Give Thanks for the Bad Days!

November 24, 2020 No Comments

Give Thanks in All Circumstances

Here is a novel idea! Give thanks for the bad days. Yes, you heard me right. According to the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we are to give thanks in all circumstances.

It is easy to give thanks when I am well-rested, and everything seems to be going my way. Don’t get me wrong; I am thankful for my good days too. I fair better when everything is going right; yet, I often become self-reliant when all is rosy.

One reason, I can give thanks for the hard times is because they point out my need for God. Yet, He is able to give me the strength I need to serve others even when I am at my worst. He never fails to supply all my needs. All I need to do is ask for His help and strength.

Another reason to be thankful for the tough times is to remember God’s many blessings in my life. God uses my bumps in the road to cause my faith to grow. Sure it is nice to want to be on the mountaintop with Him, but it is in the valleys that my faith is strengthened. When I am having a bad day, I can reflect on His blessings to provide me the hope to carry on.

Last but not least, if I reflect on what Jesus went through to set me free, my bad days don’t seem so bad. The joy of knowing Him becomes my strength. So the next time you find yourself having a bad day, give thanks to God, for He is good and will bring you through it all.

I pray: Lord God, Heavenly Father, help me to stop when I am having a bad day and give You thanks for You are good. I know that You will bring me through it. Amen.

Need more on giving thanks? Click here 3 Reasons to Be Thankful

Give thanks for your bad days, too.

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Mining 4 Silver

Real Assurance is Found In Jesus Christ!

September 24, 2020 5 Comments

Assurance in Man or God?

The world around us calls for us to place our assurance in ourselves or even in our government. Neither of these makes for a confident anchor because they are weak and faulty. God’s word says that “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” (Proverbs 29:25) Jesus Christ is where our real assurance is found.

In the Amplified version, you can find hope defined as a confident assurance. So what does this mean? Confidence is a firm trust or state of feeling certain about the truth of something. Therefore, we have a firm trust and we can be sure about the truth of what Jesus has done for us. We can say without hesitation that our hope in Jesus, our one true anchor.

“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:19-20 ESV, emphasis added)

Where is Your Assurance Found?

For me, Christ is my sure foundation. His love sustains me when times are tough. My faith rests on His amazing love.

Where do you place your confidence in man or self? How has that worked for you? Confess this before God and seek to place your trust in Him for He will not fail you.

What is this world to me? With all its vaunted pleasure

When You and You alone, Lord Jesus, are my treasure!

You only, dearest Lord, My soul’s delight be;

You are my peace, my rest. What is this world to me?

What Is This World To Me; Verse 1 LSB #730

Prayer: Lord God, Heavenly Father, forgive me for placing my trust in man and myself. Give me the desire to place my confidence in Jesus, Your only son, and my savior. Thank You, Lord, for paying the price for my sins. Amen.

Link to Jesus is Our Anchor!

Blessed assurance is found in Jesus Christ!
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Mining 4 Silver

The Truth that Will Set You Free

September 19, 2020 No Comments

Read All About It!

Everyone is searching for the truth these days. Jesus said in the gospel of John, “I am the way, the Truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) Jesus also told Pilate that He had come to testify to the truth. This truth will set you free from the law of sin and death. Jesus is the Son of God, died for your sins, and raised Him to life again.

Therefore, Jesus is the real power that transforms lives. You can see this when you read the book of John. He and his brother, James, were called the sons of thunder by Jesus. They both wanted to sit in high places next to Jesus, but He told them that to be the first, one had to be a servant to all. John is known as the disciple Jesus loved. Jesus forever changed his life, and he went on to write 1, 2, 3 John, and the book of Revelation.

Here is another truth. After this life, we all will have to give an account of what we did with the knowledge of Jesus. Do we believe Him to be the Son of God who died for our sins? Did we tell others about Him? Or do we deny who He is?

The Hard Truth

Now comes the other side of this. For those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, there will be wrath and fury. (Romans 2:8) God wants all to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, but those who love the darkness and whose works are evil, reject Him. God loves all and sent His Son to die for all our sins. Yet, some people cannot handle the truth and stand condemned already because they have not believed in Jesus.

So do you know Jesus to be the true Son of God? Follow this link for our responsibility as believers.

Jesus is the Truth that will set you free!

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Mining 4 Silver, Uncategorized

Our Anchor is Jesus Christ

August 26, 2020 3 Comments

There is No Other Anchor!

“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:19-20 ESV, emphasis added)

The purpose of an anchor is to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to the wind or current. Anchors can either be temporary or permanent. We have an anchor in Christ which is permanent. No matter what storms come our way, nothing can sheer us away from Him. This hope we have in Jesus is our confident assurance. Jesus is our anchor that will never let go or giveaway under pressure. He will keep us on course through this life.

Jesus went into the holy place and covered our sins with His blood as the high priest did with the blood from their sacrifices. He is our High priest after the order of Melchizedek. Jesus paid the price of all our sins once and for all. He loved us so much that He died in our place. Therefore, we are anchored in Him and our salvation is sure.

Application

What storms are you going through right now? Hold fast to Jesus, your true anchor. Place your confidence in Him knowing that He will not fail you.

What has been your anchor? Has it been yourself, others, or money? Turn to Jesus and ask Him to be your one true anchor.

“Yet even though I suffer the world’s unpleasantness,

And though the days grow rougher And bring me great distress,

That day of bliss divine, Which knows no end or measure,

And Christ, who is my pleasure, Forever shall be mine.”

From God Can Nothing Move Me; Verse 6 Lutheran Song Book #713, 2006

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are my anchor in the storms of life and I place my trust in You. You will not fail or giveaway under pressure. Help me, Jesus, to hold steadfast on to You. Amen.

The Attributes of God can be a source of comfort too! Click here to read more.

Jesus Christ is Our OnlyTrue Anchor!

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Mining 4 Silver

Grace & Mercy: Two Sides of the Same Coin

August 20, 2018 91 Comments

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. This means at no additional cost to you I may receive a commission if you purchase a product from one of our links. I only recommend products I love.

We love to talk about grace but when was the last time you heard someone talk about mercy. Yet, they are two sides of the same coin and mercy needs to be discussed more. Let me explain.

Grace: What Does This Mean?

It is receiving something that we do not deserve. Thus we find it easy to talk about because who doesn’t like to receive a gift that we did not deserve. Grace is God’s favor to us. Think about the last time you received an unexpected gift. How did that make you feel?

God showed us His grace in sending us His Son, Jesus. He did this out of His great love for us and not because we did anything to deserve it. God’s grace is so amazing and is freely given.

Mercy: What Does This Mean?

It is not receiving what we do deserve. For example, someone is stopped for speeding and the officer gives him/her a warning instead of a ticket. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and deserve eternal punishment. (This is a truth that is hard to swallow.)

Therefore, God sent Jesus to show us not only His grace but also His mercy in that Jesus paid the price for our sins. Mercy needs to be talked about more because it is the only way to fully appreciate God’s amazing grace. Think about a time when you did something wrong and were expecting a consequence, yet, you did not receive it. What feelings did you experience?

Why Do We Not Hear More About Mercy?

This is a good question and the reason is that we do not like to admit they we sin and are in need of a savior. I will be honest and say that I have a tough time admitting to my sins against God and others. Yet, when I read God’s Word I find both grace and mercy in confessing to God and to others. (Matthew 6:14-15, James 5:16, 1 John 1:8-9) Then my relationships with God and others are reconciled and I, once again, have peace.

Can you now see the value in discussing mercy? Here’s a link about grace. 5 of My Favorite Bible Verses on Grace

Mercy is the other side of the coin from grace.

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Mercy is not often talked but it goes hand in hand with grace.

Mining 4 Silver

Remember What Jesus Has Done!

July 29, 2018 2 Comments

Remember & Not Be Afraid!

Last Sunday’s sermon was titled “Distributing Multiplied Blessings” based on Mark 6:30-44. Today’s sermon picked up where we left off from last week, Mark 6:45-50. What struck me about this week’s sermon is that the disciples did not remember the miracle that Jesus had done earlier that day.

So they were in a boat out on the water late in the evening when a storm came upon them. Jesus was not with them. After they had been out on the water for some time, Jesus came to them walking on the water though He meant to pass by them. When they saw Him they thought He was a ghost and were terrified. Therefore, He called out to them, “Do not be afraid, it is I.”

