Mercy Ships

It's here! This is the link to my personal support page!

To Donate, please follow the Link Below:

http://mercyships-us.donorpages.com/crewmates/HannahCheney/

(This Video is a Trailer for Mercy Ships' Upcoming documentary "The Surgery Ship" [late 2013])

If you know me, then you know I've been obsessed with Mercy Ships for years. Mercy Ships is an organization that offers FREE surgeries and health care to the world's poorest nations. They do this by bringing their ship, the Africa Mercy, to the Congo (currently) or a country along the western coast of Africa and dock for months at a time. They have performed thousands of life changing surgeries to those who would otherwise not get it. These surgeries (tumor removal, cateract surgery, cleft lip, and much more) allow the beautiful patients to return to society where they were previously rejected and have a better quality life. While there, they also have land based areas that help to equip and train the local people, making an impact long after they're gone. The crew members partner/volunteers with places like clinics and orphanages while they aren't working on the ship. Mercy Ships does this all because of JESUS and use his model as the example of bringing healing and hope to the forgotten poor. To operate their mission and keep it going they need people to support by both donating and by going and being God's hands and feet. I want to be those hands and feet. To do so, I must raise $6000. This is for my plane flights, $630 per month in crew fees, and living expenses while there. I will be working, selling my things and fundraising to be able to raise this! I know that God will provide loving people to donate toward His purposes just like He has before. I want to love Him and serve Him. I am so passionate about mercy ships, and I want to take part in what they are doing. I've always said "I will scrub floors on that boat...I just want to be a part of it!!". I feel so blessed it's finally happening. People come from many different countries to serve on the Africa Mercy Ship. I have been accepted to do so as the hospitality hostess, (in short)greeting all incoming crew and guests, along with many other responsibilities. We will be working onboard the ship, but getting off the ship in our free time for church every week and volunteer opportunities that we can sign up for. We are also able to "adopt a patient" and spend time with them during their recovery. These are just a few things I've heard, and I am so excited for what the Lord has in store during my stay. I will be going on this adventure by myself for months, and am more than excited. 3 years ago I wouldn't have done something like this. I knew about mercy ships and had the desire, but with who I was then, I wouldn't have gone/wasn't quite ready. So Jesus has taken me to this point by baby steps. Although I have been impatient at times, I am thankful the Lord has taken me by this pace. His way is right. I am so excited to serve and be a part of this mission and this community. Every single person is important in carrying out this mercy mission, from the kitchen staff and photographers, to nurses and surgeons, everyone is vital and important to God's work. [1 Corinthian 12:4-6 :There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.] ...This ship is a true example of that. These past few years the Lord has shown me that fulfilled life comes from giving of oneself. Great Joy always follows. I don't know what the rest of my future holds. And that's okay. A few months ago I didn't know I'd be serving in the Congo. I don't know what I will be doing one year from today, or five years from now. But one thing is certain. I will follow Jesus for the rest of my life. This is just a stepping stone to the beautiful life ahead. Thank you for your love and support. 

Love
Hannah


Here is a link to a short video about Mercy Ships :
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqw_729Vz24

Before and After
Jacklynn's cleft lip surgery

Visit Mercyships.org for more info. They also have a Facebook!

.....Love.....

I have a friend who is by far the kindest person I have ever met. The thing that stood out the most when I first met him was his genuine kindness and how well he loved people around him. I have learned so much from his life. I have learned that (although he is so talented) it doesn't matter how many accomplishments you check off your list, how talented you are or what approval you get. He taught me that value does not come from awards or deeds. What truly matters is that you LOVE people. He's loved me and others with words of encouragement, offers grace repeatedly, forgives immediately, with acts of kindness, and in the way he communicates. This is a lesson I am continuing to learn, and so glad I've had an example of what that looks like. The bible says that if we speak god's word with power,  have faith that moves mountains, give everything to the poor, and are the world's greatest evangelist and speak with eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love. we are nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.  If we do all these acts of good but don't love, our spirits are bankrupt. This is so powerful to me and makes me want to love people so much more and better than I do. My friend put it into perspective about being kind to others the other day using Job 31:15, which says " Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?"..saying in the passage that, servant or master, God made them both. This also means, sinner, saint, friend, enemy, family, and strangers are to be loved. We are all connected by the same God who made us. We are to love even when it is of no benefit to ourselves  or when it is difficult. We are Christ's, and he did that for us. While we were STILL sinners, He died for us. Love doesn't keep score, or keep record of wrongs, but love simply LOVES with no hidden agenda or expectation of gaining something. This is a lesson I pray I will continue to learn.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

Love doesn’t strut,

Doesn’t have a swelled head,

Doesn’t force itself on others,

Isn’t always “me first,”

Doesn’t fly off the handle,

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn’t revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

'8-10 Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

11 When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.

12 We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

13 But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

Love

Hannah

Remember your Blessings

I am so excited about serving in the Congo, and am so blessed to be going. But, for some reason this morning, I woke up worried about funding and raising enough money to go or somehow coming up short. (I need funding for roundtrip flights, and it's 630 per month to live, along with other additional personal expenses) I went downstairs for my morning routine of coffee and reading. This morning I read through some of Nehemiah.

Nehemiah 4:14 says, "Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, "Don't be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!" The situation Nehemiah was talking about was vastly different and far more severe than my small hypothetical worry. But this showed me to glance at my situation/worry, and to not be afraid, because my GOD is GREAT and GLORIOUS. Also, it says REMEMBER. This immediately caused me to remember when GOD provided before (both the opportunity and funds) on my previous mission trips.

Here is what I remember God did before. I have had a heart for missions both here and overseas. [I believe we are a missionary no matter where we are. We are Christ's and we are to share His love near and far] . I desired to go on my first mission trip and sought out trips, but for some reason it just wasn't happening. So 2011 after a final failed attempt to go on a trip with my friend to Africa, and not getting any responses from the leader who was extremely busy, I gave up. I prayed "Lord I know you've put this desire in my heart. I am tired of chasing things that aren't your will.. So if you want me to go on a mission, send someone to ask me to go with them."..I prayed that prayer one time. I knew it was a little far-fetched but I prayed in Faith. Three days later I was downtown feeding the homeless under a bridge, and a Volunteer who I always saw there but didn't really know asked me to "come over here" beside a van and said "Hey Hannah, do you have an inchin' to go on a mission trip" ...Yes... "Do you have an inchin' to go to Africa?!" ...YES! ...and he continues to say "Well I lived there for ten years and want to take a trip...etc etc...I'll plan the trip around your schedule...etc."...Prayer answered. So I wrote my letters and sure enough God provided....not just for Kenya, but  provided enough funds and the exact amount I needed to go to Romania 3 months later where I was asked to join a team whom I'd worked for in Colorado the previous summer. God Provided and He will again.

I am working, cleaning out my closets, getting rid of my stuff to sell, redoing furniture, and have a bunch of things my sweet sister-in-law surprised me with the other day for me to sell. We HAVE to starve our fear/worry and FEED OUR FAITH...All day, I've been intentionally remembering all of the ways God has cared for me and provided for me.  So today again...of course God proves to me I shouldn't worry but instead Trust. I wasn't feeling well and left work a little early to come to my parent's house before the high school service tonight and rest. Our dear friend and neighbor Jackie came over and brought a bowl of her soup just because she's sweet and loves cooking (and boy do we love it). I walked up to the door to say hi, and she all of a sudden looks at me and goes "We're gonna get you to Africa baby!!!" I didn't even know she knew I was going yet, but she and my mom talk all the time so she of course already heard the news. My mom had told her earlier about me wanting to have a fundraiser garage sale. Little did I know that my sweet neighbors had been brainstorming for me, and had recruited her friends/children to gather their unwanted things for my sale, telling me the things they were going to bake to sell, and countless other things and ideas she told me about to help get me to Africa. I feel like I can't explain fully how shocked and touched I was to hear this good news and how I had been so unaware just an hour prior of all the love and support I have received. I was in tears at the love I feel from friends, family, and my Heavenly Father.


