When he looked at me, I saw my own soul. His gaze broke through all my assumptions, all my barriers. I was stripped to the very essence of my being. He saw all my lies and my failures and all my sinful ways. And yet he loved me still.
I really don’t know. We should be wise enough to know we can trust Him with everything, but it seems as if He is forever needing to remind us – one thing at a time. Maybe it’s because we just hang onto some things too tightly, wanting our own way too much.
I think that is why – why God allows hard things in life. To prepare us. To knock off rough edges – pride, bias, envy, selfishness – so that when we get to heaven we will be more in tune – more able to enjoy the beautiful things we’ll find there. Maybe that’s what the rewards will be. A deeper appreciation of what we are given – what we are a part of.
I know that this world holds suffering – and hardship – and sometimes despair. But our God has a gift – a hope and a future for each of us. If only we accept the manner in which it comes: the surrender of our will to His – in faith and obedience.
She found peace in the assurance that they had both served as the Lord wished. With tears of thanksgiving upon her cheeks, she thanked her Lord for relief of the dark despair that had threatened to consume her. There was reason to go on. And she had God’s promise. And though she missed Stephen with all her heart, knowledge that the Lord was with her was enough.
I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, because You have done it; And in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good.
So he has touched you, and yet there is much you do not yet understand. How are you to fathom all that is happening? What shall be the direction from inside for what you think? How you shall live? Where you will go? The answer, my new brother, is found within the sacred texts. Together we will begin to study them, you and I. You will learn to speak with God directly. And you will discover how to listen to him speak with you.
Only God knows the plan he has for you. We must continue to pray for his will to be done. He has promised to answer, and he keeps his promises. So answer he will – in his own time and way. Whatever your future holds, this I know. He will not desert you. Your duty, my dear, is to seek his will and to walk in his way.
You women are strange creatures, indeed,” he said. “No wonder we men never succeed in understandin’ ya. But thanks be to God fer makin’ ya the way ya are.
Thank you, Lord, I prayed, for turning something bad into something good.
Linux remained where he was, more comfortable with his solitary position at the table than he’d ever been before. He felt a childlike ease, so protected, so accepted he could expose his most hidden weaknesses and fears and uncertainties and know all was well, all forgiven, all blessed. The stone he had carried inside was finally dissolving. Inner wounds were now open to healing light, and the gift of hope was like an illumination around him.
Do I tell you how to braid your hair? Don’t tell me how to plow a field.
We light the candle and ask the Lord Jehovah to illuminate the week ahead. We sprinkle spices into the flame and remind ourselves that the Sabbath should remain a sweet scent in our lives, flavoring the days to come.
I was stripped to the very essence of my being. He saw all my lies and my failures and all my sinful ways. And yet he loved me still.
We never know,” said her father, “when we pray for God’s protection on our children to what great lengths He will need to go to fulfil our prayers.
We must not fail to give our full attention to the spreading of the Good News and to prayer. But we must also care for those who are in need. That, too, is God’s commandment to us. We must be careful not to neglect that task. “I have spent the afternoon in prayer, as have other apostles, and now we are ready to act. We would like you to select seven men – men who are full of the Spirit and wisdom – and we will turn this responsibility over to them.
There now,” she said with some satisfaction and, taking careful aim, she shut her eyes and chopped hard. It worked – but Marty was totally unprepared for the next event. A wildly flopping chicken – with no head – covered her unmercifully with spattered blood. “Stop thet! Stop thet!” she screamed. “Yer s’pose to be dead, ya – ya dumb headless thing.
We can’t do it on our own – none of us. We ask for His help – daily. Why, I remember my pa praying every morning that God would give him wisdom and power and patience for the day.
Remember, never despise a task – any task. In doing any job, you are either creating something or bettering something.
If their purpose and actions are those of mortal men, they will fail. But if it is from God, how can you possibly stop them? You will only find yourselves fighting against our Lord Jehovah!” To Ezra’s astonishment, the entire Council around the head table looked subdued.
If anyone deserves the truth, Nanna, a child does. They can accept things, even hurtful things, if they are dealt with honestly, in love.