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Category Archives: Books of the Bible

Find Characteristics of God in your favorite chapter in the Bible

My God is My Hope 1 Peter 1:3-9

07 Nov
Praise to God for a Living Hope 1 Peter 1:3-9

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The World Can Seem Hopeless

There are so many things going wrong in our world. It’s hard to think of things getting better. I was watching “Idiocracy” the other day, and sadly it doesn’t take much of a stretch to think that horrible way of life could be where the human race is headed. (As a side note, there is a lot of swearing and lude behaviors in this movie, so I’m not necessarily recommending it, just referencing it). In “Idiocracy”, we’re introduced to the horrible life humans have because they never questioned anything, valued education or hard work. It is a strange movie, but one that makes you wonder where the actions of this world might lead.

If we trust man, we’ll be disappointed

We can’t count on man to get us through in this world. The advice we get from the world is self-centered. Take care of yourself, do what’s right for you, and more of the same. We’re not to care about others more than ourselves. We need to look out for our own self interests, and sometimes people take that to the extreme. Robbing and killing often happens because someone wanted something someone else had.

We do have a hope

Even though the things of this world get us down: politics, job losses, health issues and family squabbles, as Christians we have a hope that surpasses all understanding. Our hope is in Jesus Christ. Through His resurrection, we have been adopted into the new family that isn’t dysfunctional, is healthy and not political. God wants us to look past the bad things of the world and keep our focus on Him. And when we have to suffer grief or trials, we’re able to bear them knowing that God is still with us and our promise for eternal life with him in heaven is ahead of us. He draws us close that we might snuggle in and feel His arms wrapped around us, protecting us from the evils of this world.

Are you hopeful?

 
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Posted by on November 7, 2011 in 1 Peter, God is My Hope

 

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My God is My Portion – Psalm 73:26

26 Oct

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

God is my portion

Maybe you’ve noticed, I like food. I have already admitted I’m fat and that I struggle with eating the right amount of the right things. One of the things the book “Made to Crave” and my Over eaters Anonymous books both mention is keeping your focus on God. As God does, He often beats me over the head with the concepts I seem to be absorbing a bit slowly. Recently I have been finding verses from scripture that call God my portion. I’m into portions, so this peaked my interest.

How is God my Portion? 

What does portion mean?

por·tion

n.

1. A section or quantity within a larger thing; a part of a whole.
2. A part separated from a whole.
3. A part that is allotted to a person or group, as:

a. A helping of food.
b. The part of an estate received by an heir.
c. A woman’s dowry.
4. A person’s lot or fate.
tr.v. por·tioned, por·tion·ing, por·tions

1. To divide into parts or shares for distribution; parcel.
2. To provide with a share, inheritance, or dowry.

Looking at these definitions, I see God being my portion as a combination of a few of these.
Definition 3 –  A part that is alloted to a person or group. This can be food or an inheritance. Obviously for this food obsessed girl the idea that God is my food portion peaked my interest. It’s not that I eat God. Though I do consume His word and I do come to the Lord’s table for communion. The truth is He is the portion that satisfies. He is what soothes my soul. He is the answer to all the reasons I’m eating when I shouldn’t. Sad – don’t eat – turn to God. He satisfies. Mad – don’t eat – turn to God. He calms your temper. Embarrassed – don’t eat – turn to God. He Loves You. Nervous – don’t eat – turn to God. He will be your strength. Whether a portion of food or an inheritance, God is my portion. He is what satisfies.

God is my fate
One of the other meanings of portion is “a person’s lot or fate”. Now, if this is the definition that we are to take from the scriptures that call God my portion, I’m good with that too. He is my fate. He is my destiny. Because of Him, I will spend eternity in heaven.

Bring Him your best portion
In scripture, the word portion is also often used in reference to offerings people bring to the altar. There are instructions to bring our best portions to the Lord. Bring our best, because God deserves no less than our very best. I’m sure that one of the meanings as God as our portion is reference to the fact that He is the sacrificial offering that solidifies our eternal life. He is our portion. Jesus was sacrificed, our portion, to pay forever and finally for our sins. Because I have been forgiven by His actions, I now have a portion, an inheritance I didn’t deserve, but I’m very grateful to have.

