But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor.15:57)
It is easy to lose hope when your troubles surround you. Uncertainty and doubt can fill you with fear especially when there seems to be no way out of your pain.
Jesus told us in his world that we would have many troubles here on earth. He knew the times and what was to come. However, Jesus also wanted us to know that despite our problems, we can stand firm knowing that he has overcome the world. He is the Hope of all things impossible. He is the restorer of dreams and the power to overcome. There is nothing that can crush a true believer because all the force of heaven lives in the heart of those who belong to Christ. A royal army stands ready to fight for you.
Jesus is the strength to overcome all that comes against you so it is sad to watch as people turn instead to substance abuse to silence their pain. Many good people have sold out their future to alcohol or drugs. They becomes bonded to the poison that is destroying their lives and that of their families. It can happen to anyone. Some of the nicest people are secretly coping with an addiction. They feel lost and out of control because they are trying to carry this burden on their own. That will never bring victory because Jesus never meant for anyone to fight their battles alone.
We are told in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful;” he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
The truth in this verse is that we are all weak in our flesh but we have hope through Christ. He will provide the way out so that you cannot be destroyed by your struggle. He is always the strength you need to overcome. We are told in Scripture that God’s power is manifested through our weakness. We have been made victors over all of our battles when our trust is in Christ. He is the only power you need to conquer all that comes against you. He will not fail to take you through your pain and bring peace in your life. Nothing is impossible through the One who paid the price to give you an abundant life through every storm.
In Isaiah 26:3 we read. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trust in you”. Your weakness cannot stop your future. There is no impossible situation that can stop his purpose for your life. Jesus gives you victory over all of the obstacles that stand in your way. He has given you life and he will take you to the end of your life according to his perfect plan.
No matter what troubles or addictions that you face in this life, remember that Jesus has indeed overcome the world and all of its struggles. Put your complete trust in him. By surrendering your weakness to the power of Christ, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
My dear friends, I understand that you are facing many painful trials in this life. We all are. Take hope for Jesus has overcome the troubles of this world.. While we are waiting on him to meet us in our struggle, he is working out a deliberate, divine, eternal plan for your life. You are not forgotten nor are you ever without hope. Have faith and stay in peace knowing that in the eternal plan, it is already worked out. Cease striving and rest. Your God will not fail you.
42 comments
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May 6, 2015 at 11:02 pm
James Atticus Bowden
Your confidence in outcomes – based on your certainty in the truth – is powerful.
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May 6, 2015 at 11:14 pm
Marianne Bernard
Thank you, James. My favorite bible verse is 2 Timothy 1:12, “For I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to him against this day.” If you truly trust Christ and you take him at his word, then you can walk confidently in any situation knowing that he holds the outcome. No matter what I face, I know that my God is with me – even when I don’t understand. I found that the secret to having perfect peace in this world is to surrender all of your fear and pain to Christ. He has overcome the world.
James, with all you have been through, I know that you feel the same. Nice to hear from you. Thank you for commenting.
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May 6, 2015 at 11:46 pm
Anonymous
Again, thank you for your, God’s encouraging words. Those of us who know the Father, know that he will never leave us in times of trouble, he is with us until the end. That whatever we have to face in this life, although we may feel alone, he is with us.. Knowing this, still it is good hearing it and being reminded. its not always easy to encourage your self though we must. In that time of pain, hurt, is the very time we have to speak God’s word. We have to say what God says. We have to do what Jesus did when he was confronted by the enemy in the wilderness. God’s word is our sword.
Valarie.
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May 6, 2015 at 11:54 pm
Marianne Bernard
Hi Valarie,
I am so glad you stopped by. You are so right that we need to speak God’s word out when we are in a painful battle. His word is our armor and our strength. It is for that reason that to have even one page of the bible in a restricted nation can mean your death. it is that powerful. God’s word is truth. When you are in a painful situation it is so easy to forget that as the enemy taunts you to believe that God has forgotten you. All that you endure as a believer is completely under the authority and control of Christ! He will use all that comes against you for your good and his glory. Trust him in the darkness as much as you trust him in the light. He never leaves us.
God bless you, dear sister. I appreciate your encouragement.
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May 7, 2015 at 1:54 am
Anonymous
Thanks Marianne, for such a wonderful and encouraging message. God Bless you..!!
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May 7, 2015 at 9:36 am
Anonymous
I needed this today! Thank you!
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May 7, 2015 at 11:04 am
Michael
Hello Dear Sister!
You words again ring so true and full of not just hope but divine encouragement. God has brought us both (and many of you) through so much over the years. I praise Him for it! God has not forgotten our tears or our pain.
