The Goodness of God

 

My heart will never find enough words to write a perfect description of what the goodness of God has meant to me; each season of life is unique, but in the midst of a most challenging year, His loving presence provided every ounce of the strength that was needed.

The Lord continues to bless my life so much, and I never deserve any of it. Coming into the Christmas season, I was not at all excited for all of the commercialization that surrounds such an important event.

Mom and I went into the month of December with hearts of praise for all of the goodness that has crossed both of our paths. 

The earlier parts of the year found us facing challenges that were unexpected, bringing devastation into our simple little world. As a daughter, my heart was broken as I watched my mother experience the worst lupus flare she's ever known. Mom is still soldiering through what's left behind, but we are immensely thankful for all of the recovery progress that has been made. The Lord was such a help through a time of immense need; His love carried us through every single moment.

Several months of her illness and the experience of caregiving also opened my eyes to all of the wonderful people that the Lord has placed in our lives. I cannot begin to tell you how thankful we are for the supportive presence of such loving friends and family.

I want to begin the new year on Molly's Zone by continuing my thoughts on the goodness of God; but today's post is simply a thank you to all.

My mother and I have always been super close, and I love her with all of my heart. God has done great things for us; I will forever be glad.

"The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad." (Psalm 126:3 KJV)

The Presence of Jesus

 Raise your hand if you still haven't finished all of your Christmas shopping yet.  

For the first time ever in my life, I am on the last minute shoppers team this year, and I genuinely have no clue what to buy for anyone; I don't even know what else I could possibly need or ask for from loved ones. 

The commercial aspect of Christmas has lost its appeal; it's unbelievable to see just how far the world has drifted away from the true significance of the Christmas celebration. 

The joy of Christmas can never be found through buying expensive gifts.

It's purpose will never revolve around seeing who has been naughty or nice, or the amount of presents someone receives.

The celebratory meaning behind this special day will always be the birth of Jesus; a great reminder of the hope that can be found through placing our faith in Him.

He selflessly paid the debt of sin for all so that we may have the free gift of salvation and the promise of eternal life. 

Choosing to accept that special one-of- a-kind gift will be the greatest and most important decision you could ever make. 

May this be your reminder to remember just Who you are celebrating. It's ALL about the presence of Jesus and the great commending of His love towards us.

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 KJV)

 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6 KJV) 

"

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

 "Not of works, lest any man should boast."

(Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV) 

The Need for a Home (A Place to Call Home Series Part 2)

        Far too many souls are immersed in a never-ending search for a place to call home while traveling through this world.

    That's a thought I have quite often--one that I felt compelled to elaborate on today; my previous post was centered around finding a place to call home through accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 

    The need to settle the situation of eternal residence is an urgent matter---the world we live in remains temporal in nature and the all-consuming presence of evil is surely noticeable just by reading through a news article or viewing the ads and TV shows that are currently on air.

The search for peace from within and the presence of so much unfiltered rage bothers my soul.

FYI, You'll never find an ounce of peace as long as you're without Jesus. 

You don't need the perfect house---you need a home to be lived in.

You don't need that expensive vehicle----you need reliable transportation.

You don't need those friends that love to drink alcohol and party---you need friends that love and live in full surrender to the Lord; those who will always point you in His direction.

Please don't wait to settle the matter of eternity. Tomorrow is never promised. Jesus loves you more than you could ever know. 

Your heart needs Him more than you may realize; this world will never have a thing to offer, but Jesus is always willing to meet you right where you are---and His number one desire is for you to accept His precious gift of eternal life---and for you to have the guarantee of a place to call home that waits for you just beyond the gates of Heaven.

The Bible Way to Heaven

 

We’re All Sinners: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

 

We Were Sent A Savior: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

 

We Were Supplied A Gift: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23)

 

We Can Simply Call: “For whosoever shall upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

 

We Must Confess: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved”. (Romans 10:9)

A Place To Call Home

 

            I've always been the sort of person who loves everything about staying close to home; a place that is cozy, comfortable, and inviting--a perfect oasis for a family of two. Mom and I ran a few errands the other day and even though I knew it was necessary, I still couldn't wait to come back home. Within a world full of raging sickness, increasingly careless drivers, and the worsening presence of evil---the idea of never venturing too far away provides a sense of comfort and safety. 

