Author: jjrupert

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A Willing Heart

Being willing to allow God’s Holy Spirit to direct and lead you is contrary to what we are taught. Growing up we are told we will need to take care of ourselves someday. That we need to take charge of what we do. No one else will if we don’t – but God. But God hovers close to us. He is only a whisper away. He waits for us to let Him gather us under His wings. He wants to comfort us, lead us, hold us close. Will you allow Him to do so or will you continue to hold Him at arms length. Repeating I got this Lord, continuing with your own attempts to do it yourself. Even as you help others. Will you be willing to listen to your Heavenly Father? Being intimate with Him is part of our need, our longing, yearning to be apart of something bigger than ourselves. Will you let the Holy Spirit in, let Him lead you?

We need to love and be loved. That’s what we were created for , we were created to love. We need to belong because we were created to belong. We were created for intimacy it is what we ultimately crave. With His fierce love He longs to satisfy our deepest longings.

2 Corinthians 6:18 I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.

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Fierceley Loved

You are loved and highly favored by God.

So many times we feel our self worth comes from what other people think of us. Especially the most important people in our lives. As children we look to our parents. As adults we look to our spouse, our bosses, a mentor, or even a good friend. Most of us are looking to people for approval and affirmation. What usually happens is that we get let down and end up disappointed. They say things that can bring us heart ache and pain.

The key to knowing and having a sense of self worth comes from trusting in our Heavenly Father. The bible tells us that we are His master piece, the work of His hands. We are individuals, a one of a kind creation. There is no one else like you. That is how He wants us to see ourselves. We are fiercely loved. There is nothing passive about the way our Heavenly Father sees us! His love is not just words, but life. His love is far more than an expression of love. Your Heavenly Father does not have to love us, He is love for us!! We are immersed in His love.

Once we have been touched by our Heavenly Father we will never be the same. His love for us is an all consuming fire and indivisible. Every day of our lives has been recorded, every moment laid out before any day has passed.

Ephesians 2:10 ” We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus. So we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”

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Grown Children

Having grown children is harder than raising them as young children. When they are young, you are called to mold them in the ways of the Lord. As they grow up, they make their own choices, their own decisions and their own mistakes. You watch and sometimes think why? That is not what you were taught, the way you were raised. Then they get married. They introduce a whole new set of ideas. These ideas and beliefs focus on raising children and building a family. We as parents must pull back and allow them to make their own choices. They must learn to meld together as a unit, joined by God, their Father. Navigate the waters of a Christian family. Navigating the waters of parents, raising their own children. Trying to be the best versions of themselves. Trying to remember all they have learned from you and adding their spouses ideas. Then you add in the in-loves (in-laws) to the mix with their own ideas changing once again the family dynamics. Pulling back from the situation sometimes is the hardest thing we as parents will ever have to do.

Once again we must turn to our Heavenly Father and pray. Trust in Him, for He will guide you. He will direct you to navigate. These are new waters that we have never passed this way before, but He has.

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

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Well Done My Child

Take time to appreciate and notice the good things that those around you do. Not all people are raised in a family that takes notice of their special gifts and God given talents. I was one of those kids, trying always to please my mom and dad. Not always receiving praise for a job well done. Therefore I looked outside the family unit for my acceptance.

So I decided, when I became a mom I would make sure my children knew that I loved them and they were blesssed with special gifts. Telling them daily, that they had a purpose, a plan, and a destiny. That God had created them, each with a unique plan in mind. I also told them daily that I loved them. Hearing those three simple words “I Love You” can change the way they see themselves. Hearing “You are special ” can add a jump to their step. Did they always appreciate it. I would like to think so. Sometimes I would hear “Mom you say that all the time.” My response “Someone in the world today, has never heard those words.” Through my teaching career I knew this to be true. So I made the effort to tell my students ” “You have a purpose, a plan, and a destiny.” Getting a smile on their face they would thank me. I think that everyone needs a little love shared.

I would like to think that Jesus shares with our Heavenly Father some of the same “I Love You” and “Look at Our Kid down there!” Smiling and saying “Atta Boy! (or Girl) I knowHe is proud of us when we stand up for our kids, and others who have no one in their corner.

Next time someone you know needs a little extra boost’ share the love of Jesus! Applaud or compliment them. A little love goes along way!!

Matthew 25:23 “His lord said to him,’Well done good and faithful servent, you have been faithful over few things. I will make youruler over manythings. Enter into the joyof your lord.'”

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Spending Time with Jesus

When we seek Him, we will find Him. He waits for us to seek Him out. His Holy Spirit draws us into His presence. It is there in the still quiet that we will find Him waiting.

