Our Part Is To BELIEVE!

“Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭9:23‬ ‭MSG‬‬
https://www.bible.com/97/mrk.9.23.msg

Believe with all your heart and soul that God will deliver us through this times of trouble. With God all things are possible. Remember, God’s timing is always right. Churches will be open, our children will be in school, the economy will turn around and the COVID 19 will be history.

When people ask me, ” Karen, what should I do while I wait for God?” my answer is always the same. ”Love your neighbor as you love yourself. ” Demonstrate your love by praying for others, reaching out to them by phone or internet, social distance, and wear a mask.

Staying plugged in

I cannot be in a room or vehicle without plugging my phone in. The batteries on some of my older cell phones were not so great. Lasting a day at the greatest but most times only making it through half the day with using GPS, watching funny videos, or texting. I feel as though if a charger is within a couple of feet from me then my phone should be on it just to reach a grand total of 💯%. A couple of months ago I paid a little extra for a phone with better battery life and it has been awesome! I plug it in every night and at the end of the day, it’s never gone under 75%. I’ve even stretched it out almost 3 days on one charge! I don’t have to worry so much about being stranded or missing an important work-related phone call. That is exactly the way that God makes me feel. He makes me feel safe and secure. We still need to stay plugged in each and every day though if not more. Sometimes our days can get a little hectic and hard but imagine if we didn’t have him in our lives, our days would be a lot worse.

“So you see that God is kind and also very strict. He punishes those who stop following him. But God is kind to you, if you continue following in his kindness. If you do not, you will be cut off from the tree.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭11:22‬ ‭NCV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/105/rom.11.22.ncv

Stay plugged in and connected, it’s the only way to go!

I Was Rude To Someone Today!

This story was written by Levi Smith. A friend of mine posted it on her Facebook stating this is how a true Christian should act. It’s a great reminder that we always represent Jesus.

We are on vacation out of state this week in North Carolina. I walked into our usual donut joint with my mask on. The owner walked up to me and started taking our order. In retrospect, I should have given more attention to her weary countenance.

I took one side of my mask off so I could continue my order without being muffled. Without hesitation, she said, “Sir, please put your mask on.”

My flesh convinced me that this was the time for me to be a patriot. I put the mask loop over my ear and told her that we wouldn’t be needing any donuts after all. She seemed to shrug my response off, so I continued. I didn’t yell. I didn’t make a scene. But I looked at her straight in the face and told her she was rude. We exchanged pleasantries, and I left.

2 miles down the road, the Holy Spirit smote my heart. I stood for my personal belief while ignoring humility and grace.

I turned the van around and drove back to the donut shop. I entered the shop, and the same woman was standing there. I walked right up to her, with my mask on, looked her in the eye and said,…

“I. Am. Sorry.”

With workers and other customers looking on, I asked for her forgiveness and told her I should have been more gracious and humble. She opened up to me for a few minutes about how tough the current situation was on her as a former nurse and current small business owner. She was tired. She was weary. She was worried.

She didn’t need a seasonal patriot. She needed a gracious Christian.

I purchased my donuts, we laughed, and I left. When I got back to the van, I explained to my children that it was important we set ourselves aside for the wellbeing of others. I made sure my kids knew that I was willing to eat crow so a tired stranger could have an emotionally healthy day. I explained to my children what I had done and how I needed to make it better. I explained to my children that God allows us to make mistakes so His grace can be on greater display.

We will go back for more donuts this week. I’ll be wearing my mask the whole time, making sure I am a blessing and not a bully. And I didn’t have to give up a shred of freedom or dignity to do so.

This world needs humility, grace and forgiveness. It doesn’t need more casual Christians dying on their temporal hills. It needs more Jesus-followers living out the Gospel.

Yes, be a patriot. But don’t let your personal beliefs drown out your faith and witness.

All we are enduring will one day fade away, but the Word of the Lord will endure forever.

Amen,

Do we see the good in the bad?

This coronavirus seems to be the topic on everyone’s lips nowadays. Whenever someone is talking about it however it’s always bad. There are good things that are hidden in bad times or bad events but we need to look for them. I will give you a perfect example. Our church was shut down just like many others over the COVID-19 and it is a bummer, to say the least. I love fellowshipping with others and I am a big hugger so for the church to shut down means that I can’t do either one. The biggest problem however is that we don’t have that spiritual enlightenment and education from our pastor. God has asked us though to go out and spread the good news about Him and often times we forget to do this. I’m guilty of this also. I go to church and listen but end up keeping that blessing for myself instead of sharing it with others. I’m not sure about all of you but there are things in life that I want to do and on occasion, it sets precedence over what God asks of me. The cool thing about this coronavirus however is that it has given me an opportunity to remember what needs to be done for God. We cannot meet in large groups right now so a couple of close friends and I have started two small Bible study groups meeting on Tuesdays and Saturdays. My friend Karen hosts a zoom bible study on Friday, Saturday, and Wednesday. Between all of these Bible studies, we have almost everyone that came to our church involved! It’s not just attracting church members though we’re getting people involved that want to know more about God. Even though times may look bleak, God has a plan for everything that we cannot comprehend. We just need to trust, spread the good news, and always look for the good. Psalms 16:8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Thanks

A close friend of mine is suffering from dementia and it throws me off a bit when I speak with her. It’s hard for her to grab words sometimes and on rare occasions forgets who I am even though I see her at least every other day. Other days she is quick as a whip and has a better memory then I do! Her husband tells me sad stories of her slow decline and it brings a tear to my eyes. She had packed a suitcase in the bedroom of her house, turned and told her husband that she was ready to go home. Sometimes she will call us late at night looking for her husband when he is just in the other room. I thank God every time she calls us because it let’s us know that she still remembers to call us in times of need. This morning God impressed me to stop by and say hi. Her and her husband had just started to do their Bible study and asked if I would stay and listen. I agreed and as I listened to her reading out of Revelations she didn’t miss a beat. I thanked God again for her memory of Him and that she needed to be in His word to find her strength. There’s so much to be thankful for each and every day but it’s up to us to see these things. Give thanks to God today for everything in your life.

Even with dementia my friends heart and mind is focused on Jesus Christ and his return. She has been blessed with God’s peace just as it is written.

“And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NCV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/105/php.4.5-7.ncv

God’s Throne Of Grace!

“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://www.bible.com/1588/heb.4.16.amp