Deception Can Keep You Stuck | Archive Story - Episode 14

Are You Driven by Guilt or… Led by Conviction?

Are You Driven by Guilt or… Led by Conviction? Monday Meditations – Episode 1 Originally written August 8, 2011 posted here: https://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/08/08/monday-meditations-2-timothy-316/ [https://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/08/08/monday-meditations-2-timothy-316/] Today's Meditation Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; This scripture seems like an obvious statement. But there are aspects to this verse that many people disregard. One item is the very first word. It says ALL scripture is inspired by God and profitable… I know that there are many people in many walks of life, in many different churches, who say that only parts of the scriptures are relevant to us today. They disregard the history of the Old Testament. The genealogies of Christ and others. They can't understand the book of Revelation so they push it off for later. Of course Numbers and Leviticus is difficult. But this scripture says ALL scriptures are profitable for teaching, reproof and correction, for training in righteousness. Even the most difficult to read hold nuggets that will help transform your life. As you meditate on this scripture this week, contemplate what scriptures you have neglected, avoided or ignored and ask the Father to help you read them with understanding and to learn from them. Wednesday Word Study – Episode 1 Originally written August 10, 2011 posted here: https://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/08/10/wednesday-word-study-conviction/ [https://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/08/08/monday-meditations-2-timothy-316/] Conviction There are two Greeks words for conviction. The first meaning is 'full assurance' and the other is 'correction'. The use as correction is only used once when Paul was talking to Timothy in: 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; This is the Strong's Greek Concordance Number 1882 Transliteration: epanorthósis Phonetic Spelling: (ep-an-or'-tho-sis) Definition: correction, reformation, setting straight (right) again. 1882 – used only once in 2 Timothy 3:16 Another usage, full assurance is used in scriptures such as Listen to my professionally narrated audio books and other podcasts here: AUDIO BOOKS & ALL PODCASTS [https://www.nancyjacksonpodcast.com/]. I Thessalonians 1:5 NASfor our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. This is the Strong's Greek Concordance Number 4136 Transliteration: plérophoria Phonetic Spelling: (play-rof-or-ee'-ah) Definition: full assurance, conviction, confidence. But the one thing it is not used for is when thinking or talking about guilt. Many times we have interchanged the word conviction for guilt. Maybe you have not done this knowingly, but I'm sure you have in your mind. When we have failed in some way, maybe slipped into an old habit or sin and we feel guilty, we interpret that as conviction from the Holy Spirit. It is not! The word conviction is only used as instruct, only one time and that is when Paul is telling Timothy to use the Word as instruction/conviction to stay on the right path. And it does not mention that the Holy Spirit will convict us in this way, but the Word. The other times conviction is used is when talking about the full assurance we have of faith. That is how the Holy Spirit will convict us! It is to encourage us that we can draw near to the Father because we are fully assured (convicted) that our hearts are sprinkled and clean from evil. Today when you use the word convicted, stop and think, are you really referring to feeling guilty? If so, be fully assured (convicted) that you are free from guilt and can draw near to the Father because you are cleansed by the blood and have received the grace provided by Jesus Christ! Friday Finale – Episode 1 Originally written August 12, 2011 posted here: https://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/08/12/led-or-driven/ [https://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/08/12/led-or-driven/] RU Being Driven or Led? Why do you do what you do? Is it a thought or a feeling? Is it a rule or a law? I've been trying to stress home the idea of living a life of being led by the prompting of the Holy Spirit and not by any other thought, feeling or idea. When I was much younger attending church, one of the first theological words I heard was conviction. Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something? When you did that wrong thing, did you feel conviction? But not until the last several years has the Lord begun to specifically define and show me what that word conviction really feels like. And how the Holy Spirit truly leads us in our lives. One definition of the word conviction is referring to when Paul is preaching and it states that he preached with conviction, or forcefulness. There are actually two Greeks words for conviction in the context that I am referring to and not what I expected to find. You may find a full word study on the word conviction on Monday Meditation - Conviction. The first meaning is 'full assurance' and the other is 'correction'. The use correction is only used once when Paul was talking to Timothy in: 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; Hmmm, the scripture, not the Holy Spirit, is for correction. Just like a textbook not the teacher. I don't think I would get any argument if I made the statement that this is a harsh world. A world where we are introduced to pain and suffering at a very young age. There are mean people in this world doing mean things. Even our own parents, as much as they loved us, didn't always