“Why do you look for the living among the dead?”
(Luke 24:5)
We each have our own idea of how we think God should help us in the problems of this life. Most of us have a pre-conceived notion of what is good for God to do for us. Unfortunately, when God does not work things out as expected, many believers let seeds of doubt fill their mind. Fear is given reign in their lives instead of the risen Christ. Weary from the battle, many give up hope reacting as though Christ were still in the tomb instead of being alive with full authority over everything. They search for the living in the dead areas of their lives. The enemy’s lies become real for them.
Our trust in the trials we face is not based on that which can be seen. The bible tells us in Hebrews 11:1 that , “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” If you were able to see and understand everything that God is permitting in your life, you would have no need for faith. Without faith, it is not only impossible to please God, it is impossible to know the God you serve!
We have to remember in every storm of life that Christ is at the center and he permits only that which fulfills his will for you. You may not like the attacks that come against you, but they are powerful tools used to equip you for eternal victory. You will never be able to stand in the struggles of life if you do not have the knowledge of God’s power and a belief that he will not fail you. In the time of testing, the enemy is going to pull out all the stops to tempt you to think that you are beyond help. He is going to fill your mind with thoughts of failure and defeat. Unless you are firmly grounded in the truth of God’s love and his power in your battles, you will not have the strength to fight.
In all situations and in all ways, Christ is working out a divine, eternal plan that cannot be stopped. Your past has no hold on you. Your weakness and failures are powerless to hinder God’s purpose for you. Because of the sacrifice Christ made for you on the cross, your future is forever secure. God has promised to transform you into the image of his Son, Jesus. As a believer, you need to understand that one day you will be a co-heir with Christ in heaven and rule over angels. All of your momentary troubles on this earth is just getting you ready for a kingdom so magnificent that there is no way for our earthly minds to comprehend its beauty.
In Romans 8:28, we are given this promise: “And we know that God will cause ALL things to work for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” Anything that affects your life is now under God’s authority and power as he completes the works he started. You have nothing to fear.
My friends, begin today to walk the steps of faith. Surrender your troubles to the One who can lift you above them all. Let God’s strength fill you and give you peace for he has given his angels charge over you. You were never meant to carry your burdens alone. No matter what heartache or pain you have now, the peace of Christ can be still be yours if you trust it all to him.
Remember that Christ death and resurrection were part of his plan. He knew that we were hopelessly lost and prisoners of sin. He provided a way that will keep us in peace on this earth and take us through to the glory of heaven forever. Jesus left the grave! He is alive within the hearts of all believers. His power is yours forever! Jesus is a living hope and he will always make a way to help you.
Dear Lord, I sadly watch as so many of your people are overwhelmed in their problems. They are weary and struggling to believe that you will help them. I pray for them now and ask that you meet them where they are. I pray that marriages will be mended as you become the center of the vows they made before you. I pray for sickness and diseases to be touched by your hand and healed. I pray for financial help for all those struggling to live. I pray for jobs for those out of work. I pray for you to help single mothers who are barely making it as they raise their children alone. I pray for a way out for those in addictions and bondage to sin. I pray for those who are being persecuted for their faith. I pray for you to bring hope to those considering suicide. May you give them your strength. I pray for those who are hurting from the actions of a spouse. I pray that all who come to this site will have the true knowledge of salvation through Christ alone. Lord Jesus, may your mercy and grace fill them to overflow as you reveal yourself to them. Amen.
31 comments
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August 11, 2011 at 9:26 am
Jennifer
I am trusting God for funds to pay for at least 6 months of my son’s out of state college housing … and funds to get his car out of repair shop. And just today. his Dad got angry and told the rental agent to tear up the rental lease because he is no longer co-signing. (Psalm 66: 8-12) I have been through the fire!
These plans have been long in the making – my plan to withdraw from my 401K for the above did not work out at last minute. School starts soon in a month. I know it is God’s will for him to move from NC to Ohio (where I have 3 brothers) since he needs to GROW up and this is his desire! Also his Dad backed out on paying 1/2 of his car repair. Please pray that God works this out – the co-signing of the lease and the rent to initially get him started etc. I love my son so much, but his twin sister and I can’t continue living in the same house with him because of his behavior. Thank you so much for your prayers!
