The Peace of God

-Red Petunias in flower box with Old Fashioned Pink Holly Hocks growing up through them :o)

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 Philippians 4:4-9

..."Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."...

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The Peace Of God

Don't you worry about anything

Instead pray about everything

Tell God what you need

And thank Him for all He has done

And the peace of God

Far beyond what we can understand

Will guard your heart 

And your mind in Christ Jesus

-Jay Stocker

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Ruth Graham's Joy

-Decision magazine, 6/25

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The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

-Kinsman

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 James 5:13-20

..."Is anyone among you suffering?

Then he must pray. 

Is anyone cheerful? 

He is to sing praises.

Is anyone among you sick? 

Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. 

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."

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Prepare Daily with the WORD of God

-C130 Herky 

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Ephesians 6:10-18

..."Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 

Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints"...

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Need a Lift?

Philippians 4

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. 

The Lord is near.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren,

 

whatever is true,

 

whatever is honorable,

 

whatever is right, 

whatever is pure,

 

whatever is lovely, 

whatever is of good repute,

 

if there is any excellence and 

if anything worthy of praise, 

dwell on these things.

The things you have learned and 

received and heard and seen in me, 

practice these things, 

and the God of peace will be with you."...

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"Be Still, and Wait; and See"

~Mountain Blue Bird, Yellowstone FB

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She waited for the call that never came;

searched every mail for a letter, 

or a note, 

or card, 

that bore his name;

and on her knees at night, 

and on her feet all day,

she stormed Heaven’s gate in his behalf;

she pled for him in Heaven’s high court.

“Be still, and wait; and see”—

the word God gave; 

then she knew that He would do 

in and 

for and 

with him,

that which she never could.

So doubts ignored

she went about her chores with joy—

knowing, 

though spurned,

His word was true.

The prodigal had not returned, 

but God was God,

and there was work to do. 

-Prodigals and Those Who Love Them, by Ruth Bell Graham.

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Be Anxious for Nothing

 ~ROSE is ROSE

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Philippians 4:4-7

..."Rejoice in the Lord always; 

again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentle spirit 

be known to all men. 

The Lord is near.

Be anxious for nothing, 

but in everything 

by prayer and supplication 

with thanksgiving 

let your requests 

be made known to God.

And the peace of God, 

which surpasses all comprehension, 

will guard your hearts and 

your minds in Christ Jesus."...

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Never Forget

 Psalm 73

"Surely God is good to Israel, 

  to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
   I had nearly lost my foothold.

For I envied the arrogant
    when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

 

They have no struggles;
  their bodies are healthy and strong.

They are free from common human burdens;
    they are not plagued by human ills.

 

Therefore pride is their necklace;
    they clothe themselves with violence.

From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
    their evil imaginations have no limits.

 

They scoff, and speak with malice;
    with arrogance they threaten oppression.

Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
    and their tongues take possession of the earth.

Therefore their people turn to them
    and drink up waters in abundance.

They say, “How would God know?
    Does the Most High know anything?”

 

This is what the wicked are like—
    always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.

Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
    and have washed my hands in innocence.

 

All day long I have been afflicted,
    and every morning brings new punishments.

If I had spoken out like that,
    I would have betrayed your children.

When I tried to understand all this,
    it troubled me deeply

till I entered the sanctuary of God;
    then I understood their final destiny.

Surely you place them on slippery ground;
    you cast them down to ruin.

How suddenly are they destroyed,
    completely swept away by terrors!

They are like a dream when one awakes;
    when you arise, Lord,
    you will despise them as fantasies.

 

When my heart was grieved
    and my spirit embittered,

I was senseless and ignorant;
    I was a brute beast before you.

Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.

 

Those who are far from you will perish;
    you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

But as for me, it is good to be near God.
    I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
    I will tell of all your deeds."

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The Strongest Among Us...

Psalm 54

"Save me, O God, by Your name,


And vindicate me by Your power.


