The Psalms have always been a favorite book for me. In it we see the authors (mostly King David) go through the gauntlet of experiences and emotions of every day life....you get to see the highs and lows of their lives and their relationship and interaction with the Lord through it all....and it's very easy to relate to them. Thoughts like, "You mean, David, a man after God's own heart, felt like me? So often, David felt lost, alone, depressed, scared and doubtful?" This beautiful book of the Bible, brings me face to face with my heavenly Father, comfortably pouring out my heart, doubts, flaws, anger....all of it and always knowing that I will still find His warm embrace, His love and His acceptance. He never forsook David, nor will He forsake me.
So the idea that in this new Bible study I've undertaken that we read and pray through the Psalms daily is way cool!! I mean, at first I thought, "well how am I going to add this to my schedule and finish in 40 days??" I mean some of those Psalms are pretty long, right...119 in one day can't do it! LOL But then the Lord gently spoke to my heart and said, "It's okay to take a little longer." Yes!! Pressure off!!
Sometimes we (okay, so I) make doing "God's thing" an obligation, or we hang up our studies and prayer times on the metaphorical refrigerator door (little magnet and all!) in our minds, as a "check list" of to do's. We set goals and time limits, put everything on a schedule and then wonder why we don't enjoy our God time. This little visit of the Lord, His still, small voice letting me know it was okay not to be on a schedule was like opening a pressure valve...it alleviated the pressure of time frame, gave me permission to enjoy this instead of making it a "to do" and settled my heart to an easy flow of back and forth with the Lord. God is so good!! How many times can I say that.
Thank You Lord for freedom. I know I need to be disciplined in my relationship with You, but I don't need to be on such a strict schedule that I lose all the joy of just hanging out with You. There is a difference in disciplined and rigidly scheduled. Lord, teach us discernment in this area. I am so happy that You really just want to be together. That amazes me.
Enjoy being with the Lord. The Psalms are a great jumping off point for prayer and meditation.
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Who Will Deliver Me.....
A friend and I started a new Bible study called Redeemed. It's in conjunction with the Angela Thomas-Pharr conference we attended last year. I started digging into this with some trepidation and even a little (lol) disbelief. There are things in my life I really want to see changed. I feel like I've lived with some sins, bad habits, and attitude problems for far too long. The progress I see in certain areas is minimal at best, non-existent at worst. So I thought, another Bible study...is it really going to help? Will anything truly change me? But then I thought some more, and I came to the conclusion that I will be no worse off for doing it, so I'm going to give it a go. (And I actually really enjoyed the conference last year) I'm pretty sure I don't have exactly the best attitude going into it, but God is great and He can get past my lackluster feelings and even my jaded disbelief. As I sit here typing this blog, I weep in that disbelief that I am ever capable of changing anything in my life. I know myself too well. I know that I keep my focus more on me and my abilities, or lack there of than on the One who can overcome any obstacle in my heart, any wall or barrier that I put up in my mind But the one thing I have is perseverance and that is what I will draw on now. (perseverance is my gift from God, now I need some stick-to-itiveness, some follow-thru and discipline to go with it.)
So last night I started reading the book that corresponds to the videos. I came across a sentence "Who will deliver me from________________." That is the way it was written in the study book. And so I sat there and listed my failures, sins, shortcomings.....You get the picture. I wasn't condemning myself, just trying to be as honest about myself as possible. I really do want to be delivered. And then God.....I got the notion (hmm, wonder where that came from?!?!) in my head to check to daily Bible verse on my phone app...And God is so good, so sweet and loving, He had and always has the answer to our hearts cry. Psalm 85:2 You forgave the guilt of Your people--yes, You covered all their sins.
Personal. Make it personal. Your forgave my guilt--yes, You covered ALL MY sins. Me. You. He did this for us. Not some imaginary people, not some "out there somewhere" people. But me and you. And He answers our hearts out of His heart. Right where we need Him to be. Our God is personal! He is present and He is love.
I'm still stuck in my unbelief...but I know that He can see past that to the deepest corner of my heart where I want to believe, where I want to walk in His redemption and freedom. Something God told me years ago was that I had to keep the focus off me and put it on Him where it belongs. It's one of those areas I forget about, struggle with, and seem to fall back into time and time again. But God delivers, He redeems. Thankfully He sees the finished product of me! Someday I will see it too!!
