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If You Could Chat with One Person from the Bible…

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I thought I’d take a stab at answering one of the questions from the “12 Journal Writing Prompts” that I made especially for those of you who have signed up to have my blog posts e-mailed to you weekly. I’d love to hear your answer in the comments below or on Facebook.

If I Could Chat with One Person from the Bible (other than Jesus) it would be.…

Abraham!

He’s been on my mind lately since I’ve been studying part of his story. I’d love to know how he had the faith to Believe God and leave everything behind and go to an unknown place.

What did he do during all those years of waiting and wondering?

What did he really think every time the Lord promised him that he would be the father of many nations? It must have seemed so far-fetched to him. So much so that he went along with the plan that Sarah hatched to help speed along their long-awaited heir.

And yet deep down, he still believed and he still waited. Now that is faith!

I’m sure he’d have fascinating stories to tell. What an interview it would be to speak with the Father of the Faithful!

Abraham’s story reminds us:

  • God is Faithful.
  • God Keeps His Word.
  • We can trust God no matter what.
  • Faith requires action even when we don’t have all the details.

What a beautiful legacy Abraham has left us. (Not familiar with his story? You can read about him in Genesis 12-25).

Now it’s your turn. Who would you like to chat with? Feel free to leave a comment or to join the conversation on Facebook.

Did this encourage you? Please hit “like” and don’t forget to sign up below to have my weekly encouraging blog posts e-mailed straight to you for free. When you subscribe below, you’ll also receive the free “12 Journal Writing Prompts” PDF I created to help inspire you as you write/journal.

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For more encouragement and to learn how I can come alongside of you as your Life Coach or to invite me to speak at your event, visit my website www.aboundingfaith.com. You can also find me on YouTube and Pinterest.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. 

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“Moving Beyond the Fog” Special Video

As some of you may know, I recently won Our Daily Bread‘s Facebook Contest for Readers. I’m so honored and delighted to have won. I have been reading them for many years. Their inspirational words have encouraged me many times and their writing style has influenced me as well. They recently asked me to film a short-video to share at a staff meeting. I hope you enjoy the video. I’ve also included the devotional below. Blessings to you!

Moving Beyond the Fog

Read: Psalm 119:105-107

“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

Over the years, I’ve gotten accustomed to driving from New York City to Upstate New York to visit my sister and her family. Usually the ride over the Tappan Zee Bridge, which is the longest bridge in the state, is one of the most scenic parts of the trip. I love seeing the beautiful mountains and the Hudson River. But that wasn’t the case the day I got caught in a downpour and was blinded by fog. It was so thick that I couldn’t even see the cars beside me! All I could see were the taillights from the car directly in front of me, so I followed his lead until I safely crossed the bridge.

In our daily lives, how often do we get blinded by the fog of doubt, despair, discouragement, or disappointment? Something happens and we lose sight of God’s Word and His plan for our lives. We forget God’s promises and are tempted to give up in the middle of our journey. It’s in those moments that we need to cling to God and His Word. He will show us the way to go. His Word is “a light to [our] path” (Psalm 119:105), which helps lift the fog.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will guide, protect, and love us every step of the way.

Thank You, Lord, that even when we’re tempted to give up, You don’t give up on us! Help us to trust You and keep walking by faith and not by sight.

What seems foggy to us is crystal-clear to our all-knowing God.

Did this encourage you? Please hit “like” and be sure to sign up below to have my weekly encouraging blog posts e-mailed straight to you for free. When you subscribe below, you’ll also receive the free “12 Journal Writing Prompts” PDF I created to help inspire you as you write/journal.

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For more encouragement and to learn how I can come alongside of you as your Life Coach or to invite me to speak at your event, visit my website www.aboundingfaith.com. You can also find me on YouTube and Pinterest.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

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Celebrating Life!

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Those who know me well have heard me say that I don’t just celebrate my birthday, I celebrate my birthmonth. Yes, the Roctober celebrations are in full swing. I’m enjoying dinner and dessert with my family and friends. I’m finding ways to pamper myself as well. Why limit the party to one day when you can celebrate all month long, right?

But along with rejoicing, I tend to get very pensive and do a lot of reflecting around my birthday. I take inventory of the highs and lows of the past year and then future focused me likes to plan and set goals for the upcoming year.

Trying to figure out the future though can fill anyone with worry, doubt or fear. That’s why I’m learning to not fret so much and to rest in knowing that God has everything under control.

The verse that comes to mind is found in Psalm 139. That’s one of my favorite Psalms and the verse I’m referring to is, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:16)

Let’s stop and think about that for a moment. Before we were even born, God knew us. And before we ever took one breath on this earth, God had our lives all planned out. Nothing surprises God!

Sometimes we get so stressed trying to figure out God’s will for our lives or what our next step should be. We worry about missing God’s plan for our lives or get upset that we haven’t achieved certain goals yet. But as a dear friend recently reminded me, God is not limited by time.

