Category: God

faith, God, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

What is Heaven Really Like?

Do you ever wonder what Heaven is really like? Me too. There are lots of sites out there that say all sorts of things. Some people say there is no Heaven or Hell. That’s depressing to me. I choose to believe the Bible about Heaven. Let’s take a look at what the Word of God says about Heaven.

What is Heaven Really Like?

 

“Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.  And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way.”  Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; so how can we know the way?”  Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14″ 1-6 AMP

“Pay close attention now: I’m creating new heavens and a new earth. All the earlier troubles, chaos, and pain are things of the past, to be forgotten. Look ahead with joy. Anticipate what I’m creating: I’ll create Jerusalem as sheer joy, create my people as pure delight. I’ll take joy in Jerusalem, take delight in my people: No more sounds of weeping in the city, no cries of anguish; No more babies dying in the cradle, or old people who don’t enjoy a full lifetime; One-hundredth birthdays will be considered normal— anything less will seem like a cheat. They’ll build houses and move in. They’ll plant fields and eat what they grow. No more building a house that some outsider takes over, No more planting fields that some enemy confiscates, For my people will be as long-lived as trees, my chosen ones will have satisfaction in their work. They won’t work and have nothing come of it, they won’t have children snatched out from under them. For they themselves are plantings blessed by God, with their children and grandchildren likewise God -blessed. Before they call out, I’ll answer. Before they’ve finished speaking, I’ll have heard. Wolf and lamb will graze the same meadow, lion and ox eat straw from the same trough, but snakes—they’ll get a diet of dirt! Neither animal nor human will hurt or kill anywhere on my Holy Mountain,” says God .”  Isaiah 65:17-25 MSG

“I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea. I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband. I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.” Then he said, “It’s happened. I’m A to Z. I’m the Beginning, I’m the Conclusion. From Water-of-Life Well I give freely to the thirsty. Conquerors inherit all this. I’ll be God to them, they’ll be sons and daughters to me. But for the rest—the feckless and faithless, degenerates and murderers, sex peddlers and sorcerers, idolaters and all liars—for them it’s Lake Fire and Brimstone. Second death!” Revelation 21:1-6 MSG

“Then the Angel showed me Water-of-Life River, crystal bright. It flowed from the Throne of God and the Lamb, right down the middle of the street. The Tree of Life was planted on each side of the River, producing twelve kinds of fruit, a ripe fruit each month. The leaves of the Tree are for healing the nations. Never again will anything be cursed. The Throne of God and of the Lamb is at the center. His servants will offer God service—worshiping, they’ll look on his face, their foreheads mirroring God. Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. And they will rule with him age after age after age.”  Revelation 22:1-5 MSG

 

“Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change. But when the Day of God’s Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment. Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day—but we’ll hardly notice. We’ll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:8-13 MSG

 

“But here on this mountain, God -of-the-Angel-Armies will throw a feast for all the people of the world, A feast of the finest foods, a feast with vintage wines, a feast of seven courses, a feast lavish with gourmet desserts. And here on this mountain, God will banish the pall of doom hanging over all peoples, The shadow of doom darkening all nations. Yes, he’ll banish death forever. And God will wipe the tears from every face. He’ll remove every sign of disgrace From his people, wherever they are. Yes! God says so! Also at that time, people will say, “Look at what’s happened! This is our God! We waited for him and he showed up and saved us! This God, the one we waited for! Let’s celebrate, sing the joys of his salvation. God ’s hand rests on this mountain!” Isaiah 25:6-10 MSG

 

faith, God, Hope, Life, Motivation, Music, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality, Videos

Shout Out to the Plants Growing Through Concrete or Snow

I live in Wisconsin. Last night we had another snow emergency with another 1 to 4 inches. We are kinda buried in snow. It’s real pretty to look at – as long as you are inside, lol!Then you see it. There is always a sign. God never gives up on us. Here is a little geranium plant that refuses to give up. It won’t quit. Shout out to all the plants growing through concrete – or snow!

“But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.” – Philippians 3:20 MSG

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV

This is my new favorite song!