discipline and correct us in the way that was appropriate. I know as a parent myself, I can look back and see that sometimes I did whatever it took to get them to do what I wanted or needed them to do. If I had to spank them, I would. If I had to ground them, I would. If I had to yell and scream, I would. If I had to place guilt on them, I would. But I'll be the first to admit, I was not a perfect parent. In fact, I was far from it. But our Father God is a perfect parent and doesn't parent at all the way we do. And the Holy Spirit is our teacher and guide here on this earth and a perfect and gentle teacher, always leading us, not pushing us. But since all that we know is the parenting we have experienced here on this earth we automatically associate it to our Father God. So when we hear from the pulpit that the Holy Spirit will convict us, our minds go to something difficult and highly unpleasant. We usually associate it with feeling guilty. As we grow older in the Lord we don't sever that feeling of guilt from true conviction. Let me give you some examples: You go to church every Sunday because you feel convicted if you don't, or is it guilt? You give offerings because you feel convicted if you don't, or is it guilt? You try to 'be good' because you feel convicted if you don't, or is it guilt? Are you starting to think now? Look back at the feelings that you have and the thoughts that you have had in these instances. As I began to ponder this myself, I really wanted to know what it was that was motivating me to do the things I did. I wanted a clean heart and a clear conscience and I wanted to do things from the leading of the Holy Spirit and for no other reason. Then the Lord began to teach me about conviction versus guilt. Guilt and condemnation come from the enemy. So Father God would never use the emotion of guilt to correct us or to move us. So the very first thing I had to do was to learn to resist guilt. The moment a thought or feeling of guilt would enter my mind, I would take it captive and reject it. 2 Corinthians 10:5 AMP We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ, So then what and how does the Holy Spirit lead? Picture these two examples: In one you are held at knife point and are poked and prodded to move forward against your will while feeling dread and remorse. But you move because the sharp point of the guilt-knife hurts! In the second, you are a sweet young puppy and you have a safe and comfortable harness on. You have a leash attached to the chest portion of the harness. You feel a slight tug from the leash, just below the center of your chest. It is a gentle tug, one that could easily be missed if you weren't paying attention and there is a gentle loving voice urging you to come. But when you do recognize it, you get up and move forward, at your own pace being led in the correct direction. We must practice to learn to silence guilt from the enemy and listen with a slightly turned ear to the voice of Holy Spirit, to learn to feel that tug in the center of our being. Psalms 46:10 AMP "Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth." You have also read the version where it says, Be still and know that I am God. I love this because sometimes we are striving to obey the voice of guilt in our lives so much that we cannot hear God and know His true heart for us. How does the enemy feed guilt into our lives? By thoughts and words. They may enter our minds through the words of other people telling us that we have not done enough or are not good enough or are failing in some way. In an another post I wrote called Christian Clones, I spoke about self-help books that take the plan God gave individuals for their life, and decided it was the plan for everyone. That is another way that guilt enters our minds. We try to follow a diet or weight loss plan and it doesn't work for us. We try to manage our money the way the book says to do and we can't do it that way. So we feel guilty that we were not able to be successful at this and are then overridden with guilt and condemnation. If we do something we perceive as wrong we feel guilt. That is not from the Holy Spirit. We as a people are conditioned to respond to guilt, especially when we've been taught that it is conviction from the Holy Spirit. Also, when we do read the Word for true instruction, if we read about things we have done wrong in the past or are still struggling with, the enemy is quick to bring guilt! He will tell you what a bad person or Christian you are and that God will abandon you and not love you anymore because you've not done what He asked of you in the Word. And we interpret this as conviction from the Holy Spirit! But we must, absolutely must read the Word as much as we can. It is the Word that convicts us while we are reading it. When we see something in there that corrects us, we should then make a point of changing our behavior to make that correction. If we do not spend time in the Word, we will not be able to know what Holy Spirit wants us to change. Therefore when we are going through our daily lives the Word isn't abiding in us and it is more difficult to discern the Holy Spirt leading us. The Word is the plan, the road map that Holy Spirit uses to lead and guide us. It is imperative that we have read it and have it in us. Remember, that feeling of guilt is of the enemy! The Holy Spirit is a loving and leading entity not a pushing and prodding entity. Immediately reject the guilt, be still and listen for the soothing loving voice of the Father to lead you forward in the right direction. Even if you feel guilt after doing something wrong, it is still not of the Lord. He wants to lead you into doing right, not pressure you at the knife point of