Author Archives: sagescenery

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About sagescenery

Christian, licensed minister, author, wife, mother, teacher, and drama team pastor who loves landscape photography and writing. Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved. Photos and Text.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness!

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Faithfulness

Is a major attribute of our God!!

The Bible reveals…

He’s Trustworthy!

He’s Dependable!

He’s Consistent!

He’s Loyal!

He’s Steadfast!

We can trust Him!

He’s true to His Word!

We can obey Him!!

We can experience His faithfulness first hand!

We can rely on Him every day!

Our confidence in Him grows!

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Deuteronomy 32:4

“He is the Rock,

His works are perfect,   

and all His ways are just.

A faithful God who does no wrong,   

upright and just is He.”

Psalm 36:5

“Your love, Lord, reaches to the Heavens,   

Your faithfulness to the skies.”

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Psalm 89:1

“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;   

with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known   

through all generations.”

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Psalm 91:4

“He will cover you with His feathers,   

and under His wings you will find refuge;   

His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

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Psalm 110:4-5

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving   

and His courts with praise;   

give thanks to Him and praise His Name.

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;   

His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

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Lamentations 3:22-24

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,   

for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;   

great is Your faithfulness.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;   

therefore I will wait for Him.”

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1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

“May God Himself,

the God of peace,

sanctify you through and through.

May your whole spirit, soul and body

be kept blameless

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The One who calls you is faithful,

and He will do it.”

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Has He proven His faithfulness to you???

I Still Believe…Even When I Don’t See…

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Ever Felt Like This???

Scattered words???

Empty thoughts???

Torn???

Feel His Grace…

Falling like Rain…

Washing away pain…

Believe in His Faithfulness
Believe in His Truth
Believe in His Holy Word
Even when you don’t see…

Still Believe!

Let Jesus prepare your heart…

Brokenness???

Fall into His Arms…

He’s near…

Jesus!!

Believe!

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Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for

and assurance about what we do not see.”

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Matthew 9:28-30

“When He had gone indoors,

the blind men came to Him,

and He asked them,

Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

‘Yes, Lord,’ they replied.

Then He touched their eyes and said,

According to your faith let it be done to you;’

and their sight was restored…”

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Matthew 21:21-22

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you,

if you have faith and do not doubt,

not only can you do what was done to the fig tree,

but also you can say to this mountain,

‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’

and it will be done.

If you believe,

you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

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Mark 9:23

“What do you mean,

‘If I can’?’

Jesus asked.

“Anything is possible if a person believes.”

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Still Believe…

Even when you can’t see!!

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Yes, I Am

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Who Are You, Lord????

John 8:56-58

“Your father Abraham

rejoiced at the thought of seeing My day;

he saw it and was glad.”

“You are not yet fifty years old,”

they said to Him,

“and you have seen Abraham!”

“Very truly I tell you,”

Jesus answered,

“before Abraham was born,

I Am!”

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Think about it…

He Is…

Maker of the Heaven  

Bright and Morning Star  

Breath of all Creation

Who Always Was

And Is To Come

One Who Walked on Water  

One Who Calmed the Seas  

Miracles and Wonders

So Come and See

And follow Him

You will know

Fount of Living Water
Risen Son of Man
Healer of the Broken

And When You Cry…

Your Savior and Redeemer
Who Bore the Sins of Man
The Author and Perfecter
Beginning and the End

He Is

Spirit Deep Inside You
Word Upon Your Heart
One Who Even Knew You

Before Your Birth
Before You Were

Before the Earth
The Universe
In Every Heart

Where You Are
The Lord of Love
The King of Kings
The Holy Lamb

Above All Things!

Yes, He Is!

Almighty God Your Father
Risen Son of Man
Healer of the Broken

And When You Cry…

Your Savior and Redeemer
Who Bore the Sins of Man
The Author and Perfecter
Beginning and the End

He Is

Right there beside you!!

Amen!

Comforting, huh???

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“I Am Willing…Let It Be Done As You Believed It Would!”

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Are you believing for something right now???

We are!

Jesus is willing!!!!!

Ask!

Believe!

Have Faith!

Jesus is reaching out His Hand!

Expect To Receive!

Amen!

Matthew 8:1-13, 23-27, 28-34

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

 “When Jesus came down from the mountainside,

large crowds followed Him.

A man with leprosy

came and knelt before Him and said,

‘Lord,

if you are willing,

You can make me clean.’

Jesus reached out his hand

and touched the man.

I am willing,’

He said.

Be clean!’

Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

Then Jesus said to him,

See that you don’t tell anyone.

But go, show yourself to the priest

and offer the gift Moses commanded,

as a testimony to them.’

