Seriously, God, One More Thing? - A Treasured Moments Devotional

 

My mom and I joined a group of women from our church, Hanover First Church of God, recently for a Bible Study by the humorous, loving, Christ-proclaiming Lisa Harper. The first night, our activity was to write a question to God and release it. The question that sometimes comes to my mind is "Seriously, God, one more thing?" Ever since writing that question down, Satan has been throwing one more thing at me from all directions with my own health issues including Lupus, my son's Aspergers and behavior, Federal agencies losing paperwork for programs we have applied for, my son's school not following his IEP and doubling his work load. The beauty in the midst of all of the mess and chaos is that through it all, God has been reminding me that even when that "one more thing" comes my way, He is there ready to handle it and do battle in my honor. Even when I can't handle the trials that come my way, God  can and will each and every time. It has been a faith building experience for which I am thankful. Yes, I am thankful because it is in these times that God draws me closer to Him, stretches me beyond my own abilities, teaches me how to persevere, strengthens my character, and bolsters my hope just as His word promises to do in Romans 5:3-5. It is my prayer, precious ones, that God will bless each one of you as He has me. That He will become a very real presence in your lives and that you will find strength and hope in Him. God is with me and with each and every one of you ALWAYS! "...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (NIV)

Redeemed by Love - A Treasured Moments Devotional

 A Treasured Moments Devotional © from God's Writer Girl © ~ May you find God's love, hope, peace, and encouragement in each of these treasured moments I share.

“Do not fear, for I have REDEEMED you; I have summoned you by name; you are MINE. When you pass through the waters, I WILL BE WITH YOU; and when you pass through the rivers, they will NOT sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will NOT be burned; the flames will NOT set you ablaze. For I AM the Lord your GOD, the Holy One of Israel, your SAVIOR!" Isaiah 23:1-3 

How amazingly cherished this verse makes me feel! God redeemed me. That means He paid off my debt. He has forgiven me my sins through the ultimate sacrifice of His one and only beloved son, Jesus. This is God's agreement with us to wipe our slates clean. "In him [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace." Ephesians 1:7

While I strive to live a life that is holy and pleasing to Him, I can honestly tell you that I am merely a sinner saved by grace. Each one of us is. I have made my fair share of monumental mistakes in life. I have failed God. Yet, He has NEVER failed me. When we seek His forgiveness and we earnestly seek to walk with Him daily by spending time in His word [the Bible] and communicating with Him through simple, honest prayers from our hearts, He transforms our hearts and souls. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

That doesn't mean that we won't make mistakes or continue to be tempted by sin because Satan will tempt us. Yet, God not only knows my name but He calls me by my name. He calls you by name also. He desires to have an intimate, personal relationship with each one of His children. I am comforted in knowing that He is with me ALWAYS. No matter what I am facing, He will NOT allow it to consume me. Furthermore, Exodus 14:14 tells me "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” So, not only will God not allow me to be consumed, but He will also fight my battles for me. He is fighting your battles for you as well, dear one!

Why? It is rather quite a simple answer but it can be difficult to fathom. God loves us. He chooses to love us, to redeem us, to forgive us, to save us, to fight for us, to protect us, to comfort us, to provide us with shelter and so much more. He is the One True Sovereign God. Therefore, He alone has the power to redeem us and fight for us. He is the Almighty God, the Holy One, the Alpha and Omega (Beginning and End), our Savior and Redeemer! 

Guess what, dear one? God loves you immensely. He doesn't want you to fear. He doesn't want you to allow shame or guilt over your former mistakes to hold you back from the wonderful plans He has for your new, redeemed life. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" John 8:36 .He desires for you to know Him intimately. He wants to provide you with comfort and shelter. He longs to fight your battles for you as well. All you need to do is ask Him.

My prayer is that each of you know His Truth, experience His immense love for you, and be filled with His amazing peace. For nothing is sweeter than to be able to walk through life with God by your side, watching over you, providing comfort and rest, and being your ally when you need to enter into battle.

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

New Blog Series - 12 Week Kids Bible Study {Giveaway!}

Join us over the next 12 weeks (starting August 29th) as we share Bible study topics, discussion questions, suggested reading, and activities that you can do with your kiddos!

The writers at CSAHM are so excited to share with you the wonderful
Deep Blue Kids Bible and Bible Studies that will encourage you to include regular Bible Study

time with your children that isn't overwhelming and is a A LOT of FUN!

Today we are celebrating by hosting a giveaway launch!

Be sure to enter the giveaway below and share the news with your friends in order to gain extra entries for

the prize - which is a $200 USD Amazon Gift Card!

Before you enter the giveaway...

Be sure to subscribe below to our update list where you will receive weekly updates about our 12 Week Kids Bible Study and you will also receive a FREE PDF version of each week's Bible Study!

Giveaway {$200 Amazon Gift Card!}

Be sure to enter below for your chance to win a $200 amazon gift card sponsored by the "Deep Blue Kids Bible!

A Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Some affiliate links have been used in this post.

Book Launch: Keeper of Reign by Emma Right {Giveaway - $100 Amazon Gift Card!}

About the Book:
Books written in blood.

Most are lost, 

their Keepers with them. 

A curse that befell

a people. A Kingdom with

no King. Life couldn't

get more harrowing for 

the Elfies, a blend of 

Elves and Fairies. 

Or for sixteen-year-old

Jules Blaze. Or could it? 

For Jules, the heir of

a Keeper, no less, 

suspects his family 

hides a forgotten secret. 

It was bad enough that

his people, the Elfies

of Reign, triggered 

a curse which reduced 

the entire inhabitants

to a mere inch centuries

ago. All because of one

Keeper who failed his 

purpose. Even the King's

Ancient Books, did not

help ward off that anathema. 

Now, Gehzurolle, the evil

lord, and his armies of 

Scorpents, seem bent on

destroying Jules and his

family. Why? Gehzurolle's

agents hunt for Jules as

he journeys into enemy 

land to find the truth.

Truth that could save him

and his family, and 

possibly even reverse the

age-long curse. Provided

Jules doesn't get himself

killed first.


Download today on Kindle for only $0.99! 
(offer ends August 16, 2013!)

Before You Enter our Giveaway:
Be sure to subscribe below to receive a

FREE PDF download titled

"Devotional Questions for Keeper of Reign."  

This PDF is a great guide and help on how 

you can use Keeper of Reign as a tool

to help teach your children about Biblical

principles that are found in the book 

Keeper of Reign.







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Enter the Giveaway:
Enter below for your chance to win

a $100 USD amazon gift card 

sponsored by author Emma Right.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


This is a Becoming Press LLC book launch.

Sign up here to become a book launch blogger!

Compassion International Contest

Contest Entry and Details

To celebrate the two year anniversary of their first post on Instagram, Compassion International is hosting a special contest from July 11th through July 31st. The contest is a photo scavenger hunt. For more details click on the link above. If you don't have an Instagram account, you can still participate by posting photos on your Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ accounts.  Make certain you tag them #CompassionHunt. Then, go to the Compassion Contest Blog entry and post the URL of your photo in the widget at the end of this post to get your contest entries.

Happy Hunting! ~ God's Writer Girl

Sustaining Love - A Treasured Moments Devotional

These past few nights as I have struggled to find a comfortable position to decrease the pain and increase my ability to breathe while I attempt to sleep, God has wrapped me in His loving arms and whispered His words of love over and over again to my heart through the numerous scripture verses, hymns, and praise songs I have hidden there as treasures.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30

If you are going though a difficult time or are doubting your worth, dear one, I want you to know that there is One who loves you and cherishes you far more than you could ever fathom or dare to believe. To Him you are priceless. You are a treasure worth fighting for, worth pursuing, worth sacrificing His son for. He gave His son in order to save each of us from our own foolishness, selfishness, and sinful natures. He is your Heavenly Father Your Lord Jehovah, the King of Kings. His name is God. He chose to love you. He pursues you daily, waiting patiently for you to accept your birthright and all of the love and blessings that come with it. His love is like none other. It is healing and not hurtful. It is selfless and giving and not self-seeking.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." - John 3:16-17

His love sustains me here on Earth through the temporary pain until the day when I will be home with my Savior and completely free. Until that day, I am free in spirit. My heart is filled with love, joy, hope, and peace that can ONLY come from a personal, intimate, loving relationship with my Father in Heaven. Allow yourself to see your worth through the eyes of the one who created you. Then, allow His love to transform you and be prepared to stand amazed. Life will still be difficult at times but oh how much sweeter the ride will be knowing that you are walking hand in hand with your Heavenly Daddy and that you are never alone because He will always be beside you to offer love, peace, joy and hope!

  
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

"In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." - 1 John 5:3-5

Connections Academy

As many of you know, my son attends a public cyber school. It has been one of the best decisions I have ever made on his behalf. Because I was unaware that such options existed, I like to mention our cyber school whenever I have the opportunity. To help give you an inside view of Connections Academy, I would like to share some of the latest resources with you.

