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Posts tagged ‘strength’

Embrace Adversity – 8 Ways


How do you define adversity?
It is symbolized by tough times.
It is exhibited by disagreements.
It represents challenges.

How do we deal with adversity?
Why should we embrace it?
Misfortune means misery, right?
Calamity and distress are its partners.

But the Bible says, “The Lord is
A stronghold in times of trouble.”
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed.
“Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing”
(Psalm 34:10b)

So let us embrace adversity
By understanding it is a vehicle
That strengthens us just as fire
Tempers steel and hardens it.

We are called to share each other’s burdens.
That is one of the purposes of church:
Congregations are called to care for,
Encourage, empathize, and strengthen one another.

“The church is a network of shoulders
Supporting the collective weight
Of everyone’s troubles, lifting burdens,
Helping others find rest for their weary hearts.”
(Charles Stanley, In Touch Ministries)

God often uses hard times to get our attention.
When things are going great,
we are not so quick to turn to Him.
But trials drive us to our knees for answers and comfort.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Psalm 28:7

“The Lord is my strength and my shield,
my heart trusts in Him,
and He helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise Him.

Photo by Luna Lovegood on Pexels.com

The adversity that I faced recently was the death of my “favorite student,” Ty Stiles. The picture above could easily have been him. His early death was “misfortune” to the highest degree! I have told you about him in several recent blogs. Yesterday was his Memorial Service at Monte Vista Chapel, his home church in Turlock, CA. I was blessed to be able to attend it virtually because the church recorded it on a YouTube broadcast.

How do we face the “misfortune” of such a loss? Only by our faith! Only by knowing God keeps His promises and Ty has gone to Heaven. We will go there some day, too. We will all be reunited. In the meantime, adversity turns to adventure. We are invited to live our lives with thankfulness for the privilege of knowing one another. We are asked to change our perspective from “I can’t handle this,” to “”I can’t handle this on my own, but I can with Jesus’ help.”

Let the adventure of today’s challenges bring strength when we feel weak, safety when we feel danger, comfort when we feel distress. Let us be the ones who stand tall and say, “Here I am, Lord, send me!” Be ever ready to leap for joy and with your song, ever praise the Lord who is our strength.

Pray for his comfort and strength, rather than praying that he’d simply remove difficulties. Embrace Adversity. Be the shoulder others lean on. God will bless you!

Thanks for visiting
JanBeek
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, friendship, Giving, God, Heartache, Life and Death, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, Poetry, prayer, relationships, Serving One Another

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Twelve Ways to Beat the Virus


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In the midst of this pandemic,
With germs spreading far and wide,
We need to be extra cautious –
In TRUST we must abide.

Trusting isn’t foolishness –
It isn’t abandoning MASKS.
Trusting is OBEDIENCE –
Doing what God and SCIENCE asks.

Trusting isn’t carelessness –
It isn’t gathering in bunches.
Trusting is PRAYER and AWARENESS
And listening to our hunches.

This virus is quite deadly –
Unpredictable at best –
So we need to TAKE IT SERIOUSLY,
Don’t give the bug a test!

STEER CLEAR OF CROWDS,
And WASH your HANDS often,
Trust in the Lord and prayer,
While avoiding someone coughin’.

In the midst of this pandemic,
With family and friends in Harm’s Way,
We need to trust the Lord, yes –
But listen to scientists and obey!

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

Did you catch the twelve?
I want to make them clear.
Here they are spelled out –
Obey and avoid fear!

Twelve Ways to Keep COVID-19 Away:

1. Be cautious 
2. Trust in Science
3. Trust in God 
4. Pray
5. Obey  
6. Be aware
7. Take it Seriously
8. Wear a Mask
9. Wash Hands Often
10. Avoid Crowds
11. Socially Distance
12. Don't Give the Bug a Test

God Bless You, my friends.
May He keep you safe and healthy.
May we all do our part to help keep this bug at bay!

Please pray for the Zufferey Family
in Switzerland
(my son-in-law’s cousin,
who was our 1980-81
AFS exchange student).
ZuZu, Celia, and Jeremy
all have tested positive.

Pray for all those affected by this nasty bug.
Dear Lord, may they beat it…
And emerge with no lasting side-effects.

Please give them new strength, too.
DeAna

Lord, keep our daughter, DeAna,
in Switzerland
and all her family
safe.

Amen

(From “Best in Europe”
Switzerland
has become one of the worst
in new cases this week.
Pray for that country…
and all those facing this virus.)


Do you have a loved one who is in Harm’s Way
or is suffering from COVID?
Tell me – and I will add his/her name to my prayer list.

Bee well!!
See ya tomorrow.
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Faith, Family, God, health, Life and Death, Love, Poetry, prayer, relationships

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What a Week!


Problems
Creep in
Usually they’re unbidden
Happened all week long
Blame

Gifted
With Love
From my Lord
I did move forward
Strength

Possibilities
Are fueled
By firm beliefs
Making hard things easier
Faith

One step at a time
Life is easier with faith
Just follow the Light!

This last one’s a Haiku, but the preceding series of three poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.

I hope you had a good week.
Enjoy your weekend.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
See ya tomorrow.

BYE!!
BEEEEE Well.

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, God, Haiku, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, mental health, Poetry

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Are You Fully Dressed?


Are you fully dressed?
Have you cloaked yourself in love?
Dressed in quiet time?

Photo by murat esibatir on Pexels.com
Photo by Elizaveta Kozorezova on Pexels.com

Is your brain engaged
In the hush of the morning?
Still and communing?

Photo by Flickr on Pexels.com

Isaiah 55:3
King James version

“Incline your ear,
and come unto me,
hear,
and your soul shall live.”

Photo by Breston Kenya on Pexels.com


In the quietness, I find my strength.
In silence, I commune with my Maker.
Sustained peacefulness covers me
And I tune in to God as my pacer.

.

Photo by Tembela Bohle on Pexels.com

We must cloak each day
In the hush of quiet time.
Listen to the Lord.

Then we really hear
Our God’s infinite wisdom.
We’re completely dressed.

Let the Lord come in
And visit with you today.
He is there waiting!

The words to this are soooo beautiful!
Listen to the music and see the words
on this next video…
Sing along and. be inspired!
Thanks for dropping by.
I hope you are fully dressed…
And ready to share your quiet center
with all who enter.

Have an awesome week.
See all the things that really matter…
Be at peace and really see.
See ya tomorrow.
Love ya,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, God, Haiku, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, truth

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Lay Me Bare


I want to lay bare.
Unwrap all my coverings;
Lay bare my soul, Lord.

Photo by Nikolay Bondarev on Pexels.com

It is a process –
Unwrapping our gifts –
Being all we are.

Photo by Henley Design Studio on Pexels.com

I want to be clean,
Free of all the barriers
that keep me from God.

Photo by ALLAN FRANCA CARMO on Pexels.com

Life can be twisted,
Locking out our special gifts.
Unlock barriers.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Rid yourself of them –
The chains of security.
Be vulnerable!

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Only when your shell
Is cracked open and you flow
Can your gifts be used.

Lord, lay bare my soul.
Unwrap my coverings, Lord.
Reveal my gifts.

Let them be useful
As I reach out in kindness
And share all my gifts.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Blog title and ideas inspired during my devotional time this morning with Strength & Grace, Daily Devotions from Guideposts

James 1:17

“Every good thing given
and every perfect gift
is from above,
coming down from
the Father of Lights,
with whom there is no variation
or shifting shadow.”

Photo by Luis Dalvan on Pexels.com

“Lord,
I pray for Your grace and strength
as You unwrap the layers of these gifts.
May we be blessed to become
all that You would have us to be.”
Amen

(Prayer for today from
Strength & Grace)

Lay me bare!
See ya later.
JanBeek

Category:

Aging Gracefully, Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, Giving, Haiku, Jesus, learning, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, Poetry, prayer, Promises, Serving One Another, Spiritual Gifts

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What Keeps You Going?


What keeps you going?
When your own strength has left you?
I gain strength from God.

How do I know Him?
How can I be sure He’s real?
I soak in His Word.

I look for His signs
In little things around me,
And I pray a lot!

I know He hears me.
I ask that His Will be done.
I listen for Him.

In devotionals
I find great inspiration.
These lift my spirit.

I “Take-Away” thoughts
To carry me through each day.
They keep me going.

Let me share with you
The “Take-Aways” from each day
During this last month.

Daily Take-Aways, March 2020

  • He Makes All Things New
  • Move Forward in Prayer
  • Pray Fervently
  • Listen to Your Body!
  • Look Up and Live
  • Be Intent on Jesus
  • Remember Past; Live Present
  • Live Joyfully!
  • Problems? Pray for Solutions
  • Trust God’s Timing
  • Let His Power Show in Me
  • Believe – and SOAR!
  • Be “All In” for Him
  • Let the Lord Lead
  • Focus on What Matters Most
  • Keep Your Heart Tuned to God
  • Christ is Everywhere
  • Pray Inclusively
  • Thank God Daily for Health and Friendships
  • Add Daily Exercise to Your Routine
  • God is Ever With Us
  • STOP and Bow Down
  • Perceive and Understand
  • Turn to Jesus Daily
  • Thank God for Peaceful Places
  • Let Beauty Fill You
  • Know God Always is With You
  • Practice Contentment
  • God is Our Steadfast Hope
  • Use Words Wisely’ Always with Kindness
  • Find Sanctuary and Rest in Him

Gain Strength

You can’t carry these
Powerful and Peaceful thoughts
With you and lose strength.

They will sustain you;
They will keep you positive.
They’ll keep you going!

Let God be your strength;
Study His Word and absorb
His encouragement.

Use these “Take-Aways” –
They’re better than vitamins.
Just take One-a-Day!

Have a blessed Thursday.
Beeeee Healthy!
See ya later.





Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, contentment, Faith, God, Haiku, Jesus, learning, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, mental health, peace, Poetry

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Healing Waters


Painting by Bern Sundell

Healing Prayer

May the flow of healing waters
Rush in and through you
May you feel peace in your soul
As love swirls around you

May your troubles wash away
As you find comfort in knowing
Your prayer is heard by the Rock
Who is our strength and our hope

Amen

Love to you from JanBeek
Have a blessed day.