Pastor Crowe, asked us to write down what makes us afraid. He gave his own example of being afraid of the dark when he was younger and how his brother revealed that there was nothing to afraid of once he turned on the light. Jesus is our light therefore, we have nothing to fear.

If Only I Would Remember

For me, this sermon spoke to me about remembering what Jesus has done for me and not being afraid of my storms. I know that it is not easy to remember the goodness of the Lord when I am in a storm. But if I stop and take time to remember that Jesus is more than able to do all and more than I can ask, I can trust that He will see me through to the other side of my storm. I so much want to live by this motto; come what may I will be okay for the Lord is with me.

However, I know that this is easier said than done. There have been many times in my life that God has seen me through the storms in my life and I know there will be more. Yet, I will probably be afraid when they come just as the disciples were in their storm.

Related link: Storms in Life Have a Purpose

Lord God, help me to remember Your goodness when storms come my way. Amen.

What has the Lord done in your life that you can remember to help you through your storms?

How remembering what Jesus has already done can help us weather our storms in this life.

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Seasons of the Church

Jesus is the Greatest Valentine’s Ever!

February 19, 2018 2 Comments

This Easter season is unique because Ash Wednesday fell on Valentine’s Day and Easter will be on April fool’s day. So here is some food for thought on this. See why Jesus is the God’s greatest valentine to us!

Valentine’s Day/Ash Wednesday

What an excellent way to the beginning of the Lenten season! On Valentine’s Day, we give our loved ones a gift to show our love. Yet, the greatest expression of love is that God sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to show us how great His love is for us. Our sins came between us and God. Therefore, Jesus paid the ultimate price in order that we would be reconciled to God. As my sister once said, “God would rather die than live without us.” Can you think of a greater act of love?

April Fool’s Day/Easter

Furthermore, I can’t think of a better day for Easter to fall on. For Jesus fooled the devil into thinking that he had won when Jesus was crucified. Yet again, God pulled the wool over the devil’s eyes on the third day when Jesus rose from the dead. Yes, you can’t keep a good man down. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow.

Easter Triumph

Do you want more food for thought? Then I suggest that you mark your calendar for March 24^th 3 pm or 6 pm and go see The Easter Triumph. This is the 60^th year of this live-action Passion Play. They also have a Facebook page The Easter Triumph Passion Play. I have been blessed to have been a part of this a couple of years ago and I have family members who are actively involved in it this year.

Don’t take my word for it. Go see it for yourself and experience the greatest Valentine ever given! My Redeemer lives!

Mining 4 Silver

Beloved; What Does This Mean?

January 28, 2018 6 Comments

Beloved as defined by dictionary .com as 1. Adj.- greatly loved; dear to the heart and 2. Noun – a person who is greatly loved. Paul, Peter, John, and Jude all referred to believers as beloved. In 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Paul told the Thessalonians that they were greatly loved by the Lord. We are, too, greatly loved by God for He sent His one and only Son to die for us. Therefore,

You are Beloved.

As beloved children of God, we are commanded to teach the ways of Christ to others. We are to flee from idolatry. Be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. We are called to be imitators of God. (1 Corinthians 4:17; 10:14; 15:58 ESV)

Paul’s Wisdom

I particularly like the instructions that Paul gave to the Colossians 3:12-13,

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (ESV)

Peter’s Instructions

Peter also used this reference to those he loved. In 1 Peter, he encouraged those he greatly loved to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which waged war on the soul. Furthermore, he told them not be become discouraged when fiery trials came upon them to test them. (1 Peter 2:11; 4:12 ESV)

John’s Insight

In the first and third book of John, John told those he loved to love one another as God loved them. Thus, he went on to say that they should not be imitators of evil but imitate good. This goes for us as well. (1 John4:7; 4:11; 3 John 1:11 ESV)

Jude’s Directions

Let us not forget Jude. He told those he loved to contend for the faith that was once and for all delivered to the saints. Have you ever had to contend for your faith? (Jude 1:3 ESV)

Later, he told them what would cause division and then said,

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” Jude 20-21 ESV

Therefore, dearly loved by God, go and contend for your faith, love one another as Christ loved you, and do not give into the passions of the flesh. Teach others the ways of Christ. Do the work of the Lord knowing that your labor is not in vain.

