livenlife

As God open my eyes to the things in my life that needed changing, I realized the fragments were the self-doubt, lack of trust, and shattered pieces that followed me on my Christian walk. Having a prideful spirit and believing that if I couldn’t get something done it wasn’t possible would be one example. He brought to light the areas in my life he needed to deal with and the pruning began. Bits and pieces of self were stripped away. Hurt and pain revealed and a prideful spirit was transformed into one He could use for his purpose.

A life transformed by the Father is truly one of his greatest works and one that should not be contained or hidden. Though some changes are not visible to the human eye much of how we act and react are. People, especially those who ‘knew you win,’ are watching and looking for the God in you.

If you gather those fragments and present them to the Father you’ll be amazed at how he will use them. Don’t allow the broken pieces of yesterday to over shadow your today. Give them to God and ask him to show you what you’ve gathered that needs to be pruned and transformed into something useful.

Just as the miracle should have been in the thousands he feed with two fish and five loaves interestingly enough the miracle, and what the crowd noticed and spoke of, was the leftovers.

Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did said,
“ This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” John 6:14

Be Blessed

Father I stretch my hands to thee no other help I know. You Lord are the keeper and protector of my soul. You formed me, know me and call me your beloved child. Thank you Lord for the love and comfort you’ve provided for me and my family on a daily basis. Thank you Lord for this gift of life, and the ability to see a new day, one so different than days before. Thank you Lord for even as the seasons change your love for your children will never change. Lord I ask that you open the eyes of those who don’t know you. I ask that your will and way rein in this world. As people look to state and government to change there quality of life, Lord I ask that you provide them with an understand of you because you are the hope of life and source to all that’s good and pure. Your love, grace and, mercy is beyond comparing. You are the air I breathe and acquainted with every breath I take. You are a healer, deliver, life giver, and burden barer. You are all we need in every situation. Lord I ask that you be with Van, Patricia, Eloise, Clara, Rose, Mary and those who are sick and calling on you. Father you know there sickness and you know what they need. I ask that your will be done in there situations and that your healing power shower over them, strengthen them in the areas in which their weak and comfort them as only you can. Lord I take comfort in knowing there’s nothing to hard or difficult for you and I pray that your loving presence will be felt by all who call on you in faith and truth. Lord you are a good God and there is none like you. If I had ten thousand tongues father I could not thank you enough because your ways and works are so many and magnificent.
In Jesus might name I pray…Amen

Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

I’d often heard Christians speak of not being good enough or deserving, yet, by the grace of God they were saved. I wondered what they did or said to receive his grace. Though I had no idea what they might have gone through or what there sins were mines had to be much worse. It wasn’t until I started reading the bible and asking God for understanding did the clarity of his love enter my life.

2 Timothy 1:9
who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

The fragments of my past continued to follow me. A past of believing negative actions were away of life, and good things happened if you were lucky. Day by day the Father dealt and continues to deal with those pieces that try to arise. I can recall the state of panic I allowed myself to live in. Every time the mortgage was due, or something in the house needed repairing I panic.

I remember jokingly telling one of my family members I was going to have to charge my groceries because after paying the bills I’d be broke. That family member gave me money for groceries and said it was a gift. A gift God had place on her heart to give. Prior to the trials that showered my life God said He’d take care of me. As different trials arose and thought I said I trust Him, my faith and trust continue to be put to the test. As bills reached there due date and money were low, I couldn’t see how he could possibly help me.

Yet month after month the mortgage, bills, and tithes were paid. I’d say it took me about six months of circling the mountain to realize that my family never went hungry, our shoes did not wear out, and our clothes did not get old. God will do just what he said.

He will bring to light the things in our lives that hender and haunt us. He will take the leftovers and broken pieces of ones life and by his grace and because he loves us, use them for his glory.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
( Heb 11:1)

Praise his Holy name .

…Gather up now the fragments (the broken pieces that are leftover), so that nothing may be lost and wasted. John 6:12

I heard a speaker use this scripture in reference to witnessing and testifying to others. The leftovers, he stated pertain to the life one once lived before Christ entered their lives. He spoke of the Christian who on the surface appeared to have it all together, especially to those who had know idea what that person had gone through. The fragments he stated was the struggle and sin that if shared with others could possibility witness to their situation and led them to Christ. Though I find that to be true after reading and praying over this scripture I found the fragments, broken pieces and leftovers in my life to be more about the worries I’d had while living a worldly life that seem to follow me as I turned my life over to God.

Like many of us being financially secure is a desire we’d all like to fulfill. While married and with two incomes coming in it still seem to be a constant struggle. I worked a full time and part-time job and yet, all the money we had coming in seem to only put a small dent in reaching our goal of financial security. Once separating from my now ex-husband, and dealing with the realization that I had to take on the financial responsibilities of managing a household fear set in. I couldn’t see how I was going to be able to make ends meet on my meager income. I said I trust God. I believed he’s a provider, but at that period of my life I wasn’t sure he’d provide for me.

Lean on, trust in and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. (6) in all your ways know recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain you path.
Proverbs 3:5-6