We Must Work For The Good of Others

 ”Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.“

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

I recently heard someone say that we must work for the good of others.  I started to ponder this.  What exactly does this mean in my life, in the life of others?  It seems self explanatory. But it may not come so easy for many of us.  

All of my life, from the time I was a little girl I wanted to be a nurse.  I achieved that goal.  I worked as a nurse for over 40 years.  I absolutely loved it.   I still miss taking care of others in that way.  I wanted to be a nurse to help others.  I would like to think all nurses think this.  But sadly, that is not true.  For me,every task I did, every treatment I gave, every medication I administered, was for the good of that patient.   I took pride in my work.   I was proud of my accomplishments.  I was proud of my profession.  And I like to believe others saw me as that professional person caring for them.  I often went a step further and prayed for that person. 

So let me ask you, what is your profession?  What has God asked of you?  Do you treat your job as a professional person who performs your duty out of respect and care for the other person?  This may be hard for some who do not like their job.  It is just a means to supply for their family.   Not everyone has their dream job.  I worked hard to achieve mine.  However, I know many who have worked even harder and they are stuck in a very unpleasant situation.  You may ask, if God wants us to care for others, why would He put me in this situation?  God didn’t put you there.  You put yourself there.  It doesn’t mean God cannot use you.  Think of the other person first. There is no job less important than another.  Preparing food for someone is just as important as being a nurse.  Cleaning for someone is also just as important.  It is your ministry. .  

”We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.“

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

I truly believe our Lord Jesus will help us through the hard times, and help us through the situations we do not like, or prefer.  He wants to use us in every situation.  Let me ask you again, are you putting forth your efforts for the good of others?  

We all have been in dry times.  We all have been tested and gone through trials.  But Jesus is by our side the whole time.  He never leaves us alone to face hard times by ourselves .

The world is in hard times right now.  Every country has their issues. Those issues look different to all. Can we still pray for them.   Absolutely .

”Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.“

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Can we do so?  Can we think of others during our trials?  Can we do our jobs to help our families, and those we are serving?  I pray we can.  He is calling us.  He is calling us to do His will, to love His children.  He is using us all in different ways.  

I pray for you my friends, that you can see the blessing in giving of your labor.  I pray that as we serve our Lord Jesus we can praise Him for putting someone in our path that needs His love.  And I thank Him for using me and using you to help others.  Amen. 

We Are STRONGER Than We Realize

 Do you ever wonder where your strength came from? Especially when we were faced with a very difficult situation or dilemma.  After everything calmed down, the situation was taken care of, and it seemed to be fairly easy. I know I have.  I remember one very drastic situation, and I came through without “falling apart”.  Actually I have a few of those situations but I will talk about one today.  

This is actually a testimony of my husband’s.  I will talk about it after I post his very memorable situation that neither one of us will forget. 

My husband was doing a special Bible Study on the 12 days of Christmas .  When it came to the last day his heart was to share about this miracle that happened in his own life.  I feel it is so important that I should share on here as well. 

                                                      Day #12 of the 12 Days of Christmas:

I was going to list a scripture and a short message like I have the past 11 days but I think I will end it differently.

Like I said before, I am not talking about religion, I am talking about a relationship with the Creator God.

We are living in a time of great uncertainty. Many people are suffering, wars, sickness is greater, crime is on the rise , and it goes on.

But, as much as the bad is happening, there is still a lot of good that is around.  I can get overwhelmed at times with all the bad that I have to tell myself that I can do a lot of good by praying for people. 

Prayers do work! I am an example of it!  Some of you know that I have a heart condition. An Aortic Aneurysm. Some years ago, I got really sick at home and my wife had to call the emergency squad because she knew something was really wrong. I had no vital signs. My color was ashen.  I was in extreme pain in abdomen, upper chest and upper back area.  I was bleeding to death internally.  I was flown to Albany Med by helicopter with only a few beats per minute and two large pockets of blood in my abdomen.  Ultra sounds and CT scans showed the bleeding and the blood pooling in upper abdomen and this was confirmed by the CT scans, and I had little time.  My wife let a few people know what was going on and those people started to tell other people and there was a prayer chain spreading out into the area, into other states, and even into other countries.  

These people believed in the power of prayer. And they were really praying! Our son was in Colorado, at a prayer group gathering.  They set him in the middle, and those folks prayed.  

My wife got down to the hospital and I was in the ER, awake, and the doctors were standing around scratching their heads!  They had their surgical scrubs on because they were ready to try to save me!  But the pockets of blood were gone and my aneurysm in my heart had stopped bleeding!

