Northwoods Conservatives

January 24, 2025 9:20 am

January 24, 2025, the 24th day of 2025 Every Single Day It is not just here and there that God is working with His people, but every single day.... View MoreJanuary 24, 2025, the 24th day of 2025 Every Single Day It is not just here and there that God is working with His people, but every single day. And it is not only here and there that God is drawing the lost to Himself, it is every single day. Some days it may be more obvious to us than other days, but that doesn't change the reality of it. If God stopped working with us and for us, the Devil would be constantly bombarding us, relentlessly and viciously. We would have no strength left. That we are not constantly being beaten down and beaten up, is God's great mercy on us, His protection shielding us, His strength empowering us. It is not a little thing. It is not a small thing. It is an amazingly magnificent thing that we may never even realize. But when we do, the awe of it fills us! Who are we that God should care so much? And why do we take His care of us for granted? Or assume it is by our own power and might that we stand? God, in His majesty and power still deems it appropriate to care for all of us, even when we ignore Him or race ahead of Him. It is not that God needs to find us, when we finally call out to Him in our need. He was, and is, already there, working and waiting until we realize the truth. We are the blind ones who cannot see. We are the lost ones, going in circles. God is the One Who is ready for us to be ready for Him. Jesus is the One Who made the way back to the Father, back to reality, back to hope, back to life. We are the ones who are receiving blessings every single day, as if they are our right, as if they came with no cost. But the cost was so immense, so immeasurable, so priceless that it could only be given as a gift. And we, as a people--more often than not--ignore, snub and reject that gift. Why? Because to receive it, requires us to realize and admit that we don't deserve it. And in admitting that, we realize we have been following the enemy of God as we followed our own desires. In that moment of truth many of us do not receive salvation, but instead walk away, as shame or pride or ambition holds us back from turning around and following Lord Jesus instead. Foolishness imprisons those who refuse to see the truth and would rather walk in a lie. And the Devil is content with that. But God is not. So, until death takes us, Jesus is at work on us. He brings help to us. He brings truth to us. He guides and guards us, giving us chance upon chance to turn around and face Him. Whether we do or not is entirely in our hands. "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" John 14:6 Jesus made the way because He is the way. Jesus speaks the truth because He is the truth. Jesus can give eternal life, because eternal life dwells in Him. Lord Jesus made te way, lit the way, offers salvation, but He will not make us repent, surrender and follow Him. That is our part. That is our choice. That is our free will action. And no matter what we want for anyone we love, we cannot do what God Himself will not do, and that is force them. And it wouldn't work even if we could. The Kingdom of Heaven will never open to those who refused Jesus, the King, the Lord, the Saviour, Who is also the door. "Then Jesus said to them again, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.'" John 10:7-10 A door. The entry point that must be walked through to enter an otherwise closed place. Knowing that the door exists is not enough. Having the door pointed out to us is not enough. Knowing the door is the way to forgiveness and eternal life is not enough. Without going through that door, we are still outside. Stay strong! You alone can take the step through that door and enter salvation! NAN