guilt after you have done wrong. You will move forward much quicker and go much farther with the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit. You can be assured that by following the leading of Holy Spirit you are going in the right direction, much more so than if you moved forward reluctantly at the sharp knife point of guilt. There will be less ground gained and you can be almost certain that you won't be on the path that the Holy Spirit would be leading you on no matter how 'good' it may seem. But if we can put aside the feeling of guilt and allow ourselves to hear the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit, He will lead us to the very best goals, good deeds and a peaceful lifestyle, gently and easily, but on a path that makes sense for your individual life, not someone else's path. It takes much practice and it is something that I am still learning to do every moment of every day. But I routinely stop, lean my ear to the Spirit and sense His quiet leading in the midst of the chaos and noise. And then that is the way I choose where to go. I know that this will become an unconscious habit for me and not something that I have to remember to do. Don't let guilt speak louder in your life than the Holy Spirit. Learn to silence it once and for all. This is the full teaching on this subject in one place. You will flow from the Monday Meditation to the Wednesday Word Study and then the Friday Finale where I bring the teaching home with in depth teaching. Shop all versions of my novels here: Shop Here [https://nancyjacksonauthor.com/collections/novels] My Media Website: NancyJacksonPodcast.com [https://nancyjacksonpodcast.com/] Check out my website: NancyJacksonAuthor.com [https://www.nancyjacksonauthor.com/] Follow me here: Substack: https://nancyjackson.substack.com/ [https://nancyjackson.substack.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor [https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor] Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAJackson [https://twitter.com/NAJackson] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/najackson/ [https://www.instagram.com/najackson/] Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson [https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NancyJackson [https://www.youtube.com/@NancyJacksonAuthor] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en]

Wednesday Word Study - Pride - Episode 3

Wednesday Word Study Episode 3 Wednesday Word Study – Episode 3 Originally written August 24, 2011 posted here: https://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/08/24/wednesday-word-study-pride/ [https://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/08/08/monday-meditations-2-timothy-316/] Pride Proverbs 16:18 [http://bible.cc/proverbs/16-18.htm]Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. This is the Strong's Greek Concordance Number 1347a [http://strongsnumbers.com/hebrew/1347b.htm] Transliteration: ga'own Phonetic Spelling: (gaw'-ohn) Definition: arrogancy When I was studying this word I noticed that there were several Greek variations of this word. I've selected the one used here in this verse. I was not surprised by the definition. It is a word we all know well, and use often. But one thing I did learn when reading all the different words in the definition is the word – exaltation. I had to stop on that one and think about it. Isn't exaltation something that should be reserved for God? You bet it is! That is exactly why when we are prideful we are exalting ourselves and God will not, cannot stand for that. Pride – self exaltation is what got Satan ejected immediately from heaven. Go directly to earth, do not pass go, do not collect $200!!! I've added a bit of humor to this critically serious topic, but we do tend to snicker when we think about how quickly, with no debate, Satan was ejected from Heaven. But we must see that this scripture is warning us that should pride, in any form, enter our behavior or attitude, we are certain to face destruction as well. If that thought makes you shudder the way it did me, then evaluate your life and your attitudes towards others today to see if even the slightest morsel of pride has crept in. If it has, immediately eradicate it before you too are facing certain destruction. Each Wednesday I will be posting a Wednesday Word Study to further elaborate on a significant word from the previous Monday's Meditation episode. On Mondays I focus on one verse to meditate on for the week. On the Wednesday after I drill down to look at one specific word to gain further information and knowledge. Then on the following Friday I will post a teaching pulling it all together. Each week will provide a thorough study into a verse, a word, and then the overall concept. Shop all versions of my novels here: Shop Here [https://nancyjacksonauthor.com/collections/novels] My Media Website: NancyJacksonPodcast.com [https://nancyjacksonpodcast.com/] Check out my website: NancyJacksonAuthor.com [https://www.nancyjacksonauthor.com/] Follow me here: Substack: https://nancyjackson.substack.com/ [https://nancyjackson.substack.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor [https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor] Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAJackson [https://twitter.com/NAJackson] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/najackson/ [https://www.instagram.com/najackson/] Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson [https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NancyJackson [https://www.youtube.com/@NancyJacksonAuthor] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en]

Monday Meditations - Proverbs 16:18 - Episode 3

Monday Meditations Episode 3 Monday Meditations – Episode 3 Originally written August 22, 2011 posted here: https://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/08/22/1962/ [https://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/08/08/monday-meditations-2-timothy-316/] Today's Meditation Verse: Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. I love reading the Lexicon version of a scripture. To me it reveals so much. For instance there is little variation in this scripture from translation to translation. It pretty much says it like it is and in any language or culture it is pretty much the same. But just now as I was reading this verse in the Lexcon [http://biblelexicon.org/proverbs/16-18.htm] (the original Greek translation) I saw something that I had to meditate on for a bit. Then I saw how obvious the original word was to our own modern terminology. That word is before. In the Lexicon that word means faces. We use that word often now. She is facing an uphill battle. He is facing termination at work. They are facing the playoffs. We know this word so well. Let's look at this week's scripture again using the original word, facing. Pride causes you to face destruction, and a haughty spirit will cause you to face a fall. We know when we face something that it is coming, for sure. Something that we face is something we know we will have to deal with. So this week when you meditate on this scripture know that the pride in your life will cause you to face with certainty, destruction and that a haughty spirit will cause you to face a fall. Each Monday I am going to be having 'Monday Meditations'. I hope to bring to you each Monday a verse to mediate on for the week. This is not for memorization, but to think about and to dwell on. The word meditate, in the bible, means to mutter. So this week as you go about your life, think about and mutter to yourself the verse for the week and think about how it applies to your life. Meditating on a verse will bind it to your spirit and it will become part of you! The more of the Word you meditate on, the more it will transform you into the image of Christ! Shop all versions of my novels here: Shop Here [https://nancyjacksonauthor.com/collections/novels] My Media Website: NancyJacksonPodcast.com [https://nancyjacksonpodcast.com/] Check out my website: NancyJacksonAuthor.com [https://www.nancyjacksonauthor.com/] Follow me here: Substack: https://nancyjackson.substack.com/ [https://nancyjackson.substack.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor [https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor] Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAJackson [https://twitter.com/NAJackson] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/najackson/ [https://www.instagram.com/najackson/] Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson [https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NancyJackson [https://www.youtube.com/@NancyJacksonAuthor] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en]

The World and The Earth - Not the Same | Archive Story - Episode 15

The World and The Earth - Not the Same It is common to hear the words earth, and world interchanged. But I believe a closer look at the meaning and proper contextual use is warranted. Listen to my professionally narrated audio books and other podcasts here: AUDIO BOOKS & ALL PODCASTS [https://thestorywithnancyjackson.supercast.com/]. Genesis 1:1 1. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. In these verses, the word earth in Hebrew is erets, which means earth and land. It is a physical thing that can be touched and felt. Let's consider the word world in Hebrew. It is tebel and means world, but in its usage it lends itself to the inhabitants of the world and their system of living, not the physical earth. There is another term that is often lumped in with these. That is age, such as the end of the age. Age is referring to a period of time. If someone says the end of the age is soon, you are talking about a period of time ending soon. Examples for age are, 'The Gilded Age', 'The Dark Ages', 'The Middles Ages'. Examples for earth are, 'the earth is round', 'the earth is 70% water', 'the earth's core creates a magnetic field'. Examples for world are, 'the world is growing', 'the world is corrupt', 'the world is unfair'. What Does It Matter? Why is this important? Let me explain why I believe it to be important. God created the earth. He created it for a purpose, and that purpose was for us. He created us in the image and likeness of Himself to reflect Him on His created earth. Gen 1:27. But something went awry early in the garden. Can you see God's original vision? Let's view it as I believe He saw it. An earth filled with many millions of people created in the image of God who are actively reflecting Him in all His glory on the created earth. Can you see His glory covering the earth forever and ever? Something Went Wrong Even though something went awry, I do not believe God has changed His purpose or goal. God is never changing, and He is certainly not daunted by a bump in the road. Instead, He just kept making new ways to get to His original goal. When Adam changed his allegiance from God to Satan. The world, not the earth, changed. The inhabitants of the earth died (the light went out) and no longer reflected the glory of God. God reflected his glory in the garden, giving it life. https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UHqm!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa547fd03-03db-4f4b-9ae2-9b2a1c5009cc_400x100.png The World of Two Lived on the Earth The world of two, Adam and Eve, were expelled from the garden to live in the earth's remainder. The lack of God's reflection affected the earth. Adam gave over 'ownership' of the world to Satan. Now earth groaned for the world (inhabitants) to once again reflect the glory of God. Romans 8: 19) The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. 