Month: May 2015

Dear God: With You Everything is Better~

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Jesus my lighthouse
 With You Everything is Better~ by C D Swanson
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Romans 15:13  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

 

 

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Whenever things go wrong isn’t it an enormous comfort to know that God is with you?   That no matter what storm you’re facing or trial, that God is your lighthouse and protector?

 

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  But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.  Psalm 5:11-12
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Perhaps you’re late for work or an important meeting, and your boss  reads you the riot act. Responsiblity notwithstanding…when God is in your corner even the incessant lambasting will be a piece of cake. The volley of invectives that are poised and thrown in your direction will seemingly bounce off you because God is your shield.

 

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There is a “joy” that’s deep within when you have faith no matter the circumstances.  Raining outside? So what…God is our umbrella.  The temperature quite frigid today?  So what…God is our consuming fire and will bathe us with His warmth.

 

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Joy, comfort, and a positive attitude is not impossible with God.  Trials may lend way to a “negative” shift in our demeanor, but His promises and His “voice” will bring about a significant adjustment in temperment if we rely on Him in discretionary fashion in all aspects of our life.

 

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When we surrender to Him carte blanche we begin to experience life as it’s supposed to be.  Without fear, without lingering doubts, and with 100% trust in the Lord and His supernatural power and love to do all things for us and with our best interest in mind.

 

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Psalms 47:1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

 

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Joy, happiness, exaltation, praise, shouts of thanks, and adulation…for the Lord who is worthy and Holy and pure. Sometimes I want to jump for joy in the middle of a store or from my car windows exclaiming my love and devotion to God.  However, I do it in my heart at those times…and God knows and hears my loud cries of exaltation as it were.  But, don’t worry, at home or at a house of worship…you can be sure I’m jumping for joy.

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Are you singing and shouting from your heart? He hears you…go ahead and give thanks and watch your blessings flow.

 

 

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1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
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Psalms 96:11-13 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Dear God: Rain Brings Growth & Renewal~

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beautyfall

Rain Brings Growth & Renewal~    By C D Swanson

 

 

 

“Into every life a little rain must and will fall.”  Thus the saying about life and challenges and hardship.  There are storms that will lurk literally and figuratively throughout our lives. And, sometimes — a life challenge will require enormous strength in order to get through it.  Strength, that as humans we cannot achieve were it not for the Holy Spirit who provides the supernatural fundamentals in order for us to achieve and survive each storm we encounter.

Jesus Christ and His power is released when we acknowledge our weakness and submit to Him and accept His help.  When we surrender, we can and will endure suffering and adversity while maintaining and preserving internal joy and His perfect peace.

When the ground is extremely dry you can see virtual cracks in the foundation.  When we strive to do things on our own it’s our “foundation” that’ll crack and dry up. We need the life force of our Lord to keep it from crumbling around us. Our souls are like the soil…we need to keep it watered and nourished. We need His living water to sustain and nourish our souls.

When the sun comes out after a storm…the aftermath is serene, tranquil,  a sight to behold.  Dew seemingly sparkles like diamonds on the leaves of trees, on the grass, and on the flowers. A rainbow oft times will be present to further declare the power of God and His love.

We’ll all go through times of grief, sorrow and valleys of woe.  It’s faith and His love that’ll provide the ability to catapult over the hurdles thrust in our paths.  It’s His strength that’ll  pick us up when we are weak, it’s His hands of grace that’ll wipe our tears away and replace it with gladness and joy. He will deliver us from the suffocating grief or depressive circumstances we’re going through. He defeated death for us to give us eternal life. He raises us up at all times as we exalt Him and love Him and trust Him.

Turn to Him every day, acknowledge His greatness, and give Him continuous praise and glory. Seek His face daily, and accept Him openly. God doesn’t promise that we won’t experience sadness and loss or hard times…but He does promise that He’ll uphold us with His right hand of righteousness, and He will bring us through it each and every single time.

The result?  The ability to be a vessel for the Lord as we attempt to soothe others as they’re going through similar circumstances we went through. All the while glorfying God and giving Him the victory…

 

 

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;                 (2 Corinthians 1:9-10)

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.   (Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

 

 

 

Dear God: I Rejoice With Thanks~

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God's Rainbow

I Rejoice With Thanks   by C D Swanson

 

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When a loved one departs from this world it’s those left behind that inherently feel the suffocating anguish of the “temporary” separation.  It’s as if our heart has been ripped from our chest.

We feel shattered by the realization that we won’t see our loved one any longer in this world.  Yet, at the same time—As believers—we feel gratifying peace knowing that the heavens rejoice as our dearly departed are ushered into God’s presence and reunited with loved ones who’ve gone before them. So, in fact…we rejoice.  

I celebrate His love for me, my mother, dad, and others.  And, I rejoice in all things unto the Lord…and I rejoice in knowing that we will never die, but live forever. 

My beautiful mother passed away last Wednesday, May 13, 2015.  May 13 is my birthday— ironically—and through God’s bountiful blessings—the last time she’d been admitted into a hospital was when she delivered me into this world.  So, in essence, without revealing my age—let’s say it’s been well over half a century.