If we can but trust Him, He will turn it around for our good. He promised! I know it’s hard. He never said it would be easy, but we must love, fear, and trust Him above all else.
May God continue to bless you Marianne. I love you in the Lord dear sister!
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May 7, 2015 at 12:35 pm
Marianne Bernard
To the anonymous commenters, Thank you for taking the time to stop and share. I pray you both are blessed and that God will do a mighty work in your life. Keep that truth in your heart. When you go through a struggle in your life, remember that God is on your side. He is for you. He is working even when you don’t see it or feel it. He has your best interest and he is not going to let the devil or the world stop him from getting you through shis life and then to be with him. I am praying for you.
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May 7, 2015 at 12:37 pm
Marianne Bernard
Michael, It is always a good day when I hear from you! Thank you, dear brother for always be such a source of encouragement and love. I truly appreciate you. You have been throught the fire and you stayed strong in your faith. Your advice is well taken. Thank you for stopping and sharing! I pray you and the family are still doing well. I have you in my prayers.
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May 7, 2015 at 1:34 pm
Steven Krupka
Beautiful thank you
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May 7, 2015 at 2:20 pm
Marianne Bernard
Thank you, Steven. I pray for God to send those who need tohear this message. I hope you keep that truth in your heart. It seems like he always reaches me first with the message that I need to hear before I write. I appreciate you sharing.
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May 7, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Larry Who
I remember a Christian writing about her trial and just how tough it was for her. Finally, in desperation, she cried out to the Lord, “Why do You treat me like this?” Seconds later, a gentle voice spoke to her heart: “I always treat My sons and daughters who want My best for their lives like this.” She quietly meditated on His words and then replied, “Well, Lord, it’s no wonder that more people don’t want Your best for their lives.”
The story still makes me smile, but there is a deep truth in it. If we make up our minds to walk close to Him, it may seem painful and costly. Yet, in the end, we will understand that God is faithful and we can trust Him.
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May 7, 2015 at 3:29 pm
Marianne Bernard
Larry!! So glad to hear from you, my brother!! Your comment was right on. Actually, everytime I go through a trial, instead of asking why, I now ask, “Lord, what do you want to teach me through this”. My favorite saying was always that God doesn’t let “nothing be for nothing”. If you belong to Christ, he has the reason and it is a good one. Remember that when God showed up to Job, he never told Job why he allowed all that misery to happen to him. I guess I don’t have to know either. I just have to trust him. As you know, it’s NOT easy. But then, Christ never said it would be.
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May 8, 2015 at 5:43 pm
Anonymous
Hi Marianne.
I pray all is well with you. I miss our friendly chats.
Keep in touch.
God bless you and Happy Mother’s Day.
Debra
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May 8, 2015 at 6:15 pm
Marianne Bernard
Hi Debra,
I miss our chats, also. We have to get back to them. I think about you so much and I pray you are well. I will be in touch very soon!
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May 14, 2015 at 6:54 am
Mike
Comments are as good as the story. We are so much like our phones. There is power available to us; we just have to discipline ourselves to make ourselves available. We have to connect regularly.
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May 14, 2015 at 11:02 am
Marianne Bernard
Good point, Mike. Christ always stands ready to hear from us but so often we do everything but seek him in our struggles. Finally, when we can do no more, we turn to him. Should have done that first.
Nice to hear from you again. Mike!
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May 16, 2015 at 11:22 am
Nora
Thank you Marianne for another awesome and powerful message! I hope you’re doing well and I hope to talk to you one of these days. Have a blessed day!
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May 16, 2015 at 6:12 pm
Marianne Bernard
Hi Nora, thanks for stopping. Yes, we need to talk soon. I am doing well and pray you are also. Let me know when we can talk.
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June 6, 2015 at 6:57 am
Luke
Thank you for the word and I am very bless ,be also bless by the Holy One who inspire you.
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June 6, 2015 at 10:52 am
Marianne Bernard
Hi Luke,
I am so glad that you were blessed by the message that God has given me to write. May you know that he has a plan of victory in your life no matter where you are or how impossible your struggle may be.
God bless you, my brother.
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June 22, 2015 at 11:26 pm
Kristi Ann
Thank you so much for the Beautiful Christian Song!
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June 22, 2015 at 11:30 pm
Marianne Bernard
Thank you, Krisit Ann. It is a beautiful song filled with truth. God’s best work in us is done while we are waiting on him in our struggles. All of our trials are an opportunity for God to reveal to us a little more of himself. The struggle brings forth beauty.
God bless you, dear Kristi. Stay in peace.