The God Who Stays by Matthew West

Verse 1
If I were You I would’ve given up on me by now
I would’ve labeled me a lost cause
‘Cause I feel just like a lost cause
If I were You
I would’ve turned around and walked away
I would’ve labeled me beyond repair
‘Cause I feel like I’m beyond repair

Pre-Chorus
But (‘Cause) somehow You don’t see me like I do
Somehow You’re still hereChorus
You’re (From) the God who stays
You’re the God who stays
You’re the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You’re the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done
Could separate my heart
(From the God who stays)

Verse 2
I used to hide
Every time I thought I let You down
I always thought I had to earn my way
But I’m learning You don’t work that way

Bridge
My shame can’t separate my guilt can’t separate
My past can’t separate I’m Yours foreverMy sin can’t separate my scars can’t separate
My failures can’t separate I’m Yours forever
No enemy can separate
No power of hell can take away
Your love for me will never change
I’m Yours forever

AJ Pruis | Jonathan Smith | Matthew West

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Cashagamble Jet Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Combustion Five (Admin. by Me Gusta Music LLC)
Highly Combustible Music (Admin. by One77 Songs c/o Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP))

faith, God, Hope, Life, motivational, Music, Psalms, Quotes

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him

As the Christmas Season is upon us there is one word that I keep thinking of – Adore. Adore means to love and respect someone deeply, to worship them. This season I am taking time to Adore Jesus.

Yes, we can Adore Jesus in Church. But this season, I am going to Adore Him in my home, adore Him in my car, adore Him when I am doing the dishes, adore Him when I am doing laundry, adore Him when I am going about my day to day activities.

Psalm 95:1-7 MSG

1-2 Come, let’s shout praises to God,
    raise the roof for the Rock who saved us!
Let’s march into his presence singing praises,
    lifting the rafters with our hymns!

3-5 And why? Because God is the best,
    High King over all the gods.
In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns,
    in the other hand grasps the high mountains.
He made Ocean—he owns it!
    His hands sculpted Earth!

6-7 So come, let us worship: bow before him,
    on your knees before God, who made us!
Oh yes, he’s our God,
    and we’re the people he pastures, the flock he feeds.

Source: lovelylovelythings.wordpress.com

I LOVE this version of O Come All Ye Faithful by Pentatonix!

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Pentatonix

O come, all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of Angels!

O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye faithful to Bethlehem
O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye faithful to Bethlehem

Oh, sing, choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
Oh, come, oh come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of Angels

O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye faithful to Bethlehem
O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye faithful to Bethlehem

O come, all ye
O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye
O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye
O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye
O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye
O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye
O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye
O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye
O come, all ye faithful

O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye faithful to Bethlehem

O come, all ye faithful
(O come, all ye faithful, o come, all ye faithful)
Joyful and triumphant
(O come, all ye faithful to Bethlehem)
Come and behold Him
(O come, all ye faithful, o come, all ye faithful)
Born the King of Angels

O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye faithful
O come, all ye faithful to BethlehemSongwriters: KEVIN OLUSOLA, SCOTT HOYING, AVRIEL KAPLAN, KIRSTIN MALDONADO, MITCHELL GRASSI, BEN BRAM© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLCFor non-commercial use only.

faith, God, Quotes, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Quotes on Little Things Becoming Greater

I have been in the body of Christ for about 25 years now. I did not grow up in the church, I grew up in the world. Yes, God has delivered me from many things, including my negative mind. I am eternally grateful that the ‘voices’ have stopped talking in my head. Maybe you  know what I mean.

During this 25 years I have attended numerous Churches. I find an interesting quality with the leadership teams I have seen. Some are servants, doing the work that God has called us to do with humility and honor. Others, however, just want the microphone and the glory. That makes me sad. 

I really think all of us Christians need therapy. We need to learn how to serve each other and put each other before our own desires. Many Christians are mostly selfish. Sorry, that has been my experience. Yes, there are exceptions. And it is the Servant Heart is what draws me in. I trust a Shepherd who will feed and care for the sheep. You know, when you are in the Hospital, they show up. When you end up in jail, they show up. When you are sick, they visit. When you are disabled, they come.  They call to check up on you. They take an interest in what goes on the rest of the week.

