<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#" > <channel> <title>Lent Archives - My Rose Colored Shades</title> <atom:link href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/tag/lent/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/tag/lent/</link> <description></description> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 18 May 2015 14:48:43 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1</generator> <site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">68676972</site> <item> <title>Weekly Wisdom – Matthew 11:28-30 | Rest for the Soul</title> <link>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2015/04/03/weekly-wisdom-matthew-1128-30-rest-for-the-soul/</link> <comments>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2015/04/03/weekly-wisdom-matthew-1128-30-rest-for-the-soul/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[My Rose Colored Shades]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 03 Apr 2015 16:01:22 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Faith & Family]]></category> <category><![CDATA[High on the Word]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bible]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Easter]]></category> <category><![CDATA[eternal salvation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[God]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jesus Christ]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lent]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Matthew 11:28-30]]></category> <category><![CDATA[rest for the soul]]></category> <category><![CDATA[scripture]]></category> <category><![CDATA[truth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[weekly wisdom]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://myrosecoloredshades.com/?p=6456</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>“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 … <a class="more-link" href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2015/04/03/weekly-wisdom-matthew-1128-30-rest-for-the-soul/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2015/04/03/weekly-wisdom-matthew-1128-30-rest-for-the-soul/">Weekly Wisdom – Matthew 11:28-30 | Rest for the Soul</a> appeared first on <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com">My Rose Colored Shades</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lent15_weeklywisdom.jpg"> <span class="pibfi_pinterest "> <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-6127" src="http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lent15_weeklywisdom-1024x683.jpg" alt="lent15_weeklywisdom" width="560" height="374" srcset="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lent15_weeklywisdom-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lent15_weeklywisdom-200x133.jpg 200w, https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lent15_weeklywisdom-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /> <span class="xc_pin" onclick="pin_this(event, 'http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2015/04/03/weekly-wisdom-matthew-1128-30-rest-for-the-soul/&media=http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lent15_weeklywisdom-1024x683.jpg&description=Weekly Wisdom – Matthew 11:28-30 | Rest for the Soul')"> </span> </span> </a></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><span id="en-NIV-23488" class="text Matt-11-28"><span class="woj">“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.</span></span> <span id="en-NIV-23489" class="text Matt-11-29"><span class="woj">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.</span></span> </em><span id="en-NIV-23490" class="text Matt-11-30"><span class="woj"><em>For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”</em> ~ Matthew 11:28-30</span></span></span></p> <p>I’ve always found these words from Jesus very comforting. He invites all of us who are weary and burdened to come to Him and find rest because His yoke is easy and His burden is light. But I can’t help but wonder what these words really mean, especially the last verse of this passage. I was always told that being a Christian is not always easy. As Christians, we are called to pick up our cross and follow Christ and by doing so we are not necessarily choosing the easiest path. And yet Jesus says that His yoke is <em>easy</em> and His burden is <em>light</em>. <span id="more-6456"></span>In the context of this passage, Jesus is comparing a new life under grace thru Him as opposed to a life under the law, which characterized the legalistic ways of the Pharisees at the time.</p> <hr /> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">When we dwell in Christ, we feel at home </span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">and find peace and rest for our minds and souls.</span></strong></p> <hr /> <p>As a child of God living under His grace today, there are a few things that God has impressed upon my heart about this passage. Living in Christ under His grace and mercy is like being home where I belong. I certainly can’t speak for everyone, but I, for one, feel the most comfortable, at ease and free to be myself at home. No matter how big or small, clean or messy, humble or luxurious, quiet or chaotic your home might be, there is nothing like the comforts of home. The phrase “Home Sweet Home” was coined for a reason. In the same way that home can be a physical place, it can also be an emotional haven where you find people, whether family or friends, who love you unconditionally, where you feel like you belong and you just know you’re where you’re meant to be. When we dwell in Christ, we feel at home and find peace and rest for our minds and souls.</p> <hr /> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>All of the burden that we could possibly bear in this world </strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>has already been nailed to the cross with Christ.