Thought for the Day: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Genesis 2: 24)
"Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God." (Ezekiel 11: 19-20)
A man and woman marry. They are united, joined together in Holy Matrimony, under God.
Joined ... to become One.
Not joined to become separated, to do their own thing, to want things their way and theirs alone.
But joined to become one, complete unit, with Christ at the center.
How do you help someone keep their marriage together? How far, how much do you intercede?
One-half of the couple knows it takes two to fail. Unfortunately, both halves need to know this. A marriage that is struggling is not about one person being right and the other person being wrong. There is a give-and-take.
Each person has their individual views... his and hers. But what about God's view. Do we consider Him in all we do or don't do. Do we reach out to Him, do we seek help together from Him, through Him, do we strive to be obedient to His commands, to live our lives together as He suggests, prefers, desires?
Where are our hearts leading us ... toward each other or bent elsewhere? Both want, desire, but is it each other?
God is all, everything we will ever need. Where do you think you are when you have forgotten the very One who saved you? Where do you go for refuge? Do you leave what you have and go elsewhere - perhaps to mom or dad or to another who will comfort you, bring you the solace and answers you believe you deserve.
Who will read these words? Who will take them to heart and cling to or return to God's truths, God's promises?
I struggle in my abilities to render aid to another. I find myself at a loss. A relationship can not be saved by a person outside the relationship. Only when the two who are married to each other are willing to work together is there hope for reconciliation. Both have to want a life together and for it to be better. God must be at the center, looking to Him, reading His word, Bible study, praying, fellowshipping among His people.
But to risk your future together for immediate satisfaction from any other source will result in a doomed marriage.
All of us struggle and sad to say, not all listen to God's still small voice, but instead, to their own inner thoughts. They strive to find another who will agree with their thoughts and beliefs and never hear God's words of wisdom, never listening, never waiting.
I Corinthians 13 tells us Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not envious. Love does not behave rudely. Love is not provoked. Love thinks no evil. Love does not rejoice in wrongdoings. Love bears all things. Love believes all things. Love hopes all things. Love endures all things.
How patient are we with one another? How kind do we act? How much do we endure?
Are we truly united? Are we truly of one mind, one heart?
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Be still and know ... There is a God!
Take Time for a Time Out -- "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10)
Get past the obstacles that cloud your thinking, past the storms of life that come and bring devastation to your mind, body and / or soul.
Listen for that "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12) that you might miss if you aren't immersed in the word of God.
Listen! Wake up and hear!
God is there --
in the quietness of nature ...
He surrounds us -- reveals Himself to us everywhere, but, are we buried so deep within ourselves we never hear what our Lord is saying?
Don't lose heart -- "Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:13-21)
Don't come to the conclusion you know any of the answers, unless God Himself has revealed them to you.
Don't fall into the trap of who cares, what is the point, I want, I don't understand, It don't matter, I've waited long enough, I'll do what I want to do.
Don't settle for thinking 'There is no God, so we should stop worrying and enjoy life.'
There is a God! His name is Christ Jesus! And through Him, in Him, of Him, we can stop worrying and we can enjoy life!
He is all, everything we will ever need. It may take us a long time to realize this. We do not grow at the same pace. It is not easy to wrap our thinking around the immenseness of God. Living for Him, relying totaling on Him is easy to talk about, but to actually do, that requires intense listening - a "still small voice." Studying, praying, praising, worshiping.
God's strength, when we realize we must let go of what little we ourselves have, will carry us through and beyond. His love reaches way out, beyond forever.
Don't give in. Don't give up. Don't lose heart. Listen. Be still and know.
Get past the obstacles that cloud your thinking, past the storms of life that come and bring devastation to your mind, body and / or soul.
Listen for that "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12) that you might miss if you aren't immersed in the word of God.
Listen! Wake up and hear!
God is there --
in the quietness of nature ...
He surrounds us -- reveals Himself to us everywhere, but, are we buried so deep within ourselves we never hear what our Lord is saying?
Don't lose heart -- "Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:13-21)
Don't come to the conclusion you know any of the answers, unless God Himself has revealed them to you.
Don't fall into the trap of who cares, what is the point, I want, I don't understand, It don't matter, I've waited long enough, I'll do what I want to do.
Don't settle for thinking 'There is no God, so we should stop worrying and enjoy life.'
There is a God! His name is Christ Jesus! And through Him, in Him, of Him, we can stop worrying and we can enjoy life!
He is all, everything we will ever need. It may take us a long time to realize this. We do not grow at the same pace. It is not easy to wrap our thinking around the immenseness of God. Living for Him, relying totaling on Him is easy to talk about, but to actually do, that requires intense listening - a "still small voice." Studying, praying, praising, worshiping.
God's strength, when we realize we must let go of what little we ourselves have, will carry us through and beyond. His love reaches way out, beyond forever.
Don't give in. Don't give up. Don't lose heart. Listen. Be still and know.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Escape the darkness; walk in the Light
Friday I spoke of the darkness that comes when we are without Christ and shared a poem written during my Christ-less college days in the early 1970s. Today the Lord led me to Isaiah 59 --
(1) "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.
