Pour our your hearts like water to the Lord. Lamentations 2:19
He is the faithful God who lavishes His unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands. Deuteronomy 7:9
The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7
The combination of these verses has ministered to my heart. I love the concept of pouring my heart out to God and finding the truth in the fact that He listens and cares. In context in Lamentations this verse is asking the Israelites to pour out their hearts all through the night in desperation for their children and their country. Applicable today, huh?!
Father God, I do ask that You will reveal Yourself to my children in ways that they have never known. I pray that their hearts will be soft toward You and they will surrender to Your lead throughout their lives. I ask that You would not give our country over to the evil that is so pervasive. I pray that You would enable us as believers to repent first and to love You and those You put in to our path in ways that reveal You. Help me to pour out my heart in desperation for those who do not know You, Lord.
In looking at Deuteronomy 7:9, I am taken by the faithfulness of God! He not only loves me but He "lavishes His unfailing love" on me. My response is to love Him and to obey Him - it is a cycle. He loves me and I love Him and obey Him and He lavishes His unfailing love on me, then I want to love Him and obey Him more. Lavishes is such a cool word!!! Kind of like having love poured out on me!
Father God, thank You seems so inadequate for the amazingness of Your faithfulness and Your love. And yet it is all I have, so THANK YOU! Thank You that it isn't enough for You just to love me, but You lavish it on me!!! I am so blessed!! Help me to love You more and more and obey Your lead. Give me ears to hear You and a willingness to obey, please Lord. I know that I cannot do it in my own strength.
Then Nahum 1:7. The LORD is good! Yes, He is. A strong refuge when trouble comes!!! Absolutely. And He is close to those who trust in Him!! He draws us to repent and to recognize His goodness and that He is in control. He will protect us as trouble is part of this life. But even more than all of that, which is HUGE!! He is close to us as we trust in Him! In fact He lives within us by the power of His Holy Spirit. I am never alone as a believer to face trouble or anything else! Knowing Him and getting to know Him more through His Word increases our ability to trust.
Father God, I do praise You because You are good, all the time. You are not just a refuge, but You are a strong refuge. You are the Almighty God and You allow me to have a personal relationship with You, through Jesus Christ. Thank You! Help me to recognize just how close You are to me as I walk this journey Your way. May I surrender my will to You and be in Your Word so that I can trust You more!!! I love You, Lord and I am so grateful that You first loved me!!
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Monday, September 19, 2016
Jesus Is: The Word of LIFE
The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living. Psalm 19:7-9 (NLT)
The Word, the Bible is described in many ways. In these two verses alone the Word is described as instructions, decrees, commandments and commands. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). And in John 1:14, "The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed HIs glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
We know that Jesus is the Word.
Look at what Jesus, as the Word through the Bible, reveals in these two verses alone. His Word is perfect -- it revives the soul. My soul!!! Your soul!!! Revives? The dictionary suggests several meanings for the word revives: to activate, set in motion, or take up again; renew; to restore to life or consciousness, renewed, vigor, strength, or a flourishing condition; to reanimate, to cheer; to be restored or renews as hope or consciousness.
Through spending time with Jesus, through reading His Word, meditating upon it I can be revived!!! In a spiritual sense as well as in a physical sense. He enables me to go on. He is after all "the Way, the Truth and the Life" John 14:6.
His Word has the ability to make us wise. Wise is knowing the Truth but also wise in living the Truth as we obey what He reveals to us.
His Word is right, period. And in it's rightness Jesus brings joy to my heart and yours. If we read it and apply it and if we allow Him to apply it to our daily living then there is joy. How? Through obedience and being willing to listen for His Voice and follow His lead in moment by moment of daily living. And those times that we don't obey then He leads us to confess that disobedience and trust His forgiveness therefore allowing Him to begin again in because of His faithfulness. It says right there in verse 9 that His Word is clear and it gives insight for living. Believe it!
His Word goes on to say at the end of Psalm 19 in verse 14: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."
It is after spending time with Jesus, actually in Him, through His Word, that we are then able to have a heart, words and actions that are pleasing to our Father in Heaven, our LORD. He is so good!!!