20) for the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope 21) that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22) We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. 23) Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24) For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? Be Transformed We are in a process of transformation, of which the ultimate culmination is being once again the complete and perfect reflection of God just as Adam and Eve were. We are to endeavor to become internally more like Christ every day, which in turn is reflected outwardly in our behavior. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. But in the meantime, the earth is only partially covered with incomplete images which reflect His glory only partially. On a good day, we are still a dim light. But we are a light nonetheless, and we are told to shine and not put our light away, but let it shine as boldly as possible in the world, the inhabitants and their system of living on God's created earth. We Have a Mandate from God We have a mandate from Jesus to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16), and to GO and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19) . As long as the world still has inhabitants of darkness, we have not completed our assignment and we must all continue with our assignment. That doesn't necessarily mean become a missionary in a third world country. It can mean, as you go about your daily life, let your light shine to all your meet, sharing and teaching about the Good News. Love, show, and teach others about Jesus. Help them grow. Making disciples is so much more than just getting someone to say a prayer of allegiance to Jesus. A topic for another day is that even effective in reality. Increase the Light As we do make disciples throughout the world, the light of God will shine greater and greater, eventually covering the earth. When we have no more disciples to go make, Jesus will return and our bodies will be transformed, both those dead and those still alive. And then the earth, the physical earth, will no longer be confined and can be the garden fully alive and beautiful the way God first intended. Jesus is Waiting on Us to Finish Our Job Jesus will reign in the new Jerusalem, and we will inhabit the garden, which covers the entire earth. So, when we read the word of God, the Bible, I believe we must know the earth is a created physical object created by God's loving hands for a purpose and the world is its inhabitants and its system of being, working, and governing that those inhabitants perpetuate upon the earth. Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection did away with the old rickety bandaid covenant, so that now the new perfect covenant (which excluded no man, woman, or race) our sins are forgiven, the enemy Satan was disarmed and made a show of openly (Colossians 2:15). Now we are empowered to grow in Jesus and be increasingly transformed into the image of God. Go - Make Disciples The more disciples we make, the less darkness is covering the earth. Current stats show that more and more people are coming to profess Jesus as Lord every day, no matter what we are led to believe by the media. Let's get busy discipling them so God's glory will increase. If you believe things are getting worse and worse, you are focusing on the darkness and the perpetual toxic propaganda that the enemy pushes through the media. It is all lies and yet so many are addicted to watching it daily. You Reflect What You Focus On We are told to focus and think on whatever is true, honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace… think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 amp emphasis mine) The garbage that the media, both via tv and the internet, which is governed by the darkness still left in the world, is not worthy of respect and we are not following what we are told to do by feeding on it. Ignore the darkness. We reflect on what we feed on. If you feed on the darkness, the light you carry will diminish, reflecting the darkness. Focus on becoming transformed to be a better reflection of God and so growing in the light you carry, make disciples of all those you meet by loving and teaching them in word and in deed. And the light you carry will increase and continue to cover the entire earth. We are not of this world which still has so much darkness, but we are part of this earth. Let's get about the assignment we were given, and cover this earth in the reflection of God's light and take back this earth that was created for us. The quicker we do, the quicker Jesus will come back to reign. Originally published by me here: https://nancyjacksonauthor.com/blogs/inspirational/world-and-earth [https://nancyjacksonauthor.com/blogs/inspirational/world-and-earth] https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Somq!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F33f67d61-20f2-4928-b8b4-c6c366c51e6f_7325x1604.png Shop all versions of my novels here: Shop Here [https://nancyjacksonauthor.com/collections/novels] Check out my website: NancyJacksonAuthor.com [https://www.NancyJacksonAuthor.com] Follow me here: Substack: https://nancyjackson.substack.com/ [https://nancyjackson.substack.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor [https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor] Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAJackson [https://twitter.com/NAJackson] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/najackson/ [https://www.instagram.com/najackson/] Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson [https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyajackson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyajackson/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NancyJackson [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBawU_f3R6wfeNv2vytrfmA] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en]

