Showing posts with label Keeping The Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Keeping The Faith. Show all posts

Sunday, September 10, 2023

God's Word Bring Healing


God's words are here for us and always available. We can read directly from the Bible, listen to an audio version, or watch on YouTube. I found an excellent resource from Joseph Prince, where he reads Scripture verses devoted to healing on YouTube. You can listen to this for as little or as long as you want, for up to eight hours. I will share the link: 8 Hours Of Healing Scripture. Allowing God's word to penetrate our hearts brings healing to our whole body. "My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them and healing to their whole body." Proverbs 4:20-22 (NLT)

With love,
Patty




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Sunday, March 19, 2023

Strength For Each Day

 


We all need food, water, exercise, and sleep daily to strengthen us.
The Lord encourages us to be strong in Him, too. Ephesians 6:10 "Be strong in the Lord and the in the strength of His might." 
We can hold onto this truth to give us the strength needed for each day.

With love,
Patty



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Sunday, February 26, 2023

Let Your Faith Be Bigger Than Your Fear


Let your faith be bigger than your fear is something I often see on plaques, shirts, coffee cups, candles, and so much more. These words encourage us in whatever we might be going through to let our faith override our fears. 

To add further encouragement, we can hold on to this Bible verse:
So we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” Hebrews 13:6

With love,
Patty

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Sunday, January 15, 2023

Reflections On The Loss Of Parents Of Two Dear Friends


In December of 2022, I attended two funerals, one for the father of a dear friend and one for the mother of a dear friend. As I listened to the stories of each of their lives, I learned that they experienced many blessings and hardships. The one thing that stood out more than anything is that they firmly believed in the Lord. They left a legacy of faith for their families and friends. 
To my dear friends, I extend my deepest sympathy.
In our lives, we also experience blessings and hardships. May knowing that those who have gone before us kept their faith in the Lord be an encouragement to each of us to keep the faith.

With love,
Patty






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Sunday, December 11, 2022

Our Day-To-Day Roles


                                  

As I waited to have the transmission fluid changed in my car the other day, I marveled at how efficiently the shop took care of everything. Each person had their role, from getting me checked in and explaining what would be done to my car to the person who changed the transmission fluid. There was a comfortable waiting area which was a bonus. They all worked together to make sure they completed the job.
So it is, too, with each of us, we have our roles of ensuring that things are taken care of within our families, households, workplace, and church. Today, my post is to bring a little encouragement. May God continue to give each of you strength and endurance as you journey through each day.
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Romans 8:31

With love,
Patty


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Sunday, November 27, 2022

The Best Special Of All!



With the Black Friday specials happening right now, I realized that God gave us the best special of all-eternal life through His Son, Jesus!  
We don't even have to wait until Black Friday to receive this special-Jesus is always here for us. 
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."  John 3:16-17 (NIV)

With love,
Patty
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Sunday, November 20, 2022

He's Got The Whole World In His Hands


At times, I feel as if there is so much going on in the world that it seems out of control. Do you ever feel that way? As I was growing up, there was a song I sang along with family and friends that would bring us comfort. The song's name is "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands." As of late, this song keeps coming back to me. God wants us to keep in mind that He's got this. Psalm 24:1-2 reinforces this truth, "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him. He laid the earth's foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths." 

May the lyrics to this song bring you comfort:

~He's Got The Whole World In His Hands~

He's got the whole world in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.

He's got the wind and the rain in His hands,
He's got the wind and the rain in His hands,
He's got the wind and the rain in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.

He's got the tiny little baby in His hands,
He's got the tiny little baby in His hands,
He's got the tiny little baby in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.

He's got you and me, brother, in His hands,
He's got you and me, brother, in His hands,
He's got you and me, brother, in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.

He's got you and me sister, in His hands
He's got you and me sister, in His hands
He's got you and me sister, in His hands
He's got the whole world in His hands

He's got everybody here in His hands.
He's got everybody here in His hands.
He's got everybody here in His hands.
He's got the whole world in His hands.

With love,
Patty



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Sunday, October 23, 2022

Got Dust?


Dust is one of the inevitable things we deal with in our homes, cars, and almost everywhere we go. As I was wiping away dust recently, I thought if we don't take action to wipe the dust away, everyone will notice, yet when we do, no one will notice. I say this with a bit of humor, yet it is true. We do other things in life that others may not see, from changing diapers, cleaning up spills, doing something extra at the workplace, and caring for aging parents. We may not be looking for praise for what we do; however, God sees us as precious and honored in His sight: "Since you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life." Isaiah 43:4 (NIV).

