Too Far Gone? But God!

Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. Psalm 119:116

Have you ever heard someone say such and such a person was too far gone and there was no hope? Maybe you yourself have uttered those words. No matter what, there is always hope. Whatever you are believing God for,  do not cave in to doubt, fear, or a time table. God has His own time and His own purposes for the deliverance of our loved ones. It is the enemy, Satan, who puts lies into your head that there is no way this individual will ever change. Don't believe it!

I was thinking about the word hope and how we do not need to be around nay sayers who feed the negative aspect of the waiting game for God's miracle. He answers in His time and in His way. Praying is what you need to keep doing and never give up. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 simply says "pray continually"! No matter how seemingly earthly impossible it seems or how far gone a person appears to be, God is the God of miracles. 

Do you have a situation in your life or the loved of a family member that seems like it will never change? Guess what, it can change. Keep praying and keep believing.

PRAYER: I believe in hope Lord and I believe in prayer. I know you work things out in your time and maybe it is me who needs to grow through this entire process. Help keep me patient while I am waiting. In Jesus' name. Amen.

More of God's Lemonade Stand devotions can be viewed at www.godslemonadestand.blogspot.com

Miracles Still Happen

Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"John 11:40

Easter may have come and gone but I am here to say miracles still happen in 2015. The ultimate miracle of Jesus coming to life from the dead is the greatest of all. But every day even the simple miracle of the birth of a baby is fantastic. Call them what you like, but when a survivor is found in the debris field of a tsunami or tornado when all hope is lost, that indeed is a miracle. When a person returns to the doctor and is told there is no sign of cancer, that is a miracle.

Is there a miracle you are believing for? Maybe not a physical one but perhaps a wayward child to have a turn around? The definition of a miracle is a "surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency, meaning God." There are those skeptics who brush off miraculous events as coincidence as to sort of discredit the Almighty from working in the modern age. God still works you need to believe.

Do you believe my friend? He sets prisoners free, breaks the chains of cold hard hearts, heals the sick. It is not just for Bible times because we are living in Bible times.

PRAYER: I believe Lord so help my unbelief. In Jesus' name.Amen.

HAVE HOPE

Do you believe in impossibilities? Do you believe in miracles? I do! There is always reason for hope. When something in life has you discouraged stop thinking about it and start praising God. Yes, praise and worship God. It is easy to slump into despair and sadness over things in life but God is the God of hope, not despair.

Our enemy, Satan, the devil, whatever you call him, is a liar, thief, and joy robber. Many, even within the church, make fun of others talking about Satan. On Halloween unsuspecting parents often dress their little ones, even infants, in devil costumes. Satan is no joke. He is real. He probably loves it when folks treat him like a comic character. The thing is when we consistently sit and fret and have a doomsday outlook guess who is happy? You got it! Satan. Defeat Him. Speak positive words. When you feel doubts and fears coming on pick up your Bible and start reading the Psalms and quote scriptures to him such as this one in Matthew 16:23 'Get thee behind me Satan".

So many people seem to feel less than hopeful over our world situation, perhaps a sick relative, a broken relationship, an economic problem, an answer to prayer that has not come. Hang on and do not lose hope. Make yourself intentionally think and speak positive. Do you know a friend or family member who seems less than hopeful, then pray for them.

There is a verse I love in Romans 4:17 which simply says "........Speaking things as not as though they were". Simply said that means to thank God ahead of time for your prayers being answered. Instead of being a worrier and constantly down in the dumps, pick up your "armor of God" and be a prayer "warrior"!

PRAYER: Lord I will not give the enemy an opportunity to drag me own into the pit of lost hope. I know with you there is always hope. Help me Lord adjust my attitude to walk more like a child of God and spread hope to others.in Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link for awesome song of worship.

http://youtu.be/6_KXsMCJgBQ

Note: Need a dose of Hope? Pick up a copy of the newly released Zondervan book, "Hopelifter Creative Ways to Spread Hope When Life Hurts" by Kathe Wunnenberg.

HEY LOOK AT THE RAINBOW!!

 

A few days ago I was flying back from Phoenix where I had been for the celebration of the newest release from author and friend Kathe Wunnenberg entitled, "Hopelifter Creative Ways To Spread Hope When Life Hurts." (I have a teeny tiny contribution in her wonderful book.) Anyway no sooner than we had taken off and the city was no longer in view the female passenger to my right tapped me on the arm and said "Hey look at that rainbow!" I do not recall ever seeing a rainbow before at this altitude above the clouds. It was pretty awesome! I wish I had taken a picture but my camera was packed away.

