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All Things Work Together For Good Romans 8:28

We’ve all heard… All Things Work Together for Good. And that makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside. But what does this quote from Romans 8:28 mean in our lives today? In this devotional, we’ll read this popular scripture and learn the true meaning behind it.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28 NKJV

What does Romans 8:28 mean?

The meaning of this verse seems simple at first glance. But when we break it down, we begin to see the complexity of it.

First, let’s be clear about something… Some things simply are not good. In fact, they’re bad. Things like war, famine, the death of an unsaved person, and many other tragedies. There’s just nothing redeeming about them. Right?

Well, actually there is something redeeming in all of these things… Jesus. He is the Redeemer and because of Him, God promises those of us who believe in Jesus that all things, even bad ones, work together for our good.

And that’s what this Bible verse from Romans 8 is all about.

God takes the good and the bad things in life and uses them for our benefit. We may not see it right away, but God has an uncanny ability to turn a bad situation into something good later on.

Is Romans 8:28 a promise?

Yes, this scripture is a promise from God! As we just learned, this promise is for those of us who believe in Jesus.

That may seem a little heartless at first. But God has a plan for us and there’s only One way for us to get there.

So, let’s walk through it together and discover the meaning of this great God-given promise.

All Things Work Together

When we read Romans 8:28, immediately we think of the good things we want to see in our lives. And we want these good things to work together so that more good stuff will happen for us.

But the phrase “all things work together” actually means “the suffering of this present time”.

Suffering isn’t something any of us want. It’s just human nature to turn the other way and run when we see suffering coming our way.

However, the Bible is clear about the suffering we will face as Christians.

The writer of Romans, the Apostle Paul, knew a great deal about suffering for the cause of Christ. And He wrote about it in this Bible Verse…

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV

The promise we receive in knowing all things work together for good is found in this scripture from 2 Timothy 3.

Instead of being a deterrent, suffering and persecution should show us how to live godly lives. Understanding that the persecution we suffer for Christ’s sake grows our faith and allows us to share in His victory. And that in our present suffering the glory of God is revealed through us.

Yes, God can and will use good things to bring about good in our lives. But He can also use the bad stuff too.

So, let’s not gloss over the hardships we face and wish them away simply because they’re difficult. Instead, let’s embrace them and know God is working all things together for our good.

To Those Who Love God, To Those Who are Called

Both of these phrases mean the same thing. And they both mean that this promise is only for those of us who are saved by grace.

If you’re a Christian, then you’ve been called to salvation by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. And you’ve answered that call by accepting the free gift of God’s grace through belief in His Son, Jesus Christ.

And it’s presumable if you’re saved, then you love God. Because it’s the love of God in us that causes us to love Him in return. And His love outshines anything we’ve ever imagined!

We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19 NIV

Sometimes it’s hard to put into words the depth of our love for God. And even harder still to understand the depth of His love for us.

So, here’s what The Apostle Paul said about the true nature of God’s love…

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39 NIV

If you’re saved, then you are called, chosen, and loved by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

There is nothing that will ever change this truth. And nothing that can ever take their love away from you. This is the absolute security we have in our faith.

And if you are in these two categories… called and love God, this promise from Romans 8, and the security we find in Him is for you!

According to His Purpose

God’s purpose is the salvation of His people. Everything He does is in accordance with this purpose in our lives.

Of course, His desire is for everyone to be saved. But God knows there are many who will choose a different path.

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Matthew 7:14 ESV

Because we have chosen the narrow path, we are called according to God’s purpose. And our purpose in life changes from following the world’s standards of keeping up with the Jones’ to following the Great Commission of Christ found in Matthew 28.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:19 NLT

Once we’re saved, our purpose becomes God’s purpose, the salvation of people.

And the words of our Savior, Jesus give us the call. Go and make disciples.

If we are actively making disciples, God is working through us. And automatically, all things work together for good and according to His purpose. Both in our lives and in the lives of those we share the gospel with.

Examples of All Things Work Together for Good

There are many examples of all things work together for good in the Bible.

The two that come to mind right away are the stories of Joseph and Job. Both are amazing men from the Old Testament who suffered great hardship yet chose to walk closely with God in spite of it.

You probably know their stories, but let’s take a minute to review them again and learn from their examples.

Joseph and His Brothers

Joseph suffered humiliation and ridicule from his brothers. Eventually, they left him to die in a pit.

But that wasn’t the end of Joseph’s story. You see, God put him in that pit, not his brothers. Because God intended to use Joseph’s suffering to bring good into the life of His people.

Joseph was then sold into slavery to Egypt. There he became an advisor to the Pharoah, and quickly rose in the ranks. This position gave him power and prestige and allowed him to sell grain to Israel during a terrible drought.

God gave us this Bible story to show us, sometimes being in a pit isn’t so bad after all. And our present suffering allows God to work all thing together for good.

You can read more about Joseph and his amazing faith in the face of adversity in Genesis 37-45.

Story of Job

Job’s story is a lesson in suffering well.

He began as a rich man who loved God greatly.

But Satan thought he could turn Job against God. So, God allowed Satan to test Job’s faith. It started with Job losing his wealth. Then his family. And then his health.

Instead of the devil having his way, each of these hardships grew Job’s faith and strengthened his resolve to follow the Lord.

Through it all, God was refining Job and turning him into the man He wanted him to be.

And this is exactly how God uses suffering to accomplish His purpose in our lives.

The examples of these two heroes of the faith, show us how God works all things for good in our lives every day.

God is greater than the high and lows

There will always be highs and lows in life. But through each hill and valley, we have an opportunity to grow our faith and to see how God works all things together for our good.

Today, I pray you will know God is greater than the ups and downs you face. And that He is with you through it all.

May you know God is working all things for good in your life today!

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior, I encourage you to read “Accepting Jesus”. It will answer many of your questions about what it means to be saved and how to accept Jesus.

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By Connie Rowland|2021-10-09T17:52:06-05:00October 7th, 2021|Bible Study, Christian Life|2 Comments

Heartwarming Bible Verses for Fall

Each of these Heartwarming Bible Verses for Fall stands on its own. But they are also a great jumping-off point for a new Bible Study, a wonderful start to creating a seasonal bulletin board at church, or a way to teach the children in your life a new memory verse.

Whatever your reason for searching for Fall Bible Verses, I pray you will find inspiration for the season ahead.

Fall is my favorite season! I look forward to this brief moment of splendor God blesses us with each year. The beauty of nature is on full display! The cool, crisp weather. The brilliant red, yellow, and orange colors of the leaves.

Plus, comfy sweaters and festive scarfs. Spicy pumpkin pie and gooey apple cobbler. Everything about fall warms my heart and brings happy memories to mind.

Fall also marks the end of the carefree days of summer. And as we reestablish our routines, it’s a great time to connect with God on a deeper level.

So, wrap your hands around the warmth of a mug of pumpkin-spiced coffee, or the hot drink of your choice, and savor these Heartwarming Bible Verses for Fall. Enjoy!

Psalm Autumn Bible Verses

The Psalms are always the perfect place to find inspiration. Their cries of praise and thanksgiving for a loving God start off our fall Bible verses.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

Psalm 100:4

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

He made the moon for the seasons;
The sun knows the place of its setting.

