Wordless Wednesday *Linky* Horse Ride

We went to a small carnival a couple weeks ago and Zoey got to ride a horse. She LOVED it! She was smiling the whole ride and also quite a while afterward. It was definitely a highlight of the week.

Link up and join me in the Wordless Wednesday fun!

  

Always Working

John 5:17 -- "But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”

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Have you ever felt like God has abandoned you? I think we all have felt this way at some point in time. Perhaps you feel that way right now. Take comfort and know that God is always working, even if we can't see it.

One of my favorite quotes on this subject is: "A teacher is always silent during a test."

There are many reasons God could feel distant:

1. One is when sin comes between you and God. The solution here is to repent and be thankful for God's mercy. 
2. Another reason God feels distant could be to get your attention. Sometimes the best way to appreciate what we have is to know what it is like to live without it.
3. I have noticed personally, that when I don't pray as often I do feel Him as powerfully. When we close the communication with God, it is very difficult for Him to reach us.
4. One last reason, just like the quote above says, is because there are times of trials where God wants to see how you are going to handle a situation. During these times God is often in the background and we have to reach out to Him because He wants to know that we depend on Him.

Anytime you feel a distance from God, my first response would be to pray and ask Him to come near. he wants to know He is loved and that you want to reach out and have Him close to you. If He is still silent, then repent of any sin, perhaps you may even have to ask Him to show you the sin that is coming between you. Then it is time to persevere. 

Trust in God and have faith that there is a reason for the tests God gives us. Without struggles and trials we cannot grow in our faith or be equipped to handle more. When we preserve through the troubling times, our joy becomes greater. 

Even through our tests, know that God is always working. There is comfort in knowing God is always looking out for you and will not give you more than you can handle.

There are more Devotionals where this one came from!

Study God's Word and be Blessed!

Jesus Grants Eternal Life

1 John 5:12 -- "Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life."

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Everything in this life is temporary. All the material stuff will fade away, our family and friends are only here on this earth for a short time, and even our bodies fail us. However, there is more to life than just the world we see. Jesus made a way for us to transcend this world and have a home waiting for us with God.

It is important to live a good life. A life where happiness follows you, where you help others in need and make the world a better place. God loves those who live a moral life, but that is not enough. We cannot enter heaven through acts alone, we must have faith and declare Jesus Christ as Savior. Because it is only through the Son that we have eternal life.

John 14:6 -- "Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."

Dear Lord,
Thank you for providing a way for us to truly have life, eternal life with you, through your son Jesus Christ.

There are more Devotionals where this one came from!

Study God's Word and be Blessed!

Romans (Bible in 90 Days)

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Romans was written by Paul as a formal recognition before he visited the Christian church in Rome. In this letter, Paul introduces himself and gives the believers a rundown of his message to them.

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By writing to the Romans, Paul gives a calculated set of foundations for the Christian church. He explains how, as humans, we all sin, but all are equally available for salvation through our faith. Paul also explains how through Christ we can have an intimate relationship with God. He talks about how to use spiritual gifts and how to love each other. Through a careful study of Romans, Paul sets forth everything Christians need to believe.

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Romans also shows us that Christian living is not abstract or unattainable. Instead, it is a way to live a better, more fulfilling life. Knowing God and truly accepting his grace will transform our lives.

“So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the Law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s, for Abraham is the father of all who believe.” Romans 4:16

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“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.” Romans 5:1-2

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“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in words.” Romans 8:26

  

Jesus Came For Sinners

Mark 2:17 -- "When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

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Jesus spent time with those whom wanted and needed to hear His word. Among those were all types of sinners -- the good, the bad, the poor, the rich -- it didn't matter to Jesus what their history was, He still loved them and wanted to share His message with them.

Jesus was ridiculed by the Pharisees, the self-righteous Jewish leaders, and was even questioned by His own apostles. However, He still continued on His mission and did what was right.

Have you neglected to speak to someone because of their reputation, how they dress or speak, or just because they were not like you? I can be uncomfortable to befriend someone who doesn't seem to be an ideal companion. However, that person in a child of God, just as you are. That person has hopes, dreams, struggles and fears just like you. Other around you may question why you take the time and make the effort, but is is what Jesus calls us to do, it is what He did. That person may need most to hear and see the message of Christ's love in and from you. And you never know, you may learn something valuable from them too.

Dear Lord,
Help me to put away my prejudices and see people as you see them, Your children. Help me to show them Christ's love.

There are more Devotionals where this one came from!

Study God's Word and be Blessed!