February 2020 Volume 2, Issue 2

"This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Ps 118:24 NASB

This is a wonderful way to start the day! Say this Bible verse each morning as you awaken. You can count your blessings, being grateful you are alive and breathing, that you have an opportunity to enjoy another day, and anything else you are grateful for. It's a new day! Make the most of it. God has a purpose for your life in it!

Jesus says to Focus on Today:

' " So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." ' Mt 6:34 NASB

Don't live in the past, but learn from it. Don't live in the future, but through prayer, plan for it. Listen to God. He has things under control. God created everything and He has the Master Plan! He is with us always.

Life Happens! Aren't we fortunate that we have a living, loving, caring God for our Father? Spoken by Jesus:

' " These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world." ' Jn 16:33 NASB

We have a Father who is a living God who is Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent; one who has plans for our life, knows everything about each and everyone of us (every life has a purpose), and wants us to live an abundant life with Him as Heirs to His Kingdom. He wanted a perfect life

for us, but we ruined that in the Garden of Eden; spiritual warfare, hiding from God because of our sin, and believing that we could handle and correct what we did. We couldn't. God corrected us and clothed us. Now we live in a fallen world, but we have a Hope and a Future through God's Mercy and Grace through Jesus Christ on the Cross.

Just Imagine....

You don't believe in a living God and you don't have Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You believe in yourself and just exist. Now troubles and tribulations (extended times of suffering or affliction) happen:

You have No Father God in Heaven; You have No one to pray to; Jesus is Not one you emulate, instead you emulate worldly people; There is No Hope for a Future of Eternal Life; There is No Holy Spirit as a Guide and Comforter; You don't have Jesus as your Lord and Savior; You don't believe the Bible is the inspired word of God (God-Breathed) and/or infallible word of God; You have No guide for your life, you run your own; You Don't believe a triune God lives and created all creation; You have No spiritual help; You Do know you "Are" here; You Don't know "why" you are here or your purpose; You Don't know "where" you are going; You Don't know "how" you got here but you "Are"; One day you will die and won't be here, and you "Aren't", You don't know where you will be.

What a Scary thought! Paul speaking: " For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." Ro 8:6 NASB

Christians will tell you that not believing in Jesus Christ, God, and blasphemy of the Holy Spirit will put you with Satan's group, spending eternity in hell. That is your alternative. God gives us free will and freedom of choice. No one knows the day they will take their final breath on earth. Our Christian souls leave our body when we die and continue living. Choose wisely! Ask questions if you are not sure about accepting Jesus as yout Lord and Savior. For me the choice is easy, between the Bible and looking at all of Creation and outer space, there is nothing that is happenstance. Everything is intricately planned and interwoven. There is a living Creator, a Triune God who is One and perfect! (See Psalm 19 NASB)

Life Happens! We all go through ups and downs, Christians and worldly people, too. We ask "why?" things happen. Sometimes we know and other times we may may never know. Look at Job. He was righteous in God's eyes and God let Satan test him. Job never found out why this all happened to him, at least that we know. Job's friends were wrong. Job underestimated the amount of wisdom he had and repented. The discussion he had with God is a great reread or read if you haven't read this book of the Biible. God has a purpose for each of our lives and and He is working behind the scenes, as it were, in our lives. He has given us freedom of choice to determine how we spend our days and what happens in our lives. Walk with God. His way is best! Touch base with Him in prayer throughout the day. It makes a difference.

Here is a story about one day in Ken Worthy's life (Retired Detective). I believe it was January 29, 2020. He and his wife went to McDonald's in Locust, NC for lunch. As they left the restaurant, he walked ahead of his wife and they looked both ways as they crossed the parking lot. They were approaching their car when Ken saw a flash of brown and a face of a deer galloping into him. The next thing he knew he was on the ground trampled by the deer. It was caught by surveillance video. (See CNN on the internet) . He was fine. It could have been worse. I bet he never dreamt that he would be trampled by a deer, when he got up that morning! Life Happens!

