Matt 9: 23-24
"When Jesus arrived at the official's home, he noticed the noisy crowds and heard the funeral music. He said "Go away, for the girl isn't dead: she's only asleep." But the crowd laughed at him."
Someone called Alex* dead when his father died and he couldn't afford to pay his fees.
Someone called Joy* dead after five years of marriage and no child.
Someone called Precious* dead after years of having her heart broken, and not finding the right man.
Someone may call you dead because you have been facing a particular problem or challenge for years now. Someone may call you dead because you are struggling. To be declared 'Dead' means to be trapped in a situation or circumstance, unable to get out.
However.........
Those who think you are 'dead' should hear what Jesus says concerning your situation "This Child isn't dead, he/she is only sleeping."
You are coming out of that situation a winner, God is giving you a story that men will marvel at!!!
He saves!
Prayer:
I thank you father because by your power and in the name of Jesus you are turning things around in my life. Every dry bone will live again. I will praise you and declare your marvelous works in my life in the land of the living in Jesus name.Amen.
His peace. My love.
Chichi
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
The Slum-dog Millionaire Effect
Romans 8:28 (NLT): "And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.
Don't scream in shock but I watched the infamous Slum-dog Millionaire movie for the first time early this year! I asked you not to scream now :)
The narrative of the film is so moving, I was close to tears at some point; it is a powerful film to say the least. What I found particularly interesting was how all the horrible experiences the protagonist had gone through aided him in answeing all the questions and winning the game show Who wants to be Millionaire. If you have seen this movie you will understand what I have just said, if you haven't seen this movie, what I am about to say will still make sense.
The Bible verse quoted above is a famous one, a christian favorite. It is a verse that brings comfort in the midst of trouble, and brings peace in the midst of chaotic events; the assurance that things will work out eventually births within us peace even if it is just for a moment.
Why do bad things happen to good people? this is a question I have pondered on so many occasions, many times I was referring to someone else, other times I was referring to myself.
Why this? Why that?
The verse above says if we love God, and we are walking in line with his plan for our lives (seeking his will) then ALL things that happen to us will turn out for our good. The temptation is to ask How?
Back to the movie Slum-dog Millionaire How for example was the death of the protagonist mother going to give him an answer to a question on the game show?
You and I don't know how God is going to do turn that pain into laughter, turn that difficulty into a testimony, but his word says if we love him we can be sure that such alterations are possible.
So let us strengthen our faith, let us pray for God's kind of peace to fill our hearts because God's word to us is that 'The pain has a purpose'. It is all coming together.
His peace my love.
Don't scream in shock but I watched the infamous Slum-dog Millionaire movie for the first time early this year! I asked you not to scream now :)
The narrative of the film is so moving, I was close to tears at some point; it is a powerful film to say the least. What I found particularly interesting was how all the horrible experiences the protagonist had gone through aided him in answeing all the questions and winning the game show Who wants to be Millionaire. If you have seen this movie you will understand what I have just said, if you haven't seen this movie, what I am about to say will still make sense.
The Bible verse quoted above is a famous one, a christian favorite. It is a verse that brings comfort in the midst of trouble, and brings peace in the midst of chaotic events; the assurance that things will work out eventually births within us peace even if it is just for a moment.
Why do bad things happen to good people? this is a question I have pondered on so many occasions, many times I was referring to someone else, other times I was referring to myself.
Why this? Why that?
The verse above says if we love God, and we are walking in line with his plan for our lives (seeking his will) then ALL things that happen to us will turn out for our good. The temptation is to ask How?
Back to the movie Slum-dog Millionaire How for example was the death of the protagonist mother going to give him an answer to a question on the game show?
You and I don't know how God is going to do turn that pain into laughter, turn that difficulty into a testimony, but his word says if we love him we can be sure that such alterations are possible.
So let us strengthen our faith, let us pray for God's kind of peace to fill our hearts because God's word to us is that 'The pain has a purpose'. It is all coming together.
His peace my love.
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
words of hope
this is something I wrote in 2006, reading it today was rather comforting.
Blessed, Broken and Given.
