From Mom's Last Will and Testament...Adversity

This excerpt was her impression from Psalm 31, entitled "The Lord is a Fortress in Adversity."  

Mom's focus was on verses 14-24.  From the "Word Wealth" in her Bible, fear was defined as:  ashamed, scared, frightened, filled with dread, anxious, apprehensive.  

She then stated, "Being filled with God's Spirit will cause you to become fearless."

And how right she was.  The Psalmist talks about the Lord being his rock, his strength, his fortress.  He looks to the Lord for his deliverance and protection. When trouble arises, when life gets hard and I want to run and hide, where am I looking, where am I choosing to run to?  I have a tendency to look to food for comfort, tv for distraction.  This doesn't encourage the fearlessness that Mom spoke about.   It's like using novocaine to numb a toothache and then doing nothing to alleviate the problem itself.   

In this Psalm, David speaks of an intensely difficult time of his life. And this time does seem to be quite long in duration, or at least it feels that way to him. Trouble seems to come not only from others, but from his own doing.  Adversaries and adversities seem to plague from without and from within.   He doesn't ignore them or pretend they don't exist.  No, he acknowledges the pain and the turmoil.  But he brings them to His Lord, the one who shows mercy and preserves him.  And I think it is important for me to do this as well.  Running to food or entertainment in order to escape from the problems of life doesn't fix them.  Only God Himself can do that.  

I am not sure how all this walks out.  Like David, I seem to go back and forth between struggle and worship, dismay and trust.  But it is something I need to work through, with the Holy Spirit of course.   When I think about it, how comforting it is to have Jesus to bring my sorrows and heartaches to.  Really, much better than bringing it to a tv set or plate of brownies !!  

Heavenly Father, please help me to run to You and You alone for solace and deliverance.  You are my help.  You are my hope.  You alone are faithful and able.  

Psalm 31

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 O Lord, I have come to you for protection;
    don’t let me be disgraced.
    Save me, for you do what is right.
2 Turn your ear to listen to me;
    rescue me quickly.
Be my rock of protection,
    a fortress where I will be safe.
3 You are my rock and my fortress.
    For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger.
4 Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me,
    for I find protection in you alone.
5 I entrust my spirit into your hand.
    Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.

6 I hate those who worship worthless idols.
    I trust in the Lord.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love,
    for you have seen my troubles,
    and you care about the anguish of my soul.
8 You have not handed me over to my enemies
    but have set me in a safe place.

9 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress.
    Tears blur my eyes.
    My body and soul are withering away.
10 I am dying from grief;
    my years are shortened by sadness.
Sin has drained my strength;
    I am wasting away from within.
11 I am scorned by all my enemies
    and despised by my neighbors—
    even my friends are afraid to come near me.
When they see me on the street,
    they run the other way.
12 I am ignored as if I were dead,
    as if I were a broken pot.
13 I have heard the many rumors about me,
    and I am surrounded by terror.
My enemies conspire against me,
    plotting to take my life.

14 But I am trusting you, O Lord,
    saying, “You are my God!”
15 My future is in your hands.
    Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
16 Let your favor shine on your servant.
    In your unfailing love, rescue me.
17 Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord,
    for I call out to you for help.
Let the wicked be disgraced;
    let them lie silent in the grave.[a]
18 Silence their lying lips—
    those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.

19 How great is the goodness
    you have stored up for those who fear you.
You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,
    blessing them before the watching world.
20 You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
    safe from those who conspire against them.
You shelter them in your presence,
    far from accusing tongues.

21 Praise the Lord,
    for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.
    He kept me safe when my city was under attack.
22 In panic I cried out,
    “I am cut off from the Lord!”
But you heard my cry for mercy
    and answered my call for help.

23 Love the Lord, all you godly ones!
    For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him,
    but he harshly punishes the arrogant.
24 So be strong and courageous,
    all you who put your hope in the Lord!

Helpful hands.

It's the little things.  That's the saying isn't it?  Well it is the same in my relationship with the Lord.  It's the in the little things that He shows Himself faithful on my behalf.  Yesterday I went to by a counter top for the bathroom vanity.  I managed to get the 6ft long piece of counter top on the cart and up to the register.  I even managed to get this awkward thing out to the car.  Then came the test.  The store offered someone to help, but the kid seemed a bit perplexed as to how to fit a 6ft long piece of counter into a 5ft long space.  We tried the back seat, and then moved onto the bed of the truck.  No dice!!  Wasn't gonna fit.  I didn't really want to leave any of it exposed as it had been flurrying on and off all day and I still had to work all night before I could get it home. (which would have been another fun time if I had to get this in the house by myself with cats running out and under foot!!)

