A to Z Blogging Challenge T is for Tribulation

Tribulation

Jesus said, “…in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation.

But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

What are you troubled about today?

Your financial situation?

A serious diagnosis or illness?

A challenging relationship with someone you love?

A difficult decision that you have to make?

These are all worldly  things, a result of the sin in this world. We will never be free of the trials and tribulation and chaos of this world.

But Jesus has overcome the world and He assures us in the verse above that we can have peace. The peace only He can bring, a peace not of this world but a supernatural, spiritual peace.

Take heart; He has overcome the world, and despite the troubles here on earth, we will spend eternity in perfect peace and joy.

What are you troubled about today? 

Ask the Lord to give you the peace that only He can give.

(I’m also blogging the A to Z Challenge at Home is Where the Mom Is. Check it out!)

A to Z Blogging Challenge -- R is for Refuge

Refuge

“But for me it is good to be near God;

I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of Your works.”

Psalm 73:28

God has been my refuge in the midst of the most difficult time in my life, during the summer of 2012 when my marriage was breaking up and I was starting over. It was more than good to be near Him; it was the greatest blessing I could have at that time.  I knew that He understood, that He had a plan for me, that He would never, ever leave me. When I could not concentrate to read or comprehend anything else in His Word, I could read the Psalms, including Psalm 73.

Have you made God your refuge today? Was He your first choice, or did you only turn to Him after texting your best friend or calling your sister or posting on FaceBook? Turn to Him first; as wonderful as your friends and family are, He offers even more comfort.

What works of His will you tell others of, to strengthen their faith?

I will share this and I hope it encourages readers. I needed a job after I moved out, and asked God for a job that met the following guidelines; in the town in which I was living (I hate driving in bad weather), relatively non-stressful (I had enough stress in my “real” life!), decent paying, and part-time so that I could continue publishing the Nebraska Family Times and writing if that was His will.

Several weeks later I read a want-ad and when I called the number I found that it fit every single one of my requests. After a few months I realized that it was a little too “part time” for me to meet my expenses…and then I found out about another part-time job that, as well as fitting the above requirements, would also fit perfectly into my life. The two jobs are the best jobs I’ve had in my nursing career!

But it gets even better...

A few months ago, I realized that God gave me something in both jobs that I hadn’t even thought to ask for: Christian friends who offered me the support and encouragement I needed during that very hard time. He knew what I needed and blessed me with it, even though I didn’t think to ask.

God truly is my refuge; it is so good to be near Him!

What works has God done in your life, that you can share to encourage others?

 If you’d like, comment below.

(I’m also blogging the A to Z Challenge at Home is Where the Mom Is. Check it out!)

Peaceably

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

Romans 12:18

It is possible to live peaceably with most people; if your personalities clash, you either avoid the person or are distantly polite.

However, there are people with whom it is not possible to live peaceably.

Perhaps when you give an inch they take 10,000 miles.

Maybe they are offended by everything you say, and let you know it.

Or have hurt you so badly in the past (or continue to hurt you) you just cannot face them.

Or their values directly oppose yours—and they enjoy trying to force them on you.

What to do? 

• Avoid the person if possible.
• Pray that the Lord will give you patience and grace if you have to face the person, and that if words are necessary, the Holy Spirit will give you the right ones. And (this is really difficult!) pray for the person. The only thing I could pray for one person who used to be in my life was, “Please Lord give her Your peace.”
• Remember the words that follow the above verse: “Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:19-20. 
• Hard as it is (I know, I’ve been in the situation!) be kind if you have to have contact, and let the Lord handle the rest. He knows what has happened; He knows what the best solution is. It might not be your solution; pray for His peace with whatever happens.

Who in your life is impossible to live with peaceably? What will you do next time you see that person? Pray for the Lord’s guidance, and that you will show His love, despite the circumstances.

I’m also blogging the A to Z Challenge at Home is Where the Mom Is. 

A to Z Blogging -- C is for Comfort

Comfort

Paul says, “Praise be to the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

1 Corinthians 1:3-4

During tough times we can find comfort in knowing that no matter what the circumstances, the Lord loves us and cares for us and forgives us. Jesus was made man when He came to earth as a baby and throughout His life He felt the emotions that we feel. Hebrews 4:15 tells us, “Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because He was tempted just as we are, the only difference being He did not sin.”  

How has He comforted you during tough times? Did He send a friend, or a job, or financial help? Comforting words from someone who had experienced similar circumstances? Did He lead you to a Bible passage appropriate to your situation? Did you feel the comfort of His presence and peace?

Who in your life needs comforting right now? A friend who has lost a child? The neighbor who lost his job? The child who didn’t get into the college of choice? Someone whose marriage is going through a difficult time, or even ending?

Today, thank God for the ways He comforted you, and ask Him how you can comfort someone in your life, perhaps sharing your experiences while going through a similar difficult time.

Who are you going to comfort today, and how?

(I’m also blogging the A to Z Challenge at Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom's Guide. Today’s post lists some of my favorite Chapters in the Bible. Check it out!)

