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WedOct12

Wednesday's Word: RESCUE, jesus, salvation, alligator adventure, alligator rescue, faith, hope

Have you seen an alligator without a tail? No? Me neither. Well, meet Bob. I was able to meet Bob recently on our trip to Alligator Adventure in Myrtle Beach.

Bob was born without a tail, which is the most prevalent birth defect among gators. Alligators like Bob have 0% chance of survival in the wild. Zero! Their tails are essential. Being born without one, is a death sentence. That is, unless someone saves them. Unless someone takes them into their protective “arms” and places them into a habitat where they will be protected from prey, and fed in a way that is accessible for them. Upon being saved, gators like Bob can grow, flourish, and live a life without fear of certain and immediate death.

Bob, God used you to remind me of a truth that some people may not know. A truth that those of us who do know, often take for granted. We are born, not necessarily needing to be physically saved from death, but certainly in need of being spiritually saved. Just as Bob would have had zero chance of life without being rescued, we find ourselves with zero chance (as in no chance at all) of an abundant and eternal life without being rescued by a Savior, Jesus, who loves us enough to go to the cross for us. A Savior who puts us in His arms, not only saving us from certain death, but loving us, caring for us, strengthening us, as we journey forward, on this often difficult earth.

We can be thankful that unlike the alligators, we don’t need to wait to be rescued. We don’t need to hope that by some chance, someone may happen across our path. We are able, right now, to know that Jesus went to the cross for us. We are able to reach out to Him this very second and ask Him to save us. We are able today to let Him know that we are ready to have Him walk ahead of us on this life journey. We are able to ask Him to prepare a place for us in heaven for our future journey. How awesome is that!

There are no magical words that need to be said. It’s about aligning our hearts with the God who loves us enough to send His Son, Jesus. By asking Him for the rescue, we are changing our zero percent chance of abundant and eternal life to 100% chance of abundant and eternal life. My prayer is that no one lets this rescue opportunity pass by.

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

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to fogive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24

And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? John 11:26

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 1 Peter 3:18

If you desire to know more, comment or message me. I would be honored to help you pursue your rescue plan with Jesus.

If you would like to receive notice when Misty posts a blog, you can subscribe to her website, https://mailchi.mp/7844a4ba7f8b/welcome and follow her on Instagram @mistydawncramer and Facebook, Misty Cramer, Author & Speaker. She would love to connect with you!

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Wednesday's Word: FORGIVENESS, forgiving, Jesus, bible, forgiving others, savior

The scream made its way from the church parking lot into the building, where I was packing up the last items of the night and preparing to lock the door behind me. It was a scream of pain, and one I recognized as my our middle son’s. I dropped my things, handed my youngest child off to someone standing nearby, and bolted outside. There I found one son screaming in pain, as his older brother looked on with tears in flowing down his cheeks, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

The van door had been accidentally closed on his fingers, and it was evident by the scene, who had done the closing. I quickly climbed in the van to find that we needed to go to the hospital for stitches.

After finding other people to care for the remaining brothers, my husband drove us while I sat in the backseat with our son. His screaming continued, as his injured hand laid in his lap, the other gripping mine.

Suddenly the screaming stopped, “Mom, Taylor said he was sorry. And he asked me to forgive him. I will always forgive him. Cuz he’s my brother.” As abruptly as the screaming stopped, it began again. Yet, this six year old child, had paused just long enough for God to use him to teach us all a lesson on forgiveness.

I pray today that we are all aware that we have a Savior who forgives us, always, no need for details. No need for explanation. No need for begging. He just forgives us when we ask. Plain and simple. Because He loves us. Because we are His children. It’s as if He hung from the cross, writhing in pain, paused, and said, “Father, I will always forgive them, because they are my children.”

Let us not take for granted the love the Father has lavished on us. Let us embrace this love, ask for His forgiveness, and praise Him for giving them to us, unconditionally.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are. 1 John 3:1

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us from our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Misty Cramer is an author and speaker. I you enjoy her writing, you may subscribe at mistycramer.com for her newsletter and devotions, as well as follow her on Facebook at Misty Cramer, Author & Speaker, and Instagram @mistydawncramer. Pictures are Misty’s five sons.

Faithful, God is Faithful, Faithfulness, teenage pregnancy, marriage, pregnancy, trust, faith

I remember, at 18 years old, walking into Meijer with my boyfriend, and swearing I could hear our hearts beating out of our chests, as we walked hand in hand to the aisle with the pregnancy tests. I remember the next morning, before the sun was up, before any of his roommates awoke, taking the pregnancy test in his dorm room. And I remember the panic we felt, as we watched the pregnancy test turn to positive.

My world shifted that day. All the future plans that I had made for my life, suddenly felt as if they were snatched out of my tightly held grip. I was lost.

My story comes upon me more vividly this week, as it holds the great celebration of the birthday of my oldest son. The memories of placing my hands on my tummy and saying, “Don’t you worry little one. We’re going to be alright,” come flashing to the forefront of my mind. Although the words seem confident, they were spoken simultaneously, with these words crying from soul, “Lord, what am I going to do? What is next?”

Even in the midst of what I saw as an unknown plan for the future of myself and my baby, I also knew I served a faithful God. I knew there were to be difficult conversations with parents ahead. Painful decisions to be made regarding my relationship with my boyfriend, and challenges as to how I would proceed with my education. I also knew, however, that I served a faithful God. A God who would forgive me, who would love me. One who would pick me up right where I was, in that painful and confused state. And I knew He would hold me. Comfort me. And give me the direction and strength I needed to move forward.

I’m not sure what situation you find yourself in today, but I want to remind you, that the same faithful God who walked with me, is available to walk with you. We serve a God who is in the midst of your situation. Who has a desire to hold you when you need it, comforting you in your pain. Who forgives you, if your situation involves mistakes you were responsible for. Who will not desert you, but will instead walk with you, directing your next steps of the journey. No one cares more about you or your situation than the God who created you and loves you. He is faithful and He will not leave your side. Will you choose to trust Him today with your situation?

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. Psalm 33:4

God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9

Written by: Misty Cramer. Misty and her husband Todd have been married for 38 years, and have five sons, the oldest of course, is the baby from the story above. With a busy household of seven, God continued his faithfulness. He provided during the ups and downs faced when being married and pregnant at 18 years old. And He also faithfully provided opportunities for Todd and Misty to later enter into full-time ministry. They currently have been serving in youth, family, and marriage ministry for over 25 years. Their story can be heard in part on the following podcast, “Divorce Ain’t Happening”: https://anchor.fm/coldshowerpodcast/episodes/026-Divorce-Aint-Happening-Mom--Dad-elmq72

Misty is available to speak at your next ladies event, and her and Todd would find it a privilege to speak at your next marriage retreat. For more information on booking, you may head to mistycramer.com. You will also find Misty on Facebook: Misty Cramer, Author & Speaker and on Instagram @mistydawncramer.