Well thankfully the good Lord sent a helper!!  One of my coworkers "just happened" by the store and saw us struggling with this thing.  He came over and figured it right out (way to go John !!).  And in the truck bed it went, on an angle and propped upward.  Fit perfectly!!

God is so good.  His timing is perfect.  Just like the other night when he sent someone to help me get that huge side table heater into the truck.  I am grateful for the little things.  Lord, open my eyes to see them more and more.  I am sure I miss too many of Your caring ways.

Squirrels and Cats

God has the funniest and strangest ways of visiting sometimes.  This morning I was led to read Job 38-42:6.  It's quite long so I won't include it here, but this is the part of the book of Job where God questions him.  From 38:1-4  The the Lord answered Job out of the storm.  He said:  Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?  Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.  Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?  Tell me, if you understand."   And on it goes it that fashion.  Take the time to read it, it should put some things in perspective.

I then went on to my "31 Days of Prayer" study and the verse for today was Ephesians 3:20  Now to Him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, (and because my OCD prevents me from leaving an incomplete sentence, I will include v21) to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  

Finishing all my study up, I went to reheat my coffee and Noah (my youngest kitty, 7 months and still nervous about people) was looking out the front door.  There was a squirrel sitting on the walkway to the door.  The squirrel jumped off the walk way under the bushes.  From my higher vantage point, I could still see the squirrel, but Noah could not from his low view.   I went to pick Noah up so he could continue to watch, and of course he shied away.  I was able to grab him and lift him up and so he was able to happily continue watching the squirrel.  Bringing him up to my sight level, while scary to him at first, ultimately lead to his happiness.  And so it is with us and the Lord.

And at that moment all the reading from this morning came together!  How like Noah (and Job) I am.  God's ways are so not my ways.  So immeasurable more than I could ask or imagine!   Like Noah, I have limited knowledge.  I don't understand what God is doing any more than Noah understood what I wanted for him.  Like Noah with me, God desires to life me up and give me a different perspective, and I shy away, fearful of His unknown plans.  But oh when I let Him have His way, how much better things are.  There is peace, there is joy, even if the way is hard.  Oh Lord, I need that new perspective that only You can give.   Scoop me up in Your arms and let me see !!

Lord, help me to trust and obey.  Draw me up to Yourself.

NOAH RILEY

Winter Beauty

                      

                     

                    

Thank You Lord, for the beauty even in the storms.

Thinking and Talking

Psalm 145:3, 5-6  Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.  
They will speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and I will meditate on Your wonderful works.  They will tell of the power of Your awesome works and I will proclaim Your great deeds.

What am I thinking about?  What am I talking about?  These were the questions posed to me by the Lord, when I read these verses today.  I started to pull apart Day 5 in "31 Days of Praise" and these 3 verses are what the first few sentences are based on.   " I magnify You, O Lord, I exalt Your name, for You are great and highly to be praised.  I praise You for the glorious splendor of Your majesty and the power of Your awe-inspiring acts."

A prickling of conscience guided by the Holy Spirit awakened in my heart.  As I meditated on this little pushing by the Spirit, I was utterly convicted.  My thoughts are generally focused on to do lists (gotta do the floors today, run to the bank....how I hate this chore or that chore, if only I didn't have to go to work, I wouldn't mind it so....), or things like the weather, (oh, it's gonna snow again, geez, I'm tired of driving in this).  Then there is the conversations, the irritations, the confrontations with others...Do you ever have them in your head, you know, the "well if they say this, I will say that" or "how dare they talk to me like that, I should have told them..." And then there's the "I am not going to do such and such, if they think I'm picking up after them...."  And of course when I am thinking on all such things, you can imagine what eventually comes out of my mouth...nothing positive that's for sure !!   Is it any wonder my days are so often filled with frustration and lukewarmedness toward the things of God. and even God Himself?
David had the right idea.  He looked around Him and saw the Lord.  It allowed the wonder of creation to fill His thoughts with awe of the one who created all.  And He spoke it aloud!!   Ps 145:1-2  I will exalt You, my God the King; I will praise Your name for ever and ever.  Every day I will praise You and extol Your name for ever and ever.   What if we did a little study on the Sun, or the ecosystem we live in, or on the human body...we would learn amazement at their creation and sustaining?