We all face trials, tribulations, uncertainties, disappointments, lost or fallen dreams, hurts caused by other people, events that happen because of what we did, sins, accidents, or things that occurred for some unknown reason. Some things that occur are major, some minor, but don't mistake their importance in the person's life. you haven't walked in that person's shoes. During these trials, we turn to God in prayer and rely heavily on Him. We ask for answers how? why?,.... God does care! Nothing is too small for His concern. God has a purpose for each of our lives. Every life matters to Him.

Paul was given a thorn in the flesh to torment him so he didn't exalt himself. Three times he asked the Lord to remove it. " And he has said to me, ' " My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." ' " 2 Cor 12:9 NASB Paul said that he would boast of his "weakness, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." 2 Cor 12:9 NASB In the 6th video below Kirk Franklin and his people mention the strength of the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) just came down from Heaven just when they were ready to give up. It is a supernatural spiritual power and strength given to us by our Creator when we ask and/or when we need it most.

Grieving is a special trial and it is of great importance. It is different for each person involved; the length of time varies and the level of support varies. It is very important to remember this, allowing the person and/or yourself the appropriate emotional support required. As a friend and /or support person, be aware that around the 13th day after a death, people who were dropping by and calling, writing, or texting go back to their normal routines and the person grieving experiences more intense pain, suffering, and aloneness. Sometimes support can.just be sitting thre with the person. Stay in touch with them the grieving person. Prayer is very important when something happens. Many people become angry with God. He understands. Jesus went through our grief, too. Express yourr feelings to God. What you don't want to do is to walk away from God. Instead, ask for His strength to see you through. Read Isaiah 57:1, 2 NASB. It is a beautiful description for the righteous. It goes on about the wicked. Focus on the 1st two verses. Know that God is with you always and always knows what tomorrow brings. We ask questions or pray for requests. He may not always give us all the answers we are seeking, but one day we may know in Heaven. Turn toward God to get through, don't leave Him. He knows you and understands your feelings. As a support person remember Ron Gutman's famous quote, " Some people are too tired to give you a smile, Give them one of yours, as no one needs a smile so much as he who has none to give. " (This works for sadness, too.)

God gives, God takes away. We are His chhildren and when pain and suffering occur, it requires our Faith, Hope, Trust, Praise, Prayers, Patience, Perseverance, and taking one day at a time, walking in God's Love with Jesus at our side.

The 5th video below, "It is Well with My Soul", is a famous and glorious hymn. The story behind this hymn is heartache and sorrow. Trust and Faith in God's Love and Pesevering on a new journey that God opened in the wake of their heartache. Here is an overview of the lives behind the hymn. ( If someone is interested, looking up the detail will be a great learninng experience..)

MORE TO COME

I hope you enjoyed the videos. They all had great messages. If they awakened something within you and they made you feel like there was something missing in your life; realize that materialism, people, and idols won't fill the Void in your Heart and Soul, particularly when you are going through troubled and/or difficult times. That longing is fulfilled by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. God designed man with a longing for God. God made man in their image. He wanted us to be with Him and to have abundant life. We live in a fallen world,, and you as Christians have that "Joy" deep in your Heart and Soul that the world cannot destroy! The Spirit of Truth! You are anchored in Jesus Christ!

Jesus said talking to His Disciples:

' " After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him." ' Jn 14:19-21 NASB

When asked by a Disciple for further information:

" Jesus answered and said to him," ' " If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make Our abode" ' (dwelling-place) ' "with him." ' Jn 14:23 NASB

How wonderful is that promise!

The last two videos you just watched mention the Joy" in your Heart that the world cannot destroy. Those of us who grew up as Christians were probably taught the following two songs (see the next two videos below). If you didn't learn them, you may have children who sang these songs. Their message is a lasting one to remember and these are wonderful videos. They serve as a reminder or a new teaching. We all humble ourselves and come to Jesus with Childlike Faith. These videos serve as a "Joyful" reminder that no matter what we are facing, God's Love is within us and so is His Peace. Both are beyond anything we can experience on earth. It is that "Joy" that the world cannot destroy. Jesus satisfies the Heart and Soul. He has experienced our walk on earth so He completely understands us and what we are going through. We have a Hope and a Future because of Jesus and what he has done for us on the Cross. If we Pray and Ask God for strength, wisdom, and understanding, Believing He will give them to us, He will. He knows what we need before we ask. He knows us, He knows what tomorrow brings, and He will never leave us. Pray without ceasing. Nothing is impossible for our living God!

