Temporary..."In this you greatly rejoice, though now
for a little while, if need be you have been grieved by various trials.~1 Peter 1:6" NKJV
How do you endure this life's trials? How do you endure the loss of a loved one? How do you endure
when you are so broke you can't pay attention? Simple...you can't. Not alone. That is why we need
a savior. Jesus is the only way to get through the really difficult situations and He alone can give you great joy.
Last week, my husband lost his father to death. He will be celebrating his first Christmas with Jesus...how
cool is that?? Even though we will miss him so much, we can not question why it was his time to go. Our human nature is to sin and to fall to sin. We will always have a degree of doubt about things that are not in
our grasp, however, God says we can trust Him. He alone is worthy to be trusted. When people fail
us...God never fails. When friends let us down...God never lets us down. When we disappoint others...God
forgives. When we are disappointed...God comforts us. This seems like a redundant fallacy at
times but I am here to tell you that I have learned to trust the Lord over the last few months like never before. I
have had some major losses and I hate to admit it, but I did find myself questioning. I am so thankful now that the
Lord allowed me to go through some of the painful transitions because along with that came a deep dependency on Him.
If you are in a valley and you feel pretty hopeless, know that God will see you through. He loves us so
much that He gave us a way to freedom from all the pains of this world. Place your trust in Him and cry out to Him.
Tell him your fear's your pain's and your thoughts. He cares and He will heal those wounds. Know that we are here for you at God Is My Refuge and we would love to pray for you. Feel free to email us and let
us know how we can best pray for you. In Christ, Anita Dost
Happy ThanksgivingWe would like to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving!! May the Lord bless you abundantly and abound you
with love.
Blessings,
Anita Dost
link
Who Failed?
Let
us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us. ~Hebrews 12:1NKJV
Who
Failed?
(c) Anita Dost
God Is My Refuge Ministries
November 12,
2006
Who Failed?
Was it the one who drove home drunk and killed
someone or was it the one who knew he was drinking yet did not take his keys?
Who
Failed?
Was it the one who missed an opportunity to share
the gospel or was it the one who did not listen when the gospel was shared?
Who Failed?
The one who willfully sinned or was it the one who refused
to forget the sin one willfully committed?
Who Failed?
The pastor who did not tell his congregation that it was sin
or was it the one who refused to seek out the truth?
Who Failed?
The child that chose to do wrong or the parent
that did not set boundaries and rules?
Who Failed?
The body of believers that judged the sin and gossiped about the sinner
or was it the sinner who refused to attend a church with prideful and judgmental pew warmers?
Who Failed?
The friend who hurt a friend or the friend
who refused to forgive the friend that hurt him?
Who failed? The soldiers that hammered the nails in the feet and hands of Christ, or the sinner Christ gave
his life for that refused to accept a Savior?
~
To him who knows to do well and does not do it,
to him it is sin. ~ James 4:17NKJV
Die to it!!! That's what she said...
I was talking to a friend the other night about some things that happened with her mom a
few years ago, and she happened to touch a nerve with me. She said that her mother had said something a few years back
that cut her like a knife and as a result she had severed the relationship for over a year after getting married. She
said that she was right and her mom was wrong so that justified the behavior and anger. I smiled as I thought about
my own life...
She spoke about how her mom was angry with her just as much as she was angry back. And it
took dieing to herself and her sinful pride before she could let that deep seeded anger go.
As we parted our ways,
my mind began to visit some wounds of my own. I tend to justify my own actions instead of facing the pain. It
seems to be "easier" to run than to face painful issues.
As I turned over in my bed that night ,
I started to replay the conversation that we had earlier that day. I dozed off to sleep shortly after that and woke
myself up by shouting out in my dream..."die to it!!! Thats what she said!!!"
My husband rolled over
and said with a sleepy tone, who said that?
I just rolled over and pretended to sleep, as I once again, replayed
the conversation.
Anger, bitterness, rage, hate, even justifiable anger.....they are the seeds that hinder
our relationship with a holy God. The sad truth is, many, including myself, allow Satan to steal our joy by holding
on to those heavy weights.
I have carried those burdens around longer than I planned on doing at times, yet its
easier to carry them than to release them. It seems to weigh so heavy at times but in reality this will keep an individual
bound so tightly that only Jesus Christ can loosen the grip.
My pray is, that I will die to painful issues,
hurt, bitternes, anger,,,sin,,, daily and that you also. God loves us so much and we CAN trust Him.
He is the only true friend, and the only one that will never hurt us or let us down.
If you are struggling
with hurt from a past issue, let Him carry the load. I would love to hear from you. Email me at Anita@GodIsMyRefuge.net to share your heart. I am praying for you.
Blessings,
Anita Dost
Support Samaritan's PurseSamaritan's Purse Franklin Graham, Dr. Billy Graham's son, is the President
of Samaritan's Purse. He, along with Samaritan's Purse International Relief, of people with the
gospel of Christ all over the world. Every year, this organization collects shoe boxes full of hard candy, school supplies,
toys, hygiene items and personal notes from donors. The week of November 13-20 is the National Collection Week for this
event. Locations span throughout all 50 states, so call 1-800-665-2843 or visit the Samaritan's Purse website at
www.samaritanspurse.org to find one near you. I challenge you to pray for this
organization, pack and fill a shoe box (including $7 to help cover processing and shipping), give financial gifts, or
best of all, get involved by volunteering your time. I am!! May
those who read this challenge be faithful so that children and adults will be touched with the love of Jesus and lives changed
all over this globe. Blessings, Anita Dost Executive President
Is Forgiveness a feeling?That seems like a silly question, however, it
is one that needs to be addressed. For many years, I refused to accept Gods healing, restoration and hope because i
was waiting to "feel" forgiven. God does not place conditions on his love for us and Jesus died on Calvary
paid for our ALL sins over 2000 years ago. His death paid for past, present and future sins that we commit.
You see, it is not about a feeling, it is about a fact. God sent his son Jesus Christ to heal, forgive, restore,
and to cast our sins as far as the east is from the west. That is a really long distance!! When Satan reminds you of your past, remember that even if you do not feel
forgiven, it is a fact. You are forgiven. I encourage you to buy the Christian CD "Damaris Live, Not Ashamed" by Dámaris Carbaugh . The seventh song is called "He Has Forgiven Me" and the words say
it all. If you need help, please email me. I would love to hear from you and to share
with you the way that I learned to accept forgiveness as truth. Blessings, Anita Dost
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