11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11-12 NIV)
He was born of a virgin
He was born to be a light unto this world
He was born to bring us joy
He was born to be our Lord and Savior
He was born to be our King of Glory
He was born Jesus, The Christ!
As we continue to mourn the loss of the innocent lives lost on Friday, what will we do now? How will this unfortunate event really change our lives? Will we live differently? Will we love our friends and families more passionately? Will we show love to people we don’t know? Will we reach out and help others more? Will we respect our educators and law enforcement more? Will we embrace each precious moment we are given? Will we complain less? What will we do now?
As I watch the news and read stories on the lives that are no longer with us because of this tragic event, I know I want to see a better world for all of us to live in. I want to know that we can work through these tragic moments and see brighter days ahead. I want to know that we, as believers, will continually come together in prayer across state lines, across nations and be connected in prayer by the Holy Spirit as we pray for healing and restoration in God’s land. I want to know that those innocent lives lost were not lost in vain. What will we do now?
When the events of 9/11 unfolded, we came together and helped our neighbors and we made pledges to live better lives. What will we do differently this time? When events like this occur we are reminded that none of us are promised tomorrow. We know strange things are happening all over the world. We would be fooling ourselves, if we believed that evil only occurs in what we have associated as evil places. We know the enemy is running rampant all over the world. We know that evil things happen to good people and even to our precious little children. We know that we can’t always prevent evil things from happening. But the question remains, what will we do now?
Has any of the world’s most recent events drawn you closer to God? Have you had a conversation with Him since Friday’s events? Have you called upon the name of Jesus in the last few days? Have you asked God to forgive you for any wrongs you have done? Perhaps you have decided to pray more or to study the Bible more. Perhaps you have decided you want to go to church or go back to church to fellowship with other believers. If so, will you make a committment to yourself and to God to do better and to live better? Will you worship Him more? What will you do now?
What we can do now is pray more, love more and strive to be more like Christ in our day-to-day walk. We can teach others about the love of Christ. We can reach out and help each other more. We can find joy in the little things in life instead of worrying and complaining about the big things that tend to weigh us down. We can thank God every day for the blessings He has given us and not take anything for granted in this life. We can forgive more often and hate less. We can smile more and not frown so much. We can speak positive words into our own lives and into the lives of others. We can rebuke any negative thoughts that enter into our minds and hearts. We can help someone in need and not dismiss that they may have a problem. We can trust God more. We can put on the full armor of God:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your *waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV)
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The picture above was posted on Facebook and the owner of the picture, George Asencio, asked that it be shared so that we would focus on remembering the names of the innocent lives taken so early. Let’s continue to keep those affected by this tragedy in our prayers. God’s love and mercy endures forever.
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. (Psalm 34)
The Lord deserves your praise. Psalm 34:1 says that “I will bless the Lord at all times.” As you read this scripture, place emphasis on the words “at all times”. The Lord deserves to hear you praise Him and He deserves to see you praise Him. In fact, there should be times when you allow others to hear and see you praise Him. You should not get in the habit of limiting your time of praise to when He blesses you. You should praise Him when you are hurt and broken in spirit. Praising Him during your times of struggle and disappointment shows you have faith that He is going to work things out. You should give Him advance praise because you trust that He will restore you from your brokenness. His praise should continually be in your mouth! No matter what season you are in right now, you should release a praise!
Dear Lord, I praise Your holy name. I thank You for all You have done for me and I thank You for what You are going to do for me. Lord, You are strong and You are mighty! I thank You for being so gracious and merciful to me. I delight, Dear Lord, in being Your child and I thank You for keeping me and caring for me. I sing and shout praises unto You, Heavenly Father, just for who You are. You are great and You are wonderful. Lord, I release this prayer of praise to You for You truly have been good to me! In the name of Jesus, I pray and say Amen!
Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 150:6)
Give thanks to the One who created you
27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them. (Genesis 1)
Give thanks to the One who loves you
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3)
Give thanks to the One who sustains you
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. (Psalm 23)
Give thanks to the One who forgives you
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23)
Give thanks to the One who helps you
2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121)
Give thanks to the One who strengthens you
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in time of trouble. (Psalm 46)
Give thanks to the One who died for you
10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep,
we may live together with him. ( 1 Thessalonians 5)
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Dear Heavenly Father, today and everyday,we want to thank You! We thank You for your love. We thank You for your grace and your mercy. We thank you for your faithfulness to us even when our faithfulness to You falls short. And Dear Lord, we most certainly want to thank you for Jesus! (For where would we be had He not died for our sins?) Dear Lord, we thank You for this day of Thanksgiving. In the sweet and precious name of Jesus, Amen!
I am praising God today for my life!
I am celebrating me because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
I am celebrating me because of the life He has given me.
I am celebrating me because I am blessed with family and friends.
I am celebrating me because of the gifts He has given me!
I am celebrating me because He has always taken care of me.
I am celebrating me because He is my Father and I am His daughter!
I am celebrating me because of Jesus!
I am celebrating me because even in my brokenness,
He loved me enough to restore me!
This is the day the Lord has made;
Celebrate with me!
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It has been one year since God blessed me to present Broken-2b-Restored. And, today is my birthday! I am so thankful for the support and encouragement I have received along the way. Thanks to those of you who have been inspired to share my posts with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter or your own blogs. Thanks for all of the positive feedback and encouraging words. It truly has been a great year! I have enjoyed writing each post and I look forward to God blessing me to write even more.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (and so can you)!
Have you ever experienced an excruciating physical pain and wondered why it had to hurt so much? This is the type of pain that goes beyond a mere “ouch”. And what about the pain that digs deep into your emotions? The pain that breaks your heart and pulls at every part of your physical and emotional being. This could be pain that comes from a serious illness, a failed marriage or the loss of a loved one. And how about that deep pain we feel due to our own bad choices and subsequent regrets?
Have you ever cried out to the LORD and asked why does it hurt so much?
The pains we experience in life will sometimes cause us to withdraw from a particular activity and/or withdraw from people. There are some athletes who become injured playing their favorite sport. However, if they experience a torn ligament or broken limb, they may not feel up to returning to their sport for fear of being injured again and feeling that same unpleasant pain.
If you have ever experienced pain inflicted by another person, this could cause you to withdraw from building other friendships and keep you from trusting others. I have been in this situation a few times. I have believed someone was my friend only to find out they were doing things and saying things about me that would not meet the definition of friendship. I have fallen in love and been married only to feel the heartache that comes from harsh words and hurtful actions that caused my heart to break and my trust to be broken.
When you experience a deep hurtful pain, it’s only natural to wonder why does it have to hurt so much? With any pain, whether physical or emotional, there is a healing process. When you seek medical treatment you have to explain to the doctors and nurses what hurts and give them a level from 1 to 10 as to how much it hurts. You also have to follow the directions and orders given by the doctors and nurses in order to assist with the progression of your physical healing.
When you have experienced the pain that digs deep into your emotions, you can also seek counseling from a trained professional. Most of us tend to shy away from counseling because we feel it sends a message something is wrong with us. This should be a matter of choice for you and perhaps talking to someone on a regular basis is just what you need to help with your healing. Trying to go it alone may not be the answer for you, so hopefully there is a ministry or a person within your church that you can call on to help with your healing process.
When I have experienced that deep pain and wondered why did it have to hurt so much, I have trusted in the Lord. I know the hurt I feel will eventually go away, but I also know that it has also made me stronger. I have survived the abuse; I have survived the ridicule; I have survived the disappointments and I have survived the dishonesty. I have survived the brokenness! I can talk to God better than I can talk to anyone else and I know He listens to me even though He already knows what I am going to say. I know He cares for me and He wants me to trust Him with all of my heart and soul.
Psalm 51:17 says “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou will not despise.”
When I have wondered, why it hurt so much, I am reminded of Jesus. I know that the beating He took, the carrying of the cross and being nailed to the cross had to hurt. I know that the sneers from the crowd and the crown of thorns on His head caused Him some pain. But, He endured that pain for me. So when I am hurting and I am wondering why, I pull my strength from my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I know that although my tears are flowing, He will give me joy in the morning. I can wonder why it hurts, but I know the pain is what will draw me closer to Him.
I was broken and He restored me!
