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Faith after losing my job

So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Christ.

[Romans 10:17 GNT]

Lyle P. says:

When I lost my job, I found out that my faith was really in myself and not in God – and that the only way to build a real faith in Jesus is through His Word.

I am a middle-aged, middle-class male, raised in a Christian family and happily married with 4 wonderful children. Like many people, I sometimes struggled with doubt and sin but felt like I generally had my life together, with a strong faith that could withstand difficulties.

Until my job ended. Then, my security fell apart, my bucolic suburban bubble was popped, and I was forced to confront my own mortality, fears and self perception – at the same time that my kids were hitting their teenage years. I was struggling to hold things together, while still modeling to them a trust in the Lord – as my savings were dwindling rapidly.

My faith was at a low ebb. I was fearful. But then my new faith was born, one which has come not from vague sentiments or feelings or my own strength but rather is anchored in the person of Jesus as revealed through his own book, the Bible. His Word tells me of a loving person who lived a consistent life, regardless of circumstances, and talks repeatedly about an accessible God who can be trusted and who wants to give me peace. And His Love is changing my life from one filled with fear and regret to one built on a real, revealed faith built on His Word.

Story posted on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 and is filed under Hope, Bible, Your Stories, Struggles. | 2 Comments »

Verses for Comfort & Hope

And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs.

[Philippians 4:19 GNT]

Dasheka says:

Due to the economic hardship that America seems to be in today, this verse is seems to comfort me. It reminds me that God is always with me and assures He will make sure that all of my needs are met. All I have to do is trust and obey him. I have to also allow Him to do the rest.

You can use this verse for any situation in your life; if you want to get married, if you are sick, if you are in a bad relationship - no matter what is going on in your life, this verse applies.

Others verses are Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”

James 5:13-18 “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.”

Story posted on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 and is filed under Hope, Bible, Your Stories, God's Sovereignty. | No Comments »

I stumble, but God has not left me

I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart.

[Jeremiah 29:11-14 GNT]

Jody says:

For as long as I remember, God had always been a part of my life, but i never really knew Him. I pictured God as a punishing, menacing God who was always watching me… waiting for me to mess up so He could punish me.

When I was 14, I was sexually abused by my step-father. I was scared but at the same time I felt like I was wanted and finally loved by someone, because my parents were divorced. When I turned 16, I realized that it was not right, because I started to hear my friends talk about boyfriends, and it made me feel sick to my stomach. I tried to kill myself by taking pills - that was the start of my in and out of psych hospitals, a string of abusive relationships, and self destructive behavior.

My step-father has since passed on after accepting the Lord as his personal savior. I have forgive him, but it seems like I have not forgiven myself. I’m getting tired of my self destructive behavior - I was just arrested for domestic violence and child endangerment (I am guilty of domestic violence but not child endangerment). For the past 14 years since I had accepted God as my personal savior, I have been hot and cold with my relationship with Him. I want to be back in His arms, where I can be a testimony to others on what God has done for me. He gave me 2 beautiful sons and even though I have fallen so many times, God has never left me nor forsaken me. I know that God’s promise for a better life is coming and I have a strong faith in my God that he will have mercy on me.

Story posted on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 and is filed under Sadness, Hope, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Loving your enemies. | No Comments »

After rape, assurance from the Bible

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

[Isaiah 40:31 GNT]

Donna B. says:

I was raped by a psychiatrist at his home office, so I was nervous going to a counselor where the office was attached to his home.

That morning I read this verse in my Bible study. I wasn’t sure I could do this counseling in this office. When I walked into the waiting area there was the same verse on the wall. I had peace and knew I was going to be ok, and I was doing the right thing by being in counseling.

Story posted on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 and is filed under Hope, God's Love, Your Stories, Struggles, Mentoring. | 1 Comment »

In illness, trusting in God

Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.

[Mathew 9:20-22 NIV]

Lisa J. says:

This is a story with the issue of blood and it hits hard, deep into my spirit. The past 9 months I underwent a gastric bypass surgery plus three more surgeries because complications occurred, and i am still having pains.

In Matthew 9:20-22, the woman was so desperate to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment - she knew that one touch would save her from this disease she had. It took tremendous faith and no matter what she had to do she was going to touch the hem of his garment. Even though she was being shunned and pushed away she still pressed through and when she finally touched the hem, Jesus turned and saw her and said, “Take heart daughter, your faith has healed you.”

