Counting On Our Blessings

This month, we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the United States, and I am always reminded that I have plenty to be thankful for every day. Sometimes, we complain about what’s going on in our lives. Sometimes we have some real needs that are being unmet, whether temporarily or permanently. We need patience, faith, and trust. We should not only be counting any and all blessings we have now, but we should also be counting on our blessings to come in the future thanks to our Heavenly Father.

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”

(Jeremiah 17:7-8)

As I encountered an itchy, burning rash that spread onto both of my legs and behind my knees over the summer, I struggled to overcome it. To this day, the itching occasionally begins to creep up yet again. I felt overwhelmed by how bad it had gotten because it was quite difficult to even walk a short distance when I was going through the worst of it. The doctor had obviously misdiagnosed it, and I had suffered greatly. The rash was close in appearance to shingles, but it was not shingles. I believe it may have been just as painful as shingles, but I don’t know for sure. What I do know for sure is that we can still count on our blessings even while we’re suffering.

I have also found that no matter what I am personally facing, particularly when it comes to medical issues or illness, there is always someone who is suffering or has suffered more than me. They may be facing permanent disability or loss.

I am reminded that we all face things that we never imagined we’d have to go through, and if we have God in our lives, we can face them much better with Him than without Him. We need God to heal all of our diseases. According to the Bible, he does heal them all:

“He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.” Psalm 103:3

Then how come everyone is not healed? Many people have different views on this. Some say you are holding onto unforgiveness in your heart. Others say you just don’t have enough faith. The Bible indicates that if we are to be Christ’s followers, we will suffer for Jesus Christ.

“For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him.” (Philippians 1:29)

We all have to die from this life, so whatever is not healed here on earth, I believe, will be healed in the afterlife if we are saved.

I am counting on my blessings to enter into my eternal life with rewards because I know for a fact that I will be with God. I have the confidence of my salvation. Do you?

“For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

If you have sought the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ, and you are saved, then you have no worry of this judgment.

“Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.” (Colossians 3:2)

“Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” (Romans 5:2-11)

No matter what life brings, through it all, start counting your blessings now and be assured that you can be counting on your blessings to come.

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

God’s Word for Today: “The godly are showered with blessings...” (Proverbs 10:6)

Copyright © 2016 by Patricia Shehan

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

The Word of God Brings Strength

Have you ever been in a store and you’re eyes are drawn to an object of some sort? You think to yourself, that’s it!

One time, it was a glistening crystal cross that shone light from every angle, and I just knew it was what I had been looking for over the last year.

More recently, I was in an outlet store and my eyes were drawn to a book with the word “Heaven” in the title. When I realized it was written by the daughter-in-law of a pastor I had heard many good things about, it greatly piqued my interest.

The author, Nancy Ravenhill wrote: “Jesus’ ... name saves. The blood cleanses. The Word strengthens.”

The Word is the Bible and the Word is alive and gives us strength to live the way God wants us to live. How often are you reading The Word? Maybe you’re reading the Bible daily, weekly, or maybe not at all. Maybe you’ve just stopped!

“The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him — my father's God, and I will exalt him!” (Exodus 15:2)

We need to be in daily communication and relationship with our Heavenly Father. Reading His Word and praying to Him daily will give us the strength we need for our daily walk on the narrow path.

“... Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10)

“... I love you, Lord; you are my strength.” (Psalm 18:1)

“God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect.” (Psalm 18:32)

It is through our continual reading of the Bible, that is, The Word that strengthens us in mind, body, soul, and spirit.

“He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.” (Psalm 23:3)

“The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” (Psalm 28:7)

“The Lord gives His people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.” (Psalm 29:11)

“My life is an example to many because you have been my strength and protection.” (Psalm 71:7)

Do not neglect what you need to live in this evil world. Even the Word (the Bible) tells us this world is evil! We need to read the Bible every day! We need to gain strength to fight against evil and to spread the Gospel, and the way, the truth, and the life: Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

“For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)

When you read the Bible daily (not as a chore), but because you want to do so, then you will not only find God who is calling you to Himself, but you will also find eternal life with Him. On the way there, don’t you want to know you’re helping others get there, too?

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

God’s Word for Today: “Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually.” (1 Chronicles 16:11); “I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit.” (Ephesians 3:16)

Copyright © 2016 by Patricia Shehan

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

The Narrow Gate

As children, we loved to go to the playground directly behind our homes. The gate that led to the separate playground area for the tots was usually locked with a thick, heavy chain. My friend always managed to squeeze her body through the slight opening of the locked gate to get inside. Eventually, as we got older, she couldn't fit through the locked gate anymore. Then she would just hop the fence to get in!

Getting in to the Kingdom of Heaven won’t be so easy. We won’t be able to squeeze our way through the gate or climb over it either. There won’t be a shortcut into Heaven’s narrow gate! We must seek the narrow path to get through the narrow gate, or we won’t get in at all.

“You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.” (Matthew 7:13) (my addition in bold and red lettering).

The famous rock and roll song lyrics may have used those same words, “highway to hell,” but there truly is a road that leads to hell. This road leads to eternal separation from God. It’s very dark and scary in hell. There is always a fire burning with constant suffering for those who end up there. It’s a horrible place! Why would anyone logically choose that road knowing where it leads?

Actually, I don’t think anyone really chooses that road believing it’s so bad. Those who say they know they're going to hell just assume it's no big deal there. They don't believe in God or a loving God who would send anyone to such a terrifying place. Instead, they think it will be one great big party with all their friends. However, misery and horror will be their true fate with enormous regret.

I tell you the truth! There is a Heaven and a hell, and where you end up is your choice. Hell was created for the fallen angels who followed Satan, but anyone who rejects God will go there, too.

