Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15 NKJV)
As I sit outdoors listening to the windchime clank back and forth melodically in tune with the warm winds, I find my thoughts passing through the skies with some somber feelings and those of rejoicing.
My sister in The Lord lost her mother recently. I cried and my heart still mourns yet I find comfort and rejoice with her because her mother has gone home to be with our Lord.
Thinking back over the last few weeks as well as the months, she and I have had conversations of laughter and those deep in prayer over various matters.
She is my sister. In Christ we share His blood.
One of the most profound conversations we have had is that of having a kindred spirit. Through one of my dark times I told her that she was like a sister (blood related, earthly type DNA kind of stuff) to me and that I truly appreciated her. You know what she told me?!! She said “Terra, I AM your sister!” While it may not seem like it grabs and clenches the heart to you, it spoke volumes to me and it still does!
Though we have never met in person (yet) we have built this relationship that seems as if it was meant to be and we carry on like we’ve known each other for years! As much as I talk about her to my kids and my husband I think they pretty much know everything I know about her.
My other brothers and sisters in The Lord that I have grown close to have impacted my life as well as I of theirs. My heart is blessed when I am thought of and their lives are shared with me. The in and out, the good and bad are taken up and treasured for in these times, prayers are lifted up over many things that we each face. We weep together and we rejoice together. I find comfort in this.
Kindred spirits…. kindred bloodline. These are the treasures I have through Christ in the multitude of brothers and sisters I have become close to over passing time. I look forward to joining together with many I have yet to meet and bond with.
Who would ever think that such treasure could be found in the “blogdom”. Surely not I a few years ago. I am a believer who’s “cup has runneth over”.
The Blood of Christ Jesus surpasses any earthly blood ties and connections that a DNA test could ever compile. With that said, I am completely satisfied.
Though this life is temporary and shall pass away, I trust and believe that Father God will provide for the motherless, fatherless, those without siblings and those simply in need of love and fellowship with those that they can connect with.
Miles away, distant lands and even language barriers may separate us but it is the bloodline of Christ that unites us forever.
Whether you are weeping or rejoicing I am with you doing the same. I am thankful for the overflow of love that’s been poured out and for that which is received.
If we never meet face to face in this life, I look forward to seeing you in glory!
And Jesus looking upon them saith,With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.(Mark 10:27 KJV)
While I physically feel like it will take me forever to type out this post, I am adamant to get it done. Whenever I am facing a hardship ( usually ) and I feel that tugging on my heart and conscience to carry out something for The Lord, I tend to think about the scroll story Jeremiah and Baruch had to dictate and write in the book of Jeremiah chapter 36. The fact that he had to rewrite by hand a message from The Lord after the first one was burned up took great effort mentally and physically. Obedience plays a major factor. Its repercussions can result in good or bad reaping and sowing on the life of others as well as yourself. In today’s day and age we have computers and touch screens as well as voice recognition to help us dictate our writings. So though my hands are throbbing like crazy, I have no excuse as to why I cannot go forward.
On to the message.
For some days now, the topic dealing with being optimistic vs pessimistic has been heavily on my mind. I have had a full plate mentally as I have had to make choices as sorrow and tears have come over me. The enemy surely will ride your back when it comes to having to do what’s right, speak what’s right and do what’s right. Doubt kicks in and attempts to take over.
What a conniving liar he is. Spiritual battles are not easy but rest assured they are easier to get through when we wait patiently on The Lord and lean not to our own understanding and thoughts of how we feel things should go. The process may seem long and full of sorrow and suffering but I am here to tell you that the storm shall soon pass. Just hold on!
Like a maze that knowingly puts you at multiple dead ends, it’s easy to give up and call it quits. All you see is NO WAY OUT. You will think and speak negatively.
Do you realize that you are speaking this into the atmosphere?
On the other hand, allowing yourself to stop and think with an open and clear mind, possibilities are endless. Especially when you seek help from God. There’s no way you will be stuck forever if you rely on Him for help.
