Christian Books – Donna Louis – Abase and Abounding
Christian Books – Donna Louis – Abase and Abounding.
Christian Books – What does it mean to be abase? According to the dictionary it means to lower in rank, office, prestige, or esteem. http://www.merriam-webster.com.
What does it mean to be abounding? According to the dictionary it means existing in or providing a great or plentiful quantity or supply. http://www.merriam-webster.com.
We all in life at one time or another will have highs and lows. Truthfully, we should be expecting it because it will befall all of us. – Christian Books – Donna Louis – Abase and Abounding.
The only perfect man to walk this earth was Jesus and he had his share of highs and lows. Some examples of the high points in Jesus life was when he changed the water to wine and when he raised Lazarus from the dead. These were the abounding times in his life. The low points or abase times was when he was being tempted by Satan in the wilderness for forty days and when he had to suffer crucifixion and death on the cross. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Abase and Abounding.
In all the abase times in Jesus life he never sinned. The bible says, “for we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. – Hebrews 4:15. Also the bible states for he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”– 2 Corinthians 5:21.
When everything is going smoothly in our lives and we don’t have a care in the world those are the times we should be aware and on guard and keep doing the godly things. The bible says, “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8. When things are great we become complacent and stop doing the right and proper things we should be doing. We stop praying unceasingly and don’t go to church regularly because we say to ourselves we are too busy. This is where we begin to sin because we are moving away from the intimate relationship we are to have with Jesus. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Abase and Abounding.
When we reach the low times in our lives and are abase this is when we know Jesus the most. We pray to God daily sometimes even on an hourly basis. We dust off our bible and begin to read every day unceasingly. We prepare our clothes for church days before because we are desperate to have the pastor pray all our troubles away.
What happens when we do all of these things and nothing has changed? These are the times that we need to remember that nothing lasts forever including trouble. This is when we must remember the words of Paul, “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” – Philippians 4:12
We all pray and say. “I want to be just like Jesus” however, when God starts to test us and put us on the potter’s wheel to refine us we all start screaming and crying “no stop, take me off.” God hears us but continues his work until he has removed what was impure and refined us. “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.”– Isaiah 48:10.
Everyone would love to have short testing, molding, and refining times but that is not how God works. The bible states, “to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”– Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.
The verse that I really want you all to see is this one “a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.” I am not a farmer, I am a city girl but even I know the principals of planting and harvest. You must plant the seeds and then wait for a harvest. In between there is watering and pruning. This takes me back to what I said earlier when we are in our low times and are abase this is when we become complacent. The watering is the reading of the word and praying unceasingly. The pruning is what God is doing to us. He is cutting back things in us that are unfruitful and shaping us for a more fruitful growth. These are the times when we feel pain, when we cry, when we don’t see where the light at the end of the tunnel is. We have all been there and if you are a person that is a type A personality like myself you want the uncomfortableness to go away quickly. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Abase and Abounding.
God works in his own timing not ours and if you want to become more like Jesus then you need to start adopting what the apostle Paul said, “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” – Philippians 4:12. The sooner we do the faster we will pass the test, be refined and molded as God wants us and he will give us beauty for ashes. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Abase and Abounding. Check out my websitehttp://www.miraclebook.net
Christian Books – Donna Louis – God Is Never Surprised
Christian Books – Donna Louis – God Is Never Surprised.
Surprised – feeling or showing surprise because of something unexpected. http://www.merriam-webster.com
I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. – Isaiah 42:8-9.
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. – 1 John 3:20
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen. – Acts 1:24
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. – Proverbs 15:3
God will always surprise us, but you can’t surprise God. Christian Books – Donna Louis- God Is Never Surprised.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. – Matthew 10:30
Christian Books – Donna Louis – God Is Never Surprised. Check out my website
God is not surprised about where you are right now. If things are bad he is not taken off guard. He is not shocked about what has happened to you.
God knows each and every situation we come into better than we can ever understand it.
God wasn’t surprised when Peter cut off a man’s ear. He wasn’t when Jonah was swallowed by a whale. When Noah had to build an ark. He wasn’t when Adam and Eve bit into the fruit.
We all give ourselves much more credit than we should. We think we know exactly how our lives should progress and end up. We make our plans but don’t realize that God’s thoughts are higher than ours. He has placed a gift (or gifts) inside of us and knows exactly what our purpose in life is. Christian Books – Donna Louis – God Is Never Surprised.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. – Romans 12:6-8.
