Tag Archives: Faith

Minute Meditations-4

5 May

SUNDAY MEMORIES

 Judy Wills

Reblogged

OBEDIENCE…  What a hard word that one is.  We have to obey our parents when we are young.  We have to obey our teachers in school.  We have to obey our boss.  We have to obey the rules of the road – that one can be really dangerous if we don’t obey them!! 

Credit Google Search

There are rules in the military. 

Credit Google Search

There are even rules in the games we play!

Credit Google Search

We keep thinking, “I’m the master of my own self!  Why do I have to obey anyone?”  But it just doesn’t work that way, does it?  No man is an island… isn’t that what the bard said?  Well, it’s true.

So many people criticize Christianity as being a “crutch” for life.  I hate to disappoint them, but they have some sort of crutch as well.  Their crutch can be a job, a spouse, a significant other, money – or love of it, booze, drugs, etc.  And if depending upon God and His love requires my obedience to survive in this world is my “crutch” – then I’m all in.  Fortunately, God’s “yoke” is very easy and light.  He gives us so much leeway in what we do, and all He asks is that we let Him take our heart’s desire and turn it His way.  Have you noticed that, when you become God’s child, that your desires change?  You no longer want to do those things you did before.  They frequently become distasteful to you, so you stop doing them.  You want to please God with your actions.

My brother, Bill wrote about obedience.  Here are his thoughts:

Obey His commands.  What does that mean?  Jesus was asked that very question in Matthew 22:37-39.  Jesus answered the Pharisees:  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it:  Love your neighbor as yourself.

In other words, if we keep our eyes on God, then everything else falls into place.  Obedience to God becomes easy.  Not that everything we do on this earth will be easy, but with God’s help, obedience to Him becomes our life’s goal.

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

Tags: , , , , , ,

How to Prepare for the End Times

4 May

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged
Friday, April 12, 2024 by Janet Perez Eckles

Was the recent eclipse of the sun overrated? Some say it was. Others identified it as another sign that the end times are closer than ever. Either way, if we focus on each sign, we lose sight of what truly matters. We miss the preparation of our soul for the return of Jesus.

Here’s a list of eight questions to see if you’re ready for the end times.

Who do you think Jesus is? If you believe in a religion, in myths, in the world’s ways, in New Age notions or in yourself as a good person, or believe Jesus is merely a good teacher, you won’t be part of the victorious ending. However, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved…” (Romans 10:9-10).

Each day that passes draws us closer to His return, the decision you make today will determine the place in which you’ll spend for eternity.

Are you alert? As a saved Christian, you possess the wisdom to know how to rebuke Satan’s attacks which are increasing with fury. As you prepare, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

He won’t devour you because in Christ Jesus, you have the power to rebuke, reject and defeat all his attacks.

Are you carrying the burdens of your personal life and that of the world? “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).

A soul that rests in Him has no room for anxiety, fear or worry.

When persecution becomes more intense, can you find new strength in the Lord? “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29).

That new strength isn’t just for one moment, that power isn’t for one season, but you’ll soared on wings like eagles until that day when Jesus returns.

As days get darker, do you rely in God’s provision as Paul declared?  “…this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

His riches are indeed glorious because they have nothing to do with your bank account, or the economy or financial security.

Do you know that His love is unshakeable even in the midst of wars, earthquakes, floods, inflation, fires or violence? “And 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 8:35-39).

Because of Christ’s love, you’re truly invincible.

When the signs of His return become more frequent, do you receive what Jesus offers? “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So, don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27).

Signs will appear, conflict will intensify, evil will attack, but God’s peace within you will remain.

Do you listen to the media or to the main voice of the Savior? “All who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm” (Proverbs 1:33).

God has a plan. He has a purpose. And He executes each detail in precise and perfect timing. And while riding on the train of trust, we obey, expect, believe and wait in beautiful expectation. With Christ Jesus living in us, we anticipate that day when tears will dry, pain will cease, worry will end, joy will explode, peace will permeate, and victorious glory will be ours.

Let’s pray.

Father, thank You for the freedom we have to look beyond the circumstances of this world and fix our eyes on Your return with hearts filled with expectation and beautiful hope.

How are you getting ready for Jesus’ return?

Bonus article on today’s topic.

 Janet

Celebrate with me! My new release, Now I See: How God’s Amazing Grace Transforms the Deepest Pain to Shining Joy won the 2023 Memoir of the Year Golden Scroll Award.

Your copy waits for you here:

Let’s Stay in Touch

You and I are only a click away. You can use this CONTACT FORM to leave your prayer request, make a comment, ask a question, or invite me to speak to your group. Or simply reply to this email.

I also invite you to visit my WEBSITE. You’ll find more inspirational blogs along with my story, books, and videos. You’ll also learn the passion and mission of JC Empowerment ministries.

