Where’s your hope?

We are His chosen. He looks down at His children with understanding and we are created in His image. How the Father wants our connection!

Psalm 33:12-22 NLT
What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. [13] The LORD looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. [14] From his throne he observes all who live on the earth. [15] He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do.

How many times have you counted on your own strength and lost? Whether it is haywire emotions or a spiritual time of isolation, we can feel drained of all energy, hope and contentment. I used to ponder ‘ is God still with me?’ Then I realized, it’s at these times of exhaustion and perhaps aloneness, I can best hear the message of my Savior. It isn’t a time of punishment but a time to seek to be refreshed by the Living Water that saves and has the best future in store.

15b We can’t count on our strength. We can’t succeed without Him. He wants to guide us to His purpose. We must have reverent awe. Fear with respect for God is understanding. He is our Father.

Fear with respect for God is understanding. This is not meant to cause PTSD, it is meant to bring us to Him in awe, fear with courage attached as we honor and respect our Creator who loves us and knows us individually.

16] The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. [17] Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory- for all its strength, it cannot save you. [18] But the LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love.

Our rescue is in Him alone. We must rely on His unfailing love. He is our commander Our Father is our only hope. He is with us in the battle.

19] He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine.

He is our help and our shield! Our barrier to the evils of life that want to tear down our defenses. The distractions of other idols vey for our heart, mind, and soul to slowly erode our strong tower of defense. We must let God provide His barrier of protection. The Armor of God is full body and mind protection.

20] We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield. [21] In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

We can rejoice and trust in His Holy Name! He is worthy of our love and our hand must be in His! He knows the future.

22] Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.

Choose today, who you will serve: the Holy One, Jesus or your own or another humans’ foolish plan.

Today, I am ending this post with the first part of Psalm 33 positioned last. These words from scripture are a great reminder in our world, trust in Him alone!

Psalm 33:1-11 NLT
Let the godly sing for joy to the LORD; it is fitting for the pure to praise him. [2] Praise the LORD with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp. [3] Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy. [4] For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does. [5] He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth. [6] The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. [7] He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. [8] Let the whole world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of him. [9] For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command. [10] The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. [11] But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.

Stand in awe, when He spoke the world began! His intentions can not be shaken.

Inspiring Guest Post: Your Mess Can Become Your Message

There’s a testimony waiting to come out of your story. I made a mess of things, but God knew what message was coming from it. I remember being pregnant out of wedlock, focusing on my mistakes and the mess I had made. I remember the pain and disappointment. I remember thinking that my child was a mistake that I had made. I remember the feeling of being a single mother with a child whose father was nowhere in the picture. I remember someone calling my baby a bastard as I held her. I remember the look of embarrassment and shame. I remember the fear and the pain.

But I also remember God sending a stranger to remind me that my child was a blessing from God and wasn’t a mistake. She looked and saw the pain I was carrying and helped me to see my situation, my baby, through the eyes of God. At that moment, God sent a messenger to remind me that He still had a plan for my life and my child’s life. There was purpose coming out of my pain.

When I laid my mess at the feet of Christ, He cleaned it up and reminded me that there’s no failure in Christ because He makes all things new.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
~ Romans 8:1

He knew what you would be tempted with, the failures, the setbacks, but He also knew what was deep inside you waiting to be released at the appointed time.

Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
~ Genesis 18:14

“For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.”
~ Habakkuk 2:3

We go through the valleys to climb to get to the hills. Look to the hills from whence cometh our help; our help cometh from the Lord. God has mountaintops ready for you, but you must be willing to push through the storms of life to get there. On this journey, you will have storms that arise. The word says, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

When Christ died on the cross, He gave you victory over all circumstances because He rose over it all: sickness, pain, grief, trials, lies, fears, and shame. Whatever you are going through, remember there’s glory coming out of it. There’s glory in your story.
By Iris Pelton-Hamlett

Wisdom: Leader or Follower

The Bible has living wisdom for all generations. They are not stories of old with no relevant message. Those who believe this statement have not been in His Word. How is it possible that the words from Matthew, one of Jesus’ disciples could be so relevant today?

Could it be because the Creator of Heaven and Earth, Our Father God knows the end from the beginning? Could it be because He understands the mind of those created in His Image? Of course, He knows His children. He knows our character traits for good and for selfish impulse control issues.

You see our issues of sin have not changed much, since Adam and Eve. We still want our way, don’t want to be told what to do, seek our needs over others, and believe we got it together!!!