(2) But your iniquities have separated you from your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.
(3) For your hands are defiled with blood, And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity.
(4) No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies, They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.
(7) Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
(8) The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace.
(9) Therefore justice is far from us; Nor does righteousness overtake us; We look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness!
(10) We grope for the wall like the blind, And we grope as if we had no eyes; We stumble at noonday as at twilight; We are as dead men in desolate places.
(12) For our transgressions are multiplied before You, And our sins testify against us; For our transgressions are with, And as for our iniquities, we know them:
(13) In transgressing and lying against the Lord, And departing from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
(15) Then the Lord saw it and it displeased Him That there was no justice.
(16) He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness it sustained Him.
(20) 'The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression ...,' says the Lord."
Hence, we come to John 3: 16-17 which says:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the wold, but that the world through Him might be saved."
Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ?
Do you have a personal relationship with Him?
Have you accepted Him as your Savior and redeemer?
Have you accepted His ways as your ways?
Have you turned from disobedient living for yourself to obedience in and of Him and His ways?
Are you walking in the light -- His light?
Where do you stand?
God speaks through His word to those who listen with their heart.
(1) "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.
(2) But your iniquities have separated you from your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.
(3) For your hands are defiled with blood, And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity.
(4) No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies, They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.
(7) Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
(8) The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace.
(9) Therefore justice is far from us; Nor does righteousness overtake us; We look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness!
(10) We grope for the wall like the blind, And we grope as if we had no eyes; We stumble at noonday as at twilight; We are as dead men in desolate places.
(12) For our transgressions are multiplied before You, And our sins testify against us; For our transgressions are with, And as for our iniquities, we know them:
(13) In transgressing and lying against the Lord, And departing from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
(15) Then the Lord saw it and it displeased Him That there was no justice.
(16) He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness it sustained Him.
(20) 'The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression ...,' says the Lord."
Hence, we come to John 3: 16-17 which says:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the wold, but that the world through Him might be saved."
Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ?
Do you have a personal relationship with Him?
Have you accepted Him as your Savior and redeemer?
Have you accepted His ways as your ways?
Have you turned from disobedient living for yourself to obedience in and of Him and His ways?
Are you walking in the light -- His light?
Where do you stand?
God speaks through His word to those who listen with their heart.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Have you prayed today?
Thought for the Day:
Jesus says in John 10:10-11: "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."
Have you prayed today?
Are you searching
for answers
... perhaps in all the wrong places
or from people who really do not know
what you search for
let alone the answers.
Do you feel alone ...
lost and out of place
Does it seem no one understands
and no one helps
The darkness closes in**
you struggle to find release
from all your pain
Where to go
What step do I take
Where does my reaching hand extend?
Who is the one who grasps it
Who will answer
Have you prayed today?
Jesus hears your plea
sees your pain
grasps hold of you
answers your questions
heals you.
Have you prayed today?
Do you hear Him calling,
'Come, my Child.'
**The following poem was written in the early 1970s during my college years before I knew the Lord. It illustrates the darkness closing in.
I found them today
They weren't where I thought they would be
In the grass, behind a few shrubs
They glistened, wet with dew
It seemed I had looked forever for them.
And now at last, I had found them.
I knelt down, gently pushing the tiny branches aside
My eyes opened wide with surprise
A maze !! How lovely. And involving such intricate work too.
I picked up a stick and probed
A cry rang out
Ooh, I cringed, for I had hurt one of them.
And they were my friends.
I saw them coming
for me
My feet seemed rooted to the ground
I couldn't escape.
I saw them keep coming.
I saw them on me.
At first it tickled, then they began to bite.
I lost consciousness
And when I awoke, I was gone.
(c 1973)
Jesus says in John 10:10-11: "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."
Have you prayed today?
Are you searching
for answers
... perhaps in all the wrong places
or from people who really do not know
what you search for
let alone the answers.
Do you feel alone ...
lost and out of place
Does it seem no one understands
and no one helps
The darkness closes in**
you struggle to find release
from all your pain
Where to go
What step do I take
Where does my reaching hand extend?
Who is the one who grasps it
Who will answer
Have you prayed today?
Jesus hears your plea
sees your pain
grasps hold of you
answers your questions
heals you.
Have you prayed today?
Do you hear Him calling,
'Come, my Child.'
**The following poem was written in the early 1970s during my college years before I knew the Lord. It illustrates the darkness closing in.
I found them today
They weren't where I thought they would be
In the grass, behind a few shrubs
They glistened, wet with dew
It seemed I had looked forever for them.
And now at last, I had found them.
I knelt down, gently pushing the tiny branches aside
My eyes opened wide with surprise
A maze !! How lovely. And involving such intricate work too.
I picked up a stick and probed
A cry rang out
Ooh, I cringed, for I had hurt one of them.
And they were my friends.
I saw them coming
for me
My feet seemed rooted to the ground
I couldn't escape.
