Child Training Bible: Giveaway

Child Training Bible: Giveaway: Celebrating Fans and Fathers Giveaway! We are giving away 4 Complete Child Training Bibles over the next 4 days. Day 1 Winner - Jen...

How tired are you?

Today, I feel tired! Not the normal physical, I want to go to bed, kind but the one in your head. Some days seem filled with disappointments in relationships; difficult people to deal with, financial burdens, illness, sin and I wonder are others feeling it too? Perhaps many of us have times of feeling overwhelmed by our circumstances, bombarded with repeated trials and general problems that life seems to offer frequently and abundantly.  It all leaves me feeling exhausted and quite frankly I know I am terribly vulnerable to temptation when I am not alert and prepared to fend off the enemy. So what are we to do? The urge to pull the covers back over my head is forefront in my brain but I know there are more effective ways of re-energizing my spirit!

Do you think Jesus knew we would get tired? Not only did He know but He provided many solutions to help us when we do. One is found in Hebrew 12:3 “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” (NKJV) When we reflect on what Christ endured, our own predicaments will pale in comparison. In doing so we are often reminded of how our focus on worldly worries is not His plan for our life. God is never surprised by these occurrences in our life. And in the book of Jeremiah we are told God has a plan…not to harm us but to prosper us! And in Romans 8:23 “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  

A weak faith will cause us to lack confidence in God. And there are other times when our lack of confidence may be in ourselves. Maybe that’s what Joshua was experiencing. How does the Word of God teach us to face the challenges that arise with strength and courage? Look at what God told Joshua. “This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9

So, we’ve got to hang on. Don’t give up even when it feels easier than to keep going. Focus on what we know is true, good and right; God and His Word. Doing what pleases God and not man is always the right way to go. May God strengthen us to do His will and to glorify Him in all we do.

It's Not Just a Story

Sunday we celebrated Easter. Some woke up to Easter baskets filled with candy and prizes. Some went to an egg hunt. Others dressed in their finest to go to a church service and a delicious dinner at grandma’s house. But, how many of us woke up with visions of a risen Savior who is ALIVE rather than visions of a fluffy bunny that has never existed???

            We performed a program at church Easter Sunday called “It’s not just a story”.  The program contained music and drama and basically was to remind us that even though the story of Jesus may be so familiar to us that we have memorized most of the details, we may be missing the purpose of this day altogether. One of the song lyrics were, “It’s not just a story, He rose from the grave, it’s my testimony I’m forgiven and saved. It’s not some old fable handed down through the years, my God is willing and able, mighty and stable.” That speaks volumes about where our focus should be when it comes to this holiday. As we attempt to share with this next generation or any who wish to know the story of Jesus there needs to be an element of our part in the story; our testimony. For some hearing of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ can seem like a lovely fable, comforting but far removed; historical in nature. But, what if we tell it as a contemporary, ongoing, relevant story that isn’t finished? What if it’s not just “A” story, but it’s “MY” story?

            If so, it would go something like this… I wasn’t always the person I am today. I used to live a life full of sin. Then one day someone told me about Jesus; about how much He loves me. They told me that even though there was nothing I could do to rid myself of this sin, Jesus had already given His life to pay the penalty of my sin and only He could forgive me. I needed to be sorry that I had offended a Holy God, and ask His forgiveness. And I did. And guess what…I’m still a sinner. But, I’m forgiven! Ever since that day, I talk to Him all the time, I read His Word, and He reminds me when I’m doing wrong. I don’t want to sin anymore, so I try really hard not to. And Jesus wants me to keep sharing this message with others. Not just on Easter or Christmas but every day! I’m happy to do that for Him. Maybe sometime soon you’ll have the opportunity to share your story with someone. Remember Jesus told us to keep telling our story until He returns for us. Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”