Psalm 104:19

Fall Scripture in the words of Jesus

There is nothing more powerful than the words of Jesus! And His assessment of the fall season gives us a great lesson in what it means to be a witness all year round.

Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.

John 4:34

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

Matthew 9:37

Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.

John 4:35

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

John 12:24

Fall in the Bible and for the Season

These Fall scriptures are favorites for a reason. They speak to the honest truth of the season and help us focus our minds on what is truly important this time of year.

in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3:18

They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots;

Jude 12

‘They do not say in their heart,
“Let us now fear the Lord our God,
Who gives rain in its season,
Both the autumn rain and the spring rain,
Who keeps for us
The appointed weeks of the harvest.”

Jeremiah 5:24

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

Psalm 107:1-2

Bible Verses about Leaves/Autumn Leaves

The significance of leaves in the Bible can be seen in these Bible verses about autumn. The freshness of green, new growth, to the changing of their colors, all the way to faded and wilted. Each phase of the leaf’s life represents the Christian life. Are we new and green? Or brown and decayed? The choice is ours.

They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.

Jeremiah 17:8

They’re—

Puffs of smoke pushed by gusts of wind;
late autumn trees stripped clean of leaf and fruit,
Doubly dead, pulled up by the roots;
wild ocean waves leaving nothing on the beach
but the foam of their shame;

Jude 12-13 MSG

And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

Matthew 21:19 KJV

down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:2

Thankful Harvest quotes from Scripture

In Biblical times the harvest meant life. The gathering of food for an entire year after months of hard labor. It was a celebration of God’s goodness and provision.

These days, our idea of a harvest is a little different. It’s family gathering for a feast. Turkey and dressing and pumpkin pie, all laid out on the dining room table. Warm hugs and friendly conversation as we share our faith. But we still celebrate all God has done for us. His goodness and grace, and the way He provides so generously give us plenty to be thankful for.

As long as the earth endures,
seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
summer and winter,
day and night
will never cease.

Genesis 8:22

He who gathers in summer is a wise son;
He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

Proverbs 10:5

Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.

John 4:35

Those who sow in tears shall harvest with joyful shouting.
One who goes here and there weeping, carrying his bag of seed,
Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 126:5-6

You have multiplied the nation
And increased its joy;
They rejoice before You
According to the joy of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

Isaiah 9:3

As you can see there are many Bible verses for Autumn. Each one is a blessing worth celebrating. As you celebrate the beauty of this season through scripture, may the love of nature and the strength of God’s hand guide you this Fall and throughout the year.

Which of these Heartwarming Bible Verses for Fall has blessed you and inspired you for the season ahead? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Fall, ya’ll!

Autumn and Thanksgiving Bible Verse Art

from Master’s Hand Collection

Autumn

Harvest

Give Thanks

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By Connie Rowland|2021-09-28T12:00:41-05:00September 2nd, 2021|Bible Study, Bible Verses, Christian Life, Fall, Thanksgiving|3 Comments

Abide in the Love of Christ John 15:9-11

In this devotional, we’ll read John 15:9-11 and learn how to abide in the love of Christ. And how this Bible Verse is a reflection of God’s unconditional love for all Christians.

What does it mean to abide in the love of Christ?

The word abide isn’t used very often in our modern vocabulary. But it’s a word that sparks my imagination. When I hear it, I think of cozy family dinners or intimate conversations with close friends.

And I would like to think my relationship with Jesus is just as cozy and intimate. I want to feel a real connection between us instead of living out a ritual I was taught as a young child.

So, how can we develop the close relationship we desire and abide in the love of Christ?

The words of Jesus in John chapter 15 tell us how…

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

John 15:9-11 NKJV

Abide in My love meaning

The word abide means to continue, remain in, or dwell.

So, if we abide in Christ’s love, we make His love our dwelling place and remain with Him always. He is with us, and we are with Him.

And in the message of this scripture, we find three key points that teach us how to abide in Christ’s love and make Him our permanent dwelling place. Let’s look at each one together.

Abiding Love

First, Jesus tells us He loves us just as the Father loves Him.

What an amazing gift to receive! Because the love the Father has for the Son is a perfect abiding love. It is faithful and true.

This perfect love abides with us too! It is an expression of who Jesus is to us, our Savior, Redeemer, and Friend.

The salvation we have through faith in Jesus is only possible because of His great abiding love for us!

And once we have the gift of salvation, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to abide in us.

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

John 14:16-17 NKJV

This is where abiding love comes full circle. The Father loved the Son and sent Him to save us. The Son loved us, so He came and died in our place. Then He asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and become our Helper.

As we can clearly see, each part of the Trinity plays a part in the abiding love of Christ.

Keep My Commandments

Second, Jesus explains, when we keep His commandments that’s when we abide or remain in His love.

If we are obedient to Christ and His teaching, then we can have the intimate relationship with Him we’re looking for.

I know, the idea of obedience is not a popular one these days. But to obey Jesus is to love Him. Let’s read this scripture about keeping His commandments.

Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

1 John 3:24 ESV

Again, the Holy Trinity is represented in full. We have God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit abiding all with us.

It’s a mutual relationship between the Trinity and the believer that starts with us being obedient to the teaching of our Savior. And it ends with the next part of the verse.

My joy may remain in you

Lastly, Jesus tells us, when we are obedient to Him, His joy will remain in us.

And Jesus doesn’t want to give us a little bit of joy. He wants to give us a full measure of it. His joy is a complete joy, overflowing with love and full of acceptance.

But to receive His joy, Jesus asks us to obey Him just as He obeyed the Father. Then we will have His joy just like in this Bible Verse…

I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.

John 17:13 NIV

This is the prayer Jesus prayed over His disciples. But He prayed it for us too. That we would have the full measure of His joy within us. And know the deep and abiding love He has for us every day.

What is the importance of abiding in Christ?

A loving relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing we will ever have.

Yet, in the fast-paced modern world we live in, we can get caught up in chasing the things of this world and forget to be still and abide in the love of Christ.

But when we set aside worldly things and dwell in Him, we can truly experience what it means to abide in the love of Christ and have the fullness of joy through Him.

What is the meaning of abide in love?

Simply put, to abide in the love of Christ means to love Jesus and to be loved by Him. Just as the Father loved the Son, Jesus loves us. It sounds so easy yet seems so complicated.

Whatever you may be going through in life, Jesus wants you to continue to experience the joy of your salvation. And He wants to have a close and personal relationship with you.

So, I pray you will learn to obey the commandments of Jesus and understand what it means to follow Him in everything you do.

Then, through your obedience and love for Him, you will abide in the love of Christ and have the fullness of joy today!

Love One Another Bible Verse Art Print

from Master’s Hand Collection

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By Connie Rowland|2021-11-30T19:37:32-06:00July 20th, 2021|Bible Study, Christ, Love|6 Comments

Courageous Bible Verses for Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a special time when we celebrate both the fallen and active members of our military. Through their dedicated service and selfless sacrifice, they have blessed us with the gift of a free society.

As we honor them this holiday, let’s also remember the most precious gift ever given, salvation. Through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we have received a different kind of freedom. Sin and shame no longer have a hold on us. We have been set free from them for all eternity!

