Tag Archives: inspirational

Return to Laughter, Return to Joy!

five women laughing

“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dreamed,

Our mouths were filled with laughter,

 our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,

 “The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Lord has done great things for us,

 and we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev.

Those who sow with tears

 will reap with songs of joy.

Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow,

Will return with songs of joy,

 carrying sheaves with them.”

Psalm 126

“The Heart”

green wooden board with heart hole

“God is far less interested in our activities and accomplishments as He is in knowing the character of our being,” -TLV

“For the Lord sees not as man sees… the Lord looks on the heart.”

-1 Samuel 16:7

“Moment By Moment”

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“Moment by moment I’m kept in His love… Moment by moment I’ve life from above.”

-Andrew Murray, “Absolute Surrender”

We Praise Your Glorious Name!

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“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,

for everything in heaven and earth is Yours.

Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;

You are exalted as head over all.

Wealth and honor come from You;
You are the ruler of all things.
In Your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give You thanks,
and praise Your glorious name.”

1 Chronicles 29:11-13

The God Of All My Days

body of water during dawn

“I came to You with my heart in pieces

And found a God with healing in His hands

I turn to You, leave everything behind me

And found the God that makes all things new

I look to You, drowning in my questions

And found the God who holds all wisdom

I trusted You, I stepped out on the ocean

You calm my hand among the waves

‘Cause You’re the God of all my days

Each step I take You made a way

And I will give You all my praise

My seasons change, You stay the same

You’re the God of all my days

In my worry, God You are my stillness.

In my searching, God You are the answer.
In my blindness, God You are my vision
In my bondage, God You are my freedom
In  my weakness, God You are my power
You’re the God of all my days.
Each step I take, You’ve made a way
And I will give You all my praise
My seasons change, You stay the same
You’re the God of all my days.”
 – from “God of All My Days” by Casting Crowns
Lyrics- John Mark Hall and Jason Ingram

En Route

person in brown sun hat and black backpack holding blue and white basket on beach during

“Forget yesterday.

Don’t worry about tomorrow.

Trust God today.”

 

Photo by Taryn Elliott on Pexels.com

“O The Deep Deep Love of Jesus”

ocean wave

 Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me
Underneath me, all around me
Is the current of Your love
Leading onward, leading homeward
To your glorious rest above…
Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus
‘Tis Heaven of Heavens to me
And it lifts me up to glory
For it lifts me up to Thee
Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus
Spread His praise from shore to shore
How He loves us, ever loves us,
Changes never, nevermore
 Song By Audrey Assad

“A New Day!”

If life seems at its lowest ebb, because a day’s gone wrong,

Let not your heart be troubled, for a new day soon will dawn.

And we can never be quite sure, just what it has in store,

Since each one is so different, than the one just gone before.

As it penetrates the darkness, with its soft and tranquil beams,

It calms even the most restless soul, and brings new hopes and dreams.

So when a day’s been troubled, and the night is dark and long,

Lift up your fallen spirits, for a new day soon will dawn.

-Anonymous

“Our God, Maker of Heaven and Earth”

agriculture bloom blossom clouds

“O God, Our Help in ages past,

Our Hope for years to come.

Our Shelter from the stormy blast,

And our Eternal Home!

Under the shadow of Thy throne

Still may we dwell secure

Sufficient is Thine arm alone,

And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood

Or earth received its frame,

From everlasting Thou art God,

To endless years the same.

O God, our Help in ages past,

Our Hope for years to come,

Be Thou our Guide while life shall last,

And our Eternal Home.”

From Hymn – “O God Our Help In Ages Past” – By Isaac Watts

The Peace of God

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“God, who loves peace, makes peace, and breathes peace, will be with us.”

“If the God of peace be with us, we shall enjoy the peace of God, which passes all understanding, even though outward circumstances should threaten to disturb.”

– Charles Spurgeon, “Faith’s Checkbook”

“You will keep in perfect peace one whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

-Isaiah 26:3 TLV

“Wait on the Lord…”

black and yellow analog clock

“Wait! Wait!

Let your waiting be on the Lord! He is worth waiting for.

He never disappoints the waiting soul.

While waiting, keep up your spirits.

Expect a great deliverance, and be ready to praise God for it.

“He shall strengthen your heart”

– Charles Spurgeon

“Wait on the LORD; and be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart;

wait, I say, on the LORD.”

– Psalm 27:14

Seasons Change

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“The seasons change and you change, but the LORD abides evermore the same,

and the streams of His love are as deep, as broad, and as full as ever.”

– Charles Spurgeon

“If You Love Me”

green wooden board with heart hole

Jesus said: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

– John 14:15 TLV

“There will be no peace in any soul until it is willing to obey the voice of God.”

– D.L. Moody

The Heart of Worship

“I will seek You in the morning. In the morning ADONAI, You will hear my voice…” (See Genesis 19:27)

I’m coming back to the heart of worship,

and it’s all about You

It’s all about You, Jesus.

I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it,

’cause it’s all about You

It’s all about You Jesus.

-Lyrics from “The Heart of Worship” by Matt Redman

Humility

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, like a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, Who has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

“To Him be Glory and Dominion Forever and Ever. Amen.”

