Sustaining Life’s Victories
Years ago, during a particularly trying time in our marriage, my husband called me a “bad” person. After much self examination, conversation with God, and participation in a Bible study, I recognized my husband was right. Little by little, I made steps to become a better person. But how do we keep up those changes–those steps which lead to sustaining life’s victories?
Many years later, I’ve made much progress in being a child of God. But my journey isn’t complete–nor will it be until I join my Savior in heaven. It is only through the saving grace of Jesus and the gift of mercy by our Father that we can replace a cold heart of stone with one that allows the love of God to shine forth from us onto others.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
Through meditation, prayer, and a Bible study with loving women, I opened up to God, submitted to Him, and cried out to Him to change my heart.
God changed me–and enabled me to become a new person, filled with His Spirit
Lighthouse Bible Studies has released a new compilation (pictured below). Many authors (including me) contributed to this inspiring and motivating Bible study. I believe you will find it very meaningful, either for your individual journey of faith or as a Bible Study with a group. I’ve provided information to order below.
New authors, new books
I’ve always loved to read–how about you? Reading is relaxing, therapeutic, and I learn a lot, too. Perhaps you’re like me and you have lots of favorite authors that you read over and over. But this past month, I tried something new and selected two new authors and purchased their recent releases.
The Women of Wynton’s: A Classy 1950’s Mystery by Donna Mumma
The Road to Redemption by B.B. Anderson
Both books are great–clean reads, with well-developed characters, and entertaining plots. I enjoyed both and look forward to their next books. I’ve shared covers and links below. I hope you’ll have a chance to read them. Both of these fiction books are available for order now.
Sustaining Life’s Victories, 40 Bible Based Strategies for Overcoming Temptation. Compiled by Katy Kauffman, releases September 30 and is available for pre-order.
How can we overcome temptation and not go back to old ways?
Defenses. That’s what we need when temptation threatens to overwhelm us. We know that if we give in, something will be lost, someone will be harmed, or our usefulness will in some way be diminished.
But the strength of temptation can be formidable at times. We do what we know to do, and still it’s not enough. We need, we crave, a stronger defense system to help us. Sustaining Life’s Victories is a collection of proven strategies, helpful reminders, and welcome resources to help you overcome temptation, no matter how cunning, camouflaged, or powerful it is. The messages in this book remind us of the formidable defenses that God has given us—defenses that never lose their effectiveness or have to be replaced.
The Women of Wynton’s: A Classy 1950’s Mystery by Donna Mumma
The Road to Redemption by B.B. Anderson
Katherine, I also contributed to Sustaining Life’s Victories. I look forward to reading your story along with the many others in this wonderful book. I pray readers will be blessed by these articles. Lives can be changed when we allow God to sustain our victories.
Barbara, I’m looking forward to getting my copies so I can read all the articles we shared. I pray Sustaining Life’s Victories will be a blessing for many. Wishing you a blessed week.
Barbara and Katherine-glad to also be in your company and looking forward to reading challenges and encouragement in Sustaining Life’s Victories. Thanks Katherine for leads on new reading.
I think we’re all going to receive a blessing from Sustaining Life’s Victories. I’m looking forward to your article, Marilyn. I know it will be a blessing for many.
I, too, am thankful to God for changing my heart. Congratulations to you and all the other authors involved in Sustaining Life’s Victories.
Isn’t it awesome how much God can bring about amazing and wonderful changes in us–if we just submit and allow Him to fill us with His love, changing our frozen hearts into a living, breathing organ which shouts to the Lord of His wondrous mercy and grace. Priscilla, I pray God’s continued blessings on your writing and ministry of service to Him.
Katherine, I always love to read the verses in the Bible about the new heart and new life we receive in Christ. He plans to bring us to perfect completion. Thanks, also, for the info on these books. I always look forward to reading.
Annie, I also love those verses where we are told of God’s ability and willingness to change our hearts, to mold and shape into His child, His creation. I’m thankful He is patient, loving, and merciful. We are so blessed.
Always enjoy learning about good books. Congrats on the release of one with your writing.
Thank you, Debbie!
Sounds like a wonderful book to add my list of book to read. Thanks for sharing all about it. Praying for much success.
Thank you, Yvonne. We hope and pray that Sustaining Life’s Victories will provide hope and inspiration for readers. Thank you for you sharing encouragement.
I love Ezekiel 36:26: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Thanks for sharing this verse. Reminds me of when I surrendered my life to Christ.
LuAnn, I am so thankful that God didn’t give up on me in my darkest hour–that He loved me enough to rescue me from the pit and give me a heart of flesh–that I might live for Him, sharing His light and love with others.