The Dark Side of the Moon

Moon dark.jpg

The other night, walking to my apartment in the darkness of the night, I could actually see where I was walking.  Didn't give it much thought until I looked up and saw the moon.  What a beautiful sight it was.  I could see the outline of it, part dark and part so bright that it lit my path.  It brought tears to my eyes and spoke to me of my present life situation, darkness and light.  So much of it right now is in the dark.  However, there are glimpses of light showing me that the path I am walking will lead me on the way.  

"Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.  For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise".(Hebrews 10: 35-36)

I need to fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith. When my burdens are heavy and don't understand life situations, I need to run the race before me with perseverance, seeing the dark side but knowing there is light there too.  

Here We Stand

Woman worshipping Jesus.jpg

Have you ever thought you missed an opportunity to share Jesus with someone because of your fear and insecurity?  I know I have.  The fear of rejection or judgment from others as being "fanatical" overrode what I knew the Holy Spirit was telling me what to do.  I guess I have grown tired of asking the Lord for forgiveness for this and asking Him to give me either another opportunity to speak to them or to send someone else to cover it.  I have seen Him do both.  What happens to me in these situations?  I end up ashamed of myself for a missed opportunity. Now I try, working through the initial wanting to run, to be bold, keeping my eyes and ears open for opportunities around me.

I have been reminded once again to speak life with boldness, truth and compassion, being gentle, respectful and loving.

Romans 1:16 says, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes". 

Speak life....here we stand!!

Susan B.

Salvation

Sola - The foundation Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) - The Bible is God's Word and the final authority for belief and practice. 

Sola Gratia - The central message of the Bible is all about the love, grace and mercy of Jesus.

Sola Fide - Salvation is received only through faith, which is itself the gift of God.       

Pastor Rob Mrosko, sermon Salvation.  

What a concept.  One that boggles my mind.  How can a holy, just God offer this to me?  I don't claim to understand and I believe I never will.  I just know it's true because God says it is in Scripture.  Ok.  So how do I get there?  Through faith ALONE.  Do I just want to get there?  For me, the answer is NO.  I want to give my all in service and faithfulness to what I know is the truth.  I don't want to just run the race, I want to run the race for the prize.    (I Corinthians 9:24)

By Susan B.

Inside Out

It it is the unseen and the spiritual in people that determines the outward and actual. ~           Oswald Chambers

The other day someone told me that she wished everyone was like me.  Her friend agreed.  I was shocked.  I'm not exactly sure who they know, but I surely felt it wasn't me.  After all, I know myself and often times feel like my witness, the words I speak and my expressions toward others is less than perfect or desired by the Lord. I thanked them for their kind words and walked away.  Oh oh....immediate conviction.  I had forgotten to give credit where credit was due.  I returned to them and said that I could not leave without telling them who they were seeing, who was Jesus Christ in me.  Much to my surprise, it was well received.  Their comment?  Keep it up, it shows.  I am so thankful Jesus Christ dwells in me and that people are drawn to what's inside of me and not my outward actions.  ~ Susan B.

 

Humbled Before You

When my hands, soul and heart are tired of trusting those who let me down, Jesus I give You everything. When I see what a hypocrite I am, how lost I feel, and I fail to go in the direction You have called me to, please bring me down to where I need to be...at Your feet.  Take all my passion for things and all my lies about who I think I am because I never knew what freedom was until you rescued me from the prison I was in. I'll keep on because without You there is no rhythm or reason to life. ~ Susan B.

God FIRST

Before I bring my need, I will bring my heart

Before I lift my cares, I will lift my arms

I wanna know You, I wanna find You

In every season, in every moment

Before I bring my need, I will bring my heart and seek You

I wanna seek you, I wanna keep you

More than anything I want, I wanna seek You First

Before I speak a word let me hear Your voice

And in the midst of pain let me feel your joy

You are treasure and my reward

Let nothing ever come before I seek You FIRST

                   (Excerpts from "First" by Lauren Daigle)

I was reminded once again, this morning, that it is all about Him, not all about me.  How often I forget this. I don't want to forget, but my own sin, desires and selfishness get the better of me.  It is a constant conflict.  Mark 12:38 tells us to beware that when we serve ourselves, we are the losers.  Our resolution to this conflict is submission to God. This is the place where I want to be. Praise the Lord for His patience, love and forgiveness as I wade through this journey called life.  I want to seek Him and let nothing ever come before I seek Him FIRST!

by Susan B.

Psalm 8:4

This morning I have been listening to music, which is always a blessing for me.  Some of the songs caused me look back over my life and see where I was and where I am today.  Coming up from the ashes, where my life was filled with emptiness, to feeling that emptiness filled with Jesus Christ,  I see that I have had a front row to His faithfulness. He has always been there, even when I felt He wasn't.  I don't know why, but it is a fact. I know I don't deserve it, yet all He has to offer is ALWAYS available to me. How thankful I am and what peace it gives me to know no matter what He is there and He is enough.

"What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?" (Psalm 8:4)

by Susan B.

Thank you Pexels, Pixabay, and Unsplash - several of the photos on this website are compliments of them.!