Enjoy these next two videos. They should bring a Smile to your face!

Those kids are "Happy"! They have the Love of Jesus down in their Heart to stay! That's Joy!

The following video "Happy" is great! Pharrell Williams says that during Sunshine he can take a break, but otherwise he is always "Happy." When hard times come he cannot tell because his level of "Happy" is so high. You can throw all the bad news at him, but he is going to warn you that it won't bother him. Clap your hands if you are Happy, dance to show your Happiness. Clap your hands if your feel that Happiness is the Truth (Jesus and the Holy Spirit). It's that Joy in your Heart! He is so "Happy", he is like a room without a roof. His level of "Happy" is so high that nothing will bring him down. That level of "Happy" is True Joy the world cannot destroy! Happiness is the Truth!!!

I hope you enjoyed these last videos. They may bring back memories, and they also remind us that we have a Joy in our Hearts and Souls that this world cannot destroy. Fortunately we have a wonderful living God who cares for and about us; and one who sees the bigger picture that we cannot see. We must Trust and Obey. He is always with us!

If you haven't developed a relationship with Jesus Christ and even if you have, but it hasn't been a personal relationship, I encourage you to do so. Put God in the center of your life, pray for His guidance and purpose for your life, and then listen for His answers. Spend regular time reading His word and learning from the Bible; and spend regular time in prayer. You will find that your relationship with God becomes much deeper.

I have included two prayers that are related to today's newsletter and its videos. We all face trials, discouragement, and things that are not what we expected to happen. It is at this time we heavily rely on God's strength. We pray withoout ceasing and use our own prayers and those of others who have experienced similar tribulations. Today, I am including prayers written years ago. When you pray these prayers and think about how many people have also prayed these prayers over the years, it becomes quite mind-boggling. When you consider that Saint Augustine was born on November 13, 354 AD and died August 28, 430 AD, you know that these prayers have been well prayed by many people around the world.

The first prayer is from Saint Augustine's Prayer Book, (Revised Edition, 2014), page 83. It follows:

"In Times of Trouble"

" O God, Thou art my hope and strength, a very

present help in times of trouble; grant me faith and

courage, that I may not fear, though the earth be

moved, and the hills carried into the midst of the

sea; though the waters thereof rage and swell, and the

mountains shake at the tempest of same. O be in the

midst of my soul, that I may not be moved, but may

be still and know that thou art God. Amen.

--- Based on Psalm 46 and a prayer

Attributed to Archbishop William Laud"

The second prayer is also from Saint Augustine's Prayer Book, (Revised Edition, 2014), page 89. It follows:

" Lord Jesus, when your disciples were tossed and

tormented by a terrifying storm, you came to

them with great calm, and they were safe. Speak

peace, we pray to you, to those who are in agony of mind

or body; that even when pain and fatigue threatens

to overwhelm them, they may find rest to their souls

and to their bodies; grant them to drink deeply of the

fountain of life that is in you and that gives hope and

healing evermore. Amen."

If you don't know Jesus Christ, I encourage you to form a relationship with Him. He never promised to stop pain and suffering in this age, but He did promise to be with you always and to help you through these difficult times. He will give you His strength and guidance, His wisdom and His understanding to help you through the good times and bad times on your Earthly Journey to Eternal Life.

If you would like to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior right now, please do the following:

1. Repent of your sins both known and unknown.

2. Follow Romans 10:9,10,13 The NASB version of the Bible is listed below:

"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation...13 for ' "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." ' "

3. The Holy Spirit will now dwell within you.

4. Next: Find a Local Church to join and be water baptized as an outward sign of a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of the congregation of the church you selected.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Jesus Speaking:

' "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." '

John 14:27 NASB

MORE TO COME!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

Karyl K. Glad

Additional Note: February is Black History Month. I highly recommend watching the following:

THE GREEN PASTURES The Award winning Movie and Stage Play 1936

It used to be free on YouTube, but now it is available for a charge. Look it up, It takes place in Louisiana.

Enjoy! It is excellent!

Karyl K Glad