Gina - Hebrews 5:7

During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. (Hebrews 5:7 NIV)

I read once that when we deny our pain we transform slowly into empty shells, with smiley faces written on them. Truthfully I get this. I have a tendency to push things down till I can't feel anymore. Days, months years go by .....

We must bring to God what is in us not what ought to be in us.

God hears.

Devin - Psalm 100:4,5

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:4, 5 NIV)

This reminds me that throughout our family this is the way it's been. Our grandparents have praised God in the midst of life's toughest battles. They've taught us to be strong and that no matter what our God endures, and He is good and has proven faithful to our family from generation to generation.


Good word Ddubbs!!

Gina - Mark 8:34-36

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mark 8:34-36 NIV)


Twist : I'm chewing on this one for a while because I want to understand it. I think God wants me to have an abundant life with joy , peace and laughter and so today I look for balance. I've turned "taking up my cross" into a burden that takes away everything good and fun for me and my family. Enough! I will give ALL still because I love Jesus with my whole heart , but I will sacrifice with a glad heart.   I will embrace a full life in Christ and let Him use me, fill me up and then use me again. I'm looking forward to this new season of our lives.     God is so good to us.  

Livia - John 4:11-14

"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?" Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:11-14 NIV)

Livia says God gives us life and we will never want again. He satisfies every need. Material things work for a minute and we always want more. Jesus leaves us wanting no more !

Amen!!

Tim - Be Holy as I am Holy!

for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16 NIV)

Holy = perfect.

God says over and over again in His word to go and sin no more, be holy as I am holy , carry your cross and turn from your wicked ways. So how is that possible? Can we do it?

It's a dangerous place to be to say "no one is perfect , we all make mistakes" because it gives you a reason to do it anyway! This call to be holy convicts us to make Jesus Lord of our lives entirely. That we would live so devoted to God that we would not choose to sin anymore.

Choosing to be like Christ in every area of our lives is our choice to be holy as he is holy.

If more people lived wit this heart our world would be so much different.

Come on! let's do this Wessel family!

Livia - 1 Kings 19:11-16,18

The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by."
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (1 Kings 19:11-13 NIV)

Have you ever felt alone? Like you don't even feel God? Or maybe like you are the only one who is making the "right" decisions. This can be a hard time but God is there.

Liv told an example of her friend at school who said something pretty mean, but instead of getting mean back she decided to be quiet and just let it go. That's tough but it's right.

Devin - Luke 11:13

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13 NIV)

Kadin said God gives us trillions compared to what daddy and mommy do! Hum!? Lol!

Daddy shared verse 9 which helped us understand the heart of God - if we ask for what we need , he will provide. How much more will God care for you than your earthly parents.

God answers prayers like "God I want to know you, I need you to guide me, open my eyes to see your wonder all around me....." God is near.

God loves to care for his children , and we are his sons and daughters. What a blessing to be His.

What do you ask for today ?

Devin said I ask for the Holy Spirit to help keep my thinking pure and right.

Liv said she ask for help to not fight with her brothers and obey her parents! ( yippee)

Mom said for him to be near to me.

Kadin said for him to help him with math.

Daddy said he wants His peace and love to give to someone in the hospital today who is hurting terribly.