Even looking back at posts I've made, I am seeing how much the Lord is teaching me repeatedly to trust and obey him. Each day has new opportunities we can either trust God with or worry about. Trust is a daily thing that we have to give to God. I have learned that I must not only trust, but trust JOYFULLY and in thankfulness ahead of time of what God can and will do. I have learned that if He wants me there, he will get me there. He can do all things. Let us remember the LORD who is Great and Glorious.

Philippians 4:6-7:  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Ephesian 3:20:  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:16:  Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

 

 

 

 Love,

Han

 

Send forth your truth and your light,

let them guide me;

 let them bring me to your holy mountain,

to the place where you dwell.

 

You are my JOY and my DELIGHT.

I will sing your praises.

I will trust you GOD.

Keeper of my heart and my strong tower.

Beautiful Life

I hope I'm not misunderstood, but something I've learned is that a relationship [a deep, life affecting relationship] with Jesus is bitter sweet. With Christ I have gained everything. But many times I've had to give up things I've desired in my stronger desire for the Lord and His Peace. These past two years have been the best and most challenging of my 23 young years. I've had to cancel a dream of a life of serving in missions for a year with a best friend, let go of plans and hopes, find closure,  and given up my idols that I found my worth in. In the last two weeks, because of an overwhelming feeling in my spirit, I've had to give up my sweet boyfriend who became my best friend, who was a walking example of what it was to be JOYFUL and thankful no matter the circumstance. In the past week I've been accepted into taking part in an organization that will be doing life changing mission work in the Congo(Africa), forfitting American life, my friends and family, and embark on a journey completely alone for months. Many of these things have been hard this past year or two, and although some of these things have felt like loss at first, I feel I have gained so much more and am consumed by God's peace. I have gained a knowledge that my identity is not in things, friendships,works or education. That life does go on after heartbreak of any kind and healing can come. That lost dreams aren't failures, but a redirecting by the One True Guide who is a lamp to our sometimes scared and shaky feet. That God's delays are not no, but YES in His time and His version, not our plan of how things should go. I've learned that obedience to my God isn't a loss at all, but an eternal gain. I have learned that God will guide me regardless, even when I doubt myself, or feel like I might have heard Him wrong and worry. Even though I'm shaky, He is constant and strong and will forever be worthy of my trust and dedication. My God loves me [and you] more than we could ever even try to love Him back. He is worthy of all of our life, love and thankfulness. Life and all it entails is bittersweet, but the sweet is so much sweeter with Jesus. Life is so so beautiful. TRUST. TRUST. TRUST. :o]

Fulfilled

One thing I know is God desires obedience. As we walk with Him, we start to desire the same. Our eyes, hearts, and minds will gradually line up with His. I have believed in God and His protection over my life since I was a little girl. But it was until a few years ago that I truly gave my life over, was baptized in Jesus’ Name and starting running to Him with my whole heart. With that surrender came the desire to be obedient to Honor the Lord in all I do, whether that be joyfully (or sometimes being a little nervous). God has called me to obedience in bigger ways lately. God has been showing me through His word to trust Him with my whole heart. So I have done so even though I can’t see the whole picture and peace has filled my heart more and more each day.

Another truth I know and have experienced is that Blessing follows obedience. God wants us to be obedient and to radiate Him. God wants us to find fulfillment in Him. We most radiate God when we are most fulfilled/satisfied in Him.  God made His commandments not for us to just aimlessly follow a list but to give us a fuller, deeper life. When we follow His commands and don’t get trapped in the death and complications that Sin brings, we are naturally going to be blessed. By no means do we not have trouble beyond our control sometimes. But when we are obedient we bring in and allow more life and fullness, because living free from the chains of sin and living the way God desires will naturally do so. I have seen this in my own life and family’s life.

With obedience comes peace. Many times, it has taken my obedience first and then the peace and assurance comes. Sometimes I’d rather have a known promise and THEN be obedient because the promise is obvious and SEEN. But what good is that really in our growth? God wants be to be obedient and grow by FAITH. Faith is being obedient and believing even when things are UNSEEN and trusting that God has you in the palm of His hands. God is teaching me more and more about obedience (and sometimes making me realize my own stubbornness, all the while softening my heart and growing my faith).