There is a lot to think about here on Earth.  I do have things that need taking care of.  But that doesn't mean that my sole focus should be the things of Earth. Colossians 3:1-2  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  I can think about the awesomeness of God while I go about my day.  If I just take the time to notice the little things and the intricacies of my world, I am sure it will lead me to wonder and awe of the one who created and sustains all.  Where my thoughts go, so goes my speech.  If I am not focusing on the negative, then my talk will become more positive as well.  Instead of always talking about my problems, my busyness, or just plain complaining about nothing in particular, I could tell of my gratitude towards God and His goodness.  There is always something to be thankful for.  I could talk about something beautiful I saw, or something good that happened.  If I look out my front door, the woods across the street look stunning with their snowy white blanket against the starkness of barren winter trees.  Praise God for the beauty.   When I go to my bank, it  is always pleasant.  The people there are so nice.  Wouldn't it be better to talk about them than the unpleasant clerk at some other place.  There is always something I can find to praise God about.  To extol His virtues and be in awe of Him. The love of God Himself, when I think of my sinfulness and that He loved and died for me, the magnitude of His mercy towards me...It's truly astounding that He should be bothered with such a one as me.  It takes a little more (maybe a lot more)  work, a little more effort to be positive.  It's so easy to fall into negative.

This is a hard lesson for me.  And I really want to change in this area.  Can I start my day with praise?  Absolutely.  I have a Bible.  I can read one of the praise Psalms out loud.  I also have my little "31 Days of Praise" Book.   I can and will do this by choice and on purpose.

Psalm 143:8-10  Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You.  Show me the way I should go for to You I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in You.  Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.  

Once again, Lord, the morning brought  me a visit of Your unfailing love and patience.  Thank You for showing me the way I should go.  Rescue me from my enemies of complaining and negativity and lukewarmedness.  I put on Christ, teach me to do Your will and let me be led by the Spirit on level ground, not the highs and lows of emotional, fleshly lead living.  Thank You.

God's Perfect Knowledge of Man

That was the title given to this entry in my Mom's binder.  She based it on Psalm 139.

Mom listed the verses that spoke to her heart and made an entry next to each.
v1   search me
v2   You know my thoughts
v3   You know all  my ways
v5   Your hand is upon me
v10 You hand leads me, Your right hand holds me
v14  please hear and accept my praise of You
v17  how precious You are to me, Oh God
v19  my prayer is to slay the wicked who are always ready to attack us (me), Your         children, Your chosen ones.
v24  lead me to Your ways

I've been reading The Story this morning and this dovetails with the way God knew the Israelites and led them through the wilderness into the promised land. Like them, God knows me intimately.  He knows all my strengths and weaknesses, knew long before I was ever born every mistake I would make, yet He chose me to be His child (In the most respectful way, I have to ask, "God are you nuts !?!?!). His right hand holds me. As He told Joshua not to be afraid, He tells me the same. He reminds me in Psalm 139 that wherever I am He will guide me and hold me fast.  And it is His job to destroy the wicked, not mine.  He will fight for me the way He fought for the Israelites.  Justice is not my responsibility.  Obedience to Him is.

The question at the end of this chapter was "What practical steps can you take to gain a deeper faith in God?"  In reading this chapter and then the Psalm I can see the first step I need to take is belief.  Choose to believe.   Once again, God has visited me with the concept.  This God who has perfect knowledge of me asks me to believe and trust Him.  To keep my eyes on Him and off of myself.  I so often need this reminding visit from the Lord.  It is so easy to get my focus off of Him and onto myself, my circumstances, the world, anything and everything that distracts, distances, and creates doubt in my heart and mind.

Lord, lead me away from doubt, lead me away from self.  Lead me to greater faith. Joshua asked the Israelites to choose who they would serve... the false gods of their forefathers, of Egypt or of the nations around them or would they serve the one true God.  He asks me the same, who will I serve?  Will it be doubt and unbelief, focus on self or will it be faith and focus in and on Him?  Joshua 24:23  "Now then," said Joshua, "throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel."  Lord, help me to throw away any doubts, lack of faith, or hopelessness that comes from focusing on anything or anyone other than you.

