We faced homelessness, job loss, a death in the family all in one month but God had a plan. So thank you for this wonderful message! I look forward to them everyday!
Earlene Brighamsays
Beautifully spoken, and it brought tears within my heart, and to my eye’s. The book of James is one of my favorites. Well spoken, and in these differcult times, the wisdom was well needed. Thank You, and continue the knowledge, it is appreciate.
Marguerite Richtersays
I am being challenged once again and can find no purpose or benefit from the heartaches I have gone through. While I do believe there is a reason for everything and God has a plan..I cannot seem to see what His possible plan is in my situation. My FIL passed away Feb 14th 09 and April 2nd 09, my precious father passed away. It was during this time that I got to see my estranged daughter of 3yrs. During her absense, she gave birth to her 1st daughter 3months early. Her little angel was born with her intestines on the outside and endured several surgeries during her “home” in the NICU for 3 months. She shows no problems from that now, now at age 4. However, she is disabled…She is unable to use her arms..and yet her hands and fingers work fine. I was not privy to be at her birth or the birth of her sister born 15months later and 2 months early. It was only after my fathers death, have we finally been reunited. Praise God because I have missed my daughter terribly. Now my youngest daughter, age 20 is expecting and has decided she no longer wants her father and I in her life. Everything was great between us until Christmas and we cannot get a handle on what changed so dramatically. Except to say this boy she is with is very controlling and has some kind of hold on her. I have been cussed by him numerous times and called names and words I would never utter. So please tell me how I can possibly benefit from this challenge of being estranged again from my other daughter. This daughter was so heartbroken when her only sister left home and turned her back on us all. With that kind of hurt and heartache, how can she possibly do the same and not know how deeply this hurts us. My daughters are my life. They were both conceived with the help of many fertility treatments, surgeries, etc…So to say they were not wanted soooo much, makes this even harder. I pray for my youngest every second…I fear for her…I miss her..I love her…and according to her boyfriend..she hates me, he hates me and says he wishes I would die. Where is the benefit?? What is Gods plan, reason to put us through this once again. Im hanging on by a thread here. Such terrible timing too…She lost both grandfathers that she loved dearly within 2 months of each other. We are still grieving over our loss and now this…
Yes, yes and yes! I’ve stood next to both parents as they passed from this earthly life to the one in heaven! As hard as those experiances were, they were indeed a blessing also! I have lost my husband of 29 years to a horrible accident, and had a stillborn baby..God has ALWAYS,always been there for me! Thank you for these words Elmer! you truely are a blessing to us all!
Barbarasays
i hear you Marguerite, i am going through the same thing and feel the same as you… my daughter is in th same situation as yours, she met this person i do not care for when she was 16, got pregnant at 16 and gave birth at 17, i now have legal guardinship of the 5 month old because they live on the strets and and it is not easy at my age, plus i am battling some illnesses and also had my dad pass about 6 months ago as well, also my business is very slow due to the economy now so i am vey stressed and pray all the time for guidance and strength and sometimes i feel like no one is listening, because nothing gets any better, just worse, i feel like a dark cloud is over my head these past few years…
THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT MESSAGE I LOOK FOORWARD TO YOUR MESSAGES EVERY DAY THEY SURE DO HELP,KNOWING GOD IS WITH US ALL
jenn karolsays
that is beautiful!! i just lost my grandmother…. so for me, this IS so true. i’m trying 2 help my mom & my family thru this loss. thank you so much & i so very much look forward 2 each day’s message.
Lila Tradersays
The enemy is working to destroy that which God is working in. Clear and simple. When our children reject us it is an opportunity to experience how God feels every day. He has certainly been The Perfect Parent and yet…. He is ignored. He is mocked and cursed. His Words fall on deaf ears. His admonishments are rejected. His children choose to live without Him.
As far as sicknesses and infirmities, we cannot experience God’s healing until we have experienced these illnesses. It is an opportunity to exercise faith.
I have seen God move in ways I cannot express in this short forum.
My husband lost his job due to layoffs in February 2009….lost his insurance in March ’09, the transmission went out in our only car, then….in the first week of June was diagnosed with bladder cancer.