With love,
Patty

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Sunday, October 16, 2022

Come To Jesus

 


A dear friend of mine has twin girls that are now two years old, and I have cared for them at least twice a month for the past two years. Their endless curiosity about the world around them is a joy to watch, and spending time with them is good for my soul. As I engage with them, I understand more clearly why Jesus said in Matthew 19:14, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 
As we grow older, we can still come to Jesus in prayer with whatever is on our hearts, and He will not turn us away. 
May each of us rest knowing we can come to Jesus with all our cares, worries, and concerns, as well as our happiness and joy.

With love,
Patty







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Sunday, September 25, 2022

We Are Being Transformed Into The Lord's Image





                             
There is a local outdoor Farmers Market nearby, where I set up a table offering my handmade greeting cards, recipe albums, and notebooks. Many vendors also set up their tables with produce, canned goods, jams, jellies, and mouth-watering sweets. In a matter of moments, an ordinary library parking lot transforms into a unique outdoor shopping experience for people to stroll along and look at what there is to offer. The live music adds ambiance that ties everything together. 
Much like the parking lot that is transformed, we too are being transformed into the Lord's image as we read in the following Scripture, "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
As a new week begins, may we rest knowing we are being transformed in the Lord's image.

With love,
Patty





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Sunday, September 18, 2022

Where Can We Find Our Identity?


There are many things where we can find our identity: our name, age, marital status, weight, skin color, where we live, and so many other components of our lives. While these things make up who we are, our true identity is in the love that God our Father has for us, and He loved us enough to send His Son Jesus to take our sins upon the cross so that we will have eternal life.
Today, I would like to share some Bible verses where we can find our identity:
  • "This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10
  • "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:10 (NIV)
  • "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." 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
  • "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD, your God, has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession." Deuteronomy 7:6 (NIV)
  • "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." Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
Do any of these Bible verses resonate with you? If so, feel free to comment below. I would love to hear from you. Maybe even write them down in a journal if you would like so that the verses are there to refer back to often.

Dear Heavenly Father,
We come to you now and thank You for all the components that are a part of our lives. Help us to rest our identity in Your love and in Your Son, Jesus.
In Jesus' name, we pray,
Amen

With love,
Patty


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Sunday, August 14, 2022

The Lord, Our God, Is With Us Wherever We Go





Have you ever had a day where nothing seemed to go right and thought that, hopefully, tomorrow would be better? Some days are like that for me as well. Thankfully, each new day is a clean slate, and whatever we are dealing with can hopefully bring a different and more positive perspective than the previous day. A few thoughts on some positive outlooks for the new day:

  • Smile whenever possible.
  • Count our blessings.
  • Pray to the Lord for guidance.
  • Perhaps you have some thoughts on bringing in positive outlooks for the day. Feel free to comment below. I would love to hear from you. 

May each of us rest this week knowing that the Lord our God is with us wherever we go as we read in Josuah 1:9, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."


With love,

Patty







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Sunday, July 24, 2022

Keep A Song In Your Heart


My late mother-in-law, Marie, bless her heart, loved to hum. She would hum often, and although I did not know precisely what she was humming, she kept a song in her heart, and I admired that in her. 
Most of us (if not all of us) grew up singing "Jesus Loves Me-This I Know." This song may appear for young children, but Jesus loves us no matter our age. The Bible does indeed tell us that Jesus loves us in the following verses:
  • “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love." John 15:9 (NIV)
  • "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." Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
As a new week begins, may the song "Jesus Loves Me-This I Know" bring joy and peace to your heart. Here are the lyrics:

Jesus Loves Me-This I Know Lyrics

Jesus loves me-this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.

Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, “Let them come to Me.”

Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live.

Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.

With love,
Patty





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Sunday, July 10, 2022

When We Hear Or Say These Words-"I'll Be Praying For You"


As we go through challenging moments in our lives, family and friends tell us, "I'll be praying for you." Or, if someone we know is going through tough times, we will communicate these exact words. Prayer is a gift we can receive as well as a gift we can give to others.
God asks us to pray as we read in Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
There are times we may not know how to pray. We can start with:
Dear God, Please bring Your help (name the situation). 
Dear God, Please bring Your healing to (name the person).
You are welcome to add more words as they come to your heart. Giving thanks to God for His help with each prayer shows we appreciate Him, and He loves to hear our prayers. Ending each prayer with "in Jesus' name" acknowledges our access to God in prayer.
An excellent way to remember our prayers is to record them in a journal. 
Whatever situation or circumstance our loved ones are going through or we are going through, we can be confident that we can bring our prayers and requests to God.

