Looking Up to God When Nothing Makes Sense
Encouragement from our Lord and with each other!
(Thank you so much, lostseed.com, for this picture: believe it is Jesus Hugging Girl.)
(Thank you so much, lostseed.com, for this picture: believe it is Jesus Hugging Girl.)
We had been in the throes of financial frustrations and concerns with
our home, and, yet, this time had been one of the closest that we
have had together as husband and wife, and yes, our family with three grown
children; in fact, our house sold this past summer! Praise God for His
goodness.
We are thanking the Lord for never
taking Himself out of the equation or our great need! We are praising Jesus Christ, our Savior and the Lord of our lives, because of our adult children's help, support, and love that has brought us to tears in great thankfulness and even closer family cords of sincere, grateful hearts and a richer love. We have appreciated more than we can adequately say for our Christian, praying family and for our Prayer Warrior friends who prayed over a long period of time,
never getting daunted or tired of hearing from me and petitioning Almighty God. We are astounded, still, how our realtor Debbie Waid (Reece and Nichols Realty), having patience beyond what anyone could
expect or hope, used her brilliance in this field/profession, and advocated for
us~ incredibly so!! She saw at least two times when truly miraculous things were happening in the situation of selling our home and professed so boldly because of her faith in our living Lord God. That aspect in itself- having a professional, whom you feel is a true friend and who believes in the same Living Water of Life, Jesus Christ, who shares your faith- well, it is rare and exceedingly good!
God has done kind and amazing things throughout this time period of
more than two years now, specifically to provide and help give us a way of escape. He continues to show us His hand and His faithfulness
every step of the way. He has opened doors that by human standard could not be
opened. Over and over again, the Lord has said in this way and that way, “I AM.
I am right here with you, Donna and Royce. I know what you are going
through, and I will never leave you, nor forsake you. I, am your Help in times of all trouble.”
One morning, I was distraught, fraught with indecision and stymied by a point in this long succession
of problematic twists and turns, unexpected pitfalls and delays. The cell phone rang as I was driving, so I pulled over to the side for safety to answer my caller. My close
friend, *Jan Bracken, had phoned to say that she was praying for me; her only awareness to pray for me was through the Holy Spirit because she and I had not spoken the last day or so. We briefly discussed the dilemma. When I got off the phone
with the Scripture she had given me, within minutes, I had clarity, resolve,
and knew what to do! I called my
husband to tell him what had happened and my decision; he was very happy. Thanking the Holy Spirit for prompting Jan to pray and to call me with a specific Bible verse that fit our exact need, I started up the car and went back on the road to accomplish what I had heard from
the Lord via a mentor in the faith!
The mission was accomplished within the family of God in Jesus Christ.
Royce and I were under terrific pressure. I went to bed one night rather angry with human problems (#see note at end), prayed to God to help me and felt slightly better. The next morning I called our pastor, Chris, to ask if I could meet with him for prayer; he made time in his schedule and said we could meet at the seminary coffee area for prayer that afternoon. We talked, and Chris brought to my mind how very loving our grown children had been in many ways and commented on their having helped us get prepared for the move: our daughter came back home a total of four times, our son would be there doing the move as well as numerous times on weekends, and our son-in-law, whom we love like our own, came to our rescue with a large trailer of his own folk's, set up storage for us, and helped tremendously with the actual move. Chris had brought several pages of Scripture that he had selected for these kinds of stressful times and encouraged me to read them over and pray from them. Just before we prayed together, he got at the crux of what was really bothering me the most...Chris said this: Donna, imagine that you are on a playground swinging or doing something fun, and the Lord is standing over to the side of it and comments to someone else standing there, "See Donna over there? Well, she's my daughter; she's mine!" Then, Chris repeated the same scenario about Royce saying, "See Royce over there?! He is my son!" Then, Chris said to me, "God's not disappointed in you, Donna. Not at all. He loves you." The tears came, then, to my eyes because that was at the crux of what was bothering me- wrongfully. It was either Satan's hedious crew or myself or both who had been plaguing me that week, lying to me. Pastor Chris had discerned exactly what I needed to hear- that I had NOT disappointed my Savior, and that Jesus truly dotes on and loves me---and my husband! I cannot tell you how grateful, relieved, and freed Chris' kind comments and Scriptural sharing, and prayer meant to me---still today!