Because of my obedience to the spirit He’s given me, I can say that today I am in His Peace and His rest.

Job 36:11 If they hear and serve Him, They shall end their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.

Psalm 119:10 With all my heart I have sought Thee; Do not let me wander from Thy commandments.

Romans 8:5-6 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

I love this from Hosea. If we are disobedient/Sin, we can come back to Him and he will restore. Here is a call to repentance: Hosea 6...

“Come, let us return to the Lord.

He has torn us to pieces;

    now he will heal us.

He has injured us;

    now he will bandage our wounds.

2 

In just a short time he will restore us,

    so that we may live in his presence.

3 

Oh, that we might know the Lord!

    Let us press on to know him.

He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn

    or the coming of rains in early spring.”

-Han

His...

You may or may not always see the purpose in the steps you are taking as you are taking them in your life, but be assured that they do matter in the kingdom of God. Don't let anyone make you feel unimportant or irrelevant in your daily life, because, just like yours, their perspective is sometimes flawed. God says that he will work everything together for our good and His glory. So in everything you do, do it for Him. No matter what. Sometimes I wonder what the things I'm doing will lead to, how they could possibly bring glory to God or what impact they will have on my future. Most of the time I don't have an answer during that step, but looking back I remember seemingly irrelavent things that turned out for my good and His glory, and I am so thankful for those small steps of obedience that turned into very important, relevant memories. We can't isolate an event in our life, for everything is deeply interwoven and connected. We must take in every step and stage of life, because it will most certainly be gone one day. Each stepping stone is important and is a lesson. If I don't see it, I will pray that God opens my eyes and heart to show me how to make the most of it and do it with all my heart. We must not pass through the moment with groaning and complaining but with Thanksgiving to God even before we see their fruits. Sometimes the Truth is drowned our by our feelings over the situation, and it clowds our vision of the blessings even when they are right in front of us. So many of us feel doubtful that what we are doing matters or has an impact. The truth is that it does and it can. God is a God who is alive and dwelling in our hearts and lives daily. He is mindful of us and cares deeply for us. We belong to him and are HIS. You are important. You are thought about. You are deeply LOVED.

 

WHEN YOU DOUBT, REMEMBER TO WHOM YOU BELONG.

"You know when I sit and when I rise;

you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;

you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue

you, Lord, know it completely.

You hem me in behind and before

and you lay your hand upon me."

Isaiah 43:1

But now, this is what the Lord says—

he who created you, Jacob,

he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

...

"All we see is a large stone, but we have no idea it covers the source of a spring."

The Same God.

¹⁴ The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. ¹⁵ “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”

¹⁶ They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”

¹⁷ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? ¹⁸ Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? ¹⁹ When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
“Twelve,” they replied.

²⁰ “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
They answered, “Seven.”

²¹ He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

I know there is much more meaning here that what I've found today, but what my heart sees today is God's provision and the need for us to trust Him. What I love is the normalcy the disciples and their incredible way of being ordinary. Like us, the disciples have seen many blessings, miracles, and provision, yet still seem to forget that Jesus could do anything. Why do we forget Who God Is so easily? To me, this seems kind of unimaginable considering all the Things Jesus has done so far. They had literally PHYSICALLY BEEN WITH JESUS. But like us, they forgot. So Jesus Reminded them. I think what is so important about the Lord and trusting Him is that we remind ourselves of what He's done in our lives. I can take a look at my life and look at how the Lord weaved so many things together for His purposes, answered my prayers, and gave me provision in unexpected ways. The important thing is to never forget. We must remind ourselves often of what the Lord has done. When we tell others what the Lord had done in our lives, it not only is a testimony for them to hear of God's works, but it's a reminder for ourselves of what He can do when our hearts forget. When I doubt, God whispers, "Do you not understand? Look at the things I have done in your life. Those things were my doing, and I will do more. I will never leave you nor forsake you. Stay hopeful."  The Lord Desires for us to have faith and believe. The next chapter (Mark 9) a man with a sick son in need of healing says to Jesus... "Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked.“Anything is possible if a person believes.” May today bring BELIEF OF WHO GOD IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN. May we look back and remember what God has done. We must intentionally remind ourselves that He is the God who has worked in our lives, and the God who has healed , saved, and fed the thousands with what seemed like an unfathomable idea considering the small amount of food. He can do all things. Stay full of Hope and Faith. He is the same God yesterday, today and forever.

