Looking Up

By Jo Ann Snapp

Inspirational Thoughts:
A little teaching, a little preaching, a little sharing from my heart is what I am hoping to convey.
As I put together the articles and short stories for this book, I noted that parts of it seemed written to unbelievers. Its intention however in the teaching/preaching parts is that it might be an inspiration to the believer and give the person witnessing the gospel of Jesus Christ some insight in how to reach those who have heard the Word and not listened or be a tool of witnessing to those who have never heard or never surrendered to Christ. References made to scripture are from the King James Version but not always quoted.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jo Ann Snapp
• Release date: Sep 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301028443

Jo Ann Snapp

Jo Ann Snapp was an Arkansas author of fiction. She had been writing books since she was around nine years old. After a long career in retail and logistics she took up the mantle to get some of her work out to readers.Whether historical, contemporary, mysteries or romances all her writing is from a Christian perspective so you can be assured a clean read even if the subject matter is controversial. Some of her work is inspirational; some of her work is just plain good storytelling. No matter the genre, to Jo a story was a story that had to be told.Jo Ann Snapp passed away on November 29, 2013Jo Ann lived in Mountain View, Arkansas and the area inspired her Norma Jean Mystery series.Find more of Jo Ann's books at:http://joannsnappauthor.com Jo Ann’s Blog Words with a MessageTitles by this author:May and Jed Beginning the JourneyA Reconciled HeartEmilyThe Pathway HomeMarisa’s DestinyA Twist in the Old Lasso (Short Story)Norma Jean’s Mysteries Series:Herpel Holler Homecoming Book OneBody in the Bluff Book TwoBody in the Barn Book ThreeBody in the Big Box Book FourBody in the Barrel Book Five

Book preview

Looking Up

by

Jo Ann Snapp

Inspirational Thoughts: a Little Teaching, a Little Preaching, a Little Sharing From My Heart

Copyright 2013 Jo Ann Snapp

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Foreword

As I put together the articles and short stories for this book, I noted that parts of it seemed written to unbelievers. Its intention however in the teaching/preaching parts is that it might be an inspiration to the believer and give the person witnessing the gospel of Jesus Christ some insight in how to reach those who have heard the Word and not listened or be a tool of witnessing to those who have never heard or never surrendered to Christ. References made to scripture are from the King James Version but not always quoted.

You’ve Always Been Good

An Observation

Funny how a quick statement by someone can bring back a memory. Recently I heard someone tell the person they were with: You don’t understand. You’ve always been good.

Many years ago while witnessing to a friend who was struggling to make a stand for Christ, I made the statement: It takes total surrender to God to leave behind the past, but when you do you’ll find that your focus will be on pleasing God. All things will be new and you will want to only do what God wants.

That’s when the, You don’t understand. You’ve always been good. made me almost laugh. I told the person. No one is good except God. That’s scripture and that includes me. The only good in me is Christ living through me. When I gave up the struggle and totally surrendered my life, God made me a new creature. My thoughts, my wants were now on how I could please Him. And no, I have definitely not always been good.

I was raised in a very dysfunctional family. I did my share of stupid and sinful things. I will not go into the past (for my siblings sake!) because it is gone and forgiven, but needless to say children left to their own devices can be pretty creative. I sometimes wonder how we all turned out as well as we did, even how we survived!

The only time God can begin to teach us how to walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lust of the flesh (anything in our lives that is not pleasing to God) is when we surrender to Him completely. We may stumble, make mistakes but it will be a growing process that will make us strong, not weaker, for God. I believe the scripture teaches that when I am weak, recognize I’m nothing without God, that’s when I am strong.

So if you look at a strong Christian and you are struggling to be good, stop the fight. Don’t assume someone was born loving and serving God, but do know the struggle will be over when you totally surrender your past and your present and your future to the only One that is good.

Pray for Those Upholding the Truth

Persecution for Standing Firm

Things will play out as God intends even when people do not listen to God’s voice and in cases where God’s ultimate plan will not be over-ridden. There are parts of prophecy that have come to pass in recent days and the United States has begun a dangerous pathway to destruction.

Courts do not, or in the past have not had, jurisdiction to make laws, but are there to make sure the law is upheld. To other people with different opinions, Nancy says, who cares? Kind of like Hillary saying, what difference does it make, in the cover up of Benghazi.

We are at the beginning of what will be persecution in the USA for any one who dares to speak the truth, even with love and concern. Satan must feel he’s having a hey day, and he is, but he is only playing into what will be his eventual destruction.

Hate crime speech will be used as a weapon toward people holding differing opinions from the majority and in fact already has been. When did differing opinions in America become a crime? (I am not talking about physical violence or bullying people.) Russia, yes, China, yes and any other country that suppresses the peoples’ rights to free speech, we’ve seen the oppression but in the democracy of the USA? Yes, it has begun.

We who stick with the truth may die doing so, but we will not be destroyed. We will be the victorious ones. People that are so blinded right now with tolerance for everything will find themselves trapped in a majority rules, lawless society, much like that described in the Bible when mankind decided to do whatever was right in their own eyes, strong against the weaker, no regard for others rights or opinions. Destruction is the only result in that kind of society.

Fortunately, none of what has happened is a surprise to God. Our task is not necessarily political, but we do have the commandment and commission from Jesus to continue to share God’s truth. And though it makes me sad for the fate of mankind, I say as Paul the Apostle said so many years ago, even so come quickly Lord Jesus.

Walking by Faith

Today was a hard day for me, yet a blessed day. There are many things I don’t understand