"Encourage one another daily." Hebrews 3:13
"You know some things don't matter that much, like the color of
a house. But LIFTING A PERSON'S HEART--NOW, THAT MATTERS. The whole
problem with people is they know what matters, but they don't choose
it... The hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters."
The Secret Life of Bees
A good book... a good quote... a good choice... Bee an encourager.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
May the soap suds of
goodness seep in all the dirty cracks and crevices of darkness in my
heart and soul -- washing away all hurtful words.
Father, clean me up and fill me with You. I want to be a sparkling, desirable path to You for others.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"Trust in Him at ALL times." Psa. 62:8
If you are worrying, then you are not trusting. God has got your back at all times, OR not at all. BELIEVE....
Friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
Whatever is causing you to fret, God is already in the midst of and working for the good.
Do you believe and trust God in all things?
Do --
Relax; He's got it and you.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
stop the newspaper
throw out old food
water the plants
ask friend to get mail
tell your neighbors
adjust the thermostats
pack your bags
pay pending bills
reschedule appointments
get a pet watcher
gather snacks for the road
pack electronic gadgets and chargers
fill your car with gas
Sometimes getting ready for a trip can almost
make you want to cancel your plans. It can be mentally taxing and
exhausting. But in the end, we're glad we didn't quit. The to-do list
makes for a smoother and more enjoyable trip. But i must say, all the
work makes me appreciate and glad to know my final trip will be an easy
one.
The last trip just calls for a simple "yes". Yes, i acknowledge and accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and the Son of God.
Thank You, Father, for keeping it simple. I'm resting in You today.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance." Revelation 1:16
"Many are asking, 'Who
can show us any good?' Let the light of Your face shine upon us, O
LORD... I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make
me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:6,8
Skimming through friends'
pictures, my eyes landed on a favorite... sunflowers. I love their
cheerful presence and find it amazing how they always face and follow
the sun. They are a shining example to us on how to live as believers.
Having it's roots
nestled deep in the foundation, the sunflower grows strong and tall for
all to see and enJOY its beauty. No matter the time of day, it is
always facing the sun. Which caused me to wonder, what happens when it
is dark or cloudy? It appears the flower droops... as if it's head is
bowed.
I want my life to be like
that too. I want to be firmly rooted in a relationship with God and
watered daily by His Word. As the sunflower continually faces the sun, i
want to be found facing and following the Son. And on dark, cloudy
days, may my head be bowed in prayer -- laying my requests, pleas, cries
and thanks before God.
There is Power in the Son... may He bloom and shine in us, so others will see and turn to Him too.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"DO to others what you would have them do to you." Matthew 7:12
We don't have to look any further than Jesus' disciples to remember any and all groups are composed of flawed people. Yet, their mistakes, weaknesses and shortcomings did not define or destroy the group. Instead, in spite of errors, we still received what Jesus created the group for -- to teach, strengthen and grow the faith. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, disciples of Christ.
During these turbulent, troubling days, may we look first to God for wisdom and guidance -- recognizing the wrongs of one, or a few, should not erroneously bleed out and harm those serving rightfully. Whether it's police, teachers, preachers, doctors, lawyers, politicians, business managers... male, female... Christian, Muslim... red, yellow, black or white skin people... or any other way you want to define a group, no perfect group in this world exists and never will. When someone is motivated/driven by greed, jealousy, power, hatred, pride, fear or anger, sin is surely to follow. We live in a fallen world, stirred up by the lies and chaos of Satan, and desperate for a Savior. Our eyes must stay focused on the One we can always depend on as Rock Solid and True, our Tower of Strength, our Protector and Provider. With Jesus alone, we receive unconditional Perfect love... only He is free of all temptations and wrong... only He is our Perfect Savior... only He has the Power to defeat and overcome any circumstance we face.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
This past week is a stark painful reminder, we all are in need of Jesus.
Only becoming more like Jesus, will the heartaches and pain subside. Let us replace our words of love with actions of love.
Red, yellow, black and white; all are precious in His sight... and mine... and yours. Right?
"Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 19:19
friend, we are loved and chosen by God, to be Jesus with rainbow skin on,
veneal
"It is for freedom
that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves
be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1
May the bells of freedom be heard everywhere today!
For The One, and the
many who died for my freedom, I humbly give thanks. What have I done to
deserve such a sacrifice? Absolutely nothing.
God, You started it all
with the sacrifice of Your Son. You first determined me worthy to save,
before I even spoke Your name. Such a love I cannot fathom. Grace
beyond measure. Mercy deeper than the universe. I celebrate freedom and
peace in You.
And to the many selfless soldiers who have and still do fight protecting my homeland, I salute.
I am thankful to be a
child of God, and I am thankful to be an American. Long live the free
and the brave. May His Peace reign in my heart always.
have a thank-filled Happy July 4th Day!
veneal
