Only One Loyalty, Jesus ~ 1st Sunday in Lent 2015

God’s Faithfulness ~ Our Everlasting Hope!

LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness

You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me in exploring God’s Faithfulness. Do you find strength for every circumstance in God’s Faithfulness? God IS Faithful!  God’s Faithfulness is our everlasting Hope! ~ Donna Oswalt

To be faithful in every circumstance means that we have only one loyalty, or object of our faith – the Lord Jesus Christ.

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  1Corinthians 1:9 NKJV

God is sovereign, all-powerful! This attribute of God’s character escapes our full understanding but becomes the truth a faithful follower accepts. Our loyalty to Christ reveals itself by our faith in God. When things fall apart, when circumstances become difficult, when we can no longer see God’s purpose – we have a tendency to doubt, blame, and criticize. This eroding of personal faith affects our spiritual health and witness. Our faith must stay grounded in the faithfulness of God, not in our ability to understand the situation.

In our faithfulness to God, perseverance must continue, as well as loyal devotion with Christ as the “object of our faith”. Especially when we do not comprehend, trusting in a faithful God brings the soul true hope and provides rest in fellowship with Christ. On this journey there are many unexpected roads that lead to despair, wind through darkness, or pass over mountains, and God always goes before us. Our continued faithfulness in God “in every circumstance” finds its greatest purpose in allowing God to work through us.

El Shaddai, Lord God Almighty – renew Your gift of my faith. Reach through me to others that need to know of Your power. Let my story be: Great is Your faithfulness to me, in every situation. –dho

Focus Point: Our faith must stay grounded in the faithfulness of God, not in our ability to understand the situation.

All rights reserved; copyright 2015 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Salvation For All ~ Lent 2015

God’s Faithfulness ~ Our Everlasting Hope!

LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness

You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me in exploring God’s Faithfulness. Do you find strength for every circumstance in God’s Faithfulness? God IS Faithful!  God’s Faithfulness is our everlasting Hope! ~ Donna Oswalt

Indeed [God] says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

 Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One, to Him whom man despises, to Him whom the nation abhors, to the Servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise, Princes also shall worship, because of the Lord who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel; and He has chosen You.” 

Isaiah 49:6-7 NKJV

This is the second of four “Servant Songs” in Isaiah, each offering a different messianic image of Christ. In Genesis, God makes a covenant with Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3). His chosen people, Abraham’s descendants, are to be a “light to the Gentiles”, but they decline. The prophet Isaiah explains that God’s Servant-Redeemer will be rejected - by those He chose, by those refusing to believe, by powerful rulers of nations. God introduces Jesus Christ, as a “new covenant”, because the promises of God and His faithfulness do not end.

God’s purpose for salvation remains extended to all people through the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The Author of Redemption knows the prisons that hold a soul in bondage – lies, abuses, boredom, greed, words that defeat, actions that destroy, busyness that drains, emptiness that desires. The darkness that crucified Christ attempts to hold us hostage but can be abolished by the Light of Christ. God’s faithfulness extends beyond His chosen people, the Jewish nation. He offers Eternal Hope to the Gentiles, too. God’s faithfulness reconciles each of us – any of us - through Christ. 

Redeemer, Holy One - find me in the darkness. Break the chains that try to hold me captive. Be the Light that leads me to You. Great is Your faithfulness. -dho

Focus Point: The darkness that crucified Christ attempts to hold us hostage but can be abolished by the Light of Christ.

All rights reserved; copyright 2015 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Promise of Truth ~ Lent 2015

God’s Faithfulness ~ Our Everlasting Hope!

LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness

You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me in exploring God’s Faithfulness. Do you find strength for every circumstance in God’s Faithfulness? God IS Faithful!  God’s Faithfulness is our everlasting Hope! ~ Donna Oswalt

Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.

The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.

Righteousness goes before Him and prepares the way for His steps.

