Word of The Month

Barb's 2007 ~ Folder
Word's of Encouragement

 Barb's  Family love,
 prayers, and concern...

 

Jesus is my lifeline. A year ago this month, I was struck down with stomach cancer. I was given little chance to survive because this cancer is very aggressive. My family spent 33 days at my bedside after surgery, as the doctors treated my body. Meanwhile, prayers on my behalf were pouring in from all over the country and even from friends in Africa. I am so thankful to say that God continues to give me life on this earth. My heavenly father only knows why I am still here. I do know that Jesus continues to be my lifeline.

Life as I knew it, will never be the same. Since that time and through months of recovery, I have appreciated the gift of life and the many little blessing I enjoy each day. I am experiencing God and the abundant life that Christ came to give each of us.
Salvation is only the beginning of a life long journey of giving back our lives to God. We know that God is the giver of life. The word of God tells us that Christ came to give us life more abundant. John 10:10

I believe that God listens attentively to our prayers and hears when we cry out to him. Psalm 5: 11 & 12 “But all who find safety in you will rejoice; they can always sing for joy. Protect those who love you; because of you they are truly happy. You bless those who obey you, Lord; your love protects them like a shield.” (Good News Version) Does this mean we will be free of trouble and sickness? No! Jesus said, “ In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

He tells us to give Him our cares and our worries and put our trust in Him. This is not easy because we think we need to figure everything out. God continues to affirm to me the wonderful words of Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” NIV

I ask you to close your eyes and reach your hand up to God, because his hand is reaching down to you and he wants to be your lifeline. May you begin to experience life to the fullest because you have given your heart and life to Jesus Christ.

 

June 2008

“Are you Discouraged or Encouraged?”

In this world we see so much to be discouraged about. The news and television report disasters of all kinds: nature’s wrath, dishonesty and lack of respect for authority. People are selfish, greedy, boastful and conceited. Children are disobedient to their parents, ungrateful and insulting, lovers of themselves, loving pleasure rather than God. See II Timothy 3: 1-8

However, we can be encouraged when we follow the teaching of Jesus Christ and accept the fact that Jesus laid down his life for each one of us. He did this so that we might experience the abundant life. When we have asked Jesus to came into our heart and allow His spirit to control our lives, we will rise above the circumstances of this life and find joy and peace in our daily walk.

Access and keep alive the gift that God gave you, His spirit, which fills us with power, love and self-control. Without this we will become like the world we live in and loose sight of the blessings God has placed in our lives.

Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart; all you who trust in the Lord.

April 2008

A NEW LIFE

Message Bible –I Peter 1: 3 & 4

What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this father of our master Jesus Christ. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The day is coming when you’ll have it all, - life healed and whole.
As his daughters, we received a new birth into a living hope - an inheritance that can never fade or perish. When I see evidence of spring appearing it makes me think of this scripture. Our lives can be like the earth in northern Ohio, cold and snowy, muddy and ugly. But, then the sun comes out and dries up the land and soon sprigs of green grass appear and daffodils are poking their heads through the dirt. There are also the wonderful sounds of birds! Happy with the warm sunshine, singing their little hearts out. It makes me want to sing and praise God for all he has done for me and for you!
I wonder if there are seasons in heaven? What would springtime be like there? We can look forward to the beauty of spring here on earth and know that someday we can experience the wonder of heaven.
Then we will be face to face with Jesus, our wonderful savior and friend.

Blessings to you all,
Barb

 

March 2008

“Preparing for Easter –An Invitation to a Feast”

