Author Archives: Matthew, Karen, and God

Jesus is all I need!

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The possessions that we fill our lives with, family & friends that we constantly surround ourselves and the recognition that we continuously seek does not make us happy. We can have wealth, friends, fame anything we want and be the most miserable person on earth if we don’t have Jesus. I think the message version of the Bible says it the best Psalm 94:16-19,

Who stood up for me against the wicked? Who took my side against evil workers? If God hadn’t been there for me, I never would have made it. The minute I said, ”I’m slipping, I’m falling.” your love, God, took hold and held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up.

There is nothing in this world like the love, joy, peace, and comfort that God gives us just at the right time. Jesus is all we need!

Anxiety

My mother was going to be late coming home from work one day. She had asked me to stay at home to watch my little brother after he was out of school. I had agreed but didn’t really want to because my friend wanted me to come hang out with him. I made a deal with my brother, he got to do whatever he wanted being at home by himself and I would go hang out with my buddy. He agreed, so I hopped on my bike and started on the long 5 mile journey to my friends house. Upon arrival my friend met me outside with the telephone telling me that my mother was on hold and that it was an emergency and sounded very angry. Apparently, in the time that it took for me to ride to my friends house, my brother had taken his own bike out and had fallen off injuring himself badly. Fear and worry swept over my mind and it felt as though I was having an anxiety attack. Peddling as fast as my legs would allow, I made it home in record time beating my mother back. Running into the house yelling my brothers name, he yelled back and it had come from the bathroom. He was sitting on the toilette holding a beach towel on his knee and there was blood all over the place. He lifted the towel to show me the damage, it was extensive and gross to say the least. At the end of the block there was one of those large neighborhood mailboxes and he thought it would be cool to drag his bike to the top and jump off of it landing like the dirt bike guys did on t.v. However on the way down he had caught his knee on the steel corner and now had an L shaped gash in it. He pulled back the skin to show me and the cut clear down to his knee bone. All I could think of was how much trouble I was going to be in and how my actions ended up in my brother being hurt so badly. We took him to the emergency room and my brother ended up with a lot of stitches and “YES”, I was in a lot of trouble. On occasion I still get into trouble making bad decisions and feel that anxious feeling but as long as I pray asking God to remove the anxiety from me, He will do so. The fact is is that we will all make mistakes, it’s just a fact of life, we need always to remember that God is always with us and always hears our prayers. Psalm 94:19 says, When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

The one thing!

www.bible.com/111/psa.27.4.niv

The one thing I ask the Lord and seek the most is always to live in his presence. God, please guide my steps, if I start to cross to the broad road of destruction keep me on your path of righteousness. Open my eyes and all my senses so I don’t take my walk with you for granted. Thank you for loving me, I love you.

Your daughter, Karen

The great comforter

We all like to feel comforted when we are sad or going through something extremely painful. The times when we are going up to speak in front of a large crowd or doing something outside of our comfort zone. Life can throw many trials at us but we can always find comfort in knowing that God is always with us. He guides us through the darkness, carries us when we stumble, and holds us when we are weak. I remember going through so many dark and confusing times and in those times I called on our Lord to just hold me. It was like the warmest blanket being wrapped around me, having all my troubles just melt away. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Temptation

There are so many things that can tempt us as we go about our day, from billboards, to commercials, and even the clothing that we wear. Alot of these are innocent enough and can be easily avoided, but what about the temptations that are greater. Maybe for drugs, alcohol, tobacco, pornography, or just something that would tempt us to harm ourselves and others. 1 Corinthians 10 : 13 reads, No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to all. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Strength in you

The feeling of weakness filled my mind, my insecurities plagued my soul, I spent my life trying to find purpose but was out of control.

I drove away family and friends and dug a huge pit, alone at the bottom is where I would sit.

Pile my problems and struggles of life on my shoulder, walking around pounding my chest like a soldier, but can barely walk with the weight of this boulder.

Many nights were spent weeping, so unloved and depressed, waking up in the morning struggling to get dressed.

Yelling at God, why are you doing this to me, I had no idea that God had a plan you see.

Hitting this rock I wasn’t able to go through, hitting my knees and prayed, God I give my life to you, I don’t know what else to do. If you are really out there hear my plea, I don’t want to live in this life without you leading me.

Take this lost and broken life and bless me with something better, I can’t take this anymore, I haven’t the strength to fight this worldly war. Give me the armor that’s needed to fight off the demons and lead me through all of the seasons.

Take this heavyweight that I’ve piled on me, PLEASE GOD I’M ALL YOURS SET ME FREE!

Since that day I’ve had a yoke that is so light, and not a bone in my body wants to physically fight. My problems seem smaller and now I stand taller. Finding peace in just saying His name, thinking now instead of pointing a finger to blame. Seeing farther now that I’m not blind and know that He is one of a kind. Thank you dear God for directing me where to go, being a light in the darkness with the love you bestow.

Endurance

Lifting weights are one of my most favorite activities and have been doing it now for about 25 years. Being a bodybuilder and powerlifter takes a great amount of stamina and endurance, but also you also have to go through a lot of pain to get the results that you want. You have to change up your routines quite often so your body can grow different muscles and also add more reps and sets depending on what you are doing. One day upon leaving the gym, I had hopped on my bicycle to ride home and kept getting cramps in my calves and feet. We lived near the coast and all the neighborhoods were filled with little hills that seemed like mountains that day. It was hard for me to go to sleep that night, and kept waking up with Charlie horses. The next day it was even hard to walk from all the lifting in my new routine. I loved every minute of it regardless because I knew the end result would be worth it. Every time more weights were added, or pushing to get that extra repetition, running the extra couple feet with sweat drenched clothing, was worth it. Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great crowd of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he that endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.