Help For The Journey

19/08/2024

Mine and Shelby Bible study today 🥹🙏

09/10/2023

06/09/2023

Copied from Charles Stanley devotional

The thought of seeing God is shocking and almost blasphemous to anyone who understands the Old Testament teaching on the transcendence and inapproachability of God (Exodus 33:18-23). To see God’s face, as the sinners we are, is unthinkable.

Yet, Revelation 22:4 says of God’s resurrected people on the New Earth, “They will see his face.” This means that something radical must have happened to us by then. It is only because we will be fully righteous in Christ, standing in our resurrected bodies, untainted by sin, that we will be able to see God and live. To see God will be our greatest joy. Not only will we see His face and live—we will likely wonder if we ever lived before we saw His face!

Ancient theologians spoke of the “beatific vision,” which meant “a happy-making sight.” The sight they spoke of was God Himself.

The God who lives in unapproachable light became approachable in the person of Jesus (John 1:14). People could look at Jesus and see God. But Revelation 22:4 appears to speak of our actually seeing the face of God the Father.

To look into God’s eyes will be to see what we’ve always longed to see: the person who made us and for whom we were made. And we will see Him in the place He made for us, and for which we were made. Seeing God will be like seeing everything else for the first time. We will discover that seeing God is our greatest joy, and life itself. Every other joy of Heaven will be derivative, flowing from the fountain of our relationship with God.

Beholding and knowing God, we will see ourselves, and all other people and events, through God’s eyes. We will spend eternity worshipping, exploring, and serving our great God. We will see His breathtaking beauty in everything and everyone around us. .... so good!!!

24/08/2023

20/06/2023

New blog coming soon!!
I pray you are blessed on this journey we are all in together!!

30/04/2023

FEAR and Suffering

Fear = a strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger, Anxious concern, a profound reverence and awe towards God.

Do You struggle with various feelings of fear? What are they?

Fears for me can be lifechanging like stemming from a traumatic experience or simpler like everyday worries or utterly in awe of everything God is doing in my life!

Recently, God has been dealing with my fears in big ways. These feelings have kept me from trusting Him wholeheartedly. I haven’t always been a Christian who let God work on my heart. I thought my distrust, fears and worries were mine to bear alone because of my past choices.

One of my greatest fears is failing as a parent.

For a long time, I felt this way because of a couple of traumatic and life changing experiences. After my divorce from my first husband, I had to go live with a friend of mine. I was in a bad place, afraid to be alone and trying to find anyone to love me. I became an alcoholic and was at the bar every night. I became pregnant. I had no home and no income. I had to make the most difficult choice ever in my life. I chose to give her up for adoption. I felt like a complete and utter failure as a parent. In my heart I knew this was the right thing to do at this time for her to thrive. My parents helped me when they were able and took good care of us! Then I married my current husband, while pregnant and He supported me and my sons through everything. God blessed us with a Christian loving family for her and she is thriving and so beautiful and an amazing young woman who loves Jesus with all her heart! I pray she knows how much I love her!

Another example of feeling like a failure as a parent is when within the two years span when my sons were teens each of them decided I was not worth loving or living with, so they went to live with their dad. Talk about feeling like a failure as a parent! I truly raised them the best I knew how. I loved them and when I learned better I did better! I didn’t deserve any of this, but for a long time I felt like I failed. There is hope and a future! What a blessing one of my sons and I have repaired our relationship! God has now replaced my fear of failing as a parent with hope, joy and peace! He has also blessed me with a daughter who loves me so much and loves being with me and loves Jesus too!

God is my focus now when I feel unsure or like I'm failing because He is my source of hope!

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 NIV

Do you live paycheck to paycheck? Struggling to make ends meet has been a fear of mine. I didn’t grow up struggling financially. From my first marriage we were very poor and on government assistance, so he joined the Army after our first son was born. Honestly military benefits are amazing, and I recommend this way of living over poverty! But paychecks can be rough! My current husband has been an Army veteran now for a few years, and civilian life is a hard transition after my being a spouse over 20 years in military ... This is when my fears came back. My husband struggled to find a job. We didn’t have a home or income, just a severance check from the Army. My family helped us with rentals until he had a steady job and income. They were such a blessing! We have our own home now! We still live paycheck to paycheck, and I was still struggling with fear we could pay our bills. Recently, God has shown me I don’t need to be afraid and to completely trust Him with this. I was worrying because our bills were not all going to be paid, which happens most weeks, but what I failed to recognize until now was that God has providing exactly what we need and more every time!! He showed me He takes care of all kinds of needs! All I have to do of course is responsible with our money and trust Him. Obviously, God knows and approves about my daughter’s Chick fil an addiction HAHA!

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. “- Matthew 6:34 AMP

God put this Hymn on my mind this week! Great Is Thy Faithfulness

“Great is Thy Faithfulness Great is thy faithfulness morning by morning new mercies I see All I have needed thy hand hath provided Great is thy faithfulness Lord unto me.”

Sometimes fear can get the better of us! That’s ok and normal we are Humans! God still loves us so very much! Even Jesus was Afraid when He was on the cross! God will always give us deep down soul peace in spite of our fears and that is truly a blessing I don’t ever want to live without again! All I have to do is focus on His truths! I hope and pray you can do the same too. It is truly life changing!

“He will not fear bad news; His heart is steadfast, trusting (confidently relying on and believing) in the Lord.” - Psalms 112:7

Because He Lives, I can Face Tomorrow! I love that old hymn!

The Following is My Momma’s Story for this blog.

I have been through so much trauma and fear with my health. 6 years ago, I began having severe pain in my abdomen. My doctors were unable to find what was causing it, so I saw a diagnostic specialist. He found a tumor on my pancreas which would lead to cancer if not removed. I am thankful God allowed this to happen! If I had not been in so much pain, they would not have continued to look for the cause and found the tumor. In my experience most people experiencing severe pain have stage 4 cancer. Because of my diagnosis I had to undergo Whipple surgery. This type of surgery is very radical. Not only did they remove part of my pancreas they also basically rearranged my digestive system. That was the beginning of my health crisis. Since the Whipple surgery, my health has continued to decline. I had to have my colon removed which left me with a lot of nerve damage and scar tissue. Since my colon surgery I have been hospitalized many times with unbearable pain. It literally broke me physically and emotionally. Through all of that I have learned I have to deal with each day as it comes and put my focus on God not My circumstances I am dealing with. I have almost died twice. Once from E. coli in my blood stream and sepsis and about a month ago from double pneumonia and sepsis. God spared my life both times. He gave me this verse to show me what He was doing in my life.

“I will not die but live and will proclaim what the Lord has done.”- Psalms 118:7

Currently, while recovering from the pneumonia, I contracted Covid. I admit I have been fearful because I have so many health issues that make it difficult for my body to deal with something like this! Yet as traumatic as all this has been, God has spared my life for a reason.

“Do not fear (anything), for I am with you; do not be afraid for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you.”- Isaiah 41:10

Instead of looking at the past and trying to understand why I'm so sick or why I have covid now, I focus on today. I choose not to focus on anything but today! When I look at the why or the past or the future, I immediately feel fear. God showed me recently STOP doing this and just DO THE NEXT THING!







“Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil for you are with me.” Psalms 23 NIV

God has blessed my life in so many ways to encourage me through every hard difficult situation I endure. The most important to me is I have come to know Him in a real and personal way as I spend time in His Word, the Bible, and just sitting in His presence. I feel His unconditional love for me!

“You don’t really know Jesus until Jesus is all you need.” - Tim Keller

God acknowledges the pain that suffering allows. He has compassion and promises relief, all through the power His presence brings. God showed me this hymn recently that has encouraged me so much!

It is well with my soul

“When peace like a river attended my way when sorrows like sea billows roll whatever my lot, though has taught me to say it is well it is well with my soul.”

“When they had sung a hymn, they went to the Mount of Olives.” Matthew 14:26 Even the Disciples and Jesus sang a hymn at the last supper! Songs and Hymns were special to Him.

Song: People Need the Lord

“Every day they pass me by I can see it in their eyes. On they go through their private pain living fear to fear. Laughter hides their silent cries only Jesus hears. At the end of broken dreams, He is the open door. People need the Lord.

“The Lord is my shepherd I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures he leads me beside quiet waters. He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake. -Psalms 23

FEAR

DO THE NEXT THING

When you are feeling fearful, turn your focus on God being there with you and by faith step out and Do The Next Thing.

Blessed Assurance hymn. God laid on my heart to share this encouraging hymn.

“Blessed Assurance Jesus is mine Oh what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation purchase of God Born of His spirit washed in His blood. This is my story this is my song praising my Savior all day long.”

We hope and pray God encourages you and helps you Do the Next Thing on your journey in dealing with your fears!

