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    • Seeking truth…God’s truth

      Posted at 8:34 am by sneuhofer, on October 4, 2018

      Philippians 4:8 (ESV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

      For the past 4 weeks, my church has been on a life-changing journey to discover what our thought processes really are and how they impact our own lives and those around us. Plain and simple, our thoughts run our lives. I don’t think I have ever thought about what I think about so much in my life. I tend to “over-analyze” everything. From what I say, to how people interpret what I say and then on to what other people may be thinking or saying has always set off some chain reaction thought-process in my head. I never really realized how exhausting my thought life is until just recently. Prior to 4 weeks ago, I just figured it was the way God made me….so wonderfully complex.

      But I think the truth is, Satan just wants me all spun up and questioning every single thing that comes out of my own mouth or the mouths and actions of others. Satan wants me immobile…he wants to hold me in a fear prison so I don’t get to experience the abundant life God has planned for me (John 10:10, Jerimiah 29:11).

      AGAIN…exhausting!

      The truth is YES, I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) by God, in His own image (Genesis 1:26). But God never intended me to be an anxious, over-analyzing mess who continually plays and/or replays negative (hurtful) things in my head. In Philippians 4:8, Paul encourages us to think on things that are true and honorable, just and pure. But how will I know what those things are if I don’t spend time reading the truth of God’s word and focusing on the truth of what it says?

      So my challenge today (and every day) is to:

      • LEARN the word of God
      • LIVE in a way that brings honor and glory to the Father
      • SPEAK the truth over myself and others around me

      When I do these things, I am throwing off the former things (the way I think, act and speak) and allowing the Holy Spirit to renew my thoughts and attitudes (Ephesians 4:22 – 24).

      Here are a few truths to walk in today:

      • God will provide for my every need (Philippians 4:19)
      • There is NOTHING that can separate me from the love of God (Romans 8:37 – 39)
      • God gives power to the weak, He will restore my strength (Isaiah 40:29 – 31)
      • The Lord will fight for me (Exodus 14:14)
      • The Lord loves me with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)

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      Posted in God's promises, truth | 0 Comments

    • Being Honorable

      Posted at 7:55 am by sneuhofer, on September 28, 2018

      Have you ever thought about what “honor” as it relates to treating someone really means? Lately, I have been challenged to really search myself and the way I speak to and treat other to determine if I am being indeed honorable.

      So what does “to honor someone” mean? Today I am specifically talking about honoring our parents.

      To revere; to respect; to treat with deference and submission, and perform relative duties to (Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary)

      Even as I write these words, I know what some of you may be thinking. “But you don’t know what my parents (mom or dad) have done to me?”

      True I don’t know, but honoring our parents is so important that God included it in the 10 Commandments. In fact, it’s the very first commandment with a promise attached to it.

      Exodus 20:12 (NCV) Honor your father and your mother so that you will live a long time in the land that the Lord your God is going to give you.

      The promise attached to “if we honor our father and our mother” is that we will live long in the land the Lord is giving us. To the Israelites, this was the Promised Land, Canaan. As Christians living in this world today our Promised Land is eternity with Christ; our heavenly home (remember this earth is not our home). In Ephesians 6:1-3 (NCV) Paul writes reiterating this commandment “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

      Based on events of your past or present, you may think this is an impossible request because quite honestly maybe your parents aren’t that honorable themselves. But God doesn’t call us to honor those who honor us first. The commandment is clear. It says…HONOR your father and your mother. Children (of all ages) should honor (respect) their parents even if their parents are demanding, demeaning, degrading, unfair, etc. This doesn’t mean you have to like what they do or even do something contrary to God’s word. The best thing to do in this situation is PRAY….and then PRAY some more. Through prayer, you can pour out your soul to God and He will hear you.

      Remember, God is sovereign and nothing gets by Him….not ONE thing. The Bible tells us that we will all stand before Him and give an account for our life.

      May I challenge you today to take a look inward and ask:

      1. Are you honoring your father and your mother? Honoring their memory if they are no longer walking this earth.
      2. Are you honoring those in authority over you? Honoring our church leaders, our bosses, our Federal, State, and Local leaders? (this is a tough one – it’s easy to voice our opinions about what we think people should and shouldn’t be doing.)
      3. Are you honoring your spouse and your children?
      Just remember…as you become a person of honor you will not only reap rewards (as God promises) you will have a positive impact on those around you (whether you realize it or not).

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      Posted in Christian living; Christian growth, honoring children, honoring parents | 0 Comments

    • Even through sleepless nights…God cares!

      Posted at 7:00 am by sneuhofer, on September 21, 2018

      Psalm 56:8 (MSG) You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book.

      Just when you think you’re utterly alone and there is no one who can even begin to understand the pain you’re going through…you stumble across this verse (Psalm 56:8) in God’s word. This verse is a promise we can cling to in the middle of our sleepless night. God knows and furthermore, HE CARES. He cares so much about us that He has a record of every tear we’ve cried and every ounce of pain we’ve ever suffered. He even knows the number of hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30).

      Why? He’s a caring Father who loves us unconditionally. He sees us every second of every minute of every hour of every day. NOTHING that happens to us can ever shock him. He knows that someone close to you will betray you. He knows that someone who vowed to love, honor and cherish you will walk out. He knows that someone you love will fall ill with a debilitating disease. He knows that someone looking for a fix will steal everything of value.

      HE KNOWS. HE SEES. HE CARES.

      When we’re on our knees with tear-stained faces, He wraps us in His embrace (Song of Solomon 2:6 and 8:3) and whispers “It will be ok, I am right here and will never leave you nor forsake you.”

      How will you handle these times in your life?

      • Will you trust Him and His plan?
      • Will you allow Him to work through this situation to make you more like Christ and grow your faith in the process?
      • Will you dive into His word and find His promised to stand on?
      • Will you turn your back on God thinking that He has left you to “fend” for yourself?
      • Will you hold onto the anger and bitterness allowing it to fester?

      I encourage you to cry out to Him and tell Him everything. Ask Him for wisdom and guidance. Read through His word and discover what He has to say about His closeness during times of chaos.

      I love the lyrics to Blessings, a song written by Laura Story. I have included the lyrics and a link to the song below. This song has helped me look at tough times in a completely different way.

      Blessings (Laura Story)
      We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
      Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
      We pray for healing, for prosperity
      We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
      And all the while, You hear each spoken need
      Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
      ‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
      What if Your healing comes through tears
      What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
      What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
      We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
      We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
      We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
      As if every promise from Your word is not enough
      And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
      And long that we’d have faith to believe
      ‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
      What if Your healing comes through tears
      What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
      What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
      When friends betray us
      When darkness seems to win
      We know that pain reminds this heart
      That this is not,
      This is not our home
      It’s not our home
      ‘Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
      What if Your healing comes through tears
      What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
      What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
      Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
      What if trials of this life
      The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
      Are your mercies in disguise

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      Posted in life storms | 0 Comments
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