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June 22, 2015 at 11:35 pm
Kristi Ann
Amen Marianne!! Shalom ( Peace )!!
I “TRUST in the LORD with all Thine HEART and lean NOT on thine own understanding, in all thy ways Acknowledge HIM and HE shall Direct thy Paths”! ( Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV )!
Our True GOD’S LOVE is from HEAVEN ABOVE FOREVERMORE through HIS SON Jesus Christ!!
Love Always and Shalom,
Kristi
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June 22, 2015 at 11:38 pm
Marianne Bernard
Kristi Ann, I am so happy you took the time to comment. I went to your site and saw the struggles and disabilities you are experiencing. You are still holding onto the One who is holding onto you! Christ is with you, dear sister. He knows where you are and what you need. He has you right where he wants you and watch and see how he uses you for his kingdom.
God bless you, dear sister. I am here if you need to email me to talk. I am praying for you, Kristi.
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June 26, 2015 at 4:41 pm
godsfingers
Hi Marianne,
I look forward to God’s ultimate victory. In the meantime we have to endure what comes and today is one of those endure to the endtimes. This format that we depend on, WordPress, without permission has emblazoned a rainbow on our administration pages to celebrate in our faces, the act of judicial bench legislation that took place today. We, this country, is heading headlong into it’s destruction and we need to help all we can before it happens.
God bless you faithful sister,
Dan
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June 26, 2015 at 5:41 pm
Marianne Bernard
Thanks for the info, Dan. I had no idea. WordPress has caved to the whim of the lost. It doesn’t matter that I don’t agree. I guess we will seem more of this deception while we are still in this perishing world. I can’t believe how quickly the moral decline of America has descended as the darkness fills this world. I can only trust that God still has a plan and that he is in complete authority over it all. What evil is beyond our comprehension, God is allowing for his purposes. Prophecy is unfolding before our very eyes. The signs of the imminent return of Christ are blazing all around us and yet so few see.
Believers are guaranteed the victory despite what is happening. We need only to focus on Christ and trust him no matter what happens for he will not fail to fulfill that which he set in motion long before the foundation of the earth.
God bless you, my friend. I truly value your fellowship.
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July 18, 2015 at 7:03 am
redefineyourmind
i am in the thick of the storm as i read these words and i know that the lord has brought me here to read them. may you continue to reflect and share the word of God to those who need to hear it
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July 18, 2015 at 10:34 am
Marianne Bernard
Hi my sister, I am so sorry for what you are going through and yet I know that if you are in Christ, those storms are producing an eternal, divine purpose to bring you closer to God. He sees you, my friend. He knows where you are. Never forget that. He doesn’t leave nor does he cease caring and loving for you despite what you go through. We are all in a battle until He returns. I myself and also going through struggles that are difficult. It is making me lean more and more on Christ. Something I really needed to learn how to do. In our own power we can do nothing. But with the limitless, powerful strength of Christ, we can do ALL things. Your troubles have no power to take you down. You belong to the King. Your troubles are simply the winds that are bringing you further up the mountain and so much closer to the face of the God you serve. We are being tested in this perishing world. We are being set apart and we must remember that we are aliens here. It is not our home. But the work of the kingdom must continue while we await the glorious Hope of our blessed Savior.
My friend, I am praying for you now and I will continue. You are not alone. You can email me anytime you need to talk privately. Be strong, my friend. The refining of your faith is worth so much more than your momentary earthly struggles. Put everything in its perspective. You can be knocked down but never take out. You are protected by the angels of the God of all creation. You have nothing to fear. Your purpose for which God created you shall be fulfilled. It cannot be stopped.
Be in peace. You are loved.
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September 11, 2015 at 6:23 pm
Viviana
I just came to your page dear sister in search of encouragement.
This is so well put. I want to hide under my pillow and stay in bed all day.
This depression is over taking me today.
You know all the reasons.
Thank you for been my adorable sister and been there for me every time I need you.
I love you.
Viviana
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September 11, 2015 at 11:55 pm
Marianne Bernard
My dear Viviana, I am praying for you. I know what you are going through. Remember all we have talked about. It is the enemy who wants to discourage you but your God is always stronger and able to take you through those times of emotional battle. We are in this world and not of it. We feel like true aliens as the earth has exchanged the truth for a lie. There is evil everywhere and it can get depressing. But we know that Christ hold out the crown of life for those who don’t grow weary and give up. Hang in there, dear sister. We are too close to give up now. You have the power that raised Christ from the dead living in you. That power is all you need to defeat that depression and discouragement. Take your eyes from the troubles of this world and keep them on Christ. He has promised us the victory and he will NOT fail.