Who needs this word more than I do? We all do because we all go through life in need of encouragement, a “pick-me-up” a “life-line” you dig? So the answer to my question is everyone; everyone needs this word maybe more than I do, maybe as much as I do; may not be for today but for someday.
You know how puzzles come; scattered, disjointed, looking so senseless … am talking about those picture ones. On the case there is a picture of how it is to look; Mickey and Minnie mouse smiling in their convertible… and you can’t even figure where to begin; you cannot make sense out of any of the puzzle pieces.
The word of God is that case; telling you that you are blessed, you have all you need, it is well with your soul, your future is wonderful, good things are in store for you; you will find love, get healed name it … it’s a book of positive promises but your life is the pieces of the puzzle- it feels empty, hopeless, without, troubled, shattered, un mended and worst of it feels impossible that your life is the same life pictured on that case { in the bible}.
Blessed, the bible tells us this ‘blessed is the man who trusts in the lord” to be blessed means to be anointed, special, favored, honored made enviable. You are blessed, and that is always the truth even when circumstance speaks a different word let your final word be this; the word of God- you are a special, favored, honored and anointed person hallelujah! There is no curse on you, you are not unlucky, and there is no reproach in your life present or in future. God has blessed you and no one or nothing can take that calling away from you.
Broken, the word says that God disciplines those he loves. John 16 vs. 33b says: “in this world you will have trouble’. Apostle Paul wrote ‘fight the good fight of faith’. We will be broken by life-we can not run or hide away from that. There will be troubles; there will be fights to keep faith. You will feel weary, doubtful, scared about when it will get better; nights... long nights of discomfort. Some of you are here in your lives; some of you can remember this place from your past; we have all been broken by life- we all will at one time or the other. Are you ready to breathe a sigh of relief? Yes? Let’s read Romans 8 vs. 28 ‘and we know that all things work for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’ and 1cor 2:9 ‘No eye has seen nor ears heard nor mind conceived what God plans for those who love him’. I told you to expect a sigh of relief. Isn’t this scripture just beautiful, more beautiful because it is the truth for any situation or circumstance a lover of God finds themselves in! you may be broken today be assured that brokenness is your testimony tomorrow- as long as you love God you will smile at the end. Now I know how cliché that sounds but believe me he who gave this word (all of scripture is God given) is faithful everyday and will surely perfect it.
Given, the lord commanded us in his word “be holy as I am holy’. At the end of the trial, tribulation, or test we come out closer to our purpose than before- Romans 8 vs. 29 says “... For whom God foreknew he predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his son (Jesus)”. The ultimate purpose of every believer is to be more like Christ; to shed off the sin the weight that hinders us from being so. Every situation has a plan in your life and that is to make you more like the one who died for you on Calvary; to make you more full of faith and more faithful, more compassionate to others, more sensitive to his spirit, for him to be more lord of your life, for you to be more courageous , more holy, more at peace , more joyous, more worthy … at the end of it all you will be more than, you will be so much more than you were before the process came along.
If you want to cry, cry; but cry because it hurts not because you lack faith: for without faith it is impossible to win.
Christ will comfort us, counsel us, carry us, care for us, conquer for us- he will, he surely will.
And may the grace of our lord Jesus Christ the love of God and the sweet fellowship of his spirit rest and abide with us. In Jesus name Amen.
chichi
Blessed, Broken and Given.
Who needs this word more than I do? We all do because we all go through life in need of encouragement, a “pick-me-up” a “life-line” you dig? So the answer to my question is everyone; everyone needs this word maybe more than I do, maybe as much as I do; may not be for today but for someday.
You know how puzzles come; scattered, disjointed, looking so senseless … am talking about those picture ones. On the case there is a picture of how it is to look; Mickey and Minnie mouse smiling in their convertible… and you can’t even figure where to begin; you cannot make sense out of any of the puzzle pieces.
The word of God is that case; telling you that you are blessed, you have all you need, it is well with your soul, your future is wonderful, good things are in store for you; you will find love, get healed name it … it’s a book of positive promises but your life is the pieces of the puzzle- it feels empty, hopeless, without, troubled, shattered, un mended and worst of it feels impossible that your life is the same life pictured on that case { in the bible}.
