Tag Archives: stress

“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

Come Away… Rest Awhile

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

“…Come away by yourselves to an isolated place and rest awhile.” – Mark 6:31

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.

 

Small Beginnings

“Don’t despise small beginnings…”

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

Job 8:7

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

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

Quiet Place

blod fall

“Come by yourselves apart into a quiet place, and rest a while…”

Mark 6:31

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

Tomorrow

“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

Double For Your Trouble

There isn’t anything that we go through, that hasn’t first been permitted by God. This may be a little hard to accept sometimes, but it’s true, and in the end we’ll see that it was only allowed for our good… And that’s not all.

When it’s all over, the Lord will bless you in such a way that you receive “double for your trouble”, and sometimes even more.

Remember when the LORD told Abraham, way back in the beginning before Sarah was even pregnant, that he would be the father of a huge nation and this nation would be slaves in a foreign land, and that they would be there for over 400 years, but He would deliver them with a mighty Hand and they would come out with great substance?( Meaning they would come out with great riches.) Well 400 years of slavery is a long time for people to spend working for no pay, and the bible says that the morning after the first Passover, the Egyptians just started giving the Hebrews anything they wanted and they “spoiled” the Egyptians. Psalm 105:37 says, “He brought them forth also (out of Egypt), with silver and gold.”  And we all know the story of Job who, after he had so tremendously suffered, received twice as much of all that he had before.

Think about it. Hasn’t God brought you out of trouble and then blessed you? It could be that He blessed you monetarily, or restored your health, or blessed your family, or even blessed you with wisdom, in preparation for the blessings yet to come.

In Isaiah 61:7, the LORD says, ” For your shame you shall have double...” and if God says it, that settles it!

So if you’re going through a rough time right now, be encouraged…

You’re gonna be blessed DOUBLE FOR YOUR TROUBLE!!!!

Strong

 

“You never know how

STRONG 

you are until

being strong is the only choice you have. “

– Bob Marley

Trusting God

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.

How Long

Image result for sad looking out window

“O LORD, how long will You forget me?

Forever?

How long will You look the other way?

How long must I struggle

With anguish in my soul,

With sorrow in my heart

Every day?”

Psalm 113:1-2

When Hope is Frail and Candles Dim

Image result for candle going out

Oh, that I might have my request,

that God would grant what I hope for,

“What strength do I have, that I should still hope?

What prospects, that I should be patient?

I have been allotted months of futility,

and nights of misery have been assigned to me.

When I lie down I think, ‘How long before I get up?’

The night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn.

“My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle,

and they come to an end without hope.

Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath;

my eyes will never see happiness again.

Job 6:8, 6:11, 7:4-7

A Rock and A Hard Place

Image result for rock and a hard place

A Place Called Hard
Lord, I have me a mountain,
I need You to remove
I have me a situation
only You can improve.

Lord, I got me a dilemma,
that needs to be resolved
I have me a problem
I need You to be involved.

Lord, I have me a river,
it’s as wide as it is deep
I have me a condition
that I don’t want to keep.

Lord, I have a clear view,
of the storm that’s ahead
I have me an idea
it’s going to be widespread.

Lord, I’m between a rock,
and a place called hard
so I am going to need You
to be my constant guard.

Lord, I’m placing my life,
in the palm of Your hand
trusting this predicament . . .
is just a part of Your plan!

-Deborah Ann Belka

The Beauty of His Holiness

 

Image result for in the beauty of holiness

“Worship The Lord in the Beauty of His Holiness”

“O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.

Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

Honor and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Say among the heathen that the LORD reigns: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

Before the LORD: for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.”

Psalm 96

Rest and Relaxation

Image result for week end quotesThen Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”

Mark 6:31

 

 

 

Have a nice weekend.♥

In Quietness

“In quietness and confidence is your strength.”  Isaiah 30:15

Please Consider…

Image result for cross

“Consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and lose heart.”

