How Good or Bad Do You Have It?

As I was eating a bowl of spaghetti, I was reading a story about a young woman who was tortured for 30 days because she was overheard by another woman praying to God. The story reads how she was raped by her owners, became pregnant, then fled from North Korea with a friend. Her friend later died from cold and hunger. Sister Yang's story has much more to tell, however this one woman became a believer in a non-believer's world and then was persecuted for her faith. She in turn looked to the Father of Creation for help. She experienced "faith under pressure," wouldn't you agree?
I looked at my bowl of almost eaten spaghetti and thought "someone is hungry today." My next thought was "she has a purpose in her life."
It raised questions for myself. I know that people have questioned my walk by faith, but I was never hungry to the point of death, I have not been tortured to the extreme of my body turning black and blue, and yet I wonder "what is my purpose Lord?".
We sing "How Great is Our God" without truly knowing Him as a friend or a provider in the darkest times of our lives. We are concerned when our washing machines break or our computers stop working and we want it fixed "NOOOW;" we are a spoiled country. We do not know what it is like to be without sometimes; we forget that there are others without and perishing.
However, with the way our economy in our Putnam County is right now, we are experiencing cold and hunger.
I have seen people in tears; not sure of what will happen tomorrow. Yet have faith enough to know that God will provide and they will experience Him.
Then there are others who mock Him and say "yeah right" under their breathe.
If you are questioning if God cares, He does. If you are desiring more in your life; God is there. If you are willing to surrender, He will hold on to you.
I encourage you to come to know this God of Creation, this Father who loves not like an earthly father, this friend who will never leave you in your darkest times, and wants the BEST for you.
If you know Him and are questioning Him; He already knows you. He hasn't left you. Have you left Him?
I encourage you my friend to grow in the knowledge of God Almighty and allow Him to fill you with truth and healing.

~Be Encouraged
Marjorie

PS. As you walk through your day; would you pray for someone else in the world?

Star Gazing

I had a scene dancing in my head I would like to share with you. Laying in a field of brown grass on your back and a pouch is under your head. You're not camping out, but just enjoying the cool night air with a couple of your friends. The stars appear to be bright yet small because of the distance from you to them. All of a sudden, the stars are transformed to countless angels joyfully singing.
Next, you and your friends are overwhelmed with the sight, you rub your eyes to make sure you are not imagining this scene. You are so amazed by it, you make sure your friends are seeing this too. You are looking up in awe, your palms are sweating, your mind is rushing with thoughts of "how could this be." Then your ears are perked up at the beautiful sounds and wondering what they are singing and then you hear it "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth good will toward men!"
All of a sudden your heart that fell to your feet is picking itself back up and jumping out of your chest with excitement.This is exactly what happened in the  beginning of spreading the word about Jesus.
God chose the lowest of lows, the shepherds in the field, to hear about his son being born. He made the announcement in a most supernatural way. If you are a dad, you know how it feels to want to shout it from the stars that your son has arrived. God did just that.
There is great news to be shared not just at Christmas all the time. I encourage you to notice someone today that might be overlooked by others and share the good news of Jesus Christ.
I encourage you today, to rest in the knowledge that there is something bigger than your problems and He can take care of them better than you can.
Last, I encourage you to look at the stars and remember who created them and then thank Him. He'd love to hear from you.

Glory to God in the highest heaven!
~Marjorie

To read the whole story pick up a Bible and read Luke 2:18-20; be encouraged.