Psalm 85:10-13 NIV

When you read The Message, the word used for faithfulness is truth; love and truth meet. Also, the words righteousness and peace kiss are interchanged for right living and whole living embrace. Jesus personifies Love and Truth. In our redemption, He is both Love and Truth eternally mingled within our hearts and souls. The yield is our right living, the sharing of His Love and Truth with others. Our reward becomes whole living, complete peace ~ His Peace. This is God's Holy Harvest!

God's faithfulness is His promise of Truth, the Truth that defines right living and whole living for each of us. He clothes us with robes of righteousness lined with inner peace that exceeds our understanding. We kneel before the Love Most High overwhelmed with thankfulness for His power and goodness. His gift of righteousness, of right living, surrounds us, protects us, leads us into the next moment. Once secure inside this gift, we discover whole living, His perfect Peace! How complete is His Offering! Great is His Faithfulness!

God, this Promise of Truth is for me! Your faithfulness offers redemption to my wandering soul. You make me whole, bring me peace. Holiness surrounds me, embraces me. Great is Your faithfulness! - dho

Focus Point: God's faithfulness is His promise of Truth, the Truth that right living and whole living brings to each of us. 

All rights reserved; copyright 2015 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Yahweh's Constancy - Lent 2015

God’s Faithfulness ~ Our Everlasting Hope!

LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness

You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me in exploring God’s Faithfulness. Do you find strength for every circumstance in God’s Faithfulness? God IS Faithful!  God’s Faithfulness is our everlasting Hope! ~ Donna Oswalt

For Yahweh is good, His faithful love is everlasting, His constancy from age to age. Psalm 100:4-5 The Jerusalem Bible

This familiar Psalm proclaims thanksgiving to a Sovereign God whose goodness not only creates each person but provides and protects like a good shepherd. Praises and songs of gladness give honor to God. Faithful love never ends. Such goodness embodies both loyalty and truth. The attributes of God noted in Psalm 100 remain true today, just as His unchanging character is constant from age to age.

The LORD, Yahweh in Hebrew, is the one True God. This alone would be reason to worship Him; yet, God’s steadfast, enduring love embraces mercy and offers grace. While we struggle with uncertainty and constant change, comfort seems far away. The Apologetics Study Bible suggests the phrase “make a joyful noise” or “shout” is a war cry, using the same Hebrew verb that describes the shouting of the Israelites when they captured Jericho. The commentary says “this psalm takes the worshiper into the realm of spiritual warfare.” Our greatest peace comes from the Source of Perfect Goodness. For Yahweh is good! 

LORD, I believe You are the One True God, Creator and Redeemer of souls. This dark world calls to me, tries to entice me away from You, but Your goodness floods my soul. Great is Your faithfulness in every spiritual battle, every moment of doubt. I come into Your presence with thanksgiving. – dho

Focus Point: His unchanging character is constant from age to age.

All rights reserved; copyright 2015 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Ash Wednesday ~ Mark Me A Sinner!

God’s Faithfulness ~ Our Everlasting Hope!

LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness

You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me in exploring God’s Faithfulness. Do you find strength for every circumstance in God’s Faithfulness? God IS Faithful!  God’s Faithfulness is our everlasting Hope! ~ Donna Oswalt

Throughout Scripture, God reveals His faithfulness. At times we see Him as the One generously promising Salvation to a people walking in darkness. On other occasions, the attributes of God distinguish His faithfulness in contrast with humanity’s faithlessness. Omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient describe a perfect, unchanging, and infinite God, while our identity rests more in sinful, shifting shadows. God IS faithful.

This chapter in Isaiah tells God’s plan of Eternal Hope, the Everlasting Hope of living in His Presence for all of eternity. The prophet Isaiah praises God for His enduring power, God faithful and sure. These words sing with thanksgiving. God’s faithfulness gives testimony of His love and mercy, provision and refuge. This faithful Redeemer still offers salvation today – to you and to me. 

Faithful Father, mark me a sinner, one in need of grace. Let the ashes remind me of extravagant grace. Great is Your faithfulness even when my faith is small. My hope rests in You! –dho

Focus Point: Omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient describe a perfect, unchanging, and infinite God, while our identity rests more in sinful, shifting shadows. 

