God Directs Us To A Better Route

I usually don’t share my dreams but this one I needed to share with you and it really got t me thinking about how God directs our lives.

I was riding on a very tall horse through the woods and I knew the presence of my husband also riding a horse behind me, I rode up to a steep cliff, almost falling but stopped. I looked to my left and there was a better route, so I turned the horse easily to go through a path lined with trees and I looked to my right  there was a shorter leap for the horse to the way down, I rallied the horse, and got him ready to jump. We circled big and took slight run and we made it! Then the dream ended. 

But it had me thinking.

When life’s circumstances get you to the “edge” there is always a better route, one that isn’t so complicated as we sometimes make things into. When you follow Christ there are no easy routes but ways that God can guide you through.

People walk in and out of our lives and we don’t understand why, we are detained in a job or a life “holding pattern” for reasons we could not possibly understand. Maybe it’s a position at work or promotion you have been waiting for and a daunting year by year process with no progress made. But don’t let the things that hold you hostage determine your route- just take a better one as God leads you along.

Just possibly when things don’t go the way you have  the option of two routes-be upset, angry, anxiety filled , frustrated or you can be looking to God to see that all of this is His master plan for you. You may think- “If that’s God’s master plan, it sure isn’t a good one!” But you see the hardest places are where we must stop, pray & look to Him to open our minds for  a change in the circumstances we are facing. He may be keeping us there for a long term reason of strengthening, growing and teaching you patience and sometimes even opening your heart to someone who may be unloveable or needs your love. 

We just can’t know or understand God’s plan, but it’s always a better route!

I think of King David, when anointed to be a King at a young age, do you think he knew he had to wait 16 years to be the King of Israel, he fled from King Saul ’s jealously of trying to kill him, talk about being frustrated? But David was a man after God’s own heart and waited for him to direct him to a better route. David trusted God as even in David’s darkest moments he turned to His Father in Heaven in prayer. Each day was a challenge, but he fully depended on God’s plan and direction.

Do you seek God’s master plan for your life and circumstances?

Or 

Do you remain bitter, frustrated and give up on things because what you thought you should have gotten didn’t happen?

Matthew 7:8

 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Let it go to Him.

Shalom

Nancy

http://www.harvestmetro.com

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When Your Plans Fall Apart

Everyone makes plans, maybe you have mapped out your plan with steps toward it and a general time when you will arrive at the goal or maybe you have had a lifelong dream to achieve something that you think could be the right direction for you, then as you go along you don’t see progress towards that dream. You wait, you try, you pray, but to no avail that dream, that vision- just isn’t going the way you thought it would and now you are left with- what do I do and where do I go from here?

I’ve had two large dreams fall apart so far in my life, the first one I ran after with a vengeance, I loved the whole process of moving towards the dream, many of the people around me could see that it was only a dream not a reality. It was consuming me as I worked, breathed it in, it was my food and it came crashing down on me in a day’s time. I loved it, it took me away from my family and time with them as I was striving for a dream that now was gone, no turning back or even trying again. It was clear the door was shut, it took me a very long time to recover.

The second dream was similar except that I felt God was calling me to it and worked on it for a very long time, studying, praying, hoping a door would open but the difference was that this time I relied on God’s leading to bring me to it. I could not except that what He was leading me to was very different journey than my mapping out had hoped for, believe me I tried and tried to go in the direction that I thought would get me there, there again, I found myself delusional to think that I was achieving anything great. That was the problem, “I was achieving” I was counting on my success to fulfill what God’s plan was for me, He is so gentle and patient, He waited for me to come to an understanding.

God had given me a different direction to go in and it was hard for me to except that.
But you see God did something in both dreams, He gave me an opportunity to see truth in what I was striving to do.
Was I really suppose to be consumed by a dream?
Was I to see what would happen if I did achieve it?
What would I have been a slave to and what was I a slave to for so long?
Did I take my eyes off God and look at the dream not Him?

Hey-I’m not saying to give up your dreams, because if you have them and you feel led to follow it, go for it-what I am saying is, have a dream, map it out and let God direct your path, if it’s not going the way you wanted or right for you He will guide you to what is, maybe it won’t be exactly what you wanted- but MUCH BETTER!
Why do I say that?
To those who believe in Jesus he does not throw crumbs, He gives the bread of life, He leads you to fresh water which is so much more satisfying to the soul than anything you can achieve here on earth!

Make your plans and see what God is going to do with them, pray for them, don’t give up, something is coming and it could take a while but you will see how much He loves you just by preventing you from things that are wrong for your life and others around you.