When there is an emergency situation occurring around you, have you ever heard someone say “Help, is on the way!” This means there is a time of waiting for someone to aid, comfort or assist you. But when it comes to wanting or having a relationship with God, your help is already here! When it comes to an immediate need or feeling of His presence, your help is already here. When your body needs a healing, your help is already here. You just have to trust and know that God is able and that He is your ever-present help and He will take care of you!
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble!
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave your or forsake you!
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me!
Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from home? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth!
Psalm 139:7-10
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there.; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me; your right hand will hold me fast!
Matthew 28:20
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age!
When you need God, you don’t have to make an appointment, you don’t have to get on a list and wait your turn, and you don’t have to “phone a friend”! You just have to call on the wonderful name of Jesus and tell the LORD you need Him! Just simply say, LORD, I need help. I can’t do this without you!
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My Dear Father in Heaven, I need You! I need Your grace; I need Your mercy and I need Your love. I need You in the morning; I need You at noonday and I need You at night! I need You when I am at home and I need You when I am at work. I need You wherever I go! I need You, O LORD, when I am full of joy and I need You in my brokenness. I need You in my healing and I need You in my breakthrough! I need You in my peace and I need You in my storms. LORD, I need You all the time! I know You are my ever-present help. I call on You because You are strong and mighty. I know that my help is You and You are already here. In the wonderful name of Jesus, I say Amen!
Do you ever give any thought to the fact that you are not promised tomorrow?
Try Jesus!
You don’t know the day or the hour when your time on this earth will cease to exist.
Try Jesus!
Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour is the best decision you can make in this life.
Try Jesus!
When you feel alone and think you have no one to talk to about your problems,
Try Jesus!
When someone you have loved breaks your heart and you feel you don’t know what love really is,
Try Jesus!
When the doctor’s report gives you no hope of a complete healing,
Try Jesus!
When your friends turn their backs on you and your enemies are waiting for you to fall,
Try Jesus!
When your money runs out and there is no food on the table,
Try Jesus!
When your own negative thoughts and lack of confidence are tearing you down,
Try Jesus!
When you feel like you can’t go on any more,
Try Jesus!
When all else fails,
Try Jesus!
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John 4:6-7 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well . . .”
Father, in the name of Jesus, I am praying for someone who does not know You. I am asking You to speak to their hearts and let them feel Your love. I pray they will know You are a forgiving God and You will accept them just as they are right now. I pray they understand that they don’t have to try to fix themselves up or do better before they can come to You and ask You to save them. I pray they will trust You with their brokenness and allow You to give them strength and hope for better days ahead. I pray they will realize Your love is unconditional and You are waiting for them with open arms. In the mighty and wonderful name of Jesus, Amen and Amen, again!
Wouldn’t you rather put your hope in knowing that you are heaven bound?
Try Jesus!
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV
On this past Wednesday, I spent the day with one of my closest friends, Valencia. It was not a day where we went shopping or out to eat with our other girlfriends; it was a day where I was taking her to receive one of her chemo treatments. Although she has had a few treatments since she was diagnosed with breast cancer, this was my first time taking her. Due to the treatments, she has already experienced the loss of her hair, changes in her appetite as well as a few other changes in her energy and sleeping habits.
Prior to arriving for the appointment, we got caught in a heavy downpour of rain. We used the complimentary valet parking so that we did not have to get soaked trying to get into the building. As we entered the treatment center, I really did not know what to expect. I did not know how many other patients would be there. I did not know how they would be feeling on this rainy Wednesday. All I can tell you is that when Valencia walked into the waiting room, she was a ray of sunshine! She greeted the nurses at the receptionist desk as if they were old friends. As we took our seats in the waiting area, she was smiling and at times greeting some of the other patients there. She didn’t know them and that did not matter to her at all. She did not seem to be concerned that some of them were probably there for the same reason as she was and not feeling quite as cheerful as she was feeling.
You could just see and feel Valencia’s “God light” shining all over the place. There may have been dark clouds and rain outside and there may have even been darkness and tears within the spirit of some of those in the waiting area and in the treatment room. That was definitely not the case with Valencia! She was not allowing any of that to get in her spirit or to depress her.
You see, Valencia knows she has the love of God on her side and she truly loves the LORD. She has a husband who adores her and beautiful daughters who consider her the best mom this side of heaven! She has loving family members that extend beyond her siblings. She has a church family that knows her faith in God and where the pastor and our members are praying for her healing. She has a community of people, young and not so young, who know her and respect her with love and admiration. Valencia, has a circle of girlfriends who would do anything to help her as she goes through what is just another test in her life. Valencia knows she is a blessed woman!
