A Scripture Verse



Jesus said, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted", Matthew 5:5, King James Version (Cambridge Edition)











About Our Ministry

Naomi’s Ministry is Christian blog designed to provide encouragement, strength and prayer to individuals who are experiencing loss, grief and recovering from traumatic experiences.

This blog site is to encourage, pray and support persons experiencing a wide range of losses that anyone of us may experience in our lifetime. The parting of a special loved one by death; divorce; the loss of job and financial security; the loss of limb(s) or debilitating illness or disease; the loss of a home or opportunity, are all "losses" and at varying degrees, may catapult you into a grieving cycle or traumatic event. However, we may not be on the road to recovery, if the right resources are not available to give us perspective on our feelings and the changes that happens in one’s life when a loss of any kind occurs. We need courage to grieve and to wait before God for the healing that comes, sometimes, one day at a time.

This is "first" a ministry of encouragement:

Know that what you are going through is normal for anyone who has experienced what you have experienced. Knowing how to go through the process, recognizing when you are grieving and seeking the help you may need will aid in the recovery process.


Know that it is okay that you are hurting. No explanations are needed. Admitting that is a first step toward your recovery. Recovery does not mean that you will forget the one or object of your loss. This also does not mean you will not forget the trauma of your victimization. Emotional healing will allow you to live authentically, freely, victoriously in spite of the event. God wants you to have His Victory through His Son, Jesus Christ who won it on the Cross of Calvary for you and I.

Know that you are not alone. Jesus Christ promised never to leave us or forsake us (The book of Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 5). This promise found in the Holy Scriptures is a promise from the Lord Himself that He is always with us, even during our darkest nights. Jesus also said, “I will not leave you comfortless” (The book of the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 18).

Know that “The Comforter will come” (The book of the Gospel of John, chapter 16, verse 7). The Comforter that Jesus Christ is referencing is God the Holy Spirit, (part of the triune Godhead). As you call out to God in faith during this time of tremendous emotional and sometimes physical pain, the Lord will send His Spirit to minister to your mind, body, soul and spirit. He alone can heal the hurts of loss, grief and trauma. The Holy Spirit will wipe away "your tears". Jesus "is willing" to heal you if you but ask and trust Him in the process of recovery.

Know one day you will be able to smile again. The sun will shine in your heart again. You will laugh again. You will have more good days to come. The Lord knows the thoughts and plans he has for us (Jeremiah 29:11), even if you cannot see it in the midst of this defining moment. If you will trust the Lord’s plans for you, you will come through this season, whole and able to continue on in your life’s journey.

Search out a safe and Word-filled church home or fellowship, counselor/support group. God’s Word is the answer. Read Psalms 34, 41, 42, 91, 103, 107, 112, 119, 121, 123, 140, 145. Depending on our needs, we may also need some assistance beyond what a blog, book or cards offer. Professional help is available. Pray and ask the Lord to direct you to a place of healing and confidentiality. Check out the resources at your church or another Christ-centered congregation. Please do not grieve alone.

The time for recovery is NOW. Just like you would go to the hospital’s emergency room if you were physically in need of medical treatment, so during high levels of emotional crisis, you should not wait to seek help or assistance. DON’T WAIT TO GET HELP. This is the time to admit that you are hurting and it is okay.

Keep talking to God the Father, the Father of ALL Comfort. He knows your grief and the journey ahead. Also believe that He loves you even when you are sad. This ministry is reaching out to you with Jesus' love. We are praying for your total healing and recovery.

If you are interested in receiving prayer, please write me at: jesusislord14@outlook.com. Please do not request money - request prayer.

God loves you. We are praying you will feel His love and comfort every time you reach out to read the messages.

Jesus THE SON OF GOD is Lord!

Shalom.

Sister Birdsong


Sunday, April 1, 2018

Christ the Lord is Risen - When mourning turns to joy



The Holy Scriptures

Psalm 30:5 (ESV)

Weeping may tarry for a night, but joy comes with the morning.

John 20:1-18 (ESV)

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic,“Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.


Today, in Christian churches throughout the world, believers are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus The Son of God from the dead after three (3) days of being buried in a borrowed tomb. The scene, depicted in all four (4) gospels are all poignant and yet diverse in descriptions of eyewitness accounts as is customary; for we know eyewitness accounts may be the same but skewed in details based on the "one who sees and writes". In all the gospel readings (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16: 1-8 and Luke 24: 1-12) the scene of the resurrection of Jesus is a beautiful moment. It is most startling in reports of an earthquake account, an angel descending from heaven to roll the stone in front of the tomb from the entrance; angels speaking to women and men and reminding them "He rose from the dead, just as He said"; and Jesus appearing to speak to a woman who is weeping. 

This beauty is seen, after the terrible shock of Jesus' death by crucifixion by hands of The Romans. A mangled body was put on the cross after a severe beaten with a whip made of bone and metal. There is a crown of prickly thorns placed on His Royal head and nails driven into His hands and feet. Now triumphantly, the body that was wounded, broken, and torn is brought back to life by the Power of the Living God. What a reverse of fortune! What a display of God's might power! Our God, making the greatest sacrifice of all time to redeem man from sin, gave His Only Son into the hands of sinful man to take away the sins of man. 

Before the beauty, there was the darkness of mourning and weeping. Men who were His disciples were hiding (save this John) because of the fear of the events of Jesus' arrest, beating and conviction. Several other followers, some who were secret followers for fear of men like Nicomedus and Joseph of Aramathea who asked for Jesus' body to bury in his tomb...were mourning. Some precious women, like Mary Magadelene who supported Jesus' ministry, were lamenting. His poor mother Mary was in a great anguish while watching her son die on the cross. Indeed, the promised "sword had pierced her heart" that was foretold at the time of His birth had come to pass bringing deep emotional pain. Weeping was appropriate. Heart brokenness can crush you. It can mess up your spirit. It can make you doubt the meaning of life. Mourning can turn into despair.

But...look at God! His plan to restore man back to Himself was completed. Jesus had already told His disciples He would be raised back to life.Those dark days of weeping would be turned into felicity! God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day! Man's sins had been atoned for by His Son's blood shed on the cross in His death. The Light of the World has Risen! Now the time of rejoicing was about to begin. 

First, came visitors to Jesus' burial ground. Some say a group of women came with spices. Then there is an account of this gospel writer John and Peter racing to the tomb upon the news of His resurrection. Then this story of Mary of Magdala, whom Jesus had healed from demonic oppression was at the tomb. Seeing the stone rolled away and the body of Jesus gone, she begins to cry. She continued to cry even after peaking a second glance into the tomb to hear two angels ask her why she is crying. Her tears do not cease to flow after the man who is standing before her asks her, "Woman why are you weeping?" and "Who are you seeking?" It wasn't until Jesus called her name, did she then recognize Her Lord and Teacher that her weeping ended with a message to go and tell the disciples that Jesus is alive. I tell you that travail and weeping was turned into rejoicing. The One who Mary loved and the God who loved this world and died for the sins of the world, was alive and well. Her night of mourning was turned to joy in the morning.

So it is with us. Psalm 30:5 says, "weeping" happens in our darkest moments...and then God, in His Mercy and in His own time, brings an unspeakable joy by His Spirit to our hearts.  This is good news to us. We are encouraged by the Resurrection of Jesus to know it's "okay" to cry and weep. God is not angry with our crying. God is with us in our vale of tears. He knows how to bring light into the darkness. He knows how to turn mourning into joy. He will wipe away all tears from our eyes.

Christ the Lord is Risen! We can remember His sacrifice for our sins and rejoice in His Resurrection because He is the God that is alive in us. He will not allow us to mourn and weep indefinitely. Joy is coming! Eternal Joy is ours through Jesus Christ, God's Son.