</strong></span></p> <hr /> <p>Jesus calls us to take His yoke and learn from Him with the promise that His yoke is easy and His burden light. All of the burden that we could possibly bear in this world has already been nailed to the cross with Christ. The heaviest burden we can possibly bear is the burden of sin. The wages of sin is death. What a relief to know that the penalty has already been paid! We are no longer held down by the heavy burden of sin, but instead, we are lifted by the freedom of God’s grace. And even though we will be tempted daily as we live our life of grace, God gives us this assurance in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” I was reminded at a <a title="BSF International" href="https://www.bsfinternational.org" target="_blank">BSF</a> lecture that God has infinite strength to provide for us and we know that because it says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”</p> <hr /> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>In Christ, we are not only given rest for our souls, </strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>but also assured of an eternal home in heaven.</strong></span></p> <hr /> <p>The truth of the matter is that the wages of sin is death. By abiding in Christ, who was sacrificed for our sins, we are saved by grace and avoid the harsh reality of eternal separation from God. In light of this truth, I think that following Christ seems like an almost too easy path to eternal salvation. That is the beauty of God’s grace and mercy. God’s undying love for us has made this unfathomable sacrifice a reality that we can live by eternally. It says in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” In Christ, we are not only given rest for our souls, but also assured of an eternal home in heaven.</p> <p>Have a blessed Easter!</p> <p>If you like this post, I would really appreciate it if you could vote for me for Top Mommy Blogs by simply clicking <a title="Top Mommy Blogs" href="http://topmommyblogs.com" target="_blank">here</a>. Thanks!!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/my-rose-colored-shades-10658125" target="_blank"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/widget.gif?id=10658125" alt="Follow on Bloglovin" width="150" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a class="ig-b- ig-b-v-24" href="http://instagram.com/myrosecoloredshades?ref=badge"> <span class="pibfi_pinterest "> <img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://myrosecoloredshades.com//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-view-24.png" alt="Instagram" /> <span class="xc_pin" onclick="pin_this(event, 'http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2015/04/03/weekly-wisdom-matthew-1128-30-rest-for-the-soul/&media=https://myrosecoloredshades.com//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-view-24.png&description=Weekly Wisdom – Matthew 11:28-30 | Rest for the Soul')"> </span> </span> </a></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Linking up with these lovelies: <a title="Thursday Favorite Things Linkup" href="http://katherinescorner.com/2015/04/01/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-183/" target="_blank">Thursday Favorite Things</a> | Let Your Light Shine with <a title="Let Your Light Shine Linkup" href="http://madewithzeal.blogspot.com/2015/03/let-your-light-shine-thursday-link-up.html" target="_blank">Made with Zeal</a> & <a title="Let Your Light Shine Linkup" href="http://www.rootedinsalt.com/2015/03/lyls-thursday-link-up-herlightshines-morgan/" target="_blank">Rooted in Salt</a> | <a title="Fellowship Fridays Linkup" href="http://christianmommyblogger.com/good_friday_ff65/" target="_blank">Fellowship Fridays</a> | <a title="Faith Filled Friday Linkup" href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up" target="_blank">Faith Filled Friday</a> | <a title="Faith & Fellowship Blog Hop" href="http://www.simplemomentsstick.com/2015/04/faith-and-fellowship-blog-hop.html" target="_blank">Faith & Fellowship Blog Hop</a> | <a title="Grace & Truth Linkup" href="http://www.satisfactionthroughchrist.com/2015/04/outsourcing-grace-grace-truth-week-12.html" target="_blank">Grace & Truth</a> | <a title="Soul Survival Linkup" href="http://donnareidland.com/the-jesus-code-linkup-2/" target="_blank">Soul Survival</a> | <a title="Unite Linkup Party" href="http://www.richfaithrising.com/2015/04/shattering-religious-duty-and-unite-link-party.html" target="_blank">Unite</a></span></p> <p>The post <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2015/04/03/weekly-wisdom-matthew-1128-30-rest-for-the-soul/">Weekly Wisdom – Matthew 11:28-30 | Rest for the Soul</a> appeared first on <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com">My Rose Colored Shades</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2015/04/03/weekly-wisdom-matthew-1128-30-rest-for-the-soul/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>3</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">6456</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Weekly Wisdom – Ephesians 4:2 | Humility</title> <link>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2015/03/27/weekly-wisdom-ephesians-42-humility/</link> <comments>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2015/03/27/weekly-wisdom-ephesians-42-humility/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[My Rose Colored Shades]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2015 12:10:03 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Faith & Family]]></category> <category><![CDATA[High on the Word]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bible]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ephesians 4:2]]></category> <category><![CDATA[faith]]></category> <category><![CDATA[God]]></category> <category><![CDATA[humble]]></category> <category><![CDATA[humility]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jesus]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lent]]></category> <category><![CDATA[scripture]]></category> <category><![CDATA[serving others]]></category> <category><![CDATA[the lowly]]></category> <category><![CDATA[weekly wisdom]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://myrosecoloredshades.com/?p=6352</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>I have learned over the years that there is nothing more beautiful than true humility. Unfortunately, it is a quality that is hard to find in this world in this day and age. We live in a culture where the proud, … <a class="more-link" href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2015/03/27/weekly-wisdom-ephesians-42-humility/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2015/03/27/weekly-wisdom-ephesians-42-humility/">Weekly Wisdom – Ephesians 4:2 | Humility</a> appeared first on <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com">My Rose Colored Shades</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lent15_weeklywisdom.jpg"> <span