Tag: love

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It Was Love by Tammy Nicole Glover

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Love came down from glory and into this world. It carried the burdens of our sins to the cross. It allowed us to receive forgiveness and salvation. That same love heals my broken heart. It calms me down when I’m angry and prevents me from seeking vengeance. It allows me to see the other side of the story and leads me to pray, instead of responding with harsh words. Not only does this love give me the strength to forgive but it gives me the courage to open my heart again and let go of the past.

Only God’s love could do all of this. His love changes us into a new creation. Thank you, Lord, for loving me so completely. Your love allows me to love others as You love me.

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:11-12 NIV

encouragement, inspiration, Uncategorized

Ever Present

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“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5 NIV

Your Heavenly Father is with you.  He sees your struggles. He knows your pain. Even when you hurt so bad that you try to hide from Him and the world, He is still there. Even when you’re angry with Him because you think that He is the source of your pain, He still loves you. He will never leave your side. He never goes back on His promises. There is no where that His arms can’t reach you. He is only a call away, even if it hurts too much to speak, He can hear your thoughts.

Stop leaning on your own understanding and trust Him. Have you forgotten about the last time He delivered you? Remember how He turned what was meant to harm you into something that prospered you. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has an endless supply of comfort and strength. There is no good thing that He will ever withhold from His children.

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.” Genesis 28:15 NIV

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Delayed Reaction By Tammy Nicole Glover

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“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out the workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37 NIV

Do you ever murmur and complain about the things that God calls you to do? Do you put it off because sometimes what He’s calling you to do seems so small that it’s not worth the inconvenience? Before you procrastinate doing something that God has called you to do, ask yourself if your delayed reaction will cause an answer to someone’s prayer be delayed. Ask yourself if you will be responsible for someone else to stumble.

If you put off praying for someone or something that God has put on your heart, will it mean that someone’s suffering will be prolonged? If you put off giving away something that you never use, will someone who truly needs it go without? If I hold off on giving to a charity that has touched me spirit, will it mean that someone will starve? If I don’t give someone an encouraging word, will that mean that someone will give up on life? If I decide to wait to tell someone about Jesus, will that mean that someone will spend an eternity in hell?

When God calls us to do something it is to fill a need. We are his arms, his hands, his legs and his feet on earth. We are not to just focus on ourselves. We are supposed to be following his example and loving others. Loving others means being inconvenienced sometimes. It means stepping out of our comfort zones. It means sacrificing. Someone is praying for a miracle and God maybe calling you to be that miracle. Don’t ignore his call. It is an honor and a blessing to be used by God.

“If anyone causes one of these little ones-those who believe in me-to stumble, it wuold be better for them to have a large millstone hang around their neck and to be drowned in the sea.” Matthew 18:6 NIV

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God is With You By Tammy Nicole Glover

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“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” Psalm 139:7 NIV

God is with you. People will oftentimes say this to bring comfort to someone in time of need. However, these are not just mere words of comfort, God really is with you, always.

Yes, He is with you when you’re hurting. He is with you when you’re in danger and He’s with you when you are stressed out. He is with you when the sun is shining and everything is going your way too.

Sometimes, we forget that He’s also with us when we complain, when we gossip, when we judge others without knowing the full story. He’s with us when we’re angry and refuse to forgive. He’s with us when we turn our backs on someone in need. He’s even with us when we’re somewhere we’re not supposed to be, with someone we’re not supposed to be with and doing something we’re not supposed to be doing.

Thankfully, nothing we do ever shocks God. He knows us better than we know ourselves. We also have a merciful God. We are able to come to him to not only comfort us when we’re hurting but to ask for forgiveness and receive His forgiveness through his Son Christ Jesus.

