“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” — Robert F. Kennedy

Every day people take risks that could ultimately provoke danger, mishap, or loss, all for the chance to win at this game called ‘life’. Some do indeed have victory, while others are defeated, only to get back up and try again.

How many of you can say, you’ve taken risks? Have a dared to start a new business venture, write a book, or close a potentially big deal that made you lots of money? Or is what you dream about only that…a dream?

No one has the opportunity to succeed unless they were willing to fail first. And to be honest, they may have failed many times. But the key is to NOT QUIT!

Try these strategies when you decide to take the next leap of faith: 5 Ways to be Better at Risk Taking

And let me add my own advice to you:

1. Always know that if God sent you to it, He will bring you through it.

2. God always makes provision for the vision He has given you.

3. There is nothing new under the sun. Remember what you have thought about others may have already tried, failed, and quit! The difference is: Don’t you quit!

4. Each risk will bring you further and further to the promise. Keep etching away!

5. One day you will look back at how far you’ve come and you’ll say, ‘I Made It!’

Prayer:

Lord help me to learn to follow you. As you say ‘YES’, I will go. I won’t run from risks because if it’s truly of you, you will direct and guide me into all truth. Keep me from the path of the enemy and allow my steps to be ordered by you. After I’ve done all I can, you will prosper me and let me look back, if only for a moment, to see from whence I came. And I will be sure to give You the glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Life in the world is full of problems of which people are desperate to find solutions. No matter what terrible situation we face in the world we can get solution through our Lord Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can fix any problems that are impossible for a mere human. When we rely on the word of God which is Jesus Christ, submit and surrender ourselves in all areas of our life by being obedient to his commandments and laws, we live a victorious life.

When family doesn’t understand you, and when your friends don’t seem to care remember Jesus Christ understands and cares for you. Jesus alone is the answer to all kinds of problems.

When no one stands by you when you face any troubles or crises, remember Jesus Christ will stand by you and give you strength.

When you have lost your path and direction remember Jesus Christ will direct your paths, guiding you through out your life.

When relationships fail to support you, remember Jesus Christ, he has all the support you needed.

When you are going through some of the worst crisis period of your life remember Jesus Christ stood by you like a firm rock offering you unbound support showing you the ray of hope.

When your time get so rough and your heart feels like its breaking, remember the only person you could ever trust whole heartedly is Jesus Christ.

When no one else seems to share your sorrow and trials, remember Jesus Christ shares your sorrow and trials and get rid of your pain.

When you need something, remember to ask from Jesus Christ because he will supply all your physical needs.

When people let you down in your life, remember Jesus Christ will never forsake you but encourage you with his powerful words.

When you are in trouble and cry out for help remember Jesus Christ is on his way to help you at the time of your need.

When you do something wrong remember Jesus Christ, he will forgive you and set you straight.

When you are in fear and despair, remember Jesus Christ, he will strengthen you; he will help you and uphold you with his victorious right hand.

When you wanted someone who is loving, caring and understanding remember Jesus Christ who will accept you for who you are.

When you Have loneliness, frustration, and fear taken control of your thoughts, pain is too much to bear and there is no one on your side remember Jesus Christ he will take your pain and give you rest and peace.

When your loved one stabs you from the back remember Jesus Christ he will love you with unconditional love.

When you have hopeless situations and could see no way out remember Jesus Christ to see His loving hands moving upon your situations, and soon you will be out of the troubles.

When you do not have a good friend remember Jesus Christ is a good and best friend who cares for you and He knows all about you, even knows your thoughts and the number of hairs on your head.

When you are hungry and there is none to feed you remember Jesus Christ he is the provider for He is the bread of life and He meets all your needs.

When no one is there to listen to you remember Jesus Christ, he is waiting patiently to welcome you. He wants you to come to Him about everything that concerns you.

When people did not hear your requests or concerns or prayers, remember Jesus Christ, in His perfect timing he will grant your request.

Whenever you have a bad news from doctors, remember Jesus Christ is the Great Physician who ever came to heal the sickness of the world.

Whenever you feel broken hearted, remember Jesus Christ, He is very close to you for he is your greatest encourager, motivator and the biggest supporter.

Whenever you are in danger remember Jesus Christ, for He is your refuge and fortress and his Blood has the power to heal you, to free you, to protect and cleanse you from all dangers.

When people have rejected you, remembers Jesus Christ, he waits for you with open arms to accept you.

Whatever problem you may ever face in the life remember Jesus Christ for he is the answer. Trust in Him and rely on Him in everything, you will never go wrong anywhere.

When people mislead you and bring you shame remember Jesus Christ, he will never mislead you for He is the way, the truth, and the life.

When people do not have time for you, remember Jesus Christ, he longs to spend time with you .He never cancels your appointment in His appointment book.

When people are trying to harm you physically and mentally, remember Jesus Christ, he will protect you from all harm and watches over your life, he watches over your coming and going   both now and forevermore.

Whenever you face terrible dangers, accidents remember Jesus Christ; His divine protection has saved you from many physical dangers.

Whenever you love and surrender yourself humbly before Jesus Christ, there is no evil or danger that could come near you.

 Whenever People make promises and then don’t follow through, remember Jesus Christ, he will  never fail you nor forsake you

for he  is the same yesterday and today and for ever.

Whenever you are addicted to destructive bad evil habits and you think you can’t overcome it, surrender to Jesus Christ, he will wipe your tears and make you whole again.

When your friends let you down and never care for you again remember Jesus Christ, he  is the only totally reliable ,flawless ,all-satisfying friend for you.

Whenever you get cheated, remember Jesus Christ he will protect you against being deceived by cheaters if you walk in his light, truth and the way.

Whenever the law fails in the world, remember Jesus Christ his law is righteous, even Earth may pass away but his law never fails for he is the Judge of All the Earth.

Whenever your family and friends have closed their doors for you, remember Jesus Christ for He is the door the one who opens and closes doors in your life for he is Door of Opportunity, Door of Salvation, Door of Deliverance and Door of miracles.

 Whenever you lose sleep or have difficulty in sleeping remember Jesus Christ, he is the one to help you and give you the peace you need to sleep and find rest.

Whenever you face financial problems turn to Jesus Christ fear God, walk uprightly in his commandments he will give you financial blessings .Wealth and riches shall be in your house.

Whenever you desire to have children but you are unable, pray and have faith in Jesus Christ, for he said all things are possible with God and God is still working in the lives of people.

Whenever you are living in a broken family relationship remember Jesus Christ and turn towards him, he will heal and restore your relationship because he is the prince of peace Comforter, and Counselor.

Whenever you are in broken marriage remember Jesus Christ, he can fix all your problems in the marriage for he alone can change the most hardened heart and dead marriage.

When you are poor and needy remember Jesus Christ, he loves you; he defends you and blesses you abundantly with all your needs.

Whenever you are possessed by devil or attacked by devil or evil people, come to Jesus Christ, his mighty name and by the power of the Blood of Jesus Christ you are redeemed out of the hands of devil and evil people and get saved and protected.

Conclusion: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor heights, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of GOD, which is in CHRIST JESUS, our LORD. –Romans 8:38-39

Oh, what a joy it would have been to have met this great lady while she were still alive.  Unfortunately, she left this world in 1983 at the age of 91.  Why, I was just graduating high school that year!  Thankfully, she has left her legacy in print to share with us all through the years.  So, Tante Corrie, rest assured that your word is still touching souls in 2012!

I had been lagging in my outreach to others and in my ability to feel the Lord with me.  I still prayed daily and talked to God off and on throughout each day.  But the spirit was a little numb.

After some personal losses in my own life, I suppose I am just now trying to crawl back out of the cocoon I had woven around myself inside.  God reached out to me, being the ALL-knowing God that He is, and brought to my attention an old note I had written several years back.  It was a to-be-read booklist.  So, I drove up to the library and went in search of  The Hiding Place, Corrie Ten Boom’s incredible story of her adventures in Christ.  I had forgotten, however, what the book was even supposed to be about (hence the gentle prodding of the Lord in my unsuspecting heart).  I had it in mind that I would be reading about an Indian because of the name Ten Boom.

To my surprise, it was a book about Corrie and the many heartaches and triumphs she endured throughout her lifetime.  I read the first few pages and thought, “I really don’t know if I can keep in interest in this one.”  But God wouldn’t let me give up.  He prodded me into trying just a bit more until I finished not one, but three biographies that were included in the huge book.  I had rented the book with the idea of only reading The Hiding Place.

After I finished the first account of Corrie’s life, I couldn’t resist going forward to soak up more of her insight and wisdom.  Corrie was Dutch and in a concentration camp as a protector of Jews when Hitler was reigning over Germany.  I shall not say more.  You just have to read the book!  If the size daunts you, just tell yourself what I did, “Well, I’ll just read The Hiding Place!”  I daresay you will want to go forward and read the rest.

If your spirits have fallen, Corrie can help, even after all these years of moving on to a better place for herself in Heaven.  What an awesome thing, to reach out and touch people in generation after generation, spreading God’s love and uplifting sagging spirits!  Failures are used as stepping stones to stronger faith and bonding with our Lord and Savior.  Corrie doesn’t hide her faults; she uses them to help others.

My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord Almighty. ~Malachi 1:11

When we come to the Father and offer ourselves up to him when we come to the altar. We repent and believe on Jesus Christ we become a sweet offering of pure delight to our Father; from them on we are pure in his sight. Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead carrying all our sins and diseases to the cross so that we do not have too. We have a clean slate and in his sight we do not sin no more because He conquered sin and death in our place so we can live a victorious life in Him.

When we worship Him our worship is pure and untainted because as children of God we are now free of all filth. Why, because of the blood of the cross washed away all our sins and diseases that hinder our walk to the throne. We claim alleges to the Jesus Christ and stand and proclaim that Jesus Christ is King in our lives.

Do you proclaim Jesus Christ is King in your life? Are you a sweet offering to His name or has your complaining reach the throne of God as a bitter sweet offering. Do you proclaim God with your lips but your heart is far from God? The Lord says in his word “so, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold. I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:16)

Children, your Father calls you do you hear His voice you who are in the wilderness he calls to the sinners and not to the self-righteous. (Matthew 9:13)

We who are sinners desperately need Jesus Christ when we come to the Lord we become a sweet offering to Jesus Christ. We proclaim his name Jesus Christ throughout the world with our confession because once we were lost now we are saved.

Once my burden was so heavy and now I’m at rest. (Matthew 11:28) Everything in my being is harmoniously working together for the good of all. I am not warring inside myself because I have Jesus Christ living inside of me and I am satisfied.

Once I was dead and now I am alive again, I was lost but now I am found because Jesus Christ brought me home. (Luke 15:24) It was nothing I did but it was all Jesus Christ doing. I was dead in my trespassing, my sin and when God brought me to himself and I repented and believe on Jesus Christ I was made alive in Him. I became that sweet aroma that pleasing sacrifice to God. When I was lost I was without God and when my Father found me He joyfully puts me on his shoulders and He took me home. (Luke 15:5, 6 NIV) I live in Him now. He is my home.

God sacrifice Jesus Christ as a pure sacrifice without blemishes so that we can enter into the throne room of God and repent and believe on Jesus Christ so that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

We thank you God for sending your son to be that sweet offering of praise for us. We thank you for the freedom of accepting you into our hearts when you call to us. Thank you Jesus Christ that you love us that much to give your life for us. Thank you. Thank you. We could not do this on our own we needed your help.

I pray that you would crucify the pride in our hearts that thinks we are better than we are. I pray that you will bring to their knees the lost and hurt children that feel that they don’t need you. I pray you will woo them with your love until they have no more excuses. In your hands I give this pray in Jesus Christ name. Amen.

Life is seems to be very-very difficult for me and my family right now. I just lost my job because of financial crisis caused obviously by the global economic downturn. Not only me actually but also my wife. The school where we used to work with faced monetary problem due to the decrease of the number of students enrolled this particular school year; which I believe is brought about by the worldwide economic turmoil. The school management was left with no other choice but to go on cost cutting. Unfortunately, we were included in the list of people to be slashed from the roster of its manpower. My heart can’t simply agree with it, but what shall I do? Yes, I’m greatly troubled; but need to calm down. Think and think and think again.

