O Death Where is Thy Sting....

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is strength sin; But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:35-57

I read the following quote on Facebook just yesterday.

"All that death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus."                                                        John McArthur                                                                                                        -                                                                                                                        

Scripture tells us that our enemy the devil is a roaring lion, seeking to steal, kill and destroy whomever he may devour.

We know this to be true. We see it every day in the news. We see it in the physical body. We see it in our homes.

But the fact is, for those of us that are believers, John McArthur is right. All that the devil can do through our deaths, is deliver us right to Jesus and the sting of death is broken.

And so while we suffer at the loss of our loved ones that go on before us to their eternal home, we can also rest knowing that they were delivered to Jesus, the moment that they left this world to join Him.

And we can thank God for His mercy.

Thanks for coming by Friends. God bless you

                                                                                       

Its Better to Give than Recieve

 I am so sorry that I have not been here for so much of the time these past few weeks. I hesitate to say any more about the situation that I am going through. Only because I know that I am not the only one going through some type of pain. Please do know that God is getting me through, and I am trusting completely on him. 

With that in mind, I am just going to post something quick today that will hopefully make you smile or even give you an idea from someone else that maybe you could share with in your own life. 

This one came from Pinterest and reminds me that giving to others often gives back to us in due time. Please read on:

 

And maybe that doesn't sound like a big deal to you or me. But it meant something to both these people. Imagine what the girl felt like when she had made such a impression on that homeless man during her high school years.

God wants us to give. 

But sometimes we feel that they are homeless people by choice.

And maybe some are.

But there are other reasons for those situations.

And when we feel God's leading to give to someone,

we must remember this scripture in Mathew:

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Mathew 25:40-46

We aren't to judge why people are the way they are. Or how they got to the place they get to. But we are to just love them with the love of Jesus and give to those that need help. That being said, I believe God would want us to be careful about who we give to because there is so much crime and sin in the world that would want to take advantage of those helping them. But I believe when he leads us to give, we should be prepared to do so because we never know how much we can help those that need our help. 

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. God bless you that you may also bless other

God's Blessings

As a kid growing up in Ohio, we had both an apple tree and a cherry tree in our back yard. Times were tough back then. My folks were rasing four of us siblings. Plus during some of those years, we also had two cousins living with us due to family problems in their lives. I know times were probably lean in the food department at times, but I don't recall ever going without it. And those fruit trees made up the difference at times, I am sure. 

My mother would use them for pies, dumplings and such. What a joy they were just to eat right off the tree. Back then we didn't even worry about washing them first. Ha, ha. 

Many years later, our own back yard provided us with many apples on the four trees we had there, and I took over the job that my mom had by using them to feed my own growing brood. 

God gives us so much in his world, to enjoy. Take the cherries. They come in its own edible wrapper, filled with a sweet goodness and packed with vitamins and minerals and fiber. And back then because candy and other sweets were more rare, all that it really took to satisfy us was a bit of sugar on it.

Our apple tree bore green apples which too are full of fiber, good fort bones and lungs. And more. Unfortunately for my brother and some neighbor boys, they were used back in the day for throwing at each other in their own mock playtime battles. As did my boys who engaged in their own battles against each other with them.

Still thinking back to those days, these fruits kept us going as well as the gardens that my mother would also have growing to keep us healthy.

Yes, God was good to us even in those lean times. And even throughout the years following, in my own growing family, we never went hungry.

“Praise the Lord…who satisfies your desires with good things…” Psalms 103:5

My prayer is that he will also satisfy those that all over this country, and all over this world who may be starving and or hungry today, that they may be filled with the goodness of God. 

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. May your evening be peaceful and full of God's blessing. 

Trojan Horse? What Has it got to do with the Bible?

Trojan Horse

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This article is about the mythological Trojan Horse. For the type of malware, see Trojan horse (computing). For other uses, see Trojan horse (disambiguation).

What does the Trojan Horse have to do with the Bible?

Trojan Horse refers to a wooden horse said to have been used by the Greeks, during the Trojan War, to enter the city of Troy and win the war. There is no Trojan Horse in Homer's Iliad, with the poem ending before the war is concluded, and it is only briefly mentioned in the Odyssey. But in the Aeneid by Virgil, after a fruitless 10-year siege, the Greeks at the behest of Odysseus constructed a huge wooden horse and hid a select force of men inside, including Odysseus himself. The Greeks pretended to sail away, and the Trojans pulled the horse into their city as a victory trophy. That night the Greek force crept out of the horse and opened the gates for the rest of the Greek army, which had sailed back under cover of night. The Greeks entered and destroyed the city of Troy, ending the war. (Read more of this story on From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

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My question about this horse is, what does it have to do with the Bible?