Hebrews 12:3

God is in Control

Image result for God is in Control

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

 

Just Desserts

Image result for snoopy and dessertJust remember, Desserts is Stressed spelled backwards,

So relax and have a great weekend,

You deserve it!

Precious

“Look at the birds of the air;

They do not sow or reap or store away in barns,

And yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not much more valuable than they?

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?

And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 

Fear you not therefore,

You are of more value than many sparrows.”

Matthew 6:26 , 10:29-31

Like Gold

“Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil,

and let us see what we are made of.”

Charles Spurgeon

Image result for gold bars

“But He knows the way that I take:

 when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

Job 23:10

The High Place, I’ll Bring Down

 

grey and brown brick wall

I will make the darkness light before thee,
What is wrong I’ll make it right before thee,
All thy battles I will fight before thee,
And the high place I’ll bring down.

When thou walkest by the way I’ll lead thee,
On the fatness of the land I’ll feed thee,
And a mansion in the sky I’ll deed thee,
And the high place I’ll bring down.

With an everlasting love I’ll love thee,
Though with trials deep and sore I’ll prove thee,
But there’s nothing that can hurt or move thee,
And the high place I’ll bring down.

Although Satan in his rage would tear thee,
And with all his winning arts would snare thee,
Even down to thine old age I’ll bear thee,
And the high place I’ll bring down.

I will make the darkness light before thee,
I will make the crooked straight before thee,
I will spread My wings protecting o’er thee,
“And the high place I’ll bring down.”

Charles P. Jones

“…I will make the darkness light before them.”  Isaiah 42:16-

Smile!

“A smile costs nothing, but gives much”
It takes but a moment, but the memory of it usually lasts forever.
None are so rich that can get along without it-
And none are so poor but that can’t be made rich by it.


It enriches those who receive, without making poor those who give-
It creates sunshine in the home,
Fosters good will in business,
And is the best antidote for trouble
And yet it cannot be begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is of no value
Unless it is given away.


Some people are too busy to give you a smile-
Give them one of yours
For the good Lord knows that no one needs a smile so badly
As he or she who has no more smiles left to give.

Author Unknown

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

Rest

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

Triumph In Times of Trouble

stack

“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

On the Bright Side

“No person ever ended his eyesight by looking on the bright side.”

Zig Ziglar

Let Go, Let God

 Learning to turn my troubles over to the Lord...I surrender



        All to Jesus I surrender; 
	All to Him I freely give; 
	I will ever love and trust Him, 
	In His presence daily live. 
        I surrender all, 
        I surrender all, 
        All to Thee, my Blessed Savior,
        I surrender all.

        J.W. Deventer

Overwhelmed

“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer…”

“When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock

That is higher than I.

For Thou hast been a shelter for me,

and 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 62:1-4

No Matter What Lies Ahead

“Faith says that no matter what lies ahead of me…God is already there.”

Author Unknown

Suffering

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

 

 

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

Poured Out

As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after thee, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

Deep calls unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalm 42

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.

I Will Carry You

“Through the fire, Through the storm, Through the valley, Through the desert, Through it all.”

Through the Fire:”When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

Isaiah 43:2

Through the Storm:“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…He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.”

Mark 4:39 and Psalm 107:29

Through the Valley: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for  Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4

Through the Desert: “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth ; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. “

Isaiah 43:19

Through it All:

 “Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.”

Isaiah 46:4

Trusting God

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart;

and lean not unto your own understanding

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He shall direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

Quietness

“In quietness and confidence is your strength.”  Isaiah 30:15

Word to the Weary

Jesus said:

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Perfect Peace

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  The Lord be with all of you.”

II Thessalonians 3:16

Be Still

“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…

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.

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

When You Don’t Understand

“When you  can’t see God’s plan,

And you don’t understand,

Trust in His word…

Hold tight to His Hand.”