A simple thought such as this leads me to share this message with you today: 

    Through a time when darkness is doing its best to prevail, may your heart find a home with Jesus. I wrote a few notes down that go along with today's thought, but I will share those another time. My message this week is simply for those lost souls who just cannot find their way through such heavy burdens. So much heartbreak can be seen anywhere and everywhere---every family has a struggle---lately, there has been an unthinkable amount of loss. 

    Living right now can seem overwhelming. But I want to tell you that there's always a place to cast those burdens; an eternal love that will help to ease the worst of heartaches. 

A place to call home can always be found through running into the arms of Jesus. 

There's so much to be said (or written, in this case) about the unconditional love of Jesus; the amount stretches far and wide---and goes way beyond what anyone is capable of imagining. Placing your faith in the Lord guarantees the promise of a place to rest (and not only in an eternal sense.) You'll never be without a place to rest when life and its troubles cause your heart to grow weary.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

 "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29 KJV)

    The promise of shelter from those storms that grow stronger with each passing day has to be one of my favorite aspects of knowing Jesus. A place to call home must always be a place of shelter---a cozy place to escape the chaos of a storm and experience the peace that only Jesus can provide.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27 KJV)

     A breath of fresh and clean air that is free from the moldiness of this world is another promise to be made true through trusting in Jesus. Everyone wants a home that is clean and inviting---the same principle applies in describing the free gift of salvation that Jesus so freely offers. Eternal life in Heaven carries the promise of freedom from all sickness, pain, the pollution of sin, and evil---heartache--all of it gone forevermore. 

The Lord is inviting whosoever to trust in Him for salvation---so they may always have a welcoming place to run to; so they will never be without a place to call home. The world has nothing to offer you---and will never keep you in the arms of safety. May you find rest in Jesus. All He's asking is that you are willing. 

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13 KJV)

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9 KJV)

Let Him give your heart a place to call home today.

A Reminder to Be Thankful

     My heart is oh so happy that I am returning to Molly's Zone on this Tuesday morning! It has been well over six weeks since my blog anniversary post was shared; moving on up into September and all throughout the month of October proved to be a challenging period of time for my mother and me. 

I want to take this moment in time to simply praise the Lord both in the written word and within my heart for all of the recovery progress that my mother has made. It was truly a touch-and-go situation for some time; the unwelcoming presence of an autoimmune disease all too often leaves the heart filled with uncertainty.

Yet, in the midst of a relentless surge of fear---the Lord's faithfulness kept our hearts hopeful.

The ache of loneliness in walking through unfamiliar territory for the first time---sorrow that my heart has never known----the sort of friendship found through knowing Jesus forever fills my heart with peace that passes all understanding.

The devoted touch of His comfort found through the forgiveness found within His mercy and grace---the unconditional love that gently carried our broken hearts through the darkness; the sweetness of His love reverberated through the encouraging words and fervent prayers of loved ones near and far.

The magnitude of those blessings so often serves as a reminder to my heart to always be thankful. The Lord is gracious in providing for our every need (as well as a few wants). The smallest acts of His kindness and love must always be remembered as one travels along the pathway of life. 

May those small acts lead to some big moments of praise. 

May this thought for today be a reminder to always, always, always be thankful.

And whatever life may throw your way---Hold onto Jesus, and allow His light to shine right on through; allow Him to build and strengthen a heart of courage and hope within you. 

"Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." (Psalm 27:14 KJV)

"Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever." (Psalm 106:1 KJV) 

Thank You Lord (Molly's Zone Turns 7)

September 1st marked the seventh anniversary of the launching of Molly's Zone. How so much time has passed in the blink of an eye is one thing I will never understand. There will never be enough words to show the amount of thankfulness I have in my heart for everything the Lord has done for me. 