Father God, thank You for Jesus! Thank You, Jesus, for being the very Word on the page that we can read and that has the power to revive me in my daily life. Thank You, Jesus, that You gave Your Life so that I may have abundant and eternal life in You. May I spend time with You and truly allow You to revive and renew me in ways that alters the way I speak and respond in my daily life. Thank You for reminding me that You are my Rock and my Redeemer. For reminding me of that all I am in You and of all that is possible because of You. Thank You for bringing joy to my heart through Your Word. It is because of Jesus, I pray, Amen.
The Word, the Bible is described in many ways. In these two verses alone the Word is described as instructions, decrees, commandments and commands. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). And in John 1:14, "The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed HIs glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
We know that Jesus is the Word.
Look at what Jesus, as the Word through the Bible, reveals in these two verses alone. His Word is perfect -- it revives the soul. My soul!!! Your soul!!! Revives? The dictionary suggests several meanings for the word revives: to activate, set in motion, or take up again; renew; to restore to life or consciousness, renewed, vigor, strength, or a flourishing condition; to reanimate, to cheer; to be restored or renews as hope or consciousness.
Through spending time with Jesus, through reading His Word, meditating upon it I can be revived!!! In a spiritual sense as well as in a physical sense. He enables me to go on. He is after all "the Way, the Truth and the Life" John 14:6.
His Word has the ability to make us wise. Wise is knowing the Truth but also wise in living the Truth as we obey what He reveals to us.
His Word is right, period. And in it's rightness Jesus brings joy to my heart and yours. If we read it and apply it and if we allow Him to apply it to our daily living then there is joy. How? Through obedience and being willing to listen for His Voice and follow His lead in moment by moment of daily living. And those times that we don't obey then He leads us to confess that disobedience and trust His forgiveness therefore allowing Him to begin again in because of His faithfulness. It says right there in verse 9 that His Word is clear and it gives insight for living. Believe it!
His Word goes on to say at the end of Psalm 19 in verse 14: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."
It is after spending time with Jesus, actually in Him, through His Word, that we are then able to have a heart, words and actions that are pleasing to our Father in Heaven, our LORD. He is so good!!!
Father God, thank You for Jesus! Thank You, Jesus, for being the very Word on the page that we can read and that has the power to revive me in my daily life. Thank You, Jesus, that You gave Your Life so that I may have abundant and eternal life in You. May I spend time with You and truly allow You to revive and renew me in ways that alters the way I speak and respond in my daily life. Thank You for reminding me that You are my Rock and my Redeemer. For reminding me of that all I am in You and of all that is possible because of You. Thank You for bringing joy to my heart through Your Word. It is because of Jesus, I pray, Amen.
Friday, September 16, 2016
God Provides...Everything
Psalm 16 (NLT)
(1) Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to You for refuge.
(2) I said to the LORD, You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from You.
(3) The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!
(4) Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods.
(5) LORD, You alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.
(6) The land You have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance!
(7) I will bless the LORD who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.
(8) I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.
(9) No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.
(10) For You will not leave my soul among the dead or allow Your Holy One to rot in the grave.
(11) You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.
I love the Psalms. They are just so real, aren't they? I desire to be real with people and know them as real as well. David pours out his soul here in Psalm 16 and it resonates with me.
Keep me safe, protect me (HCSB), preserve me (NKJV) for I have come to You for refuge, for in You I put my trust (NKJV). Trusting the fact that God is my refuge, He will keep me safe and He is my refuge is key. I know that things happen that make me "feel" that I am not safe and yet the fact is that this life is not what is most important. Our reality is that this life is only 0-100 years possibly but heaven is for all eternity. God being my safety and refuge is in knowing that regardless of what happens in this life, He is trustworthy and He is preparing a place for me in heaven (John 14:3).
I must declare, in this life, by my words and my actions that He is my Lord and Master recognizing that every good thing I have comes from Him. HCSB states "You are my Lord, I have nothing good besides You." He is the very definition of goodness. So any goodness I am capable of originates in Him.
