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More, Lord? When You are Pressed Beyond Your Strength

May 17, 2013 By 10 Comments
WHEN YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR AND HEAR **MORE** BAD NEWS... you can wonder how much more you can bear. What does God expect out of you? Aren't you trying hard enough to deal with what He has allowed already? This #devotional will comfort you and it shares how much we must rely on God's strength--not our own.

When you feel like you have dealt the best you can with all God has allowed, and then He allows even more suffering, Karlton shares where you can find the strength to keep going. "When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; He brought me into a spacious place. (Psalm 118:4-6) Thomas Paine said, "These are the times that try men's souls." You may also feel that there have been times that tried your soul, tested your strength and ability to endure. And when we have our hopes high, too often we come crashing down to reality by a setback of our health, some new affliction arising, or just old issues reminding us just how much we hate our affliction and weakness. Standing strong when we feel weak can seem impossible. Sometimes it feels … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Fear, Overwhelmed, What's New?

Mother’s Day Reflections on God’s Plan

May 12, 2013 By 13 Comments
WHAT IS MOTHERHOOD ALL ABOUT? Lisa shares how her journey of motherhood is not quite what she expected and yet, even through the pain and sorrow, it is so much more.

Lisa shares from her heart the path of motherhood and how it is rarely smooth. "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." (Hebrews 12:11) Happy Mother's Day. I write that with the hope that many of you will feel blessed today. Perhaps you will spend the day with your children. Maybe they will call from another state, drop by for a visit. They will tell you how much you mean to them. Or. . . maybe not . . . Celebrating motherhood can be bittersweet for many. Some of you still long to be a mother, others of you have children in heaven. Some of you just. . . struggle. I am one who is struggling. I love … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Holidays, Overwhelmed, Parenting, What's New?

Do You Wonder if You Are Good Enough?

May 11, 2013 By 9 Comments
AS A MOM WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS DO YOU EVER WONDER, "AM I GOOD ENOUGH?" This #devotional writer shares how she has struggled over the years as a mom who couldn't do it all. . . but how it was still good enough. Good read for those of us wondering if we are giving our kids our best. #parenting

As Mother's Day approaches tomorrow, some of us will wonder if, as a mom with an illness, we are "good enough." Dorothea shares how she realized she was--in God's eyes. “. . . to be busy at home . . .” (Titus 2:5) Most of the women in my family have taken the Titus 2 teaching to the extreme. Whenever I go home, I feel like I’m watching those “perfect” housewives from the old movies: sparkling homes; neatly ironed and starched laundry; hot meals every morning and night. These women manage to be neatly groomed at all times. They work, are active in church, and maintain social calendars. It’s hard for me to believe that I was a part of that circle until chronic illness took its toll on my body. When I got sick, I knew there … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Overwhelmed, Parenting, Self -Esteem, What's New?

Easter Is Coming Bringing Seeds Of New Life!

March 23, 2013 By 26 Comments
HOW CAN A SEED THAT FALLS TO THE GROUND PRODUCE ANYTHING? The Word tells us this is exactly what happens. This devotional writer shares her experience.

Can seeds of life grow out of our problems? Kerryn shares how this happens in her life. “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:24). For most of you, Spring is in the air. New birth, blossom buds and floral tributes are filling the landscape. However, for those of us in Australia, we've stepped into Autumn. The winds are blowing, the nights are cooling rapidly and flower heads are forming seeds that accompany their “death.” Easter is coming. . . bringing seeds of new life! I'm lying on my bed and glimpse the agapanthus that line our front steps. Their once jubilant massive purple and white heads are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Overwhelmed, What's New?

God Is Never Overwhelmed

March 3, 2013 By 8 Comments
IS YOUR ILLNESS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OVERWHELMING YOU? It is natural that they would! But... did you know that this is why we can depend on God. He is NEVER overwhelmed. He never grows tired of our prayers. He is always in control and never surprised. This #devotional writer explains how we can put our faith in Him and see the stress lessen.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your circumstances? Do the problems seem to stack up? Fiona Burrows shares why we can rest in the fact that God is never overwhelmed. “Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them--the Lord, who remains faithful forever.” (Psalm 146:5-6) Have you ever had a time when it seems like everywhere you go, or every time you talk with someone, there seems to be stuff happening that’s hard? Have you had times when all you seem to hear is bad news? Life can be like that sometimes. It may seem like this will last forever--like you won't hear any good news again. Over the last few weeks I’ve heard so many … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Overwhelmed, Spiritually Struggling, What's New?

How Can God Use Our Weakness When We Had Such Good Plans For Our Strengths?

February 26, 2013 By 15 Comments
OUR WEAKNESSES MAKE US FEEL SO. . . WEAK! But God can use them! This #devotional is by a pastor who found himself in a hospital bed recovering from major spinal fusion surgery 4 DAYS after becoming ordained. God certainly had some big plans!

Would God really give a man a ministry, only to take it away due to pain? Rev. Charles shares how God can use our weakness for His plans. "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9) It was September 25, 2007 and I was lying in a hospital bed just four days after being ordained to the ministry. The day prior I had a major spinal fusion surgery that lasted twelve hours. The time came though for me to get out of bed for the first time and I knew this was going to be so hard, since I had lost total control and feeling in my left foot. I remember grabbing onto a quite … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Overwhelmed, Self -Esteem, Spiritually Struggling, What's New?