We’ve been trying to look for a quick and doable solution to our present condition, but can’t find immediate positive result. I almost lost hope, but wait a minute; why should I feel this way? Am I forgetting that there is God? Do I need to be reminded again that my “CREATOR” is always able to provide me of all my needs? No, I don’t think so!

“My son be still“, most probably be the message of the Lord for me. Oh, thank you so much most gracious and loving Heavenly Father; because you’re always there to rescue me and all of those who are weary.

(Matthew 6:28-30)

In the beginning (before time began) was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him (the Word) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

The Word became flesh (a human being, Jesus) and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:1-3 & 14

Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. (God) The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. (when you look at Jesus, you are seeing God)  John 12:44-45

My sheep (believers throughout all generations) listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can
snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  1 John 5:11

Thank you Jesus!!!

Image: Sea of Clouds Over Haleakala Maui Hawai

www.nuggetsofwisdom.us   … spread the Word

Firstly, a Christian is a NEW CREATION. ‘’therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.’’ To walk in the newness of life as the Bible declares is to understand that we have become new creatures with new kind of life. This life is not human. It is ZOE, The God kind of life.

We are not talking about a change, behaviour or refurbished character. We are talking about a brand new man who has never existed before. Paul says that in God (Galatians 6:15). (Ehesians 4:22-24). The new creation is a new man created in God’s divine nature of righteousness and holiness. They are his attributes. (2 Peter 1:4).

Secondly, a Christian becomes the son of God when he becomes born again. This time of a different father. Not the earthly father but the heavenly Father through his seed. ‘’Which is born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.’’ (John 1:13) behold, what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the SONS OF GOD’’ This is why we cry ‘’Abba Father,’’ John 1:13, Romans 8:16-17.

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What is prosperity and what does the Bible says about it? 2 Cor. 8:9, Joshua 1:7-8 prosperity is success, influence and riches. It does not only have to do with money but also health, spiritual and physical. Prosperity is God’s will. God desires for us to prosper. 3 John 2

Purpose of prosperity Deuteronomy 8:17-18

To establish Gods convert on earth

So we can have to give

Not many believe that Christians should be wealthy and prosperous in material things. But Apostle John clearly states that, it is God’s foremost desires for his Children to live in prosperity. ‘’Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in HEALTH, even as thy soul prospereth.’’ (3 John 2). Jesus did not only suffer for our sins and sicknesses. He also suffered for our prosperity. He paid all the necessary penalty for our freedom from poverty. 2 Corinthians 8:9. God has reason why he wants his Children to prosper.

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Prayer is such an important part in our lives as Christians. First of all, we must recognize prayer as a privilege as well as an honour. Every moment of prayer is an investment in eternity and true prayer is a romance of righteousness. Our fellowship is with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Through prayer we participate in the communion of the God-kind; it’s a throne-room caucus rendezvous: Jesus made it so! Oh, that the eyes of our understanding may be enlightened to see this awesome truth and that we may walk in the light of it! What a time of rich communion with the Lord prayer provides us!

Prayer is primarily our communication with the Lord. Communication has purpose, and the purpose usually determines the mode and relevant details for the communication to be effective.

The disciples of Jesus were Jews and they knew how to pray religiously. After walking with Jesus for a while, they realized that Jesus didn’t pray as they did. He actually had results continually in a way that startled them. They finally said to the Master, ‘’Teach us to pray.’’

Many have had their understanding of prayer distorted by ‘’religion’’ and wrong teaching. As a result, they have difficulties changing their misconceptions on even fundamental truths about prayer.

Scripture enjoys us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer helps to season our spirits as a receptacle for God’s Spirit and power. Then we can connect with His ideas, visions and leadings more easily in order to change the world.

When we pray, we make tremendous power available, dynamic in its working, causing changes in our favour. Certain prayer sessions are specially designed by the Lord to help straighten our things in the spirit-realm regarding our immediate or later future as individuals, families or ministries. How wonderful that we can change circumstances and alter destinies in His Name through prayer! We serve a kind, loving, great and gracious God who daily loads us with benefits (Psalms 68:19). During times of prayer, we can meditate on His goodness and appropriate these benefits to our life’s circumstances.