I saw them keep coming.
I saw them on me.
At first it tickled, then they began to bite.
I lost consciousness
And when I awoke, I was gone.
(c 1973)
Cathy Orrick Luders
7.24.2009
7.24.2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
All to His glory
All we do
He sees
All we say
He hears
All we feel
He understands
All we think
He knows
All we are
He created
So ... ?
All should not be in vain
To His glory
we to strive.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58)
He sees
All we say
He hears
All we feel
He understands
All we think
He knows
All we are
He created
So ... ?
All should not be in vain
To His glory
we to strive.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Friday, July 17, 2009
Needs - God will supply
Thoughts for the Day:
"... For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." (Matthew 6:8)
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us ..." (Romans 8:26)
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)
We all have needs. Right off the top that which comes to mind are
the need for a job
the need for a place to live
the need for food
the need for people, companionship
Sometimes our needs become such an intense burden for us we forget about God and leave Him out of the picture all-together.
God created each of us. He knows us inside and outside. Therefore why wouldn't He also know our needs? Why would we think He didn't know?
When we move away from God we are settling for what we alone think! And that results in untruths or outright lies!
God knows we need a job, to earn an income to pay for endless necessary expenses.
God knows we need a place to live, a roof over our heads, warmth in winter, coolness in summer.
God knows we need food to eat, to refuel our bodies, to give us energy for each day.
God knows of our need for people, companionship.
To believe "I don't need a job," "I don't need a place to live," I don't need food to eat," I don't need people," because you in your own mind don't have those things, perhaps means you are not looking to God for the meeting of those needs.
Maybe we don't have specific preconceived needs met, but that doesn't mean the basic need doesn't exist.
When we talk with God regularly, listen and then follow through, He will show us ways for our needs to be met. When He is not front and center, in first place, within our hearts, we may never see the way out. We may become depressed. Depression is not a good place to be in, not even for a little while.
The Lord is my shepherd. ... my guide, my protector, my constant companion. With Him, I shall not want. ... my needs will be met as He sees them.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table
before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thy anointest my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I shall dwell
in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23)
"... For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." (Matthew 6:8)
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us ..." (Romans 8:26)
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)
We all have needs. Right off the top that which comes to mind are
the need for a job
the need for a place to live
the need for food
the need for people, companionship
Sometimes our needs become such an intense burden for us we forget about God and leave Him out of the picture all-together.
God created each of us. He knows us inside and outside. Therefore why wouldn't He also know our needs? Why would we think He didn't know?
When we move away from God we are settling for what we alone think! And that results in untruths or outright lies!
God knows we need a job, to earn an income to pay for endless necessary expenses.
God knows we need a place to live, a roof over our heads, warmth in winter, coolness in summer.
God knows we need food to eat, to refuel our bodies, to give us energy for each day.
God knows of our need for people, companionship.
To believe "I don't need a job," "I don't need a place to live," I don't need food to eat," I don't need people," because you in your own mind don't have those things, perhaps means you are not looking to God for the meeting of those needs.
Maybe we don't have specific preconceived needs met, but that doesn't mean the basic need doesn't exist.
When we talk with God regularly, listen and then follow through, He will show us ways for our needs to be met. When He is not front and center, in first place, within our hearts, we may never see the way out. We may become depressed. Depression is not a good place to be in, not even for a little while.
The Lord is my shepherd. ... my guide, my protector, my constant companion. With Him, I shall not want. ... my needs will be met as He sees them.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table
before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thy anointest my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I shall dwell
in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23)
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Today
Numbered among the devotionals my husband reads daily is one by Vance Havner called "Day By Day." Today's reading was Psalm 90:12 - "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
Havner had this to say:
Today is not a day to be endured just in order to get over yonder to something better. The grass looks greener in the next pasture, but it is hard to tell which is our most important day. One day has one kind of opportunity, another has another. Let us buy up all the opportunities, for the days are evil.
We are apt to put a red circle around the wrong day. God's calendar does not look like ours. The big day on ours may be without special significance on His. And the ordinary day, when "nothing much happened," may, if redeemed to His glory, be a great day in His sight.
Do not try to evaluate any day, just make the most of it. What seems a dry and tedious interval, a desert stretch between here and yonder, while you burn with a fever to be into the middle of next week, may afford greater opportunity to know God and glorify Him than the glamorous day you are burning to reach.
Besides, this is the only day you can be sure of. "Boast not thyself of tomorrow." And today is the only day of its kind. God never makes two alike. There will never be another day like it. You may call it "just another day," but it isn't. Make it count for God!
I am always amazed at how God plants His word for us right where and when we need it. There is nothing haphazard about the Lord. He knows us, what we think, what we wish for, where we are in our lives. He knows everything there is to know about each one of us.
Wednesday was a frustrating day at work, as it was for others I'm sure. For many frustration runs rampant. Today's devotional reading reminds me that if we, or when we keep the Lord in first place, up front and center, mindful always of Him, then at every junction we won't become so encumbered with overload.
