Author: lessonsnblessings

Life can be difficult. Unexpected unpleasant circumstances can arise in an instant, or a persistent problem can drain joy and peace from even the most positive person. What can help in these times of uncertainty, disgruntled complaints, and distant memories of happier times? Prayer is always one of the first things I think of when stress and anxiety attempt to build up. Of course praise and worship is on the list too,it definitely breaks up the negative energy in the atmosphere and builds sustaining power through the storms and tests of life. What I find to be very impactful as well Continue reading “Hold On to the Truth”

There is no one word that could accurately describe Jesus that would satisfy how wonderful He is. Out of all off the words available to mankind, the word “bad” usually does not come to mind when modern Christians and non-believers alike mention the name of Jesus. However, during the time that Jesus and his disciples ministered some two thousand years ago, many people opposed Him and His message. They especially disliked how He brought healing and freedom to every place He visited and gave people hope for the future. Jesus revealed that God is loving and gracious, and demonstrated the Father’s heart wherever He went. Jesus was thought of as a “bad influence” by the Pharisees and Sadducees because He intentionally went against the religious and legalistic culture of that time. Jesus wasn’t timid and mild like they portray Him Continue reading ““Bad” Jesus”

MID YEAR PROGRESS REPORT

This is a good time of year to look at how the year has gone so far and to plan for the rest of the year or even start planning for next year. During this time of year, even before I learned that reflecting on the first half of the year is a pattern to follow according to the Hebraic Calendar, I always found myself especially reflective during this time of year. What do you think about when you hear the words “Progress Report”? What type of feelings and memories come to mind when you think about receiving a progress report? For some feelings of anticipation and excitement might over take them, but for the rest of the population feelings on anxiety, worry, and dread may kick in. Some people might start to get all analytical and start to process everything that they did during the time frame that the progress report is for. They think that if they can remember everything that they did that they can then predict or approximate what their score Continue reading “Mid-Year PROGRESS REPORT”

What do you do when there is something you need and it seems impossible to get it? What do you do when you need to get somewhere and there is something obstructing your path making it unrealistic that you would ever get there? What do you do when there seems like nothing else can be done? Many non-believers and believers alike give up. They accept that they will not get what they need or never get to where they want to go in life. Some people fall into depression, other people look or someone to blame, and unfortunately most people move on in their lives as best they can assuming that it was not God’s will for them to receive what they needed or go to the place that they were drawn to. Please don’t stop reading here, because many of you might think that you know where this message is going. You may think that I am going to throw at you some motivational message about never giving up (basically telling you that if you don’t get what you want or need that it is your fault for giving up). Or you might think that I am going to try to get you to adjust your aspirations to be more attainable (basically letting you know that you need to stop hoping that you will ever get, do, or become anything greater than what you already are so you should be happy with that). No, to the contrary what I want to share with you is knowledge of the One who can obtain for you what you cannot get for yourself, Someone who can help you get to where you Continue reading “Get to Know The Way Maker”

Boast Up! -I Will Make My Boast In the Lord!

A few weeks ago I overheard a group of my male coworkers talking, no – debating over whose team/player was the best and why. This wasn’t a calm, casual, chattering of indifference. On the contrary, this conversation overflowed with passion, conviction, and faith. They were throwing up stats, mapping out strategic plays, and investigating the odds of their players winning under various conditions. Much thought and consideration was expressed, with the occasional disagreeing outburst from a participant. They talked about these teams and players like they had invested their life’s savings in them, like there was no possibility of them losing. These guys debating over sports were borderline emotional over whose team was better. I don’t think that it was an accident or coincidence that I witnessed this conversation. I actually was trying my best to Continue reading “Boast Up! – I Will Make My Boast in the Lord!”

 Summer Breeze Series #1

Develop a Sweet Tooth!

¹⁰³ How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! ¹⁰⁴ Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.  ¹⁰⁵ Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.                                     –Psalm 119:103-105

A sweet tooth is a condition a person has when they find sweet treats irresistible. This urge to eat sweet desserts and other tantalizing creations in some social circles is seen as gluttonous and irresponsible. In other cultures indulging in sweet treats is recommended even encouraged, when shared among guests or for special occasions. Well the good news is that we can indulge our sweet tooth without the guilt and added pounds when we take on the attitude towards God’s word as described Continue reading “Summer Breeze Series #1 – Develop a Sweet Tooth!”

Breaking Routine- Spirit Led Life

I truly believe that God is a God of order, however in His sovereignty He can express that order anyway He wishes. Since God made us in His image many of us enjoy atmospheres of order, structure, and routine. We create structure and routine in our lives by the plans and choices we make. Sometimes the safety and comfort of following a routine, especially in our spiritual life, can unfortunately lead us to stagnation and loss of interest. While routine is great for administration of duties and management of time it can give a false sense of security or dull our senses to anything, including God, which may fall outside of our scheduled activities. One of the keys to remaining sensitive to the Holy Spirit is not only listening to, and communing via prayer with Him, but it is to obey the guiding of His voice. If we are too attached to following our routine, we might miss Continue reading “Breaking Routine – The Spirit Led Life”

When Jesus Breaks the Rules

So many of our teens around the world are labeled as “Hard-headed” “Rebellious” and “Good-For-Nothing” by their parents, teacher, and even their peers at a young age. When problems arise that cause them to face disciplinary action in the school system and even the judicial system, those have invested in the lives of these young people are left devastated, disappointed, and disillusioned, losing hope that any positive change will come for that child. When a teen becomes a parent, gets involved with drugs/alcohol, commits a crime, or drops out of school, blaming the parents, economic level, or outside influences are considered. The symptoms and irritants are identified but the root cause of the problem is never addressed. Even if a young person is doing well by family and community standards, the danger of that Continue reading “When Jesus Breaks the Rules”

Childlike Faith

As an adult, a believer in Christ, and a child of God my faith is consistently tested. It seems like there is no area of life the enemy will not attempt to ruin, especially when we have dedicated our lives to the Lord. I used to think that trials and hardships were only allowed by God to enter our lives so that we could learn to submit and obey Him. But there is a place where you have submitted everything: life, time, energy, finances, relationships, hopes, dreams, and intentions – and there is still great opposition from the enemy. By now you begin to ask yourself and God: “What and I doing wrong?” “When is this going to work out?” or “What is causing this?” So in your quest to understand and Continue reading “Childlike Faith”

After the Gleaning: What are You Carrying?

I love the book of Ruth, it was one of the books in the Bible that I read in its entirety when I accepted Christ as a young adult. I love the story of love, devotion, covenant, and restoration that the book of Ruth delivers. This story inspires hope of reclaiming joy, happiness, peace, and total life prosperity after enduring loss, hardship, and uncertainty of the future. As I have studied this book over the years I have seen myself through the perspective of both Ruth and Naomi – being devoted to serve and accompany people in my life on a journey to recover all, and as a woman who has lost much and became bitter from the unfulfilled promises in life. I don’t want to paint this story in the book of Ruth as a “happy go lucky” “happily ever after” type of fairy tale, and yet I also do not want to focus on all of the pain and hardship that they endured before the breakthrough and blessing came, as if that is a qualifier to receive Continue reading “After the Gleaning: What are You Carrying?”