He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
Doing nothing is a choice
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
God wrote the story
Now look at this image.
It visualizes tens of thousands of cross-references throughout the Bible. Every arc connects one passage of Scripture to another - sometimes written hundreds of years apart.
Genesis connects to the Prophets.
The Prophets connect to the Gospels.
The Gospels connect to the Epistles.
And it all comes together in Revelation.
The Bible opens with the Tree of Life in Genesis and closes with the Tree of Life in Revelation.
Different writers.
Different centuries.
Different cultures.
Yet one voice.
How?
Because behind the human hands was a divine Author.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…”
2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)
Men held the pens.
But God wrote the story.
By Amir Tsafarti
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...
"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!
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
Koinonia: it has a comforting ring to it.
Casting stones or extending grace?
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
Our Prince of Peace
I am comforted.
My head: PMR temple pain and headache. TMJ causing jaw pain and earache. Fibro brain fog.My neck: Polymyalgia rhuematica pain (PMR) Hashimoto's disease.My skin: psoriasis and rash on shins from lymphedema of left legMy shoulders: fibromyalgia and PMR muscle pain. Lymphedema in my right arm (from the angiogram)My heart: angina, costrocondritis. Hole in the heart. Ongoing IHDMy blood: antiphospholilipid syndrome. (Sticky blood)My lungs: pulmonary hypertension. Only my left one working.My stomach: gastroparisis, GERD. Navel hernia repair done with mesh which is tearing away from fleshMy pancreas: failing due to diabetes 2My kidneys: stage 3 failing and dropping- currently 56 Makers of 50+ kidney stonesMy arms: muscle pain with tearing ligament pain.My hands: deformed from osteoarthritis. Trigger finger on left pointer finger.My back & hips: PMR, fibromyalgia, spinal canal stenosis, ankylosing spondylitis, Scheurrmanns disease. No lower discs left. CoccydyniaMy knees: lymphedema, ligaments torn and a fabella in the right knee. Arthritis.My legs: fluid from heart disease and lymphedema.My feet: arthritis, peripheral neuropathy from diabetes, heel spurs
Each day brings more pain. The level fluctuates, but it never goes. And I am still treated like a drug abuser when I ask for pain relief- and this is all verifiable by medical tests.
In fact, the only "help" I have gotten is through a pain management clinic where I was told to play Candy Crush to keep my mind off it. It is a joke.
Why I don't read salacious books
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake [my] love, till he please. Songs 2:7
Anything that lures ones' mind away from God or ones' spouse creates an opportunity for sinful behaviour. The formula for sin begins in one's thought life...A thought = a decision = an action = sin. I know if Chris was thinking lustfully about another woman, that it would upset me. He wouldn't do it to me. Likewise, I won't do it to him.
What manner of people ought we to be then?
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. Revelation 3:4
Don't let it become an idol
Weight can become an idol. Unfortunately, it is often so depressing and all consuming that it can distract us from our relationship with Jesus.
As a chronically ill woman who truly doesn’t eat much, my weight gain is mainly inactivity from heart disease and taking Prednisolone for polymyalgia rheumatica.
I have tried losing weight following every diet, going to Weight Watchers and even Gloria Marshall using passive bed/machines. But to no avail. And as the years passed, my weight increased.
If I dwelt on weight gain and my consequent obesity, I would be so depressed that I wouldn’t have time to write for the LORD, or feel close to Him.
Because obesity can affect our spirit, I would say that we have to bring those negative thoughts into the captivity of Christ and not allow it to distract us from what He has for our life. He loves us no matter what our size.
By all means keep an eye on your weight, but don't let it become an idol...
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5
You will never regret it!
I am nearing my 73rd birthday and as most of us do when getting older, I reflected on my life thus far. There are plenty of regrets and missed opportunities.
Like most people who have lived for many years, I have made mistakes, taken wrong turns in life's path and sinned.
I have struggled on when ill health and tragedy struck, and I can say in truth, that I sometimes didn't feel God's Hand on me during those times, but in hindsight, I can see His love and concern was always there.
There are many things I have regretted and many times I have fallen down, but the one thing I will never regret is falling at the Feet of Jesus and being forgiven, healed and redeemed.
Love in action
I have been reflecting on the amount of grandmothers who have a large role in bringing up their grandchild or grandchildren, or who even have custody of them.
Even as a young child, I was impressed by this woman and thought how great was this lady's heart and love that she gave up a truly salubrious life for them.
It is only as a senior great-grandmother myself, and on reading that God classes this devotion as a mitzvah and is especially dear to His heart, I realise that this self sacrifice is so precious to God and to the grandchildren being cared for.
This to my mind exemplifies the sacrificial life of His Son Jesus, Who was perfect in love and sinless. Such kindness is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
To all grandmothers who care for their grandchildren, know that your sacrificial love is indeed pleasing to God. It's more than being kind: it's love in action.
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. -2 Timothy 1:5
Whatsoever things
I overcame this by deciding to accept my limitations and to love myself enough to rest, eat well and be grateful for the very fact that I was still alive.
I didn't want to stay in the Pit of Despair, so I gave all my anger and sadness to the LORD. I decided to look at whatsoever things were lovely, and to count my blessings..
This helped me recover spiritually and emotionally. I didn't realise how much my self talk and negativity had brought me down.
If you want to fly, you have to release your burdens so they don't weigh you down, so tell the LORD about it, for it is He Who will release you and help you fly.
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8