Proverbs 16:9
In their hearts humans plan their course

but the lord establishes

their steps

Shalom,
Nancy
The Christian Writer

Hope When There Is No Hope

Have you been struggling with many different circumstances that you just have no answer for. Well you are not alone in this, there is hope when you think there is no hope.

God sees your heart and knows what is going on so don’t worry about what isn’t or is happening, allow Him to guide you through the darkest of days.

There is hope that tomorrow will be a s better day for you. What you are going through will not last.

We can only see what our eyes tell us, but it is what is unseen that we hope for and as we pray and have faith that God will show you the way, it is then that we can find the solution to what is wrong. When you are finding such things are happening to you, maybe it’s time to step back and wait for God to show you what to do. For He is in control, not us.

Be kind to people who frustrate you, be gracious to those who are not fair and be hopeful for all that God promises you. He will not leave you or forsake you, it is He who guides your path and makes a way. Now you must do your part and believe that He will.

Jesus tells us in John 15:5

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Shalom
Nancy
The Christian Writer

And Then The End Will Come

When will the end come?
Get your stuff ready, build the shelter, hoard the food, live like nothing matters….            all a farce.
In every generation, many have been fooled by someone that can sell you a bridge with your name on it. Let’s face it false teachers selling their agendas on end time events are gaining popularity as more and more people are being duped into their agenda, they make a feeble attempt to match up the Bible with their “opinion” on when these events will take place- “Did you see that thing in the sky?” Or “How about all these earth quakes, hurricanes and floods?” And so on and so on-this has the effect of placing fear/anxiety/hopelessness in the hearts of people who don’t know the truth of the Bible.
Matthew 24:36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Brothers & Sisters if you don’t know the Bible you will be tricked into believing and buying these false teachings. There is no sequence of numbers, blood moons, natural disasters or potential wars- Jesus says these are birth pains and tells us to look for the signs,
Matthew 24:4-8
 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Confirmations that we are getting closer:
– False Messiah’s (false teachings, anyone who leads you away from God) Some will fall away from God and follow false teachings of spirituality/growth potential/positive influencers or pastors following their own agenda and twisting the truth of the Bible.
– Nations are gathering against Israel, boycotting their products and services, the UN vote to block the move of the embassy to Jerusalem and the ongoing Gaza boarder war. You can read more on this link: https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-10-most-anti-semitic-countries/
Many countries are defending and gathering together to go against Israel, what we must do is to watch watch and wait for what will be coming next.
– Persecution
Jesus continues on to say that those who are Christians will be persecuted, which is happening now more than ever. The morals and values in which we seek are not God honoring.
Matthew 24:9-13 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
If faced with the decision to worship Jesus or be thrown in jail, possibly put to death, many will run, trying to save their lives. God is still in control and the gospel will continue to be preached all over the world, regardless of what people think, say or do.

-Anti-christ
Jesus tells us clearly the anti-christ will stand in the holy place (temple) in Israel and proclaim he is God, (He will be highly regarded and people will think he is the savior) that is when things begin to accelerate. Many will fall away and be deceived by great “signs & wonders.”
Matthew 24:14-25 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation, (Anti-Christ) spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.  Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!  Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
“If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.  At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.

Jesus tells us immediately after those days
Matthew 24:30-31  
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Jesus concludes in Matthew 24:32-34 by saying to be aware of the sign of the times, be aware of what is happening in the world around you. He says : Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away.” That gives us the knowledge to continue serving and looking for Him everyday. Stay in prayer, these days are getting harder for us, the world is turning from God and looking to their own lives for comfort, no matter what happens you know that Jesus promises you eternal life when you worship Him. Stand on that truth everyday brethren, He shall return and when He does the judgement will fall on those who have turned away from God.
Shalom
Nancy
The Christian Writer

#andthentheendwillcome #endtimes #Jesus #signoftimes

You Are Set Apart

I confess I am reading Leviticus in the Old Testament and finding it difficult wondering; how did they keep all the instructions and laws?

I also wondered were they afraid all the time of messing up and not being able to keep them? They did.
That is why the Book of Leviticus deals with their “right Living”, sacrificing for their sins, abiding by the laws and carrying them out, to be a holy nation set apart. Testing was their everyday challenge. Were they going to listen to God or do what they wanted?

Let’s fast forward to Jesus….
In his patience and love tells the Jewish people “I have not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it.” (Matthew 5:17) Jesus said He was the Messiah, many received Him with their whole heart- all were accepted Jews and Gentiles. Many devout Jewish leaders didn’t believe Him and their hard hearts turned away, the message fell on deaf ears. They were praying for a Messiah to save them from Roman rule, but in truth Jesus came to lead them to Himself for eternal life. Through Jesus the laws that kept them shackled could now be broken, but they could not hear or believe it, and they scrambled in stress to keep their laws in tact.