I was reading Matthew 16 this morning, and I felt as if the messages were bouncing off the paper. I am not Elohim (the all-Powerful One), I must seek wisdom from the Word of God. You must seek His wisdom for yourself and have your eyes, mind, heart, soul, and spirit opened.

I am so grateful for Biblegateway.com, it is a great resource for a free online Bible. You can choose the version of the Bible that is understandable for your personal walk with Jesus. With one click on the right on their website you can choose your favorite version. For the most part, I use the New Living Translation (NLT), however, there are other times when the Message (MSG), Amplified ( AMP), or New International Version ( NIV) are helpful.

You can also use YouVersion Bible app, it’s free and can be used on your phone.

WISDOM FOR TODAY IN MATTHEW 16:

Jesus shared great wisdom for all generations regarding miracles

Matthew 16 NLT 16 One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. ²He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; ³red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times! ⁴Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away.

Jesus warned: Pharisees and Sadducees preach religion over their relationship with Jesus

⁵Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. ⁶“Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” ⁷At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. ⁸Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? ⁹Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? ¹⁰Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? ¹¹Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’” ¹²Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Peter shares wisdom from God, Jesus is the Messiah

¹³When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” ¹⁵Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” ¹⁶Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. ¹⁸Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock, I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. ¹⁹And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” ²⁰Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Jesus’ description of human versus God perspective

²¹From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day, he would be raised from the dead. ²²But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” ²³Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” ²⁴Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. ²⁵If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. ²⁶And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? ²⁷For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. ²⁸And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

If anyone wants to follow Jesus, we must take up our cross and follow Him. What does that mean? Being willing to choose to walk with Jesus wherever He leads us, may mean leaving our comfort zone, leaving a job we know is not the best for us, leaving a situation that is tearing us apart, stepping away from friends or even family who are set on destroying our minds, hearts, and life.

Gaining the world, materials, or status but being lonely, depressed, or suicidal as we reach for things that are not our path leaves us feeling empty and isolated.

But sticking to our Savior may bring trials of hills and valleys, however, I have learned I have never been alone. He has been with me, and when I let Him, He is guiding my steps.

I have moved cross country and have seen for myself as I trusted God from the near-death rafting experience to currently, I am glad I took the risk. My life was saved as I reached out to God, praying for a new life, and I will not look back.

Will you pick up your cross and follow Him? Take the risk it will be life-changing and may change the trajectory of your steps to an amazing place.

Deuteronomy 10:17, 20-21   “For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed.  20 You must fear the Lord your God and worship him and cling to him. Your oaths must be in his name alone. 21 He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done these mighty miracles that you have seen with your own eyes.

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“Reflections on Inspiring Light through the Cracks”, my first book is available on Amazon.

It has been a dream of mine to share my writings in a published book with others and share what led me to Jesus! I have been blogging for a few years and as I have accumulated my written blog posts, I have felt growth in my walk with Jesus and His people. I have had trials, joys, challenges, health issues, and heartbroken moments and I have learned more and more about the importance of walking with Jesus. I hope to inspire other people to seek Him for all wisdom and guidance. We are all His beautiful people, created in Christ for a mighty purpose.

This book can be accessed through Amazon. Consider a gift purchase of an ebook on Kindle for your reader family and friends or a paperback option. Many of my own friends do not have a WordPress account. If you purchase the e-book, it is amazing: the digital copy has links to the songs I have used to tell stories in many of my posts. If you feel prompted to buy, thank you so much! If you feel prompted to leave a review on Amazon, thank you. Share the link below with friends.

Regardless, You are a child of God and He wants to know you personally, we must reach out to Him. God bless you! Mary

I am crazy

Call me crazy! However, the more I walk this planet, the more I see some pretty unbelievable circumstances. How about you? Do you feel a little crazy?

The foundation of truth found on the Rock of Ages, the Father, theCreator of heaven and earth is unshakeable. God never changes! His Word is alive and cuts through the bone and marrow. ( Hebrews 4:12)

Hebrews 4:12-13 MSG
God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it-no matter what.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Find out for yourself what truth is as you personally dig deep into the Bible. Then you will understand the crazy people! I am one of them and glad to be in amazing company.

Crazy People, a song by Casting Crowns, is so well written. It is fun loving and yet serious about who some of us crazy people follow. Enjoy this song! And join the circus led by the Amazing RingMaster, Jesus, who loves you!

Crazy People by Casting Crowns

Crazy in love with Jesus is amazing!