Types Of Prayer

The prayer of faith
The prayer of petition
Praying with the Spirit
The prayer of agreement
The prayer of intercession
Praying for the Saints
Praying for the material needs
Prophetic prayer
The prayer of worship, praise and thanksgiving.
It is God’s earnest desire to have a rich, vibrant and enduring fellowship with His children.

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For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36).

The most important thing in life is to discover God’s purpose for your life and fulfill it. Life isn’t about material gains. If you were to be the sole owner of everything in the world, that’ll be nothing compared to the value of your soul. Jesus said, ‘’…A man’s life doesn’t consist in the abundance of his possessions’’ (Luke 12:15). Your primary reason for being isn’t to amass wealth or become famous. You might then want to ask, ‘’why am I living?’’

There’re two primary reasons you’re living today. The first is that God wants you to learn His Word and understand how His kingdom functions so you’d function affectively in the world to come. He wants you to be a master over circumstances in this life so you’d be a giant and a champion in the world to come, ruling over nations: ‘’And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations’’ (Revelations 2:26).

Scondly, He wants you to bear witness of the reality of the kingdom and be a testimony of His salvation. Jesus gave us a charge to go ‘’…into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature’’ (Mark 16:15). You’ve got to witness to the fact that Christ has brought salvation to the whole world. There’re people who may never hear the Gospel except through you; those in your sphere of contact, and the regions beyond.

2 Corinthians 3:6 says: ‘’who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament…’’ The Lord has called you, and made you an able minister; you’ve been chosen and sent to preach the Gospel. These are the primary reasons for your life; therefore, channel all your energies and zeal on a daily basis in these directions, and be sure to fulfil God’s purpose for your life.

Prayer

Dear Father, you’ve made my life beautiful, glorious and exciting; and for this I worship you! Thank you for making me an able minister of the Gospel, and the wisdom you’ve granted me to teach those around me the kingdom-life! I’m growing in grace and in the knowledge of your word, being thoroughly positioned to live the transcendent life here on earth, and to see that the Gospel goes to the regions beyond, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Further Study

Hebrews 6:5; 1 Peter 4:13

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Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23).

As Jesus told of the signs of the end times in Luke 21:26, He explained: ‘’people will be so frightened that they will faint because of what is happening to the world…’’ (CEV). The events we see in the world today are indications of the gross darkness that has enveloped the world: Economic meltdown, health epidemic, wars, natural disasters and terrorism. These and more have taken their toll on many, with whole nations becoming bankrupt and completely at sea as to the way forward.

Though the scriptures declare that perilous times will come upon the earth, the believer in Christ is enjoined not to fret: ‘’These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world’’ (John 16:33). Refuse to allow your heart to be troubled by the many ills plaguing today’s world, for you’re not of this world! God has separated you from the world and give you a live beyond this world.

You’ll live victoriously and triumphantly above sickness, disease, inflation and all other negative influences if you’d simply live by God’s principles; His Word. That’s all He ask; that you only believe and live by His Word. His power is always available in His Word; and when you believe and act your faith, that power is activated to produce the results you desire. It therefore doesn’t matter the extent of the hardships in the world today; see them as opportunities for you to shine in a dark world.

Job 22:29 says, ‘’When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up…’’ There’s lifting up for you in Christ; so cheer up, for Christ in you is your hope of glory. When life looks dark and things seems impossible and difficult, hold your hand up high and declare, ‘’Christ in me, is my hope of victory in this situation!’’

Confession

Christ in me is my hope of a triumphant and glorious today, and an excellent and successful future because in Him I live, move, and have my being; my life is secure in Him who causes all things to work together for my good! Praise the Lord.

Further Study

Mark 5:36; Mark 11:23

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Does God Care About Our Problems?

