December 23, 2024

Steadfast

seekingHimthanksgivinggraphic

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
Psalms 136:1-3 ESV

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One thing remains Your love never fails
It never gives up, it never runs out on me
Because on and on and on it goes…”
One Thing Remains – Jesus Culture

Thank God! He deserves your thanks.
His love never quits.
Psalm 136:1 MSG

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines steadfast like this:

  • firmly fixed in place : immovable
  • not subject to change

Google’s definition states:

  • resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.

I don’t know about you, but there is nothing in my life, outside of God’s love, that is immovable…not subject to change…resolutely firm and unwavering.  Life seems to be constant change. How wonderful it is to know God’s love remains firm. It is enduring. How thankful I am that it is NOT based on what I do or don’t do. Look at what Deuteronomy 7:9 AMP promises:

Therefore know [without any doubt] and understand
that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God,
who is keeping His covenant and His [steadfast] lovingkindness
to a thousand generations with those who love Him
and keep His commandments;

Isn’t it reassuring to know without a doubt that our God is faithful and His steadfast love and covenant extends to a thousand generations? God’s love never fails. He never gives up on us. The Lord will never turn His back on us no matter how many times we turn away from Him. We are always able to run back into His loving arms.

So I will thank God. He deserves it for His love never quits. It is unchanging, immovable, and eternal.

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Lord, thank You for loving me. Your faithful, steadfast love is the rock, the firm foundation on which I stand. Your loving arms are my Refuge and my Strength. That is more than enough reason to give thanks to You each and every day.  Amen- it is so!

One Thing Remains

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing…remains

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me
On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains

In death, In life, I’m confident and
covered by the power of Your great love
My debt is paid, there’s nothing that can
separate my heart from Your great love

Jesus Culture
Written by: Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford and Jeremy Riddle

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

And I am convinced that NOTHING can ever separate us from God’s love.
Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears
for today nor our worries about tomorrow—
NOT EVEN THE POWERS OF HELL can separate us from God’s love.
No power in the sky above or in the earth below—
indeed, NOTHING in all creation
will ever be able to separate us from the love of God
that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 NLT

Go back and read those two verses again.  And again…and again.  Until it completely sinks in that NOTHING can or EVER will separate us from God’s love. When all else fails—when everyone else abandons you, when sin has defeated you—His love STILL remains!  Is that not the most comforting, reassuring thought ever?!?  No matter how far we have fallen, no matter what our past or present looks like, we can never fall out of the reach of His love.  Neither can our loved ones.  We are all held tightly in His hand and our names are written on His palm.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever!
No one will snatch them out of My hand.
John 10:28 HCSB

Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of)
you on the palm of each of My hands;
Isaiah 49:16a AMP

What hope, what reassurance there is in each of these Scriptures!  Let us hold tightly to them.  Be confident in His great love and remember:

Your love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me!

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Father, thank You for such a great love.  Thank You for the hope, the reassurance we find in these Scriptures.  Let us hold tightly to them and always be mindful of them, for NOTHING can separate us from Your love.  In Your Holy name we pray, Amen – It Is SO!!

Holding Nothing Back

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I am chosen, I am free,
I am living for eternity…free now forever

You picked me up, turned me around
You set my feet on solid ground
I’m Yours now forever

And nothing’s gonna hold me back
No, nothing’s gonna hold me back

Nothing’s gonna hold me back

My chains fell off, my heart was free
I’m alive to live for You, I’m alive to live for You

Amazing love, how can it be
You gave everything for me
You gave everything for me

You washed my sin and shame away
The slate is clean—a brand new day; free now forever

Now boldly I approach Your throne to claim this crown
Through Christ my own

I’m Yours now forever

I’m free to live…free to give…free to be…I’m free to love You

Beth Croft w/ Jesus Culture
Songwriters: Tim Hughes and Martin Smith

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Are you dancing around your living room, hands raised, singing ‘Nothing’s gonna hold me back…You gave everything for me-e-e-e!’  You (me, too!) have much to be dancing about…so much to be praising our Lord and thanking Him for!  We are chosen…free…and living for eternity!  We are alive because of His amazing Love! Our sin and shame has been washed away…and the slate was made clean!  AND, we ARE now His FOREVER!