It was fairly quick. Although she’d been battling medical issues through the past ten years, you’d never guess it…She never complained, and she looked so gorgeous all the time. In fact, people were beyond shocked to learn she was 86 years old.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”   And there is a significant amount of comfort as I embrace God at this time of grieving. I cling to His word, and His direction more than ever…and know I’ll get through it with His divine help.  Family and friends are supportive, and offer their condolences, and it is immensely appreciated and part of the process in this journey.  However, it doesn’t compare to the satisfaction within my soul, sensing God’s peace, as His right hand upholds me, while sustaining me fully, in the aftermath of losing my “mom.”

My mother is fully alive. She’s bristling with vitality, endless energy, and unparalleled beauty. No longer is she prisoner inside her “flesh body” that was worn out, aching considerably, run down with broken parts and labored breathing.  She is alive—alive— vibrant and glowing brightly in the brilliant light and presence of our Lord.

“And, God shall wipe away all tears form their eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev 21:4

Jesus Christ died for us. He came to earth, born of the Virgin Mary to fulfill the scriptures of His Father in heaven…and to save us from eternal damnation…and to offer us eternal salvation.

For those who believe, we know that we’ll be in heaven and our gift is eternal life.  We shall never die, but return to our former home with our Father…in Paradise.

Jesus assures us and promises us this: “I am the resurrection, and the ‘life’: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.  And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.  Believest thou this?”  John 11:25-25 KJV

My mother loved Jesus and knew He was her Lord and Savior, I’ve no doubt she is with Him…and my loving earth dad who passed away in 1999.

The angels, my dad, many departed family members and friends,  and most especially, the Lord, are celebrating her triumphant return even as I type—for doing a magnificent job on earth—I’m sure the Lord said, “welcome home my faithful servant, well done…well done indeed.”

God is peace, and He is the Rock of salvation. He is our defense, and our refuge.  He is a merciful loving and Sovereign God that soothes, comforts and provides for all of our needs.  He speaks to us through His word and His presence from within, the Holy Spirit.

So, for any of you mourning the loss of a loved one…remember it is those left behind that will ultimately suffer and miss their presence here on earth—but, understand this— how amazingly joyful to know we’ll see them again, one day in the future. Until then, hold on to the memories, encase them in your heart, and be so thankful that you had them in your life for as long as you did.  Treasure the moments…until you create new ones one day in the future in your “permanent home.”

I love You Lord....

Thank You Father for giving me such a kind, loving, compassionate, generous, mother…she was a gift and a treasure to me, and so many others.   

My mom delivered me on May 13, all those years ago…and You “delivered her back home” on the same day… sealed spiritually with my Mom forever more.

 “Father, please give her a hug for me and tell her I love her and will miss her always, until we meet again…” 

 

“…Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever…” Psalm 23:6 

 

 

 

 

 

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~ PLEASE NOTE: COMMENTS ARE CLOSED AND NOT ENABLED FOR THIS PARTICULAR POST…THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING….~

 

 

 

Dear God: Salvation–Sacrifice–Eternal Reward

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beautifulsunsetbychristianeSalvation,Sacrifice,Eternal Reward.

by C D Swanson~

 

“How can I find meaning and purpose in life?” is a common question and one so many have contemplated. What is life all about–and how does it relate to God, us and eternity?

When God said, “Let us make man in our image” (Gen 1:26) He created men and women to place here on earth…but for what purpose?

God truly loved what He created, it is said, “He looked and it was good” — and He wants us to enjoy Him as much as He enjoys us..to get to know Him and fellowship with Him daily.

He wanted us to live in complete harmony with Him , and He wanted us to be happy then, as He does now. Unfortunately, in earlier times, the first humans turned from God and arbitrarily went in their own ways. Thereby severing the ties of fellowship with Him. So, people now are born with a sinful nature…and without any exception, all of us have sinned. (Romans 3:23)  As a result we were separated from God because of those sins for earlier times.

But, out of His deep love and mercy, He decided to rescue us from that “ugly sin.” He brought Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, and sacrificed Him for our sake.  Christ took on the sin of the world, and was punished for us in order to provide salvation.  He died for us, and resurrected,  thereby defeating death for us…to give us a chance at eternal life.  It was completed and done at the CROSS where Jesus established His power over death.

So, Jesus more than sufficiently paid the debt by becoming our Kinsman Redeemer…and in so doing, we are called to a higher purpose to turn from sin, rebellious behavior, and to trust in what He has done for us.

God does makes it abundantly clear concerning our salvation in Mark 1:15 Jesus our Savior said, “Repent yet, and believe in the gospel.”  By repenting, which is to say, “turn in a different direction” and giving up on sin, and turning from worldly consumption, we attempt to make things right with and before God.

We also must believe.  So, we must trust, repent, and believe in the One who paid the ultimate price for us.

How will we respond? Well the Bible is filled with so many passages and messages as to the direction and temperance in which we should display and follow, but one of the scriptures that pops out just now is this: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord” will be rescued/saved.” (Romans 10:13)

If you’ve not trusted in Christ as Lord and Savior it’s never too late to turn from sin and believe in Him. Who alone can save and give new and eternal life?  There is only One way to get to eternity, and that is through the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  (John 14:6)

 

 

Picture of God’s landscape captured by Christiane O.