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August 11, 2011 at 9:40 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Jennifer, I know you are in a difficult position right now. It may be good for your son to go away to school and be somewhat on his own. Sometimes parents get frustrated when they try to help their children only to have them act irresponsibly. I am guessing that is why your son’s father doesn’t want to thelp now. And there are times when doing too much for your child can actually hinder their taking responsibility for themselves. Whatever the case, I know God has a plan.
You need to seek God’s will in this case. I know you want only what is good for your son. I will be praying for your son and for you. I was a single mother when my daughter went to college. There were some tough decisions that had to be made because I didn’t have the money to just pay her whole way. God helped me through this time and I pray that he will help you resolve this issue quickly. When you love your children, you seek God’s will to do what is best for them, not necessarily what they want. I will be praying for God to guide you, Jennifer. You always have hope when you trust Christ in everything. He alone knows the beginning and end of all of our lives. He knows what is best. Psalm 84 tells us that “No good will he withhold for those whose walk is righteous“. He is telling believers that whatever is good, you will have it! I stand on his promises. I will be praying for you, my sister. Somehow, God can make a way even when it seems like there is none!
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August 11, 2011 at 11:04 am
pat
Hi Marianne
As usual good food here that fills us with hope,joy and peace Amen! May God continue to use you in helping us to hold on to His hands and never give up.Jesus really did pay for all we’ll ever need and the better we know Him,the clearer His works he did for us becomes.
Love you 😀
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August 11, 2011 at 11:43 am
Linden
You, my friend, have a rare combination of gifts – truth-telling and encouragment. This post certainly lifted my spirits as you shared the precepts of God’s Word in a beautiful and loving manner. Keep faithful to your calling!
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August 11, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Pat, I always look forward to your visits and your wonderful words of inspiration. You are so right that the more we know of our God, the clearer our understanding will be of his works in our lives. It is never easy to endure adversity. But, when you understand that God’s purpose in your trials has eternal ramifications and a divine implications you can take heart in the heavies of battles and be in peace because you know that your God is working it all out for your good.
God bless you, my sister. You make a powerful impact for the kingdom!
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August 11, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Linden, I thank you for stopping and being a source of encouragement to me. But then, your teachings are such a powerful tool to reach so many with light and truth in such a time of darkness that we live in. I pray that you will continue to be faithful in your work. I always leave your site with a greater knowledge of the power of God. You bless so many, Linden, and you truly bless me. Thank you for being such a wonderful brother in the Lord.
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August 11, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Noel
Marianne, awesome description of how faith pleases God. It is interesting because I just wrote a post about losing faith. I cannot understand everything, therefore I need faith to continue to move on. God bless,
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August 11, 2011 at 9:12 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Noel, I am so glad that you stopped by. The reason that faith pleases God is because it requires us to take God at his word. To believe him for who he is not for what we see or get trom him but for who he is! When you can’t see what your future holds but you believe that God is with you and working it out his way, that is faith that honors God! Faith is surrendering all that you are to all that he is! It is a process, Noel. I pray that you continue taking steps in trusting God in all things.
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August 11, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Rocco T
Hi Marianne,
Another wonderful post filled with the truth. It is these truths that we need to be reminded of constantly because we tend to take our eyes of Jesus in the midst of problems, and that is when we need to keep our eyes on him the most.
Thank you for a great post
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August 11, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Rocco, Glad you stopped by. It is in he midst of our problems that the power of Christ is revealed. I have learned more about the love of God in the hard times than when everything was stable. And I have learned that the real key to victory only comes by surrendering my will and my ways to God and his ways. Nothing else will bring happiness.
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August 12, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Anonymous
May we all look only to the living and true God, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the true grace of His suffering. May we ALL stop looking for and relying upon the the dead things of this world. Oh that the Spirit of God would crush us more than we ever thought so that we would truly repent and seek His presence and His strength.
Thank you for the reminder of this verse.
