HOPEFUL

To be hopeful with a heart towards God, what magic can be found? I believe when we take our pains and sorrows and open our hearts, raising them to God, powerful things will happen. Whenever we glorify God with our tears to reach others, a world of blessing and truth are found.

Why is it only few people find this magical place? Beauty from ashes!

Isaiah 61:3 [Full Chapter]
and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Grieve in Zion! First you must understand what Zion means.

Zion

Zion (zĪˈən) [key] or Sion sĪˈən, section of Jerusalem, defined in the Bible as the City of David. Originally the name referred to the Jebusite fortress conquered by David, on the southeastern hill of Jerusalem. Zion was later applied to the hill where the Temple stood, and in turn came to denote the Temple area itself. Zion is symbolic of Jerusalem, of the Promised Land, of Israel’s hope of returning to Palestine (hence the term Zionism), and of heaven or God’s dwelling-place with his people.

Zion was where the presence of God was. The arc of the covenant was kept in the temple of the city on a hill. Where big things came from small places. At night you could see lit torches marching for miles just to be in the presence of God. Promise land, of Israel’s hope of returning to Palestine (hence the term Zionism), and of heaven or God’s dwelling-place with his people.
Key word (HOPE)

HOPEFUL

Oh Lord how you pulled me out from the ashes
You cleansed all of my stains
You opened a world of blessing
when my life was full of pain
You showered me with your love
You helped me to look above
All that would bring me down
All that would still my joy
You made me hopeful

I watched this video of these two boys and it reminded me of the magic God did in my life. It brought a tears to my eyes. I saw the true friend who saw the pain in his friend. He also saw that singing brought life back to his face but why? Because the boy took His pain to God and then released it through music which brought healing and blessing to many. He found what it means to be hopeful! I believe we all need this reminder and that is why I am sharing this.

HIS LOVE NEVER FAILS

If we have walked with God for years or we are just starting to look into faith in Jesus, the one thing I can tell you is, His love never fails!
I remember all the years I did not walk with the Lord. Now when I look back, I can see all the road signs that He put in place for me. All of the so called coincidences that I experienced! Which I am no longer a believer in coincidence. God shows Himself along the path of our lives, always reaching out to say, I am here, and my love never fails.

God was constantly revealing Himself to me, reaching out to me, waiting ever so patiently for me to open my heart to Him, His love never fails. Through the process of the testing of my faith, I have learned no matter what this life brings, loss of loved ones, sickness, financial problems, tragedy, job loss, marriage problems, backsliding, or simply times of faithlessness, His love never fails.

So many times in my life I looked at my current circumstances as if when things are going bad, God is not happy with me, and when things were good He was pleased with me. Now I know that He is for me when things are going bad and when things are going good. I remember the very first poem I read (Footprints In The Sand). This poem changed my life and also Inspired me to write poetry later in life. It speaks of when times are tough, God seems to be absent because His set of foot prints are not there. It is during the tough times that God is carrying us, His love never fails.

I would mean so much to me if on this post you could fill up the comments with how in your life, His love never fails. I would really love the seeking hearts out there to be blessed with your heart felt comments on how in your life His love never fails. God bless you! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Fullofrosesinspirationals!!!!

WAITING WITH AN EMPTY NET

How do we stay strong in keeping faith when we have done everything in our power to fill our empty nets? How do we see Jesus when all seems hopeless? How do we hold on to the vision when everything causes us to question if we are really doing His will?

Jesus told us to cast our nets, so why are we coming up empty? First of all we must understand Jesus is our Savior, Father and Teacher. Jesus is always establishing relationship, heart and faith. Before He fills the nets of your work, He will fill the net of your heart and spirit, which is in more need then the physical net.

John 21 (New International Version)

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish

21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.^[a] It happened this way: ² Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus^[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. ³ “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

⁴ Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

⁵ He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

⁶ He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

⁷ Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. ⁸ The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.^{[c] 9} When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” ¹¹ So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. ¹⁴ This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Notice Jesus left them alone for a time, He allowed them to exhaust all their efforts before He showed up and then He didn’t reveal Himself. The men did not recognize Him. Can you see spiritually what Jesus is doing? Are the men doing anything wrong by casting their nets? Why then can they not see Him? Unfortunately we get caught in what we are trying to accomplish and lose focus of Christ.

The reason they couldn’t see Him is they lost focus. He called out to them at that point, which He could be doing with you right now. He then gave them direction. It wasn’t until the change of course and their interaction with Him that led to the nets to be filled. Jesus was teaching them. He allowed them to do it in their own strength for a period. It wasn’t until after that, He spoke to them and they were able to see Him for who He was. Also see their persistence, the bible said they fished all night. He blessed them for their persistence, but not until He filled their hearts and spirit.