With no income except for unemployment checks and a little government assistance, we made it! Every month my husband would say…We are going to lose the house….we aren’t going to have groceries…..I have cancer and will probably die.
As I read in Matthew the Words of our Lord concerning how we get what we say and believe, I was challenged to practice what He preached! So everytime my husband spoke negatively I rebuked his words in The Name of Jesus and spoke words of faith. I practiced “believing” and chose to cling to God’s Words!
So……one year later…..we have not starved, our car got fixed for less than the repair shop quoted AND…they VOLUNTEERED a brand new car for a loaner until it was fixed! Mind you….this was a used 2003 Dodge Stratus bought from a ‘buy here pay here lot” and the place we took it was a dealership garage! We had only $1000. from income tax return and the repairs were quoted at $1300. They never work out payment arrangements they said but would make an exception forthwith balance. Before we walked through the doors to pick up the car, my husband was grumbling about the $300. balance and “how are we going to pay that?”. I said…I believe they are going to only charge what we have. When we spoke with the young manager and he mentioned the balance…our 15 year old daughter offered to pay it with her waitressing money. The Guy said to not worry about it and it was paid in full for what we had! PRAISE GOD! Just think….I wouldn’t have this Praise if I didn’t have the initial problem!
So….one year later….that same car took us many miles to and from many hospital/doctor visits!
One year later…..my husband is cancer free…..=)
While he was recovering and I spent many hours alone in waiting rooms and cafeterias…..I met people….so many people…who were enduring so much in their own lives that made mine and my husband’s trials not seem so bad. A woman whose 24 year old son put a gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger but survived with serious challenges ahead. Or the father and daughter who have spent the last 1 1/2 years living in a hospital waiting room because the mother was critically ill. Or the parents of children and babies staying at the Ronald McDonald house praying for a cure for leukemia or a vast array of deadly diseases that have stricken their children.
I was made aware that God brought me to that place to share His Love and His Word. If my life had not been afflicted….I would’ve never had a woman tell me that when she first heard me talking about God she didn’t want to hear it because she had no use for Christians. She said this on the last day of my husband’s two week stay….she came through the halls of that hospital crying. I hugged her and we talked and this is when she told me this and the rest of her story. Her grandfather was a “preacher” and he would come home after “preaching” and drink and beat his wife and kids. Her mother taught her that Christianity was a crock. She did say she always remembered John 3:16. She said it got her through a lot. I asked her if she knew there was a John 3:17. She said no. So I told her what it said. Her eyes welled with tears. She told me she was thankful that I was there. Had I not been in a difficult time in my own life…..this encounter would have never happened.
When we practice our faith during the most difficult times and share the hope that lies within us it is so beautiful! Glorify and Praise God during your times of trials.
Just last night, my son called at midnight. His wife had left him and took the two children. Not the first time. This time however…his mother in law repeatedly stabbed him with her keys and left marks all over his back. He looked like he had been cut. I thank God that she did not have a knife. But the wonderful part is that God changed me. “Normally” I would be immediately stressed or frantic and kick into the “protect my cubs” mode. But there was a calm as God reminded me that “He’s got this covered!” Hallelujah! !! He doesn’t need me to worry….He needs me to trust. Period. I pray and trust that God will show us His power to save them. As only He can do. =)
Read His Word and memorize it, meditate on it and speak it! It is ALIVE! Let it LIVE in you! Share it! Give God praise for the great things He has already done! Read the story about “Ebeneezer” in the old testament.
Remember you are a child of God….. and He is a wonderful Father. Ask Him to show you what He wants you to see during these times and He will show you. I am confident in that.
Sonya Nunessays
Very inspirational messages!!! God is good. He is powerful, faithful and do not let the enemy destroy you…..A prayer is everything!!
Terri MPsays
@Lila – Would you please direct me to the part “in Matthew the Words of our Lord concerning how we get what we say and believe”? Which chapter and verse? Thank you for sharing your thoughtful message! I am copying parts of it and sharing with friends and family and would like the address of the verse in Matthew you refer to.