I look at this Psalm and am reminded of His provision. He provides safety, He is my refuge. His very being is goodness. The ability to take pleasure in others or in anything is from Him. He is my inheritance. He is my blessing. He guides me. He is always with me. I can allow my heart to be glad (have joy) when I recognize all that He is and all that He does. Notice in verse 10, it is all because of Jesus!!! I am granted the joy of His presence and the knowledge that I will live with Him forever.
I have a choice, one I must make over and over. Am I going to trust in Him and live in His ways or follow after the world? Will I love others in the way He loves me? Will I rest in the security that belonging to Him brings and allow it to stretch my comfort zone and be willing to reach out to others because I know I am secure in Him?
I love the example of David. I can come to God with everything. My fears, my frustrations, my joys, my hopes, my disappointments, the people that I love. I can KNOW that He has me and them in the palm of His hand. He is at work all the time and He has provided everything I will ever need all ready.
I need only trust in Him and wait for His timing.
This is a difficult task especially when I tend to forget that every single thing is all about Him and His strength and His provision, not my own!! Truly, it may seem that I am oversimplifying, but the fact is we are guilty of making things harder than He ever intended - at least I am.
Father God, I am truly thankful for Your Word. For the way that Your servant, David, expressed himself and thus shows me that it is acceptable and even pleasing to You when I come to You with all that I am facing. Please God, enable me to look to You and place my trust in You moment by moment and be ready to share the love that You so generously poured out for me with others. May I love as You love me. Help me to rest in You, Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen.
(1) Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to You for refuge.
(2) I said to the LORD, You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from You.
(3) The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!
(4) Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods.
(5) LORD, You alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.
(6) The land You have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance!
(7) I will bless the LORD who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.
(8) I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.
(9) No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.
(10) For You will not leave my soul among the dead or allow Your Holy One to rot in the grave.
(11) You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.
I love the Psalms. They are just so real, aren't they? I desire to be real with people and know them as real as well. David pours out his soul here in Psalm 16 and it resonates with me.
Keep me safe, protect me (HCSB), preserve me (NKJV) for I have come to You for refuge, for in You I put my trust (NKJV). Trusting the fact that God is my refuge, He will keep me safe and He is my refuge is key. I know that things happen that make me "feel" that I am not safe and yet the fact is that this life is not what is most important. Our reality is that this life is only 0-100 years possibly but heaven is for all eternity. God being my safety and refuge is in knowing that regardless of what happens in this life, He is trustworthy and He is preparing a place for me in heaven (John 14:3).
I must declare, in this life, by my words and my actions that He is my Lord and Master recognizing that every good thing I have comes from Him. HCSB states "You are my Lord, I have nothing good besides You." He is the very definition of goodness. So any goodness I am capable of originates in Him.
I look at this Psalm and am reminded of His provision. He provides safety, He is my refuge. His very being is goodness. The ability to take pleasure in others or in anything is from Him. He is my inheritance. He is my blessing. He guides me. He is always with me. I can allow my heart to be glad (have joy) when I recognize all that He is and all that He does. Notice in verse 10, it is all because of Jesus!!! I am granted the joy of His presence and the knowledge that I will live with Him forever.
I have a choice, one I must make over and over. Am I going to trust in Him and live in His ways or follow after the world? Will I love others in the way He loves me? Will I rest in the security that belonging to Him brings and allow it to stretch my comfort zone and be willing to reach out to others because I know I am secure in Him?
I love the example of David. I can come to God with everything. My fears, my frustrations, my joys, my hopes, my disappointments, the people that I love. I can KNOW that He has me and them in the palm of His hand. He is at work all the time and He has provided everything I will ever need all ready.
I need only trust in Him and wait for His timing.
This is a difficult task especially when I tend to forget that every single thing is all about Him and His strength and His provision, not my own!! Truly, it may seem that I am oversimplifying, but the fact is we are guilty of making things harder than He ever intended - at least I am.