Blessed, the bible tells us this ‘blessed is the man who trusts in the lord” to be blessed means to be anointed, special, favored, honored made enviable. You are blessed, and that is always the truth even when circumstance speaks a different word let your final word be this; the word of God- you are a special, favored, honored and anointed person hallelujah! There is no curse on you, you are not unlucky, and there is no reproach in your life present or in future. God has blessed you and no one or nothing can take that calling away from you.
Broken, the word says that God disciplines those he loves. John 16 vs. 33b says: “in this world you will have trouble’. Apostle Paul wrote ‘fight the good fight of faith’. We will be broken by life-we can not run or hide away from that. There will be troubles; there will be fights to keep faith. You will feel weary, doubtful, scared about when it will get better; nights... long nights of discomfort. Some of you are here in your lives; some of you can remember this place from your past; we have all been broken by life- we all will at one time or the other. Are you ready to breathe a sigh of relief? Yes? Let’s read Romans 8 vs. 28 ‘and we know that all things work for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’ and 1cor 2:9 ‘No eye has seen nor ears heard nor mind conceived what God plans for those who love him’. I told you to expect a sigh of relief. Isn’t this scripture just beautiful, more beautiful because it is the truth for any situation or circumstance a lover of God finds themselves in! you may be broken today be assured that brokenness is your testimony tomorrow- as long as you love God you will smile at the end. Now I know how cliché that sounds but believe me he who gave this word (all of scripture is God given) is faithful everyday and will surely perfect it.
Given, the lord commanded us in his word “be holy as I am holy’. At the end of the trial, tribulation, or test we come out closer to our purpose than before- Romans 8 vs. 29 says “... For whom God foreknew he predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his son (Jesus)”. The ultimate purpose of every believer is to be more like Christ; to shed off the sin the weight that hinders us from being so. Every situation has a plan in your life and that is to make you more like the one who died for you on Calvary; to make you more full of faith and more faithful, more compassionate to others, more sensitive to his spirit, for him to be more lord of your life, for you to be more courageous , more holy, more at peace , more joyous, more worthy … at the end of it all you will be more than, you will be so much more than you were before the process came along.
If you want to cry, cry; but cry because it hurts not because you lack faith: for without faith it is impossible to win.
Christ will comfort us, counsel us, carry us, care for us, conquer for us- he will, he surely will.
And may the grace of our lord Jesus Christ the love of God and the sweet fellowship of his spirit rest and abide with us. In Jesus name Amen.
chichi
Sunday, 8 February 2009
this thing called grace 2
""I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am" "
— John Newton
"For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am; and his grace to me was not without effect. No I worked harder than all of them-yet not I, but the grace of God was with me."
-Apsotle Paul (1cor.16:9)
it does not matter where we have come from, or where we are... His Love is not about our perfomance or measuring up to our personal merit. it is too outrageous to believe someone could Love like Christ does; to Love someone in spite of themselves. Grace is a concept Too crazy that people miss it.
"Lord I do not understand your grace, your love. But I want to move past trying to reason you out of taking interest in me and to accept and fully embrace your Grace. I need your Grace and though some times I try to earn the good that you have to offer; thank you Lord that it is not up to me or any other man but up to you to bless me and fill me up not because of who I am but because of who you are. in Jesus name. Amen."
believer I am BACK!! and thanks to you all for your kind comments on my last post.
keep surviving on His grace. chichi
— John Newton
"For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am; and his grace to me was not without effect. No I worked harder than all of them-yet not I, but the grace of God was with me."
-Apsotle Paul (1cor.16:9)
it does not matter where we have come from, or where we are... His Love is not about our perfomance or measuring up to our personal merit. it is too outrageous to believe someone could Love like Christ does; to Love someone in spite of themselves. Grace is a concept Too crazy that people miss it.