Measure of success

Tim Tebow at a conference shared a story of a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer that took a photo of a young African girl who was sick and unable to move. she seemed alone on the dry, desert ground. A vulture was near awaiting her death. The photographer did not touch her or save the girl as he was told she had a contagious disease, instead he shooed the vulture away and took a photo. Even though this photographer won this prestigious award, his life was lacking, and sadly the photographer committed suicide a few months later.

Success is sharing the good news, the gift of Jesus, and life eternal with Him, loving and serving God’s people, this is a success for the present and future with eternity.

It doesn’t match the world’s view of success, status and wealth are fleeting. Material things can break or whither away, as dust on the wind. The status of audiences on social media; or enough likes will not fill the empty space of insecurity. But only connection with the Father who created us will complete us.

By what audience, do you measure success: the world opinion or the Lord? What brings you significance? Is it eternal or temporary? As parents, we are called to teach the truth in God, and we want to leave this legacy of faith in Jesus alone! It will remain after we die physically. we want to give our children gifts for good not evil, hope over despair, joy over anger /fear, and a future with Jesus!

Significance in what…. Having success is not outward appearance it’s serving Jesus, bowing before Him every morning asking Him where or who you can tell about His message of hope, to love like Jesus without stopping! That is a success by the Lord’s standard, sharing the gift of Christ to guys and girls even if you are afraid to be mocked. (Psalm 23) Fear no one but God. This is a success!!💜

Confess your sins to Jesus, Repent and turn away from them, believe He is your Savior, seek Jesus to full measure, get yourself in the Bible, and ask Him to show you the way to success. Listen for His still voice.

God is the carpenter of your life, He has the measure for success, He is the answer!

Who’s stirring the pot?

The pot is boiling, who is stirring the pot? Things are heating up. It’s time to step up to the stove.

2 Timothy 1:14 AMP
Guard [with greatest care] and keep unchanged, the treasure [that precious truth] which has been entrusted to you [that is, the good news about salvation through personal faith in Christ Jesus], through [the help of] the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

The treasure of the good news about salvation through Jesus Christ alone is a gift to share not hold onto ourselves.

The gift effects the mind, body and spirit for eternity. It is more priceless than gold or any currency. It is more life changing than the most pampered spa visit. It leaves you refreshed from head to toe.

The peace that surpasses understanding can not be attained without Jesus. No power of hell nor scheme of man can pluck us from the hand of God.

Picture this: A huge black or red copper pot is filled with water, boiling at high temperature, the cook is placing one mistake after another into the pot. He stirs the water and contents with a huge slotted spoon. A creepy laugh escapes his lips, as a smile curls on his face. If the enemy can get those created in the image of God, all of us, to turn from the gift of relationship with Jesus, then the enemy wins our souls and we die.

This is the attempt of Satan, to steal kill, or destroy each of us, created in the Image of God. He knows each weakness, the enemy knows our places of regret, shame and guilt.

On the other hand, if with every attempt to drop our sins in this pot, we repent and ask Jesus to forgive and save us from this death, the pot of boiling water can’t overflow. We can seek Jesus for life changing futures. We will be saved to new life, our destiny is not written in the boiling water but in the One who created us for a purpose. We will have peace that surpasses understanding and if in trial we will no longer walk alone.

The healing balm of anointing oil from our Savior Jesus is just a repentance away! Be renewed in mind, body and soul. Jesus is Savior, Wonderful Counselor. Prince of Peace, King of Kings.

We may need to repent and turn from past mistakes and sin. Even in our past lives, we can learn and comfort others with the wisdom we gain in relationship and salvation in Christ. That is the key, our lives can be a story that draw others to Him.

So, if you know Jesus as Lord of your life, now is the time to share the gift with others. Don’t be afraid, someone likely prayed for you to meet Him. Ask God to bring the boldness of David against the giants in this world. He will prepare you with His Words in this hurting world. He needs your witness to those lives you intersect, we must answer the call to love like Jesus.

Psalm 32:8 NLT
The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

Photo courtesy by Pexels.com

Silence

His Light shines in darkness: photo by Gloria Flores

Whatever you are walking through today, Jesus promises to walk with you. Jesus is in the Sonrise!!! He is the Bright Morning Star! Call on Him for peace, hope, love, and His angel armies are at the ready!

Revelation 22:16-17 AMP
"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you and to give you assurance of these things for the churches. I am the Root (the Source, the Life) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and bright Morning Star." [17] The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, believers) say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take and drink the water of life without cost.