Father God, I am truly thankful for Your Word. For the way that Your servant, David, expressed himself and thus shows me that it is acceptable and even pleasing to You when I come to You with all that I am facing. Please God, enable me to look to You and place my trust in You moment by moment and be ready to share the love that You so generously poured out for me with others. May I love as You love me. Help me to rest in You, Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Restore Joy
Psalm 51 (various verses from HCSB)
1) Be gracious to me, God according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion.
2) Wash away my guilt, and cleanse me from my sin.
3) For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me.
4a) Against You - You alone - I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight.
6) Surely You desire integrity in the inner self, and You teach me wisdom deep within.
8) Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
9) Turn Your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt.
10) God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit with in me.
11) Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12) Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit.
15) Lord, open my lips and my mouth will declare Your praise.
17) The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.
I am struck today with my pride and rebellion, the constant battle to submit my will to His will. I like things my way. I like things to go my way and for others to agree with me. I struggle with self-centeredness and self-righteousness throughout my day. I have an opinion about everything and of course, I think it is the best one. I am constantly battling against manipulating things to look my way or to suit me. I have a sin problem. And yet, I do desire to submit to the Lord and I recognize that even this desire comes from Him.
I look at Psalm 51 and I am overwhelmed with awe and gratitude. The Psalmist David asks God for much and yet I know the reality of all that he asked for!! I am certainly blessed. As are you if you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Will you reread the verses above and ponder all that Christ has done for you and me?
Father God, I thank You that You are full of grace toward me because of Your unfailing love and abundant compassion for me. I thank You that through the blood of Jesus You have washed away my guilt and cleansed me from my sin. I am conscious of my rebellion and my sin is ever before me. I know that I can never measure up on my own and that I could not pay the debt that my sin required. Thank You, Jesus for paying my debt. Forgive me for the sin that I excuse and ignore. Please reveal it to me and give me the strength to repent with godly sorrow. I know that my sin is against You and You alone. I know You desire a pure heart deep within me. I pray that You would make it so and that You would teach me wisdom. I do ask that You would enable me to know joy and gladness in realizing that all my sin has been blotted out and washed clean. I do pray that You would create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Forgive me where I have quenched and grieved Your Holy Spirit in my life. Thank You for the truth of Your promise that You will never leave me or forsake me, period. Restore to me the joy of my salvation and give me a willing spirit. Yes, Lord, may I recognize Your Voice and obey. Please open my mouth and enable me to declare Your praise at every opportunity. God, convict me of sin in my life and break me in all ways that will bring You glory. May I be willing to submit and have a humble heart before You. Thank You again Jesus for the fulfillment of Your Word in my life. Thank You that I know, that I know that You love me and that I am Yours. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
1) Be gracious to me, God according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion.
2) Wash away my guilt, and cleanse me from my sin.
3) For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me.
4a) Against You - You alone - I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight.
6) Surely You desire integrity in the inner self, and You teach me wisdom deep within.
8) Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
9) Turn Your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt.
10) God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit with in me.
11) Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12) Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit.
15) Lord, open my lips and my mouth will declare Your praise.
17) The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.
I am struck today with my pride and rebellion, the constant battle to submit my will to His will. I like things my way. I like things to go my way and for others to agree with me. I struggle with self-centeredness and self-righteousness throughout my day. I have an opinion about everything and of course, I think it is the best one. I am constantly battling against manipulating things to look my way or to suit me. I have a sin problem. And yet, I do desire to submit to the Lord and I recognize that even this desire comes from Him.
I look at Psalm 51 and I am overwhelmed with awe and gratitude. The Psalmist David asks God for much and yet I know the reality of all that he asked for!! I am certainly blessed. As are you if you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Will you reread the verses above and ponder all that Christ has done for you and me?