These Courageous Bible Verses for Memorial Day celebrate the freedom we have in knowing Jesus, remind us of His great sacrifice and give us the courage to face each new challenge.

May you be blessed with courage, and live free in Jesus today!

Bible Verses about Sacrifice

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:13

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

1 John 3:16

Bible Verses about Courage

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:6

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Deuteronomy 31:8

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law;but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:56-57

for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

1 John 5:4-5

Bible Verses about Freedom

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

Who executes justice for the oppressed,
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners.

Psalm 146:7

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

Romans 6:22

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

John 8:36

With the truth of these Memorial Day Bible Verses, we can live courageously for Jesus and share His love with everyone we meet each day!

I pray you’ll be blessed with liberty and justice knowing Jesus has made you free!

Happy Memorial Day!

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By Connie Rowland|2021-05-24T14:30:26-05:00May 24th, 2021|Bible Study, Bible Verses, Christian Life|0 Comments

Why Should We Love One Another? – 1 John 4:7

In 1 John 4:7 we’re told to love one another. So, in this devotional, we’ll learn why we should love one another and how this is the foundation of our Christian faith.

What does 1 John 4:7 mean?

Beloved let us love one another, for love is of God.

1 John 4:7 NKJV

The “L” word, LOVE.

So many people are afraid of it. They’re afraid if they feel love, they will get hurt. And they’re afraid if they show love, they will appear weak.

But the meaning of this scripture is simple. Love is from God, and we should show His love to others. Because love is the foundation of our Christian faith. Without love, we would be lost.

What does it mean to love one another?

The book of First John talks at length about love and what it means to us as Christians.

So, let’s look at three fundamental parts of love that represent our faith in Jesus and what it means to truly love one another.

God Loves Us

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:9-10 NKJV

The first and most important component of our Christian love is that God loved us first.

God loves us. But our sins are a barrier that separates us from Him. No matter how hard we try we can’t get past it on our own.

So, God sent Jesus to be the sacrifice we needed for our sins. When Jesus died on the cross the barrier of sin was torn down and the relationship between God and man was restored.

Jesus Loves Us

The second component is that Jesus also loves us. Here’s how the Savior described His love for us.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:13 NIV

Jesus knew He would face betrayal, pain, and death on a cross. But He willingly came to earth anyway and laid down His life for us. He did it so we could have eternal life with Him. Without the great love of Jesus, we wouldn’t have salvation or the assurance of heaven.

It is only because of the love of God the Father, and Jesus the Son, that we can return love to Him.

Our Love for Others

The third part of our Christian love is to show love to the people in our lives.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:11 NKJV

This verse, from 1 John, talks about the love we have for our Christian brothers and sisters. If God loved us, then we should love other believers.

How can we show love to an unbelieving world if we can’t even love other Christians? We show this love by being kind to each other, showing respect when we disagree, and meeting the physical and spiritual needs of our fellow believers.

Why is it Important to Love One Another?

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

John 13:34-35 NKJV

Love in a Christian’s life isn’t an option. It’s a commandment straight from the mouth of our Savior. And our love should reflect the love Jesus has for us.

If we truly love one another, then we will give the very best of ourselves just as Jesus did for us.

And when we show our love for other Christians it will be evident to the rest of the world.

They will see how we treat each other and know we follow Jesus because of it.

The question is, what will they see? Will we be a good witness by our actions and turn them to Christ? Or will they take one look and decide Christianity isn’t for them?

Read the Bible Study, The Purpose of Life Matthew 28:18-20

When Loving One Another is Hard

Sometimes, loving one another is hard.

I know I’m not perfect. I mess up. There are times when I get angry or frustrated. I say things I don’t mean or overreact to a situation. And I don’t always live up to the expectations of what Christian love should look like.

Like everyone else, I have my good days and bad days. I’ll always be a work in progress, but I choose to follow God and let Him mold me into what He wants me to be.

Thankfully, His love is greater than our sins and greater than my frustration.

So, let’s remember, every day is a new day and a new opportunity to show God’s love. Even when it’s hard to do.

Read the Bible Study, Victory In Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:57

Why Should We Love Others?

We may not automatically feel love for every person we meet. Sometimes we click with people and sometimes we don’t.

But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t show the love of Jesus to each, and every person God puts in our path.

We never know what is going on in someone’s life. They could be going through a very hard time and our love and kindness could be the beacon of hope that leads them to Jesus. If we are willing to let God lead us and show His love to those around us, we will be blessed for it.

Benefits of Loving One Another

When we show Christian love, we are reaping the benefits of a life lived for Jesus. He will bless and honor us as we love Him and those around us.

My prayer for you is, you will show the love of Jesus to someone today and be blessed for it!

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By Connie Rowland|2021-11-29T18:57:42-06:00May 17th, 2021|Bible Study, Love|8 Comments

God’s Unconditional Love

In this short devotional, we’ll read some Bible Verses About God’s Unconditional Love and discover the meaning of each one in our lives today.

God Loves Us Unconditionally

LOVE. Most of us are searching for it in some aspect of our lives. And it seems to hold so much power over us.

Without love, we feel empty, like there’s a gaping hole in our chest. With it, we feel happy, fulfilled, even giddy, like we’re dancing on air.

In our quest for love, what we’re really after is unconditional love.

A love that doesn’t care if we’re having a bad hair day or our jeans are a little too tight. And a love that stays with us through all the ups and downs.

This is the love God meant for us to have all along, not just with each other but with Him.

God’s Love Never Fails

Not long ago, I was sitting in the Sunday morning service. Our Worship Pastor and his lovely daughter were singing a duet.

You’ve probably heard the song before, it goes… Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me.

As I listened to them sing these beautiful words, God whispered in my ear, “You know My love is for you too.” Honestly, it was so heart-touching to hear this from God at that moment!

I spend a lot of time thinking about how I can share the love of Jesus with the people in my life. Because, whether they’re family, close friends, or someone I met five minutes ago, I want them to know how much Jesus loves them. It’s kind of an obsession of mine.

But somewhere along the way, I forgot that God’s love is for me too.

Well, of course, I knew God loved me, I just set it aside temporarily and forged ahead.

But God didn’t forget me or set me aside. Instead, He pursued me and reminded me of His great love. The love I was always destined to have.

How do I know that God loves me unconditionally?

God’s love is unconditional. It’s the love we’ve been looking for all our lives.

His love meets us exactly where we are. It reaches down to scoop us up when we’re low. And when we’re soaring high, His love sails right along with us.

Because that’s who God is, a loving, caring Heavenly Father we can always depend on, in good times and in bad.

Maybe you’re looking for this kind of love and wondering, how can I have God’s unconditional love in my life?

Today, God wants to give you the love you were always meant to have and whisper in your ear, “My love is for you too! You are mine and I love you with an unconditional love!”

What the Bible says about God’s Unconditional Love

So, in honor of the Author of Love, I’ve put together some inspirational Bible Verses About God’s Unconditional Love.

I pray these scriptures will encourage your heart the same way they have mine.

God’s Love is Unconditional

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV

I will betroth you to Me forever;
Yes, I will betroth you to Me
In righteousness and justice,
In lovingkindness and mercy;
I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,
And you shall know the Lord.