Janet Eckles Perez

Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR

Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.

www.janetperezeckles.com

Tags: , , , , ,

Hope in Why

3 May

Guest Post

Rebekah Lyn

Reblogged 5/3/24

Hope in Why

I’ve battled with the flu for the past week. It finally took me down Wednesday night and kept me in a daze of fever, coughing, sore throat, and exhaustion. During one of those restless nights, I found myself asking “Why?”. It was a general why, not relating to any specific topic. As I lay in bed half asleep, half awake I began to think about how many times God must hear that question every day. It must be screamed, whispered, cried thousands, millions of times a day.

The magnificent thing about God is that He can bear to be questioned. He can hear every cry, and recognize every voice in the constant cacophony lifted up to Him. He understands what we are asking even when we don’t comprehend it ourselves.

The challenge we face as humans comes when we expect a response right away, and we usually expect a specific response. How many times have we missed God’s answer because it didn’t fit the parameters we set? Have you quit crying out to God because you didn’t feel heard, or didn’t receive a response? Do you feel like your cries are hopeless? Some prayers may go unanswered for years. Some questions may not have answers this side of heaven. That doesn’t mean we should give up crying out? Sometimes a simple “why” can lead to so much more than you dreamed.

It’s Sunday night as I finish this off and I’m still running a fever. I don’t know why I’ve been sick this long when I rarely get more than a sniffle, but I do know that God has given me time to rest, to set aside work, volunteering, writing, studying, and everything else that fills my days. I know that God has a bigger plan that I cannot see and I’m trusting in Him to answer that subconscious why from my restless night when the timing is right.

Tags: , , , , ,

True Leisure

29 Apr

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Proverbs 2:10,11 

True leisure enters your soul when wisdom wins your heart and revelation breaks in.

When you follow good counsel, divine design will watch over you, and understanding will protect you from making poor choices. It will rescue you from evil in disguise and those who speak duplicities.  

Photo Credit:Pixabay

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

Tags: , , , , , ,

Minute Meditations-3

28 Apr

SUNDAY MEMORIES

 Judy Wills

Reblog

TRUST…..

What does that word mean to you?  The New World dictionary defines trust as:  firm belief or confidence in the honesty, integrity, reliability, justice, etc. of another person or thing.  A secondary definition is:  confident expectation.  How does that fit your definition?  

Credit Google Search

Have you ever trusted someone with a “secret” only to have that secret spread around and get out of control?  How did that make you feel?  Did you feel like you could “trust” that person with anything personal again? Most likely not.

My brother, Bill, wrote his thoughts on this:

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

Tags: , , , ,

Hope in Truth

26 Apr

Guest Post

Rebekah Lyn

Reblogged 4/26/24

This week, Jews around the world are celebrating Passover. This is a celebration in remembrance of the final plague God poured out on the Egyptians when Pharaoh refused to set the Israelites free from captivity. The Israelites were told to take a lamb into their household and care for it for four days. On that fourth day, at twilight, the lambs were to be killed and their blood used to paint the sides and tops of their door frames. God then detailed the meal they were to eat that night, including the meat of the sacrificed lamb. During the night, while the Israelites slept, protected by the blood on their doorways, all the firstborns in Egypt were killed.

This is a story that many use to question God’s loving nature. It’s hard to understand how God can not only allow, but bring, death to a nation when all we focus on is His loving nature. God is also a God of justice, and those who do not follow His way will face judgment. During their years in Egypt, the Israelites went from a welcomed family, to an expanding population, to slaves, and even a threat to the Egyptian way of life. Forty years before this first Passover, Pharaoh had commanded that all Israelite baby boys be killed in order to squash the growing population. It’s no coincidence that Moses, the man sent to seek freedom from Pharaoh, was one of those babies that should have been killed, but God had a plan for him and made a way for Moses to be protected.

There is so much false information, misinformation, and disinformation, floating around in the world. Depending on what side of politics you fall on, which religion you follow, what country you live in, and what celebrity you follow, that is how many people decide what they believe is the truth. That becomes confusing, though, if you follow a particular celebrity who says one thing but acts out another. Or if you believe in the campaign speeches of your party, but when they are in office, they do the exact opposite of what they said.

How, then, can we find truth? “Jesus answered, “‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” ~ John 14:6

After the first sin in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve hid from God because they were ashamed of their nakedness. The very first blood sacrifice came through God killing animals to make clothes for His children. From that time on, blood sacrifices were required to cleanse our souls from sin. The more this was done, though, I have to believe it had less meaning to the people. As with religious traditions today, many do them because it is habit or obligation more than from a deep sense of understanding, reverence, and repentance.

God chose to send His Son, Jesus, to Earth, specifically for the purpose of becoming our sacrificial lamb. He bore the humiliation and pain of death on a cross so that those who believe in Him and call Him Savior can be set free from the curse of sin.

“‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’” ~John 18:37

It may have become customary to buy a lamb for sacrifice, but for a man to lay down his life saying, “God lay all the blame on me. Take away their punishment and place it on me.” That isn’t something that can be taken for granted. Jesus was fully human, even as He was fully God. He struggled in the Garden of Gethsemane with what He knew lay ahead of Him. He prayed for another way, but He accepted and submitted to the will of God, His Father.

Not only did Jesus accept that death, He followed through on the promises He had spoken on several times, both in private with His disciples and in public. He promised the temple would be torn down but then rebuilt in three days. He told them He would die, but would rise again in three days. He did this and now, those who follow Him are the temple. We carry His Spirit inside our hearts. He is no longer contained to the Holy of Holy of the old Jewish Temple.

That is the example of truth I choose to live my life by.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

My True Treasure

22 Apr

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Psalm 119:65-68

Your extravagant kindness makes me want to follow your words even more!

Teach me how to make good decisions,

And give me revelation light, for I believe in your commands.

Before I was humbled, I always used to wander astray,

But now I see the wisdom of your words.

Everything you do is beautiful, flowing from your goodness;

Teach me the power of your wonderful words.

Photo Credit:Pixaba

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

 

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Minute Meditations-2

21 Apr

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Reblog

Credit Google Search

What is happiness?  Or better yet…..what is your IDEA of what happiness is?  Is it just a state of mind?  Is our happiness determined by our circumstances?                          

A pastor said once, that when we are God’s child, happiness is what resides in our hearts and minds always, and that joy or sorrow can’t really touch it; that the circumstances where we find ourselves do NOT determine whether we are happy or not….we have God’s abiding happiness within us.

Joy
Sorrow

Filling our hearts with God’s love gives us permanent happiness, that allows us to be happy, or content, in whatever situations we find ourselves.

My brother, Bill, wrote about this very thing.  These are his thoughts:

Can we see just how God wants us to look to Him for our happiness?  No matter what happens, with God in our hearts, we can depend upon Him to give us the answers we seek to ALL our earthly problems.  He is true and faithful to His word.

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

Tags: , , ,

Hope in Friendship

19 Apr

Guest Post

Rebekah Lyn

Reblogged

Earlier this month, I took a trip to visit my best friend. We spent a couple of days in Nashville, exploring the Cheekwood Estate and the Frist Museum, probably not the first places that come to mind when you hear Nashville. That’s the great thing about our relationship. We both enjoy off-the-beaten-path, unsung gems in the places we visit. Yes, we wandered down South Broadway past all the popular bars and restaurants. I even convinced her to tour the Ryman Auditorium (which she loved despite her hesitancy).

We’ve known each other for over 30 years, but for most of that time, we’ve had anywhere from 200 to 3,000 miles between us. Despite the distance, we always pick up where we left off when we get together. She is my polar opposite – outgoing, quirky, a magnet for meeting people. The thing I love about her most, though, is we can share things with each other without judgment. We support each other through the tough times and meltdowns. Even though we don’t talk every day, I would be lost without her.

There isn’t much in the Bible specifically about friendship. Two of the most well-known stories are about David and Jonathan (King Saul’s son), and Job’s three friends. These stories are complete opposites. Despite King Saul wanting to kill David, Jonathan stands by his friend (1 Samuel 20). Meanwhile, Job’s friends came to his side following all the calamities that befell him and sat in silence for seven days. When they did speak, they became increasingly accusatory.

No friendship is without pitfalls. We are all flawed and will let each other down at some point. In the book of Acts, we learn about a young man named John Mark, who Barnabas and Paul took with them on one of their missionary journeys. Unfortunately, Mark was young and didn’t complete the trip, which Paul took great offense with. When Barnabas wanted to take Mark on a second journey, Paul was against this because of Mark’s previous breach of trust. This caused a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas to the point that they went on separate journeys (Acts 12-15).

This seems like a rift that cannot be repaired, yet in Paul’s letter to the Colossians, we learn Mark is with him once again, and later in 2 Timothy, Paul is asking for Mark to be sent to him “because he is helpful to me in ministry”. Mark had matured and become a good friend to Paul. We can learn from this relationship that even in the face of shattered relationships, there is always a glimmer of hope for reconciliation and healing.

So, to anyone out there struggling with a broken friendship, hold on to the hope that reconciliation is possible. With time, effort, and a genuine commitment to growth, you too can mend the fractures and restore what was once lost.

Don’t forget to check out the resources page I’m developing with content I have found encouraging, has taken me deeper in my walk with God, and generally builds my hope.

Tags: , , , ,

He Came to my Rescue

15 Apr

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Psalm 116:4-7

I’ve learned from my experience.

That God protects the childlike and

Humble ones.

For I was broken and brought low,

But he answered me and came to my rescue!

Now, I can say to myself and all,

Relax and rest; be confident and serene.

The Lord fully rewards those who trust in him.

God has rescued my soul from death’s fear

And dried my eyes of human tears.

Photo Credit:Pixabay

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

Tags: , , , , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →