Angela Beach Silverthorne's Blog, page 5

Cries of Grace

Jesus Conqueror of Sin

This was written so beautifully that I wanted to share it with you. I’ve been reading this devotional every day since 1989, and I never grow tired of it.Hope you enjoy. Blessings, Angela
What was the power and influence that changed the cross from an instrument of bloody torture into the most glorious and beloved of all symbols? The Romans had crucified thousands of people before and after Calvary. If Jesus had not risen from the dead, no right-minded person would have glorified anything so hideous and repulsive as a cross stained with the blood of Jesus. By the miracle of His rising from the grave, Jesus placed the seal of assurance upon the forgiveness of our sins. A dead Christ could not have been our Savior. An unopened grave would never have opened heaven. By bursting the chains of the tomb, Jesus proved Himself to all ages the conqueror of sin. The sacrifice on Calvary had fulfilled its purpose; the ransom price paid for your sins and mine had been accepted by God. Hallelujah, what a Savior! 
Each time I see the empty cross, let me be reminded of Your suffering and Your victory, Lord Jesus.
(a reprint from Billy Graham’s Day By Day Devotional)

Faith Refining

[image error] I am a woman of faith. Every morning I eagerly seek God’s Word. I want it to wash over me before my day begins. When I leave my prayer area I am filled with joy. I truly believe this daily routine sets up a buffer of God’s words around me that helps me navigate all the issues and trials that will come up during the day. Historically it has proven to be an anchor and even in the worse storm the anchor has always held.
Six months ago, my husband and I began a move from North Carolina to Virginia. The whole experience toppled my routine. There were mornings when I could not go to my sacred place to worship, and other mornings when there was no sacred place to be found. There were days upon days of chaos and disorder. Everything turned upside down. I began to wonder if the anchor would hold?
I found myself waking up frayed and testy, unnerved and unhinged. Nothing felt right. Nothing was in the right place. Even my prayer time was disconnected and disjointed. My thoughts were scattered. Anger and frustration rose at unnecessary times. But it was the unrest that seemed to bind me up the most. I couldn’t concentrate on anything, not even prayer. And worse yet, I failed to fully enjoy the magnitude of my blessings.
One day I left all the work behind and found a quiet corner. Crying out, I began to wonder if a move could topple years of commitment to my Savior, Jesus. As I sat in utter grief, I began to realize it wasn’t just the move that had been disturbed; it was my order of life that had been uprooted. I used to have a set place to pray and a set place to study. Was my faith that rigid and ordered? The thought caused me to gasp.
Immediately, I began praying the name of Jesus, simply calling out His name in anguish until I was exhausted. Every day after that I did the same thing. It wasn’t easy. I had to purpose myself to sit stationary, even if it was around a bunch of boxes, and cry out to my Savior.
At one point, I asked God, “What do You want to accomplish in me? Teach me because I know this experience has not been in vain.”
It took weeks for the answer to come. And when it did I knew my faith had been rightly refined. God unsettled me to help me see He was everywhere. I could pray anywhere. I didn’t always need study material or a Bible. I just needed Jesus.
I could say the move got easier after that, but it didn’t. What got easier was me. The anchor held in spite of the storm. It held because God needed me to focus on Him rather than outside circumstances or stringent practices. The anchor held because once again God took me through the fire to refine me and remind me that He is all I need. The need is every day, all day long. The need to be in His Word is also mobile. I’m learning to memorize verses to lean on and take with me.  
Are you going through a storm today? Cry out to Jesus. Say His name over and over again until you begin to feel the earth shift and your body yield to His wonderful grace and mercy. Ask God what He needs for you to learn. Then wait for God’s answer.
Jesus is the name above all names.
The anchor holds in spite of the storm.
God bless you always,

I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE! My gran...

 I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE! 

