Inspiration

Trepidation vs. Inspiration

It’s been difficult to write lately.  There is never a lack in God’s Kingdom, therefore it must be me.  I realize today that I lack enthusiasm, hope, and love for my neighbors.  The Holy Fire of God’s Spirit simmers, but not fiery-hot like it should be in my heart.

Forgive me LORD, as I am a weak creature not worthy of Your love or hope; yet I ask to be rekindled once again for service to the Lamb, Jesus Christ.  Although I kneel for no man, I willingly bend both my knees before Almighty God and King Jesus.

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It’s amazing how God works to raise us up from a place of depression, fear, and lack of hope to a realization that we see things from a very limited perspective.  Out of the blue today as we walked together, Mother reminded me that my lack of inspiration is totally my problem – not God’s.  After all, He gave me His WORD.  That is more than sufficient to keep me focused on Him instead of the worries of this life.  Remind me, LORD:

35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written:

                “For Your sake we are killed all day long;

                We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

                37Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  ~ Romans 8: 35-39 NKJV

Throughout this Covid-19 pandemic and social unrest, I witness people who are experiencing great anxiety.  Many endure depression and/or panic attacks as they attempt to adapt to illness, loss of loved ones to the virus, social distancing, job losses, and (for many) feeling the loss of church attendance through mandated restrictions.  I recently attended two family graveside services unrelated to coronavirus, but very difficult to observe social distancing in the midst of devastating loss.  Yet, the LORD is ever so faithful to comfort.  Both funeral services were perhaps the most beautiful of any I have ever attended.

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The LORD has also blessed me with unexpected but welcome opportunities to meet new people and share the Gospel with them.  That’s Pretty amazing, since I live in a rural setting and am not out and about much in the community.  Two friends approached me to visit my church this week!  HALLELUJAH!  God still works His plan for each of us; no matter what is happening on the earth.  Amen?

Praise Jehovah God for His Covenants with us, His children!  Thank You, LORD, for promising us that we do not walk alone if we believe in Your Son, Jesus.  You are still answering prayers, healing the sick, freeing the captives from sin, and bringing peace and comfort to those who cry out to You.

I am reminded again of Romans 8: 31:

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Thank you for following Importantstuff.Live – whether in trepidation or inspiration!

God Bless You All.

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Photo of the Month | February 2019

Walking in the Holy Spirit

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, ²³GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL. Against such there is no law. . . 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.~Galatians 5:22,23,25 NKJV

7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap . . . 8bbut he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. . . . 16And as many as walk according to this rule, PEACE and MERCY be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.~Galatians 6:7,8b,9,16 NKJV (emphasis added)

Brethren, keep God’s law – love one another.  Share each others’ burdens.  Keep sowing to the Spirit and reap everlasting life.  Don’t lose heart!

Clinging to Good

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The season of giving and thankfulness is upon us – My favorite time of the year!

9bCling to what is good. 10Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ~ Romans 12:9b-10 NKJV

Is that even possible in our society today?

Of course it is.  And no better time than now.  Tis the season to invite friends over for food, drink, and conversation by the fire.  Give cheerfully – not expensively.  Bake cookies.  Be kind.  Mend fences.

Some folks suffer from depression during the holidays and my heart goes out to them.  It isn’t easy to be cheerful when your heart is heavy or the budget does not allow for much gift giving.  Toss the materialism and enjoy giving the most valuable gifts:  Time, love, laughter and hope.  God does not want any to suffer pain or fear.

Be of the same mind to one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. ~ Romans 12:16 NKJV

Continue to pray for God’s strength while clinging to good.  He is faithful and your example will bless others.

Thank you for following

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Photo of the Month | August 2018

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Psalms 103:15-17

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is  gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children’s children;

Thank you for following

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Video of the Month | June 2018

The May Tree blooming in June.  It has a friend that lives beside it – A Siberian Larch.

Even the wilderness and the desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the Lord will display His glory, the splendor of our God. With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.“ ~ Isaiah 35:1-4 NLT

What’s In Your Wallet?

I was searching through a box of old photos a few days ago and noticed my dad’s wallet nestled down between photo albums.

“What’s in Your Wallet, Dad?” I wondered, as I gingerly picked it up and looked inside.

It’s been decades since I last explored the contents of his wallet; and frankly, I had never been able to get past the family photo contents without tearing up and closing it.  But on this day, I slid my finger behind his old driver’s license and pulled out this card:

A Living Hope
Dad’s Witness Card

It stopped me for a second… “Good for you, Dad!  Ever the Lord’s witness, you carried this gospel tract in your wallet.  How many times did you pull out your wallet and show this witness card to someone?”

Now, forty years later, I believe that God wanted me to notice Dad’s wallet and be curious enough to investigate further.  This side of Heaven, I will never know; but as we commemorate the resurrection of Jesus this Sunday, I’m sharing this card.  A Living Hope has been tucked away in Dad’s wallet for half a century… safe, and preserved… and I am thankful for the opportunity to shed light and ask,

What’s in Your Wallet?

“Thank you, Lord, for the mysterious and wondrous workings of Your Holy Spirit and how You move so powerfully and purposefully throughout the earth to bring the hearts of men back to you.  Woo us, Father God, through the Good News that Jesus loved us so much; that He gave His life for our redemption and broke free of the bonds of death – giving us A Living Hope.  Stir us up and revive us again, Lord, to proclaim Your Gift of Grace, Jesus Our Messiah, to the world.  In His Matchless, Powerful Name, Amen.”

So where is A Living Hope now?

In my wallet, of course.

Happy Resurrection Day!

Note:

Tribute to Good News Publishers for its tracts publishing ministry.  I was unable to determine if the publisher at Westchester, Illinois, is the same one as the Good News Publishers of Wheaton, Illinois, that later published the ESV Bible.  Here is a link to the history of the founders of that great tracts publishing ministry at Crossway.org.