but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14
This story is extremely embarrassing for me to tell. Funny, but embarrassing.
Last year, my husband and I took six of our grandchildren to the Houston Astros baseball game. Five of the kids were getting bored with the game and asked to go to the playground.
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises…II Peter 1:4
God and His Word are true, faithful and powerful. And there are numerous scriptures that I absolutely love. Reading through some of them recently, I noticed a pattern.
Many of God’s promises involve us making the first move. He then promises to do something in return.
Let’s look at a few of these precious promises:
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Psalm 119:133
I was talking on the phone with a friend one day outside of my workplace. I was standing on the next to the last step of the stairs when I skipped the step in front of me and fell onto my knees. Talk about humiliating and painful!
I was so embarrassed because not only had I known the step was there, but a coworker who was parking his car, saw the whole thing. He ran over to assist me, and in that moment the thing that hurt the most was my pride!
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; II Corinthians 4:8-9
It was one of those weeks where so many things went wrong. There was a call from my children’s school, a missed deadline at work, overdue bills, needed car repairs and not enough money in my bank account.
I was a single mom at the time and by the end of the day, I was feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. I felt so defeated. All I desperately wanted was to hear a word of encouragement.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36
It was the 4th of July and the fireworks show had just begun. I was fascinated by the brilliant colors and shapes displayed across the night sky.
But there was one spectacular display that completely mesmerized me. It was in a vibrant red heart shape design.
This huge, bright heart remained visible only a few seconds, but the message God had for me would be long lasting. This message was not only for me, but also for the thousands watching.
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:21
My family and I went on a vacation to New York a couple of years ago. It was our first time to visit the Big Apple. We planned for months on the sights we wanted to see and the things we wanted to do.
I had the itinerary outlined for each day of our trip and all was going according to plan until we left the airport! Everyone was so excited that plans were rearranged from the original schedule.
…and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
It was going to be one of those difficult nights of feeling so alone. I had a heavy heart because of a difficult situation I was facing.
I was crying to the Lord and telling him all I wanted was a hug. The kind of hug that only a father can give that makes you feel secure, loved and that everything is going to be OK.