With love,
Patty



 

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Sunday, June 26, 2022

Got Keys?


Do you have keys? I know I sure do. One morning last week, I realized how often I use keys. A key to lock and unlock my apartment door, a key to start my car, a key to open the door at work, and a key to open my mailbox. Without keys, we cannot move forward with our day.
God has a key to eternal life for us. He loved us enough to send His Son Jesus to take our past, present, and future sins when He died on the cross. Jesus rose from the dead with God's divine power. God's word tells us in John 3:16-17-"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." (NIV)
May you rest this week knowing God has given you a key to eternal life through His Son Jesus.

With love
Patty




 

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Sunday, May 29, 2022

Seeking Clarity and Direction (Part 3 Of A 3 Part Series)


Today will conclude the three-part series with Bible verses for seeking clarity and direction. You are welcome to read the previous posts here and here.
This week's Bible verses can be added to your journal. I will be adding them to my journal as well: 😊
  • The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; Psalm 37:23 (NIV)
  • For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:14 (NIV)
  • The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)
  • Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in Your instructions. Psalm 119:18 (NLT)
  • Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Seeking clarity and direction may come to us immediately, or it may take time. We can continue to turn to these Bible verses when it takes longer than we hoped. When things become clear, we can be confident that we are going in the right direction with guidance from the Lord.

Let us pray together, 
Dear Heavenly Father, 
We come to You with confidence that You are here to guide us when we turn to Your word in the Bible for clarity and direction. 

In the name of Jesus, we pray,
Amen

May you have a blessed week.

With love,
Patty



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Sunday, May 22, 2022

Seeking Clarity And Direction (Part 2 Of A 3 Part Series)


Last week, I offered some Bible verses on clarity and direction in this post. 
This week, I want to provide some additional Bible verses that you can add to your journal. I will be adding them to my journal as well: 😊
  • Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
  • If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 (NIV)
  • In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
  • For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
  • Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 (NIV)
May you have a blessed week.

With love,
Patty


 

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Sunday, May 15, 2022

Seeking Clarity and Direction (Part 1 Of A 3 Part Series)


Are you seeking clarity and direction in your life? Whether it might be finding a job, a place to live, purchasing a car, how to proceed with health-related issues, or seeking care for a family member. Although I realize there are other areas you may be seeking clarity and direction on, feel free to fill in the blank.
 I'm seeking clarity and direction for:
_____________________________

There are many areas in my life in which I seek clarity and direction-should I continue to live in an apartment or find a home, when should I retire, and should I  enroll in some online college courses.
I've heard a suggestion of writing out the pros and cons when trying to make a decision. Have you ever tried that? In the past, I have found it to be beneficial. 
Talking with family members and friends can bring a new perspective that can be helpful.
Praying for God to provide guidance to help us along the way is vital through all of this. There are many Bible verses on clarity that we can read and reflect on. Because there are so many, I will extend this over the next two weeks. I want to encourage you to write the Bible verses in a journal or notebook and ask God to open your heart and mind to what He wants you to hear. I'll be doing this right alongside you. 😊

Here are this week's Bible verses for clarity and direction:
  • Show me Your ways, LORD, teach me Your paths." Psalm 25:4 (NIV)
  • This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17 (NIV)
  • I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 (NIV)
  • He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way." Psalm 25:9 (NIV)
  • Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
May you have a blessed week. 

With love,
Patty




 

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Sunday, April 24, 2022

Jesus Appears To Thomas


Last week in this post, we celebrated that Jesus is alive after His death on the cross on Good Friday. Many at the time doubted and were so uncertain, just as we can be. There was one, in particular, Thomas, that had his doubts as we read in the following:

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:24-29 (NIV)

The neatest thing about the last verse, John 20:29, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Jesus was talking about you and me. By faith, we still believe even though we have not seen as Thomas did. We are blessed. Amen!



May you rest this week, knowing Jesus sees you as blessed for believing even though you have not seen Him. 


With love,

Patty




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Sunday, April 10, 2022

Palm Sunday

 


Psalm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week. We take this time to remember Jesus' last days before He took all the world's sins to the cross. Jesus rode into the town of Jerusalem on a donkey prophesied in the Old Testament 500 years prior in  Zecharaiah 9:9 - "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
Let us pray together,
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us during this week to remember that Your Son, Jesus took our past, present, and future sins to the cross. We thank You for the gift of eternal life.
In Jesus' name, we pray,
Amen

With love,
Patty



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