The Faith of the Centurion

When Jesus had entered Capernaum,

a centurion came to Him,

asking for help.

Lord,’

he said,

‘my servant lies at home paralyzed,

suffering terribly.’

Jesus said to him,

Shall I come and heal him?’

The centurion replied,

‘Lord,

I do not deserve to have You come under my roof.

But just say the word,

and my servant will be healed.

For I myself am a man under authority,

with soldiers under me.

I tell this one,

‘Go,’

and he goes;

and that one,

‘Come,’

and he comes.

I say to my servant,

‘Do this,’

and he does it.”

When Jesus heard this,

He was amazed

and said to those following Him,

Truly I tell you,

I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 

I say to you that many will come from the east and the west,

and will take their places at the feast with

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven.

But the subjects of the Kingdom will be thrown outside,

into the darkness,

where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Then Jesus said to the centurion,

Go!

Let it be done just as you believed it would.’

And his servant was healed at that moment.”

Jesus is willing!!!

Are you willing…

To Believe???

Jesus Calms the Storm

Then He got into the boat

and His disciples followed Him. 

Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake,

so that the waves swept over the boat.

But Jesus was sleeping.

The disciples went and woke Him,

saying,

‘Lord, save us!

We’re going to drown!’

He replied, ‘You of little faith,

why are you so afraid?”’

Then He got up

and rebuked the winds and the waves,

and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked,

‘What kind of man is this?

Even the winds and the waves obey Him!'”

Have you ever felt this way???

Like you’re going to drown???

Like you need someone to save you???

What man is this???

That even the winds and the waves obey Him???

They obey Him sooner than we do!!!

Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men

“When He arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes,

two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met Him.

They were so violent that no one could pass that way.

What do You want with us,

Son of God?’

they shouted.

‘Have You come here to torture us

before the appointed time?’

Some distance from them

a large herd of pigs was feeding.

The demons begged Jesus,

‘If You drive us out,

send us into the herd of pigs.’

He said to them,

Go!’

So they came out

and went into the pigs,

and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank

into the lake and died in the water.

Those tending the pigs ran off,

went into the town

and reported all this,

including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.

Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus.

And when they saw Him,

 they pleaded with Him to leave their region.”

They all met Jesus…

But how sad…

They met the One who is willing to save…

But, asked Him to leave!!

Ask Him, today!

“What do You want from me?

He’ll answer,

“Ask Me to…

‘Come!!’

To come into your situation…

Whatever it might be at the moment!

Amen!

He’s willing!!

To do whatever you’re…

Believing for!!

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Act of Love-A Creation Perspective

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Reblogged from:

http://jesusisgodblog.wordpress.com/act-of-love-a-creation-perspective/?contact-form-id=49&contact-form-sent=87&_wpnonce=6022afa916#contact-form-49

Please check out the entire blog!

Perfect.

Our Lord is Perfect.

He also is Love.

He needs nothing as He is complete.

Love has no meaning unless it is shared.

To share Love, He created us.

Creation was perfect.

We were created in His image.

He is Spirit and so are we.

He is sovereign and so are we.

Sovereignty means we can make choices independently.

To make choices, there has to be options.

This is why Evil exists, so that we can choose.

Creation was perfect.

There were no seasons, only 300 days of equal length.

It never rained and earth was covered in cloud.

Animals did not fear man, as both were herbivores – Genesis teaches that even lions ate grass “given as meat unto them.”

Man was given choices and warned of the consequences of making the wrong ones.

Despite perfection to his avail, man chose Evil over Love.

Earth was cursed as the result.

We are reminded of this curse every 28 days.

There is decay and effort.

There is war and terror.

There is disease and disability.

There is disaster and turmoil.

There is litter and waste.

There is conviction and eternal suffering.

Man was evicted from Paradise.

Exiled.

The Word teaches that hell was never intended for humans but for Satan and his fallen angels.

Now, our Love has to see His beloved go to waste, go into the eternal pit of condemnation and torture.

He sent prophets and judges calling man to obedience, to return to the Father.

Man deliberately rejected His approaches.

He gave laws but man could not comply.

Laws were only given to prove to man his own inability, his own incapacity to obey. Laws were not to start a new religion.

Man either could not follow the laws or chose not to. The law proved man to be imperfect.

Man was lost.

Man needed redemption.

Man needed restitution.

Man needed restoration.

God proved to man that mankind could not save itself.

He then took the burden upon Himself, to liberate man from sin and death. Still, a selfless act of love.

He came to us as “the Son of Man”

He shed His blood, as life is therein, to redeem us.

He ended ritual sacrifice as He became the sacrifice.

He ended the law as He became the law.

He ended the Sabbath as He is the Sabbath.

