Award-winning writer, Alisa Hope Wagner, is aggressive about leading a simple life. She enjoys working out, reading and communicating God’s love and truth through Jesus. She married her high school sweetheart, and together they are raising their three children in a Christ-centered home. Though an introvert by nature, Alisa easily expresses herself through social media, especially on her blog, alisahopewagner.com. Alisa has earned her B.A. Degree in English and her M.S. Degree in Applied English Linguistics. She writes across genres, including fiction and nonfiction books. She is Personal Training and Fitness Nutrition certified, and she has two fitness books available.
I wanted my family to heal fully and quickly, and fear would crush the spirit of my home. So I pushed fear far from me and decided to claim God’s goodness, healing, and provision instead.
I went to bed and for two days surrounded myself with Christian music, sermons, and books. I kept my Bible close and read Scriptures of God’s endearing love. My kids’ symptoms were less severe than mine. My daughter had a fever, my oldest son had the headache, and my middle son showed very few signs of the sickness. We made it through our time of quarantine and fear had absolutely no hold over my family.
The truth about life is that there are millions of ways to die. If I focused on all the sickness, viruses, and diseases my family and I could contract, I would be crippled by fear daily. But thank God that through Jesus Christ, I have not been given a spirit of fear. Instead, Jesus gives me a spirit of “power,” “love” and a “sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
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) But I have to make the choice not to open the door when fear comes knocking.
I know that although this life will have many heartaches, we have eternity with God through the Finished Work of Jesus Christ. We will be with God in heaven forever where there is no pain, no sickness, and no death (Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever."
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). Knowing that Jesus took my sins, so I could have a relationship with a holy God fills me with a fearless peace that nothing—not even COVID-19, can take from me.
When we let go of fear, our hearts and minds will be available to embrace the goodness of God. God’s love for us vanquishes all fear because we know that He is with us through the good times and the hard times (1 John 4:18
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
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). No matter what lies ahead, our eternal spirits are safe in God’s hands.
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,
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Saint Patrick was not Irish, but he is now known as the patron saint of Ireland. How did this English young man make such an influence in Ireland during the 4th century AD? God was able to use what was meant for harm to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Saint Patrick’s real name is believed to have been Maewyn Succat, and he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and sold into slavery in Ireland for about 6 years. He watched over his master’s cattle until one day God told him that there was a ship waiting for him. He finally made his way back home and dedicated his life to God.
He spent the next 12 years studying under his mentor, St. Germain, the bishop of Auxerre. When he became a bishop himself, he had a dream that the people of Ireland were calling out to him. He received the Pope’s blessing to return to the very people who enslaved him, and he began a massive spiritual awakening in the hearts of the pagan people.
Not only did he win many souls to Christ (including both the rich and the poor), he established monasteries, schools, and churches all over Ireland.
Because of Saint Patrick’s time as a slave in Ireland, he knew the language and culture and could preach to the people in a way that made sense to them. He had so much zeal for the Lord that even after being arrested many times by the Celtic Druids, he still continued his quest to win the hearts of the Irish People with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Although many legends have been added to this special holiday, Saint Patrick’s Day began with an evil done to a child that God turned into good.
We live in an imperfect world, and God sometimes allows bad things to happen to His children, but we must always remember that God is fully capable of making ALL THINGS work out for our good.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together* for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
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The Bible is filled with stories of God transforming a horrible situation into a triumphant testimony.
When we trust God and stay obedient to the fruition of His plan, we will get a front row seat to how He supernaturally transforms our pains and hurts into our biggest victories. God will make us into a blessing from the curses we’ve been given if we simply trust and obey Him.
What are some pains and hurts in your life that God has turned to victories? What are you struggling through right now that you can believe and confess that God will work out for your good?
“Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong." Zechariah 8:13
Among the other nations, Judah and Israel became symbols of a cursed nation. But no longer! Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing. So don't be afraid. Be strong, and get on with rebuilding the Temple!
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However, many times we don’t realize that we have these special abilities until God recedes the waters of our comfort zones.
When we feel like fish out of water, we must not retreat back to easy currents. God will bring forth capabilities that we never knew we had, which are only triggered by this “transient” situation. We may flounder a bit at first, but God created us into a unique masterpiece perfectly suited for our new environment.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
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We will soon adapt and excel.
For this reason, we should never compare ourselves to others because they are reaching different tidal pools than we are. Also, we should only discern the work of others by their fruit (Matthew 7.15-20). What they are doing may seem weird to us, but they are reaching a different people group who are out of our sphere of influence. If they are spreading the Good News of Christ, and people are being saved and transformed, we should pray for them, not criticize them.
Jesus says that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. There are fields of opportunity before us. We can keep our eyes on our tidal pools, allowing God to transform us into our best design for the work He has for us. Also, we can encourage those who are making a difference in God’s kingdom, trusting that there is plenty of harvest for us all.
“Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’” Matthew 9:37-38
He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields."
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