December 30, 2013
In Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV84) Jesus says:
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundatin on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
We see in this story that Jesus points out the rain came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against both houses.
Only one house had its foundation built on Jesus (the Rock) and the other on sand (world values, self ambition, do it my way or the highway..lots of sands out there) and only One house remained after the storm.
But I hope we as Christians will see a truth here that will help us overcome this notion that when we follow Christ, we shouldn't expect distressing times. The exact same storm hit both houses. They both went through the same trial and difficulty. So point being, do not think because you are facing a difficult circumstance, trial or life event...to be a strange thing to happen to a Christian. But the difference is God will use those things in your life as a testimony to His faithfulness to never leave you, never forsake you and nothing can seperate you from the Love of Christ..see Romans 8:18-39.
You will most likely get beat up pretty bad by things in this life sometimes, could be problems you caused for yourself, could have been something you had no control over....could be the result of your sin or the result of someone else's sin....we live in a fallen world....so there will be difficulities and there will be storms that roll into all our lives....but (I love that word after bad news) when your foundation is founded upon Jesus Christ..you are secure.
Proverbs 24:16 (NIV)
For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
I pray that if you are facing a storm today...may God use this to bring encouragement to you.
much love
phebee
Monday, December 30, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Why Do I need Jesus?
8/27/2013
Hebrews 4:13 (NIV84)
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.
This verse (is one of many) that answers the question of why we need Jesus. Can you imagine standing before God, giving an account for your life...every thought, action and deed laid bare before a Holy, Righteous, Perfect God. And you have to give an account to Him for your life....there is NO ONE but JESUS who has lived a perfect spotless life. All who stand before God will be judged for their lives. But..(don't you love that word!!)....but...if you are IN Christ that judgement and penalty have already been meet at calvary on that cross where Jesus suffered and died and life eternal is secure in the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. Trust Jesus attonement for your sin today! Stand in His righteouness alone.
I am telling you if I had to answer to God for my own sins....I had enough in the first 5 minutes of today to do me in..much less a lifetime. I need Jesus.
Hebrews 4:13 (NIV84)
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.
This verse (is one of many) that answers the question of why we need Jesus. Can you imagine standing before God, giving an account for your life...every thought, action and deed laid bare before a Holy, Righteous, Perfect God. And you have to give an account to Him for your life....there is NO ONE but JESUS who has lived a perfect spotless life. All who stand before God will be judged for their lives. But..(don't you love that word!!)....but...if you are IN Christ that judgement and penalty have already been meet at calvary on that cross where Jesus suffered and died and life eternal is secure in the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. Trust Jesus attonement for your sin today! Stand in His righteouness alone.
I am telling you if I had to answer to God for my own sins....I had enough in the first 5 minutes of today to do me in..much less a lifetime. I need Jesus.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Death Hurts
Romans 14:8 (NIV84)
If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
A Brother in Christ went home to be with the Lord today. A tragic accident that took this young man's life all too soon from our point of view. He was a very sweet, loving man who loved his family with all his heart and desired to to love and honor God in his life. His smile would brighten your day and he was genuine in his character. Our hearts hurt and grieve for the friends and family but our hope is not lost because we know that in life or death, Aaron Barnes belonged to the Lord.
Thankful to have known Aaron Barnes, husband, father, brother and friend. Our lives were better for having you be part of it.
phebee
If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
A Brother in Christ went home to be with the Lord today. A tragic accident that took this young man's life all too soon from our point of view. He was a very sweet, loving man who loved his family with all his heart and desired to to love and honor God in his life. His smile would brighten your day and he was genuine in his character. Our hearts hurt and grieve for the friends and family but our hope is not lost because we know that in life or death, Aaron Barnes belonged to the Lord.
Thankful to have known Aaron Barnes, husband, father, brother and friend. Our lives were better for having you be part of it.
phebee
Friday, August 2, 2013
The Anchor
Acts 27:20 (NIV84)
When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
Have you been there? Have you been caught in a storm so bad that there did not seem to be an end to it, no light, no relief from the crashing waves and tossing and turning. No clear direction and everything seems to be out of control to the point that all you see is darkness and you lose hope of being saved. Sometimes, I have bouts of "mild" depression. I feel like the darkness is going to swollow me up and the hurt, the lonliness and despair come crashing in like waves with no relief in sight. Thankfully, my hope is not lost, my soul is anchored to the Rock, my Lord Jesus and He keeps me through the darkest nights.
