God’s places of safety and renewal

“Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.” -Psalm 25:10

“Beloved: Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the Spirit.” -1 Peter 3:18

“Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: ‘This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.'” -Mark 1:14-15

Today’s bible readings talked about a renewal, a new beginning, and God constantly being active in our lives to help destroy evil. He is a god of love, who wants what is best for us, giving us chances to make things right again!

God first led Noah and a few people to find refuge in an arc and stay safe, while the rest of the world got destroyed. God saw all the evil that grew and wanted to make His earth new again. He was working to lead His people back to goodness and faith. The arc represents safety, an enclosure away from evil.

The people over the years; however, drew back to evil ways and were tempted again, and God decided to do something bigger. He wasn’t just going to save a few people like He did with Noah and the crew on the arc. He decided to let everyone have a chance to be saved.

God sent Jesus as the new “arc” to save His people.

There is only one factor in this new plan to restore God’s people. Choice. Each of us must choose Jesus in order to be saved. We must follow God and keep His commandments, repent and believe.

Jesus is our refuge. He is the way to a new beginning free from sin and evil. God sent Jesus to us as our arc, to turn to him for forgiveness and everlasting safety. He is our salvation.

As the season of lent begins, let us recognize our bad habits and sinful ways and turn to Jesus. Even Jesus was tempted, but he stayed strong, pure, and godly.

God sees us, loves us, and wants to save us from the evil of this earth. Let us be children of God and follow Him, for He will bless us a thousand times over with forgiveness and eternal life. May we be more mindful of God’s work in our lives as He leads us closer to Christ. Amen.

Weekly Song: Proof

Alex G, a talented YouTube artist, has an original album out, with the single, “Proof”. She explains in her “Making of Proof” video that the song is about not being ashamed of yourself and your imperfections. Alex G shares this so that we might relate as well as learn – learn to accept ourselves and to reach for that light that still brightens.

Staring me down in the mirror
How long will it take til these cracks disappear?
Feeling ashamed, forgetting my name
Where did I go?
Praying to God for a cure
It’s so dysfunctional here in the hurt
Lost and confused, feeling the wounds
Where do I go?

Chorus:
Every dim shade of gray in my scars
All of the mess I have left in the dark
Still the light shines through the cracks in my heart
It’s proof I’m alive

Climbing the height of my walls
Watching them crumble beneath me in awe
I will be brave, I will be safe
Here in your arms
Now there’s no room for afraid
Breaking the boundaries to make myself brave
Hearing the change, turning the page
And now I am free

Chorus

Give it all away, give it all away
It’s gonna be okay, gonna be okay
I give it all away, give it all away
It’s gonna be okay, gonna be okay

Chorus (repeat twice)

I’m alive, I’m alive

Weekly Prayer: Responsibility

We all have responsibilities, and sometimes we may not succeed in those responsibilities. For me, I have a responsibility as a wife, a sister, a daughter and daughter-in-law, a friend, a pet owner, a homemaker, a business women, a volunteer, a church member, a community member, an American, and a Christian. A lot of responsibilities that I should commit to and strive to do well.

What responsibilities do you have? And have you been following through on all your responsibilities?

As you go about your week, remember to pray for God’s strength as you commit to your responsibilities.

Weekly Compliment: Gentleness

This week’s compliment:
I appreciate your gentle and quiet demeanor. It’s nice to know a soft-tempered and amiable person like yourself!

Lord God, guide us this week in our thoughts and words. Help us to spread compassion to all people, giving words of kindness through our compliments. May you be the light within us, Amen.

Favorite Bible Verses

What are some of your favorite Bible verses that you turn to when you need that boost of faith, comfort, and strength? Sometimes, just reading the Bible fills my soul with so much inner peace and joy. Many of the verses are so poetic and beautifully spoken!

I especially love verses from the new testament and Psalm.

