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The Light In The Dark! The COVID-19 War!

by Kelmy Rodriquez
written by Kelmy Rodriquez

We have come upon a troubling, dark, and unprecedented time. Many theories and suggestions are revolving around the COVID-19 pandemic and its origin. However, as Christians, it is an opportunity to seel the light in the dark and be the light in the dark.

The Origin, the Cause

Some profess biblical events, and others entertain the opinion of biological warfare. A few consider the notion of a mass radiological incident from cellular towers throughout the globe. I believe this unnatural crisis is not of this world! We have a social Father, this is why we were created to be social beings. It is easy to experience loneliness during social distancing and formulate erratic thoughts while trying to understand the complexities of this global crisis. This is a time when the principalities of the enemy will capitalize on the opportunity to question our faith and actions. This is a time that the sinful will justify their human nature and explore various avenues of mollification to validate unsavory and deviant behavior.

Reaffirmation of Faith

No matter what hypothesis you wish to embrace, this is the opportunity to reaffirm your faith. People of faith must come to realize that the hand of the enemy is in the mist. The trajectory and velocity of this pestilence have been extraordinary, relentless, and rampant. We have been victims of a violent storm that has devoured many lives. It has left a path of uncertainty and pain for the survivors of this vast calamity. The Emissaries of destruction are upon us, and we must maintain “Our Faith without reservation!”

Broken Words, Going Astray

Just because people call upon the name of the Lord, does not make them GOD’s people. Words are as valuable as the person who authored them. The caliber of a person should not be valued or judged by their words but by their actions and deeds.

New York City, which I have come to understand as the “New Babylon,” has become the epicenter of this pandemic, and I witnessed humanity’s greed first hand. I have seen the spirit of desire working on communities. 

People have placed themselves above others and by doing so, they have set themselves above God. Supermarkets have run near dry as people hoarded without thinking or having compassion for others. The people of God are instructed to “share grain” with the people. “So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners.” (Proverbs 1:19)

The faithful people of GOD refrained from indulgence and took upon as instructed and based on their essential needs without going into excess. “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.” (Exodus 16:4)

The Refuge

Some will find themselves questioning faith. Others will find pathways that lead to GOD. Many will elevate in their faith and feel more bonded to the Lord. Many have come to the Lord for various reasons, some out of redemption, some from fear, and some out of desperation.

The Bible tells us to seek comfort and refuge in GOD. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Father who is full of mercy, the GOD of all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble so that when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

The Light In The Dark

How can we truly know what is light if we have never seen darkness? Joy if you have never experienced pain? Can we determine something without experiencing the other?

Despite this great darkness, I can still see His Divine light. GOD has blessed us with dedicated and selfless Nobles of Peace and Servitude. These are our Firefighters, our Police Officers, our Emergency Medical Technicians, our Doctors, our Nurses, our Essential Worker, and our Ministers, along with many others.

They may have been overwhelmed by fear and overbearing odds, but it is their faith in GOD and their hope in humanity that has given them strength during these perilous times. They have been placed in the frontlines of this global crisis. We must see the “Hand of GOD” working through them. They have become a “sign of hope” for all, and a “sign of affirmation” for those who can discern that GOD is still here! Some have become martyrs as they strive to bring an end to this pestilence. They are the “Candlelight in the Dark!”

Rev. Kelmy Rodriquez Th.D.

Read Also: Let Your Faith In God Become Anchored: Stand Firm

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Romans 8:28: All Things Work Together For Good

by Carolina Henderson
written by Carolina Henderson

 Look beyond Coronavirus. Romans 8:28 says,“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Sadly, Coronavirus is bringing disaster to many, however, contrastingly we’re also seeing a family out walking and talking together, in other words building better family relationships in our society.

Likewise in (Gen 3:8) below, we read about God also taking the time to meet with His children in the Garden of Eden.

“When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees.”

Essentially, the point being made here is the fall of Adam and Eve, nevertheless, we also discover it was therefore normal for God to walk and talk with His children.

Despite Satan’s plan to kill and destroy. Is Coronavirus bringing about the original picture God had for mankind?

Plagues and diseases are not from God!

God offers us protection from plagues and disease in (Psalm 91) therefore, we can safely say coronavirus doesn’t originate from God but Satan.

“This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly diseases.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
    though ten thousand are dying around you,
    these evils will not touch you.”