"Lord I do not understand your grace, your love. But I want to move past trying to reason you out of taking interest in me and to accept and fully embrace your Grace. I need your Grace and though some times I try to earn the good that you have to offer; thank you Lord that it is not up to me or any other man but up to you to bless me and fill me up not because of who I am but because of who you are. in Jesus name. Amen."
believer I am BACK!! and thanks to you all for your kind comments on my last post.
keep surviving on His grace. chichi
Sunday, 30 November 2008
give thanks
novemeber may not have gone as you or I hoped or dreamed but God still is God, still great, still good and still able to deliver and save.
God bless ya'll.
in december God will show himself mighty on our behalf. in jesus name
his peace. my love. chichi
God bless ya'll.
in december God will show himself mighty on our behalf. in jesus name
his peace. my love. chichi
Sunday, 23 November 2008
looking ahead...
You Have Our Attention, Lord
Prayer offered by Max Lucado© 10/4/2008
(Printable PDF)
Our friends lost their houseThe co-worker lost her jobThe couple next door lost their retirementIt seems that everyone is losing their footing
This scares us. This bailout with billions.These rumblings of depression.These headlines: ominous, thunderous-“Going Broke!” “Going Down!” “Going Under!” “What Next?”
What is next?
We’re listening. And we’re admitting: You were right.
You told us this would happen.You shot straight about loving stuff and worshipping money.Greed will break your heart, you warned.Money will love you and leave you.Don’t put your hope in riches that are so uncertain.
You were right. Money is a fickle lover and we just got dumped.
We were wrong to spend what we didn’t have,Wrong to neglect prayer and ignore the poor,Wrong to think we ever earned a dime. We didn’t. You gave it. And now, tell us Father, are you taking it?
We’re listening. And we’re praying.Could you make something good out of this mess?
Of course you can. You always have.You led slaves out of slavery,Built temples out of ruins,Turned stormy waves into a glassy pond and water into sweet wine.
This disorder awaits your order. So do we. Through Christ,Amen· • • • ·
God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day, and he will not be slow to answer them. (Lk. 18:7 NCV)
so much is going on in the world today, literally all you hve to do is turn on your raido, open the newspaapers, switch on the television, eavesdrop on conversation and you would wish you existed on another planet... one that is a total opposite of this one you and i live in.
I can only think of one thing more than ever when i listen to the news, or hear stuff... something BIG is about to happen in this world... could God's coming be any closer? what a question right? I mean everyday brings closer the coming of the groom, for those who are engaged isn't everyday that goes by a countdown to the 'WHEN', to the 'D-daay'.
in high school when people talk about the RAPTURE, immediatedly, you have the so called 'bad girls' turn 'saintly'... and how long did that last, maybe a week or even less. then you had the 'spiros' getting self righteous with themselves.... I used to be one of those back then, it is good to 'grow up' lol!
at the risk of sounding like a party pooper, or raining on anyone's parade.... I just hope WE... and believe me I am no exception to this, always remember Christ return- and make every second count.
my sister has been in 'blogsville' all this while, i am pained she just told me today!! *insert sulking face*
www.misiadr.blogspot.com. this is her, and should you feel inclined to say 'hi' by all means do.
God show me how to do the better you want me to do, help me with the self i struggle with everyday. in jesus name. amen.
off to read o!!!
his peace. my love. chichi
Prayer offered by Max Lucado© 10/4/2008
(Printable PDF)
Our friends lost their houseThe co-worker lost her jobThe couple next door lost their retirementIt seems that everyone is losing their footing
This scares us. This bailout with billions.These rumblings of depression.These headlines: ominous, thunderous-“Going Broke!” “Going Down!” “Going Under!” “What Next?”
What is next?
We’re listening. And we’re admitting: You were right.
You told us this would happen.You shot straight about loving stuff and worshipping money.Greed will break your heart, you warned.Money will love you and leave you.Don’t put your hope in riches that are so uncertain.
You were right. Money is a fickle lover and we just got dumped.
We were wrong to spend what we didn’t have,Wrong to neglect prayer and ignore the poor,Wrong to think we ever earned a dime. We didn’t. You gave it. And now, tell us Father, are you taking it?
