Crown of Life

James 1:12 -- "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

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Do you ever wonder if you are making a difference in this world? I do. In general, as Christians, we try to make the world a little bit better, to shed some light into a world covered in darkness. I watch the news and see how cruel people can be to one another and it is just depressing. I can't imagine the grief God feels over his lost children.

James tells us that God blesses those who endure testing and temptation. It is so easy to get lost in the world -- even the world that seems so cruel. It is easy to get short with people at the grocery store, or choose the path of less resistance by following the crowd so people will like you, or squander my money and resources away on myself and my family without a glance at how God could use them to help others.

It is very easy to get lost in the world; however, if we can endure the temptation, if we can keep our eyes on God and follow his will, if we can be repentant and love him, then he will give us the crown of life -- the ultimate prize. The crown of life is not glory here on earth, but the reward of eternal life -- living with God forever. That makes all of the trouble here on earth durable because it is only temporary. God's love is forever and He has the whole mess of a world under control. He has a plan -- one of judgment and salvation.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for being God. Thank you for giving light and purpose to this dark, chaotic world. Please be with me and help me overcome temptations. I want to patiently endure so I can be in your light forever.

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Wordless Wednesday *Linky* Happy St. Patty's Day

We had a lot of fun on St. Patrick's Day! Zoey loved dancing around in this dress my mom and I made for her! Happy St. Patty's Day and have a wonderful week!

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Because God Loved

Psalm 29:11 -- "The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace."

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The Lord loves us, his children, in a way that is very hard to grasp. He loves us without expectation. "For God so loved the world..." (John 3:16). This well-known verse doesn't speak of what we have to do to earn God's love because we can't do anything to earn his love. God's love is not conditional, it just is. God loved us, so he sent his son to save us. It is a free gift from our father God to his children.

The disconnect comes when we refuse to accept his gift. The sin in our lives is like a wall that blocks our path to God. Since God sacrificed his son Jesus to atone for our sins, our path to God is covered. That inpenitrable wall turned into a curtain that we simply have to pull back with our repentance and praise in the name of Jesus. God loves us and wants to shower us with love and gifts of strength and peace, we only have to come to God to accept them.

Dear Lord,
Help me to see past the distractions of this world to experience your love and your gifts. Thank you for your love.

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God Keeps His Promises

Micah 5:2 -- "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past."

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The prophet Micah foretold the birth of Jesus down to the name of the small town he was born. I mean really, how cool is that!

Bethlehem was a small village located in the district of Ephrathah. There was little distinct about this town other than it was the homeland going back to King David, the line Jesus was descended from. Joseph and Mary did not even live in this town at the time of Jesus's birth, but the census drew them back there.

God gives us promises that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem and beyond all odds -- he was. This wasn't coincidence this was a miracle. This was God.

God's Word, the Bible, is full of promises. Just as He kept His word that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He will keep His other promises too.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for sending Your son. You knew when, where and how Your plan would be fulfilled in the past, present and the future. I know you are Almighty. Help me to be faithful and know you have everything under control when I feel like I'm falling apart. You promised me peace and salvation and I trust you will keep your promise.

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Zechariah (Bible in 90 Days)

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Five hundred years before Jesus was born the prophets spoke of him. The Messiah was referenced in detail by many prophets, but Zechariah gives us the most conclusive view of the promised deliverer. Zechariah gives a message of hope to the people in Jerusalem. He tells of the first coming of Christ, but also delivers a message of the end of times when Christ returns for his people.

“Therefore, say to the people, “This is what the Lord Of Heaven’s armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s armies.” Zechariah 1:3

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“The Lord says, “shout and rejoice, o beautiful Jerusalem, for I am coming to live among you. Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they, too, will be my people. I will live among you, and you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s armies sent me to you.” Zechariah 2:10-11

“Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.” Zechariah 9:9

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