In my post for yesterday’s Positive Post Tuesday I discussed a little bit about how I got “lost” on my journey. My plate was too full for Faith, Hope, & Love. Marriage, a child, all that child’s activities, work.
I have a lot of chronic pain from 3 back surgeries. Nerve damage that cannot be repaired (not from the surgeries). I became addicted to my pain pills. Being a pharmacist I had easy access to an abundant supply. I supplemented my prescriptions by helping myself. And guess what, I got caught!
It took another 1 1/2 years for me to accept that I needed help. I went through an outpatient treatment. I reconnected with God. It was like I had never been gone! God is so great.
I have taken a very active role in my recovery. I feel like my spirit is ready to burst sometimes. That’s why I love giving back to others the gift of recovery. The 12 step programs so follow the Bible. Some may not quote scripture, but you can recognize many Bible stories in the words. So many addicts have no concept of God or religion. Others fear religion & God. Still others are mad at God. So in my chosen 12 step program, we do not quote scripture. But, people get it. Most come to believe that the power great than me is God.
For me GO means get out there & sharing the message of recovery. I love it! It means I live my life the way God would want. If people can see the way I live today, they will want that life, too. If I can show them how to take that “mark” for this new race of life, I am excited. I can give them encouragement for “get ready”. I can only help them so much, then it is time for them to “Go” on this new journey. To find that path God has designed just for them. I love it! It all comes back to encourage me on my journey.
I don’t always know what’s around the corner, but I know God is there & will protect me through anything. Even when I don’t “feel” Him. Thanks. :)

Go… with…
Faith
Hope
Love…

Ya know, a few nights ago, I listened to my daughter tell me about the “jesusguy” at the college that she goes to.
He goes to the middle of the campus every Sat. and yells at people as they walk by. She said “Mom, there was a girl walking by who was dressed sort of Gothic. Not bothering anyone. With her iPod in her ear.” She said that this guy was being belligerant, getting in her face, saying that the music that she was listening to was going to send her to hell…”

The funny thing was that this guy didn’t even know what she was listening to on her iPod. but because she was dressed Gothic, he assumed it was something satanic.
Maybe it wasn’t.

My point is, that many times, you have to be proactive and bold about your faith in God, hope and love of God. (not offending anyone, of course.), but what I love are those times when you don’t have to say a thing to anyone about what your beliefs are – they see it in the life that you live and that’s what makes others want to know what you have…
The greatest of these is Love. The Love of God. It shows.

Alot of people have heard what the Fruits of the Spirit are and it sounds all warm and fuzzy, doesn’t it…?
BUT how deep is it for you? Me?
How much do you lean on those Fruits to get you through life?
You have to lean on your Faith, Hope and Love to get difficult situations.
Prayer.
Thanks for that thought provoker, Joe!

Hello to all of you that have been praying for me. Your prayers have touched me in ways you can’t imagine. I was at the brink of darkness. I did not want to go on, I begged God to end the pain and take me. But, in that moment, God showed up. I told him I give up, fine I said “take it, take the pain.” And then I had a peace in my heart. I got up out of bed and faced the next day. God changed my direction. My family in Christ- know that I felt the power of your prayers. My husband did not leave me he was taken from me. I am standing by him and asking the Lord to bring him home tomorrow. Please stand in agreement with me that the Lord will restore him to me and my children. I want to honor my wedding vows to my husband and show him that I love him and will not take him for granted. I still need prayers to continue on this journey. I ask that all of you would lift him up, his name is Ronald, for I know now that prayer is from God and it is powerful when his children call out to him. Joe, thank you, I never really understood what iron sharpens iron meant until I found this website. All of you have encouraged me beyond belief! I found solace here through my tears and sadness. Today I sang “Thank you and Draw close to me” out loud and thanked God in a way I have not done before. But, I still feel the pull of sadness, even though I have made up my mind to believe and know that GOD did hear my prayers. Please pray that tomorrow, the hearts against my husband will be softened and he will come home, In Jesus name. God bless the Katina family for creating a place for me to reach out and get help from total strangers. I thank God for using you to reach out to me… to help me. I also shared my testimony about how God came to me in my darkest hour with a few people and it was a great feeling to give him that kind of glory. Michelle, Liz, Sista RJ, Joy you are all great sisters in Christ! You helped me get through what I thought would be the end for me…

It’s always encouraging to read the responses and thoughts that so many of you have shared as a result of these devotions. The bottom line is we need each other and I hope that this community is a reflection of that . Until then, continue to GO by faith, with hope and in love. Together we can make a difference. Blessings to all of the KUZINS

PRAISE THE LORD OH LET ALL CREATION EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD!

Sister Stephanie, omgoodness I’m so excited so rejoicing with you for you and know and stand in agreement with you for the plan God has for your family. The peace that passes all understanding is God’s peace. He is so on time never late, & never early! What he has spoken to you and the peace in your heart for he indeed will give you that know God himself will bring it to pass! Keep believen God, know that even in all our trials we can count it all joy for truly God is working, refining, in us and in our loved ones in your case your husband. He is able and God will in His perfect time make all things beautiful. We will continue to pray for Ronald, you and the kids. Thanks for sharing with us and as always all glory to our God for the great things he has done, is doing and will do! We luv you your family in Jesus!