class="pibfi_pinterest "> <img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-6127" src="http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lent15_weeklywisdom-1024x683.jpg" alt="lent15_weeklywisdom" width="560" height="374" srcset="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lent15_weeklywisdom-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lent15_weeklywisdom-200x133.jpg 200w, https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lent15_weeklywisdom-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /> <span class="xc_pin" onclick="pin_this(event, 'http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2015/03/27/weekly-wisdom-ephesians-42-humility/&media=http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lent15_weeklywisdom-1024x683.jpg&description=Weekly Wisdom – Ephesians 4:2 | Humility')"> </span> </span> </a></p> <p>I have learned over the years that there is nothing more beautiful than true humility. Unfortunately, it is a quality that is hard to find in this world in this day and age. We live in a culture where the proud, the selfish and the self-centered often seem to get ahead. Whether unknowingly or not, we often condone or even encourage self-promotion and a “me first” attitude as virtues. The Bible clearly says otherwise. Just to quote a few verses:</p> <div><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Psalm 18:27</span></div> <div>You <strong>save the humble</strong> but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.</div> <div><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Psalm 138:6</span></div> <div>Though the Lord is exalted, he <strong>looks kindly on the lowly</strong>; though lofty, he sees them from afar.</div> <div><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Proverbs 3:34</span></div> <div>He mocks proud mockers and <strong>shows favor to the humble</strong> and oppressed.</div> <div><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Proverbs 29:23</span></div> <div>Pride brings a person low, but <strong>the lowly in spirit gain honor</strong>.</div> <div><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Matthew 18:4</span></div> <div>Therefore, whoever takes <strong>the lowly position of this child is the greatest </strong>in the kingdom of heaven.</div> <div><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Matthew 19:30</span></div> <div>But many who are first will be last, and many who are <strong>last will be first</strong>.</div> <p><span id="more-6352"></span><br /> Just as God calls us to be holy, he also calls us to be humble. It says in <strong>Ephesians 4:2</strong>, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” It never really occurred to me that the God we worship is a humble God until the idea was brought up in a bible study with my church small group. The word humble seems contradictory to our idea of who God is, the omnipotent, all-knowing, sovereign God. But as we see time and time again in the Bible, the humble and lowly have a special place in God’s heart. He favors, looks kindly upon and gives honor to the humble. To those who are haughty and proud, He mocks and brings down. Just as God calls us to be holy because He is holy, God also call us to be humble because He is humble. Jesus says in <strong>Matthew 11: 29</strong>, “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.”</p> <hr /> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">True humility emanates from within as a natural product of </span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">our understanding of who we are in relation to others as a result of </span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">our relationship with God.</span></strong></p> <hr /> <p>But what is true humility? How do we become humble? Humility cannot be faked. True humility emanates from within as a natural product of our understanding of who we are in relation to others as a result of our relationship with God. It’s neither an attitude of inferiority nor of disguised superiority. It’s just an honest realization of who we are and whose we are. A Christian friend once told me that in relation to God, we’re all beggars. And when it comes to Christians and non-Christians, we’re just beggars telling other beggars where to find food. In God’s eyes, we’re all in need of Christ.</p> <p>Last weekend, I had the opportunity to serve dinner to a group of homeless individuals through a program organized by the <a title="South Oakland Shelter" href="http://www.southoaklandshelter.org" target="_blank">South Oakland Shelter</a> here in Michigan. SOS’s mission is to work to end homelessness by mobilizing interfaith and community resources. They work with several local congregations to provide temporary shelter and meals to individuals who have been displaced from their homes, while also assisting them in finding work so they can get back on their feet.</p> <p>From our human perspective, it’s easy for us to think that we’re in a superior position than these individuals and feel good about ourselves for taking time from our busy lives to help them out. I didn’t have much time to get to know these individuals well enough to know their story and how they got to where they are today. It may be true that at this point in time, we may be in a position to provide them with food and shelter, but I would venture to say that they, in turn, are in a position to teach me some invaluable life lessons that can only be learned thru experience.</p> <hr /> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>True humility moves us to care for the well being of others, </strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>even before our own.</strong></span></p> <hr /> <p>The same goes with my experience with short-term mission trips. People have said to me, “It’s so nice that you’re sacrificing your time to go help those people.” To be honest though, I always feel like I take away much more from the experience than I could ever offer the people I encounter. Thru my interactions with the people of Kenya and Nicaragua, where I’ve spent time on missions, they have taught me what it’s like to be content with little and that true joy does not come from having material things. They have taught me how to pray with urgency and fervor. They have taught me what it’s like to completely depend on God for everything.