Laura Smysersays
Wow….what a wonderful message. I read in a Sylvia Browne book once, if you ever wonder why something painful happened to you or what the lesson is. It may not be a lesson for you to learn. It may be that God is preparing to help you be a blessing to someone else.
To Marguerite, your situation is not uncommon. Your daughters are still very young and kids can be rebellious and resentful when they are immature. Give them some breathing room and let them experience some of life’s hard knocks without Mom’s support. Often pain is the only way we learn.
I lost my job and a dear pet very recently and have been struggling so this message was very timely. In God’s plans, isn’t it always? Read “It’s Your Time” by Joel Osteen. Great encouragement. Our purpose for being here is to learn, make a positive difference for the word of God and be a blessing to others. That can be a very heavy burden at times but the rewards are unimaginable!
thank you Elmer for the message, what a blessing.
Laura Smysersays
great message Lila! We must take care of each other with God’s strength!
Elizabeth Daspit-Faulksays
I so needed this in my world right now. Yes the Father sends when we need. I can relate to all comments here. God Bless all
MARILYNsays
DEAR SISTER MARGUERITE, MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. IT IS IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM THAT WE FACE THE GREATEST CHALLENGE TO TRUST GOD WITH ALL OF OUR HEARTS. TRY TO HOLD ON TO HIS SUFFICIENT GRACE THAT NEVER STOPS FLOWING NO MATTER WHAT IS BEING FIRED AT YOU BY THE ENEMY. THAT GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR ALL OF YOUR NEEDS AND BRINGS THE PERFECT STRENGTH OF GOD TO YOUR WEAKNESS. THE WAY YOU FEEL IS NOT WRONG, IT IS HARD TO PRESS ON IN THE FACE OF HATRED, LOSS AND CONFUSION. YOU FEEL OVERWHELMED BY THE CONDITIONS AND ISSUES OF YOUR LIFE. BUT THINK ABOUT HOW JESUS FELT IN THE FACE OF ALL HE ENDURED TO OBEDIENCE TO SAVE US. PRESS ON MY SISTER, THERE IS NOTHING TOO HARD FOR GOD. HE PROMISED HE WOULD RESTORE ALL THAT THE LOCUSTS HAVE DEVOURED, AND HE WILL. I HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED HIS MIRACULOUS RESTORATIVE POWER MANY TIMES. TRY TO BE AS STRONG AS YOU CAN, AND REMEMBER GOD APPLIES HIS LIMITLESS STRENGTH AND POWER TO OUR WEAKNESS. WHEN WE FEEL WE CANNOT, IT DOESN’T MATTER BECAUSE GOD CAN NEVER FAIL, AND HE IS ON YOUR SIDE. YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PRAISE REPORT.
Donnasays
Marguerite you are experiencing normal human feelings and need to know “where is God in this”. God is there, call out to Him, if you are angry with Him tell Him, He knows you intimately and He wants you to release this to Him and He will work through it all. It is not for us to understand here and now…when we look back we see how He has worked. Release it and thank God for what He is going to do in your life and the life of your children and grandchildren. Paul encourages us to praise God in ALL things…this includes the bad things as well as the good things. I have know this from experience that praising Him even in bad times works!
Read Psalms for comfort remembering who David was and what he suffered and the comfort He took in God…Rest in the arms of God and let Him worry…He knows…I have been to the bottom and thank God I am back, only by His the grace, and praising Him! Let the Grace of God flow through all of this…I will be so in prayer for you and your family and will pray that God’s glory will be shown through these events.
Thank you so much for powerful words. They always uplift me and show me what God has for me to do at times!!!!
Gloriasays
I have just listened to this sight for the first time and am truly blessed.I have issues in my life I have laid at Jesus feet.Hearing these testimonies builds my faith in a strong way.Thank You everyone!
God is good and we need to share all his goodness with others.Make your journal of testimonies and when your faith is being tested re read your own Journal and Look See what the Lord has done!