We’re listening. And we’re praying.Could you make something good out of this mess?
Of course you can. You always have.You led slaves out of slavery,Built temples out of ruins,Turned stormy waves into a glassy pond and water into sweet wine.
This disorder awaits your order. So do we. Through Christ,Amen· • • • ·
God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day, and he will not be slow to answer them. (Lk. 18:7 NCV)
so much is going on in the world today, literally all you hve to do is turn on your raido, open the newspaapers, switch on the television, eavesdrop on conversation and you would wish you existed on another planet... one that is a total opposite of this one you and i live in.
I can only think of one thing more than ever when i listen to the news, or hear stuff... something BIG is about to happen in this world... could God's coming be any closer? what a question right? I mean everyday brings closer the coming of the groom, for those who are engaged isn't everyday that goes by a countdown to the 'WHEN', to the 'D-daay'.
in high school when people talk about the RAPTURE, immediatedly, you have the so called 'bad girls' turn 'saintly'... and how long did that last, maybe a week or even less. then you had the 'spiros' getting self righteous with themselves.... I used to be one of those back then, it is good to 'grow up' lol!
at the risk of sounding like a party pooper, or raining on anyone's parade.... I just hope WE... and believe me I am no exception to this, always remember Christ return- and make every second count.
my sister has been in 'blogsville' all this while, i am pained she just told me today!! *insert sulking face*
www.misiadr.blogspot.com. this is her, and should you feel inclined to say 'hi' by all means do.
God show me how to do the better you want me to do, help me with the self i struggle with everyday. in jesus name. amen.
off to read o!!!
his peace. my love. chichi
Friday, 18 April 2008
*dedicated to T*
A sigh, a look, a prayer…
“No man could love her.”
She hears them whisper
Their scorn and mockery;
She can take no longer.
“Good girls finish last.”
The story of her life,
Yet she is determined;
To believe for an answer.
What she lacks she makes up for
In ways only a true man could appreciate
What she wants; is no game
Just love, just truth, just what is hers.
What gain can she claim?
If there is no one by her side
What has been her purpose?
If she has failed to ‘secure’ a life?
Tonight she wants to ask the forbidden
She wants to know: ‘what about me?’
What wrong have I done? To want the pure
To stay pure?
Why do they mock me?
Am I not good enough to be loved?
What about me?
What about me?
She looks at me awaiting an answer
Answer to a question I do not know either?
She believes in prayer
She believes in God
And all I can tell her is:
That is good enough…
Tomorrow you will smile
When you remember this journey of ours
Someday you will say; “I’m glad I did it no other way.”
But until that day comes
Deal with the present feeling however you must
But never count yourself out
There is a tomorrow on the horizon
To believe this is a MUST.
his peace; my love. chichi.
“No man could love her.”
She hears them whisper
Their scorn and mockery;
She can take no longer.
“Good girls finish last.”
The story of her life,
Yet she is determined;
To believe for an answer.
What she lacks she makes up for
In ways only a true man could appreciate
What she wants; is no game
Just love, just truth, just what is hers.
What gain can she claim?
If there is no one by her side
What has been her purpose?
If she has failed to ‘secure’ a life?
Tonight she wants to ask the forbidden
She wants to know: ‘what about me?’
What wrong have I done? To want the pure
To stay pure?
Why do they mock me?
Am I not good enough to be loved?
What about me?
What about me?
She looks at me awaiting an answer
Answer to a question I do not know either?
She believes in prayer
She believes in God
And all I can tell her is:
That is good enough…
Tomorrow you will smile
When you remember this journey of ours
Someday you will say; “I’m glad I did it no other way.”
But until that day comes
Deal with the present feeling however you must
But never count yourself out
There is a tomorrow on the horizon
To believe this is a MUST.
his peace; my love. chichi.