</p> <p>True humility moves us to care for the well being of others, even before our own. It says in <strong>Philippians 2: 3-4</strong>, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” In <strong>John 13:1-17</strong>, Jesus shows us by example when He washes the feet of each of His disciples and tells them to do likewise. We can always look to Jesus and His life to understand and know what it means to be humble. As I shared on last year’s Good Friday post <a title="Christ's Humility" href="http://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/04/18/high-on-the-word-christs-humility/">here</a>, the passage in <strong>Philippians 2:5-8</strong> always comes to mind when I think of humility, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself, by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”</p> <p> </p> <p>If you like this post, I would really appreciate it if you could vote for me for Top Mommy Blogs by simply clicking <a title="Top Mommy Blogs" href="http://topmommyblogs.com" target="_blank">here</a>. Thanks!!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/widget.gif?id=10658125" alt="Follow on Bloglovin" width="150" border="0" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a class="ig-b- ig-b-v-24" href="http://instagram.com/myrosecoloredshades?ref=badge"> <span class="pibfi_pinterest "> <img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://myrosecoloredshades.com//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-view-24.png" alt="Instagram" /> <span class="xc_pin" onclick="pin_this(event, 'http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2015/03/27/weekly-wisdom-ephesians-42-humility/&media=https://myrosecoloredshades.com//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-view-24.png&description=Weekly Wisdom – Ephesians 4:2 | Humility')"> </span> </span> </a></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Linking up with these lovelies: Let Your Light Shine with <a title="Let Your Light Shine Linkup" href="http://madewithzeal.blogspot.com/2015/03/let-your-light-shine-thursday-link-up.html" target="_blank">Made with Zeal</a> & <a title="Let Your Light Shine Linkup" href="http://www.rootedinsalt.com/2015/03/lyls-thursday-link-up-herlightshines-morgan/" target="_blank">Rooted in Salt</a> | <a title="Fellowship Fridays Linkup" href="http://christianmommyblogger.com/ff64_burdens/" target="_blank">Fellowship Fridays</a> | <a title="Faith Filled Friday Linkup" href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up" target="_blank">Faith Filled Friday</a> | <a title="Sunday Funday Linkup" href="http://www.fabfatale.com/2015/03/sunday-funday-easter-brunch-easy-home-makeover-a-100-target-gift-card-giveaway/" target="_blank">Sunday Funday</a> | <a title="Soul Survival Linkup" href="http://donnareidland.com/the-jesus-code-why-are-we-sitting-here-until-we-die-linkup/" target="_blank">Soul Survival</a> | <a title="Unite Linkup Party" href="http://www.richfaithrising.com/2015/03/shatter-the-mirror-intro-and-unite.html" target="_blank">Unite</a></span></p> <p>The post <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2015/03/27/weekly-wisdom-ephesians-42-humility/">Weekly Wisdom – Ephesians 4:2 | Humility</a> appeared first on <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com">My Rose Colored Shades</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2015/03/27/weekly-wisdom-ephesians-42-humility/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>7</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">6352</post-id> </item> <item> <title>High on the Word: Jonah 3 & 4</title> <link>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/28/high-on-the-word-jonah-3-4/</link> <comments>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/28/high-on-the-word-jonah-3-4/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[My Rose Colored Shades]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 28 Mar 2014 16:37:40 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Faith & Family]]></category> <category><![CDATA[High on the Word]]></category> <category><![CDATA[#shesharestruth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bible]]></category> <category><![CDATA[compassion]]></category> <category><![CDATA[grace]]></category> <category><![CDATA[high on the word]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jonah]]></category> <category><![CDATA[judgement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[justice]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lent]]></category> <category><![CDATA[love]]></category> <category><![CDATA[mercy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[sovereignty]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://myrosecoloredshades.com/?p=1909</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>For the Lenten season, I’m participating in the SheSharesTruth linkup where readers share their thoughts about a Bible passage given by She Reads Truth. This week’s passage was Jonah 3 & 4. Jonah 3 & 4 (NIV) Jonah Goes to Nineveh … <a class="more-link" href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/28/high-on-the-word-jonah-3-4/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/28/high-on-the-word-jonah-3-4/">High on the Word: Jonah 3 & 4</a> appeared first on <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com">My Rose Colored Shades</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450.jpg"> <span class="pibfi_pinterest "> <img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1743" src="http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450.jpg" alt="High on the Word" width="650" height="433" srcset="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450.jpg 650w, https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450-200x133.jpg 200w, https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /> <span class="xc_pin" onclick="pin_this(event, 'http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/28/high-on-the-word-jonah-3-4/&media=http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450.jpg&description=High on the Word: Jonah 3 & 4')"> </span> </span> </a><br /> For the Lenten season, I’m participating in the SheSharesTruth linkup where readers share their thoughts about a Bible passage given by She Reads Truth. This week’s passage was Jonah 3 & 4.