observation answers the question, "what does the passage say?"</div>
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When we observe what the passage is saying by asking ourselves, Who, What, Where, When and How questions, we will understand more deeply what we are reading.</div>
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Interpretation answers the question, "what does the passage mean?"</div>
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By using the above mentioned method of allowing scripture to interpret scripture and investigating cross-references to the passage you are studying, you will gain more understanding of what the passage means.</div>
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At the interpretation stage, you can turn to concordances and commentaries to deepen your study of the passage.</div>
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Application answers the question, "how does this passage apply to me?"</div>
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After effective study of a passage, it is important to apply what you have learned - put feet to the knowledge you have gained.</div>
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<h3>
<span style="color: magenta;">SOAP</span></h3>
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The SOAP method for studying the Word of God is an acrostic for:</div>
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Scripture</div>
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Observation</div>
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Application</div>
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Prayer</div>
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The purpose of the SOAP Bible study method is to engage with the passage, not just simply read through it.</div>
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Anyone who has studied learning styles knows that when you write something down, it seems to magically imprint upon your brain. lol. </div>
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The Scripture step of the SOAP method has you physically write out a scripture passage. By taking the time to slow down and actually write what you are reading, you will find that insights or even convictions will stand out to you because you are truly focused on the words of the passage!</div>
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The Observation step is an exercise in highlighting what you see in the verses that you’re reading? Who is the audience? Is there a repetition of words? What words stand out to you?</div>
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The Application step helps you to apply God's Word to yourself asking, "What is God saying to me today?" "How can I apply what I just read to my own personal life?" "What changes do I need to make?" "Is there an action that I need to take?"</div>
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The Prayer Step asks you to pray God’s Word back to Him. If the Lord has revealed something to you during your time in the Word, pray about it. In an area of conviction, confess to the Lord.</div>
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<h3>
<span style="color: magenta;">Journal</span></h3>
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Bible journaling is an excellent way to study the Word of God effectively for understanding and application. The <a href="https://shop.wellwateredwomen.com/products/give-me-jesus-journal-2" target="_blank">Give Me Jesus Journal</a>, by Well Watered Women Co., is a helpful tool for guiding your study of the Bible.</div>
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The journal layout features a date, time and place section; a praise section; a "be still and know" section; a Scripture section; a "what am I learning about God?" section; and a "how this changes the way I live" section.</div>
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The Scripture section can be used to journal questions you might have about the passage; write down passages that stand out to you; record insights you have gained or how you've been convicted just to name a few. There is no right or wrong way to fill out this section. It is for the purpose of interacting with the Word of God.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Commentaries</span></h3>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Commentaries are a great resource for delving deeper into Scripture, but it is a good practice not to consult them until after you have read and absorbed the Scripture passage for yourself using any of the methods above.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">My favorite commentary and the commentary of choice for many Pastor's going all the way back to Charles Spurgeon, is the Matthew Henry Complete or Matthew Henry Concise Commentary, both of which can be found online.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Another great online resource, is <a href="https://www.preceptaustin.org/" target="_blank">https://www.preceptaustin.org/</a>, which has a wide variety of commentaries and information to guide your study of the Word.</span></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: magenta;">Scripture Memorization</span><span id="goog_1285925665"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1285925666"></span></span></h2>
<span style="color: magenta;">Bible Gateway says the following about Scripture memorization:</span><br />
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<b><i>"Reasons to Memorize Scripture</i></b><br />
<i>First, Bible verses that are memorized will come back to you. Memorized Scripture is particularly helpful when you’re being tempted... When you need encouragement, comfort, or strength to stand firm in your faith, God’s Word will be readily at hand.</i><br />
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<i>Second, memorizing Scripture, like all Scripture engagement practices, will help you grow in your knowledge of, love for, and obedience to God. The truths of the Bible will soak into your life, changing your understanding of what is real and good. It will help you to be stronger emotionally, bring a deeper peace into your life, and will be used by God to renew your mind.</i><br />
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<i>Third, memorized Scripture is also helpful as you serve other people. You can bless others when you have an appropriate passage to share.</i><br />
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<i>Finally, memorizing Scripture is a powerful tool to help you to live out your faith."</i><br />
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Scripture memorization certainly enhances your study of the Word of God.<br />