I can be content and enjoy today because I know that I’m right where God wants me to be for now. I can praise God and celebrate what’s to come because I know that God has ordained beautiful things for my future.

The same is true for you! Continue following Jesus and let Him unfold His good plan for your life day by day.

Blessings to you! May you find plenty of reasons to laugh, smile, and sing today and every day.

Did this encourage you? Please hit “like” and be sure to sign up below to have my weekly encouraging blog posts e-mailed straight to you for free. When you subscribe below, you’ll also receive the free “12 Journal Writing Prompts” PDF I created to help inspire you as you write/journal.

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For more encouragement and to learn how I can come alongside of you as your Life Coach or to invite me to speak at your event, visit my website www.aboundingfaith.com. You can also find me on YouTube and Pinterest.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Favorite Bible Verse Episode 4

I’m trying to take advantage of shooting videos outdoors while the weather is still nice. I hope you enjoy this short video. If you’re going through a tough time, remember that God is working things out for you. You may not see it right now, but He is working it out behind the scenes. Blessings!

Did this encourage you? Please hit “like” and be sure to sign up below to have my weekly encouraging blog posts e-mailed straight to you for free. When you subscribe below, you’ll also receive the free “12 Journal Writing Prompts” PDF I created to help inspire you as you write/journal.

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For more encouragement and to learn how I can come alongside of you as your Life Coach or to invite me to speak at your event, visit my website www.aboundingfaith.com. You can also find me on YouTube and Pinterest.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Favorite Bible Verse – Episode 3

Need some encouragement? I hope this short video will help to remind you that you can trust God no matter what!

This is actually my 20th video for my YouTube channel. I’m a bit amazed, but I’m also excited to have reached my unofficial goal!

I didn’t quite know what I was doing when I started shooting these videos, but I stepped out in faith and continued recording them. My hope is to encourage you in your faith walk and to remind you about God’s Amazing love for us! Feel free to check out my YouTube channel to watch the other videos, and please tell your friends about them as well.

I think I’ll keep shooting videos as the Lord leads. If you have ideas for topics that you’d like me to cover, you can leave your thoughts in the comments below or e-mail me at Info@miraculouslovely.com.

Blessings to you!

Did this encourage you? Please hit “like” and be sure to sign up below to have my weekly encouraging blog posts e-mailed straight to you for free. When you subscribe below, you’ll also receive the free “12 Journal Writing Prompts” PDF I created to help inspire you as you write/journal.

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For more encouragement and to learn how I can come alongside of you as your Life Coach or to invite me to speak at your event, visit my website www.aboundingfaith.com. You can also find me on YouTube and Pinterest.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Summer Greetings

It’s been a whirlwind the last couple of weeks so I haven’t had much time to write, but I have shot a few more videos. I pray you will be blessed by these two short videos I shot during my recent vacation with my family. I pray you’re having a wonderful summer!

Did these videos encourage you? Please hit “like” and be sure to sign up below to have my weekly encouraging blog posts e-mailed straight to you for free. When you subscribe below, you’ll also receive the free “12 Journal Writing Prompts” PDF I created to help inspire you as you write/journal.

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For more encouragement and to learn how I can come alongside of you as your Life Coach or to invite me to speak at your event, visit my website www.aboundingfaith.com. You can also find me on YouTube and Pinterest.

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Dream Big!

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Looking up from Manhattan the other day.

Are you a dreamer? Me too!

I love coming up with ideas for new projects, experiencing and learning new things, and planning and preparing for what’s ahead.

It’s fun to daydream about what to do next and even better to actually accomplish those goals! I’ve been doing a lot of dreaming lately, and God has been removing obstacle after obstacle. I plan to share some of those updates in upcoming posts.

In the meantime, I’d like to help inspire you to keep dreaming. And not just tiny dreams. No, I mean Big Dreams! Ones that seem out of your reach. Yes, the type that stretch you beyond your comfort zone. I’m talking about those ideas that you need God to step in and help you out with.

God is so creative! He created the stars, moon, sky, the birds of the air, the flowers in the field. He created YOU and me in His image!

He has given us ideas and dreams, talents and gifts, skills and knowledge, and His Holy Spirit to help us accomplish His will for our lives. We’re to use our abilities to bring Glory and Honor to our Maker.

Let’s marvel at Jesus for a moment and consider this:

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:15-20)

What an Awesome God we serve! The world really does revolve around Jesus!

What is God asking you to do? What is on your God-inspired bucket list?

Sure there will be roadblocks that get in our way, detours that try to distract us, and uncertainties about the next steps, but if God is for us who can be against us! Nothing can stop you from achieving what God has for you!

As I see God putting some of the puzzle pieces together in my life, I’m reminded that He really does Order My Steps and makes a way where there seems to be no way so that I can accomplish His purpose for my life.

He is at work in your life, too!

As you walk with Jesus, you’ll be working out your faith and patience muscles. That’s part of the process. Be sure to let Jesus lead you all the way. Take a quick break when needed, but then keep Moving Forward. Don’t let the ups and downs and curves in life stop you in your tracks. Instead Stay the Course!