Some of my favorites:

“‘I am the way and the truth and the life.'” -John 14:6

“‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.'” -John 14:27

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” -Isaiah 40:31

“‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.'” -Mark 10:27

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.'; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” -Luke 10:27

“‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest'” -Matthew 11:28

“Love is patient, love is kind…It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” -1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” -2 Corinthians 4:16

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians  4:6-7

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

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” -Jeremiah 29:11

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” -Hebrews 13:8

“‘Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'” -Romans 8:37-39

“‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today…The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.'” -Exodus 14:13-14

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will  make your paths straight.” -Proverbs 3:5-6

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path…You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” -Psalm 119: 105, 114

I especially love all of Psalm 23. Here’s just a snippet of the psalm:

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.” -Psalm 23:1-2

This list could go on! So many beautiful verses in the Bible.

Check out this neat website to find popular Bible verses: http://www.topverses.com/

May God be with you through all your moments in life…and may you remember His words to lift you up! Amen.

Weekly Song: Sunshine In My Soul Today

I always enjoy a positive uplifting song like Sunshine In My Soul Today. Whenever I think of sunshine, I think of light, warmth, smiles, and good days. May you be uplifted while hearing this song.

There is sunshine in my soul today,
More glorious and bright
Than glows in any earthly sky,
For Jesus is my Light.

Chorus:

O there’s sunshine, blessèd sunshine,
When the peaceful, happy moments roll;
When Jesus shows His smiling face,
There is sunshine in the soul.

There is music in my soul today,
A carol to my King,
And Jesus, listening, can hear
The songs I cannot sing.

Chorus

There is springtime in my soul today,
For, when the Lord is near,
The dove of peace sings in my heart,
The flowers of grace appear.

Chorus

There is gladness in my soul today,
And hope and praise and love,
For blessings which He gives me now,
For joys “laid up” above.

Chorus

Embrace Change

My pastor last week discussed about change and the positive aspects from change in our lives. Often, when I think of change, I think of uncertainty and I feel negative thoughts. Today, I challenge you to think about change in a positive light. What’s something positive about the change in your life? What ways can you acknowledge the change? 

Below I found a resource on embracing change. Go check it out!

“Embracing change has brought newfound strength into my life and surprisingly, more inner peace.”

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/6-life-lessons-on-embracing-change-and-impermanence/

Weekly Compliment: A Champion

This week’s compliment:
You’re a champion! You’ve accomplished great things and I’m happy to see you succeed.

Lord God, guide us this week in our thoughts and words. Help us to spread compassion to all people, giving words of kindness through our compliments. May you be the light within us, Amen.

Weekly Song: Today is Beautiful

David Dunn, a new Christian artist, sings this upbeat and hopeful song. It’s so catchy!

When you need that extra boost of happiness, shout “LET THE RAIN FALL AWAY, BECAUSE TODAY IS BEAUTIFUL!” Nothing can get in the way of our joy when God is present in our lives.

A little more about the song:

“From a songwriting standpoint, Dunn’s turns of phrase are equally affecting. With his first single “Today is Beautiful,” David provides an intriguing snapshot of humanity that was inspired by a trip to Disney World of all places. While visiting every kid’s idea of paradise with his parents, siblings and a gaggle of nieces and nephews, the outing yielded some surprising revelations.

‘Their motto is ‘The Happiest Place on Earth,” and every kid should just be thrilled to be there, right? My nephew had been having the best time, but between rides, he had a meltdown because his older sister refused to let him push the stroller with my baby nephew in it,’ David recalls. ‘And because she refused, he just couldn’t take it. He threw himself into a state of absolute misery, just bawling his eyes out and causing a scene.’

Later on that afternoon, David couldn’t help making a correlation between his nephew’s random outburst and the average grown up’s behavior whenever life deals an inconvenient card.

‘We, as humanity, do the same thing when we’re going on about our lives, and this little problem comes up. It irks us, and we focus on it so much that it becomes this huge ordeal that puts us in a state of misery that we can’t get over,’ David shares. ‘We neglect to just lift our eyes and see that, in reality, we really are living in Disney World. We are in this place where we have a God who loves and cares about us and wants the best for us. If we can view that problem from His point of view, from an outside perspective, we can see it for what it is, just a stroller that our older sister won’t let us push. It might even be an opportunity for growth.'”