My beloved mother, who passed onto Glory/Heaven! 7 years ago, raised my sister Sherry and me in the Christian church, with the Bible as our guide and standard of right and wrong, including many truths of the Lord. We were taught at church and by our mother's example to love God above all and to walk right in His sight, helping others and loving them as we cared for ourselves. We learned the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do to you. I remember Mom saying many times to us, "There are many people who have far worse troubles than we do." I am keenly aware that people are going through far worse
difficulties in health, finance, relationships, and all areas of human need.
My health has flagged increasingly worse, at least in part from stresses of the last few years, and I know for certain that the devil is delighting in making things difficult for ALL people, perhaps especially Christians. In these crises, we are still walking, AND we will emerge victorious! No matter what happens! We already are Victors in our Lord Jesus Christ! One cannot ask for more than that, and, yet, our most gracious Lord God delights in seeing us happy and prosperous. While we are now, still on this earth, for a little while, we suffer. Those of us who have accepted Christ's offer of redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrifice for us (He is our atonement, the only acceptable Lamb of God) as only He can give that Life-giving power of eternal life for us to come into His Kingdom in Heaven one day when our earthly lives are over.
My health has flagged increasingly worse, at least in part from stresses of the last few years, and I know for certain that the devil is delighting in making things difficult for ALL people, perhaps especially Christians. In these crises, we are still walking, AND we will emerge victorious! No matter what happens! We already are Victors in our Lord Jesus Christ! One cannot ask for more than that, and, yet, our most gracious Lord God delights in seeing us happy and prosperous. While we are now, still on this earth, for a little while, we suffer. Those of us who have accepted Christ's offer of redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrifice for us (He is our atonement, the only acceptable Lamb of God) as only He can give that Life-giving power of eternal life for us to come into His Kingdom in Heaven one day when our earthly lives are over.
2 Corinthians 4:8-18 English Standard Version (ESV)
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
We realize the great gift of Salvation and the
Lordship of Himself~~~ walking with the Lord every, single day in communion through His Word, The Holy Bible; prayer; fellowship with other believers/disciples of Christ;
Lordship of Himself~~~ walking with the Lord every, single day in communion through His Word, The Holy Bible; prayer; fellowship with other believers/disciples of Christ;
striving to be as much like Jesus Christ~~~ to be our best, for others and ourselves; and loving and worshipping Him always. He gave us this Offer of Complete and Full Redemption of Himself on the cross, died for our sins, arose and was seen for 40 days by over 500 people who talked with Him, dined with Him, listened more to His divine wisdom, then He went to be at the right-hand of His Father, God in Heaven, where Jesus Himself is interceding for us for our good. Royce and I took that Offer that He Paid for in full, not by our own works, but by stepping over that line to Salvation now and forever, believing in Him, that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God, and to ask for His daily leading and direction, in obeying Him as very best we are able, asking Him to forgive us when we are in error. He is the Lord of our lives.
Isaiah 43:2
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
New Living Translation (NLT)
This is when the Lord does His highest glory for Himself, yet He gives it to
and through and in us, for others. How great, loving, kind, merciful, full of
charity, and grace...forgiveness for you He has and will lovingly give you.
