If there is one thing that I have learned in life, through many trials of the past; God is in control.  He is my shield and my exceeding great reward.

  I do not need to know the exact details of tomorrow.

I need to know the anchor on which my hope is based.

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God has a plan of good for my life and for my family.  The moment in which I am moving is drawing very near and the date of start for my job is not yet known.  Perhaps that would cause some to tremble just a little; yet, I know that God has ordered this move and has ordered the timing, so I have no fear.  I know who goes before me and I know who holds the answer to it all; therefore, I stand in elated joyful hope every day as I watch Him perform His miracles.  In July, I knew that I was to be going; but I did not know how or when.  Throughout my drive back from Missouri, I had prayed for God’s guidance and that He move the mountains.  I have watched as mountains have fallen before me.  I stand amazed at how God had orchestrated changes in my own heart over the past year and a half; preparing my heart to leave.  Change can at first be hard, particularly if you believe that you were sent somewhere as a mission.  I had been sent to Florida 10 years ago on God’s command. Yet, I felt I had not finished the mission I was sent for, so chains bound me to stay.  God broke

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What are we to do when those in powerful positions seem to be ruling with an evil hand?  Paul had been imprisoned by those in authority; yet, as he wrote to Timothy he admonished him to pray.  Paul understood that God was in control and that we as Christians need to pray for their salvation.  We must lead lives of quietness, peaceably proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We must not live our lives in anger toward them nor desiring their harm.  Our mission is to live out our lives in honesty and godliness, preaching and proclaiming the truth of the gospel so as to lead them to Christ.  Our desire must remain to be a light to the world, remembering that it was grace which saved us and desiring that same grace be bestowed on those around us and to those placed in positions over us.  The love of God within us is to be displayed to those around us.  Look at this verse from I Timothy.

I Timothy 2: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

This same truth was displayed by Daniel. 

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Will you stumble over the chief cornerstone or will you embrace it?  That is the question you must answer.  So often we are asked, "Why do you Christians believe that there is only one way to God?"  Our answer must be that God in His marvelous grace provided the sacrifice and payment for our sins.  He who is the only perfect righteousness was the only one who could pay the price.  If we look deep within our own hearts honestly, we must recognize our own inability to save ourselves.  We see those moments of selfishness, those moments of pride which cause such harm, and our ineptness at loving our Creator as we should.

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The harder we try to be "good" the more we realize our inability to do so.  We seek to be seen as righteous; yet, even our best efforts only leads to our failure to perform. Yet, Christ came and took on flesh that He might pay the penalty for our sins and thus cover us with His righteousness.  He has become the foundation–the Chief Cornerstone of our salvation.  As Peter proclaimed to all the people both gentile and Jew.

Acts 4: 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Then if Christ came to pay the penalty for all, why did Peter then say that this elect, precious corner stone could also be the stone that leads to stumbling and stands as a rock of offence to some? 

Continue reading The Chief Cornerstone–Your Foundation or Your Stumbling Block? →

The move is imminent.  Everything is falling into place, one thing at a time.  God has said to move and God is working out His will.  Starting a new job at my age and leaving all that is familiar should cause me apprehension, but instead I am very calm. Why?  Because I know that God has ordered I go and it is He that goes before me.  I rest in Him.  This coming weekend I am having an estate/garage sale.  Mom is worrying nonstop with such questions as "What if no one comes?  What if nothing sells?"  Instead, I am calm.  So much to do, I must prepare; yet, I feel the strength of His presence.  All the anxieties have left and even her voice of worry does not shake it.  When my soul becomes still and I am resting in His Will, there remains no room to become complacent about writing or Bible Study or Prayer. Too often that is exactly what we do.  When storms rage around us or mountains lay before us, we urgently seek Him and we run to such verses as those found in Psalm 46 which commands us to be still; but what does being still include?

Continue reading When Peace Fills Your Soul →

When we read through the old testament, we sometimes stand in wonder at how many times God pleads with His people.  These people who are so quick to forget all that He has already done for them.  These people who quickly become caught up in foolish desires, worship idols of their own making, and grumble because they want something different.  God is the one who provides all that they need.  He knows that the only love that can fill their heart completely, the only One who can fill that empty void is Himself–the mighty and great I AM.  We read about them and say "What a foolish people!!"  Then we look at ourselves and see the same.  When everything is comfortable we forget to praise Him and  we wander off seeking other pastures; yet,

He pleads with us to remember who is our provider. 

When His Providential will leads us through

tempestuous waters

or through a blazing flame, we moan, tremble in fear, and beg God to answer our prayer.  Our faith shakes when trials or questions lay before us because we do not really believe that God is In Control, meaning this thing (whatever it is), this thing has been ordained by the only true God, Creator of the Universe.  He ordained it in love, that I might grow in my ability to rejoice in His presence.  He ordained it in love, that I might learn to trust Him.  He ordained it in love, that I might see the beauty of His Glory.  He ordained it in love that He might draw me closer to Him because only there will I find fulfillment, peace, hope, and joy.

Read with me the plea He made to His people, all of His people

Continue reading God’s Plea For You →