Encouragement for Today
September 4, 2009 | Books, Interesting People, Knowing Christ, Nurturing Family, Proverbs 31 Ministries
If you are joining me from my devo at Encouragement for Today, welcome!
My devo today was about two things. One, to encourage you that God is working even when we don’t see it. And two, I wanted to share Emily’s story.
Before we begin, I want to explain that this is not an interview about Catholicism vs. Christianity. Many who follow Jesus do so in the Catholic church, but in Em’s case it was more tradition than personal. So when she became an avid follower of Jesus Christ, it changed things. Not just for Emily, but for her family.
Emily is a fun, out-of-the-box, amazing twentysomething who loves Christ, and who runs after God with her whole being. (This is a pic of her w/my daughter at my birthday party.)
If you are around her for just a few moments, you walk away inspired by her faith.
Today Emily joins me as we talk about what it’s like when you live out your faith alone, and how to trust God even when your prayers seem to hit the ceiling.
Suzie Eller: Hey Emily, thanks for joining us! Can you share the story of when and how you became a Christian?
Emily James: Hey Suz! I grew up going to a Catholic school and church but had no personal relationship with Christ. I went to church on Sunday out of obligation and always dreaded going. The summer after my seventh grade year I went to a youth camp with a group of my friends for fun, not knowing I would be forever changed.
The speakers started talked about topics I had never heard of. The last night of camp there was an alter call and the Lord’s convicting presence fell over me so strong I knew it was something I had to do. From that night on I have sought more of God and remained hungry to know about His kingdom.
SE: What did your family think about your conversion?
EJ: When I first became a believer my family did not understand at all because my family was unfamiliar with having a true relationship with Christ.
SE: In today’s devotional I shared how you went to the Christian church alone for a long time, but now you are now wrapped in family that runs after Jesus. Your mom and dad remained in the Catholic church, but took their faith to a personal level. Your brother Adam is just as faith-filled as you, though he was your greatest adversary in the beginning.
What would you say to the person reading this who feels alone in their faith?
EJ: Don’t lose hope, PRAY. I have seen numerous people transformed by the miraculous power of God. My brother was one of the last people I ever thought would come to Christ and now he is one of the most radical believers I have ever met! I know at times it seems impossible but as cliché as it sounds, with God all things are possible!
SE: What did your brother think about your faith?
EJ: My brother was afraid of what he didn’t understand. He mocked and teased me. We would have lengthy conversations about the bible and he could always out talk me because he was older and smarter. When he was 22 the Lord woke him up in the middle of the night and he accepted Christ. He is now a new creation in Christ.
When he first became a believer the Lord told Him to sell everything he had, so he did. He sold his car, all of his furniture and all he kept was his mattress to sleep on. After completing his college education the Lord told him to work at Whataburger, so he did.
He worked as a personal banker for a while and the Lord told him to quit and do full time ministry, so he did. His obedience inspires me to follow the Lord’s leading even if it seems crazy to this world, because He will always prove Himself faithful!
SE: And now?
ER: My brother is so hungry for the things of God and he is continually seeking more of Him. I watch him move from glory to glory, never being satisfied but always seeking more of God. He has taught me to think outside of the box in everything I do. He has taught me to seek the living word of God for answers, not man, doctrines, or traditions made by man. I respect him and want to be more like him.
(This is a pic of Adam leading Emily and her bridesmaids in prayer before Em’s wedding)
SE: You’ve traveled all over the world in missions. Which was your favorite? And why?
EJ: In the summer of 07 I attended a Mission Training school in Mozambique, Africa for two and a half months. Through this experience I was truly ruined for the Kingdom of God. I lived at an orphanage with a little under 100 children that had been renewed and restored by their Heavenly Father. These children came from the worst situations possible, some of them were found in dumps, beaten, raped and filthy. The Lord restores their joy one by one and they become some of the most well mannered, loving, warriors for the Kingdom I have ever seen. I learned so much from the children of Iris.
