**Prayer Updates!** 
Let's lift up these needs in Jesus' Name! 
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Hard times change us. The way I see it you have two choices: You can either run from God or run to God. The choice is up to you! You can allow these times to develop your character and mature you or you can run from them and have a pity party. Many people try and handle it on their own and then fall into depression because what they are doing isn't working. When we look to God instead of ourselves or others to help us during these times, our faith can grow stronger and we can trust God more.
It is easy to trust God when things are going good but when things are going bad and we decide to trust God that is when we develop character. Instead of focusing on how we feel, we need to focus on what we believe. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) Putting your faith in God is what will carry you through any storm life brings.
God’s plan for us is not immunity from struggles, but victory through struggles.
I had seen the number 714 since high school on everything. This number would pop up on TV, license plates, signs, the time, you name it. I kept thinking that if I played these numbers maybe God was showing me I could win the lottery. Well I saw those numbers for over 22 years and God had a different plan for me. It wasn't until my ex husband left me and my kids for another women. I know it was all God’s timing for Him to reveal Himself to me during the darkest few months of my life, when I felt like no one cared, hopeless and not caring if I lived or died, He was there the whole time. The most incredible feeling that God had been trying to get my attention with the 714 for over 22 years and I never knew what it was. I thought it was a bible verse when actually it turned out to be page 714 in my ex husbands bible. That page spoke to my heart and it was like the woman at the well with Jesus. It revealed to me everything I did in my life that no one knew. I fell to my knees and asked God for forgiveness and gave me life to Him. The fact that God cared that much for me was overwhelming and I gave my life to him right there. So I have come to the realization that if I can trust God with my eternal salvation, I think I should be able to trust Him with any other struggles I have in life.
As I was going through some of my notes from a long time ago, I found a poem that I wrote about 6 months after my ex left me for his girlfriend and wanted to share it with you. It isn’t fancy or cute just what I felt in my heart at the time.
Woke up one day and he was gone
Didn’t know who to turn to, I was all alone
My heart was shattered, torn in two
The man I thought loved me,
Was a con man you see
He was just an abuser, a user, a cheat
Like a tornado, he has left a path of destruction
Doesn’t care of the hurt, the pain or grief
Only uses woman to get what he needs
His children despise him and what a shame
I can only imagine who he blames
With joy in my heart, I can truly say…..
I am thankful it happened in an odd sort of way
You see, I found someone to see me through this
He is a gentle loving man, His name is Jesus
He has comforted me and guided me all the way
I will live forever for him all of my days.
So if you are struggling with something right now, ask God to help you. Surrender it all to Him and allow Him to work in your situation. Don't try and do it on your own or only give part of it to God. Total surrender and trust is the key to peace in any situation. This will be a decision you will never regret.
It is easy to trust God when things are going good but when things are going bad and we decide to trust God that is when we develop character. Instead of focusing on how we feel, we need to focus on what we believe. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) Putting your faith in God is what will carry you through any storm life brings.
God’s plan for us is not immunity from struggles, but victory through struggles.
I had seen the number 714 since high school on everything. This number would pop up on TV, license plates, signs, the time, you name it. I kept thinking that if I played these numbers maybe God was showing me I could win the lottery. Well I saw those numbers for over 22 years and God had a different plan for me. It wasn't until my ex husband left me and my kids for another women. I know it was all God’s timing for Him to reveal Himself to me during the darkest few months of my life, when I felt like no one cared, hopeless and not caring if I lived or died, He was there the whole time. The most incredible feeling that God had been trying to get my attention with the 714 for over 22 years and I never knew what it was. I thought it was a bible verse when actually it turned out to be page 714 in my ex husbands bible. That page spoke to my heart and it was like the woman at the well with Jesus. It revealed to me everything I did in my life that no one knew. I fell to my knees and asked God for forgiveness and gave me life to Him. The fact that God cared that much for me was overwhelming and I gave my life to him right there. So I have come to the realization that if I can trust God with my eternal salvation, I think I should be able to trust Him with any other struggles I have in life.
As I was going through some of my notes from a long time ago, I found a poem that I wrote about 6 months after my ex left me for his girlfriend and wanted to share it with you. It isn’t fancy or cute just what I felt in my heart at the time.
Woke up one day and he was gone
Didn’t know who to turn to, I was all alone
My heart was shattered, torn in two
The man I thought loved me,
Was a con man you see
He was just an abuser, a user, a cheat
Like a tornado, he has left a path of destruction
Doesn’t care of the hurt, the pain or grief
Only uses woman to get what he needs
His children despise him and what a shame
I can only imagine who he blames
With joy in my heart, I can truly say…..
I am thankful it happened in an odd sort of way
You see, I found someone to see me through this
He is a gentle loving man, His name is Jesus
He has comforted me and guided me all the way
I will live forever for him all of my days.
So if you are struggling with something right now, ask God to help you. Surrender it all to Him and allow Him to work in your situation. Don't try and do it on your own or only give part of it to God. Total surrender and trust is the key to peace in any situation. This will be a decision you will never regret.
Amen