Lord, thank You for Your kindness and Your loving assurance. I am so deeply touched and blessed. I love You.
Take Psalm 85:2 and make it personal today. It is for you!!
So last night I started reading the book that corresponds to the videos. I came across a sentence "Who will deliver me from________________." That is the way it was written in the study book. And so I sat there and listed my failures, sins, shortcomings.....You get the picture. I wasn't condemning myself, just trying to be as honest about myself as possible. I really do want to be delivered. And then God.....I got the notion (hmm, wonder where that came from?!?!) in my head to check to daily Bible verse on my phone app...And God is so good, so sweet and loving, He had and always has the answer to our hearts cry. Psalm 85:2 You forgave the guilt of Your people--yes, You covered all their sins.
Personal. Make it personal. Your forgave my guilt--yes, You covered ALL MY sins. Me. You. He did this for us. Not some imaginary people, not some "out there somewhere" people. But me and you. And He answers our hearts out of His heart. Right where we need Him to be. Our God is personal! He is present and He is love.
I'm still stuck in my unbelief...but I know that He can see past that to the deepest corner of my heart where I want to believe, where I want to walk in His redemption and freedom. Something God told me years ago was that I had to keep the focus off me and put it on Him where it belongs. It's one of those areas I forget about, struggle with, and seem to fall back into time and time again. But God delivers, He redeems. Thankfully He sees the finished product of me! Someday I will see it too!!
Lord, thank You for Your kindness and Your loving assurance. I am so deeply touched and blessed. I love You.
Take Psalm 85:2 and make it personal today. It is for you!!
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Grace, From Mom
Heading into Mom's journal today and her entry on grace. God's beautiful, wonderful, saving, heart changing, life giving grace!
Grace- God's favor, God's forgiveness
Salvation- is the miracle of the moment
Growth- is the labor of a lifetime
We must have a heart after God, a spirit of humility for God, a desire to trust God, a passion to obey God, a servants heart to serve God, and an intimate love for the Lord God. Your heart must be totally devoted to God.
Faith flourishes in the garden of gratitude.
In order to love someone you must be true to yourself. You must know yourself and like yourself.
Attitude check: think it through. We can have Jesus in our minds, but not in our hearts. We must make Him Lord of our life, in total control of our lives. Set your mind and heart on Jesus!
He is a God of grace. I pray the Holy Spirit to widen my vision of God's grace. Having been saved by grace--this is God's abundant goodness, love and mercy toward His children. (Toward me as a child of God.) We are to walk in a grace filled relationship with God and respond in grace towards others.
Grace is God's divine love and kindness.
Zechariah 12:10 Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on Me whom they have pierced and mourn for Him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for Him as for a firstborn son who has died. Act merciful, compassionate toward. Favor, graciousness, kindness, beauty, pleasantness, charm, attractiveness, loveliness, affectionate regard
2 Corinthians 12:9 Each time He said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. Joy. to rejoice, grace causes rejoicing. God extends to sinful man unmerited favor, undeserved blessing. A free gift.
Hebrews 10:29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? The Holy Spirit is called "the Spirit of grace."
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace[a] with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. We have peace.
Romans 5:2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Encourages, we have access by faith.
Romans 6:14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Free, because we are under grace.
Jeremiah 9:2-24 This is what the Lord says: "Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the pwerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know Me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord have spoken." The only thing to boast in is the Lord's gracious favor. We know the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” Boast in the Lord. I receive the grace of God - a new way to develop.
Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Develop into grace. Our problems cause us to grow - from tribulations to perseverance. Not the "Why me?" but "Show me!" How do we grow? Stay with it, learn from it.
1 Peter 1:6-7 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. To character.
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! Afflictions but for a moment leads to far more for eternity. .
Romans 5:9-11 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Receive reconciliation, learn to be joyful.
From me:
Grace. God's riches at Christ's expense. Redemption. Reconciliation. Strength to persevere. Endurance to grow. All poured out on us through grace by God's Holy Spirit. We are not saved on our own, nor are we asked to walk out our salvation on our own. Each day, by God's grace. So often after we receive God's grace for forgiveness we then wander off from His grace and try to live the Christian life in our own power and wisdom...NOT a good plan! His grace is for every day, every situation, every breath we take. Oh Lord let me stay in Your grace!!