Remember that I care and I am here whenever you need to talk. My prayers are with you.
Love you, dear friend.
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October 20, 2015 at 6:48 am
Viviana
Hello darling sister. I came to your page to read this answer for me.
I need to be remainded again because the darkness here got worst.
Thank you for your prayers. Please in your prayer ask God to help me with my daughter, things got worst, a lot worst.
I’m praying for you always.
I love you sister, very much. I’m grateful for helping me to see the truth, “Jesus is our Lord and Savior”.
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October 20, 2015 at 3:39 pm
Marianne Bernard
Hi Viviana,
As you know, I always have you in prayer. I know what you are going through and the pain it is causing you. God is with you, dear sister, so we both know he is working something out for your good. Hang in there. Be strong. And know that you are very much loved. Please call me when you can this week. I will keep praying.
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November 5, 2015 at 8:04 pm
nonsupernaturalist
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. —Jesus
“Wow! Anything, Jesus? If I ask for anything in your name and do not doubt in my heart, it will happen?!!” How many Christians really believe that? The typical Christian prayer is asking Jesus to give us a good day, bless our food, thanking him for blessings, and asking him to keep our families safe. Amen.
Why don’t we ask Jesus to place a package with a million bucks inside on our doorstep? Why didn’t we ask Jesus to put a new Porsche in the driveway? Why didn’t we ask Jesus to change our looks to that of a supermodel?
Clergyman: You silly man. Jesus isn’t going to answer those prayers because none of those things are God’s will! Jesus will only answer your prayer if you ask for it in his name, if you do not doubt in your heart, and, if it is his will! Sheesh!
But the Bible passage above doesn’t say anything about it having to be God’s will!
Clergyman: Well, if you read the rest of the Bible, that is what it says.
Ok, well how about if I pray for the following things. They are surely God’s will: Heal all the sick in the world today. Stop all the violence in the world today. End world starvation today.
If I pray for these things they will be done, right?
Clergyman: Silly, silly man. Humans have brought the pain and suffering of sickness, violence, and starvation upon themselves by their willful, sinful acts against God. God allows these things out of his righteous justice. It pains him greatly to watch this suffering day after day, year after year, century after century, millennia after millennia, but his righteousness demands mankind’s punishment. God will not answer those prayers.
Ok, so adults are all wicked and sinful and deserve to suffer sickness, violence, and starvation because they have willfully sinned against God, but what about the little children? Surely God will answer these prayers for children: No child will die of starvation today. No child will die of sickness today.
Clergyman: Silly, silly, silly man. God grieves to see children suffer from starvation and disease but this suffering is the consequence of their ancient ancestors’ wicked sin of eating God’s forbidden fruit.
That doesn’t really seem fair, but…what about this: If children must die by disease and starvation, that is one thing, but surely it isn’t God’s will for little children to be brutally tortured, raped, and murdered. Surely God would answer my prayer for all torture, rape, and murder of little children to stop today so that they can die by natural causes, like disease, war, and starvation, don’t you think? Jesus wouldn’t want a little child to suffer so horribly in such a vile, horrific act when he has the power to stop it, would he?
Clergyman: God’s ways are not our ways, my son.
Dear Reader: So you see friends, Jesus only answers the easy stuff. That is why Christians don’t ask Jesus anything tough. We thank him for healing Aunt Hilda of her sinus infection, but don’t dare ask Jesus to heal the amputees. That would be really rude of us to be so demanding! Jesus only answers the fluff; the kind of stuff that would probably happen anyway… Hmm. They probably would happen anyway… Wait a minute. Maybe… Maybe…Jesus isn’t listening.
Maybe Jesus isn’t there. Ever consider that, dear Christian?
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November 5, 2015 at 10:34 pm
Marianne Bernard
You didn’t leave your name, lutheran blogger, but let’s reason this out from the word of God. It appears that since the ways of God do not fit into the confines of your finite mind, you choose to believe he just doesn’t exist and that those who take him at his word are simply following some kind of fairy tale. Sadly, you have just bought into the lie of the devil.
We read in 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 an answer to your shameful mockery on praying God’s will: “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things but is himself to be judged by no one. ‘For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” Jesus said in John 8:47 “Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God”.
Your foolish statements reveals your hard heart and unwillingness to seek truth. You just don’t like the way God is doing things. You want heaven right here and right now or you won’t believe in God. If God doesn’t answer your every whim, whether it be good or bad, then according to you, he is not true to his word. You forget that sin came into this world when man rebelled against God. Instead of Christ turning us all back into dust, he loved us enough to pay the price of dying for us so that one day we could live and be joint heirs with him in a kingdom that will never end. Who can understand the mercy of Christ to share his eternal kingdom with once sinful, rebellious people who put their trust in him?