I know a thank you doesn't have to be fancy. In the midst of so much personal imperfection, He never fails to provide new opportunities each day to shine for His glory. I remain so amazed at the careful and continual work that He is performing within me. 

Most of all, I am so thankful for His promise of eternal life. It is difficult to say what path my life would have taken; without Jesus, who would I have been? Would I have have known Him as my Savior?

Those what if questions are the foundation of great self reflection. 

That promise found through trusting in Him for salvation has kept me in full protection; my days have also been filled with purpose that keeps my heart going for His glory. 

There's never been a moment the Lord hasn't been faithful. Through every painful trial, He has been a powerful shield. His loving presence continues to surpass every ounce of my fear. 

I love to be an encourager. The Lord has done so many wonderful things in my life; it only seems right to lift up others. I feel that is my greatest purpose. Writing was never something I wanted for myself, but Molly's Zone has been my greatest joy and the most undeserved blessing. I can only praise the Lord for how far He has taken me. 

This post is rather messy, but as previously mentioned, a thank you doesn't have to be fancy; it simply comes from the heart. I am truly blessed beyond measure. 

"I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works." (Psalm 9:1 KJV) 

Convenient Isn't Always Better

 

Some modern-day conveniences are wonderful to have around. The ability to keep up with church services via live stream and the chance to stay informed on current events and happenings with my family and friends on Facebook are some that I am most thankful for.

But one thing I have come to realize is:

Convenient isn't always better.

This past week was truly interesting. Our dishwasher had been experiencing technical difficulties and suddenly decided to stop working altogether.

A couple of days went by and my mom's laptop died as well. (So thankful we were able to get her previously purchased new one up and running without much hassle.)

The dishwasher, however, is still out of commission. Mom and I have been washing dishes by hand for a week now, and I really don't mind it.

Mom and I are HUGE coffee drinkers. We would often run out of needed coffee cups or find ourselves without some kitchen utensil we wanted because it was still sitting and waiting to be run through a wash cycle.

It is far too easy to rely on the convenience of this world. Life may appear to be less complicated, but in reality, it will never fail to leave your heart both in need and unsatisfied.

Having to wash everything by hand is certainly a switch. But, we are never in need of a coffee cup now. We haven't searched for a missing kitchen utensil either. That thought brought this familiar passage from Psalm 23 to mind: 

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters."

"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake".

 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." (Psalm 23:1-5 King James Version)

    The 1828 Webster's Dictionary defines the word want as being destitute or deficient in; not to have. In thinking about that, never being in want doesn't mean that you won't face hard times. Everyone does. It simply means that trusting in the Lord as your shepherd will never leave your heart as unsatisfied. You will always have His sheltering presence to provide comfort in the midst of great tribulation. The Lord is a faithful soldier against enemies, and He will never fail to fight for you each and every single day.

Another benefit that I have discovered from washing dishes by hand is that it soothes my arthritis. Several years of writing have led to spells of aching in my hands, & soaking them in the warm soapy water calms it right down.

That may seem like an interesting thought, but it's a fact that the convenience of this world will never truly ease those deep aches and pains felt throughout life.

The only true remedy is the warmth and love of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3 King James Version) 

My last thought of the day is that those processed dishwasher pods are much too expensive, and not everything comes out perfectly clean when you use them. There's always a spot missed or a piece of something that didn't thoroughly wash away.

We've been using a much cheaper dishwashing liquid & it is so much more thorough!

Everyone wants to be happy. Everyone likes something that makes them feel good. One of the dangers of modern-day religion is that it often promotes a feel-good message, never presenting the truth of the Gospel to so many lost and searching souls who are in need; never once giving an invitation to come to Christ for salvation. The practice of religion may bring you happiness for a while but...

Without salvation, anything else is much too expensive of a price to pay.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23 King James Version) 

True lasting joy comes from Jesus and the power of His saving grace.