If you view it only by a non-biblical study of it, it has nothing do with the bible. But if we take a closer look at what scripture says, it can be very significant.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy...John 10:10

And so, isn't that the purpose that the trojan horse was used for? Even if, that horse never existed (because I discovered that some say it was a myth and not real), and supposing it was just a symbol, it can most definitely be used with John 10:10.

But for arguments sake, let's assume that it was real. The Greeks constructed this horse supposedly as a gift to the city of Troy who pulled the horse in believing they had won the war with the Greeks. They must have felt pretty proud of themselves. That is until during the cover of darkness some Greek soldiers got out of the horse and opened the gates of the city to let in the rest of their army, who then destroyed the city and thus ended the war between them.

It begs the questions: Why didn't they look a little closer at that horse? Why did they just all of a sudden trust the enemy?

Isn't that so like the enemy?

Our enemy, the devil I mean.

In John 10:10, its who Jesus was speaking about.

"The thief (devil) comes to steal, kill and destroy,,.

He's dirty. He is underhanded. And he also sneaky.

The problem is sometimes he is so sneaky that we don't even recognize the red flags that if we had bothered to look at them, we might see them as a gift or reward that will turn out to be bad for us. 

It happens, Friends. In our homes, in our governments, and yes, even in some of our churches.

The trojan horses we allow entrance into our lives.

Make no mistake, they are waiting for us.

To come in to kill, steal and destroy us.

But the good news is, that Jesus didn't end that passage on a sour note. 

He also said:

...but I came that they might have life, and they might have it more abundantly."

That is where our hope lies. Not in the trojan horses of our lives.

It's only in Jesus, who shed his blood not in secret, but in full view of all in attendance that day, to take away our sin.

That's what I am talking about.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. I appreciate you for staying with me through these last few painful weeks as I go forward without my husband. I still plan to continue with this blog and ask that you be patient with me as I try. There will be some days I just won't be here. But I will do my best.

God Bless You!

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Are You in Pain?

 Are you in pain today?

I know I am. And I am not alone in my pain. Many people are. Whether it be from just the everyday things that they are living with. Or maybe its because of the affects that Hurrican Ian had on them and their property earlier this week.

Or maybe like me, you recently or maybe even not so recently lost a loved one in death.

There are all kind of pain. But did you ever think of pain as being a gift from God?

I ran across something that comes right across where I am at today. I am going to copy and paste it here because maybe you will think of your own pain in a different light after you read it.

Pain - The Gift Nobody Wants

Pain is a gift nobody wants. But it's a gift, just the same.

We don’t ask for it or enjoy it, but we all experience it in one form or another.

My friend Peggie says, "Pain always brings change."

She's right. We can let it disable us with bitterness, anger, and depression. Or we can let it equip us with wisdom, sensitivity, humility, and grace.

When I’m suffering, I want to remind God of Bible passages where He rescues His people. I want to forget about the more prevalent passages where He loves His followers enough to let them suffer for their good and the good of others (e.g. Joseph and Paul).

We discipline our children, make them get shots, even give them over to doctors for surgery...because we love them. They could (and sometimes do) accuse us of letting them needlessly suffer. But they don’t understand.

As God’s children, we often misunderstand too. He doesn’t promise to prevent pain (Hebrews 12:1-11). He promises to use it for our good (Romans 8:28).

Help us, Lord, to see our pain the right way.

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The best thing that I can say about pain, is that it doesn't last forever. Eventually, it will go away. Maybe not until we pass from this life to the next.

My mother was in pain most of her life. And even though people prayed for her to be healed of it, it never left her. In fact, the last couple years of her life, she suffered much more than anyone that I ever knew. 

But then she went home to be with Jesus one day at the age of 73. And that was it. Her pain was gone. Prayer had not healed her in this life and that had been very disappointing to family members who thought she would be. But as I contemplated that in the days following her death, I knew that I would never wish her back from where she was because if she could not be completely healed, I was glad she was home and free from it.

Pain for me, is not just physical. It comes from the passing of those people who left me for Heaven. And yet, I have the hope and thankfulness that they are there waiting for me to join them. At whatever time that God deems it is my time.

And in the meantime, I can look at it as this article says. God promises to use it for my good. Because undoubtedly, he loves me.

And He loves you too. 

Thanks for coming by today, Friends.

God bless!

Please God....

Have you ever felt so low that you don't think God will forgive you?

In my past I have felt that way.

I can honestly say I have learned that feeling that way is a lie straight from the devil.

What I do know is that I have made many, many mistakes.

But God is always ready to forgive me.

And so, this is my prayer.

For today and every day.

For me.

And for you.

As we continue to live

in a broken, often unforgiveable world.

Until one day when we go home to meet our Savior,

or he comes to take us home.

We wait and look forward to that day.

Thankfully, we did not have any damage from the Hurricane that hit Florida this week. Many people did and for those we are saddened at their loss. For me, my loss was of a different nature as you know. But together we can pray for all that are going through difficult times.

Thanks, for coming by today, Friends.

May your day be blessed!

r

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

 

My Prodigal Son Returns

What could God possibly do at this time when I just lost my husband, that would surprise and bring me joy beyond belief?

Well, let me tell you.

Most people and at least those that came from a church background, have heard the parable that Jesus taught in Luke 15:11-32

Long story short. (my version) There was a man that had two sons. One son wanted his father to give him his inheritance even though his father was not yet dead. His father did that and off went the son to live wild and spend it until he had no money left.  And eventually he ended up with some pigs eating what pigs eat.

Well, that did not bode well with him. After all, his father had plenty back home and so he decided to go there and beg for mercy.

But would his father accept him back? After all, he wouldn't have had to.

And yet walking down the road towards home, his father saw him coming and ran to meet him. He was overjoyed that his son had decided to come back so much so that he threw his arms around his son and kissed his neck.

But his joy did not end there. No, he also threw a big party for his son because of the excitement of his son's home coming. 

What a party that must have been too. 

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Well first let me say, this wasn't like the son in that story.. No. But I believe it really depicts all of humanity, that rejects God. Perhaps those that even know him for a time and then leave him to go out and do their own thing. And when we come to our senses like he did, we go back to God who runs to us with only the kind of excitement that a loving God can give.

But I digress.

My son, whom I will call Mike was really a good son. He loved God and wanted to serve him. But life was never easy in our household as it isn't in many and as hard as he had tried to be what God wanted him to be, I think he just hit a time when he could not take it any longer. We as his parents were not giving him the things he needed. Our love and encoragement.

I know that doesn't give you a lot of information about what he was going through, and I really can't and do not wish to. 

The fact was, he had tried to please us as parents, and I came to believe that we just didn't recognize that.

And so one day, he and his father had an argument that broke apart our relationship. It hit me hard because he has three boys that I love dearly but when that incident happened, we were not allowed to see them or do things with them that we had been from the time they were babies. And it broke my heart. The only thing I was allowed to do was to send gifts for birthdays and Christmas and so on. And I faithfully did that adding a picture to the cards I sent to remind them of the fun times we had, because I never wanted them to forget us. 

Fast forward to 2019 a couple years and we moved out of state to where our daughter and son live with their families.

I won't go into how it began, because it really is a long story. But recently I found out some information which some would call by chance. But I call it being from God. Because he knew my heart's desire to reunite with Mike and his family. And so, a few months ago, I heard about them, and it was wonderful because all along I didn't know really how they were doing.

Not until my husband's death had I even spoken to Mike. And he and some of my husband's family came to attend his funeral service.

It was greatest reunion I could hope for. And I felt almost like the story in the bible and how the father felt when he saw his son coming down the road and he ran to meet him.

My prodigal son had come home!!!!!

And now that he is back at his home, we have talked serveral times and I even talk to the boys on face time or whatever he uses and it is the best! And I am estatic that at least the two older ones remembered me. The youngest doen't because he was pretty little when it all happened.

But that is ok. Because now he can get to know me. And I, him.

In the depth of despair that satan tried to rob me of by taking my husband, came a big surprise that only could have been achomplished by the hand of God. And I mean that litterally. 

Our God is a big God and he wants to give us good things. I wish that it had happened while my husband was alive. And I would have never asked for him to take it because I could then have my family back. But it is what it is and someday all of us will unite with him again and gone will be the old  problems we had went through. And we will all be with Jesus togeteher.

Thanks for coming and letting me pour out my heart to you. 

Just a note. We may be in the hurricane that may be hitting in the next couple of days. People are preparing for it. I understand that schools are closing for tomorrow and Thursday to open as shelters if needed. So I may lose power during that time and unable to post again until it is over. 

But God is good and though I have been through some real life storms, I know that God will take care of us.

God bless!