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Nelani Nettrour

January 23, 2025 9:14 am

January 23, 2025, the 23rd day of 2025 With the Warm, Came the Snow Yesterday morning it was 29 degrees warmer than it was the morning before. That put it at 2°F. And with that warming, had come t... View MoreJanuary 23, 2025, the 23rd day of 2025 With the Warm, Came the Snow Yesterday morning it was 29 degrees warmer than it was the morning before. That put it at 2°F. And with that warming, had come the snow. We woke up to a fluffy coating of whiteness. And though we were not going anywhere in particular, it still needed to be shoveled. Paths need to be maintained, not just trampled down. It kept snowing on and off throughout the day, into the night. Even keeping up with it during the day, there was still some shoveling to do this morning. Again, we thanked God that it was light and fluffy, not wet and compacted. Now, it really depends on if you wanted more snow or not whether you saw the snow coming down as a blessing or not. It was a light and fluffy snow, but it still added up. It still needed to be dealt with. And though that made the task easier, it still was an added task. Throughout the day it warmed up quite a bit until we were up to 18°F, which really felt nice. Being outside in it, was not painful and didn't require us to be bundled until we could barely move. What a difference a day brings! Winter up here, reminds us of the unpredictability of life, of plans, of one day to the next being anything like the same. Sometimes that is wonderful. Sometimes it is not. And it is often a matter of our perspective, what we are wanting and hoping for. That is a good lesson to be aware of every day. And like the saying that "one person's trash is another person's treasure," freezing days or snowy days are "some people's banes, while other's balms." The unpredictability of snow has a weird affect on people. If we could just be sure it was going to stop before covering all of our shoveling over, again and again, it would be easier to accept. But knowing that 2 inches easily grows to 4 to 6 and beyond can be a little concerning, especially if we have places to go and things to do besides shoveling. The best thing is always to take it as it comes, whatever the day brings. Of course if it is what you wanted, rejoice and be grateful. But realize that answered prayers for one person may not necessarily be an answer for another. Rejoice, but understand that others may not. And if it was not at all what you were hoping for from the day, look for the good and the beauty in what may be a bother. Snow covered trees, bushes, branches and even ourselves, make enjoyable winter pictures. Watching the snowfall with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa in the warmth of our home is also a pleasant sight, even if it means more clean up of it later. Do something fun like catching snowflakes on your tongue or trying to get a picture of snowflakes on your nose and eyelashes before they melt--not as easy as it sounds. It doesn't take much to have fun when your attitude is to see, find and enjoy the day. Stay strong! Little things, like little snowflakes, can easily pile up. Be sure to pile up the good thoughts and deeds, not the bad. NAN

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Nelani Nettrour

January 22, 2025 9:49 am

January 22, 2025, the 22nd day of 2025 Rain on the Just and the Unjust One of the reasons we are to love our enemies is because we are to be like God, caring for the just and the unjust, bringing th... View MoreJanuary 22, 2025, the 22nd day of 2025 Rain on the Just and the Unjust One of the reasons we are to love our enemies is because we are to be like God, caring for the just and the unjust, bringing them the sun and needed rain and not targeting them for harm. Since love is an act, not an emotion, it is something tangible that others can understand, caring when in need and not sending harm just because that is what they have done to us. Anyone can understand how the rays of the sun can warm a chilled heart, and how the rain can quench a parched land. People can be like that, chilled and parched inside. And they will never find the help to turn from evil, from the evil. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:43-45 The tine will come when the evil and unjust will be punished, but that is in God's hands. Unless God has put us in the legal position to do something about it now, or we are in the military, fighting the enemy, we set aside our desire to make them pay. For most of us, it is a matter of our heart, how we choose to think and to act--like a child of God, or not. If we want to live as Jesus teaches then we do not seek to harm them, even in our thoughts. We do not scheme evil against them, even in our mind. Instead we pray that they find repentance and turn away from their wicked ways, turning instead to Jesus, Who can cleanse them and free them from the bondage of sin. That is how we snuff out evil. But if we harden our hearts, we will corrupt even our own good. If we dwell on the wrongs done to us and fume, we will cause our hearts to darken. "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:19-21 There is something called common decency, where even enemies on the battlefield do not cause the fallen more harm, but rather treat their wounds. Even if later they will be taken to a prisoner of war camp, they are not harmed once unable to fight anymore. We do not reward the enemy. We do not let the enemy go free when they are captured, but we treat them with human decency, even if they do not do it for us. It is one of the differences between the righteous and the wicked. We are not responsible for the vengeance, that is God's part. We are responsible to be His children in this world and not fall into the trap of the wicked ways of the enemies. We do not need to make pals out of our enemies. But we should tend to them when they are in need. And we can, and should, pray for them. They are in great need of God's touch. And since the greatest blessing of all is salvation, we can pray for their soul. Stay strong! Don't let evil overcome you, but overcome evil with good! NAN