And that gift is free.

No one is ever too lost for the Lord to save. 

A life with Him is always better.

                    "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13 King James Version)

Needs of the Heart: Consistency

 

        I feel comfortable describing myself as the single most disorganized person I know. A routine schedule is something I need in order to keep my house consistently clean. 

    My week never runs smoothly if my bed is not made or my floors haven't been swept. Writing sessions in my office end up unproductive if my desk is a mess; my thoughts become cloudy and the messages fail to come together as well as they should.

In a general sense, consistency has never been an easy concept for me. I recently downloaded an app that helps you create a weekly cleaning routine. I clean one room a day. That allows the mess to remain small in size; that not only eliminates the possibility of becoming overwhelmed but also provides an improvement in mental clarity and much-needed encouragement in my day. 

Have you ever heard the phrase: "Consistency is key?" 

We must be consistent in keeping the rooms of our hearts clean in order for us to remain functional in the midst of this lost and dying world, for our minds to stay focused on the truth of His Word, and to always be encouraged through time spent in His presence. 

Allowing our messes to grow directly contributes to chronic dysfunction. The automatic human reaction is to push everything out of sight as life falls deeper into disarray. The smallest of issues will develop into huge problems if they remain ignored for long periods of time. Never be embarrassed to run to Jesus. He is the ultimate provider of peace. 

"The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." (Exodus 14:14 King James Version)

A clean room always helps my thoughts to be healthy and organized. I cannot count the number of times I have struggled to build upon thoughts for a blog post or a story because my office was cluttered.  There have been countless times when I've found myself struggling through the day with the unhealthiness of my thoughts. My mind becomes a clouded place full of frustration. As humans, we sometimes forget how much we need Jesus. All we need to do is trust in the truth of His Word. The King James Bible is the ultimate source of clarity and guidance for each and every day.

"Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about the neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:"

"So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man." 

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." 

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:3-6 King James Version)

The task of cleaning one small area at a time encourages my heart to tackle more. I always need a little push to power through the more difficult tasks. Life can be full of moments that overwhelm. We must trust in Christ alone. He is the faithful provider of strength when we need a gentle nudge to keep on moving. His unconditional love and support prove to be the ultimate source of encouragement.

"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait I say, on the LORD." (Psalm 27:14 King James Version)

Trust The Pilot

 

     It is never easy to place our trust in someone other than ourselves. Traveling through unknown territory often finds us grasping for answers to those questions that seem to have no reasonable explanation. It is difficult to understand why specific trials come our way. 

    I can remember eagerly climbing onto an airplane for the first time. I took my seat all while having no idea what to expect from a flight. Heavy turbulence made its appearance through connecting flights...but I chose to remain calm and focused as I fully trusted the pilot in command of the plane. I kept my thoughts centered on the final destination to come. Not once did it cross my mind to look out the side window, even during the smooth parts of the flight. 

I always kept my mind on the final destination. 

The most challenging aspect of living in submission to Christ is fully trusting Him with every part of our lives. We never know what lies ahead. It is natural to grab onto our limited wisdom as part of a desperate search for answers. So many moments show us that life isn't fair while that big mountain seems impossible to move. 

The turbulence of life can seem overwhelming.

You just need to take it one day at a time. One step at a time. Don't allow your thoughts to drift away from Jesus. Keep your eyes upon Him.

Focus on His goodness. His mercy. His grace...

Through the worst of moments...God has you right in the palm of His hand.  

And even on those good days...always remember to keep trusting in Him as your pilot.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3 KJV)

The Time to Be Ready (Heart Preparedness for The Coming of Christ)

 

    Being given the opportunity to experience travel by flight is honestly a cherishable memory within my heart. There's no other emotion comparable to my excitement on that first-ever flight. The surge of nervous adrenaline was already present during the previous evening...as I ran through a checklist of essential items needed for the journey...and eagerly searched for information on what to bring along in a carry-on bag. 