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
A PORT IN A STORM...
ps 9 vs 9: "the lord is a SHELTER for the oppressed, a REFUGE in times of trouble. "
my devotional this morning passed on a message; it challenged me to fearlessly commit yourself {myself} to what is written in te bible.
once upon a time last year, life as i knew it seemed 'over'; the hardest thing for me was looking at God as the same, beleiving he was in control of my life and the situation i was facing.
it was tough. just thinking of that time in my life makes me shiver and makes me say "thank you Lord."
life is filled with battles, challenges, i mean Paul would not have told us about ' putting on the armour of God." if life was one party after another.
you and I are going to have to FIGHT; FIGHT the enemy of our lives and our destinies.
when i read the above psalm i wondered "refuge? shelter?" so i decided to find out a synonym for the words and this one hit me 'WHAM' a port in a storm.
this is who Jesus is : a port in a storm. i then decided to find pictures of Ports and i did and one thing that was the same in the pictures of ALL the different Ports was that the boats or cars were all at a stand still... resting if you will.
God brought me out of my fire, and even today he is bringing his children out of trouble and trials still...
the holy spirit kept telling me then during my 'fire' "it is never too late to have faith."
he kept telling me this because my faith at this point was t an all time low... i am not even going to lie and say i was strong, i kept falling apart and getting up again.... it was a nightmare of a time in my life indeed.
but i did NOT have to suffer all that emotional , physical and spiritual battering... God is a PORT in a STORM. all i had to do then.... {and what intend to do hence forth} was go to him and REST , to STAND STILL and know that he is God.
when the rain is pouring , and the sea of life is churning Jesus is the place to go, and the place to stay.
we do not have to loose our heads when Life hits, neither to have to live in a perpetual state of fear of thinking of WHEN life hits...
Faith is good. God is his word, and according to Malachai 3vs 6 he {God hence his word} does NOT change , he will never change!!
often wondered how people will be going through DEEP, DARK stuff and they excude this peace, joy, moutain moving faith? i would tell you their not so secret secret...
"they are at the PORT... standing still, resting in HIM, waiting quietly for the coming day of victory."
he loves us so MUCH. so so MUCH.
he is home, he is ALL we would need.
i have fed a heart.
his peace. chichi
my devotional this morning passed on a message; it challenged me to fearlessly commit yourself {myself} to what is written in te bible.
once upon a time last year, life as i knew it seemed 'over'; the hardest thing for me was looking at God as the same, beleiving he was in control of my life and the situation i was facing.
it was tough. just thinking of that time in my life makes me shiver and makes me say "thank you Lord."
life is filled with battles, challenges, i mean Paul would not have told us about ' putting on the armour of God." if life was one party after another.
you and I are going to have to FIGHT; FIGHT the enemy of our lives and our destinies.
when i read the above psalm i wondered "refuge? shelter?" so i decided to find out a synonym for the words and this one hit me 'WHAM' a port in a storm.
this is who Jesus is : a port in a storm. i then decided to find pictures of Ports and i did and one thing that was the same in the pictures of ALL the different Ports was that the boats or cars were all at a stand still... resting if you will.
God brought me out of my fire, and even today he is bringing his children out of trouble and trials still...
the holy spirit kept telling me then during my 'fire' "it is never too late to have faith."
he kept telling me this because my faith at this point was t an all time low... i am not even going to lie and say i was strong, i kept falling apart and getting up again.... it was a nightmare of a time in my life indeed.
but i did NOT have to suffer all that emotional , physical and spiritual battering... God is a PORT in a STORM. all i had to do then.... {and what intend to do hence forth} was go to him and REST , to STAND STILL and know that he is God.
when the rain is pouring , and the sea of life is churning Jesus is the place to go, and the place to stay.
we do not have to loose our heads when Life hits, neither to have to live in a perpetual state of fear of thinking of WHEN life hits...
Faith is good. God is his word, and according to Malachai 3vs 6 he {God hence his word} does NOT change , he will never change!!
often wondered how people will be going through DEEP, DARK stuff and they excude this peace, joy, moutain moving faith? i would tell you their not so secret secret...
"they are at the PORT... standing still, resting in HIM, waiting quietly for the coming day of victory."
he loves us so MUCH. so so MUCH.
he is home, he is ALL we would need.
i have fed a heart.
his peace. chichi
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