GOOD BY 2013, HELLO 2014

In just a very short time, we will be once again saying good by to another year. 2014 is just a couple of hours away.
How was your year? Good? Bad? Mine was filled with both. I lost a friend, who died suddenly in her sleep, leaving behind a husband and two young boys. Tragedy struck our country many times through violence and natural causes. And yet, there were also many blessings for our family. My mother-in-law came close to death, but the Lord's will was to keep her here a while longer with us. Our vehicles continue to run and take us where we need to go. My husband and I celebrated 17 years of marriage. God has blessed our church and our missions tremendously. I could go on and on with the list.
Sometimes, through our humanness, all we can see is the sadness and trials that we have gone through during the year, and, yes, I definitely agree that some years are much worse than others. But God has given us this promise: "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."~ Isaiah 43:18-19. If things seem unbearable right now, lean on God. He can make a way through this barren wilderness that you are travelling through. Read and study His Word. Talk to your Heavenly Father and unburden your soul. Let those tears flow. If we are honestly listening, He will give us guidance. Sometimes, though, things get so hard that we can not concentrate on what we are reading. The words seem like nothing. But still read. Your mind will remember. Psalms is a good book to read when you are feeling sad, in despair or depressed. King David, the main author of Psalms, knew all about these feelings. Something that we can learn as we read the Psalms is that God cares for and loves us. We may feel like we are in the deepest pit, but He will never leave us or forsake us. 
It sounds too easy, doesn't it? I have been there with the same thoughts. But when the peace of God truly touches your soul, it really is as Philippians 4:7 describes: "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." It does pass all understanding!
So, has this past year been a little rough? Remember that God is there to lean on. Did you mess up any? Don't feel bad! We all have to some degree. But God wants to do a "new thing" in your life! Commit your ways to the Lord and He will guide you. If you fall, He is always there to pick you up again. Determine to do your best for your Lord and Saviour.
I hope that you have a wonderful and blessed New Year! Don't forget to start the year out right with prayer and dedicating it to the Lord!
Beth :-)

ARE YOU WILLING?



I love Christmas time. It's my most favorite time of the year! I always tell my oldest son that God knows how much I love Christmas, and that is why He gave him to me at Christmas time. He was almost born on Christmas day, but came on the next day, December 26th.
As I read about the circumstances that surround the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, several things jump out at me.
One thing that really comes through is the willingness of both Joseph and Mary to do what God called them to do, even though it meant alot of hardship, shunning (on Mary's part) and sacrifice.
When the angel Gabriel came to Mary, she was "a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, " (Luke 1:27). During the Jewish "espousal" period, the man and woman were considered married, but had not yet consumated the union. So, when Mary was found to be with child, of course everyone, including Joseph, had thought her to have been unfaithful. This was a great shame in their society (unfortunately and sadly, quite different from ours today!). And yet, Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Luke 1:38. She was willing to sacrifice herself and life to do what God was asking her to do.
The Bible tells us that Joseph was a just man. When he found out that Mary was with child, and knowing that this baby wasn't his, Joseph did not want to make a public example out of her, but decided to "put her away (or divorce her) privily" Matthew 1:19. But an angel visited him in a dream, explaining everything to him, telling him not to be afraid to take her as his wife. Did Joseph question or hesitate? No. He got up and did as God asked him to do.
Is there something that God is calling you to do? Are you willing, no matter what the cost? What is He calling you to do? Why are you hesitating? What is holding you back from following what He wants you to do? Pray and seek His face. Search the Word of God. Have those prayer warriors help you pray that you might find God's will for your life, and that you would have the strength to follow through. Don't forget, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phillipians 4:13. He will not call you to do something that you can not handle. It may not be an easy thing to do, but we must do what God is asking us to do. He will see us through!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

STOP THAT GOSSIP WHEEL!

My friends, PLEASE don't get caught up in the gossip wheel. It is so easy, I know! Even if we're just "listening" and not repeating, you and I are just as guilty as the talebearer.
It is well said in a Spanish proverb, "Whoever gossips to you will be a gossip of you." Don't think that the tongue that is "slicing and dicing" the person who is the topic of the present conversation won't do the same to you later on.
The Bible says so much about gossiping. God is serious about this! Psalms 101:5 -  says, "Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer." Wow! That is serious!
James 3:1-18 describes the tongue so well. It tells us that even though it is a little member, it can kindle a great fire.
Gossiping will also hurt our Christian testimony. I once heard an evangelist say that Christians will call eachother with something juicy that they have heard about someone and say, "Now, I'm only telling you this so that you can pray about it". It's gossip! If you feel the matter needs prayer, then simply pray about it, don't spread it.
When the gossip wheel rolls our way, we need to stop it right then and there. If you find that you have a hard time not getting caught up in the situation, then AVOID where you may hear it-the break room at work, certain people or group of people, etc.
Today, let's give our tongues and words to the Lord, that whatever we say will please Him.
I hope you have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)