For ever and ever...

This is a photo from my Father’s Family’s house in Illinois. My mom and I would drink our morning coffee here. I can’t explain how much I love feeling the cool air and listening to the trees, and especially getting to talk and laugh with my mother. We Flew up there for my Grandfather’s funeral. It was a bittersweet visit...the blessing of seeing our family, but the sad reason of why we were there. I have been to one other funeral in my life (the life of the most Jesus–like man I have ever met, Paul Streed) and much like most of us, this was very difficult for me. After they held the service, I walked over to my Grandmother Joyce Cheney’s grave for the first time.  She was a Godly woman whom I never got the privilege to meet. She died when my father was a boy, but I've heard recordings of her singing old hymns. I'm assured she’s dancing and singing in heaven. I walked in the grass and looked at all of the other headstones of everyone who’d passed, some who died back in the 1800s. I came across the headstone of a little girl who died at age seven, which had the engraving “Jesus Loves Me” on it. 

                              

It was a sweet reminder that day of Jesus' love for not just that little girl but all of us and what he did for us. It also had me wondering how many people here loved Jesus back. Of course a funeral has me ponder my own life and which of us will choose Life after this life. I don't think I could ever get enough of Jesus. Sometimes I long to be with the Lord and spend eternity with Him already, but I know He has so much purpose for me here on this earth. The more I allow God to take care of my life, heart and mind, the more peace and fulfillment I feel. I am homesick for heaven and I haven't even been there, but I think I've felt and seen glimpses of it here in God's blessings and miracles and the love from other believers. I think about people who want to go to heaven but don't want to spend time with Jesus here on earth. Someone once told me "They don't wanna spend anytime worshipping Jesus. That's all they do in heaven, now why'd they wanna have to do that for all of eternity? That just doesn't make sense if you ask me." And she had a great point. I hope that we crave Jesus in our lives so much here on earth, because when we go to heaven, that's what it will be...eternity with our Loving Creator, Father, Healer. In Revelation it says, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" and.... "There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever." This life is fleeting and we must finish this race triumphantly living a life on reckless love for God, so that we may dwell with Him for ever and ever, but also because we get the privilege of having his spirit dwell in us, have a relationship that moves us out of our chairs and into service, love and a life that reflects that Love in all we do. It's a delight and Joy to be in His presence by ourselves, with other believers, reading His word and learning from it, and in service loving our brothers and sisters.


Han

 

The Hungry

I was so moved by this..

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/06/a-letter-to-the-north-american-church-because-it-is-time/

I wonder

Light in the Darkness

I, along with countless others, want to know what desires God has for his children. I ask God want He desires for me and that my desires become His. Tonight i found this passage..God calls us to many things, but here is something that seems to be a call on us all to help those in need and bring freedom to the oppressed. I notice here also that as we do what God desires, we are also blessed in many ways. We don't have to go to a far off land to do these things. The "least of these" are all around us. I love this passage: 

“No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. “Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes. (Isaiah 58:6-12 NLT)

From my Grandmother...

King James Version (KJV)

²⁷ And Jesus looking upon them saying, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

As we go into this day the Lord has made, I Praise Him for His

word & Keeping in my own life.

Remember that little song..."Got any rivers you think are impossible got any Mt's. you can't tunnel through  God specializes in things thought impossible & He can do what No other power can do"

There is one thing I do know, we never know what lies ahead,

 but we do know there are New blessing, new experiences,

new problems, we do know He is not just watching when we feel great or flying through the hard places of sickness or grief. 