I Peter 5:6-11

“Yes” and “Amen”

“Apply His promises to the problem and there’ll be no problem.”

 

“For all the promises of God in Him are “Yes”, and in Him “Amen”, to the glory of God through us.”

-2 Corinthians 1:20

“HALLELUJAH!” and “Amen.”

The Hat Rack

Here’s a “post from the past” at my daughter’s request. Blessings! – Faith

Once, many years ago, when visiting a new church for the first time,  an elderly lady  invited us to her house for dinner. We gladly accepted, and followed her home after service.  As we sat in her living room, we had a very pleasant conversation, and got  to know a little more about each other. She was a long-standing member of her church,  and well-loved by the congregation.  Although she was elderly, she was vibrant and enthusiastic, and very happy to talk about how much she loved the Lord, and all that He had done for her. She enthusiastically shared some of her many testimonies, and we talked a little about our faith experiences.  I mentioned how our two children, a son and a daughter, toddlers at the time, had been miracle babies, because I was told that I would never conceive, and even so, I was still praying and believing God for another baby.

She looked at me, with a smile in her eyes, and said, “You see that hat rack over there on the wall?” I answered, “Yes.” she said, “Whenever the Lord does something for me, I imagine that I’m hanging a hat on a hat rack…and every time he answers I just keep adding a new hat.  And the next time I find myself frustrated about something that I’m praying for, I  just take a look at that hat rack, and see all those hats hanging there, and I’m reminded of all the prayers that God has answered, (some that I may have even forgotten), and I am encouraged that He did it before and He’ll do it again.”

I really appreciated this example and made an effort to apply it in my own life. In fact the Lord did answer my prayer and blessed me miraculously with another sweet baby girl!

When I think back on this example, it reminds me of what young David said to King Saul, when he volunteered to fight Goliath…

“David said… The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine…” I Samuel 17:37

You see, the lion and the bear were hanging on David’s hat rack!!! He just took a look back, and was fully persuaded, that God would do it again. :)

“Has it been awhile since you took a look at your own hat rack?”

Surely God has blessed you and answered your prayers in the past, and hey, there’s always room for another hat, so

Just take a look back, have faith,  and,  like David, be fully persuaded that God will do it again!

Fixed on Jesus

“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed…” – Psalm 57:7

“Fixed” by definition means, fastened securely in position, predetermined and not subject to or able to be changed…

“Locked-in”

“Fix your faith on Jesus and He’ll fix everything else.”

“Just One Drop”

Today is my 10 year anniversary of  Faithrises on WordPress, and in celebrating this, here’s a story that I posted  several years ago, back in 2012. I love to think back on this story. It reminds me of God’s miracle working power, and how He hears and answers when we pray. I hope that it will be a blessing for you today too! 

My youngest sister was getting married, and the wedding took place just before I was scheduled to have surgery. It was a beautiful wedding, and one of the special moments was watching my sister’s soon-to-be mother in law, walk down the aisle to be seated. She entered gingerly, because she had been very ill, and had traveled a long way in order to attend. I’m not sure what her illness was but you could see in her eyes the love that she had for her son, and how determined she was to be a part of this very special day. She leaned heavily on the arm of the usher who was escorting her in, and slowly made it to her seat. After the wedding, I had a chance to sit and talk with her.

It was my very first time meeting her, so I introduced myself and told her that I was so glad that she was able to come. I asked her how she was feeling and she told me a little about her condition. She mentioned how the Lord had blessed her, and that without Him she couldn’t have made it. She spoke of some sort of blood disorder, I’m not sure of the details, but what she said next would have a great impact on me. She said that she prayed that Jesus would bless her with  “just one drop of His blood”, because she knew that by His stripes we were healed. “Just one drop” she said, and she would be fine. I told her about my upcoming surgery and, being a woman of great faith, she encouraged me, and told me to trust in the sacrifice that Jesus has already paid for us.

The day of surgery arrived and I got up early to spend some time in prayer. I rehearsed in my mind all of the verses which had given me peace as this day approached, then I asked the Lord for something specific… I was told that there was a good chance that I would lose a lot of blood during this surgery, and my doctor told me that I’d have to make an appointment to donate my own blood at the blood bank in advance, as a precaution, in case I needed a blood transfusion during the surgery.  But I didn’t want to have a blood transfusion, so I prayed. I remembered the testimony and I prayed,” Lord, I ask that You would bless me with “ just one drop of Your blood”, so that I would not have to have a blood transfusion.”

After this I felt very calm and at peace.

We left for the hospital that morning and as we drove along, our two children, now 10 and 8 years old, were in the backseat. Although it was morning, it was still dark out and the kids were a little sleepy. Their faces were sad and solemn.  They didn’t want me to have surgery and were very  worried. I started happily singing praise worship songs and they listened in. Their faces brightened slightly, but they couldn’t bring themselves to sing along with me. I felt their love and concern for me, it warmed my heart, and I understood.

The surgery went well. I awakened to see all of my family, including my mom gazing down at me. I was still a little groggy, but so relieved and happy that the surgery was all over!  The next morning the doctor came in and said that there were actually 18 tumors that needed to be removed instead, of the 2 or 3 that he had anticipated, and that I had lost a lot of blood.   “Eighteen tumors?” I said. “No wonder I was in so much pain!” Then he said that although I had lost a great deal of blood, he decided not to give me a transfusion right then, and decided instead to watch me and wait until morning. He went on to say with some excitement and surprise that my blood count was now actually back up to normal! It was a miracle. I didn’t need more blood after all. I thought to myself,  “Thank you Jesus!” because I hadn’t mentioned to my family or my doctor that I really didn’t want a blood transfusion in the first place. This prayer was just  between me and the Lord, and He did it!

“Just one drop”…Just like I asked! It’s like the Scripture says:

“Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it shall be opened.“ – Matthew 7:7-8 TLV

The Lord had given me just what I prayed for!  Quietly, I closed my eyes, exhaled, and felt a great big smile, deep down inside. :)

“A New Thing”

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“Do not remember the former things,

nor consider things of the past.

Here I am,

doing a new thing;

Now it is springing up…”

– Isaiah 43:18 TLV

Because of Who You Are

Who am I

That the Lord of all the earth

Would care to know my name

Would care to feel my hurt?

Who am I

That the Bright and Morning Star

Would choose to light the way

For my ever wandering heart?

Who am I

That the eyes that see my sin

Would look on me with love

and watch me rise again?

Who am I

The the voice that calmed the sea

Would call out through the rain

And calm the storm in me?

Not because of who I am,

But because of what You’ve done.

Not because of what I’ve done,

But because of Who You are.

“I am a flower quickly fading.

Here today and gone tomorrow.

A wave tossed in the ocean.

A vapor in the wind.

Still You

Hear me when I’m calling

Lord, You catch me when I’m falling

And You’ve told me who I am

I am Yours… I am Yours.”

“Who Am I?”- lyrics by Mark Hall; song by Casting Crowns

 

“Thanksgiving and Praise”

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that has made us, and not we ourselves;

we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise:

be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.

For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations.”

-Psalm 100

“His Love Endures Forever”

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“Praise the God of gods for His lovingkindness  endures forever.”

Psalm 136:2

“Dancing”

” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing:

You have put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness. 

To the end that my glory may sing praise to You, and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”

Psalm 30:11-12

“In Everything Give Thanks”

“In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

– Thessalonians 5:18

Thanks Be To God!

brown and green grass field during sunset

” …Thanks be to God who keeps giving us the victory through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah!”

– 1 Corinthians 15:57

“Eternal Life, Eternal Joy!”

“Look, He is coming in the clouds and every eye shall see Him…”  -Revelation 1:7

“Jesus is all the world to me;

I want no better friend.

I trust Him now; I’ll trust Him when

Life’s fleeting days shall end.

Beautiful life with such a Friend;

Beautiful life that has no end!

Eternal life, eternal joy,

He’s my Friend.”

Hymn – “Jesus Is All The World To Me” by Will Lamartine Thompson

“True To Him I’ll Be”

“Jesus is all the world to me;

And true to Him I”ll be.

Oh, how could I this Friend deny

When He’s so true to me?

Following Him I know I’m right;

He watches o’er me day and night.

Following Him by day and night,

He’s my Friend.”

 

Hymn – “Jesus Is All The World To Me” by Will Lamartine Thompson

“He’s My Friend”

“Jesus is all the world to me;

My friend in trials sore.

I go to Him for blessings, and

He gives them o’er and o’er.

He sends the sunshine and the rain;

He sends the harvest’s golden grain:

Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain–

He’s my Friend.”

 

Hymn- “Jesus Is All The Word To Me” by Will Lamartine Thompson

“Jesus Is All The World To Me”

“Jesus is all the world to me;

My life, my joy, my all.

He is my strength from day to day;

Without Him I would fall.

When I am sad, to Him I go;

No other one can cheer me so.

When I am sad, He makes me glad;

He’s my Friend.”

 

-Hymn -“Jesus is All The World to Me” by Will Lamartine Thompson

True Happiness

“It’s not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that makes true happiness.”

-Charles Haddon Spurgeon

With Thanksgiving

“O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.

For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

In His hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is His also.

The sea is His… He made it: and His Hands formed the dry land.

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”

Psalm 95:1-6

Harvest of Joy

“When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion,

We were like them that dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the nations,

The LORD has done great things for them.

The LORD has done great things for us; and we are glad.

Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the South.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”

Psalm 126:1-5

“There Is None Like You”

There is none like You…

No one else can touch my heart like You do,

I could search for all eternity long and find

There is none, there is none

There is none like You.  -Michael W. Smith

“LORD, there is no one like You!

For You are great, and Your Name is full of power.

Who would not fear You, O King of nations?

That title belongs to You alone!

Among all the wise people of the earth

and in all the kingdoms of the world,

there is no one like You.”

Jeremiah 10:6-7

Total Makeover

“The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house,…

there I will cause thee to hear my words.

Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD.”

“Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand...”

Jeremiah 18:1-6

“Spread The Love”

love heart romantic romance

HUGS AND KISSES ARE GOOD FOR THE HEART, BODY, AND SOUL🧡

Hugs:

Reduce harmful physical effects of stress;

Calm deep pressure on children, tantrums, and mellows moodiness;

Help the body’s immune system, cures depression, and induces sleep;

Invigorate and rejuvenate

Increase heart rate and stabilize blood pressure;

Give a positive emotional state;

Bring out a surge of serotonin and dopamine, which are known as “feel good” brain chemicals.

Relieve pain, make you healthier and happier;

Help to overcome fear

Kisses:

Good for the heart, as it creates an adrenaline which causes your heart to pump more blood around your body.

Stress-reliever, lowering your cortisol ‘stress’ hormone.

Endorphins produced by kissing are 200 times more powerful than morphine.

Reduces anxiety and stop the ‘noise’ in your mind.

Increase the levels of oxytocin, an extremely calming hormone that produces a feeling of peace.

Great for self-esteem.  Make  you feel appreciated and helps your state of mind.

Those who kiss quite frequently are less likely to suffer from stomach, bladder and blood infections.

Those who kiss goodbye each morning live five years longer than those who don’t.

So, Here’s to Hugs and Kisses! 

“… Greet one another with a holy kiss.” – 1 Corinthians 16:20

“I Love It Here”

Image result for glorious clouds view

“Lord, I love the house where You live, the place where Your glory dwells.”

Psalm 26:8

“His Way Is Perfect”

“As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried:

He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.

For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?

It is God that girdes me with strength, and makes my way perfect.

He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up,

… thy gentleness hath made me great.”

Psalm 18:30-35

The Peace of God

Be anxious for nothing, but in all things by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

“Write the Vision, Watch it Happen”

“Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, so he may run that reads it.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie:

though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay.”

Habakkuk 2:2-3

“Seasons Change…”

red and orange autumn leaves on the ground and on trees beside body of water

“… but the word of our God will stand forever.”

– Isaiah 40:8

Rest Assured

To trust in God means that He is our confidence; our minds are at rest, as we rely on His word, His integrity, His veracity, His faithfulness, and His unfailing love.

We don’t often hear stories about King Hezekiah, but he is one of my favorite examples of trusting in God. II Kings 18:5, says that Hezekiah trusted God like no other king before or after him.. What a wonderful way to be remembered, as someone who truly trusted in God. In the face of danger, at the threat of war from Sennacherib, king of Assyria, and even after the prophet Isaiah warned him that he would soon die, Hezekiah prayed to God, trusted Him to hear and answer, and God delivered him every time!

King Hezekiah’s sincere, unshakable, trust in God, serves as a great encouragement and example for us today, as we face life’s trials and difficulties. Like him, we too can be assured, that God cares, He hears our prayers,He sees our tears, and will not fail to deliver us, as we place our trust in Him.

“Never Once”

blod fall

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did you leave us on our own

You are faithful, God You are faithful.

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

You are faithful, God You are faithful

Carried by Your constant grace

Held within Your perfect peace

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God you are faithful”

 

From Song Lyrics – “Never Once” by Matt Redman, Jason Ingram, Tim Wanstall

Simple Pleasures

“There are difficulties in everything except in eating pancakes.”

-Charles Spurgeon

Amazing Grace

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“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.

Through many dangers toils and snares, I have already come

His grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”

 

“Amazing Grace” by John Newton

Comforters

“Blessed be the God of all comfort;

Who comforts us

in all our tribulation,

 

that we may be able to comfort them

which are in any trouble,

by the comfort wherewith we ourselves

are comforted of God.”

II Corinthians 1:3-4

God’s Love is Not Reckless

“Reckless Love”  by Bethel music, draws you in with it’s pleasant melody and soothing lyrics, and has become very popular song, but…

❤️

The Love of God is Not reckless

Here’s the definition:

reck•less 

(describing a person or their actions) as being without thinking or caring about the consequences of an action. as in “reckless driving”

synonyms: rash, careless, thoughtless, heedless, unheeding, hasty, impetuous, impulsive, daredevil, devil-may-care, irresponsible, ill-advised, injudicious, imprudent, unwise, ill-considered, etc.

This is not what the scriptures tell us about the love of God.

God’s love is caring;

“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,”

God’s love is thoughtful;

“So that whosoever believes in Him should not perish,”

God’s love is considerate,

“But have everlasting life.”

He laid down His life for us, not recklessly, but counting and knowing the cost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be Still My Soul🕊

Be still my soul-

The Lord is on your side!

Leave to your God

To order and provide-

Be still my soul-

Your best, your heavenly Friend

Thru thorny ways

Leads to a joyful end.

– Jean Sibelius

The Love of God

 

The love of God is greater far

Then tongue or pen can ever tell;

It goes beyond the highest star,

And reaches to the lowest Hell,

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made;

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love

Of God above

Would drain the oceans dry;

Nor could the scroll

Contain the whole,

Tho stretched from sky to sky.

Hymn-“The Love of God” by F.M. Lehman

Stayed

Stayed upon JEHOVAH,

Hearts are fully blessed –

Finding, as He promised,

Perfect peace and rest.