The path to Heaven can be a struggle and the road leading to it is just as narrow as the gate, but it’s definitely worth the ultimate destination. I can’t imagine why anyone would reject a place where there's no pain, no tears and only eternal peace, love, and joy. Yet many will not get into Heaven.

“... The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:14)

Jesus said: “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ ” (Matthew 7:21-23)

The choice to go to Heaven not only requires our belief in God and Jesus Christ, and accepting the sacrifice of Christ for our sins and through His resurrection, but it also requires a struggle that's well worth it.

“Strive to enter the narrow door to God's Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. (Luke 13:24)

We must believe in God and Jesus Christ by receiving the free gift of salvation. We must live a life honoring God, and we must do our best not to sin. We must love God and one another!

“... Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12)

If you have questions or would like to know more, feel free to write to me through this blog and provide your email address. It would be my pleasure to reply to you.

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

God’s Word for Today: “Open for me the gates where the righteous enter,
and I will go in and thank the Lord. These gates lead to the presence of the Lord,
and the godly enter there. I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory.” (Psalm 118:19-21)

Copyright © 2016 Patricia Shehan

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

What We Need Now: Patient Endurance

Most Christians want to see the return of Jesus Christ. It is desired that the end will come soon because this world is getting more evil by the day. Most Christians simply want an easy escape to Heaven.

We certainly do live in a world gone crazy, with bizarre and dangerous acts being committed on others causing serious injuries and death. Christians are being beheaded, burned, and martyred in ways unfathomable. Innocent people are being driven over by a truck. Others wounded and killed with a machete. Yet others shot with ammunition. Others have had their faces chewed off by madmen who are high on drugs and most likely demon possessed!

Unfortunately, the world we find ourselves living in today is not totally surprising if you have read the Bible. Some of the gruesome details are not written in the Word of God, but we were warned of the impending doom and persecution of what was to come.

Whether you are a believer in God or not, you cannot deny that there is great fear mounting in our environment. Can you be safe going to a large special event where there are lots of people? What happened in France is certainly a great tragedy during a time of celebration. How about being trapped on a train in Germany with what occurred there? Countless other examples can instill fear in the hearts of men and women around the world.

To my growing readership around the world, particularly in locations where fear is growing more intense with “wars and rumors of war,” I encourage you to be strong in the Lord. If you haven’t been saved by God, you need to get saved. Salvation is free and it’s wonderful. You’ll never receive another gift so great that is lasting for eternity.

If you haven’t been born again, you must do so to see the Kingdom of Heaven and to see God Himself face to face someday. Please, I want to encourage you! Take a look at some of the first blog posts that were posted back in 2011 and 2012 to learn more if you don’t understand. Also, read the Bible and find a church that teaches the Gospel and the whole Word of God.

If you’re in China, as a few readers of this blog have been located, then maybe your mission is to learn and worship underground. Maybe your freedom to embrace God is not much freedom at all, but I assure you that with patient endurance you will someday be totally free. In the meantime, your soul and your mind can be set free with Jesus Christ now.

We we need now is to have patient endurance for the day of our salvation. We need to patiently endure the things on this earth while we run our race.

“ ... Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

What are you doing to run your race? Are you even aware of the race at all? You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to be in this race. This is a spiritual race. Are you even saved?

My mission is to evangelize by planting seeds for others to be able to understand how to enter into the Kingdom of God through the salvation God offers in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. He offers forgiveness, love, and sanctification.

I do my best to spread the Gospel and plant these seeds. I am trying my best to encourage others, which encourages me, too! Sometimes it's difficult when I, myself, am going through trials and tribulations in my body or my life. No one said it was going to be easy. With Jesus Christ, we can have our best friend and ally.

Instead of having fear and being ready to jump ship from this life, we need to pursue our Godly talents and work at them with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and that begins with loving God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. We need to get down to business.

If you’re just sitting around waiting for things to wrap themselves up here on the earth by just looking and wanting Jesus to come back, then I assure you His coming will be delayed. Why? Because you are waiting without patient endurance! You are waiting without doing anything during the wait.

God’s timing is not really being delayed and yet, in a sense, it seems like it is delayed. He tells us what it will be like:

“Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.” (Revelation 15:16)

Are you watching for Him? I certainly am watching with anticipation while I work out my salvation with my ministerial gifts. Are you clothes clean? This means you are being sanctified (made holy) by not sinning and by living a clean life worthy of God’s glorification.

Patient endurance has other applicable meanings, which can also include persecution. Christians are being persecuted more and more each day. Yet, we are to endure this with patience, too! See the following scriptures:

“This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12)

“Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword. This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.” (Revelation 13:10)

What is your destination? What is mine? Only God knows. So make the most of every moment you are alive here on this earth and seek God for His will and the correct direction for your path.

“Think of all the hostility He (Jesus Christ) endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.” (Hebrews 12:3)

If you are saved, you better be struggling your best not to sin! The sins of this world are a trap to pull you away from God. Be strong! Don’t ever give up!

Only Jesus Christ gave His own life in place of our sins — all of our sins! Yet, that doesn’t mean we should go ahead and sin and then just repent. Oh no!

There is also patient endurance in discipline; it’s “divine discipline.” God’s discipline is similar to a good and loving parent, but even better because He knows best.

“And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as His children? He said, ‘My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when He corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child.’ As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as He does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?” (Hebrews 12:5-9)

Here are several more scriptures about patient endurance in our wait:

“May the Lord lead our hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God, and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)

“By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:3-8)

“I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus.” (Revelation 1:9)

“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars.” (Revelation 2:2)

“I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.” (Revelation 2:19)

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

God’s Word for Today: “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36)

Copyright © 2016 by Patricia Shehan

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