</p> <p><strong><a title="Jonah 3 & 4" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jonah+3-4&version=NIV" target="_blank">Jonah 3 & 4</a> (NIV)</strong></p> <p><strong>Jonah Goes to Nineveh</strong><br /> 1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”</p> <p>3 Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” 5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth… [continue reading <a title="Jonah 3 & 4" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jonah+3-4&version=NIV" target="_blank">here</a>]</p> <p>There are three main truths that I came away with from the last two chapters of Jonah.</p> <p><strong>“</strong><strong>For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)</strong></p> <p>When God calls us to be part of His plan, He has already done all the work. All He wants is for us to obey and experience His glory and learn a thing or two in the process. We are reminded of this in Ephesians 2:10 where it says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” When Jonah obeyed and preached God’s word, it says, “The Ninevites believed God” (v. 5). Their hearts were ripe and ready because God had already been working on them. Jonah just had to preach. Jonah had the privilege to witness a people turn away from their sinful ways and repent. He also learned about God’s unending grace and mercy first-hand.</p> <p><strong>“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” (Exodus 33:19)</strong></p> <p>Jonah’s reaction to God’s mercy on Nineveh was not a positive one. He did not want God to be merciful to these people who were not only evil in their ways but whom he considered to be enemies of the Israelites. The bottom line is that we have no right to be angry with God and question His judgment. God states in Exodus 33:19 that “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” Who are we to question His actions? It says in Isaiah 29:16, “Can the pot say to the potter, ‘You know nothing’?” Do we realize that He is our sovereign Creator?</p> <p><strong>“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:8-9)</strong></p> <p>To me, it is ever so evident from Jonah and numerous other passages in the Bible, as well as my own personal experience that Jesus did not come to judge and condemn, but to forgive, redeem and restore. God is in the business of loving. His first and foremost purpose is to reconcile us to Him. Judgment and condemnation are simply a natural and inevitable consequence of our rejection to His love. As we’ve heard many times and is always a good reminder, it says in 1 John 4:8-9, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” God sent His one and only Son so we might live, not die.</p> <p><a title="" href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/10658125"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/widget.gif?id=10658125" alt="Follow on Bloglovin" width="150" border="0" /></a></p> <p>If you like this post, I would really appreciate it if you could vote for me for Top Mommy Blogs by simply clicking <a title="Top Mommy Blogs" href="http://www.topmommyblogs.com" target="_blank">here</a>. Thanks!!</p> <p> </p> <p>Linking up with these inspirational blogs: <a title="SheSharesTruth Linkup" href="http://shereadstruth.com/2014/03/28/shesharestruth-jonah-34/" target="_blank">SheSharesTruth</a> | <a title="Faith Filled Friday linkup" href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/31/post/2014/03/faith-filled-friday-a-behind-the-scenes-look.html" target="_blank">Faith Filled Friday</a> | <a title="Fellowship Fridays Linkup" href="http://christianmommyblogger.com/fellowshipfridays15spring/" target="_blank">Fellowship Fridays</a> | <a title="Thriving Thursday Linkup" href="http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2014/03/26/thriving-thursday-327/" target="_blank">Thriving Thursday</a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/28/high-on-the-word-jonah-3-4/">High on the Word: Jonah 3 & 4</a> appeared first on <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com">My Rose Colored Shades</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/28/high-on-the-word-jonah-3-4/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1909</post-id> </item> <item> <title>High on the Word: Jonah 1 & 2</title> <link>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/21/high-on-the-word-jonah-1-2/</link> <comments>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/21/high-on-the-word-jonah-1-2/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[My Rose Colored Shades]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 21 Mar 2014 19:48:47 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Faith & Family]]></category> <category><![CDATA[High on the Word]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bible]]></category> <category><![CDATA[faith]]></category> <category><![CDATA[grace]]></category> <category><![CDATA[high on the word]]></category> <category><![CDATA[jonah 1 and 2]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lent]]></category> <category><![CDATA[mercy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[will]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://myrosecoloredshades.com/?p=1823</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Jonah 1 & 2 (NIV) 1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” 3 But Jonah ran away from the … <a class="more-link" href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/21/high-on-the-word-jonah-1-2/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/21/high-on-the-word-jonah-1-2/">High on the Word: Jonah 1 & 2</a> appeared first on <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com">My Rose Colored Shades</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450.jpg"> <span class="pibfi_pinterest "> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1743" src="http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450.jpg" alt="High on the Word" width="650" height="433" srcset="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450.jpg 650w, https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450-200x133.jpg 200w, https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /> <span class="xc_pin" onclick="pin_this(event, 'http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/21/high-on-the-word-jonah-1-2/&media=http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450.jpg&description=High on the Word: Jonah 1 & 2')"> </span> </span> </a></p> <p><a title="Jonah 1 & 2" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jonah+1-2&version=NIV" target="_blank">Jonah 1 & 2</a> (NIV)</p> <p>1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah<br /> son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city<br /> of Nineveh and preach against it, because<br /> its wickedness has come up before me.”