Sunday, September 21, 2014
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Highs -n- Lows Living with the Disease
Another Beautiful Morning!
I started writing this blog to sort through things in my life. My diagnosis brought on a flood of emotions...
As I continued to search for the reasoning behind what I was going through...asking God...WHY? Why He did this to me? What have I done to deserve this? Why isn't He healing me? Trying to understand...
I listened to one speaker explain it like this...Do you think you are better than the next person? No, I know I'm not. Why do you think I should be exempted from these things? I guess I don't but why this? We all are facing difficult things in our lives...How do we handle it? Many times it's not easy...
People are diagnosed with addictions, depression, DM, ALS, Dementia, Alzheimer's or cancer? Why? We may never know the why. As I continued to quiet my mind and soul I found peace...God crushed my pride and opened my heart to let others know they are not alone...we are all in this together...
Looking forward to another great day...
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Today's Bible Study
The Impact of Prayer by Charles Stanley John 17:20-26
God has total authority over all people and events. He knows the hearts of men, how each person will act, and what steps are needed to achieve His purposes. At the same time, He calls us to pray.
Colossians 4:2 says we are to devote ourselves to prayer. Communication with God is so vital, in fact, that we are told to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). Our lives should be characterized by continuous listening, talking, and relating to our heavenly Father. The Scriptures explain why this is so important:
Prayer changes us. As we seek God’s face and spend time in His Word, we will be transformed. Our desires will be replaced by His, and our thinking will align more closely with His thoughts. As our understanding of His character grows, we will have a better idea of how to pray in accordance with His will.
The Lord answers prayer (James 5:16). God has promised to listen and respond to the prayers of His children (Isa. 65:24). He assures us that He will act when our petitions are in Jesus’ name—which is to say, when they match His will and His timing (John 14:13).
Prayer invites God to act. Praying doesn't alter God’s purposes or plans, nor does it cause Him to change His mind. What He has decided will occur, and His decisions will be exactly the right ones to accomplish what He wants to achieve. Our prayers are powerful when, without reservation, we invite God to do His work in our lives and the lives of others.
What impact, then, does prayer have? It allows people, who are inadequate, to connect with an all-sufficient God. Hallelujah!
Amen
Monday, September 15, 2014
Caring for Your Conscience by Charles Stanley
Caring for Your Conscience
By Charles Stanley
Read | 1 Timothy 1:5
All of us at times face decisions that test our character. When a choice conflicts with our value system, the “first responder” is our conscience. However, even this divine gift has been exposed to the world’s programming, which means we must not only reorient but also fortify our “inner compass.”
The strength of our conscience depends on both truth and tradition, and these, in turn, are impacted by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
• Truth. Since Jesus declared that He is the truth, then maintaining a close relationship with Him through prayer and obedience strengthens our conscience. Both the Holy Spirit and the Word of God play vital roles in this growth process. The Spirit of Truth, as Jesus identified the third Person of the Trinity, is also known as “the Helper.” The Spirit doesn't just assist us in distinguishing righteousness from sin; He also teaches us and guides us into all truth (John 14:17, 26; 16:8, 13).
• Tradition. Joseph and David both set godly examples for us to follow when we face temptation—they let their conscience guide them in honoring God. At great personal cost, Joseph rejected the advances of Potiphar’s wife (Gen. 39). And David, though presented with an opportunity to kill or humiliate Saul, chose instead to leave the matter in the Lord’s hands (1 Sam. 24:5-7).
We can rely on the Holy Spirit to help us develop a better conscience. He has given us everything we need for the task, which is essential if we are to live a godly life.
Looking forward to another Beautiful day...
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Monday, September 8, 2014
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Highs -n- Lows Living with the Disease
Another Beautiful Morning!
Our windows are open and temperature are in the 50's this morning. Sooo Nice
I am finding out that I don't have the energy or strength I used to have. I'm really having a tough time not being able to do what I used to do. I could juggle so many things at a time and do it with ease. I have also noticed that If I'm out for an extended period of time I come home swollen, sore and exhausted.
I'm starting to identify some of these changes and I'm finally able to explain them to others. This is my new life. :-) I have periods of time when my mind goes blank. I don't know why. Is it my medicine or the disease. I was able to do so much before... I can only do a few things at a time and even then I struggle at times. :-( I need a dark bubble to live in...my own little piece of the world.
I don't want you to feel sorry for me, just understand the process of the disease.
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Today's Bible Study
The Strength to Stand
By Charles Stanley
Read | Ephesians 3:14-21
We know who our enemy is, and we may even be dressed for battle (Eph. 6:11). But we don’t feel ready. Our weaknesses seem large and our strength small.
To stand firm in this life, we need the power of our living Lord operating within us. To have God’s divine power released in us requires serious, sustained prayer (v. 18). When we communicate with the Father, His Holy Spirit will give us discernment so that we can recognize truths about spiritual warfare and gain insight into the adversary’s tactics (1 Cor. 2:14). Starting each morning with the Lord lets Him strengthen us to stand steadfastly for Christ, no matter what is in store for us that day.
Prayer is an essential element in our protection against the devil. If we are prayerless—that is, if we fail to seek God’s guidance and neglect to put on His armor by faith every day—then we will be defeated. Our understanding and vision apart from the Lord are too limited and the enemy is too powerful for us to stand alone. However, Romans 8:37 tells us that with God, we will be more than conquerors. He will make us ready if we draw close to Him through prayer, listen to His instructions, and follow through with obedience.
The enemy despises prayers that are offered through faith in Jesus Christ, because he has no defense against them. Persevering prayer strengthens you. It also crushes Satan’s might and sends him running (James 4:7). Drop to your knees in prayer to the Lord and watch what happens.
I am so thankful for all I can do!
Monday, September 1, 2014
Highs -n- Lows Living with the Disease
Another Beautiful Day!
I've been watching the sores on my face and hands...they seem to come and go along with the swelling. Both these areas are exposed to the light more than any other area. The swelling continues to cause a lot of pain :-( I am keeping my head up and trusting God has everything under control...
Looking forward to another great day!
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