*Let go of the little things and see the big picture. God loves us and calls us to be with Him in heaven some day!

*Rejoice for today, for each day is special.

Sometimes the day won’t ever end
Sometimes you just throw up your hands
It’s the little things sometimes

Sometimes the world has just gone dark
Sometimes your praying for a spark
It’s the little things sometimes

Chorus:

But if you lift your eyes
See it in a different light
Just a cloud up in the open sky
Let the rain, fall away
Cause today is beautiful

(repeat)

Right now it feels so hard to breath
Right now you’re asking God why me
It’s what you can see right now

Cause right now there’s a greater truth
Right now there’s a bigger view
Than what you can see right now

Chorus

If you see more than what’s in front of you
You might see more of heavens view
If you see more than what’s in front of you
You might see more of heavens view

Chorus

Weekly Prayer: For the elderly

There are many elderly men and women in my community and they are a blessing. Too often I feel preoccupied with my own life and stresses, that forget to pray about those in need, particularly the elderly, who may be lonely, aging, or sick. So here’s a lovely prayer for the elderly.

Lord God almighty, bless those people to whom you have given a long life. You have given these your faithful the grace to maintain their hope in You through all life’s changes and to taste and see Your goodness.

Let them be aware of Your nearness, so that, when they worry about past failings, they will rejoice in your mercy and, when they think of the future, they will faithfully rely on You as their hope. 

We bless You, God, for the gifts You have showered on them for so many years. We ask that they may find joy in a renewed strength of spirit, that they may have good health, and that they may inspire us by the example of their serene way of life.

We pray, too, that You may shower us with the gift of patience and the willingness to lovingly care for them and to bring them joy into their lives.

In Christ Jesus, Amen.

(Revised from here.)

 

Emotional Ups & Downs

“The great thing to remember is that, though our feelings come and go, His love for us does not.”— C.S. Lewis

Oh how I wish feelings weren’t so fickle and hormones so shifty! Some days I just feel emotional for no reason, while some moments I’m expressing an emotion that I expect but don’t want it to linger and fester.  As a wife, I’m learning (and still need to fully learn) to control feelings better and love no matter what. Why does God give us feelings, feelings that rise and fall in intensity?

Some of the emotions you may be feeling every day:

• angry & frustrated
• sad, weary, and blue
• humiliated, hurt, broken, unloved
• proud, clouded in judgement
• tempted
• anxious, stressed, worried
• tired and apathetic

on the other end:

• energetic & rejuvenated
• excited, adventurous
• sometimes calm and reflective
• cheerful & hopeful
• filled with a sense of worthiness, grateful
• caring, gentle, loving, and patient
• completely joyful, above the clouds

God reminds us that He is here for us. We are loved. There’s nothing to worry. Our crazy emotions are grounded by His love in our life. We are blessed, even in the little things in our life. And we should better recognize the blessings so that when those bad emotions come, we can stay strong.

Being married is the closest relationship that God wants for us–100% committed, open, full of selfless love and trust. Loving even when you don’t feel 100% loving. Relationships with others continually requires hard work, devotion, selflessness, faith, and patience. God is sending His love into our relationships each and every day, to make it work, to make it strong, to make it grow, to nurture us and teach us.

As we go through life, we are learning to love ourselves, love all of us, even our crazy emotions. It’s a journey to discover emotions and learn how to better express them. But remember, from the beginning, God loved all of us, even our emotions.

Thank God today and in all moments of life for you, your personality, your emotions. He is here to comfort and ground you as you go through the ups and downs.

“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” -Psalm 86:15

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” -Zephaniah 3:17

Weekly Compliment: Inspire

This week’s compliment:
You inspire me! You are my positive role model. 

Lord God, guide us this week in our thoughts and words. Help us to spread compassion to all people, giving words of kindness through our compliments. May you be the light within us, Amen.