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You…”

– Isaiah 26:3

 

 

 

From the Hymn, “Like A River Glorious”

by F.R. Havergai and James Mountain

God of All My Days

In my worry, God
You are my stillness
In my searching,
God You are the answer
In my blindness, God
You are my vision
In my bondage, God
You are my freedom
In my weakness, God
You are my power
You’re the God of all my days.
Each step I take
You’ve made a way
And I will give you all my praise
My seasons change
You stay the same
You’re the God of all my days
*****************************
 from “God of All My Days”, – Casting Crowns
Lyrics- John Mark Hall and Jason Ingram

Crazy Faith

There was a time when, my family, friends, and neighbors would have thought that “Crazy Faith” would be a perfect title for my autobiography! :)

I know that this is true, because once, when I was in the final months of my pregnancy, (you know, the pregnancy that I prayed 10 years for), I heard someone talking to a neighbor, saying; “We all thought that Faith was losing her mind!… While she was struggling with her health and praying for another baby, her mother and sister would call and say, “We’re really concerned about Faith..”  They thought that I was going crazy!!! I was never told this before, so when I heard it, I laughed, and said, “That’s OK… They thought that Noah was crazy too, but it sure did rain didn’t it? So, I’m in good company!”

It all began 15 years earlier, when I read Luke 8:48,  “Daughter, your faith has made you whole…”, and from that moment on,  there was no turning back for me… I believed it.

Of course, I myself, don’t think it’s “crazy”, but lots of people might consider it crazy to believe for something that seems impossible. Reading those words as a young 24-year-old, and believing that God had spoken to my heart, “fueled” me to move forward in faith, convinced and certain, that God would bless me, despite my physical circumstances.

Is there something that you would like for God to do for you, but you think that it’s impossible, or not important enough, or too big, to ask for?..  Ephesians 3:20 says that God is “…able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,..”  The power at work in us includes our faith!  Many times when Jesus healed someone, he said, “according to your faith be it unto you”, or “your faith has made you whole.”

Even if it makes you look “crazy” to those around you, or, if it’s just a secret request that you haven’t mentioned to anyone else, ask God what you will, and believe with “crazy” or unexplainable faith that, “with God… nothing is impossible.”

Smiles and Blessings,

Faith ♥

Think On These Things🤔

“… Whatever is true,

whatever is honorable,

whatever is just,

whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

whatever is commendable,

— if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise,

— think on these things.”

Philippians 4:8

 

 

Thanks for Everything

” LORD, I thank You for everything in my life;

the good, the bad, the easy, the hard, the joys, and the pain,

I thank You for all of it.”

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

First Thessalonians 5:18

A Good Friday For You and For Me

“But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities:

the chastisement of our peace was upon Him;

and with His stripes we are healed.”

– Isaiah 53:5

Relaxed Confidence

When Abraham gave first choice to Lot, and Lot took the best and greenest pastures for himself, Abraham simply let it be so. Then God promised to give him all the land, as far as his eyes could see, to the east, west, north and south. It didn’t matter that Lot had taken the best for himself. Abraham held a relaxed confidence in God and His promises.

My hope for the future, my trust in your precious promises, and everything that concerns me, is secure in You, LORD,

So I choose to relax, and place my confidence in You.

 

Just Ask

“They don’t have anymore wine.” she said, asking Him to do something about it. “Woman, what does this have to do with you or I?” was His reply.

She turned to the servers and said, “Do whatever He tells you to do.”

They filled the jars with water as He instructed, and took them to the headwaiter, who after tasting it, shouted with excitement to the bridegroom, “…You’ve saved the best wine for last!”

It was the first miracle performed by Jesus, at Mary’s request, turning water into wine during a wedding in Cana; and what was the outcome?

The servants, the wedding guests, the bridegroom, and the disciples, were all astonished and drawn to Him.

“Jesus did this. He revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.” -John 2:11

And all because she just asked. Got a problem? Ask the Lord to do something about it!

Here it is in a nutshell;

“… Anything you ask in My Name I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

– John 14:13

Start Where You Stand

Start where you stand and never mind the past,

The past won’t help you in beginning new,

If you have left it all behind at last

Why, that’s enough, you’re done with it, you’re through;

This is another chapter in the book,

This is another race that you have planned,

Don’t give the vanished days a backward look,

Start where you stand.

The world won’t care about your old defeats

If you can start anew and win success,

The future is your time, and time is fleet

And there is much of work and strain and stress;

Forget the buried woes and dead despairs,

Here is a brand new trial right at hand,

The future is for him who does and dares,

Start where you stand.

Old failures will not halt, old triumphs aid,

To-day’s the thing, to-morrow soon will be;

Get in the fight and face it unafraid,

And leave the past to ancient history;

What has been, has been; yesterday is dead

And by it you are neither blessed nor banned,

Take courage, be brave, and drive ahead,

Start where you stand.

Berton Braley.

Glory To God In The Highest

“… Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you;

You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Luke 2

The Good Doctor

When they saw Him eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples,

“With tax collectors and sinners He eats?”

On hearing this, Jesus said to them,

“Healthy people don’t need a physician, but sick ones do.

I did not come to call righteous people, but sinners.”

– Mark 2:16-17

Like Water Covers the Sea

“The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God

as the waters cover the sea.”

Habakkuk 2:14

Wanna Bees


“Be

joyful in hope,

patient in affliction,

 faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12

 

With Heart In Hand I Trust You

“LORD, I trust You today with my WHOLE LIFE…

For my WHOLE LIFE.♥

For in trusting You,

My LIFE is made WHOLE.”

Small Beginnings

“Don’t despise small beginnings…”

“Though your beginning is small, your latter will greatly increase ”

Job 8:7

Hang in There


“By perseverance the snail reached the ark.”
Charles Spurgeon

Blessed Quietness 


Blessed quietness 

Holy quietness 

What assurance in my soul

On the stormy sea

He speaks peace to me

And the billows cease to roll

– Manie Payne Fergusen 

Power in Simplicity

 

“The ordinary acts we practice, every day at home, are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.”

-Thomas Moore

Amazing Grace

The Lord has promised good to me…His word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be…
as long as life endures

Through many dangers, toils and snares…
I have already come.
T’was grace that brought me safe thus far…
and grace will lead me home.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years…
bright shining as the sun.
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise…
then when we’ve first begun.

John Newton

In God’s Hands

Image result for when i sit in darkness the lord will be a light to me

The Good Shepherd

Yes, though I walk

Through the valley

Of the shadow of death

You are with me

Your rod and Your staff

They comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

 

Where Healing Begins

He Was Wounded, We Are Healed

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

“Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.”

Thomas Moore

The Best Education

 “An eternal question about children is, “How should we educate them?”

Politicians and educators consider more school days in a year, more science and math, the use of computers and other technology in the classroom, more exams and tests, more certification for teachers, and less money for art.

All of these responses come from the place where we want to make the child into the best adult possible, not in the sense of virtuous and wise, but in the sense of one who is an efficient part of the machinery of society. But on all these counts,the soul is neglected.”

-Thomas Moore

“…So  commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine.(says the LORD)

Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you go to bed and when you get up.”

Deuteronomy 11:19

Sweet As Honey

There is nothing sweeter than the Word of God

.

 “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.”

So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.”

Ezekiel 3:3

Leap of Faith

Go for it.

“By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place he was to receive as an inheritance.

He went out, not knowing where he was going.

By faith he migrated to the land of promise…”

Hebrews 11:8

 

 

Double Blessing

Double Rainbow

“Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion,

and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance.

And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,

and everlasting joy will be yours.”

Isaiah 61:7

Patient Endurance

“Remember the former days

When, after you were enlightened,

You endured a great struggle with sufferings.

Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten,

Sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things.

You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail,

And when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy.

You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord.

Remember the great reward it brings you!

Patient endurance is what you need now,

So that you will continue to do God’s will.

Then you will receive all that He has promised.”

 

Hebrews 10:32-35

Tree of Life Version and New Living Translation

 

A New Day

If life seems at its lowest ebb, because a day’s gone wrong,

 

Let not your heart be troubled, for a new day soon will dawn.

And we can never be quite sure, just what it has in store,

Since each one is so different, than the one just gone before.

As it penetrates the darkness, with its soft and tranquil beams,

It calms even the most restless soul, and brings new hopes and dreams.

So when a day’s been troubled, and the night is dark and long,

Lift up your fallen spirits, for a new day soon will dawn.

-Anonymous

Cast Don’t Carry

“Why carry the weight of the world on our shoulders,

when the Lord our God carries us on His.”

“Cast your cares on Him for He cares for you.”

I Peter 5:7

*Photo- Google Images

My Shepherd

ADONAI is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff comfort me.

 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: You have anointed my head with oil, my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of ADONAI forever.”

Psalm 23- TLV

Season of Showers

Image result for rain

“… I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing;

and I will cause the shower to come down in his season;

there shall be

Showers of Blessing.”

Ezekiel 34:26

Behold, I Am Doing a New Thing, Now it Will Spring Forth

It’s Blooming in the Desert!

After 5 years of devastating drought in southern California, the mountains and deserts of Death Valley are exploding with beautiful blooms and color!

Thus says ADONAI…

“Here I am, doing a new thing; Now it is springing up!”

“I will make a way in the desert and rivers in the wasteland”

– Isaiah 43:19

TLV

Cactus blooms in Southern California desert/Photos- CBS News

“Remember Me”

“And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:19-20

There are many traditions, holidays, and ceremonies, that we observe and hold in remembrance, and many of them in the name of Christianity. We celebrate birthdays, and Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, and that’s fine, they are special days, and it’s good to celebrate, but there is one thing that the Lord has asked us to observe, in remembrance of Him, and the sacrifice that He made to redeem us, saying, “Do this as oft as you will, in remembrance of me.”  II Corinthians 11:25

As we remember the last supper today, we are also reminded of Christ’s sacrificial love for all of us…We are reminded of His tremendous suffering, and the price that He paid to save us, and that by His grace, through faith, we are saved.