While in Mozambique we attended classes during the day and on the weekends we would go on outreach trips into the “bush”. We would drive for hours on the back of flat bed trucks into remote villages. We would set up generators to show the Jesus film in their native dialects, share the gospel, pray for healing and leave.
On a typical outreach the majority of the village would come to know Christ, deaf ears would hear, backs would be healed, tumors would disappear, the list goes on and on! Thank you Jesus!
Through this experience the Lord really taught me how to love the unlovely. He taught me the importance of reaching out to those who are not like us. To go to the oppressed, the lonely, the hurting, the sick, the poor, and the dying and try to love them as Jesus did.
SE: What are you and Reed (Emily’s husband) doing now?
EJ: Reed and I are living in Boston, MA. He has one year left to graduate with a Masters of Divinity Degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. He is interning at the same church I work at and has had opportunities preach, lead small groups, and obtain more of an inside view of what it takes to keep a church running.
I am the Assistant Director for an After School and Summer Day Program called Kids’ Place. I am working with inner city kids, some of which have never heard the gospel before and it has been a tremendous blessing in my life.
GIVEAWAY: Would you like to know what it’s like to run after God, to find Him in your relationships, to understand what it means to be “called”, to know what to do when you are a work in progress (aren’t we all?), then comment today!
Share your thoughts about Em’s story, or a prayer request (I promise I’ll pray with you), and one person will win a copy of The Woman I Am Becoming: Embrace the Chase for Identity, Faith, and Destiny.
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Wow! Thankyou so much for the encouragement devotional today! I was just going to come to your blog to tell you how tremendously encouraging it was to me. I know your story has had a permanent effect on my prayer life. Been praying for some loved ones for a long time. Seeing no fruit and kinda slacking on the prayers, but no more!
So I come to tell you and then I get to read this wonderful story!
God Bless you. You can rest assured that as you sit there typing on your laptop God is using you to change lives and ultimately bring other people to Christ.
♥
September 4th, 2009 at 6:07 amJenni
That was a beautiful story. Thank you and Emily for sharing.
September 4th, 2009 at 6:48 amIt is something that really hits home for me as I pray for my husband every day. I want him to have a personal relationship with Jesus like I do… he grew up in a Catholic home too and really resists the change. Please pray for him, and for me to be a good example.
Yes Suzie, you can rest assured your words have reached many. I am one more person who was saved apart from her family. To this day they continue to live their lives “lost”. Thank you for this encouragement, it will remind me to pray more often for my family that don’t YET know Jesus. Thank you Emily for sharing our story. What an amazing picture that was to see your brother, once your biggest advisary, praying over you at your wedding. God is good!
September 4th, 2009 at 6:59 amSuzie could you tell us what book it was that Emily’s brother read that night. I am curious..
May God bless you both as you continue to serve Him.
In Love
Stephani
Thank you for sharing Emily’s story today. Her story is repeated countless times all over the country in Protestant churches, as well, where kids are just “doing church” rather than being passionate about a relationship with their Creator. I especially love Emily’s description of her time in Mozambique as being used by the Lord to become “ruined for the Kingdom of God.” May we all be so ruined…for His glory and our good.
September 4th, 2009 at 7:09 amEmily, your story is so encouraging. God has big plans for you and your husband. Keep us updated as to where He leads you. I work with Middle School girls at our church. I pray that if there is a girl just like you in our midst that she will find solace and peace in Jesus Christ through all that she sees and hears at church. Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is all that matters!
September 4th, 2009 at 7:16 amMay our heavenly Father bless you abundantly as you live that sold out life for Him!
Hugs,
Kris
Through God all things are possible. Amen! Please join me in my daily prayer that my son will come to know Jesus, and be healed of his mental illness. Help him understand that through Jesus, he can be free of the moods and deep depressions he sinks into. His bipolar disorder rules his life. I would love nothing more than to see him accept Jesus as his savior.
September 4th, 2009 at 7:45 amThank you for sharing Emily’s story. Bless you and your family as you reach out and touch so many lives bringing them to Christ.
Shine on!
Cathy
Thank you for your beautiful story. God has taken hold of me and is leading me places I never thought I would go. By following his calling I am taking away time from my family. I am a stay at home Mom. I am beginning to feel some pressure from my family to stay where I am. Please pray for understanding from my husband and children. Pray that we all will understand the sacrifices our family will have to make in order for me to follow God.
Mary
September 4th, 2009 at 7:47 amHi Suzanne, Thank you so much for sharing this story and the devo – it spoke straight to my heart! I can so relate to Emily’s story – growing up in a church going home, but not really knowing Christ and living for Him. After leaving home various situations led me to Him and He keeps drawing me closer daily. So much so that He’s calling me out to speak up for Him – this past August I had the opportunity to attend She Speaks – a truly amazing time, but one my family didn’t understand. Another huge hurdle I am facing is promoting a book I’ve recently co-authored with my “spiritual mom.” It is our story of the Titus 2 relationship today, which God has worked thru in wonderful ways, but as a girl who once lived to please my mom the opposition makes it difficult. But stories like this are very encouraging. Thank you for sharing and offering to pray as well – God is using the words you share! Blessings, Jill
September 4th, 2009 at 8:18 amThank-you to both of you for sharing a story I think many of us need to hear. I, too, am experiencing a situation similiar to Emily’s, where I grew up going to church, fell in love with my Savior when I truly met Him and now receive ridule for the faith that transformed my “relationship” and thus my entire life. I’ve prayed for what feels like forever for a wayward sister and mocking parents and have to be honest- I’ve grown doubtful my prayers and longing for my family, especially my sis, are ever going to be answered with a joining together in faith. Emily’s story renews my hope and burning desire to show my family what they are missing by remaining a joy filled light against adversity. Would you please pray for my commitment to keep being strong against their mocking and for the light I have to spark a yearning in them for it? My Dad really could use a relationship with his Lord, as he is about to undergoe Chemo for Leukemia.
September 4th, 2009 at 8:42 amI just thank you for following God’s call to write. You’ve made a difference in this girl’s day with your message.
Blessings to you and Emily, Kristin
Suzi, thanks for sharing that story. I too have a sister who came to Christ through one of those mass-marketed, oversimplified televangelist’s ministry…I love how God can use what He chooses!
I also thank you for the encouragement about writing. My philosophy is that if it’s only my children, grandchildren who end up reading what I write, I still need to be obedient to write. Again, God can use it how He chooses.
It was nice meeting you at She Speaks….already looking forward to next year
September 4th, 2009 at 9:09 amI was just speaking with someone yesterday about faith and following God though everyone else around you may not. This is a great example of that. Thank you for sharing and for being an inspiration to others. God Bless you all.
September 4th, 2009 at 9:09 amThank you so much for sharing Emily’s story. What an inspiration. My husband is not a christian, neither is our oldest daughter. She is 20, pregnant and not married and living a life of rebellion. Would appreciate your prayers for them.
September 4th, 2009 at 9:13 amA few years ago, I came to the end of my “hoarded resources.” I had to admit there was only one God and I was not Him! As part of the process, I started weekly counseling with a great biblically based counselor at my church. One of the first resources she recommended was a 12-step book (again, Bible-based) written by a man I had actually worked for. Let me tell you, he is one of the men I least respect or like. At first, I told her I would not do it. Then God led me in my quiet time to a little passage about the prophet Balaam and his donkey. Turns out God used Balaam’s donkey to teach him a lesson and save his life. Wow! Well, I went back and did the 12-step book. Turns out it wasn’t about what the author had to say…it was about what God had to say. HE used it to teach me and to save my life. He can use anything and anyone.
September 4th, 2009 at 9:24 amI was really touched by your devotional today. I’ve been writing a book for over a year, but had put it on hold for a while now. Last night as I was going to bed, I asked God to help me know if this was still a good idea, and if He would help me finish it. So when I read your story, and even the end where you asked if God has called you to speak or write, I felt like God was giving me a direct answer. I know how much I’ve been changed by the words of others, and I want to be that vessel for people, too. Emily’s story was so touching, and I really needed that encouragement that God can do the impossible in families. We’ve been praying for my sister-in-law for a long time, and it gets so discouraging. I cling to stories of hope, knowing that God is faithful and can do the impossible. Thank you so much for sharing yours!!
September 4th, 2009 at 9:28 amSuzi,
Thank you for sharing Emily’s story. Wow, how I wish my baby boy (29) could meet someone like Emily. You are truly awesome, Suzi, keep up the good work.
God Bless you and yours,
September 4th, 2009 at 9:29 amDana
I was truly blessed by Emily’s story. It has encouraged and inspired me to drawe closer to God and to really pray for my unsaved family( particular my brother in laws-Thomas and Tommie), friends and coworkers. It also has showed me to be more bold for Christ.
God Bless
September 4th, 2009 at 9:47 amSherri
Thank you for the beautiful story you and Emily shared. It was so inspiring to hear Emily share about her life then and now. Even though I’m 68yrs. I’m still searching for what God would have for me in my life. I feel that no one is to old to seak out and see what our Father would have us to do. Currently Head Start will be located in our church. This is the first year and I’m so excited to see what God has in store for our church family. I plan to get involved with the children and teacher’s and am looking forward to how God will use me in this setting.
Please pray that God will move among the Head Start teacher’s and also the church family, especially that our people will be so moved by what these folks are doing with young lives before going to school the next year.
Thank you Suzanne and may God continue to bless your ministry.
Rita N
September 4th, 2009 at 9:59 amI have to confess something here. I have been receiving the Proverbs 31 devotion in my e-mail for a couple of years now (my aunt forwarded one to me and I subscribed), but most days I don’t read them. I don’t throw them away. I have a folder called “Better Wife”. (Because I know that as I become the woman God has called me to be, I will become the wife my husband needs and deserves.)
But for some reason, I opened this mornings’ devotion. Wow! My story is opposite of Emily’s. I grew up in a Bible teaching church surrounded by family. (On one choir trip, 5 of the 7 kids in my family were on tour.) But now only one sister and I are involved in Christian churches. And, oh to have Emily’s passion.
You asked for prayer requests? I met with a Life Purpose Coach back in March and created a Life Plan and set some goals. I am really struggling. I know there are things I need to change (anger, unhealthy eating, etc) but I am having the hardest time finding the strength to make the changes.
Thank you for sharing.
juliesweeps at hotmail.com
September 4th, 2009 at 10:27 amI am impressed with Emily’s faith to continue on as the only one in her family, at the time, with her walk. I am also impressed that because of her not giving up, her brother was watching, closely, and he picked up that book.
Very encouraging, very nice.
Thanks a bunch!
smooches,
September 4th, 2009 at 10:31 amLarie
I was just praying on my couch this morning for my sister and mom to come to know Christ. My mom is and inactive Mormon. Stories like Emily’s give me so much hope. What an amazing tale of victory. Thank you for spreading hope to those of us who are still struggling with the heartbreak of lost family.
September 4th, 2009 at 10:34 amSarah
Thank you for this story. I too grew up Catholic but felt completely disconnected to my faith. I spent the last 10 years as an agnostic, but signs and dreams earlier this year led me back to Christ and I’m so grateful for that.
It’s encouraging to hear Emily’s story and know that through Him ALL things are possible. I’m praying for some people to come back home to Him and I would love to see God working in their lives.
I’ll have to check out the rest of your blog, as I enjoyed your writing.
Blessings,
September 4th, 2009 at 10:35 amAKM
Thank you for including the interview with Emily. Isn’t just like the new believers to “walk the walk” with complete trust and with all their heart? What an inspiration! I was especially touched by the statement:
Through this experience the Lord really taught me how to love the unlovely. He taught me the importance of reaching out to those who are not like us. To go to the oppressed, the lonely, the hurting, the sick, the poor, and the dying and try to love them as Jesus did.