Galatians 2:21-3:3 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?
Lord, thank You for the grace that saves and keeps me. I fall upon Your mercy, moment by moment. I am forgiven, I am strengthened and held by Your grace. Keep this in the forefront of our minds today.
Camp on one or two of the Bible verses given. Breathe in God's Word and let it deepen your understanding of His amazing grace and transform your life!
Grace- God's favor, God's forgiveness
Salvation- is the miracle of the moment
Growth- is the labor of a lifetime
We must have a heart after God, a spirit of humility for God, a desire to trust God, a passion to obey God, a servants heart to serve God, and an intimate love for the Lord God. Your heart must be totally devoted to God.
Faith flourishes in the garden of gratitude.
In order to love someone you must be true to yourself. You must know yourself and like yourself.
Attitude check: think it through. We can have Jesus in our minds, but not in our hearts. We must make Him Lord of our life, in total control of our lives. Set your mind and heart on Jesus!
He is a God of grace. I pray the Holy Spirit to widen my vision of God's grace. Having been saved by grace--this is God's abundant goodness, love and mercy toward His children. (Toward me as a child of God.) We are to walk in a grace filled relationship with God and respond in grace towards others.
Grace is God's divine love and kindness.
Zechariah 12:10 Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on Me whom they have pierced and mourn for Him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for Him as for a firstborn son who has died. Act merciful, compassionate toward. Favor, graciousness, kindness, beauty, pleasantness, charm, attractiveness, loveliness, affectionate regard
2 Corinthians 12:9 Each time He said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. Joy. to rejoice, grace causes rejoicing. God extends to sinful man unmerited favor, undeserved blessing. A free gift.
Hebrews 10:29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? The Holy Spirit is called "the Spirit of grace."
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace[a] with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. We have peace.
Romans 5:2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Encourages, we have access by faith.
Romans 6:14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Free, because we are under grace.
Jeremiah 9:2-24 This is what the Lord says: "Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the pwerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know Me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord have spoken." The only thing to boast in is the Lord's gracious favor. We know the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” Boast in the Lord. I receive the grace of God - a new way to develop.
Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Develop into grace. Our problems cause us to grow - from tribulations to perseverance. Not the "Why me?" but "Show me!" How do we grow? Stay with it, learn from it.
1 Peter 1:6-7 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. To character.
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! Afflictions but for a moment leads to far more for eternity. .
Romans 5:9-11 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Receive reconciliation, learn to be joyful.
From me:
Grace. God's riches at Christ's expense. Redemption. Reconciliation. Strength to persevere. Endurance to grow. All poured out on us through grace by God's Holy Spirit. We are not saved on our own, nor are we asked to walk out our salvation on our own. Each day, by God's grace. So often after we receive God's grace for forgiveness we then wander off from His grace and try to live the Christian life in our own power and wisdom...NOT a good plan! His grace is for every day, every situation, every breath we take. Oh Lord let me stay in Your grace!!
Galatians 2:21-3:3 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?
Lord, thank You for the grace that saves and keeps me. I fall upon Your mercy, moment by moment. I am forgiven, I am strengthened and held by Your grace. Keep this in the forefront of our minds today.
Camp on one or two of the Bible verses given. Breathe in God's Word and let it deepen your understanding of His amazing grace and transform your life!
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Thank God Something Is Getting Better!
Aches and pains. Pains and aches. Oh, the troubles of an aging body. Especially after yard work...and physical labor...my oh my do I wake up hurting some days! I'm sure many of you know the feeling only too well. I woke up this morning, feeling like my body belonged to someone who'd been run over by a truck. Before I dragged this not so young body out of bed I took a quick look at the Bible verse of the day from my Bible app on the phone. God is so funny. 2 Corinthians 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. LOL Not only does our God send encouragement, He sends it with a sense of humor. Thank God at least part of me is getting renewed, getting better! LOL God is so good. Enjoy your day dear readers!
Keep Chugging
Lately I feel like I've been keeping my mouth shut better. This is a good thing. LOL James 3:2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. Yes, that is the goal...control over my tongue, speaking only kindness, truth in love, and encouragement. I'm not there yet...but like I said, it's been better as of late. That being said, God wants to go deeper, always deeper.