We all love to follow that iconic Frank Sinatra song “I did it My Way”. God knows what he has placed inside of all of us and what our true potential and what heights we can achieve. Christian Books – Donna Louis – God Is Never Surprised.
I watched a movie last night called “The Right Girl”, It is a Hallmark Movie. I love Hallmark movies. The essence of the movie had to do with a young woman who lost her father and started down a selfish, obnoxious path with her dealings with people since she was wealthy. Her mother arranged with their attorney to notify her that both the mother and she had lost all of their money reckless spending and bad investments and would have to find a way to survive. She had to get a job that she never had and actually wound up working two jobs at one point. She had to share an apartment with her mother, use a loaner car from a friend which was a far cry from the corvette she was driving at the beginning of the movie. She eventually humbled herself and became a giving, caring, considerate, loving person which is the person her mother knew was inside of her. Eventually, her mother told her the truth and notified her that all her money was there and placed it all back in her bank accounts. She actually thanked her mother for doing what she did because that changed her life. Christian Books – Donna Louis – God Is Never Surprised.
For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. – Psalms 73:14
The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. – Psalms 118:18
God knows exactly what has happened and is happening in your life. He has allowed certain things to happen so he can mold and shape you into the dynamic person he has designed you to be. Christian Books – Donna Louis – God Is Never Surprised.
Have Faith, Trust GOD, and humble yourself and realize that GOD is omnipotent and God is never surprised.
Christian Books – Donna Louis – Merry Christmas
Christian Books – Donna Louis – Merry Christmas. Christmastime is a time of miracles. Christmastime is when people are just a little bit nicer. Christmastime is a magical time. Christmastime brings holiday decorations, mistletoe, gingerbread cookies, eggnog, and many other festive things!!!
The best thing about Christmastime is Christmas Day because that is the day that our lord and savior was born. The historic record of the birth of Christ can be found in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-20. Check out my website
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus. – Matthew 1:18-25. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Merry Christmas.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. – Luke 2:1-20. http://www.biblegateway.com. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Merry Christmas.
The apostle Paul wrote about Jesus and why Christmas Day is truly wonderful. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. – Colossians 1:15-20. http://www.biblegateway.com. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Merry Christmas.
Why would God do such a thing? Why would he come as a baby, instead of appearing in power and majesty? He is all powerful and knowledgeable. He knew what he would encounter and how he would be treated coming in human form to live amongst us. So why did he do it? He did it for LOVE, that’s what we read in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” http://www.biblegateway.com. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Merry Christmas.
So on Christmas Day remember the true meaning of the day, the birth of Jesus and why he became man to live amongst us LOVE. Challenge yourself to promote love not only on Christmas Day but everyday. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Merry Christmas.
Christian Books – Donna Louis – Hoops and Heaven
Christian Books – Donna Louis – Hoops and Heaven.
Basketball. It is a tremendous sport. Whether you like to play it or watch it, basketball is engaging. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Hoops and Heaven.
In basketball, there are players, there are spectators, there are coaches, there are referees, and there’s the rulebook. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Hoops and Heaven
So where does the Bible come in? This is where….every NBA team has a head coach. He is the trusted appointee, he is the leader or ruler of the team. He has authority over the team and has the final say. Jesus is the Head Coach. He is our leader. He has all the authority. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Hoops and Heaven
An excellent NBA coach not only makes great decisions for the team, but loves the game, and loves his players. Jesus loves all of us because he created us and gave his life for us. The same way that any great coach wants to be connected to his players, Jesus desires to have that personal connection with all of his children. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Hoops and Heaven
Now how does the bible tie into this? That’s easy….the bible is the rulebook! In the NBA, there are very clearly defined rules, and they are presented in this rulebook. Without the rulebook, how would the players maneuver in the game? How would the referees umpire or judge the game? There would be complete confusion and disorder. The rules in the NBA must be followed by the players or there will be penalties, violations, and even possible ejection from the game. The same applies to the Bible, if we did not have it we would be living in chaos. That is why God spoke to Moses and provided the 10 Commandments. If we have no structure then there will just be bedlam.
We, as God’s children, are the players. We need to be willing to obey and follow the laws that Jesus (the NBA coach) has established for us that are in the bible (the rulebook). We need to realize that we are not perfect and will make mistakes. As the bible states in Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one”http://www.biblegateway.com. As we spend time with God in church, reading and meditating on his word, surrounding ourselves with godly people and listening to that small still quiet voice that is the “Holy Spirit” we will get a better understanding of the rulebook (the bible) and will begin to please Jesus (the head coach) more.
