Walking again

 Through the years I wasn't one to take care of my health. Maybe like some, I never thought I'd live long enough to regret it. I had a doctor's appointment recently and they did a EKG. And it show that I was having a heart attack. They wanted to send me to the ER right away, but I told them no. True I had been seeing signs of a troubled heart for some time, but I figured it'd go away. I came home. That night I felt worse. Thank God my eighty seven year old mother lives with me and she's a woman of prayer. I asked her to pray for me, which she did. We prayed and prayed until I felt better. I hadn't been able to walk more than a few steps without feeling out of breath and pain in the last few months, yet the following morning I went out the door and started walking. Every step I took, I thanked God for my life, healing and the fact that I was able to walk again with strength. I am doing what I couldn't do in months...walk. I have heard people who've had near death experience say; " My life has changed "  Well my life has changed!!  Every step I take is a great feeling, it reminds me that night in mom's room praying together, believing for healing. Now I am more than ready to do changes in my life.....

Miracles every day

 Not only was I raised seeing miracles happen in the church dad was pastor, I saw them in my own life. I heard about a loving God who saved, forgave and healed since I was five years old. Anytime I was sick I trusted in a simple prayer even by me, it didn't matter what it was. I have lived a life of miracles. Tonight as I was resting, I received a text from my oldest daughter saying that my grandson had been in an accident in another city. He is a young man of twenty one years old, in his prime. As I was reading her text, I was reminded that God had had me praying for my grandson with such earnest some nights ago. And I prayed and prayed that God's hand would be upon his life for protection. I didn't fear for my grandson's life , I believed at that moment God was in control of the situation. Hours later my daughter text me saying, mom all is well. Jon has only scratches and bruises. She said the impact was huge, am 18 wheeler hit the car, it was a total loss. Cops couldn't believe my grandson was alive, much less not hurt. I knew God's hand had protected him. If there is a time we feel a need to prayer for someone , by all means pray, it might just save their lives. 

Life Family and God

 I became a single parent when my children were starting their teenage years. I think every parent can relate to that experience. It is the hardest thing for many parents and more for a single mom. Yet, through struggles and many problems, we all survived. From there on life became easier with time. I can't take most of the credit, it was prayer and the prayers of my wonderful mother who is a forever christian. I'm sure without her spiritual advice and prayer I wouldn't have seen my children turn out a great as they are now.  If I am honest with myself I confess having made many wrong decisions through those years. And if I grateful seeing the respect my kids have toward me regardless not having been there for them at times. Many years have gone by and God's faithfulness has followed us. God's blessing comes in many shapes colors and form. I may not have material things , oh but I can say I was blessed in a more rewarding way. My children, and grandchildren are beautiful people, respectful, loving, caring and striving toward being productive in society, things money doesn't buy. As I entered old age and see my life , I realize just how blessed I am. Not because I deserve it, but because we have an awesome God who loves and cares for us. A few days ago I saw my first great grandson , and it sure felt good to see my five generations together. My blurry eyes see old photos of long ago and for a brief moment I can still see little feet running in the house, then it's gone. Life is good!!!

Trusting God today

And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith  Genesis 15:6

God’s Story Takes Time to Unfold:

God’s promises to Abraham didn’t materialize right away. God didn’t tell him just how events would play out. So Abraham’s faith wavered. God promised that he would become the father of a great nation (Genesis 12:2), but some time later, Abraham didn’t even have children. In response, God gave new assurances.

Genesis 15:2-4 Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son?…. You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.” Then the Lord said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.”

The road to God’s purposes will involve delays, obstacles, and tests. It’s easy to doubt what God will do. His plans usually become more clear over time, but not always at first. Yet along the way, God welcomes honest questions.

God Secures Your Place in His Story

Abraham’s relationship with God came at God’s initiative. God sought him first. God started the conversation. Not only that, God also secures his promises. God promised Abraham that his descendants would own the land where Abraham lived as a foreigner. But again, Abraham wasn’t convinced,

Genesis 15:8 O Sovereign Lord, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?

In response, God bound himself to his promises through a covenant. Covenants were common in the ancient world. A covenant was like a treaty, ensuring faithfulness between two parties. Both parties pledged to fulfill certain conditions. As God moved from promise to covenant, it was like reinforcing a handshake agreement with a written contract.

Genesis 15:18 So the Lord made a covenant with Abram that day and said, “I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River…”

Unlike most covenants, God’s agreement with Abraham was unilateral. God placed no conditions on Abraham. God pledged his faithfulness, but did not ask Abraham to pledge anything in return. In fact, during the ratification ceremony, God put Abraham into a deep sleep (Genesis 15:12). It’s like God signed the contract for both sides.

Likewise, God secures our place in his story through his unilateral action toward us in Christ. Jesus established a new covenant between us and God. Like Abraham’s, this was initiated entirely by God. It is based only on what God does for us, not on what we do.

Your Part in the Story Is to Keep Trusting God

In his highest moment, Abraham responded to God’s promises with faith. As a result, God considered Abraham to be a righteous man.

Genesis 15:6 And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.

Abraham’s faith became a model for a relationship with God. 

The blessings of Jesus’s new covenant include forgiveness of our sins, a reconciled relationship with God, membership in God’s family, and more. Like Abraham, we receive these blessings, not by obedience or worthiness, but by trusting in God’s action for us – through Jesus’s death and resurrection.

Having entered God’s story by trusting in Jesus, we continue in a growing journey of faith through all the twists and turns of life. In tough times you might be tempted to give up on God. But remember: it can take a lifetime to develop deep faith. Don’t give up on God. As you keep trusting in his faithfulness, your faith will continue to grow!