Moving from Problem to Promise

Adversity tests our faith. Do we really believe that God is in control? Do we recognize that, in ways often beyond our grasp, He causes everything to work together for our good?

Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Are we convinced that at just the right moment He will give us all the good things He has promised?
When we collide with the unfairness of life, questions such as "Why me?" "Why now?" or even "Why did God?" testify to our desperate need for answers. We must shift our focus from problem to promise by asking, "What now, God? What can I learn from this situation? What will you reveal about your plan for my future?"

We must surrender it all to God - give it all to Him. He draws us close and whispers, "Don't worry. I am in control."

Marriage

So many marriages are struggling these days and often end up in divorce. An everlasting marriage is what God intended. Since when did marriage become a routine more than a lasting marriage? When did "I do" become irrelevant and just a saying? What makes people give up on their marriage without even considering marriage counseling? I have pondered this many times as I have had friends who have been divorced, have friends going through a divorce as well as myself, many of them whom their spouse had an affair or just chose to leave without even considering marriage counseling. They chose the easy way out, the world's way out. Today's society has made divorce so easy. It is sad that so many don't take their vows serious. Marriage was intended to last. God hates divorce. Malachi 2:16 "I hate divorce," says the Lord God. Mark 10:9 "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."  1 Corinthians 7:10-11 "To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord):  A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife."
As christians we are to pray for our marriage and ask God  to strengthen our relationship not only with Him but also with each other. We all have struggles and trials, why is it that when we as a couple are faced with trials we tend to give up on each other and take the easy way out? God has already told us that there would be trials and struggles. We have to learn to rely on God and humble ourselves before him. We cannot handle the struggles on our own. It is time we get back to the basics, give it all to God, let Him take control. It is time we SEEK the Lord and GIVE it all to Him. It is important to spend time with the Lord together as a couple, read the Bible, do daily devotions, and pray together. It is also important that you have date nights and discuss things that might be a concern to the other. It is also important to build one another up, compliment one another daily, encourage one another and most important whenever struggles come your way be supportive of one another, get together and pray. Pray about your struggles as husband and wife giving it all to God knowing He has complete control. Pray for an annointing and blessing upon your marriage. Pray for one another daily. If you are in ministry, don't ever put your ministry before your spouse. It is always God first, then your spouse, your family, then your ministry. Even if you are not in ministry and you have a job, don't do this as well. It is important to remember that Christ should be our focus and we should be united as one. Marriage takes work, not only when struggle arise but it should be a daily thing. I am writing this as I have learned from mistakes in my own marriage and noticed signs that our marriage was in trouble. I felt the need to share this. I hope this help saves someone esle's marriage. Divorce should never be mentioned in a marriage. Once mentioned, it is hard to forget.
I am not saying that we should never divorce because I do believe that there are certain circumstances that God would not allow us to keep suffering such as under physical abuse, verbal abuse, and adultery. If you have a spouse that is a devoted Christian and he is willing to attend Christian counseling and is truly sorry for what he has committed then I do believe you should seek God and allow forgiveness and Christian counseling to save your marriage. To avoid all this prayer is the key, praying over one another everyday will help strengthen your marriage. In some cases you may not have a choice if you spouse is the one who chose to leave and file for divorce which is what happened in my case. My spouse filed for divorce so I had no say in the matter. He simply chose another path. I have now forgiven him as well others involved and I must say that praying blessings over them has brought about true peace in my life. Divorce can be ugly and painful at the time but God will bring about healing in your life. God has truly blessed me and used this storm in my life to strengthen me and He has helped me to draw closer to Him. Please know I have been through a divorce and learned from my own mistakes. I am now lifting marriages up in prayer. I hope this helps someone that is struggling in their marriage. May you find your first love, Jesus Christ and may you restore your love in your spouse again. Love is not a feeling, it is an action, a decision!!! May God bless your marriage and for those who are single or have been through a divorced, seek the Lord, wait on His timing, be patient, be encouraged through God's word. God will bring healing to you in time. Praying for marriages!!! Praying for those who are going through a divorce that God would bring comfort, healing, and strength to you!!! Blessings my friends, may God be with you always!!!

