In His Hands

Happy Easter everyone! I can't believe how many things have happened in the past year for me. Last year, on Easter, was our first time actually visiting the church we are now going to. For two years we listened to this pastor on the internet and really wanted to move there, because we didn't have a church of our own in our old town. Well on April first, last year, our house finally sold and Easter Sunday was the first time going. I love my new church and the people I have come to know. Many many things have happened since that day and to think that it has already been a year. You know that feeling when something feels incredibly long one moment and then short the next. Yeah, it's one of those things. Anyway we have had some terrible moments this past year and some amazing ones. Through it all I know that God is there and He led us here for a reason. God's timing is  perfect and His ways are above our own. God has saved me from my sins and I owe it all to him. Not of myself was I saved but because God saved me! Jesus died for everyone that whoever will believe in Him shall not perish. I love the Lord with all my heart and am so thankful for what he has done in me. I have sinned against God and still He loves me! He loves me so much that He sent His Son to die for me. Isn't that amazing! It's hard to get your head around it, I know, but it is nonetheless the most amazing thing ever! Jesus defeated the grave and rose again on Easter Sunday! God bless and remember what Jesus did, not just today, but always!


"And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen." -John 21:25

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever shall believe in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life." -John 3:16

Cannons-Phil Whikham
I love this song! Hope you listen!

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"Through Gates of Splendor"

I'm so sry for taking so long to write another post, but I just couldn't think of anything. :P I hate writer's block! Will try to do better. :)

"Through Gates of Splendor", was recommended by several friends and they sparked my curiosity! "Through Gates of Splendor" was written by Elisabeth Elliot, wife of Jim Elliot(one of the missionaries written about). This book takes you from five different men's calling to spread the Word of God to Ecuador; leading them to Auca people. As they each find their calling it leads them to strive to reach the Auca people. Isolated a-midst a vast forest makes the task of even finding these stone-age barbarians a mere miracle. Some of these men knew from the beginning that this was their calling while others were led by God towards the end of the mission. Crossing leaps and bounds when it comes to even seeing an Auca, brings them one step closer to their mission. After weeks and weeks of dropping gifts such as a machetes, knives, ribbons, pictures, and so forth they hope to show clearly their motive of friendship. Will the Aucas understand this form of relation with the white man? Or will their old instinct to kill pull forth? Whatever the outcome, the five missionaries knew that God was with them the entire way. And they also knew that whatever happened it was in the Lord's will and the gave all the glory to God.

Now for my critic. :P     The only thing that I have to say in a negative way towards "Through Gates of Splendor" is that I don't feel like they showed how giving up everything, in other words even just basic toiletries, was any problem for them. They showed in basic ways how it was a struggle not to give up hope on the mission but nothing very personnel in that respect.
Positive critic! :)    This book helped me to see that any pursuit in life, whether it be career or domestic, is completely in vain and has no bearing upon my soul unless I do it unto the glory of God. Sometimes I get rather tangled up in my own wants in life without bringing up the fact that this life isn't my own. I was bought with a price and have been charged with sharing the good news of Christ to everyone.

To end this post here are some Bible verses about sharing the amazing news of redemption.

"Then He said to His disciples, "The Harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." -Matthew 9:37-38

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here I! Send me."" -Isaiah 6:8    I want to make this verse what I will do! I want to say, "Send me!"

God bless and have a wonderful week!

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This Christmas Morn

On Christmas morn it finally really felt like the December weather I'm used to. Even though there was no snow, it was still beautiful out! As a Christian, Christmas means so much to me. My pastor said it's the start to Calvary, where Jesus died for my sins. It's hard during this season not to become totally self absorbed, trust me I know! ;) But the greatest gift I could ever receive is already mine. Jesus died for all my sins and transgressions and rose again the third day that we might live. Giving is an act of portraying what miraculous wonders we have been given. God bless and I hope you kept Christ in Christmas this year. 

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS for He will save His people from their sins. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet saying: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."

-Matthew 1:18-23

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Thankful to Jesus!