My college roommate & I have been reunited after 35 years. God’s timing is perfect even though I would have preferred to have seen her earlier. Her younger daughter has a drug problem, and now has moved across state to our area. The daughter called, out of need & panic, last week. Her “partner” has had a horrendous childhood, and I honestly have a hard time “accepting” their lifestyle and her friend’s appearance. I know they are God’s children, but Emily’s words were confirmation that I need to take in contact with BOTH girls and pray for God’s love for them and the words to speak to them. Thank you for your contribution-sharing Emily’s story! God bless you all!
September 4th, 2009 at 10:42 amEmily,
Thank you for sharing your story. I, too, have been praying for an unsaved relative – my husband. And the last few days I have been thinking I can’t do it anymore and I just wanted to give up. It’s so difficult. But God… Your story gave me hope.
Suzanne,
September 4th, 2009 at 10:48 amI have never been here before. Your blog is my gift from God this morning.
I loved the “Encouragement for Today” message. I too come from a family where I am the only Christian. I was saved when I was around 7 years old. Today I am 50 years old. My mom makes it her mission to tell me everything negative about Christianity and people who are Christians. It has come to a point where I don’t spend much time with her anymore because of her many attacks with her comments. I love her so much but I can’t take it anymore. She is 77 years old. This makes me extremely sad
( I too long for the family that can pray together and share God’s love and wonders. I am afraid this will never happen. I have 4 daughters, 3 are strong Christians, 1 accepted Christ but does not follow His ways. I haven’t been faithful about praying for my mom but I will start today asking for God to touch her life. I feel that I need prayer to help me deal with the loss of my relationship with my mom. I am divorced (it has been 7 years now) and my relationship with her is important and now it is not there. Thanks for praying with me. I love your WORDS!!!!
Love,
September 4th, 2009 at 11:08 amSandy Dvorak
Thank you so much for sharing Emily’s story. It is inspiring to see someone so filled with faith and trust in God. Her story reminds me of what I have always known but can often forget…With God ALL things are possible!
Blessings,
Jenny
September 4th, 2009 at 11:42 amI’m sitting here with tears reading all your comments. You are making my day! I appreciate each of you. I can’t wait to tell Emily to come here and read your posts.
Suzie
September 4th, 2009 at 11:55 amWhat a sweet girl who has been called out by God as one of his daughters. Thanks for sharing, both of you, and letting me see a glimpse of what God is doing in others’ lives. I just love to see him at work!
September 4th, 2009 at 11:56 amThis was the most inspiring devotional I have read in quite some time. I, too, have many friends and family I have prayed for so long that it is tempting sometimes to give up . . . but God has used you to awaken a new desire in me to keep on keeping on! Thanks so much.
September 4th, 2009 at 12:06 pmIt’s so great to hear inspiring stories like this. I feel like I have been going through the motions more than really living out my faith, and this makes me want that even more. I pray to be on fire for Christ.
September 4th, 2009 at 12:27 pmThis is great – both your devotion on P31 and Emily’s story of victory – God’s victory for her family. I am forwarding on to my oldest at home daughter as I know she will relate. Much encouragement came from this today – God knows everything and just the timing to help us keep faith – and to know that even when the circumstances don’t look like God is working – He Is!!
September 4th, 2009 at 12:43 pmsherryhallauer@neb.rr.com
Emily’s story was very inspiring. I am happy for her and her family. Even though you put a disclaimer at the beginning of the story I just want to emphasize that there are many in the Protestant church that are Christians. They do believe Christ died for their sins and they are only saved by faith alone. It doesn’t matter what kind of Christian church you go to, you can just be going through the motions and not living out your faith. We need to be studying God’s word and leading the life God meant for us to have.
September 4th, 2009 at 2:07 pmI came over from the devotional as well. Was VERY encouraged.. We lost our six and a half month youngest son almost a year ago from complications following surgery for a severe congenital heart defect. The last few days in the hospital with him, I remember praying “God, whatever happens next, please just let Your GLory shine”.. I couldn’t see how good could come out of that horrid situation. Now, almost a year later, I am seeing more examples of that. Praise God!!