</p> <p>3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord<br /> and headed for Tarshish. He went down<br /> to Joppa, where he found a ship bound<br /> for that port. After paying the fare, he went<br /> aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from<br /> the Lord.</p> <p>4 Then the Lord sent a great wind on the<br /> sea, and such a violent storm arose that the<br /> ship threatened to break up. 5 All the sailors<br /> were afraid and each cried out to his<br /> own god. And they threw the cargo into<br /> the sea to lighten the ship… [continue reading <a title="Jonah 1 & 2" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+1-2&version=NIV" target="_blank">here</a>]</p> <p>I’ve read the story of Jonah many times before and although there is, undoubtedly, much wisdom to be gained from this passage, in my mind, it had been reduced to a caricature of a man being swallowed by a big fish, for the sake of quick reference. It’s not until now that God has opened my eyes to a more personal understanding of this passage. As I was reading this passage this week, I was reminded of a time in my life that I’m not so proud of, back in my younger years. I had chosen to stray away from God’s path and follow my own will and desires. It was clear that I was going down a path of destruction that would have led me far away from God.</p> <p>Out of His unconditional love, God intervened. Just as God brought on a mighty storm to make it impossible for Jonah to run away from God, He put me in a condition where it was impossible for me to continue on my chosen path. He literally plucked me out of my situation. And believe me, it wasn’t an easy change of course. There was much pain, introspection and repentance on my part and much restoring on God’s part. I am reminded of Proverbs 3 and specifically v. 12 where it says that “the Lord disciplines those he loves.” While he was inside the great fish, Jonah was stripped of his pride and will, and reminded once again of God’s mercy, grace and sovereignty. When Jonah ran away, he was not only disobeying God but he was missing out on the amazing privilege to be part of God’s awesome plan. He recognizes this when he says in v. 8, “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”</p> <p>Even though Jonah obeyed reluctantly, he became an effective instrument thru which God brought the repentance of the Ninevites. Although I’m sure I was somewhat reluctant and even confused at the time, I am so thankful to God that He forced me out of my situation. Besides avoiding a major disaster in my life, I felt that God had given me a new lease on life. When I came out of the depths of my own “grave,” my outlook on life completely changed. I was on fire for God and thankful for every minute of my life, truly appreciating many of the things that I had taken for granted before. I had the privilege to serve Him in many ways and felt closer to Him than ever before. God’s mercy saves us from deserved punishment but His grace lifts us to a place that is beyond our expectations. His words in Proverbs 3:5-6 come to mind once again, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”</p> <p><a title="" href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/10658125"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/widget.gif?id=10658125" alt="Follow on Bloglovin" width="150" border="0" /></a></p> <p>If you like this post, I would really appreciate it if you could vote for me for Top Mommy Blogs by simply clicking <a title="Top Mommy Blogs" href="http://www.topmommyblogs.com" target="_blank">here</a>. Thanks!!</p> <p>Linking up with: <a title="She Shares Truth Linkup" href="http://shereadstruth.com/2014/03/21/shesharestruth-jonah-12/" target="_blank">She Shares Truth</a> | <a title="Faith Filled Friday Linkup" href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/31/post/2014/03/faith-filled-friday-lies-christians-believe-that-destroy-effectiveness-part-two.html" target="_blank">Faith Filled Friday</a> | <a title="Thankful Thursday Linkup" href="http://carlyblogshere.blogspot.com/2014/03/thankful-thursday-bye-winter.html" target="_blank">Thankful Thursday</a> | <a title="Thriving Thursday Linkup" href="http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2014/03/19/thriving-thursday-320/" target="_blank">Thriving Thursday</a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/21/high-on-the-word-jonah-1-2/">High on the Word: Jonah 1 & 2</a> appeared first on <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com">My Rose Colored Shades</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/21/high-on-the-word-jonah-1-2/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>3</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1823</post-id> </item> <item> <title>High on the Word: Psalm 38</title> <link>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/14/high-on-the-word-psalm-38/</link> <comments>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/14/high-on-the-word-psalm-38/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[My Rose Colored Shades]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 14 Mar 2014 18:08:42 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Faith & Family]]></category> <category><![CDATA[High on the Word]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bible]]></category> <category><![CDATA[faith]]></category> <category><![CDATA[grace]]></category> <category><![CDATA[high on the word]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lent]]></category> <category><![CDATA[mercy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[psalm 38]]></category> <category><![CDATA[sin]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://myrosecoloredshades.com/?p=1740</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Instead of giving up something for Lent, I decided to commit to something that will help strengthen my walk with God. I found out about a blog called She Reads Truth thru another blog, The Strong Family, where readers share, … <a class="more-link" href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/14/high-on-the-word-psalm-38/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/14/high-on-the-word-psalm-38/">High on the Word: Psalm 38</a> appeared first on <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com">My