Hear my prayer, O God;


Give ear to the words of my mouth.


For strangers have risen against me


And violent men have sought my life;


They have not set God before them.

Behold, God is my helper;


The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.


He will recompense the evil to my foes;


Destroy them in Your faithfulness."

Willingly I will sacrifice to You;


I will give thanks to Your name, 

O Lord, for it is good.


For He has delivered me from all trouble,


And my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies."

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And so my higher calling is to continue to PRAY to You, oh, LORD...

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A Mother's Day for Every Day

O and H Bakery

On this Mother's Day and week I am offering a hug and my prayers -

*for every Mother who has lost a child, 

*for every Mother whose child is wayward, 

*for every Mother whose child shuns you - 

*for every hurting Mother,

*for every lost Mother...

I want to remind you that in your sorrows-

The LORD is with you; Cry out to Him.  

The LORD is with you; Allow Him to comfort you.

The LORD is with you; He hears your cry!

The LORD is with you; He knows your agonies.

The LORD is with you; He understands your groans!

You are not alone. 

You feel alone, but He is with you. 

Every tear you shed, every groan you pray; 

He understands and hears you. 

You don't have to hold on; 

He is holding on to you.

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Romans 8:18-28

..."For I consider that the sufferings of this 

present time are not worthy to be compared 

with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

For the anxious longing of the creation waits 

eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

For the creation was subjected to futility, 

not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, 

in hope that the creation itself also will be set free 

from its slavery to corruption into the freedom 

of the glory of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation groans 

and suffers the pains of childbirth together 

until now.

And not only this, but also we ourselves, 

having the first fruits of the Spirit, 

even we ourselves groan within ourselves, 

waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, 

the redemption of our body.

For in hope we have been saved, but hope 

that is seen is not hope; for who hopes 

for what he already sees?

But if we hope for what we do not see, 

with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

In the same way the Spirit also helps 

our weakness; for we do not know how 

to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself 

intercedes for us with groanings too deep 

for words; and He who searches the hearts 

knows what the mind of the Spirit is, 

because He intercedes for the saints 

according to the will of God.

And we know that God causes all things 

to work together for good to those who 

love God, to those who are called 

according to His purpose."... 

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You are not alone! 

Allow Jesus into your life and the LORD 

will hold you through all of life's agonies.

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Rest for your souls

 

"Not-a-Schulz"

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 Matthew 20:20-21

...“A battered reed He will not break off,

And a smoldering wick He will not put out,

Until He leads justice to victory.

“And in His name the Gentiles will hope.”

Matthew 11:28-30

... “Come to Me, all who are weary 

and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

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Still in the World

Be safe in Jesus! 

1 Peter 5:11

..."Therefore humble yourselves under 

the mighty hand of God, 

that He may exalt you at the proper time,

casting all your anxiety on Him, 

because He cares for you.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. 

Your adversary, the devil, prowls around 

like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing 

that the same experiences of suffering are being 

accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

After you have suffered for a little while, 

the God of all grace, who called you 

to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, 

confirm, strengthen and establish you.

To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

..."Rejoice always;

pray without ceasing;

in everything give thanks; 

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."...

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Safety in an "Ice Covered" World

 

Lonely and sorrowful, wounded and wanting... 

The LORD gives us His hope, His comfort, His safety, for His own children in times of grieving. 

..."You are my friend and my sister in our Lord Jesus Christ and the Lord teaches me to love and care more deeply through all of this.  

For my heart to grieve in this is a worthy a pain.  

There is far too much time for me to think on my own sorrows and your hurt takes my mind away from this to pray for you.  

This life-tapestry filled with so many people, so many stories; is something we must walk.  

For the children of our Loving Father, this is a walk to His glory and ever-tender presence.  That is where our hearts and minds must be..."

-blessings to you CB

2 Corinthians 1:1-7

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 

who comforts us in all our affliction so that 

we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction 

with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, 

so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; 

or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, 

which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings 

which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, 

knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, 

so also you are sharers of our comfort."...

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What a Friend We have in Jesus!

What a friend we have in Jesus,


All our sins and griefs to bear!


What a privilege to carry


Everything to God in prayer!


Oh, what peace we often forfeit,


Oh, what needless pain we bear,


All because we do not carry


Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?


Is there trouble anywhere?


We should never be discouraged—


Take it to the Lord in prayer.


Can we find a friend so faithful,


Who will all our sorrows share?


Jesus knows our every weakness;


Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,


Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge—


Take it to the Lord in prayer.


Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?


Take it to the Lord in prayer!


In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,


Thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised


Thou wilt all our burdens bear;


May we ever, Lord, be bringing


All to Thee in earnest prayer.


Soon in glory bright, unclouded,


There will be no need for prayer—

Rapture, praise, and endless worship


Will be our sweet portion there.

-Scriven

Mark 8:35-36

..."For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?"... 

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"Death Comes Unexpectedly!"

If you have ever watched the original classic Disney movie, Pollyanna, with Hayley Mills, you may remember the pastor emphatically yelling the title of this post from the pulpit.

In this fallen world death is all around.

Dead trees, dead animals, dead pets, dead people we do not know, dead people from crimes, dead people from accidents, dead friends, dead family...

Death is everywhere. We can not get away from it.

Ben Franklin is famous for many things, but this quote is one in which many people have heard: 

"In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."

Many times death slowly takes a person's life, and yet, Karl Meldan's line as the preacher in Pollyanna is true, death can certainly come unexpectedly.

In general, people are afraid of death, but perhaps, in this day and age, the number of those who are not afraid is growing. The evil world is wooing, and people become caught up in it.

Death is part of life, but it won't always be this way.  It began thousands of years ago in a beautiful garden .  This is when Adam and Eve did the first thing wrong. This wrong thing is called sin. It is rebellion against God. Rebellion's cost is death and so Adam and Eve and all who came from them will die, physically and spiritually - separated from God. This is our curse, but there is an answer to solve this curse.

Although our world of people seemingly keeps going and going, this verse, 

Genesis 3:15b, "He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.”  

expresses to us that, right then and there, when the first sin happened,  Adam and Eve were told by God that He would send a Savior through their family. Thus, the first couple always anticipated the answer to the curse with each new baby boy.

The answer is the Savior, Jesus Christ. He was the plan before creation, explained to the first man and wife, spoken of in prophecies throughout the Old Testament,

Isaiah 53:12c "... He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors."  etc...

and then brought to fruition in the New Testament

Matthew 1:20-21 “...Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  (Isaiah 7:14)

The answer to all of our fears concerning death is to seek the Truth in Jesus. The Truth in Jesus is easy to find, although the world has always squashed it, hidden it, perverted it, veiled it, mocked it, suppress it, twisted it, water it down, laughed at it, criticized it, rewrite it...

You can find the real truth of Jesus as the world's Savior in a well translated Bible. Even if you don't know or can't understand how Jesus can be your Savior, you can cry out to Him in prayer.  The LORD always hears the cries of those who want to know Him.

Romans 5 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 

And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 

The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. 

For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 

For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 

The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Death may come unexpectedly,

but even you 

can have life in Jesus by accepting Him as your Savior!

Glory to God!

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John 3:16-21 

" “For God so loved the world,

 that He gave His only begotten Son, 

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, 

but have eternal life.

For God did not send the Son 

into the world to judge the world, 

but that the world might be saved through Him.

He who believes in Him is not judged; 

he who does not believe has been judged already, 

because he has not believed 

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

This is the judgment, 

that the Light has come into the world, 

and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, 

for their deeds were evil. 

For everyone who does evil hates the Light, 

and does not come to the Light 

for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

But he who practices the truth 

comes to the Light, 

so that his deeds may be manifested 

as having been wrought in God.”

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