Jeremy
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August 12, 2011 at 8:11 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Jeremy, I am so glad you stopped by. Let me know where you are now. I have been praying for you and your family.
And we both agree on that truth that we must stop living in the dead things of this world and look to the the living Christ for all of our strength.
God bless you, Jeremy. I hope you are doing well.
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August 14, 2011 at 1:26 am
concernedx2
Greetings Marianne;
I can think of no one better equiped and suited for the ministry you possess in helping those who come by your post. the advise and comfort you extend to them is always without question. I am at a place in my life that I did not plan and the road to get here i would not have taken if I could have had control of it. God has guided my footsteps and he did much of it with me kicking and screaming. I know so very little about God because “his ways are past finding out,” however, I do know this much; “GOD IS SO GOOD, HE’S SO GOOD TO ME.”
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August 14, 2011 at 11:35 am
Marianne Lordi
Greetings,Rev. York! I am sad to admit that almost all of the ministries of my life happened only when God called and had to take me kicking and screaming. None of them were what I had thought were right if indeed I gave it much thought at all! Prison ministry was not on my top ten list for sure. And yet, each job that he has given me has brought me extreme joy like nothing else could. My preconceived ideas did not line up with God’s ways but I praise him that he did not give up on me.
Thank you for always being a friend!
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August 16, 2011 at 3:22 am
pbus1
Hi Marianne,
This message is a great reminder, that God is in control of our lives. It reminds us, that God knows what’s best for us. Even though God doesn’t always work in our lives the way we think He should, we must always remember the Scripture that tells us, “All things work together for good to them that love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. God has a plan for all of our lives, even though His plans are not always the same as the plans we have for ourselves! When we have surrendered our lives unto Him, that means we are to surrender our wills submissively unto Him, as well. I praise God, because my life is in His hands! I’m grateful for the peace that passeth all understanding, which results when we let go, and let God have His way in our lives! God bless you! Paulette
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August 16, 2011 at 3:28 am
pbus1
I had not read the the comments directly above mine, until after I posted my comment. The message was quite similar throughout the thread of comments. Our steps are truly ordered by the Lord!
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August 16, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Paulette, it is so nice that you stopped by. You are exactly right that our steps are ordered by the Lord. How quickly we think that our troubles and problems can stop God’s perfect plan for our lives. The truth is that he has our future in his hands. The enemy always tries to get us to think that a trial may destroy us but that is a lie from hell. And by understanding that all things must bow to God’s will for our lives, we can have the peace that passes understanding and not lose faith in the battle.
Keep up the good work that you do on your blog. I am praying for you.
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August 21, 2011 at 9:25 am
Undergoing trial
Your blog is heaven-sent. Our family is currently undergoing severe testing and as a result, I have sleepless nights since last week and I can hardly concentrate at work. At times I thought of giving up, but I have come to realize that there is a reason why God allowed this to happen. Thank you for reminding that this is just part of the God’s process of refining me and my family.
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August 21, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Undergoing, I am so sorry for the trials you are facing but I will be praying for you and your family. We all are going through personal storms of some type. The good news is that Christ said that anything he allows, he will take us through. If as believers we could only understand the truth that no problem has the ability to destroy us then we can hold our ground in times of testing. There is always a specific, divine, eternal purpose in all that God allows in the life of those who belong to him. And he will cause ALL things to be used for our good no matter how bad it seems to be. Nothing will ever be stronger than the God you serve. Christ paid the price for our victory and there is no going back. Keep in peace knowing that God’s plan for you can’t fail
As far as your sleepless nights, read some Scripture before going to bed. Let God’s truth fill your mind and rest in the assurance that he has authority and power over all things! Nothing is too hard for him to handle. Nothing is impossible for him.
I have Scripture on my wall that I think you need to write down and keep by your bed:
” I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety”. (Psalm 4:8)
That was written by David who was on ther run from King Saul who was trying to kill him. David knew he could be in peace desptie the plans of his enemy to harm him. You can be in peace too. Give it to Jesus. Really give it to him. Then let him fight this battle for you.
I wiil be praying for you, my friend. Please stop back to let me know how you are doing.
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August 24, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Ministry Addict
“Remember that Christ death and resurrection were part of his plan.”
I love the way that all your encouraging posts come directly from Scripture. How often we underestimate the sheer miraculous, transforming, powerful hope that the Resurrection gives us. The opening of the tomb should also open our eyes, ears, hearts, minds, and mouths. Great job once again.
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August 24, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Marianne Lordi
Nice to hear from you, Ministry Addict! We do underestimante the power of Christ’s resurrection. It should not be an Easter rememberance. We should remember every single day that the resurrection of Christ gave us power over everything in our life. Because he lives, we now have hope and a future. We have been set free from every bondage that comes against us. As Christ lives, so shall we in a kingdom that will never end.
Thanks again. I always appreciate your visits.
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September 12, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Elmer B. Medina
I lost hope too. I thought I lost something cruical to my career and I collapsed in depression. The lord revived me from my state of panic, fear and depression and I was able to be saved from what would have been suicide. I now realize that God and his angels will never abandon me, even when the enemy fills my mind of thought of being alone. I lost my faith and thought I could never get it back, but now I have my faith in Christ back. I have hope and faith that everything will work out, even if I had lost what I believed to have lost. I am creating a christian animated series and a novel based on such. I wish to with God using my artistic talents, views and writing. I wish to change the world with my talents and do whatever I can to use more of them for God. My name is Elmer Medina, age 19, and with God’s help I defeated the spirit of fear, a spirit that was never created i me from the start. Now that my baptism is coming closer the enemy fill try harder to bring me down. But the lord will always lend a hand to pick me up.
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September 12, 2011 at 10:10 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Elmer, I am afraid I don’t understand some of what you wrote. Are you saying that you thought you lost some crucial material that you had been working on and then went into a depression to the point of suicide? Elmer, where is your faith? To even think that you would end your life over something that is really nothing in the light of eternity is really sad. Never let fear and discouragement fill your mind. Always let the truth of Christ be your guide. There is nothing more important than your relationship with Christ. Everything else is meaningless. When you one day stand before God, you will see that the only thing that matters are the things which will not burn up in the fire. The work that Christ does in you and leads you will follow you into eternity. You must read your bible and be led by the truth, Elmer. You have to take each day and surrender a little more of yourself to God. Your career won’t matter when you die. Seek the things that will last. I will be praying that you will start to draw closer to Christ and be led by him.
Baptism is a command of Christ. It is to reflect a new change in you when you become a believer. One that is surrendered to Christ. Baptism symbolizes that new life. Is that what you were referring to?
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December 11, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Nikki
Well, I’m having a hard time with that because I waited quite a few years for a wonderful husband to come into my life. He treated me like a queen and put me on a pedestal the whole time we were together. Then, we finally got married. Less than two weeks later, he commits suicide and I am once again alone and left to pick up the pieces. I never asked for this! I feel like God never wanted me to get married in the first place and my husband dying was His way of letting me know that He never blessed the marriage. I am so angry! I want to lash out! I want to hurt somebody! I want to destroy something! Who do I blame???
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December 11, 2011 at 10:49 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Nikki, my dear friend, my heart breaks for you! I am so sorry for the pain you suffered with your husband’s suicide. The pain you endure when a loved one commits suicide cannot be measured. I will be praying for you.
You said that you thought God did not want you to get married and so for that reason he allowed your husband to die. Dear Nikki, that is not the action of a loving God. If he truly did not want you to get married, he could have done anything he wanted to stop it. He did not have to wait until after you married to let your husband die. Nikki, we are living in a perishing world. This is not heaven! For that reason, Christ came to die to pay the price to let us live with him in heaven – a place that will never end. There will be no more tears and sorrow there. Those who put their trust in Christ will have life everlasting in a kingdom that will never end! You cannot blame God for it was mankind who brought sin into the world. You husband obviously had struggles that he could not face. He believed the lie of the enemy who told him that he had no hope future. For some reason he thought his pain was never going to end. Perhaps your husband had a chemical imbalance resulting in depression. Whatever happened, you must release your pain to Christ and ask for his help in healing. It is too hard to understand on your own.