And Psalm 91:10

…”no evil will conquer you;
    no plague will come near your home.”

Is what the devil meant for bad, God working together for good?

Firstly, as a result of having fewer cars on the road, we can breathe cleaner air.

Secondly, we’re being gifted with an unusually rare but beautiful sight of fathers interacting with their children because time has been afforded them.

Thirdly, many mothers are again enjoying baking and getting back to basics, and furthermore, a tranquil environment being experienced simply because shops are closing for longer.

Romans 8:28

Whilst I can appreciate we need money to live. As Romans 8:28 says, let’s use this disaster to remind ourselves what’s more important to us and make some changes permanent, like our relationship with God and making time for our family above making money our God.

Above all, no amount of money could ever replace a loved one.

The Bible says this is how it was supposed to be. God is our provider, rather than we become independent of Him, therefore frantically meeting our own needs and ruining our families in the process through our ignorance, falsely believing this is the only way!

I’ve personally been using this time to spend more time with my Heavenly Father, walking and talking with Him. Whereby, He has been downloading to me His original plan, very clearly through my born again spirit.

We simply take care of what God provides for us, in all areas of life, now that Jesus has redeemed us.

Carolina Henderson – Also read – Do you need to re-prioritize some things in life?

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Let Your Faith In God Become Anchored: Stand Firm

by Kelmy Rodriquez
written by Kelmy Rodriquez

Stability and certainty are invaluable treasures that we all strive to possess. Our lives are in constant hills and valleys. At times it becomes fast-paced and unmanageable; hard to keep the faith. This world has become an intricate design that contradicts the intelligent designs God has created for us.

Losing Control

In this impious world, we are faced with trials and tribulations on our paths in life and towards sanctification. Traveling through adverse conditions and rough roads in life, we begin to slip into compromising situations. If you are not grounded in faith, you will lose control and begin to doubt your abilities.

There will be occasions when you will find yourself in troubling positions that place your intimate relationship with God in jeopardy. Bearings are lost as we attempt to gain control and direction. 

Faith is Trust

One must foster the belief that God has brought you this far; why would he leave you now? During a personal crisis, we tend to look away from God. This occurs when one attempts to take control of the issues alone and without divine counsel. We tend to analyze situations by our own understanding, not realizing our capacity to do so is finite. In crisis mode, this becomes a common practice. We should be reflecting on scripture, praying for strength, wisdom, and discernment. I find a critical point is the failure to muster the confidence to address and plan how to manage our endeavors without incorporating God and prayer.

Team up with God

A team comprises of multiple players and a coach. They function on one accord as a military unit. Faith works in the same manner. You must make God your coach, invest in this partnership. He must become the managing partner if you wish to be successful. In the field of life, chances are you will overlook many details. We will find ourselves in situations that we are not privy to all the facts. God’s revelations are furnished through prayer. He sees opportunities and obstacles like a coach in a game. Think of prayer as “huddle time” in the game as the team coach communicates a plan for the next play, this applies to offensive and defensive strategies. 

God will direct you to be still, and this is when you need to have a “timeout.” “There is a time to tear cloth and a time to sew it. There is a time to be silent and a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes 3:7)

Patience is a Divine Gift

I am quite sure you have heard, patience is virtual. I have embraced the concept that patience is divine. Believe there will be situations that the best course of action is to do nothing at all.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.” (Psalm 23:1-2)

A Christian lifestyle requires constant reflection of scripture. There you will find instruction and revelation. It is vital that we reflect on scripture in all aspects of our lives as Christians, not just during times of turmoil.

There is Power in Prayer and Faith

To take control of your life, you must have power over it. It is quite troubling to feel powerless over challenging situations that we encounter, which leads us to act on our passions. We have allowed the case to overpower us as we lose control and begin to believe that we have lost. Our strength lies in faith and active prayers. Be mindful that prayer and faith are the archenemies of fear.

Never allow people and situations to overpower you, they become as important as you make them. Take comfort knowing that God will see you through! “His power shall be great—but not by his own power, and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints.”(Daniel 8:24)

Get Grounded

The rubber on the tire must meet the road to achieving the optimal control and efficiency of a vehicle. You are wired to be a vehicle of His Grace and Love! Faith is the knowledge of knowing God, His capabilities, His power, His grace, and His agape! Life is a maze with many uncertainties and possibilities. Don’t drift in a sea of doubt; know you are not alone! It is time to stand firm!

