Words to Live by:... Hope amd Love

Oh I felt God's hug this morning!

Have you ever felt like you can't be used by God?

That you haven't been as faithful and obeyed as you should have. That was my feelings this morning as I got out of bed to start my day.

I opened my Bible, just to have it opened to find today's verses. Well God showed me right away not to depend on my feelings. Bible opened, my eyes fell on this verse.

"For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance."

Romans 11:29

Thank you O Lord, for your assurance of Hope and Love for me! There is so much Love and Hope in my heart right now.

As we spend time every day, with God and surrender our lives to Him, more and more each day, His Love will show in us. His presence in our lives draws us closer to him and it will show in and through us and direct others to His Love.

There are days I feel like quitting, giving up but God always shows up and encourages me with His Love. He has restored me this morning, again.

God never changes, his Love for you today, tomorrow and forever, is the same as it was when you first believed.

"Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."

Romans 12:2

Continue in his Love, share your faith and Love with others.

Have a Blessed Day!

Sylvia

Words to Live by....Grace and Character

"I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins ,even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."

Jeremiah 17: 10

KJV

It's going to be hard for me to write this post, for I know God sees my heart. I do try to live to please Him, but I also know I live in my flesh and it's so easy to listen to it than to the voice of God, the Holy Spirit. It truly hurts when He is trying to get my attention.

"Character can not be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trail and suffering can the soul be strengthen."

Helen Keller

I find that when I get tired from dealing with the days chores and caring for my hubby, I sometimes am not the most gracious as I should be. I have to  ask forgiveness from my Lord and my hubby.

"Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Hebrews 4:16

For God to show me mercy, I must show it to others also. I love Proverbs 31, it tells me how I should live. I fall short every day. That's when I am reminded about endurance, staying focused, and trust. I am a Jar of Clay, waiting for God to change me to be all He wants me to be.

There again, He's more interested in how I show His love than my comfort.

Self control and discipline myself is hard for me.

My character is important to me. It tells others that there's something different about me. I want them to see Jesus in me, not myself.

So when I find myself in a trail, I must take a look at my heart and conform it to God's word, ask forgiveness and go forth in His ways, not my own.

Go in this day knowing God is for us and not against us. Conform to His ways not our own.

Be Blessed!

Sylvia

Words to Live by....Endurance

As I woke this morning my thoughts went to thinking about the day and the days past. Yes,

time is going by and each day there are blessings.

This year and last year hasn't been easy for my hubby and me. There's been personal problems and health problems. I can see where God has brought us through so much which I am thankful for, but some days I say, O Lord when will this all turn to joy!

Yes, we must endure those times with Faith believing that God will bring us through. We must endure so our faith will grow stronger. Our strength comes from our Lord, rely on his love for us.  I remind myself of this daily. Trusting his love and guidance, his mercy and that this time of testing is to strengthen my faith. My times is in his hands. He is refining me through these tough moments. 

He is growing me to be like he wants me to be. If he left it up to me, well you know this human flesh wouldn't desire to be like him, but my heart does!

As each day goes by he's watching over me as my Shepherd, leading, guiding and protecting me from things I may not ever know. Thank you Lord for your patience with me.

 

Dear Lord, help us to run our race we are called to run with perseverance relying on your strength.

You are refining us through our toughest times, to be more like you, to strengthen and purify us.

Amen

Have a Blessed Sunday

Sylvia

 

Words to Live by..Trust and Peace

 As we put our Trust in God, he will give us His Peace. Every day there is a struggle within us. We may not even realize it to start with. We get up each morning, dress, maybe make our beds then make us a cup of coffee or Tea. Then I often think, "OK" what do I need to do today? 

 Choices, oh so many that it can make us a little stressful. It can be like a roller coaster ride. I remember when I was younger riding one, the minute it started up, I wanted to get off.  Do you ever feel this way about your life?  

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 14:24

When we have placed our total Trust and Faith in our Lord he will give us Peace.  God's Spirit will lead us and assure us, we can have perfect peace.

The peace our Savior gives us as we trust Him, transcends all understanding. Life will have it's ups and downs, but our Savior, who loves us more that life, is greater than them all.

Focus, Trust, and have Peace!

Sylvia

Words to Live by.....Focus

My hubby and I went to the eye doctor this week.

I had to sit still and look through a lens and "focus" on the letters across the room on a board.

It was hard to tell what some of the letters were.

I had to keep my "focus" on them in order to see.

As believers that is what we have to do also. stay

"focused".  As I was praying this morning, I was reminded to "abide in Jesus". To do this I have to keep my "focus" on him. To serve and be like him

is what I desire. Jesus lived to show us how to do this. He showed his love by serving others, praying for them and forgiving them. Even when

he was dying on the cross he forgave the ones that 

was crucifying him.

Keeping my "focus" is hard to do at times, I have 

to pray and ask God for wisdom to know his will

for me. Even when I am assured of what I am to

do, it isn't always so easy, but if I keep my "focus"

on Him, I can show his love and serve others.

Sylvia

Words to Live by....Jars of Clay

Even in my desire to obey and learn of God, to become more of service to him, I sometimes (OK, often) fail to listen and seek His wisdom.

I find myself praying but not listening to hear him speak to me. I ask myself why am I praying to God and not listening to what He has to say to me.

"We have this treasure in jars of clay

to show that this all surpassing

power is from God and not from us."

2 Corinthians 4:7

The treasures of the gospel is in the human frailty of the followers of Jesus Christ. We are jars of clay and at times the broken pieces of our lives can reveal God's power in our imperfections.

So why don't I listen and learn of Him. When

I allow His word to live in me, then his power

can show others the character of who He is. 

Dear Lord, in the broken pieces of my life,

let your words be alive and your power

seen by others. Life can be beautiful when

we listen and submit to your will.

Amen

Sylvia

Words to Live by---Faith

Colossians 1:9

"Continue in Faith, established and firm do not move from the hope held out in the gospel."

I often find myself in a situation that I can't seem to handle by myself. My flesh is weak but my faith is strong. When I do or think something, then I am convicted of by the Holy Spirit, I often condemn myself. I know they are just feelings and I shouldn't go by them but trust God to help me and forgive me.

My spirit fights against my fleshly desires. Sometimes my flesh wins, I also know the battle is the Lord's, He will fight for me. My part is to surrender my will to His. I have a new life in Jesus Christ as a born again believer. 

Psalm 143:5

"I remember the days of old, I meditate on all thy words,I think on the works of thy hand."

When I recall all God has done for me, I find comfort and peace. Even when I step out of His will, he draws me back, like a Shephard guards His sheep.

Romans 15:4

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime

were written for our learning,

 that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

O Lord, when I step out of your will and sin against you, forgive me and bring me back where you would have me be. Accomplish your will in me. Thank you for my life in Jesus Christ. Help me to share with others your word and hope, so they can know you too.

Amen

Sylvia