By His Wounds & Maybe Our Own

We all go through difficult trials and situations. Many times we come out on the other side of these situations wounded, scared and hurt.
We each handle both the situations and the outcomes in various ways. Some may wallow in self-pity; some may go into a state of depression, while others may totally ignore any feelings and try to go on as if nothing has happened. You know the type right? Pull the mask on and continue on our way pretending all is great (I don’t think I am the only one). We all have different personalities so it only makes sense that we handle things differently. But, as I read 1 Peter 2:24, although I have read it many times, I began to think about this verse and the very words it holds for us.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. “
By His wounds we are healed, healed from our transgressions, healed from sin so we can live for Christ. Here’s the thing: I think He also will allow healing by our own wounds. We have to allow this healing just as we have to accept him in order to allow healing from his wounds. The wounds we incur perhaps by abuse as a child, an unfaithful spouse, a wayward child, the list goes on. Could he allow healing from our own wounds if we didn’t push these hurts deep inside, but perhaps let them surface and allow God to put his healing balm on them?
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

I know it isn’t easy, and I know some hurts are worse than others. I truly believe though that if we allow God to he will allow us to heal from our own wounds. You may be thinking I am crazy at this point. But, there is a healing that goes deeper than these hurts caused us, a healing that allows God to use us to help others, to reach the lost, and show others to the Ultimate Healer.

So, why don’t we reveal these wounds to God, he knows they are there anyway, and allow ourselves to be healed by our own wounds which can also help in the healing of others. After all, he did use his wounds to heal us. And it was a healing that will last for all eternity.
Sweet Blessings,
Margaret

Happy Fall

I have always loved the temperatures in the early Fall, however, I usually do not enjoy it as much as I have this year. When I look in my back yard I just feel the greatest since of peace as I watch the leaves fall slowly to the ground. It generally bothers me to have the leaves on the ground and not cleaned up, this year not so much. Something about the sound of them crunching under foot also has a peace to it. I can assure you that my husband does not feel this way and would like to find the time to get them all up as soon as possible. Last week I was in the mountains and the colors were breathtaking. I was in awe of Gods handy work.

Perhaps at this time in our life when things are unusually crazy and difficult God is using this season to show me some things. The leaves fall slowly and land so softly, if I will slow down and rest in His arms I too will land much softer once we reach the end of this difficult time. The crunch of the leaves under foot, well, I have to enjoy the walk and listen in the stillness to enjoy the sound; Just as my walk with Jesus. Instead of rushing through this season of life I need to slow down, and get what God is going to teach me even when the winds blow and everything seems to be falling.

Summer, my favorite season, will come back around and I will be so ready for it. But just think of all the greatness I would miss if I didn't enjoy the seasons in between.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1-3

Sweet Heavenly Father, as you walk with us even through this season of life, allow us to learn the lessons you have for us and remember to trust your heart. Just as the trees must go through the process of the leaves withering and falling off to become all brand new in the spring, so we too must go through a times of transformation. Although painful at times, You sweet Jesus make us even more beautiful in our next season. With love and gratitude, Amen.

Sweet Blessings,
Margaret

Encourage

Hi, I hope you have missed me! All five of you who read this blog,ha. Life has been a little crazy and I have failed at keeping this site updated on regular basis, which may be why I don't have very many readers. Anywho, I am here today.

I think most of us have gotten back into some what of a normal routine with school, athletics, etc. Soon we will start back up Fall Bible Studies as well. I would like to encourage you to add something to that.....
I know you are thinking yeah right like I have time for one more thing, but this will be as much for you as for someone else.

Here it is, be an Encourager.I'm certain you probably already are, but I think I mean more by it than the word on the surface means. We all (especially women)need someone that holds us accountable in our christian walk, someone that is there on those days when we just don't feel we can live out who we are called to be. Be that one special person that can be called on to lift their spirits when times are tough, someone to laugh with when times are fun, and someone to cry with when its not so fun. How is this for you? Because you need to find someone to be that person for you as well. Maybe its more than one person.

