JVR Ministries

“A soft answer turns away wrath,but a harsh word stirs up anger.”Proverbs 15:1 Sometimes we just need to vent. Sometimes we have to get the negative feelings out. Sometimes we have to tell somebody how we feel!Putting a fake face on is not healthy.Ever hear these cliches?Ever think of them yourself?Ever use them as an excuse to complain, gossip, or a way to a clear the conscious? I have, and still do at times. In fact it’s a constant internal struggle. It is kind of a vicious circle.Sometimes something has happened to make us so unhappy and angry, but we don’t want to be that negative person, so we smile,…

“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬https://www.bible.com/116/gal.5.1.nlt Freedom! This scripture spoke to me today. This celebration of Independence Day! Over 200 years ago men sacrificed their lives so America could be a free country. Over 2000 years ago one man, one perfect man gave his life for all of mankind to be free. This verse is a powerful verse to God’s children. How many of us thought/think we have to keep our freedom by our works? How many of us think we will lose this freedom if we mess up,…

“Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.” And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one…

“This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬https://www.bible.com/116/hab.2.3.nlt Expectations. It’s funny how God keeps bringing up the same subject. Expectations. Maybe because I need to hear something more? Maybe because I’m holding onto some expectation, in myself or others. Life is too short, and in Christ, too meaningful to waste in expectations. If we expect ourself to be a certain way, any way that is different than how God wants us to be, we will always be disappointed. The only expectation…

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,”‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬https://www.bible.com/116/php.3.13.nlt“Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭20:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬https://www.bible.com/116/pro.20.5.nlt I’m not a psychologist or a counselor. But I know enough to say everything is not as it seems. The reality of it all is that not everything we see or think as real, is real. Take the picture, what do you think it is? Did you figure it out? Have you ever thought you have something all figured out only to find out you…

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” Genesis 3:6 The grass is always greener on the other side.Expectations kill relationships.Assuming makes mules of us all.Things aren’t always what they seem.We live in a world, generation, society that only thinks of them-self. That last phrase seems like it’s only this generation, however I think it’s been around since the beginning of mankind. Actually…

​​ “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.””‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬http://bible.com/116/exo.14.14.nlt“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬http://bible.com/116/2co.5.17.nlt Once again we start a new year. New words to live by. New resolutions. Learning from past mistakes. Reminiscing the good memories. This past year is full of missing family and friends and welcoming new ones. Something about the first of January, something fresh and enthusiastic. What about you? Have you decided on your new year resolution? What is your word for the year? Or what other New Year tradition do you…

​​ “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭NLT‬‬http://bible.com/116/col.3.23.nlt “But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.””‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬http://bible.com/116/jos.24.15.nlt We have to make choices in everything we do and everyday whether we want to or not. Even if we withdraw from reality and stay away from the overwhelming choices, we are making choices.…

​​ “That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies…

​​ Merry Christmas!! “That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of…