I Was Scared, But Not Fearful

 

I Was Scared, But Not Fearful

 “Drive by shooting I witnessed on my way to work, happened outside the school. Police are here, Doesn’t sound like anyone was hit/injured from the school”

I wake up Wednesday the 14^th, Valentines day to this text from my daughter who works as an elementary school counselor in the south side of Chicago.

Was I scared? Yes. Was I full of fear and calling her? No. She had to talk to the police. Did I text her back? Yes. I said Oh no. You saw a shooter? Praying for safety always! You okay? Her response I’m good, already talked to police.

I knew this could possibly make her day very busy, if the children had witnessed anything, so I asked her to call me later in the day.

My parents were sitting in the living room. My dad watches news first thing in the morning. I don’t think that’s the healthiest way to start one’s day, but that’s just me. I told them about the text and my dad starts to check the news for “the shooting”. I told him no one was injured and unfortunately it was another shooting going on in Chicago. No headlines. Almost as if it was another car break in, or minor “crime”.

I went back to my room and tried to continue in reading God’s Word. I stopped. I knew, the few moments earlier, my whole life could of gone in another direction. I was so calm, because I got a text telling me “I’m good”. I started to think of how things could’ve gone. How children, and innocent people could’ve lost their lives and my daughter…..my daughter, what if I would have never been able to hear her voice or see her on facetime again? Every day that is some ones reality….they don’t get to see their loved one again, or hear their voice or hug them.

That was not my reality that morning. I praised God. I got a little shaky. He reminded me how quickly life can change and change us.

I know how fear can grip a person…I used to be that person. So many “what if’s “ would grip me with fear. So many things that never happened would take over. NOT THIS TIME!!!!  Oh no I have grown. God’s Word and His Truth I carry with me….I actually have a prescription for fear that has helped me through. This wasn’t going to be about offering it to you, but if you would like to receive the prescription for fear just message me and I’ll get it out to you. (I always want to share things that have helped me along life’s way)

This was about how life can be and is scary. We live in a world with such evil. We also live in a world with much good.

Jesus Words: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10

As long as I am walking with Jesus, and have His Word in my heart and on my mind, I’m not going to that place full of fear. Was I scared? do I get scared at times? Yes, of course I do. I’m sure you do to….but we don’t have to live in fear, but live a life of abundance in Jesus Christ.

My daughter called me when she got home from work and she said the words…”Today was a good day”. I laughed and said oh yes, you were walking down the street to work and saw a man hanging out a car shooting, yes that was a good day.  I turned it around and said actually it was a great day…no one was hurt and the shooters were caught.

The pastor where I go to church is always reminding us we never know when our time here is up….and what are we doing with the time we have here? Great question. He has challenged me more than once with his messages. The message of do I care enough about others to tell them about Jesus and His love so they can become a part of God’s family? I want nothing else but to see my friends and family in the presence of God while on this earth and when our time here is no more.

Again, message me if you don’t know Jesus Love for you and how to become a part of God’s family.

Without Fear,

Eva

 

 

 

His Mercy Wrecked Me!

 

His Mercy Wrecks me

In doing the Precept Upon Precept Sermon on the Mount Bible Study with other women, we have homework each week. It’s a great way to stay in, and learn more about God and His Word and His ways.

This week is on Matthew 5:6-8  Jesus said:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

For those not familiar with mercy…it is showing compassion or forgiveness instead of punishing or being unforgiving when it is in one’s power to punish. In looking up the Greek word for mercy I found it said eleos which is derived from the word Olive oil.

Olive oil was used to treat wounds, soothing, comforting and healing. This is the example of our merciful God who is all those things.

In Hebrew the word for mercy is hesed which means steadfast love. Now that is totally who our God is!  A God who is steadfast love!

What wrecked me…I only got to the first verse we are to look up and note what it says about mercy. Check this out: (I am going to attempt to write through tears and try not have an ugly tantrum).

Luke 6:35-36 Jesus said:

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil- Therefore be merciful just as your Father also is merciful.

But love your enemies….sure as long as they are at a distance, right Lord? Do you mean love in the sense you created them and I can pray they come to know you? Do you mean don’t harbor hate in my heart because of the evil things they do? Be kind when they are mean?

God says: You know my love.

Do good. Okay that I find not so hard but wait you mean to my enemies? I need to lend hoping for nothing in return to them as well as to my friends and those in the family of God with me? Don’t expect anything in return? Not even a thank you? You say there is a great reward if I do this. Do I want to be a son/daughter of the Most High? Yes I do.

God says: You know my goodness.

For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. This is the part that really gets me. So many people don’t believe the goodness of God. Those doing evil those who are so ungrateful, yet God shows his kindness to them. Many times, he continues to give them chances to come to Him. He continues to keep them on this earth in their wretchedness. REALLY? Now Jesus says Therefore be merciful just as your Father is merciful. God sent Jesus to ALL OF US, in our wretchedness. Jesus is telling us about the mercy of God and how we have all been shown compassion and forgiveness instead of punishment by what was to come to Jesus.

God says: You know my mercy

I have not suffered abuse as some I know have. I have not suffered at the hands of evil people like some have. Some by no choice of their own were/are in horrible situations. Some I’ve spoken with have said they were in bad situations because of people and choices they made. They put themselves in environments that were dangerous and just plain bad. Some said they know they should have died, not just on one occasion but several. Yes, God is kind to the unthankful and evil. I should like this fact about God. Why? Because  I was unthankful and evil person myself at one time. God showed me His kindness and I came to Him. At times I may still be unthankful and even have evil thoughts. Oh Lord, but my evil thoughts are on the evil people…..that should be okay. RIGHT? I know no-one is righteous, all have sinned, all fall short of God’s glory.  I have been shown mercy and you say I need to do the same. Never looking to be paid back on this earth. I will remember Jesus said my reward will be great.

God says: I have rewards for you

What Jesus says here can be so hard. It goes against everything I want to do at times. When I stop and know the Mercy God poured out on the cross. The suffering Jesus did so I no longer have to take on the punishment for going against God. He made the way for me to come to Him in peace and this makes my heart rejoice. I can do what Jesus says, only because I’ve been left with the Spirit of God. No other way. May I be mindful and thankful daily of the mercy I’ve been given and ready to be merciful to others.

God says: You received my son, your sacrifice, you know my forgiveness.

I write this in hopes that you will hear God calling you. No matter what you’ve done or how you think right now…He’s there. Always ready to forgive. Turn to Him. You will not regret His Mercy that will allow you to be merciful to others.

With a thankful heart,

Eva

I don't know if I'll ever look at olive oil the same. 

Love: (John 3:16-17, 1 John 3:1-3)  Goodness: (Romans 11:22, Exodus 34:6, Psalm 145:9, Psalm 27:13, Psalm 107:8-9, Mark 10:18)  Mercy: (Deut 4:31, Ephesians 2:4-5, Psalm 103:8) Rewards: (Matthew 6:6, 17-18, Luke 6:22-23, 35) Forgiveness 1 John 1:9