“But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon Him;
and with His stripes we are healed.”
– Isaiah 53:5
Tag Archives: religion
My Sheep Hear My Voice
“…He calls his own sheep by name,
and leads them out….
He goes before them,
and the sheep follow Him: for they know His voice.
And a stranger they will not follow…”
My sheep hear my voice,…
I know them, and they follow me:…
I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all;
and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
I and my Father are one.”
John 10:1-5 ,27-30
His Way Is Perfect
“As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried:
He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.
For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
It is God that girdes me with strength, and makes my way perfect.
He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up,
… thy gentleness hath made me great.”
Psalm 18:30-35
St. Patrick’s Day
The true story of St. Patrick’s Day, is about a simple man of prayer, perseverance, faith, and a genuine concern for others. I really like this story, and I hope that you will too! ♣
Patrick, whose real name was Maewyn Succat, was not Irish, but English. He was born to a wealthy Christian family, and as an early teen, he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland to become a slave. His name was changed to Patrick. As a slave in Ireland, he witnessed the pagan practices of the Irish, but remained true to his Christian faith, and it is said that he prayed up to a 100 times a day.
One day Maewyn escaped and took the long journey back to his home in England. After many years, he developed a deep desire to return to Ireland as a missionary. He taught the people about God and advised them not trust in pagan superstitions. He used the three leafed clover, the shamrock, to explain the Trinity,” Three in One”, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Patrick introduced Christianity to Ireland, and after 30 years of evangelism, he died on March 17, 461 AD. After his death he became known as St. Patrick and March 17th has been named a holiday in honor of him.
St. Patrick’s Day is about the faith and sacrifice of a man who shared his faith, and the love of God, with a nation…
and for that we remember him today!
Sweet Security
“…They that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee:”
“For Thou hast not forsaken them that seek Thee”
Psalm 9:10
His Way Is Perfect
“As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up,
… thy gentleness hath made me great.”
Psalm 18:30-35
Throwback Thursday- God Heals the Brokenheart
“He heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds…Great is our Lord, and of great power;
His understanding is infinite.” Psalm 147: 3,5
Overcomers
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
I John 5:4
Trusting God
To trust in God means that He is our confidence; our minds are at rest, as we rely on His word, His integrity, His veracity, His faithfulness, and His unfailing love.
We don’t often hear stories about King Hezekiah, but he is one of my favorite examples of trusting in God. II Kings 18:5, says that Hezekiah trusted God like no other king before or after him.. What a wonderful way to be remembered, as someone who truly trusted in God. In the face of danger, at the threat of war from Sennacherib, king of Assyria, and even after the prophet Isaiah warned him that he would soon die, Hezekiah prayed to God, trusted Him to hear and answer, and God delivered him every time!
King Hezekiah’s sincere, unshakable, trust in God, serves as a great encouragement and example for us today, as we face life’s trials and difficulties. Like him, we too can be assured, that God cares, He hears our prayers,He sees our tears, and will not fail to deliver us, as we place our trust in Him.
Refresh
“Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.
I said to the LORD, “You are my Master!
Every good thing I have comes from you.”
The godly people in the land are my true heroes!
I take pleasure in them!
Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood
or even speak the names of their gods. LORD, you alone
are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
What a wonderful inheritance! I will bless the LORD who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.
I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”
Psalm 16 NLT
A Great Calm
“And the same day, when the evening was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:35-40
Precious
“He cuts out rivers among the rocks; and his eye sees every precious thing.” Job 28:10
An Attitude of Gratitude
“Dear Lord, I thank you for everything, and every circumstance in my life today…”
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” First Thessalonians 5:18
Showers of Blessing
“… I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.“
Ezekiel 34:26
Morning by Morning
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been thou forever will be.
Humility
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
“To Him be Glory and Dominion Forever and Ever. Amen.”
I Peter 5:6-11
Together Forever
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38
His Eye Is On The Sparrow
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
A Living Hope
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,…
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
1 Peter 1:3 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
My Light and My Salvation
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27
Victorious
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”
Romans 8:35 and 37
Happy Mother’s Day
Happy Mother’s Day to you all, and a very special Mother’s day to my own dear Mom!
