America, what happened?

Isaiah 16:10

 Joy and gladness are taken away from the orchards;
no one sings or shouts in the vineyards;
no one treads out wine at the presses,
for I have put an end to the shouting.

For many years America grew and prospered, for many of us, we lived a good quiet life and God was the head of our lives. We went to church (some out of guilt, others for the love of Christ) and tried to obey God’s commandments and if we strayed, we would always have a conscience about our actions. This great country America, has now closed it’s doors on God, taking His commandments out of the schools, buildings and even some churches as people go their own way ignoring the Creator. God is patient and kind, He shows mercy, but for how long?

If everything you had today, all your wealth, house, family was gone, what would sustain your spirit? So it is when God takes everything from this earth, don’t act surprised when you read this, but God will destroy the earth, we do not know when but many are saying we are getting closer as signs and wonders fill the skies and the earth.

So then, if today, you were to meet God, what would you say?                                   Were you ashamed of Him?                                                                                           Did you stop someone from sharing the gospel with you?                                             How are you really preparing for the end of your life?

All these are important questions, as well as what did you do in God’s name for others? How did you serve Christ and partake in the lives of others?

My hope for you, brother and sister that you heed to the words of God through scripture and go to Jesus in prayer and thanksgiving as you repent of the sins you have done through your life. Listen, we all have fallen short of the grace of God, but it is God’s grace that saves you.

Shalom!

The Bigger Picture

Often times, it seems like when things aren’t going the way we want them to, like when  we lash out or are wondering what’s the hold up? The things that motivate us to get what we need right now isn’t the way that God sees our destiny. Prayers can be unanswered sometimes, ok maybe a lot, but many are answered. That doesn’t mean God doesn’t hear us, it’s His timing, not ours.

So if you are stuck in traffic, instead of moping about, thank God, He may just be saving you for the unknown ahead. An example of this is, when ever we get frustrated with a light or with people going 15 miles an hour ahead of us, instead of throwing a fit, think that God is at work and so are His angels of protection.

Sunrise from the East

The bigger picture is so overlooked, we want what we want, right now! But God sees something better, that picture could bring about a changing in your life that you thought could never happen. We ask God to give us “stuff” but He’s bigger than the stuff and what he’s going to do in you next will be monumental!

Shalom           Nancy

#www.nancy.sabato.com

Storms In Life

It’s the end of the year and as I look back over all this events of 2014 I will have to say they were very stormy.  I can’t recall a day when I said this year has been great. Everyone I know has some kind of crisis going on in their life.

But you know, I continue to think how God stayed with me through all the storms. I felt left alone alot in my thoughts, but somehow knew that God had a plan through all the trials of losing my job, walking away from a church that I loved so much. There was a plan that I just could not see through this all. I took a Monday Evening class at Hawthorne Gospel Church on 1 Peter that really helped me just at the end of the class, when the Pastor Dave Anderson spoke about the trials that we go through, sometimes persecution in ways that aren’t fair, losses that can really hurt or destroy us. It was a really rough year but ultimately a really great year! Losing my job meant I have to depend on God more fully, just waiting on His direction is a faith I never knew. Standing in the faith with God is something that cannot be explained unless you are walking in it yourself, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. It is by this faith that He alone has opened doors in my heart that I completely trust in Him all the time to guide and direct my path.

I saw my prayers take a total change from self asking to asking God for His will, I stopped thinking about what I wanted and looked heavenward for what He wants. It wasn’t easy and I had alot of time to restructure and heal from a long time of just not knowing what to do. So seeing alot of things change in my life that I just didn’t understand when I was going through it I was at times devestated and I could not understand why God was changing my circumstances, why would he take a job away from me, a church out of my life, health issues. What was God doing, He was developing my strength.

1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace through His eternal glory in Christ, though you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you, make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Thanks Pastor Dave Anderson

#HawthorneGospelChurch

Where is God’s Hand In This All?

Chaos and more chaos, where is God’s hand in this all?

The Lord is working in ways we will never understand, for the days are coming when there will be no peace to be found at all. But we must be ready as Christians for the days ahead. We have to ask God where are you in this? Where is Jesus and when will this be over?

Look at the facts, people have turned away from the faith, churches are uprising in places that only can be put asunder. But we must stay in prayer for the days ahead, there are Christians all over the world that are praying for safety, do you pray for them? We are blessed to be able to sit in quiet confidence in our homes but these persecuted Christians are running for their lives and seeking safe havens. If you would take the time to pray for them, then they will know in their hearts that God is in control through prayer and supplication.
I hope you are pressing forward my friends and ask you for prayers not only for those Christians but for all Christians who are struggling at this time.

Shalom

http://www.lordleadus.com

The Day of the Lord

Today’s passage: 

Joel (New International Version) 

 ² a day of darkness and gloom,
       a day of clouds and blackness.
       Like dawn spreading across the mountains
       a large and mighty army comes,
       such as never was of old
       nor ever will be in ages to come.This passage is a link to our future.   

The Day of the LORD

 ²⁸ “And afterward,
       I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
       Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
       your old men will dream dreams,
       your young men will see visions. ²⁹ Even on my servants, both men and women,
       I will pour out my Spirit in those days. ³⁰ I will show wonders in the heavens
       and on the earth,
       blood and fire and billows of smoke. ³¹ The sun will be turned to darkness
       and the moon to blood
       before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. ³² And everyone who calls
       on the name of the LORD will be saved;
       for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
       there will be deliverance,
       as the LORD has said,
       among the survivors
       whom the LORD calls.Read this and remember that God is in control. Think about where you want to spend eternity because your flesh does not last.