I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
God Gives Good Gifts
There are seasons in our life when we are more discouraged than encouraged. It is inevitable that all of us will experience those moments, and it is often in the face of insurmountable grief or negative experiences that this happens.
But Romans 15:5 reminds us that there are three things that God gives to those who believe in Jesus. The first is that God gives endurance. When we begin to grow tired of doing good things, or living our life for God, it is often because we are living with the wrong motivation.
True motivation comes from living for God, not ourselves. It is God who gives us the endurance through the Spirit to make good choices and live for Him.
The second thing God gives us is encouragement. In seasons of discouragement when we feel let down by people, God gives us lasting encouragement. He reminds us that we are loved. He reminds us that we are being transformed. We don’t need to strive for approval or acceptance because we’re already sons and daughters of God.
The third thing that we can pray for God to give us is unity of mind toward each other. This means that we consider others how Jesus would consider them. Instead of seeing their flaws or mistakes, we see them as people loved and cared for by God. We should work towards unity with each other rather than division.
All three of these things are worthy of spending time in prayer, asking God for: endurance, encouragement, and unity with each other. If you’re feeling tired and want to quit, ask God for the endurance to continue doing good for those around you.
If you’re feeling discouraged and down, ask God for encouragement that only He can give. And above all, ask God for the same heart and mind of Jesus that brings us together in unity rather than division.
The Story God is Writing
Mary had quite the unique journey to motherhood. An unmarried virgin, she carried the Son of God. Mary could have easily felt lonely or isolated, but she was not alone in the story God was writing.
For decades, Mary’s relative Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah prayed and asked God for a child. After many years, God answered their prayers. When an angel told Mary she would give birth to Jesus, the Savior of the world, she went straight to Elizabeth, who was a few months along in her own miraculous pregnancy.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting upon her arrival, the baby in her womb leapt and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaiming, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!” (Luke 1:42)
Keep in mind, Mary had only just found out about her pregnancy. It would have been so easy, so understandable to be overwhelmed, afraid, or distressed. Mary had not even yet wed her husband, Joseph. And yet, watch the trust and ...
