What Are We Listening To?

"When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. “Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up!"   ---Matthew 9:23 - 25

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So yesterday morning, as usual, I sat at the dining room table putting on make-up, yet this time I recalled that story, above. You know, how Jesus got rid of the mocking quitters before He prayed for the dead girl.

I thought, "All January I told myself, 'Kick out doubt! Clear-out the disbelievers, the doubters from your online viewing.' The ones remaining? They're preaching the message God gave me early 2020. God's not changed His mind so I'll not change mine."

Then after tossing my make-up bag into the bathroom cupboard, I climbed the stairs, sat down here and listened to a Youtube sermon. Guess which passage the minister used? Yep, the Matthew 9:23 one.

Don't you love it when God makes Himself so obvious? 

Often I ask myself, "Why continue listening to those who bailed out of the Believing Boat? Why feed my doubts when I can feed faith and be helped, instead?

Anyway, I believe God has miracles up His sleeve and when they arrive soon, everyone will see them. They'll stand in awe, then respond according to the type of soil within their heart (Luke 8).

And any teasing while we stood, non-wavering, will be so worth the going through on that remarkable day.

With God's ways not being ours, it behooves us to remember His sense of timing is also very different.

"I feel God is imploring us to hang on a little longer. I know how hard it has been! You have heard stories that promised to uncover the truth and turn the tide. Each time they raised our hopes and, when it didn’t happen, it wounded us.

I am not asking you to trust in myths, legends, or conspiracy theories.  I am compelling you to trust in God Himself and in His inspired words recorded in the Bible.

Hang in there. The enemy is going to be shocked! Hang in there. There are options we don’t know about. God is going to finish what He started in our great movement!"  ---Mario Murillo

Hebrews 10:35-39, “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise."

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But while I'm standing, waiting, believing, I'm also doing this: designing my heavenly mansion.

Seriously. It's especially fun when I spy a house in a movie (for example) which has a perfect entryway. I might tell God, "Ooooo! I'll take one of those in my mansion, please."

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Well, I'm not yet prepared to describe my heavenly home, but I will describe its backyard. 

Through four French doors, you'll step out onto a natural stone patio the width of the back of the house. (I've always remembered my grandparents' stone patio.)

From there within the gleaming light you'll see a meadow/field with yellow, orange and red wildflowers dotting the tall blond grasses. Oh, the silence. The quiet, with only crickets and birdsong. 

Way out to the left there's a small pond for swimming.

Through the meadow's center winds a wide path leading to an autumnal forest, one which will make people exclaim, "Oh, it's dreamy! Just like a painting by Monet."

A forest always asking to be explored, that's what stands twinkling back there and oh!  A family of five adorable red screech owls flutter amongst its treetops. 

Part of me can hardly wait! Yet the other part remembers God still has plans for me and as long as I have Jesus here? All shall be well within me, especially if, within my mind, I can continue visiting my heavenly getaway each time Life upon Earth turns unheavenly, indeed.

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Feeling a bit down? Need something which feels like a gift of encouragement from God? This might help.  (Wearing headphones is an extra plus.)

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When Tom's and my tv shows aren't available (seems often lately) we watch Jay Leno's Garage. We both enjoy it much! (Considering I'm not even into cars, that's saying something.)

In one episode, the car he was in rolled over three times. Yikes! Thankfully he and the driver weren't hurt.

Lots of humor! (And hey, the only show we watch on CNBC.)  ツ

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We all made it through January--hooray!

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15