It's not too late!

So often we hear people say they do not feel loved. Or someone will say they do not feel they have any worth. They do not think they matter to anyone. 

Then we see the other side of the spectrum, people feel they are invisible. They can do anything they like, whether good or bad. So many of these people have no respect for others, or themselves.

All of this is wrong thinking. We do have worth. We are loved. And if you are still alive, it is not too late. Not too late for what?

It is not too late to feel loved, to be worth something to someone, and to have self respect and respect for others.

Remember as little children we used to sing the song "Jesus loves me, this I know"?

Yes He loves me, the Bible tells me so. Or remember "Jesus loves the little children"? Yes! And those children are us. No matter our size, color, age, name, or our past, Jesus loves us. This very minute, where we are, what we are doing, Jesus loves us.

I was thinking about this when I was doing my devotions this morning. In the Bible we read in several occasions God tells of His love for all.  But to those who are denying Him and not obeying, He gives a warning to them. Change or they will die, and not live in glory with Him. Sometimes He gives them many chances. God is so patient. But as long as those people were alive there was still a chance for them to change and ask for forgiveness. God still loves them!

In today's world it doesn't take long to hear about horrific killings, abuse, drugs, prostitution, and sex crimes on children, and war. Like in Bible days, God gives us all the same chance to change and repent. To walk in the love God has for us. It is not too late. As long as you are alive on this earth, then it is not too late.

It doesn't matter where you live, or what continent you live on, the world needs to hear and see the love of Jesus Christ. That is the one thing God has asked of us, to spread His Gospel and tell of the love Jesus has for us. He sacrificed His own life on that cross for us. Why? Because He loves us! 

My faithful friends, I pray you know how much you are loved. That you never feel alone in this big world. I pray that whatever it is you do in this world, it glorifies the Lord Jesus and shows the lost His love. 

We all have worth. We all are loved. We all have a responsibility to share the Gospel to others.

When we are obedient to the Lord we do not have to search for love. Because it is right there with us.

When Life Gets Busy.....

We've all had times when we seem to be busier than usual. The days go flying by, then the weeks, months, years. When we do slow down a little bit we often think where did the time go.
The last several weeks have been more busy for me. It seems like my appointments with my doctors all seem due at the same time.  And add that on to life's busy moments, we seem to be running from sunrise to sunset. For me, I do not like it when it's like that. I like my routine.
A couple of thoughts come to mind when I think about this. First of all, my routine. Routines are good. They help us stay on track. However, there is nothing wrong with breaking a routine. Sometimes God has a task for us, or maybe a "divine encounter" with someone.  We may need to interrupt our routines for a day or two in order to serve the Lord in a special way. It may not be a large task, but I am sure it is still very significant to God. So when our schedules get interrupted for a short time, let's not fret but serve the Lord with gladness.
The next thought I have is about our busy lives and schedules. Your time is as valuable as mine, my time as valuable as yours. But the Lord's time is the most valuable.
The Lord certainly knows our daily routines and commitments. No matter how busy we are, we must save time for the Lord. We must stay in His Word, we must have our time with Him, praying and talking to Him. This doesn't mean we have to spend hours alone with God. But we must continue to read His Word. I have always felt that it is important to stay "in`tuned" to the Lord always. Throughout our day, we must be listening to Him. 
Trust me, I know what a busy schedule can do to our routines. But it is more important to listen to God. This day and age we all have gotten used to multi tasking. When we are cleaning house, we certainly can pray and intercede at the same time. When riding in the car, we can worship the Lord. There are so many other examples.
No matter where you live or what country you live in, there is turmoil and unrest. Christians are being persecuted. Our freedoms in the Lord Jesus are being pulled away. The Lord needs His church to be strong in Him.  The way to grow in that strength is to read His Word, pray to Him, and worship Him. He will equip us for the battle we may be in. Or for what is to come.
Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and show you the way to go;
with My eye on you, I will give counsel.
The Lord Jesus is always by our side. Whatever is keeping you too busy to spend quality time with Him, I encourage you to examine those things. The Lord knows our hearts. If you are longing to have time with Him, He will make a way. Lay it down before Him. He will clear the path for you.

Special Memories and Blessings

I think I can confidently say ALL of us have those special childhood memories that make us feel warm inside. And along with those memories are blessings. We often recall special blessings the Lord has given us throughout our lifetime.  I think we all feel good inside when we think of those times.
However, along with the good times come the bad times. We all have faced times of trouble, times of disappointment, times of despair, and those times when we've lost a loved one. So often the Lord uses those hard times to help us grow. Let me tell you some of my story.
When I was a young girl my father was an alcoholic. My mother, brother, and I went through many disappointments and hardships. We never doubted his love for us. But as many times as my father tried to recover from the alcoholism, the more we were disappointed. Finally when my brother and I were teenagers, my mother and father divorced. At that time none of us walked with Jesus. Sure we knew who He was, but we did not have that personal relationship with Him.
I remember almost feeling relieved about the divorce, yet we did miss our Dad very much. When I was getting married, my brother walked me down the aisle. But we have always been very close, so that seemed perfectly fine to me.
When my husband and I became parents to our son, I then began to miss my father more and more. I wanted our son to know his Grandpa. By this time we had developed our relationship with Jesus and began to follow Him and His ways. We started to have a new found faith and hope that one day my father would be delivered from the alcohol.
Our son was 2, and my father was delivered from the alcohol. He went to a Christian Rehab program. He began serving the Lord Jesus and telling others of his own healing and deliverance. It was almost instantly. When he walked through the doors of the rehab center, he was immediately prayed for. My Dad went into that place knowing this was his only chance to be free. And he was set free indeed.
Within 6 months my Dad returned "home" a new man. But with the same love for us he always had. Our son had the Grandpa I truly longed for him to have. My Dad was so very proud of our son. He beamed when he spoke of him.
Not only did he return to my brother and I, but he returned still loving our mother. Neither one of them had ever remarried. They had been divorced for 12 years. A year after returning, my mother and father were remarried. Our family was whole once again.
There were many doubters. Those expecting my Dad to fall once again. But he didn't! When Jesus does something, it is done. It is finished.
We had over 20 years with my Dad before cancer robbed him. We are so very grateful for the time we all had with him.
Today would have been Daddy's 89th birthday. I know he is celebrating in heaven with our Mom, but mostly with Jesus. As much as we miss them both, we can rejoice because we know where they are. And some day we will join them in heaven.
My faithful readers, I write this to encourage you. Never give up. Do not lose faith. Jesus can do the impossible. He can change our darkest moments to the brightest. Even in our dark moments, Jesus continues to love us. He never leaves our side. He takes those moments and turns them around for His good.
No matter what your dark moment is, or your "crutch" is, or your addiction, or your need, Jesus is bigger, stronger, and in control. Jesus asks us to have faith the size of a mustard seed. Sure, He can change us whether we have faith or not. But it sure helps to have a little. Faith and hope helps us have that extra boost to push us through those hard times. My Dad knew if he could just get to a place where others would help him get closer to Jesus, where his faith and hope would grow, then he would be okay. He had that tiny seed of faith. And He was okay.
You can have the same victory. You too will be okay.
Matthew 17:20b
“For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.