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Hello,
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I can hardly believe it is already mid-September. I don’t know about you, but I am ready for the new season upon us. I love the crisp cool weather and the changing of leaves in the Fall. The Lord made four beautifully different seasons each year and I honestly love them all and I’m ready for them when they arrive. Speaking of Seasons, did you know that what happens in the physical (visible realm) is a representation of what happens in the spiritual (unseen realm)? Jesus often used what was seen to describe that which was unseen and we read in Hebrews 11:1 it takes faith to believe that which we do not see, which is what we hope for. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Regarding what I know of the seen realm, I am confident this hot weather will end and I am assured the leaves will fall off the trees soon, though I feel the heat on my skin and see the leaves on the trees. But did you know that as believers in Jesus Christ, we can live with as much confidence and assurance in what is unseen because of our faith? It’s true and that is GOOD NEWS my friend! Those who have hope, have life! Hope gives us a reason to get up in the morning and to endure through any trials, grief, and hardships we must face. Hope gives us something to focus our faith on that is a BETTER WORD than the narrative you find through the news or social feeds. This HOPE is found in the Word of God and in the expected restoration of ALL THINGS one day. It is the hope those who are “In Christ” have for eternal life with those who have gone before them who are also “In Christ.” I hope you will receive Jesus as your Savior and share in this same glorious hope that is more real than anything we see in front of us. In faith, call out to Jesus (who is unseen) and ask Him into your heart and then in faith, tell someone, get a Bible and plug into a church so you can grow In Christ and walk in faith with others. You will not regret this! Hope rescued me & hope is for you too. This is the BEST GOOD NEWS ever! My faith gives me confident expectation for it! As always…If you have a specific prayer request you’d like to me to pray, I’d be honored. Just reply to this email. Suzanne Grimaud, Author, Good Grief I’m Healed “He Reveals to Heal!”
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HEALED BY THE WORD: A Fresh Monthly Word
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I have home building/remodeling/updating on my mind this month as we just purchased a home not far from where we currently live, in Oklahoma. We set aside money to update the inside of the house as we expect this new home may be the one we retire in, and rock our grand babies in. I have hope this will happen. We have entered into a new season of life, as we are empty nesters and have been positioned in a new community. We were honestly not looking to move, but the Lord inspired my husband to take a peak on a real estate app early this summer as he was noticing the housing market craziness. That’s when he spotted the back yard of our dream home. The back yard is what caused a pause in his scroll and it prompted our purchase of our hopeful retirement home. I say this to say this: We were content, but the Lord had a new Season He wanted to usher us into. We were open to look. We were okay with just looking, but the Holy Spirit continued to confirm this new direction and assure us we were in step with the Father’s will, so we pursued the process. Psalm 127:1 tells us, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” I am aware this scripture has many layers of meaning to it. It is referring to our families, our children, who are a heritage from the Lord. It is referring to our dwelling places, our cities we occupy. It is referring to our bodies (the Temple of the Lord…where His Spirit resides in those who are IN CHRIST). It is again a physical representation of something happening in the spiritual. We must watch over our homes. We must protect those who who inhabit them & we must update/repair and restore our homes so they don’t fall apart. We must also do the same for our spiritual lives, but WE CANNOT DO IT apart from Jesus! It is the Lord who builds the house. The work of the Holy Spirit in us, working through us, gives us power to love, to forgive, to receive and to believe. Apart from Him, our efforts are in vain. Through the righteousness of Jesus, we are made right with God. If we do it RIGHT, the house will be built and will last. If we don’t do it right, it is done in vain and will not last. I hope this makes sense. This new home is a kiss from Heaven where we plan to entertain friends and strangers. We will worship in the house and on the patio. Many intimate conversations with Jesus will take place in the gardens where I will meet with Him. This backyard oasis will be a place we anticipate people getting baptized after they give their lives to Christ. Our home and backyard will be a place where the Kingdom of God will expand and people can receive a place of peace and rest. We are asking the Lord to build it! One more thing regarding the landscaping I have to share because I have to give God glory for it. Four years ago, we decided to start planning to landscape the back yard of the home we built 18 years ago, thinking we would remain here. I started dreaming, pinning pictures to my Pinterest board and I sketched out what I hoped to see come to life. It included windy gardens along the fence line on three sides, it included some of my favorite trees (Magnolias and Crepe Myrtles), and it included a water feature since there was no room for the natural rock swimming pool I really wanted. The sketch also included a pergola to cover an area I wanted to make into an outdoor kitchen. There was a stone path on the side of the house and lots of tropical plants. I drew this out, and then pinned it to a bulletin board in my pantry. We tabled the plan because other things took priority, then I forgot about it. Last week, while cleaning and preparing for our move once the remodel is complete, I found the sketches that were covered by other papers. It was then that I realized that my new back yard the Lord led us to is exactly what I had drawn, with all my favorites, including things I asked the Lord to put in my heavenly mansion for me that I hope for. I began to tear up as I felt the kiss from Heaven on my cheek. I realized that the home, the landscaping and everything I had dreamed for was built before I had the dream in my heart. The revelation came to my mind that not only does the Lord love to give us the desires of our hearts, but THE LORD PLANTS DESIRES IN OUR HEARTS TO DESIRE THAT WHICH HE INTENDS TO GIVE US! Read that again! By his Spirit, He helped me draw up the plans for the yard He had already inspired others to build and establish. Then I accidentally hid the plans until the fulfillment of the dream came to pass. I cannot deny the Lord is in this and I am hopefully confident and expect to meet with Him there and introduce others to Him as well. God loves His children and takes delight when we recognize His work in our lives. He loves to give good gifts and when we say Thank You! Don’t forget to take notice and give Him thanks in ALL THINGS… both big and small. Let Him build your house! |