So many times we lose track of who the great physician is and turn to modern medicine and instead of working our way through the crowd, we turn to the world for the answer instead of the the one who bore our sins and pain.

Even though we may not see the healing right now, God is healing us. Every day we must praise God and thank Him for His loving hand touching us and healing us. God loves us so much. He just wants us to have a child-like faith and know that He is healing us and through Him all things are possible. In the book of Acts, He makes the blind see and the lame walk and I believe He is still performing miracles today and wants to do a miracle in our lives today too.

Whether its healing your body, your marriage, or just putting your mind at peace, He can do it if we have faith and persevere. He will do all things because all things are possible through Him.

Story posted on Monday, January 18th, 2010 and is filed under Hope, Illness, Your Stories, God's Sovereignty. | 1 Comment »

I renewed my mind in prison

Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.

[Romans 12:2 GNT]

David L. says:

Before and during my first five years of incarceration, I had no renewing of the mind. I spent days aimlessly going about my way with the sole purpose of becoming a better criminal. But it wasn’t until I reached my lowest that I was able to have that renewing of the mind. Oprah calls it your “Aha moment,” but I call it your “Prison Moment.”

A Prison Moment is when you come face to face with your actions for the very first time. It is when you deal with the real you and know that this is your defining moment. A compelling moment where if you don’t change you could die a physical, mental or spiritual death.

Story posted on Friday, January 15th, 2010 and is filed under Hope, Your Stories, God's Sovereignty. | No Comments »

God supplies all my needs!

And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs.

[Philippians 4:19 GNT]

Greg P. writes:

After my two near death experiences with brain and body damage that puzzles the two dozen doctors over this past ten of my 55 years, I have come to the place where I TOTALLY depend on our Lord in every way, shape and form!

With our income 300% less, we still live in a wonderful home, and my wife drives a nice van in her ministry and I stay at home after having driven 6000+ miles per month in my former business and ministry to poor and needy children.

Having read His Word through each year and doing a half dozen devotionals each night in bed (with my sleep and convulsion drugs taking effect) there is nothing to be less than happy for. I thank Him constantly for all my blessings and just being able to “do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Story posted on Friday, January 1st, 2010 and is filed under Hope, Illness, Praise, Your Stories. | No Comments »

Out of prison and drugs, Jesus is my Lord!

I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

[Philippians 4:13 GNT]

Dean D. says:

I come from a rather large family - 12 to be exact. My father worked hard all his life to provide for us since he wasn’t one that believed in welfare or anything like that. He pretty much made his own way in life being that his dad was killed when he was 16. It was up to him to care for my grandmother, which he did until our household became too big, so his youngest sister took her in until she passed.

My dad loved us very much, but his patience wore thin quickly and in his anger would lash out at us saying things like, “You’re no good at anything - I didn’t have my dad around, so I had to figure things out on my own. You will never amount to anything because you are so dumb.”

These things cut to the bone. He never physically abused us but his words were harsh and brutal. Eventually I ended up in prison and became a drug addict. But at the lowest point in my life, Jesus found me and pretty much told me through His word that I am precious and, that I am somebody, and that I can do anything! As long as I allow Him to be the Lord of my life.

Jesus led me out of the darkness of drug addiction and prison, has made me a productive member of society, and a future member of heaven. Praise you my Lord and Saviour, praise you! I’ve been clean for over 15yrs now.

Story posted on Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 and is filed under Hope, God's Love, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories. | 1 Comment »

Relying on God’s Word in the hard times

You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe. You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, LORD.

[Psalm 23 CEV]

Kerry writes:

This verse gets me through very rough times.

Last year, I had a mental breakdown and had to leave my job. I know that God told me to leave for a reason. I know that sometimes we may not see certain things and may not even understand why God takes us through certain things. I remember when I said this verse every morning before I went to school. I believed and God came through for me. He helped my to see what I couldn’t see and what I denied. I know that my Father loves all of his children and I must do His will. I am ready for change!

Story posted on Monday, December 14th, 2009 and is filed under Hope, Your Stories, Struggles. | No Comments »

Soul Sister Sally: Freedom in Christ [1:18]

For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

[Romans 8:20-21 NIV]

Christian music group Soul Sister Sally shares their personal stories of freedom in Christ.

Story posted on Friday, November 13th, 2009 and is filed under Hope, Soul Sister Sally, God's Love, Bible, Struggles, Video Stories, Life Verse. | No Comments »