Servant Leaders are the first ones to show up and take care of all the little things. They clean the bathrooms, take out the garbage, mow the grass. Stuff like that. They don’t announce it or look for a trophy, they are busy doing the Father’s work in the Father’s House. I honor the True Shepherds today because they are faithful with the little things – that really become the big things in God’s hands!

Quotes on Little Things Becoming Greater

  1. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. – Mother Teresa
  2. All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope. –  Winston Churchill
  3. The beginning of Greater things starts as a seed. Passion, willingness to learn and tenacity is the key to rising above the average and the mediocre. Keep pushing and the refinery of life will bring out the Gold within you.” ― Oscar Bim
  4. There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord, but few of us are willing to do little things. – Dwight L. Moody
  5. God has greater things in stock for us, but unless our great things are given away, we can’t receive our greater things. Give big and you’ll receive bigger! – ― Israelmore Ayivor
  6. Success in life is founded upon attention to the small things rather than to the large things; to the every day things nearest to us rather than to the things that are remote and uncommon. – Booker T. Washington
  7. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. – Luke 16:10 NIV
  8. “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ – Matthew 25:23
  9. “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.’ – Luke 19:17
  10. After that, the Word of God came to me: “Zerubbabel started rebuilding this Temple and he will complete it. That will be your confirmation that God-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me to you. Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They’ll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!” – Zechariah 4: 8-10 The Message (MSG)
  11. God hides great things in little things. In every young girl, God hides a great woman; in every young boy, He hides a great man; in a small seed, He hides a big forest! A little is never inadequate if God’s hands are its creator! Don’t despise little things!” ― Israelmore Ayivor
  12. A faithful man will abound with blessings,
    But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. – Proverbs 28:12
Deliverance, God, Healing, health and wellness, Kingdom Authority, power of words, Religion and Spirituality, Spiritual warfare, Spirituality

Prayers for Deliverance this Season

As we leave 2019 and enter 2020 I pray prayers of Deliverance for all of us. There is baggage that we no longer need to carry anymore. Jesus delivered us from all the fear, grief, worry, anxiety, sickness and shame at Calvary. I for one am young to “Let it Go” this season!

I don’t have to carry fear around. I can use my faith and choose to trust God. He will surround me with Songs of Deliverance!

You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah – Psalm 32:7

God is my refuge and hiding place. I do not need to fear the future. God is with me. He is more than able to keep me safe.

I trust my God to protect my family as well. God is able to keep those we have committed to Him!

I can pray God’s Word and watch as He fulfills it. He promised that His Word would not return to Him void, but it would accomplish that which He set it out to do.

Jesus has come to bring life and life more abundantly. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I can cancel the plans of the Enemy by speaking the Word out loud over myself and my family.

I have been chosen and set apart by the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Christ in me is my hope of glory. I have received a deposit of my inheritance, the Holy Spirit.

My future is secure because it is not based on me, but on what Christ has already accomplished. Nothing can take me from His hand!

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one

– John 10:27-30

The same power that rose Jesus Christ from the dead lives in me. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of my faith. He who began a good work in me will complete it until the end!

I pray God’s Word will Deliver you from all things this Season. Let us walk as free men and women in 2020 because He who the Son sets free is free indeed!

(Photo credits listed above)

God, Healing, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Videos

Do you Want to Move to the Big Table?

Thanksgiving is a special time to be with family and friends and give thanks for all God had provided for us. But in order to move from the kiddie table to the grown up table we have to learn how to praise God EVEN THOUGH.

This video blessed me do much today that I had to share it with you. We all have stuff. It’s part of bring human. But will you praise God “even though”?

behavior, faith, God, Healing, health and wellness, Mental Illness, Music, Videos

Life Lesson Learned – You Can’t Change Someone Who Does Not Want to be Changed

I am sure you have met one, a person who absolutely did not want to change. You can love them all you want, give them all the tools for personal growth, but they are not interested. You may want the best for someone but they don’t want it for themselves. Life lesson learned – you can’t change someone who does not want to be changed. They simply have no vision. Without vision the people perish. Yep, that’s in the Bible, and it’s true.

I always thought if I loved them enough, they would change. Not always true. I have met some very stubborn people in my life that are happy just where they are. They do not have any desire to change anything. No amount of me pushing or prodding will make one bit of difference. Just because I think there may be more, they are happy to stay right where they are. That’s ok. I think I will stop trying to control them and just let it go!