September 4th, 2009 at 2:11 pmI don’t live everyday of my life looking for a “sign”. I had to post to you today though. I am a writer also and have just taken a TRUE step into fulfilling this God given purpose for my life by publishing a blog. I love to write, and naturally I hope & pray that something I say will bless someone, but I write because I must write and I don’t mind if anyone reads or not, I SIMPLY MUST write. EVERYTHING ELSE IS OUT OF MY HANDS! Reading your story about Emily & about yourself today touched on the common thread I felt with this article. JUST BE WHO YOU ARE in GOD!!!! Thank you!
September 4th, 2009 at 3:06 pmI am so deeply blessed and encouraged by this story! I pray and wait for my brother and his family to come to know Christ (they are very much faithful in their “religion” but lack a personal relationship), in addition to my sister, my husbands entire family, and others who we love so much! Please lift them up in prayer – that God would draw them in and change their hearts. I pray for each one of us, who do know Him, that we be obedient to the calling He places on our heart and to boldly share the saving power of Jesus. Thanks for allowing God to use your story!
September 4th, 2009 at 3:21 pmThe book that Adam read was Purpose Driven Life. It made the gospel simple and inviting, and it was the beginning of a true “purpose-driven” life for Adam. I am grateful that Rick Warren’s book was a catalyst for Adam to begin his journey of faith!
September 4th, 2009 at 4:04 pmHello Suzanne (and Emily),
Wow, what can I say? That was a great devotional, a great interview and most of all, a great testimony! It was great because of the One who inspired it all. Emily’s story was really an encouragement to me because I feel the Lord leading me to a life of complete servitude, and while I know we are all called to serve, I feel like God is telling me to dive even deeper. I don’t have much belongings as i’ve donated or thrown them out when I moved from Dallas, Texas where I lived for three years ack home to Hawai’i. I brought a suitcase of clothes and pictures and books. What I do feel tho is just like Emily’s brother, to downsize. Sell anything that can be sold, work at a job that I would deem embarrasing or lowly and serve the homeless community and that what I hear God calling the Forgotten Ones. The homeless, the drugaddicted, the prostituted and the desolate. I’ve been searching information about missions and I am really praying about it. I have never been to a missions yet, but just today so soon after God gave me the pictures in my head about serving the homeless, He blessed me just this morning. I didn’t have money to give the man nor much time, but I had a bottle of water which he was so thankful for and a prayer for him specifically. He was so grateful and I was so blessed. This was such an inspiration for me to do more, to coninue on and to not take heed what man might say instead listen to what GOD may say! Thank you for this! <3
September 4th, 2009 at 4:22 pmWhat an amazing story!! Emily is a beautiful girl both on the inside and outside! thanks for sharing.
September 4th, 2009 at 4:23 pmThis was an encouraging story and I thank you both for sharing and reminding us all the power of prayer! Being faithful and pursuing in our prayers is challenging and Emily’s story is one I can relate to. God bless your work and ministry! His and yours, lisa
September 4th, 2009 at 6:21 pmEm’s story is a fascinating one – how I love to see the different ways God works through people! Thanks to both you and Emily for sharing it.
September 4th, 2009 at 7:53 pmThank you so much for sharing this story. For me this is confirmation for God’s calling on my life to speak to women of God’s love and healing power over depression. If I speak to 2,10 or 200 does not matter as long as I share what He lays on my heart.
September 4th, 2009 at 9:51 pmEmily’s story is certainly an encouraging one, one that urges us not to give up hope.
September 5th, 2009 at 2:08 amBut what I really wanted to comment on was what you wrote about yourself in the devotional:
“As a writer, every day I’m in my home-office wearing jeans and a T-shirt writing on a laptop, hoping that someone might actually hear the message. But I can’t see the bigger picture. I don’t know if the words are making a difference or not. All I know is that God called me to communicate a message and to be faithful to that call.”
In NSW Australia Christians have the opportunity to go into public schools once a week and teach a lesson based on scripture-Special Religious Education (SRE). Other religions can do the same if they have the volunteers and children whose parents want that for them. I used to teach SRE and at times wondered if I was making any difference at all. While praying about it, I realised that if even one child was positively impacted for Christ it was worth the effort.