 

Rev. Kelmy Rodriquez Th.D

Also Read: Gaining New Ground In Your Life

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The Joy Of The Lord Is Our Strength, We Can Do This

by Aisosa Erhahon
written by Aisosa Erhahon

The Joy Of The Lord Is Our Strength

Nehemiah 8:10, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

Sometimes, we feel empty. There is this void in us that seems unfillable. It is as if whatsoever comes in cannot fill that void. It is like putting money into one´s jacket pocket not knowing that the pocket has a hole.

An empty heart is a sign to return to God´s presence. The moment we no longer feel the presence of God in our lives, our focus shifts to another thing; this can be our career, relationships, or any type of challenges. Once these things succeed in stealing our focus from God, then, anything we do becomes meaningless. Our meaning comes with the focus we set on God because He is the one who has shaped us.

Manifesting His Strength

When we start acting according to our God-given shape, we notice a difference in our hearts. That void that seemed unfillable begins to fill up with the joy of the Lord. For the joy of the Lord is a result of the fulfillment of God´s will in our lives. The more we start accepting the plans of God, the more His grace transforms us. Finally, God´s plan for us is to see His Kingdom manifesting. And that’s where our strength lies.

Joy Of The Lord: Final Words

Have you been feeling weak in the past days? What has been your source of strength? We regain our strength only through His Word. Because in his Word His promises for our lives are revealed and we only become stronger by knowing the promises of God and by holding onto them. Though, sometimes, we may not see the manifestation of His promises. But that’s where the gift of faith comes to place. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) We may not see it yet, but it will start revealing itself in due season. With this certitude, we regain our strength.

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Forgive: If Only God Said, ‘Avoid Your Enemies.’

by Bambi Loveday
written by Bambi Loveday

Do you ever have that moment where you run into that person who has hurt you, your family, or someone you love? It is time to forgive, but it is not easy to do.

What do you do?

Do you, like me, try to avoid them at all costs?

Then, do you remind yourself of what they did? Do you go over in your head what you would like to tell them? Maybe you even want them to get what you think they deserve.

I struggle with this.

And I struggle knowing that God wants me to forgive.

I struggle knowing that God has said, “Love your enemies.”

Sometimes for me, Luke 6:27-37 is the most convicting passage in the Bible.

How do you love your enemy?

How do you do good to them?
And how do you bless those who curse you?
How do you pray for those who mistreat you?
And how do you not judge?
How do you forgive?

It’s hard.

But it is also completely necessary.

When we choose not to forgive, we choose pride.

The Bible says that the Lord hates pride.

When we are prideful, we are choosing our ways over God’s.
Psalm 10:4 says, “In his pride, the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.”

We don’t get to pick which areas we will follow God.

We must follow Him completely.

Especially when it is hard.

When we choose to forgive, we humble ourselves. We give up what we desire because we know God deserves full obedience.

Forgive: You and I can’t do it alone.

We are also humbled because we know we can’t love, forgive, and do good to our enemies through our own power.

It is only through seeking God, praying constantly for Him to help us overcome our pride, praying to help us be obedient, praying for our thoughts to be on excellent and praiseworthy things instead of malicious things; it is only through Him, and by Him that we can love and forgive.

I want to do better.

I bet you do too.

Maybe we start with a simple prayer:

Dear Lord,

I love you. I want to be obedient to You. Please take away my pride. Please give me humility. Help me to forgive. Help me to love those who are hard to love. Please help those who have hurt me. I pray for Your will to be done in their life. Help me to live my life in obedience to You, completely relying on your strength, not my own.

Amen

For more encouragement follow http://www.lovetheonlything.com

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3 Steps To Supernatural Strength In Impossible Situations

by Kyle Winkler
written by Kyle Winkler

It’s a certainty: trials will come, tight deadlines will have to be met, you’ll have to smile through the pain. And God will ask you to take on a seemingly impossible task. Time to call on supernatural strength.

And you can do it all (and so much more)! That’s because the same Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead empowered the early church to fulfill Christ’s commission. And kept Paul content in his calling will undoubtedly strengthen you to do what you never thought you could.

Don’t know where to begin? These three life-tested steps bring God’s supernatural strength for obedience and victory to any circumstance.

Step 1. Surrender striving.