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There are different ways to memorize passages of Scripture. Whatever works best for you, is the best approach, and it might not even be one of the suggestions below.<br />
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<h3>
<span style="color: magenta;">Verse at a Time</span></h3>
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<span style="color: magenta;">This is probably the most basic way to memorize Scripture, one verse at a time. Once you have mastered the first verse of the passage, you can move onto the next verse and so on. Once you have worked at memorizing the entire set of verses, make sure that you have got the entire passage committed to memory by rehearsing them altogether.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Read, Write, Say Aloud</span></h3>
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<span style="color: magenta;">This method employs all the different learning styles into one. </span></div>
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First, read through the Bible verse or verses ten times through. Second, write out the verse/verses at least five times. Third, read the verse/verses aloud several times.</div>
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By applying these three different skills to Scripture memory, you will find that memorization has come easy.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">White Board Method</span></h3>
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<span style="color: magenta;">This is a great Scripture memorization method for those who learn by sight and through movement. Write out the verse you are working through on a white board. Take your finger and point to each word of the verse while saying it either to yourself or out loud. Do this several times. Next, erase one word from the verse and then read through it again, pointing to the words as you go, even the words you erased. Continue doing this until you have erased all the words. When no more words are on the white board, point to where they once were as you recite the verse. This method is one of the best for memorizing Scripture, in my opinion.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">I hope this brief look at how to study the Word of God effectively has been informative for you. </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">For any of you who are intimidated by studying the Word of God, I hope you have a better understanding of how to approach your time in the Word.</span></div>
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I promise you, the more time you spend studying the Word of God, the more you will desire to dig deeper and deeper, and the more God will reveal Himself to you.</div>
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May He bless you with an enriched time in the Word as you seek to study the Scriptures effectively.</div>
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Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-24932881532831388472020-07-13T00:00:00.002-04:002020-11-09T19:18:37.336-05:003 Effective Ways Christians Can Overcome Doubt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_jGKh7PeXn9jZVhX3yEyYXpctCOuq8O3gYuy1f_mtPA-UtBPBgvOTSTUU8nX-eKO82zpCD0pZeaDnomBFG0mirapWqU6ySO90-42dsjUWr6YCz5aYs0xcdvyGfsgYs4sbxcYJ45cCCWs/s1600/3+Effective+Ways+Christians+Can+Overcome+Doubt.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hispanic girl with long dark hair and bangs sitting with her knees pulled up and her hands clasped in front of her face looking discouraged" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_jGKh7PeXn9jZVhX3yEyYXpctCOuq8O3gYuy1f_mtPA-UtBPBgvOTSTUU8nX-eKO82zpCD0pZeaDnomBFG0mirapWqU6ySO90-42dsjUWr6YCz5aYs0xcdvyGfsgYs4sbxcYJ45cCCWs/s640/3+Effective+Ways+Christians+Can+Overcome+Doubt.png" title="3 Effective Ways Christians Can Overcome Doubt" width="426" /></a></div>
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As Christians, it's not easy to admit that we doubt God. It feels like we are committing the "unforgivable sin".<br />
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It is one thing to renounce God and His teachings, but it is a completely different thing to doubt Him.<br />
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In fact, the Bible shares accounts of both men and women of God, who doubted, yet they were not condemned...<br />
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Look at doubting Thomas!<br />
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<i><b>Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the </b></i></div>
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<i><b>disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”</b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b>But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and </b></i></div>
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<i><b>put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”</b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b>A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace </b></i></div>
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<i><b>be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”</b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b>Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”</b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b>Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; </b></i></div>
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<i><b>blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”</b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">John 20:24-29</span></b></i></div>
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Jesus understood Thomas' weakness and not only that, He turned that weakness into a blessing for all who have not seen Jesus, yet believe in Him for salvation.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">What causes doubt in a Christian's life?</span></h2>
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So what does doubt look like in a Christian's life? To have a better understanding, let's look at the definitions of <i>doubt</i> and <i>faith</i>...<br />
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<b>Doubt: <i>feel uncertain about; fear; be afraid.</i></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Faith: <i>complete trust or confidence in someone or something</i></b><br />
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What happens when we doubt God as Christians? We are not doubting His diety or what He has done for us. Instead, we may be feeling uncertain about a situation or the future which may also be causing us to be fearful or afraid.<br />