26/04/2023

New blog post on our FEARS coming soon!!

15/04/2023

Peace and Patience

This topic has been something God has really been teaching us about lately! This has been a rough one!
"Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage, Yes wait for and confidently expect the Lord." Psalms 27:14 AMP
How do we confidently wait for and expect God to work in our circumstances when they seem so very difficult? I know I don't usually feel very strong or courageous!
"For you have need of patient endurance (to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising), so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy the full of what is promised." Hebrews 10:36 AMP
Recently I had to go to the emergency room for fear of something serious going on due to some of my chronic health issues. Normally I would be seriously anxious, physically shaking, sweating, heart racing, before even going to such a place or Dr. My nerves and anxious thoughts usually get the better of me. Do you suffer like this sometimes too? Something was different this time though.. Before I left I talked to God about my anxious thoughts and nerves and something amazing happened! I was completely at peace and had patient endurance in believing deep down in my heart that this was God's will for me and He was working everything out for my good no matter what that was! I definitely learned some lessons and God led me to my next steps in getting well and it is a process but a lesson in patient endurance indeed!
"let the peace of Christ (the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him) be the controlling factor in your hearts (deciding and settling questions that arise). To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body (of believers). And be thankful to God Always. Colossians 3:15 AMP
Have you experienced such peace? Is it constant or does your circumstances and emotions dictate wether you allow God's peace and patience into your heart? Have you had some sleepless nights that stole your peace of mind? I can say I have! What about traveling and things not going as planned? A few weeks ago we visited my mom for her birthday and had a wonderful time! Well our drive home was not! We live about 6 hours away. The first half of our drive was perfect, making good time, the dog was being good too! We then hit multiple delays due to wrecks along our route so we took the new suggested route. It was off the beaten path and I was unfamiliar with it. It added an hour to our trip not including the hour the wrecks added. So I did not have peace at all! When we had to stop I was anxious being in less desirable areas and by ourselves.. Later I apologized to my daughter for my attitude and lack of patience or peace! I told her that is not who I want to be and I needed to trust God with that situation. She put me to shame too she was always calm and just along for the ride! She is such a blessing!
My big lesson lately is that God's soul penetrating peace is so much better than anything I can imagine to fill that void whether it is things I desire or emotions I use to replace Peace. The emotional patience I choose to have during difficulties is key to allowing God's peace into my heart and you have the same ability to do so as well! It is amazing!!

The following is my momma's story

" Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith (through experience) produces endurance (leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace). And let endurance have its perfect result and work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed (in your faith) lacking nothing." James 1:2-4 AMP
This is a beautiful video from The Chosen with Little James and Jesus on this exact topic!!
https://youtu.be/KZDvcEkjthA

From The Chosen show Season 3 finale: Jesus told Simon this
" I allow hard things to happen to increase your faith."

My Momma's Story:
I have dealt with health issues for several years. Recently, I experienced a very scary and traumatic situation. I woke up one morning and my blood pressure was extremely low, 60 over 30! I became disoriented, I could not hear my husband talking to me nor could I respond! My oxygen was not even registering on the pulse oxometer and his was! He immediately called an ambulance and I was taken to the hospital. The doctors diagnosed me with double pneumonia and a sepsis infection. I was so ill they took me to the ICU and was there for a couple days. While I was there, my husband saw a man walking down the hallway, and they knew him. He is a local pastor, so he grabbed his attention, and he was explaining he had been visiting a lady who was also suffering from the same thing I was, but she was not doing well. I pray she has recovered! The pastor visited with us and prayed for us and was such an encouragement! A little while later the hospital chaplain came by and visited. It is amazing how believers in Christ have an immediate connection! Our spirit bears witness with theirs! The chaplain was so encouraging and shared many beautiful stories of how God worked in his life.
I am so thankful I have responded well to treatment and God has showed me how much He loves me and He is right there with me by sending me those two men to encourage me! I am learning that no matter what situation or circumstances I am dealing with, I need to keep my focus on God, and when I do He gives me PEACE! I can trust that He will give me the strength to face any situation.
God will make a way when there seems to be no way!
"I have told you these things so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
I Surrender All hymn has been on my mind lately and it is so powerful!
"All to Jesus I surrender All to Him I freely give I will ever Love and trust Him In His presence daily Live. "

Send a message to learn more

13/04/2023

Click to read this is so so good and vitally important!!