Do you know that you are greatly loved by God? As a dearly loved child, there are instructions for you.

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Mining 4 Silver

Love Others as You Love Yourself

January 25, 2018 4 Comments

How Do You Love Yourself?

For me, I started with reading about what God thinks of me. This leads me to love myself because I am created in His image (Genesis 1:27). I am His workmanship and created for good works (Ephesians 2:10). This means I am His work of art, unique and one of a kind. There is no one else like me.

Not only does He love me but He also gave His one only Son to die for my sins (John 3:16). Jesus did this while I was still a sinner. I did not deserve it.

Another thing, God rejoices over me with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). This is a comfort to know that God loves me so much that He rejoices over me with singing.

So, with this in mind, how does one go about loving oneself? First, you need to change the way you think about yourself. Know that you are loved by God. If God loves you enough to send His Son to die for you, then you have no reason for not loving yourself. Any other thinking is from the devil who wants to rob you of that great love. So submit yourselves to God and resist the devil and he will flee.

Second, way to love yourself is to care for your body. For as a Christian, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Now, I have to admit that this is a struggle for me. Though, I do want to live a long life I am not good at eating the right foods and getting enough exercise.

Last but not least is remembering to whom you now belong. As a believer, you are a child of God. As a child of God, you are loved and cherished by your heavenly Father. Out of this great love you can now cherish others as you cherish yourself.

In what ways can you love yourself?

How would you say that love yourself? Loving yourself is key to loving others.

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Mining 4 Silver

David; A Man of Thanksgiving

November 14, 2017 29 Comments

The Thanksgiving holiday comes but once a year, yet, we should make the giving of thanks to our God a daily occurrence. David is a perfect example for us to follow. Not only did he write many times in the Psalms but also sang a song of thanks to God in 1 Chronicle 16:8-36.

Why the Thanksgiving?

There are numerous reasons for the thanksgiving to our God. He created the heavens and the earth is the first reason. We are here because of His making it happen. We live and move and have our being because of Him.

In our thanks, we make known His wondrous deeds. It is in remembering that we are encouraged to keep on going and moving forward in life. When we forget, we fall into despair and let the current events way us down.

David had a lot to remind Israel of to be thankful to God. In his song, he reminds them of the great miracles that God had done. They were told to remember God’s covenant. The Lord is great and greatly to be praised is what David spoke to them. Read this song and see how David encouraged the people to tell, ascribe, and declare the great deeds God had done.

Most of all as believers, we are to give thanks to our God for sending us His son. Salvation in Jesus Christ is indeed worthy of thanksgiving. Without Him, we were facing eternal death and an eternity in hell.

What can you give thanks to God for on a daily basis?

How to Give Thanks.

In Psalm 26:7, David proclaimed his thanksgiving aloud and told of God’s wondrous deeds. So we, too, should proclaim God’s great deeds. In eight different Psalms, you can find David giving thanks.

Another way of giving thanks to God is one of sacrifice. It glorifies God when we give Him thanks, this way. So what does it mean to make a sacrifice of thanksgiving? I believe that it is giving Him thanks when we are facing trials and tribulations or even when we don’t feel so thankful. We are to give thanks in all situations.

In addition to this, we are to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. This would mean coming to church with thanks and praise on our lips and in our hearts. We can add music to our giving of thanks unto the Lord as David did.

How might you find a new way to give thanks to God? Relate link: Tell of the Goodness of the Lord.

Give thanks to God on a daily basis not just once a year. He is worthy to be praised.

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Give Thanks in All Circumstances

Assurance in Man or God?

Where is Your Assurance Found?

Blessed assurance is found in Jesus Christ! Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This

Read All About It!

The Hard Truth

There is No Other Anchor!

Application

Grace: What Does This Mean?

Mercy: What Does This Mean?

Why Do We Not Hear More About Mercy?

Remember & Not Be Afraid!

If Only I Would Remember

Valentine’s Day/Ash Wednesday

April Fool’s Day/Easter

Easter Triumph

You are Beloved.

Paul’s Wisdom

Peter’s Instructions

John’s Insight

Jude’s Directions

How Do You Love Yourself?

Why the Thanksgiving?

How to Give Thanks.

Blessed assurance is found in Jesus Christ!
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