Be Encouraged welcomes Guest Author Bonnie S. Vaughan. We trust the Lord that Bonnie’s submission will Encourage and Bless you today.

When troubles assail us we sometimes wonder what God is doing, or if He even cares, but amidst our hardships we can rest assure that He will carry us along life’s journey arm in arm with Him.

Life is truly a journey, and when we travel the paved or gravel roads, we imagine what life may have to offer on the other side. But keep in mind, the grass is not always greener over there, it may actually need more attention and care; more roots pulled up and more dirt removed. It can be some of the roughest, toughest places that we find ourselves wanting answers that will satisfy the arm of the flesh, instead of the fruit of the Spirit. It’s in those moments of desperation that we long to receive the “so needed” response that our hearts cry for.

Let’s take a look at Abraham and Sarai in Genesis 12, where God promised Abraham that He would make him a great nation, make his name great, and he would be a blessing. He would bless those who blessed Abraham, and curse those who cursed him, and in him all the families of the earth would be blessed. Abraham obeyed the Lord to get out of his country, away from his family, and from his father’s house, and was willing to go to a land that the Lord would show him, but in the process, Abraham went into Egypt, and made known that Sarai was his sister and not his wife. This caused God to bring plagues upon Pharaoh and his household. A scenario, that although our hearts yearn to do what’s right, we sometimes do what’s wrong, and in the process realize that God is still watching out for us because of His promises and great love for us. Not that sin is tolerated, but the Father’s love is greater than our sin.

When we are willing to give all, and pursue His will for our lives, He has promised to take care of us. Even though the battles, at times are overwhelming and seems to bombard us in great quantity, we need to always remember to run to the source of the One who has our answers…His presence. As we acknowledge Him in every arena of our lives, it is a factor of trust that the Father’s sees our efforts in Him. A necessary moment in time that reflects our love for Him, and in turn, His love pours out in response to our needs. So never question His love or provision for you, for He will not allow Himself to withdraw from you, His beloved.

Come to Him today with whatever needs you have, and let Him take you to the place where all is well in Him. The place that gives you assurance and hope that no matter where you’re at, or what you’re facing in life, He is the avenue you need to encounter in order to embrace the answers you not only desire, but need. He sees your tears, and longs to be your everything, and in turn, you will lack nothing.

© Bonnie Vaughan
www.bonnievaughan.tateauthor.com

Be Encouraged welcomes Guest Author Lee Gossett.  We trust the Lord that Lee’s submission will Encourage and Bless you today.

HURT:

MATTHEW 18:21-22 Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven … ” (NASB).

The more time that goes by the deeper the hurt becomes and then we develop a shell around our hearts keeping everyone -including God – away from us because we simply don’t want to be hurt, again. Everything (everyone) is impacted by unprocessed pain in OUR lives.

Dear friends, God never intended us to carry these types of burdens and unprocessed pain throughout our lives OR day to day.

PSALM 55:22 Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall (NLT).

Be Encouraged welcomes Guest Author Bonnie S. Vaughan. We trust the Lord that Bonnie’s submission will Encourage and Bless you today.

“The winds blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 (NKJV) 

Sometimes we don’t understand the things we go through or the reason for our pain, but amidst it all, God is working all things out for our good. Our paths, at times, may seem to go this way or that way, but God is faithful, and in His unfailing love will not allow our steps to go past His grace. He is fully aware of everything we encounter, and nothing catches Him by surpise. So when you think life has dealt you a bowl of jelly, always remember, He has the whip cream to top it off.

Just think, when storms blow into our lives, we never have to walk them alone. God has gone before and prepared the necessary means to come across our path, whether it be finances, people, things, or even places, He has it all worked out. Never underestimate His goodness, for in following His lead, we are sure to reach our destination.

There comes a time in our lives where we have to “surrender all” in order to receive all that He has promised. Yes, we know the promises of God are yes and amen, but there are conditions to them…”But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33). We have to seek His kingdom, and in doing so, He provides what He has promised. We’re all familiar with the scripture…”For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) In order to receive eternal life, we have to believe. So let us not grow weary when things seem out of sync, but let us continually draw near to Him, and when we do, we are sure to find that no matter where the wind blows, or which direction our life may seem to be going, He has it all under control.

© By: Bonnie S. Vaughan

Website: www.bonnievaughan.tateauthor.com