Walking in kindness

Mathew 5:39

Jesus speaks on “an eye for an eye”

But I tell you , do not resist an evil person, if someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Everyday is a challenge, just knowing you have to get up and go  work or school is a tough. But don’t turn your back on people because you are angry or not happy today. Try with all your might to live as though you were meant to see this person today. They are teaching you something. Be kind, even if they are not. Show you belong to the Lord and follow in his footsteps.

God’s Timetable Vs Ours

Waiting….. how hard is that?

We pray we wait, we pray we wait. Still no answer.

We want things to happen and for things to be shown to us clearly as we wait for direction.

But have you ever noticed that as you wait, you do see things clearly. In hindsight many things I prayed for did not happen, and that for my greater good. Maybe something was given to someone over my desire to have it because it wasn’t right for me and very right for another.

Don’t get me wrong, God has answered many prayers and I have seen many great things happen under His hand. I came to resolve that my timetable is not God’s. So for you weary waiter’s (and I don’t mean in a restaurant!) I say there is a season where you see a lot happening, you may be in it right now or as I call it a desert season just waiting for God as He is shaping you for whatever is coming your way next. Hold firmly onto trusting God for wherever you are now.  His plans are making a way for better seasons and as you wait, your faith is always being tested. Paul tells us this in the book of Hebrews devoting a full chapter 11 to the faith of the ancient people in the Old Testament. They may or may not have seen their dreams come true but God is always faithful to those who love and worship Him.

Hebrews 11:1

 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

For those who have given up on your dreams, I say this to you, dreams are created in your life that others cannot see. When you have a dream, it’s because the dream you have is placed in you, to strive towards, used for the greater good of God and man. Dreams change and sometimes they die but if it is in you pray and see God’s hand and how He answers you.
Place your trust in God as He moves you closer to the things He desires for your life, surrender those tightly held plans and release them to Him, He knows the best direction.

It’s hard to see God working, isn’t it?
Especially when you think you should be going one way and the opposite is true. But God knows you better than you know yourself. That’s where trust, hope and faith come in.

Exodus 15:11
Who among the gods
    is like you, Lord?
Who is like you—
    majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
    working wonders?

In writing this to you I see my struggles with waiting, but I know as much as I struggle you do as well so as we are in the body of Christ we wait, we pray and we trust.
Shalom
Nancy
The Christian Writer

Red Sky at Night

Red Sky at Night

My father was in the Coast Guard in WW11, growing up we often would hear him say, red sky at night sailors delight, red sky in morning sailor take warning. Maybe you have heard this saying from your parents or grandparents, but there is so much truth to this!

Sometimes we can see the array of beautiful red colors in the sky when it is setting, like a painter’s brush strokes, we can take solace in the moment’s beauty. Just like the night, there comes a red sky the morning, the waves of the sea get rough, storms are coming. What is coming for us?

As if the weather could tell us so much about our own lives, good relationships, beautiful sunny days or calm days and everything seems to be going as planned. Next day, you wake up into a succession of storms. When things get stormy or out of control, what may be natural is to seek emergency prayer and know Jesus is with you. Storms end, beautiful sky again, all is good.

Did you forget who is in control of the wind and the waves?

Matthew 8:27

 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” 

Would you be able to admit that when things are going well you place Jesus in a convenient spot in the back of the line, just waiting for you to call on Him when you need Him? 

He is not a God of convenience, He is to be worshipped, sought after and praised.

God, who moves the red sky in the morning, the roaring waves that crash down on the beach. God is in control of every aspect, even when you move away from His will, He loves you enough to bring you gently back and through tough lessons, back to the fold of Jesus’ arms. 

He is with you

Don’t ever forget that in the storm, Jesus creates a place for you to come to Him for shelter. He provides you with the strength to weather all storms. When you see red skies at night, the view that as if God is telling you I have brought you this far, my grace is sufficient, stand strong in it the storms are coming, if you have sinned, repent- because sin will cause the strongest of storms and shackle your life.

John 8:34 

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

Sins are forgiven through repentance and belief in Jesus Christ, who loves you with an everlasting love. Follow Him, keep Him close and know that He is with you in beautiful red sky nights and unpredictable red sky mornings. Don’t put Jesus at the end of the line when your prayers have been answered, put Him first and see that He never leaves you or forsakes you. Follow Jesus.

Shalom

Nancy

The Christian Writer 

#RedSkyatNight #Jesus #repent #sin

Gossip & It’s Destructive Force

Scrutiny… it’s just another word for gossip. Why? Because we are under the eyes of a scrutinizer. When we start out our conversations do they end up scrutinizing someone for their behavior? But in actuality, we are the ones that are behaving in a un-godly fashion. 

