Verse of Hope

Friday, December 6, 2013

What a Dog!

Have you ever stood in the isle at the grocery store and really looked at the packaging? I did the other day in the dog isle. Do you ever stare at the cutest dog, play with it, or just want to hug on it and never let it go?  I asked for a dog a long time ago that would be a small female that was smart and loved me too. I sure got what I wanted.
Dogs are amazing creatures because they love unconditionally; without thought or purpose. You come home at the end of the day and they are so excited to see you that you would think they are going to pee on the floor if you don't let them out quick enough. They jump up and down, they wag their tales as they sit their butts on the cold floor, their tongue hangs down past  their chin, and they look like they are wearing a smile.
You can scold them and they know they are in trouble, but then within a few minutes they are right back in your way trying to get you to pet them.  So what is their purpose?
I've read that you were created to be loved by God. You were created not out of need but want. God wants to love on you. He gets excited when you talk to Him, love on others through your genuine kindness. He doesn't need you to do anything, He wants you to want to do things. He just wants to sit with you and enjoy a meal or a cup of coke / coffee. It pleases Him when you do an act of selfless service for another. WOW!
You are loved by God for just being you; as my dog loves me for just being me.
You can be covered in mud and still be loved and adored. That mud you are covered in is all kinds of shame, guilt, frustration, murder, torment, and other yucky puckies, but God still loves you! You can't make Him mad enough to stand there with closed arms. I could make Sadie mad enough to want to bite me, but I know she won't. Sadie will ignore me;  but God never will; He stands with arms wide open.
There is much for us to learn from watching animals such as dogs or cats. I am not a cat owner, so I cannot comment on them. However, I know they are finicky and temperamental. I know people can be the same way, but not God.
The next time you have the opportunity to visit with a dog, remember they love you just as God does; unconditionally. A dog doesn't have to know anything about you and will want your attention.

~Be encouraged by knowing you are loved just as you are by a God that created a miracle; that miracle is YOU.






Thursday, November 28, 2013

Let's Get Ready To Rumble!

I can hear the famous announcer in the ring now yelling those famous words; "Let's get ready to rumble!" I know I've been in a fight with an unseen apponent.  So picture if you will a boxing match ring with people all around the outside seats.  I am in one corner and noone is in the other. The bell rings and I head to the center and start swinging at the air with my sword, the word of God, instead of boxing gloves. I keep getting hit though by an unseen apponent.   I am hit to the ground, the referee starts counting, it looks like I am TKO'd, but wait God says to me, "get up! You can do this with Me. You don't have to fight alone!" So I get up and win this battle.
Just recently I have felt knocked down. I had the wind knocked out of me when a very close friend thought the worst of me. I was hurt, shocked, and ready to call it quits on my calling from God.  However, I realized where I made a mistake in a decision I made and decided to get up for another try.
I may not be the smartest fighter in the ring, but I don't have to be. I just need to learn from my mistakes as I make them.
It doesn't matter how many times I fall down at the count, it matters how many times I get back up.
-we don't fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities,  against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual ghost of wickedness in the heavenly places.
I can do ALL things through Christ who strengths me.
So just for today, I am getting back in the fight for Jesus' kingdom.
~ Be encouraged, I am!
Eph 6:12; Phil 4:13