Rainbows are a sign of hope and promise. Rainbows are beautiful and they help bring peace and even joy to a tired weary soul. How many of you reading enjoy gazing up into the sky after a rain storm and looking for a rainbow? I love them. The rainbow is a gift from God. Rainbows are simply a beautiful sight to behold.

There is a favorite children's song of mine that was popular when my adult sons were little entitled "Rainbow Connection" sung by none other than the Muppets Kermit the Frog. It is a delightful little tune.Some of you may be humming it now just at the mention of the name.

Here I had been in Phoenix celebrating a book about hope and here was this magnificent handiwork of God right outside my airplane window.

Genesis 9:13-16(NIV) says 'I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." Indeed rainbows are a sign of hope.

What are you hoping for today? Have you talked to Jesus yet today? Imagine how lonely you would be if no one ever talked to you. God is waiting to hear you speak to him. Also thank Him for those rainbows in your life!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus thank you for the hope you give us through signs and wonders such as the rainbow. In it's beauty I think of your awesome power and magnificence. Thank you Lord for hearing my prayers. In Jesus' name. Amen.

WHAT ARE YOUR "GIANTS"?

Do you have a situation looming over you in your life that seems like it is way too big and will never go away? There is a saying "this too shall pass" but when you are in the midst of your "battle" it sure does not seem that way. During times like these it is essential you practice focusing on "things above" and to try to not dwell on that which drags you down. Problems can, and will, overwhelm you if all you do is think on them.

I loved the movie "Facing The Giants" which dealt with many issues in life that seemed humanly impossible but with God in the equation nothing was impossible. Matthew 19:26(NIV) clearly lays it out 'Jesus looked at them and said,"With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible"'. Pretty clear wouldn't you say? You have to have faith and you have to believe.

In the Bible it says in Mark 9:23(NIV) 'And Jesus said to him "If you can?All things are possible to Him who believes."' Do you have that kind of "mountain moving" faith? "But my problem is way too big and nothing is going to help." Who puts thoughts like that in your head? Not God, that is for sure.

I heard someone once say "Believe receive, doubt do without." God is way bigger than anything overwhelming we humans here on earth. Don't stop praying or believing your situation can't change.

Right now start having positive thoughts and do not allow the enemy to get you fearful or doubtful. God is a miracle working God! Believe it and keep praying!!

PRAYER: Today Lord I choose to believe and not lose hope. I choose to focus on good and not bad that cam create gloom and doom. I will seek your peace and pursue it .In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link for awesome song:

http://youtu.be/68q8y5nkdPo

THE "LIGHTENING BOLT" GOD

 You may have heard someone say something to the effect that if God wants them to do a certain thing that maybe they do not want to, then He will have to hit them with a lightening bolt. God could do that if in fact he wanted to and of course the person would survive to do God's work or live for God or whatever it is God has planned for them.

God can give you a "wake up call" if He has to. He did it in the Bible many times. In Jonah chapter 1 in the Old Testament you may recall the story of Jonah not wanting to go to Nineveh to tell the people if they did not repent God would destroy their city. He ran away from God, which by the way is impossible as He knows where you are and there is no hiding. Read Jonah chapter one right now if you have your Bible handy.

Then there was the account of Daniel in the lions den found in Daniel chapter 6 in the Old Testament. (Read that as well). The evil rulers thought Daniel was killed and when they opened the doors of the den they saw the lions just lying there and Daniel very much alive! God had shut their mouths so they did not harm Daniel. Never doubt the awesome power of our mighty God even when a situation seams hopeless or impossible,

What are you waiting on? Your situation may not be as dire but know that God does care and He is in control and has a plan. Do not lose hope. A wayward child, a new job, a financial miracle, release from a court battle, healing, and a host of other situations can sure drag us down in a pit of despair at times. You cry out to God and He does hear you. Luke 18:1(NIV) says to 'Pray and never give up.' Luke 1:37(NLT) tells us 'Nothing is impossible to God.' Don't put God in a "box" thinking His capabilities are limited and He surely can not do certain things. He is God! The Alpha and The Omega.

