Easter is coming...

Easter is coming soon..we all have our memories or ideas of what that looks like in our family or in our personal lives. Like Christmas, how the world portrays this time of year clouds the real meaning at times. Easter eggs, bunnies, what outfit we are going to wear, what we are going to make or where we are going to eat,  etc.. get in the way of what the true meaning of is. Although, some people pass it by like it is nothing, meaningless, just another day. Either way  it is very sad, and unfortunate. I just learned today, that a distant cousin of mine passed away at age 39 from a heart attack. I don't know if he knew the Lord, I didn't even know about this cousin of mine until today. But what would be very sad and disheartning, is that he didn't have the right picture or knowledge of who Jesus is. 39 is a very young age to be wisked away from this life. But truth be known, none of us know when that is going to be. In the book of John chapter 6, the people had a hard time believing that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. They wanted to see more and more miracles, they were too worried about filled their bellies instead of what Jesus could do for their hearts. (John 6:26-27 "Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures for everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you..") I think back on the times that I wasted my life worrying about the things of this world. What did it accomplish? Did it really make me happy? It was very temporary and the worry was not worth what you received in the end. The worry took away from the result, making it not so joyful. Now, funny how this works. If we wait for the Lord, looking to Him first, seeking Him first, when we do receive a blessing (and God knows what we need and want), there are no take aways!! We give God all the glory!! We know it was from Him, we know He provided, He gave it to us, He blessed us! There are no regrets.  (Col. 1:1-4, Matt. 6:33-34) So I guess, (I am speaking to myself as well), this Easter, I want to focus on the real meaning, that God sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16 and numerous other verses), and that He rose on the third day, and is now at the right hand of the Father, in heaven (Heb. 10:12). This Bible series on the History channel has been a reminder of how great the faith of those who trusted Christ really was. They sacrificed so much more than we do today, but they still trusted Him. Trust Him today. If you don't know Him, do it today, before it's too late, we know time is short..we don't know what tomorrow will bring. Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Rom 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" Rom 10:9,10 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him (Jesus) from the dead, you will be saved." vs 10 "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."  It is not by any work or works, Rom. 4:5-6 "But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, ..God imputes righteousness apart from works." KNOW HIM TODAY.....

May God Bless you and open your hearts this Easter season...Robyn

Mustard Seed or Mountain?  

Several years ago, some friends of mine were asking for prayer.  I knew the situation well.  Their baby grandson (we’ll call him David) was in great peril because of his mother’s sinful lifestyle.  She was living with a man who was not her husband.  This man was abusive and a scam artist and was teaching her to live the same way he did.  In the midst of all of this was young David – scared, neglected, perhaps even abused.  His grandparents, my friends, had been praying about David’s safety for months, begging their daughter to give him up so he could be cared for properly.  She stubbornly refused and the boy began to emotionally withdraw from the world.

But we all kept praying.  And one Sunday, while visiting my parents’ church, the pastor preached fervently about Matthew 17:20 – about having real faith.  At the end of the service, the congregation was challenged to come forward to pray for each other and for ourselves – but only with real faith that God would answer.  Many of us knelt at the alter that morning and I prayed faithfully for little David.

A few hours later I received a call from my friend, joyfully recounting the events of the day – how she and her church had been praying for David as well – and how his mother finally made the call they had all been waiting for, saying that she thought it was time for David to come and live with them!

David lives in safety and love with his grandparents now.  And I look back on that day in awe of God and his faithfulness to hear us and to care for us.

So why do I EVER doubt Him?  Why do I often feel that my problems are as big as mountains?  My own faith is a constant struggle.  I allow circumstances to cause great stress in my life, though deep in my heart, I know my Father loves me and will provide for me!  So today – and in many days to come, I claim the promise Jesus made in Matthew 17:20 - "He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Please feel free to post your comments or send us messages on this blogspot.  We'd love to hear from you and support you in prayer and friendship!

Love in Christ,
Susan

Share your story.....

I would love to hear some of your stories....I want to know what your biggest struggle is..what is  your greatest fear is....what do you hold on to when these things are pressing hard on your life? 

My greatest fear?  Looking back when Im at the end of my life saying the words "I wish I had.." or "I shouldn't have..." Now I know what God's word says about God's forgiveness and that God works all things together for good (Rom. 8:28), but I just really don't want to miss anything I should be doing for the Lord or should not be doing..I know I can't be perfect and I am far from it (so far..). I want to stay in step with the Spirit..I am a perfectionist so this will be a difficult thing in my life to never say those words. We have all said them at some point. I want God to say, "thou good and faithful servant". My guess is Im going to have more of I wish I had's then I shouldn't have's...I tend to analyze things too much sometimes, and probably way too cautious at times..Romans 7:15 - "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do."

What do I do about it..I ask God to help me to have faith each day to move forward when I should, to witness when God opens the door, to be sensitive to His leading, and trusting Him even when I don't know or it doesnt make sense.

In Christ,

Robyn

New blog for Recipes for Life....

Hi girls!!!

We wanted to start this new blog to get the word out there that women need encouragement! Not just positive words, but scripture that is uplifting, applicable to your daily lives and to help you grow in the Lord. We have a small group of ladies that would like to get together a few times a year and just have fun, share prayer requests, testimonies, and words of encouragement for each other. We believe what the Bible says when we are comforted by God we then can comfort others. (2 Cor. 1:4). How cool is that?! We need testimonies of God's faithfulness, encouraging words for women who are depressed, down, discouraged. We need words of praise for what God is doing in your lives. We need people to share, so women will know that they are not alone..others can identify. We want to go back to the older days and meet at the picket fence, but out picket fence is this blog, where we can share our anxieties, fears, joys, questions, without judgement..

I leave you with these encouraging words for today: Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

May God Bless,

Love In Christ,
Robyn