Christian Voices Needed

March 22, 2022 Gracie

Immediate Openings: Christian Voices Needed

Is there any doubt that the world is on a downward spiral?

Crime rates are skyrocketing and traditional family values are mocked just about everywhere.

Family Values

And, as crazy as this sounds, even some of our churches across the country are bowing to the god of secular humanism.

These are just a few of the disturbing signs of the times.

There are so many examples of our nation’s descent into apostasy, trying to make a numbered list would be impossible.

Come Lord Jesus!

Until that blessed day when Christians are raptured, it might be tempting to hole up in our homes to avoid the chaos outside.

But we can’t.

Not only are we to respectfully engage this fallen culture (of which we are a part of), but also to point them to Christ.

Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:16, (NASB).¹

To clarify, our enduring faith, no matter what, is a reflection of His Goodness and Glory.

In a sense, we are like beacons in a very dark place pointing a lost world to Him.

We can’t be warriors for Christ by silently hiding out in our homes all the time.

That is to say, we must get involved.

Be the salt and light.

Christian voices needed now!

Christian voices needed

Be sure to run for city government, become involved in your school system, witness to the community, have a vacation Bible school for the children of the area, bring them in and let us together witness to our faith in the midst of this culture. – Dr. Edwin Lutzer, Pastor Emeritus²

Heated Spiritual Battle

Have you noticed that there are no winners in political debates? There’s no respectful exchange of ideas anymore.

Each “side” has their pundits and, no matter what, will criticize the opponent.

Even so, we must continue to vote for Godly values and show a dying world their need for Christ.

We can get bogged down in who is right, we can get arguing in the political arena, we can do all sorts of things. But remember, this is a bigger war that we’re talking about and God hasn’t come to take sides. He’s come to take over. He says listen the battle is mine. I’m calling my people to it. I expect them to be fighting the cause of sin and to be, above all, winning souls for Christ. Because, when you win souls for Christ, they stop having abortions. When you win souls for Christ, they get into government and make good rules. When you win souls for Christ, they stop killing each other. When you win souls for Christ, they have the power to overcome their drug habit, so let’s be careful not at all to put down involvement. – Jill Briscoe, Author and Bible teacher. ³

Given these points, we can’t afford to be couch potatoes.

Instead, pray for opportunities.

God will answer.

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²Edwin Lutzer, Pastor Emeritus Moody Church, quotation courtesy of Cross Radio Network. From “When The State Becomes God”, [Podcast]. Accessed 17 March, 2022. Web. Retrieved from https://www.thecrossradio.com/show/running-to-win-erwin-lutzer/38690/

³Jill Briscoe quotation courtesy of TellingTheTruth.org. From “Deborah – How To Fight Your Battles.” Podcast, [20:31-21:32]. n.d., Web. Accessed March 16, 2022. Retrieved from https://www.tellingthetruth.org/listen/message?mid=96bce48d-2b10-4bcb-8553-82c848aa23d6

Our Exceptional God

Rise and Shine

March 15, 2022 Gracie

Rise And Shine!

If you’ve read this blog for awhile, then you know that I’m a huge fan of sunrises (and sunsets for that matter).

So much so that I’ve walked outside on several mornings in my pajamas just to snap a picture.

Don’t judge me 😉

If they’re letting kids have a pajama day at school (who came up with that goofy idea anyway?) well then . . .

Anyway on a recent morning, I saw this amazing handiwork from God.

Rise and Shine

Beautiful, right?

I can’t see something spectacular like this and not see the hand of God in it.

But, think about this – is the sun just there for us to admire, or do we recognize that without it, we wouldn’t even survive?

It’s humbling to consider that the sun is an important part of God’s brilliant provision for us and just one example of His grace.

The sun’s energy warms our planet. Hot air blows from areas heated by the sun to cooler areas. The sun’s energy brings rain. Water evaporates from the ocean and falls to the land as it cools. The sun powers the winds that move the water vapor to the land. The sun’s energy renews air. With our sun’s energy, plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. The sun’s energy grows food. Plants capture sunlight and store it in sugar, starch, and fat. – https://www.icr.org/provision-of-God/

God not only gave us the sun to sustain our lives here on earth, He also gave us His Son to save us from our sins.