Have you felt the satisfaction that having God as your portion can bring?
 
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Posted by on October 26, 2011 in God is My Portion, Psalm

 

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My God is … My Joy – Psalm 4:7-8

18 Oct

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, LORD, make me live in safety. Psalm 4:7-8

God is my Joy

I’m reading a book called “Made to Crave“. It’s a book about getting your focus off of food and on to Christ. About satisfying your desires with God. This book is really good, and I feel it’s really reinforcing a lot of what the Lord is trying to transform in me right now.

I’m Fat

It’s the sad truth. I have often self medicated my feelings and thoughts with the comfort of food. Using the endorphin rush to help me not have to feel whatever I was avoiding. The Lord has been putting a lot of information in front of me lately about focusing on Him instead of food (like the grain and new wine in Psalm 4). Through this book, OA (overeaters anonymous) and Bible Study, I feel the Lord making a big transformation in me. Helping me to take my focus off of food and put it where it needs to be – on Jesus. He’s the one who will put more joy in my heart.

Come after me

On Sunday, one of our pastors did a message on Luke 9:23 – “And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.'” This was an amazing message. He focused on the very first part of that verse. If any one wishes to come after me. He talked about being in pursuit of God, like we are in pursuit of our first love. Thinking about them at all times, wondering what we could do to get their attention. It spoke to me. I was always a bit boy crazy. I worked hard at getting the boy I liked to like me. Looking my best, being nice to him, spending time with him. Do I do that with my Lord? If I did pursue God that way, would I have a problem with my eating? Would many of my sins survive that kind of singular focus on my Lord?

Attention Seeking

I want the attention of my husband. When I don’t get it, I’m embarrassed to say I don’t behave very well. I’ll do almost anything to have a few extra minutes with my hubby. I find ways to spend more time with him, invite him out to dinner, do the dishes so he won’t and will hang with the family in the living room. Whatever I can do to spend that time with him, I’m likely to do. This week we’re spending some time apart. He’s at a conference, and I’m home with the rest of my family. I was concerned about this, because I’m more likely to overeat when I’m alone or lonely. So I brought it up to my counselor, and she asked, what if you spend that time you would have spent with your husband with God. It was one more piece to the puzzle. One more way the Lord was showing me I need to put my focus back on him, to come after him as it said in Luke 9:23.

In hot pursuit

I’m going to work on spending this time away from my husband as a boot camp for being in pursuit of the Lord. I’m going to set aside more time to spend with Him. Talk to Him about my day. Ask Him how to handle situations, and rely on Him more. I want to deny myself, pick up my cross and follow Him.

Are you in hot pursuit of God?

 
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Posted by on October 18, 2011 in God is My Joy, Psalm

 

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My God is … the one who sanctifies

13 Oct

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:11-16

I am Sanctified

I don’t know if your church talks a lot about being sanctified or not. Maybe they talk about it, but don’t give it the name Sanctified. Being sanctified means that you’re set apart by God to do His will.

God Sanctifies

For me, one who is dealing everyday with her sinfulness, the best part of God being the one who sanctifies is that I’m not responsible for it. It’s a gift and a calling, but the Lord is the one doing it. As part of the body of Christ, I can rest assured that the Lord has a plan and is transforming and sanctifying me for His will. I get to be a part of His will in spite of making stupid decisions, bad words and unkind actions.

Sanctification Changes You

Being sanctified by God changes you. As you’re transformed, you’re called to turn away from your old ways and the Lord is working to help you avoid temptations, pitfalls and frustrations. As we learn to lean more on Him, we can be sure transformation is coming. No longer will we want to hold on to our old sins, but be sanctified to be a useful part of His plan, working to further His kingdom.

Do you feel the Lord sanctifying you?

 
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Posted by on October 13, 2011 in Ephesians, My God is the one who sanctifies

 

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My God is … My Shepherd Psalm 23

06 Oct

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 
 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, 
he leads me beside quiet waters, 
 3 he refreshes my soul. 
He guides me along the right paths 
   for his name’s sake. 
4 Even though I walk 
   through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, 
   for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff, 
   they comfort me.

