God can use my story for His Glory~

I was posting my Jesus Calling devotional by Sarah Young, on my prayer facebook group "The Master's Servants," the other day, and her words really hit me hard. I love the way she writes in the first person, as though Jesus is talking right to you. She said:

"Thank Me for the conditions that are requiring you to be still. Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away, waiting impatiently to be active again. Some of the greatest works in My kingdom have been done from sick beds and prison cells. Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me.Quietness and trust enhance your awareness of My Presence with you. Do not despise these simple ways of serving Me. Although you feel cut off from the activity of the world, your quiet trust makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms. My Strength and Power show themselves most effective in weakness."

Did she say some of the Lord's greatest works can be done from sick beds?? Well, that qualifies me, that's for sure. That sets for me a new goal, to do the Lord's great work on those days when I'm down and out, which when you're living with MS, can be be quite often, unfortunately. But to think that I can take that time and bring Glory to God is quite something, at least for me it is.

I must admit that many times in my weakness, I can feel useless, and unworthy of doing much for myself, forget about anyone else or especially the Lord. But thankfully, that's not the way He sees me. He looks at the good in me, not the bad. He sees the gifts that He bestowed upon me, and He wants me to use them for Him. So what I need to say to myself when I'm having a down day is "get over yourself Nicki, get out your computer and start writing about the Lord." End of Sentence!

He knows just how much I can accomplish on any given day. My job is to just do the best I can, knowing I've given all my efforts for His glory and quit beating myself up.

2nd Corinthians 2:9 reminds us "My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

The Lord doesn't want you or me to live feeling guilty. It's an downward spiral. Rejoice in what you can do, even on the days when you can't get up and move around, thank the Lord for the quiet time with Him. There may be a time, when you don't have those moments.

My verse for today is above in red.

My prayer for today:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this day. Thank you for those quiet moments I have with you. Help me to take advantage of that time to learn more about you, and ground myself in your word and reach out to others with my writing about the wonderful things you can do for them in the good and the bad. Thank you Lord for another day to learn more about you and thank you for Sarah Young and her wonderful books and ministry. I have learned so much from her and continue to do so everyday!

In Jesus name I pray,
Amen

Can you see God through the pain?

If you have MS, you know that every day you wake up, you just aren't quite sure what you will be facing. That's just a fact about living with a chronic, debilitating, progressive disease. You may go a short period of time where your symptoms are manageable, and then, wack, you are reminded very clearly that, yes, you do have multiple sclerosis, and yes, that particular day, I feel pretty much like you want to crawl back under the covers and not deal with any of this!

As I've stated before, generally, I'm a pretty happy go lucky kind of gal. As many of you know I had my 4th CCSVI procedure about 3 months ago to try and bring my burning ears and head pain under control, which I'm happy to say, it did. But now that that area of my body is under control, here comes another section of my bod, jumping right in to pick up the slack!

I don't like complaining about my MS so I don't talk to often about what it's like to live with chronic pain each day. It's just not my style. I'd rather talk about the blessings that the Lord has given me, instead. I've lived with this disease for over 25 years now, and believe me, there has been a tremendous amount of suffering, but there have also been blessings that have resulted from my living with MS. I'd rather concentrate on the blessings, than complain about the pain, and I am thankful to God for that too.

The last few days, however, my neuropathic pain in my legs and hands is really getting to me. I've had the sensation of pins and needles pretty much all over my body ever since my bad MS attack back in 1997. I kept waiting for that to go away, unfortunately, it has just continued to get worse. It's basically from fried nerve endings all over my body, and it pretty much feels like someone has lit my body on fire. Not a pleasant thought is it? Kinda feels like this~~

And believe me, there are days, I just want to jump in a cool body of water to take that pain away. However, at this time of year, our pool is a little too cold for that. And although it does work in the summer, it only lasts for a short while and then the pain returns. So, you ask, what do I do? I've tried Lyrica, the big drug out on the market for nerve pain, that you see advertised everyday and was actually on it for a few years. It did very little to help and after 2 years when I decided to go off of it, well, let's just say I won't be trying that drug again anytime soon, it almost killed me during withdrawals. I've been getting through the pain by putting ice packs on my head or legs and that helps for a while and then taking a pain med to get me through the night. That knocks me out and allows me to sleep. 

So, why am I talking about it today? Well, I've been suffering quite a bit and have been in a lot of pain these past few days, so much so, that I'm even praying about going to a pain management doctor about this. Mainly because I know that although I've lived with this for many years now, I probably shouldn't have. There has got to be something that can be done to ease some of these most uncomfortable symptoms. Pain management doctor you say? I always thought they were only for the absolute worse cases? Well,who's to say I'm not one of those worst cases? Guess I'll find out.

I pray about this everyday, asking for the Lord's deliverance to get me through the pain and He always brings me through. Now though, I'm thinking He wants me to try to help myself by trying a new and different doctor that can maybe stop the pain and bring it under control before I really go mad. Just like with finding CCSVI, I believe He will open the doors of heaven and help me.

