shadesoftheorient

“What have a gotten myself into?” I don’t see any way up, down, over or around this mess! God wants you to remember that He knows exactly where you are. The Bible (God’s Message to us) says this,

”The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”

(Hab. 3:19 for the Bible scholars)

Turn to the Lord. Tell Him you are in over your head. Ask Him to be your strength. He will make you as surefooted as a deer able to tread on the heights! Pray today. Let Him be your strength.

Both of these pictures were taken the same day… one during the struggle of the climb… the other of the victory. (We love to go rock climbing)! God delights in using the struggle to make the victory so glorious.

Wherever you are in your spiritual journey… seek to climb higher… get desperate for God through Jesus Christ. Don’t settle for the view from the bottom. Ask God to take you in over your head and lead you to new heights. You’ll find the view well worth the climb.

On Top of the World in God's Strength

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About

January 17, 2012 by stephanieaguerrero

About.

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Better the wounds of a friend than the kisses of an enemy.

January 15, 2012 by stephanieaguerrero

Have you pondered this lately? Wounds hurt, and sometimes worse when they come from a friend. Someone you want to love and impress… someone you want to hold you close.

We all want to be loved, thought funny, or looked up to… especially by our enemies. So why? Why are the wounds of a friend better than the kisses of an enemy?

Because of TRUST!

We can trust a friend to only want what is best for us. I am reminded of a story where a young boy’s ball got away from him and he ran after it. His father looked up and saw that the ball had crossed the railroad tracks and a train was rounding the corner. He yelled, screamed a warning, but his son would not stop. He tried to catch him, but his son was out of reach. Finally, in desparation, the father stopped and picked up a stone and hurled it at his son’s leg. The stone found it’s target and broke a bone causing the boy to fall just before reaching the tracks. The train rushed by within inches of the young man. His father ran to him, picked him up sobbing, and carried him back to safety and to healing.

Just like the son in the story … sometimes we have to be hurt by those we love… in order to save our lives. The father never wanted to cause his son pain, but did what was needed to save his life. A true friend will hurt us to keep us out of harms way.

An enemy would encourage us to continue down a harmful path… would be all smiles. After all, it is in his best interest to see us destroyed. Only someone who loves us will risk it all to save us.

So, the next time you feel a friend has said something or done something that hurts… examine whether it might be for your best interest. Hug their necks and say thank you for being such a good friend, and then thank God for being the best friend of all, by taking your pain and mine, your shame and mine on the cross through Jesus Christ. For lovingly correcting us, disciplining us. Not for our pain, but TO SAVE OUR LIVES.

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Take Time to Breathe!

January 11, 2012 by stephanieaguerrero

The last few months have marked so many firsts for me and my family… all good. A new state, new job, new friends,new responsiblities, new kinds of culture and food, and a new book published. As the new year rolled around, I felt myself pushing forward… making goals, resolutions, and I felt my loving Heavenly Father telling me to BE STILL. Take time to breathe, to laugh, and to play a little in the midst of life.

Whatever resolutions you are making this year… is God in them? Take time to breathe, smile and ask Him what He desires and plans for you this year. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” The next verse goes on to say that if we seek Him, He will be found by us if we seek Him with all our hearts.

Let’s make that our heart’s goal this year. To know Him more… to seek Him always.

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