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House...
Nicol spoke with Suzanne (our realtor) this morning. The open house went well yesterday; there were 10 other local realtors there. BUT the good news is that the woman who looked at the house last week is scheduled to see it again this evening; Suzanne said she is very interested and believes she intends to make an offer. So we will see. Thank you Lord for this encouraging news!
Soul food...
[ Psalm 119:49-50 ]
Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
I read these verses this morning. They are feeding my soul right now, even as I write.
This is my comfort in my afflication, that your promise gives me life.
What promises of God do YOU find life-giving today?
How 'bout we start a list of comments that answers that question?!
Remember the old hymn(?)...
Standing on the Promises of God
Standing on the promises of Christ my King
Through eternal ages let His praises ring
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing
Standing on the promises of God
Standing on the promises that cannot fail
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail
By the living Word of God I shall prevail
Standing on the promises of God
Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free
Standing on the promises of God
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword
Standing on the promises of God
Standing on the promises I cannot fall
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all
Standing on the promises of God
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36 comments:
The promise that Jesus will return for his bride. That this current world and it's troubles will fade away and we will forever be in His presence rejoicing and praising Him:
John 14:1-3
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
Revelation 21:4
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
Come quickly Lord Jesus!
2 Samuel 2:22
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer.
He promises to stand beside and protect and keep me safely in his loving arms as I go through my days. Sometimes I feel so lonely or like I have been left out on the battlefield with no one to help me. Then I remember that I am standing in my armor yet I am not fighting...he fights for me. I just stand in faith and believe He is who is says He is--my rock, my fortress, my deliverer!
"For nothing is impossible with God."
Luke 1:37
Even as we stare down the throat (yet again) of financial unrest, I can only dwell on this promise - that God can and will take care of us.
His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
The knowledge that God is in control of our county and future leadership. I am responsible for voting for who I think it the best godly leader for our country, but ultimately, it is God who puts our president in office. I'm glad He is in control!
Daniel 2:21 "He changes times and season; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning."
Romans 13:1 "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."
God promises to never leave me or forsake me. That is so wonderful to hear in our turbulent times. God also promises to meet our NEEDS as they come along if we offer them up to Him and let Him control it. That's the hard part right? Giving God control. God will NEVER, EVER leave me (or you!)
Jennifer in NC
Not quite what you asked for...but here is a poem that struck me.
"Kindness" by Naomi Shihab Nye.
Kindness
Before you know what kindness really is you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken will stare out the window forever.
Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone who journeyed through the night with plans and the simple breath that kept him alive.
Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice catches the thread of all sorrows and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
it is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.
Definitely on the promise that we will be made all new one day and not only live in Him (and He in us) but also WITH Him...and all our loved ones that are already kickin' in with Him up there. Since I'm a big Elvis fan, I've been humming this song a lot lately:
PEACE IN THE VALLEY
Oh well, I’m tired and so weary
But I must go alone
Till the lord comes and calls, calls me away, oh yes
Well the morning's so bright
And the lamp is alight
And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
Well the bear will be gentle
And the wolves will be tame
And the lion shall lay down
by the lamb, oh yes
And the beasts from the wild
Shall be lit by a child
And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
"And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of this age" Matthew 28:20.
That He is the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3
That His Word is truth. That He is my Rock. That if I keep my eyes on Him throughout this life, no matter what comes my way - I will one day see Him.
The promise that "I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you in the palm of MY hands..." Isaiah 49:16
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I recently picked up a card for a women who is battling cancer. I bought one for myself as well as a reminder of God's timing.
The card reads:
When the time was right,
the worlds were made, the flood subsided, the sea was parted, the walls fell down, the lions' mouths were shut, the storm was silenced, the blind could see, the lame could walk, the captives went free, the tomb was forever emptied. God's timing is always right. His power is great, His plan for you is good, His hold on you is secure and He'll see you through.
And that to me says it all. I don't know why things happen in our lives or what the reasons may be but I hold on to the promise that God will see us through all the pain we are experiencing. God is in control of every aspect of our lives. He has plans for all of us even if we do not see the plans now - he will reveal them in his time. I have also lost my infant son and I read Jer 29:11 every day. Darla in NJ
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I recently picked up a card for a women who is battling cancer. I bought one for myself as well as a reminder of God's timing.
The card reads:
When the time was right,
the worlds were made, the flood subsided, the sea was parted, the walls fell down, the lions' mouths were shut, the storm was silenced, the blind could see, the lame could walk, the captives went free, the tomb was forever emptied. God's timing is always right. His power is great, His plan for you is good, His hold on you is secure and He'll see you through.
And that to me says it all. I don't know why things happen in our lives or what the reasons may be but I hold on to the promise that God will see us through all the pain we are experiencing. God is in control of every aspect of our lives. He has plans for all of us even if we do not see the plans now - he will reveal them in his time. I have also lost my infant son and I read Jer 29:11 every day. Darla in NJ
I find the promise that we will have trials in this life affirming. I know those trials are only because of His love for me, and so that I may learn to be more like Him. I don't enjoy the trials, but I have always enjoyed coming out of trials on the other side, wiser, closer to, and more reliant on our Lord and Savior.
Praise the Lord for the hint of maybe having a pontential buyer for your house.
Praise the Lord for caring and soothing your pain everyday.
The promise that gives me confort is that he promise to be with us always.
My son memorized his firts verse of the biblewhen he was 3 and it was "Fear not for I am with you" is the only one I know,my memory is terrible, but that one takes care of any doubt or fear that I can have.
My prayers are without ceasing for your family.
Love in Christ our Lord and Savior.
That he will turn ashes to beauty.
Isaiah 61
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy
instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called mighty oaks, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
Greg,
It seems that each time I read your blog I find you hitting my heart. I just returned from visiting Mom, your Nana. She is not doing very well and I am feeling blue. Then I read your Blog tonight to be encouraged and the promise that I came up with is this: I Cor 15:45 says " the first man, Adam became a living being, the last Adam a life-giving spirit" NIV. This Jesus, the life giving spirit, who through His death and ressurection will at the second coming give His redeemed people a spiritual body. I rely on His promise now, especially now. I'm so glad that I have listened to a life-giving rebuke in my old heart so long ago. Proverbs 15:31.
Love you guys, Grampy Sponberg
WOW! That is great. It even took me to another hymn. I remember a day I was struggling in my mind and the Lord dropped in my heart the wonderful words, "Do unholy feelings struggle in your breast, bring your case to Jesus. He will give you rest."
He has made so many promises, it is hard to name a favorite. I love that everywhere I go, He walks before me and behind me. Where can I hide from HIs presence? I love that He gives supernatural peace inside. Come what may, My Creator orders my steps. Even in the difficult times, that gives me hope.
Blessings
Deu 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be affrighted at them: for Jehovah thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Phi 4:13 I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.
Our God is faithful you will get through this season of sorrow. Yes you will forever bear that thorn in your flesh. Press on!
In Christ
Celie
Oh my goodness I really hope you get an offer. I know what a stress it is to sell a house. I will be praying for you guys. Congrats on the big donation at the concert.
Ang
What time I am afraid I will trust in THEE. Psalm 56:3
HE is my shelter and my rock. I can cling to HIM and HE will always be there.
Angela
Things have been very hard this week. I am constantly reminding myself that God is good, The Lord is my Shepherd, 'When thou passeth through the water, I will be with thee: and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee." Isaish 43:2
And in the darkness of the night, when Satan is throwing all sorts of thoughts and doubts at me, I've been calling on the name of Jesus, I try to recall his sermon on the mount; I believe in the miracles; I go over the praise & worship songs in my head, only to remember it was a prayer from David's mouth first; and then in the wee hours of the night when sleep won't come I remember: Psalms 127:2 NIV
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
The Lord gives rest to those he loves.
And because I know the Lord loves me, I can sleep. Amazing, truly amazing; the Lord gives me rest, and I am refreshed in the morning, even though I felt as if I've prayed for more than 1/2 the night and with two little ones climbing into the bed with me. God is good, he really is, and I am so grateful that his mercies are new everyday (something else I remind myself of.) And of course I remind myself of others whose lives have been turned upside down and will never be the same again. Greg, Nicol & Summer, I'll continue to pray for each of you and ask the Lord to help you find peace and draw you closer to him every day. In God's Love, sheila
Now, I will go and read others for encouragement, thanks for the post!
I love this post...it is so wonderful to read through God's promises to us. I keep a journal book and write down His promises as I claim them for whatever is going on in my life at the time. Just this morning I read through all of the ones I've written down thus far. Some of the ones I call on quite often are:
When I pray, You answer me; You encourage me by giving me the strength I need. Psalm 138:3
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Cor. 2:9
Stand firm, and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. Exodus 14:13
Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Thank you for this post...praise God that as we walk with Him, He keeps every promise He makes to us in His word.
I continue to lift your family in prayer.
Susie
He has given us His very great and precious promises! 2 Peter:1:4
Hebrews 4:9 - There remains, therefore a sabbath rest (or, a special rest) for the people of God.
I cannot really explain why this scripture provides me so much comfort. The first time I really discovered it, it seemed to leap off of the page, straight to my heart. It has given me great comfort in sorrow, what an incredible promise.
Sandi Faulk, San Antonio
"He's Only a Prayer Away"
I asked the Lord to comfort me,
When things weren't going my way.
He said to me, "I will comfort you, and lift your cares away."
I asked the Lord to walk with me,
When darkness was all that I knew.
He said to me, "Never be afraid, for I will see you through."
I didn't ask for riches--He gave me wealth untold--the moon, the sun, stars, the sky--and He gave me eyes to behold!
I thank the Lord for everything, and I count my blessings each day.
He came to me, when I needed Him; I only had to pray.
And, He'll come to you when you ask Him to
HE'S ONLY A PRAYER AWAY!
"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
Isaiah 40:8
Some days these words are like a soothing, calming ointment to my soul. No matter what, no matter why, no matter who....He will never change, He will always be in control, He will never fail, He is always trustworthy and good. Thank you, Lord.
Love, Your Sis
A verse I read last night...really noticed for the first time. Encouraging and profound.
"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strenghten those whose hearts are fully committed to him."
2 Chronicles 16:9
That the day always follows the night. That weeping lasts for a night but joy comes in the morning. That ashes do change into something of beauty...eventually.
That the end of the Lord is full of compassion and tender mercy. (James 5:11)
That those who go out sowing their precious seed with tears, will one day find themselves returning, reaping armfuls of abundance as they sing with joy. (Psalm 126)
I'm walking this grief road with you. I'm holding on to the knowledge that my God is faithful, that he doesn't willingly afflict the sons of men, and that he is a generous God. I trust that he didn't take Jenna to rob us, but to bring us something.
Blessings to you and Nichol...may Jesus hold you both close tonight.
That "The LORD is close to the broken-hearted" (Psalm 34: 18) and that "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy."(Psalm 126:5)
" '... I am with you to deliver you,' says the Lord" (Jeremiah 1:8).
Wherever God sends me, he will guard me. He has PERSONALLY delivered me. ME.
Psalm 32:7
"Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah."
Psalm 119:114
"Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word."
That, in God, we have a hiding place from our fears, our enemies, our struggles, even our hopes and dreams. To know that we have an anchor that, no matter how rough the waters of life become for us, we will still be held firm by His loving arms.
There are things that many of us are afraid to even admit to ourselves, much less another human being, be it our spouse, pastor, or friend. In those times, I find comfort in knowing that God knows what's going on with me anyway, so I can sink into my own special hiding place - His arms - knowing that I am safe and that no matter how defeated I may feel, He understands and is there when everyone else, including myself, seems out of reach. In those times, I can find hope and rest in His hiding place, the best of all places.
THANKS Greg, what a great question, and bloggers’ comments can be read and encouragement can be given TO ALL!! The promise and thought that first came to me was from Jesus: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
(II Cor 12:9) I lead a Beth Moore Bible study, she and the Holy Spirit are the teachers, and I’m definitely the facilitator. I held onto that promise this week because even as a facilitator it was going to be hard to get through our Bible study discussion time. I want to give God all the honor and glory and praise! I can’t do this without Him! Our group is learning and growing! A woman came up to me at the end of our session and said “thank you, things really came together for me today.” I felt, whoa! Really!? Thank you Jesus! HE did it! Some favorite songs come to mind with this theme . . .
Jesus Loves Me (they are weak, but He is strong)
Just a Closer Walk With Thee (I am weak, but thou art strong; Jesus keep me from all wrong)
How Great Thou Art (When I am weak, He is strong; When I am lost, He is the way)
That’s what I’m experiencing in my neck of the woods! – I am weak, but HE is strong!
Kim ~in Vermont : )
I know this has nothing to do with your post, but I couldn't help but notice your University Of Anchorage Seawolves T-shirt in a picture of you and Luke on the side bar. I actually live in Fairbanks. :o) It sure is cold up here right now. well, today it isn't. Today it's about 14* out. It's been -9* here lately. We have almost 8 inches of snow so far. CAN'T wait to get out on my snowboard. :o)
I've been wanting to comment on your blog, but I always feel that there are so many comments, so I just move on. Your story - as well as Angie's has touched my life in a tremendous way. I check both of your blogs every day to see if you had posted again. I feel like I know you guys. I am deeply sorry for your enormous loss. I can't imagine what you are going through. I do not have children yet - I just got married on the 14th of June - but my desire to have a baby is through the roof right now, and just the thought of going through what you or Angie has gone through, is nearly enough to make me go crazy. I am so sorry that this burden has been laid upon you, but The Lord knows why, and He will see you through. I agree with "anonymous" - 4th comment down - "...for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5. What a powerful verse, especially to those who are suffering. Continue to lean on the Lord.
I will pray for the selling of your home...especially so you can get settled.
My favorite verses come from Psalm 34...i really love it when he says the angel of the Lord encamps around the brokenhearted. Can't you just see the comfort and the warmth and the surrounding of the Lord, the Holy Spirit, and his angels around those with broken hearts...what a beautiful picture.
Today when I got in the car - I had Moody on and Nicol's voice rang out over the airwaves with "there's power in the blood" - WOW is that forever TRUE! Sing it sister..sing it LOUD!
Love to you all,
Becky
Hi Greg,
As a fellow traveler in this life, I haven't been spared pain that has had me doubled over in despair. All the verses I had committed to memory literally became as though they had NEVER been there..except for these. Ps 121. All He allowed me to remember was what He needed me to be able (He made me able) to do. He fed me His heart with the following: "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills (I left out the period after that sentence and swrilled around with the next as a declarative statement from Him, not a question)..."From whence cometh my help!" my help has come from Him. He is saving my life as I loose it day by day to Him and it started years ago. That was my most memorable, personal application of the word in my heart. I love it, He has helped me to love it.
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