Two brothers both announcing that doctors have given them months to live; bodies full of cancer. A family mourns the death of their second son, in less than a year; a daughter receives a phone call that her dad may not wake from a fall on the ice; and then this morning I receive an email from a dear lady that the doctors prediction of her mom 'only having a few weeks left" came true; she died yesterday and service is on Friday. So many heavy hearts, so many lives mourning and questioning "Why Lord?"
We all know people who are hurting and we have all been hurt. Some are still hurting and some have overcome the last dark valley. And yet, will we say "I trust you Lord?"
Last night I had a wonderful evening of fun, food and worship; and despite feeling sick from the yearly winter cold, I was able to hear from Father.
We sang the song that makes me think the most "Blessed be your name".
I no longer sing words that I do not mean or cannot sing wholeheartedly. When verse two came, and the words say, Blessed be your name on the road marked with suffering .... I cant always sing that song.
I trust in you Lord, but I dont always want to be rejoicing about the hurts. And you know what? That is ok. Father is ok with me not pretending.
He does give and take away; He does heal some and not others; He does allow sin, sickness and suffering; AND, I will always trust in Him, but I cant always sing and rejoice about it. And, that's okay.
I come back to the three things that I hold dear to: My God is love; He is Faithful and He is in control. And when life seems hard, and friends are hurting; I can rest knowing He has it. God is still God and He is on the throne!
And, when my heart hurts, and the regrets fill my head - I choose truth. i choose life.
I will trust in Him. For He is worthy of all praise.
Til Next Time
Jacqueline
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Promises From Romans 8
In one chapter of the Bible there are many many promises that we as Children of God can claim, hold and hang on to ...
1 NO condemnation; are IN Christ
2 set free
3 spirit of God dwells in US; one with Christ
4 daughters and sons of Gods
5 joint heirs with Christ
6 adopted children of God
7 HIS glory is revealed in us
8 in freedom, are free
9 we have the FIRST fruits of the Spirit
10 WE have BEEN saved
11 we have HOPE
12 Spirit helps in our weaknesses
13 Spirit intercedes for us
14 God causes ALL things to work together for good
15 we are being conformed into HIS image
16 we are chosen and predestined
17 God is FOR US
18 NOTHING NOONE will separate us from the love of God
19 We are more than conquerors
20 we are sealed and loved forever!
So many things to be thankful for. Thank you Savior for coming to earth for us.
Til next time
Jacqueline
1 NO condemnation; are IN Christ
2 set free
3 spirit of God dwells in US; one with Christ
4 daughters and sons of Gods
5 joint heirs with Christ
6 adopted children of God
7 HIS glory is revealed in us
8 in freedom, are free
9 we have the FIRST fruits of the Spirit
10 WE have BEEN saved
11 we have HOPE
12 Spirit helps in our weaknesses
13 Spirit intercedes for us
14 God causes ALL things to work together for good
15 we are being conformed into HIS image
16 we are chosen and predestined
17 God is FOR US
18 NOTHING NOONE will separate us from the love of God
19 We are more than conquerors
20 we are sealed and loved forever!
So many things to be thankful for. Thank you Savior for coming to earth for us.
Til next time
Jacqueline
Monday, December 19, 2011
Away in a Manger
Yesterday Pastor Craig Groeschel gave a challenging sermon in his part 3 of the series Christmas Carols. It has lingered with me throughout yesterday and again today. (If you would like to watch it; check out Lifespringcf website or lifechurch.tv)
The challenge was regarding lordship of our lives and I know for me, I left really pondering the couple things I was still hanging on to.
Craig's point hit home when he gave his own version of Proverbs 3:5&6
It went something like this: "Trust in the Lord with some of your heart; and lean on your own understanding. In all your own acknowledge part of Him, and you can direct your own path." (Craig referred to this as the partially surrendered version).
He also drove the point home, but tearing pages from an old Bible. He was blunt with his challenge. Why would we be shocked at his tearing pages from the Bible, when there are times we ignore portions of God's word all the time? We might as well tear those pages out if we are not going to obey them, and learn from what those portions says.
That little babe who was born and spent his first night in a feeding trough; is LORD of all creation. Will we let Him be Lord?; Will we let him be where He belongs in our lives? That is more then central, but LORD; the lifesource of all we do and say. And further more, its not really about whether we let Him be or not; He IS LORD , whether we "let Him be or not".
I believe there is always more we can surrender; and more Father asks us to step away from and let Him be in the drivers seat about.