There is no other choice: you must give up trying to make everything happen on your own. Your strength is a limited resource; it runs out. So rip off your Superman or Wonder Woman cape! You are not created to be all things to all people, nor to do all things on your own. No, you were created to be dependent on God’s Spirit, who is an unlimited source of power.

The first step of supernatural strength is to lift your hands in surrender and admit, “God, I can’t do this on my own! I need your strength.” Now immediately proceed to step 2.

Step 2. Ask for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit, Supernatural Strength

Though the Holy Spirit enters you at the moment of your salvation, subsequently the Spirit’s power can fill you on a continual basis. In fact, the Bible models this as a source of the disciples’ ongoing strength: “And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 13:52, NASB)

As the disciples did, you and I should seek the ongoing, fresh infilling of God’s Spirit to strengthen us. To do this, I encourage you to awaken each morning with a simple prayer: “Father, I ask for a fresh filling of Your Holy Spirit. Saturate me with Your presence. Fill me with Your power. Strengthen me to do what I need to do today.”

Step 3. Wait in expectation for God’s power to manifest.

At His ascension, Jesus instructed His disciples to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit, who would come to enable them to fulfill Christ’s commission. Still, they had no idea when this would happen or what this would look like. So they had to wait with expectation and trust.

In just a matter of days, the apostles received just what Jesus promised—a supernatural strength not of themselves, to do what they could never do on their own. The prophet Isaiah spoke of this same principle many years before: “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31, NSRV)

Supernatural Strength: Final Words

What a promise! God doesn’t say you might find new strength; He promises you will! Like the disciples, all you have to do is wait in expectation of it. Be assured: real breakthrough happens when you stop depending on what you can do and start trusting in what God will do in spite of you.

(Want to discover how to activate God’s power to transform every area of your life? Join me on a journey through 16 of God’s top promises in my book, Activating the Power of God’s Word, from which this article was adapted.)

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12 Vindication Promises To Hang On To During The Pain

by Jennifer LeClaire
written by Jennifer LeClaire

 

Vindication is the story of my life. Time doesn’t permit me to share all the details of the wrongs I’ve endured in my life. I had a husband who left me and my daughter behind, I was falsely accused of a crime I did not commit, I have been lied, and robbed hundreds of thousands of dollars… Time doesn’t permit. But God is a vindicator. And I thank Him for the vindication promises He has for us. Our job is to hold out faith and keep our hearts right. In my devotional, Mornings With the Holy Spirit, I share these words God spoke to my heart in a past season:

“Don’t seek to protect yourself. Father is your Protector. Love seeks not its own. I know it’s difficult not to speak up or act out when people are trampling on your perceived rights. But a humble spirit gives up what it deserves. Humility does not fight for its rights. Take your cue from Jesus, who laid down everything that belonged to Him for your sake. Father vindicated Him and blessed Him with more than He gave away. Father will vindicate you in the same way—but you have to get out of His way. Seek the path of humility, and you will find what you really want.”

Vindication Promises

If you are hurting, if your head is spinning, hold on to hope. Let these 12 vindication promises strengthen you in the midst of this trial:

“Rachel said, ‘God has vindicated me, and He has also heard my voice and has given me a son.’ Therefore she called his name Dan.” (Genesis 30:6)

“Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity. I have trusted in the Lord; I will not slip.” (Psalm 26:1)

“Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.” (Psalm 43:1)

“O God, save me by Your name, and judge me by Your strength.” (Psalm 54:1)

“He who vindicates Me is near; who will contend with Me? Let us stand up to each other. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.” (Isaiah 50:8)

“Behold now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated.” (Job 13:18)

“For the Lord will vindicate His people, And will have compassion on His servants, When He sees that their strength is gone, And there is none remaining, bond or free” (Deuteronomy 32:36)

“The Lord has brought about our vindication; Come and let us recount in Zion The work of the Lord our God!” (Jeremiah 51:10)

“He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday” (Psalm 37:6)

“For You have maintained my right and my cause; You sat on the throne judging righteously.” (Psalm 9:4)

“Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication; And let them say continually, ‘The Lord be magnified, Who delights in the prosperity of His servant” (Psalm 35:27)

Prayer

Here’s a prayer you can say: Holy Spirit, give me the grace of humility. I choose to lay down my rights and humble myself as Christ did. I know that if I humble myself, You will exalt me over my enemies. Give me a patient spirit so that I will wait on Your vindication with peace.

