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I In this YouTube video I share the story of the little Red Hen and how if we are not careful, we can easily be like the Red Hen's friends when it comes to doing the things God has for us to do. We can want heaven when this life is over, but not want to live each day here for God right now. May that not be so about us. More detailed description of video: Many of us call ourselves Christians. But are we walking in obedience to Christ? Oh, we are quick to say yes, we are Christians, but are we willing to walk the walk and talk the talk and do the work? Or do we just want heaven? It reminds me of the big red hen story. Her friends didn't want to do the work of planting, harvesting, and grinding the grain for flour, but they sure wanted to eat the bread after it was said and done. Isn't that what most Christians want? We don't want the pain, the suffering, denying ourselves, laying down our will and desires for Him, but oh we want the good stuff, and we certainly want heaven when this life is over, thank you very much!! Go into the world and preach the gospel. Nope I'm not a missionary, a teacher, or a preacher so that's no for me. Keep the 10 commandments? Nope, they are done away with. ( Not! ) Deny self, take up our cross and follow Jesus. Sell what we have and give to the poor. Nope, that's for someone else. Here is what Jesus has said concerning these kinds of things. " Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. " Matthew 25:41-46 KJV "And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" Mark 10:17-23 KJV Mae Renfroe Music: Sweet Musician: LiQWYD URL: http://www.soundcloud.com/liqwyd
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You know how everyone loves to have a job with lots of great benefits? Well did you know that the benefits of God are much better and everlasting than any job here on earth could ever give. I mean their benefits are great for sure, but let's check out the benefits of serving God. They can't even begin to give us what God can give us. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. Psalm 103:2-6 KJV Peace, joy, forgiveness, redemption, comfort, provision, hope, salvation, mercy, loving kindness , healing, and so much more! But let's not forget that in this world we will walk through trouble, trials, death of loved ones, and have tribulation, but in the midst of it in Him we still have hope and peace, and are surrounded by His presence. We still have all His benefits and promises. Though we must make the choice of abiding and dwelling in Him. Rest and trust. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 KJV Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength: Isaiah 26:3-4 KJV The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; Psalm 103:8, 11-12, 17 KJV I love the story of Moses raising his arms up in battle in Exodus 17:8-15. This is very significant I believe that Moses had his arms raised in battle toward heaven. Giving honor to God to whom his help came from. Knowing the battle belonged to God and that they couldn't do it without Him. And praising God for the victory before he saw the miracle. Believing the victory before seeing it. And praising God in advance. There's something powerful in that. Raise your arms in praise and worship right now for the One that is fighting your battles! You are never alone!! I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. Psalm 121:1-5 KJV Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah–nissi: Exodus 17:8-15 KJV Music: Sweet Musician: LiQWYD URL: http://www.soundcloud.com/liqwyd Sometimes God takes us through things we would rather not go through, or into situations we would rather not be in, to get us to places in life He needs us. To prepare us for the work He has for us, so that we can touch lives that He wants us to touch. To touch lives that we never could have, had we not walked that difficult journey, experienced that loss, went through that tragedy, that unfair situation, or rejection, etc.. Like the story of Joseph in the Bible, God is getting us into the place or position He needs us to be in to do the work He has for us to accomplish. It's in the middle of those painful and difficult things that bring spiritual growth in our lives, and we learn to trust our Heavenly Father even more. All of which is part of the preparation. In the midst of our trials and storms we experienced His peace, His love, His comfort, His presence, His guiding hand, His provision, His protection, and we found Him faithful and trustworthy. God did not abandon you, He is preparing you for the work He has for you! Our greatest spiritual growth moments don't happen when everything is going smooth & rosy, and falling in place just how we want and when we want. There's no strength in that. There's no growing. But rather it's in those times of difficulty that we grow. It puts our faith to a test. And we see just how much we need Jesus. When we've walked through pain and sorrow; yet we see His hand at work in our lives. In the midst of our storms we feel His presence and peace, and we see miracles happen. We know He is active and present in our. And we know we couldn't do life without Him. The things that our enemy thought would break us, make us stronger! It's easy to praise God when everything is going great. But we praise Him in the midst of our times of difficulty as well. That's acknowledging that He is still good to us. He never said life would be easy, but He would always be with us. He said He would never leave us nor forsake us. And Jesus told us in this world there would be tribulation. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 KJV Blessings, Mae Renfroe |
Meet Mae
I am a wife to my wonderful husband, Paul, of over 25 years. Mommy to 10 blessings, ages 24 to 2 years. Our 2nd oldest son, at age 14, has gone on to be with the Lord on April 19th, 2017. I share about that new road we are on here on my blog. Categories
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My first 7 years of blogging.
Great inspirational reading! 
"I believe a greater intimacy with God leads us to an inner peace, unquenchable joy, & an ever-lasting hope regardless of what we go through in life." Mae Archives
June 2024
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