A Vision
God gave me a vision one day as I stood in the kitchen at the counter:
I saw Royce and myself down on all fours, paired and yoked like two oxen, beasts of burden, struggling to move forward. It was a very ugly picture, and then immediately, I saw the two of us in a standing position facing each other, no yokes on our necks or backs! We were smiling, glowing really, and lifting our hands up high in the air toward a great light that was beaming down upon us, and we were praising God! It was magnificent- only as, indeed, our Lord can do for us! This picture from Jesus ministered to me many times (it still does) through the rough waters we were experiencing and the times ahead- to a more sure and steady future, without the terrible burdens. Of course, I shared it with Royce and a few friends...and now, with you, my Friend. Matthew 11:29 English Standard Version (ESV) Jesus said,
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
A Vision
God gave me a vision one day as I stood in the kitchen at the counter:
I saw Royce and myself down on all fours, paired and yoked like two oxen, beasts of burden, struggling to move forward. It was a very ugly picture, and then immediately, I saw the two of us in a standing position facing each other, no yokes on our necks or backs! We were smiling, glowing really, and lifting our hands up high in the air toward a great light that was beaming down upon us, and we were praising God! It was magnificent- only as, indeed, our Lord can do for us! This picture from Jesus ministered to me many times (it still does) through the rough waters we were experiencing and the times ahead- to a more sure and steady future, without the terrible burdens. Of course, I shared it with Royce and a few friends...and now, with you, my Friend. Matthew 11:29 English Standard Version (ESV) Jesus said,
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Royce and I saw truly miraculous happenings: doors opening that normally would not have; lovely prayer warriors and our church people praying for us and giving us moral support; money showing up that was needed at the right times and totally unexpected, including dollars "stretching"; and many signposts along the way, reassuring and giving us that
peace that passes understanding that only Jesus Christ has the power supernaturally to give to His flock. ~~~Philippians 4:7 English Standard Version (ESV)
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.~~~ I have not seen this many helps and signs in a rather short period of time to make us keenly aware that He loves us and is taking special care of us- continuing throughout all of our life together and individually before, continuing since my very serious car accident, 12 years ago.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.~~~ I have not seen this many helps and signs in a rather short period of time to make us keenly aware that He loves us and is taking special care of us- continuing throughout all of our life together and individually before, continuing since my very serious car accident, 12 years ago.
Do you know that when everything was said and done, through the Lord's help and knowing our hearts, we did not shortchange anyone, only ourselves through some of our own mistakes and, yet, the times that we are in and circumstantially with health, medical, and financial that we had no power or say-so played a great part. Ultimately, it is our responsibility. ONLY the
LORD GOD could work it out in our behalf and for others during our time of
trial and testing. With God, ALL things
are possible. When we are weak, He is
strong, and I can accomplish all things in Christ (alone!).
A Salvation Prayer to Accept Christ or to Recommit to Him
Dear Heavenly Father, I want to have you as my God. I trust in You and that You did send Your Son, Jesus Christ, for me! He came to tell us Who He is, to heal the sick and desperate, the lost, the lonely, and to heal sinners like me. I believe that He took the total penalty for my sins. He is the only One Who could do so because He is the spotless Lamb of God, both God and Man, perfect and without sin. He rose on the third day and walked amongst us, His Disciples and many, many people, then went to be in Heaven with You. He intercedes for me because He loves me. I am glad He went back to Heaven to make a beautiful place for me and so that the Holy Spirit would come to live inside me, as I now accept Jesus. Thank You for being my Lord and Savior from now on and making me new! Help me to be more like You every day with Your help. In His Name, Amen.
Please note: to the right and above if you are on desktop- mobile may not show this button- You will see below the most read postings, at the top of the About Me section, a Donation area that goes directly to my friends, the Dicksons, from church. Kevin, the husband, had a liver transplant last spring, 2014, and is doing well- Praise our Lord! However, they have large bills needing to be paid for the operations, many hospitalizations, and long recovery. IF you are able to donate, thank you so much. Either way, thank you for listening and looking and praying for them; they are great, sweet people of the Lord.
Thank you for visiting The Healing is Always Christ, and please come back! If you like it, please share with others.
Further Notes to Comtemplate and to Consider:
An amazingly generous God, always, Whom we love and serve.
*Please read Jan Bracken's two postings; you will appreciate their messages and have enriching thoughts. Both are very popular :)
http://www.thehealingisalwayschrist.com/2014/03/the-wedding-invitation-and-go-by-jan.html and
http://www.thehealingisalwayschrist.com/2012/12/christmas-poems-by-jan.html
which was just re-shared recently!