I also used to write Sunday School lessons for a publishing company. The lessons themselves were directed at 4 & 5 year olds, but the background material that went with it was for the teachers and they could be anywhere from 16 to 80 (and maybe even beyond that range).I used to pray that what I wrote would be edifying for both the teachers and the students but I never had any feedback about how it had effected anybody. The results are in God’s hands.
You have 40+ responses to this post alone. So, be encouraged that you are making a difference for Christ. Keep on keeping on.
PS I also have a prayer request. could you pray that God would show me where and how he would have me use my writing skills at this point in my life. Thanks.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and encouraging me! I too, came from a Christian home where I was taught a lot of theory but it was never really applied to my life. For the past few years God has slowly been changing my views on Him and helping me to step out into faith….despite the fact that what I’m doing doesn’t seem to make sense to the people around me.
September 5th, 2009 at 10:45 amhey aunt suzie
September 5th, 2009 at 3:44 pmThank you for sharing Emily’s story. I too grew up in the Catholic church and recently became an immersed believer in Christ in June. I had the honor of witnessing to my husband and watched him also choose a life in Christ 3 weeks ago. God bless you for sharing.
September 5th, 2009 at 4:18 pmThank you so much for sharing Emily’s story, it was a wounderful inspiration to me.
September 6th, 2009 at 3:16 amGod bless you both that He will continue to do amazing work throuh you.
Emily’s story is so encouraging. I too was raised Catholic and didn’t have a relationship with Christ until I was much older. So I relate a lot to her story in that respect. Knowing Christ has radically changed my outlook in life. It is no longer about me but Him and His glory. I was very encouraged that what looked impossible became possible in Christ. I’ve been married 28 years and I’m still praying for my husband. Luke 1:37 is one of my absolute scriptures and a promise that I cling to. “For nothing is impossible to God.”
September 6th, 2009 at 7:50 amThanks for your devotional and your post. Just what I needed as encouragement for today!
September 6th, 2009 at 3:04 pmWow! What a testimony! Emily has been an inspiration to me. My family has been divided and I, the stay @ home mother for the last 14 yrs. has been left in the house alone with the dog….My husband took the kids to his mother’s & they’ve been there for 7 months. I won’t delve into specifics, but my world is so different from what it was. I thought I was close to the Lord before. This walk of faith has deepened my daily walk with Him. I am not giving up even though my prayers seem to be hitting the ceiling for my family’s restoration. Our divorce will supposedly be over in a month. Will God heal us? I don’t know, if it’s His Will, He will accomplish it. If He has other things in mind, I will learn to cope. No matter what, I’m remaining His. Thank you for your devotional….There is always hope with Jesus!!! He is not done working….Here’s to keeping the faith no matter what.
September 6th, 2009 at 4:14 pmI was truly touched by Emily’s continued faith in God, From her continued Faith and belief that God would use her to be a becon of light to not only draw her family closer to God but all the other souls she has won for the Kingdom! All because despite what her circumstances were she knew that God was listening. I Pray and ask for a prayer that I am able to remain in faith despite what it looks like now and most importantly to: “Stand firm, let nothing move me. Always give myself fully to the work of the Lord, because I know that My labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58) and niether is Emily’s Labor! Thanks for sharing Suzanne
Jessica B from NYC
September 6th, 2009 at 10:33 pmI cannot wait to take to prayer these requests, and I have asked Emily to visit the site to see the response.
September 7th, 2009 at 9:06 amThanks suzanne, I was very encouraged by Emily’s story. It reminds me to pray for wandering siblings.
September 7th, 2009 at 3:33 pmblessings to you
I have often said that with my family, “I feel like a missionary living among the heathens”. It saddens me to see my children who follow the world, and know it is because I too became wayward for a long time. I will continue to pray for my family, but I feel I need the express lane because we’ve wasted so much time. Thanks for the inspiring story.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:46 am