All rights reserved; copyright 2015 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

COMING SOON! ~ Daily Devotions for the EASTER Season!

Preparing for Easter...

Beginning Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2015 - You can read all new DAILY devotions for 2015 on Snyder Memorial Baptist Church’s Facebook and Mangrove Ministries' Facebook, on Twitter @soulchat and onmy blog, Breathing Room For My Soul. 

Join me as we reflect and renew our personal relationship with Jesus. Share these devotions with your friends. Not on social media ~ no problem! Read them right here on my blog: BreathingRoomForMySoul.com and sign up there to get emails with every post. 

LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness

You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me in exploring God’s Faithfulness! Do you find strength for every circumstance in God’s Faithfulness? God's Faithfulness is our everlasting Hope! 

Thank you for the opportunity to share the Perfect Faithfulness of God with you during this Easter Season. ~ Donna Oswalt

What Do You Believe?

"We Believe" by the Newsboys (click link)  

Thursday February 12, 2015 ~ Newsboys Concert 

Cumberland County Crown Coliseum ~ Fayetteville, NC

also in concert ... Audio Adrenaline and Finding Favour

COMING SOON! ~ Daily Devotions for the EASTER Season!

Preparing for Easter...

Beginning Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2015 - You can read all new DAILY devotions for 2015 on Snyder Memorial Baptist Church’s Facebook and Mangrove Ministries' Facebook, on Twitter @soulchat and on my blog, Breathing Room For My Soul. 

Join me as we reflect and renew our personal relationship with Jesus. Share these devotions with your friends. Not on social media ~ no problem! Read them right here on my blog: BreathingRoomForMySoul.com and sign up there to get emails with every post. 

LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness

You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me in exploring God’s Faithfulness! Do you find strength for every circumstance in God’s Faithfulness? God's Faithfulness is our everlastingl Hope! 

Thank you for the opportunity to share the Perfect Faithfulness of God with you during this Easter Season. ~ Donna Oswalt

Also, you can purchase my devotional book on Amazon.com; click on link:

http://www.amazon.com/Kindled-Soul-Holy-Fire-Meditations/dp/1577364198/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423678917&sr=8-1&keywords=Kindled+Soul+Holy+Fire

A Prayer for Times of Trouble

Faithful Father ~

In times like these, there seems to be no silence, just confusion - too many thoughts combined with too many possibilities frantically dancing with too many emotions. In times like these, the heart aches but can find no voice, the heart cries but can find no release. In times like these, there are no easy answers, no quick solutions, no simple explanations. Jehovah, remind us of Your faithfulness.

Petitions to You are endless, with asking and telling, questioning and knowing, seeking and listening. The soul finds hope beside doubt, truth beside lies, joy beside sorrow, love beside betrayal. The wounds are so deep and so wide that they cannot be measured. Consequences are unfair, circumstances are cruel, and the burdens are too heavy. Adonai, remind us of Your unfailing love.

When darkness falls as the day ends and stillness calls, it is Your voice that whispers to the weary Come to Me . . . and I will give you rest. . .for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. Hold the tears and the truth that disappoints; hear the cries and the heart that breaks.  Jesus, Lover of my soul, remind us that You are the Yoke, the One who shares all burdens. 

In times like these, there is peace in Your presence.  In times like these, there is hope in Your love.  In times like these, there is comfort in Your loving arms.  In times like these, there is joy in Your holiness and grace.  El Shaddai, remind us that You are God All Sufficient.  Amen.  ~dho

[I] have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And [I] pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father. Colossians 1: 9-12 (NIV)

Things of God ~ Contemplation and Conversation

“Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.” 

Proverbs 18:15 The Message

[God speaks to us through the people who speak to us about the things of God.]

~ Henri Nouwen

“Good words satisfy like a fine meal; yes, good conversations are sure to satisfy.” 

Proverbs 18:20 The Voice

Share your thoughts, questions, experiences, and/or conversations:

*right here; see below "COMMENTS"

*Mangrove Ministries Facebook Page

*on Twitter @SoulChat