Turning back the hands of time

This year has been going by so quickly. Can you imagine that it is already November! I am not sure where it went, but in case you had a project you planned to start for 2013, you had better get going because soon the year will be over.

 Well one positive thing this weekend you will be able to get an extra hour sleep as we turn our clocks back one hour this Saturday night.

 

 As I think about turning the clocks back, I cannot help but think about some situations and things that have happened in our lives that we wish we could turn the clock back and do it differently. Some wrong decisions or choices we made, or some hasty As I think about turning the clocks back, I cannot help but think about some situations and things that have happened in our lives that we wish we could turn the clock back and do it differently. Some wrong decisions or choices we made, or some hasty words that we may have said, oh if only we could go back, we would have done it differently. This is why it is so important to think carefully about the things we do or say so we have little or no regrets in the future. We wish sometimes we could even go back to happier days, times, and relationships, but we will just have to rely on the memories instead.

 

 I am so glad that God never wants to turn time back or even go back on His promises to us. They are forever-they are ours to grab a hold of. That's good news!

 

 

 In His Service,

 

Vilma

You are Special to God

How was your week? How are the children? I trust all is well with the family and you are looking forward to a great weekend together- physically and spiritually. I find it such a privilege and honor every weekend writing to you. I want you to know that I do find you all very special.

 

As a matter of fact I am not the only one who finds you special but so does God. Here is what He says about you.

In Psalm 139:14 - God says," You are fearfully and wonderfully made." In Psalm 17:8, we are reminded that "we are the apple of His eye." In Deuteronomy 7:6, God is saying that you are "His treasured possession." In Isaiah 43:1-5 He says "He has redeemed us, named us, will be with us through our rivers and our fires. When He looks at us He sees precious, He cannot help saying how much He has loved us and reminds us that we should not worry because He will bring our children from wherever they are.

 

Every time I read these verses I have no doubt in my mind of how very special a person I am. The faults others and myself see in me and are quick to point out God calls unique.

  

  In His Service,

 

Vilma

Did you know God reveals Secrets to us?

 I pray you had a productive week, at least more productive than our government is at the moment :).

 As we pause from all that is going on around us let us continue to encourage ourselves with the promises that God has for us and for our children. 

 This week let us look at Deut. 29:29 - The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the Words of this Law.

 Did you realize God has secrets? Yes He does, however, He does reveal some of these secrets to us. God does not reveal these secrets just because He wants to impress us but because He has something very important He wants us to know. These secrets are not just for us but they are tran-generational and they last for ever. The other thing we need to understand is that these secrets are meant for us to live a better life.

There are times when we miss what God is saying to us because we have not developed a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. We fail to spend quiet time with God and most times when we go to Him we keep talking rather than listening. So why don't we try listening more and talking less. There is no better time than starting this weekend.

 In His Service,

 Vilma

 

God will contend with those who contend with you

This has certainly been an interesting week to say the least. I pray you have not allowed what is happening to make you question the presence of God. Just remember when your heart gets overwhelmed simple ask Him to lead you to that Rock that is higher than you are where you can find shelter.

 I trust that you will stay empowered by continuing to learn the promises that God has promised both you and your children in His word. A Christian who is armed with God's promises is a dangerous one to the enemy.  

Let us look at Isaiah 49: 25b- for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.

The word contend also means to resist, oppose, struggle , and put up with.

 I don't know about you but I am ecstatic, knowing that God has promised to struggle with those who struggle with me and save my children.

When we spend our time and effort in struggling with our enemy we get distracted and don't even realize that the enemy has taken our children. Keep declaring these words over your children this weekend.

Lord I thank you for your promise that You will rise up to defend me against those that come at me and that you will save my children.

 In His Service,

Vilma

Let's remember His Benefits

Let me share with you some wonderful benefits that can be found in Psalm 103:2-5. I am encouraging you to make this your prayer focus for your children over this weekend.

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- who forgive all your sins and heal all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's (NIV).

So here is how we can give thanks: Lord I Thank you that my children will want to give you praise (bless) every time. I thank you that they will not forget all your many benefits (rewards, dealings of ones hands). Thank you for forgiving all their sins, and healing all their diseases. I am grateful that you purchased them from the pit and have crowned them with your Love and compassion. I thank you for satisfying their desire with good things and for renewing their youth as the Eagles.

Isn’t it amazing how much God has done for us and for our children? I don’t know about you but this gives me such confidence that everything I need or they need has been taken care of, their sins/salvation, their health, their wealth and their future.
Regardless of what things may look like just keep praying and stay focused. They WILL eventually recognize these benefits.

In His Service,

Vilma

 

Bullying in schools

How was your week? I hope it was a productive one.

Can you remember when you were in elementary and high school? Was there a big problem with bullying or being teased? This trend seem to have escalated to a new high all over the country. From time to time I have read or heard in the news where various children and adolescents have committed suicide to escape being teased or bullied in school. Some children get depressed or anxious and are unable to learn in school. On the other hand there are those children who keep it to themselves not wanting to tell their parents or teachers for fear of the bullying getting even worse. Bullying is just as common on the internet (cyber bullying) as it is in schools.

 Together we must take a stand against bullying. A good place to start is at home if you have young children or grandchildren in school. Let them know that bullying or being bullied is unacceptable. Let us teach them that we are all precious in God's sight regardless of race, or physical features. Make sure you are aware of what your children are doing on the internet (face book and twitter) and set clear expectations if rules are broken. Do not be caught saying "I wish I had"

Dr. Daniela White, a board certified Psychiatrist and founder of the Midtown Psychiatric Center in Houston Texas explains, "When it comes to a Bully, the act of victimizing someone else is seen as a way to gain power over the other person. It comes from a lack of having alternative means by which to behave appropriately. There need to be consequences for bullies, but these are also children who need help."

 Signs your child may be Bullied:

* Child appears sad, moody, angry, anxious, and these moods last with no known cause.

* Waiting to get home to use the bathroom

* Ravenous when at home (bullies often use extortion or outright steal lunch or lunch money)

* Sudden and significant drop in grades

* Blaming self for problems - 'not good enough'

* Frequent visits to the school nurse

* Child mysteriously 'losing' possessions when they are actually being taken by the bully

If you observe any of these in your child- discuss with their teacher or a school administrator.

 In His Service,

 

Vilma

A Sacrifice of Praise

Let’s give praises to God who blesses us daily with good things.  I know we may not feel blessed on days when things seem to go crazy and we feel overwhelmed.  However always know that things could always be worse. The bible tells us that God inhabits or dwells in our praises. David in Psalm 150:1 says ”Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord” If you are reading this you have breath and hence you are included in the “everything that hath breath”

For the remainder of the weekend let us practice offering up to God our praise and thanksgiving, for some it may be a “sacrifice” that is ok – Paul understands that and hence this is why he so eloquently exhorts us in Hebrews 13:10-15 to offer a “sacrifice of praise”.  Some words that are similar to the word “sacrifice” are expense, cost, loss, ransom, or victim- it shows that a sacrifice is never easy. My interpretation is that when we offer a sacrifice of praise we are able to praise God without looking at what we are going through. I can tell you for sure that this is not easy; however this offering of the fruit of our lips will bring us out of our sickness, depression, despair, mourning or our confusion.

 Praise works miracle just ask the children of Israel what happened when they marched around the walls of Jericho shouting praises to God, or Paul and Silas when they were in prison and were singing praises to God, I won’t even try to talk about David except to say I would run out of space.

Let’s just command our soul, mind, and heart to do what we were created for “TO PRAISE THE LORD”

In His Service,

Vilma