Faith and Prayer #31

Dear Glorious Saints,

As we move through this second month of prayer and fasting I am really encouraged by some of the words from Hebrews 10. In verse 23 the writer admonishes us, “ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”

Yes, we should hang on, hold tight, stand firm – however you care to express it- to our hope. Why? Because He, our great and mighty, all-wise, all powerful God, the One who made us the promise in which we hope – He is FAITHFUL! He will do what He said and He has absolutely everything necessary to fulfill His promise.

Think of Him, who He is and all He has done for you. Remember all the ways He has touched your life, saved you, lifted you from the miry clay, set your feet on a Rock, given you eternal life, called you to Himself, loved you dearly and personally. Remember! Remember and know that He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. The One who loved you and was for you then still loves and is for you now.

No wonder the writer goes on to say in verse 35: “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”

So let us continue to do what He has called us to do. As we pray, as we call down to earth that which He has declared in heaven, let us be sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. He who promised is faithful.

Standing in hope,

Marianne

Wonderment Wednesday

Praise the Lord, my soul,

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits--

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The Lord works righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds in the people of Israel.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious

slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger forever,

he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth

so great is his love for those who know him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on those who fear him,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

As for mortals, their days are like grass

and its place remembers it no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting

the Lord's love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children's children--

with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

Psalm 103:1-19

It's My Birthday

My grandma was around 86 when she passed away. Today, I'm halfway there.

And I don't say that to be morbid, or down about my birthday. But there comes a time when you simply have to stop and say, "What the heck are you doing?"

While I was in Summer Academy for my teacher certification, one of the instructors said there's three important questions you should ask children to redirect them.

1. What are you doing?

2. What are you supposed to be doing?

3. What are you going to do about it?

I think 43 is a good time to stop and ask these questions.

What are you doing with your life, Jackie? Nearly half of it is passed, are you making the most out of the opportunities God gives you?

Think I'll come back to that one later.

What are you supposed to be doing, Jackie? Are you doing what God's asked you to do? Are you using the talents he's given you to the best of your abilities? Are you staying on the path He's laid out for you?

Uh, can I have some time to think about that and check my notes? I'll get back to you shortly.

Lastly, Jackie, what are you going to do with the rest of your life? What are you going to do with this precious gift of life the Father has bestowed upon you? What?

I really do want to make the most of it. I do, oh, I do.

Father, help me not to waste a moment of the wonderful talents you've gifted me with. Let me not waste a moment of this precious life you've given me. I have so much to be thankful for. More gifts and blessings than a table piled to the ceiling with packages can match. Thank you, for my life, thank you. Help me to make the most of it, for your glory. Amen!

What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its
time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what
God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men
than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink
and find satisfaction in all his toil-- this is the gift of God. I know that
everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing
taken from it; God does it so that men will revere him.
Ecclesiastes 3:9-14

No Limits

This guy is truly amazing, and inspiring. Listen to his video, about his life and know, despite whatever limitations you think you face, God is bigger, greater, and limitless in what he can bring us through if we'll just let him.

Turn off the music on the side bar, and let Nick Vujici tell you his awe-inspiring story.

Here's a video of Nick speaking to a group of young people.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to him be the glory.... Eph. 3:20