My grandson, Hudson, was born deaf. We have all learned from him about God’s faithfulness. I wanted to share the testimony my daughter, Dana, shared with her MOPS group this morning. We all need to look beyond our present circumstances and see that God continues to bless us in ways that aren’t always obvious.  
I pray you will be blessed by her words like I was. 
In Christ alone I stand,  Angela 
Dana’s testimony:  
A couple of weeks ago we were blessed with a teaser spring day, so my husband and I decided to take our son out for a little walk on a nature trail in town.   It was also just a few days post him getting his cochlear processors on and we wanted to let him just explore things at his speed, without his sisters in his wake.   
We could barely unharness him from his carseat quick enough.  As soon as his feet landed on the ground, he ran full force.  Barely taking time to rub off his hands when his feet couldn’t keep up.  He was bound for exploration. 
Suddenly he FROZE.   
His chin shot up to the sky.  He cupped his hand around his mouth and my 20 month old gasped.  Literally gasped!  His eyes so glued to the sky that it was as if the whole world stopped. 
You see at 20 months old, he was hearing the jets for the first time.  He was hearing his first loud, thunderous sound echo across the sky.  Of the hundreds of times we have heard that or ignored it since his birth, today it was new to him and he seemed to bathe in its wonder.  
I couldn’t help but revel in it myself. 
Every morning when I wake up my kids are instantly chattering, the dog is whining, the alarm is beeping and I just want to throw the covers over my head and hide for just a bit longer.  I moan and groan to the coffee pot, whining because of all the noise. 
When my son wakes up he is completely deaf!  Every day I go to get him, sign to him good morning and kiss his cheek.  He is totally content, but I can tell that by now he is waiting for something…a new routine in our day.  I quickly attach his new “ears”….within minutes he is instantly turned on to the world around him.  He smiles from ear to ear and CLAPS! 
Then why am I still moaning? 
God is using my son to teach me a good lesson.  To stop taking the wonder of this world for granted.  To soak in the beauty, the chaos, the noise…all of it.  To him sound is a miracle, a path of exploration.  When I see him laugh and clap and dance to sounds for the first time I cannot help but feel like his euphoria is contagious.   
See I think at even such a young age, he gets it.  When his cochlears are off prepping for nap/bed time, bath time, pool time, beach time and even when going down slides it is like the world is silenced.  Birds fly, but don’t sing.  Waves crash, but don’t roar.  Lips move, but nothing comes out.  We still talk in other ways, but it is completely silent.  So, I think when he gets his ears on every time it feels new.  I imagine it will his whole life.  I wonder if even as an adult he will revel in his baby cries, his wife’s laugh, or the jet noise even just a little more than the rest of us.   
I pray that I live like each day and sound is a gift.  That when the jets fly overhead I pause, look up and thank God! 
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”  Psalm 139:14








     

Day 8 Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the spirit is love...

Day 8
Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the spirit is love. . . “
Zephaniah 3:17 “Sing to the Lord your love – bless God with your actions, serve Him in love.”
Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope over the last 8 days you’ve been motivated to live in the power and love of Christ. I pray you have looked in the mirror and realized how beautiful you are. As for me, I always say, “God loves this beautiful mess!” Because some days I’m not so sure about much, but I’m always sure about Jesus, His words, and His demonstration of love. Sing to the Lord your love!
Have a beautiful day! Be the princess you were meant to be. God bless you!Angela

Day 72 Timothy 1:7 “I have not been given a spirit of fea...

Day 7
2 Timothy 1:7 “I have not been given a spirit of fear or timidity, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”
 Today stop and look at yourself in the mirror. You have been given power, love, and a sound mind. Please don’t skip over the words “sound mind”. God’s word tells us that we’ve been given a sound mind that works in every calm and chaotic situation. When anyone tries to steal your joy, use that sound mind and the power to say, “Really!” Be proud to be a child of the Most High who empowers you and keeps you safe and secure.
God bless you,Angela

Day 6Colossians 3:14 “And above all these put on love, wh...

Day 6
Colossians 3:14 “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
No one is perfect. Human perfection is impossible, but that’s not an excuse. Do your best every day and give that best to those around you. Put on love. Perfect harmony cast a beautiful glow!
Shine your love today,Angela

Day 5Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and show you the way...

Day 5
Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and show you the way to go . . . “
Sometimes we need to take a harsh look at where we are in life. We often find ourselves in situations that aren’t pleasing to us or to God. We feel a restlessness that throws everything off balance. That’s when we need to seek God’s word. “I will instruct you and show you the way to go.” It’s hard to let go. It’s hard to move forward. But when you ask Jesus to take the helm of your life as the Navigator, you can begin to sit back and enjoy the journey. It’s all a matter of trust and obey. No, it won’t always be smooth sailing, but knowing God is handling things in His timing and for your good is enough assurance to enjoy the journey. A new chapter of life is waiting for you.
God bless you,

Psalm 145:5 "I will meditate on the glorious splendor of ...

Psalm 145:5 "I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous work."

I am part of that wondrous work that God created. You are, too! Let's live it for Jesus! We are beautiful in God's sight, and daughters of the King!

God bless you!

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, ...

  
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. " 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Every day we have to persevere and purpose ourselves to keep negative thoughts at bay. God gives us the strength to do this. We have to hold our head high and keep going. It is up to us to take hold of the supernatural power God gives us when we rejoice and give thanks to Him. Our happiness is not determined by outside sources. We own our happiness! God promises that!
Blessings to you all,