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We are essentially placing God in a box or ourselves in a box, ascribing human ability on Almighty God or believing that God won't do for us what His Word promises to do.<br />
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There is also an element of control on our part, a lack of willingness to accept God's will for our lives, whatever that might look like, especially if it does not align with <i>our </i>hopes and dreams, which causes doubts to rise and anxiety within.<br />
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Which leads us to the root of the problem of doubt, a lack of trust, especially when our worlds are in chaos. We are too busy looking at the waves rather than the One who can calm the seas.<br />
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As we saw, the definition of <i>faith </i>means simply having <i>complete trust or confidence {in God}. </i>By having complete trust and confidence in God, we will render doubt impotent.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">What does the Bible say about doubt?</span></h2>
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<i><b>And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, </b></i></div>
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<i><b>‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.</b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Matthew 21:21</span></b></i></div>
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Now that's complete trust and confidence in what God can do through us!<br />
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There is something about doubt that can sabotage anything.<br />
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Years ago, when my children were younger, we went to a Young Life Christian Camp. One of the events was an intense obstacle course where the kids climbed ladders into trees and then walked across a thin piece of wood to get to the next platform. The kids that kept their eyes fixed on the goal before them powered through and quickly made it to the next pedestal. But there were some kids who, understandably, succumbed to the height and became fearful, focused on falling rather than on the finish line.<br />
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We too can succumb to the heights of our problems, becoming fearful, with rising doubts causing us to take our focus off the One who can <i>move mountains</i> through us.<br />
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The best way to overcome succumbing to doubt is to just do the thing! With full and total confidence in what God can do through you.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Three Effective Ways to Overcome Doubt</span></h2>
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The Christian's best defense against overcoming doubt is to feed your faith and starve your doubt<br />
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<h3>
<span style="color: magenta;">Doubt in Prayer</span></h3>
I have shared before that I have no doubts when it comes to praying big for family and friends, but for some reason, I don't often pray big for myself because I just assume the answer will be no. How silly is that?! I don't know if deep down, because I am uncertain about whether the hoped for answer to my prayer is God's will, I am afraid of the outcome and just don't pray at all. Whatever the case, even if I were to pray, I am praying with doubts in my mind...<br />
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<b><i>But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea </i></b></div>
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<b><i>that is driven and tossed by the wind.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">James 1:6</span></i></b></div>
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Here we see a sorry consequence for being doubtful in prayer -- to be in a state of whirling emotions and anxieties is not at all pleasant... And we are only hurting ourselves...<br />
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But take heart, our doubts do not stop God from action. God's will for a situation happens whether we pray or not...<br />
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<i><b>if we are faithless, he remains faithful—</b></i></div>
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<i><b>for he cannot deny himself.</b></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><b>2 Timothy 2:13</b></i></span></div>
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Now I don't say that to excuse a lack of prayer. Quite the contrary, I say that to encourage you to overcome your doubt in prayer by boldly coming forward to the throne room of Grace with your requests and petitions.<br />
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The most effective way to overcome doubting prayer is to trust God no matter what the outcome may be.<br />
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<i><b>He will not allow your foot to be moved.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>He who keeps you will not slumber.</b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Psalm 121:3</span></b></i></div>
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<h3>
<span style="color: magenta;">Doubt in the Word</span></h3>
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Even though we spend time in the Word, maybe even memorize some of God's promises, when push comes to shove, and we feel the flames of the fiery trial, we can find ourselves doubting that God's Word will do for us what it says it will.</div>
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<b><i>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 make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Proverbs 3:5-8</span></i></b></div>
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This verse sums up in a nutshell the importance of trusting the Word of God and believing it for all it's worth as a means to overcome doubt -- using Scripture as your plumb line for everything that touches you and everything you do. <br />
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The Bible contains the Treasury of Heaven's wisdom. Imagine that?! Right there! For us to read, consume and practice!<br />
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Indeed, sometimes things happen that we do not understand, let alone can even wrap our heads around, yet we have the Word of Life to steady us when we feel like falling into the hopelessness of uncertainty and the uncomfortableness of fear. The Bible speaks comfort and peace over a child of God.<br />
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When you preach the Truth of God's Word to your doubting heart, you will overcome.<br />