If we trust God, then why not look UP and believe that He will make a way out of what may seem to be no way.
Speaking truth and promises of The Lord into the atmosphere is what we should be doing no matter how long it takes. This is when our faith needs to be kicking down doubt and standing fast to what we believe.
Obstacles come and go. Some hurdles may be higher than others but allow perseverance to keep you moving especially when you know that God is able to do exceedingly more than what we imagine He can.
I grew up around people with negative attitudes. It felt like it was 24/7. At a young age, I seen that having that type of mindset was not how I wanted to live. Yes, television can give you false hope and perception of having a perfect life and all as a kid , but I must say that I had this inner burning desire to come up out of the mental pit that tried to consume me.
Always staring out of the window or dreaming of how I wanted my life to be gave me hope even before I gave my life to The Lord. I use to talk to God at night or when I was alone asking and begging Him to help me. I felt lost, alone and hopeless at times yet I found myself picking myself up and finding reasons to smile because I just knew that one day…. ONE DAY my prayers were going to be answered!
Despite the influence that was around me, despite what looked like “it’s never going to happen” I chose to believe in the unseen.
Like so much of the horrible things that this life seems to bring, I can always keep an optimistic attitude that one day there will be no more sorrow, no more pain, no more tears and no more hatred because God said so.
I believe in Him and I believe what He says! He’s not a liar and He can not go back on His word.
So while I may still ask myself time to time why do I smile so much or why do I choose to have an optimistic attitude about life even when my natural eye sees the worse, its because God placed this attribute; this characteristic way of thinking inside of me for a reason even before I ever came to know Him better than I have so many years ago. I’m still a work in progress but my hope for myself and for you will not stop because I’m a believer!
God has blessed me and favored me many times over. He has seen past my faults and negative thinking and saw the best in me. He knows my potential and what I am capable of doing. He knows this for you too!
So why not decide today to take a leap of faith and a mindset to start thinking positively for yourself and for the future? What do you have to lose?!!
Troubles of this world will not end until God brings it all to a halt. Why wait to have optimism later on when you can have it today. God’s word ( Holy Bible) is full of promises and instructions. It’s full of hope for the poor, the weak, the broken hearted, the ailing, the widow, the hopeless and weary in soul. We have been given direction and a peace of mind we can take hold on to. He gave us Jesus Christ, He has given us a Comforter. The Holy Spirit.
Dear Reader, I encourage you to not grow faint and weary. Do not give up. God will show up right on time. His timing is better than any. Patience will take you a long way. The growing process and the knowledge it brings can only bring forth great gain for it can help someone else down the road. God can turn trials to triumphs, losses to victories, tears of sorrow to tears of joy, mourning to rejoicing and negative thinking to positive ones if we take hope and cling to it in Him.
Voluntarily place yourself on the Potter’s Wheel and ask to be made over, refined and made whole with a better sense of thinking, understanding and patience as you count it all joy for His glory and the betterment of yourself as His child and as a living example to the many blessings and miracles that He has done in your life when the world sees no hope.
Hope. Trust. Believe.❤
O Lord , you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord , you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain! Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord ? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalms 139:1-24 ESV)
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the 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 KJV)
Nothing in life has a guarantee but Jesus and all that is given to us from the Father. Like seasons… people, places, circumstances and health changes.
There is a season to every matter in life. God allows this to happen for a reason. We may not always understand the “when/where/why” part of it all, but if we allow The Lord to do what He does for our healthy wellbeing then I pray we trust in the outcome even if it hurts.
Letting go will not always be easy. Looking back seems tempting but will not help us one bit. Sorrow is temporary but joy will return. Pruning is needed at times for new fruit to bear and flourish. Prayerfully and patiently we should trust in what God is wanting to do in our lives. Attempting to do things our own way and with our own understanding can harm us in the long run.
Scripture says: There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12 NKJV)
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 KJV)
Always remember that Father knows best. He knows us better than we know ourselves so may we stand back and allow Him to work in our lives for the sake of building us up and growing us far beyond the human thought of attainment.
