Got Any Problems? Congratulations !

Got any problems, any troubles today ?

Congratulations !  You are human.  

You care about what’s going on. 

All of these changes and adjustments

are life-producing,

keeping you on the growing edge

of interesting adventures,

challenging you. 

Stress can energize you,

turn on creativity,

make you more fully alive.

Failure is part of this journey;

get past that and go on.

 Your search and struggle is His design

to bring you Truth.

Your experiences make you rich;

make the most of this time.

Fear can hold only those who are not full of love. 

Confusion can paralyze only those who do not plan.

Anger can imprison only those who will not forgive.

One precious lifetime is all there is

before we must account for it before God. 

One little step energizes faith.

One little prayer connects you with your Maker.

Jesus Christ died for you.  There is no greater love.

Wisdom, direction, power to do and become:

these are God’s gifts.  Ask and receive.

Thank the Lord for your blessings; 

He is with you.

With Him, you can pass today’s test. 

Activate your sense of wonder 

and a sense of humor.

Celebrate and smile !

—Elaine Hardt ©1995  

How to Know What to Do

1. Pray and ask for wisdom. "If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you. This is to My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (John 15:7-8)

2. Submit your motives to the Lord. "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)

3. Declare the praises of God."But you are a chosen people . . . that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." (I Peter 2:9)

4. Claim the empowering of the Holy Spirit. "God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." (II Timothy 1:7)

5. Have a teachable spirit. "Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth..." (Psalm 86:11)

6. Be open to God's correction.He will not have us do anything that is contrary to His character and principles that are written in His Word. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (II Timothy 3:16)

7. Listen for the voice of God, the impressions He puts in your innermost spirit. "I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." (Psalm 16:7,8)

8. Share your faith with others. "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." (Philemon, verse 6)

9. Live a life that is consistent with the example of Jesus Christ. "It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age," (Titus 2:12)

10. Expect God to do great things. ". . . He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." (John 14:12-13) 

As you read the Bible notice all the places that mention "know" and "knowledge." Read the books of II Peter and I John. To know we are where God wants us to be today, and doing what He wants us to do today brings peace. He works within us so we can know and do His Will. 

+ + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©1992

Today is YOUR Day

  Your Faith
    Your Troubles
      Your Endurance
        Your Opportunity
          Your Joy

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way,

consider it an opportunity

for great joy.

For you know

when your faith is tested

your endurance has a chance to grow.

So, let it grow,

for when your endurance is fully developed,

you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

James 1:2-3  NLT

Eleven Ways YOU Can Share Your Faith

Here’s a way to share your faith.  It’s not hard to do, and  it can be a wonderful blessing for people in your life.  

AN EASY BEGINNING

1. Look for people you could encourage with a written note.  This could be anyone the Lord brings to mind.  
2. Write a personalized “blessing” for someone, sending it as a birthday, anniversary, or congratulations card.  

Write like you’re talking to this person.  Avoid cliché; make this like a warm, caring conversation.  Handwritten is very nice, but you might feel like writing more if you can do it on the computer. It’s following through with the idea that counts.  

A LITTLE BIGGER CHALLENGE

Jot down a basic outline on one of these topics: 

1. Tell how you came to faith in Jesus. 
2. Tell about a recent little lesson in faith that God has taught you. 
3. Tell the story of a big challenge or problem you’ve conquered in your life.

Write to share this with your children, and perhaps other close relatives. After you’ve done the first draft, let the writing “sit” for several days.  Then go back and see what improvements you can make.  Write like you’re talking to someone, but also include pertinent facts and descriptions that help your reader to visualize the situation.  

    Ask yourself: is it bragging or complaining?  Or, does it let God’s love and joy shine through? 

THE GIFT ONLY YOU CAN GIVE  (Yes, there's a little more to read...)

There's a Miracle Coming for You !

You’re on the brink of a miracle today!

That’s why there’s circumstances you see now,

it’s a test of faith and obedience to God;

relax and pray, and the LORD will show you how.

Others are noticing some problems you have,

you can’t evade their concern about this stuff;

but God brings miracles when it’s His time,

trust Him in the good times, as well in the rough.

Find new assurance when you read His Word today,

Smile through your tears — or frustrations’ fearful blow.

Thank Him ahead of this new breakthrough coming;

He takes care of you and loves you more than you know!

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

A Miracle of My Own

Budding branches stir in the warming sun
   on stark tough trees
fragile beauty along the streets
   tenderness on the breeze

Springtime display of new birth
    happens again every year
but we hurry by with jaded eyes
    unaware of the miracles here

O God of more than I can understand
     Designer of blossoms I see
forgive my careless ways
     rebirth wonder and joy in me

You provided the Passover Lamb
    the sacrifice for man
Life and death and resurrection
   salvation's awesome plan
 
A miracle is what I need
   uproot unbelief and fear
plant faith to grow and ever bloom
   in purpose strong and clear

                -by Elaine Hardt ©1991

Encouragement! EnCOURAGEment!

Encouragement is more than a pat on the back,

It’s not just a friendly smile or nod,

Not only some words spoken or written:

It’s a powerful blessing from God.

You can grow in encouragement, speak it to yourself;

Enable it by what you believe!

Find the strength in God, know what His Word promises:

Courage for hard times and testings:  this receive.

In the challenge of life your example can count; 

Look around and you can see

Others need encouragement, too — this you can do;

Pray for them to be set free. 

When you’ve invited Jesus to be your Best Friend

God’s Holy Spirit empowers you,

Now you can experience real faith, hope, and joy,

Encouragement, and EnCOURAGEment, too!

                      + + + 

By Elaine Hardt ©2016

“Encourage” is found 14 times in the Old Testament, 13 times in the New Testament, New King James Version.  “Encouragement” is found 6 times; “courage” is found 28 times in the Bible.    Look up words at www.biblegateway.com 

“Be strong and of good courage, 

do not fear nor be afraid of them; 

for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. 

He will not leave you nor forsake you.” 

 Deuteronomy 31:6

This is for YOU

Your  Faith

Your  Troubles

Your  Endurance

Your  Opportunity

Your  Joy

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way,

consider it an opportunity

for great joy.

For you know

when your faith is tested

your endurance has a chance

to grow.

So let it grow,

for when your endurance is fully developed,

you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

James 1:2-3

May God “…make YOU complete in every good work to do His will,

working in YOU

what is well pleasing in His sight…”

Hebrews 13:20-21 

 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, 
and in the power of His might,”  
Ephesians 6:10

Remember and Forget

Some things are SO important we are told to “Remember!”  Some things we are to forget. 

Here is a list of some of the important points. There are many other Scriptures on this subject. Look up additional verses under these key words, remember and forget.  

1. “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.”   Exodus 20:8 NKJV
2. “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations; ask your father…” Deuteronomy 32:7 NKJV
3. “But watch out! Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the LORD do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.”  Deuteronomy 4:9 NLT
4. “Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders and the judgments of His mouth.”  1 Chronicles 16:12 NKJV
5. “I will delight myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Your word. Psalm 119:16 NKJV
6. “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth.”  Ecclesiastes 12:1 NKJV
7. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:” Psalm 103:2 NKJV 
8. “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each day.” Lamentations 3:21-23 NLT
9. “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”  1Thessalonians 1:3 NKJV
10. “Take a firm stand against him (the Devil), and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.”   1 Peter 5:9 NLT
11. “Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!”  1 Peter 3:17 NLT
12. “Then he took a loaf of bread; and when he had thanked God for it, he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’” Luke 22:19 NLT
13. “In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.’” 1 Corinthians 11:25 NLT 
14. “Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16 NLT
15.  “. . . remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35. KJV

What does God remember?  What does He promise to forget?  

We do not have to wonder what the answers are.  

I Want to be Happy

Happiness may be a choice,

Happiness may be a chore;

Sometimes it seems Happiness says, 

“You won’t see me anymore.”

Oh, Happiness please come back;

Oh, please come back to stay!

I was careless, it was my fault;

I really need you today.

So, thinking it over,

Considering its place,

Happiness is more than a

Little fake smile on my face.

Happiness comes from a peaceful

Trust in the LORD in my heart;

A prayer of welcoming Him

Gives Happiness its start.

Happiness knows: God sees and knows,

Taking me from trouble and strife;

Love and Joy come in with Faith.

Celebrating a new life. 

                                                              By Elaine Hardt ©2015

Have Yourself a Blessed, Happy New Year

Here comes a jolly celebration in lots of places!

   Perhaps you will be going out on the town,

But do have yourself a blessed Happy New Year,

   Anticipating the future, without a frown.

Yes, there will be many challenges unforeseen,

   And some you already have been warned about,

But claim those as opportunities to grow;

   With a positive outlook, no need to doubt.

Does God Automatically Help Us?

Will God automatically spare us from trouble?

Does God automatically lead us to truth?

Does God automatically give us what we need?

Does God automatically give us what we want?

Life goes on. Some days we feel energetic and capable; things go very well.  Other times we may feel like there is a backpack of bricks that we’re forced to carry. 

What’s the difference?  As Christians won’t God just automatically give us what we need?  Can’t we count on Him?

We can count on circumstances changing.  Some people welcome challenge; others take it as a personal affront.  Some expect risk, others want comfort. Many expect good things, automatically.

Is this normal?

For a long time we believed that Christians are supposed to “tough it out” and “put on a smiling face.” We expected to have some troubles, since they were good for teaching us patience.  

Does this unwittingly play into the hands of our spiritual enemy?

By taking a passive stance do we actually invite more problems?

Remember, then . . .

Considering Benefits of Greater Things in Your Life

Greater things are a possibility for me!

Greater learning improving personal ability;

Greater satisfaction is something I can achieve,

Greater usefulness is possible, because I now believe.

Greater significant victories!

Greater inner strength and freedom to see;

Greater insight into important things,

Greater happiness that inner freedom brings.

Greater stamina so I don’t so easily tire!

Greater connections with people up higher;

Greater ideas are welcome in my mind,

Greater inspiration I am able to find.

Greater vision and expectation as I sow a seed!

Greater outreach to be a help to others in need;

Greater encouragement I am able to give,

Greater spiritual understanding in how to live.

Greater peace of mind means finding real rest!

Greater determination to succeed in life’s test; 

Greater power comes by exercising faith anew,

Greater things you and I can consider, attempt, and do.

Greater growing in faith and hope and love!

Greater thoughts about dying and going Above; 

Greater accomplishments, greater acknowledgements, too,

Greater expectations that brings hope to me and you. 

Jesus said,  “I assure you: The one who believes in Me

 will also do the works that I do. 

And he will do even greater works than these, 

because I am going to the Father.”  

John 14:12, Holman Christian Standard Bible

by Elaine Hardt ©2013 

The One Best Word

         Could the “one best word” be the happiest word? The one word that cheers up each person who has a good reason to use it?  Is it the one word you’ve said recently that improved your whole day, maybe your entire outlook on life?

Of course, you make the pronouncement yourself. Perhaps you have thought of other people saying this one word in some situation, but here, just briefly, we are speaking of you.  Read on with yourself in mind.

        That one simple word that is so powerful, so broad, yet it can be applied so specifically, is “temporary.”  Is that what you anticipated?

Anyhow, let’s take a look at its use, its possibilities, its good points. When a tiny zit pops up on a teenager’s face. When company arrives for just the weekend.  When you stubbed your toe in the dark on the way to the bathroom.  When there’s a shipper’s delay in getting that nifty new tool delivered via UPS.  

Even, when the elevator at work is stuck between floors! When there’s a traffic jam on Interstate 19! When your little kid fell off the swings and broke his arm!

As you picture these situations you will probably agree that when that #1 happiest, best word, “temporary,” comes to mind it does help alleviate the stress, frustration, and unhappiness.  

  Instead of totally dwelling on the bad event you can have a measure of relief. Whatever that uncalled for, or stupid, or aggravating event was there’s an expected end to it. Things could go back to normal.  Things might even be improved as a result of thinking about cause and effect and possible prevention and solution.  