Rose Colored Shades</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450.jpg"> <span class="pibfi_pinterest "> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1743" src="http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450.jpg" alt="High on the Word" width="650" height="433" srcset="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450.jpg 650w, https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450-200x133.jpg 200w, https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /> <span class="xc_pin" onclick="pin_this(event, 'http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/14/high-on-the-word-psalm-38/&media=http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450.jpg&description=High on the Word: Psalm 38')"> </span> </span> </a><br /> Instead of giving up something for Lent, I decided to commit to something that will help strengthen my walk with God. I found out about a blog called <a title="She Reads Truth" href="http://shereadstruth.com" target="_blank">She Reads Truth</a> thru another blog, <a title="The Strong Family" href="http://kristalstrong.blogspot.com" target="_blank">The Strong Family</a>, where readers share, every Friday, the wisdom they’ve gained from a particular passage in the Bible that is assigned by She Reads Truth every Monday. I decided to do this for the Lent season, at the very least, and hope it will motivate me to be more consistent in meditating on His Word on a daily basis.</p> <p><a title="Bible Gateway - Psalm 38" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+38&version=NIV" target="_blank"><strong>Psalm 38 (NIV)</strong></a><br /> <strong>A psalm of David. A petition.</strong></p> <p>1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger<br /> or discipline me in your wrath.<br /> 2 Your arrows have pierced me,<br /> and your hand has come down on me.<br /> 3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body;<br /> there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin.<br /> 4 My guilt has overwhelmed me<br /> like a burden too heavy to bear…</p> <p>There is no greater pain than that of the realization of one’s sins. I speak from experience. When my sins are brought to the surface and my eyes and heart are opened to recognize and realize the wrongs that I’ve committed, the guilt and pain I feel is so great that I feel it in the depths of my heart and soul. Just as the human body reacts to a physical affliction, the heart reacts to an affliction of the soul. I think this is the pain David is feeling in this passage. It is not something that can be erased or taken away by our own hands, or by those around us, for that matter. Only God’s love can reach deep and restore us by convicting our hearts that our sins (past, present and future) are forgiven thru the power of the Cross. David knows this and he says, “Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God” (v. 15). God is faithful and full of compassion; He will not forsake us when He hears our cries. However painful it may be, I believe that this pain is not only necessary but essential in our walk with God. Only in the depths of our sorrow will we be able to understand and experience the depth of God’s grace and mercy. And because of God’s immeasurable grace, “We will be confident when we stand before the Lord, even if our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:19-20, NLT).</p> <p><a title="" href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/10658125"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/widget.gif?id=10658125" alt="Follow on Bloglovin" width="150" border="0" /></a></p> <p>If you like this post, I would really appreciate it if you could vote for me for Top Mommy Blogs by simply clicking <a title="Top Mommy Blogs" href="http://www.topmommyblogs.com" target="_blank">here</a>. Thanks!!</p> <p>Linking up with: <a title="She Shares Truth Linkup" href="http://shereadstruth.com/2014/03/14/shesharestruth-psalm-38/" target="_blank">She Shares Truth</a> | <a title="Faith Filled Friday Linkup" href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/31/post/2014/03/faith-filled-friday-conference-ticket-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Faith Filled Friday</a> | <a title="Thankful Thursday Linkup" href="http://kristalstrong.blogspot.com/2014/03/thankful-thursday-week-11.html" target="_blank">Thankful Thursday</a> | <a title="Thriving Thursday Linkup" href="http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2014/03/12/thriving-thursday-313/" target="_blank">Thriving Thursday</a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/14/high-on-the-word-psalm-38/">High on the Word: Psalm 38</a> appeared first on <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com">My Rose Colored Shades</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/14/high-on-the-word-psalm-38/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>3</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1740</post-id> </item> <item> <title>High on the Word: God’s Omnipotence</title> <link>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/06/high-on-the-word-gods-omnipotence/</link> <comments>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/06/high-on-the-word-gods-omnipotence/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[My Rose Colored Shades]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 06 Mar 2014 11:00:54 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Faith & Family]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Family]]></category> <category><![CDATA[High on the Word]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bible]]></category> <category><![CDATA[faith]]></category> <category><![CDATA[family]]></category> <category><![CDATA[God's omnipotence]]></category> <category><![CDATA[healing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lent]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Matthew 8]]></category> <category><![CDATA[renewal]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://myrosecoloredshades.com/?p=1639</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>As we are now officially in Lenten season, I thought I’d share a devotional that I wrote for my church in preparation for this season of reflection and renewal. As this blog is about all the things that give me … <a class="more-link" href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/06/high-on-the-word-gods-omnipotence/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/06/high-on-the-word-gods-omnipotence/">High