Friday, April 13, 2018

Plans Change

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Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

Yes, I know. I am supposed to be on a blog break, actually a vacation with Hubby. The weather forecasts changed out plan. Since we decided to wait until the weather would be better-(read not raining and not cold.) I have had the theme of these scriptures on my mind.
Instead of departing our home and heading south, I attended a funeral at our church. The departed gentleman was in a car wreck north and east of our city last Saturday. When our pastor began the service, he said, “Gathering here today was not in any of our plans. It wasn’t even on our radar.” These words brought me back to thinking about the plans we make.
As human beings, we are not able to see the future, we only see a small part of our lives. God sees the big picture and knows what lays ahead for us. We have to trust Him for everything. We also need to thank Him for all He has given us, and for all the people He sends into our lives.

Our bags are still packed. We don’t know when we will get to leave for warmer climes. I am learning to wait upon God and listen to what He has to tell me. I try not to get upset when plans don’t go the way I think they should. I believe this is part of obedience.

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Spiritual Refreshing at Special Times

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Repent, therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19 (ESV)

The Apostle Peter had healed a beggar. The healed man was ecstatic over what had happened. Those who saw him were amazed.

Peter began to speak to the people about how they had denied God’s son and turned Him over to be crucified and had asked that a murderer be released to them.

Peter, then tells the crowd that all they had to do in order to be forgiven and refreshed is to repent, turn away from their bad acts.

Repentance has a simple definition; “To turn away from.” Before a person can truly repent one has to recognize what he or she did was wrong. A person who is guilty of evil things has to acknowledge that his or her actions were wrong and/or hurtful to others.

The wrong-doer has to search his heart to understand these steps. Also, that person needs to be certain that he or she can honestly say that what they did was wrong. There is no room for ‘lip service’ in this process. True repentance comes from the heart. 




I am taking a break from my computer. I will be back online on April 23. 

Monday, April 9, 2018

Refreshing of Our Spirit

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for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.1 Corinthians 16:18 (ESV)

Paul, toward the end of his first letter to the believers at Corinth, writes thanking them for sending Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus to him. He tells them that these three refreshed his spirit.

What does it mean when someone or something refreshes our spirit? Do we feel better about things? Are we able to view our surroundings with joy and gladness? Does the work go easier?

As God’s child, I sometimes get frustrated when I watch the news broadcasts. Even reading the newspaper can bring me down. However, from time to time, I hear or read something that perks me up.

At times, when I pray about a need or a circumstance that vexes me, I have to ask God to give me His eyes to view that situation.

When I pray the Lord’s Prayer, I find my spirit lifted when I focus on the words: “Give us this day our daily bread,”

We have times when God will use a friend to refresh our spirit. One of my local friends does this just by speaking. I can usually hear the joy bubbling in her voice. We have known each other long enough that I can also sense when something is bothering her.

We truly have times when God uses those down times to minister to us. He refreshes us by His very presence. Even if our circumstance seems bleak and unchanging, He is there with us and that fact refreshes our spirits in ways that nothing else will.



God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...