Thanks to Lila Trader’s words of encouagement I am encouraged to trust the Lord and not give in to dispair! Lord bless you Lila. I am crying tears of joy right now and can hardly see my keyboard but I have hope in my heart that you will see how your words helped to heal once again! Thnaks and my the peace of the Lord be with you.
We faced homelessness, job loss, a death in the family all in one month but God had a plan. So thank you for this wonderful message! I look forward to them everyday!
Beautifully spoken, and it brought tears within my heart, and to my eye’s. The book of James is one of my favorites. Well spoken, and in these differcult times, the wisdom was well needed. Thank You, and continue the knowledge, it is appreciate.
I am being challenged once again and can find no purpose or benefit from the heartaches I have gone through. While I do believe there is a reason for everything and God has a plan..I cannot seem to see what His possible plan is in my situation. My FIL passed away Feb 14th 09 and April 2nd 09, my precious father passed away. It was during this time that I got to see my estranged daughter of 3yrs. During her absense, she gave birth to her 1st daughter 3months early. Her little angel was born with her intestines on the outside and endured several surgeries during her “home” in the NICU for 3 months. She shows no problems from that now, now at age 4. However, she is disabled…She is unable to use her arms..and yet her hands and fingers work fine. I was not privy to be at her birth or the birth of her sister born 15months later and 2 months early. It was only after my fathers death, have we finally been reunited. Praise God because I have missed my daughter terribly. Now my youngest daughter, age 20 is expecting and has decided she no longer wants her father and I in her life. Everything was great between us until Christmas and we cannot get a handle on what changed so dramatically. Except to say this boy she is with is very controlling and has some kind of hold on her. I have been cussed by him numerous times and called names and words I would never utter. So please tell me how I can possibly benefit from this challenge of being estranged again from my other daughter. This daughter was so heartbroken when her only sister left home and turned her back on us all. With that kind of hurt and heartache, how can she possibly do the same and not know how deeply this hurts us. My daughters are my life. They were both conceived with the help of many fertility treatments, surgeries, etc…So to say they were not wanted soooo much, makes this even harder. I pray for my youngest every second…I fear for her…I miss her..I love her…and according to her boyfriend..she hates me, he hates me and says he wishes I would die. Where is the benefit?? What is Gods plan, reason to put us through this once again. Im hanging on by a thread here. Such terrible timing too…She lost both grandfathers that she loved dearly within 2 months of each other. We are still grieving over our loss and now this…
Yes, yes and yes! I’ve stood next to both parents as they passed from this earthly life to the one in heaven! As hard as those experiances were, they were indeed a blessing also! I have lost my husband of 29 years to a horrible accident, and had a stillborn baby..God has ALWAYS,always been there for me! Thank you for these words Elmer! you truely are a blessing to us all!
i hear you Marguerite, i am going through the same thing and feel the same as you… my daughter is in th same situation as yours, she met this person i do not care for when she was 16, got pregnant at 16 and gave birth at 17, i now have legal guardinship of the 5 month old because they live on the strets and and it is not easy at my age, plus i am battling some illnesses and also had my dad pass about 6 months ago as well, also my business is very slow due to the economy now so i am vey stressed and pray all the time for guidance and strength and sometimes i feel like no one is listening, because nothing gets any better, just worse, i feel like a dark cloud is over my head these past few years…
THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT MESSAGE I LOOK FOORWARD TO YOUR MESSAGES EVERY DAY THEY SURE DO HELP,KNOWING GOD IS WITH US ALL
that is beautiful!! i just lost my grandmother…. so for me, this IS so true. i’m trying 2 help my mom & my family thru this loss. thank you so much & i so very much look forward 2 each day’s message.
The enemy is working to destroy that which God is working in. Clear and simple. When our children reject us it is an opportunity to experience how God feels every day. He has certainly been The Perfect Parent and yet…. He is ignored. He is mocked and cursed. His Words fall on deaf ears. His admonishments are rejected. His children choose to live without Him.
As far as sicknesses and infirmities, we cannot experience God’s healing until we have experienced these illnesses. It is an opportunity to exercise faith.
I have seen God move in ways I cannot express in this short forum.