My hope is that the next time you see a beautiful sunrise, you’ll remember where it really came from – our gracious Heavenly Father above.

Rise And Shine His Light

As I was considering today’s article, a poem I recently read almost jumped off the page it was so perfect for this.

I hope you enjoy.

Every Sunrise

Every sunrise is a present, a gift from God above,
Gift-wrapped with scarlet ribbons and tied with bows of love.

Each is a new beginning, a time to start anew,
While all the stars are sleeping, and the rose is fresh with dew.

Each day’s a new creation, too lovely to ignore,
And we may not find a blessing, just outside our door.

We cannot keep the past, like fireflies in a jar,
Nor journey to the future by wishing on a star.

Every sunrise is a blessing, a gift for just today,
Rejoice, my friend, embrace it before it fades away!
~Author Unknown~

May your ordinary days become extraordinary when you remember His matchless grace.

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¹Quotation courtesy of The Institute For Creation Research. From “Nature Reveals God’s Provision”, n.d. para. 2. Web. Accessed 1 March, 2022. Retrieved from https://www.icr.org/provision-of-God/

Our Exceptional God

Refugee Crisis in the Ukraine Please Pray

March 8, 2022 Gracie

Refugee Crisis in the Ukraine – Please Pray

The news coming out of the Ukraine is devastating.

Let’s fight this battle on our knees.

Refugee Crisis in the Ukraine Please Pray

I want to take a moment to pray for the refugees fleeing for safety, for the remaining missionaries, pastors, and humanitarian aid workers, as well as those who are on the ground and heading towards the conflict to render aid.

Father God, we watch the horrific events unfolding daily in the Ukraine.

We know that the outcome will have international consequences.

The entire world is watching with apprehension, and yet nothing that is happening is a surprise to You.

Most gracious Heavenly Father, You hear all of our whys and cries for justice.

You see the candlelight vigils, and You hear the desperate prayers of those who have family still living in this war-torn region.

We pray for Your peace which surpasses all understanding.

Give comfort Lord to those who are on the ground, sheltering in bunkers, and facing extreme danger while this invasion plays out on the world stage.

Most of us can’t even imagine what that kind of stress and worry is like when every moment could be interrupted by bombs, assaults, or an air raid siren.

We pray for the children in the Ukraine and the desperate parents trying to comfort them as disaster advances right outside their doors.

May compassion and discernment guide our world’s leaders as they face this dynamic situation and look for solutions.

Even so, we know that our hope is not in man, but only in what You can give through your Son Jesus Christ.

Lord, we lift all of this situation up to You.

In Your precious name,

Amen.

These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. – John 16:33, (NASB).

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Our Exceptional God

Are You the One?

March 1, 2022 Gracie

Are You The One On His Mind?

Are you the one

Was there ever a time in your life when you’d lost hope, stopped going to church on a regular basis, and your prayer life started to backslide?

If so, then know that you are not alone.

I know what that’s like because it happened to me.

This was many years ago, after I moved back home to help be a caregiver for my father.

He was diagnosed with Alzheimers and was showing all of the major signs.

It was nothing short of devastating.

I am so thankful for the friends that I have in my life. I leaned heavily on their support because, at that time, I felt that God wasn’t hearing my prayers.

Of course, God heard my prayers, but His ways are not mine and my human nature wanted “immediate” answers.

Through all of that heartache, the knowledge that God wouldn’t let me go meant (and means) everything.

My faith became stronger after that trial and other challenges throughout my life. You can read more here.

I ask, “Are you the one” because it breaks my heart to see others who have felt lost and alone, thinking that God doesn’t care.

If you’re struggling with something . . . please don’t lose your faith.

Continue to pour out your heart to the Almighty Father.

He is listening.

From personal experience, a good Christian friend to talk it over with is also a blessing.