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<h3>
<span style="color: magenta;">Doubt in Who God says He is</span></h3>
As I mentioned at the top of the post, I think Christians really can beat themselves up when they succumb to doubt and fear concerning God and His Word. It shows the tenderness built into the born again Believer to love the Lord with all their heart, soul and mind and to believe every Word that comes out of His mouth.<br />
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But our gracious God is merciful, even to the doubting Christian...<br />
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<i><b>And have mercy on those who doubt</b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jude 1:22</span></b></i></div>
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God understands our weaknesses. Not only does He understand, but He shows compassion in the midst of our doubting. He takes those opportunities to show us His character, His attributes, His power and His faithfulness.<br />
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In my own walk as a Christian, there have been several times where things looked hopeless, and I doubted God because it appeared that the complete opposite of what I had hoped and prayed for was going to happen...<br />
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But God, being rich in mercy and love, not only answered those prayers, but He exceeded my expectations and did WAY more than I had hoped or imagined for the situation.<br />
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Again, this is not to encourage you to doubt to get a big answer, but to remind you of Who God is. The Lord shows us time and time again in Biblical account after Biblical account all the ways He intervenes for His children and blesses them in amazing ways! That same God is our God.<br />
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When we own the Truth of who we are in Christ Jesus and Who God is, doubt will find no place in our heart, and we will overcome.<br />
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<br />Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432020674290934098.post-6960573079007837672020-07-06T00:00:00.004-04:002020-11-09T19:18:52.788-05:005 Biblical Ways to Enjoy Life and Have Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do you ever wonder, does God want you to enjoy life and have fun, emphasis on the <i>have fun </i>part?<br />
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One of the more memorable quotes from Little House on the Prairie that always gives me a chuckle is when Laura and Mary are walking along and Laura says quite matter of factly, "We can't go to the party on the Lord's Day, because parties are fun, and fun is sin!". <br />
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How about a sense of humor? Do you think God has one?<br />
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GotQuestions.Org answers with the following:<br />
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<i>Answer: Perhaps the best indication that God does have a sense of humor is that He created man in His image (Genesis 1:27), and certainly people are able to perceive and express humor. The American Heritage Dictionary defines a “sense of humor” as “...The ability to perceive, enjoy, or express what is comical or funny.” According to this definition, then, God must show an ability to perceive, enjoy, or express what is comical.</i><br />
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Of course, God's sense of humor is pure and undefiled, where sinful man can fall into a sense of humor that does not honor God.<br />
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Having said that, God's creation and His Word speak to the Lord's desire for His children to have fun and enjoy life.<br />
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Let's look at 5 Biblical reasons to do just that!<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Finding Enjoyment and Fun in your Work</span></h2>
Yup, you read that right! I know, I know, our perception of work flies in the face of enjoyment and fun.<br />
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The book of Ecclesiastes refers to work as <i>toil</i>...<br />
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<i>Definition of toil: exhausting physical labor</i><br />
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But wait for it, on several occasions throughout Ecclesiastes we are told to find enjoyment in our toil. Say what??<br />
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<i><b>There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink</b></i></div>
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<i><b>and <u>find enjoyment in his toil</u>. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God.</b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ecclesiastes 2:24</span></b></i></div>
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You might ask, "how can I enjoy life or even have fun if much of my life is at work or working?"<br />
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The Word of God tells us...<br />
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<b><i>Commit your work to the LORD, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>and your plans will be established.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Proverbs 16:3</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us </i></b></div>
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<b><i>and establish the work of our hands upon us; </i></b></div>
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<b><i>yes, establish the work of our hands!</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Psalm 90:17</span></i></b></div>
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The Lord is telling us to look to Him, where there is fullness of joy. When our work is established in Him, our reward will be great.<br />
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I'm sure many of us have been amazed to see how God multiplied the work of our hands, and gave us fulfillment, joy and fun in the process, when we committed that very work to the Lord. I can certainly testify that this is true!<br />
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Unless you are a small child, there is no age where work is not a big part of your day. Whether it is school work, house work, raising children, office work, manual labor, the arts, sciences, medicine, legal, etc., etc., etc., Every day has it's work.<br />
