For such a time as this!

 

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God...

The Lord is close to everyone who calls out to him, to all who call out to him sincerely. The Lord will rescue me from every evil action and will save me for his heavenly kingdom. Whenever I’m afraid, I put my trust in you — in God, whose word I praise. 

I trust in God; I won’t be afraid. What can mere flesh do to me? God is indeed my salvation; I will trust and won't be afraid. It’s far better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust any human.  And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever.  

God didn't give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled. Throw all your anxiety onto him, because he cares about you. This is why we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper, and I won’t be afraid. What can people do to me?

Those who know your name trust you because you have not abandoned any who seek you, Lord.  In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul...  

He heard my voice from His temple and my cry came before Him even to His ears

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you."

"I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" 

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." 

"Don't fear, because I am with you; don't be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will surely help you; I will hold you with my righteous strong hand"

“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth."  

"The  LORD  is  my strength and my  shield;  My  heart trusted in Him,  and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him." Psalm 28:7 

A compilation of scriptures for such a time as this!

Sleeping like a baby

 

Recently I have been overwhelmed with problems that can only be helped by praying. The most recent trial came this week with my youngest (adult) child suffering from the aftereffects of breast surgery.

This particular surgery has been repeated three times and each time the sac of her cyst was not removed properly and reoccurred. Followed by a golden staph infection. Followed by antibiotics. Followed by lots of pain.

So a week after this last surgery, the dressing was particularly stained with infection again. This necessitated another visit to her general practitioner to be treated.

This turned out to be the straw that broke this mother's back and I had a panic attack, believing she could perhaps lose her breast or contract septicaemia.. (her bandage certainly looked purilent enough)

I took myself to bed early and spoke to the LORD about my fears for my daughter. Once again, I felt that peace that enveloped me like a cloak of warmth. I experienced that before when the same daughter was fighting for her life with leukaemia. 

In the middle of committing my girl into God's care, I fell asleep next to my little cat Xena who was purring against me and trying to comfort her mum.  I had a restful night despite feeling initial panic.

We prayed for her this morning before her doctor appointment. The results were wonderful. The wound had healed well. No infection. Just some residual ooze after the wound was initially closed.

Antibiotics were prescribed to be absolutely sure that it not become infected. We are so glad that this time there's a happier outcome than the 2 previous surgeries.

Once again, the LORD is true to His Word and was there for me as I came to Him in a panic. He gave me perfect peace even as the waves of fear rose up threatening to drown me.

Feeling the peace that passes all understanding, I was able to give it all to God and sleep like a baby. 

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7

Jesus died for you- live for Him

I think for most atheists or even those seeking God, they cannot conceive of a God Who loves them but not their sin. Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

They see only a supreme being- if they even believe in that- who is judgemental and hateful. “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away” -John 6:37. 

Our God is a compassionate and merciful God. He desires that no one should be lost, but that all should come to salvation through repentance and personal faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.-Epehesians 1:7

If they only knew the graciousness of God they wouldn't stay unbelievers for long...Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God doesn't care about your ethnicity, belief system or past- He wants you to come to Him, confess your sin and accept that His Blood has covered your sin. Then He wants a relationship with you- He is not interested in forming a religion per se.

No matter where you have been or what you have done, God still wants you to accept His salvation.

God's grace is deeper than any dark place you have been or any dark things you have done.

Jesus died for you- live for Him... eternally. How to become a Christian

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10

A Godly Home

            

For those of us seeking to make our home a godly home, here is something by Mrs Rachel Shvetz that I found to be perfect. 

We know that by building our home on Christ, we will have a firm foundation..

Blessings, Glenys 

"The curse of the LORD [is] in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just" Proverbs 3:33 

His promise still stands.

Recently I have had one trial after another... and some mornings I wake up in so much pain that I often consider staying in bed. I simply cannot face another day.

There is much going on behind the scenes with my family which I am not at liberty to talk about and it is the sort of stuff that I can do nothing about, or help. Except pray.

On days like that, I start the day with morning prayer with Chris. We start by thanking Him for another day of life, and we ask for His Strength and blessing on us as we travel through the day.

Most times with Chris being quite ill himself, we mention that we don't understand how people get on without God. And we thank Him afresh for His faithfulness to us even as we shakily stand and shuffle together through each hour.

Often we remind each other that God is faithful and is the same today as He was yesterday, and will be tomorrow.

And as we pray before closing our eyes, we once again are grateful that we have managed to do at least that which was most needful, and we thank Him for that.

We manage to drift off to sleep, secure in the knowledge that God will be there waiting to help us as we painfully wake up to another morning...

The only reason I've made it this far is God.

His grace carried me. 

His plan sustains me.

His promise still stands.

 © Glenys Robyn Hicks

Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you. Isaiah 46:4

Mercy's been offered

The flood wasn't the scariest part of the story of Noah's Ark. The scariest part was when God shut the door. Because mercy had been offered...and time had run out.

Jesus is coming for His Bride- believers and it will be a time when we least expect it. Here in scripture Jesus likens this event- called the Rapture, to the days of Noah...

37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

 

Like in the days of Noah, mercy has been offered. Time is running out. Seek Jesus while there is still time. You must be a believer to go in the Rapture. Make today the day of salvation, while mercy's still offered.

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10

 

Koinonia: it has a comforting ring to it.

In these last days before the Rapture of the Church, we are buffetted about with trials and tribulations and pestilences.

We are shaken and we are tired and the finishing line is just ahead. As the darkness of a sick world falls we would do well to remember that although we may feel that world is out of control, it is exactly as God told us it would be in these final days.

These trying days, the Body of Christ must pray for each other and encourage each other to run their race well. We know that the Age of Grace will soon be over, and Christ will translate the Church- us believers into His Kingdom. Therefore, we must tell the lost about Him and do so until that time comes.

This translation of the Church into God's Presence is called the Rapture and according to the Word, we are now observing many of the prophecies we were told to look for, coming to pass daily. This means the Rapture is soon.

Not being able to go to church anymore due to illness through fibromyalgia, mobility issues and angina mainly, I find great comfort in the fellowship of believers through the internet. It's terribly important that we do not forsake the gathering together in corporate worship as support for each other is critical to us running our race well. But like myself, if you can't get to church, try to build a network of Christian friends who will pray for you and support you  It's difficult, it's tough and it's scary!

At the rapture I believe we'll all stand before God still holding each other up and lifting the weary hands that had hung down.  This special relationship is called KOINONIA. :1. the Christian fellowship or body of believers 2. intimate spiritual communion& sharing in a common religious commitment& spiritual community

Let us spur each other on to love and good works and let us pray for each other in Koinonia. We need to be there for each other and watch each other's backs. That's what family do. We are all sons and daughters of the Most High and we share the same Father. So let us truly enjoy Koinonia in these testing times. 

Koinonia: it has a comforting ring to it. 

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works  Hebrews 10: 24