Talk about freedom, wow! I finally don’t have to have everything figured out. That’s a load off this control freak shoulders, lol! For today, my focus has changed. I am going to let others make their own choices and I’m gonna focus on making my own. I can choose to let it go!

So now I have opened myself up to learning new things, to choosing a higher road. I have been on this path for the last year. First with becoming a Certified Peer Specialist and now with training for becoming a Certified Life Coach. Yes, I have been declared disabled by the Social Security System, but I’ll tell you what, I’m not giving up! I have used this time to refocus and build a vision for my future. You can too! Don’t give up, God is not done writing your story!

I signed up on Udemy for a number of classes. This month I am working on the Life Coach Certificate from Kain Ramsey. I admit it, I am only through the 4th video, and I’m hooked. Wow, I sure wish I would have met this guy sooner! I could have avoided so many detrimental things in my life. Oh well, lesson learned.

“We cannot make people change. We cannot want more for the people than they want for themselves. People are either ready to change, or a person will never change until the desire to change becomes greater than their desire to remain the same. People will generally never have a desire to change until they HAVE A VISION OF THEIR FUTURE that is GREATER then where they are today. ” – Kain Ramsay, internationally bestselling instructor, social entrepreneur

faith, God, Healing, Hope, poem, poetrty

My Beloved

My Beloved (Based on the Song of Solomon) -2019 Copyright Diana Rasmussen-

I worship You in between every tear
I worship You in spite of my fear
I worship You in the midst of the pain
I worship You, I am called by Your Name

You are my Beloved, and my Beloved is mine

Your love is better than wine
Your name is like the meadow brook
Come to me, take me away with you
Your love is like a fragrant bouquet of wildflowers
A sachet of pure myrrh
Come to me, take me away with you
You woke me up to love

You are my Beloved, and my Beloved is mine

Let me see your face
Let me hear your voice
My lover is mine and I am His
We dance and we feast on His grace
Our victory dance is love and peace
You awoke me to a love that lives outside of time

I am my Beloveds, and my Beloved is
mine

The fire of Your love stops at nothing
Sweeping everything put before it
Floodwaters cant drown it
Torrential rains don’t put it out
Your love can’t be bought or sold
Run to me dear lover like a gazelle
Leap like a wild stag on our spice mountain

I am my Beloveds, and my Beloved is mine

faith, God, Motivation, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Filled With Awe and Wonder

It was an ordinary morning, until I opened the door to let our dog Max out. He is still a puppy at 6 months old. It had snowed overnight here in Wisconsin. Then it occurred to me, Max has never seen snow!

I could not resist taking a video of him and his first look at snow. He is a Borderjack, a mix between Border Collie and Jack Russell terrier. He was a bit hesitant at first, but then his sense of awe and wonder came out and he starts jumping around in it! He loves it.

That made me think of God and His Creation. Daddy God loves to surprise us, just like He surprised Max today. I have to admit it, I have been a bit cynical with all the things going on in my life. I had let the cares of the world take over. I was too busy trying to figure out my life that I had missed it, Just watching Max today reminded me of what awe and wonder look like.

I believe that Daddy God wants to surprise us with amazing things. He is good, all the time. But if I lose my sense of awe and wonder I am not paying attention to Him. Forgive me Lord.

God’s Word for You

Place Your Life Before God

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” – Romans 12:1-2 MSG

Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking and said, “Why all this gossipy whispering? Which is simpler: to say ‘I forgive your sins,’ or to say ‘Get up and start walking’? Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both. . . .” He now spoke directly to the paraplegic: “Get up. Take your bedroll and go home.” Without a moment’s hesitation, he did it—got up, took his blanket, and left for home, giving glory to God all the way. The people rubbed their eyes, incredulous—and then also gave glory to God. Awestruck, they said, “We’ve never seen anything like that!” Luke 5:22-26 MSG

The enemy spoke,
        “I’ll pursue, I’ll hunt them down,
    I’ll divide up the plunder,
        I’ll glut myself on them;
    I’ll pull out my sword,
        my fist will send them reeling.”

