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Thursday, September 18, 2025

My Life Is In God's Hands

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My Life Is In God's Hands

In the midst of the horrors of war, a young girl named Anya wandered through the ruins of her once vibrant village in Ukraine. The sounds of explosions and the cries of the broken-hearted filled the air, but her own voice was lifted in a trembling prayer. She had lost her parents, her siblings, and every sense of security she once knew. With nothing left but her fragile faith, she whispered into the night, “Lord, save me. Please, I have no one else.”

The war had stripped her of everything, yet in her emptiness, she found herself reaching for the One she had only heard about in passing. She remembered her grandmother once speaking of a God who never leaves nor forsakes His children. That memory became her lifeline. As she prayed, she felt a strange peace settle over her heart, a peace that seemed impossible in the middle of destruction.

Days later, while searching for food and shelter, Anya encountered a group of missionaries who had come to bring aid and hope to those displaced by the war. Among them was a Baptist missionary named Pastor James. He noticed the sorrow in her eyes and the hunger in her soul. With gentle words, he told her about Jesus Christ, the Savior who came to heal the brokenhearted and give rest to the weary.

Pastor James handed her a small, worn Bible—the King James Version. It was the first Bible she had ever held in her hands. As she opened its pages, her eyes fell upon the words of Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Tears streamed down her face as she realized that God had indeed heard her cry in the night.

The missionaries brought her to a mission of safety, a place where children like her could find shelter, food, and the love of Christ. For the first time since the war began, she felt safe. She began to read the Scriptures daily, clinging to every promise. The words of Jesus in John 14:18 spoke directly to her heart: “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

As weeks turned into months, Anya’s faith grew stronger. She learned to pray not only for her own needs but also for others who were suffering. She discovered that even in the darkest valley, God’s light could shine. Her testimony became a beacon of hope to other children in the mission, reminding them that God’s love is greater than the pain of war.

One evening, during a small gathering at the mission, Anya stood and shared her story. She told how God had answered her desperate prayer, how He had sent His servants to rescue her, and how His Word had become her daily bread. She declared with confidence, “My life is in God’s hands, and I am no longer afraid.”

Her words touched many hearts, and even the adults who had lost so much found renewed strength in her faith. The mission became more than a shelter; it became a place of revival, where broken lives were restored through the power of the Gospel.

Anya’s journey was not without pain, but she learned that suffering could lead to a deeper understanding of God’s grace. She held tightly to Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Her life became a living testimony that even in the ashes of war, God can bring beauty and hope.

The story of Anya reminds the world that God cares, God knows, and when someone speaks His name, He listens. No cry is too small, no heart too broken, for the Lord who saves.

Key Verses (KJV)
Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
John 14:18 – “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Quote for the Day
“Faith is not the absence of fear, but the presence of God in the midst of it.”

Tip of the Day
Begin each morning with prayer and a verse from the Bible. Even one verse can strengthen the heart for the challenges of the day.

My personal input: Romans 8:28 was my chosen verse of comfort as a teenager as well. It helped me know that God has a reason for everything, even if it's hard for anyone to understand. 

Recommended Clean Christian Stories of Survival for Teens
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew
Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
Tramp for the Lord by Corrie ten Boom
Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2025 ©
 CaPMRMNMANNABENKBPASTOR
Though this story is fictional, it is so true for someone somewhere.

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Monday, September 15, 2025

🥧 Apple Scrumptious Crumb Pie - Our Children Our Mission



🥧 Apple Scrumptious Crumb Pie

A buttery crust, tender apples, and a cinnamon-sugar crumb topping that melts into every bite.

🍏 Ingredients:

For the Filling:

  • 8 Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • ½ tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • ½ tsp lemon zest (optional)
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg

For the Crumb Topping:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

For the Crust:

  • 1 single pie crust (store-bought or homemade)

🕯️ Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C).
  2. Prepare the filling: Toss sliced apples with sugar, flour, lemon juice, zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Layer into the pie shell.
  3. Make the topping: Combine flour and brown sugar, then cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle generously over apples.
  4. Bake at 450°F for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°F (177°C) and bake for another 45–55 minutes, until apples are soft and topping is golden.
  5. Cool slightly before serving. Best enjoyed warm with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of honey.

✨ Devotional Tie-In:

As the apples soften and the crumb topping crisps, reflect on Proverbs 16:24:

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

This pie is more than dessert—it’s a reminder that warmth, sweetness, and care transform even the simplest ingredients into something healing and holy.

You can find the full recipe with step-by-step instructions on Spend With Pennies.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Devotional Reflection: Making Your Children Your Mission

In the quiet moments of baking, as apples are peeled and spices stirred, we are reminded of the sacred rhythm of nurturing. Just as this pie is lovingly prepared, so too are our children shaped by the time, attention, and love we pour into them.

The world may tug at our sleeves with its demands and distractions, but our mission is clear: to be present for the little ones entrusted to us. They grow quickly—one day they’re nestled in our laps, the next they’re running toward their own adventures.

Let each slice of this pie be a symbol of intentional love. As the sweet aroma fills your home, let it be a reminder to pause, to cherish, and to invest in the fleeting moments of childhood.

Just as the apples soften and sweeten in the oven’s warmth, so do our children flourish in the warmth of our presence.

Scripture to Hold Close:

 Proverbs 22:6

Prayer to Share:

"Lord, help me to see my children not as distractions, but as divine assignments. May I treasure the time I have with them, and may my love be a legacy that lasts beyond the fleeting years."


👩‍👧‍👦 Devotional Reflection: Her Children Call Her Blessed

In the gentle rhythm of baking, a mother and her children gather around the kitchen table. Little hands hold cut apples, ready to place them into the pie crust. Each apple is more than fruit—it is a prayer, a memory, a blessing.

This sacred act of preparing a meal together becomes a moment of spiritual formation. The mother’s love is poured into every slice, and her children rise up—not just to help, but to honor her.

As Proverbs 31:28 reminds us: “Her children rise up and call her blessed…”

And as the apples nestle into the crust, we whisper: “Each apple we place is a prayer of love, a memory in the making.”

Let this devotion be a reminder that the kitchen can be a sanctuary, and every shared task a holy offering.

Prayer to Share:

"Lord, bless the hands that prepare and the hearts that gather. May this pie be a symbol of love passed down, and may each child know they are cherished and called to bless."


Susan Nikitenko September 15th, 2025© MBCPGEORGEKBPBNMRMPMANNABBENB#9898776


Adjustable 

If you bake a pie, put your name on it. 


Printable - With This Lesson Only





Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

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