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Since the fall of man, toil and work has been the consequence, but God in His grace and mercy, as He does with everything, comes alongside of us in our toil making a way for us to enjoy the work and have fun in the process. We need only commit to Him our work and His favor will rest upon us.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Finding Enjoyment and Fun in Your Days</span></h2>
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<b><i>This is the day that the Lord has made;</i></b></div>
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<b><i> let us rejoice and be glad in it.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Psalm 118:24</span></i></b></div>
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Think about it, even before the worlds began, God had a specific purpose and plan for each and every day of the Earth's existence. He is the God of Creation. His hand upholds the mountains and the seas, the deserts and the jungles, the sky above and the earth below. He tells the winds when to blow and the rains when to fall. He causes the earth to quake and the thunder to peal. Everything He does has a Sovereign purpose.<br />
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Not only that, He has a specific purpose and plan for every one of our days as individuals. He orders our steps and allows the circumstances that touch our lives.<br />
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The Psalmist invites us to rejoice and be glad in each day, for it is the day that the Lord has made.<br />
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But how do we rejoice when experiencing or being effected by earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods or fires? And how do we find joy when our day features significant trials or any trial at all for that matter.<br />
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You don't... It would be strange to find joy in suffering. God is not calling us to rejoice because of our suffering, but to rejoice <i>in Him </i>despite our suffering...<br />
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I remember my favorite thing about being pregnant was feeling the baby's movements. If I was having a bad day, my son or daughter would make their presence known with sweet kicks that would always bring a smile to my face, despite the circumstances. In that moment, my focus would shift from my problem, to the joy of my precious son or daughter, that I would soon meet.<br />
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In the same way, we can know that God is moving inside of us to strengthen and comfort us in our trials. We can have joy when we look to the Author and Finisher of our faith who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, having sat down at the right hand of the Father.<br />
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In this life we will have trouble, but we can take heart because we have the promised joys of Heaven.<br />
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Indeed, we CAN rejoice and be glad in a day, even when we are going through a trial, we need only to look to the source of our Joy.<br />
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We are certainly blessed with many wonderful days that bring joy and lots of fun - days in which we are fully present, savoring and enjoying every minute of the day.<br />
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In the good times, it is especially important to rejoice IN the Lord because He is the one that blessed you with such a wonderful day.<br />
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Whether we are having a good day or a bad day, there is always a reason to rejoice.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Enjoying Life and Having Fun</span></h2>
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<b><i>You make known to me the path of life; </i></b></div>
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<b><i>in your presence there is fullness of joy; </i></b></div>
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<b><i>at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Psalm 16:11</span></i></b></div>
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They say that the secret to enjoying life and having fun all begins in the mind. When we wake up in the morning with a positive mindset for the day, week, month or even year, we are establishing a soundtrack for joy.<br />
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Focusing on the negative is a self-fulfilling prophecy that will "prove you right". Negative thinking just produces negativity in every aspect of your life.<br />
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Through the Bible, the Lord God makes known the path of life - abundant life. As we soak up every life-giving Word of the Bible, our minds will be filled with fullness of joy. We will learn the secret to enjoying life and yes, having fun.<br />
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God does not intend for His children to fret and worry <i>or </i>to toil in their own strength, but to <i>seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.</i><br />
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<i><b>The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>John 10:10</b></i></div>
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The Lord promises that when we are in His presence, through the Word and through prayer, we will experience fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore.<br />
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<i><b>Until now you have asked nothing in my name. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.</b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">John 16:24</span></b></i></div>
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The key to enjoying life and having fun is in knowing, believing and walking in the Word of God. What does Jesus tell us, <i>"Come to me all who are heavy ladened and weary and learn from me for I will give you rest."</i><br />
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Jesus' Words about <i>rest</i> evoke a light, care-free feeling. When our minds are not burdened by the cares of the world, we are able to have fun and enjoy life.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Finding Enjoyment in God</span></h2>
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<b><i>And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Luke 1:47</span></i></b></div>
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The Westminster Shorter Catechism says that <i>"the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him for ever".</i><br />
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How can we enjoy God? He is not physically in front of us. He cannot audibly talk to us face to face.<br />