#We are told in the Bible not to let the sun go down without letting our anger go.
May the Lord richly bless you in the grace and love of Jesus Christ now and always!!
Dear Heavenly Father, I want to have you as my God. I trust in You and that You did send Your Son, Jesus Christ, for me! He came to tell us Who He is, to heal the sick and desperate, the lost, the lonely, and to heal sinners like me. I believe that He took the total penalty for my sins. He is the only One Who could do so because He is the spotless Lamb of God, both God and Man, perfect and without sin. He rose on the third day and walked amongst us, His Disciples and many, many people, then went to be in Heaven with You. He intercedes for me because He loves me. I am glad He went back to Heaven to make a beautiful place for me and so that the Holy Spirit would come to live inside me, as I now accept Jesus. Thank You for being my Lord and Savior from now on and making me new! Help me to be more like You every day with Your help. In His Name, Amen.
Please note: to the right and above if you are on desktop- mobile may not show this button- You will see below the most read postings, at the top of the About Me section, a Donation area that goes directly to my friends, the Dicksons, from church. Kevin, the husband, had a liver transplant last spring, 2014, and is doing well- Praise our Lord! However, they have large bills needing to be paid for the operations, many hospitalizations, and long recovery. IF you are able to donate, thank you so much. Either way, thank you for listening and looking and praying for them; they are great, sweet people of the Lord.
Thank you for visiting The Healing is Always Christ, and please come back! If you like it, please share with others.
Further Notes to Comtemplate and to Consider:
When we are saved, after that fact as we are growing closer
to God and in our relationship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit can
"convict" us to things, such as our behavior, our
feelings, and actions, and so forth that are NOT good for us or others. He
brings to our awareness, mind through, perhaps, a sermon; something someone
says, something we read, a thought that goes through our head; that
"this" is not pleasing to the Lord. He is not convicting us as to a
sentence or jail, etc., but to make a change to be more Christ-like in who we
are. Conviction, no but no condemnation.
God can and does correct us when in error, but even then it is as a loving Parent, helping us along the way for good. He does this for every individual because none of us is perfect. His grace is ever-present. When we reach Heaven, God will give us our glorified bodies, and we will be the best we have ever been, for eternity! It will NOT be boring; we will be as unique, wonderful, individual and with our personalities- all the good and greatest parts!- of whom He made us to be! We will be fascinated, loving, loved, have complete JOY, have fun, and see things more abundantly, more exceedingly, the loveliest and best that we have ever seen or imagined~~~ the new Heaven and the new earth will be the way we were meant to be in the Garden of Eden, forever! Adam and Eve experienced it before having to leave when they believed the devil that God surely would not let them die and that He was withholding goodness, perhaps...those taunting thoughts and lies that he can do, and we allow him to do, oh, so well. Do NOT let him lie to you. Stay in the Truth of God: His Holy Word, the Bible, and with people who believe in Jesus Christ and are living the Life, also, go to places, read other books and view movies that are life-affirming and not sick lies and evil. (Did you know that our Lord was sooo loving- and continues to be- with Adam and Eve- that He did not want them to stay in Heaven/Paradise/the Garden because they would have eaten from the Tree of Life and lived forever, becoming more ugly and decadent in body and mind- and never been able to die and to start clean and fresh?!!!) An amazingly generous God, always, Whom we love and serve.
*Please read Jan Bracken's two postings; you will appreciate their messages and have enriching thoughts. Both are very popular :)
http://www.thehealingisalwayschrist.com/2014/03/the-wedding-invitation-and-go-by-jan.html and
http://www.thehealingisalwayschrist.com/2012/12/christmas-poems-by-jan.html
which was just re-shared recently!
#We are told in the Bible not to let the sun go down without letting our anger go.
May the Lord richly bless you in the grace and love of Jesus Christ now and always!!
Donna M.