You blew with all your might
        and the sea covered them.
    They sank like a lead weight
        in the majestic waters.
    Who compares with you
        among gods, O God?
    Who compares with you in power,
        in holy majesty,
    In awesome praises,
        wonder-working God?” – Exodus 15:9-11 MSG

My Prayer for You:

Surprise us Daddy. Show us your Glory. Just like you surprised Max this morning. Fill us with an amazing sense of awe and wonder for our everyday ordinary lives, in Jesus Name.

Disablility, faith, God, Life, Spirituality

What to Do When Life Changes and You End Up Disabled

There will be times of pruning in our lives. Times after Harvest, where God will till the fields of our lives. He is a Good Father, and wants to help us produce more fruit, more wine.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” – Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

I guess this is the season where I get to use that Faith Muscle. Not sure I like it. Next month it will be a year since I have been out of work. It definitely is not what I had planned. I was happy working my way up the ladder of Corporate America when BAM, life took a left turn I didn’t expect.

So, here I sit a year later. Last week I was granted Social Security Disability after my first attempt. People told me it would never happen, that I would have to go through at least 3 appeals, hire a lawyer, etc. They were wrong. I did use a service to help me with the paperwork. (If you need help, email me and I’ll send you a link).

Today I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I never wanted to be labelled as Disabled.

Is God mad at me? No, not according to the book of Job. He lost a lot in one day. Did I do something to deserve this? Is it punishment? No, I don’t think God punishes us like that. Jesus took the wrath that we deserved at the Cross. “It is finished.” He said. Well then, I don’t need to carry that wrath.

But why? Isn’t it funny that we as humans always want to know why? Sometimes I remind myself of a toddler. Why Daddy why? As a Good Father, He has vision way beyond my meager view of the world. I guess in this season, I have learned to stop asking Why, and just trust and believe that My Daddy knows what He is doing. I may not know all the answers, but I think I’ll stop my whining at the checkout aisle and see what God has in store for me next!

 

The True Vine

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. – John 15:1-6 

God, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Does it Really Matter Where You are Going?

Yes, we are in a new season. Welcome Autumn! The trees are turning, the air is getting crisp, and it’s pumpkin and apple season! Yeah! Do you like fall? I love the coolness of the air, and the chilly nights where you curl up in a blanket or two. I love fuzzy socks too!

But what about Spiritually? Are you in a changing season too? I know I am. The details don’t matter. The past doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t even matter where we end up going – as long as I am with My Jesus. He promised to go before us and lead us.

” And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

I know when God called Abraham out, He didn’t give him all the details either. But Abraham just trusted God and followed His lead.

 Now the Lord had said to Abram:

“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. – Genesis 12:1-4

That’s a great promise for all of us this new season. God will make us a blessing, He will bless those who bless us and He will curse those who curse us. What more could a girl ask for? You go God! I’m with You! Show us the way!

Besides, my plans didn’t work out so good anyway. I’m sure God has a better plan for each of us that is way bigger than we could have thought or imagined!

faith, God, Hope, Prayer, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

3 Ways to Pray for those in Hurricane Dorian’s Path

I don’t know about you, but my heart hurts for the people in the midst of Hurricane Dorian. I live in the Midwest. I have never been in a hurricane. I can’t even imagine. But I can pray for all of the people impacted by Hurricane Dorian.

3 WAYS TO PRAY FOR THOSE IN HURRICANE DORIAN’S PATH

1. PRAYERS FOR PROTECTION

  • “The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.” – 2 Samuel 22:3-4
  • “Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You from those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings.” – Psalm 17:7-8
  • “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” – Psalm 34:17-18
  • “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” -Psalm 34:19
  • “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.” – Psalm 138:7
  • “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
  • “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” – Nahum 1:7
  • “The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” – Zephaniah 3:17

 

2. PRAYERS FOR PEACE

  • “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 14:27
  • “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3
  • “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
  • “The Lord gives strength to his people, the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11
  • “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
  • “Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.”1 Peter 5:7

 

3. PRAYERS FOR RESTORATION

  • “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
  • “You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.” Psalm 71:20-2
  • “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10
  • “Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy.” Isaiah 61:7
  • “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:12
  • “And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10
  • “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.” Joel 2:25-26
  • “For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD, because they have called you an outcast: ‘It is Zion, for whom no one cares!” Jeremiah 30:17