My husband lost his job due to layoffs in February 2009….lost his insurance in March ’09, the transmission went out in our only car, then….in the first week of June was diagnosed with bladder cancer.
With no income except for unemployment checks and a little government assistance, we made it! Every month my husband would say…We are going to lose the house….we aren’t going to have groceries…..I have cancer and will probably die.
As I read in Matthew the Words of our Lord concerning how we get what we say and believe, I was challenged to practice what He preached! So everytime my husband spoke negatively I rebuked his words in The Name of Jesus and spoke words of faith. I practiced “believing” and chose to cling to God’s Words!
So……one year later…..we have not starved, our car got fixed for less than the repair shop quoted AND…they VOLUNTEERED a brand new car for a loaner until it was fixed! Mind you….this was a used 2003 Dodge Stratus bought from a ‘buy here pay here lot” and the place we took it was a dealership garage! We had only $1000. from income tax return and the repairs were quoted at $1300. They never work out payment arrangements they said but would make an exception forthwith balance. Before we walked through the doors to pick up the car, my husband was grumbling about the $300. balance and “how are we going to pay that?”. I said…I believe they are going to only charge what we have. When we spoke with the young manager and he mentioned the balance…our 15 year old daughter offered to pay it with her waitressing money. The Guy said to not worry about it and it was paid in full for what we had! PRAISE GOD! Just think….I wouldn’t have this Praise if I didn’t have the initial problem!
So….one year later….that same car took us many miles to and from many hospital/doctor visits!
One year later…..my husband is cancer free…..=)
While he was recovering and I spent many hours alone in waiting rooms and cafeterias…..I met people….so many people…who were enduring so much in their own lives that made mine and my husband’s trials not seem so bad. A woman whose 24 year old son put a gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger but survived with serious challenges ahead. Or the father and daughter who have spent the last 1 1/2 years living in a hospital waiting room because the mother was critically ill. Or the parents of children and babies staying at the Ronald McDonald house praying for a cure for leukemia or a vast array of deadly diseases that have stricken their children.
I was made aware that God brought me to that place to share His Love and His Word. If my life had not been afflicted….I would’ve never had a woman tell me that when she first heard me talking about God she didn’t want to hear it because she had no use for Christians. She said this on the last day of my husband’s two week stay….she came through the halls of that hospital crying. I hugged her and we talked and this is when she told me this and the rest of her story. Her grandfather was a “preacher” and he would come home after “preaching” and drink and beat his wife and kids. Her mother taught her that Christianity was a crock. She did say she always remembered John 3:16. She said it got her through a lot. I asked her if she knew there was a John 3:17. She said no. So I told her what it said. Her eyes welled with tears. She told me she was thankful that I was there. Had I not been in a difficult time in my own life…..this encounter would have never happened.
When we practice our faith during the most difficult times and share the hope that lies within us it is so beautiful! Glorify and Praise God during your times of trials.
Just last night, my son called at midnight. His wife had left him and took the two children. Not the first time. This time however…his mother in law repeatedly stabbed him with her keys and left marks all over his back. He looked like he had been cut. I thank God that she did not have a knife. But the wonderful part is that God changed me. “Normally” I would be immediately stressed or frantic and kick into the “protect my cubs” mode. But there was a calm as God reminded me that “He’s got this covered!” Hallelujah! !! He doesn’t need me to worry….He needs me to trust. Period. I pray and trust that God will show us His power to save them. As only He can do. =)
Read His Word and memorize it, meditate on it and speak it! It is ALIVE! Let it LIVE in you! Share it! Give God praise for the great things He has already done! Read the story about “Ebeneezer” in the old testament.
Remember you are a child of God….. and He is a wonderful Father. Ask Him to show you what He wants you to see during these times and He will show you. I am confident in that.
Very inspirational messages!!! God is good. He is powerful, faithful and do not let the enemy destroy you…..A prayer is everything!!
@Lila – Would you please direct me to the part “in Matthew the Words of our Lord concerning how we get what we say and believe”? Which chapter and verse? Thank you for sharing your thoughtful message! I am copying parts of it and sharing with friends and family and would like the address of the verse in Matthew you refer to.
