Live Each Day with Purpose and Meaning

2 Corinthians 11:23-27

New King James Version (NKJV)

²³ Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. ²⁴ From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; ²⁶ in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; ²⁷ in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—

Philippians 4:13

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ I can do all things through Christ^[a] who strengthens me

Happy Sunday everyone....... The above verses cover just about everything we seem to go through in our Christian life, don't they? Paul suffered unthinkable things and yet, through all of that, He wrote most of the New Testament, from a prison cell I might add. But you know, it would seem after reading how he was tortured, starved, beaten, left for dead, that this could not be possible; until we get to his verse in Philippians, that one little line surely packs the punch, and explanation; "through Christ who strengthens me."

If we think about our own lives, how many times have we gone through trials, heartaches, illness, and think "I can't do this God" and we ask for His help, and low and behold, not only do we come out of it, but we either, learn, grow, or change for the better because of it.

I know there are disasters and tragedies that change us forever, but when we lift it up and ask Jesus to carry us through,  in His strength, it makes it possible for us to do what we need to, whether it be for other loved ones, or for ourselves, it helps us to complete our purpose for God. It is a comfort to know that with His strength, with His instructions, guiding us through the Holy Spirit who lives within and discerns for us, the will, plan, and purpose He gave us, becomes much more possible in our eyes to fulfill.

I pray that the upcoming week is filled with the strength ,love, and comfort of the Holy Spirit. That we all continue to feel our loving Fathers embrace and direction.That through the discernment of the Spirit, in all circumstances we may face, especially during the Christmas season, God's love and promises will outshine all the darkness. I hope my below poem from my upcoming daily devotional "Poems of the Eternal Heart a Daily Devotional" inspires your week. Big Hugs, love, and prayers, Patricia

Through The Storms

Sometimes it's hard to understand,
why things happen as they do,
but the one who loves us most of all,
promised He'd see us through.

And though sometimes we can't make sense,
of the things that come to pass,
His love, strength, and comfort,...
will always fill our glass.

That's why our faith sees us through,
even in our darkest hours,
for those are the times our Loving Father,
reminds us of His powers.

For through His love and promises,
our darkness turns to light,
for we know our Loving Savior,
who is seated at His right.

He left behind the comforter,

to extend a guiding hand,
for this work address can get mighty tough,
it's not our Promised Land.

No, the Holy Spirit will fill us all,

 to help discern until that day,
when our loving Savior Jesus Christ,
will return to lead the way....

Patricia VanDenburg
12/8/13