One of the things that fuels the tongue is the thoughts. Matthew 11:34...For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. Eventually if I keep thinking on something, letting it roll around and around in my mind, it's going to leave my brain and come tumbling out of my mouth. Something I've noticed about the Lord over the years is that He never gets tired of repeating the same lessons. And me being me, I always seem to need the reminders. This morning, as I was going through my routine of feeding the cats, emptying the dishwasher and so on, my mind went to work and an ugly thought about a co-worker popped in my head. Right away I felt an answering thought...."Pray for them."
Yes! Back to that "oldie but goody" solution to negative thinking about other people! I loved the way God immediately smacked down the unkind thought with quick response and purpose. I also love the way that He reminds again the direction He wants me to take.
Recently I was speaking with a sister in the Lord about how discouraging it can be when we repeat the same mistakes over and over....seeming to not make progress, or even go backwards! I know I can walk around feeling like the biggest wretch on the planet! But God brings me back to Himself, back to His ways and encourages me to keep trying. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them, People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. Outwardly, I fail, I falter, I fumble and flail about looking for solid ground when I am sinking in my sin. But God sees the heart beneath the bumbling sinner that I can be. He sees the heart that wants to shine for Him! It's as if He takes me by the hand once again and draws me back on the pathway of His love.
There is so much to being a Christian. So many old patterns to be erased, and new pathways to be created and taken. Thankfully we are not alone, but have the Holy Spirit within us to correct, encourage, remind and empower. And thankfully our heavenly Father never tires of teaching us. So when I had this little God visit this morning, I was overjoyed that once again God directed me back to His ways. He is so wonderful and beautiful and we are so blessed to be His children.!
Thank you Lord. You always amaze and bless me. I am once again, so grateful to be Your child. Help me to put into practice the things You teach me, and when I forget, as I often do, remind me again!!
Pray for them!!
One of the things that fuels the tongue is the thoughts. Matthew 11:34...For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. Eventually if I keep thinking on something, letting it roll around and around in my mind, it's going to leave my brain and come tumbling out of my mouth. Something I've noticed about the Lord over the years is that He never gets tired of repeating the same lessons. And me being me, I always seem to need the reminders. This morning, as I was going through my routine of feeding the cats, emptying the dishwasher and so on, my mind went to work and an ugly thought about a co-worker popped in my head. Right away I felt an answering thought...."Pray for them."
Yes! Back to that "oldie but goody" solution to negative thinking about other people! I loved the way God immediately smacked down the unkind thought with quick response and purpose. I also love the way that He reminds again the direction He wants me to take.
Recently I was speaking with a sister in the Lord about how discouraging it can be when we repeat the same mistakes over and over....seeming to not make progress, or even go backwards! I know I can walk around feeling like the biggest wretch on the planet! But God brings me back to Himself, back to His ways and encourages me to keep trying. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them, People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. Outwardly, I fail, I falter, I fumble and flail about looking for solid ground when I am sinking in my sin. But God sees the heart beneath the bumbling sinner that I can be. He sees the heart that wants to shine for Him! It's as if He takes me by the hand once again and draws me back on the pathway of His love.
There is so much to being a Christian. So many old patterns to be erased, and new pathways to be created and taken. Thankfully we are not alone, but have the Holy Spirit within us to correct, encourage, remind and empower. And thankfully our heavenly Father never tires of teaching us. So when I had this little God visit this morning, I was overjoyed that once again God directed me back to His ways. He is so wonderful and beautiful and we are so blessed to be His children.!
Thank you Lord. You always amaze and bless me. I am once again, so grateful to be Your child. Help me to put into practice the things You teach me, and when I forget, as I often do, remind me again!!
Pray for them!!
Sunday, April 16, 2017
HE IS RISEN!!
Mark 16 1-3 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could embalm him. Very early on Sunday morning, as the sun rose, they went to the tomb. They worried out loud to each other, “Who will roll back the stone from the tomb for us?”
4-5 Then they looked up, saw that it had been rolled back—it was a huge stone—and walked right in. They saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed all in white. They were completely taken aback, astonished.
6-7 He said, “Don’t be afraid. I know you’re looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He’s been raised up; he’s here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty. Now—on your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You’ll see him there, exactly as he said.”