Hosea 2:19-20

God, your God, is God indeed, a God you can depend upon. He keeps his covenant of loyal love with those who love him and observe his commandments for a thousand generations.

Deuteronomy 7:9 MSG

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
your justice like the great deep.

You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 36:5-7

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV

He brought me to the banqueting house,
And his banner over me was love.

Song of Solomon 2:4

Read this Bible Study now: Everlasting Love Jeremiah 31:3

Jesus’ Unconditional Love

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

John 15:9-10 NKJV

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 NIV

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Ephesians 5:25 ESV

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?…

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35;38-39

Read the Bible Study now: Abide in the Love of Christ John 15:9-11

God Loves Us Unconditionally

As these verses attest to, God’s love is faithful, steadfast, loyal, and most of all unconditional.

Accepting God’s Unconditional Love

I hope these unconditional love Bible Verses have shown you that God loves you with an unwavering and everlasting love! Nothing will ever separate you from His love! And He wants to have a loving relationship with you today.

Just like the song says… His love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on you.

Are you ready to accept the priceless gift of God’s unconditional love?

If you are, all you need to do is accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. It’s as simple as that.

And if you’re not sure how to accept Jesus, this easy-to-follow guide, How to Be Saved will walk you through it.

This is my sincere prayer for you… Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Jude 2 In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

May you feel God’s unconditional love in your life right now!

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By Connie Rowland|2021-12-01T13:55:13-06:00February 12th, 2021|Bible Study, God, Love|0 Comments

Living the Life of Job -Job 19:25

For I know that my Redeemer lives.
Job 19:25

A few years ago, God told me that I would live the life of Job. Now, that’s a pretty big pill to swallow! And if I’m completely honest, I wasn’t thrilled with the news. No one wants the life of Job, because everything he had was taken from him.

True to His word, God has followed through on His “life of Job” promise to me. I have faced many trials in my life. Loved ones have been taken from me either through death or through broken relationships, my livelihood has diminished, my health has suffered and my faith has been tested.

I can see the parallels between Job’s life and mine. And I find myself referring back to the book of Job for inspiration often. With everything that Job went through, it would’ve been easy for him to curse God as his wife told him to and no one would have blamed him for it. (Job 2:9) But Job trusted God and refused to curse Him no matter what circumstance God placed him in. When everything seemed lost, Job said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (v. 1:21) This kind of resolute belief Job had, inspires me to get up, keep moving forward and remain faithful to God no matter what circumstance I’m in.

God has allowed my faith to be tested, just as He allowed Job’s to be tested. But He didn’t do it to hurt me. He did it to bless me and teach me the lessons I need to know as I move forward in my life. And with each trial and lesson God has shown me His plan and will for my life in a way I couldn’t see before.

Proverbs 17:3 says “The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts.” God allows us to go through trials and He tests our hearts. But He doesn’t do it as some kind of punishment. He knows what is ahead and He is preparing us for it. He is refining us like silver or gold, melting us down to our core, taking the impurities out of our lives and leaving us with all of the good that He has in store for us.

Yes, Job faced many hardships and he was tested. But the lesson that I take away from reading the book of Job is not one of defeat. It’s a story of great faith and triumph over adversity. Through it all, God was there right next to him. He never left Job. He was Job’s mediator and ultimately his redeemer.

The lesson that I take away from reading the book of Job is not one of defeat. It’s a story of great faith and triumph over adversity. #Devotional Click To Tweet

By sending Jesus to die for our sins, God has given us a redeemer and mediator. Right now, this very moment, He is seated at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf. (Romans 8:34) When we face trials and our faith is tested, we can have complete confidence that Jesus is still there, in the fight with us.

It’s been a few years now that I’ve been living the life of Job. It’s been a hard path, full of unexpected twists and turns. But, when it seems that the world is against me, I can take comfort in knowing that Jesus is always for me. No matter what comes my way, I can face the future with confidence because… I know my Redeemer lives!

If you are facing a trial in your life today, I pray that you will turn to Jesus and trust in Him. He loves you and wants to refine you like the silver and gold that you are. To find out more about Accepting Jesus as your Savior, click on this link or go to the Accepting Jesus tab above. Cast your cares on Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7) God bless!

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By Connie Rowland|2021-03-10T10:59:15-06:00September 7th, 2020|Bible Study, Christ, Christian Life, Faith|2 Comments

What is the Purpose of Life? -Matthew 28:18-20

Last week we discussed, “What is the Meaning of Life?” People have searched for the answer to this question since the beginning of time. They are hoping to find a meaning to all of the chaos we face. They mistakenly believe that if they can answer this one question, then all of their problems will fade away. As Christians we know that God gives us the answer in His Word. It’s surprisingly simple, yet powerful. If you missed last week’s post, you can read it here.

This week, I’d like to take the discussion one step further and look at the Purpose of a Christian’s life. Because we are followers of Jesus our purpose is different from the rest of the world. While most people are working hard to buy expensive possessions or rack up their 401k, we are called to achieve a more important goal.

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20

This passage of Scripture we all know as “The Great Commission”. But what does it mean in our lives right now? This verse is our purpose and our calling as Christians. It is a commandment from our Savior about how we should be living every day. Within this one commandment there are three distinct points about the purpose we have been given, and how we are to grow God’s kingdom.

Go and make disciples…

Some of us will have the opportunity to serve God in foreign countries. But most of us will serve God here in our own country. We don’t have to go to a far off land to follow the Great Commission. Wherever we are, and whatever we are doing it is our responsibility to tell people about Jesus. We can’t leave it to chance that someone else will do it for us. God puts us where He wants us to be and we can win souls for Him right here in our own backyards. All we have to do is look around us and we will see that there are so many people who are already in our lives that need Jesus. Whether it is our calling to serve God at home or abroad, we have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill our purpose to make disciples.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 1:8

Baptize…

Baptism is an outward showing of our faith. It is a symbol of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Being baptized doesn’t save us, instead it shows the world that we are changed and have a new life in Jesus. When someone is saved, the next step is baptism. We need to make sure that we follow Christ’s command to baptize people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit once they have received Jesus as their Savior. As always, Jesus is our example. He was baptized by John the Baptist and in doing so, fulfilled God’s will.

It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mark 1:9-11

Teach…

Once someone that we have witnessed to is “saved”, our job isn’t over. They need to be taught the Bible and about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus. I’m very grateful for all of the wonderful people who poured their knowledge of Jesus into my young mind while I was growing up. Of course, my parents, but also many Sunday School teachers, VBS workers, Deacons and friends. They invested in my life and discipled me along the way. Now it’s our turn to be the teacher. All of the things we learned, probably many years ago, God tells us to teach to the new Christians in our lives. Jesus spent time, one on one, with people. He taught them all that God wanted them to know. He is our example of how to be a teacher, and how to invest in the lives of the people around us. Just as He gave His knowledge to the twelve disciples, we must pass on our knowledge to the people that we have witnessed. Then one day they will be ready to teach all that they have learned to the next batch of new Christians.

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2:2

While other people are worried about their place in life, we can rest easy. Our loving Heavenly Father has given us the answers the most pressing questions we face. What is the meaning of life? Why are we here? And what is our purpose? We now know that we were created for His glory and our purpose is to share Him with everyone we meet.