Patience Is a Gift We Give Ourselves

February 25, 2013 By 14 Comments
PATIENCE IS A GIFT WE GIVE OURSELVES-especially when we are chronically ill! Although we may not always get what we desire in the end, we still grow character in our wait without worries and stress. #evotional #chronic #illness

Have you ever been stretched to the limit when it comes to patience? Laura explains why patience will be rewarded by our Lord--even if not in our circumstances sometimes. "Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly." (Proverbs 14: 29) Sixteen months--I waited 16 months for a doctor appointment. It was not by choice. That is how long it took to secure an appointment with one of the top specialists for my condition in the country. I didn’t think I would ever get to see him, but it finally occurred. After traveling 300 miles each way, I saw this world-renowned cardiologist--the man who conducted volumes of research on my particular disorder. It was a remarkable doctor’s appointment. He … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Overwhelmed, What's New?

God is Faithful To Help Me Accomplish What He Desires

February 24, 2013 By 6 Comments
ARE YOU ACCOMPLISHING WHAT GOD DESIRES RATHER THAN WHAT YOU DESIRE? Or, are you putting your list of things you need to accomplish as the priority in your life?

Is God faithful to help you accomplish what He wishes? Or are you trying to do what you wish? Linda explains. "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22, 23) The last few months have been some of the roughest I can remember. There has been one thing after another to deal with physically. Then you add in family and financial needs. When you put it all together it is almost overwhelming, it is easy to begin to feel consumed. But I can testify that the verse above is so true, the Lord’s compassions never fail me. When I wake of a morning and wonder how I am going to face another day the Lord is right there to give me … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Overwhelmed, What's New?, Worry

Jesus, The Morning Star Shining in the Dark Nights of Pain

February 19, 2013 By 3 Comments
WHAT DOES VENUS HAVE TO DO WITH JESUS WATCHING OUT FOR US IN OUR PAIN? You may be surprised! #devotional

What does the planet Venus have to do with Jesus being our morning star? Bronylnn shares. “I am the Root and Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16). Most people, whether chronically ill or not, have experienced sleepless nights for various reasons. When we have pain, nights seem endless. Although our days may not be much better, it can be a relief to see some light in the sky and know that our long and sleepless night is finally over. Jesus is called the Morning Star in three places in Scripture (Numbers 24:17; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 22:16). The Morning Star is not really a star at all, but the planet Venus. It is most visible just before sunrise, and is one of the brightest objects in the sky. The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Overwhelmed, What's New?

Seeing the Sacred Through Suffering: Does Pain Have Blessings?

February 18, 2013 By 22 Comments
ARE THERE REALLY BLESSINGS IN THE PAIN? They are so hard to find but there is a purpose in it all and many people with chronic illness will tell you that through the path of suffering, they have been blessed beyond any health they may have had.

Are there really blessings in suffering? Our new devotional writer, Pastor Chris, shares his thoughts on this. "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair." (2 Corinthians 4:8) The greatest tragedy in anyone’s life is to live a life free from tragedy. When I talk like that it sounds crazy to some people. In fact it sounds crazy to most people. That’s because by the world’s standards it is crazy. The world says “avoid pain at all costs.” In God’s economy, suffering is a necessary part of seeing the sacred. In my life as the pastor of a local church, I have traveled the pathway of pain, arm in arm with the angel of death many times. I’ve come to consider him a friend. When he comes, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Loneliness, Overwhelmed, Spiritually Struggling, What's New?

Do You Need a Dump Pass To Better Cope with Illness?

February 16, 2013 By 15 Comments
EVERYONE WITH ILLNESS NEEDS A DUMP PASS! What's a dump pass? Does your city ever give you a day every six months to take a load of garbage to the dump without being charged? Perhaps you need a special someone to allow you to have a dump pass and get some things off your mind and heart so you can cope even better with #chronic #illness. #devotional

We could all use a dump pass to better cope with illness. Kerryn explains how precious it can be and why. “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. 'For the foundations of the earth are the Lord's; upon them He has set the world.'” (1 Samuel 2:8). “Tomorrow we're having a special time together to talk and I'm giving you a dump pass!” This was the comment my dear husband gave me two nights ago, before he headed off to bed. I couldn't quite work out what he was trying to say though. Yes, I understood that we would finally have time, just the two of us, to chat together. It was much needed. However, the “dump pass” had me … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Overwhelmed, Reflection, What's New?

When The Stress of Illness Multiplies, Where Do You Turn?

February 11, 2013 By 6 Comments
WHEN THE STRESS OF ILLNESS MULTIPLIES, WHERE DO YOU TURN? It is so hard to DEAL with the lab results that are not good, the tests that can be scary and invasive. Where do you turn when it all begins to feel like JUST TOO MUCH? #devotional

Linda receives more unsettling news about her test results. But she reminds us to take refuge in Him and avoid giving in to the stress of illness and it's threats. “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” (Psalm 34:8) The pastor at the church we attended a few years ago during a service would often say “God is good all the time” and we as a congregation would respond with “and all the time God is good” What a difference this makes in my day if I remember this when the unexpected comes into your day. We have a television cable company that, a couple of seconds before the phone actually rings, it shows you who is calling in the corner of the TV screen. Now when you had a lot of labs … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Grief, Overwhelmed, What's New?
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