By gossiping, we are allowing the foothold of the enemy in our thoughts and words. If there is anyone who thinks that they are above gossiping, it is not the truth. The truth is that everyone is someone’s judge. We judge other people’s actions and think our ways are better. But are they? Maybe in each person’s sight, we are a vehicle for their wrath.  We need to check in on what we are doing as well. Not one is free from this and we all do some sort of judging. But when it’s taken to a place where it could severely damage someone’s reputation then this needs to stop.

Proverbs 18:8

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;

    they go down to the inmost parts.

Gossip destroys relationships

One person may say one thing and a fire is let loose in it’s path, others get on board. Now you have a flame that’s out of control over something that could have been resolved just by a conversation to clarify everything.

Proverbs 26:20 

Without wood a fire goes out;

    without a gossip, a quarrel dies down.

Many families & friendships split because there are divisions that were misunderstood and “me” focused. “Look what they did to me?” -“Why did they say that to me?” Are just a few of things that can get blown out of proportion. Something misunderstood could be quite simple and pride rears its ugly head. Learning to let go is better than harping on it or blowing it out of context, like the storm that brings in the rough surf. No control just damaging waves.

Proverbs 16:28 

A perverse person stirs up conflict,

    and a gossip separates close friends.

Gossip prevents us from relationships

When you gossip and someone finds out you break confidence and trust. Now what seemed to be a good relationship is on edge with how much you will reveal. The lesson is this, if someone is gossiping to you, they are gossiping about you. So be careful who you let into your deep thoughts.

Proverbs 11:13 

A gossip betrays a confidence,

    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

Gossip just hurts

If someone finds out that things were revealed to someone else that’s hurtful and can really take time for someone else to regain trust again. Sadly the lesson is learned in a hurtful way. You lose confidence in someone you thought you had trust in.

1 Corinthians 2:15 

The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments,

Gossip does nothing but hurt others, puts wedges between people and many times is not healthy. Ultimately God is our judge, it is He who judges us and our actions. Trust God, pray for everything.

Shalom

Nancy

The Christian Writer

Dry & Desolate Land

A traveling experience can be a great experience to see what is happening in the world as it takes us out of our comfortable life. It’s an eye opener to what is really going on with different cultures and their perspective on God.

If you know the Word of God, you pick up on things that people don’t notice and it grabs your attention, such as shopping. Innocent eyes of shoppers glance past statues displayed of idol gods. Defenders of this would probably say that it’s for serenity or just part of the decor, as we know it’s these subtle things that get unsuspecting people to think it’s cool or inquire about it at a later time. It only goes to prove that the presence of God has been replaced by idol worship. People have turned from God to the satisfaction of their self desires as many turn to false gods or worship false man-made objects.

What does God tell us when these things happen? 

His ears will not listen when they call to Him in distress -Jeremiah 11:14 

Why is it so easy for people to believe false things and not believe the truth?  

Romans 1:25

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

This world has become a desolate dry place, people looking for water when they only find dry land. Jesus represents our water and food for our souls. But seeing all this right now confirms that the time is right for us to keep strong, march forward as the ways of man have fallen far from God. Those of us who follow God and His ways will be praying and listening more for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to know what to do as we direct people to Jesus. Always be ready for His return, don’t give up hope that is in Him!

I say to you, “Be ready at all times to give an answer for the truth that is placed in you”.

Hold fast and study brethren as the time is ripe for those who are seeking the truth. Trust the truth will set them free in this Dry and Desolate Land.

Shalom.

Nancy

The Christian Writer

#dry&desolateland  #Jesus

Are Your Roots Deep

Lately, I have been noticing that many are saying how much they need God and prayer, as people we seek the Lord when we find ourselves in desperate need of an answer. Many prayers of God’s people get answered, many don’t and we don’t know why, it’s a mystery only through God’s leading will you understand this. Today I want to share this Parable that Jesus spoke about to His disciples called the Four Soils. Starting at verse 4-8 – these verses may be difficult to understand, that’s why the disciples asked plainly “What do you mean?”. Luke 8:4-15 4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant.  Are you wondering as well? 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ 11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing, they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Are You Firmly Rooted I’m seeing this in many people, they believe and pray to God for needs or when things are really bad, then when everything starts to look better, they turn away from God and turn back to their life again. These easier days will not last, things happen, the bottom falls out or some other problem comes up, where is the root?  Stand firm in God’s word and you will see your life change, so do circumstances, keep trusting God, stay firm, let your roots grow deep and pray. Become fruit for God to use in other people’s lives when they need that hope and firm foundation. People and things always disappoint but God never disappoints, put your faith and your life into His hands as He guides you along,, in peace and in every situation. Shalom, Nancy The Christian Writer                                             #areyoufirmlyrooted  #areyourrootsdeep

Spiritual Growth & God’s Plan

 

If you are like me, you constantly are measuring your growth in Christ. Many times I question, am I maturing and growing?  Am I behaving in a way that glorifies God or am I self-seeking? 

