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No Longer Fearful Part 1
Fear. The stomach-twisting, suffocating, heart-pounding sensation that can grip you at the most inopportune of moments. Sometimes it’s just this nagging voice in the back of your mind that you’re able to push aside as you go through life. We’ve all experienced it, because fear is part of living in a fallen world. Fear-inducing circumstances either have or will occur for each of us at some point in time. If you’re prone to fear (anyone else out there with a really big imagination? I see the hands going up!) then this can be a more than usually intense battle. The “what ifs” can flood in and really mess with your…
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The Hands of God
The hands of God have formed the earth, And spun the planets in the sky; Appointed bounds for raging seas, Ordained the years that swift roll by. His hands have scattered all the stars, And weighed the mountain in a scales. He stretched the heavens like a tent; Upholds all things so none shall fail. His hands have fashioned man from dust; He formed you in your mother's womb, Protecting, covering hands of love, Created you in secret gloom. He wrote your members in His book, Before He fashioned each as planned, Your breath, your life, your times, your days, Are in the hollow of His hand. His hands were…
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When Direction Doesn’t Come Easy
“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).” Though often quoted tritely, this verse is a precious promise from the Lord and one that you and I may claim. Today, I’d like to share some things that the Lord has been teaching me personally this summer. I’m speaking from where I am in life right now; but since all of us will find ourselves here at one time or another, I hope that this can be an encouragement to you wherever you are at. I don’t really have answers,…
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Set Up a Stone
“Father, why is this pile of stones here by the river?” the little boy lifted up a questioning face to his father. The man glanced down at his son and smiled. “To remind us of how the Lord Jehovah brought us into the land. He made the waters of Jordan to part, so that we passed over on dry ground.” The little boy clutched his father’s hand more tightly. “Like He did at the Red Sea?” “Yes, like that. The priests carried the ark into the river first. As long they held the ark in the middle of Jordan, the Lord kept the water back. He has done many great…
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Missions Moment: Interview with Beth
Hey friends! I am so very excited about today’s post. Beth, a family friend and missionary to Zambia from our church, kindly agreed to do this interview. Her example of following Jesus is such an encouragement to me! I was so blessed by what she shared and I know you will be as well. If you’d like to learn more about Zambia, support Beth, or sign up to receive her newsletters, you can visit her ministry website here at LightinZambia.com. I know she would so appreciate your prayers! Naomi: Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview! To start with, would you please share your testimony…
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Faith, Hope, and Love
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father (1 Thessalonians 1:3). This verse caught my eye during my personal Bible study recently. I found encouragement and a challenge in it that I’d like to share with you today. The Lord presents here such a beautiful picture of the Christian life—a life where faith results in good works, where love motivates us to labor long, and where hope produces patience as we believe the promises of God and eagerly await the return of our Lord Jesus! Work of Faith We know…
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He Knows
I’m a planner. I like to plan my day, my week, my year, my life… you get the idea! However, as some of you are probably thinking already, I have learned that life is not something you can neatly plan. And as time goes on, there are three words I say more and more often in my mind, “I don’t know.” That can be a scary, overwhelming place to be. But it is also a sweet place to be when you draw closer to the One Who knows all things. Today, I want to offer you comfort and encouragement in your life. I want to share with you what the…
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His Story
As I wrote this poem, I pictured our lives represented by a story. I pictured God planning to write the story of your life and my life—planning the joys, the sorrows, the changes, the unexpected—and in love, penning a story that is not really any of ours. It’s His, for His glory. An Author wise prepared to write A story fresh and new, And never was a pencil grasped By Hand more kind and true. His eyes into the future looked, As only He could see, From the beginning to the end, This life that was to be. "I'll write of joy and answered prayer, Of treasured blessings great, Of…
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2022 Review and Favorites
Hey friends! It’s already the last week of 2022, and what a year it has been. I look over it and see the hand of God in my life. He is so good, so faithful, and it is the greatest joy you can experience to know and serve Him. Since I never did a fall review, I thought I would start with that and then we’ll talk about this past year before looking ahead to 2023. Fall in Upstate NY The fall season was extra beautiful in NY this year. The colors were amazing and the weather was so warm (we had quite a bit of 70’s!). I was thankful…
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Christmas Book + Audio Favorites
Hey friends! It’s hard to believe that Christmas will be here in less than two weeks! This is one of my favorite seasons of the year—I love the lights, the music, the shopping, the memories, the church outreaches. I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite books and audio resources that I have enjoyed during the Christmas season. Maybe they can become a part of your family’s Christmas traditions and memories. Disclaimer: Just because I recommend a resource does not mean that I agree with everything written therein or endorse everything the author has written. As always, read with discretion and compare everything to God’s word.…
