Again, a rainbow reminds me of God's many promises, and how He loves us and watches over us and guides us ! How encouraging is that! By the way, that is a moon in the lower part of my photograph, which was taken just at dawn on my patio.
Last night I was very touched by watching a video concerning a Christian missionary who suffered tremendously and had much trauma as a missionary in the Congo for 20 years. Quite a long time ago, I had heard the story of a child's faith that God would answer a prayer that very day for a hot water bottle (to help save a baby's life) and for God to also - that very day - send a doll for the baby's sister ; the children's mother had just died in childbirth. Many of you may be familiar with that moving and miraculous story. Well, here it is now in video from the missionary who experienced it! But take note also: God asked the missionary a question: :
God used the missionary's suffering to help others. Her name was Helen Roseveare and she lived from 1925 to 2016. A must watch 18 minute video above. It will bless and encourage you!
Sometimes, as in Helen's life, God trusts us with some pretty heavy and tough experiences, and He does not always tell us the reason why!
Right now - this very minute - as I looked through one of my notebooks for encouraging Scriptures, the Lord led me to the following devotional by Charles Spurgeon! Wow! Spurgeon's words here are a perfect fit for our discussion now.
Spurgeon used Exodus 3:7 as the basis for his devotion, which tells us: "I know their sorrows."
Charles Spurgeon: " The child is cheered as he sings, "this my father knows"; and shall not we be comforted as we discern that our dear Friend and tender Soul-Husband knows all about us?
1. He is the Physician, and if He knows all, there is no need that the patient should know. Hush, thou silly, fluttering heart, prying, peeping, and suspecting! What thou knowest not now, thou shalt know hereafter, and meanwhile Jesus, the beloved Physician, knows thy soul in adversities. Why need the patient analyze all the medicine, or estimate all the symptoms? This is the Physician's work, not mine; it is my business to trust, and His to prescribe. If He shall write His prescription in uncouth characters which I cannot read, I will not be uneasy on that account, but rely upon His unfailing skill to make all plain in the result, however mysterious in the working.
2. He is the Master, and His knowledge is to serve us instead of our own; we are to obey, not to judge. "The servant knoweth not what his lord doeth." Shall the architect explain his plans to every hodman on the works? If he knows his own intent, is it not enough? The vessel on the wheel cannot guess to what pattern it shall be conformed, but if the potter understands his art, what matters the ignorance of the clay?! My Lord must not be cross-questioned any more by one so ignorant as I am.
3. He is the Head. All understanding centers there. What judgment has the arm? What comprehension has the foot? All the power to know lies in the head. Why should the member have a brain of its own when the head fulfills for it every intellectual office? Here then, must the believer rest his comfort in sickness, not that he himself can see the end, but that Jesus knows all. Sweet Lord, be Thou for ever eye, and soul, and head for us, and let us be content to know only what Thou choosest to reveal." - end of Spurgeon's quote.
Check out these sayings on Church properties:
"Free trip to heaven. Details inside!"
"We are a Facebook church. We seek HIS face, and open HIS book!"
"Dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives."
"Come work for the LORD. The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low. But the retirement benefits are out of this world !"
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In these perilous times, run to God! If you truly know God, nothing in this life can phase you or completely ruin you! So it encourages us in the following 12 minute video by "Lion of Judah" Christian You Tube channel:
The above encouraging video tells us, for one thing, "The hand of God is what will save you! It requires humility to recognize God as the Director of your life!" And, very important also : "God will never hate you!"
One Scripture used previously on this blog really describes the crazy and distorted mindset of many in today's upside-down and topsy-turvy deceived world:
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" - Isaiah 5:20
Not to elaborate right now on the above verse, ( I have done so previously and will again hopefully later on), but this applies not only to a global and/or worldwide mindset these days, but to individuals as well, of course, since individuals make up the world! You know what I am trying to say! Something to think about!
"Behold, God is my salvation: for the LORD Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation." - Isaiah 12:2
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all." - Psalm 34:19
"For HE hath made HIM to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." - 2 Corinthians 5:21
"I pray that out of HIS glorious riches HE may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being." - Ephesians 3:16
Jesus tells us at John 6:37 : "All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to ME I will in no wise cast out."
Jesus will love you forever, according to John 6:37. He will never abandon you!
"Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such as ye have; for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." - Hebrews 13:5
All of the above Scriptures should touch and melt our hearts ! What love God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ have for us! Our lives should reflect much gratitude in return! Love and gratitude to the good Lord can be expressed by obedience and by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is also obeying the Lord.
The following quote is by Lyle Bert, who is a handicapped person:
"A person who has no legs can still achieve great heights; A person who has no hands can still grasp an idea; A person who has no sight can still have great vision, And a person who can't move can still lead."
The above quote made me think of Nick Vujicic !! He was born without limbs and has been an inspiration to many as he travels the world and gives Christian motivational speeches. A few years ago here in Hawaii, I attended one of his live presentations.
Following is a short 7 minute video by Nick on "God's Plan For Your Life":
There are many of Nick's inspiring talks on You Tube! Go check them out. His website is
lifewithoutlimbs.org
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Many times this blog has stressed that Jesus' soon return is imminent! The Rapture of true believers could occur at any time - especially in light of how Bible prophecies are being fulfilled now at warp speed - almost on a minute by minute basis!
If Jesus returned to take believers to heaven tonight, or tomorrow, or very soon (no one knows the day or the hour, but God the Father - (Matthew 24:36)) .... If our Savior returned now, would you be Rapture Ready? Could you honestly say that you are living for Him and watching with great expectation and hope for Him? Does your life exhibit your love for Him?
If you are not a born again believer in Jesus the Savior, following are some Scriptures for you:
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." - John 3:36
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