Nikki, you now cannot give up your future by being angry with God! That too is a lie from the enemy. I know your heart is breaking. I know you have no desire to do anything but dwell in your anger but that is not good. Pleae, dear sister, you must release it to God or it will destroy you.
I want you to know that I will be praying for you. Please don’t disregarde what I am saying. You may not be ready to hear the truth that there is way for God to take you through this but what I am saying is God’s promise. My email is on my blog. Please email me so we can talk privately. You pain will not last forever and God has a way to ease your struggle. Hold on, Nikki, and try to trust that God is not going to fail you. It may seem like he already did but then that is not true. There is more I would like to talk to you about. Just write me and I will be here for you.
I will be lifting you up each night. I pray you will take to heart my words. You don’t have to pick up the pieces of your life alone. Christ has promised to never leave you. Let him help you. I am so sorry for your pain. I am here.
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December 29, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Maribel Bonus
To God be the glory! this blog reminds me not to lose hope and just trust God for everything. For our God is the God of all gods, the creator of all things in this world. Nothing and no one can harm me through faith in Jesus. Thank you Lord!
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December 29, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Marianne Lordi
God bless you, Maribel! I am glad that you stopped by. Everyone of these messages are things that God has shown me and has taken me through. Never lose hope because Christ died to pay the price for your victory. If you get down and need some prayer, stop back and let me know. God has a plan for your life, dear sister. He isn’t going to let you be destroyed by anything or anyone!
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August 12, 2012 at 3:18 pm
kb
Just desperately need to pure my heart out, i love God, i have been a Christian 10 years now. my husband is from a Christian back ground. just relocate to where we are now and find a church that i really like but my husband will not like to take part in anything done in the church. Complaining he did not like the church setting, as a leader in the church is really affecting me because is like l am not practise what l am preaching. my Pastor hardly call my name for anything this day.because my husband is not really committed to the church. l love God and i do pray for him and l am believing God for him. l am not really happy with the treatment and judgement of other toward me. it make me so really unhappy to the point of wanting to run away from the church. and my husband is not really supportive of me taking any leadership role in the church. l have discuss this issue with my Pastor once but it seems like l am not praying enough or l don’t have faith in God. l feel like l don’t belong to the family any more. l am not really happy with what am doing in the church without the approval of my husband and l want to drop the position. that l feel bad about and it is really affecting me because l am not functioning the way l am suppose to, l feel like a failure. doing something for God should make us happy not miserable. am in the right place for his will?
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August 12, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi KB, sorry for what you are going through. It is tough to be with a spouse who is not as spiritually sound as you are. Would he be willing to go to counseling with you to find out why he has a reluctance to go to church? It seems like he may be having a struggle somehwere in this matter. I do not understand why anyone in your church would judge you on this matter when you cannot make your husband go to church or be supportive of you. If it continues, I think you may have to change churches where you can be more comfortable. I don’t know what leadership role you have in the church but your Pastor should be taking a control of this matter with his congregation. It has nothing to do with you not having faith enough or praying enough. Continue to pray for your husband and leave him to God. I truly think you should also pray for direction as to what church God would have you attend. This problem is going to put stress on you and on your marriage. God bless you, my friend. I will be praying for you.
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April 18, 2013 at 5:47 am
Anonymous
Hi Marianne. I just want to say that I love your blog; it’s filled with hope and encouragement. Lately, I’ve been feeling so hopeless and broken. Reading your posts just fills me up with hope again, and it also reminded me that we serve an awesome God. You must have been through difficult and frustrating times to be able to type such hope-filled posts. I pray that God will bless you greatly as you continue to bless others through this blog. Thank you 🙂
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April 18, 2013 at 5:52 am
Nathan
Hi Marianne. I just want to say that I love your blog; it’s filled with hope and encouragement. Lately, I’ve been feeling so hopeless and broken. Reading your posts just fills me up with hope again, and it also reminded me that we serve an awesome God. You must have been through difficult and frustrating times to be able to type such hope-filled posts. I pray that God will bless you greatly as you continue to bless others through this blog. Thank you 🙂
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