God is with you. He loves you. He doesn’t want you to ever be afraid to come to Him for whatever you need. You are never alone.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NIV

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The Cast Away By Tammy Nicole Glover

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“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

My Dearest Friend,

What has happened to us? We’ve been inseparable for so long, I didn’t think anything could tear us apart. When people saw you coming, they saw me. I’m so confused. What would possess you to cast me aside like this? How could you throw all of our years together away like this? What are you going to do without me?

I bet it was that Faith causing all this trouble. I knew it was trouble the moment I saw it lingering in the shadows, just watching and waiting for you to notice it. Once you noticed it you have been a completely different person. I don’t like it. I miss the old you. The one that hung out with me all the time and didn’t ignore me.

It’s ok though, someone who calls himself El Shaddai caught me while I was drifting aimlessly with your other friends, Anger, Fear, Guilt, Shame and Depression. What a bunch of clowns…how could you hang out with them? Anyway, El Shaddai is taking real good care of us now but he won’t let us run back to you. If you just tell him that you miss us, I’m sure he’ll let us come home. Don’t you miss us? Why can’t we come back home? How are your new friends better than us? What does Faith, Joy, Mercy and Love have that we don’t have?

Maybe one day you’ll let us come back home. It’s ok we’ll wait for you.

Sincerely,

Your Worries

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:27 NIV

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DON’T DOUBT By Tammy Nicole Glover

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“As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you.” 1 John 2:24 NIV

It doesn’t matter if your heart is broken. It doesn’t matter if you were betrayed. It doesn’t matter how much people talk about you. It doesn’t matter how many loved ones you have lost. It doesn’t matter if sickness attacks. It doesn’t matter how disappointed you are because you didn’t get what you wanted. It doesn’t matter how tired and overwhelmed you are. Don’t ever doubt the love of God.

He loved you before you were formed in the womb and He will continue to love you after you have taken your last breath on this earth. He loved you so much that He gave His only son for you. His son loved you so much that he endured torture and death for you. He literally went through hell and back just so that you could have a chance at salvation.

Don’t let anyone or anything make you doubt. God is with you. When you’re hurting, He can heal your broken heart. When you’ve been wronged, He can vindicate you. When everyone leaves, He is with you. When you’re attacked, He protects you. When you fall, He will pick you up. When you’re weak, He is strong.

When doubt starts to creep into your mind, remember God’s sacrifice for you. Remember the last crisis you thought you wouldn’t make it through but He saw you through it. Remember all the times you could have been dead but He rescued you. Remember when He told you to do something and you decided to do the opposite, yet He still blessed you. Remember how you made everything and everyone else top priority while He could barely get your attention, but He still waited patiently for you to return. He knew you would fall short but He never gave up on you. He still gave His son for you. He still believed that you were worth saving. Don’t doubt, just trust and know that He is.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37 NIV

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ALL I NEED TO KNOW By Tammy Glover

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“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NIV”

When I’m afraid to face the day, all I need to know is that Jesus loves me. He promised to never leave nor forsake me. When I’m broke and bills are due, all I need to know is that Jesus loves me. He said that he knows what I need before I ask and he will provide. When I’m confused, all I need to know is that Jesus loves me. He said that he will instruct and teach me in the way I should go. He gives his wisdom freely. When I’m under attack, all I need to know is that Jesus loves me. He said that he will command his angels to guard me in all my ways. When my heart is broken, all I need to know is that Jesus loves me. He sent his Holy Spirit to comfort me. He promised me peace and joy. When I’m sick, all I need to know is that Jesus loves me. He said that by his stripes I’m healed. When I fall, all I need to know is that Jesus loves me. His hand is always there to lift me up.

Jesus loves me, his Word tells me so. He gave his life for me. Jesus loves you too.

“For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me for the depths of the grave.” Psalm 86:13 NIV

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WHO IS HE? By Tammy Glover

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“I am the bread that came down from heaven.” John 6:41 NIV

He is my sun in the rain. He is the sanity in my crazy. He is the right in my wrong. He is the common sense in my stupidity. He is the wisdom in my confusion. He is the hand that catches me when I fall. He is the joy in my pain. He is the calm in my chaos. He is the healer in my sickness. He is the protector in my recklessness. He is the light in my darkness. He is the courage in my cowardice. He is the confidence in my awkwardness. He is the supernatural in my natural. He is the comforter in my loneliness. He is the balm that soothes. He is in the words I write. He is the air I breathe. He is the reason for living. He is my past, present and future. He is the gift to my soul. He is in me. His love surrounds me and his light shines through me. Who is he, you ask. He is Jesus, my Lord and Savior.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 NIV

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IF ONLY… By Tammy Glover

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“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1 NIV

If only I had savored every moment with my family. If only I would have loved more and judged less. If only I had paid more attention to the people who tried my patience, maybe I would have seen how much pain they were in. If only I had spent more time forgiving and less time holding on to anger for something I can’t even remember. If only I had seized more opportunities to give to those in need. If only I had spent more time reading and listening to the Word of God. If only I hadn’t rolled my eyes when people tried to tell me how much God loved me. If only I hadn’t given up on that family member that kept breaking my heart. If only I had prayed more. If only I realized that I didn’t have more time.

As I lay in the back of an ambulance, while a paramedic shocks my heart to get it to restart, I realize that my life has always been in God’s hands. I’m hoping that God will have mercy on me as I feel my spirit leaving my body. I’m praying that He will bring me back and give me more time, time that I will no longer waste. I know now, how precious time is. Time is meant to be spent loving, forgiving, learning, growing, helping, giving and praising God.

If only….

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Psalm 95:7-8 NIV

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RESCUED BY TAMMY GLOVER

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“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” Psalm 37:7, NIV

I was walking along, enjoying the sunshine and picking up the beautiful flowers along the way. It seemed like the perfect day. It started to get cloudy but I didn’t let that stop me from enjoying the day, I kept on going along my path. I knew something was coming but I refused to worry about it.

I started to see fewer flowers along the way, which was a disappointment. I had started to look forward to their bright colors and intricate designs. Despite the disappointment, I kept on going until I tripped over a fallen branch. I had a few scratches and a bruised ego but nothing major. I just got back up, dusted myself off and kept on walking.

I heard wolves and I became distracted and scared. I was alone in the woods with bloody wounds and I was sure the wolves would track my scent and devour me. I had to find a safe place to hide. I started running away from the sounds of the howling wolves but they seemed to be surrounding me. I could see their glowing eyes watching me through the trees and bushes. I stumbled once again and fell into a deep pit. I tried to grab on to anything I could to stop my fall but to no avail. I hit the hard, rocky bottom. I was so far down that I could only see a sliver of light peeking through the top. I tried to climb out but only accomplished making myself weary and my finger tips raw and bloodied. I called out for help and I heard a strong voice answer back, “I’m here and I’m going to get you out.”

I was thankful but it just didn’t seem like the voice above was working fast enough. Oftentimes, there were long periods of silence and I thought that he had left me. I panicked and called out to him until I was hoarse. The voice always came back and let me know that he was still there, working on my rescue. He promised to never leave me. I knew that I had to remain calm and be patient. I kept the promise of rescue in my mind and heart. Eventually, the light from above became brighter and brighter and I could see my rescuer’s hand reaching down. I knew that it was going to be ok.

Life is a lot like this. We start down a path that we know God has set us on. We enjoy his anointing over us and his blessings along the way. Small issues arise but we press forward. We stumble and fall but we get back up. People who don’t want to see you succeed show up and we become distracted. We allow fear to overtake us. Sometimes we fall in a dark pit and we feel like there is no way to escape. The Lord your God is always with you. There is no problem that he can’t solve. He is the rescuer. There may be times when you feel like he has left you during your troubles but He is still there working on your way out. He hears your cries. You just have to remain calm and be patient. Help isn’t on the way, it’s already here.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.” John 14:1, NIV