#ChristianWomen – Page 10 – rootedbythewater.blog

Eyes wide open

January 18, 2023Leave a Comment

A couple of days ago I blogged on Something new. Today I would like to pick up on this topic but go in a different direction. When God is doing something new it can be unnerving. Some people don’t like change. In order to grow in life, we have to embrace Gods plan and be willing to follow Him.

This morning I had an extra long quiet time and it was so refreshing. A friend sent me some sermon notes on a sermon she heard this past Sunday. The sermon was about Jesus healing Bartimaeus the blind beggar. (Mark 10: 46-52) The pastor apparently used this story to teach on moving with God despite obstacles in life. The story of Bartimaeus always resonates with me because I am legally blind. If you throw hearing impairment in the picture,that’s me. I love how Bartimaeus did not listen to the crowds when they told him to hush but shouted even louder. He pushed past what the people thought. When Jesus stopped and called him, he threw off his cloak and went to Jesus. After Jesus healed him, he followed Jesus. The cloak that identified him as a blind beggar was left behind. He wasn’t afraid but moved forward into what Jesus had for him.

Often times people are afraid to move into the unknown. 2 Timothy 1‬:‭7‬ says, “For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.” (ASV‬‬). If God is guiding you, walk by faith and move past any obstacles. God is able to move things out of your path so you can keep walking with Him. Nothing is impossible with God! Mark 10:27

As God opens new doors in your life, don’t be afraid! Move forward in faith. Don’t let others perceptions hinder you. Put your eyes on the prize, Jesus! “Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There is much more to say but I will save it for another time. If you liked this blog post please subscribe. You can find my autobiography Rooted by the Water on Amazon. I pray it gives you great hope and courage to surrender to Jesus. He is all you really need. Be blessed.

Keep on!

January 10, 2023Leave a Comment

This is day 10 of 2023 and I’m just now stopping to blog. I decided to read through the Bible again this year in the New Living Translation. As I’ve been reading I’ve made notes on a few possible blog topics. Today I will focus on “Keeping on”. I came across this verse as I was reading recently. It’s a perfect verse for this first blog of the year. “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Keep on asking! God wants us to bring our concerns to Him. He delights when we choose to pray and acknowledge His Lordship over our lives. I love how God has revealed aspects of my relationship with Him through being a Mom. It warms my heart when my grown son seeks me out just to talk and share his life with me. God is my Heavenly Father, and He delights in me praying and seeking Him out to share my heart.

Keep on seeking! I want to know God more and more. Through studying the Bible, learning in church, worship and fellowship, I desire to grow into all He desires for me. Never become satisfied with where you are in your relationship with Jesus. There is always room to grow closer in our walk with Him. Study Jesus character and how He handled situations. I want to be a reflection of who He is. As I seek you Lord, change me!

Keep on knocking! As we ask, seek and knock He will reveal more to us. I want to walk in God’s will for my life. I desire to be the woman He created me to be. I desire to fulfill His call to shine for Him.

Keep on being You! I love when people are real and genuine. We are all human and make mistakes. We all need grace. As God freely gives us grace, be sure to give it to others.

Keep on finding joy in the little things in life. Last Sunday there was a young mom sitting behind me in church with her precious baby daughter. After the service I was marveling at the sweetness of this precious child and she let me hold her. Oh the simple joy and delight in holding a tiny baby.

Keep on finding fun in the ordinary things. My husband and I went to get our hair cut today. The same girl does both of our hair. I was showing her a picture of what I wanted and as I zoomed in ( I have low vision) we saw it was a wig. We all started laughing and I said to Ron, “A wig would solve your problem of having to bring me to get haircuts!” We were all laughing. I turned to our hairstylist and said “This is us!” Life is life, but you can find joy and laughter in the ordinary.

So whatever you do as you start off this year keep on keeping on. God has us. Keep looking to Him and He will direct you.

If you liked this blog post please subscribe. You can find my autobiography Rooted by the Water on Amazon. I pray it gives you great hope and courage to surrender to Jesus. He is all you really need. Be blessed.

Gods got you!
“What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sought & Found ~ Great Joy

December 24, 2022Leave a Comment

I can’t tell you how light my heart has been these last few weeks. As I sit in the early mornings with just the Christmas tree lights on, it is utterly peaceful. These early morning times are spent in prayer and reading the Bible. I do this everyday year round , minus the Christmas tree lights which are only on in December and part of January. These times with Jesus set the pace for my day.

As the Christmas Carol goes, Joy to the world the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room…. I will stop right there. I personally opened my heart to Jesus years ago. He is the greatest gift from God. He fills my heart with great Joy. I have sought and found Him and my confidence is in Him for all my needs. He fills my life with great joy and helps me have perspective on the hard things in life.

You might scoff at my view and think I live under a rock. Yes I know all the troubles going on in the world. Yes I see the suffering. Life is tough. Being legally blind and deaf is a day to day challenge that few understand. BUT God gives me such great determination and strength to endure. It’s not about me and having it all easy. It’s about Jesus and bringing glory to His name.

Jesus is the best and most Undescribable gift! Like the shepherds and wise men who eagerly followed the star and found baby Jesus in a manager, in a stable. When they found Him they were filled with awe and joy. Have you sought Jesus? He is waiting for you to make room in your heart amd life for Him.

Christmas is a promise kept. (God keeps All His promises) The prophets foretold Jesus birth hundreds of years before it happened. Wow! What an awesome God we serve. As I typed that I actually started singing the worship chorus… My God is awesome, He can move a mountain, keep me in the valley. Hide me from the rain. My God is awesome, heals me when I’m broken, strength when I am weary, forever He will reign. I’m sitting here with tears streaming down my cheeks. I might not have the words exactly right but my heart is in tune with my Lord.

Do you know Jesus? He is the greatest gift you will ever get! When you accept Him as your Lord and Savior and confess and repent of your sins, He forgives you and fills you with such peace.

If you have wandered away from the faith, come home to Jesus! He is the only thing that will ever satisfy your soul. The world is filled with distractions and momentary pleasures but they won’t ever fill your heart. There is a place in our hearts that only Jesus can fill. Make room! Don’t turn Him away.

Dear Jesus I pray for all who read this, I pray you will open their eyes to your truth, your word, your love. As we prepare to celebrate your birth, I pray we each worship you with all our hearts and rejoice in the gift you give. It’s all about you Jesus! Show us the way! Shine brightly for the whole world to see! I love you Lord! Happy birthday Jesus? Amen!

Merry Christmas to you all! If you liked this blog post please subscribe. You can find my autobiography Rooted by the Water on Amazon. I pray it gives you great hope and courage to surrender to Jesus. He is all you really need. Be blessed.

Do you have Room?

December 15, 20221 Comment

Do you have room? You might be wondering what in the world I’m talking about. Please hear me out. I am going somewhere with this. As Christmas is less than two weeks away, I find myself thinking deeply on the events that unfolded two thousand years ago.

To set the foundation for this blog, please read Luke 2:1-7 “Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city. Now Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (NASB2020‬: You Version App) (Emphasis mine)

Imagine the crowded roads full of travelers needing to register for the census. Now imagine young pregnant Mary nearing the time of labor, needing a place to stay. In my minds eye, I see a distraught Joseph after hearing there was no room in the crowded inn. The stable where the animals stayed, would have to do for their lodging.

Jesus the Son of God was born in a stable. Many laid him in a feeding trough because there was no crib or bed. If the inn keeper had known who was being born I feel certain room would have been made for Jesus Christ birth. Surely someone would have given up their room. However Jesus got the lowly stable, the feeding trough, the left overs.

Do you have room for Jesus in your heart ? Do you have time for Jesus in your daily routine? Does Jesus get your “leftovers”? You might be saying, “But I have so much going on! There is always something needing my attention. I need more hours in the day!” I hear you! Really I do!

Many times in life, my son has apologized to me saying, “Mom I’m sorry. I’ve just been so busy”. My response is usually, “I understand but you choose how you spend your time. Choose what is most important”.

Prepare room for Jesus today! Everyday! He is God’s greatest gift to us. Oh come let us adore Him…Christ The Lord!

About Mary~

December 9, 2022Leave a Comment

Gabriel and Mary ~ Found on Pinterest from Artpal

The older I get and more I grow in my relationship with Jesus, I find myself thinking deeply about what it would have been like to be an eyewitness of biblical events. I especially marvel at the events surrounding the birth of Jesus.

As a member of a book club, last December we read Two from Galilee by Majorie Holmes. This is such an incredible book about Mary and Joseph. The author incorporates traditions and customs of the times when writing this book and it really brings the events to life. I encourage you to check it out, especially at this time of year.

As I think on Mary, the mother of my Savior Jesus Christ, I marvel at her faith and obedience to God. God chose her, a young virgin engaged to be married. Mary’s response to the angels greeting is remarkable. “Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.” Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭38‬ ‭(NLT‬‬). Imagine all that she endured. A virgin, she had to tell her fiancé she was pregnant but by Gods doing not her own. Just think of the gossip mills and what she experienced. In my mind I see a young teenage virgin confused and yet in awe at the angels message to her. She responded with such great faith and obedience. This was a hard assignment and it was just the beginning.

Just like God chose this young teenage virgin to give birth to His son Jesus, He chooses each of us to spread the news about Him. Jesus birth is Gods gift to us.

I’m sure Mary wondered how God would use her to bring about this most wonderful event. She had to have seen the enormous task before her, yet she responded with great faith and obedience. I pray that we too will rise up with great faith and obedience to tell everyone of this greatest news of Jesus birth. This is the gift of Gods love for us. ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

We have a job to do! Let’s spread the news of Jesus birth. You may be intimidated by the task but God will use you if you are willing and obedient. “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger bringing good news, Breaking the news that all’s well, proclaiming good times, announcing salvation, telling Zion, “Your God reigns!” Voices! Listen! Your scouts are shouting, thunderclap shouts, shouting in joyful unison. They see with their own eyes God coming back to Zion. Break into song! Boom it out, ruins of Jerusalem: “God has comforted his people! He’s redeemed Jerusalem!” God has rolled up his sleeves. All the nations can see his holy, muscled arm. Everyone, from one end of the earth to the other, sees him at work, doing his salvation work.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭52‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭(MSG‬‬)

Note: I am so thankful for You Version Bible app. It allows me to see many translations of the Bible. I can no longer see well enough to read the Bible in book form but this app allows me to zoom on on my iPad so I can see the powerful Word of God. Check out You Version Bible app. It is amazing.