“He knows the way I take…
I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.
He is unchangeable, and who can change Him?
Whatever His soul desires, He does…
Dominion and awe are with Him…”
Job 23:10,12,13 and 25:2
“He knows the way I take…
I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.
He is unchangeable, and who can change Him?
Whatever His soul desires, He does…
Dominion and awe are with Him…”
Job 23:10,12,13 and 25:2
“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.
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 overheard my husband 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!!! He had never told me 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 ♥
My computer broke down and REFUSED to open several months ago. I’m still sulking over it and so, no blogging. Yes, I know that I could use my iphone or my tablet but after all these years, I’m always most comfortable writing with my computer, and this computer was only 18 MONTHS OLD when it gave out on me. After paying so much for it and with only a 12 month warranty, I WAS LIVID.
It’s a matter of principle. The main reason I bought this computer was so I could “depend on it for years to come”, or at least that’s what they told me at my “friendly neighboorhood Best Buy”, saying, “It is after all a Macbook Pro!” They got me… And now, here I am, writing on my teeny-weeny, tiny tablet.
But,
When I stop and think about it. I realize that there are alot worse things that could happen, and I’m reminded of what Paul says in Phillipians 4:11,
“I have learned in whatsoever state I am to be content.” so I’m learning, doing what makes me happy, and it’s good to be back!
Have a great weekend.
“To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
“A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.”
Ecclesiastes, 3:1-8
“Be
joyful in hope,
patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12
“Don’t despise small beginnings…”
“Though your beginning is small, your latter will greatly increase ”
Job 8:7
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
“… 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
“Valentine’s Day is almost here, so here’s a “Post from the Past” just for you!”
I met the man who was to become my husband when I was nineteen years old. At first no one took me seriously, because I had never been serious about anyone before. My closest friends teased me and joked that this new relationship would probably only last for about two weeks and then it would be over, because that’s how it had been for me up until then. But this time was different.
My friends soon became aware of the difference in me as I lit up whenever I talked about him, and talked about him constantly. I began spending less and less time with them, and wanted to spend more and more time with him. When we left campus, for our hometowns in different cities during holiday breaks , I would miss him terribly and couldn’t wait to be with him again. While at home on break, I would curl up in bed with my mother, like two girls at a slumber party, and tell her all about him, talking all night long…
In Revelation 2:4-5, Jesus says to the church at Ephesus, “
... You have left your first love…repent and do the first works…”
I think about the first works or actions of a person experiencing a first love, and I ask myself,
“Am I still doing the first works?” Do I still light up whenever I talk about my Savior? Do I still speak of Him constantly? Am I spending more time with Him than I do with less important activities? If I haven’t read my Bible in a while, do I miss it? Could I stay up all night, talking and sharing about His love and His faithfulness? Asking these questions stirs the heart, generates enthusiasm, and awakens a fresh start.
“May the Lord reignite the spark that fueled our first works, and may we continue
to rekindle our love for Him Who first loved us.”♥
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. :)
“Let all that I am
wait quietly before God,
for my expectation
is from Him.”
Psalm 62:5
“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
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
“A cheerful heart is good medicine. “
Proverbs 17:22
“I am poured out like water, … all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me.”
“Trust in Him at all times; …
Pour out your heart before Him:
God is a refuge for us.”
Selah.
Psalm 22:14 and 62:8
The bible says that Jabez, a descendant of Judah, was “more honorable than his brothers”and even though his mother named him Jabez (which means pain), he called out to the LORD and God heard him and gave him what he requested.
This is not a story about getting everything we want, it’s actually an example that there’s always hope when we pray because no matter what we’ve been through, or what we’ve been called, as children of God, we have His eye.
Jabez may not be as well known as Abraham or Moses but that’s just the point! God’s love is there for the “little guys”too and the story of Jabez reminds us that in Christ, each of us is special and uniquely significant. He cares for us and will answer when we pray.
“Jabez called out to the God of Israel, saying,
“If only You would greatly bless me, and enlarge my territory. Let Your hand be with me,
and keep me from harm, so that I might not suffer pain.”
