god | Missing Pieces

Who are you? Do you know for sure? Before you write me off as crazy, let me say that most people do not have a clue who they are, or at least not who they were created to be. For many years, I did not realize who I was or, more accurately, who I am supposed to be. I did not realize how much more meaningful my life could be. Many times, I wondered if I had any purpose here on earth or if I was just a mistake. For years, I did not understand that I am of great importance and value to Someone.

I was in my late twenties, and my outlook was bleak. I was in a dark place, loaded down with burdens and responsibilities, wondering how I could make it even one more day. I was a divorced mom who had just lost another job. My young daughter and I were living far from family. I felt alone and abandoned, overwhelmed and terribly inadequate. My precious daughter deserved much more than I could give her. I wanted the very best for her, and at this point, I was not sure I could even provide the basics. I felt like an utter failure, worthless. I did not know where to turn. In desperation, I called a friend and poured out my troubles. She led me to Jesus. Thus began my journey into discovering who I really am. As I prayed, read Scripture, and interacted with my Savior, I learned that I am loved, accepted, and valued more than I could have ever dreamed possible.

The same is true for you. If you are feeling inadequate, unworthy, or unwanted, take the chance and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. You are worth so much to Jesus that He suffered and died to pay the debt for your sins so that you could be restored to Him and to His Father.

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.”

Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

1 Peter 2:24– “[Jesus] himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

You are not an accident or a mistake. You have not failed so miserably that you cannot be rescued and restored. It does not matter if others do not love you or even like you. You are precious in the sight of your Creator.

Romans 8:37-39 – “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Asking Jesus to be Lord of your life does not mean that you and your circumstances will be instantly perfect. God works in process. For example, if you plant a seed today, you will not see an adult plant producing flowers or fruit in an hour or even a week. It takes time for the process to unfold. As Jesus works through the process with you, you will get to know and trust Him. You will learn many things about God’s Kingdom in Heaven and how different it is from the way this world operates. The journey will take the rest of your life, and it may seem difficult and harsh at times, but every step will be worth the result. You will become the person you were designed to be, and you will know favor, glory, and blessing beyond what you can imagine. I speak from experience. I am not quite there yet, but I am much closer than when I began forty-five years ago. This world is not an easy place, but with Jesus at your side, you can become all that you were intended to be.

John 16:33—I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

I encourage you to ask Jesus to forgive your sins and to take over as Lord of your life. Ask Him to show you who you are to Him. Ask Him to teach His ways to you. Speak from your heart and be honest with Him. If you decide to invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, then welcome, new Sister or Brother in Jesus! Please let me know of your decision so that I can pray for you. If you have questions about your walk with Jesus, please email me, and I will do my best to answer them. I encourage you to talk to Jesus, read the Bible, and ask Jesus to help you find other brothers and sisters in the faith. It is good to have guidance from those more experienced, and it is a joy to have others to encourage you, pray with you, and for you in your new life. Watch for upcoming articles that I hope will be helpful to you

The world is reeling from evil and threats of evil. Everything is spiraling out of control. Governments and economies are shaky and unpredictable. Many believe that we are living in the end times. Fear and uncertainty are rising, but this should not be the case for those of us who belong to Yeshua. This should not be a time for looking around, but for looking up and waiting eagerly for Yeshua’s glorious return. Throughout the Bible, Yehovah tells those who belong to Him not to fear, but to trust Him. It helps, in these troubling times, to stay focused on Yehovah and His word.

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh 1:9)

There are wars and rumors of wars. Even though nuclear bombs have been around for approximately eighty years, government leaders today are issuing threats of nuclear war at an alarming rate. It seems to be not if, but when. As governments increase spending on warfare, their people are languishing, especially the vulnerable. What is Yehovah’s response?

Woe to those who enact unjust decrees
and draft oppressive legislation
to deprive the impoverished of justice
and rob my people’s poor of their rights,
looting widows and preying on orphans. What will you do on the day of punishment,
when calamity comes from afar?
To whom will you flee for help?
Where will you leave your wealth so as not to squat among the prisoners
or fall among the slain? (Isaiah 10:1-4 CJB)

Conspiracies and conspiracy theories abound. Whom should we believe? Can we trust world leaders, the media, or anyone else?

The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said,

“Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do,
and don’t live in dread of what frightens them.
Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life.
He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble (Isaiah 8:12-13 NLT)

In over 150 countries, people who follow Yeshua (Jesus) are threatened with or are suffering severe persecution, even martyrdom. Many who belong to Yeshua have lost lives, family members, homes and employment. Many of our brothers and sisters in Yeshua have escaped with only the clothes on their backs. They are now living in refugee camps under deplorable conditions and are in constant danger. Is there hope for them?

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matt 5:10-12 NKJV).

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Messiah’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Messiah Yeshua, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (1 Peter 4:12-14 ESV).

How much time do we spend on news reports, or planning strategies for “what if”? Do we let fear drive us to find solutions rather than seek His guidance? Do we doubt that Yehovah can address all the current issues and the evil that is so prevalent in this world? When we feel overwhelmed, let us turn our focus from what is happening around us, and meditate on the following verses from Isaiah 40:12-20 (NLT).

    Who else has held the oceans in his hand?
    Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth
    or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?
¹³Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord?
    Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?
¹⁴Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice?
    Does he need instruction about what is good?
Did someone teach him what is right
    or show him the path of justice?

¹⁵No, for all the nations of the world
    are but a drop in the bucket.
They are nothing more
    than dust on the scales.
He picks up the whole earth
    as though it were a grain of sand.
¹⁶All the wood in Lebanon’s forests
    and all Lebanon’s animals would not be enough
    to make a burnt offering worthy of our God.
¹⁷The nations of the world are worth nothing to him.
    In his eyes they count for less than nothing—
    mere emptiness and froth…

²¹Haven’t you heard? Don’t you understand?
    Are you deaf to the words of God—
the words he gave before the world began?
    Are you so ignorant?
²²God sits above the circle of the earth.
    The people below seem like grasshoppers to him!
He spreads out the heavens like a curtain
    and makes his tent from them.
²³He judges the great people of the world
    and brings them all to nothing.
²⁴They hardly get started, barely taking root,
    when he blows on them and they wither.
    The wind carries them off like chaff.

²⁵“To whom will you compare me?
Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One…

²⁸Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
²⁹He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.
³⁰Even youths will become weak and tired,
    and young men will fall in exhaustion.
³¹But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

Yehovah is in control and is aware of all that is happening. Our job is to move boldly under His direction, trusting that He is fighting our battles for us.