The Vote

A pastor I once knew said, “God always votes for you, Satan always votes against you. You have to be the deciding vote.”

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)


Decisions matter. The vote counts.

Blessings,

Teresa

Scripture source: Holy Bible; Biblegateway.com

Be Still and Know

Tornadoes touched down west of Missouri in Kansas and Oklahoma last night causing damage and death. Those storms are headed this way. Severe storms in Missouri are not a new thing, but we still get tense and take cover the best we can when faced with bad weather. Weather storms or life storms--they come. Both types of storms bring chaos. I happen to like peace.

When I'm faced with a storm, I snuggle even closer to the Lord. He doesn't especially do things my way, but I know God does "things" the right way; the way they need to be done.

If you're in a storm today realize that anxiety will not help you. Running will not help you. Calling on and resting in the Lord for the peace you deserve will help.

 

Psalm 46

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the LORD has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  Psalm 46:1-10 (NIV)  (emphasis mine)

Blessings,

Teresa

Scripture source: Biblegateway.com

For God So Loved

When my son was three years old he misbehaved and I scolded him. Then I went back to what I’d been doing. A few minutes later, my son came to me with tears in his eyes and tugged on my shirt. “Do you still love me?” he said. I lifted him in my arms, hugged him tightly and said, “No matter what, I’ll always love you.”

 The love I have for my children remains in full bloom. God’s love is in full bloom. 

“Oh, God, of second chances and new beginnings, here I am again.” Author Unknown

Even though we continue to follow anything and everything but Him, God continues to love the world. “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.”  John 3:16 (NIV)

Jesus has a part in God’s saving grace. He was sent to Earth as man—not to make us feel condemned, but to save. With outstretched arms, he continues to call the world’s people in hopes he can bring us into eternity, into the Kingdom of God. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17 (NIV)

We have a part, too. We need to believe in the son of God for our salvation. “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:18 (NIV)

Denying Jesus doesn’t make him less effective. It doesn’t mean God doesn’t exist. But, it is our choice to believe. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians1:18

·         If you want to read more about a personal relationship with God read here.

·         For 10 Reasons to Believe Christ arose from the Dead read here.

God bless you this Easter Sunday!

Teresa

Sources: John 3:16-18, biblegateway.com , Resource for personal relationship and 10 Reasons, discoveyseries.com