Today, I’m reflecting on David who was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22)

Reading David’s Psalms we come to realize, he also was growing in his thoughts and behavior. David was clear on one thing, He knew with God all things are possible and he stepped out in prayer and faith. God grew his abilities to fight, guided him every day as a leader in King Saul’s army and kept him strong for whatever was coming his way.

Getting Stuck

David faced obstacles, King Saul, knowing David was next in line for kingship pursued him. We can only imagine his fear at times but we also know that God was with him and had anointed him to move through battles that were just about impossible for man to overcome and true miracles from the Lord’s Angel Armies. God had given David strength to scale every wall, victory in battle and as he leads, favor with men. David grew from a young sheep shearer to a great King, God was showing him the way because David got out of his own way. The plans were set for David, just as God has His plans set for us.

Psalm 33:11 

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,

    the purposes of his heart through all generations.

What can we learn from this and how can we get unstuck? 

There is no rock too big for God to move, let’s not let the one that is in front of us get in our way, it means only a detour for now, but later a victory. 

Psalm 25 Of David.

In you, Lord my God,

    I put my trust.

Where You Are

Looking back, from when you first felt God in your life and how you were led, do you see the work He has done in you? Do you see how He has led you from person to person, from teaching to teaching and has established your growth in ways only you can understand. As you study the Bible it becomes more real to you, your life unfolds in understanding the answers to your questions. As your prayer life changes your growth in Christ deepens and your relationship to Jesus goes from head knowledge to heart knowledge seeking the love that only He can give you.

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,

    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Where You Are Going

God knows what each day will bring, not us. 

If you have you asked for direction with no answer in sight, it may take more growth, more tearing away the “old selfish ways” as Jesus makes new ways. 

Jesus does tell us to “Ask, Seek, Knock” and the door will be opened. The hardest part is waiting as we grow and understand that God’s way is better than our way. Pray and wait, the Holy Spirit will do the leading and you will know when things are right. Even if you make a mistake, He will gently show you the way back. He’s the potter, we are the clay. Trusting God is the most important thing you can do to know where you are going. Remember….. who’s plan, God’s!  

Isaiah 55:8

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

Shalom

Nancy

The Christian Writer

#Godsplan #Spiritualgrowth #Jesus #askseekknock

God Is Coming For You

If you are reading this, God is coming after you. Maybe you can’t imagine that God even cares but He does, He cares so much for you that He sent His Son for you, so that you may have a way to Him.

Luke 15:3-7

 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders  and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

We can’t go through life wandering around just imaging that something great is going to happen,  or something tragic will fall upon you. We are given the ability to know Jesus and our lives ahead are bringing us closer to eternity with Him.

God doesn’t want your money, possessions or thinking you must work your way into Heaven. He wants you. Jesus says to come, He is the source of life abundant So if you are experiencing loneliness, depression, or questioning your faith-then pray and ask Him to come into your life.

Let’s pray right now.

Heavenly Father, you know all things, you know me when I come and go, where I am and what I am going through, help me to see things through the lens of your throne where you reside. Help me to know you, help me to see you in all things that you have given to me, life, gifts and a way to worship you. Help me Lord to see you in all of this, I have been lost and you have come for me, thank you Lord for opening my heart to you.

Amen

May you find peace in knowing that you are counted and joyfully loved in every way possible.

Shalom

Nancy

The Christian Writer

Prayer Changes Everything

For many years I was just a pray when you need it, prayer, but often enough, I didn’t see a lot of prayers answered, don’t get me wrong, there were answered prayers but sometimes God would give me things I really should not have asked for, I took my shallow prayers and the sometimes awful outcome lessons to the pit. But you know what, I learned God’s grace lifted me up and taught me so much about my walk with Him.

You see prayer isn’t something to take lightly, there are many books out there that can help you to pray, but for all the books I have read and all the time I put into reading about it, as comforting as it was many times, I realized, my prayer life could only change if I asked God to change me and make my life reflect His life, only then, did things begin to make sense and become clear, the more I trusted Him the more I prayed!

As maturity set in and studying the Bible, my prayer life reshaped into instead asking for constant desires to asking to be more like Jesus and reflect Him in all I do and say. This took many years of asking and praying to develop in me and help me understand what to pray for.
You may want to pray for someone that is hurting or someone that is lost, the Holy Spirit can help guide your prayer life and direct you to a situation that is planted in your thoughts.
Just ask!

