hope – Page 3 – GREENLiGHT

Just As I Am…

Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come


Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt
Fighting and fears within without
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come
Ooh, just as I am, ooh, I come
Ooh, just as I am, oh Lamb of God, I come

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve
Because Thy promise I believe
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come
Ooh, just as I am, ooh, I come
Ooh, just as I am, oh Lamb of God, I come
Oh lamb of God, I come

~Charlotte Elliott

Disabled Charlotte Elliot wrote the above hymn Just as I Am at her lowest. She wrote it at a time when she thought she was most unworthy. Sure glad she did. The hymn has comforted many for centuries.

The Lord God accepts us just as we are. So go to him today. He accepts returns. All you have to do is ask.

Blessings overflow

6 Tips For A Spiritual Solo Retreat…

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psalm 23:2

Retreat means to withdraw. To take a step back. Jesus did this many times. He would disappear to spend time in the presence of his Father. He wanted to quiet his heart to gain the strength needed for the next steps on his earthly sojourn. If he needed strength, how much more we? Shouldn’t we follow the example that He set?

Larissa Marks, HuffPost contributor provided 6 practical steps to do a spiritual retreat. Here I share while giving a few of my own commentary.

Create the time and find a place. Any place quiet will do. It may be in your home. It may be away. It may be at a monastery or in nature. For me I skipped home to get away from the distractions. After two decades of receiving a prod to go, I finally gave in. Just me. Solo.
Set your intentions. What is the purpose? What is it you would like to achieve from this time with him? Is it a calling? Is it a life decision that you need to make? For me it was discernment and to follow his leading for the next phase of my life
Settle into God’s presence. Do something that quiets your heart and eases you into his presence. For me it’s walking in nature or sitting quietly breathing–welcoming and experiencing his presence. Ask him what he wants you to receive at this time. Listen and follow his lead.
Reflect. Do some quiet reflection. What have you experienced in the last few weeks, months or even years? What has been draining you? What has brought you satisfaction?
Connect with God. Read scripture. Notice any desire(s) that emerge. For me in his presence there’s always fullness of joy. Even in the midst of life’s storms I find that I can experience his quiet peace.
Receive and return. Think about what you received during this time away. What do you want to stop doing or start doing? Remember, it’s not about you, it’s about the Lord and accomplishing his will and purpose for your life.

Hope these tips will help provide guidance as you make important life decisions or seek discernment for the next phase of your life. If you have done solo retreats, what did you walk away with? What stood out most about this experience? Do share. We would love to hear.

Encouragement Quotes…

God never does anything accidentally, and he never makes mistakes.
Rick Warren

Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love and the future to God’s providence
Augustine

God is more interested in your future and your relationships than you are.
Billy Graham

One often sees a call only in retrospect. This too is God’s design. God often reinforces our faith after we trust him, not before.
Ravi Zacharias

The Desires Of Your Heart…

Thank you for being a friend. Lots of struggles but God made you special. I pray God will provide the desires of your heart. That you will always continue to give the gift of love that he has provided to you.

I pray today will be special day for you, you and yes… you too.

Blessings overflow

Plugged in?

I was doing some house work which included some rearrangements. When I was done I plugged back in the computer, laptop and devices. Noting worked. I figured that the electrical surge protector had gone bad. So I went to get another. As I plugged it in, I realized that the previous electrical equipment was simply not plugged in. I gasped, rolled my eyes and connected it to the wall plug and voila! It worked!

Caused me to reflect on our relationship with the Lord. We may lead groups, build relationships and do all manner of things but if we are not plugged into Christ the source, then it makes no sense.

Today, I encourage you to check your spiritual connection. Are you plugged in? Are you reading the word, doing daily devotion? Praying? All these contribute to our spiritual development. Without them we are just going through the motion with no effect.

Stop and check your battery life . Don’t miss his GreenLight Plug back in and experience the divine power from above.

Blessings overflow

4 Reasons For Closed Doors…

Closed doors prevent mistakes. Just because a path is clear doesn’t mean it’s the one God intends for us to follow. Sometimes we won’t have the information we need to make a wise decision, so He blocks the way. The Holy Spirit knows the whole road map for our life, so we should follow Him.

Closed doors redirect our walk. God won’t leave a willing servant with nothing to do. Closed doors can result in better fruit, more satisfaction, and greater glory for Him.

Closed doors test faith and build perseverance. Waiting for the Lord is hard, but it’s a means by which we can learn wisdom, patience, and trust.

Closed doors buy us time. We aren’t always as prepared as we’d like to think. God may temporarily hold shut an opportunity for service until we’re ready.

These 4 reasons were written by Dr. Charles Stanley for our encouragement. Going through a challenge? Reflect on them and be encouraged while you wait.

The Influence Of Dying For Likes…

Do it for the Love and not for the Likes

Yep it’s real. People are physically dying for likes. Social media has changed the world. A self professed influencer lost her balance in an attempt to do a crazy jump. She passed away. In other news, in the middle of a category 4 hurricane warning for evacuation, a couple went deep into the seas holding onto a gorge to take a picture … for the likes. And there are many more

The Ultimate Sacrifice

Christ died for the ungodly. He willingly gave his life for you and me while we were yet sinners. We didn’t deserve that death but he did it anyway.

Let’s be like Christ and live our lives not for the likes but for the love.

Blessings overflow

In The Peace And Quiet Of Solace…

Goals are created in the peace and quiet of solace. I was reflecting on the different types of animals. Birds, insects, fish and those that soar. All creatures were created by our great big awesome God. When he did it, it was done in serenity when the earth was without form and void.

Yessss…And when it was done, he created man. The purpose? To enjoy his creations as told in Genesis.

As you go about making your own plans for today, tomorrow or the future, do it with God for only what’s done for the Lord will last. Find that place of solace for your goal. Spend time with the Lord as you dream and create in silence . Then come out and share with others the great things you have done.

What’s done in Quiet will be revealed

Let your light shine bright.

Blessings overflow

Pray. Just Pray.

Pray. Just Pray
GreenLight

Find a place to Pray

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. (Ephesians 6:18)
Ephesians 6:18

A Place to Pray can be anywhere. But a Quiet space for few minutes once or twice daily can work wonders to quiet your heart, your mind your soul.

A place free of distractions.
It’s your solace and can boost your mental health.

Pray. Just Pray

Blessings overflow