Wow….what a wonderful message. I read in a Sylvia Browne book once, if you ever wonder why something painful happened to you or what the lesson is. It may not be a lesson for you to learn. It may be that God is preparing to help you be a blessing to someone else.
To Marguerite, your situation is not uncommon. Your daughters are still very young and kids can be rebellious and resentful when they are immature. Give them some breathing room and let them experience some of life’s hard knocks without Mom’s support. Often pain is the only way we learn.
I lost my job and a dear pet very recently and have been struggling so this message was very timely. In God’s plans, isn’t it always? Read “It’s Your Time” by Joel Osteen. Great encouragement. Our purpose for being here is to learn, make a positive difference for the word of God and be a blessing to others. That can be a very heavy burden at times but the rewards are unimaginable!
thank you Elmer for the message, what a blessing.
great message Lila! We must take care of each other with God’s strength!
I so needed this in my world right now. Yes the Father sends when we need. I can relate to all comments here. God Bless all
DEAR SISTER MARGUERITE, MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. IT IS IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM THAT WE FACE THE GREATEST CHALLENGE TO TRUST GOD WITH ALL OF OUR HEARTS. TRY TO HOLD ON TO HIS SUFFICIENT GRACE THAT NEVER STOPS FLOWING NO MATTER WHAT IS BEING FIRED AT YOU BY THE ENEMY. THAT GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR ALL OF YOUR NEEDS AND BRINGS THE PERFECT STRENGTH OF GOD TO YOUR WEAKNESS. THE WAY YOU FEEL IS NOT WRONG, IT IS HARD TO PRESS ON IN THE FACE OF HATRED, LOSS AND CONFUSION. YOU FEEL OVERWHELMED BY THE CONDITIONS AND ISSUES OF YOUR LIFE. BUT THINK ABOUT HOW JESUS FELT IN THE FACE OF ALL HE ENDURED TO OBEDIENCE TO SAVE US. PRESS ON MY SISTER, THERE IS NOTHING TOO HARD FOR GOD. HE PROMISED HE WOULD RESTORE ALL THAT THE LOCUSTS HAVE DEVOURED, AND HE WILL. I HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED HIS MIRACULOUS RESTORATIVE POWER MANY TIMES. TRY TO BE AS STRONG AS YOU CAN, AND REMEMBER GOD APPLIES HIS LIMITLESS STRENGTH AND POWER TO OUR WEAKNESS. WHEN WE FEEL WE CANNOT, IT DOESN’T MATTER BECAUSE GOD CAN NEVER FAIL, AND HE IS ON YOUR SIDE. YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PRAISE REPORT.
Marguerite you are experiencing normal human feelings and need to know “where is God in this”. God is there, call out to Him, if you are angry with Him tell Him, He knows you intimately and He wants you to release this to Him and He will work through it all. It is not for us to understand here and now…when we look back we see how He has worked. Release it and thank God for what He is going to do in your life and the life of your children and grandchildren. Paul encourages us to praise God in ALL things…this includes the bad things as well as the good things. I have know this from experience that praising Him even in bad times works!
Read Psalms for comfort remembering who David was and what he suffered and the comfort He took in God…Rest in the arms of God and let Him worry…He knows…I have been to the bottom and thank God I am back, only by His the grace, and praising Him! Let the Grace of God flow through all of this…I will be so in prayer for you and your family and will pray that God’s glory will be shown through these events.
Thank you so much for powerful words. They always uplift me and show me what God has for me to do at times!!!!
I have just listened to this sight for the first time and am truly blessed.I have issues in my life I have laid at Jesus feet.Hearing these testimonies builds my faith in a strong way.Thank You everyone!
God is good and we need to share all his goodness with others.Make your journal of testimonies and when your faith is being tested re read your own Journal and Look See what the Lord has done!
Thanks to Lila Trader’s words of encouagement I am encouraged to trust the Lord and not give in to dispair! Lord bless you Lila. I am crying tears of joy right now and can hardly see my keyboard but I have hope in my heart that you will see how your words helped to heal once again! Thnaks and my the peace of the Lord be with you.