Just being there for me.

Matthew 6: 24 - 34
Entrusting and knowing that God will take care of me.

Sirach 17: 1 - 15
Using the wisdom and knowledge that God has given me.

The Fairest Blossom that springs from the soul

1 Peter 4:7-11


. . . that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. —1 Peter 4:11

A Bouquet of Praise
"Corrie ten Boom (1892–1983) was a World War II concentration camp survivor and Christian who became a popular speaker around the world. Thousands attended her meetings as she talked about how she had learned to forgive her captors just as Christ had forgiven her sins.

After each meeting, people surrounded her and heaped accolades on her for her godly qualities and thanked her for encouraging them in their walk with the Lord. Corrie said she would then return to her hotel room, get down on her knees, and present those compliments in thanks to God. She called it giving God “a bouquet of praise.”

The Lord has given each of us gifts to use to minister to one another (1 Peter 4:10) so that “in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever” (v.11). We have nothing to offer others that we have not first received from the Lord (1 Cor. 4:7), so the glory does belong to Him."

"To learn humility, perhaps we could follow Corrie’s example. If we receive a compliment for something we’ve said or done, let’s privately give a bouquet of praise to God for the glory He alone deserves. —Anne Cetas

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious—Thy great name we praise. —Smith

Praise is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul."

Inspiration and wisdom

Sirach 17:1-15
I found the above passage very inspiring.
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Let us ask our Lord to work in us and through us, and let us do our utmost to draw Him down into our hearts, for He Himself has said: "Without Me you can do nothing."

-- St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

Do I Have to Tell Anyone?

This is an interesting devotion that I received yesterday from the RBC. It is something I have considered but sometimes you wonder who you are supposed to share things with. Some people can be downright nasty--and I am actually speaking of those who are supposed followers of Christ. I never want to be like some of them. I want to know that I am a child of Christ and to take things one step at a time. Having the attitude that I have never sinned and have been perfect all along does not sit well with me. I don't want to be another self-righteous holy roller. That is non-sense I can do without.

"Will I Have to Tell?"
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. —2 Corinthians 5:17

Jim was sharing the gospel with Kerri. He told her she was separated from a holy God because of her sin, and that Jesus had died and risen for her salvation. She kept coming up with one reason not to believe: “But if I do receive Him, I won’t have to tell other people about it, will I? I don’t want to do that.” She said that didn’t fit her personality; she didn’t want to have to tell others about Jesus.

Jim explained that promising to witness about Jesus wasn’t a requirement before receiving Him. But he also said that once she came to know the Lord, Kerri would become His ambassador to the world (2 Cor. 5:20).

After talking a little longer, Kerri acknowledged her need for salvation through Christ. She went home excited and at peace. Funny thing happened—within 24 hours she told three people about what God had done in her life.

Because we have been reconciled to God through Jesus, we now have “the ministry of reconciliation,” according to the apostle Paul (v.18). We are His ambassadors, and therefore we implore people “on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (v.20).

When we’re thankful, we want to share what God has done. —Anne Cetas

I love to tell the story,
For some have never heard
The message of salvation
From God’s own holy Word. —Hankey

There’s no better news than the gospel— spread the word!

Forgiveness

"Forgiveness is giving up the hope that
the past could have been any different."--- Oprah Winfrey

Forgiveness is something else and not the easiest of things to do when you have been hurt. It's even worse when someone has hurt you and you forgive them but they don't think they have done anything in wrong. Then you thank goodness for good old fashioned karma.

Reconcilliation and will

Today like every other day has been a very questionable one for me.
What next? Am I supposed to be doing this or that?
What will the future hold? Where does God really want me to be and why is
He not telling or showing me?
I must admit that this reconcilliation is tough and trying but I am willing to stick with it. I really do need Jesus in my life.

"
Remember, that the devil has only one door by which to enter the soul: the will. There are secret or hidden doors. Temptations, discouragement, and unrest are the wares offered by the enemy. Remember this: if the devil makes noise, it is a sign that he is still outside and not yet within. That which must terrify us is his peace and concord within the human soul.@

-- Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

Trust

"Lord, I know not to put my trust or faith in man but in you alone. I trust your wisdom. U instructed us to trust in U with all of our heart and not to depend on our own understanding. I trust U with every fiber of myself. I seek your will and purpose in my life. Direct my path, O Lord. You already know my needs. Help me not to worry. Keep me focused on you in Christ."

Still hanging in there

As of tomorrow I will have been back home in the US for six months and yes everyday in itself feels like a week but I am still trying to hang in there in more ways than one. I am trying to be patient with God, with myself and those around me. It's tough. It's a learning lesson and God knows I have little to no patience whatsoever.
Day by day I have relaxed and handed any concern or problem over to God because I know that He can deal with it far better than me. I am now waiting to see what happens next. What will become of me.

"Teach me Thy patience! still with Thee
In closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong." —Gladden

People with a heart for God have a heart for people.