Connections Academy recently joined forces with The Juilliard School to create an innovative new online music program. Children from kindergarten through high school can gain a greater understanding of music through hands-on music activities and study of music repertoire, plus presentations and demonstrations by faculty, alumni, and students from the world-famous Juilliard School in New York City. 

 Additional Juilliard Music Program Videos

Connections Academy teachers are highly skilled in teaching in the web environment. They conduct classes with our powerful, interactive LiveLesson^® system. Utilizing unique, interactive tools, LiveLesson^® sessions allow our teachers to create and lead the real-time, lively interactions of a traditional classroom, but in an online setting. 

 

 Additional Live Lesson classroom demonstrations

  

Connections Academy NEW Teen Website

Connections Academy started a new website geared specifically to the teens they serve. This site includes a section titled, "Life as a Student," as well as various resources that High School aged students will find helpful. Click on the above link to view the site for yourself.  

Physical Education in Virtual School: How Does That Work? by Beth Werrell

 

Unless you were an all-American athlete when you were a kid, you might not have the best memories of phys. ed. class. Whether you dreaded the ugly gym uniform, playing a sport you just didn’t enjoy, or being the last one picked for a team sport, the good news is that, as a virtual school student, your child won’t have to experience it!

Running, bicycling, climbing, skiing, dancing, martial arts, playing soccer or basketball—all of these great, fun activities can be part of physical education for a virtual school student. That’s because the name of the game is personal fitness choice when you attend school online. Continue Reading

To read more insightful articles, go to Connections Academy's Blog. Check out Connections Academy's Website for more specific information about the programs, what state's have public virtual schools, talk to a current Connections Academy Parent, or discover where you can attend a local Connections Academy Event. Connections Academy also has a Facebook Page and a Twitter Page. If you have questions, I would be willing to talk with you as well. Look under the Follow Me section of my blog to contact me.
 

In God We Trust - A Treasured Moments Devotional

As we approach the first of our American patriotic holidays, I find myself reflecting upon the dream our Founding Fathers had for our great nation, the sacrifices of many great men and women who have valiantly defended our freedoms, and our responsibilities as Christians to stand firm in our beliefs and to fight for the exact principles upon which our great nation was built. 

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth” Psalm 33:12-14

Since many of our great leaders have eloquently stated the importance of God in the foundation of our American government, let us reflect upon their insight and wisdom:

“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” - George Washington, Founding Father, 1st President of the United States of America

“We have staked the whole future of our new nation, not upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked the future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments.” - James Madison, Founding Father, Primary Author of the Constitution of the United States of America, and the 4th President of the United States of America

“And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God … and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.” - Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States of America

“Without God there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic, expression of Americanism. Thus, the founding fathers of America saw it, and thus with God’s help, it will continue to be.” - Dwight D. Eisenhower, 33rd President of the United States of America

“I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land. We need God's help to guide our nation through stormy seas. But we can't expect Him to protect America in a crisis if we just leave Him over on the shelf in our day-to-day living.” - Ronald Reagan, 39th President of the United States of America

The Bible warns nations who have turned their backs on their faith and on God. 

Psalm 9:15-17 states, “The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The Lord is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God.” 

 

Ronald Reagan, 39th President of the United States of America also warned Americans when he said, “If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." 

We cannot forget that our nation was founded upon Biblical principles set forth in God's word nor that we have a duty to live our faith out in every aspect of our lives, including taking a firm stand in how our country is run. Pray fervently for our country. We desperately need to be One Nation under God as our Sovereign Lord once again. Pray for government leaders who aren't afraid to live by their Christian convictions and take a firm stance. We need men and women of integrity who aren't afraid to say, "Here am I, Send me!"  Ask God to forgive us for our sins, as a nation, against Him and for our disobedience in following His will for our nation and His laws that help govern us. He doesn't create laws to punish us. He creates laws to protect us. Pray that as Christians we can remain strong in our faith and stand up against what we know is wrong. We need fortitude to keep fighting the good fight for our race is far from over. 

Prayer: “Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of Thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in Thy fear, and dying in Thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy son, Jesus Christ.” Amen - George Washington, Founding Father and 1st President of the United States of America

Please pray for our American soldiers as they so valiantly and selflessly lay their lives on the line daily to protect our great nation and our freedoms as Americans. Pray that God will be their protection, their strength, and their comfort, especially in times of trouble.




American Soldiers - Thank you for your service and for your sacrifice for freedom comes at a price.




Please pray for the families of our American soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for our freedom. Pray that God will be their comfort and their strength and that His peace will wash over them like a healing balm.