Only through mercy and the accomplishments of the Messiah have we been given access to God’s throne.  Amazing, isn’t it?  And to think—this had been Almighty God’s intention all along!

This is according to the purpose of the ages,
which He made in the Messiah, Jesus our Lord,
in whom we have boldness, access, and confidence through faith in Him.
Ephesians 3:11 and 12

We are free—totally, completely, not of our own works—by grace.  We have been set free from the sin of Adam that besets all mankind; free from a life of slavery to sin; free from condemnation; free from the Law; free from judgment; free to be all that God intends us to be!  We should live like it!

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life
set me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1 and 2

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him,
“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.
So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
John 8:31 and 32, 36

For freedom Christ has set us free;
stand firm therefore,
and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

So throw your hands up in praise and adoration of the One Who loves you so!  Sing your little heart out…hold nothing back.  ‘Cause you ARE free!  ♥

Free To Be (Holding Nothing Back)

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I am chosen
I am free
I am living for eternity
Free now forever

You picked me up, turned me around
You set my feet on solid ground
Yours now forever

And nothing’s gonna hold me back
No, nothing’s gonna hold me back
Nothing’s gonna hold me back

My chains fell off, my heart was free
I’m alive to live for You
I’m alive to live for You
Amazing love, how can it be
You give everything for me,
You give everything for me

You washed my sin and shame away
The slate is clean—a brand new day; free now forever
Now boldly I approach Your throne
To claim this crown through Christ my own
Yours now forever

I’m free to live…free to give…free to be…I’m free to love You

Songwriters: Tim Hughes and Martin Smith;
Performed by Jesus Culture

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Are you dancing around your living room, hands raised, singing ‘Nothing’s gonna hold me back…You give everything for me-e-e-e!’ ???  You (me, too!) have much to be dancing about…so much to be praising our Lord and thanking Him for!  We are chosen…free…and living for eternity!  We are alive because of His amazing Love!  Our sin and shame has been washed away…and the slate was made clean! AND, we ARE now His FOREVER!

Only through mercy and the accomplishments of the Messiah have we been given access to God’s throne.  Amazing, isn’t it?  And to think, this had been Almighty God’s intention all along!  His loving plan for us!

This is according to the purpose of the ages,
which He made in the Messiah, Jesus our Lord,
in whom we have boldness, access, and confidence through faith in Him.
Ephesians 3:11 and 12

We are free—totally, completely, not of our own works, absolutely…by grace. We have been set free from the sin of Adam that besets all mankind; free from a life of slavery to sin; free from condemnation; free from the Law; free from judgment; free to be all that God intends us to be! We should live like it!

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life
set me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1 and 2

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.
So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
John 8:31 and 32, 36

For freedom Christ has set us free;
stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

So throw your hands up in praise and adoration of the One Who loves you so!  Sing your little heart out…hold nothing back!

I’m free to live
I’m free to give
I’m free to be
I’m free to love You

Rooftops (Redux)

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Redux means to revisit, bring back, re-release. This last week of 2014, we—the bloggers here at Girlfriends Coffee Hour—are each ‘revisiting’ a blog we wrote earlier this year.  We would love to share with you just a bit about how very good God has been to us!  He has given us all so much grace and mercy, blessings and provision, protection and guidance!  He has led us and taught us through His Holy Spirit so many incredible things!  He has molded, and chastised, and encouraged us to be daughters with humble hearts who are dependent upon Him.  And He has helped us to be strong, committed, and faithful women who love Him and desire to bring Him much honor and glory and majesty.  We pray that our words would encourage you also…and draw You deeper into relationship with the One Who loves you so!  Here is my friend, Kim, and some of her words….

I am so much enjoying going back and looking at the date of when I originally wrote this blog. I wrote this blog May of 2014 and only I knew the trial I was experiencing at that time. It was one of the most painful trials in my life and yet as I look back I learned, I grew, I was stretched and I was strengthened.

Now I believe it was preparation for an even bigger trial; one I would experience towards the end of 2014. Some things I learned: God is my Vindicator, at the end of the day God knows the truth of what was spoken about me and I knew the truth and that is where I rested… I rested in the truth of knowing exactly who I am in him … that when others come against you… praying for them and letting God vindicate the situation is what Jesus would have us do.

But I say, do not resist an evil person!
If someone slaps you on the right cheek,
offer the other cheek also.
Matthew 5:39 NLT

I knew—and God knew—the things said about me weren’t true; and there were and still are people out there who believed what was said. I was never given the opportunity to be asked if what was said was truth. So I let go and let God in it; knowing and believing God would vindicate me (and you know what He did!).

How I love You, Lord! You are my defender.
Psalm 18:1 NLT

Was it easy to not defend myself? No! I was practicing strength under control and complete trust in my God. When others come against you then the people who truly KNOW you will know the truth and that’s the important part.

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Heavenly Father, I thank You that when I am weak You are strong. I thank You that You are my Defender, my Vindicator and that You are faithful if only we trust in You. In Jesus’ name! Amen!

Here I am before You, falling in love and seeking Your truth
Knowing that Your perfect grace has brought me to this place
Because of You I freely live, my life to You, oh God, I give
So I stand before You, God
I lift my voice cause You set me free

So I shout out Your name, from the rooftops I proclaim
That I am Yours, I am Yours

All the good You’ve done for me, I lift my hands for all to see
You’re the only one who brings me to my knees
To share this love across the earth, the beauty of Your holy worth
So I kneel before You, God
I lift my hands cause You set me free

All that I am, I place into Your loving hands
And I am Yours, I am Yours
Here I am, I stand, with arms wide open
To the One, the Son, the Everlasting God, the Everlasting God

Performed by Kim Walker and Jesus Culture

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What if, instead of focusing on our trials and circumstances, we put our focus on the One Who is faithful???  What if we focused on ALL that God has done in our lives??? What a difference that would make!!!

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way,
consider it an opportunity for great joy.
James 1:2 NLT

Trials are opportunities for growth and to experience God in a powerful way!!!

I love this powerful statement about circumstances by Graham Cooke (from The Way of the Warrior – live version):

“Everything you are passing through right now is a learning opportunity. We need to stop treating life’s difficulties as though they shouldn’t be happening to us. They are training. They are a really important part of who you are. God allows in His wisdom what He could easily prevent by His power. The darker the situation, and the more problematic the circumstances, and the more difficult the things we have to go through, the reward on those things is substantially greater.”

Instead, let us choose to enter His gates with thanksgiving and praise for all that He has done and continues to do….

Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God.
He is the faithful God who keeps His covenant for a thousand generations
and lavishes His unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands.
Deuteronomy 7:9 NLT

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

Heavenly Father, here I stand…arms wide open…heart wide open. All that I am, I place into Your loving hands. So I shout out Your name, from the rooftops I proclaim that I am Yours, I am Yours…in Jesus’ name!!  Amen!!

Holding Nothing Back

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I am chosen, I am free
I am living for eternity
Free now forever

You picked me up, turned me around
You set my feet on solid ground
Yours now forever

And nothing’s gonna hold me back
Nothing’s gonna hold me back
Nothing’s gonna hold me back

My chains fell off
My heart was free
I’m alive to live for You
I’m alive to live for You
Amazing Love, how can it be?
You give everything for me
You give everything for me
Everything

You washed my sin and shame away
The slate is clean: a brand new day,
Free now forever

Now boldly I approach Your throne
To claim this crown through Christ my own
Yours now forever

Free to live
Free to give
Free to be
I’m free to love You

 Jesus Culture / written by Martin Smith and Tim Hughes

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

It’s amazing how, when life gets out of control and things get cloudy, how quickly we can forget that we are free from the chains of bondage. We are free to just be…. We are alive to live for Him. Let us not forget that God is the one that picked us up and placed us on solid ground. If we choose to be there….

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psalm 40:2

Are we solid in Him? Or do our circumstances sway us to and fro?

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting,
for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
James 1:6 NIV

When you are going through difficulty it is easy to get caught up with all that is going on around you and get lost in the vortex of despair. That is when we need to dig deep and get our focus back on God.  He is the only one that can give us the strength to cling to the Rock…

“Christ is the ROCK and if we build our house, or our lives, on Him, we will not have to fear the storms of life which may come our way. For He is there to always help us in the time of need. The book of John, chapter 16 and verse 33 says: In the world you shall have trouble: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. We are in the world and because we live in the world, situations and troubles will come from time to time. But through building your life in Jesus, we, through Him can overcome our problems. In the book of Psalms chapter 94 and verse 22, it says “But the Lord is my defense; and my God is the ROCK of my refuge.” Isn’t it a wonderful feeling to know we have someone to turn to that loves us more than we’ll ever know, and has all the power of the universe to help us out of our troubles! It’s certainly helped my life go better the last 22 years. I cannot even imagine living on the sand! What a scary thought!”

