This is the day of your salvation.
2 Cor 6:2 For he says, ”In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
Background on this favored verse? My husband had a kidney stone and had to go to the hospital to get an ultrasound or something … So, we’re in the waiting room and I grab a Bible, randomly open it and read the verse, 2 Cor 6:2. OH, the excitement! I read it aloud and told him how excited I was over it, because anyone that isn’t saved yet could be told this: “today – is the day of your salvation”. Wow, really made an impact in my heart.
More background? My husband only has one kidney and the stone had blocked it. The kidney was actually shutting down as we read the passage. He almost died that night. That day was the day of HIS salvation. Thank you God, for saving him, and for giving me the verse, right at that opportune time.
good dirt?
This blog isn’t about the bible, calling us good dirt. Although it may evolve someday. This time, I have been doing a lot of landscaping and yardwork. I love black dirt! It just really makes me want to plant something. So far, I’ve only planted grass seed, and then it snowed. Actually a good thing for the seed, but not so good for my need for sunshine.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Mine is definitely a lie. I can’t even do a “just kidding” joke, I always have to confess immediately, which negates the need for the joke, doesn’t it? April fools? Not for me!
I should have been an investigator, or a lawyer. I actually listen to what people say, and remember it too. So … when something different is said … Yep, I catch it.
Don’t lie, there’s really enough truths out there to tell.
exercise – update
Building a house and moving in are exercise enough, aren’t they? Maybe not. Last week I started my Pilates again. Almost everyday for a week now. That’s great, for me. :^) I could use a trainer, I think. I’ll have to learn to motivate myself. Pray for me.
UPDATE – WOW, GUESS I SHOULDN’T HAVE WRITTEN THIS BLOG. I’VE BARELY DONE ANY PILATES SINCE WRITING THIS. GOTTA GET BACK TO IT, GOTTA!
answered prayer
A few months ago, I was dreaming. In this dream there was a girl that was in trouble. I don’t remember what the trouble was, but I know it touched my heart and made me pray. In this dream, I prayed “God, please help her“. I immediately woke up and praised God for another answered prayer. Big revelation, God is even there for me in my dreams. God is Good!
Thank God for EVERYTHING!
The Bible tells us that Christians have been given gifts, also known as gifts of the Spirit. I believe mine is faith. The gift of faith is being able to trust God no matter the circumstances. I really want to encourage all of you to do the same. I have a small prayer taped to my computer screen that says … “pray that believers will be able to stand firm in their faith despite the difficulties they face.” I know that it may not always be easy, but I also know that you should always thank God for everything. “Everything” is the important part here.
Some of my examples:
-
In 1996 my husband Jerry and I were buying my Grandmothers old house. Only, it burned down the day we were going to sign the papers. Sad. Very sad. Anyway, when Jerry called to tell me about the fire, I simply said “I wonder what God’s got in store for us next?” My point? God promises to take the bad things that satan throws at you and turn them into good.
-
Jumping ahead in time, we’ll go to our most recent challenge. We bought an old rundown house and fixed it up. Lived there 2 years, rented it for 3 years, sold it contract for deed. Jerry talked the young couple into trying for a bank loan to pay off the cfd. We gave them a great reference, they got the loan and bought a different house. Yep, you read that right. OW. So, middle of winter, empty house, not good. We sold it again CFD, and finally got that couple out about 5 months later. Never did get any money out of them, long story, but … Between the two couples, one of them cut a major ceiling beam. We now had a house we still owed money on, and it was trashed. With much input from friends, church members, and professionals, we realized the only solution was to tear it down and rebuild. Now I’m living in a 2 bedroom with a loft, custom built for us. (Lots more on this story but that will have to be another blog. Any questions let us know.) When we got it back after the second sale, I said “God must really want us here.” The first morning we slept there, Jerry said to me “It sure is nice waking up in a house that God built” My point? God promises to take the bad things that satan throws at you and turn them into good.
There are a lot more examples, and someday, I’ll add them. Until then, know this: we have learned that when something bad happens, THANK GOD immediately. Hard to do? Nope. Hard not to. Force yourself if you have to, but thank Him. Repeatedly if you have to, until you mean it. Thank Him. I believe, that God promises to take the bad things that satan throws at you and turn them into good. Thank Him!
Seems to me that Satan is always trying something. Makes me know that something bigger and better is coming.
“Did you thank God yet?”
my god why have you forsaken me
God really opened my eyes to this lately and I am blessed by it.
Jesus died on the cross saying (paraphrased) ”my god why have you forsaken me?” Did He feel forsaken? No. He was reminding us to look at the old testament to see how He was fulfilling scripture. Psalm 22 is a great read. For example, look at verse 24:
Ps 22:24 For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.
He has not hidden His face, but listened to our cry for help. Remember that, faithfully. Thanks God.
lump on vocal chords
One of my son’s just called to inform me of a doctor visit. His voice changed about a year ago, kinda gravel-ly now. He just went to an ear nose and throat doctor and was told he has a lump on his vocal chords. They are gonna scrape it off at the end of the month, and test it for cancer. He sounds calm, but … so did I when I was talking to him. Cried when I hung up. I am sure it is fine, but the initial shock and the “not knowing” …
UPDATE: The surgery went well and the lump was not cancerous. Thanks God!
Pray for us.
Karaoke anyone?
I am kinda shy, so when I sing karaoke, I sound worse than if I was home alone. But I have to say, I had the most fun last Saturday night. My husband and I went to the Alpine Inn and found a huge table of drunks (sorry, but they were). Nobody was singing when we got there so we got to sing a lot! Now, the drunks were great dancers! So we kept the music up to a pace that helped entertain them. What fun! I haven’t laughed that much in ages. Had a great time, hats off to Chaz, the karaoke guy. Thanks.
saddened by a friends illness
UPDATE: I saw my friend at church and although I think I heard him grumble, he did seem more – blessed. Thanks for praying. Keep it up.
I heard today a Christian friend has cancer. The sad part, OK cancer is sad, but even sadder, is the fact that he is mad at God. I have always been touched by the Bible story about Job. What we need to learn from him is that we have to thank God in ALL things, not just the good.
Job didn’t blame God, and we shouldn’t either. He knew that God was with him through all the problems, not the cause of the problems.
Please, pray for my friend and his family. Gods grace and peace can carry us though it all.
