Seasons

Greetings!

I am not sure what part of the world you are living in, but on the east coast, we have been experiencing an interesting winter. One day, it is raining and º50 degrees, the next it is snowing and º3 degrees, and even though it can be inconvenient…I would not have it any other way. I live in a place where I can enjoy all four seasons. I like knowing that in the summer, I can look forward to sitting under a tree enjoying the breeze while sipping on a nice cold glass of iced tea, and at some point during the winter months—there will be snow.

Our lives are like the seasons. To me, snow is just a sign that spring is on the way. We will have peaks and valleys, but with each season, with each trial, there will always be some residue left behind…something that says a new day is here.  God allows the seasons in our lives to prepare us for what lies ahead. He wants us to know that anything is possible with Him, and that if we keep our minds fixed on Him, He will show us the way. Through the Lord, we learn that if we just hold on…with each trial, there will be a triumph.

The promise I want to deal with today is the promise that nothing is too hard for our God. The scripture says, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27) As difficult as it seems sometimes, know that you are special in God’s eyes, and He loves you passionately. Jesus Christ proved that at the cross, and God wouldn’t have sent His Son if you and I were not worth it. We just have to believe it….

Until next time…

Be blessed

Joy

Greetings!

What a week! I don't know about you, but this has been a long week, or at least it seemed like it. I typically try not to speed up time by praying for the weekend, because time goes fast enough on its own. But, this week I prayed...a lot and not just for the week to be over.

Can I just say again how grateful I am for God's love, and for how He loves us. Without Him our lives would be so...pitiful. But, even in that God works it all out so that everything we go through will be used for our good. The word says that God knew us and planned our ending even before our beginning. I love knowing that the trials of this world have a purpose...it makes it all a little easier to bear.

The promise I want to focus on this time is the promise of  joy. The Bible says, "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11) I love David, because he knew how to worship and praise the Lord. He made some mistakes...big ones, but he knew how to go to God and ask for forgiveness. He learned that trying to hide from God was pointless, so  He went to the one he knew could do something about his situation.

Every now and then, God gives us a glimpse of the plan He has for us. I think He does that to encourage us...to let us know that all of this is leading to something greater. God promises that if we stay close to Him, we will have joy "forevermore." At His right hand there is power, and He is promising that we have the power to not only overcome, but to have joy in the process.

Stop looking at your problems and know that you serve a God of greater.

Until next time...

Be blessed

Love Like God Loves

Greetings!

February is not only the month we celebrate Black History month, it is also the month when we celebrate love. That's awesome, because that lines up with what God has been showing me about His promises. One of His commandments is that we first love Him, and that we love one another. If we do that, God promises to hear our prayers. I don't know about you, but I want God to hear my prayers. I want Him to be pleased with me...I want to make Him smile.

The scripture I want to raise up today is from 1 John 3:22, "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." That's His promise...not because He has to, but because He loves us and He wants to bless us. Following God's commandments bring rewards. But here's the thing...God knew it would be too hard for us to do it alone, so He sent us some help.

He first sent His Son, Jesus Christ to be our example. Jesus showed us what it was like to live a life that was totally sold out to God. Jesus faced many trials, but His faith never wavered. He believed that no matter what...if He kept His focus on God, He would bring Him out. Then, when Jesus ascended into Heaven, He left us the Holy Spirit. And when we allow Him, the Holy Spirit prompts us, guides us, and speaks to us. Sometimes, we try to go it alone...to operate in the flesh...to do what we want to do. But, even in those times, the Lord keeps us. It's not always easy, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can do anything.

So, this month let's try to love one another with God's love. God's love is the kind of love that encourages, blesses, promotes, covers, and embraces. His love doesn't expect...it just gives. If we begin to keep God's commandments, then the word says that whatsoever we ask, we will receive.

Until next time...

Be blessed