By Charles Stanley

How Your Thought Life Affects Your Peace

If we’re being honest with ourselves, most of us aren’t who or what we think we are. Our thinking is marred at best, off-track, and in most cases, needs to be changed.

How do I know this to be true? Aside from my experience pastoring so many through the years, God’s Word calls us to a “renewal” of our minds. That means trading in our old perceptions, opinions, ideas, beliefs, and self-centered attitudes for a new set of perceptions, opinions, ideas, beliefs, and attitudes that God develops in us. These godly responses are nurtured by regular reading of Scripture and meditating on what’s been read in the Bible. Christ’s followers are urged to avoid being “conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2).

Out of a renewal of our thinking comes a change in our speech patterns and our behaviors. As our speech and behavior become renewed, our relationships with others become renewed. And as our relationships become renewed, our immediate world is renewed as well. It all begins in the mind with what we choose to think and what we choose to dwell upon.

You have the ability to determine what you’ll think. At any time, you can refocus your mind to a new topic, task, or problem to solve instead of negative thinking that will steal your peace and/or cause you to venture into rebellion or sin. You have the ability to say, “I choose to trust God,” in any situation you face or thought you have.

Furthermore, any child of God who takes a willful stand against thought patterns that clearly are harmful is going to be provided a way of escape from that circumstance. God will help you focus your mind on something other than your problem or bad thought pattern if you will make the initial step in His direction.

When you guard your mind, you guard your peace. When you offer prayers to God with faith and thanksgiving—no matter what trials you face—He assures you inner peace (Phil. 4:6-7). And when you focus your thinking on what’s true, noble, virtuous, lovely, pure, and praiseworthy, you rely upon God with increasing faith and trust.

You can never fully exhaust your ability to think about the goodness and greatness of God. Choose to respond to life the way Jesus responded. Guard your prayer life. Guard your thought life. Seek the Father and all that’s godly. His Word promises that when you fill your mind with what is virtuous and praiseworthy, “the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:9).

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
Romans 12:2 AMP

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].
Philippians 4:6‭-‬7 AMP

The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.
Philippians 4:9 AMP

09/04/2023

Relationships and Suffering

Why do our closest relationships suffer? What causes your stress, heartache, loneliness and other issues in your life? The cause of alot of relationships suffering in my life and my family is chronic physical and mental health illnesses. When we are constantly suffering in such ways our relationships suffer because not only is it difficult for the person suffering but the people close to you feel helpless and frustrated they can't do anything for you! Always remember to let them know how much you love and appreciate them, especially in the midst of your own suffering!
There are many types of situations that cause stress and all kinds of feelings in close relationships. Maybe you had a bad day at work? The kids were crazy little stinkers all day? Everything was literally a dumpster fire all day.... How did you react?
Honestly, I used to have anger issues and did not react very well. I would scream yell cuss and let everyone know i was not happy! God helped me realize how wrong i was, and He has shown me better ways to cope. First, I go somewhere to be alone if I can, or I just stop what I am doing and take deep breaths, and I just talk to God and pour my heart out to Him.. Sometimes I literally cry out to Him and fall on my face ugly crying too. That is probably the hardest thing to do because we just want to react in the moment naturally not step back! "Crying is the relief you feel when you accept how you feel. It is a biological function."-unknown "They who sew in tears will reap with joyful singing." Psalms 126:5. When I open God's Word and let Him speak to my heart I am instantly at peace! I also love the devotionals by Lysa Teurkerst and Sarah Young. Do you have a relationship you can pour your heart out and they truly understand your pain and suffering? I pray you do and if not know you are not alone!! Over the last few years I have been blessed with this type of relationship with my momma because of our health issues. My prayer is you would be encouraged and find some hope in the difficulties your facing with your relationships in your time of suffering.
"He alone is my rock and my salvation, my defense and my strong tower, I will not be shaken or disheartened." Psalms 62:2 AMP

09/04/2023

Suffering
We are diving into this blog with one of the most difficult topics any of us deals with....Suffering.
Suffering is going through something unexpected, unthinkable, or unspeakable.
Why on earth would we write about such a heavy topic? It is not really talked about, usually swept under the rug and is very close to our hearts. Have you been told by others when your suffering to just look at the bright side or the positive, When what you really need is someone to hug you and just listen and cry with you? How do you even navigate different types of suffering? My hope and prayer is that you are encouraged and feel even a little less alone during this difficult time.
Think back before your suffering began, did God show you a time He was working ? Let me know in the comments!
The next post will be on Relationships and Suffering