-Faithrises

Time of Reckoning

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

To reckon, is to establish by counting or calculation, and today, as I struggle with  pain and limitations as I recover from surgery, I am reminded that, in calculating the number of difficulties and painful events that have occurred in my life, I am encouraged and inspired to think of what God has in store for those who love Him, those who are called according to his purpose.

Paul, in reckoning all of his pain and suffering, just lays it out there for us in II Corinthians 11:24-27;

“… five times received I forty stripes save one. I was beaten three times with rods, stoned once, three times I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, (that’s me today, lol ), in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”

I don’t suppose that many of us can say that we’ve suffered to this extent, and I’m in no way trying to belittle anyone else’s experience, yet Paul kept moving forward and I’m so glad that he did because during these tremendous hardships, He wrote most of the epistles of the New Testament. Most of them from prison.

In light of all of this, and considering the hardships that we may be facing, we too can reckon that none of it compares to the glory that shall be revealed in us, as we, like Paul, keep moving forward and looking up…

The LORD Is My Shepherd

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

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

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

Yes, 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 they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

Psalm 23

Wonderful Wednesday

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!

Peace

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you.

 Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid..”

John 14:27

Kept

“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He shall sustain thee”

Psalm 55:22

Keep on Keeping on

We’ve  all had times, when the going gets tough
The smooth ride suddenly, feels bumpy and rough
The good times are gone, it’s all rather gruff
You let out a sigh and exclaim – “I’ve had enough”

We are all entitled at times, to gripe and to moan
What’s happened to my life, you say with a groan?
My backpack seems weighed down, by a big heavy stone
How do I move away, from this miserable zone?

When a curved ball hits you, and you feel all alone
Remember the good days, when the sun always shone
Go forward in faith, that you’ve already won
Hold to the course, and keep on keeping on

Michael Sage

Quiet Place

“Come ye yourselves apart into a quiet place,

and rest a while…”

Mark 6:31

Through The Storm

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






			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Perfect Season

			


		

				


“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

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Surrender

			


		

				




“God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.”


Jim Elliot

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Smile!

			


		

				


A smile costs nothing, but gives much-

It takes but a moment, but the memory of it usually lasts forever.

None are so rich that can get along without it-

And none are so poor but that can be made rich by it.




It enriches those who receive, without making poor those who give-

It creates sunshine in the home,

Fosters good will in business,

And is the best antidote for trouble-

And yet it cannot be begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is of no value

Unless it is given away.




Some people are too busy to give you a smile-

Give them one of yours-

For the good Lord knows that no one needs a smile so badly

As he or she who has no more smiles left to give.


Author Unknown

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Can You Sing a Song?

			


		

				


 


Can you sing a song to greet the sun,


Can you cheerily tackle the work to be done,


Can you vision it finished when only begun,


Can you sing a song?


 


 


Can you sing a song when the day’s half through,


When even the thought of the rest wearies you,


With so little done and so much to do,


Can you sing a song?


Can you sing a song at the close of the day,


When weary and tired, the work’s put away,


With the joy that it’s done the best of the pay,


Can you sing a song?


Joseph Morris.

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Rest Assured

			


		

				
“Choosing to rest and not  worry about things beyond my control, and to rely on God…




Who has all things under control.”


Faith♥

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Golden

			


		

				
“Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of.” Charles Spurgeon




“But He knows the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”


Job 23:10

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Blessing in Surprise

			


		

				


Once, several years back, I took my Jeep in to have my brakes checked, and as I sat in the waiting area, an elderly man sat, quietly, a few chairs down,waiting for his vehicle and reading a newspaper. I smiled at him as I sat down, and began leafing through one of the magazines on the table next to me.


When the mechanic came out to give me the news about my Jeep, I stood up and walked over to the counter to meet him. He basically told me that my brakes were in worse condition than I thought, and that I was going to cost much more than I had expected. I asked how much it would cost to do part of the job now and the rest later on, and he said he’d go back and check with his manager.  I went back to my seat and the older gentleman, leaned over and quietly said that he would like to pay the difference, so that I could get the whole job done today. I was totally surprised at this and responded by saying, “Thank you sir. That is very kind of you but I can’t accept, thank you though. That’s very nice of you to offer.”


