Times are overwhelming. We cannot lose hope. We DO have victory in Christ Jesus!

GOD SAYS…..

Isaiah 43:1-2
43 But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 44:2
2 This is what the Lord says—
he who made you, who formed you in the womb,
and who will help you:
Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant,
Jeshurun, whom I have chosen

Isaiah 44:24
24 “This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:

I am the Lord,
who has made all things,
who alone stretched out the heavens,
who spread out the earth by myself,

Psalm 22:9

9 Yet you brought me out of the womb;
you made me trust in you
even at my mother’s breast.

Psalm 139:13

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb

More Than Conquerors
Romans 8:28 (always a favorite….I relied on so many times and no matter if I like what is happening I can trust He only has the best in mind for each of us through any issues…..ask God to show you everything you need to see…ask for wisdom)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (this another one to stand on…even though hard learn to literally pray “thank you for this very thing –no matter how bad something may seem…thank Him…because once again it says “in ALL circumstances” and not just the good ones but all…what may appear bad to us as a purpose for us or someone else and ultimately someone drawing closer to the Lord is what is the most important)

18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Finally….

Isaiah 55:6-12 (Another favorite)

6 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.

Ok…lied…one more

Psalm 46:10 (always remember!)

10 “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

What Do I Do?

Wow! Too much is going on. I try to stay informed and get totally depressed so that I cannot even function.

Pray, that is all I know to do. Please join me. Here is a section of my favorite…..

Isaiah 55
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Realize Yet Again How Small We Each Are….

When you fly in a plane and look down on all the highways and the cars and trains and trucks and buses and people walking. Then don’t forget all the houses and the office buildings and skyscrapers.

Now…..stop and think….ask yourself….

Is it really all about me? There are so many out there just like you and me. We each are going through our own struggles. Not one of us is without one.

Do you really think there is not a God? Do you really believe you are the only one facing hurt and torment? Saddness? Joy? Are you really the only one shedding tears? The only one with a broken heart?

We are each and every one in need of a savior. Ask Jesus today to come into your life.

God bless each one of you…..

FOX News: Piecing together Benghazi

Piecing together Benghazi, http://fxn.ws/UY6hYR – Sent via the FOX News Android App.

FOX News: Time to start paying for ObamaCare

Time to start paying for ObamaCare, http://fxn.ws/Vb2RSN – Sent via the FOX News Android App.

God CAN use you? “Judges 11:1-3” on YouTube

Tradition

About three years ago I started a new Christmas tradition. My grandchildren are all living in other states because my sons serve in the US Navy. It is hard to share things with your grandchildren that have meaning with 1,300 miles between you.

BACKGROUND
For many years I was a single mother. When I say single I mean the ONLY parent in two boys lives. My dad passed away when I was 27 and my oldest son was 10 and my youngest was 4. My dad was the only good constant male model my oldest ever knew. My mom was still living but she was lost without my dad. She had a horrible childhood and my dad met her when she was 19 and married her within the first month. He was the only person good in her life and so she went off the deep end which left me completely on my own with two boys counting on me.

I should have already been grown up (but always had in the back of my mind my daddy would always toss me a few dollars when I needed it-which he did and without me asking, he simply just knew).

I am simply saying I had my share of hard times and it was usually due to poor choices and not really knowing the Lord. This was about the time I learned to not only lean on a God I did not really know but also got to know Him.

When you do not have anything and no where to turn you have two choices….continue falling and taking my kids no where fast or look up and cling to God, my true Father.

BACK TO NOW
God blessed me and my boys so much through every little bad time even when they felt scary and overwhelming. I want to pass that on now that my oldest is 30 and not 10 I have seen Gods grace and mercy and blessings.

I was never a mom who put her kids on an angel tree or asked for any help. We had what we had. We were budgeted to the last dollar. One gallon of milk had to last all week because there was no more. My kids did not get great presents at Christmas and were excited to open up new socks.

I do give at work for families who are on angel trees and food banks but my personal thing is for families as I was. Nothing wrong with angel trees but I always thought that was for people who were really in need. We had beans and potatoes for food and had a roof over our head and therefore were not in need.

TRADITION
I get Christmas cards, 2 or 3 for me and one for my granddaughter. I put a written note inside the card (obviously I don’t know their need). I pray God gives me the right scripture to put in the card AND put cash in the card. I go out to a Wal-Mart or something on the Friday before Christmas. I chose that day because when I was a struggling mom I might have to take a few dollars from that final paycheck before Christmas to buy that one little thing my child will get or something for your meal to make it feel a little more special than the normal brown beans. My granddaughter takes hers out and finds that special person the Holy Spirit sends her way and I take mine out. This year I was able to put $100.00 in each card. I wrote in the card if they don’t need the money then pass it to someone who does but that the scripture written in the card is a word from God to them. I know no matter if it is the money or God’s word or simply seeing someone do something kind in this selfish mean world that God is meeting their need. I know when God shows me the person to give it to and sometimes it takes a little searching but when I know I know.

In my past that would have been huge if someone walked up to me and simply said Merry Christmas and handed me a card and then walked away. I would have no doubt known the…$ and the verse…God’s word were message from Him and delivered from a stranger with no strings attached! I LOVE IT….it is simply the highlight of my Christmas every year!