I appreciate the reminders God sends my way. We need to make each day count for God! We need to keep Jesus in first place so His light will continue to shine bright in this fallen world.
Havner had this to say:
Today is not a day to be endured just in order to get over yonder to something better. The grass looks greener in the next pasture, but it is hard to tell which is our most important day. One day has one kind of opportunity, another has another. Let us buy up all the opportunities, for the days are evil.
We are apt to put a red circle around the wrong day. God's calendar does not look like ours. The big day on ours may be without special significance on His. And the ordinary day, when "nothing much happened," may, if redeemed to His glory, be a great day in His sight.
Do not try to evaluate any day, just make the most of it. What seems a dry and tedious interval, a desert stretch between here and yonder, while you burn with a fever to be into the middle of next week, may afford greater opportunity to know God and glorify Him than the glamorous day you are burning to reach.
Besides, this is the only day you can be sure of. "Boast not thyself of tomorrow." And today is the only day of its kind. God never makes two alike. There will never be another day like it. You may call it "just another day," but it isn't. Make it count for God!
I am always amazed at how God plants His word for us right where and when we need it. There is nothing haphazard about the Lord. He knows us, what we think, what we wish for, where we are in our lives. He knows everything there is to know about each one of us.
Wednesday was a frustrating day at work, as it was for others I'm sure. For many frustration runs rampant. Today's devotional reading reminds me that if we, or when we keep the Lord in first place, up front and center, mindful always of Him, then at every junction we won't become so encumbered with overload.
I appreciate the reminders God sends my way. We need to make each day count for God! We need to keep Jesus in first place so His light will continue to shine bright in this fallen world.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Value and worth
I must apologize. A whole week has gone by and I haven't posted anything here. Well it certainly isn't because I haven't been busy, because I have. ... Bible study, church history, birthday celebrations and general goofing off when and if there's time. Goofing off this week meant Facebook, where I spend very little time on a regular basis. I'm sure I've made up for all those days I don't spend on it in the past two days. I remember when I first became acquainted with Facebook that it was very time-consuming and a good waster of time. Well I became re-acquainted with that aspect this week. Must ween myself away from that now....
Last Thursday I started reading about value, prefacing it with the thought, "When you put your cares in God's hands, He puts His peace in your heart." That, of course, does not have anything to do with value, but it's certainly worth thinking about and doing as well.
As for value, I came across several verses, which also led me to wisdom:
"... You are of more value than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:31)
"Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep?..." (Matthew 12:12)
Our value, our worth is determined by God, not by our individual emotions or by others' opinions of us. If you believe you are nothing, if you believe you are worthless, then you are rejecting the very One who created you, the One who died for you.
Jesus too was rejected - by men, but that didn't determine His value. His value, His worth, is determined by God -- of whom He was chosen, of whom He is precious -- and therefore, as are we.
Read what 1 Peter 2: 4-8 says:
"Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,
you also, as living stones are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is also contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone, and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed."
"For the price of wisdom is above rubies." (Job 28:18)
All the treasures of the world do not bring wisdom.
"For wisdom is better than rubies," (Proverbs 8:11)
"... more precious than rubies" (Proverbs 3:15)
"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies." (Proverbs 31:10)
When I came to the above verse, of course I had to read the entire chapter and then I had to re-read it in different versions of the Bible. A virtuous woman is of noteworthy, fine character. She is of more value than all the treasures of the world. Proverbs 31 from The Message follows:
"A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
they winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect her and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
'May women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!'
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!"
Proverbs always contains much useful information for us to live by. Reading from Chicken Soup for the Soup New Living Translation of the Bible, I gained much insight from the following verses:
"My child, listen to me and treasure my instructions. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as your would for lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fil you with joy. Wise planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose speech is corrupt. These people turn from right ways to walk down dark and evil paths. They rejoice in doing wrong, and they enjoy evil as it turns things upside down. What they do is crooked, and their ways are wrong. ... Follow the steps of good men instead, and stay on the paths of the righteous. For only the upright will live in the land, and those how have integrity will remain in it. But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be destroyed." (Proverbs 2: 1-15, 20-22) Chapter 3 continues in this vein.
We are all of much value. We should not think otherwise, nor should we follow in the paths of unrighteousness.
Last Thursday I started reading about value, prefacing it with the thought, "When you put your cares in God's hands, He puts His peace in your heart." That, of course, does not have anything to do with value, but it's certainly worth thinking about and doing as well.
As for value, I came across several verses, which also led me to wisdom:
"... You are of more value than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:31)
"Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep?..." (Matthew 12:12)
Our value, our worth is determined by God, not by our individual emotions or by others' opinions of us. If you believe you are nothing, if you believe you are worthless, then you are rejecting the very One who created you, the One who died for you.
Jesus too was rejected - by men, but that didn't determine His value. His value, His worth, is determined by God -- of whom He was chosen, of whom He is precious -- and therefore, as are we.
Read what 1 Peter 2: 4-8 says:
"Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,
you also, as living stones are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is also contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone, and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed."
"For the price of wisdom is above rubies." (Job 28:18)
All the treasures of the world do not bring wisdom.
"For wisdom is better than rubies," (Proverbs 8:11)
"... more precious than rubies" (Proverbs 3:15)
"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies." (Proverbs 31:10)
When I came to the above verse, of course I had to read the entire chapter and then I had to re-read it in different versions of the Bible. A virtuous woman is of noteworthy, fine character. She is of more value than all the treasures of the world. Proverbs 31 from The Message follows:
"A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
they winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect her and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
'May women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!'
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!"
Proverbs always contains much useful information for us to live by. Reading from Chicken Soup for the Soup New Living Translation of the Bible, I gained much insight from the following verses:
"My child, listen to me and treasure my instructions. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as your would for lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fil you with joy. Wise planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose speech is corrupt. These people turn from right ways to walk down dark and evil paths. They rejoice in doing wrong, and they enjoy evil as it turns things upside down. What they do is crooked, and their ways are wrong. ... Follow the steps of good men instead, and stay on the paths of the righteous. For only the upright will live in the land, and those how have integrity will remain in it. But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be destroyed." (Proverbs 2: 1-15, 20-22) Chapter 3 continues in this vein.
We are all of much value. We should not think otherwise, nor should we follow in the paths of unrighteousness.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
praying always
Thoughts for the Day: "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5: 17)
"praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints_" (Ephesians 6: 18)
"Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart." (Luke 18: 1)
Jesus said in every circumstance we are to pray and not become discouraged because answers do not come immediately.
"And I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you." (Luke 11: 9)
"rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly (persevere) in prayer." (Romans 12: 12)
"continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant (make it a priority) in it, with thanksgiving;" (Colossians 4: 2)
Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray you will abide with all who earnestly seek your healing touch. May your guiding hand be upon the doctors and surgeons as they engage in procedures that just thinking about makes us cringe. Keep us mindful of your presence at all times. Keep us focused on you and not on what may or may not happen. You are all knowing, all wisdom is yours alone. We will know only when you determine the right time is for us to know. In the interim, I pray you will envelop us with your love, protect us from the harm that comes when we settle on thinking "what if" thoughts. Keep us ever in your word, reminding us that "with God all things are possible." In your precious name I pray. Amen.
"praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints_" (Ephesians 6: 18)
"Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart." (Luke 18: 1)
Jesus said in every circumstance we are to pray and not become discouraged because answers do not come immediately.
"And I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you." (Luke 11: 9)
"rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly (persevere) in prayer." (Romans 12: 12)
"continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant (make it a priority) in it, with thanksgiving;" (Colossians 4: 2)
Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray you will abide with all who earnestly seek your healing touch. May your guiding hand be upon the doctors and surgeons as they engage in procedures that just thinking about makes us cringe. Keep us mindful of your presence at all times. Keep us focused on you and not on what may or may not happen. You are all knowing, all wisdom is yours alone. We will know only when you determine the right time is for us to know. In the interim, I pray you will envelop us with your love, protect us from the harm that comes when we settle on thinking "what if" thoughts. Keep us ever in your word, reminding us that "with God all things are possible." In your precious name I pray. Amen.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Who is to be served?
Thought for the Day: "While Jesus and his followers were traveling, Jesus went into a town. A woman named Martha let Jesus stay at her house. Martha had a sister named Mary, who was sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to him teach. But Martha was busy with all the work to be done. She went in and said, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me alone to do all the work? Tell her to help me.' But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her.' " Luke 10: 38-42
In chapter 6 appropriately titled "Sour Milk" of the book "He Still Moves Stones," Max Lucado discusses the above Scripture. His words ... Two sisters. Two personalities. And as long as they understand each other, it's hand in glove. But when the one resents the other, it's flint and stone.
Flint and stone. Flint is a very hard stone. So its harder and hard. And as personalities go, it doesn't have to be just between siblings. It could be between husband and wife, co-workers, friends, church members.
Philippians 2: 14-15 in the New Living Translation says, "In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them."
To serve God.
Your heart is in the right place in the beginning, but along the way you give in to Satan's subtle hints and start believing the work itself that you do is more important that serving God. You end up serving, or feeding, yourself, and get caught up in all of the anxiety surrounding it. We look for attention, compliments, a standing ovation. But we don't get it. In all our planning, we have forgotten the very reason we set out -- to be a light, God's light, in every aspect of our lives.
To serve God.
In the workplace, perhaps it is just a job. Perhaps dreams you had have been placed on a back burner. You are in waiting ...
No matter where we are, what we are about, if we have professed to be followers of Jesus Christ, then following Him is what we must do.
In humbleness, in love, thinking, mindful always of what He is about, not what we ourselves are about. When we forget who we are, who we belong to there is a possibility we may fall. When we become so caught up in ourselves, the feeling of resentment toward another overwhelms us. Jesus has not instructed us to go there or do that. We are to follow His lead. Following only what we think of a given situation, becoming swallowed up in selfishness, draws us more and more away from forgetting who is the servant and who is to be served. Resentment, pride. Flint and stone.