For a week now I have been dealing with not feeling so great

I do know delays are not denials.  So I love this scripture today

in all things & we all have a few all things.. We know that all things are possible with God, that are impossible with man. 

Maybe this day as we take  our needs to Him, the Great Specialist in life, with Him Nothing is Impossible today.

Love Mother,  or Beverly

Great Faith

I'm thinking about Jesus and the disciples in the boat today...

"Jesus then entered the boat that his disciples had prepared and began to travel to the other side of the lake. They left the crowd on the shore.

As the boat sailed off toward the other shore, Jesus fell asleep in the boat.

While Jesus slept a great windstorm came up on the lake. The waves began to beat against the boat and fill it up with water.

The disciples became afraid, to the point of thinking they would be lost in the storm. But Jesus lay asleep at the back of the boat.

The disciples came to Jesus and woke him, saying:

Lord, we are perishing! And Jesus stood up and rebuked the wind and the sea and the raging water.

He said to the sea: Peace, be still.

The storm ceased and there was a great calm.

Jesus said to his disciples:

Why are you so fearful? Don’t you have faith yet? Oh you of little faith.

The disciples, still afraid, began to marvel, saying to one another:

Who is this man that even the wind and the seas obey him? "

 

I think about this being me when we go through the storms of life and how many time I tend to be the one with little faith, wondering if God can really do it. The answer is the He can, but no matter how many years I have been walking with him I tend to do the same thing the disciples did even after they had spent so much time with him. They saw his character, his unordinary love, and his miracles, yet still had some doubt in their heart when some new obstacle came up. I think about what great faith would have said..."Christ is among us in this boat. Wind and waves In Jesus name be still. We will not be afraid because the Almighty God is with us." Sometimes we may wonder why God is delaying in rescuing us from the trial, but our faith can't grow without being tested and tried. It's like exercising. We can't become stronger if we don't lift a weight that we don't currently think we can do. Little by little, and uncomfortably at first, with continued work, we become stronger and able to endure more weight. I pray that any doubt becomes less and less, and Great faith overtakes it all. But is is through testing that this can happen. When those storms do come, may we say "The almighty God is with us. WE WILL NOT FEAR."

In Christ Alone...

He who Keeps you...

I'm moved by these beautiful words. Today and everyday God is the ever present, always eyes wide open guard, protector, comforter, and keeper of His precious children. I can sleep in peace and wake up with hope knowing I am being kept by the one who dearly loves you and me....

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever." (Psalms 121:1-8 NASB)

Like a River

GiveThanks

The spirit of thankfulness in all things changes life dramatically. Even in rough circumstances lately, I found things I can be thankful for things that I might have normally missed. Sometimes we focus on the obstacles and road blocks instead of the little hidden blessings scattered all over. Let's ask the LORD to open our eyes and hearts to the things unseen, so we may be thankful in all things.

 

GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

 

Ephesians 5:20 - Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Colossians 3:15-17 - And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

 

Colossians 4:2 - Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

He is...

An Open Doorway

This is an email I got from my grandmother...

 

"I love this, as this is where I am at."

Psalm 65:2 - King James Version (KJV)

² O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

 

"The doorway of the most high is always open. Our own children by flesh & grands, always see a open door to

our homes or place, when there is a need.. Just watch how

fast a little one runs to mama or daddy, or grandma, or papa

They don't have to wait to be invited in.. They just come on

a fast run to you. Because they know you belong to them.

I was thinking, I seem to run to my heavenly father often many times a day or night.

I had a good daddy, & believe me I never waited for him to tell me I could come to him I just went as fast as I could get there. He was never mean to me.

Your heavenly father will not be mean either, & is glad when you trust Him when you are hurting.

He knows how to fix everything.. He wont mess it up either... It will be done right. Love Beverlyjo or mother"

The God of Peace

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.


Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”


Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

"Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful."

 

You will Find me there...

"It is through the most difficult trials that God often brings the sweetest discoveries of Himself. we will be in a place where we do not knw what is happening, where God is cutting the cloth of our lives by a new pattern, and thus where He causes us to look to Him."