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We Are Called To Love Others; To Love Is Divine

by Kelmy Rodriquez
written by Kelmy Rodriquez

Our communities are plagued and infested with violence. Some of our neighbors, friends, and family members are victims of these senseless acts. Others have sheltered deviancy. Some of the deviant acts come from within our very households. We are called to love others, yet we tend to turn a blind eye, and purposely ignore the problem. We eventually begin to formulate forms of self-justification and mollification. Problems never go away when they are left unaddressed. It is like sweeping dust in the corner of a room and not disposing of it. A topical view of the room may appear clean; sooner or later, the accumulation will begin to settle back into the room. It tends to become worse than before.

Unspeakable Acts

A perfect example of this violence is an incident that occurred a couple of months ago on the New York City Transit System. A man in his early 40’s was videotaped on a passenger’s cell phone. The video shows him assaulting a 78-year-old homeless woman. At no moment whatsoever did anyone offer assistance nor attempt to defend this poor older woman. Nobody even tried to stop the heartless man from repeatedly kicking her in the head. I was disgusted seeing this violent act committed towards the vulnerable older women. It was heartbreaking to see that no one intervened and worse that someone had the audacity to record the attack. Can we honestly say what is more troubling in this incident? The perpetrator who fiercely attacked the homeless, older woman, or the group of young men who stood by idly and recorded it?

Another more recent incident to an 80-year-old man holding a Bible in his hand while preaching on a Brooklyn bound train. He was suddenly assaulted with a woman’s heel as she cursed him, God, and his Bible. It was heartbreaking to see this man bleeding from his head as he continued to speak the Word of God. Once again, no one came to the aid of this elderly evangelist.

Love Others

God created us to love all His creations. Would you dare strike and hit your sister or brother? Your mother? Your grandmother? I wonder if the heartless man who brutally beat the homeless woman has a sister, a mother, a daughter, a cousin, or an aunt? If so, what would his sentiments be if it occurred to one of them? No matter how it may be perceived, he struck his sister with the unwarranted brutal assaulted. The same goes for the lady who attacked the evangelist on the train; she attacked her brother.

His Children

When Sarah was introduced to Abimelech by her husband Abraham, she was introduced as his sister. This happened for fear that he would have been killed by Abimelech’s men, and Sarah exposed to all. The Bible says God came to Abimelech in a dream and warned him not to harm Sarah and disclosed her exact relation to Abraham. The next day Abimelech confronted Abraham to ask why he presented Sarah as his sister and not his wife. Finally, came the golden response. “Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father— though not the daughter of my mother— and she became my wife.” (Genesis 20:12)

Take a moment and reflect on this piece of scripture; you will grasp the context well. Next, you must see that even though we are all individuals from various ethnicities, cultures, faiths, economic standings, families, and geographic locations- we are all children of GOD. To become a Christian, you must understand that we are all one. One sacrifice atoned for all and one body broken for all iniquities. Consequently, we are one in belief despite the many variations that denominations promote. One from a spiritual genealogy and we are one when it comes to the blood of Christ. His sacrifice was to atone and satisfy justice for all our transgressions.

Love Others: Love In Your Spirit

From the commandments, no one can follow every commandment to the letter. We abide by the “spirit of the law”. Some commandments are for the Church and its administration, others for personal and spiritual growth. Additionally, the book of Luke highlights one of the most important commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

If you don’t love Him and all of His children, there is a severe problem. An astringent deficiency in your spirit. “He will not love the one who does not love!”

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Gaining New Ground In Your Life

by Kelmy Rodriquez
written by Kelmy Rodriquez

There is so much going on in the world and possibly much more day to day, in your life. From marriage, children, work, community, social interactions, church, and civics – we are tasked to manage all aspects of our lives. It can be a bit overwhelming, and at times, you feel that you lack much-needed support. You begin to feel you are losing control while spiraling downhill. Many of us find ourselves confused, frustrated, and even depressed. We, at times, begin to seek external avenues to drown out these emotions and escape the many issues we are facing. Some are led to decisions that will compromise our spirituality – our walk with God and even our faith. Others may allow people to come between us and our intimate relationship with God.