on the Word: God’s Omnipotence</a> appeared first on <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com">My Rose Colored Shades</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450.jpg"> <span class="pibfi_pinterest "> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1743 size-full" src="http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450.jpg" alt="High on the Word" width="650" height="433" srcset="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450.jpg 650w, https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450-200x133.jpg 200w, https://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /> <span class="xc_pin" onclick="pin_this(event, 'http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/06/high-on-the-word-gods-omnipotence/&media=http://myrosecoloredshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/highontheword-e1395974762450.jpg&description=High on the Word: God’s Omnipotence')"> </span> </span> </a><br /> <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">As we are now officially in Lenten season, I thought I’d share a devotional that I wrote for my church in preparation for this season of reflection and renewal. As this blog is about all the things that give me joy and purpose in life, I would be remiss in not sharing about my faith every now and then. Hope you are blessed by it.</span></p> <p>Many of us commit to giving up something during Lent to show our attitude of repentance and surrender to God in this season of renewal. We typically give up something that we tend to overindulge in (e.g. chocolate, shopping in my case), that perhaps consumes more of our time than we’d like (e.g. video games, shopping in my case), and possibly an addiction that we struggle with on a daily basis. We’re creatures of habit and habits are hard to break. We all struggle to hold fast to our commitment and feel discouraged when we fail to keep our promise. As with many other aspects of our lives, whether we’re struggling with sin, battling an illness or the illness of a loved one, facing financial hardship, working on broken relationships, when things get tough we often lose faith that our circumstances will change for the better and question God’s power to help us out of our current situations.</p> <p>In Matthew 8:23-34, we witness God’s omnipotence. By the power of His spoken word, Jesus is able to calm the raging storm at once (v. 26). By His command, the demons are driven out of the possessed men and they are healed at once (v. 32). God has power over nature and Satan. In the same way, God has power over our sins and struggles. Jesus has already conquered what we are powerless to overcome on our own. In the midst of trials and turmoil, we often react just like the disciples and the townspeople. We fail to trust in Him and even reject Him in fear of losing control of the reins to our lives. All we need to do is surrender and trust and know that God is in control. Just as he restores calm to the seas and peace in the hearts of the demon-possessed men, Jesus will fill our hearts with peace as we trust in Him to steer us in the right direction and bring clarity and hope to our present circumstances.</p> <p>I was recently able to experience God’s power in my own personal life. My mom has battled cancer for the past 14 years. By God’s Grace, she was in remission for about 10 years after her initial diagnosis but it came back about 4 years ago. Needless to say, the last four years have been filled with ups and downs. The way my mom has handled everything has been encouraging and inspiring, to say the least. She is an eternal optimist who trusts that God knows what’s best for her. A few months ago, we had a scare. My mom was taken to the ER and the family doctor pulled my dad aside to let him know that it may be the final stages. As we prepared our minds and hearts for whatever God had planned for my mom, we continued to pray and hope for her recovery.</p> <p>Around that time, I was studying the book of Matthew with a local bible study group and learning about Jesus’ ministry on earth. As I read about Jesus’ ministry of healing I was convicted that His power to heal is not a thing of the past when He was among us. His power to heal is very much present now. It says in 1 John 5:14-15, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” So in my mustard seed faith, I prayed that God would heal my mom. In His faithfulness, He responded. Things have turned around since then. My mom started on a new treatment and so far the doctor has said that he couldn’t be happier with the way things are going. My mom is feeling better and doing better. I don’t know what God’s plan is for my mom but all we can do is trust and surrender all to Him because His will is perfect.</p> <p><a title="" href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/10658125"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/widget.gif?id=10658125" alt="Follow on Bloglovin" width="150" border="0" /></a></p> <p>If you like this post, I would really appreciate it if you could vote for me for Top Mommy Blogs by simply clicking <a title="Top Mommy Blogs" href="http://www.topmommyblogs.com" target="_blank">here</a>. Thanks!!</p> <p>Linking up with: <a title="Thriving Thursday Linkup" href="http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2014/03/05/thriving-thursday-36/" target="_blank">Thriving Thursday</a> | <a title="Thrive at Home Thursday Linkup" href="http://gospelhomemaking.com/thrive-home-thursday-link-3-6-2014/" target="_blank">Thrive at Home Thursday</a> | <a title="Thankful Thursday Linkup" href="http://katieelizabethchicago.blogspot.com/2014/03/thankful-thursday-week-10.html" target="_blank">Thankful Thursday</a> | <a title="Fellowship Fridays Linkup" href="http://christianmommyblogger.com/fellowshipfridays-12-featured-post/" target="_blank">Fellowship Fridays</a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/06/high-on-the-word-gods-omnipotence/">High on the Word: God’s Omnipotence</a> appeared first on <a href="https://myrosecoloredshades.com">My Rose Colored Shades</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://myrosecoloredshades.com/2014/03/06/high-on-the-word-gods-omnipotence/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>6</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1639</post-id> </item> </channel> </rss>