Father God, I thank You that You are full of grace toward me because of Your unfailing love and abundant compassion for me. I thank You that through the blood of Jesus You have washed away my guilt and cleansed me from my sin. I am conscious of my rebellion and my sin is ever before me. I know that I can never measure up on my own and that I could not pay the debt that my sin required. Thank You, Jesus for paying my debt. Forgive me for the sin that I excuse and ignore. Please reveal it to me and give me the strength to repent with godly sorrow. I know that my sin is against You and You alone. I know You desire a pure heart deep within me. I pray that You would make it so and that You would teach me wisdom. I do ask that You would enable me to know joy and gladness in realizing that all my sin has been blotted out and washed clean. I do pray that You would create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Forgive me where I have quenched and grieved Your Holy Spirit in my life. Thank You for the truth of Your promise that You will never leave me or forsake me, period. Restore to me the joy of my salvation and give me a willing spirit. Yes, Lord, may I recognize Your Voice and obey. Please open my mouth and enable me to declare Your praise at every opportunity. God, convict me of sin in my life and break me in all ways that will bring You glory. May I be willing to submit and have a humble heart before You. Thank You again Jesus for the fulfillment of Your Word in my life. Thank You that I know, that I know that You love me and that I am Yours. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Hold on to Jesus - He Never Changes!
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning. Psalm 30:5b
In Oswald Chambers devotional "My Utmost for His Highest" he makes several statements that God used to bring me conviction and peace this morning. "Once you have right relationship with God through salvation and sanctification, remember that whatever your circumstances may be, you have been placed in them by God. And God uses the reaction of your life to your circumstances to fulfill His purpose, as long as you continue to 'walk in the light as He is in the light' (1 John 1:7)"
Anyone who knows me knows I have been floundering for quite some time. Battling with emotions and dealing with depression in ways that I never knew possible. Truthfully, I have spent a great deal of time being disappointed in myself and "the reaction of" my life to my "circumstances". I still am.
I spent many years trying to be all that I thought a "good" daughter, wife, mother, homeschool mom, staff wife and friend should be and all of that under the umbrella of being a "good" Christian. All the while I have sought the Lord to the best of my ability and yet I spent an exorbitant amount of time trying to be what I thought fit the mold of "godly" and not only just according to what the Word says, but what I thought others expected. One of the biggest challenges has been my own tendency toward perfectionism and realizing that I can never measure up and being devastated that I disappoint. I know what I am supposed to think, supposed to do, supposed to be and yet I haven't accepted the truth as often as I should to live victory in Christ, that of course, I don't measure up, no one does. Yet, because of Jesus, God loves me and because of His righteousness I "measure up."
I have not handled the changes in life with grace as often as I wish I had, instead I have been angry, disappointed, hurt and grieved beyond measure. I question God as to why He has me in this place and in His mercy, grace and forgiveness He just holds me and tells me to cease striving, stop fighting, be still and know that He is God - Psalm 46:10. And yet apparently fighting and striving are what I do best - ha! So He has had His work cut out for Him to truly teach me this. I am on this Journey His Way and I am learning ever so slowly, but oh so gratefully, that He is faithful and that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. I hold on to the fact that joy will come in the morning!
We all struggle in some way, shape or form, but we can hold on to the Truth of His Word and of Who He Is!!!
I am determined that I will trust God because I know He will give me the strength to do so. He has me and He is fully aware of my shortcomings, of my circumstances and my desire to overcome. I want to truly learn to rest in Him and be one of those "who believes in Him, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within" (John 7:38). And as a godly woman I once heard teach shared, His Living Water will then fill me to overflowing and splash out all over those I come in contact with. I don't have to see it to trust that God will do this work in me if I chose to walk in the light as He is in the light and trust that I am right where He wants me to be.
He will do the same for you, my friend. Trust Him where you are...