A to Z Blogging -- B is for Beautiful

Beautiful

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Some things in life aren't beautiful at all. A health battle. A child going down the wrong path. The loss of a job.

When my marriage broke up it was definitely not beautiful. It was ugly. It was sad. It was – and is –the most UN-beautiful thing, the biggest disappointment and failure in my life.

Many days are still very hard, but after time I am seeing some beautiful things come out of the pain.

A much deeper faith and dependence on the Lord.

Wonderful new friends.

Jobs I love.

Most of all, the absolute knowledge that I am forgiven by the Lord, for every single sin. I am forgiven and free from the weight, the guilt, the ugliness of those sins.  

What could be more beautiful?

How have you seen God make a dark time in your life beautiful? 

Are you in a dark time in your life? Take a few minutes today to pray to God to show you even a glimpse of what is beautiful. And if you know a friend going through a hard time, show her a glimpse of beauty in sharing His love; send a card with His encouraging words, pray for her, send a grocery store gift card anonymously, share a hug.  

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(I’m also blogging the A to Z Challenge at Home is Where the Mom Is

Check it out!)

B is for…Be Still

by Shelly Burke, Editor

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

From the time I get up in the morning until the time I go to bed at night, I’m moving. Maybe not very fast or very far, but I try to be productive. I’d imagine you do the same!

But God tells us in this passage that to know Him, we must “be still.”

Unless we concentrate on Him, we cannot know Him.

God wants us to stop our multitasking, stop our scurrying and errands, stop checking FaceBook and texting, stop working on our long to-do list and…be still.

When we’re mentally making our to-do list during Bible study time…when we’re planning supper during prayer time…when we’re anticipating the “big game” that afternoon, during church, we’re not being still, and not concentrating on Him.

I think most of us are all about multi-tasking, but research is finding that when  a person multi-tasks, he or she is actually  less efficient at both tasks, than when concentrating on the tasks individually.

It seems that God really knew—thousands of years ago, when this Psalm was recorded-- what He was talking about when he said, “Be still.”

How can you “be still” during your time with God when you’re used to non-stop activity from the time you get up to the time you go to bed at night?

     *First of all, make time with Him a priority. Designate a time when you’re less likely to be interrupted; early in the morning, right after the kids leave for school, or late at night, just before you go to sleep.

     *When it’s your personal Bible study or prayer time, read this verse to focus your thoughts: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

     *Get rid of distractions—turn off the TV, your cell phone, and anything else that will tempt your thoughts away from the Lord.

     *Practice focusing your mind and shutting out distractions. When you notice your mind wandering, consciously bring your focus back to what you’re reading, or prayer.

     *If random thoughts of groceries you need, that bill that hasn’t been paid, or that phone call you need to make tend to interrupt your concentration, keep a pad of paper or sticky notes near where you’re studying. That way you can jot it down and push it out of your mind, knowing you don’t have to try to remember it.

The devil does not want us to strengthen our spiritual life, and he will do whatever he can to distract you. But with practice, you’ll become better at being still and knowing God. Don’t give up—the time you spend getting to know Him will pay off in a closer relationship with Him.

Dear Lord, please help me today to concentrate on my relationship with You. Help me to be still, that I can know You. Amen.

I’m also blogging at www.achristianmomsguide.blogspot.com

A to Z Blogging Challenge "Peace"

"Peace"

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

            Psalm 4:8

Does this ever happen to you? You go to bed, ready to sleep…and as soon as you turn off the light you begin to worry, fret, relive the negative parts of the day, worry some more, go over and over things you said and did, things you should have said and done, things you shouldn’t have said or done…

David, the writer of this Psalm, certainly had reason to fret and worry over his actions and decisions. 

• Saul, the king of Israel, became jealous and was trying to kill David (1 Sam. 19).
•  David and his men came back from a battle and found that their wives and children had been captured  (1 Sam. 30).
• There was fighting between the houses of Saul and David (2 Sam. 3). 
• He had committed adultery with Bathsheba and when she became pregnant David schemed to have Uriah, her husband, killed so that he and Bathsheba could marry and the adultery wouldn’t be discovered. As a result, the prophet Nathan told David that his son would die (2 Samuel 11). 
• David’s own son, Absalom, was plotting to kill him (2 Sam. 14) 

With all of this going on in his life, it’s amazing David got any sleep at all! But clearly he knew that God was faithful, had forgiven him, and would keep him safe, despite his sins. He was not able to only lie down, but to sleep, despite the turmoil in his life. And in Psalm 3:5 David says, “I will wake again, because the Lord sustains me.”  He is confident that he will not just lie down and sleep, but that he will wake again. .

When you lie down tonight, ask for forgiveness for your sins. Then you can sleep in peace, knowing that the Lord loves you, forgives you, and will sustain and keep you safe through the night.  

Lord, please let me feel Your presence tonight as I lie down to sleep. Give me the reassurance that you will keep me in safety and sustain me. Thank you! Amen.

I’m also blogging at Home is Where the Mom Is .

Today’s post will help you to “Prepare for Sick Days” for

yourself and/or your kids.