Category: A Door of Hope

Starting Well, Ending Well

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope, Alesha's Rules for a Happy Life, Uncategorized
Charles Spurgeon admonishes us to

“Begin as you mean to go on…”

It’s excellent advice. Particularly in the realm of dating. We just never know at what point our heartstrings will be irreparably tied to another’s.
Even if we have no intention of falling in love, it happens anyway.  That’s why Proverbs warns us
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. ~Proverbs 4:23
KEEP, v.t. pret. and pp. kept. [L. habeo, and capio.] 1. To hold; to retain in one’s power or possession; not to lose or part with. To preserve from falling or from danger; to protect; to guard or sustain. The only way to “keep” our hearts properly is to follow the principles of Scripture. Don’t date someone that you wouldn’t want to marry.  You may fall in love with them before you even realize it. Guard your heart. Guard your life. Spend time with people who love your God the way that you do. The rest of Charles Spurgeon’s quote says:

“…and go on as you began, and let the Lord be all in all to you.”

Wise words. As are those of Solomon:
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. ~Proverbs 119:9-11
When we obey the Word and seek God with our whole heart, we keep our hearts safely in Him. When our hearts are fixed on Christ, we avoid sin. I don’t know about you, but I like that formula. If you are single, I trust that you are dating wisely. And that you are keeping your heart with all diligence. In Him, Alesha Kay

When It Hurts to Breathe

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope, KJV Graphics, Thoughtful Thursday

“At times during the grief process, survivors will be stricken with sudden waves of physical pain, often in the gut or chest, so powerful as to cause them to nearly double over. These will occur without warning and are supremely different from the pain of physical illnesses. These are a reaction to feeling overwhelmed by grief. With time and the proper support, these waves will occur less frequently, be less intense, and last for shorter periods of time.” ~excerpt from Dying to Be Free

When we experience loss, our body, mind and spirit are affected. Sometimes, those effects catch us off-guard. 

It helps me to read about the experiences of others. And, I thought, you might need the information too.

If you are walking through grief, educate yourself. Then arm yourself with the Word of God. The book of Psalms is an excellent source of comfort and strength when we are hurting.

Don’t neglect to care for your heart, mind and soul during difficult days. There is help available.

In Him,

Alesha

Just Obey

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope, KJV Graphics

Today’s Christians make up one of the most despised groups on the face of the planet.

We are mocked, judged, condemned, ridiculed and maligned.

None of these things should move us.

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. ~Acts 20:24

We must push deeper into the Word, affirm God’s will for us and press on toward Him.

Nehemiah faced great persecution while he was trying to rebuild the walls of his precious hometown of Jerusalem.

God had miraculously provided what he needed to get the job done, and even brought him from captivity to do it; but he still faced the mockers every day while trying to do God’s will.

We need to purpose in our hearts, no matter what opposition comes our way, to obey the Lord. Do what He says. Follow His Word. Hold firmly to the principles He laid out for us.

No matter the mockery, obey God anyway.

In Him,

Alesha Kay

Be Like Jesus

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope, KJV Graphics, Uncategorized

A new wallpaper for you, my friends. Sorry if this one doesn’t appeal to most of my male readers. LoL. But those blossoms were just too pretty to pass up.

In a world that tells us non-stop all the things that Christians *should* be, I can tell you, with no reserves, our only responsibility is to be like Jesus.

It is a full-time job. Stop listening to all the other voices. Get into your Bible and learn to be like Him.

 

[1] Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
[2] And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
[3] But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
[4] Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
[5] For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
[6] Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
[7] Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
[8] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
[9] (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
[10] Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
[11] And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
[12] For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
[13] But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
[14] Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
[15] See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
[16] Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
[17] Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
[18] And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
[19] Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
[20] Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

In Him,

Alesha Kay

Perfect Timing

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope, How Great is Our God, KJV Graphics

“…And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year…” ~Nehemiah 1:1

“… And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year…” ~Nehemiah 2:1

From Chisleu (December) to Nisan (April), Nehemiah wept, mourned, fasted and prayed for his beloved city of Jerusalem.

He was a captive in another country, faithfully serving as the King’s cupbearer. He had no means or freedom to meet the needs of his fellow countrymen. He could do nothing but pray.

For four long months, he quietly did his job, waiting for God to give the answer to his prayer – to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.

He confessed. He repented. He begged. He reminded God of His promises to His people.

Nehemiah must have wanted to just give up. To forget his crazy notion of going back to Jerusalem to help. It must have been difficult to keep a poised, gracious spirit before the King every day for four months.

But finally…FINALLY… God moved. He touched the King, and granted everything, and even more, than Nehemiah needed to return to his country and do the work God had laid on his heart.

It may sometimes feel that God is asleep. That He isn’t hearing you. That your prayers are just bouncing off the ceiling. But He is listening. He is working. He is moving all the pieces into just the right position to bring your answer.

He may sleep, as He did in the boat, when the storm rose up to frighten the disciples.

He may sleep…but He never oversleeps!

He will arise. His enemies will be scattered. And He will work a might victory by His power and might.

Don’t lose heart, my friend. His answer is on the way.

Alesha Kay

Value

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope, How Great is Our God, KJV Graphics, Thoughtful Thursday

And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

~Mark 12:43-44

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

~Matthew 10:42