There was a big investigation and they couldn’t explain it! The equipment was checked and checked again! The paramedics visited me in the hospital and at home.  They said they needed to see me and talk to me.  They have never seen anything like this before.  The doctors and paramedics, and anyone else involved in my care all said this is a MIRACLE!  No other explanation.  A full sized, adult man, who loves Jesus and believes in Him is a real miracle.  Proven! 

So, you see, prayer does work. I know some don’t get answered and others do.  I don’t have the answers.  I am not a Pastor or an Elder or have any Theological schooling behind me.  I just know that there is a God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

So, I pray that this new year will bring health and happiness to all of you out there that follows us.  Please share if you like my story. 

Thank you for reading all of this and may God Bless you and your families. Paul & Kathy

This is a huge miracle.  Yet so many still do not believe.   I remember the moment this happened, how my husband looked, his skin was cold and clammy.  I feared I was losing my husband. I prayed “Jesus”. I honestly could not get any words out.  So I called out to Jesus. I had to collect my thoughts and call our son.  He told me where he was.  When I called him back, I could hear the room erupt in praise and thankfulness.  

After things calmed down, I was reflecting on what had happened.  All that I had to do, and reality hit me, I was a tiny spec from becoming a widow.  Oh Lord, please help me, help my husband.  

That was the moment I asked Jesus, how did I get the strength to know how to handle this awful event.  Jesus clearly told me, it isn’t my strength it is His strength.  He filled my heart, my mind with His own strength. Think about that.  Trust in Him, lean on Him, call out to Him.  Jesus is always by our side.  He never leaves us.  

”He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless.“. Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭29‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

”but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.“ Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭31‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

For all of you, thank you for reading.  I hope you are encouraged and realize Who we get our strength from. Without even asking, our strength has increased .  Far beyond what we could imagine. We are never alone. This blog is a little different from my usual.  But way too important not to share. This doesn’t mean we will never have a crisis again.  But what it does mean is that you will always have enough strength to face it.  There is so much more to write about this topic. But this is a blog, so I try to keep it that way. Feel free to share with someone who needs encouragement.   Thank you. God bless you all.  

#strength  #faith  #ourhelper  #Jesusoursupplier  

Did You get What You Wanted for Christmas?

 Greetings friends, 

Well here it is, the first new blog post in a couple of years.  I needed to take some time to refuel after my health battles.  I now am hopeful I have plenty of positive and encouraging words for you.  

As the title asks, were your expectations filled for Christmas?  Where does your mind go when you read this?  To gifts, let’s be honest, we all like to receive gifts.  Now for clarification.  I am not talking about monetary gifts, or other types of gifts that are usually given.  I’m speaking of the ONE gift that is truth. The ONE gift that is always available to us. The ONE gift that has been bought and paid for.  And this gift is for you, and me, and anyone else that asks for this amazing gift.  This gift I’m speaking of is the gift  of salvation through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

Now let me ask you again, did you get what you wanted for Christmas?  Our Christmas gift, our Lord Jesus was born over 2000 years ago for us.  He came to seek and save the Lost. He came for you and me, and all of the people on earth.  From the beginning of time.  

”For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.” Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭10‬ ‭HCSB‬‬                                                      

All He asks in return is for our love.  That we would serve Him, that we would share His love with the lost.  He doesn’t ask us to give up all of our desires or pleasures.  He doesn’t ask us to do the impossible.  He asks for our love.  Can we do that?  Can we believe in His love, His unselfish love for us.   We can still receive gifts for Christmas, and our birthdays, and other special occasions.  We can celebrate Christmas with special gatherings. We can decorate our homes the way we like.  And yet in all of those pleasures, we can still honor our Lord Jesus.  I’d say that’s really special.  

I ask you, after reading this, did you receive everything you wanted for Christmas?  It is ready and available to you.  Just ask Jesus to come into your life, and forgive you of your sins, and save you. Then you can spend eternity with Him.  That is the most fulfilling gift you will ever receive.  Then find a church that speaks of Jesus’ love for us.  And believes in the Holy Spirit that Jesus gives us and fills us with. Find a church and a pastor whom you trust and can talk with easily.  

You see Jesus didn’t just give us Himself, but He sends His Holy Spirit to be with us always. He doesn’t ask us to do this alone.  We have the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

My prayer for all of you, that you start this new year feeling renewed, rejuvenated, and totally loved by our Lord Jesus. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.