salvation – Page 2 – True Vine Living

“Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.” Martin Luther

Read Time 3 Minutes

“Why it is she that has got all of Narnia under her thumb. It’s she that makes it always winter. Always winter and never Christmas; think of that!” These words were spoken by Tumnus the faun in C.S Lewis’s novel, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. He was referring to the spell that was cast over Narnia by the White Witch.

The Confluence of The Big Thompson River and The Fall River- Estes Park, CO

Lately, it feels like our country…our world has been cast under a spell called the Corona-virus! A spell that has harmed people directly with sickness, taken lives, and affected everyone world-wide with shut downs, lock downs, and economic peril! However, we are not under a spell! This is not Narnia! While we are shut in and shut out, the natural things of this world are waking up around us! Everyday, more is in bloom. Birds are chattering all about. At the confluence of two rivers, you will find such a dancing of waters coming together flooding the banks from the melting snow! It is not winter anymore, it is spring!

Let this bring us joy, whether we are able to take a short walk with our dog, or perhaps only look out our window, or possibly just step outside and hear the birds for a few minutes. Let this beautiful spring remind us that there is still order. Things are actually under control. God knows what is going on. He’s got this. He works all things together for the good of those that love Him (Romans 8:28). For those that know Christ, he is working in each of us right now to draw us more deeply to Him. Hopefully, the circumstances will draw others to Him for the first time as everyone is pondering their needs and their futures during this time. The God who takes care of the birds and makes the flowers bloom will take care of us too (Luke 12:22-31)! It may not be what we think we need, so we must rest in the sovereignty of the One who created the heavens and the earth and whose ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). Let us rest in the refreshment and the tranquility that comes from being renewed each morning by Christ’s love for us. Let the spring that is awakening around us remind us of His love that renews our minds, our spirits, and our strength. Let it wash over us with an endless peace to carry us through each day!

This is not Narnia…always winter and never Christmas. For in our world, even when things can appear to be gloom and doom, we have Christmas EVERY day! We celebrate Christmas because Jesus was born. He is our greatest gift…the gift that keeps giving, the gift that fills us, the gift that never stops giving, and the gift that is eternal. We don’t have to have Christmas just once a year. If we ask Jesus to live in our hearts and be our Lord and Savior, we have him 24/7…365 days a year, and for eternity. As spring is blooming all around us, we are nearing the time of year that we celebrate Jesus’s death and resurrection. He died and rose again so that we may have a new life in Him and so that we can live forever with Him in Heaven. With that kind of certainty, we can face the temporary uncertain days with a renewed confidence!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Let’s take notice of the new life budding around us each day in this tumultuous world, and let it serve as a reminder that our Creator has all things under control. Let our spirit be renewed with the abundance of the beauty around us!

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
hey shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

YMCA Mission Statement: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

Read Time 3 Minutes

Over the last couple of months, I have been adjusting to the big changes of moving from Texas to Washington. One of those changes has been starting up my new personal training business and all that goes with being an independent business owner. God has greatly blessed me in this pursuit! I was able to contract with the YMCA, and now I am working with clients in a beautiful thriving facility. I am once again helping women reach health and fitness goals. However, just as I have begun to build my business, our country has been thrust into a state of emergency with the COVID-19. We are experiencing circumstances like we have never experienced before in our country. Much is shutting down to try and stop the spread of this virus, and that is effecting all of our lives in many ways!

I shared the following post on Facebook in an effort to offer some comfort and assurance during this unprecedented time, and I wanted to add it to my blog to give encouragement to anyone who might read my blog. WE CAN remain calm and even HAVE a PEACE which surpasses all comprehension in our present circumstances:

I know who goes before me I know who stands behind The God of angel armies Is always by my side The one who reigns forever He is a friend of mine The God of angel armies Is always by my side And nothing formed against me shall stand You hold the whole world in your hands I’m holding on to your promises… (Chris Tomlin)

God is bigger than Coronavirus, bigger than any pandemic, bigger than a shortage of toilet paper!In this world though, we will have trouble and there seems to be a lot of it!

Whether you’re trying to remain on the sidelines of the present circumstances using a sense of humor as you look at the frenzy, or you are feeling some anxiety rising in you…our lives are all beginning to be highly effected by the craziness going on! I’m thankful that the Y continues to remain open right now and I am able to work with clients and continue building my business, however, nothing looks very certain over the next few weeks.

In all of this though, we can experience peace!

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

God doesn’t promise us an easy life in this world, but He does promise a peace that surpasses all comprehension. And He does promise us His unfailing help.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

This kind of peace begins with salvation…“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Jesus endured a horrific death on the cross to pay for our sins and make the way for us to be in Heaven for eternity. The moment we ask him to be our Lord and Savior, we instantly can begin to feel the peace and the help to deal with ALL our present circumstances. You can feel that kind of peace for your daily life now because you know for certainty where you will spend your forever!

We can tackle anything when we know Jesus, because we know we will be victorious over every struggle, every epidemic, every sadness, and even death!

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

May your day and weeks to come be filled with the PEACE that surpasses comprehension!

Category: salvation

Stay Calm in the Storm