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The answer is, we can enjoy God because He is EVERYWHERE!<br />
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God is in the flowers that bloom and the birds that sing. He is in the laughter of a child and in the hug of a friend. He is in the smile of a stranger and in the love of a spouse. He is in the sunrise and the sunset. He is in the warm summer breeze and in the delicate design of a snowflake.<br />
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When we look for God in everything we will find our enjoyment in Him.<br />
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We have a God who condescended Himself coming to earth as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger - Jesus, who experienced everything that human beings do, except sin, and satisfied the wrath of God through His death on the cross so that we would find our salvation in Him.<br />
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There is no greater joy than to know that Jesus died for our sins so that we could have eternal life with Him in Heaven.<br />
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Just like the excitement of new love when couples are consumed by thoughts of each other, always carrying with them an inner joy knowing that they are loved and cherished, we as dearly loved children of God carry with us the joy of the Lord, for His love is everlasting.<br />
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Now go out there and enjoy life and have fun! ;-)<br />
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#38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wonderful Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> , </span><a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Literacy Musings Mondays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/" style="color: #38761d;">I<span style="color: #38761d;">mparting Grace</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Dance with Jesus</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mommynificent.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Booknificent Thursdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://crystaltwaddell.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Fresh Market Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Moments of Hope</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wonderful Wednesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> ,</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://faithadventures.me/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Tea & Word Tuesday</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/blog/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouragement Thursday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.marissawrites.com/2016/10/hearts-for-home-106.html" style="color: #38761d;">Hearts for Home</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Messy Marriage Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://afiremanswife.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Friday at the Fire Station Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://debbiekitterman.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Tune In Thursday</a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.lylidunbar.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith on Fire Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://peabea.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday Scripture Blessings Link-up</span></a></span><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://mom-gene.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday Thoughts</span></a>, </span><a href="http://becomingpress.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Writer Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">,</span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Faith Filled Friday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.godsizeddreams.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">God Sized Dreams Link-Up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://jaimewiebel.com/blog/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sitting Among Friends</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.betheeinspired.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Be Thee Inspired</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.aboundinggrace.co/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Graceful Tuesday Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://aboutachik.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Aprons & Pearls Link-up</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.trekkingthru.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank">T<span style="color: #38761d;">rekkingthru Link-up</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://mississippimom.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Word Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">G</span><span style="color: #38761d;">race Moments Link-up</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://apronstringsotherthings.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Encouraging Hearts and Home</span></a> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://www.worthbeyondrubies.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Worth Beyond Rubies</span></a> </span><a href="https://aspiritofsimplicity.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Seeking Sabbath</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Scripture and a Snapshot</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/" style="color: #38761d;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://welcomeheart.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Welcome Heart</span></a> </span><a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://outdoorsymommy.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Outdoorsy Mommy</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://anchoredabode.com/" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Anchored Truth Tuesdays</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="https://www.unshakeablejoy.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Heart Verse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://www.instaencouragements.com/blog"><span style="color: #38761d;">InstaEncouragements</span></a></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://soaringwithhim.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Recharge Wednesdays</span></a> <a href="https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Kingdom Bloggers</span></a></span></div>
Karen Del Tattohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534510202288836694noreply@blogger.com2