I’m so excited to bring this Bible study to you this week! And I hope that it will encourage you, as you go out into your personal mission field, wherever that may be! There are so many people in our lives who are lost and need Jesus. I pray that you will be able to show them Christ’s love. May the God of hope guide you as you fulfill the Great Commission!

Again, if you missed the first part in this series “What is the Meaning of Life?” you can find it here.

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By Connie Rowland|2021-05-25T15:53:58-05:00February 17th, 2020|Bible Study, Christian Life|4 Comments

What is the Meaning of Life? -Isaiah 43:7

It’s the age-old question that scholars have pondered since the beginning of time…

What is the meaning of life?

For a Christian, the answer is very obvious. God doesn’t leave us in suspense. He tells us, in His Word, exactly why we were created.

Everyone who is called by My name,
Whom I have created for My glory:
I have formed him, yes, I have made him.
Isaiah 43:7

So the simple answer is this, we were made for God’s glory! We were put on this earth not for our own glory, but to bring glory to the One who created us.

We were put on this earth not for our own glory, but to bring glory to the One who created us. #MeaningofLife #BibleStudy Click To Tweet

This revelation leads us to another, more important question…

How do we bring glory to God? Let’s take a look at a few verses that tell us some of the ways we can glorify Him.

#1 Praise God.

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me…
Psalm 50:23

If we want to bring glory to God then the first thing we need to do is to praise Him. It’s easy to praise God when life is good. But sometimes praising God is the last thing in world that we want to do. Maybe times are tough and things aren’t going so great in our lives. But God doesn’t ask us to praise Him only in the good times. When we praise God, in good times and in bad, we bring glory to Him. No matter what our current circumstances are, we can rest assured that when we praise the God who made us for His glory, He will lift us up.

#2 Live our lives in a way that pleases God.

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

The way that we conduct ourselves can either bring glory to God or dishonor to His name. The world is watching us to see how Christians react. Most of us probably don’t think about if we are bringing glory to God when we are at work or school or wherever we are spending our time. It’s not really about what we are doing at these places, it’s if the people around us can see that there is something different about us. Do they see Jesus when they look at us? Or do we act just like the rest of the world? Sometimes I live up to that standard and sometimes I fail. But what’s important is to keep trying to set an example of why we are different. And that brings us to the last verse I’d like to look at today.

#3 Let your light shine.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

I’m sure there is an unsaved person in your life that you know is watching you. They ask questions that they think you can’t answer or they point out the things that you do wrong and say, see they aren’t so perfect after all. We all have a few of those people in our lives and it’s our job as believers to shine our light in a way that shows them Jesus. I have people in my life like this too and I want so badly to show them the Savior. I try to be a good example of Christ’s love, but somehow I always leave feeling like I said or did the wrong thing. I wonder if I’ll ever get it right. But it’s a humble reminder that I am living my life not for myself but for Jesus, and whatever I say or do should bring glory to our Father in heaven.

We no longer need to ask the question, what is the meaning of life? If we are saved, then we already have the answer. So, let’s start living our lives to glorify God. He will surely bless us for it!

Now that we know the Meaning of Life let’s take it one step further and discover the purpose of a Christian’s life. Check out Part 2: “What is the Purpose of Life?”

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By Connie Rowland|2021-05-25T15:52:54-05:00February 16th, 2020|Bible Study, Christian Life|3 Comments

3 Ways to Grow in Grace

Grace is God’s love poured down on us. It’s a gift we don’t deserve, and no matter how hard we work, we can’t earn it.

Ephesians 2:8 tell us this simple truth…

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God

Grace through faith in Jesus saves us. But this only the beginning of a Christian’s salvation journey. So, what comes next?…

but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:18

This verse is about becoming a mature Christian. It’s continuing to learn the Bible, pray, and seek God’s guidance in our lives. Because we can always dig deeper, stretch farther, and grow a little more in God’s grace.

Just like a tree needs certain nutrients to turn from a tiny twig into a towering oak, we also need life sustaining truth to grow in the faith.

Today we’re looking at 3 Ways to Grow in Grace. Each one takes us closer to understanding our Lord, Jesus Christ. And combined they show us the depth of God’s grace toward us.

So, let’s jump in and discover how we can grow in grace and knowledge.

#1 Prepare the Soil

Let’s face it… We all start out with a little rocky terrain. For some of us, it’s because we’re new Christians, learning the ways of the Lord from the beginning. For the rest of us, it’s contentment, not wanting to push the boundaries of our daily lives. We feel like we’ve already made it and our relationship with God is good enough.

But to get to the next level of spiritual maturity we must plow the field and prepare the soil to receive the seed.

Sow for yourselves righteousness;
Reap in mercy;
Break up your fallow ground,
For it is time to seek the Lord,
Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.

Hosea 10:12

We’ve all heard the term, “fallow ground”. But what is it?

Fallow ground is abandoned land. It’s been unused for so long it has become hard and riddled with weeds. For it to become useful again it must be worked. The weeds pulled, the clumps of dirt broken up, and the rocks removed.

Over time our hearts can become fallow ground. We go through the motions, attending church each week, but never actually moving forward in our relationship with God. We’re on a hamster wheel of spirituality, never getting where we want to go.

But God is calling us to a new and exciting place. A deeper relationship with Him!

It’s time for us to get off the hamster wheel and onto the plow! The first step is to break up the fallow ground in our lives by clearing our hearts of unused space and readying our minds to receive God’s Word.

#2 Water the Seed

We know from experience water is essential for anything to grow. And without it, all living things dry up and blow away.

So, it only makes sense that once we’ve plowed the field and planted the seed of God’s Word in our hearts, it needs to be watered before it can grow.

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Jeremiah 17:8

This is an image of a Christian’s life. We are the tree, planted by the Living Water of Jesus Christ. When we spread out our roots, He gives us all that we need to overcome the heat and bear fruit. It’s a stark contrast to the uselessness of fallow ground. The tree, us, is always useful to God. It is alive and vibrant, growing leaps and bounds above everything else. All because it is watered by the Living Water of the One who saves.

It’s true, we will always have difficulties, because life is hard sometimes. And this verse is not a promise that our lives will be easy. Instead it’s a promise that God will take care of us when our drought comes around.

If we want to be fruitful, it’s as simple as planting ourselves next to Jesus and allowing Him to water the seed of God’s grace in our lives.

#3 Let the “Sonshine” In

Nothing grows in darkness. Expect maybe a mushroom, and who wants to be a mushroom?

As our tree analogy continues, we see the need for a little sunshine to enter the picture. Without it our tree won’t have the proper nutrients to survive. It will become weak and turn a terrible, sickly shade of yellow.

This is true of our spiritual lives too.

In the beginning, when God created the world, He commanded the light to shine and separated day from night.

When we became Christians, again God commanded the light to shine by flipping the switch in our hearts. Out of the darkness we once where, the glorious light of the Son shone.

That’s the moment of salvation. The time when we acknowledged who Jesus is.

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6

By letting the “Sonshine” of Jesus in, real growth and knowledge happens! Without that moment of light, our hearts and minds wouldn’t be changed. We wouldn’t be a new creation in Christ. That’s Pure, Simple, Truth, ya’ll.

