The Christmas Stockings

Verbal abuse is horrible and usually explosive! Sometimes it's just the words that come barreling out of a mouth that can take on a different meaning than the way they were intended. Someone always gets hurt. The pain may be unintentional, but it stings nevertheless.

The Bible tells us that the tongue can be a very poisonous member of our body (see James 3:8). Do we choose our words and our actions carefully? Do we speak, but do so without thinking first? Do we always act impulsively?

I'm sure that we have all said things we regretted after it was too late. Speaking without forethought and taking action without contemplation can result in terrible abuses.

Alcohol and drugs can have a detrimental effect on the body and the mind. Often the abusers are also physical. There is great pain and scars left behind upon others in the their path.

Why can't we be more like the Holy Spirit? If we are saved by God, then God is within us, and we are to be gentle, kind, and loving with self-control. If we are not saved, then we need to find our salvation through God's holy, loving grace.

"... The Holy Spirit produced this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" (Galatians 5:22-23)

When abuses occur, we must seek God. We need to lean on the Rock and truly only the Rock, who holds the foundation of the earth together. He keeps us from sinking sand. The Rock is Jesus Christ. He is also God, our Heavenly Father.

"My God is my Rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my Savior, the One who saves me from violence." (2 Samuel 22:3)

By now, you're probably wondering what this has to do with Christmas stockings. A few years ago, I saw a post on Facebook about a knitting group that knits slippers for children and their mothers who have been through domestic violence.

Just reading about this group and what they have been doing really touched my heart. Furthermore, slippers caused me to think about stockings. I prayed to God, as my thoughts developed into an idea, and then a plan was formed.

I approached my church through the pastor's daughter about the idea of doing something similar for a local shelter of domestic violence for mothers and their children, that is, if I could find one in time. Instead of knitting slippers, I'd purchase some Christmas stockings and we could ask the women of the church to donate items to fill them. The pastor agreed that if I could organize this plan quickly, then we could do it. Christmas was fast approaching.

The idea grew from there, as we decided to host a Women's Ministry meeting through the church at my home. We could then fill all the stockings for the children while praying for children and their parents that would be in the shelter that year during Christmas.

Surprisingly, I was able to quickly find a shelter in time and make all the arrangements. When God has a plan that he plants in your heart, miracles occur, and the plans came together with ease.

The pastor announced the plan to the church, and we passed out fliers that I had typed up, asking the women for donations and inviting them to join the Women's Ministry event.

The shelter provided me with a list of how many girls and boys were presently at the shelter, along with their ages, and the total number of moms. We had already begun collecting a few stocking stuffers the first week after the announcement.

Then the pastor announced that we were going to "go big" and ask the whole church to get involved (the men, too). As small as the church was at the time (with an average of about 50 people), we collected a huge amount of donations.

I began to get a little concerned because the collections were more big gifts than they were stocking stuffers! That's when I realized that I was beginning to worry. I had to stop and trust God through prayer.

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done." (Philippians 4:6)

God answered our prayers, of course, by having more than enough of everything! We had plenty of stocking stuffers and gifts galore! We had lots of items for both the kids and the moms. In fact, we had so many donations that we were able to touch the hearts beyond those in the shelter.

As Christmas Day approached, there would be more families that would be affected by domestic violence each year. These kids and their moms would be housed in the emergency hotel/motel program funded by the shelter program. Those kids and their moms, who weren't even there yet, had gifts awaiting their arrival!

A friend who saw the pictures (below) said it looked just like "the fishes and the loaves of bread that Jesus miraculously multiplied." Thanks be to our God!

For those who experience the horrible abuses, God tells us that it doesn't go without something good coming from it.

"But as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." (Genesis 50:20)

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God's Word for Today: I pray this will be said of everything I do for God in my life, as I want to glorify Him and help others know how much He loves each and every one of us. "As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!"

Copyright © 2015 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) and is set it bold or italics.

There were even more donations than these pictures reveal, such as a stroller and clothes. I was amazed at all the generous donations.

Give Thanks to the Lord!

“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness.
Let the whole world know what He has done.”
(1 Chronicles 16:8)

If you've been keeping up with my blog posts, you know that a few months ago, I mentioned that work has been a bit slow. Self-employment has its ups and downs, but this time I was looking for a career in which someone else would be my employer. I was hoping for something stable in this very unstable world we live in today.

God has graciously allowed me to know in advance that He has granted a full-time career position. I have received my prayer request just in time for Thanksgiving!

God has blessed me in a way that exceeds my prayer requests and my expectations just in time to be very grateful for His plan to be revealed. I give Him all the glory and honor and praise during this time of Thanksgiving. Not that I wouldn't always give Him the praise at any time, but this causes me to have a heart overflowing with thanks even more!

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
(Ephesians 3:20 -- bold my emphasis)

Through God, I was able to thank Him before the news. I prayed that no matter what my circumstances would be now, whether He would bless me with this new job or not, through faith and trust in Him, I would still be thankful.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”
(Colossians 4:2)

Pray for others and pray for yourself, too.

God is love and He is so very good all the time!

Ultimately, we should keep in mind that Heaven is our home if we have received the salvation of God. As I already mentioned, this world is unstable and the earth will shake, but the coming Kingdom of Heaven will be unshakable. Therefore, keep this Bible verse in mind as we anticipate our home someday in Heaven:

“Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28)

If you don't have a confidence in your salvation, knowing that your home is in the Kingdom of Heaven, then please go back to the beginning blog posts and start reading them. I will pray for you, as I have already done so, and I will continue to keep you in my prayers. God loves you and He would be so pleased to have your love in return. He wants to save you from this world for His kingdom above. Please open your heart today. Then you will be more thankful than you have ever been about anything else in your life when you receive Christ Jesus as your Savior! Praise God!

Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you!

Please sign up as a follower on this blog today. I would be ever so grateful and full of thanks for more followers! Thanking you in advance, and as always:

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:7)

Copyright © 2015 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) and is set it italics.

Defending the Faith!

How many of us who call ourselves Christians are defending our faith? If you call yourself a Christian, are you defending your faith? 

You cannot defend something that you don’t believe in or honor, but even more than this, you cannot defend something that you don’t know enough about or understand to really express it to others. Thus, we must become well versed in the Word of God, the Bible, and be in close relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ to defend our faith.

There have been many times in my life when I felt led to speak up and defend my faith and I have even when I may be mocked or criticized. I am a Christian, saved by the blood of Christ, baptized, and born again. God has gifted me in various ways. He will do all of the same for you if you are willing to accept His gracious love and merciful forgiveness.

Just recently among several women, some of which I had never met before, the subject of gay marriage and the law clerk refusing to marry gays and the like arose. I had to speak up and say that if we are believers in God, Christians, and agree with the new law to allow the legality of marriage for anyone other than 1 man with 1 woman, then we are not following God’s law. I spoke in defense of God’s Word and explained that we must have a Godly standard if we are Christians. We cannot allow the world to dictate the ways of God. We must stand up and defend our faith or we are living just like the world. Then there is no distinction between a Christian and a nonbeliever.

“God is love” (1 John 4:8 and 1 John 4:16), and “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:7)

I created “ God’s Word for Today” blog to present the truth of God to others as God gifted me to write and I wanted to and was led to write for Him. I began the blog to guide others into God’s truth and love, praying for my readers to know God intimately and to love Him and be saved in the only way He has provided: through Jesus Christ! I also write this blog to encourage believers. I am encouraging us to have the power, which we were given when we received the Holy Spirit to DEFEND OUR FAITH!

“... In your hearts, you must honor and worship Jesus Christ as Lord of your life, always being prepared to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15) 

If you have no knowledge and wisdom of God and of Jesus Christ, then you have no defense. You need the weapons of warfare, which are spiritual.

How do we prepare as the Bible states in 1 Peter above? We must be filled with the Spirit of God. We must read the Bible and learn the ways of God and be obedient to Him through our knowledge of Him. This is how we are able to defend our faith. 

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

In fact, someday, we who are faithful in our obedience to God, if alive on this earth, will see the coming Kingdom when Jesus Christ returns and His justice will prevail. In the meantime, we are to show others the right way to live, teaching and living the Word of God out in our lives for our light to shine in the dark and evil world developing around us.

“I charge you in the presence of God and Jesus Christ, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up His kingdom: Preach the word of God; be ready in season and out of season. Patiently correct, rebuke, and exhort [or encourage] people with good teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but will having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will reject the truth and chase after myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering for the Lord, work at telling others the Good News, and fulfill the ministry God has given you.” (2 Timothy 4:1-22) 

In defending the Christian faith, we must do our best not to argue, but share the Gospel in love with everyone, being patient and gentle, yet bold in our opposition. Then, we may be the vessel by which our testimony may be the answer to another soul being led to the Lord through the truth and the knowledge of God. 