Facing the Storms Head On

To all my faithful friends, I must apologize for not writing for so long. It has been a very rough year and to be quite honest I am ready for that good year to follow. I will continue to praise the Lord during this storm for He has always been with me even when it didn't seem like He was there. I may never understand why things happen the way they do but what I do know is that we serve a God of miracles and He can do the impossible! Well if you take a look back at my post back in December titled "Storms of Life" you will see that I explained the marriage problems my husband and I had. My husband had lied so much, definitely not the same man I once knew at all. He had become cold and hard hearted. It saddened me to see my husband like this. He had truly fallen into a life of sin. I do not understand why this has all happened or even why. I don't understand how a man could throw away God, his ministry, his family and his marriage of 26 years. He is truly blinded. I may never understand all of this but I do know a God who has a plan and I put my trust in Him. During all this ordeal over the last year, I have never stopped trusting God nor will I now. I have learned that God never gives you more than you can handle. When he left me again, I was so upset and couldn't believe this was all happening to me again but I serve an AMAZING God. God was there the whole time, He never leaves you nor forsakes you. He gave me the strength I never knew I had to get through this and still providing that strength even now. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
I have learned to rely on the Word of God each day and that scripture has helped me so much during this storm in my life. I am going to continue to praise the Lord in the midst of this storm! I know one day a testimony will come out of all this. This is my story and one day I  hope to be able to help others in a similar situation. Marriages are under attack! We must humble ourselves before God and fall on our face before Him and pray for marriages!!! I am claiming the victory no matter what the outcome may be, Christ is always victorious!!! You just have to keep your eyes on Jesus!!! My focus is on my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and our kids. I have been in prayer for my husband, Bill and our family and the other woman and her family as well. I have found that praying for others before your own needs is very rewarding and God gives you such a joy and peace. There are always others that are going through something similar to what you are going through now. You spend hours and hours in prayer and it is so refreshing. God clears your mind and gives you that incredible peace. I am truly blessed! No matter what the outcome I will continue to PRAISE the Lord, no matter what the outcome I will continue to trust TRUST in God, no matter what the outcome I will continue to PRAY!!! It is when we are at our weakest we become strong. It is not in our own strength but by the grace of God that He gives us that strength. When we truly forgive others then we find peace in our own heart. I can truly say that I have forgiven both my husband and the other woman, trusting will take some time. You have to remember that Christ died on the cross for our sins. A sin is a sin in God's eye whereas we look at sin from a human perspective, we view it as if some sins are worse. We still have to learn to forgive for God's Word tells us that if we do not forgive men of their sins, then our heavenly Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:15).
We must not let bitterness build up for we have to give it all to God, completely surrender it all. God truly prepared me for what was to come and I believe that greater things are ahead no matter what the outcome may be. I know a God who can and will do the IMPOSSIBLE!!! I believe in MIRACLES!!! It takes FAITH!!! Never give up, keep the faith!!! KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON GOD AND NOT THE CIRCUMSTANCES!!! Storms are a part of life and it how God prepares us for what lies ahead. He teaches us to persevere and overcome the obstacles surrounding us. He teaches us to fully put our trust in Him. The storms may keep coming but I am keeping my focus on the Lord!!! Thank you and God Bless!!!

Merry Christmas

To all my followers and friends, I wish you all a very blessed and Merry Christmas!!! Take this time to celebrate Christ birthday remembering He is the reason for the season. God gave us his most precious gift, Jesus Christ. May we take the time to reflect upon our life and ask ourselves these questions, "Are we really giving our very best to Jesus?" "Are we really being obedient to His call upon our life?" "Are we really walking by faith?"  "Are we really being a witness as He has called us to be to others?" I pray many blessings be with each of you this Christmas season and the new year to come. We have to look at each day as a gift from God for He hasn't finished with us yet. He has something for each of us, we just have to listen for His Word. I have been very blessed in my life. I consider everything I have went through to be a blessing from God and a learning experience. I have always said "Something good comes out of something bad." When I was faced with a major storm in my life, I had to stay positive and remember what I always said and really seek the face of God. Jesus has truly blessed me with my family, my friends, my church family and the youth group. Thank you all for the many prayers!!! Thank you to my family and friends for helping us get through such a rough year. Forgive one another and love one another. I say that in all honesty for it is in God's Word and it is so true. No matter what you are going through or what someone may have done to you, forgive them and love them. God has given me a gift and for that I am thankful. Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and remember that through all the hustle and bustle that He is the reason for the season. May we show the love of Jesus Christ this holiday season not only at Christmas but all year through and the years to come. May we go and light the world with the love of Jesus Christ. I would encourage you to please listen to the song below titled "Where Are the Lines to See Jesus" by Becky Kelley. It is truly a beautiful song and has such an inspiring and beautiful meaning. Hope you enjoy it. Love you all! God Bless! Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Blessings to you all,

Cindy

Becky Kelley - Where's the Line to See Jesus - OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO