Updated on April 13, 2014
The Power of One
Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. – Romans 5:18-19
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One can have power. Power that is so far-reaching, it may not be fully known in that person’s lifetime.
But this is not about your power or mine. No.
This is about the bad way that the word “small” makes us feel.
Each of you, no matter who you are, no matter where you’re from or what your abilities are… each of you makes a difference to someONE.
Jesus loved one person at a time. He focused. He didn’t get distracted by those he hadn’t reached yet. He just loved on the person in front of Him. He fed those He was with, and He taught those who listened.
Christ trusted that those who needed Him would be brought to Him by God. Or God would lead Him to them. And no matter how lost that person seemed, Jesus did what He could.
Do you get distracted by how small you feel in the big scheme of things? Do you get frustrated if your numbers show you’ve only reached single digits today?
Are you a person who has no “numbers”? Perhaps you feel that post you just made on facebook, or that message you just sent isn’t all that important. The world would keep on turning without it, wouldn’t it?
Maybe that child you hugged today… maybe you’re the only person who hugs him… ever. Maybe that clerk you smiled at… maybe that was the excuse she needed to look at things from a fresh perspective.
Let me tell you something. You may just be saving a life today. You may just be saving a soul. You may be the specific answer to someone’s prayer. Is it not enough if it’s only ONE that is reached? ONE that is touched?
You have power. Power that is so far-reaching, it may not be fully known in your lifetime.
Keep focusing on the one in front of you. Keep trusting that God will cross your path with those who need you. Keep doing what you can.
One matters. You matter.
So He told them this parable, saying, “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
“Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’ In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” – Luke 15:3-10
Father, thank you for Your focus. Help me to bring that into my relationships with others. Let me not get distracted, not ever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 13, 2014
Hanging In Here
So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.
– Exodus 17:10-13
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On any given day, if you ask me how I’m doing I’ll probably answer with some version of “hanging in here.”
The other day my sweet friend came back with an answer that made me think of this passage.
“Your arms get tired from all that hanging,” she replied.
Indeed they do. They really do.
But our God is a God of details, remember? It was no accident that Aaron and Hur climbed that hill with Moses. God knew they’d be needed.
He knew you’d be needed in my life, as well.
Not that I’m Moses, by any means, but we all need a little help sometimes to keep going, don’t we? To keep hanging on?
You make that possible.
So thank you, each of you, who hold my arms up when they get heavy. Who drag over a rock for me to sit on. Who ensure the victory.
You’re doing exactly what God intended for you to do, and you’re amazing at it.
Heavenly Father, You are simply an astounding provider. Thank You for each heart reading this, and their willingness to do their part. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 14, 2014
Perspective Revisited
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. – Colossians 3:1-3
I’m sure we’ve all heard the phrase, “It’ll get better.” Probably more times than we care to remember. Usually from people who’ve barely ever even had a hangnail.
This phrase makes me cringe. Do you know why?
Because it’s a lie. It. Is. A. LIE.
Sure, sometimes things get better. You have a 50-50 chance, if you’re lucky, that things will get better.
But sometimes, things don’t get better. Sometimes they stay the same. Often, they get worse.
People die, illnesses get worse, another sickness gets added to our already-overloaded immune system, cancer recurs… the list could go on, but I think you get the point.
I’ve learned one thing that is so, so much more encouraging than these trite statements people pull out in times like these. That encouragement is that good things can be yours, even if things don’t get any better. There is still beauty to be found, even in impossible times like these.
Oh, don’t misunderstand me, you may have to look long. You will have to look hard. But the beauty is there. Sometimes under layers of grime, but it’s there.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” – Luke 11:13
This year I have chosen “Perspective” as my one word. Already I’m finding that most of the time when I’m missing the beauty, it’s because my angle is all wrong. Sometimes I just have to lean to the left, sometimes it takes a complete turn-around in my thinking, but it’s always there.
And God is ever faithful to show it to me when I look. I just love all that He is teaching me through this word, and it’s been amazing how often I recognize things now that I never would have seen before.
It really is all about perspective. Perspective right where you are, not if things get better. That’s just a waiting game, and you’ll lose every time. Instead, take a new look at what exactly where you are, and ask God to show you the beauty that’s hidden there.
Do it today.
Holy Lord, I pray that each person reading this today will be blessed to see the beauty You have just for them in this moment of ugliness. I pray that they will look, reach out, and trust. Thank You for the beauty from our ashes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 11, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 4/13/14
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For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
– 1 Corinthians 1:18
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Shelly
Updated on April 11, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: You’re the One
My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins. – James 5:19-20
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Maybe you think you’re a hot mess.
Maybe you can’t remember all you’re supposed to remember.
Maybe you’re not the best person for the job.
But if you step back, if you wait for the “right” people to come along, it will be too late.
People are dying right in front of you, and you have the Words of Life.
You’re the one.
We are best when we are community.
I would love to share in some of that community
right here from my website.
You can join in, too!
Share a post from your own blog
and then simply click on the
“Add your link” button below
and enter your blog information.
Then, please grab my Recommendation Saturday button
below, and place it on your website or post,
so that others can find their way to
our little Saturday community!
You can also Tweet your participation with the hashtag
#recommendsat
so that we can all find each other on Twitter!
You may also join in by leaving a comment.
The most important part of our community
is spreading our hope and love to others
by visiting some of the other inspirational sites
linked up and leaving comments there.
Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
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Shelly
Updated on April 9, 2014
The Time Jack Bauer Reminded Me
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. – Psalm 56:3
Hubby and I are old series junkies. We love to go on Amazon Prime Videos and watch old tv series in the evenings after everyone else is in bed. You know, the series we weren’t hip enough to watch back when they were actually first aired, and all the rage. Yeah, we’re those people.
Anywho, the latest series we’re into is 24. What a fun series! It has action and suspense and politics and intrigue. But mostly it has Jack Bauer. What a hero.
Jack, let me tell you, that man has some long days! I mean, does he ever sleep or eat or drink or even have to go to the bathroom? Nope, he’s too busy saving the rest of us, and we just sit here completely unaware, watching our old series in our mundane little lives. Go, Jack, Go!
So the other night we were finishing up with Season 2. This was a doozy of a day for our stalwart hero. I’ll shorten it up to the point for you. There was a nuclear bomb, in the middle of Los Angeles. Yep. It was tamper-proof, and discovered at the last minute. The only thing that would work, the only option left, was for someone to fly the nuke into the desert so that it would explode outside of a population. The pilot wouldn’t be returning, it was a one-way trip.
Guess who climbed into that cockpit… yep. Jack. He never fails to come through, does he? And this was after the man had already been tortured, doubted, sleep-deprived, and DIED. Yes, of course they brought him back, but only so they could torture him more. Jack needs a hug in the worst way.
So skip ahead a bit and you’ll see that Jack was able to parachute out of the plane while a dying man took it the rest of the way. So Jack lived, he was saved, but here’s the thing. He climbed into the cockpit, said goodbye to his friends and family, and flew off to die so the rest of us could live. He’s not faking this hero thing. He’s putting it all on the line. He’s a hero to the core.
Ok, you’ve stuck with my ramblings for this long so now I’ll get to the point. When Jack was ready to go after the bad guys who were actually behind this whole sordid terror plot, did the people he’d just saved line up behind him to back him up? No!
I know, right?! They didn’t! They in fact viewed him as a criminal and went against him, all because they didn’t trust what he knew. Because his theory seemed improbable and wasn’t what they wanted to hear.
Let me tell you, I was incensed on Jack’s behalf! In. Censed! I was ranting to my hubby, “This man just crawled into a plane to die for them and they can’t even believe him for just a couple hours? Didn’t he earn the benefit of the doubt when he was willing to end his life so they’d be safe? Hasn’t he proven at this point that he is trustworthy?”
Something to think about, dear ones.
We have a hero who’s much more heroic than Jack Bauer. Oh, and, um, yeah, He’s REAL.
So when things seem scary and His promises seem improbable, can’t we just believe Him for a couple of hours? Didn’t He earn the benefit of the doubt when he was willing to end His life so that we’d be saved?
Hasn’t He proven at this point that He is trustworthy?
Jesus, You are worthy of all of our trust, belief, honor, and praise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 8, 2014
Sea of Change
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. – Hebrews 13:8
These past few months… ok, ok, these past few years… have been filled with so much change, it can sometimes make my head spin.
Change in health, change in abilities, change in responsibilities, change in every aspect of my life. Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. Real and imagined. Concrete and abstract. It’s all been filled to the brim with changes.
I’ve decided after much introspection, that change is uncomfortable. I even wrote a post a little while back on the messiness of change.
