Be Ye Strong

Perhaps you grew up having learned the little Bible song, "Jesus Loves Me." One of the lines says, "I am weak, but He is strong! Yes, Jesus loves me!"

Be reminded that in our weakness, our valleys, our inabilities, that God is able to deliver His strength in every situation.

Ever been surprised with a great outcome? Ever had a negative or unexpected "bad" outcome? Jesus loves you through it all. 

Purpose in your heart to be a vessel of clay for HIS molding and shaping. For His glory. Often it's not easy being so flexible and obedient, but it will deepen your roots! And that's a good with God.

Let's keep looking up!

12 Reasons God Loves You

Have you ever asked, "God loves me, why??!!"

Here are 12 specific reasons!!

Because HE...Created us in His image.

Because HE Knew we needed a Savior.

Because He sent His Son to die for you.

Because HE...

Knows your past.

Knows your presence.

Knows your future.

HE knows through our weakness HE is made strong.

HE knows His love (and blood) covers a multitude of sin.

HE knows His love is unconditional.

HE knew we would never forgive ourselves for things, that HE has applied grace and forgiveness to.

HE knew we couldn't/shouldn't walk alone in disbelief.

God loves you...because He sees his children as redeemed!

Now --- AFTER ALL of that ---don't you think we should give HIM our best in return?

Let's look UP friends!

Famous Quotes Deliver Food for Thought

Lately I’ve read several famous quotes. Quotes from all varieties of people and diverse beliefs. I use God’s Word as my personal navigator, but it’s also healthy to understand others’ views and beliefs (in my opinion). For instance, I like autobiographies. I like insight on what makes people tick. How they overcame the odds. How they used their gifts. How God orchestrated things for their good (Romans 8:28) even though it may not have felt like it at the time. Things like that.

In that mindset, famous quotes can deliver food for thought.

I' can’t immediately recall which famous minister said the following quote: “I have two days in my calendar. Today and the day of judgment.”  

 
I think it was Spurgeon or Luther, but nonetheless, it is quite deep when you think about it.

Then the quote, “You can’t develop Christian character from books.” I’m not the expert to criticize another person’s beliefs or opinions, but I do wish the end of that sentence said, “Except the Bible – God’s Holy Word.” God certainly does instruct, lead, and convict us through His Word.

I believe the MORE time put into God’s Word, the more you’ll receive in return. The MORE we faithfully attend the House of God, the more you’ll receive in return. The MORE prayerful we are in our daily lives, the more we’ll receive of grace and mercy, in return. The MORE closely we communicate and walk with the Lord, the more intimacy, love, and peace we experience, in return.

So…allow me to ask you, dear reader. Is there a quote that speaks deeply to your soul? I encourage you to search the Bible. Ask God to lead you to the right Scripture needed for this time in your life – no matter how troubled, painful, or joyful it is right now.

Here are Three Quotes (secular) that I gravitated to for this journal entry. I found them on the "brainyquotes" website.

Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have - life itself.

Walter Anderson

 

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.

Abraham Lincoln

The greatest legacy one can pass on to one's children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one's life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.

Billy Graham

Thank you for reading – feel free to share your favorite quotes with me, in return!

 

Let’s Keep Looking UP!

 

Top 10 Quotes About Love

I tend to like lists - all kinds of lists. I just feel organized when I have a list.  A to-do list at work, the grocery list, the Christmas gift list, the birthday list…I can come up with a list for so many things! Maybe even a “honey-do” list if I think on it too much. Yes, lists are good. The other thing about lists, is they often change. Ask me again tomorrow, and the list may have changed. But, being that today is Valentine’s Day, I wanted to comprise a list of my TOP 10 Quotes about L-O-V-E. Maybe you have your favorite quotes too, or a few of yours might be listed below as well. (I easily found the first half online)

________________________________________________________________

Love is the voice under all silences, the hope which has no opposite in fear; the strength so strong mere force is feebleness: the truth more first than sun, more last than star… E.E. Cummings                                (I really do LOVE Cummings!)

 

As a girl where I was a Flower of the mountain yes when I put the rose in my hair like the Andalusian girls used or shall I wear a red yes and how he kissed me under the Moorish wall and I thought well as well him as another and then I asked him with my eyes to ask again yes and then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower James Joyce

 

The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love. Henry Miller

I fell in love with her courage, her sincerity, and her flaming self respect. And it’s these things I’d believe in, even if the whole world indulged in wild suspicions that she wasn’t all she should be. I love her and it is the beginning of everything. F. Scott Fitzgerald

BIBLE QUOTES ABOUT LOVE

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life - 3:16 (KJV)

John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1 John 4:19 - We love him, because he first loved us.

May you know the love of God in your heart today…seek blessings and you will find them. Remember, the love of God penetrates the darkest of night.

Let’s keep looking UP!

Mustard Seed Prayer -- Part II

Mustard Seed Prayer – Part II

 

Matthew 17:20 (KJV) - And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Today’s blog is a continuation of prayer on the mustard seed. If I’m not mistaken, God uses this parable twice in the Bible, so it’s absolutely something we can learn from. Mediate on. Pray about. The mustard seed, the soil, the birds, the person…think about where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re going! Then join me in part 2 of this short prayer.

Let us Pray:

Lord, help me to understand and do the work that you’ve commissioned. Not for my neighbor, but for me.  I understand that having BIG faith shadowed in DOUBT and fear does no good for anyone. It’s not necessarily the size of the mustard seed, but the fruitful plant that it becomes. A single little seed and grow into a giant tree! A fruit bearing tree!  I ask you, God, – help me to be more fruitful. For your glory; none of my own.

Like the seed itself, help my faith to grow. Pure. Unencumbered. Brave. Rich in substance even on stiff ground.

Thank you for your Word. You’ve promised your Word will not return void. Rather, with the faith of a mustard seed, I can move mountains! When I grow weary from the climb, I still have your Word. When my roots feel dry and the soil feels rocky, I still have your Word. When I can’t fathom facing tomorrow, you, my precious Lord, are already there. You, Heavenly Father, the God of Israel know my name and my circumstances. Help me to grow on thorny ground, what otherwise feels impossible to man. Deliver me from doubt as the goliaths try to stomp out my strength. Help me to keep my eyes OFF others, and focus on my relationship with YOU.

Lord, help me to be more like the mustard seed. The seed doesn’t question you. It doesn’t doubt you. The seed obeys without hesitation or fear. It does what you created it to do.

Teach me to grow in both happiness and pain. I see you in EVERY situation in my life. May I live a STRONG daily Faith, sewing seeds for you to say, “Well done, they good and faithful servant,” someday!

Help me to use MY mustard seed of Faith...

In Jesus’ name,

Amen