Category:

blessings, Faith, God, health, Jesus, Living in Christ's Family, Love, nature, Poetry, prayer, writing

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Where’s Your HOPE?


Photo by ATC Comm Photo on Pexels.com

1 Corinthians 13:13

“And now these three remain:
faith,
hope
and love.
But the greatest of these
is
love.“

My favorite scripture
is found in 1 Corinthians,
the 13th chapter.
I love the whole chapter,
but I love the 13th verse
the most.

Source: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Photo by Wendy van Zyl on Pexels.com

Choice of Bible Verse

This blog is all about “Loving One Another.” So, my choice of the Bible verse, 1 Cor. 13:13 probably didn’t surprise you.

John 3:16
is the verse I first memorized as a child.
It was my Sunday School teacher’s favorite verse:

“For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, bu will have everlasting life.”

Your Favorite

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? Or a favorite saying that reassures you each day – and keeps you moving forward?

What tiny spark in you
is whispering
“Keep going?”

Faith
Hope
Love
These three remain.

The greatest is LOVE.

But HOPE for the future
is an essential ingredient.

Try not to let today bury you!
Where lies your hope?

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Jesus, Living in Christ's Family, Love, peace

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Forgiveness


Two-Way Street

Forgiveness is a two-way street. Not only do we need to forgive others, but we need to forgive ourselves. Sometimes that is much harder than forgiving others.

So, as this decade of 2010 to 2019 ends, commit your heart to forgiveness. Let go of any hurts from others. Tell them so. And let go of those regrets that creep into your heart and cause you to scold yourself.

None of us is perfect. We all make mistakes. We all say things and do things and think things that we regret afterward. Forgive yourself … and move on!

Be Strengthened

Let those mistakes (sometimes intentionally placed in our lives … so not mistakes at all) be building blocks toward a better you! With 20/20 CLARITY, let this new decade be a time of strength and sincerity, compassion and courage, challenge and change, faith and fearlessness.

Know in the midst of life’s struggles that you are never alone. In my devotional this morning, I am reminded of God’s love for me and His changelessness with Ps. 59:10

Fluctuating Emotions

It is our fluctuating emotions that cause us to ask for forgiveness and then take back the guilt that God has taken from us. We try to forgive, but we remember. We remember our own wrongs. We suffer the wrongs others have inflicted on us, carrying them in our hearts long after we think we have given them to God. The devo from Guideposts for today tells me, “Stop that!”

Accept His forgiveness. Acknowledge His death that took away our sins. Know His changeless love and His unconditional acceptance of us. And pray with me the prayer Rebecca Barlow Jordan wrote as our “Faith Step” for today in the last entry of Daily Guideposts 2019:

“This coming year,
as I confess any wrong things in my heart to Jesus,
(either my own wrongs or those inflicted on me by others),
remind me to thank Him for His changeless love and acceptance.
(And help me imitate His unconditional love
as I interact with others… and with myself.

Amen”

May 2020 begin our decade of CLARITY.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Jesus, life, Life's Challenges, Love, Memories, peace, prayer, self-acceptance, truth

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Finding Strength


Finding Strength

  This morning I received an e-mail from a dear cousin. Her husband has esophageal cancer. The chemo and radiation treatments are making him feel tired, gaunt, and bored with the required liquid diet. Swallowing is painful. He’s lost 30 pounds. .  

In the midst of life’s struggles, we need strength, courage, and assurance. Where do we find it?

Joshua 1:5-9 “No one will be able stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you. Be strong and courageous… Be strong and very courageous… Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

In my morning devotional today

from In Touch Ministries,

this very scripture and topic were discussed.

 
 

Yes, obstacles are faith’s fertilizer!

As the devotional said,

“Obstacles are one way our faith can grow.”

    What obstacles are you facing today? They may not be as serious as cancer of the esophagus, but every challenge we face is an opportunity to lean on our faith and allow the obstacle to grow us. Use them as stepping stones. Know that God is with you. Be assured by that cross that hangs in my sanctuary and reminds me daily to remember what our Creator tells me: “Be Still and know that I AM God.” .  

My cousin’s husband is Jehovah’s Witness. I have sent him a couple of inspirational cards wishing him well and reminding him that I have him in my daily prayers.

 

My cousin told me in her e-mail today, “While he may not agree with all your theology… he most certainly believes in God and appreciates your prayers.”

.

I am reminded that God is soooo much bigger than religion. God is the Creator of us all. God loves and cares for us all. We may not practice our religious beliefs the same way, but our faith in God binds us together as one.

    As Christians, we say we are “One in Christ.” We believe in the Trinity – that God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are One. Who am I to say that those who say we are “One in God, our Creator” are wrong? God is Omnipotent. He sees into the heart of us all. When He promises, “I am with you,” he’s talking to you … each of you! .  

What obtacles are fertilizing YOUR faith today? Be still and know God is with you.

blur bracelet conceptual female

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Now, go in peace.

Believe

Let your obstacles become stepping stones.

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, Family, God, health, Heartache, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Love, peace, prayer, Promises

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