 5 You prepare a table before me 
   in the presence of my enemies. 
You anoint my head with oil; 
   my cup overflows. 
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me 
   all the days of my life, 
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD 
   forever. Psalm 23

Do I believe Psalm 23?

Even if I believe it, do I live like I believe it? Let’s look a little closer at this very familiar Psalm.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. 

It’s true. Never in my life have I lacked what was really needed, hope. God gives me hope. No matter how bad things are getting in my personal life, My Lord has a greater promise for me. Eventually I will end up with Him in Heaven, and these temporary troubles will be remembered no more.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 

This verse is especially meaningful to me. I’m currently going through quite a transformation. God is changing me. Sometimes it seems fast, sometimes it feels slow. Since my move to Oregon, I feel like the Lord is calling me to take off some old hurts, some insecurities and to move on to truly living in His Grace. I’ve opened myself up to change, asked for forgiveness from those I haven’t always treated so well (yes, that’s you mom) and have started to give Him control over something I thought was out of everyone’s reach… my eating.He is refreshing my soul. Scary what’s next, because I have a feeling with this blessed transformation comes responsibility. We’ll see where I end up with that! Should be an interesting ride.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

To be honest, this is an area I still need to work on. Overcoming fear. Living Boldly because He is with me . Have I not commanded you? “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 God is commanding us to be strong and courageous. I need to step out of my box a bit more. How about you?

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m not that excited to have a table next to my enemies. But in reality, I think this is more about the Lord taking us under His protection, keeping us from our enemies evil plans. I pray I don’t have enemies like that, but I’ve not always been bright, so I may not be aware of all the wrongs I’ve committed. Lord forgive me for those. The Lord has blessed me beyond all measure. I have a mug with my name on it, and the Christian meaning of my name. It’s a mug that is generally smaller than the other mugs in our home. When my husband brought me a cup of tea in it, it was right to the rim. He handed it to me and said your cup overfloweth! My cup – my name on it. It is truly overflowing. Not just with tea, but with blessings. I have too many to write them all here. I’m guessing if you started listing them you’d have a lot too.

In a book called Pivot, by Dr. Zimmerman, he tells us how one small change in attitude can lead to success. I love this book. I really think it’s worth reading. One of the first things he has you do is list your blessings. That exercise took a lot longer than I expected, each blessing I listed made me think of two or three more. If i remember correctly, I stopped out of exhaustion, not material.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

It is an amazing blessing to hear this promise. To know God’s love will follow me all the days of my life, and even into the afterlife. I’m truly blessed.

What are some of your blessings? Is your cup running over?

 
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Posted by on October 6, 2011 in God is my Shepherd, Psalm

 

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My God is … A Healer Psalm 103:1-4

04 Oct

Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion Psalm 103:1-4

I’ve been healed!

I have Multiple Sclerosis. I’ve had it for since 2001. I have almost no signs or symptoms that others can see. But this isn’t what was healed, but it was the catalyst.

At least you’ve got your health

I don’t. People always say things like “At least I’ve got my health” when bad things happen, but truthfully my state of healthiness is always a moving target. It can be fine one day and hard the next. For years I had a friend who was frustrated by the fact that I didn’t really want to pray for healing of my MS. I wasn’t really motivated to pray that it be removed from my body. This was a foreign concept for her. She had known people who had miraculous healings, and wanted that for me too.

A thorn in my flesh

I have always been sure of my salvation, but having a personal relationship, where I turned to Him for strength, mercy and guidance really became a reality for me because of my MS. St. Paul’s mystery affliction reminds me of how I feel about my MS.

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Cor. 12:17

I am boastful

I know that all of my weaknesses turn me directly to my Lord in all things. It is only through Him that I’m able to have a strong marriage to a wonderful Christian man, have wonderful Christ centered children, and be able to call on my God whenever I need to. I will boast in Christ. The things He has done for me when I knew I couldn’t are miraculous and wonderful. I’m grateful to have a weakness that shows me my Lord every day.

