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2020 Give Your Fear To God 3 19 20 My Anxiety Needs Prayer And Petition 7 22 20 |
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Thursday, March 19, 2020 |
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Scripture: Psalm 56:3 (NIV) – "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." Message: Our oldest son had cancer. The protocol for boys who are treated at St Jude Children's Research Hospital for acute lymphoblastic leukemia is about three years. I am grateful Zane is alive. Zane was only three years old at diagnosis. Rather than giving him a huge burden to carry, I was fortunate enough to hear this verse at the right time. When I was weary and we felt scared, I told our son to say "his" Bible verse. For the next three years we clung to this verse. I realized these words applied to every situation in our lives; they still do. Whenever, I was overwhelmed, "Zane's verse" reminded me, God already knows the chapters of my life and I trusted He would see me through this particularly hard chapter. I'm thankful for my sweet friend Carole, who shared this verse with me and all of the children at Vacation Bible School (VBS), as part of her introduction of Zane to the other children. She was also sick as a child, and she talked about how saying this verse stopped her being afraid. Little Zane sat next to the other kids, wearing his hospital mask, as I sat feet away in case he needed me. Our little outing to VBS was so perfect in every way. I'll always be grateful for my aunt Sharon and uncle Richard for walking their faith and inviting me to their church and to VBS. And, I will never forget Carole, who spoke the right words to us at just the right time. Please share your favorite verse with someone. It just might be the verse helping them fight a huge battle. Zane finished treatment in 2013. He is healthy today. No matter what you are facing... God has your back! Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for seeing me through my toughest times. Give me the grace to admit when I am trying to take on all my struggles alone. Thank You for opening my ears to hear the right words at the right time. I know You will always be by my side. I pray I always remember to trust You. God bless the children who are fighting cancer and bless the hands treating them. Amen. Maranda Arnold |
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Wednesday, July 22, 2020 - "The Connection" Series |
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Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Message: I often think of the saying, “Let go and let God.” In any stressful situation I know God already knows the plans of my life and somehow and someway He will see me through. Prayer and petition are sometimes a neglected resource, as I fret and fumble with all of life’s “What ifs.” The peace of God reminds me I can truly sit still and wait for the lesson, or the answer and God will always see me through. God’s timing is rarely in the time I want, and yet it is always perfect. My anxiety is best shifted during the quiet times when I can really talk to God and let go of my own will and know that God already has a plan. Ultimately, His timing is always better than mine. Waiting is hard and letting go of my own wants and relying on God’s higher purpose for me is what is sometimes hard – but it is always worth it. Prayer: Heavenly Father, today at this very moment I pray for all stressed out families with intention to seek You first and wait for Your will to be done in any and every situation. I pray for anyone who struggles with anxiety through these stressful days that we are navigating. I pray for quiet times when we can remember to trust in Your process and feel Your presence and peace with thanksgiving. Please soften our hearts to allow forgiveness and reconciliation for anyone who is struggling. Amen. Maranda Arnold |
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