When huge unwelcome circumstances invade your household, your job, your commute or your vacation this one happy word, “temporary,” can spur you on to doing some serious thinking, planning, and rearranging. It can encourage you to action. 

By now you have thought of some recent events in your own life that warrant the audible verbalization by you of this word, “temporary.“ You could be writing some short article yourself!

But, before we close this mental exercise there’s one very certain situation where the word “temporary” does not apply. 

Confident About Going Home

           Three close friends and her few remaining relatives gathered in the hospital room to say goodbye.  Pam had bravely fought off some painful condition, the doctors did what they could, but day after day there was no improvement.  But Pam didn’t say it was hopeless.  She’d smile and say, “One of these days I’m going home.”  

Of course, it didn’t happen.  But when Britanny leaned over to say, “Pam, the doctors say you aren’t going home”  Pam spoke a little louder, but painfully slow.  “I’m going to my Father’s House.  You know,  Heaven!”

Larry reached out his hand to touch Pam’s hand. “You have an amazing faith.”

Later that night, all alone, yet not really all alone, Pam took her last breath and died.

When Larry phoned to tell me I couldn’t help crying. But the joy was greater than the sadness.  Yes,  Pam had faith.  I wondered if I’d have that faith.  

As I pondered those Two Big Questions of life, what is dying like? And,  where do you go? I remembered something I’d read awhile ago. I knew I must write it down to help put it in some kind of sequence in my mind.  

                          Here’s how my writing began: 

Have you ever had a disappointing day?  An aggravating day?  A scary day?  Have you ever been terribly sick?  When you or I feel like complaining to everyone within sight, or even complaining to God, it might help to take a look at a woman who suffered real suffering, and who grew even deeper in faith. 

You Will Do Greater Things

“Greater things! ”  Jesus said you and I would do,

Wonderful things will happen for His Word is true;

We are to trust and obey in His Word we read,

By faith we step out as His promises we heed.

Be aware!  Be brave!  Be strong!  Speak up!  Do it now!

The LORD calls each of us and He shows us how;

Give these words some serious contemplation,

Then step up, shake off unbelieving reservation.

In these dark and hard days, greater things we need,

His Holy Spirit empowers us to do each deed;

We can do greater things — He’s the life, the truth, the way,

Give God the glory for what you can do today.

        By Elaine Hardt ©2013

Consider Benefits: Greater Things in Your Life

Greater things are a possibility for me!

Greater learning improving personal ability;

Greater satisfaction is something I can achieve,

Greater usefulness is possible, because I now believe.

Greater significant victories!

Greater inner strength and freedom to see;

Greater insight into important things,

Greater happiness that inner freedom brings.

Greater stamina so I don’t so easily tire!

Greater connections with people up higher;

Greater ideas are welcome in my mind,

Greater inspiration I am able to find.

Outside on a Starry Night

Where do you start on a journey of faith?

     Start outside on a dark, clear night.

Stand on tiptoe and stretch to the sky

     Look up at the bright starry sight.

See worlds in orbit and suns aflame;

     Pause to consider their faraway light.  

Set Free From Life's Disappointments

                                    Stop fussing, settle down;

you can be happy!

God wants to set you free 

from life’s disappointments.

He wants you to learn

to be stronger and wiser.

The LORD knows your frustration

as disappointments crowd in.

The Future: A Fearful or Faithful Response?

The future will be an adventurous time, 

But I’ve never imagined such a scary thing!

More is at stake, there’s no turning back;

Tensions rising, uncertainties overwhelming.

Hyper-technological governments now able

To accomplish tyranny and destruction easily;

Greater evils are possible, everything is magnified:

Terrible personal and national calamity.

The future is a challenge to greater courage,

Sacrifice, thoughtful, well-planned preparation;

Time must be spent in search and analysis,

And for each of us, definite determination.

We must stand strong now, and encourage each other,

We must turn to our Creator God in honest prayer;

He calls us to obedience: see His power, love, and grace: 

Will it be fear or faith? I write this because I deeply care. 

  By Elaine Hardt ©2012