You think YOU know all the right things that God should do like restoring a limb or not allow children to die. You want a God who follows you instead of you following him. Imagine that. The created insisting that the Creator obey him. You only know what you see today. You have no idea what the future holds but God sees it all now. Do you not think then that he would know better what is good for a person?
One third of the angels who were in heaven with God in all his majesty and everything beautiful decided to follow Lucifer who convinced them that somehow there was something better than God! You are making that same choice. One day, your pride will take you to the same place it took Lucifer.
You think you have a better idea on how to run things on this earth? Where were you then when God was speaking the worlds into existence? Who have you healed? Whose life have you changed for the better?
You state that maybe Jesus isn’t listening to our prayers because they don’t turn out the way YOU think they should. And to your question about if Jesus is even here, I tell you that he lives in the heart of every single believer. You don’t know him because you are too full of yourself.
I can’t save you. Only Jesus Christ can do that. I am praying for you. It is up to you whether you will choose life or death.
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November 5, 2015 at 11:34 pm
Viviana
Amen to that sister Marianne!!
You always have the answers from the Holy Spirit.
Write a new article, we been waiting for it.
I love you sister.
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November 24, 2015 at 12:04 pm
How Long Has God Been Trying To Reach You? | Pierced Ministry
[…] https://mvbernard.com/2015/05/06/the-expectation-of-victory/ […]
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December 19, 2015 at 9:40 am
Populisten
It all sounds so good, but is so far from the reality me and many others experience. God has not only led me into a dreadful situation from where escape is not possible without betraying those that depend on me He left me on my own in the process to.
My wife left me one year ago, our children still being in pre-shool. Where I live in Europe shared custody is most common and our children are now living every second week with me. This is of course great but also mean that I can never move on. Being a Lutheran I see no theological issue in remarriage when your spouse has left you (the book of concord clearly says its ok, but not for the spouse the leaves). But starting a new family or even a relationship with a new women would definitely not be good for my children. How could they not feel pushed aside in my life? In fact they would be if they had half siblings that shared more of my life then they do. All I wanted out of life was the share it with someone and create a family. But the Lord made sure that will not happen.
Instead my life is harsh and lonely. All the friends we had took my ex-wifes side although I was the innocent party. Her family is also living in the same area but my is far off. So wile I have to struggle on without practical or emotional support she’s getting both. Comparing with other divorcees I can also note that those tha care less about their children and just plunge right into a new romance (“oh I do miss my children but its so fantastic to be alone every other week with my new love”) are living happily ever after. Clearly God gives happiness to those that care for themselves and misery to those that at least try to lead good lives.
I have prayed that my family shouldn’t be broken, later that it should be healed. I’ve prayed that I should get to know what lesson I am though. I’ve prayed that I should get to know if I am suffering for a higher purpose. I have pra in that God should at the very least show me a way ahead. I have cried to God. I have begget. And I have cursed Him. But no answer.
God has left my life.
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December 19, 2015 at 11:09 am
Marianne Bernard
God has NOT left your life, dear friend. I am so very sorry for your painful divorce and loneliness. There is a way through that struggle. I want to talk to you. Please email me at mbernard4477@gmail.com Your statement that “Clearly God gives happiness to those that care for themselves and misery to those that at least try to lead good lives” is a lie right from the enemy himself. We need to talk. I have been through a divorce also and while my heart was breaking, I turned to the only One who could help me. I want to share that with you. Please email me.
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March 22, 2016 at 2:36 am
Dr. JerryJohnston
Wow. .so vivid my dear sister… !!! Praise God for sharing this with us. All the more reason to get ready and stand up to any distress on the earth.
You must be so close if the Lord’s showing this to you now, your words have the power to reside in the mind, soul and heart for prolonged period of time.
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March 22, 2016 at 10:56 am
Marianne Bernard
Hi Dr. Jerry,
I truly appreciate you taking the time to comment and encourage me. This world is growing darker and the truth has been exchanged for a lie. Many people are falling victim to the attacks of the enemy. As believers, we need to continue the work of the Kingdom of Christ. We have been called to reach the lost in his name. How I pray that the complacent church will awaken to the call and do all we can as time grows short.
I know you do a great work for Christ, Dr. Jerry. I pray you will continue in your efforts to shine the light of truth to the lost. May God bless and protect you and your family as you fulfill the your calling.
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November 16, 2018 at 6:08 am
Reena Colborne
THIS SONG TOUCHED MY HEART WHILE
I AM WAITING HOPE
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