The NBA referees keep the players in line. Once the players hear the whistle blow they know one of them did something wrong. It is the referee’s job to explain what went wrong. That is the same assignment that The Holy Spirit has. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. When the players make mistakes on the basketball court it is the referee’s assignment to convict them. Since the Holy Spirit lives and dwells in us he is the one to convict us when we sin. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Hoops and Heaven
The game gives us hope. Basketball teaches us all the things that our religion teaches us – hard work, integrity, teamwork, resilience, and heart.
The basketball courts are where you can be yourself and be comfortable no matter who you are or what you look like. The same way we can let the game consume us for two hours, we should be consumed in our love of God and living for him.
We have had some awesome NBA finals in past years no matter who you were rooting for. Root, cheer on, support the ultimate one; Jesus our Lord and savior that will solidify your destiny will be heaven.
Check out my website
Christian Books – Donna Louis – Endure with Patience
Endurance means the ability to do something difficult for a long time, the ability to deal with pain or suffering that continues for a long time; the quality of continuing for a long time. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Endure with Patience
Patience means the capacity, habit, or fact of being patient, able to remain calm and not become annoyed when waiting for a long time or when dealing with problems or difficult people; done in a careful way over a long period of time without hurrying. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Endure with Patience. Check out my website
In any competition, the deciding factor is not how many begin the competition but who finishes the race and completes the course, who wins the prize. Late in life, Paul declared, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness …” 2 Timothy 4:7-8. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Endure with Patience.
We have become a fast paced society. We have no patience or time for anything! Once electricity was created the world was on the move. We were able to cook food in ovens and stoves but that was not fast enough so the microwave was invented. Did you know that in foreign countries like Italy they prefer not to use microwaves? Italians in Italy have a different pace of life than Americans in America. They are not in such a big hurry that they force their meals into tiny microseconds. They enjoy eating. The act of coming together to enjoy a meal is very important to them. We had dial up internet and that became obsolete with lightning high speed internet. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Endure with Patience
Think about how complex the human body and life on earth is. We have cells, organs, organ systems, homeostasis mechanisms, a highly functional brain…all of these things and more. They are so complex and so many building blocks are required for them to function, yet they do. Even GOD took six days to create the earth. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. – Genesis 1:31
We have to learn to endure and be patient! Not everything can be at lightning speed:
A mother carries a child for nine months unless it is premature
The children of Israel had to endure 40 years in the wilderness
A farmer has to be patient when he plants his seeds waiting for a harvest
If you are caught speeding you have to endure and wait patiently for the cop to either give you a warning and let you go or even longer if he writes you a ticket
QUOTES ON ENDURANCE
“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God . . . and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven.”
― Orson F. Whitney
“All through my life, I have been tested. My will has been tested, my courage has been tested, my strength has been tested. Now my patience and endurance are being tested.” ― Muhammad Ali
“And St. Francis said: ‘My dear son, be patient, because the weaknesses of the body are given to us in this world by God for the salvation of the soul. So they are of great merit when they are borne patiently.” ― Francis of Assisi
QUOTES ON PATIENCE
“He that can have patience can have what he will.” ― Benjamin Franklin
“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” ― Aristotle
“Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle.” ― Helen Keller
“It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.” – Julius Caesar
“Patience serves as a protection against wrongs as clothes do against cold. For if you put on more clothes as the cold increases, it will have no power to hurt you. So in like manner you must grow in patience when you meet with great wrongs, and they.” – Leonardo da Vinci
To those country western fans award winning singer Luke Bryan who is currently on tour fell off of his bike and broke his clavicle (a bone of the vertebrate pectoral girdle typically serving to link the scapula and sternum). He posted a picture of the broken clavicle on Twitter but told his fans “Broken clavicle. All good. Show is a go. I’ll just have my arm in a sling”. This is an example of enduring with patience. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Endure with Patience
Florida has just been rocked with Hurricane Matthew. Many counties were placed under a curfew. Nobody wants to hear about curfews, this is America the land of the free. However if you want to be safe and stay away from danger and not to mention not get arrested for breaking the law you have to endure with patience. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Endure with Patience
BIBLE VERSES ON ENDURANCE
And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; – Romans 5:3
Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. – James 1:12
But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. – James 1:4
BIBLE VERSES ON PATIENCE
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. – Galatians 6:9
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint. – Isiah 40:31
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. – Psalm 37:7
GOD HAS PERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF US SO ENDURE WITH PATIENCE! – Christian Books – Donna Louis – Endure with Patience