God says to seek wisdom as if it were riches. Wisdom is to know Christ. He wants you to know Him fully, trust Him fully and for you to have the faith to move mountains. He tests us for the kingdom purposes. Believe in Him, Hope in Him and remain in Him. Put your focus back on Him and your nets will be filled. After they ate the fish, Jesus restored Peter, remember? Peter do you love me? Then feed my sheep. Peter now had something to feed them, a powerful, loving, trustworthy, faithful, forgiving relationship.

May Christ fill your nets and bless you beyond your dreams. Put your focus in Him. God bless you.

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Masks

This poem came at a time in My life where I had to step away from seven years of evangelical preaching at a very large rehabilitation center. The best seven years of my life so far. I had stepped into a new career in which I had worked very hard towards. Little did I know major tests in my life would follow. I was newly married with a child on the way, a new house and job. The job I soon found out was more like a brotherhood. I was tested to fit in like most any job. I think the changes In me began by small compromises at a time. slowly I began putting on masks that I spent years taking off. The masks I am talking about are the masks we put on to show we are not afraid or masks that protect our hearts. Masks that hide our true selves. If you put on a mask often enough it becomes very hard to stay in touch with our true selves. I began to lose my identity In Christ and found myself very lost once again in my life. I can’t even tell you how many masks I was wearing. Trying to hold my life together wanting to be accepted by my co-workers, I had slowly lost my identity over a five-year period.

When the Lord led me to write the poem masks it changed my life. I knew it was the Lord speaking directly to my heart. I thought about the poem and spent time talking to God about it. I decided to take off my masks and reveal my true self to those I worked with. I will have to say it was one of the most courage’s things I have done in my life. I started sharing my faith and my poetry. It was at that time God started to reveal the direction to go with my ministry. It came after a five-year dry period with God. The poem masks is the reason I am here sharing this ministry with you. Here is the poem I hope you are blessed by it like I was.

MASKS

Are you a friend or foe?
How then do I know?
You’re there when I need you to protect me
You show off my tough image
You build my confidence when I have none
You make me seem very smart
You have changed me from the start
Do I even know who I am anymore?
I’m consumed by the power you give me
Or shall I say your power has consumed me
You claim to protect my heart
Yet, you have hid it from me
You stole my courage and identity
My truth, my vulnerability
You claim to save me from pain
Yet, you create more day by day
Off I say, off I say
To this lie you betray
You have multiplied in numbers
The truth in me slumbers, to be known again
I’m taking off these masks
To you I ask, is it ok to be me?

2 CORINTHIANS 3:18

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I WOULD HAVE TOO

This poem has a very special meaning to me. I was at work inside a room by myself one morning when the
Lord asked me,” Ken how would you feel If I took your son ?” I was taken back by the question. The first thing I thought about was Abraham and Isaac in Genesis chapter 22 when God tested Abraham. My son was sick the night before and I was worried about him. So I was concerned at first but then I realized how the spirit moves me to write. I picked up a pad of paper and began to write a letter to my son as if I had lost him. Just the thought broke me down into tears. I began crying very heavy and had to stop writing. I gathered myself and began writing again when the Lord put on my heart so many people who had lost someone whom they loved so deeply. I couldn’t contain myself I broke down again. what I was experiencing was definitely from God because I felt His heart towards those who have lost someone they loved. I cried for a good ten minutes before I could finish writing.

I realized the reason God had me write this. I realized why he made it personal. many people lose loved ones everyday and I believe those who don’t know Christ don’t know the promise of the reunion we will have with those we love and get separated from in this life. Even believers forget or don’t really connect with the fact that it is a temporary separation. Those we lose that have been saved are in Glory. In the short time we are in this world those who leave will be waiting at the gate of glory when we leave this world. This is such a wonderful truth. Here is the poem.

I WOULD HAVE TOO

Are you there? Can you hear me?
I miss you so much, can’t you see?
I never imagined life without you
the need, to see you again
I am daily reminded of the precious gift you are
Every night I look for your star, I’m sure you’re
the brightest one. I know your standing in His glory
I’m sure it will be quite the story
when I come to join you. Is it true
are the streets golden and the skies marble blue?
He must be magnificent, His love intense
I can’t wait to reminisce, of all your days with Him
Hug Him for me, and tell Him I understand why He
called for you. I would have too!

Psalm 116:15

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