We’re here for each other.

Jesus is calling you back

Jesus is our Good Shepherd.

If you go off course or even have doubts, Jesus is calling you back.

If you’re hurting, will you answer that call?

¹²“What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains, and go and search for the one that is lost? ¹³And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray. ¹⁴So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish. – Matthew 18:12-14, (NASB).¹

Are You The One?

No matter what you’re going through, remember you are not alone.

You never were.

Through your hours, or days or even years of trial, God is with you and will continue to be.

I think the blessing of that assurance is a big reason why Matthew West’s new song, “Me On Your Mind,” has hit a chord with so many fans.

Listen to these moving lyrics, and you’ll see why this song has touched the heart of so many people.

“Me On Your Mind” released on February 18^th and, per YouTube stats, has over 2400 views.

I love the heart and precious reminders behind this song which, by the way, Matthew says was inspired by Psalm 8.

In a world full of people, billions of people, so many people with so many problems, would you believe that your prayers don’t bounce off the ceiling, He loves to hear the sound of your voice. Just like the old hymn says, ‘ He walks with me and He talks with me.’ That’s the kind of relationship He wants to have with you. It’s you on His mind.” – Matthew West, multi-talented recording artist and musician.²

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²Matthew West, Christian Songwriter of the year, “Me On Your Mind.” Courtesy of The Matthew West podcast. Podcast, [21:45-22:02]. February 23, 2022. Web. Retrieved from: https://www.matthewwest.com/podcast/meonyourmind

Our Exceptional God

You Are More

February 22, 2022 Gracie

You are Loved and You are More

Are you a “speck”?

Wait, a “what”?

If anyone (including a well-known “scientist”) ever called you a speck, you’d probably think he or she was not only rude, but out of their minds.

As Bible-believing Christians, we know that we’re not “specks.”

Still, it’s hard to believe that some people support the theory that we’re insignificant people, living among other insignificant people, in an insignificant universe.

you are more

I am more, and you are more.

What our human bodies can do is nothing short of amazing.

Why? Because God created us that way.

This isn’t human emotions talking, it’s evidentiary.

God made each one of us with special gifts and talents, ultimately, that we can use for His glory.

amazing feats of the human body

The human body is the ultimate example of the marriage of design and function, enabling athletic abilities that showcase just how perfectly God engineered us. It takes all parts functioning together as one well-balanced system to achieve amazing athletic feats like ballet or skiing or throwing a baseball. – Institute For Creation Research.¹

Speaking of baseball, according to Guinness World Records, Aroldis Chapman threw the fastest pitch in a game against the San Diego Padres in 2010.

His recorded pitching speed? 105.1 miles an hour.

amazing feat in baseball

You are More Than a Speck

Anyone with an advanced degree who wants to call us all “specks” has the right to do so.

But, he or she doesn’t speak for us.

We have the truth of God’s Word.

In the presence of our Heavenly Father, yes – we are small, but we are more than insignificant thoughts.

Naysayers of Biblical creation aren’t going to stop promoting their theories, but we can remember what He has told us through His Word.

There is evidence of the God of the Bible everywhere.

We just need to look.

Blessed is that man who seeth God in trifles! It is there that it is the hardest to see him; but he who believes that God is there, may go from the little providence up to the God of providence. Rest assured, when the fish in the sea take their migration, they have a captain and a leader, as well as the stars; for He who marshals the stars in their courses, and guides the planets in their march, is the master of the fly, and wings the bat, and guides the minnow, and doth not despise the tiniest of His creatures. – Charles Spurgeon, pastor and author.²

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¹Institute For Creation Research quotation. Courtesy of Discovery Center For Science And Earth History. [Blog]. Staff Writer. 2015. Made in His Image: The Amazing Design of the Human Body. Acts & Facts. 44 (10).

²Quotation by Charles Spurgeon, influential Christian pastor and author, (1834-1892). Taken from The Spurgeon Center. “Providence.” April 11, 1858., para. 12. Retrieved from https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/providence/#flipbook/

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