I’m so thankful for the mother that God has blessed me with. She is my friend, and has been a tower of strength for me, as she constantly gives of herself, and encourages me in the word of God. I am thankful for the example she has given me in mothering my own three children, and I am thankful for her own mother, my sweet grandma, who although she has gone on to be with Jesus, has left a loving legacy of motherhood for me as well, and my children still benefit from her example of love, courage, and faith.
Just as the Apostle Paul said of Timothy, in 2 Timothy 1:51; ” When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” My grandmother, who introduced me to Christ, and my mother, who continually encourages me in Him, have blessed me, and instilled in me, the treasure of possessing an unfeigned faith in God, loving Jesus, and trusting in His Word, for which I am eternally grateful.
God Bless You all, and have a Happy Mother’s Day!
Peaceful Heart
“A heart at peace gives life to the body.” Proverbs 14:30
“… My peace I give unto you:… Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
Higher
“When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Psalm 61:2
Beauty of Worship
“Worship The Lord in the Beauty of His Holiness”
O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
Say among the heathen that the LORD reigns: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
Before the LORD: for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
Psalm 96
Smokin’ Hot
They say, “Where there’s smoke there’s fire”, so is it also true that where there’s fire there’s smoke?” Not according to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It says in Daniel 3:20-24 that when they were thrown into the fiery furnace, the king saw four men walking in the fire, and the fourth looked like the Son of God, and when he called them out of the fire, they were completely untouched by the flames, and then, to top it all off, their clothes didn’t even smell like smoke. Now, that’s amazing!! You can’t even start coals for a barbecue, without smelling like smoke! Verse 24 says that” the fire had no power over them!”Our God Is AWESOME!! This story is a fire-bright, blatant example, of how God is with us “in the fire“, these fiery trials have no power over us, and when it’s over, we won’t even smell like smoke! Now that’s Hot!
Sparkle
A Reflection of Him…
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
Quietness
“In quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15
Throwback Thursday- Baby Blue Pinto
It’s “Throwback Thursday” and here’s an exciting read! This is a true story of a tragedy, and how the Lord protects us, and keeps us safe, even in the most dangerous circumstances. Take a look!
What comes to mind when you hear the word pinto? I guess it depends on how old you are, “It’s a bean! It’s a horse! No! It’s an automobile!!!!!” That’s right, a Pinto is an automobile produced by Ford in the 70’s. It was a squatty, compact car with a huge triangular window in the back. But to me, a sixteen year-old looking at her first car, it was the cutest thing that I had ever seen! One cool morning in October, when I was seventeen, I was just leaving for school when my mother called out from the back of the house, “Hey, drive carefully and remember what they said on the news about those Pintoes blowing up!! Be careful.” This was true. Upon impact, (near the gas tank), Pintoes were sometimes prone to explode. “Ok, I’ll be careful.” I answered, and I was on my way. I…
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Shout for Joy!
“He will once again fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy!”
Iron Sharpens Iron
It’s so encouraging to see the little faces and gravatar images at the end of a post from fellow bloggers who “like” it. It really makes me feel good inside, and for those of you who have done so on any of my posts, I just wanted to send out a special thank you!
I love the verse in Proverbs 27:17 that says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend,” That’s how it is in life, between those who are closely connected, through family, and friendship, and I’m thankful for the connection that I’ve found working and sharing along with those of you who either visit, “like”, or follow this blog.
As iron sharpens iron, I have been strengthened and encouraged through this blogging experience, and it is my hope that others will be strengthened and encouraged as they visit here as well.
God bless you today, and always.
Faith :)
The River
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God shall help her and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations He hath made in the earth. He makes wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaks the bow, and cuts the spear in sunder; He burns the chariot in the fire, “Be still, and know that I am God” I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” Psalm 46
Suffering
Suffering may endure for a season,
And we wonder when relief will come.
Is this for a time of testing
A really deep trial for some?
Day by day we endure our heartaches,
Often questioning why,
We don’t seem to fully understand
And we come before God with a sigh!
“Just quiet yourself in My presence,” He says,
“I have blessings for you in store,
This time with me will be precious,
Even more than ever before.”
The wonderful promises in God’s Holy Word
Bring comfort, encouragement and peace,
And as we nestle up close to Him.
Our Faith brings sweet release.