He answered by saying that he would really like to do this for me and my family, and this is just the type of thing that he and his wife try to do for others whenever they have the opportunity. So he asked that I please accept his offer. I thought for a minute and then asked if I could  have his name and address in order to repay him, and he said no. He said  that this would be a gift, and that he did not want to be repaid. I realized that this was a blessing, so I graciously accepted. ( I did manage to get his name and address anyway, so that I could send him and his wife a thank you note. I also included a gift card for he and his wife to go out to dinner.)  :)


That day, when I drove off, I felt so much gratitude, as I had thanked this gentleman several times, and was doubly blessed to have experienced true generosity and a “blessing in surprise!”

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Happy!

			


		

				


“…Whosoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.”


                           Proverbs 16:20

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Seize The Day

			


		

				
Today is a gift. That’s why it’s called “the present!”




“Lord… teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”




Psalm 90:12




			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
O Magnify the Lord With Me!

			


		

				


 “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.


My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.


O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.


I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.


They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.


This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.


The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.


O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.


O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.


The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.


Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.


What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?


Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.


Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.


The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.


The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.


The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.


The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.


Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.


He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.


Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.


The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.”


Psalm 34


 

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Contagious

			


		

				
“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.”




― Charles Dickens

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Delay Does Not Mean Denied

			


		

				


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, where Jesus raises Lazarus from the Dead:


First, a request is brought to Jesus.


“Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”


Next,  Jesus responds with a delay.


“When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 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 comforts Martha with these words, “I am the Resurrection and the Life, he who believes in me shall never die… Do you believe this?”


And then Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. 


(Answering their prayer in a greater way than they ever expected!)


“…They took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”


“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!”  :)

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
You Are Invited

			


		

				
“…Pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”


James 5:16


This post is an invitation for prayer requests. You are invited to do any or all of the following 3 things:


1. Post your prayer request under “Leave a comment”


2. Post a word of encouragement for someone


3. Pray for those who have posted a request


My prayer for you is that God will bless you, comfort you, and give you peace. – Amen

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Think

			


		

				


“…Whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”


Philippians 4:8

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
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

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Smile!

			


		

				


It’s Contagious!

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
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 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

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
My Light and My Salvation

			


		

				
lighthouse


“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

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Birdseed

			


		

				


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



			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Tomorrow

			


		

				
 “…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

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Peaceful Heart

			


		

				
“A heart at peace gives life to the body.” Proverbs 14:30


“… My peace I give unto you:… Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
I’ve Still Got It!

			


		

				


One day last week, my daughter told me that right in the middle of class, her teacher, middle-aged, mother of two, did a cartwheel right in the middle of a lesson, and cartwheeled right back to her original position and said, with a great big smile on her face, ” I’ve still got it!“ and the whole class just roared with laughter! I thought to myself, “Wow! How great it must feel to be so free at heart, even in the midst of a busy workday, right in front of a  class full of fifth-graders, turning cartwheels!”


For me, this teacher’s exclamation of  “I’ve still got it!” implies so much more… It not only speaks of her impressive physical capabilities, but also of her ability to seize the day, enjoy the moment, and keep the “kid” inside alive!


Refreshing. :)

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Higher

			


		

				


“When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”


 Psalm 61:2

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Shout for Joy!

			


		

				
“He will once again fill your mouth with laughter




and your lips with shouts of joy!”  

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Suffering

			


		

				
 


adult alone anxious black and white


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

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Sweet Peace

			


		

				


 


 


“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

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
Oh, Bother!!

			


		

				


“Casting all  your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” I Peter 5:7

			

	
	


				
					


	

					

							

							
No Worries Mate!

			


		

				
As they say in Australia, “No worries Mate!” and here’s the Bible version…


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


Have a Blessed Day!


Faith