And God granted what he asked.”
I Chronicles 4:10-TLV
A Reflection of Him…
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
“In the world ye shall have tribulation…”
“But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after that ye have suffered a while,
He Himself will restore, establish, strengthen, settle you.”
John 16:33 and I Peter 5:10
“Forget yesterday.
Don’t worry about tomorrow.
Trust God today.”
-F. Carr
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence; and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation; and uphold me with Your free Spirit.
Psalm 51:1-12
I put up a fight
And told You how to help me
And just when I had given up
The truth is coming clear
You know…Better Than I
You know…The way
I’ve let go…the need to know why
‘Cause You know Better Than I
If this has been a test
I cannot see the reason
But maybe not knowing
Is part of getting thru
I tried to do what’s best,
and faith has made it easy
I see the best thing I can do
Is put my faith in You, for
You know…Better Than I
You know…The way
I’ve let go…the need to know why
‘Cause You know Better Than I.
Joy Williams
…”Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts,…”
“…Choose you this day whom ye will serve…”
Hebrews 3:15 and Joshua 24:15
PURSUING THE GOAL
“Forgetting what is behind, and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal for the reward of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
“Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy.
Though I have fallen— I will arise.
Though I sit in darkness. The Lord is my light.”
Micah 7:8
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:
and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised,
and we esteemed Him not.
Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:
yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 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.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;
and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah 53:3-6
This is no time for fear
This is the time for faith and determination
Don’t lose the vision here, carried away by the motion
Hold on to all that you hide in your heart
There is one thing that has always been true
It holds the world together
There is one that will always be true,
It will be true forever.
God is in control
We believe that His children will not be forsaken
God is in control
We will choose to remember and never be shaken
There is no power above or beside Him, we know
God is in control
He has never let you down
Why start to worry now?
Why start to worry now?
He is still the Lord of all we see
And He is still the loving Father
Watching over you and me
God is in control.
Twila Paris
“…He calls his own sheep by name,
and leads them out….
He goes before them,
and the sheep follow Him: for they know His voice.
And a stranger they will not follow…”
My sheep hear my voice,…
I know them, and they follow me:…
I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all;
and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
I and my Father are one.”
John 10:1-5 ,27-30
“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,”
“He is like dawn’s first light,
like bright sun, blazing on a cloudless morning,
glistening on grassland,
that flourishes
after a rain shower.”
Luke 1:78
II Samuel 23:4
“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.”
Joel 2:31-32
“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Acts 2:20-21
“And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood…“
Revelation 6:12
“I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
“Have Thine own way, Lord,
Have Thine own way.
Thou art the Potter,
I am the clay.
Mold me and make me,
After Thy will,
While I am waiting,
Yielded and still.”
– Adelaide Pollard
“Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leads to life,
and few there be that find it.”
Matthew 7:14
“Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…”
Isaiah 61:3
Put on the garment of praise
For the spirit of heaviness
Lift up your voice to God
Praise with the Spirit
And with understanding
O magnify the Lord
Lift up the hands that hang down
Lift up the voice now still
Give unto God continuous praise
Sing forth from Zion’s hill
Sing to Yahweh, alleluia
Worship and praise our God
Love and adore Him
Bow down before Him
O magnify the Lord!
David Ingles
“The righteous are bold as a lion.”
“A lion… strongest among beasts,… turns not away for any.”
Proverbs 28:1 and 30:30
“The LORD will guide you continually,
and satisfy your needs in parched places,
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.”
Isaiah 58:11
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise Him.”
Psalm 28:7
“It gives me a deep, comforting sense, that things seen are temporal…
and things unseen are eternal.”
Helen Keller
“Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.
And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.
Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, Who has been given to us.” -Romans 5:3-5
“The period of the evening between daylight and darkness is called twilight.”
In the days of Elisha, there was a severe famine. Outside the city gates there were four men who were lepers. These four men reasoned among themselves, “Why should we just sit here until we die? If we go into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there, and if we just sit here, we will die also. Let’s go to the camp of the Syrians. Maybe they will save us alive, or if they kill us, we shall but die…
And so they rose up in the twilight, to go to the camp of the Syrians.
When they got to the camp of the Syrians, there was no one there because the Lord had made the entire Syrian army to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, and the noise of a great army approaching, and they thought that the king of Israel had hired other foreign armies to join with him to fight them...So they arose and fled in the twilight... When the lepers arrived they found an abundance of food, silver and gold. They sent word back to the king and the starving people were satisfied.
I love this story. You can find it in II Kings chapter 7. I am always amazed that at precisely the same moment that the lepers decided to step out in faith, God began working on their behalf. As soon as they arose to go at twilight, God allowed the Syrians to hear an illusion at twilight, which scared them out of their wits and caused them to leave their treasures. The lepers were on their way, had probably walked all night, but God had already fought the battle for them, He had already solved their problem.
From famine to feasting, from rags to riches, God turned it all around, at precisely the moment that they believed… in the twilight.
The next morning, with the rising of the sun, came long-awaited joy and deliverance.
“When you sense that your dark night is one of pregnancy and oceanic return,
You could react accordingly and be still.
Watch and wonder.
Take the human embryo as your model.
Assume the fetal position, emotionally and intellectually.
Be silent.
Float in your darkness, as if it were the waters of the womb,
And give up trying to fight your way out or make sense of it.”
Thomas Moore
“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. We are reminded that by His grace, through faith, we are saved.
Thank you, Jesus.♥
This is holy week, and as I thought about of how Jesus cleansed the temple, I started thinking about how, once we commit our lives to Christ, our bodies become the temple of the Holy Spirit.
In Psalm 51:1, David prays;
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me…”
He asked the LORD to come in and cleanse his temple, (“Create in me a clean heart”), and once his temple, was cleansed, he wanted the LORD to renew a right spirit within him.
This week, as I remember the events leading up to the crucifixion, I reflect on how Christ “cleansed the temple”, and how, because of His love, and by His blood, we too can be made clean, and by His Holy Spirit, a right spirit is renewed within us.
“Weeping may endure for a night”
and I’ve learned that the night
can be very long...
but then, I remember
that even though it’s darkest before dawn,
“Joy comes in the morning”
And for that, I can hold on.”
-Faith Carr
“…Be not anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow shall be anxious for itself”
Matthew 6:34
“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it only empties today of its strength.”
Charles Spurgeon
“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
“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee
When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For thou hast been a shelter for me,
… a strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever:
I will trust in the covert of thy wings.”
Selah.
Psalm 61:4
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 his 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
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
“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
I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
You hear me when I call, You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night, It cannot hide the light
You crush the enemy, Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield, Though troubles linger still
Whom shall I fear?
My strength is in Your name, For You alone can save
You will deliver me, Yours is the victory
I know who goes before me, I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies, Is always by my side
The one who reigns forever, He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies, Is always by my side
And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I’m holding on to Your promises… You are faithful.
I know who goes before me, I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies, Is always by my side
The one who reigns forever, He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies, Is always by my side
The God of angel armies, Is always by my side.
From Chris Tomlin’s “Whom Shall I Fear”
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 her frame,
from everlasting, thou art God,
to endless years the same.
A thousand ages, in thy sight,
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night,
before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever rolling stream,
bears all who breathe away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.
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
Isaac Watts
There once was 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 his 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
“…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…”
Galatians 5:22-23
“My soul, wait you only upon God; for my expectation is from him.”
Psalm 62:5
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God: he that knows God hears us; he that is not of God hears not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that loves not knows not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loves God love his brother also.”
I John 4 ♥
Above all powers, above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here, before the world began
Above all kingdoms, above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There’s no way to measure what you’re worth
Crucified, laid behind a stone
You lived to die, rejected and alone
Like a rose, trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all ♥
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
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…”
“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God,
so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. “
Hebrews 11:1,3
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
Henry Ford
“…The race is not to the swift
nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding,.. but time and chance happeneth to them all.”
Ecclesiastes 9:11
“I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
In the day when I cried thou answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul.
All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.”
Psalm 138
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run in and they are safe.”
Proverbs 18:10
“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 girdeth me with strength, and maketh 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
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
I John 5:4
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.
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…
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Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons! –Ruth Ann Schabacker
“… Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” I Corinthians 2:9
“And the same day, when the evening was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:35-40
“He cuts out rivers among the rocks; and his eye sees every precious thing.” Job 28:10
“Dear Lord, I thank you for everything, and every circumstance in my life today…”
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” First Thessalonians 5:18
“… 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
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
thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
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 will be.
“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 careth for you.Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast 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 hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye 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
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,…
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
1 Peter 1:3 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
“…My expectation is from Him.”
Psalm 62:5
“You might not always get what you want, but you always get what you expect.”
Charles Spurgeon
Expect The Best!
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”
Romans 8:35 and 37
Don’t worry about anything…
“Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them… you are far more valuable to him than they.” Matthew 6:26
It’s Throwback Thursday and “Crazy Faith” is all about having faith, and believing God for what seems impossible, regardless of your circumstances. Read more and be encouraged!
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 overheard my husband 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!!! He had never told me 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…
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“…Don’t be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow shall be anxious for itself” Matthew 6:34
“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.”
Charles Spurgeon
Happy Mother’s Day to you all, and a very special Mother’s day to my own dear Mom!
I’m so thankful for the mother that God has blessed me with. She is my friend, and has been a tower of strength for me, as she constantly gives of herself, and encourages me in the word of God. I am thankful for the example she has given me in mothering my own three children, and I am thankful for her own mother, my sweet grandma, who although she has gone on to be with Jesus, has left a loving legacy of motherhood for me as well, and my children still benefit from her example of love, courage, and faith.
Just as the Apostle Paul said of Timothy, in 2 Timothy 1:51; ” When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” My grandmother, who introduced me to Christ, and my mother, who continually encourages me in Him, have blessed me, and instilled in me, the treasure of possessing an unfeigned faith in God, loving Jesus, and trusting in His Word, for which I am eternally grateful.
God Bless You all, and have a Happy Mother’s Day!
Good Morning! This week has really flown by and again it’s Thursday, here’s a reblog to help you get the most out of your day. Hope your day is tops! :)
My oldest daughter has recently reminded me of how amazing it can be to just watch the sun come up in the morning. So often, the beautiful, breath-taking colors, go unnoticed each morning, (and I’m ashamed to say it) but, mostly by me. My daughter has actually been getting up earlier just to see the sun rise and this has prompted me to stop and think… Am I so caught up with what’s coming up in the day ahead to appreciate whats right in front of me? Nowadays though, it’s not that I’m so busy because I am currently 18 months into a two-year recovery from surgery, but in many ways I miss being busy, while at the same time I’m disappointed and frustrated with the physical limitations that I am experiencing. I’m so glad that she brought this to my attention, because it has given me the opportunity to reflect and regroup.
I reflect on how each sunrise…
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“When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Psalm 61:2
They say, “Where there’s smoke there’s fire”, so is it also true that where there’s fire there’s smoke?” Not according to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It says in Daniel 3:20-24 that when they were thrown into the fiery furnace, the king saw four men walking in the fire, and the fourth looked like the Son of God, and when he called them out of the fire, they were completely untouched by the flames, and then, to top it all off, their clothes didn’t even smell like smoke. Now, that’s amazing!! You can’t even start coals for a barbecue, without smelling like smoke! Verse 24 says that” the fire had no power over them!”Our God Is AWESOME!! This story is a fire-bright, blatant example, of how God is with us “in the fire“, these fiery trials have no power over us, and when it’s over, we won’t even smell like smoke! Now that’s Hot!
A Reflection of Him…
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
“In quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15
It’s “Throwback Thursday” and here’s an exciting read! This is a true story of a tragedy, and how the Lord protects us, and keeps us safe, even in the most dangerous circumstances. Take a look!
What comes to mind when you hear the word pinto? I guess it depends on how old you are, “It’s a bean! It’s a horse! No! It’s an automobile!!!!!” That’s right, a Pinto is an automobile produced by Ford in the 70’s. It was a squatty, compact car with a huge triangular window in the back. But to me, a sixteen year-old looking at her first car, it was the cutest thing that I had ever seen! One cool morning in October, when I was seventeen, I was just leaving for school when my mother called out from the back of the house, “Hey, drive carefully and remember what they said on the news about those Pintoes blowing up!! Be careful.” This was true. Upon impact, (near the gas tank), Pintoes were sometimes prone to explode. “Ok, I’ll be careful.” I answered, and I was on my way. I…
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“He will once again fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy!”
It’s so encouraging to see the little faces and gravatar images at the end of a post from fellow bloggers who “like” it. It really makes me feel good inside, and for those of you who have done so on any of my posts, I just wanted to send out a special thank you!
I love the verse in Proverbs 27:17 that says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend,” That’s how it is in life, between those who are closely connected, through family, and friendship, and I’m thankful for the connection that I’ve found working and sharing along with those of you who either visit, “like”, or follow this blog.
As iron sharpens iron, I have been strengthened and encouraged through this blogging experience, and it is my hope that others will be strengthened and encouraged as they visit here as well.
God bless you today, and always.
Faith :)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God shall help her and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations He hath made in the earth. He makes wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaks the bow, and cuts the spear in sunder; He burns the chariot in the fire, “Be still, and know that I am God” I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” Psalm 46
Suffering may endure for a season,
And we wonder when relief will come.
Is this for a time of testing
A really deep trial for some?
Day by day we endure our heartaches,
Often questioning why,
We don’t seem to fully understand
And we come before God with a sigh!
“Just quiet yourself in My presence,” He says,
“I have blessings for you in store,
This time with me will be precious,
Even more than ever before.”
The wonderful promises in God’s Holy Word
Bring comfort, encouragement and peace,
And as we nestle up close to Him.
Our Faith brings sweet release.
So let us joyfully praise the Lord,
If, through suffering we can learn,
Truths that will help to guide our way,
And His Word more clearly discern.
Elsie K. Young
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory.” -2 Corinthians 4:7
“The Lord will bless His people with peace.”Psalm 29:11
“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
This is the first in a series of reblogs that I call, “Throwback Thursdays.” It’s a previous post from my blog, and I’ll be sharing one each Thursday. “Leftovers” is one of my very first posts, published around New Years Day, of this year. I hope that you will be encouraged!
– Faith :)
Last night, while putting away the last of the chicken wings that had not been devoured by my food-lovin’ family, I thought about how some habits or problems can be like leftovers following us into the new year. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind leftovers, especially like pizza for breakfast, but what about leftover issues, feelings, and disappointments, from last year, that are still hanging around, and keeping us down? You know what happens to leftovers in the fridge when they’ve been around too long. They start to stink, and not look so good, and most of all they aren’t any good to you anymore. Bad habits, deep-seated hurts, and other problems can be just like that.
Sometimes we carry leftovers over from year to year, and sometimes they can add up for a lifetime. Imagine a lifetime of leftovers just sittin’ around in your fridge! Yuck! But let’s be honest, sometimes that’s how it is…
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“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” I Peter 5:7
Some people call it “Over-the- Hump Day” and we all know why, because we’re all just trying to make it through another week, and by the time Wednesday gets here, we’re ready to head straight down-hill, full-speed ahead, right into the weekend! Am I right? Well, about three or four weeks ago, I gained a new appreciation for Wednesdays, and every other day of the week. Here’s what happened;
It all began one Tuesday night, when my youngest daughter, a fifth grader, came to kiss me good night. “Goodnight, Honey!” I said, as we hugged and she kissed me on the cheek. Afterwards, I noticed that she had a sad look on her face, and I asked, “What’s wrong?” She let out a huge sigh, and said, “I hate Wednesdays!” This was new, I hadn’t heard that before, so I asked her why, and she said “Wednesdays are never good for me. It’s the worst day of the week. We change classes, and it’s so boring. I just hate it.” I told her that I was sorry to hear that, and that I didn’t know that she felt that way, and I thought to myself, “Wow, stressed out in the fifth grade!” so I said, “Don’t worry Honey, tomorrow will be a better day for you. We prayed together and she went to bed.
The next morning, as I was driving her to school, we talked about how she felt. I told her that I would be praying for her, and that she should just change her mind, and her expectations for how her Wednesdays were going to turn out. “From now on,” I said, “We’re gonna call it a Won-nnnderful Wednesday!‘ She laughed, and that’s just how we said it.” Won-nnnderful Wednesday!”
When I picked her up from school that afternoon, she ran to my Jeep, and hopped in, with a huge, “ginormous” smile on her face, and said, “Mommy, guess what? This was the best Wednesday ever! It was a Wonderful Wednesday!”
The next day we came up with a name for Thursday. I love music, dancing, and a good beat, so I suggested that we call it a “Thumpin’ Thursday!” She thought that was funny and liked it, so, “Thumpin’ Thursday” it was. Again, she was all smiles at the end of her school-day. “Why stop here?” I thought, and so we came up with a name for every day of the school-week. Here they are:
Monday-“Have a Marvelous Monday, pronounced, “Mah-hhhhvelous Monday!”
Tuesday-“Have a Terrific Tuesday, pronounced, “Ter-rrrrific Tuesday!”
Wednesday “Have a Wonderful Wednesday, pronounced,” Won-nnnderful Wednesday!”
Thursday – “Have a Thumping Thursday, pronounced, “Thumpin’ Thursday!”
Friday – “Have a Fantastic Friday, pronounced, “Fan- TAS -tic Friday!”
This has become part of our good-bye routine each morning when I drop her off for school, and I’m happy to report that she hasn’t had a “Worst-day -of -the-week Wednesday” since. :)
“This is the day that the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
Have a Won-nnnderful Wednesday!
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 all that surrounds me, is 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. :)
“…We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous…” I John 2:1
“God will not be absent when His people are on trial; he will stand in court as their advocate, to plead on their behalf. ” –Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for good and not for evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11
Thankful today, for the peace and assurance of knowing, that my life,… today, tomorrow,and forever, is in His Hands.
Have a Blessed day!
“…This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us; And if we understand that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” I John 5:14-15
“He heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds…Great is our Lord, and of great power;
His understanding is infinite.” Psalm 147: 3,5
“Quietly waiting and listening, anticipating a blessing.”
There is a story found in 2 Samuel, chapter 5:17 – 25, where David has just been anointed king over Israel, and when all of the Philistines heard this, they set out to fight against him in battle. The bible says that the Philistines “spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim”, and here’s what I love about David; he always asks the Lord first before he does anything! ( I would love to go much deeper on this subject, but that’s another post, so please stay tuned!) The bible says that “…David enquired of the LORD, saying “Shall I go up to the Philistines? Wilt Thou deliver them into my hand?” And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.” So David went to battle with the Philistines, the LORD was with him, and he defeated them.
Not long after this the Philistines regrouped, and returned to attack David again. You would think that David would just “take them on” in confidence, knowing that God was with him before. and so naturally he would be victorious again, but no. David again enquired of the LORD, and it’s a good thing too,because this time the LORD had different battle plan in mind for him. (This is so exciting I can hardly wait to write it!!)
God told David that he was not to use the same strategy to defeat the Philistines as he did last time. This time, he was to come up from behind them, waiting in ambush under the mulberry trees… The LORD said “… When you hear the sound of a rustling in the tops of the mulberry trees, get ready to attack, for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.” And David did as the LORD commanded him; and smote the Philistines…” AWESOME!!!
This is so exciting! It was actually as if God Himself was in the trenches with David, and from the heavens, He would “tickle” the tops of the mulberry trees, to signal David that He was with him, and would go before him, and would give him the victory!
Just imagine David and his troops, quietly waiting and listening, in anticipation for God to do something great on their behalf. Now, imagine yourself in the same position…
“Quietly waiting and listening, anticipating a blessing!” God Bless You. :)
Taking the limits off our faith, releases unlimited possibilities…
“With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27