Watching the 2011-2012 NFL season, there was one player who spiked major debate. People everywhere were focused on Tim Tebow. If you don’t know who he is by now, he’s the Denver Quarterback famous for praying and praising God on and off the field. For a Christian like myself, I was so inspired to watch someone “famous” live out their faith without compromise. I loved that he was a player who my nephews looked up to. But not everyone felt the same way. The better Tebow did, the more questions, and frankly outrage, arose. People wanted to know if God really cared about football. Didn’t He have better things to do? Did God play favorites? I can’t tell you how many articles I came across with authors posing these questions and putting in their two cents. Now that the season is over, America has settled down a little on the Tebow-mania, but these questions still remain, and not just about Tim Tebow. People want to know if God really cares about them, personally, and why bad things are happening and no one is fixing them.

Does God Care About Me?

I read a great book once by Sonia E. Isaacs called “Angry Conversations with God.” In the book she offers up some really raw insights about her relationship with God. Something that has stuck with me, even a year after reading the book, was a line where she also wondered if God cared about her, despite there being other, bigger, important things to worry about.  I think the way she put it was that she had “middle-class white girl problems”…but she was a middle-class white girl. Her problems were relevant to her life. God has formed each one of us individually and He knows everything about us. It says in Psalm 139:13 that God knit us together. If there are any knitters out there, you know how much attention you have to pay to each stitch. That’s how much God pays attention to us, how invested He is in us. So to say that you are just a middle-class white girl, or that you are just a guy who throws a ball for a living, is not saying enough about yourself. You are God’s creation, His beloved. He cares about you and your problems, even the “silly” ones. So the question is not “Does God care about me?” because that is a resounding “YES!” The question is “Do I care about God?”

Do I Care About God?

Sometimes we can look at our problems and think “God, how could You let this happen?” But God isn’t to blame. He is holy and blameless. We are to blame. If you stop and think about it, when was the last time you did something, anything, for someone else? Sometimes, we get so caught up in what God “isn’t” doing, that we don’t realize that we are the ones who are doing nothing. We forget that we are all called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28) to bring light into the darkness. Maybe you can’t cure AIDS, but you can donate to organizations that are helping educate people on how to stop the epidemic from spreading. Maybe you aren’t in the financial position to donate to a cause, but you can start a fundraising page to raise awareness in your community. When we think of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, we often think of it as formulaic, but if that were true, God would have just used a “cookie-cutter” to form each of us. We all have a specific purpose in fulfilling God’s purpose. He loved you enough to do His part, do you love Him enough to do yours?

Are You Asking God the Right Questions?

So many times I find myself asking God questions. I ask Him if I’m important, if He has a plan for my life, if I’m living out my purpose. So many of those questions are about myself. It’s important to know that God loves each one of us and knows us better than we know ourselves, but should our focus be merely on ourselves? Is the motivation behind our seeking merely to stroke our egos?

Many times people turn to the verse Jeremiah 29:11 where God tells us that He has good plans for us. We get so encouraged that we often stop reading. We feel like we’ve found the answer to every question we have about ourselves. God says that He has a plan and we know His plans never fail, so we can just relax and keep on living our lives now. Crisis averted… But if we would keep reading, we would see in Jeremiah 29:12-13 that God wants us to seek Him. He wants us to know Him. How sad is it that even when we are seeking His plan for our lives, we stop listening when His answers no longer are about us?

I’ll give you another example. Question: How do you know that God loves you?  Answer: John 3:16. But do you know that this verse also answers the question “What is God’s plan for me?” Probably not. You see, it says that God so loved the world that He
gave His only Son so that none should perish, but all should have everlasting life. Did you see that “so that” part in there? I used to rush right past it, until I started asking God the right questions.

The Bible holds so much truth and wisdom for each of our lives, but we never seem to find it. Sometimes we wonder why God is so elusive and why He won’t just tell us what to do. We don’t see that He has already told us what to do. He wants us to seek Him. When we do that we will find Him, and when we find Him, He will give us the desires of our hearts. That seems impossible. How do we get the desires of our hearts if we can’t find it unless we seek God with all of our hearts? The answer is that God should be the desire of our hearts.