I am seeing the light of Jesus through this pain and know that He will help me find just the right doctor to bring me relief. I'm seeing my neuro in Tampa on Tuesday and will seek his guidance. I am trusting in Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith, to see me through yet another trial with MS. And, I know He surely will because the bible assures me that He will never leave my side! Thank goodness for that! Deuteronomy 31:8 tells us "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Praise God!

I have so much to be excited about right now. Life is great! I've just created a website to the Glory of God www.godsgirl365.com. I'm posting bible verses, a Sarah Young Devotional daily, Inspirational Thoughts for each day, and I haven't got time not be able to handle these things, because I know they bring Glory to you, Jesus!  I am not going to let this bout of pain get to me because I know that God has much bigger plans for me. He has things He wants me to accomplish. He wants me to spread His Word in a mighty way and I will not lie down and give into this pain!!! Thank you Jesus for giving me perseverance to see this through! I know you are with me. I will not let go of your hand!

Please help me friends, by saying a prayer for me. I will surely appreciate them. God Bless you all.

My verse for today is above in red

My prayer for today:

Dear Heavenly Father:

I need your help. I am in pain, Lord and I am suffering quite a bit. Help me Lord. Help me through this pain so I can come out on the other side and bring you glory. I will give all the glory to you because I know that everything I have comes from your Mighty Hand. Thank you Lord for I know you have already answered this prayer and it will happen in your perfect timing!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen and Amen

A New Year, A New You?

Another New Year! Here we go again~~

So, do you have a lot of New Years Resolutions? We are 13 days in, have you kept them or already broken them? Seems like we all have the best intentions when a brand new year rolls around, but it's so hard, isn't it? Hard to lose those extra lbs we've put on over the holidays and get into a fitness state of mind?(always the number one New Year's Resolution), hard to save money, quit smoking or drinking or any of those other naggy habits that still keep hanging around us. How about getting a new job or better education or eating healthier for the New Year? They are all on the list. How about managing your stress, or volunteering more of your spare time? We all have the best intentions when the New Year comes, so what happens to us? Why do so many of us fail at the simplest tasks to try and improve our lives? Why do our best laid plans seem to never work out the way we want?

We fail because we a human beings. We fail because we are weak in our own strength. We might start off strong, but then we fade away. We can't do much of anything on our own. But, I've got some great news for you! With Jesus Christ by your side, you can do just about anything you set your mind to in this New Year! Philippians 4:13 tells us "I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength."

He is the one who makes the weak, strong. He can carry our burdens and lead us when we cannot go on any further. Do you have days when you think you can't take another step? Psalm 68:19 reminds us "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." Christ is our burden bearer.

We try and try to do things on our own. Why are we so stubborn and think we have to do it our way, and in our time? Why try to carry the burdens of life? They can get awfully heavy. If you have Jesus in your life, He will carry them for you. He will lighten your load and make your life bearable and dare I say it...even Joyful?

Quit beating your head against the wall this year, and try something new! Turn your life over to Jesus Christ. He will ease your burdens, make your path straight, and show you the way to live a life filled with victory and happiness! You can finally have the freedom you have been searching for because John 8:36 tells us "Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed."

Whatever your burden may be, Jesus wants to set you free! Are you struggling with past abuse you just can't let go of? Has someone hurt you deeply, and you are finding it impossible to forgive them? Are you just wrung out from the daily burden's of life and want the help of someone who will never leave your side? God makes this Promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Follow the Lord God Almighty and His son Jesus and He will lead you into forgiveness and a brand new life. Jesus is all about forgiveness because He died for our sins. When we accept Him as our personal Savior, our sins are washed away forever. God the Father has forgiven us because of His Son's personal sacrifice on that Cross at Calvary. Your redemption was bought when Jesus shed His blood for your sins.

If you don't know Jesus as your personal Savior, it's not a hard thing to do. Jesus wants to enter your life. He's waiting with open arms. Do you acknowledge that you are a sinner? We all are, the only righteous,sinless one that walked this earth was Jesus Christ. All you have to do is confess your sins to the Lord. Sincerely repent turn from your evil ways. Then tell someone about your decision and find a Bible based church so you can grow in your knowledge of God and His love. 

He's waiting with open arms to welcome you home. Heaven on earth? It's possible when you belong to Him! He's knocking on the door of your heart right now! He wants to come in and change your life forever! Revelations 3:20 says "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." Will you let Him in? 

My verses for today are above in red.

My prayer for today:

Heavenly Father:

Thank you for another Brand New Year, with all the wonderful possibilities it brings! Thank you for all my blessings, my home, my family, my stable health that allows me to minister through this blog to people who may be hurting and needing you.

Lord, help me this year to have a closer walk with you. Help me to use my gifts that you have bestowed upon me to help my family and my friends, by uplifting them and making their walk a little easier. Help me not to be a further burden to anyone I love. Help me to be a strong woman of God, one that can shine your light of love brightly for others to see. I want to be that Lord. I want to be that person that people look at and say, I see Jesus in her. I pray you will indwell me with Your Spirit everyday so I can shine for the World!

I pray this in the Holy Name of Jesus my Savior,

Amen and Amen