Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts

God's Family
As Christians we may have many denominations and sometimes a few doctrinal differences too.   But God tells us very plainly in His word that we are all part of one family, one community.

1 Corinthians 12:18But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.
RyensMarketplace

Each one of us has a vital role to play in advancing the kingdom of heaven and it is essential we focus more on doing our own part because the Bible also tells us that the rest of the world will know us by our love for one another.  (John 13:35)  We are to edify and uplift our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to love them just as God loves them, unconditionally and full of grace and mercy, regardless of denominational affiliations.

If we want to make an impact on the world around us,  we must stop comparing our walk of faith with that of other people. We must also, individually and corporately, step into the role God has for us and support each other and the community we live in.  We can't all lead, we can't all follow. We are not all gifted with eloquent words or powerful speech.  But we are all entrusted with something that God has given us.  Step up, stop looking around at what everyone else is doing and follow after God using what He has placed within you to reach the world we all live in.  Imagine the difference we could make if we functioned in harmony and cooperation with one another.

Many Blessings,
Cherry Fargo
Being Remade
(formerly Cherry's Creations)


1:49 PM | Category: , , , , , , , | 4 comments

Trusting Jesus.... A Monday Devotion
From Sawdusted


I have learned so much from my mother about
faith, prayer and life with Jesus.
Many a day while I was growing up I would head
back the long hall to my bedroom and catch sight
of her on her knees in her room at the very end of the hall.
She was kneeling by the side of her bed,
Bible in front of her.

Mom did not do this for show.
She was pouring out her heart to her Heavenly Father
about this thing or that.
I'm very sure that my brother and I made that 
prayer list regularly.

As a Pastor's wife she never lacked for things 
to pray about.

Recently my mother gave a talk about trusting Jesus.
During this talk I was reminded of an event
that happened when my oldest, 
now 22, was about three years of age.

Mom and Dad were taking Jonathan to a puppet show
at a local church.
The parking lot was icy.
Dad was carrying Jonathan when his feet flew out 
from underneath him and he felt himself falling.
Instinctively Dad wrapped Jonathan in his arms and 
took the entire force of the fall on himself
keeping Jonathan one hundred percent safe
but quite scared.

As they gathered themselves and attempted to 
soothe Jonathan he looked up at his Grandad 
and stated accusingly, 
"I trusted you!"

In other words...
"How could you let me fall????"

Well, 
Isn't that just how we are?
Our Heavenly Father doesn't always keep us from 
falling but He always has us in His arms.
He is protecting us and shielding us
from anything that is not in our best interest
and His glory.

These days I am quite needing this reminder as two 
of our children are about to leave the nest.
One, my baby girl, is headed to the Australia and Thailand
for five months...
"Dear Lord, I have to trust in You.
Hold her tightly."

If all goes as he plans our middle son 
joins the Army tomorrow.
I am so proud of him....
but terrified for his safely all the while.
What mama wouldn't be, right?
But my need to trust Jesus has increased yet again.

This passage is my goal...
not yet my reality:

Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
    they will be remembered forever.
They will have no fear of bad news;
    their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
    in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
Psalm 112:6-8 NIV

Is there anything in your life 
that challenges your trust in Jesus?

He IS worthy of our trust.
No question.

The results might not look as we expect or hope
 they will...... but His arms never let us go.

 Hugs, 
Becky - Good Neighbors Candle 
7:30 AM | Category: , , , , | 6 comments

CAST Shop of the Week: StitchPrincess

Let me introduce you to Faith from StitchPrincess.  Faith has been an active CAST Team member for a while now.  She makes beautiful custom wedding dresses, bridemaids' dresses, prom dresses and other gowns. She also makes various accessories, aprons, skirts and more. She does lovely work. Enjoy browsing Faith's shop.

Sweetheart Prom Dress w/ Gathered Bodice, Sweetheart Formal Gown, Modest Prom Dress -- CUSTOM MADE in any fabric





Please note that the only way to be featured as the CAST Shop of the Week is to tag your shop items "castteam" on Etsy and to not hide your teams in your Etsy profile. You will also have to have at least 12 items to feature. Those are the ways that I find great CAST shops to feature each week. 

CAST Members: If you have a minute or two, please feel free to favorite ♥ this shop or promote it on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or other social media.  Thanks!

by Sue of SueRunyonDesigns
8:24 AM | Category: , , , , , , , , , | 5 comments

Lessons From a Skydive
A friend of ours decided that the best way to celebrate her 18th birthday was to jump from an airplane and parachute to the ground.   I was excited for her.  It sounded great for this adventurous young lady.
Then she invited anyone who was interested to jump with her.
Well, that would not be me.  I don't fly anywhere, let alone with the intention of leaving the plane mid flight.
However, my 66 year old mother decided that she wanted to make the jump.
Her Dad had always wanted to fly a plane and she figured he would have wanted to skydive too.
So, her excuse was that she was doing it for her dad.
I knew that she was just excited about the adventure.


