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Articles by Janice Miller

Some of My Favorites: Be Satisfied with What You Have

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I’m not great at memory work, but I have a book of my favorite Scriptures. I add to it as a new verse touches my heart. Can I share a few with you?

 

Be Satisfied with What You Have

 

“Two things I ask of you, Lord

        do not refuse me before I die;

Keep falsehood and lies far from me;

    give me neither poverty nor riches,

    but give me only my daily bread.

Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you

    and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’

Or I may become poor and steal,

    and so dishonor the name of my God.

Proverbs 30: 7-9

praying_on_bible_redWhat a beautifully unselfish request! I love this Scripture because it reaches into my heart where my deepest desires are. You know, I used to think our deepest desires were probably selfish ones like having the best car or house, plenty of money, or lots of friends. But I have begun to realize those things, the things of this world, are mostly surface desires.

If we could look deep into the hearts of MOST people I believe their true desires would look a lot like this Proverb.

That being said, the things of this world are what we see and consider most all the time. It’s easier than looking at our hearts. That takes some soul searching and who has time for that? Who knows what lies at the heart of our souls?

Our Father in Heaven knows. That I’m thankful for because, although I don’t live out these verses, the truth is I want to. I want to be satisfied with my daily bread. I never want to have so much that I forget my God, or have so little that I lie or steal and dishonor Him.

Lord, help me to be satisfied with the blessings you have so graciously given me, and they are many.

Janice

Five Years of Truth: 2013/2014 He Knows Our Hearts

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I committed my life to Jesus five and one half years ago. Each year He has given me new and wonderful things to learn, to feel, and to do.

Join me in reminiscing.

 

2013/2014 He Knows Our Hearts

Search me, God, and know my heart;    
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,    
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

fridayTime goes by and if we are true to God He continues to teach us. I still have so much to learn, but oh, what a joy it is. Nothing can compare to gaining knowledge through prayer and the reading of God’s Word.

In 2013 God began to teach me about relationships. I learned a lot about being a good and loving wife. I learned better ways to love my daughter and pray for her family. I learned about friendships. On these things I’m still learning.

He began to teach me about myself. We began a journey together that traveled inward. Only God knows our true hearts, and when He shows us what’s there, it can be surprising, even painful. For me, and probably for most of us, it is a crazy mixed up place. Some parts good. Some parts not so good. God doesn’t like dark places so all must and will come to light.

This year, 2014, I began to pray today’s verse of Scripture. My prayers have been sincere, but I didn’t quite realize what I was asking for.

You see I have a dark place in my heart. I was a victim of child abuse. I rose above it and moved forward in life. I told myself I would never confront it. Never look at it. Some things are better left in the darkness. I wonder … could I be wrong about that?

In August I started seeing a counselor. I promised myself I would never do that, but God had a different plan. For me He chose light over darkness, a choice I could not make on my own.

It’s a hard and scary road and it’s just begun. I don’t know how long this road is or where it will lead, but I do know with certainty, God, my Father, is with me. He is holding my hand. And when the road ends, He assures me, there will be a beautiful light in my heart where the dark place used to be.

Oh how I love that about God!!

j

Five Years of Truth: 2012 He Owns The World

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I committed my life to Jesus five and one half years ago. Each year He has given me new and wonderful things to learn, to feel, and to do.

Join me in reminiscing.

 

2012 He Owns The World

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7

thursday2012 was a very special year for me. I went on a mission trip with ZMI to the Dominican Republic. Many wondrous things happened on that trip. God took me on a great adventure.

This was the year I learned that He is so much bigger than we can imagine. God owns everything, and He is in complete control of it, too.

Looking back on that trip I understand what He wanted me to see was not the geography but the people. There are approximately 7 billion people on earth. All of them created by God. All of them loved by God. Not even one does He want to perish, but He wants all to repent and be saved.

He wants us to love them, too. He wants us to love the people of the world. He wants us to love each other. For me it is so easy to love God. What about people? Don’t we sometimes find that a little difficult?

Jesus died a cruel death because He loved the people of this world. While He was here he taught over and over again about love. Before He left He gave us the command to go out into the world and tell all the people the good news of salvation.

I am so thankful for the missionaries of this world like ZMI that carry the Gospel to the darkest corners. How about the dark corners where you live? Where I live?

Lord Father, Help us to love those around us the way you do. Show us how to open our hearts and be your hands and feet.

If we open ourselves to others God will fill our own hearts with immeasurable joy.

I love that about God!

j