Empowered for Victory September 24, 2006
childcare and other appts., packed and was on the road in an hour. The drive was emotionally wretched, but God helped me through. As soon as I got on the highway, God placed cars in front of me that had bumper stickers with Follow me, I am the Way, Jesus is Lord and others. A car proclaiming Jesus was in front of me all the way to the hospital. AS I drove I cried, prayed and sang to keep me going. When I entered the hospital an assistant Nurse was walking through the corridor singing "This is the day the Lord hath made...". To this day I cannot tell you what the drive was like to San Jose, I can only tell you that God gave a blessing to me and my parents.
My little sister was never conscious and died from her injuries. She was my only sibling. I believe though that as I spoke and prayed with Bonnie, God would honor our final moments together. Bonnie had spoken with me and several family members the day before the accident. We treasure those talks. Blessings came from Bonnie's death. Because my sister was a small petite woman three children were given a part of Bonnie One child received her corneas, another a kidney, and the third I'm not sure. It could have been her heart. God used her to give life...amazing grace!
God in his goodness gave me a further blessing. Bear with me. I went to breakfast with a church friend. As we were waiting to be seated the hostess asked if we were sisters. My friend jumped in first and said yes, "We're sisters in Christ." I realized that in Jesus and his church I had more sisters that I could ever count. I smiled for the first time in weeks. Throughout the troubled moments of death I believe I was empowered. Well, the blessings continued even further. You can smile about it, because it's so good to think about. I married in to a family of seven siblings. My husband has 5 sisters who I treasure as much as my real sister. I count my sister-in-law in that group too. Okay, I'm finally finished with this example. Hope it gives you a "praise God" feeling.
I believe we are all empowered for victory. With an intimate relationship with our Lord we move through this life in a faith journey that empowers us to victories that we do not even know or understand.
Living Faith Blog - September 2006
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Knowing God – September 23,2006
Knowing who God is, who Jesus is and who I am in Jesus is the crux of a living faith. I'm not diminishing the work of the Holy Spirit who constantly is at work with in me.
Two questions exist that keep me on track most of the time. Who is Jesus Christ to me? and Who am I in Jesus Christ? Maturity in years and faith alter my responses to those questions. Sometimes the responses are good and sometimes I wince as the Holy Spirit reveals my inner most thoughts on the matter.I believe that we must first grow in knowing God to grow in our faith. I've learned that that growth can only come from a positive intentional action such as intentional worship, Bible study and prayer. I do find that in "knowing God" I must relinquish thoughts, anger, and just stuff, over to God that I often want to hang on to for a while. That surrender is ultimately good for my well-being and allows God to work in behalf in greater capacity because I've given Him an entrance into those special places.
Knowing God is the greatest accomplishment of my life and one that will not find completeness in this life. The wonder and beauty is that I did not choose the Lord, but He chose me and in Jesus Christ I am His child. What incredible joy God has planned has planned for us. In the final truth, "Know God, know Jesus, know life."
This page was last updated: June 24, 2007
September 23, 2006 Knowing God
September 24, 2006 Empowered for Victory
Child of God, Christian Book Author
Connie Van Berkel
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