Father God, You know the plans You have for me, plans for good and not harm, plans for my future and a hope. You know exactly why You have me right where I am today. Forgive me for doubting You and for not believing that You have everything under control. Please Lord, may You increase and enable me decrease. Forgive me for so often getting in Your way with my own ideas, plans and my emotions particularly. Thank You for teaching me that it is okay to grieve and it is okay to be disappointed. Thank You for reminding me that You never change and that my effectiveness for You is not the main thing but that my heart for You is. I can trust You to make me as effective as You want me to be. Give me ears to hear You and the strength to obey. Thank You for the depression (though I still ask that You remove it) because it is that thing that You use to keep bringing my eyes back to You. I trust that there is joy in the morning because I know You are there just as You are in times of weeping. May I not wait for the joy or for it to look like or feel like I think it should but to be careful to praise You and thank You for what is right now. Thank You for holding me, Father. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning. Psalm 30:5b
In Oswald Chambers devotional "My Utmost for His Highest" he makes several statements that God used to bring me conviction and peace this morning. "Once you have right relationship with God through salvation and sanctification, remember that whatever your circumstances may be, you have been placed in them by God. And God uses the reaction of your life to your circumstances to fulfill His purpose, as long as you continue to 'walk in the light as He is in the light' (1 John 1:7)"
Anyone who knows me knows I have been floundering for quite some time. Battling with emotions and dealing with depression in ways that I never knew possible. Truthfully, I have spent a great deal of time being disappointed in myself and "the reaction of" my life to my "circumstances". I still am.
I spent many years trying to be all that I thought a "good" daughter, wife, mother, homeschool mom, staff wife and friend should be and all of that under the umbrella of being a "good" Christian. All the while I have sought the Lord to the best of my ability and yet I spent an exorbitant amount of time trying to be what I thought fit the mold of "godly" and not only just according to what the Word says, but what I thought others expected. One of the biggest challenges has been my own tendency toward perfectionism and realizing that I can never measure up and being devastated that I disappoint. I know what I am supposed to think, supposed to do, supposed to be and yet I haven't accepted the truth as often as I should to live victory in Christ, that of course, I don't measure up, no one does. Yet, because of Jesus, God loves me and because of His righteousness I "measure up."
I have not handled the changes in life with grace as often as I wish I had, instead I have been angry, disappointed, hurt and grieved beyond measure. I question God as to why He has me in this place and in His mercy, grace and forgiveness He just holds me and tells me to cease striving, stop fighting, be still and know that He is God - Psalm 46:10. And yet apparently fighting and striving are what I do best - ha! So He has had His work cut out for Him to truly teach me this. I am on this Journey His Way and I am learning ever so slowly, but oh so gratefully, that He is faithful and that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. I hold on to the fact that joy will come in the morning!
We all struggle in some way, shape or form, but we can hold on to the Truth of His Word and of Who He Is!!!
I am determined that I will trust God because I know He will give me the strength to do so. He has me and He is fully aware of my shortcomings, of my circumstances and my desire to overcome. I want to truly learn to rest in Him and be one of those "who believes in Him, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within" (John 7:38). And as a godly woman I once heard teach shared, His Living Water will then fill me to overflowing and splash out all over those I come in contact with. I don't have to see it to trust that God will do this work in me if I chose to walk in the light as He is in the light and trust that I am right where He wants me to be.
He will do the same for you, my friend. Trust Him where you are...
Father God, You know the plans You have for me, plans for good and not harm, plans for my future and a hope. You know exactly why You have me right where I am today. Forgive me for doubting You and for not believing that You have everything under control. Please Lord, may You increase and enable me decrease. Forgive me for so often getting in Your way with my own ideas, plans and my emotions particularly. Thank You for teaching me that it is okay to grieve and it is okay to be disappointed. Thank You for reminding me that You never change and that my effectiveness for You is not the main thing but that my heart for You is. I can trust You to make me as effective as You want me to be. Give me ears to hear You and the strength to obey. Thank You for the depression (though I still ask that You remove it) because it is that thing that You use to keep bringing my eyes back to You. I trust that there is joy in the morning because I know You are there just as You are in times of weeping. May I not wait for the joy or for it to look like or feel like I think it should but to be careful to praise You and thank You for what is right now. Thank You for holding me, Father. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Friday, August 26, 2016
THIS I KNOW, GOD IS FOR ME
Psalm 56:8-13
(8) You Yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your records? (9) Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. This I know: God is for me. (10) In God, whose Word I praise, in the LORD, whose Word I praise, (11) in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (12) I am obligated by vows to You, God; I will make my thank offering to You. (13) For You delivered me from death, even my feet from stumbling, to walk before God in the light of life.