Spending time with Him in the early morning are the times I like best. In the quiet stillness of the morning I find peace. Sometimes He even wakes me before the dawn to spend time with Him or pray for someone specific. L:istening for the prompting of the Holy Spirirt, for prayer requests or for someone needing specific prayer coverage, is a skill we need to develop. I do not always know who or what to pray for, but He does. These are the times I will pray in the Spirit, trusting in Him, to know what is needed. Then there are other times when He gives me the words or sciptures that I should pray. I choose to rejoice in these times that He trust me to know. Through His divine wisdom and stength I stand.

Trust in the one who knows you best. Trust that He will always be there for you guiding, waiting and holding you.

Ps.27:8 When you said, “Seek My face. My heart said, Your face Lord, I will seek.”

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Walking with Jesus

Walking with Jesus takes faith. One step at a time. He calls us to walk with Him and He will lead us, guide us , and stand with us.

Just like taking walks with my grandchildren, they trust me to walk with them, lead them and protect them. They learn along our trail walks to keep me in their sights. Sometimes they walk hand in hand, other times they run ahead, but still keeping me in their sight. Trusting in me to take their hand or call out if I see something that may cause them to stumble. Jesus will walk along with us as well, if we let Him. He may even let us run ahead a little, but He will always lead us and speak to us through His Holy Spirit. Trust in the Lord, He will alway speak with clarity. He will never leave us stranded. It is only when we let go of Him and think we can handle the situation or relationship, we find out we can’t! He does let us go, but He is always there waiting for us. We may get some bumps and bruises along the way, but He will be waiting calling us back. ” My child here I am take my hand and we can continue on! “

Ps 37:23-24 “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he shall not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”

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Your Talents

Use your God Given Talent

God has given each of us a talent to bring Glory to Him. We are all apart of His beautifully woven tapestry. When He calls you to do something,

 He has already equipped you to do what He has asked of you. The enemy of your soul would want you to believe that you are trapped in the status quo.

 Every day the same. Things have always been this way. People in my family have always been like this, so therefore I am the same.

If you are happy to remain the same, things will never change. When you decide to do something about it then you will grow.

Your talent will grow, as you use what you are given, God will increase your talents. They will multiply, for your good and His Glory.

You must become teachable and open yourself up to do the little things.

Like everything else in life, it always starts with the first step. Start today take that step, He will meet you where you are. There is no telling where you will go or what you will do.

Ask Him to reveal your talent and start your Adventure today!

“For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance: but he who does not have, even that will be taken away.” Matt 25:29

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Trust in God’s Word

Trusting in God’s Word

  We must choose to believe the word and stand on the promises of our God or go the way of the world. We need to make a stand for right,

 for justice and for those who cannot stand yet for themselves. We must stop hiding our heads in the sand and making excuses to stay uninvolved.

There are many family members, children and friends who need what you have. You have the very keys to the kingdom through the word of God to help set the captives free.

Trust in God’s word. Choose to stand against the darkness and stand for the light. Use your sword to do battle for Family ,friends and neighbors.

God’s word is true. The darkness will always be at war with the light. The light will always be at war with the darkness.

In the end there is no more middle ground. Either the darkness will destroy the light, or the light will destroy the darkness.

Choose Wisely.

And take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirt, which is the word of God.”  Eph.6:17

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Day Light or Night Light

The Light in the day will blend in with its surroundings.  It will make little difference to that which is around it.

 As for the light in the night it illuminates its surroundings. We as Christians choose to walk in the light of Christ but choose how our light affects the world around us.

When we hang out with or Christian family and church friends our light blends in and has little impact on the world.

To shine our light among those in the darkness, to go against the flow of humanity, against the surrounding culture, the beliefs of the lost.

Now that is a light that can change the world! The light that shines in the day can hardly be seen

But the light that shines in the dark can be seen for miles! It is most crucial now; in this world we live in. to light up the world for Christ! Shine your light!

Do not fear the darkness. Your light is most powerful in the dark. Live today as a light in the night.

Mathew 5: 14-16 ” You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “

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Looking for the Colors of Heaven

Look around you and take notice of what you see. Do you see the beauty in others, the color of the flowers, or a child’s laugh? There is beauty and ugliness everywhere. If you see the ugly, the mean, and the evil of this world you are probably taking the good you have for granted. The blessings that you have that you think you deserve. For what you take for granted, is that which you lose. Seeing only the bad and ugly in the world, because you have quit looking for the good, and the blessings. Thinking you deserve what you have. Instead look to that which you deserve for being sinners. Hell and judgement are what we deserve and should take these for granted. Then you shall see good and blessings that have come to you. That which we do not deserve but receive through our salvation. Every moment, every blessing, everything that we receive is a gift from God. Compared to hell this life is heaven. Take hell and judgement for granted and praise God that we have been saved. Our blessings are undeserved and come by His Grace. Look around and see all the colors of heaven.

‘For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift from God.” Ephesians 2:8