In these times I remember the Lord says He will never leave me nor forsake me. I look to Psalm 139 to remind me that He alone is in control of my life and He knows everything that is going on in my life. Psalm 23 also brings me much comfort as I remember He is my Shepherd...He leads me....for His name's sake and His presence comforts me.
And I look to the cross...always look to the cross....there is never a doubt of my Fathers love and care when I look to the cross in the darkest, most difficult storm....the Cross is my beacon of light to bring me safely back to the shore.
phebee
When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
Have you been there? Have you been caught in a storm so bad that there did not seem to be an end to it, no light, no relief from the crashing waves and tossing and turning. No clear direction and everything seems to be out of control to the point that all you see is darkness and you lose hope of being saved. Sometimes, I have bouts of "mild" depression. I feel like the darkness is going to swollow me up and the hurt, the lonliness and despair come crashing in like waves with no relief in sight. Thankfully, my hope is not lost, my soul is anchored to the Rock, my Lord Jesus and He keeps me through the darkest nights.
In these times I remember the Lord says He will never leave me nor forsake me. I look to Psalm 139 to remind me that He alone is in control of my life and He knows everything that is going on in my life. Psalm 23 also brings me much comfort as I remember He is my Shepherd...He leads me....for His name's sake and His presence comforts me.
And I look to the cross...always look to the cross....there is never a doubt of my Fathers love and care when I look to the cross in the darkest, most difficult storm....the Cross is my beacon of light to bring me safely back to the shore.
phebee
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Momma said ther'd be days like this
July 26, 2013
The Fear of the Lord leads to life. Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. Proverbs 18:23 (NIV84)
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me stregnth. Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV84)
It's not that we won't have trouble because we are in the Lord....It's trouble won't have us because we are in the Lord! We will have difficulities in this life but when we are in Christ our hope & contentment are found in Him....not our circumstances.
We will not be overcome by our troubles...they will come and some will seem unbearable..and but for the grace of God, some of them would be and are...but when you know that God is with you in all things and He loves you and cares for you....that is where you find contentment even during the most difficult days. Relief comes when God changes our circumstances...but contentment comes from knowing God is with us in all our circumstances even if they don't change...good & bad...and that is what we need most.
phebee
The Fear of the Lord leads to life. Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. Proverbs 18:23 (NIV84)
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me stregnth. Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV84)
It's not that we won't have trouble because we are in the Lord....It's trouble won't have us because we are in the Lord! We will have difficulities in this life but when we are in Christ our hope & contentment are found in Him....not our circumstances.
We will not be overcome by our troubles...they will come and some will seem unbearable..and but for the grace of God, some of them would be and are...but when you know that God is with you in all things and He loves you and cares for you....that is where you find contentment even during the most difficult days. Relief comes when God changes our circumstances...but contentment comes from knowing God is with us in all our circumstances even if they don't change...good & bad...and that is what we need most.
phebee
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Shaken
07/22/2013
Acts 4:31 (NIV84)
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God bodly.
Don't you love this visual!
The people of God coming together pouring out their hearts to God in prayer-not half hearted bless me and my stuff prayer-but God we need YOU to Move!! We need your presence-Your wisdom-Your direction-Your Will and after they prayed...God shook them up and filled them up and then emptied them out with His message!! God give us the passion to pray like this.
phebee
Acts 4:31 (NIV84)
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God bodly.
Don't you love this visual!
The people of God coming together pouring out their hearts to God in prayer-not half hearted bless me and my stuff prayer-but God we need YOU to Move!! We need your presence-Your wisdom-Your direction-Your Will and after they prayed...God shook them up and filled them up and then emptied them out with His message!! God give us the passion to pray like this.
phebee
Monday, July 29, 2013
The value of Tears
July 16, 2013
John 11:35 (NIV84) Jesus wept.
There are times that my heart just breaks. I cry so deeply that all I can do is bring my tears to God as an offering. I lift them up to my Father knowing He see's whatever has caused my grief and pain. It can be concern for someone I love, it can be grief over my sin, it can be for the salvation of someone I know, it can be for a burden God has placed on my heart. Sometimes all I have are tears-words will not come-so I lay my tears at Jesus feet and know that He cares.
phebee
John 11:35 (NIV84) Jesus wept.
There are times that my heart just breaks. I cry so deeply that all I can do is bring my tears to God as an offering. I lift them up to my Father knowing He see's whatever has caused my grief and pain. It can be concern for someone I love, it can be grief over my sin, it can be for the salvation of someone I know, it can be for a burden God has placed on my heart. Sometimes all I have are tears-words will not come-so I lay my tears at Jesus feet and know that He cares.
phebee
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)