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As believers, when frustration weighs us down, we are invited to turn to the Lord, who tenderly listens to our cares and concerns. In moments of struggle, we can find comfort and peace by casting our burdens on Him, trusting that His grace and strength will sustain us. Remember, His love is a steady anchor in the frustrations of life.
In the midst of a world clamoring for our attention, it's crucial to stay focused on Jesus and the unique purpose and plan God has for each of us in His grand story. We must resist the distractions and stay committed to what truly matters.
Often in life, we find ourselves overwhelmed by the daily struggles and challenges, unable to see the bigger picture—much like not being able to see the forest through the trees. However, this message will remind us of the profound truth that when we place our trust in God, He has a divine plan for each of us. Be uplifted as we explore how to find and embrace God's purpose and plan for our lives. Let this be a time of renewal and reassurance in His unfailing love and divine wisdom.
In the anticipation of Jesus' promised return, we navigate a delicate balance between living with the wisdom of readiness and potentially slipping into complacency. As we remain in this "stay tuned" period, the call to prepare ourselves spiritually resonates, urging us to stay vigilant and steadfast in our faith.
Have you ever been to a retreat or a training program where they had you do the trust fall? The trust fall is where you trust that when you fall backward the people behind you will catch you. It is hard to put ourselves completely into the hands of others, no matter what the situation is or who the people are. We like to be in control. But the Christian faith is fundamentally based on our reliance on another, Jesus, for our fiuture and our entire lives and our salvation.
Did you know that Jesus, in his infinite wisdom, touched on the topic of money in a whopping 11 out of the 39 parables he shared with the crowds? It's pretty fascinating how he used money as a tool to unveil our true priorities. Think about it – our bank statements spill the beans on what truly matters to us. At the core of Christianity lies this beautiful idea that God, in His vast creativity, crafted everything, and it all ultimately belongs to Him. We humans? Well, we're more like stewards or managers of these divine resources, and that includes our hard-earned money. Stewardship isn't just a small part of the Christian journey; it's the whole shebang! It's about embracing the notion that every penny we manage is a chance to express our devotion and care for what truly matters in the grand scheme of things
Forgiveness can be one of the hardest things you have to do on your journey to growth and peace. When we hold on to hurt, pain, resentment, and anger it harms us far more than it harms the offender. Forgiveness frees us to live in the present. Forgiving yourself can be the hardest of all. Everyone makes mistakes and even worse, intentionally chooses the wrong way. But God’s love for us is overwhelming and covers a multitude of errors.
There are five Women in the lineage of Jesus who played significant roles as mothers in the story of redemption in the Bible. Each of them had a unique story that demonstrates God's grace and faithfulness, and their inclusion in Jesus' lineage underscores the idea that God can use anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, to accomplish His purposes.
The Bible calls us to be transformed into being overcomers through becoming more like Christ. If you think back on your life before Christ, before knowing Him and being united to Him, there may have been times you were addicted to something— and it doesn’t have to be drugs or alcohol— it could have been your career, money, fame, influence. But when Christ came, He changed everything. There is power in our testimonies. We become the light of the world when we share about the blood of the Lamb and our testimony. By sharing with others they too can become overcomers.
We begin a new series in this new year. It’s entitled, “The One.” This first we we think and talk about ourselves being the one who Jesus sees. Before we become passionate about sharing Christ with others, we have to become secure in the fact that He first loved us. We have to personalize His promises and to a heartfelt understanding that we are God’s dearly loved children.
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