Each person has at times many needs and in the midst of storms, prayer is essential to ask for help, guidance, God’s will, plan and purpose in every situation. If you don’t go to Him in prayer we don’t get to have that personal relationship with Him that He desires for us to have. We must really concentrate on what is most important in the day, is it getting everything done and ignoring the one who helps get it or praying for help and strength to know what to do at every turn.

Hebrews 5:7
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

I really want to try to help you understand that you are a child of the Most High God and He loves you, your prayers, petitions and wants you to seek Him in everything you do. So I’m encouraging you today, where ever you are to ask God to help you get through whatever your situation might be, you will see God’s hand as you turn your life and prayers over to Him. Sometimes even the simple prayers are the best, as all prayers are heard and nothing is ignored.

Praising His Holy Name Forever and Ever, Amen

Nancy
The Christian Writer

#prayerchangeseverything

The Falsehood Of Reincarnation

When I was growing up I believed that you could come back into this earth and become someone or something else. Just imagine coming back as something exciting, that’s an interesting thought. But as I grew and matured I began to take this seriously, so seriously that it was consuming to my soul on a loop of coming back, never resting.

The falsehood of reincarnation is that when you follow this thought your life is never going to be satisfied, it will always long for more chances to make things the way you think they should be. That can destroy any kind of hope for rest or joy. The joy that only can be experienced with Jesus Christ. 

The revelation of Jesus Christ has always been the way to eternal life, from the moment you were born the decision to follow Him was always up to you. Jesus came to give you abundant life on earth and life eternal with Him. But following such non-sense as coming back is only something that the devil wants you to follow so that you will turn from the true way into heaven.

Through Christ blood shed on the cross, he defeated death and the strongholds of this world were broken, as he rose from death and is the eternal one, that is the truth. So when you see the sign on someone’s lawn that says: John 3:16, that is the reminder what God did for us through His Son.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Enough said,

Shalom 

Nancy

The Christian Writer

Corny Christmas Movies Are Fun

I think I’m on my 10th Hallmark movie of 2018, I’ve laughed, cried, smiled and fell in love with every girl-guy romantic moment. I love the decorating and get many decorating ideas to liven up my house. So, the plots are encouraging and seem quite the same -if you are an avid Hallmark movie fan, you understand this, but if you aren’t here’s the scenario: girl or guy in their 20’s-40’s go to a small town either by chance of getting stuck there or some relative/business needs help, passes away and then either a child/ person comes to the rescue. That person decides they are there only temporarily but we know as die-hard fans of Hallmark, they will be meeting somebody that will change their life and they make the decision to either stay or leave that town or situation. (I’m not spillin’ the beans, you’ll find out!)  Always fun to watch the outcome, I’m never disappointed!

I know I summed it up, don’t be dismayed though, because each combination of characters brings its joy and we as watchers are rooting for that perfect outcome. These amazing movies, bring us out of our everyday lives into a perfect world, (we want to think so) it’s truly a nice escape, I would rather watch an uplifting movie even if it’s so corny I could pour maple syrup all over it- than a movie based in violence, sex and drugs. We need more good things to watch! To take our minds to another place even if it’s temporary, real life doesn’t play out this way but it’s a nice escape for two hours.

So every year I make a point to tune into the Christmas movies because the best part of Christmas is to enjoy family, friends and people that my life is surrounded by, I really think that Hallmark has captured this, putting some corky life situations into play that help us connect with the story, character and outcome that we enjoy. 

Ok, you want to know my favourite one? Can’t help it I watch every year and it’s one of their top movies “The Christmas Card” 

http://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/the-christmas-card

It’s a love story with a twist of beautiful fate. (plus they sing in church, just adore that)

Roma Downy also has a wonderful channel and believe it or not I get this channel on my antenna, it’s free TV. It’s call Lighttv  https://www.lighttv.com (you can also watch on your computer or phone) and its programs are good and easy on the eye. They have classic Christmas Movies on as well.

Roma is certainly an angel on earth, years ago she starred in a TV series called Touched By An Angel  https://www.hallmarkdrama.com/touched-by-an-angel  

The character Roma plays as Monica an Angel that is learning lessons and has a heart for God that capture audiences because we can relate to her up’s and downs. Over the years we have been blessed by the programs and content that Roma and her husband Mark Burnett produce, the Bible Series is a beautiful way to see the Bible in action- Truly Worth Watching!

 Bible Series Interview

In closing,  step out of your everyday craziness relax with your favourite beverage, watch something that’s good for your soul and maybe reminds you of days past. May your Christmas be joyful, light, beautiful and full of love, as we celebrate Jesus Christ, the birth of the One who came into the world for you.

Shalom, Merry Christmas 

Nancy

The Christian Writer

Matthew 2:1 

 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem

#Hallmark

#Christmas

#Roma Downey

#lighttv.com

#Hallmarkchristma#JesusChrist