Each taste of victory will be so sweet to your soul!

Blessings to you as you remain steadfast on your journey and live the life that Jesus planned out for you before the beginning of time!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

Did this encourage you? Please hit “like” and leave a comment below!

To get these encouraging posts e-mailed to you for free and to receive the “12 Journal Writing Prompts” PDF that I created as a gift to help inspire YOU to write/journal, click here.

For more encouragement and to learn how I can come alongside of you as your Life Coach or to invite me to speak at your event, visit my new website www.aboundingfaith.com.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Obey God Anyway


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Ever notice that sometimes obeying God doesn’t make sense?

I just finished taking a class on the Old Testament prophets and the Bible passage that I focused on for my final paper is found in Jeremiah 32. God instructs the prophet Jeremiah to buy a field from his cousin in a town that is already being occupied by the Babylonians.

For 40 years Jeremiah had warned the people in Judah that destruction was coming, but they refused to repent and continued worshipping idols. Poor Jeremiah was beaten, isolated, and imprisoned.

But now the prophecies are coming true. Judah is under attack and the people are about to be taken into captivity. In the middle of all this, while Jeremiah is still imprisioned, God tells him to buy the field and to have it witnessed.

In the natural, that looks like one of the worst investments ever, right?

Jeremiah must have found this request absurd to say the least. Here’s what he said, “See how the siege ramps are built up to take the city. Because of the sword, famine and plague, the city will be given into the hands of the Babylonians who are attacking it. What you said has happened, as you now see. And though the city will be given into the hands of the Babylonians, you, Sovereign Lord, say to me, ‘Buy the field with silver and have the transaction witnessed.’” (Jeremiah 32:24-25)

Jeremiah doesn’t understand why God is asking him to do this.

Isn’t that what happens in our lives too?

Sometimes God asks us to do things that seem a bit outrageous or uncomfortable. We know it’s from God, but we’re not sure why He’s asking us to do it. It doesn’t even have to be something extreme. He could ask you to reach out to a certain person, volunteer to serve in a particular area or to bless one of your enemies in some way.

What do you do in those moments?  Do you wrestle with God for days or weeks and try to convince yourself you must have misheard God or misunderstood Him?

Or do you obey?

Jeremiah chose to obey. Then he prayed and praised God for being the maker of heaven and earth and for all the miraculous signs and wonders He performed as He brought the Israelites out of Egypt. He declared that nothing is too impossible for God and all the way at the end of his prayer he basically questioned why God asked him to buy the property.

God’s response to Jeremiah is classic and it applies to us today as well, “… I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)

Yes, God is Sovereign and He has a plan and His plans will come to pass no matter what.

God goes on to say that judgment was coming, but after 70 years He would restore His people to their land and that’s exactly what He did.

Jeremiah buying the field was a step of faith and a sign that God would keep His promise.

I don’t know what God is asking you to do, but I want to remind you that when God speaks, He means what He says.

Even if your situation looks hopeless, or God asks you to do something that you don’t understand (like buy a field in a city that is about to be destroyed) you and I need to trust God. He knows what He is doing and He knows what’s best for us!

Did this encourage you? Please click “Like” or leave a comment below.

To get these posts e-mailed straight to your inbox weekly, and to get my free e-booklet MiraculousLovely Abroad: Lessons and Snapshots from the Mission Fields, click here.

For more encouragement, and to learn how I can come alongside of you as your Life Coach, visit my website www.aboundingfaith.com.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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He is Risen!

I’d like to share this short video I shot yesterday to celebrate Resurrection Sunday! As Believers, we can rejoice over Jesus’ life, sacrificial death, and resurrection every day! Amen! Blessings to you!

Did this video encourage you? Please click “Like” or leave a comment below.  You can view more encouraging videos on my YouTube Channel by clicking here.

To get my blog posts e-mailed straight to your inbox weekly, and to get my free e-booklet MiraculousLovely Abroad: Lessons and Snapshots from the Mission Fields, click here.

To learn how I can come alongside of you as your Life Coach, visit my website www.aboundingfaith.com.

 

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Name Above All Names


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When I look at this picture, I’m reminded that the name of Jesus is higher than any other name! (Philippians 2:9-11)

As we get ready to observe Good Friday and to celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection, I just want to encourage you that Jesus is Greater than anything you may be facing! We can trust Him no matter what!

I pray you will have a deeper revelation of how much Jesus loves you and that you will walk in that confidence knowing that nothing can separate you from the love of Christ! May you be so filled with Christ’s love that you overflow and express His love to others!

Have a blessed Holy Week! Rejoice, He is Risen!

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” (Matthew 28:6)

Did this encourage you? Please click “Like” or leave a comment below.

To get these posts e-mailed straight to your inbox weekly, and to get my free e-booklet MiraculousLovely Abroad: Lessons and Snapshots from the Mission Fields, click here.

For more encouragement, and to learn how I can come alongside of you as your Life Coach, visit my website www.aboundingfaith.com.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

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