If you read my personal blog you know that we showed up on an excruciatingly hot day
for the sky dive.  Two of the four who had signed up to jump were able to do so,
and were successful.
However, when it was Mom's turn a nasty thunderstorm blew up and the flight was cancelled.
No worries.
They rescheduled.
Great!
I got to go through all of the worry longer and one more time.

Well, that day came and we trudged out to the airfield.
We had quite a group.
The teens brought a game and sat in a circle playing together.
Younger ones flitted here and there watching everything they could 
take in.

To our left parachutes were carefully packed. 
This being the most important factor in a skydive.
Those packing the chutes chattered quietly as they intently 
focused on taking the large chute and carefully making it as tiny as 
was humanly possible and putting it into a tiny backpack.
This was the lifeline by which a human life would depend as they left the plane.

As Mom got into the plane I couldn't believe she was actually doing this crazy 
thing....you know jumping out of an airplane.


She said it didn't hit her until she was approaching altitude and the 
jump was imminent.
Suddenly the door was open and, as it was a tandem jump, 
the jump master was barking orders in her ear.
He told her to let go of the plane and step out.
In this moment she looked at her hand,
tightly gripping the plane and willed it to let go.
It would not.
Smart hand, if you ask me!

Now, this plane is stalled so that the jumpers can safely clear
the propellers and other dangerous situations.
Time is of the essence.
This meant that the jumpmaster had to pry that rebellious hand 
from its grip and they were out of the plane.



Mom said after the fact that she realized then how much trust she 
was placing in both her jump master and her parachute.
She also noted that in order to engage that trust she had to take the first step.
In our lives this is also true.
We come to situations that make us want to just stop and stay where we are
but if we do we miss out on the adventure or blessing we are there for.

Now, before they would allow any of these tandem jumps there were 
a couple of hours of instruction.
Very important instruction.
If the newby did certain things wrong it would put both the 
jumper and the 
jump master in very real danger.
Listening to their instructor was paramount to a successful return 
to the ground.
However, the instructors told the students that if necessary 
they would override them and work to set things right.

So it is for us in our Christian walk.
The most important instruction is that of our need for a "jump master".
We can try as hard as we know to be good and make it to Heaven.
Kind of a reverse jump.
However, that is impossible.
None of us can achieve this on our own.

For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23

For us, in  order to engage that jump we must take the first step 
of placing our trust in Jesus and His saving work on the 
cross.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten 
son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish 
but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

He will guide us safely to the other shore.
When God looks on us in judgement it is not us He will 
see, but Jesus in our stead. 
We will be hiding deeply in the Robes of Jesus
finding grace and acceptance in Him.

Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. 
Philippians 3:19-21 NIV 

Can you imagine?
Written By Becky - Good Neighbors Candle Co.
7:24 AM | Category: , , , , , , | 11 comments

Friday Finds and Devotion for the New Year -(sorry a day late)
Devotion taken from Harvest.org (by Pastor Greg Laurie)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.— Jeremiah 29:11
SissyPretties
We never know what the New Year will bring. We don't know what problems we will encounter or what changes will come our way. We don't even know what blessings the Lord has in store for us. 

But one thing is guaranteed. No matter what the New Year brings our way, we don't have to be afraid because Jesus Christ will be there for us.
VElishArt
I like the words of Corrie ten Boom, that wonderful woman of God, who said, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." God is in control of our future. He is ready to bless us in this coming year. But we must be ready to walk with Him, worshipping Him and obeying Him. We can't expect the Lord to bless someone who is in opposition to His law and His love.
haveart
As you look back on 2011, was it a year when you progressed spiritually? Was it a year when you found yourself becoming a bit more like Jesus Christ? Or was there some kind of spiritual breakdown? 

If so, now is a good time to make a change. Now is the time to resolve to grow closer to Jesus Christ.
Submitted by Julie Blanck of Collar Topia and Jules Java Jackets


WildAppleDesign
thecountrysignshop
vchleborad


ClairAshleyJewelry
ShadowCutterJewelry
OakLeafDesigns
PrayerNotes

8:00 AM | Category: , , , , , , | 3 comments

THROUGH THE FIRE
It is through the fire that we are closest to Jesus...

THOUGHTS
We have all been there, lost in a sea of trials and tribulations, sunken deep in the heart of the valleys in our life. We try our best to take steps forward wondering when God will bring us out, when the lesson will be learned, and when we will see the sun again. We are sometimes so quick to want the trial to be over that we forget just how close Jesus is when we are IN the fire.

THROUGH THE FIRE
There is something really special about going through situations when we are in Christ VS when we were of the world. Something truly different, not only because we know that God has already worked it out for us, but the way we handle it has to show that we believe He will see us through. So, next time you are in the FIRE, remember these four points:

The FIRE tests your FAITH
If everything in life were easy and simple, how would we ever see just how strong our faith is? Faith remember, moves the hand of God, and it is the times within the fire that God has an opportunity to move in our lives in ways we could not even imagine! When we are in the fire and our life is truly dependent on God coming through for us, He has an obligation to move on our behalf. It is HIS name on the line, not ours, and those whom trust in Him, He will not forsake.