“And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 2:24-25)

Are you ashamed of the Gospel? Why? We must stand on the Word and be faithful in our beliefs, our words, and our actions, and be willing to share the truth in season and out of season.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

If we do “our part,” God will do His in anointing us with the courage and the strength to have great faith as a sheep among wolves. Why? The following scripture explains:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

We are to share the Word of God in defense with pure motives. God has given every individual free will.

But: “Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?” (Psalm 94:16)

“Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.“ (Ephesians 5:11)

We must stand strong against evil. We much stand strong in God’s love.

“Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise; then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word.” (Psalm 119:41-42)

The Word of God is our sword! It is our defense. “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17 — added bold and color)

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:3-4)

Copyright © 2015 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) and is set it italics.

A Famine is Coming!

What comes to your mind when you think of famine? A food shortage? Dry land and withering plants? Parched fields where food once grew in abundance? A water shortage that brings forth thirst and hunger? Do you picture starving children with bloated bellies? We may picture these images in our mind. With certainty, they are sad. Yet, none of these things were being referenced in the title of this blog entry: “A Famine is Coming!”

You may find this to be odd. After all, famine is about food and water shortages, isn’t it?

As cited in a recent blog post titled, “Teacher: True or False?” the scriptures state that there will come a time when false teachers among us will deceive many. The false teachers had been fraternizing alongside the Israelites. The time referred to had come to their land then, and now, it is here again, in our present day.

There is yet another time coming. Although it is not here yet in full force, it has certainly begun, in my opinion. Yes, famine has been here before and is now in the forms of lack of food and water. However, this famine is different.

The Bible states: “ ‘The time is surely coming,’ says the Sovereign Lord, ‘when I will send a famine on the land — not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the Lord.’ ” (Amos 8:11)

In fact, did you know that the very next verse in the Bible states that: “People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from border to border searching for the word of the Lord but they will not find it.” (Amos 8:12)

Don’t wait for the famine.

Why do people put off reading the Bible? Why don’t they read the precious Holy Word of God daily? It’s needed so very much. It's food for your soul and spirit. Please don’t wait another day.

“The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His [God’s] life brought light to everyone.” (John 1:4)

In the Bible, we are told the story of Joseph and a prior famine of food that struck the whole world.

“... People from all around came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph because the famine was severe throughout the world.” (Genesis 41:57)

The famine of the Word of God will be worldwide and similar to the food shortage that struck the world in Joseph's day.

I am not immune to my own famine of the Word. Although I may read the Bible every single day, communing with the Lord and being fed by His Word daily, at times, I suddenly find myself not reading the Bible at all for several days. One day turns into the next when I realize that I have not opened up God's Word, the Bible! I find myself lacking direction and losing my close communication with God and His Word.

How does this happen? Why are we so easily distracted? We stray away from the Lord even though we know that we shouldn’t! Although we live in a fallen world with sin running rampant, we must keep our focus on God, so that we are not as easily distracted. We cannot grow weary. We must stay in the Word of God daily. After all, God has given Himself as a sacrifice and suffered for us. After all He did for us, can’t we even commit to Him every day? It’s for our own good! His Word is given for our daily bread. We must eat food daily to survive. We need His Word, the Bible, daily, too. God’s words are life and the Word of God is alive.

From now on, we must remember that there will come a time of great famine of God’s Word. As I mentioned earlier, I believe this time has already begun.

It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Deuteronomy 8:3 and Matthew 4:4).

Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises for “all the promises of God find their Yes in Him.” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Jesus Christ is the very Word of God (Revelation 19:13), which is why he called Himself the Bread of Life (John 6:35) for “whoever feeds on this bread will live forever” (John 6:58). Jesus is the Source and Sustainer of our hope because without Him we would not have a future.

“... Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But Jesus told him, ‘No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matthew 4:4)

Let our desire be as Jeremiah describes:

“When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.” (Jeremiah 15:16)

There is a lack of hunger for God’s Word. What can we do about it? First, we need to realize that we ourselves hunger for God and His Word, and we need to fulfill that hunger by reading the Bible daily and praying without ceasing. We need to tell others, too. We need to encourage others to read the Bible daily and pray without ceasing, too. 

We need to realize that we are not living in right relationship with the Lord when we are not feeding on His Word. We separate ourselves from God when we sin and when we do not feed on His Word daily.

What do we need? We need to be immersed in the Bible (the Word of God). We need to allow God to write His Word on our heart. We need to study and meditate on the Bible day and night, every day!

“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” (Joshua 1:8)

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: Remember: “The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine on the land — not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the Lord.” (Amos 8:11)

Copyright © 2015 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) and is set it italics.