Please read Luke 14: 15-24

We have all been invited to a feast in the Kingdom of Christ! As we celebrate the season of his death and resurrection, we look at God’s Grace and what He did for us in eternity past.
I Peter 1:18-20 Good News Version “ For you know what was paid to set you free from the worthless manner of life handed down by your ancestors. It was not something that can be destroyed such as silver or gold; it was the costly sacrifice of Christ who was like a lamb without defect or flaw. He had been chose by God before the creation of the world and was revealed (made known) in these last days for your sake.”
It was the Father’s plan to provide salvation through His son. However, God does not force people to come to Him but He yearns for them to come. He wants his table filled…will you be there? This was the Father’s plan and His Son paid the price for you and me. The Holy Spirit is persistent but many turn a deaf ear. D.L.Moody said “Excuses are the cradle that the devil rocks people to sleep with!” A life filled with excuses – too much to do, too much to see, busyness everywhere, and we miss the best things God offers in this life. Nothing should be more important than our time with God.
I think of how most of us celebrate a whole month for the birth of Christ and yet we give Him only a week of focus for His death on the cross. It is a sad thing to ignore God’s provision for us – forgiveness of our sins, peace of mind, wisdom in our daily life –these and many more are wrapped up in following Christ and making Him first in our lives. Christ made a difference when He laid down His life. Have you allowed Him to take up residence in your heart? By faith we receive Him and enjoy all He provides for us.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good!” Hope to see you at the banquet!
Have a Blessed Easter. 

Barb

 

February 2008

Love makes the world go round! We all want to be loved and to have someone to love. God loves us and wants us to love Him in return. God says he is enthralled with our beauty! We were created in his image and he thinks we are beautiful!
All you gals out there who wish you were thinner or heavier, blonde or brunette, no wrinkles or lumps….God sees you as beautiful. God looks at the heart not just the exterior. We may not be able to do what we want with our physical appearance but we can certainly change our heart condition. However, this cannot be done in our own strength but through the power of the Holy Spirit, which is available to all that have trusted in Christ.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Who better to behold you than your Lord and Savior who says to you.. I think you’re beautiful! You have great value in my eyes. I knew you in your mother’s womb and I loved you than.
We know that by eating well and exercising we can develop and improve our physical bodies. We can also develop out spiritual dimension by worshiping, meditating on scripture, praying, listening and loving God.
God deeply desires a love relationship with each of us; that is why he created us! But sin broke the relationship between God and humans. Love is so much more than an emotion and God personally demonstrated his love for us by pursuing us in spite of our rejection of him and our sin.
John 13:34 & 35 says this “And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.
So as I said in the beginning, love does make the world go round! May love fill your hearts and lives today and always. God bless and keep you.

Barb

 

January 2008

 This month is flying by already and I haven’t sat down and talked with all of you. I am doing very well and praising the Lord for His goodness to me. With a New Year beginning and all the thoughts of doing better and being better, I ‘ve been thinking about what to talk about and decided to talk about relationships.

 I have seen an increasing number of families “fallout’s” for lack of a better description.  I’m referring to family members who no longer want to be part of their parent’s lives or won’t speak to a brother or sister.  This is a very sad situation and grieves my heart as well as God’s. We all need wisdom in these matters and God tells us “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5) Jesus adds only one condition.  He says we need to want to know how to trust God in the middle of our problems. (James 1: 6-8)

            Jesus taught his disciples to love one another but within a few years they were at war with each other. (James 4; 1 & 2) Prejudice, hurtful words, selfishness, causes friends and family to act like enemies. When these things develop we need to seek wisdom from “above” rather than from ”below”. We can’t mix our faith in Christ with motives of greed, envy and selfish ambition. This can be an eye opener for those of us who are inclined to blame one another for our problems without looking at our own hearts. When we honestly want to be in line with the pure intent and heart of God, then we can respond to conflict in a way that is genuine.

             Most of us long for peace rather than conflict.  Even when circumstances can never be the same again, “ the wisdom that is from above” helps us to see the foolishness of bitter or a vengeful spirit. Enlightenment that enables us to value peace over conflict is a gift from God.

             A gentle voice and a listening ear can mark the beginning of change in a relationship gone sour. I have learned to love my family through their mistakes even when I didn’t like them very much.. Learning to respect and appreciate the good in each other is the beginning of wisdom. Surrendering to God, instead of merely focusing on the one who has hurt us, enables us to be patient and plant undeserved seeds of kindness while waiting for the fruit of peace. I know many times this does not happen quickly and we must be willing to give others the space they need to think things through

  Prayer is the lifeline that helps us work through this time as we ask for wisdom and the grace of patience with those we love. May you find yourself going to God more often for direction and the will to love those who are not so loveable. Sometime our actions speak louder than our words. May the light of Christ show in each of us when we are working through these difficult situations.

 God Bless and Keep You…… Barb

 Excerpts from “Enlightenment”
by Mart De Haan