    That task alone was overwhelming...but I was thankful to have an experienced travel buddy who not only reminded me of all the little things I would have probably forgotten...but also gave me a sense of much-needed calmness. The time to be ready to leave for the airport would soon be upon us, and in remembering that time, I just know in my heart I felt relieved to be prepared...or perhaps, over-prepared! 

*One old, but wise rule of thumb: One can never be too prepared for anything!*

    In bringing a message this week on the blog, this memory has been on my mind for several weeks now as one to share...but the time to be ready for Jesus to come back is now. It is important for me to share some tips on how to be ready for Jesus. 

Would you be prepared to take that flight? Do you have your eternal boarding pass? And what can you carry on with you to eternity?

One cannot even have their baggage checked or approach the gate without first acquiring a ticket and a boarding pass. You cannot reach Heaven without first acknowledging your sin and realizing your need for salvation. No good deeds or any degree of morality will secure a seat on the plane of eternal life; salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. 

The process of having your baggage checked is the single most challenging aspect of air travel. The agents first weigh the luggage...and if you are shown to be over the weight limit...they won't send the luggage on through to the next destination without removing the excess. Meanwhile, your carry-on bag stays with you at all times. 

    I borrowed an old carry-on bag from my mother for the trip to Spokane, Washington. It had a few bits of wrappers and trash in it from our trips to NYC in previous years. I cleaned out every tiny compartment before I began filling it with my essentials. 

Your eternal carry-on bag is what can be found within your heart. The first task you have is to bring it to the ultimate state of preparedness. As previously mentioned...you must see your heart's need for salvation. 

Perhaps the most essential point of preparedness is to ask the Lord to cleanse your heart of any dirt or dust that may be stuck within those tiny crevices that are somehow unforeseeable to the naked eye. Allow Him to reveal to you any unhealthy behaviors and mindsets. Allow Him to search your heart and examine it to the fullest extent. Remember, carry only the essentials: 

    The truth of His Word: unfailing and infallible...The Word of God remains resourceful throughout each season of life...No matter what you face...His Word will provide your heart with the guidance it so desperately needs.

    "Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me." (Psalm 119:133) 

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)

                    

    Joyfulness: One simple word that holds so much importance. No matter what life throws your way...always hold onto your joy. Choose joy every single day. There are moments that won't leave any room for understanding...but it is important to lean on His understanding with the fullness of joy. 

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:11)

Prayerful Patience: I am not skilled at being patient, and I will openly admit that! The combination of longing for my eternal home coupled with the excitement of meeting my Savior has me just plain over all of the nonsense that is going on in this world. This lack of patience is nothing new: as a small child, I loved school and would need a Benadryl to help me sleep on the night before the first day of the year because the excitement and anticipation would have kept me up all night long! 

It is difficult to just pray and wait while living our normal day-to-day lives when everything about this world is abnormal. However, patience is a powerfully essential life skill. It can take you through even the worst of frustrations. 

"Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;" (Romans 12:12)

Now is the time for your heart to be ready for Jesus. Would yours be prepared for eternity?

Let Jesus Pull You Through

 

When I was about six years old, I remember going trick or treating while in a green M & M costume. I was able to walk pretty well in it for most of the evening, but towards the end, my feet started to feel heavy and uncomfortable. Pretty soon, I was too tired to walk anymore.

I loved that costume. 

I remember my mother pulled a red Radio Flyer wagon with us the entire night. In it was a blanket that kept me comfortable as I rode the rest of the way through that evening, giving my feet some much-needed rest.

I don't know why this has been on my heart, but I know times are overwhelming; the uncertainty of our surroundings has placed a sense of heaviness on the hearts of many.

Lean on Jesus and allow Him to pull you through and to give you rest.  

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

'Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29 KJV)

Jesus is the greatest comforter through the mightiest of storms; a wonderful friend built for adversity. He will pull you through it all...providing you with strength that you never knew you could have. 

"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity"  (Proverbs 17:17 KJV)

Nothing is comparable to the faithfulness of Jesus.