"My child, if you are going to serve the Lord, be prepared for times when you will be put to the test. 2 Be sincere and determined. Keep calm when trouble comes. 3 Stay with the Lord; never abandon him..." Sirach 2:1-3 / Good News Bible
Today's passage reminds us to keep our wits about us when tests and trials come our way. This reading points to something that veteran Christians all over the world have long ago realized--That is, that challenges and obstacles often follow those who serve the Lord.
There really is no need for despair or dismay over what occurs in ones life when you lay your life in Jesus' hands. It is simply part of a servants life to be tested. Physical infirmity, mental illness, persecution... All are training grounds that help answer the great question that Jesus asked Peter 3 times... "Do you love me?" True, some people try to blame others for the trials and tribulations in their lives, or Satan, but it is indisputable that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life--Omniscient, Almighty and He is in control. What happens in our lives that is beyond our control is what the Lord allows to happen.
I have wrestled for years with coming to terms with how God can allow certain things to happen in this life. But I have concluded that it is not really always our privilege to know the plans of God.; He is in control. However, I also believe it is imperative to assume that He has a wonderful plan for each of us, and it is specially tailored for you and me. Best of all, this assumption takes the guessing out of life's toughest challenges, and replaces conjecture with a great boost of confidence, trust and peace in God's Divine Plan, and Jesus Christ--The greatest hope this world has ever known!
Adele M. Gill 2013 Copyright
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
The Secret of Contentment
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13
If I were to embrace one goal in this life, it would be 'to be content in any and every situation,' through Jesus Christ, as this scripture reads. For to see whatever adversity that occurs in your life as blessing and privilege is to truly embrace the cross of Jesus Christ. It is to deeply believe Romans 8:28 > "All things work for good for those who love God, and are called according to His purpose."
When you view adversity as simply part of God's plan while embarking on this journey with your full focus on Jesus, you are far better able to accept all that comes and goes in this life. Your impoverished childhood can be seen as a valuable training time for working with the poor later in adult life. Infirmity becomes a time for learning empathy and compassion for others. As you grow in compassion for others in crisis and in need, memories of your own personal tragedies begin to fade, eventually becoming the foundation for your own outreach ministry.
Moreover, as you pray and thank Jesus, praising Him for saving you by airlifting you through your darkest days, you are able to see His Almighty power as Wonderful Counselor, Tireless Comforter, the Great Healer, Omnipotent Protector and Savior working in your life. The divine outcome of praising the Lord is an unleashing of the fruit of the Holy Spirit which prepares you to rejoice and share Him with others in your life, regardless of your situation.
May you be profoundly blest with prayers of praise, and subsequent contentment in every circumstance!
Adele M. Gill 2013 Copyright
If I were to embrace one goal in this life, it would be 'to be content in any and every situation,' through Jesus Christ, as this scripture reads. For to see whatever adversity that occurs in your life as blessing and privilege is to truly embrace the cross of Jesus Christ. It is to deeply believe Romans 8:28 > "All things work for good for those who love God, and are called according to His purpose."
When you view adversity as simply part of God's plan while embarking on this journey with your full focus on Jesus, you are far better able to accept all that comes and goes in this life. Your impoverished childhood can be seen as a valuable training time for working with the poor later in adult life. Infirmity becomes a time for learning empathy and compassion for others. As you grow in compassion for others in crisis and in need, memories of your own personal tragedies begin to fade, eventually becoming the foundation for your own outreach ministry.
Moreover, as you pray and thank Jesus, praising Him for saving you by airlifting you through your darkest days, you are able to see His Almighty power as Wonderful Counselor, Tireless Comforter, the Great Healer, Omnipotent Protector and Savior working in your life. The divine outcome of praising the Lord is an unleashing of the fruit of the Holy Spirit which prepares you to rejoice and share Him with others in your life, regardless of your situation.
May you be profoundly blest with prayers of praise, and subsequent contentment in every circumstance!
Adele M. Gill 2013 Copyright
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Prodigal Joy
"Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:16-18
In our humanness, it is difficult, if not seemingly impossible, to be joyful always, but as a striving Christian people, we try hard to walk in gratitude and prayer to The Lord. Truth is, sometimes the best one can do is to cry out loud, "Heaven help me!" And yes, that simple, yet powerful prayer, may be sufficient to carry you until the fog of darkness, the "dark night of the soul" passes over, and you can see your life clearly once more.
For it is not really necessary to recite long, eloquent prayers to get God's attention, especially in challenging times. What is important is that we continually seek God with all our heart, even while under great duress; pray with confidence knowing that He will hear and answer our prayers as only He can. Clearly, it is a matter of praying fervently and then trusting Jesus to be your Savior, your Protector, your Counselor, your Healer, and your Consoler. In actuality, it's all about trusting the God who created you and Who knows you and your circumstances better than you do.
Reaching out to God during infirmity in mind or body is an act of strong faith that is to be repeated again and again in our lifetime, as this life is full of ups and downs. All of us have times when, in times of sickness, mired in the sadness of depression, being too busy, or whatever else is the case, it is easy to 'forget about' our Lord, and focus on other things and depend solely on ourselves. However, He stands in wait for our "Prodigal return"--the time when we return to His loving arms knowing full well that He is first, the best, the only remedy for whatever pains us--He is The Way, The Truth and The Life, the source of unconditional love, enduring peace and sublime joy.
Adele M. Gill 2013 Copyright
In our humanness, it is difficult, if not seemingly impossible, to be joyful always, but as a striving Christian people, we try hard to walk in gratitude and prayer to The Lord. Truth is, sometimes the best one can do is to cry out loud, "Heaven help me!" And yes, that simple, yet powerful prayer, may be sufficient to carry you until the fog of darkness, the "dark night of the soul" passes over, and you can see your life clearly once more.
For it is not really necessary to recite long, eloquent prayers to get God's attention, especially in challenging times. What is important is that we continually seek God with all our heart, even while under great duress; pray with confidence knowing that He will hear and answer our prayers as only He can. Clearly, it is a matter of praying fervently and then trusting Jesus to be your Savior, your Protector, your Counselor, your Healer, and your Consoler. In actuality, it's all about trusting the God who created you and Who knows you and your circumstances better than you do.
Reaching out to God during infirmity in mind or body is an act of strong faith that is to be repeated again and again in our lifetime, as this life is full of ups and downs. All of us have times when, in times of sickness, mired in the sadness of depression, being too busy, or whatever else is the case, it is easy to 'forget about' our Lord, and focus on other things and depend solely on ourselves. However, He stands in wait for our "Prodigal return"--the time when we return to His loving arms knowing full well that He is first, the best, the only remedy for whatever pains us--He is The Way, The Truth and The Life, the source of unconditional love, enduring peace and sublime joy.
Adele M. Gill 2013 Copyright
Thursday, May 9, 2013
God Will Restore Your Life
Psalm 71:20-23
New International Version (NIV)
20 "Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up."
21 "You will increase my honor and comfort me once more. 22 I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. 23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered."
In prayer, The Word, Spirit dreams and daily life, God leads His people to truth and discernment to accomplish His purpose in this world. Even as adversity seems to close in around us at times, in Him there is no darkness at all. For even as you pass through the valley of death, He is ever present, truly alive and tirelessly interceding on your behalf. With one hand on your shoulder, the other as a shield, He will lead you through mayhem to His oasis of joy and peace if you but call upon the name of Jesus.
Putting aside all disbelief, worry, and fear, reach for His hand as He stands in wait for your hand to grasp. Lean in to hear as He speaks life into your hurting heart and soul, life that is to be shared freely, abundantly, with others. There is no situation too big for God, no sin beyond His mercy!
Adele M. Gill Copyright 2013
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21 "You will increase my honor and comfort me once more. 22 I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. 23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered."
In prayer, The Word, Spirit dreams and daily life, God leads His people to truth and discernment to accomplish His purpose in this world. Even as adversity seems to close in around us at times, in Him there is no darkness at all. For even as you pass through the valley of death, He is ever present, truly alive and tirelessly interceding on your behalf. With one hand on your shoulder, the other as a shield, He will lead you through mayhem to His oasis of joy and peace if you but call upon the name of Jesus.
Putting aside all disbelief, worry, and fear, reach for His hand as He stands in wait for your hand to grasp. Lean in to hear as He speaks life into your hurting heart and soul, life that is to be shared freely, abundantly, with others. There is no situation too big for God, no sin beyond His mercy!
Adele M. Gill Copyright 2013
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Thursday, April 25, 2013
You Never Know...
“I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations,7 to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness."
Isaiah 42:6-7
You never how God will use you to lead souls to heaven, but you can be sure He will, especially if you but reach for His outstretched hand, and place your life in His hands. Will He use you to comfort others as aloe for wounded souls? Will He allow you to live your life as a blessed, silent witness, a monument, to what has been? God can and will use every soul for His divine purposes; even those living relentless lives in darkness cannot hide from His Great Light as it showers all of humanity.