Excerpted from Jesus Is the Rock  (click here to read article.)

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Heavenly Father, thank You that we are FREE in You. May we hold nothing back and forget the things of this world and solely place our focus on You. In Jesus’ Name…AMEN!!!

One Thing Remains

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing…remains

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me
On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains

In death, In life, I’m confident and
covered by the power of Your great love
My debt is paid, there’s nothing that can
separate my heart from Your great love…

Written by: Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford and Jeremy Riddle
Performed by Jesus Culture

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

And I am convinced that NOTHING can ever separate us from God’s love.
Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—NOT EVEN THE POWERS OF HELL can separate us from God’s love.
No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, NOTHING in all creation
will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 NLT

Go back and read those two verses again. And again…and again.  Until it completely sinks in that NOTHING can or will EVER separate us from God’s love. When all else fails, when everyone else abandons you, when sin has defeated you His love STILL remains!  Is that not the most comforting, reassuring thought ever?!?  No matter how far we have fallen, no matter what our past or present looks like, we can never fall out of the reach of His love.  Neither can our loved ones.  We are all held tightly in His hand and our names are written on His palm.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever!
No one will snatch them out of My hand.
John 10:28 HCSB

Behold, I have indelibly imprinted [engraved, inscribed (tattooed a picture of)
you on the palm of each of My hands;
Isaiah 49:16a AMP

What hope, what reassurance there is in each of these Scriptures!  Let us hold tightly to them.  Be confident in His great love and remember:

“Your love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me!”

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father, thank You for such a great love.  Thank You for the hope, the reassurance we find in these Scriptures.  Let us hold tightly to them and always be mindful of them, for NOTHING can separate us from Your love.  In Your Holy name we pray, Amen – It Is SO!!!

All I Need Is You

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Left my fear by the side of the road
Hear You speak, won’t let go
Fall to my knees, as I lift my hands to pray
Got every reason to be here again
Father’s love that draws me in
And all my eyes wanna see is a glimpse of You

All I need is You
All I need is You, Lord, is You, Lord
All I need is You
All I need is You, Lord, is You, Lord

One more day, and it’s not the same
Your Spirit calls my heart to sing
Drawn to the voice of my Savior once again
Where would my soul be without Your Son
Gave His life to save the earth
Rest in the thought that You’re watching over me

All I need is You
All I need is You, Lord, is You, Lord
All I need is You
All I need is You, Lord, is You, Lord
All I need is You

You hold the universe
You hold everyone on earth
You hold the universe
You hold, You hold

Performed by Jesus Culture / Songwriter: Marty Sampson

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Do you need to leave your fears by the side of the road and lift up your hands and start again? I know there are times when I do….  It’s the Father’s love that draws us back in to the One who loves us the very most.  God calls us to turn to Him and cast all of our cares on Him.

…casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 ESV

God calls to our spirits to draw us back to Him.  He puts the yearning and need for Him in each and everyone of us.  When we lose our closeness with Him, we are not satisfied until we turn back to Him once again…. “Drawn to the voice of our Savior once again….”

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
James 4: 8 NLT

Where would we be without the gift of God’s Son Who gave His life for each of us?

“This is why Jesus came and why He died, to become the ultimate and final sacrifice, the perfect (without blemish) sacrifice for our sins (Colossians 1:22; 1 Peter 1:19). Through Him, the promise of life eternal with God becomes effective through faith to those who believe in Jesus.

So that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ,
might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 3:22

These two words, faith and believing, are critical to our salvation. It is through our believing in the shed blood of Christ for our sins that we receive eternal life.  ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast’ (Ephesians 2:8–9).”

Read more here  This article is from the Got Questions?.org website.

I love the visual this song describes of resting in the thought that God is watching over us.