And since we’re speaking the truth today, I’d like to add this to the conversation… It’s not enough for us to have “Sonshine” in our hearts. We need to pass it on. It’s contagious and once you have it, you want to give it away.

There’s a quote from C.S. Lewis that I absolutely love… Don’t shine so others can see you, shine so that through you others can see Him.

Once we have the knowledge of who Jesus is, it’s our job, our honor and privilege, to share that truth with everyone we meet. So, let’s shine bright and let others see the Sonshine in us!

I pray you will take these 3 Ways to Grow in Grace and seek a closer relationship with the Lord. Don’t be afraid to plow the field, water the seed, and let the Sonnshine in. Combined they will take you farther than you ever imagined as you grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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By Connie Rowland|2021-04-30T18:40:10-05:00January 14th, 2020|Bible Study, Christian Life|2 Comments

How to Store up Treasures in Heaven – Matthew 6:19-21

Have you ever wondered how to store up treasures in heaven? What does that even mean anyway?

The world tells us that having wealth, or treasure, is the most important thing in life. And that having money is what gives us worth as people. The more treasure we accumulate the better off we’ll be.

In my life there never seems to be enough money to go around. I live on a tight budget and I try to make every dollar stretch. I save for a rainy day, but, honestly, when it comes to finances, it’s always pouring. 😊 Somehow, by the grace of God, my family makes it through, the bills get paid and the groceries are bought.

Maybe your life is like this too. I know so many of us are in this same situation.

Because we are, it seems we’re always on the lookout for that proverbial “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow”. And if we can’t have a cute green leprechaun to call our own, we can wish on a star that we’ll win it big in the lottery or inherit from a long lost rich relative. If that doesn’t work out, maybe we can work eighty hours a week and finally get ahead. That sounds like a lot of fun, right?!

As much as I would love for one of these get rich quick plans to work in our favor, I seriously doubt they will.

But God has a plan for us. A perfect plan to give us lasting wealth. It’s not wealth in the traditional sense, but something much greater.

I’d like to share with you what Jesus said about true wealth and what He thinks gives us value.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

Jesus has a lot to say in these scriptures. So, let’s dig a little deeper and discover God’s version of a get rich quick plan and how we can have it for ourselves.

lay up for yourselves…

The phrase “lay up” in verse 19 and 20 means “give priority to”, so these words of Jesus are about the priorities we have in life. Our priority as Christians should always be to have a lasting relationship with our Savior and to reflect His light to the world.

I often ask myself, “What are my priorities and are they pleasing to God?” Sometimes my priorities are in line with God’s. And other times, it becomes obvious I need to do a real gut check and change my way of thinking.

where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal…

Society tells us having “stuff” will make us happy and give us meaning in life. They say that the more “treasure” you have the better off you’ll be. But material objects can be broken, stolen or lost. And in the end, they won’t give us the happiness we’re looking for.

It’s true, we all need money to survive and it isn’t necessarily bad to have things. It’s the importance we place on them that makes them worldly instead of heavenly. And when “stuff” becomes more important to us than anything else, we are missing out on the blessings God wants to give us.

treasures in heaven…

Our reward is waiting for us in heaven. And guess what…Jesus is that reward! He is our treasure!

But at the same time, we don’t want to forget that what we do here on earth matters. Our job as Christians is bigger than just paying the bills. It’s to show others the way to heaven through our words and actions. Then they will repeat the cycle of sharing the gospel and begin to lay up their treasures in heaven also. It’s the circle of life! Yah! 😊

there your heart will be also…

The condition of our hearts is what is most important to God, and in verse 21, that’s what Jesus is talking about. When our focus is on making money and accumulating wealth then we aren’t making room in our heart for Jesus. But when we focus on the spiritual rewards of a Christian life our walk with Jesus will be greatly improved and our hearts will be opened to receiving His blessings.

So, how do we store up treasures in heaven? The answer sounds so simple, but sometimes as we go through life it gets lost in the jumble.

When we live for Jesus, that’s when we are laying up our treasures in heaven! Our priority should always be our personal relationship with Him, walking with Him every day, and sharing our faith with other people.

I pray you will join me in asking yourself these questions…What is my priority? Is it acquiring wealth? Or is it my relationship with Jesus and bringing other people to Him? If we search deep within our hearts and ask God to reveal the areas of our lives that keep us from having a meaningful relationship with Him, we can rest assured that He will give us the answer.

May you store up treasures in heaven today and always!

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By Connie Rowland|2021-02-28T14:48:18-06:00March 11th, 2019|Bible Study, Spring|2 Comments

What I Learned Moving My Website from Weebly to WordPress

Have you ever felt like you made a huge mistake? Yeah, me too. Many times. My latest huge mistake moment came when I realized I’d picked the wrong website server.

Some time ago God had told me to build a website and blog. I immediately thought, I can’t do that, I don’t know any of that technical mumbo jumbo. But I began researching and found Weebly. It’s drag and drop interface seemed like the perfect fit for my non-technical skills.

I spent months and countless hours building my website, only to find out that I really couldn’t get anyone to see my site or read my blog posts with Weebly. It seemed that I had missed the boat and was paddling my little website into the big black sea all alone. This is when I discovered WordPress and found out that everything I needed to do in order to see my little website get going was on WordPress.

Now, I had two problems. I didn’t know how to use WordPress and I needed to figure out how to move my website over to it.

Again I did some research and found out that moving a website from Weebly to WordPress is not an easy task. That was a real gut punch. I decided I had two options, give up or figure it out. Well, I’m no quitter, especially when God has told me to do something. So, even though it seemed like an impossible task, I resolved myself to the fact that it was time to make the move.

With a lot of trepidation I began by setting up a WordPress site where I could transfer all of my Weebly stuff over. Setting up the new site was the easy part. I had 115 posts and I don’t even know how many pictures to move. I thought it would take about a week to do it. Well, it ended up taking six weeks, a lot of headaches and some shear determination. In the process I learned a lot about WordPress, and more importantly God taught me some great lessons on following Him even when it seems impossible. Here are my three big takeaways from this experience.

#1 Be Patient and Persevere

Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

When we think of affliction it’s usually in the physical form. Someone who has a terrible disease or debilitating disability. Although I wasn’t afflicted in a typical way, I felt I was afflicted in a mental and emotional sense. The frustration I felt grew bigger every day until I wanted to throw my computer out the window. Mentally, I thought, I just can’t do this. Emotionally, I felt drained. About half the way through I wanted to give up completely. My normal “can do” attitude was gone. But God whispered from deep inside of me, “Keep going. Don’t give up.” I knew I had to finish what I started so, I put blinders on and pressed forward. I found a rhythm, get one post transferred and then the next and the next. Still it seemed like there was no end in sight. Patience and perseverance became my only goal. Patience because it was taking so much longer than I expected. And perseverance to keep at it no matter how long or hard it got. After weeks of endless hours staring at the computer screen, I suddenly realized everything was moved and it was time to make the permanent change over to WordPress.

#2 Trust God when change is scary.

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you.

Psalm 56:3

I don’t know when or how but during this six week period my Weebly site became a security blanket to me. It was a backup just in case a transfer didn’t take. Now it was time to delete the Weebly site and make the move permanent. All of the hard work I had put into building that site was about to disappear with one click of the mouse and my security blanket was going to be pulled out from underneath me. It was scary! I hemmed and hawed about it and walked away from the computer multiple times. Finally, after much deliberation, I decided it was now or never. I sat at the computer staring at that delete button and prayed, “Please God.” Those were the only words I had in that moment. And with that I clicked delete.