WOW! Just read Sista RJ’s comment and I’m “fired up” to change the world! Wherever you’re at in the race, keep walking strong! The race is not to the swift, it’s to the strong! Christ makes us strong even in our weakness! That means the race is for “all of us”! Stephanie, we will continue to pray for God’s peace and His wisdom to be in you and flow from you so that today you will sense His presence.

Faith, Hope and LOVE to the Nation!

I’m happy to read your post, Steph.
While you’ll continue to battle the depression and thoughts of your demise, just remember that is just what it is – a battle. That battle belongs to the Lord. We are overcomers throught the blood of Jesus and you WILL continue to be victorious.
Just give it all to Him and He will give you peace.
Have a blessed weekend…
xo
Joy :-)

To my new family in Christ,
Today, I almost felt the breeze brush by me when I needed your prayers the most. I felt the stillness in my heart. You prayers helped to sustain me once again. Today was a difficult day, and my husband is not home yet. But, I was still standing and I am believing that it will be soon. I also discovered that God is working on my husband and allowed him to come to the realization that he wants to change his life, turn around and follow God. It’s all I have ever wanted for my marriage. To share in God’s glory with my husband. It’s still so hard not to be able to hold and comfort my husband, but I know that God is at work. So much has happened in the last few weeks in the life of my family and I am happy to be able to share it with all of you. To all the brothers, as I listen to all of your songs, I want to say that they are so inspiring. Now that I am waking up in the morning to pray, I start out singing your songs. The lyrics and the music are beautiful. God bless all of you.

Talofa, Greetins, Aloha, Buenos Dias, Malo-Lelei, & Shalom to our NATION PEEPS all ova da world in Jesus name:

Pray all ya r havin a spirit filled blessed day! Just in case it was tryin to go south, hold up right now! OK, on your mark..get set, set your mind, heart, eyes on the heavenly realms your seated there..ok, you see that? Ok now remember don’t let no drama, your emotions get the betta you are in your lane, and as needed our helper, leader, strength, deliverer, healer, joy, comforter, redeemer, husband, friend, confidence, Savior Jesus is always & ever present. So smile, relax, calm down, leap for joy because the light of the world is in you. So you GO! You keep on walkin with our Jesus he will get you to the finish line. He started the work in you, He will complete it. God Bless all of you, my sisters Steph, Michelle, Joy, Liz, Anna, Shellie, Res, Nef, Reese~whea u @? (rotfl) and the too many to count matter of fact, ya can get up and just hit comment, reply say Hello! (ya too funny!) Come on out, “let the redeemed of the Lord say so” MAKE JESUS FAMOUS! Brothers God bless ya too! Beloved Nation until next Holla..The Grace, Love & Peace of the Lord be with you all! Praise the Lord Sister Stephanie,for God is at work in your situation, for you & your husband! We love you sis! :-)

Sista RJ your funny.. Not much happened with me today. I took one of my dogs to the vet for a check up this morning and then I worked on training my other dog. I am looking forward to next Friday,and Sat because it’s the womens conference at my church and I get to be in church on extra days.. so it’s going to be great!

I believe in faith,love,and hope because it teaches us to be bold for God. I believe God gives us faith to stretch us into new places in our lives. When you have the fear of not knowing what is going to happen use your faith and believe that God will take you through to the other side. The word love is such a beautiful word because when we know that God touches our lives with something new we take ownership of that new idea and love it with everything. It’s such a great love/feeling when we know that God touches our hearts and opens a new door for our lives. I try hard in using the word hope in a positive way like.. “I hope that I can serve God well.” “I hope for a great day.”

Don’t be afraid to be God’s hands and feet in your race for Him. Meaning do what you can to serve God well. Help those who need help. Live above everyone else in your actions.

Use your faith to learn how to pass the pop quizes of your life. If something bad happens in your day learn to take your faith and believe that God will take that bad thing away and give you love for your day.

God is love!

Blessings,,
Liz

Sorry I must be seeing things because one min I saw 17 comments and the next time it was 20.. oh well.

I have been reading this book by Judah Smith and it’s pretty good. I wanted to share a little clip of what I have been reading.

“Jesus said that Satan had nothing in Him, meaning that there was nothing Satan could offer that He wanted. God wants you to get to the same place. If you don’t desire that with which you are being tempted. Then sin has no power over you.”

I read that part over and over again. That’s why we should always believe in our faith,love,and hope and know that with God’s power sin can’t take over us. Be strong in your race for God and always watch out for the pop quizes in your life!

Liz

I love that scripture, Michele!
Happy birthday to your Mom! She’s young!
I know that she’ll apprciate the time that you
all will spend with her…
Have a blessed day everyone…
xo
J

Praise the Lord! Faith, Hope and Love! Such an awesome devotion!! Who doesn’t have a lot on their plate? But if we GO He will be with us always. And this I can testify too. Talofa to you all, I am Veronica “Vernie” S.L. Tuitasi Amituanai… I come from a long line of chiefs… JUST KIDDING =0) – I have always wanted to state that – “SE ATA MAI- Fa’amolemole.” Now I am acting like I speak real good Fa’aSamoa. In Jesus Name I can – right? AMEN.
Anyhow I am feeling this Devotion – so true. Today me and my family are residing in Brighton, MI. As everyone says, why in MI, why so far esp when you lived in OCEANSIDE, CA!! (WHOO WHOO WHOOP!) I use to say I would never leave my Beautiful City – but one day I finally listened to what He has told me to do. As the verse said Matthew 28:20 “GO, I am with you always..” It was a very hard decision to make, but I am thankful for the decisions made, because today I am so much closer to him than where I was before. To believe that it took moving out of Oside, would be the best thing for me and my family. Don’t get me wrong we were blessed in Oside too, but to be submissive to his will is even more precious than gold. I have never felt so good in my life, with where I am today. Esp for what he has revealed to my husband and children. We have never loved GOD the way we do now and to keep him with us in all that we do – ITS SOOOO AMAZING!! Also having such great encouragement, thru our brothers and sisters in Christ, along with The Katina Brothers and my Sista RJ. I love you all for keeping us in your prayers and the FAITH that you have for the Lord!
The devotions are great and thank you for the opportunity to post. The website is wonderful, also we loved the clip of Neil loosing the bet – to die for!! Love you Brother Neil, me and Tamasi enjoyed it! Can’t wait to see you all in June 09. Its going to be awesome!!
I will be talking to you all soon and all those who are on THE GO – keep pressing forward and most of all Stay in His grip Forever!! I am blessed to running in this amazing race! Ia Vi’ia le Atua, I taimi uma lava…!

Forever in His grip,

Sister Vernie Aye…

1 Thessalonians 2:4
For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.

James 4:7-10
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

Psalm 37:23-24
The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand.

Keep your mind full of God’s love for you. Always ask yourself how can I serve God better? Don’t worry about the world but instead deeply love God for everything that you have. Always live your life above everyone else in faith. Keep telling yourself that all you need is God’s grace! Most of all praise God for His glory always!!!

God Bless,,
Elizabeth

P.S. I really enjoyed watching the video “Carry The Cross.”

Please pray for my strength today as I wait patiently on the Lord. I don’t want my circumstances to overwhelm me today. I am claiming his word and trying to take deep breaths to make it through the day.

Beloved Sister, standing in prayer with you for his strength in & through you by His Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus as the KBrothers sing that song..”strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord”, and how you tell us in your Word, when we are overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Jesus in your capable hands we continue to entrust our Sister Steph, her husband Ronald and their beloved children. Jesus, speak and continue to reveal your truth and love to them as you are care for us personally that you willingly laid your life down for us that we may be set free, that we may experience, love and know you. Thank you Jesus and thank you for hearing our heartfelt cries even when we can’t express them in words. In your awesome, faithful, almighty, loving name Jesus we pray..Amen
Scriptures~Ephesians 2:8, 2nd Corinthians 5:17, Col 1:13-14, Romans 8:16, Romans 8:14, Philippians 4:19, Romans 8:37, 2nd Corinthians 5:7, Matthew 5:14, Ephesians 5:1, 2nd Corinthians 4:18, Psalm 34:1 & 1st Peter 2:24~ “heaven and earth will pass away but his Word will never pass away” Be blessed Sis Steph we luv you! Brethren Nation

Hey Kuzins, it’s been a joy to read all of your comments. Please be sure to tune in tomorrow. We will give a recap of the “Amazing Race” series and then we’ll address what the next devotional series will be about. There’s some exciting stuff on the horizon. Until then, keep running the race. It’s great to be on the winning team.

Top to the murnin from Caliville a little after 4:00 a.m.! Thanks Brutha James for the update! WHOO-HOO! OK, on my mark, get set, ready! Go! EXCITED for our re-cap and what’s new on the HORIZON! PRAISE THE LORD NOW & FOREVA! Jesus Shine Shine Shine…you all have a blessed spirit filled day rememba you are LOVED, you are a prince or princess and you can know that because our Father is the King of Kings! So go on and rememba when times are hard or you find yourself in a slump, you betta rememba to act like you know who you belong to?!!!

Blessings to all you cuzins, Beloved Brethren Nation all over da world! Galatians 5:22-23

Sista RJ, thank you for your prayers, there is so much power in them. I feel them lift me up… I am strengthened by this community of brothers and sisters in Christ. My situation is still difficult, but I am making it through the day by the grace of God. Hope to meet you one day and cross paths to personally thank you for taking the time to pray for me. Maybe the next time the Katina brothers are at the Rock, I will find you and I pray that my husband will be with me sharing that time in the Lord! God bless you and all my brothers and sisters on this site.