Thank you, Jesus.

Perfect Peace

“Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest

Finding, as He promised, Perfect peace and rest”

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusts in you.”

Isaiah 26:3

Way Maker, Chain Breaker

“If you’ve got pain
He’s a Pain Taker
If you feel lost
He’s a Way Maker
If you need freedom or saving
He’s a prison-shaking Savior
If you’ve got chains
He’s a Chain Breaker”

Lyrics from “Chain Breaker” by Zach Williams

Spring of Hope

 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Romans 15:13

Wonders

“Remember the wonders He has performed,

His miracles…”

I Chronicles 16:11

Can a Mother Forget?

Image result for mother and baby nursing silhouette

Sometimes when we’ve been praying for something for a very long time, we begin to lose heart, and wonder if the answer will ever come. I know exactly how that feels. I remember praying and praying for God to work a miracle in my life, and sometimes, I felt that God had forgotten about me and my situation. Of course we know that God sees us always, and knows everything about our lives, but still, it is true of us as humans, that we sometimes think that our situation may not be as urgent to God as we would like for it to be.

This is so not true!

At one of my lowest points, the LORD gave me a verse which comforted me and reassured me, and to this day, this verse is very near and dear to my heart. In Isaiah 49:15-16, the Lord says, “Can a mother forget her nursing child?… Yes, she might, but I have not forgotten you… I have you engraved on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.”  This is how I understood what He was saying to me through this verse:

1. “Can a mother forget her nursing child?” – Naturally, the answer to this question would be a resounding, “No.”  We all know how attached a mother is to her newborn baby, and so we understand the significance of this question. But…

2. “Yes, she might,” – Although it would seem impossible for a mother to forget or abandon her newborn child, it has happened, as unbelievable as it would seem, sadly, it has been the case for some mothers. But…

3. “I have not forgotten you” – God is saying that His love and care for us is even greater than a mother’s love. Infinitely greater. How so?…

4. “I have you engraved on the palms of my hands” – Here, I pictured the palms of my Savior’s Hands, which still bear the nail scars, pierced for me… And then…

5. “Your walls are continually before me.” – My situation and the circumstances that surround me, are continually before Him!… Oh, Glory to God!!

Here it is in a nutshell…

God loves you, more than you can imagine, He has not forgotten you, and  your situation is continually, always, before Him.

Hold on.  :)

In The Boat With Us

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples,Image result for stormy sea

“Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”

So they took Jesus in the boat and started out,

And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea,

Insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves:

But Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat…

 His disciples came to Him, and awoke Him, saying,

Lord,… “Carest thou not that we perish?”

And He saith unto them,

Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?

Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea;

And there was a great calm.

But the men marveled, saying,

What manner of man is this,

That even the winds and the sea obey Him!”

Matthew 8:25 and Mark 4:38

-As we “cross to the other side”, through the storms and trials of life,

Jesus cares.

He is “in the boat” with us.

He cares

and He will calm the sea.”

Quietly Waiting

Image result for psalm 62 5

“Let all that I am

wait quietly before God,

for my expectation

is from Him.”

Psalm 62:5

Don’t Worry

Image result for journey by faith

“So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

Genesis 22:14

Recommended Daily

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last.
Well, neither does bathing – that’s why it’s recommended daily.”
– Zig Ziglar

O God, Our Help

“O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home,” -Isaac Watts

Image result for psalm 46 1

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1

I Stand in Awe

“You are beautiful beyond description

Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful for comprehension
Like nothing seen or heard
Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depth of Your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of You
I stand, I stand in awe of You
Holy God to whom all praise is due

I stand, I stand in awe of You.”

-Hillsong

Heaven is for Real

Because Jesus said so;

“Let not your heart be troubled:

Ye believe in God, believe also in Me.

In my Father’s house are many mansions:

If it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again, and receive you unto myself;

That where I am, there ye may be also,”

John 14:1-3

Delay Does Not Mean Denied

Waiting for an answer to prayer can be hard sometimes, but I’d just like to share that although it seems that there  may be a delay, it doesn’t mean that your request has been denied. In fact, it has been my experience that after what seemed to be a great delay, I was blessed far and away more than I was asking for in the first place! 

Here’s an example from  John 11:1-44

A request for healing is brought to Jesus. “…A certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha… Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

 Jesus responds with a delay. ” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.” Then, after finally arriving in Bethany, Lazarus having been dead 3 days, 

 Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.  ” He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”

And he who had died came out,,.. “

“Are you praying for something, and there seems to be a delay in receiving your answer? Just remember that God is working all things together for your good, and He is able to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that you may ask or think… So hold on, the answer’s on its way, and it promises to exceed your expectations!”  :)

In The Secret Place

“He that dwells  in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.

Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”

Psalm 91

And It Came To Pass

nativity

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed…

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”

 Luke 2:1-6

 

Joyful Noise

“Hark the herald angels sing

Glory to the new born King

Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled

Joyful all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With angelic host proclaim

Christ is born in Bethlehem

Hark the herald angels sing

Glory to the new born king!”

