Are you Ready? Keep Watch

Wouldn’t it be great if we could stop the perversion and despair that has taken over our great country?

If only it were that easy.

The heartbreaking reports of depravity and also violence are not just coming from America.

But, fellow Christians, keep holding on to God’s guaranteed-to-happen promises!Our Savior will return at a future date, and we’re instructed to be ready and keep watch.

See the words of Jesus to the disciples (and all of us by extension) in the verse below:

³³“Watch out, stay alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is. ³⁴It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay alert. ³⁵Therefore, stay alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— ³⁶so that he does not come suddenly and find you asleep. ³⁷What I say to you I say to all: ‘Stay alert!’” – Mark 13:33-37, (NASB).

Other Bible translations use the following expressions including:

Watch

Keep a sharp lookout

Watch for My return

Stay awake

Notice these commands are in the present tense.

Keep Watch: The Best Is Yet To Come

Have you ever heard anyone use the expression, “the good old days?”

I may have even said that one myself.

We didn’t have the ramped-up spiritual bankruptcy years ago that we do now.

But, God always keeps His promises.

While the nations rage on, and the nightly news gets worse, stay in His Word.

At God’s providential time, we will one day have eternity with Him.

Complete joy and happiness in the presence of our Savior awaits us.

We’ll also see our loved ones and friends again who know Christ as their Savior.

It will be the best reunion you’ll ever experience.

Even if you’re an only child here on earth, you won’t ever be lonely in Heaven.

As Christians, we’re all “family” – brothers and sisters in Christ.

Bestselling Christian author, Susie Larson, has a great reminder of this in her latest book, Strong in battle: Why The Humble Will Prevail:

Eternity with Jesus will take our breath away. Unhindered intimacy with God. Abounding joy with no enemy opposition. Fellowship with our brothers and sisters as we share our awe-filled stories of how God intervened in our lives. Together, we’ll marvel as we learn about all He provided and all He prevented, and we’ll love Him even more than we did before. Jesus’ desire to remember our faith-filled deeds and reward us for them will leave us utterly stunned. – Author Susie Larson.

Are you ready?

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²Susie Larson quotation, courtesy of susielarson.com, “Brave, Bold, and Beloved”. From Susie’s book, Strong in battle; Why The Humble Will Prevail.”

Our Exceptional God

Heart Condition: Does Your Heart Hurt?

How is your heart these days?

Does your heart hurt?

I’m not talking about a heart defect, but rather the emotional hurt that comes when you feel powerless to stop bad things from happening.

My heart hurts.

My heart hurts when I think of persecuted Christians here in America, and overseas.

It breaks my heart when I hear that some churches closed their doors out of fear-pressure due to the virus.

Especially considering what kind of businesses stay open.

It hurts my heart when I hear of the growing discrimination against non-vaxxed people.

Intimidation and accusations directed towards anyone, whether they’ve had the shot or not, is discrimination.

We should aim to do better than that.

Respect each other’s decisions!

The world can be so ugly at times, wouldn’t you say?

Give us a renewed hope, Lord.

Help us to see the world through Your eyes.

Waiting for His Return

We are a hurting and lost world in need of our Savior.

There’s such a pervasive divide between the Good and the Bad now that any little glimpse of grace can sometimes bring tears to my eyes.

Those glimpses of grace are a window of what’s to come in our eternal home – for those who trust in Jesus for their salvation.

I am sad for our country, but our blessed HOPE is on the horizon, closer now more than ever.

I love this from Christian author Susie Larson.

Daily Blessing . . .

May you be honest with God about the hurts in your heart. May you discern the difference between grief and self-pity. May you be okay with not always being okay. God will one day wipe away every tear from your eyes, but until then, He’ll help you walk this journey with peace in your heart and assurance in your step. He is with you. One day Jesus will turn your mourning into dancing and your sorrow into songs of joy. In the meantime, enjoy the little graces you find along the way. Celebrate the small victories. Dare to dream. And take one step at a time. You’re going to be okay. Blessings on your day today. – Susie Larson, Christian author.

Lord, grant us peace in these trying times.

Does your heart hurt?

Heart Hurt and Glimpses of Grace

Does your heart hurt?

Keep going.

Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Don’t throw in the towel.

In other words, those little glimpses of grace along the way are reasons to thank God.

You’ve reached another day to celebrate God’s blessings, and it’s another day that you’ve moved closer to your eternal home.

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¹Susie Larson, courtesy of Susie Larson.com, “One Step At A Time.” Daily Blessing. September 7, 2021. Retrieved from https://www.susielarson.com/daily-blessing.

Our Exceptional God

A March To Remember

Well, this certainly is a March to remember.

It’s in times of crisis like this when we see the best in people and sometimes, sadly, the worst.