Pushing Through

Everyday struggles are inevitable, and there are times we may feel that we are drowning in problems. God never promised a cruise control button for traveling through this rough terrain we call life. He did promise that faith and works minimize the struggles we experience almost daily as He pushes us through barriers. Some barriers are manufactured through our fears and insecurity; we tend to hinder our progress and remain in stagnation. Many fear to explore opportunities outside their comfort zone. Remember that you made it this far. Ask yourself, “Why would my Lord bring me this far, to abandon me?” God never abandons His children. He may place you in an uncomfortable situation to either challenge your faith or push forward in a situation that you have failed to push through by yourself. It is our immeasurable faith and trust in Him that carries us through our challenges and personal tragedies in life. Do you recall the story of Moses and the Exodus?

Your Life and Faith

Moses was instructed by God to return to Egypt when he was approximately 80 years old. “Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” (Exodus 3:10-12) He was tasked with releasing the people of God from Pharaoh, knowing his life was in peril, for he had murdered an Egyptian Guard who was beating an Israelite slave, which forced him to escape from Egypt. Despite Moses’s fear, he trusted God without reservation.

If you wish to gain control over situations, a territory in your life, triumph over spiritual warfare, and create a legacy of stability – you must make a covenant with God and work towards your goals while maintaining immeasurable faith. You must promise and keep to being obedient to the Lord, and you will begin to see how much more victories you will have in your life while gaining new ground.

God’s Promise For Your Life

Scripture reflects the Abrahamic covenant within the book of Genesis. God promised Abraham he would make a nation of decedents if he was obedient. Abraham had invested completed obedience and faith in God, and in return, his decedents inherited the lands God placed for them. “So on that day, the Lord made a promise and an agreement with Abram. He said, ‘I will give this land to your descendants. I will give them the land between the River of Egypt and the great river Euphrates. This is the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.'” (Genesis 15:18-21)

God has the power to move mountains, even the ones you have built in your life. No matter the endeavor, financial instability, the challenges you are facing, betrayal of a friend, partner, or family member – leave it at the foot of His throne. “Do your best, and let God do the rest!”

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The Patchwork Quilt Of Life

by Corine Channell
written by Corine Channell

Family, friends, casual acquaintances, heroes, scoundrels, and strangers. Trials, tests, failures, successes, great ideas, terrible ideas, highs and lows. All of them are grafted into our lives for various reasons.

“To everything there is a season, and a time for every a purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;  a time to weep,  and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

“A time to sew…” Well – there it is! I call it the patchwork quilt of LIFE.

Patchwork by definition is:”Needlework in which small pieces of cloth in different designs, different colors, and different textures are sewn together.” The two key words here are ‘different’ and ‘together’. Everything can be different and still be together.

My mother in law used to sew quilts. Quilting was HER thing, and not mine. She was a skilled seamstress, and to her credit she tried very hard to teach me how to quilt. I did NOT have her skill nor her patience. However, I would watch her while she quilted, as I found it intriguing.

She would take some of the most random unappealing and  distasteful pieces of cloth and cut them into squares. She would also have beautiful and colorful (and much more appealing) pieces of fabric. Stacks of material would start to appear, all mismatched and random. I remember wondering how on earth this could ever turn into a thing of beauty.

She would then begin to piece them together, which really made me shake my head even more. Some colors didn’t match with the colors she sewed them next to. Frankly, it looked like a hodgepodge and a disaster, and a mess.

Ah, but THAT was just the one side.

When she was done placing each piece where she wanted it, and it was all sewn together, THEN would come the great unveiling! She would flip the quilt over and VOILA’ – lo and behold would be the most beautiful pattern you had NO idea would be there.

I realize that THIS is life.

All the people , all the experiences, all the ever changing seasons, all the things that don’t match up, all the questions without answers – ALL of it that seems like a hodgepodge and a disaster and a mess – ALL of it will be placed in its rightful spot by the hand of the Master Designer of our lives.

The secret to life is found in the wait. You must wait to see why. You must wait to see when. You must wait to see who. You must wait to see how. If you give up or give in too soon, you never get to see the unveiling.

We are each a work in progress.

The actual process of quilting sounds a lot like life – choose, gather, cut, sew, baste, stitch, bind and enjoy. If you think about it this applies to relationships, careers, personal well being, decision making, faith, and life skills in general.

“Being confident of THIS, that He who began a good work in YOU will carry it to completion…” (Philippians 1:6) Just like my mother in laws beautiful quilts, so are WE being fashioned – one tiny square at a time.

And the goal should be and CAN be that our lives unfold as a thing of beauty to behold.
#HodgePodgeMasterpiece

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