Wounded Hearts

An evangelist we know was sent to the hospital this past weekend. He had symptoms of a heart attack. It turns out that there is a problem with his heart. You could say his heart has been wounded. We are praying that he gets the help he needs and is able to be released from the hospital to live more days of sharing the Gospel and loving his family.

My heart’s been wounded a few times in my life. It’s been so painful that I felt I might have a heart attack. Can you relate?

Oh beloved, God wants to encourage us both this day. He says to you and to me, I AM the heart mender. Problems will arise and pain will occur. But when you come to Me with that pain I AM going to relieve you. If you try to self-medicate – to take care of it on your own – you won’t make it. The pain is real and the need for help is real. I alone understand the affairs of the heart – the inner workings of the agony. He says that He knows that you’ve been in prayer, painfully hoping for change. He knows you’ve felt the stab of rejection, animosity, and more. He sees everything and He knows the truth about every situation. Don’t hold back from taking the pain to Him. As you pray, release those burdens to Him. The extra weight is far too much for your heart to bear. And as to the prayers of faith that you are barely able to pray, keep praying – keep taking the situations and the people to Him in prayer. Jesus is with you as you pray – and even when you can’t – for He lives to intercede for you. 

 
God loves you and He’s for you. You’re not alone. You’re not doomed. You’re more than a conqueror and you are cared for by the Healer and the Provider. His grace is sufficient for healing your heart. And His love will give you the strength to go beyond the situations you see and into the realm of healing. Heartaches will come and go but you are remaining fully alive and continuously thriving as you walk, pray and live in the Light of God’s restoration for you. 

Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 121:2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 40:17 Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.

Advertisements

How Does This Work?

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve said those words to my hubby. He’s a genius at the workings of things I understand nothing about. He is my go to guy for help. I’m so glad he’s still here and he still helps me. Never has he refused. Even in rehab and now at home he still is the best at what he does.

So too I don’t understand how God works but I know He does. He’s a Genius at everything. He’s always here to help me. He’s never put me down or refused to help. How does this work? I don’t have to know how I just have to trust. 

Oh beloved, whatever it is that you are having a hard time understanding is no big problem to God. You have weakness, He gives strength. You get tired He gives rest. You lose your way, He finds you and gets you back where you need to be. You want answers, He IS the Answer.  

Your life is so precious to the Lord. He gave His Son in exchange for you. He doesn’t say well maybe about anything. While the world clamors for privilege, rights and recognition, the King of the Universe is helping you with anything and everything. He sees what you are going through and He is already working it out for your good and His glory. He is wiping your tears as you wake up to face the onslaught of unexpected sorrows. He is watching over the wayward sons and daughters for you. He is pointing you past the problem to the truth that He gives you a solution and a praise when it is all said and done.

We’re not following a set of rules or a compilation of doctrines or a self-help book. We’re following the Only Living God! Not another name mentioned in this world can truly help but Jehovah Jireh – our provider. You and I, beloved, may get hung up on how to work things out, but God says hand it to Me. I will show you that I AM that I AM. If you will quit trying to fix it I will do great and wondrous things because you are mine. 

God loves you and He’s for you. When you abide in Him glorious things happen. When you hand Him your problems you find relief and comfort. Rejoice that you don’t serve a dead religion but a living Savior. And praise Him that you get to live a powerful life of faith trusting Him for everything as you live in the light of His wonder working power!

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us…

Romans 11:36 For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen.

I Corinthians 8:6 But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for Him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.

Psalm 54:4 Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.

DISCOVER- Five Minute Friday

Discover

Honestly I’m no explorer. It just so happens I married one. Without him I’m likely to hibernate with safety. But with him I’ve seen and done a thousand more wonderful things. Has it all been easy? Nope. He’s insisted at times and drug me along with him at other times. And truth be told, I just didn’t want to get left behind. I’d rather do scary with him than safe without him.

Oh beloved! In order to discover all he Lord has for you you’ll have to go with Him. You’ll have to get over your fear of mountains and valleys and the unknown. He’s calling you and me to go all the way with Him. And Christ paid for it all. He calls you fearless and conqueror. He says discovery is your birthright. Go with Him. Allow Him to take you where you’d never go on your own. This is the wildest ride you’ll ever know! And the best life ever!

God loves you and He’s for you. And He will be with you always. So stop saying no to adventure and discover the best life as you dive into His Truth and live with abandon for the Kingdom and Glory of God! 

Jeremiah 15:16 When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies.

Matthew 13:34 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.”

Between Heaven and Earth

Between Heaven and Earth
For some reason this morning I remember what it felt like stepping from the dock to the boat. You know that between both places where the boat is wiggling beneath your steps and the boat seems to drift away while you’re trying to decide whether to commit to stepping on or remain on the dock. You have to make a decision and get on the boat or somebody’s going to get left or fall in the water.  

So too this life. We are born again and asked to step into the new life. Totally. With wholehearted commitment. But how? We’re still firmly planted on earth. Isn’t heaven SOMEday? 

And I have had to decide at times if I would make the commitment? When Danny got sick as well as other times through my life when I felt the tug to remain ashore or launch out in faith. 

Oh beloved, God wants you to know today that Jesus paid it all. He paid for you. He ransomed you away from the earthly realm – living for self, under the curse, full of dead works. You now are His. And He’s pulled up at the dock to take you to the most wonderful life ever. The dock of the world seems sturdier. It’s completely grounded. The boat of faith seems rocky, shaky and not so secure. But precious one, you aren’t going in your own strength or ability. 

Today is your day to let go of the dock completely. It’s your day to give God all your abilities. It’s your day to say “Here I am Lord, I will go with You.” It’s also the day to give Him your weaknesses. You have a heavenly assignment now. Trust the Lord. Trust what Jesus did for you. Trust the Holy Spirit’s enabling. 

As you step completely off the dock and into the boat you will discover that the dock gets smaller and smaller the farther you go from shore. Pretty soon you won’t remember where you used to find safety. You’ll be secure in the boat because you know the Captain of the Ship. He’s trustworthy, faithful and oh so true.

God loves you and He’s for you! Time to set sail! Time to pull up those sails and fully commit to heaven’s call. You’re going to love this life of faith – because it takes you to places you’ve never imagined. With Jesus you can be completely true to the real you. Redeemed, chosen, blessed, anointed and appointed. And you can live the unprecedented life of a believer as you rejoice in all it means to live a heavenly life while assignment on this earth. What joy to live in the light of freedom and purpose!

I Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Come Closer

Because my husband lost hearing in his ear as a child, I have always had to speak louder for him to hear or get closer. We laugh about it sometimes. Sometimes it used to get frustrating. Not anymore. I enjoy getting closer and when he says I can’t hear what you said I take it as a great opportunity to snuggle up! I find that I hear better as well if I am closer to the one I am speaking with. 

God is not hard of hearing, nor does He have selective hearing. Even so, His plan is that we come closer. Not for His sake, but for ours. 

Oh beloved, today God says come closer. Stop the activities of life and step into His presence. You need to hear what He has to say to you without distractions. This life of faith is more than wonderful. It’s an ongoing love story 24/7, 7 days a week. It’s learning to lean close and listen carefully to His personal instructions. While the world says be yourself, help yourself, please yourself, God says in His presence you will find His will. With His will comes peace, love and joy – things the world will not ever give you. In fact you may not even hear rightly when listening to the world’s version of life. But when you stay close to the Lord, calling on Him for every step of the way and following His path for your life, you’ll find that you have everything you will ever need, along with the strength to achieve His will.  

God loves you and He’s for you. This is not rocket science. This is simply living by faith in the One Who gave you breath in your lungs this very day. Snuggle up to the Lord, ask Him for whatever you need, and don’t forget to praise Him and thank Him for it all. And rejoice, beloved, that He hears you as you live in the Light of His Direction and Care.

Psalm 148:14 He has made His people strong, honoring His faithful ones–the people of Israel who are close to Him. Praise the LORD!

Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Psalm 116:2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.