Promise for Today: Courage

May 27, 2011

“For God hath not give us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

Our convictions will be tested, and our faith will be sifted in times of difficulty. But God wants to help us reach beyond ourselves to a strength that is greater than our own–moving from fear to faith.

Because of God’s promise, we no longer need to be tossed back and forth with indecisiveness and timidity. Because He is always with us, we can choose to act courageously with conviction and faith.

I see this happening with the victims of all the tornadoes and disasters in this past year. So many are moving from confusion to courage as people reach up for heaven’s help and reach out to one another. And we observe it in the courageous lives of those who serve our country so faithfully, as well as those who are being persecuted for their Christian faith.

God can and will do that for us as we look to Him. He is the only One who can fill us with true courage–the ability to determine what is valued.

Courage always begins with the first step.

My Prayer for You

Lord, any time we are afraid, we will trust in You. Fill us with the spirit of love, power, and a sound mind. Give us the courage to move when You say move; wait when You say wait; and faith out every day in the midst of doubt and testing. Above all, help us to give You the glory in everything.

What about you? How has God filled you with courage? Please share with us in the comments below. You will not be hounded, prodded, or automatically added to my mailing list if you do so. Feel free to email this blog to someone or to repost on social media, using  the buttons below. If you want to repost any of my blogs on your own blog or website, please contact me for permission first.

Extravagant Love

May 2, 2011

(Some of you might be interested to know this story took place years ago at Possum Kingdom Lake–an area in Texas that was recently burned extensively. I felt that this was such a powerful story and truth that I am reposting this blog again in honor of Mother’s Day. I will return to my general blog  schedule next week after Mother’s Day.)

Extravagant Love

By Rebecca Barlow Jordan

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 TNIV 

Much of my husband’s childhood years he spent on a lake in West Texas where his parents and grandparents owned a fishing camp. Like all boys, Larry loved to play “buried treasure.” The sand around the camp offered multiple opportunities for realistic pirating adventures.

But one fateful day, Larry learned a powerful lesson he never forgot. Here’s his story: Read more

Promise for Today: A Light in the Darkness

April 2, 2011

“I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the darkness” John 12:46 NLT.

Ever been through a dark time in your life? I have. It’s not particularly fun, is it? You don’t have to live through a power outage to know what it’s like to live in the darkness. Most of us have experienced that at one time or another. Read more

Eight Ways to Spring Clean Your Marriage

March 29, 2011

No matter how long we’ve been married, all of us need to spring clean our marriage often. I wrote this several years ago, but the principles still apply to marriage, individual hearts, or any relationship: Read more

Is the Light On In Your Marriage?

February 14, 2011

Has anyone ever asked you, “Is the Light on in Your Marriage?”

About 15 years ago, a single young woman bought a cocker spaniel puppy from us. (We already had two grown dogs at the time and had agreed to sell this one for our older daughter).

Unfortunately, I had already become attached to it. When I watched that sweet puppy walk out of our lives, I couldn’t hold back the tears. Can you believe that? Before she left, my husband reached over and gave me a tender reassuring hug–nothing unusual.

A Marriage Like Yours

The young lady brought the dog back the next day. Her landlord refused to allow it into the apartment complex. As we talked, she said something totally unexpected: “Someday, I want a marriage like yours.”

“What do you mean?” I hardly knew the girl, and she knew nothing about my marriage. Read more

It Takes So Little to Be Above Average

January 16, 2011

I read Florence Littauer’s challenge years ago in her book, It Takes So Little to Be Above Average. But God reminded me of that principle in a truly simple way this week.

I had just semi-closed the misaligned door of the old armoire  in our bedroom. But as I rounded the corner to the hall, Read more

When God Gives Unexpected Blessings

November 22, 2010

 

Most of us count our blessings–the usual ones. But what if God decides to send some rather, um, unexpected blessings?

For the last few years, my husband and I have been systematically sorting through every closet, every drawer, and every space in our home. (Actually it seems like we’ve been “re-organizing” all our married lives). I have been trying to fulfill a long-time promise to him to de-clutter and organize our home more efficiently. And that’s a hard task for a sentimental collector like me.

My usual objections always rise to the surface: It’s a waste of good, creative time. I’m not skilled at organizing. It’s too hard to decide what stays and what goes. I just don’t have time to do it. When would I write?

But love has a way of breaking down your defenses, and God has a way of reminding you of your promises. It means putting other things on hold to accomplish the task. Adding “redecorating” to the process always helps. Ah, creativity!

Still, there have been times when I wanted to give up. The task seemed endless. Read more

Love Like the Father’s Heart

November 14, 2010

Do we…can we…mirror the Father’s heart? How can we love more like God? How can we show more love like the Father’s heart? I wrote this poem several years ago, (another one with apologies to Rudyard Kipling) and it was first published by Warner Press.

LOVE LIKE THE FATHER’S HEART 

By

Rebecca Barlow Jordan

If you can love your brother with true unselfishness,

 living not just for yourself, but for his happiness;

If you can treat your neighbor with kindness, pure and sweet,

 Not looking for reward or gain, not bent on fame or greed;

If you can lift one heart that’s down, or touch another life;

 refrain from judging motives, avoiding needless strife;

If you can try to understand a little more today

  and help a weaker brother again to find his way;

If you can smile when trouble comes knocking at your door;

 and glean from every problem a lesson that’s in store;

If you can live your life each day as if it were your last,

 forgiving every debtor, forgetting all the past,

If you can offer grace to those so desperate for love—

 You’ll find your life’s a mirror of the Father’s heart above.

That’s certainly my desire. How about you? Most of the time I fall very short! Only God can love through us. We can’t do it ourselves! 

My Prayer for You

Here’s my prayer for you: Father God, teach us more about how to love like You do. Clean the smudges off our “mirrors” so we can reflect You more accurately. Jesus, we want to look more like You–and love more like You!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, my blogs have been delayed a bit. We’re back on track now. As always, feel free to leave your comments (or your own poem) in the section below. You may forward (e-mail) this as well as most of my blogs to  friends, post to facebook, etc., as long as you do so in its entirety, and that you use the buttons below,  always making sure you provide the link to my website. Please do not use as a blog on your own site without securing permission first.  

Don’t forget to encourage someone today!

Watch for a series of daily blogs coming in December!  

Related Posts:

Love is Something You Are

Extravagant Love                                                  

Mother or Grandmother: Is There a Difference?

May 15, 2010

It really doesn’t matter what age or stage a mother is at. Once you’re a mother, you’re a mother forever. God places within each mom the need to nurture her little ones–always guiding, always loving, always giving and prodding them in the right direction with gentle reminders: “Be careful,” “Dress warm,” “Eat healthy.” And just when you think the nest has emptied and mothering can take a vacation, Read more

Thank God for Mothers

May 9, 2010

                            

                        Thank God for Mothers…                        

who sacrifice their time for our happiness,

and give us the freedom to be ourselves,

even when we disagree.

Thank God for Mothers…

who make home a place called love,

who desire the bond of togetherness,

 even in the midst of confusion .

Thank God for Mothers…

who never give up on us,

 who willingly believe in us,

 and who faithfully stand by our side.

 Thank God for Mothers…

who patiently try to understand us,

 and consistently overlook our faults

 with tenderness and love.

 Thank God for Mothers…

who don’t expect perfection,

from us or themselves,

and who lead us to the only One who is…

perfect.

Thank God for Mothers.

-Rebecca Barlow Jordan

 HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

“Her children arise and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31:28 NIV

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