Do not "entertain" doubts and fears and "what ifs" in your mind. God can perform miracles so keep believing.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you that nothing is too big or too hard for you. You care and you hear my prayers. I need your help to stay focused and be positive. I know the enemy will get me to fear and worry and with your help I will tell him to get behind me and stay there! I have victory in you! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link and worship the Lord in song.

http://youtu.be/-RRZgr7wNDs

GOD CAN'T DO WHAT??

GOD CAN'T DO WHAT??

A few years ago someone gave me a picture with a comic character having a real belly laugh with a caption that read 'God Cant Do What!? '  Seemingly many of us can tend to put God in a box of sorts and think our problem or family members problem is way too big for Him to handle.Say what?! He is the real true Master of the Universe. King of Kings. Lord of Lords. He is the Alpha and The Omega. He is the designer of all things. His works are marvelous. He is there behind the scenes even when it seems the world has gone crazy.  His plan is something we can not fathom.

Satan will come against us and make us doubt that God cares. For some people that little tiny no good devil will put thoughts of suicide,depression, unworthiness and doubt inside their head. If you are there today and feel like all hope is lost turn to Jesus!! He is mighty  to save.

Isaiah 55:9 says "As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Why sit around being a nervous wreck crying and not believing a situation is every going to change. God can uses all things for His glory. Mark 9:23reminds us that "nothing is impossible to God".

Friend, what are you going through today? Note the word 'through' indicating you are not 'stuck' there. Run to God. Fear not. He is with you.

Psalm 23 commonly is read at funerals but it is appropriate also when we tend to worry. Let me end by siting a few verses. Verses one thru three say the following " The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right path for His name's sake."

Run to Him today!!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus forgive me when I tend to let my situation control me. I know you have my best interest at heart and I know you are in control. I will hold on and not let go. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link below to worship the Lord with a praise song.
http://youtu.be/sR8rlTIU8_Y

THE MISSING CROSS

Yesterday when driving home from all my errands I noticed that a palm branch cross I had had in my car window by the drivers side for almost 4 years was missing. This may seem like no big deal but to me it was a huge deal. This cross symbolized a time in my life I was in turmoil and God sort of 'gave it to me' as a way to have peace. I will explain in a moment. But what had happened is I had my oil changed and somehow someone had removed it from my dashboard whether on purpose or accident I do not know nor does it matter. While sitting at a stop light a little over  an hour later I noticed it was missing. Thankfully the car dealer was still open where I had my oil changed and I told him what happened  and he was able to find it.

Now about the cross and why this particular one was a sign to help me through my struggles. I was going through something a few years back and was coming out of the Redstone Arsenal Family Clinic when I looked down by my car door and there in a puddle next to my car door I found this cross. Some would say just a coincidence but I beg to differ. I saw this as a way God was speaking to me to tell me to not worry that what I was going through would be okay and things would work out. Ever since that day when I found the cross I have kept it on my car dash board on the drivers side. Once before it had been broken at this same dealership and I put it back together but this time it was flat out missing. I mean maybe someone needed it to find peace, who knows.No accusations went out. Maybe the person needed it more than me who knows. I just looked at this occurrence  as an opportunity to write a devotion about it.
We can become attached to things but this cross was very special. First the cross of Jesus is very special. Many people wear them around their necks perhaps as a fashion statement or others because of what they mean. So the cross of Jesus is very special.Many hate the cross and try to get them taken down and destroyed.  Finding this cross in a puddle while I was in turmoil over a situation is just what I needed as a way to hear from God. God can speak to us through people, through His word or through crosses laying in puddles in a parking lot.

The cross is a symbol of salvation. I have heard it said "the ground is level at the foot of the cross" which to me means all of us come to the Cross of Jesus and we are not treated more special because of who we are or what we did or did not do. God is an equal opportunity God. He has mercy and grace to forgive. He is a God of comfort.

Isaiah 43:2 says "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

I was so thankful yesterday to have this happen as I think God wanted this story to be told. When I shared it with two people at the car dealer they looked at me funny like 'yeah ,whatever  lady". But I do not apologize for I do in fact feel this was God speaking to me.


PRAYER: I thank you Lord for the little ways you speak to us each day and get our attention. I thank you for the ways you comfort when we are going through a tough spot in life. You are there for us. Father help us look to you for our strength and deliverance. In Jesus Name. Amen.

NOTE: Once again I include below an appropriate praise and worship song for you to listen to when you able.


http://youtu.be/7cEmlYax8sw