The LORD Himself watches over you!
The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.
Psalm 121:5 NLT

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Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of salvation and for mercies that are new for each day.  All we have to do is turn back to You as Your Spirit calls out to our hearts.  May we rest in You knowing and believing that You are watching over us…in Jesus’ name!!  Amen!!

Show Me Your Glory

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I see the cloud, I step in
I want to see Your glory as Moses did
Flashes of light and rolls of thunder
I’m not afraid
I’m not afraid
Show me Your glory, show me Your glory, my God…
Show me Your glory, show me Your glory
I’m marked by Your beauty, lost in Your eyes
I want to walk in Your presence like Jesus did
Your glory surrounds me and I’m overwhelmed
I’m not afraid
I’m not afraid
Show me Your glory, show me Your glory, my God…
Show me Your glory, show me Your glory, yeah!
I long to look on the face of the One that I love
Long to stay in Your presence, it’s where I belong
Oh how we love You, oh how we love You
Oh how we love You, Jesus

 Performed by Jesus Culture Music

Songwriters: Kathy Frizzell, Nate Ward II and Kim Walker-Smith

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Yes, Father! ‘I want to see Your glory as Moses did….”  I so love that and it is my hearts’ desire to see God’s glory.

In Exodus 33:17-19, Moses asks God to see His glory.

The LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.” Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.”…

There is so much of God to experience here and now on earth before we get to heaven. I want to experience ALL that God has for me here before I get there. What about you??

“Scripture makes clear that it’s possible for every true follower of Jesus to see and understand the glory of God. Indeed, our Lord reveals His glory to all who ask and seek for it diligently. Moreover, I believe the revelation of God’s glory will equip His people for the perilous days ahead. Paul states that this revelation “…is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). God allowed Moses to see His glory so that he might be changed by the sight of it! And the same is true for us today. God reveals His glory to us so that, by seeing it, we might be changed into His very own image! ”

a  quote from David Wilkerson, Time Square Church

It is so important in today’s day and age to stay in relationship with God and communication with Him so we are prepared for what is to come.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33 KJV

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Heavenly Father, show me Your glory. I want to be lost in Your eyes and walk in the very presence of You…just like Jesus did!  ‘I long to look on the face of the One that I love…long to stay in Your presence, it’s where I belong.’ In Jesus’ Name.  AMEN!!!

Rooftops

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Here I am before You, falling in love and seeking Your truth
Knowing that Your perfect grace has brought me to this place
Because of You I freely live, my life to You, oh God, I give
So I stand before You, God
I lift my voice cause You set me free

So I shout out Your name, from the rooftops I proclaim
That I am Yours, I am Yours

All the good You’ve done for me, I lift my hands for all to see
You’re the only one who brings me to my knees
To share this love across the earth, the beauty of Your holy worth
So I kneel before You, God
I lift my hands cause You set me free

So I shout out Your name, from the rooftops I proclaim
That I am Yours, I am Yours

All that I am, I place into Your loving hands
And I am Yours, I am Yours
Here I am, I stand, with arms wide open
To the One, the Son, the Everlasting God, the Everlasting God

~ Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today. ~

Performed by Kim Walker and Jesus Culture

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

What if, instead of focusing on our trials and circumstances, we put our focus on the One Who is faithful???  What if we focused on ALL that God has done in our lives??? What a difference that would make!!!

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way,
consider it an opportunity for great joy.
James 1:2 NLT

Trials are opportunities for growth and to experience God in a powerful way!!!

I love this powerful statement about circumstances by Graham Cooke (from The Way of the Warrior – live version):

“Everything you are passing through right now is a learning opportunity. We need to stop treating life’s difficulties as though they shouldn’t be happening to us. They are training. They are a really important part of who you are. God allows in His wisdom what He could easily prevent by His power. The darker the situation, and the more problematic the circumstances, and the more difficult the things we have to go through, the reward on those things is substantially greater.”

Instead, let us choose to enter His gates with thanksgiving and praise for all that He has done and continues to do….

Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God.
He is the faithful God who keeps His covenant for a thousand generations
and lavishes His unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands.
Deuteronomy 7:9 NLT

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

Heavenly Father, here I stand…arms wide open…heart wide open. All that I am, I place into Your loving hands. So I shout out Your name, from the rooftops I proclaim that I am Yours, I am Yours…in Jesus’ name!! Amen!!