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Nelani Nettrour

January 21, 2025 7:30 pm

January 21, 2025, the 21st day of 2025 Into the Cold Now, when I can avoid going out in the bitter cold, I do. For years I could not. I just had to. It wasn't a matter of preference, but necessit... View MoreJanuary 21, 2025, the 21st day of 2025 Into the Cold Now, when I can avoid going out in the bitter cold, I do. For years I could not. I just had to. It wasn't a matter of preference, but necessity or commitment. But it taught me a certain degree of toughness, that stuck with me. I don't like to whimp out, even if I enjoy snuggling up in the house with the wood stove going, pets surrounding me and drinking coffee, hot tea or hot cocoa. This morning -27°F was not the temperature I was hoping for when I went out to got to my sister's home. We had made plans weeks ago, understanding that this is usually one of the coldest weeks of the year. Still, I hoped that it would be a little warmer today, not the coldest day of the year. But still, winter is winter and unless you are going to hibernate, you must face going out into it. So, I put on way more clothes than I usually do, my warmest pants, t-shirt, vest and heavy long sleeved shirt. Though I wear my hoodie for my coat when I can get away with it, this is one of the weeks that I usually cannot. So, it was my winter coat, knit hat, hood up, with a scarf and boots. And because I usually only need knit fingerless gloves, I borrowed my son's warn leather ones. I could not move graceful at all and adding a backpack was no simple thing in that get up. But, I definitely wasn't overdressed. I had to take off the bulky glove to open and shut the gate latch, and that was enough to make my fingertips ache. I put it back on swiftly. The walk down the road to the driveway is a gorgeous one in good weather, but not so much in this weather. My sister met me half way and we walked back together. I have hardly ever seen her in a hat, much less and hat and scarf. But the temps had still been dropping, not rising, so we knew we needed to be dressed for it. Even with full sun and no wind to speak of, our cheeks were red and it took a bit for the chill to leave when we got inside, but the piping hot coffee my sister had really helped. Stay strong! Sometimes the extremes make us appreciate the less extreme times more fully. NAN

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Nelani Nettrour

January 20, 2025 12:20 pm

January 20, 2025, the 20th day of 2025 Inauguration Day! Praise God, it is finally President Donal Trump's Inauguration day. ... View MoreJanuary 20, 2025, the 20th day of 2025 Inauguration Day! Praise God, it is finally President Donal Trump's Inauguration day. Our nation needs to stand with righteousness and against the wicked plans that were at work in our country. The total defeat of evil will come through the return of Jesus and His rule and reign on the Earth, but in the meantime we must do our part. And this is a good start! Evil will crawl back into the shadows, but it must always be rooted out and destroyed. It is not going away any time soon. We still have the Antichrist to eventually face! We cannot get complacent. We must be vigilant and use this time of reprieve thst God has given us to turn back to Him as a nation and repent as a people, to bring revival to our land! This Psalm came to me this morning and as I read it, it became even more perfect for this day than I had first thought. "I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me. O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Now in my prosperity I said, 'I shall never be moved.' Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled. I cried out to You, O Lord; and to the Lord I made supplication: 'What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth? Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper!' You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever." Psalms 30:1-12 And as I read it, I couldn't help seeing President Trump's dance and I couldn't help smiling. God works in mysterious and marvelous ways! And He gives us help when we seek Him! "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. 'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace. The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.'” Isaiah 55:6-13 There is coming a day of redemption from the Lord, whatever this life holds! But we must choose it now, in this lifetime and live a life pleasing to the Lord! Stay strong! Take every opportunity to stand for righteousness and life against evil and death! NAN

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Nelani Nettrour

January 19, 2025 5:44 pm

January 19, 2025, the 19th day of 2025 It May Not be Convenient There are many things that may not be convenient in our lives, but evenso, it would have been harder if it happened at another time.... View More

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