We are now with Him forever, if we are reborn, as we have eternal life.

Eternal life is resting from sin, Jesus is our rest.

If we love Him, we will rest in Him.

If we love Him, His “law” will rule our hearts.

The Ten Commandments were perfected through the New Covenant.

Love your Lord with all your heart.

Love your neighbour like yourself.

Love will rule out murder and strife.

Love will rule out corruption and greed.

Love will rule out dissent and divorce.

Love will rule out partiality and bear unity.

Love will heal wounds and not wage war.

Love will never covet.

Love will not gossip or slander.

Love will not manipulate.

Love will overcome fear.

Through Love, Jesus Christ restored us to the legal status of innocent perfection prior to sin.

We are deemed to be perfect.

We have been liberated.

We have been set free.

Why do His children riot?

Why do His children go on strike?

Why on this earth do we not accept the Love that offers us Grace?

Why do we not accept our pardon?

Why do we torture and maim, be it in body or in spirit?

Let us accept His grace.

Let us return to Him in Love.

Let us Love Love.

As God is Love!

Out of Love, let us be led by His Spirit

Out of Love, let us obey His will

Out of Love, let us bring Him joy

Out of Love, let us draw others to Him

Out of Love, let us line the deep pockets of the death robe with jewels

Jewels like yourself

Jewels such as others like you

Let us go to Him

Let us embrace Him

Let us become one with Him

As He wants to be One with us!

Such is the need of Love

Complete Love.

Listen to the Children

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Love that first quote!! I remember when my son was around 5 years old..I was teaching full-time and writing my thesis for my master’s…I’d set him up with a video in the bedroom upstairs…and every so often, he’d come downstairs…give me a hug and say, “I love you, Mommy!” Concentration shot…but it was my cue to stop, listen, and love on him! I certainly paid off for me…God is good!!

melanie jean juneau's avatarmother of nine9

The biggest stumbling block to truly listening, especially to children, is our self-important business
Henri Nouwen SJ, Jesuit author, university prof,  complained to God about all the students who came to his office, interrupting his writing. God’s answer?

“I just gave you that book to write to keep you busy in between appointments;

 your real work is all those interruptions.”

Mother-and-Child_006

No matter what our occupation, we tend to think that our work, our agenda is important. It is almost in our nature to let ambition and drive push other people to the fringes of our awareness while we toil in an isolated bubble of self-importance. There are many methods that can shake us out of this selfish obsession but for me as a mother, it was my children.

Mum, mum! Come see what I made!”

“Can you read me a book?”

“I tried and tried but it just won’t stay…

View original post 180 more words

On Our Knees Again??? Oh, Right…We’re Not Perfect! And Neither Is Life!

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What happened???

What did you do???

What did you say???

What were you thinking???

Were you thinking???

So now you’re on your knees again???

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Job 8 (The Message)

(This is a response to Job’s afflictions by his friend Bildad, 

when Job’s three friends came with sincerity and tender sympathy to comfort Job,

and yet proved miserable comforters!)

Does God Mess Up?

Bildad from Shuhah was next to speak:

“How can you keep on talking like this?
    You’re talking nonsense, and noisy nonsense at that.
Does God mess up?
    Does God Almighty ever get things backward?
It’s plain that your children sinned against Him—
    otherwise, why would God have punished them?
Here’s what you must do—and don’t put it off any longer:
    Get down on your knees before God Almighty.
If you’re as innocent and upright as you say,
    it’s not too late—He’ll come running;
    He’ll set everything right again, reestablish your fortunes.
Even though you’re not much right now,
    you’ll end up better than ever.”

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Lately, she’s been thinking what her daddy said,
How when you’re winning, you got more friends,
But are they your friends, if you fall, they’re gone?
Something about those kind of people seems wrong.

Who’s gonna be there when the phone call knocks her down?
All of the steeples, but she can’t hear a bell sound,
Jumps on a bus to head downtown,
And picks up the paper that’s been blowing around, it says,

“When your heart breaks, He’ll hurt for you!
Dreams are out of reach, He’ll pull you through!
When you lose hope, all you gotta do is,
Get on your knees again!

Not long now and you’re gonna see,
No mountain’s too high for you, or for me,
Or fall too far, if you can believe,
And get on your knees, on your knees again!”

She folds up the paper and puts it in her bag,
Knows she really needs a Savior like that!
Walking past her church just up the street,
Says, “Maybe it’s time to get on my knees!”

‘Cause He was there when no one was around,
All of the people, but no one made a sound,
Thinks of her brother, who’s been feeling down,
Pulls out the paper and reads it aloud,

You’ve given everything you’ve got,
Still it’s hard to believe,
Love comes from the inside out,
If you wanna be free!

