Trusting In Jesus All Over The World

Trusting in Jesus all Over the World

Several weeks ago, I was checking my blog’s web traffic to see where our visitors are coming from.

I couldn’t be more surprised.

A significant percentage are from a foreign country – Country “B”, (name withheld), that I really knew nothing about.

So, I started researching and here’s what I found out.

trusting in Jesus all over the world

For these believers, worshiping God often comes at great peril.

It’s hard for us here in the United States to even imagine being ordered not to attend church and then that church is burned down.

I had no idea that the believers in Country B, like in a growing number of countries, suffer from persecution simply because they are Christians.

It’s heartbreaking.

And, as foretold in the Bible, the spiritual battle in our world rages on between Good and Evil.

How can anyone not see that the battle lines are becoming more defined?

I’ve read about women who are celebrating their abortions, for instance, and I ask God, “How much longer until this madness ends?”

The truth is we don’t know the timing, but we do know the Answer and here’s the Good News.

At some appointed time in the future, Jesus will come back as the Bible says.

He will save repentant sinners who trust in Him only for their salvation.

Thank God for His saving grace.

Don’t Get Bogged Down

devastating tornadoes

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the alarming headlines.

Devastating floods, tornadoes, and wildfires ravage our landscapes.

There are already verbal attacks on social media against Christians in the name of political correctness here in America.

Maranatha.

Come Lord Jesus.

What you and I have to remember are God’s promises to deliver us.

No matter what happens, He is working behind the scenes.

The news won’t tell you about it – but God is moving.  People are coming to Christ all over the world.

There’s still time!

O Happy Day

Recently a pastor/friend of ours from Texas came to see us. He told us that a small group from his church went to a foreign country on a recent mission trip.

They traveled to one of the most dangerous parts of this country where murders are commonplace and the people are suffering from extreme poverty.  Their lives are always at risk.

I got chills as I heard our pastor/friend’s story.

You know what the best news is? In God’s providence, there were no dangerous incidents.

Men, women, and children who were old enough to understand heard the gospel and came to Christ that day.

Praise God!

At one point, they broke out into smiles and started singing one of the most uplifting songs ever, “O Happy Day.”

I wish I could have been there to see it.

every nation and tribe

As bad as things will get, God is still on His throne and He is working in people’s lives all over the world.

Since I couldn’t be there for that amazing mission trip, I did find an excellent video of the song conducted by Andre Rieu and featuring the Soweto Gospel Choir.

Some day in the future, believers from every nation and tribe who affirm their trust in Christ as our Savior will rejoice and have eternal life together.

May your day be blessed!

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Remembering Our Heroes

Remembering Our Heroes

Memorial Day 2019

On this special Memorial Day weekend marking the start of summer, America is remembering her heroes.

For those brave men and women in our armed forces who died while serving to protect our freedoms, we are thankful.

Our gratitude also goes out to the families of these fallen heroes.

 

Never forget.

God bless America.

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Caleb And Kelsey – Soul Stirring Christian Music

Caleb And Kelsey - Christian Music

Caleb And Kelsey – Christian Music

Have you ever heard a Christian vocalist sing a song so beautiful that it makes you feel like you want to get down on your knees and praise God, no matter where you are?

One of my favorites for this is, “How Great Is Our God.”

I was so excited to find a captivating version of it from the Nashville duo, Caleb and Kelsey Grimm, whose voices are clearly a gift from God.

This talented married couple beautifully combine the song with two other classic melodies in this soulful mashup below.

Caleb and Kelsey – A Little Background

Caleb and Kelsey Grimm have a large fan base – as evidenced by the growing popularity of their Christian cover songs and medleys. Their Facebook page alone has garnered well over two million followers.

“I grew up singing in church and I love the way worship music connects people. It’s a universal language,” shares Kelsey.1 – Kelsey Grimm, Christian vocalist.

Does Caleb’s name sound familiar? He’s a well-known vocalist with Anthem Lights.

Kelsey first gained popularity with the Christian band, “1 Girl Nation,” back in 2012.

Caleb and Kelsey Duets

A song I could sing over and over again is “Good, Good Father.”

In this next Caleb and Kelsey cover, we are reminded through this wonderful song of the precious and life-affirming truth that we are no longer slaves to sin because of the Father’s perfect love for us.

Caleb and Kelsey’s latest album,” Hymns” (Rhodes Records/The Fuel Music) came out earlier this year, featuring many Christian favorites such as “Be Thou My Vision” and “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”

I hope you get a chance to check it out.