My deepest desire in life is to do this journey called life God's way. And yet I fall so far short so often that I get discouraged or I begin to question many things concerning my part in the journey. I trust God is doing His part and yet I spend much time not resting in the knowledge that He has me and that He will always have me that I guess the truth is I have trust issues with Him after all. I don't want to. And I don't want to be completely honest here and say that I struggle more than I don't, but there you have it.
Anyway, I am intrigued by these verses this morning. God, Himself, has recorded my wanderings - He knows everything after all. I find much comfort in this today. He understands who I am and what makes me the way I am. He created me after all and though I often take matters "into my own hands" so to speak, He is still in control. He still knows. Thank You, God! Thank You for understanding why I do what I do and for refusing to leave me there and for loving me regardless.
He has put my tears in His bottle?! Wow. A really big bottle ;) Seriously, though, this gives me so much comfort as I ponder it. He cares that deeply and knows me that intimately that He keeps up with my tears. What a mighty, loving, wonderful God I serve!! Thank You, God!! Help me to understand Your infinite love for me.
My enemy and yours is Satan, not the people around us (Ephesians 6:12). He must retreat when I submit to (call on) God (James 4:7). How do I know? Because God says so and He is for me!!! Thank You, God!!! May I do my part in submitting to You so that You can do Your part in making the devil flee.
Do you see it? Will you declare it with me? THIS I KNOW, GOD IS FOR ME!!!
Look further with me: In God (Elohim - The God) whose Word I praise. In the LORD (Jehovah - The Existing One) whose Word I praise...what? I trust... and because I trust in Him I will not fear! I so want this to be an everyday reality in my life. When I spend time praising God, looking in His Word for Who He is and then turning it back to Him in praise then everything else in life loses it's effect in the light of how awesome He is and then I am able trust Him more and fear stuff less!! God, I do praise You because You are the One True God and there is No One Like You, period. LORD, I praise You because You are the Great I Am. There was No One Before You and You just ARE!! Thank You that in knowing this Truth my trust in You increases because Your Word shows me just how awesome You are. Help me to remember this when it comes time to chose faith or fear in the next circumstance that comes up. Thank You that I do not have to worry about what is done to me or might be done to me, You are here with me and You are able to handle it all.
Thank You, God, for saving me and allowing me to "vow" to be Yours. Help me to have a thankful heart and not take my salvation (the fact that You have delivered me from death) for granted. Forgive me when I do just that. Help me to recognize that though You have saved me for eternity, You save me (or rescue me) in many ways throughout each day as I stumble and fall. May I do my part, Father God on this journey Your way to walk before You in the light of life! Forgive me for growing weary and for being disobedient to not trust in You to renew my strength (Isaiah 40:30-31). I praise You, Father, that You never grow tired or weary of forgiving me, of hearing my many words and that You love me unfailingly. I praise You for Your faithfulness and I thank You for speaking to me through Your Word. May I take Your Truth with me from here and not just talk about it, but live it in the moment by moment. In Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen.
(8) You Yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your records? (9) Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. This I know: God is for me. (10) In God, whose Word I praise, in the LORD, whose Word I praise, (11) in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (12) I am obligated by vows to You, God; I will make my thank offering to You. (13) For You delivered me from death, even my feet from stumbling, to walk before God in the light of life.
My deepest desire in life is to do this journey called life God's way. And yet I fall so far short so often that I get discouraged or I begin to question many things concerning my part in the journey. I trust God is doing His part and yet I spend much time not resting in the knowledge that He has me and that He will always have me that I guess the truth is I have trust issues with Him after all. I don't want to. And I don't want to be completely honest here and say that I struggle more than I don't, but there you have it.
Anyway, I am intrigued by these verses this morning. God, Himself, has recorded my wanderings - He knows everything after all. I find much comfort in this today. He understands who I am and what makes me the way I am. He created me after all and though I often take matters "into my own hands" so to speak, He is still in control. He still knows. Thank You, God! Thank You for understanding why I do what I do and for refusing to leave me there and for loving me regardless.