Valencia knows she is blessed because of all the love and support she has from her family and many friends. She is also a blessed woman because of how she is blessing others, especially me. I am thankful that her “God light” is always shining and that she is victorious even as she goes through her medical treatments and future surgery.
As I watched Valencia the other day, I told her I was going to write about her. I did not ask for her permission. I just told her I was going to do it. She looked at me with a twinkle of surprise in her eyes and a smile on her face and asked, “really”? And then she immediately said “ok”! God had placed this in me a few weeks ago to write about my friend, but I guess He needed me to be with her on Wednesday so that I could truly write of her awesome faith in Him. Valencia does not mind sharing her story with others. She knows that in this life there will be times of suffering. She knows that God is a healer and is in control of her destiny. She knows that Jesus suffered on the cross in order for us to be saved. She feels if He can do that for us, then she can go through this test in her life and be a testimony to others.
Valencia is already a living testimony just in the way she is dealing with the treatment and the changes she is experiencing. She does not spend her time worrying about what she has to go through in order to be healed. Valencia has her good moments and her not so good moments. Each day she gives honor to God for His tender mercies in her life.
When we arrived back at her house, as she got out of the car, she told me thank you and she said ” I had a good time today”! Wow! We spent the day at the treatment center, but we were able to talk and enjoy each other’s company. Valencia thought that I was helping her because I took the time to get her to her appointment and back home. What she did not know is that she was helping me! She truly is an inspiration in my life.
Valencia, I had a good time, too! Continue to let your “God Light” shine and inspire others. Love you much!
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Dear LORD, I thank you for those you have placed in my life to encourage and inspire me. I thank you for allowing me to see a strong faith in others and how it helps them stay connected to Your word and to Your presence. I thank you for strengthening me every day and loving me as your own. God, I thank you that Jesus suffered so that I might live in this earthly life now and be blessed with eternal life in heaven. God, I thank for the healing that comes when we have to go through times of suffering and pain. I thank you that even in those times you are restoring us not only for ourselves but also for others to see! I thank you for the “God light” and I thank you for Valencia. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!
He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she began to wait on Him. Matthew 8:15 NIV
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Your attitudes should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2: 4-5 NIV
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV
Are you going through something right now? Perhaps some challenges and frustrations at work or at home? Are you experiencing any brokenness because you don’t know how to get things under control in your life? Did you get a bad report from the doctor? Are you about to undergo a major change in your lifestyle? Have you had to deal with the recent death of a loved one? Or did you just come out of a bad relationship? Do you feel there is darkness all around and there is no light at the end of the tunnel?
Perhaps you are not going through at this present time, but there probably has been a time when you felt something similar to one of the above situations.
If you have had to battle any sickness or disease, who did you call on for your healing? Have you come close to losing your home or been unemployed for a while and struggled to pay your bills? Who made a way for you when it seemed like all else had failed? When depression set in and your thoughts were not His thoughts, how did you make it through? For some, the better question might be, how are you making it through?
Who do you call on late in the midnight hour? When there is trouble all around, who hears you crying?
Call on Jesus! Let Him be your light in every dark tunnel. Trust in the LORD! Allow Him to lead you through. He is the One who can lead you through the darkness and bring you to the light. Whatever your issue or your circumstance, you can make it through this! Trust Him and believe that He can work it out for you. You might feel you are about to break beyond restoration. You might feel you are all alone, but you are not. Trust in the Lord, He is the light while you are in your tunnel. When you are going through, go to God!
Psalm 91:14-16 (The Message) ” If you hold on to me for dear life, says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side at bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party. I’ll give you a long life, and give you a long drink of salvation!”
Prayer
Dear LORD, I am in a tunnel right now. I trust You to bring me out. LORD, I need you to guide me through this brokenness and to bring me closer to Your light and Your way. I refuse to give up because my hope is in You. You are my light while I am in this tunnel; You are my light when I am going through. Please forgive me of my sins. Create in me a clean heart. Even as I go through, I am already victorious because of You. LORD, I love You and I honor You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
Broken-2b-Restored 