Monday, March 5, 2018

He knows our sufferings


Hebrews 4:14-16 Good News Translation (GNT)

Jesus the Great High Priest

14 Let us, then, hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we have a great High Priest who has gone into the very presence of God—Jesus, the Son of God. 15 Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin. 16 Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.
We who have received Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior may embrace this confidence in Our God: He knows our sufferings. He has compassion toward us in spite of our weaknesses. We can tell our faithful Savior all about our troubles. We can speak boldly (and respectfully) to the One who God the Father has appointed to be our "Great High Priest".  
He, Jesus Christ The Son, is sitting at the right hand of God the Father. He, The Father and The Holy Ghost, God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity are in communion at all times. The Holy Spirit is interceding for us along with Th Son of God, Jesus making prayers and intercession for our every need. 
I want somebody, anybody and everybody who is going through some trial, some pain, some hardship, a disappointment, a failure, a sickness, mourning, crying....to know today, Our God knows and He cares. He is there with you and He is with me ever watching,  ever listening and willing to help us with grace and mercy. We all need the mercy and grace of God daily to live victoriously in Christ.
I write to encourage someone in a dark and hostile situation, that God is with you, He will deliver you and set you free. I plead His blood over your life in Jesus' name I plead the blood of Jesus over my life in Jesus' name. I declare help, love, peace and comfort  to be yours in every situation, need, crisis or trial, right now in Jesus' name. Amen. 
Good News Translation - Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society

Sunday, March 4, 2018

The Lord is my Shepherd



Praise The Lord. It is Sunday evening and I am blessed to rejoice and repose in a singular thought: The Lord is my Shepherd. Jesus said of Himself, "I am the Good Shepherd". He alone is able to care for each one of us with our individual needs. I am so grateful that Jesus knows who I am and what I need and when I need it. I can truly say that without Him, I would be lost. He found me. He loved me. He saved me. He keeps on taking care of me, even in my waywardness. He always searches for me. He always brings me back to Him.

I was pretty hurt today, puzzled by the circumstances of my life, unsure of where My Shepherd stood on the issues I cried out to Him about. Our God is so patient. He never scolded me; He waited until I could stop talking to listen to His voice. In God's house, I was reminded by His mercies that are renewed every morning, His daily faithfulness, my need to dedicate my whole life to Him according to Romans 12:1-2, "And so, dear brothers, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy—the kind he can accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you" (The Living Bible). Because of His mercy, I owe Him everything.

As I thought on this, I broke into praise, my heart was broken as I thought on how good God has been to me and my lack of joy because of "some trials". God Our Shepherd is not asleep and He is present and He is everywhere. He is watching over His sheep-everyone of us. He is ready to aid us, help us, strengthen us, and always keeps us. This is the grace and mercy of our Good Shepherd. I am called to dedicate my whole body to Him. I am also called to differentiate my life from the world because of His mercy.

I can not be a part of this world after what Jesus did for me dying on the cross for my sins and yours too. God in His great mercy, sent His only begotten Son, so whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life", John 3:16. God's mercy saved and redeemed us from sin and a burning and everlasting hell! What do I owe God? My life and... My allegiance. I pledge allegiance to Jesus, to obey Him and to to be devoted to Him. "Lord, please help me to obey'! This is loving God. Moving away from this sinful world and clinging to Him and His heavenly kingdom is the only choice before us. Loving Him and hating this world must be done to be His alone.cWr cannot serve two masters Jesus said. We must "love one and hate the other".

The Lord Our Shepherd is dedicated to us. May we keep our fidelity to Him like never before in these desperate times. He will be our guide to the end of time . "Lord, thank you for being my Shepherd.

Listen to God's Word:


Psalm 23

Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!
He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors him the most.
Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.
You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies. You have welcomed me as your guest; blessings overflow!
Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life, and afterwards I will live with you forever in your home.

The Living Bible ( All Rights Reserved)