He has put my tears in His bottle?! Wow. A really big bottle ;) Seriously, though, this gives me so much comfort as I ponder it. He cares that deeply and knows me that intimately that He keeps up with my tears. What a mighty, loving, wonderful God I serve!! Thank You, God!! Help me to understand Your infinite love for me.
My enemy and yours is Satan, not the people around us (Ephesians 6:12). He must retreat when I submit to (call on) God (James 4:7). How do I know? Because God says so and He is for me!!! Thank You, God!!! May I do my part in submitting to You so that You can do Your part in making the devil flee.
Do you see it? Will you declare it with me? THIS I KNOW, GOD IS FOR ME!!!
Look further with me: In God (Elohim - The God) whose Word I praise. In the LORD (Jehovah - The Existing One) whose Word I praise...what? I trust... and because I trust in Him I will not fear! I so want this to be an everyday reality in my life. When I spend time praising God, looking in His Word for Who He is and then turning it back to Him in praise then everything else in life loses it's effect in the light of how awesome He is and then I am able trust Him more and fear stuff less!! God, I do praise You because You are the One True God and there is No One Like You, period. LORD, I praise You because You are the Great I Am. There was No One Before You and You just ARE!! Thank You that in knowing this Truth my trust in You increases because Your Word shows me just how awesome You are. Help me to remember this when it comes time to chose faith or fear in the next circumstance that comes up. Thank You that I do not have to worry about what is done to me or might be done to me, You are here with me and You are able to handle it all.
Thank You, God, for saving me and allowing me to "vow" to be Yours. Help me to have a thankful heart and not take my salvation (the fact that You have delivered me from death) for granted. Forgive me when I do just that. Help me to recognize that though You have saved me for eternity, You save me (or rescue me) in many ways throughout each day as I stumble and fall. May I do my part, Father God on this journey Your way to walk before You in the light of life! Forgive me for growing weary and for being disobedient to not trust in You to renew my strength (Isaiah 40:30-31). I praise You, Father, that You never grow tired or weary of forgiving me, of hearing my many words and that You love me unfailingly. I praise You for Your faithfulness and I thank You for speaking to me through Your Word. May I take Your Truth with me from here and not just talk about it, but live it in the moment by moment. In Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Praising God through Psalm 86
As I prayed through Psalm 86 today God has lead me to praise Him by focusing on Who it says He is and His provision verse by verse. I praise You, Father God...
(1) You listen, LORD (Yahweh - the Existing One) & You answer. You are rich.
(2) You are able to protect my life & You are faithful in doing so. You are my God, personally, and
You save me. You also provide the ability for me to trust in You.
(3) You are full of grace toward me. You are available all day long.
(4) You provide joy. You provide reason to hope.
(5) You, Lord, (Adonai), are kind, ready to forgive & abundant in faithful love to all who call on
You. I praise You for allowing me to call upon You.
(6) You, LORD, hear my prayer and You listen. You provide mercy.
(7 ) You are available when I am distressed and You will answer me.
(8) THERE IS NO ONE LIKE YOU. THERE ARE NO WORKS LIKE YOURS.
(9) All will bow before You and will honor Your Name. I will.
(10) You are great & You will perform wonders. YOU ALONE ARE GOD.
(11) You teach me Your Way. You enable me to live by Your Truth. You give me an undivided mind
to trust You are who You say You are.
(12) You enable me to praise with my whole heart & to recognize that You are the Lord my God.
You allow me to honor Your Name now and in eternity.
(13) Your faithful love for me is great. And You deliver my life from the depths of hell for eternity &
provide deliverance today.
(14) You protect me from the enemy. You are the Victor, period.
(15) You are compassionate & gracious, slow to anger and abundant in faithful love & truth
as You provide for me.
(16) You see me. You are full of grace toward me all the time. You provide me with strength to do
what You call me to do. You take care of my children and those that I love.
(17) You reveal Your goodness in ways that I can recognize. The enemy will be put to shame
because through Jesus, You, have provided all I ever will need.
Oh Father God, thank You for allowing me to praise You!!! I praise Your Holy Name. Thank You for Your Word and for All Who You Are!!!
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