In the coming weeks, I will be writing on some of the biggest questions we ask God. I think it’s important to look not only at what we are asking, but how we are asking and why we are asking. Sometimes we want to blame God for things we aren’t doing ourselves. Sometimes we’re only looking for God to give us the answer we want. Hopefully this will be helpful in your search to know God more, and to see that He doesn’t always show up where we’re expecting Him. If He only did that, we’d never have to seek Him and we’d never truly know how great He is.

She’s engaged!

Is it your best friend? Your sister? Or is it you? Now that a ring is on your finger, you’re realizing that you’re life is about to change and you can’t wait another second to say “I do.” You think about all you’ve been through and your mind can’t help but go back to the beginning; when you first met the man that would one day become your husband.
So what’s one of the first things you want to do when you suddenly become someone’s fiance? Perhaps it’s safe to say that you want to run and tell your mom! After all of the joy, excitement and maybe even a few tears, a wise woman would ask her mother (if she hadn’t asked already) all that she needs to know before she gets any closer to the alter.
So here’s the burning question: If your mother is divorced, never married, or unhappily married, can she give you what she doesn’t have?
It’s true, some of the best advice comes from people that have gone through pain, fears and disappointments. Even those who haven’t quite reached their goal, they’re still persevering with plenty of lessons under their belt. But what if the perception of your mother toward marriage is deep bitterness and a lack of forgiveness? How will you receive the insight and encouragement from your mother then?
Okay, let’s take a deep breath. Yes, it’s a blessing if one has parents who have a loving, successful marriage that spans decades. But what about the women who don’t? What do they have to look to in order to know what being a husband or wife means?
Family curses are what come into play here. Cycles of bad habits, skewed mentalities and most detrimental, homes lacking the presence of Christ.
It’s truly about getting back to basics. When some little girls are twirling around in their tutus and “playing purse,” their mothers may be teaching them about who God is, if they don’t already know at that toddler age. Throughout their childhood years any lessons a girl’s mom shares is usually remembered if reiterated as she grows older.
“I have to tell you like my mother told me. Be independent, even in marriage-and have your own money,” said Elizabeth. She has been married for over 30 years. Unhappily. She reflects on some of the things she told her daughter when she was growing up regarding men and marriage. “Education first.” She emphasized this throughout her daughter’s life. Elizabeth said that education gives you the freedom to do what you want. To have a more well-rounded life. You realize the more education you get, the more education you want.” So what did she tell her daughter about marriage? That you don’t have to tell men everything. Elizabeth’s reasoning is that as the woman, you believe that marriage is about unity, but the man is all for himself.
This is a mother who has been scarred by her years as an unhappy wife.
From a family of eight, she grew up in a home filled with siblings and two loving parents. She’s the baby, so her parents were well into their forties when she came along. While her mother took Elizabeth and her brothers and sisters to church, she was never consistently taught what having a relationship with Christ is all about.
She remembers the one day when her father went to church with them. After this memory came to her mind, she said that it’s possible that she never really knew what the characteristics of a man with a heart for Lord looked like.
It all comes down to one decision. That one decision to fall in love with Jesus. No matter how much someone else can try to teach and preach, you have to feel and hear God for yourself in order to surrender your life.
Elizabeth’s mother couldn’t do any more than what she did because it was up to Elizabeth all along to seek what the Lord wanted for her and wants for her today. Praying for her husband before he came along- doing the same for her children. Seek God in all of the decisions that you make.
Elizabeth has an experienced soul. She’s experienced a lot of pain from a marriage that was built on the wrong things. She admits that she wants to develop a relationship with Christ. Only then can she possess a forgiving heart.
So what about the hopeful heart? That’s the thing about Jesus—when you know Him before you make choices all on your own, you have the ability to live a life of hope, excitement and fearlessness.
You take a seasoned soul’s lessons and God’s principles and see whether they line up. You can take heed to what an older woman has been through, but don’t let it paralyze you and make you fearful of marriage. God has called you to be fearless!
When you know God, when you have fallen in love with Jesus Christ, when you live a praying life, when you read and practice the Word, not only can you avoid a broken marriage and bitterness, but you can bless another woman with your spirit. Even one who has an experienced soul.

Chateaux-Capri “CC” Sirmans

FROM www.hisbeautymagazine.wordpress.com