So let us joyfully praise the Lord,
If, through suffering we can learn,
Truths that will help to guide our way,
And His Word more clearly discern.
Elsie K. Young
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory.” -2 Corinthians 4:7
Sweet Peace
“The Lord will bless His people with peace.”Psalm 29:11
“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
Oh, Bother!!
“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” I Peter 5:7
From Everlasting To Everlasting
Lord, through all the generations You have been our home! Before the mountains were created, before the earth was formed, from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.” Psalms 90:1-2
In Times Of Trial
“…We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous…” I John 2:1
“God will not be absent when His people are on trial; he will stand in court as their advocate, to plead on their behalf. ” –Charles Haddon Spurgeon
The Pieces Fit
Romans 8:28
“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.”
Wow! WAW!! pt 3
I thought I’d change things up a bit, and abbreviate, “What a Woman” with “WAW”. :) Anyway, this is the third and final part of my post on the Shunnamite woman. The first two posts were paraphrased from II Kings chapter 4, and today’s story can be found in II Kings chapter 8. Thanks for following along!…
Sometime after God raised her son back to life, the Shunnamite woman was advised by Elisha, the prophet, to pack up her belongings, and leave her home. He warned her of how the LORD had called for a famine, and that it would last for seven years. So, the woman did as the prophet said, and traveled to the land of the Philistines, where she lived for seven years.
When the famine was over, she decided to return to her home, and she went to see the King about getting her land back. On the very same day that she was to present her appeal to the king, Gehazi, Elisha’s servant just happened to be in a meeting with the king, because the king wanted to hear more about all the great things that Elisha had done. Just as he began to tell the king about the woman whose son Elisha had raised from the dead, behold, the woman whose son was restored to life, came in to make her appeal to the king, and Gehazi said in excitement, “O king! This is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life!!” And when the king asked her, she told him her story and the king said to his officer, “Restore all that was her’s, and all that she would have earned from her land since the day she left until now.”
The Lord went before her, prepared the king to hear her case, and then gave her back not only her land, but all of the profits that she would have made from her fields over the seven years that she was gone! Wow!! I told you that this story was exciting! What a testimony… God is forever faithful to “the faithful.”
Wow! What a Woman! pt 2
Just when her faith had risen to a new level, it would be tested…
A few years later, her son was out in the field with his father, when he began complaining of a severe headache. His father told one of the servants to take the young boy to his mother. The child laid his head on his mother’s lap until around noon, and then died…
The woman took her son up to the room that she had made for Elisha, and laid him on the bed. She closed the door, went out, and called for her husband. Then she asked him to send her one of the servants and a donkey, so that she could go and see the man of God. She said she would hurry and return soon. Her husband asked why she was going to see the man of God.. She didn’t say anything except, “It shall be well.” She quickly saddled her donkey, and left to see the prophet.
As she approached Mount Carmel, the man of God saw her coming and sent his servant, Gehazi, to meet her and ask what was wrong. He told him to ask if it was well with her husband, and if it was well with the child. When Gehazi asked her these questions she replied, “It is well.” When she approached the prophet, she got off her donkey, and fell at his feet. She cried out, “Did I ask you, my lord, for a son?.. Did I not say, do not lie to me?” Elisha sent his servant away immediately to go and see about the child, but the woman would not leave without him, so he returned with her.
When Elisha arrived at the house, the boy was dead and lying on his bed. He stretched himself out on the child, and the child became warm… He got up and walked around a bit, and then stretched himself out on the child again, and this time the boy sneezed seven times, and opened his eyes!
Gehazi called for his mother, and when she came into the room, she fell at Elisha’s feet, and bowed herself to the ground. She picked up her son,…. And walked out.
Wow! What a woman of faith! Fear and faith cannot operate at the same time… This woman showed incredible faith in the face of a situation which could have invoked the most horrible fear. She knew that her son was a miraculous gift from God, and that God had blessed her and done what she thought was impossible… Faced with the sudden death of her son, her response was one of faith, and although I’m sure her heart was pounding, she made the immediate decision to hold her tongue, and trust God. She told her husband, “It shall be well” and said to the prophet, “It is well.” and because of her faith, God made it so…It was well!
Stay tuned,..Part 3 next time. :)
Faithrises 