Look around you right now. Is God using a stranger, a loved one, or a distant acquaintence to lead you to The Light of Jesus? Surely, if you seek, you will find the pathway he has laid out before you that leads you directly to Him. Walk away for now if you must, grasp his outstretched hand if you will. But understand this, my friend: It is a choice. For a special place and time has been established for you to put aside your burdens and seek forgiveness for sins. I believe that time is now...
Let Divine Mercy prevail, as you ask, so shall you receive...
I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations,7 to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness."
Isaiah 42:6-7
You never how God will use you to lead souls to heaven, but you can be sure He will, especially if you but reach for His outstretched hand, and place your life in His hands. Will He use you to comfort others as aloe for wounded souls? Will He allow you to live your life as a blessed, silent witness, a monument, to what has been? God can and will use every soul for His divine purposes; even those living relentless lives in darkness cannot hide from His Great Light as it showers all of humanity.
Look around you right now. Is God using a stranger, a loved one, or a distant acquaintence to lead you to The Light of Jesus? Surely, if you seek, you will find the pathway he has laid out before you that leads you directly to Him. Walk away for now if you must, grasp his outstretched hand if you will. But understand this, my friend: It is a choice. For a special place and time has been established for you to put aside your burdens and seek forgiveness for sins. I believe that time is now...
Let Divine Mercy prevail, as you ask, so shall you receive...
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Fervent Prayer is Powerful
"The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful." James 5:16
Do you really believe in the power of prayer, or is it simply a last resort reserved for desperate situations? For when you really believe in the amazing power of prayer, it becomes your first line of action when life becomes turbulent, rather than your last resort.
According to Mark 11:24, "All that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it will be yours." No, this does not mean that you will always get what you want through prayer; I have waited 30 years for a full healing and am still waiting for its' arrival. However, it does mean that God will hear and answer every prayer, in His infinite Wisdom and special time.
Some I know are quite timid with what they ask for in prayer; others are more lifetime "frequent fliers" asking for all things great and small for themselves and others. My rule of thumb is this:
If you pray specifically and often asking God for whatever you need, He WILL answer your prayers specifically, in turn. Ask and you shall receive!
Copyright 2013 Adele M. Gill
Do you really believe in the power of prayer, or is it simply a last resort reserved for desperate situations? For when you really believe in the amazing power of prayer, it becomes your first line of action when life becomes turbulent, rather than your last resort.
According to Mark 11:24, "All that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it will be yours." No, this does not mean that you will always get what you want through prayer; I have waited 30 years for a full healing and am still waiting for its' arrival. However, it does mean that God will hear and answer every prayer, in His infinite Wisdom and special time.
Some I know are quite timid with what they ask for in prayer; others are more lifetime "frequent fliers" asking for all things great and small for themselves and others. My rule of thumb is this:
If you pray specifically and often asking God for whatever you need, He WILL answer your prayers specifically, in turn. Ask and you shall receive!
Copyright 2013 Adele M. Gill
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Embracing Your Ministry
1 "The spirit of Lord Yahweh is upon me for Yahweh has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the afflicted, to soothe the broken-hearted, 2 to proclaim liberty to captives, release to those in prison, to proclaim a year of favour from Yahweh and a day of vengeance for our God, to comfort all who mourn." Isaiah 61:1-2
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Today's Scripture is nothing short of a radical call to ministry for all believers. For what good is it to anyone if you keep the Bible messages you receive to yourself without sharing it with others in practical ways?
It is my express belief that all praying Christians, not just ministers, have the uktimate responsibility to embark on daily ministry. No, it need not be a formal ministry, but more of an outreach. Afterall, we have been entrusted by God with faith for a reason... And that is to share it where ever we go to the best of our abilities. Your ministry may simply be a strong committment to treat others with a smile and kindness... Nothing formal, but highly effective none-the-less!
By reaching out to others in your daily life, you will likely never know the good you do to soothe another's soul. Your kind words may have the potential to proclaim liberty to captives of depression, prisoners of days gone by, and relief to those who mourn the loss of a loved one. Truly, a ministry of kindness and a warm smile can soothe the broken hearted; and lending a caring, listening ear to another in need is always welcomed, and truly deemed blessed in the eyes of God!
Adele M. Gill 2013 Copyright
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