Be blessed!

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1 From Caleb and Kelsey Official, [Facebook September 13, 2018 “About” post]. Retrieved from  https://www.facebook.com/calebandkelseyofficial/ /May 20, 2019, para. 4).

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A Spiritual Treadmill

Exercising Your Faith

Do any of these criticisms sound familiar?

Christians think they’re so perfect

Hypocrites!

God is aware of our suffering and trials

Verbal slams like these are often blurted out in high volume and, let’s face it, are purposely meant to be an insult.

Why do people say those things?

It’s emotionally exhausting and you may feel all alone, or like you’ve failed in your spiritual walk.

Christian, you are not alone.

God is aware of our suffering and trials.

Please never forget that.

True Christians know they are not perfect and that it’s only through the saving grace of Jesus Christ that we will be redeemed.

The Bible warns us that we would be mocked for our faith. We can’t act like we didn’t know.

So how, then, can we persevere in this upside-down world?

A recent podcast from Pastor Mike Fabarez encourages us all to continue pressing on, no matter what.

And I tell you what, no matter how you’re losing in your life right now, because you’ve stood up and maintained what the sermons have said week after week, that Right is Right and Good is Good and Bad is Bad and Sin is Sin.

When you maintain that in the world and you lose because of it, it’s not uncommon. The world is an upside-down place.

Just remember this – God says when they mess with you, when they set you back, when they ridicule you, persecute you, they’re messing with Me. There’s some comfort in that.1Pastor Mike Fabarez, Focal Point Ministries

Don’t throw in the towel because being a Christian in this world of darkness is too hard.

Persevere anyway.

We have an assurance that the world doesn’t have.

spiritual treadmill

Pray For Your Enemies

Christians search the internet all the time to find out how to pray for their enemies. I see the search results every week.

Why do we have to pray for our enemies?

It seems unnatural and that’s because it is.

Only God can give us the supernatural strength that we need, in the midst of our emotional pain, to pray for our persecutors.

We must ask Him for strength.

No one said it’s going to be easy.

We are in a spiritual war with a deadly foe tracking us every hour of the day. We need to be in the best shape possible to cope with the darts and arrows he hurls our way. Flabby, overindulged, pampered Christians just don’t have the stamina to fight this battle. Thus, the Lord puts us on a spiritual treadmill every now and then to keep us in good fighting condition.2 Dr. James Dobson. [Newsletter, April 2019].

A Spiritual Treadmill

We’re on a “spiritual treadmill” – I like that analogy.

At the end of the day, even if it feels like a horrible day, remember to Whom you belong.

Keep on pressing forward, and pray for God to guide your steps.

You are who God says you are, not who your persecutor says you are.

It can help to memorize what John told the believers in 1 John 3:1, ESV. –

the reason why the world does not know us

Child of God, have courage!

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1 From Fabarez, Pastor Mike, host. “Why is There Evil in the World.” Podcast, [20:19]. One Place Ministries, May 10, 2019. www.oneplace.com/2019/  https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/focal-point/listen/.

2 From Dr. James Dobson, Family Talk. [Newsletter]. Retrieved from  https://drjamesdobson.org/about/april-newsletter-2019?sc=FEM&mc=FEM0419NL&utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_campaign=20190404%20Newsletter%20(FEM0419NL)%20(3)&spMailingID=21287810&spUserID=MzA5NTY5NTAzNDUS1&spJobID=1480209475&spReportId=MTQ4MDIwOTQ3NQS2 /April 10, 2019).

3 Scripture quotation is from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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A Talented Young Singer

talented young singer

Encouragement For Your Day From A Talented Young Singer

If you’ve read any of my blog posts from the past, then you know that on occasion I love to feature Christian music.

Music is a big part of my life, especially Christian music.

Psalm 30 comes to mind.

11You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
12 That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.Psalm 30:11-12, NASB.

Recently, as I was searching for new songs and talent, I came across a young boy who has the voice of an angel.

Perhaps you’ve seen him on YouTube where over 36 million viewers have tuned into his channel.

His name is Steven Samuel Devassy.

I don’t know about you, but I see and hear joy when he sings God’s praises.

So Many Reasons

We have so many reasons to praise the Lord. 

The lyrics to Matt Redman’s “10,000 Reasons” comes to mind.

Here’s Steven Samuel Devassy singing this beautiful cover song.

Keep an eye on this talented young singer, now an 11-year-old, who also plays the drums. I do believe he has a future in Christian music!

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*Scripture quotation is from New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

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