The FIRE leads you to INTERCESSION
So wait, I'm telling you that when you are deep in the valley that you should be putting your effort into praying and interceding for others? That is exactly what I'm saying! When you pray for others it causes a healing to fall back on you! Taking the time to fight other people's spiritual battles leaves you free to allow God to work out your battles. You aren't getting in the way of your own blessings because your focus is constantly on others. This also helps your faith, because you have to truly give your worries, cares and situations to Jesus before you can focus your energy on praying for others.

The FIRE makes you REPENT
Ah yes, that old faithful word...Repentance. It is times when you are in the fire that you MUST look over your life and your heart to make sure there isn't any sins lurking about. Many times our trials become a cleansing of the things in our lives that we don't want anyone else to know about but don't necessarily want to get rid of. The problem is God can't move you to where He wants you to be with those sinful weights on you! So you end up in a valley in a time of cleansing, giving you the opportunity to finally release all the sin in your life. Take the time to really examine everything in your life, even those in your personal circle. Who do you hang around? Where are they leading you? Are there outside forces that you are letting a little too close to your heart?

And finally, the FIRE brings your EVOLUTION
This is the wonderful thing about going through trials when you are in Christ! The main goal is to bring about your EVOLUTION! Its all about molding and shaping you so that He can take you to the next level! The one step closer to your destiny: His perfect plan for your life. Isn't that awesome? He brings you through things to make you stronger, preparing you for the future He has so wonderfully laid out for you.

Faith - Intercession - Repentance - Evolution.... F-I-R-E
When you think about it...what a wonderful cycle!

PRAYER
Lord we pray that you will see us though our storms and that it builds our faith to know that You have already worked so much out for us, we just need to follow your guidance. Lord let us not be hasty in trying to rush out of the storm, but be engulfed in your teachings, your lessons, and your presence. Allow us to learn all we can from you, letting you do as much molding and shaping as you want to so that we can see our evolution in the end. AMEN.

___
Till Next Time
God Bless
Amanda of AstriaLegends
11:12 AM | Category: , , , , | 8 comments

Having Enough Patience to WAIT
"We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised."
Hebrews 6: 12-14.

THOUGHTS
Why is it we are so quick to pray for so many of the fruits of the spirit but when it comes to praying for patience, we tend to shy away. Patience is one of the hardest virtues to overcome. Why? Because we are in a 'Get it Right Away' world, a world that is sometimes so fast paced that we need God to stop us dead in our tracks and say "Just wait."
Remember when you were little and you would try to steal from the cooking area before dinner was done and your mom would smack the back of your hand and say 'wait until its done'. The consequences of eating undercooked food could be anywhere from a stomach ache to full blown food poisoning.

Patience to WAIT

It is the same thing with God and the things that we pray for. Getting them prematurely would cause us spiritual illness. This is why patience is such an important thing when it comes to God and his Will for our lives. We must be WILLING to let go and 'let God handle it'. Resisting the urge to take matters in our own hands, because all we do is make a mess of it!

We must remember that the greatest blessings are not always the doors that God opens for us... but the many doors he closes. A closed door can mean protection against something we couldn’t handle, a wall to keep us from steering the wrong way, a barrier to keep us from danger and harm, or even a tree to keep us moving in line with His will. Its a learning experience to help us grow and mature into what He really wants us to become and know that true love comes only through Him.

God is always working on our behalf, even when we don't realize it. We don't know that the whole time He is telling us to "Wait here..." He is moving the mountains down the road, touching the hearts of those who will bless us, removing the devil's traps, covering the potholes and making all those crooked paths straight.

While faith is believing what is unseen, patience is "totally surrendering the control of your life" so that God can move anyway He wants, in the time frame that He decides. You are willing to let God take as long as He wants to because you have the FAITH that He will not let you down. Faith and Patience go hand in hand. You cannot say you have one and not the other. And often the measure of your Faith will be in proportion with the level of patience that you have. Because the moment you stop being patient and take matters into your own hands without God's approval, the amount of Faith you have that God will move, diminishes.

How many times do we jump into decision making without praying and receiving God's 'Yay' or 'Nay'? God's word says that we are to pray about ALL things! So many times we may have had a better turn out with a decision if we first waited for God to get on the bandwagon and spread favor over us. Or if we only prayed and heard His 'No', we wouldn't have ended up in a bad situation, crying out for God to get us out of it. It pays to be Pray and be Patient...with the Faith to know that He will answer us.

PRAYER

Dear Lord we pray for greater patience when it comes to waiting for you to move on our behalf. Let us not be quick to run and make our own decisions without first getting your approval. Allow us to have the faith to know that you will come through right on time and Your way is better than our way. Your Will is best for us. Let us be patient enough to wait for Your perfect destiny for us to unfold. We ask these things in Your son Jesus name. Amen.

________________
Till Next Time
God Bless
Amanda of Astria Legends



9:00 AM | Category: , , , , | 13 comments