Here is some scripture that I thought spoke of this:

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life (Proverbs 10:11).

Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers (Acts 15:32).

We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith (1 Thessalonians 3:2).

Therefore encourage each other with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).

I hope all of us will reach out to someone today and encourage them.

Sweet Blessings,
Margaret

Live By Faith (Part 3) & Other Tidbits

Hi Sweet Friends! Let me start by telling you how blessed my Thursday was last week. My replacement cord for my computer came so yay I am back! The air conditioner was fixed Praise the Lord on Wednesday it was 90 degrees upstairs! And, we finished the guest bath downstairs! It looks so pretty I may even post a picture soon, since I did show it all torn out and Greg looking under the house. I also had dinner and a movie date with my husband that evening. So, I am a bit happier and relaxed now.
So, on with our topic.....

If you remember when we ended the last post I told you we would be discussing Hezekiah. Hezekiah became king of Judah during a very tough time for Israel. The Northern part of Israel had already been captured and now Judah was next on the list. Hezekiah had all good intentions to do Gods will, but when times got tough he became weak and his faith that God was in control began to fail. In walks a wise one, Isaiah, and gives Hezekiah a good talking to. Isaiah reminds Hezekiah that he needs to look to God for his strength not his men or the horses. You can read all of this part of the story in Isaiah 31. It was easier for Hezekiah to put his faith in what he could see and was tangible.

2 Corinthians 5:7 "We live by faith not by sight". By the time of the attack Hezekiah's faith had grown and he told his men in 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. If we are focusing on God he may give us a gentle reminder or something tangible that reminds us he is in control and hasn't forgotten you and this can be so sweet. Other times I bet you, just as I, can look back at trials in your past and see that God was right there in control the entire time.

Isn't it amazing how we can find such great wisdom from these individuals in the Old Testament? Lets write this down and keep it where we can see it all week:
“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.”- Psalm 119:114. Then lets live it!

I hope you have a great week.

Sweet Blessings,
Margaret

Hi Friends,

My computer is still out of service, but Lauren is letting me use hers for a bit so you wouldn't think I ran away! So, lets continue talking about faith and giving God control of our lives.

Perhaps the problem with our "letting go and letting God" starts with our heart. We proclaim our love for Him with our mouths when we worship, our minds when spending time in the Word, but is our heart totally there? Mark 12:30 "Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart soul, mind and strength". Jeremiah 29:13 says "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with ALL your heart". Neither verse says some of your heart or part of your heart, but ALL.Verse 14 goes on to say "I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back from captivity". Isn't that what worry does? It holds us captive. It keeps us from experiencing freedom and fullness in Christ.

We love God, we believe in Him, we confess Him as Lord of our life, but when we face trials or times get tough where do we turn? Who do we turn to first?
Next time, we'll look at Hezikiah his doubts and his faith.
I will try to get back to you before another week. Thanks for your comments, I love to read them.

Sweet Blessings,
Margaret

My Computer is Under the Weather

Hi Girls. My computer is temporarily out of order! I will be back in a day or so with more on faith. Maybe the broken computer is all part of Gods plan as I am soaking in His Word instead of the internet.
Sweet Blessings,
Margaret

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands....

I grew up singing this song, teaching it to my children, and now with the children at The Gate. I tell others who are in doubt to remember God is in control, I read it daily, and I tell my children over and over. So, why do I continue to doubt and worry? Am I alone here? for some reason I don't think I am. Okay, maybe I'm hoping so.

I want so much to pray about whatever may be worrying me, and then truly leave it at His feet. It is so hard.

I bet we could have a lot of conversation on this. Click on comments and tell me your thoughts. You can leave anonymously if you would like. Providing my computer doesn't die or paint doesn't take me over completely in this house I will be back to discuss more in the next day or so.

Sweet Blessings Friends,
Margaret