 

Charles Wesley

I Love This Story! Please Read It

There was once a man who didn’t believe in God, and he didn’t hesitate to let others know how he felt about religious holidays like Christmas. His wife however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have faith in God and, His Son, Jesus, The Christ, despite her husband’s disparaging comments…

One snowy Christmas Eve, his wife was taking their children to a Christmas Eve service in the farm community in which they lived. She asked him to come, but he refused.  “That story is nonsense!” he said. “Why would God lower Himself to come to earth as a man? That’s ridiculous!” So she and the children left, and he stayed home.

A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm.  He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window. Then another thump. He looked out, but couldn’t see more than a few feet. When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window. In the field near his house he saw a flock of wild geese.

Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn’t go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed.

The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It’s warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But the geese just fluttered around aimlessly and didn’t seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to scare them and they moved further away. He went into the house and came with some bread, broke it up, and made a breadcrumb trail leading to the barn. They still didn’t catch on.

Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe.

“Why don’t they follow me?!” he exclaimed. “Can’t they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?”  He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn’t follow a human. “If only I were a goose, then I could save them,” he said out loud.

Then he had an idea. He went into barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese.  He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn–and one by one the other geese followed it to safety.

He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind: “If only I were a goose, then I could save them!” Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. “Why would God want to be like us? That’s ridiculous!”

Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese–blind, lost, perishing. God had His Son Jesus, to become like us so He could show us the way and save us. That was the meaning of Christmas, he realized.

As the winds and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought. Suddenly he understood what Christmas was all about, why Christ, the Messiah had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished like the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer: “Thank You, Jesus, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!”

Author Unknown

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God…

“…Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given:…and His Name shall be called

Wonderful,

Counselor,

The mighty God,

The everlasting Father,

The Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

God With Us

“…The Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son,and shall call His Name Immanuel.”  Isaiah 7:14

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His Name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23

Between Now and Not Yet

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

You may not realize

You will often forget
That I have a plan for you
Between now and not yet

I have so much more for you
You focus so much on debt
I have plans for you to prosper
 Between  now and  not yet

You’ll walk through the valleys
And fear to take your next step
My plans are not to harm you
Between the now and the not yet

If you’ll slow down and take a breath
Take time to watch My sun set
It’s My plan to give you hope and a future
Between the  now and  the not yet

“The Plan I Know” by David Andrews 

Perfect Light

“Star of wonder, Star of night,

Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading,  Still proceeding.

Guide us to thy

Perfect Light“

-John Hopkins Jr.

Morning by Morning

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not,
As Thou hast been,Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above;
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.

-Thomas Chisholm

Through Trials

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.

Only through experiences of trial and suffering

Can the soul be strengthened,

Vision cleared,

ambition inspired,

and success achieved.”

Helen Keller

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Friends

     

‘Two are better than one;…. For if they fall, the one will lift the other up.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

O Give Thanks

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endures for ever.”

Psalm 136:10

Dancing

” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing:

You have put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness. 

To the end that my glory may sing praise to You, and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”

Psalm 30:11-12

Bold

Proverbs 28:1 says,  “… the righteous are bold as a lion.”  and in Hebrews 4:16 we’re told to come boldly before God’s throne in prayer. This is what Caleb did.

You can read about Caleb in Joshua chapter 14 verses 7-14 , and interestingly enough, the name Caleb means “bold”. Here’s his story…

Caleb was 85 years old when the Israelites reached the promised land. He was one of only two men who had survived the 40 year wanderings in the desert. After being freed from slavery in Egypt, he and Joshua were chosen by Moses to spy out the land that God had promised them. There were 12 men in all, one for each tribe. When they returned from their travels, 10 of the spies were terrified, and reported that it would be impossible to defeat these cities because they considered themselves and  their own people to be too small in comparison.  But Joshua and Caleb believed that God had led them to this good land and had faith that He would give them the victory.

The people believed the 10 spies. God was angry with them and because of their unbelief, they would have to spend the next 40 years walking around the desert until they all died off, leaving only their children and grandchildren to be the ones who would inherit the promised land. But God honored the faith of Caleb and Joshua.

Joshua became the leader of his people after the death of Moses, leading them into the promised land, dividing the Jordan River, and marching onto victory in the battle of Jericho. Caleb now 85 years old had remained strong in faith, and courageous in battle. In the face of battle over the land that Moses had promised would be his inheritance, Caleb boldly responded, saying:

“… the LORD hath kept me alive, as He said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake His word to Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now lo, I am now eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: As my strength was then, even so is my strength now… Now therefore give me this mountain,… the LORD will be with me, then I will be able to drive (the inhabitants) out, as the LORD said…Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb.”

He got what he wanted. Caleb was bold in his faith as a young man, and even as an old man. He knew that there was nothing too big to ask God for, and his boldness is evidence of that faith.

By faith, we are the righteousness of God in Christ, and “the righteous are as bold as a lion.”

You Can Count On It

true love

You can count on God’s Word.

If God said it, you can count on it to come to pass.

His Word is absolutely trustworthy.

God never breaks His Word.

In Him there are no broken promises.

“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should change His mind.”

“Does He speak and then not act?”

“Does He promise and not fulfill? “

Numbers 23:19Â