God Watches Over Us | Miracle Story - Episode 15

God Watches Over Us Living in the country in western Oklahoma we were surrounded by all types of insects and snakes. They were a constant and you just learned to watch out when you could and be cautious. Listen to my professionally narrated audio books and other podcasts here: AUDIO BOOKS & ALL PODCASTS [https://thestorywithnancyjackson.supercast.com/]. Living In The Country We lived on a dirt road and it came to a dead end just a few hundred feet from our house. At that dead end lived a family who had a son just a bit older than my oldest son so they spent quite a bit of time playing together. My youngest son Kendon is four years younger than his older brother. One day when his brother Ben was down playing with the neighbor, Kendon was begging to go. He was about four years old at the time. Since we were out in the country and on a rarely traveled dead end road, which the kids were all used to, I made arrangements for him to walk to the neighbors. I Knew He Was Safe The road was packed red dirt that was lower than the banks on either side due to having been graded for so many years. On those banks were weeds and brush as well as tons of cedar trees and old pine oaks. I called down to the neighbors house and told Ben that Kendon was coming down the road and to please watch for him and meet him on the road. He did and they played until it was time to come home. A Shocking Discovery It was Wednesday night. We ate dinner, I had my other two get cleaned up to go to church, and I bathed Kendon. As I was bathing him I noticed two puncture marks on the back of his upper arm. It would have greatly alarmed me but there was no abnormal redness or swelling. Since he was my baby, I had allowed him to stay a baby for probably way too long. He baby talked until he was in kindergarten. Since I spent every day with him I fully understood everything he said. https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zhqW!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F86a48e8f-3e5f-48e2-98a4-15eda5bcb014_400x100.png He Was Completely Unaware When I saw the two punctures I asked him, "What bit you?" To which he replied, "Dog". Obviously it was not a dog. So I inquired further and received no additional information other than 'dog'. At church that night I looked for a friend of mine who was a licensed EMT. I thought I knew what those punctures were but wanted confirmation. When I found him, I showed him Kendon's arm and asked him what he thought those were. He looked and then looked up at me in shock. He said, "That is a snake bite and those punctures indicate it was a poisonous snake." I Trusted God To Watch Over My Children We both knew it was a miracle. Kendon never had any adverse reaction and finally the punctures healed and faded away. This is an instance where I didn't even know I needed to pray for a miracle and one just came. However, I always knew, really and firmly knew, that God was watching over me and my children. God Had Exchange Fear for Courage Years Earlier When God delivered me from fear, he replaced it with courage and a certain understanding that he was watching over us. So, trusting him to do that very thing, I never ever worried over my children. It never occurred to me to worry about them. I was that certain over God's care and watchful eye. This isn't something I forced myself to do. This isn't something I worked up on my own. When I prayed for and received deliverance from fear God had to replace the void it left, and he did. He replaced it with courage and that revelation knowledge of his watchful caring eye on my family. As I have said many times, he is no respecter of persons. He can and will do that for you as well. Ask him, pray about it earnestly. He will show you the way. It may be the same way as he brought deliverance to me through saying a specific scripture over and over at bedtime or he may show you a different way. But, believe it, ask for it, and receive it. Originally published by me here: https://www.nancyjacksonpodcast.com/blog/godwatchesoverus/ [https://www.nancyjacksonpodcast.com/blog/godwatchesoverus/] https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CsCA!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F28bba0f2-2e7a-41ba-854b-b7e529cbabdd_7325x1604.png Shop all versions of my novels here: Shop Here [https://nancyjacksonauthor.com/collections/novels] Check out my website: NancyJacksonAuthor.com [https://www.NancyJacksonAuthor.com] Follow me here: Substack: https://nancyjackson.substack.com/ [https://nancyjackson.substack.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor [https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor] Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAJackson [https://twitter.com/NAJackson] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/najackson/ [https://www.instagram.com/najackson/] Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson [https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyajackson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyajackson/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NancyJackson [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBawU_f3R6wfeNv2vytrfmA] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en]