Do you have a thorn in your flesh? Is your weakness drawing you closer to God?

 
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Posted by on October 4, 2011 in God is My Healer, Psalm

 

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God is … The Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6

22 Sep

And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

What is peace?

Is it simply not having wars? That may be what the Jews at the time of Jesus thought. They wanted a Prince of Peace to come and free them from the Roman Empire. And God can do that no doubt. But they were looking for a political figure, a warrior or a rebel that would come up from God and lead them to victory as a nation.

For me when I read about God being the Prince of Peace, I think more of another part of the definition of peace – cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension. You know, the Peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

I’m kind of a mess mentally

That’s not very fun to write, but it’s even worse to live. I let the worries of this world get in my way. I let them stop me from enjoying the moment, from letting my boys grow comfortably without a helicopter mom, and my husband from having me second guess him. I live in worry.

I strive to know Him more

The peace of the Lord is one of the things that I long for most. I have glimpses of it, and it’s glorious. To be able to fully rely on God. Trusting that no matter what everything I do is in His hands and will work for His glory. Amazing.

So what does it take to have this Peace that surpasses all understanding? 

Ok – truthfully this is coming from a girl that doesn’t always get it, but not because I couldn’t. God’s promises are always true. I could have that peace right now. It’s available to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. I trust the Lord. I love Him, but then… then I take things back. I think I should be able to handle them. That God doesn’t want to be bothered. I lie to myself and say but this isn’t important enough for Him to focus on (disregarding the fact that He can do infinitely more than I can, all at the same time). His peace is available for us if we let go of the worries.

Do we stop working or striving to get better?

Whenever I’ve had a conversation like this before (usually with women who are pretty in control of their lives), the next question is – how do I do that and keep working and raising my family. How do I get rid of the worry and stress. Anyone who knows me will know that I’m not perfect at this – especially if you ask my boys. But I think the key is to keep our eyes on the prize. Keep our eyes on Christ and that all things on this earth are temporary. We’re going to heaven one day, and all of this will be in the past.

So put off your old ways – work hard, but leave the results up to God. Spend time with him, pray, read the Bible and soak in the peace. Stop and Breathe. Allow the Lord to work his peace that surpasses all understanding in your life today and heaven tomorrow (ok, not literally tomorrow – I don’t want you to die tomorrow).

How would having peace that surpasses all understanding change your life? 

 
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Posted by on September 22, 2011 in God is the Prince of Peace, Isaiah

 

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God is … Good Psalm 25:8

16 Sep

Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. Psalm 25:8

God is Good

I know I’ve already written about why God is good, but the complexity of His goodness warrants more than one look at each part of His character. Besides, I have more to learn about each part of His character – so thanks for learning with me (or at least putting up with me).

God instructs

God instructs, but am I a good pupil? Do I always gladly do the practice or homework He’s given me? Am I grateful for the lessons, or am I bitter.

Yesterday my son was frustrated because he had some homework to do, but he didn’t have the words he needed to define, because he was in the bathroom during the time she had them on the board. He missed the instruction. She was instructing, but he left the room. He missed the opportunity to learn from that teacher. Now there was seemingly no way for him to do that work. He’s in a new school and doesn’t have the phone numbers of any kids in his class, and his email for school wasn’t working. Finally he decided to call his teacher. She gave him the words and he gladly got his homework done in time for school.

Am I a good pupil?

How often do I “leave the room” while the Lord is instructing me. I don’t leave because I have to go to the bathroom, but I may leave because I don’t want to learn what He’s teaching me. I don’t want to learn that I need to take better care of my body. That I need to get help for my addiction to food. That I may need some counseling to help me control my temper when helping my boys with their homework. I don’t want to hear that I need improvement. I don’t like to be wrong.

I seek out other people who will tell me what I want to hear – “You look fine”, or “Oh, don’t worry, I get mad at my kids sometimes too”. Or those who will let me get away with “I’m going to start thinking about my weight tomorrow”. Those people have good intentions, but they are not Good like my God is Good. He is Good and upright. Those are His credentials. He is who I should take instruction from and whom I should follow.

What if I am a bad pupil?

I’m not always going to get it right. I’m not going to be perfect. Fortunately this verse promises to instruct us in the way. Jesus says “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” in John 14:6. The Lord instructs me about Jesus. About the one who takes all my short-comings and makes me measure up. He saves me from failing. He takes me to the top of the class so I may one day be with Him in paradise. That’s a lesson I always want to remember!

Are you a good pupil? 

 
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Posted by on September 16, 2011 in God is Good, Psalm

 

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God is Omniscient (All Knowing) Psalm 44:21

14 Sep

God would surely have known it, for he knows the secrets of every heart. Psalm 44:21

My God is Omniscient

om·nis·cient [om-nish-uh-nt] adjective – having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness or understanding; perceiving all things

God knows everything. That’s a bummer.

He knows how I’ve failed. He knows every time I’ve used His name in vain. He knows that I sometimes use bad language … in front of my mother. He knows I’m weak-minded. He knows.

He Knows

He knows how I feel. He knows the love I have for Him in my heart. He knows my repentance is true though I fall again. He knows me. He gets me.

God Knows – It’s a good thing

God knows that I’ve done bad things – but because I’m forgiven, He remembers my sins no more (Hebrews 8:12). But the other stuff He knows and remembers. He knows that I want to do what’s right. That I want to be respectful of my husband and children. God knows I love Him above all else. God knows – And it’s a good thing. A very good thing. I can have peace knowing God knows. He has a complete understanding. That means it’s not just head knowledge. He gets it. He gets me. Isn’t it amazing that we have a God that knows us.

God is Omniscient Is that a good thing to you?

 
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Posted by on September 14, 2011 in My God is Omniscient, Psalm

 

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God is…My Strength Isaiah 40:28-31

09 Sep

Isaiah 40:28-31

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Do you get tired or weary?

I have a condition (ok it’s a disease) called Multiple Sclerosis. I have been very fortunate that I have not had many long-term effects. At least not visibly. My MS can cause me to be fatigued. This is its own kind of fatigued. It was worst before I began taking medication, but on hot days or sometimes for no reason, my mind and my body are both fatigued. It can be hard for me to get work done. To be productive and contribute to my family.

My strength is renewed

In MS (at least relapsing remitting MS), your symptoms can subside for a while. They can go away with little or no trace. I have gone ten years without a major relapse. Even with my fatigue, my strength can often be renewed by a nap.

I am spiritually renewed by God. God sees my weaknesses. Sees my mental and spiritual fatigue, and he gives me renewal. He allows me to refocus my attention on Him. Much like the nap helps me feel refreshed and able to go on another day, His word and sacraments keep me renewed in my faith. He knows the renewal that awaits us by being closer to Him. The refreshing of the Spirit that comes only from the Lord. It is our hope in the Lord, our trust that His promises are true that help us to continue on even when hard things happen to us.

Dancing with God

Shortly after I was diagnosed with MS, my husband was out-of-town at a training school for the Air Force. I was fatigued. My brain wasn’t working the way it should. I was putting away the food from the lunch I had made my boys, but something was wrong. Putting away the food was harder than it should be. I had to think about what I was doing. I went to put the lid on the milk bottle. It wasn’t working. After what seemed like an eternity, I figured out what was wrong. I was trying to put the peanut butter lid on my milk bottle.

I couldn’t believe that this kind of mental struggle was what my future held. I was so upset. I began crying and praying out loud to God. Perhaps even swearing during my prayer. I was exasperated. I was at the lowest point I think I’ve ever been. But then it was as if the Lord took my chin and lifted it up. Putting my focus back on Him and his hope for me. I looked up and felt God telling me (I didn’t hear Him – I felt Him say it), “This body is only temporary. You’ll have a good body here in heaven, this won’t be forever.” My spirit was renewed. I had hope. The next thing I remember was that I felt I was dancing with God in my Kitchen. Joyously singing “I’m going to heaven, I’m going to heaven, I’m going to heaven.” He is my strength when I am weak.

How has the Lord renewed your strength? Do you have hope in His promises?

 
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Posted by on September 9, 2011 in God is My Strength, Isaiah

 

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