Lily Anne: “What Can We Say at a Time Like This?”

From a previously published post that had to be temporarily removed. I am able to repost this again in memory and love of my precious granddaughter, Lily, who is in Heaven with Almighty God. This is the blog entry from March 2015.
 

Last month’s blog post was missed due to my granddaughter’s passing, but I’ve decided to share this overwhelming, distressful news with you, my readers. I ask you to consider praying for all of us at this time, as I continue to pray for you, too. 

Lily Anne is my precious granddaughter whose life was cut short way too soon. While my daughter was in labor with her full-term baby girl, Lily, it was told to us that the baby's heart had stopped, and she did not make it out of the womb alive. It seems that our Lily must have entered into the lilies of the valley in Heaven before we were able to see her.

With this excruciatingly devastating news, we all wondered how this could happen. Both baby and mother were healthy and happy.

The unexpected, greatest sorrow gripped Lily's mother (my daughter, Bethany) certainly the most of all. This great pain extended to her father, her grandparents (myself included), her extended family, and friends. We were all just moments away from great excitement that very suddenly turned into enormous grief.

Many were awaiting the news of Lily’s birth and praying for a smooth delivery for her mother. When uncertainties arose, prayers were intensified and a miracle was sought. Yet, still, way too quickly all our dreams, hopes, and plans were shattered.

We could not help but wonder why Lily was taken so tragically. We were told all along that everyone was fine, and just 2 weeks prior it was mentioned how Lily was such a healthy and happy baby.

Only God knows why this happened. Only God knows why we must endure this intense sorrow.

I call on the Lord to help us get through this valley, especially my daughter. 
If "we are led by the Spirit of God," then we are "children of God." (Romans 9:14)

"And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering." (Romans 9:17)

Suffering is never easy, but as Christians we know what we will be inheriting when we see God face to face. We know that we will get through this together.

"... What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later." (Romans 9:18) -- This may be hard to understand now. Nevertheless, it is true, and we can hold onto this truth.

The one saving grace I have is that I know, without a doubt, that sweet baby Lily is in the arms of Jesus Christ, our Savior. She is in Heaven. She is out of pain. She is alive there, even though she could not be alive here. She is joyful there, even though we would have been joyful with her here. She is awaiting the arrival of her parents and her family to see her again in Heaven. So, if you’re not saved, if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, it’s time to do so now!

Lily Anne  1-30-15
A baby being held by our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Lily Anne in a butterfly bonnet.

 



I would like to share the eulogy I wrote for Lily’s memorial/funeral service here as follows:

Hello everyone, and thank you for joining us today in honor of Lily Anne. My name is Patty, and I’m Bethany’s mom, and grandmother to beautiful baby Lily.

Just prior to Bethany’s discharge from the hospital, the hospital’s minister was called upon to come pray over Mom and Dad with Lily, and the immediate family and a couple of close friends who were present. As that minister said, I repeat: “What can we say at a time like this?”

As you and I are all keenly aware, we are here today because of a huge tragedy. In the days ahead, we ask that you continue to pray for the strength of Bethany, and all the family and friends who are and will continue to be grieved by baby Lily’s departure from this earth.

We were making so many plans and we spent countless hours preparing for Lily’s arrival. Yet, here we are all today, in great distress over the horrible circumstances we find ourselves in.

For those of you who are Christians, may we find comfort in the book of Jeremiah chapter 1 verse 5 with God’s Word that tells us: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart.”

Although Lily was stillborn and she never got to take her first breath, we are left wondering “Why?” Yet she came to us for a purpose. We may never know here on this earth, in this world, but we must find salvation through God so that we may come to know in the next world that of our Heavenly home, in which Lily has now come to know as her own.

All the preparations were made to enjoy Lily here on earth, and when we saw her, we were in awe of her beauty, her gorgeous face, and her perfect body. Why, we ask, why – wasn’t she born alive instead?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 tells us: “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under Heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plan and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.”

Let us today use our imagination in knowing that Lily is now dancing among the lilies of the valley with God in Heaven being held by His mighty right hand. Let it be known that for everything there is a season, and Lily will never, ever be forgotten. May her light shine down from Heaven with Jesus Christ and all those who have gone before us awaiting our arrival to be with her once again, in total peace, love, and joy, where there will be no more pain and no more tears.

Lily, we love you so very much, and you will always live on in our hearts.

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.” (Song of Songs 2:1) 

Copyright © 2015 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) and is set in italics and quotation marks.