In Zechariah 7: 12, we read: "Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the Lord of hosts."
In Ezekiel 11: 19-20, we read: "Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them and take the stony heart out of their flesh and give then a heart of flesh, That they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God."
And in Jeremiah 32:39: "Then I will give them one heart and one way, That they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them."
Lucado reiterates what matters more than the type of service is the heart behind the service.
We need to remember to keep our focus on the One we are serving.
Prayer: "Create in me a clean (pure) heart O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)
In chapter 6 appropriately titled "Sour Milk" of the book "He Still Moves Stones," Max Lucado discusses the above Scripture. His words ... Two sisters. Two personalities. And as long as they understand each other, it's hand in glove. But when the one resents the other, it's flint and stone.
Flint and stone. Flint is a very hard stone. So its harder and hard. And as personalities go, it doesn't have to be just between siblings. It could be between husband and wife, co-workers, friends, church members.
Philippians 2: 14-15 in the New Living Translation says, "In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them."
To serve God.
Your heart is in the right place in the beginning, but along the way you give in to Satan's subtle hints and start believing the work itself that you do is more important that serving God. You end up serving, or feeding, yourself, and get caught up in all of the anxiety surrounding it. We look for attention, compliments, a standing ovation. But we don't get it. In all our planning, we have forgotten the very reason we set out -- to be a light, God's light, in every aspect of our lives.
To serve God.
In the workplace, perhaps it is just a job. Perhaps dreams you had have been placed on a back burner. You are in waiting ...
No matter where we are, what we are about, if we have professed to be followers of Jesus Christ, then following Him is what we must do.
In humbleness, in love, thinking, mindful always of what He is about, not what we ourselves are about. When we forget who we are, who we belong to there is a possibility we may fall. When we become so caught up in ourselves, the feeling of resentment toward another overwhelms us. Jesus has not instructed us to go there or do that. We are to follow His lead. Following only what we think of a given situation, becoming swallowed up in selfishness, draws us more and more away from forgetting who is the servant and who is to be served. Resentment, pride. Flint and stone.
In Zechariah 7: 12, we read: "Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the Lord of hosts."
In Ezekiel 11: 19-20, we read: "Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them and take the stony heart out of their flesh and give then a heart of flesh, That they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God."
And in Jeremiah 32:39: "Then I will give them one heart and one way, That they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them."
Lucado reiterates what matters more than the type of service is the heart behind the service.
We need to remember to keep our focus on the One we are serving.
Prayer: "Create in me a clean (pure) heart O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)
Monday, July 6, 2009
Where is the fruit?
"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His, And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness; and light dwells with Him." Daniel 2: 20-22
God brings the results
We do His bidding ...
we share the Gospel message and give testimony of Him in our lives
But He alone brings forth
the fruit of our labor.
It is not our personal fault
If another turns their back
It is not us personally they say no to
But, sadly,
They say No to God, No to Jesus, No to salvation, No to life eternal.
"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God." (2 Corinthians 3: 5)
"This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." (John 6:29)
"And this is the will of Him who sent Me, 'that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.' " (John 6:40)
We are not all wise nor do all have complete understanding. God sheds His light on what we are to know in His time. If we remain in God's word, study, pray, continually, we will come to know and understand what is. That is the wisdom and knowledge.
But when we do not listen, do not hear, but instead murmur and complain, veto what God the Father / God the Son say, we are effectively turning our back upon Him and going our own way. Where is then the fruit?
We labor for the Lord to bring another, but when you turn away from God, when you determine in your heart that your yourselves know better, that you have waited long enough for answers that have not come ... you are not walking in the Spirit. The fruit is absent. We walk in the flesh instead, in the ways of self.
Yet, God's true child continues to do the Lord's bidding, continues to share the Gospel message, continues to give testimony of Him in their life.
"And let us not grow weary while doing doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 5: 9)
For Jesus died to bring life to us all.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3: 16-17)
God brings the results
We do His bidding ...
we share the Gospel message and give testimony of Him in our lives
But He alone brings forth
the fruit of our labor.
It is not our personal fault
If another turns their back
It is not us personally they say no to
But, sadly,
They say No to God, No to Jesus, No to salvation, No to life eternal.
"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God." (2 Corinthians 3: 5)
"This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." (John 6:29)
"And this is the will of Him who sent Me, 'that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.' " (John 6:40)
We are not all wise nor do all have complete understanding. God sheds His light on what we are to know in His time. If we remain in God's word, study, pray, continually, we will come to know and understand what is. That is the wisdom and knowledge.
But when we do not listen, do not hear, but instead murmur and complain, veto what God the Father / God the Son say, we are effectively turning our back upon Him and going our own way. Where is then the fruit?
We labor for the Lord to bring another, but when you turn away from God, when you determine in your heart that your yourselves know better, that you have waited long enough for answers that have not come ... you are not walking in the Spirit. The fruit is absent. We walk in the flesh instead, in the ways of self.
Yet, God's true child continues to do the Lord's bidding, continues to share the Gospel message, continues to give testimony of Him in their life.
"And let us not grow weary while doing doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 5: 9)
For Jesus died to bring life to us all.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3: 16-17)
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Are you glad to be alive?
I felt it
everywhere --
the weakness
the washed-outness
the exhaustion
the cold.
Are you glad to be alive a friend asked
I could not find the answer
I thought ...
Am I glad to be alive?
If I am not
would I really be glad to be dead?
I think not.
To be dead
To be no more
To spend my days without
the Son shining upon me.
Dead to sin, dead to self
yes,
at home with Jesus
yes yes yes
in the eternal mansions
of heaven.
But would I be glad to be dead?
I think only
if it was
in God's time.
So to the question asked, Are you glad to be alive?
The answer is yes!
everywhere --
the weakness
the washed-outness
the exhaustion
the cold.
Are you glad to be alive a friend asked
I could not find the answer
I thought ...
Am I glad to be alive?
If I am not
would I really be glad to be dead?
I think not.
To be dead
To be no more
To spend my days without
the Son shining upon me.
Dead to sin, dead to self
yes,
at home with Jesus
yes yes yes
in the eternal mansions
of heaven.
But would I be glad to be dead?
I think only
if it was
in God's time.
So to the question asked, Are you glad to be alive?
The answer is yes!
God outshines the darkness
Thought for the Day: "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts..." (2 Corinthians 4: 6)
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, His light then shines within us, beaming brighter and stronger than the darkness that once lay in our hearts.
"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4: 6)
The struggles, distresses we face on our journey do not miraculously fall way and be no more. They remain, continue ... the perplexities go on, the concerns, the persecutions, the despondencies, "we are hard pressed on every side." (2 Corinthians 4: 8a) Yet, but still, when we seek the Lord for our helps, our everything, we find relief from all the misery we feel we are under through the worship and heartfelt praise we give to God.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4: 16)
God never said it would be easy, but rather than difficult days would lie ahead. We are not to give in, not to give up, not to be selfish, not to be egotistical, not to be less than He desires, not to be more than He commands.
"while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4: 18)
Prayer: Help me dear Lord I pray to get past the temporary, to not become bogged down in thoughts that drive me to despair and overwhelming sadness. Show me the way of escape. Keep me clear from falling backward. Show me, lead me to freedom. Amen.
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, His light then shines within us, beaming brighter and stronger than the darkness that once lay in our hearts.
"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4: 6)
The struggles, distresses we face on our journey do not miraculously fall way and be no more. They remain, continue ... the perplexities go on, the concerns, the persecutions, the despondencies, "we are hard pressed on every side." (2 Corinthians 4: 8a) Yet, but still, when we seek the Lord for our helps, our everything, we find relief from all the misery we feel we are under through the worship and heartfelt praise we give to God.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4: 16)
God never said it would be easy, but rather than difficult days would lie ahead. We are not to give in, not to give up, not to be selfish, not to be egotistical, not to be less than He desires, not to be more than He commands.
"while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4: 18)
Prayer: Help me dear Lord I pray to get past the temporary, to not become bogged down in thoughts that drive me to despair and overwhelming sadness. Show me the way of escape. Keep me clear from falling backward. Show me, lead me to freedom. Amen.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
I won at Scrabble!
There is something to be said for feeling under par, especially when playing Scrabble with your husband and you actually win. He always wins, except for this one time of course. It would be nice to feel 100 percent better than I am, but it was certainly nice to win a game for once! The final score -- 323 to 202. Hard to imagine. And the funniest word made was zooty. We took a picture of the game board to commemorate the win ...
Praise lightens burdens
Praise can lighten your heaviest burden.
"Bless (adore, thank) the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, o my soul, And forget not all His benefits;" (Psalm 103: 1-2)
"I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord." (Psalm 104: 33-34)
"Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 106: 1)
We cry out to the Lord in our trouble.
He saves us out of our distress
He sends His word and heals us
He delivers us from our destructions
He calms our storms
He blesses us
(Psalm 107: 19-20, 29, 38)
"Whoever is wise will observe these things, And they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord." (Psalm 107: 43)
Why do I not understand?
Am I foolish
Do I not
Am I not
Help my understanding
for I do not
at all
know why
the "be fruitful and multiply"
did not
was not
How do I understand
How do I get past
I continue to seek Lord.
Heal my sorrow.
That was this morning.
It is evening now.
It dawned on me ... everyone can "be fruitful and multiply." The Lord hears our heartfelt turmoils and is there. He is always there. I need to be where He is. Heal me Lord Jesus.
"Bless (adore, thank) the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, o my soul, And forget not all His benefits;" (Psalm 103: 1-2)
"I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord." (Psalm 104: 33-34)
"Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 106: 1)
We cry out to the Lord in our trouble.