God sometimes shuts the door and shuts us in.

That he may speak, perhaps through grief or pain.

And softly, heart to heart, above the din,

May tell some precious thought to us again.

 

 

Jeremiah 29:13

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

 

Let your soul rest in the stillness of His presence.

Free

As Christ followers, we are called to live a life that is different and set apart. No matter how long we have been a christian, God is always showing us something new. Many times he shows me a really basic concept (ex: his love for me or trust) of christian life, magnifies it, and opens my eyes to see it very clearly or in a whole new way. Praise God that his Word is living and active. I was reading 1st Peter and I feel like the Lord showed me the freedom it gives to live an obedient life free from the chains of sin. We give our souls over to God and are saved, yet we still seem to fall into sin whether it brings small or major consequences. So many times we do so, and we feel guilty after. What popped out to me was the fact that God's purpose, Word and realization of our sins is not to make us feel condemned and guilty. His Word is to open our eyes into the reality of him and the full life that holiness brings. As the pastors of a church I help at say, " Sin doesn't make you bad. It makes you dead." God paid for our sins past and future on the cross, offers us grace, and wants to FREE us from the chains that sin binds us in. I think sometimes we stay in sin because we don't come to the reality that it's making us dead and that there is LIFE waiting for us in holiness. We can have love, peace, patience, gentless, kindness, charity and give our weak moments to God daily so we don't fall into the habits of old. The things that our flesh may desire( like gossip, jealousy, impurity, and idols) are things that destroy and don't last, but the things that are imortant to God are eternal and lasting. The things of God are reality. not an opinion not a hobby or a label we give ourselves. They are truth and life and the only things that will bring any of us joy and true freedom. Every day is a new day and with that comes another opportunity to turn from Death and back toward the light.



It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. -Galatians 5:5

"When sin runs deep, your grace is more." -Matt Maher

Let this be our prayer to come back to our loving God.

Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.
² Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.
³ For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.
⁴ Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.^[a]
5 For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
⁶ But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.

⁷ Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
⁸ Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—
now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not banish me from your presence and don’t take your Holy Spirit^[d] from me.

 ¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
¹³ Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.
¹⁴ Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
¹⁵ Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you.

¹⁶ You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering. ⁷ The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
¹⁸ Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
¹⁹ Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—
with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.

 

AMEN

Read 1 Peter today

Broken things

From Streams.. March 15

"Fear not, thou worm Jacob....I will make thee a threshing instrument with teeth." (Isa. 41:14, 15.)

Could any two things be in greater contrast than a worm and an instrument with teeth? The worm is delicate, bruised by a stone, crushed beneath the passing wheel; an instrument with teeth can break and not be broken; it can grave its mark upon the rock. And the mighty God can convert the one into the other. He can take a man or a nation, who has all the impotence of the worm, and by the invigoration of His own Spirit, He can endow with strength by which a noble mark is left upon the history of the time.

And so the "worm" may take heart. The mighty God can make us stronger than our circumstances. He can bend them all to our good. In God's strengthwe can make them all pay tribute to our souls. We can even take hold of a black disappointment, break it open, and extract some jewel of grace. When God gives us wills like iron, we can drive through difficulties as the iron share cuts through the toughest soil. "I will make thee," and shall He not do it? --- Dr. Jowett.

"Christ is building His kingdom with earth's broken things. Men want only the strong, the successful, the victorious, the unbroken, in building their kingdoms; but God is the God of the unsuccessful, of those who have failed. Heaven is filling with earth's broken lives, and there is no bruised reed that Christ cannot take and restore to glorious blessedness and beauty. He can take the life crushed by pain or sorrow and make it into a harp whose music shall be all praise. he can lift earth's saddest failure up to heaven's glory. --- J. R. Miller. "

["Follow Me, and I will make you".... Make you speak My words with power, Make you channels of My mercy, Make you helpful every hour. ]

["Follow Me, and I will make you".... Make you what you cannot be�w Make you loving, trustful, godly, Make you even like to me.
--- L. S. P. ]