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Sweet Resurrection
This week our church lost a dear sister in the Lord. My first reaction to hearing this news was sadness. Rose was a lovely lady who sat with my Mom and me in "our" row at church service each Sunday. After my Mom passed, I continued to pick Rose up until the physical condition of her 90+ year old body made coming out too difficult. Even with all her ailments, visiting with Rose was always a pleasure. She could make you laugh!
Yesterday I was thinking about her, and all of a sudden I was thrilled. I was thrilled for her, A happiness filled my heart while thinking about all she was experiencing in heaven. Health and wholeness, she had her sight back, she was with her husband and my Mom again...and most wonderful of all, she was in the presence of Her Savior, enjoying His smile and embrace. Truly, Resurrection Day, Easter Sunday has an sweeter feeling this year.
Lord, thank You for this visit. Thank You for reminding us of the future we as believers have in store for us. And for the hope and peace it brings when we lose our loved ones. I know that Rose has opened her eyes to see Your face, and what a glorious day that is. We are truly the most blessed of all!!
2 Corinthians 5:1-8 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.
6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Even If, by Mercy Me
Okay, so yesterday I thought I published a post but obviously something went wrong and it has disappeared to the the dimension known as cyberspace where I am pretty sure all the lost socks live as well. I am posting a new entry today to make up for yesterday's magical computer disappearing act.
I have a new favorite song! Well, more like another song to add to my ever growing list of favorites. Every time I hear this song I find myself strengthened and encouraged. There are a few "mountains" in my life that I have been praying about for many years and not only do they seem not to move, but sometimes they seem to grow taller and take up even greater space on my path through life. The trials seem to go on and on, no light at the end of the tunnel. Discouragement and frustration frequently batter my heart over certain unanswered prayers that I daily bring before my heavenly Father. I wonder, "why?" Where is my answer, where is my deliverance? Many days I've allowed these situations to steal my joy and drive away my peace. I know I am not alone in this.
We all face things in our lives or in our loved ones lives that never seem to change. God seems to be deaf to our pleas. Is He ignoring our tears and our heartache? I must admit, I have accused Him of that on more than one (or two) occasions.
As I listened to this song yesterday, I was brought (in my mind) to the garden of Gethsemane where a lone man cried out for deliverance. That man faced a horrendous death, excruciating pain, betrayal, abandonment and ultimately, separation from all that was holy and good, His Father. He was not delivered. He submitted. Jesus, the one and only Son of the God was not given a pass, He was not instantly transported out of His situation. He had to submit and go through. But oh the reward! The glorious, wonderful, eternal reward...for us!!
I want to be delivered from my problems. I get tired of fighting my addictions, tired of being unhappy about the turns my life has made. I want to wake up one morning (like yesterday would be good) and be free, having everything just the way I think it should be. But God doesn't work that way. He didn't release Jesus from the preordained path He was to walk. I believe God does, on occasion, give instant freedom. But more often than not we have to walk the walk, keep the faith, fight the battles and go through. And it's hard!!! And it hurts!!! But oh, the reward!
This God visit, as I pictured Jesus going through His hardest moments I realized that I have a Savior who understands my pain, my heartache and even my desire to run away. I want to, like Him, trust and keep my faith intact even if God doesn't deliver from the fires and floods of life. I want to, like Him, say, "Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine."
Matthew 26:36-42 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.”
Lord, help me to say "It is well" even when You don't relieve the burdens of my heart. I know, You can. I know You are able. But even if You don't, let us remember that You are good, Your heart is kind, Your plans are perfect and You are for us. Help us all to know these truths more than any other facts of life.
We can.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Revelation Song--Praise Him!
For two days I had a song swirling around in my head. Revelation Song by Phillips, Craig and Dean is one of my all time favorite songs. In never fails to move me to deep worship, filling my heart with the knowledge and awareness of the majesty and kingship of our living Lord and Savior. So when I got into my car a couple of days ago and found this song almost instantly playing on the radio I was thrilled.
Days don't always go as planned. People don't do what we think they should or want them to. Situations and circumstances beyond our control and not to our liking seem to be the norm rather than the exception. We don't feel good, we are tired, we are overwhelmed....all of it a "day in the life of..."
So where is this all leading and how does it all fit together? Well, as I went through my day, God's music was in my head. My focus was on the words, the song, all pointing to the Lord, and you know what, it really did help me to be quieter, less irritated or frustrated. I felt as if I was more in touch with the Lord. And it really was wonderful.
