Maybe next year will be different, I thought as one difficult season came to a close. Maybe next year I wouldn’t have to fight so hard or struggle so much. Maybe next year I wouldn’t be so sick and could spend more time with my family. Maybe next year I would meet the man God has for me instead of listening to the lies that I would always be alone. Maybe next year I would finally have victory over depression instead of feeling defeated. Maybe next year the financial strain would ease. Maybe next year I wouldn’t have to say…
Last month, while shopping, I saw a shirt I just had to have. It read, “Motherhood is my ministry.” So often, as mothers, we can feel overlooked and unimportant in the church because we are not always able to help in visible ways. But when we begin to view motherhood as our ministry, we realize we are preparing our children for the great things God will do in their lives. Eleven years ago, I became the mother of twin girls. Before they were born, I was very active in various church ministries. I had the freedom to serve because I did not yet have little ones depending on me. When I became a mother and chose to be a stay-at-home mom, everything changed. I watched many women in my church serve faithfully, and I often felt I should be doing more. I wanted to help and be a blessing, yet I felt motherhood was preventing me from serving God’s kingdom. I looked at my sisters in the Lord who were able to participate in church activities and felt useless. I prayed, “God, what can I possibly do for You? What can I do for Your kingdom when I am so…
The story of Job is an interesting one. It is a story in which God allowed Job to be tested, and despite the voices around him telling him to turn against God to save himself, he refused. Job had great faith. Whatever he endured, he trusted that God would either bless him through it or allow it for a purpose. Job placed himself completely in God’s hands. The verses that stand out to me are these: Job 1:7–10 (KJV)— “And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.” When the enemy spoke to…
“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:10-11 We can only imagine how the disciples felt as they saw Jesus ascend into the heavens, leaving them behind. But angels appeared to them, giving them a promise that one day Jesus would return in like manner. I am sure that…
“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Acts 1:4-5 Just before Jesus ascended to Heaven, He met one last time with His disciples and gave them instructions. They were all to go to Jerusalem and spend time together because something special was going to happen. He did not give them an exact time, just told them to wait. He promised them that they would receive the power they needed to continue His kingdom work. (Acts 1:8) One hundred and twenty believers gathered in the Upper Room, united in one goal and purpose. Hours were spent in prayer. No doubt the apostles shared the teachings they had received from Jesus. Perhaps there were discussions about just what would happen when Jesus gave them the gift He had promised. They waited with anticipation as they worshipped the Lord together. Suddenly, the atmosphere changed. The wait was over. There was a sound of a mighty rushing wind. Tongues of fire…
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 The above scripture promises both salvation and healing. We sometimes question why healing is granted to some and not to others. Of course, we realize that going to be with the Lord is perfect healing, because we know that there will be no more suffering in Heaven. So, we rest on God’s promise that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord. Some examples of waiting for healing from the Bible: Lazarus – Jesus received news that Lazarus was sick, yet He waited four days before He went. By that time, Lazarus was dead, but Jesus wanted to show the disciples something. Jairus’ daughter – Jesus was on his way to pray for her when he was interrupted by the woman with the issue of blood. Jairus had to wait while Jesus stopped to minister to someone else in need. The man at the pool of Bethesda – For years he had waited at the pool, hoping to be healed. But someone else always reached the waters…