Psalm 139

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
    and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
    and when I rest at home.
    You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
    even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
    You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too great for me to understand!

7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
    I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
    if I go down to the grave,[a] you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
    if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
    and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
    and the light around me to become night—
12     but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
    Darkness and light are the same to you.

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
    as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
    Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
    before a single day had passed.

17 How precious are your thoughts about me,[b] O God.
    They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
    they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
    you are still with me!

19 O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!
    Get out of my life, you murderers!
20 They blaspheme you;
    your enemies misuse your name.
21 O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you?
    Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?
22 Yes, I hate them with total hatred,
    for your enemies are my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
    and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

And a final word from Mom.  

GOD'S PROMISE - HEBREWS 13:5  I will never leave you nor forsake you. 

Lord, I want to be like Jesus.  I can measure my love for God by showing my love for others.  

                                                                                              

Hi.  It's been a bit of a while.  Life has gotten in the way of writing here.  Does it seem to get busier and busier these days?  There have been lots of little God visits. He has helped me find my keys, protected my glasses ( on numerous occasions ) when they fell from my purse or pocket either at work or on the side of my car in busy parking lots.  Even an incident with one of my scarves, which I absolutely love (it's  a different shades of blue with sparkling silver thread thru it, so soft), was a God visit in that He returned it to me and it washed up as good as new.  It had fallen in the parking lot at work, into the slush and snow and ice and then someone parked on top of it and I couldn't get it out from under the tires.  The next day it was there and I was able to pick up my ran over, half frozen, beat up looking not so beautiful at the moment scarf and take it home to wash.  Thank You Lord !!   The Lord has been giving me some verses and helps for others, so that they too may share in His visiting.  I am always on board for that!!

Something I want to share here is from my Mom.  She had her own "God visits" and she kept them in a small loose leaf binder which she entitled: "My Last Will and Testament for My Daughter, and Extended Family, Friends and Strangers."  I guess that meant she wanted it shared.  LOL  So from time to time I will be included her writings or summing up her visits.  So let's get started with the first entry.

Mom's focus for this initial entry was Psalm 8:1-9.  She wrote that it was a "Nature Psalm."  Not sure where Mom got that.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all of the earth!
You have set Your glory above the heavens.  From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise because of Your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.  When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him?  You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor?  You made him ruler over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet:  all flocks and herds, and bests of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.  O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is You Name in all the earth!

Mom wrote: "It shows the littleness of physical man and the greatness of God. This Psalm tells me clearly God knows everything about me and He accepts me as I am and loves me unconditionally."

It shows me, (Madeline), the value God places on each of us.  We so often fail to see ourselves as worth-ful.  I know I look at all my faults and sins and weaknesses and think, how in the world could I be of any value or lovable, yet God sees me so differently.  And it reminds me that my value comes from Him, it is not of myself. And it's not just myself I need to look at as valuable, but others as well.

Lord, help me to see and agree with Your assessment of man.

Happy Valentine's Day all !!

Hugs

The oddest, or maybe not odd, but uncanny and wonderful thing happened to me last Friday.  It was an exceptionally hard day, emotionally speaking.  I (as most of us) am dealing with a lot of life junk (you know that kind of stuff!).

All day long, I kept feeling like someone was holding me.  Every so often, I would just get a sense of being in someone's arms.  I really had thought that this was a new sensation for me, but now looking back I believe there were other times that I didn't realize what was going on.

Later that day, I checked my email.  There was one in there from a dear sister in the Lord saying that she was praying for me and specifically praying that God would wrap me in His arms.  I was absolutely floored.  That sensation I had all day, was actually our loving Father answering someone's prayers for me.

I don't even know where to go with this.  It is so incredibly amazing and touching and wonderful and awesome......

He's there people!  He is caring for us and loving us.  This time I was blessed enough to feel Him.  And I am so eternally and deeply grateful.  I know there have been other times, other little sensations or happenings that I've dismissed and now I wish I had been more open to the possibilities.  And that is what Godvisits is all about...opening ourselves up to the knowledge and appreciation of His visit...big and small.

Lord, let us all be open to Your presence and care and love every day.  Make us more aware, no, not aware, but expecting and looking for it.  Open our hearts and eyes.  Thank You.