It is Thanksgiving and it is finally starting to feel like that time of year.. a bonfire at a friends house really helped with that. :) Well, what am I thankful for? EVERYTHING! And to whom am I thankful? To Jesus!  I have more than I could ever ask for! Thank you Lord! :)

"Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations."  -Psalm 100

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks tot he God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever.
To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His mercy endures forever.
To Him who by wisdom made the heavens,
For His mercy endures forever.
To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,
For His mercy endures forever.
To Him who made great lights,
For His mercy endures forever.
The sun to rule by day,
For His mercy endures forever.
The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His mercy endures forever.
To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn,
For His mercy endures forever.
And brought out Israel from among them,
For His mercy endures forever.
With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm,
For His mercy endures forever.
To Him who divided the Red Sea in two,
For His mercy endures forever.
And made Israel pass through the midst of it,
For His mercy endures forever.
To Him who struck down great kings,
For His mercy endures forever.
And slew famous kings,
For His mercy endures forever.
Sihon king of the Amorites,
For His mercy endures forever.
And Og king of Bashan,
For His mercy endures forever.
And gave their land as a heritage,
For His mercy endures forever.
A heritage to Israel His servant,
For His mercy endures forever.
Who remembered us in our lowly state,
For His mercy endures forever.
And rescued us from our enemies,
For His mercy endures forever.
Who gives food to all flesh,
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!
For His mercy endures forever."
-Psalm 136

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! God bless! And yes, my appetite is growing! Food.. I am awaiting you! lol ;)

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Learning from God - 11 - Walking "Alone"

Are you ever really walking alone...? On those days when you are just walking by yourself and feeling perhaps a little lonely, are you really alone? There is great comfort in knowing that Jesus is there, walking right by you, holding your hand. It's an amazing gift, that I personally, forget to accept.

"Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts for the coming of the Lord is at hand."   -James 5:7-8

"Lord, all my desire before You; and my sighing is not hidden from You."   -Psalm 38:9

"casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you."  -1 Peter 5:7

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."  -Psalm 23:4

"Fear not, for I with you; be not dismayed, for I your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."  -Isaiah 41:10

"By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit."  -1 John 4:13

"Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, for I am with you always, to the end of the age."  -Matthew 28:20

"Be still, and know, that I am God."  -Psalm 46:10

When you're walking "alone" don't forget to say "hello" to the "Person" next to you. :)
The Lord be with you and have a wonderful rest of the week.

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God, The Maker of Sunsets

Isn't what the Lord made just beautiful?! I'm so thankful to be a child of the most high God! 

"Be still and know that I am God."

-Psalm 46:10

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

-John 8:36

"Then God said, 'Let there be light"; and there was light." 

-Genesis 1:3

"The Lord my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

-Psalm 27:1

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever."

-Isaiah 40:8

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

-Romans 5:1-5

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Learning from God - 10 - The Vine

This is something I learned from the Lord on the retreat.

John 15:1-8

One of the youth pastors preached on how we are the branches and God is the vine. Since none of us had ever been raised where there is a vineyard he used a tree instead. The pastor told us that if you're an apple tree you cannot produce oranges. We need to examine ourselves and see what fruit we are bearing. The pastor explained that a tree has it's season where it bears fruit and if you don't feel like you are bearing a lot of fruit that doesn't mean you are not a Christian, but that you are the tree during the winter.  During the winter the tree may look bare but it's roots are growing. So when the time does come for it to bear fruit it will be ready. The Lord is pruning me daily and this truly spoke to me. So if you know that you are a true Christian but you aren't bearing a lot of fruit then maybe God is pruning you. :)

Romans 1:13
Paul was hindered from coming to them because God was building fruit in him.
Romans 6:22

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Learning from God - 9 - Coming in Prayer

Sorry this is coming a day late. :( This past Sunday I was convicted about what we come to God for. Do we come to God because He is God, or do we come to make our petition known? I have to say that I do the latter. This disturbs my soul. God is omnipotent, omniscient, loving, merciful, and creator of all things, yet one of the main things I come to Him for are requests. Requests after request. Why don't we come to Him in prayer to worship Him and thank Him for all things? I feel so blessed every time I think of the mercy's that He has bestowed upon me. Not only do I need to work on coming before the Lord with a thankful heart but also coming before Him and showing reverence because of the knowledge of who He is. God is your friend that does care about your petitions, but remember that He is God.

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Learning from God - 8 - Have No Fear

I just remembered that I was supposed to do this today. lol :P Fortunately while I was reading my Bible I felt like I should write about courage and not having fear. Recently I witnessed to a guy at my work, who is buddhist, and although I didn't bring him to the Lord I was still, perhaps, able to plant a seed. Most people don't witness because they are afraid to. What can man do to you that the Lord does not permit? Nothing. Yes it is scary at times, and yes it takes practice. When the Lord has put it on your heart to witness, and yet you are afraid, just think about that persons soul. Care enough to say something. They will go to hell without the Lord! This world needs it! I believe us Christians take it for granted the gift we have been given. A lot of people celebrate Christmas, not everyone knows its meaning.