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you. Psalm 56:3 #BibleVerseClick To Tweet

It took some time for the new WordPress site to become active. That next day of waiting was full of stress and dread. Doubt filled my heart. What if it doesn’t work? What if I can’t fix it? But I put my trust in God and believed that He had it under control.

#3 God makes the impossible possible.

With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Matthew 19:26

I may have had serious doubts about my technical abilities going into this move, but I had zero doubts about God’s ability to bring about His will in my life. When I saw my new website up and running I can’t tell you how much relief I felt. God is good, always good. But it took me being obedient to Him and stepping out in faith to see the goodness of God in my life. I give God all of the credit. He did it. Without Him it would have been an impossible task for me to accomplish on my own. But with God the impossible became possible.

I know it may seem that this post is all about me, but in my heart it is all about you. I want to encourage you to seek God, persevere through the difficult times, trust Him when change is scary and see the impossible happen in your life too.

When you follow God you will never go wrong.Click To Tweet

Has God asked you to do something that seems impossible? Are you thinking of taking that leap of faith? You may feel that the deck is stacked against you or that you’re facing an impossible task. But when you follow God you will never go wrong. May God bless you as you see HIs hand working in your life!

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By Connie Rowland|2020-09-03T17:04:46-05:00February 21st, 2018|Bible Study, Christian Life|0 Comments

Loving God’s Law – Psalm 119:97

Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Psalm 119:97

When we think of the law, it usually brings to mind images of the police or a set of rules that we must comply with. If we don’t, then we have to accept the punishment that comes for noncompliance. But God’s law is different. For a Christian conforming to God’s law is a pleasure. It is something that we are happy to do because it brings us closer to a loving Father and ultimately the blessings that we receive from Him.

In Psalm 119, the psalmist continually talks about his love for the law and keeping the precepts of God’s word. But what does this mean to us and how can we apply this to our lives? First, in order to love God’s law, we need to understand exactly what it is.

God’s law is a gift that He has given to those of us who are saved through belief in His Son, Jesus Christ. It’s not for everyone, only for us. It is a set of instructions that gives us direction and teaches us how to live as God intended us to. God’s law is not meant to harm us or keep us from the things that we enjoy. His law is for our benefit, to guide us, help us and keep us in alignment with His will.

God has given us His law because He loves us and wants us to have joy and fulfillment in life. In return, we love God and want to live within His will. It is our love for God draws us to His law and our thankfulness for our salvation that attracts us to keeping it. Once we understand this truth, then we can begin to study His law and implement it in our lives. So, with that in mind let’s look at just a few of the many verses from Psalm 119.

I opened my mouth and panted,
For I longed for Your commandments.
Psalm 119:131

Here, the psalmist likens his love for God’s law to an animal panting for water. We only have to go a short time without water before we begin to feel thirsty, then start panting as we become more and more dehydrated. Just like the animal in Psalm 119, we can’t live without water any more than we can live without God’s law. We become thirsty for it, then more and more desperate to get it as time goes by. We long to have God’s law because we know deep down inside that we need it to survive.

How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:103

We can all relate to the craving for something sweet like cake or chocolate or as the psalmist said, honey. When that craving comes over you, it is all you can think about until you taste the sweetness in your mouth. You can’t get enough of it until that craving is satisfied. When we learn to love God’s law, we crave more of it and more of Him. We never get our fill of it, because there is always more to learn and more to experience.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

As I said earlier, God’s law is a set of instructions. I like to think of it as a roadmap for life. But even if you have the instructions you can’t get anywhere in the dark. So, we need a light to shine the way. Our source of light is God’s word and when the world is dark, God shines His light on our path and shows us the way. But the only way for us to have this light is to know God’s word inside and out. To memorize it, store it in our hearts and meditate on it daily. That brings us back to our original verse.

Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Psalm 119:97

The best way to grow your relationship with God is to read His word, meditate on it throughout the day and love His law. I’m just like you, I have struggles and days when I’m not as faithful to spend time with God that I know I should. I am guilty of putting God on the back burner when I get busy. But I do long for God’s law and His word. I want to spend more time with God and develop a deeper relationship with Him. I encourage you to think about your relationship with God and the closeness that you feel or don’t feel with Him. He understands where you are right now and where you want to be. God is full of grace and understanding. He has given us His law so that we can have the relationship with Him that we were always meant to enjoy. Through time reading God’s word and in prayer, He will teach us how to love His law and how to live within it. When we do, we will see His blessings.

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4 Older Comments. (These comments cannot be replied to, but you are welcome to leave your thoughts in the Comments section below.)

Rebecca L Jones

8/2/2017 11:21:09 am

It is a shame that many do not understand the sweetness of His Word, you might like following Embracing Your Creativity.

Connie from Master’s Hand Collection

8/2/2017 11:49:58 am

Thanks Rebecca! I’ll check it out.

Cindy

8/4/2017 03:07:53 pm

What a delight to read this post about a subject I love so dearly!

I love God’s Word and studying it! I often hug my Bible when I am full of emotion about His Word. Have you ever felt like that? You feel overwhelmed with the sheer joy of having His written word that you can only hug it to express your love?

Visiting from Faith Filled Friday.

Connie from Master’s Hand Collection

8/4/2017 03:29:00 pm

Hi Cindy!

Yes, I love studying God’s Word and discovering all of the wonderful promises He has given us! I usually feel like God is the one hugging me and giving me that joy you are talking about. It’s an amazing feeling when you can see God working in your life and showing you verses that speak directly to where you are right now. Thank you so much for visiting today. May God bless you!

By Connie Rowland|2021-02-28T14:51:13-06:00August 2nd, 2017|Bible Study, God|0 Comments

Monday Motivation – James 1:22

Of all the Bible Verses about God’s Word, this one always cuts me deep. James was a straight shooter, and never afraid to tell it like it is. So, today I’m going to do the same. It isn’t enough for us to sit in a pew on Sunday morning and listen to a sermon. We must allow God’s Word to penetrate our hearts and transform our minds. Then the hard work of being a doer begins. Whatever it is that God has asked of you, I pray that you will follow Him. And I pray I will do the same.

Blessings, dear friends, as you put your faith and trust in God’s Word!

Don’t Miss this Bible Study from Master’s Hand Collection!

By Connie Rowland|2021-05-10T12:39:25-05:00July 24th, 2017|Bible Study, Bible Verses, Monday Motivation|0 Comments

The Most Important Thing On My To-Do List -Psalm 1:2-3

I love lists! I love them so much, I make one almost every day. And I love the feeling of accomplishment I have when I can cross out that “big” thing on my list. Usually my to-do list includes ordinary things like grocery shopping, returning phone calls, answering emails, running errands, etc. with a few occasional “big ticket” items thrown in for good measure. But there’s one thing that lately hasn’t made its way onto my list, a quiet time with God.

