Good evening everyone...and how was your day?! I sure hope that it was a good one! My day was great and even though it was a busy one...it was also a blessed one...for as I walked through each part of my day...God was right beside me...making the way before me...PRAISE HIM!!
Many times, we feel that just because we are going through a time of weakness; that this means that there is no hope or a way out. We seem to become so caught up in what is happening; that we forget that there is a grace that is more than sufficient to see us through these times...and a strength that can lift us to our feet...high above these moments of weakness. 
I will never forget the time, when I truly took hold of this Bible verse in 2 Corinthians 12:9. I was recovering from one of many knee surgeries...and I was alone that day, as my husband was working at the time. As I sat in our living room one afternoon, I began to talk with God about everything that was on my heart that day. As I began to get into His word...He led me directly to 2 Corinthians 12. In fact...verses 7-10 are now my life verses. Anyways, as I began to read...the part of this verse that says... "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me," I became a little confused. I said to God... "How do you expect me to rejoice in this pain I'm experiencing?" For some reason; that just didn't make sense to me at the time. From there, He began to show me that it wasn't the infirmity alone that I should take glory in...but it was truly knowing that during these difficult times; was when we would feel His hand upon us the most, which should cause us to rejoice and find hope in Him. From that moment on...I began to see my disability differently, along with everything else I was going through. In fact, I no longer felt alone; but I knew that this was actually the time, when Christ was the closest to me!
No matter what you are facing...and no matter how weak you may feel; just know that this isn't a time to be down and out; but rather it's a time to rejoice...knowing that these are the moments, when the hand of almighty God is resting upon you...praise Him!!
As we prepare to end another day; my prayer is that we all will come to see that we are never alone, during these difficult times; but rather, Jesus is there too...ready to touch us in a special way...one that will truly lift us out of these moments of despair!
Have a great night...a good rest...and may you feel the presence of almighty God throughout the night! See ya tomorrow!
Many...many blessings on your night!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane

Hello everyone...and a very "Happy Monday" to you all!! I truly hope that your week is off to a good start...and that you will truly experience the loving and powerful presence of God in your day!
As I begin my week...I'm sure that every day will be jam packed with something to do...but you know what...I don't have time to think about what happened last week...or what may come my way this week; because I need to have an open mind and heart, for what God has for me today...and where He is leading me. In a similar way...we will never truly know what is before us; if we are reminiscing in the past. In fact...I have found that when my mind drifts back to moments such as these; then my mind becomes captive to the thoughts of the past, which only places us in a standstill. 
Just think...we are all on a journey...and that journey as Christians, should be leading us in heavens direction; but if we are carrying baggage from the past with us; then it's just going to be that much harder to reach our destination. 
Today, we need to let go of what is weighing us down and reach forth, to the things that lie before us. When we are willing to aim our thoughts and hearts in God's direction; then the journey will be much easier...and we will be less likely to give up.
As you continue to walk through your day...I pray that your sight and vision will be fixed completely on God...and where He longs to take you in life...that you may anticipate His next more, rather than dreading what may lie ahead of you. 
Have a great Monday...take care and I will hope to be with you again this evening!
Many...many blessings on your day!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
Diane

Good evening everyone! I hope you had a great Sunday! My day was a good one...spent with God...my husband and much rest! Praise God that He knew in advance; that we would need one day in our week like this!
You know...some of us may have had a difficult time last week...and a trying weekend. Now, as we think about starting another new week; we can sometimes feel as if there is nothing more to give, which in turn causes us to dread another new week ahead. May I encourage you tonight...through this verse in Isaiah 40:29; that God is a limitless God of strength...and He truly does know the moments that just make us feel, as if we won't make it.
You know...I have faced many weekends in the past, when I just didn't feel caught up from the previous week, which truly made me dread Monday; but then, when I read verses like this one...I am reminded that God does give power to the faint; and to those who have nothing left to give...He will increase in strength...a strength that can carry us way beyond what we could ever imagine or think. 
Sometimes...I think that we become more focused on the weakness we're feeling; that we tend to forget that our God is always there for us...to lift us to our feet and strengthen us, with a strength that can kick these weak moments into overdrive.
As we prepare to start another new week...try not to focus on how tired you are...or even how you feel physically; but instead...take the time to focus on what God can do, to help you through those difficult times. One thing I know for sure...when God sees that we are weak in spirit...He will come and make an exchange...His strength for our weakness; so turn to Him...and let go of a weakness, whose only intention is to keep you down and out of commission with God. 
Tonight...as you rest for the night...my prayer for you; is that God would enter your room and fill you with a strength that can truly lift you to your feet in the morning. Remember...it's not the sleep alone that helps us...but it's a powerful God...entering these moments of rest; that truly do give us the strength to press on...Amen!!
Have a great night everyone...and I pray that your night will also be filled with peace and sweet rest! Take care and I will hope to be with you again tomorrow!
Many...many blessings on your night!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane

Hello everyone...and a very happy and blessed Sunday to you! I truly hope that your day is off to a great start! Well...this morning, it's a little gray outside...with more rain/snow in the forecast...but the light of God's presence is still shining bright...deep within the heart...and that is all that matters to me today!
One thing I have come to see over time; is how dark a path can seem, when we are hit with a circumstance. These moments can make us feel as if there will be no light to guide us safely out of these moments...and that is only because we tend to get caught up in the darkness, while allowing it to dictate our thoughts and feelings.
What we need to do...is allow God's word to become a light, within these dark moments. I remember a time in my life, when I actually used God's word as a survival manual. I was caught up in so many dark moments of the past; that there was no way that I would have found my way out of that darkness alone. In fact...I wonder sometimes, if God allows these darkened moments into our lives; so that we will have a reason to not only turn in His direction...but the direction of His holy word.
If you were to look at the two Bibles I used during those darkened moments; you would truly see, how I sought God's word, to help me overcome these times; that were so out of control in my life. One thing I did notice at that time...is the more I sought His word for help...the more that darkened path seemed to brighten up. In fact...His word became like a bright flashlight...shining through the darkness...and the more I learned...the brighter it seemed to get.
No matter what you are facing...and no matter how dark and dismal these moments may seem...search God's word for the truth that can free you, from these prison cells of despair...and one thing I know; is that you will walk out of the moments that once kept you captive...as the light of God's word, will light the way before you, until He has brought you through each painful moment in your life. 
Today...I pray that you will not only find God's presence to be very real in your life; but I pray that you will search for the answers you're looking for in God's word...that the light of that wisdom will brighten your path and help you, to walk out of these difficult moments you're facing!
Have a very special Sunday...take care and I will hope to be with you again this evening!
Many...many blessings on your day!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane