Don’t Panic, Trust God

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

The other day I was struggling. Nothing major was going on it was a culmination of a lot of little things. The dishwasher needs replaced, the house needs painting, the phone didn’t work, my dog would not quit barking, I lost something I needed, two television need replaced, my hubby wasn’t feeling well, I fractured my foot, and such went my “struggle” list. Feeling overwhelmed I got a bit panicky. Then logic set in. If those were my only problems I feel certain some people would line up to exchange theirs with mine. My Uncle JW used to say if we all put our problems in a bag and got to pick out someone’s, we would wish we had our own back. True, isn’t it? After hearing how bad someone else’s issues are, our own pale in comparison.

What matters in life to me is having family and friends that love me and I love in return. More than that is knowing I have a Heavenly Father that loves me and takes care of me. This past week I have thought about trusting God. I trust Him with the most important thing, my eternal life and that of my family. Okay, that’s big. So if I can trust Him to see that I live and do so happily after I die here on Earth, why can’t I trust Him with everything else? The truth is that I can.IMG_3982 He cares about every area of my life because He cares about me.

Sure this is a lot easier said than done. I’m working on it. It’s going to take some time, but I believe God cares about the things that bother me. Don’t get me wrong. He isn’t a want list supplier or genie to grant our three wishes. Abba is our Creator, our Father. When I pray He listens and answers. I prayed for help finding the paper I had lost, and suddenly it can to me where I had put it. That was all God putting the thought in my head. Believe me, whenever I have a need, He supplies it. It might take one prayer or months of persistent, trusting prayers, but He answers according to His will. For months, years actually, I have been praying for certain family members to be saved and baptized. While that hasn’t happened yet, they are now consistently going to church. Others I have prayed for have received Jesus and are ministering to others through mission trips and leading groups. That makes my heart sing.

Are you struggling with something? Don’t panic. Believe me when I tell you God wants to help. If you need a prayer partner, I would love to call and pray with you. Your struggles might be like mine, not as bad as others, but they are bad to you. Trust God with your everything – your family, struggles, and most of all your eternity. He wants to help you. Why not let Him?

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV

 

 

Don’t forget…GNILY

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Family is important to me. If you follow my blog that is not news to you. Often I talk about the importance of family and friends. I am blessed to have a loving family and friends. Words and deeds are important to back up feelings of affection. No one is a mind reader, although that could be good and bad.

My kids and grandkids live close by. Within fifteen or twenty minutes, depending upon traffic, we are able to chat face to face with either family. I marvel at what wonderful adults the two young children morphed into in what seemed like the blink of an eye. Phone calls from them ring in daily or close to that. Seldom do we end our call without an “I love you and I love you, too”. Awww, music to this Mama’s ears.

Same thing with my parents. God gave me precious ones. Every night when it gets close to bedtime I call Mom or she calls me. We just call to say “GNILY or good night, I love you”. Usually we phone again in the morning just to make sure everyone is doing well. It is important that they know I love them and care about them. I feel their love for me, too. At night I tell my hubby GNILY and he responds with ILYT (I love you, too) or ILYM (I love you more). It warms my soul.

My friend and I say the same thing, too. After chatting and praying we always affirm that we love each other before we hang up the phone. Christ is the center of our friendship and the basis of our love. It is a great way to end a conversation, praying and then “I love you.”

After telling my family that I love them I am reminded to thank Abba for them and to in turn tell Him of my great love for Him. Isn’t He awesome? He heals, loves, provides, forgives, and guides. We are so fortunate and blessed to be His children. Our lives would be very different if we were not.

I would like to challenge you to a couple of things. First, tell the people that are important to you some things. Tell them that they are important, that you love them, and that God loves them, too. Share His love. We are not guaranteed anything except God’s love. Make good use of the time and words you have. Cherish your family and friends. Remember, they aren’t mind readers. They need to be told and shown that they are loved.

Second, work on true, pure love. Replace your name where you see the word love in the scripture below for a guide on helping you love like Jesus.

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1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”

Example: Nyla Kay is patient and kind; Nyla Kay does not envy or boast; she is not arrogant or rude….. Okay, your turn.

_____is patient and kind; _____does not envy or boast; _____is not arrogant or rude. _____does not insist on _____ own way; _____is not irritable or resentful; _____does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. _____bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. _____’s love never ends.”

Read a Book Monday: “Uncommon: Pursuing a Life of Passion and Purpose” by Carey Scott

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

This Christian women’s book’s back cover says it is “a battle cry for women to step out of the ordinary and live differently. It’s a blueprint for a life full of passion and purpose. And it has the power to change everything.” Did that get your attention? It certainly got mine. So I decided I needed to read this book and see if it would deliver on its promise. The answer is yes, and much more.

“Uncommon: Pursuing a Life of Passion and Purpose” by Author Carey Scott is a 244 page paperback book published July 1, 2017 from Barbour Publishing, Inc. This nineteen chapter book is geared toward young women, but ladies of any age will glean something from it. “Uncommon” is an encouraging and delightful book. It is excellently written. Chapters focus on courage, faith, forgiveness, generosity, kindness, love, obedience, prayer, morality, and why the world needs you to be uncommon (my favorite one of the nineteen), among others. Subjects are all interesting, relevant, and things Christian women need in their lives. The author wants to teach young women to stand out in faith. Be uncommon, live life differently is the author’s theme. She wants readers to cease worrying about what others think.

Scripture is heavily laced throughout this inspiring book. Beginning each chapter is a Bible verse relating to the topic followed by explanation and a lesson. Examples of biblical women and their stories are next followed by “Lean into Him (scripture), Look into you (questions), and Live Uncommon (prayer)”. This helps to dig deeper and really learn. In the Kindness chapter one question is “Are you a kind person for the right reason?” The questions are meant to do some soul searching. The author encourages readers to praise and worship God. She also states the need for prayer and how essential prayer time is. Every chapter is a positive reenforcement for readers of something we should know but may have forgotten because of how busy life has gotten.

Uncommon is a well written, organized, and well researched book. The chapters are easy to follow. The author has a nice style of writing. It is almost as if she is sitting chatting with readers. Women will find it relatable and inspiring. It definitely was written to bring women closer to God and glorify Him. Using personal stories, scripture, humor, and encouragement, Author Scott teaches women how to stand apart from this world and live for God. In her last chapter she even briefly discusses the mess Americans have made of their relationships during and after the election. That issue is heavy on my heart. She states “Even now, several weeks after the election, we are still screaming at one another.”

“Uncommon: Pursuing a Life of Passion and Purpose” is a book that every woman will enjoy reading and should read. It provides information that is biblically based that encourages us to help others, forgive, be kind evangelize, and worship. It is a wonderful book for any woman, woman’s group, or church library. I highly recommend it and give it a 5 star rating. I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matt. 5:14-16  NKJV

 

Happy Birthday, America!

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Happy 4th of July! It is almost time to celebrate the birthday of our great nation. Land of the free and home of the brave is 241 years old next week.  What would be a nice gift? Exactly what do you give a nation or wish for it on its 241st birthday? How about peace? Peace. That sounds wonderful.  Our nation could use some peace.

Many songs have been written about America.  Our national anthem, “God Bless America,” and “This Land is Your Land” are just a few.  One of my favorites is Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” It never ceases to touch my heart or bring a tear to my eye.

“If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife
I’d thank my lucky stars to be livin’ here today
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away

And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land
God bless the USA”

Do you feel the same way? Do you love this land? After the worst mud-slinging election that I can remember Americans are still fussing and feuding. Instead of putting aside their personal feelings and working together, many are intent on continuing to argue and debate. On Facebook I have even noticed a profile picture was an upside down U.S. flag. This is so disrespectful. There are rules and codes concerning our glad and the respect it deserves. According to United States Flag Code, “8(a)The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.” Political reasons do not validate flying the flag upside down.

IMG_3949Times have changed drastically. The nation that was formed in 1776 is much more different than it was then. It makes me ponder what our forefathers would think if they could see the disharmony today. Would they be proud of their children or ashamed.  Is this the nation they dreamed it would become?

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When it’s all said and done we are all still Americans, citizens of this country. It deserves your respect, support, and love. We can make it a better place to live by working together and not continually fighting. Let’s give America and Americans peace for her birthday this year. It couldn’t hurt. In fact, it would only help.

“Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.” I Peter 2:17 NLT