But today I’m focusing on something that is very comforting to me right now, when I’m feeling a bit tossed by the waves. It’s something that doesn’t ever change. Not ever.
Jesus Christ. The same yesterday, when I was cranky and couldn’t rest and felt a little overwhelmed. The same today, when I’m back on more solid ground but still fighting my own body. The same forever.
Jesus Christ is still the powerful Word of God, by whom all things were made.
Jesus Christ is still the comforting Savior who healed with a touch, when a word would suffice.
Jesus Christ is still the conquering Lord of Heaven’s Armies who is ready and able to deliver.
He still bleeds, He still cares, He still covers completely.
He’s still utterly, incomprehensibly in love with me and you. Yesterday, when I questioned it. Today, when I am certain of it. Forever, when I’ll bask in it.
If you’re floundering today, like I am, grab on to this solid truth:
Circumstances change, states change, health changes, finances change, attitudes change, sometimes people change. But truth does not change!!
“I am the Lord, and I do not change.” – Malachi 3:6a
Hold tight with me. Believe with me. Trust with me. He has never changed, He isn’t changing, and He will never change.
Ahhh, that feels so nice, to have an anchor in the midst of all this upheaval. Doesn’t it?
Dear Lord, I’m clinging to You with my friends today. Shore us up, Lord, and keep us certain. Thank You for all that You are and always have been and always will be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
If you have been helped by this post and think it could be helpful to someone you know, please share this post on the social network of your choice for me.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 6, 2014
Liebster Revisited
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. – Philippians 2:1-2
My sweet, precious friend, Lauren, awarded me with another Liebster Award! This is just such an honor, I had to participate again.
Lauren’s blog is For My Good and For His Glory, and I hope you’ll check it out. She’s a special lady who is dedicated to our Lord.
For this award, I was asked to tell 11 random facts about myself, answer 11 questions, given to me by Lauren, and to nominate 11 blogs I love. I promise to give you answers and blogs that are different from my first Liebster post.
11 Random Facts about Shelly:
1. I have a freckle in one eye, but it’s never affected my vision.
2. I grew up in South Louisiana, and am proud to be a Cajun!
3. Before my illness, I was a teacher and a librarian.
4. Brian and I will be married 18 years this May!
5. I was a singer in a band in high school.
6. I LOVE to read.
7. I have lived in 7 states since I was married.
8. One of my favorite things is chocolate peanut butter.
9. I have a fear of spiders, and have been bitten by a black widow. I don’t recommend it.
10. My favorite hymn is “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”.
11. My favorite place I’ve ever been in Blue Spruce Campground on Boulder Mountain in Southern Utah. Gorgeous.
11 Questions from Lauren:
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And now for my 11 nominations. I hope you’ll visit these dear Sisters. I know you’ll be as encouraged by them as I am!
Lynn at Let All Creation Sing
Tanya at Truth in Weakness
Chelle at Treat Me To A Feast
Susan at Coffee, Faith and Chronic Disease
Bronlynn at A Place of Springs
Joanne at The Simple Wife
Nancy at There is Grace
Kirra at Thoughtful Christian Living
Naomi at What Joy is Mine
Laura at God’s Girl
Sharita at 7 Days Time
If you have been helped by this post and think it could be helpful to someone you know, please share this post on the social network of your choice for me.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 6, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 4/6/14
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If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. – James 2:15-17
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 4, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: A Pearl of Great Price
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” – Matthew 13:46-47
Most, if not all of us, have a great treasure. A pearl of great price. Riches beyond our fathoming.
Sadly, we are unaware.
Wake up your hardened heart. Gather the pieces of your weary soul.
This is what we have needed, and we’ve had it all along.
We are best when we are community.
I would love to share in some of that community
right here from my website.
You can join in, too!
Share a post from your own blog
and then simply click on the
“Add your link” button below
and enter your blog information.
Then, please grab my Recommendation Saturday button
below, and place it on your website or post,
so that others can find their way to
our little Saturday community!
You can also Tweet your participation with the hashtag
#recommendsat
so that we can all find each other on Twitter!
You may also join in by leaving a comment.
The most important part of our community
is spreading our hope and love to others
by visiting some of the other inspirational sites
linked up and leaving comments there.
Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Loading InLinkz ...If you have been helped by this post and think it could be helpful to someone you know, please share this post on the social network of your choice for me.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