Philippians 2:6-8 NASB "... who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
Do you see His willingness to give up everything. He was God, but did not cling to all the rights that came with being God. He held on to no rights - He let go!
What does verse 5 say to us? "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus". It says that we are to have the same mindset as Jesus. To give up ALL rights.
Will we be partially surrendered to Him? The one who loves us, died for us, came to give us new life? or will we be totally surrendered, letting go of all of our "rights" that we think we have a right to hang on to. Will we let "the little LORD Jesus" be in His rightful place?
Til next time,
Jacqueline
The challenge was regarding lordship of our lives and I know for me, I left really pondering the couple things I was still hanging on to.
Craig's point hit home when he gave his own version of Proverbs 3:5&6
It went something like this: "Trust in the Lord with some of your heart; and lean on your own understanding. In all your own acknowledge part of Him, and you can direct your own path." (Craig referred to this as the partially surrendered version).
He also drove the point home, but tearing pages from an old Bible. He was blunt with his challenge. Why would we be shocked at his tearing pages from the Bible, when there are times we ignore portions of God's word all the time? We might as well tear those pages out if we are not going to obey them, and learn from what those portions says.
That little babe who was born and spent his first night in a feeding trough; is LORD of all creation. Will we let Him be Lord?; Will we let him be where He belongs in our lives? That is more then central, but LORD; the lifesource of all we do and say. And further more, its not really about whether we let Him be or not; He IS LORD , whether we "let Him be or not".
I believe there is always more we can surrender; and more Father asks us to step away from and let Him be in the drivers seat about.
Philippians 2:6-8 NASB "... who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
Do you see His willingness to give up everything. He was God, but did not cling to all the rights that came with being God. He held on to no rights - He let go!
What does verse 5 say to us? "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus". It says that we are to have the same mindset as Jesus. To give up ALL rights.
Will we be partially surrendered to Him? The one who loves us, died for us, came to give us new life? or will we be totally surrendered, letting go of all of our "rights" that we think we have a right to hang on to. Will we let "the little LORD Jesus" be in His rightful place?
Til next time,
Jacqueline
Friday, December 2, 2011
Christmas
Today as I was cleaning up my desk, listening to Christmas music; I have been dwelling on something. Wouldn’t it be seen as strange, if I was to help plan; shop for; hand out invites to and even attend a birthday party and yet failed to recognize the special birthday person?
Wouldn’t it be stranger yet, if I didn’t know the person whose birthday we were celebrating; and yet demanded something from him in return for “all my efforts at being good all year?” But, is this not what happens every year around this time?
I have noticed the increase in Christmas advertisements, Christmas carols being sung and Christmas parades that are happening all in attempt to get us ready to celebrate “Christmas”. And yet, I find it sad that many people get so “into” this special season; but fail to embrace the real meaning of why we celebrate.
I understand we have just began Advent; and to be completely honest, I have never taken time to really study that out; but I do know that this month, in the midst of gatherings; parties; parades and decorations; I am purposing to keep my eye on The Child; the true “reason for the season.”
For without Christ; there would have been no cross! And without the cross; we would be guilty, condemned and the old us walking around trying to do life on our own – with no real answer or cure.
I am thankful for the cross; for Christ our Saviour – the Messiah who came for us; and that He has made us new creations. That who we used to be are no longer; but NOW we are (I am - Jacqueline) – ones who are redeemed, accepted, loved and blameless in Him.
I pray a very special Christmas Blessing to you and your loved ones.
In Him
Jacqueline
Wouldn’t it be stranger yet, if I didn’t know the person whose birthday we were celebrating; and yet demanded something from him in return for “all my efforts at being good all year?” But, is this not what happens every year around this time?
I have noticed the increase in Christmas advertisements, Christmas carols being sung and Christmas parades that are happening all in attempt to get us ready to celebrate “Christmas”. And yet, I find it sad that many people get so “into” this special season; but fail to embrace the real meaning of why we celebrate.
I understand we have just began Advent; and to be completely honest, I have never taken time to really study that out; but I do know that this month, in the midst of gatherings; parties; parades and decorations; I am purposing to keep my eye on The Child; the true “reason for the season.”
For without Christ; there would have been no cross! And without the cross; we would be guilty, condemned and the old us walking around trying to do life on our own – with no real answer or cure.
I am thankful for the cross; for Christ our Saviour – the Messiah who came for us; and that He has made us new creations. That who we used to be are no longer; but NOW we are (I am - Jacqueline) – ones who are redeemed, accepted, loved and blameless in Him.
I pray a very special Christmas Blessing to you and your loved ones.
In Him
Jacqueline
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