So many attempts by the enemy to unsettle our connection to our Savior Jesus. Our individual fears and worries for self, family, health and provision are places the enemy tries to bring doubt and fear of God, His love and His provision!

The enemy tries to enter the door of our mind and heart bringing boatloads of fear and negative thoughts. He can be relentless but Our Creator is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Stand with Jesus!

Silence is a new worship song by JWLKRS worship. It touched my heart deeply the first time I was blessed to see the music video. Such sweet lyrics that encompass any life circumstance, great lyrics bring a reminder to seek the God who promises to be with you and never leave you.

As a Breast Cancer Overcomer who also survived a near death white water rafting experience, I am in awe of the many times looking back over my life of the goodness of God, His Provision and His protection.

May you feel His Peace and Presence today, He is just a Name away, Jesus, You are our only hope.

Count your blessings

Embrace life — photo courtesy by Pexels.com

When our lives or those we love are challenged with a huge obstacle, it could be health or painful circumstances, we must live in gratitude. God is always good! He will walk through you the challenge. He is just a prayer request away. He is always open.

Besides prayer, worship Him in challenging times. It brings joy over sorrow. It helps refocus your mind on the stability of His goodness.

Psalm 100:2-5 NLT Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. [3] Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. [4] Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. [5] For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Count your blessings! Embrace the journey perhaps with new exercises. Today, start a new tradition of listing 10 blessings in your journal. Gratitude changes a poor attitude. It brings insight into all the good things often overlooked as we walk through our day.

Our mind has the ability to set the course for our day, our career, and our future. The battle for God‘s purpose for our lives and potential is found first in the mind.

Romans 12:1-2 NLT And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. [2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Acknowledge Him! Walk with Him! You will never be alone.

Glory to God, He is the gift giver!

Kintsugi and Life

We are like this fragile teacup, broken and yet with value. Our life is a story of broken pieces and healing opportunities. I went to a Christian adoption group meeting a few years ago, and one of the leaders spoke about an ancient Japanese art called Kintsugi. Those who attended the gathering were able to take a mug or ceramic teacup and reflect on their lives regarding places of brokenness and the need to turn our lives over to God for restoration and healing hope.

Kintsugi, a Japanese art mends broken pottery with gold lacquer making the repaired piece more beautiful for having been broken. The message of using our broken stories, mistakes, trials, and pains, for good, resonated with me.

Why do I see broken experiences as loss? Why do I see mistakes as failures? Why do I see trials as punishment? Do these broken stories mean I am forever broken? Who gave me this pessimistic thought? Should I stay in the negative or choose instead to see the other side? That is the choice I must make no matter which road I choose to journey.

As I purposely broke the creme-colored teacup, I pondered the long list of my challenges with myself and others. I pondered the mindset of the negative and the need to trust God with unbelief. I reflect on how in my infertility I found God. I reflected on the stress and fears of adoption, awaiting God’s blessing, and I felt His presence again. I thought, about how each one of my children came to my husband and me at just the right time, God’s time, His Presence, and His blessings to me. Why is that surprising and yet inspiring? The trials brought me to a closer relationship with Jesus. I had to trust Him with the unknown.

As I have watched each stage in my children’s lives, I am reminded yet again, God is refining me as the epoxy and gold flakes reconnected the broken pieces of my teacup. The bond of strength in this cup is stronger, and the gold shimmering edges of the cracked pieces are more luminous. The beauty of the teacup is changed and more meaningful to me now than if the teacup hadn’t been broken.

When I was breaking the teacup, I thought in the back of my mind how amazing it would be if there was a small irreparable opening. I reflected if that opening appeared it would be a reminder of how the Lord God Himself has shown Himself through the cracks of my life. It would remind me I am not meant to go through repair without His Light.

Interestingly enough, the small opening in my creme-colored teacup did appear, I carefully dabbed on gold-dusted epoxy in the opening. Surely, I will remember He is steadfast in all trials, joys, and steps of life. May I be the example to those who watch the step-by-step journey of His Light shining through the cracks. Refined, remade, richer, and Luminous!!!

Kintsugi feels so relevant for current times. May it encourage and remind you we all have broken parts. The world seems to be fracturing between nations. We all need peace and unity with our Creator. Our cracks can be healed and patched up by time meditating on His Word and letting Him be the Light that fills the dark places of our past. Let Jesus provide the glue and wisdom and let His Light shine through the cracks.