The distractions, dire news reports, and frightening predictions are exactly what the devil wants.

Don’t let this coronavirus take your mind off of things above.

Nothing, and I mean nothing that happens on earth or anywhere in the entire universe, is a surprise to God.

a march to remember

God Has Not Forgotten Us!

God blesses us in so many ways. Look back over your life and remember those times of unbridled joy that you’ve had.

Be thankful.

We know that as Christians we will face trials of many kinds, but we aren’t alone.

Don't Panic, Pray

We’re all in this together, no matter how long it takes.

You are loved.

God has not forgotten us!

A Blessing For You Today

A few days ago, I read this daily blessing by Christian author, Susie Larson. I contacted her and she graciously allowed me to share it with you.

It’s called, “Don’t Panic, Pray.”

Please don’t lose heart.

Daily Blessing

May you be highly discerning in the days ahead! May you know when to shore up your faith and stand firm, and, when to hide under the shadow of God’s wing. It’s the world’s way to react in fear and self-preservation.
God calls us to something much higher, more powerful, and divinely insightful. While people are running scared, you walk in faith. People will notice and take their cues from you. While the fearful think only of themselves, you think of others and show the world real love and clarity. While the news media adds to the chaos, you add to the calm. Be a reflection of God’s peace and faithful presence on the earth. The world needs your influence, especially in such a day. Perhaps you were born for such a time as this.
Esther 4:14 ~ For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” – Christian author, Susie Larson.¹

Our Sovereign Lord

We love you, Lord

and bow to Your Sovereignty

over all things, even when we don’t understand.

If you think this post may encourage someone else, please feel free to share.

God bless.

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¹Daily Blessing, courtesy of Susie Larson, “Don’t Panic, Pray.” 3-09-20. Web. Accessed 11 March, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.susielarson.com/

Our Exceptional God

Spiritual Warfare Prayer

I came across a fantastic spiritual warfare prayer on Facebook the other day. I had recently become a fan of this author’s page and, I have to say, her morning and evening prayers are both beautiful and inspiring. It seemed to exactly fit the words I needed to hear on an especially stressful morning.

spiritual warfare prayer Has that ever happened to you?

Have you ever felt plagued by thoughts of insecurity, low self-esteem, or even doubts about your purpose in life?

I’m sure we all have at one time or another. Sometimes, without any warning at all, negative thoughts or doubts pop up in your head, seemingly out of nowhere.

It can happen anywhere and at any time.

It’s happened to me too. The spiritual nagging was frustrating and relentless at first. I kept trying to think about something else, but the rounds of self-doubt just kept coming. What could I do? I remembered to put on the armor of God.

Spiritual Attacks Will Affect All of Us

Perhaps it’s a nagging thought that you aren’t good enough to enter the kingdom of Heaven.

Satan always sprinkles a little bit of truth in with his lies. Yes, it’s true no one is worthy, but we must always remember the Cross. Jesus paid the ransom for our sins and we have been redeemed. We have access to His complete forgiveness and grace.

satan's lies Satan is counting on us to forget our relationship with the Father. He seeks to destroy the family of God.

Another spiritual attack you might face is the feeling that you’re unforgivable.

Why did I act that way?

I have to check myself because I can get lost in a cloud of blaming myself for dumb decisions over and over.

The past is the past. I’ve asked for God’s forgiveness. We can never forget that we serve a God of second chances.

Please don’t dwell on your past mistakes. God will forgive you if you’ve confessed what you’ve done.

Don’t believe Satan’s lies that you’re scarred for life and God doesn’t care about you. That’s a spiritual attack.

We Question What We Don’t Understand

Since I became a Christian I never doubted the truth of the Bible. I have, however, questioned God’s reasoning (instead of praying) when things don’t go the way I planned for my life or when a loved one is critically ill. I don’t understand why bad things have to happen to people I love. Regardless, I’m only a sinner and I must trust God throughout the trial.

Don’t be embarrassed when you’re faced with various temptations. Even Jesus was a target of the evil one.

But, we can be ready for the next time the evil one strikes.

armor of God I’ve collected a list of Bible verses that I can refer back to whenever I need that armor. I highly suggest you consider doing the same. Write them down and commit them to your heart so you can recall them instantly when you need spiritual strength.

This verse from 1 John 4:4 is a perfect example:

*”You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

A Spiritual Warfare Prayer Worth Saving

When I found the spiritual warfare prayer I mentioned at the beginning of this blog post, I couldn’t wait to add it to my collection of “armor.”

I wanted to share it with you too, so you can start building your own armor when the devil attacks.

This prayer was written by Christian author, Susie Larson. Many thanks to her as she was kind enough to allow me to share it with you here:

Spiritual Warfare Prayer God bless and may everything you do this week bring glory and honor to Him!

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Our Exceptional God