Okay, so I admit it, I’m not perfect. But I’m such a perfectionist! Still, I struggle. Probably with the same things you struggle with too. Recently that struggle has been a lack of motivation to spend time with God every day. My heart just hasn’t been in it. There’s an ebb and flow in life where things are good for a while and then all of a sudden everything seems hard. Right now, I’m going through one of those hard times. I’m still recovering from a low back injury and in a lot of pain. Even the smallest task seems difficult. My house is a total wreck. Everything that could break is broken and everything that could go wrong has. I’m falling so far behind on everything, that my to-do list makes me want to freak out. Plus a million other excuses that don’t mean much, because that’s all they are, excuses.

Knowing God and His will for our lives is the only way we can ever truly get ahead. And spending time with Him and applying His Word to our daily lives is what grows our faith. God doesn’t ask much from us. And He promises to give us so much in return.

In every relationship, there are ups and downs. But we can’t have a relationship with someone we never spend time with. It takes commitment and follow through on our part to make it happen.

The great thing is, God hasn’t gone anywhere. He’s exactly where He was before. He doesn’t change. He is constant. He is faithful. Even when I am not.

Psalm 1:2-3 says…

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And on His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

I want to be like that tree, firmly planted by the river. And I want to be firmly planted in God’s Word. So, I am committed to growing my relationship with a God who loves me and wants to see me prosper in His ways. I know the only way to get there is to “delight in His law” (the Word of God) and make my time with God a priority every day.

So, I began by praying and asking God to return the joy of reading His Word to me. At the same time, I also began searching for a Bible study that would speak to my heart as I started my devotions again.

Slowly, God has restored my love of His Word to me. The more time I spend reading the Bible and listening to His wisdom, the more I understand who God is and how much He loves me. And the more time I spend praying and seeking His face, the closer I feel to Him.

I love God more than anything and I know that He loves me even more. So, I am fully committed to making my time with God the most important thing on my to-do list from now on! And I hope that you are too.

If you are struggling to spend time with God every day, then I want to encourage you. The investment you put in today will be repaid tenfold. When you began to spend time with God you will see His blessings in your life the same way that I have. You will become like a tree firmly planted by the rivers water. And everything you do will prosper.

You can begin the same way I did, by praying and asking God to give you joy and knowledge. Then find a Bible study that speaks to your heart or just start reading the Bible. Any book in it is a great place to start. I think you will be surprised by all of the wonderful things God has in store for you. God Bless!

Don’t Miss these Bible Studies from Master’s Hand Collection!

By Connie Rowland|2020-08-27T14:53:51-05:00October 12th, 2016|Bible Study, Christian Life|0 Comments

What Does Your Bible Look Like? -Jeremiah 29:13

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13

What does your Bible look like? Has it been used lately or has it been sitting unopened for a while? Is it worn and tattered from use? Or is it in “perfect” condition? My Bible was once in “perfect” condition. I thought that if I wrote in it or the pages were wrinkled I was being disrespectful to God’s word. But that was before I understood what perfect really looks like. Now, my Bible may look a little worn and it’s stuffed with notes but I have a much better understanding of what God has to say to me. I’m not saying that I’m perfect or that I have all the answers. Trust me, I don’t.

What I do have is a better relationship with God. He wants to have a close and very personal relationship with all of us. But the only way we can have that, is to get in there, read His word, pray, seek His face and draw near to Him so that He will draw near to us. (James 4:8)

Sometimes it’s difficult for us to put aside the chaos of life and make time to spend with God. There are so many distractions that pop up in a day’s time. But like any relationship it takes work for it to flourish. The time we spend with God is an investment in our future. We need to have that closeness with Him in order for our lives to have meaning. And we need to study God’s word so that we will be prepared to share it with other people.

The time we spend with #God is an investment in our future. #BibleStudy Click To Tweet

If, like me, you struggle to find the time to read your Bible every day, I want to encourage you. Yes, our time is precious but there is nothing more precious than our relationship with God. And there is nothing more important than growing our understanding of His word. The benefit we receive from our time with God is tremendous. You see, it’s not about what your Bible looks like, it’s about where your heart is. God promises us that if we search for Him with our whole heart, we will find Him. And that is what God wants from us, our whole heart.

So, even when time seems short I hope that you will join me in setting aside time to spend with a loving Father who truly desires to know you and to be known by you. And I pray that you will turn to God’s word and reap the reward of time well spent. Much love and peace to you on your journey!

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By Connie Rowland|2020-08-27T15:33:37-05:00August 31st, 2016|Bible Study|0 Comments

Revival In Our Country -2 Chronicles 7:14

I know many of us are praying for revival in our country. We feel that the nation is headed in the wrong direction and we so badly want that to change. It doesn’t seem to matter whether it’s an election year or not, most of us fall into two categories. Either we’re fed up with Washington and all of the gridlock from both sides of the aisle, or we’ve become complacent and think that no matter who’s in office, nothing will ever change. It leaves us wondering…Is there anything that we can do? Can we get back to “one nation under God”? Let’s take a look at what God says we can do to turn our country around.

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

The first words of this verse are the most important part. And I don’t want us to miss it.

If My people who are called by My name…

This is a powerful message directed at Christians! God isn’t talking to the world at large, He is speaking only to those of us who are believers. If we want to see real change in our country, then it’s up to us. God says that we have to be the ones to lead the way!

Many times in the Bible God makes both unconditional and conditional promises to those of us who believe. This verse is an example of one of the “conditional” promises that God has made to us. In order to receive the blessing, we first have to do the things that God asks of us. In this verse God gives us a list of three actions that we need to take in order to see revival in our country, then He promises us that He will do three things in exchange.

Our Actions to Take

#1 humble themselves…

Humbling yourself is hard to do and admitting that you are wrong is equally difficult. But God is asking us to do just that. We need to recognize that our way of doing things doesn’t work and God’s way is the right way. If we want to see real change in our country and in our lives then we have to follow God’s way.

#2 pray and seek My face…

Praying and seeking God’s face is a way of creating an intimate relationship with Him. He wants to spend time with us each day and He wants us to be close to Him! Praying isn’t just about asking God for stuff, it’s seeking God’s will and listening for an answer. How can we have a relationship with someone we never talk to and how can we know God’s way if we don’t listen for His answer?

#3 turn from their wicked ways…

Are we willing to admit that we’re not always right, that we’ve made mistakes? As a nation and as a people? In order to turn our country around, we must repent of our sins and admit that we’ve made bad choices that have lead us away from God and His will. We must turn away from those past decisions and seek God’s way.
When we do these three things God will fulfill His promises to us.

God’s Promises

#1 I will hear from heaven…

The ball is in our court. God is listening and waiting for us to do our part.

#2 forgive their sins…

God is always faithful to forgive us of our sins, all we have to do is ask. I think that’s pretty amazing! Don’t you?

#3 heal their land…

When we do our part, God will do His. He will bring revival to our country! He will bless our nation! Because God always keeps His promises!

Are you are frustrated with the direction our country is headed in? As Christians, it’s up to us to recognize that our nation desperately needs revival. And we must be the ones who lead the way back to a relationship with the only One who can give it to us. If we return to God, humble ourselves before Him, seek His face and turn from our sin, then we will see a new revival in our hearts and in our land. If we do our part, God will do His! So let’s get to it. Please join me in seeking God’s will for our nation and praying for revival in our country. God bless!