He saves us out of our distress
He sends His word and heals us
He delivers us from our destructions
He calms our storms
He blesses us
(Psalm 107: 19-20, 29, 38)
"Whoever is wise will observe these things, And they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord." (Psalm 107: 43)
Why do I not understand?
Am I foolish
Do I not
Am I not
Help my understanding
for I do not
at all
know why
the "be fruitful and multiply"
did not
was not
How do I understand
How do I get past
I continue to seek Lord.
Heal my sorrow.
That was this morning.
It is evening now.
It dawned on me ... everyone can "be fruitful and multiply." The Lord hears our heartfelt turmoils and is there. He is always there. I need to be where He is. Heal me Lord Jesus.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Heal my sorrow
Thoughts for the Day:
"Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being." (1 Corinthians 10: 24)
"Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" (Job 2: 10a)
"Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip." (Psalm 17: 5)
"I will bless the Lord at all times" (Psalm 34: 1a)
"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46: 10)
Prayer:
Heal my sorrow
Erase my pain
Remove the years of agony
of that wished
but don't have
Bring me peace
Bring me contentment
Bring me peace
Bring me joy
Hear me Lord
Take away my distress
Remove the heaviness within
Shield me
Surround me
with your love and compassion
Bring me joy
Bring me peace
There are no descendants
No one to pass on
How can the joys of another
become ....
Heal my sorrow Lord
Bring me peace
Restore me Lord
Move me past this desolate place I am in
Move me past the pain
past the remorse I cannot seem to escape
Bring me peace
Bring me joy
Heal my sorrow.
"Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being." (1 Corinthians 10: 24)
"Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" (Job 2: 10a)
"Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip." (Psalm 17: 5)
"I will bless the Lord at all times" (Psalm 34: 1a)
"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46: 10)
Prayer:
Heal my sorrow
Erase my pain
Remove the years of agony
of that wished
but don't have
Bring me peace
Bring me contentment
Bring me peace
Bring me joy
Hear me Lord
Take away my distress
Remove the heaviness within
Shield me
Surround me
with your love and compassion
Bring me joy
Bring me peace
There are no descendants
No one to pass on
How can the joys of another
become ....
Heal my sorrow Lord
Bring me peace
Restore me Lord
Move me past this desolate place I am in
Move me past the pain
past the remorse I cannot seem to escape
Bring me peace
Bring me joy
Heal my sorrow.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Restrain from evil
NOTE: This blog may soon no longer be visible through www.gazetteonline.com but that won't stop it from being published nor from me pursuing God's desires and sharing His words with my readers.
Thought for the Day: "You through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word." (Psalm 119: 98-101)
I may be wiser. I may have gained understanding. But if my obedience in following the Lord Jesus has faltered, I wonder just how much wiser I really am or how much understanding has been gleaned. Have I restrained myself from evil ways? ... in every way?
Prayer: I want, I desire to be able to say, "I have restrained myself from every evil way." Help me Lord to be mindful of things I do or say that could be construed as negative or harmful to another. If it is not good to say, then don't say it. Keep my thoughts pure, more on you and less on me. In your name I pray. Amen.
Thought for the Day: "You through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word." (Psalm 119: 98-101)
I may be wiser. I may have gained understanding. But if my obedience in following the Lord Jesus has faltered, I wonder just how much wiser I really am or how much understanding has been gleaned. Have I restrained myself from evil ways? ... in every way?
Prayer: I want, I desire to be able to say, "I have restrained myself from every evil way." Help me Lord to be mindful of things I do or say that could be construed as negative or harmful to another. If it is not good to say, then don't say it. Keep my thoughts pure, more on you and less on me. In your name I pray. Amen.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Send me
Thought for the Day: "I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: 'Whom shall I send for Us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me." (Isaiah 6:8)
Whom God calls, He qualifies; Whom He qualifies, He sends.
If you have answered a specific call God has made on you, then He will make the way for you to go. We must be ready, we must be willing, we must go. The way to go does not come overnight or perhaps not even in the course of a year. It may take decades. But when it is God's call you are answering, He will not fail you. Do not determine in your hearts He has, and so decide you will turn your back. Do not give in. Do not give up.
"But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail;" (Luke 22:32)
"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4: 2, 5)
"But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;" (1 Peter 3: 14-15)
Prayer: I am willing. I am weak. However, I believe I can do all things through You My Lord and Savior. Enable me I pray to accomplish Your will for me. In your name I pray. Amen.
Whom God calls, He qualifies; Whom He qualifies, He sends.
If you have answered a specific call God has made on you, then He will make the way for you to go. We must be ready, we must be willing, we must go. The way to go does not come overnight or perhaps not even in the course of a year. It may take decades. But when it is God's call you are answering, He will not fail you. Do not determine in your hearts He has, and so decide you will turn your back. Do not give in. Do not give up.
"But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail;" (Luke 22:32)
"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4: 2, 5)
"But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;" (1 Peter 3: 14-15)
Prayer: I am willing. I am weak. However, I believe I can do all things through You My Lord and Savior. Enable me I pray to accomplish Your will for me. In your name I pray. Amen.
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