Isaiah 11:1-3. The Branch From Jesse           (Matthew 1:6 for lineage)
 
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
    from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and of might,
    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—

and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
    or decide by what he hears with his ears;

I understand Leviticus it to be God’s instructions of holiness, sacrifices, worship & health, those instructions were instrumental to leading and guiding the Israelites as a holy people, setting them apart to follow God and abide by all his laws.

Why Are you set apart?

You were chosen by God to be a separate people when you came to Christ, there was a new life coming towards you, before Christ you were part of the world and now because of your faith in knowing that Jesus is Lord has saved you and takes you not physically out of the world but spiritually gives you a new life one that isn’t shackled to the earth, but is free to love and know that you have been set free by the power of His mighty blood.

Brethren don’t give up hope, it is for this time you have come into the world , maybe you don’t understand why but God has this great plan to show you how His mighty power works, JUST WATCH!

Shalom
Nancy
The Christian Writer

#setapart #Jesus #holynation # sacrifice #cross #God

There Is No Fear Of God

This is the direction of the world, but for those who seek God there is hope,

hope in Jesus!

I will post this Psalm to encourage you to not look at what the world is doing but to look to God. David witnessed many ungodly acts during times of distress, so he prayed seeking answers and this is God’s message through David as he writes;

Psalm 36

I have a message from God in my heart

    concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: 

There is no fear of God

    before their eyes. 

In their own eyes they flatter themselves

    too much to detect or hate their sin.

The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful;

    they fail to act wisely or do good.

Even on their beds they plot evil;

    they commit themselves to a sinful course

    and do not reject what is wrong.

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,

    your faithfulness to the skies.

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,

    your justice like the great deep.

    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

    People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house;

    you give them drink from your river of delights.

For with you is the fountain of life;

    in your light we see light. 

Continue your love to those who know you,

    your righteousness to the upright in heart. 

May the foot of the proud not come against me,

    nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

See how the evildoers lie fallen—

    thrown down, not able to rise!

May you find comfort in what God has spoken,

Don’t lose heart, God knows everything and is in control.

Shalom

Nancy

The Christian Writer

#thereisnofearofGod

#sinfulcourse

#yourunfailinglove,OGod

#Roman3:18

#Luke12:1-12

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

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

Is God Real?

Is God Real?

Many years ago while I was searching for truth I asked the question, “Is God Real?”I grew up in a church that really didn’t teach much except to be afraid of God, lots of rules and ways to behave, I still struggled to know if God was real and how is He relevant in my life?

After searching, studying and speaking with other Christians I know  He’s real, operating in every way through your life. Do you wonder does God even know who I am?

This is what the Bible tells us:

• He knew you in the womb: Psalm 139:13
• He set you apart: Psalm 4:3
• He counts the hairs on your head: Matthew 10:30
• He knows what you need before you ask: Matthew 6:8
• He hears your prayers: 1 John 5:14 
• He blesses you: Psalm 67:6
• He protects you: Proverbs 2:8
• Jesus prays for you: John 17:6
• The Holy Spirit guides you: John 16:12-13
• He has a plan for you: Jeremiah 29:11
• His love for you endures forever: Psalm 100:5
• His kingdom never ends: Luke 1:33
• He makes a place for you there: John 14:3

The Bible points us to Scripture many times of God knowing you, intimately, even before you were born. You see the Holy Spirit that is given to us the moment we believe and surrender our lives to Christ will show us the way and the truth that can set you free. Maybe you feel the weight of life upon you and you just want to break free of those chains, you can, if you believe in the One and Only True God, Jesus Christ.

The Bible is not a fable, it’s truth speaks to us and works as a guidebook, it’s rich history and lessons stand every generation. Reading through God’s word you can see the Holy Spirit guiding men and women who have listened and took action to what God had for them. If you feel that somehow this doesn’t make sense to you, then pray and ask. You will get your answer, seeking God for answers will help you get to know the great God that is over us and you will know God is real when you do.

God had a greater plan when He sent His Son to this world, living 33 years and the last three in ministry and instruction, what Jesus accomplished has changed the world. He fulfilled what the prophets spoke about, a Savior that would come and be a sacrifice for us, for forgiveness of sins. 

Jesus says:

Matthew 20:28

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Apostle Paul says:

Hebrews 9:26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

If you still don’t understand who God is and if He is real,  the first place to start to know Jesus in the Gospel Matthew, that will show you the genealogy of Jesus and miracle virgin birth God did through Mary. God is real and is around us everywhere, leading you to Himself, so that you will have an eternal home, but you must trust God for this and have faith!

Shalom,

Nancy

Christian Writer