Christian music, Bible verses, prayers, and praises...all of these in our heads can lift us up above the difficulties, the minor and major disappointments and dealings of everyday to a place where we are at peace with God and the world around us. It's a place I want to stay!
What a lovely visit from the Lord, a special encouragement and confirmation.
Lord, fill me with more of You and the things that point to You. I want to stay in that place where awareness is like breathing and the road of peace is the only pathway I am on. Keep me and all of us in You. Train our eyes, our hearts, our minds to stay on You above all else. I know this is a work of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You!!
Start filling your days and hearts with godly information, stimulation, and materials. Give yourself a wealth of goodness to draw from. We all need a "God filter!"
Some verses to get started with:
Philippians 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Ephesians 5:18-20 Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
God Never Fails
We all have those days, sometimes weeks where we feel like complete failures. We seem to be making the same mistakes over and over. Sins and bad habits that we struggled with a year ago, five years ago....still plague our days. "Will I ever get past this? Will I ever make progress." This statements run round and round in our hearts and heads filling us with hopelessness and helplessness. "Why am I so stiff necked in this area? Why bother even trying, nothing changes." Same old, same old! Being new creations why do we so often act like the wretched old sinners that we were? Where is that new nature we are supposed to be exhibiting? I don't know about anyone else, but when I go through this I sure start to lose my faith.
But God.....
Last week I had a few of those days. Boy was my heart dragging! My faith took a nose dive. My mood was dark and downcast. And then today came. And God had an answer.
I was driving home from church and listening to a radio preacher...I believe he was out of the Calvary Chapel in Staten Island, NY, but I cannot remember his name. Anyway, he brought up some Bible verses that just sent God's comfort to my heart regarding this whole, "I'm never gonna get it" routine that I struggled with this week. 2 Timothy 2:13 If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is. John 10:27-29 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from Me, for my Father has given them to me, and He is more powerful than anyone else.
He is faithful. God is always faithful. No matter what we think, do, feel, see....He is faithful. No one, nothing, not our darkest secrets, our worst moments, our biggest failures or most persistent struggles can separate us from Him, or from His love. I am so comforted by this fact. I feel as if I fail so often and am so grateful for His everlasting love. It's not that we will be perfect. It's not that we don't fail. It's not that we don't stumble over the same sins, time and time again. It's that He is faithful to us because that is who He is. It's about God, not me! Such love!
I know, like most of you, I will keep trying. We don't give up, even when the frustrations of sin overwhelm us. I pray that we will hold on to these verses, and remember what the Bible tells us in Philippians 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Thank You. That's all I can say. Thank You Father!! You are amazing.
Today, let's focus on God instead of ourselves. Turn from our weaknesses, our failures and our frailties and look only toward His love that envelopes us. He is faithful.
Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. neither death nor life, either angels nor demons, neither our fears for today, nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all of creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
But God.....
Last week I had a few of those days. Boy was my heart dragging! My faith took a nose dive. My mood was dark and downcast. And then today came. And God had an answer.
I was driving home from church and listening to a radio preacher...I believe he was out of the Calvary Chapel in Staten Island, NY, but I cannot remember his name. Anyway, he brought up some Bible verses that just sent God's comfort to my heart regarding this whole, "I'm never gonna get it" routine that I struggled with this week. 2 Timothy 2:13 If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is. John 10:27-29 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from Me, for my Father has given them to me, and He is more powerful than anyone else.
He is faithful. God is always faithful. No matter what we think, do, feel, see....He is faithful. No one, nothing, not our darkest secrets, our worst moments, our biggest failures or most persistent struggles can separate us from Him, or from His love. I am so comforted by this fact. I feel as if I fail so often and am so grateful for His everlasting love. It's not that we will be perfect. It's not that we don't fail. It's not that we don't stumble over the same sins, time and time again. It's that He is faithful to us because that is who He is. It's about God, not me! Such love!
I know, like most of you, I will keep trying. We don't give up, even when the frustrations of sin overwhelm us. I pray that we will hold on to these verses, and remember what the Bible tells us in Philippians 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Thank You. That's all I can say. Thank You Father!! You are amazing.
Today, let's focus on God instead of ourselves. Turn from our weaknesses, our failures and our frailties and look only toward His love that envelopes us. He is faithful.
Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. neither death nor life, either angels nor demons, neither our fears for today, nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all of creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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