Psalm 27:1-3
The LORD my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The LORD the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though this war may rise against me, in this I confident.

Psalm 56:3-4
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God(I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What flesh do to me?

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not for I with you; Be not dismayed, for I your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:13
For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

Matthew 10:26
Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

Matthew 10:28
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

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Learning from God - 7 - Friends

Since yesterday was my friend Danielle's birthday and yesterday I was supposed to write a learning from God I thought I would do one on friendship! Sry this is coming a day late I was busy yesterday. Anyway I have been blessed with a wonderful friend and am thankful to God for sending her to me! :D Here are some verses on friendship! Never take friends lightly. :)

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him alone when he falls, for no one to help him up.

Proverbs 27:17

"Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."

Proverbs 27: 9
"Ointment and perfume delight the heart; and the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel."

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Learning from God - 6 - Encouragement

Recently I was thinking of a verse I had read in the Bible that said stuff about building up your brother in the faith. To encourage each other. This made me want to dedicate this post to scripture about building each other up.

"but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." -Hebrews 3:13

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Here are some encouraging verses.

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." - Deuteronomy 31:6

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap a harvest if we do not lose heart." – Galatians 6:9

"But You, O LORD, a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people. Who have set against me all around." -Psalm 3:3-6

"In the multitude of my anxieties within me,Your comforts delight my soul." -Psalm 94:19

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Learning from God - 5 - A Lesson in Silence

For Thanksgiving each of my family members was taught a lesson in silence! As you might already get the picture from what I just said we did not have a holiday spirit filled day. Each of us was forced to keep our mouths shut when our family members took a turn at being rude. Truly my grandmother, her 'new husband,' aunt, and uncle were all a bit on the getting drunk side. :P Instead of coming home with 'thankful' hearts we were all in the dumps. Although each of us felt like we did the right thing by not getting into a fight or saying anything on the way they behaved. We did not let them have the satisfaction of putting us right where they wanted us. God gave us the grace to be Christ like and show politeness despite everything. I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving and whatever you were put through I hope God gave you the grace to do what was right.

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Learning from God - 4 - Solomon's Gift

When my brother was younger my mother was reading about Solomon to him. She read to him about how God told Solomon he could ask for anything and receive it and he chose wisdom. My mother asked my brother what he would ask for and he said a new heart. That's when he became a Christian. Later he wanted his middle name changed to David. What would you ask for? If you are not a Christian I hope you would ask for what my brother did.

Look up 1 Kings 3:4-15 if you want to read those verses.

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Learning from God - 3 - Persecution

This past week I have been slacking on reading my Bible. I know it's horrible of me. :( I'm determined, though, to do better! This doesn't mean that I don't have something to write! lol This post I want to write about persecution. How all Christians will go through it and that you are not in sin because things aren't going just the way that people think they should. Here are some verses, please read them in your own Bible.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. -said Jesus (Mathew 5:10-12)

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“If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. -said Jesus (John 15:18-20)

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Learning from God - 2 - Jesus is the Way

Please read John chapter 10 verses 1-18 before reading this post. Since that is a lot to write down I thought I would just have you read it in your own Bible. Some people believe that you can go to Heaven by any way. Clearly verses 1-9 shows otherwise. Also all throughout the book of John it says that you cannot enter but through Jesus. If you continue reading this chapter you will see verse 30 that says, "I and Father are one." Jesus said this. Again these verses stuck out to me. Verse 16 I believe means the Gentiles, for the Jews thought they were the only ones that could go to Heaven. Please comment and tell me if you got anything out of these verses that you would like to share. :) Btw I will be posting another one next Monday. :D

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Learning from God - 1 - Sabbath Law

Well I want to start doing a weekly thing about what I got from the Bible that week. Perhaps this will encourage you or maybe God will enlighten you on His word. I have been reading the book of John. I have been getting so much from it! Lately I've been trying to be able to remember certain verses I like, instead of just quoting yet not know where it is. A lot of people, in churches today, still believe you are under the Sabbath law. I, on the other hand, do not.

I really like John chapter 7 verses 22 through 24- "Moses therefore gave you circumcision(not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? Do not judge according to appearance but judge with righteous judgment." said Jesus

When I came across this verse it just stuck out and spoke to me. Go ahead and read it in your own Bible.

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