Ya gotta give your love and never stop!
When you think about giving up,
Get on your knees!

When you’ve given everything you’ve got
Ya gotta give your love and never stop!!

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Ephesians 6:18

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions

with all kinds of prayers and requests.

With this in mind,

be alert

and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

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Go to:

http://www.biblestudyspace.com/profiles/blogs/fight-your-battles-on-your

For the entire lesson…

“Fight Your Battles On Your Knees”

By Charles Stanley

“What are you battling today?

Does it seem as if God doesn’t see your pain or understand your heartache?

Let me assure you He knows exactly what you are going through.

Sit in the Lord’s presence today, and offer this prayer:

‘Lord, I don’t want anything in my life that displeases You.

Take my bitterness, resentment, and anger.

I give You this battle,

and trust that You will turn it for my good

in Your way and in Your timing.’

Release your problems to Almighty God,

and you will find victory.”

Amen!

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Matthew 26:41

“Watch and pray

so that you will not fall into temptation.

The spirit is willing,

but the flesh is weak.”

Believe It!! We’re Safe In His Arms!

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You Can Believe God’s Promise!!

Ahhhhh!  Safe!! 

Relax!!

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Deuteronomy 33:12

“…Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him,   

for He shields him all day long,   

and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.”

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Deuteronomy 33:27

“The Eternal God is your refuge,   

and underneath are the Everlasting Arms.

He will drive out your enemies before you,   

saying, ‘Destroy them!’”

Hallelujah and Amen!!

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Psalm 139:5-6

“You hem me in behind and before,   

and You lay Your Hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,   

too lofty for me to attain.”

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To the one who’s dreams are falling all apart
And all you’re left with is a tired and broken heart
I can tell by your eyes you think your on your own
But you’re not all alone!

Have you heard of the One who can calm the raging seas
Give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet?
With a love so strong He’ll never let you go
Oh, you’re not alone!

You will be safe in His arms!
You will be safe in His arms!
‘Cause the Hands that hold the world are holding your heart
This is the promise He made
He will be with You always!
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms!

Did you know that the Voice that brings the dead to life
Is the very same Voice that calls you to rise?
So hear Him now He’s calling you home
You will never be alone!

These are the Hands that built the mountains
The Hands that calm the seas
These are the Arms that hold the Heavens
They are holding you and me!

These are Hands that healed the leper
Pulled the lame up to their feet
These are the Arms that were nailed to a cross
To break our chains and set us free!

You are safe in His Arms!!

Go to:

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=9JBFBJNU

To hear the story behind this song by Phil Wickham

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John 10:28

“I give them eternal life,

and they shall never perish;

no one will snatch them out of My Hand.”

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Run to Christ…

Into His Arms of Safety!!

And stay there!

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2 Timothy 2″13

“…if we are faithless,   

He remains faithful,   

for He cannot disown Himself.”

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We’re safe not because we’ll never fall,

We’re safe because He never fails!

Praise God!

Let God embrace you in His Mighty, waiting Arms!

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Psalm 144:2

“…He is my steadfast love and my fortress,   

my stronghold and my deliverer,

my shield and He in whom I take refuge,   

who subdues peoples under me.”

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What more do we need to feel safe and secure?!?!

Ya Gotta Believe in Yourself…

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Because God believes in You!!

Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear, for I am with you;    

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;    

I will uphold you with My Righteous Right Hand.”

Here’s the triumphant story…

I received through e-mail…

Of a little pup, called Daisy…

Who overcame all obstacles!

The vets suggested putting her to sleep…

But Daisy’s eyes and her spirit said otherwise…

She wanted to LIVE!!!!

So people refused to give up on her…

Nor did she give up on herself!!

It’s a story about strength…

Friendship…

And love…

But most of all…

It’s a story about believing in ourselves!

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”

.

The inspirational music…

“You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban…

Is sung as a contemporary hymn in church services…

People find it embracing and emotionally strong…

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until You come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on Your shoulders;
You raise me up… To more than I can be.

There is no life – no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when You come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up

To more than I can be.

God never gives up on you!

He sent His Son, Jesus…

To rescue you…

So you can run, too!!!

John 6:29

Jesus answered,

“The work of God is this:

to believe in the One He has sent.”

Matthew 9: 28-29

“When He had gone indoors,

the blind men came to Him,

and He asked them,

Do you believe that I am able to do this?’

‘Yes, Lord,’ they replied.

Then He touched their eyes and said,

According to your faith let it be done to you’;”

Believe!

God has not forgotten you…

He couldn’t possibly love you anymore than He already does…

Believe what God has said in His Word…

About you!!