Be blessed and encouraged as you pass through your season. Jehovah-Jireh ( God our Provider ) will supply and bring comfort.
In Christ Jesus I urge to to keep hope, faith and belief in all that our Lord promises to do for those who love Him and are called His.
THIS COULD BE ANY ONE OF US……………….. NEVER SAY NEVER.
Typically this is not like me to write a random post without the leading of the Holy Spirit but then again, this could be such doing and my emotions and compassion for the lost, broken, and hungry have stepped forward in a bold moment. This message in regards to Feeding the Multitude applies to those who need physical nourishment as well as spiritual. We are called to go out and tend to them. The widows, the orphans, the sick and all. Believe me when I say that I am speaking to myself as well as you because we all need to pitch in and help. We are instructed to do this in an act of obedience and love.
The Outworking of Love
“By this we know love, because He laid down his life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” ( 1John 3:16-18 NKJV )
I could easily throw up a Thanksgiving Day picture fully decorated with all the delighful looking food and happy people, but I choose not to. The foundation of this celebration is about giving thanks to the Lord for all that He has done, bringing people together in fellowship and enjoying a meal. At least that is what I think it is. This is what I have learnt over the years as an adult. I didn’t grow up knowing that I was to give thanks unto the Lord and being grateful for my family and friends. It was just food cooked out of TRADITION. We ate and went our way year after year in my eyes and opinion. I am not, in no way throwing my parents under the bus so to speak. Maybe they didn’t know any better, but it wasn’t until I married that I learned the true meaning. It took some getting used to. ( and I still have a hard time getting in the swing of festivities believe it or not for that very reason ) Ok. Enough digressing. Back to getting on track with what I was saying.
Jesus is calling us out to go boldly in His name to preach the Gospel to the world and to take care of those in need. This place we live in isn’t getting any better and more lives are being lost daily. People are becoming more and more selfish by the minute. Where is the love? Where is the compassion? Do you really think it is good enough to look at the television or newspaper, the man standing on the corner, reading the “junk mail” that asks you to consider sponsoring a needy child over in another country, to drive past a food bank or shelter and say “Lord bless their hearts and provide for them” and so forth? NO. It’s not good enough.
Many of us can honestly say that we are blessed enough financially that we have a roof over our heads, a job, clothing on our back, good health, a good and sound mind to take care of ourselves and our loved ones, but how about the ones who can’t. Do we just rely on the state to take care of them? How about the volunteers willing to give their time willingly to help those who have less than? The answer should be NO. Who is looking out for their spiritual health at the same time? I am sure that some of them are richly blessed in spirit more so than some of us. They may not have a dime in their pocket but their hearts are rich in faith. That is something to think about.
I am not trying to convict anyone at all and if I have offended you, please forgive me, but realize that any given day your life could go from being on top to hitting rock bottom. Then what?? You will be that very same person that the world turns a deaf ear and a blind eye to. We reap what we sow. Now it’s up to you what you can give whether it’s financially or spiritually but being a bench warmer isn’t going to get it. It’s time to get proactive. Not just during the holiday seasons but during every day life.
This painful post is because I was sitting down eating dinner and my eyes began to well up with tears because of a story I read. A man lost everything and is now living under a bridge. Wife left him, he’s without a job and a home. But he was thankful for whatever food the shelter/ sponsoring businesses that rallied together to feed and clothe the homeless supplied. What caught my attention more than anything was that despite his situation, he was willing to share the Gospel with anyone willing to listen to him. In the mean time, he is holding on looking for that day to come when he can get back on his feet.
That’s HOPE.
Prayerfully, I want the Lord to direct my footsteps in the direction He wants me to go to in ministering to the lost. I can say that I know that I know that I KNOW that He is preparing me for something greater in my ministry. It’s all about Christ. Living who I strive to be in Him and taking care of those less fortunate however it may be. To God be the glory. May I be stripped of anything that is not pleasing to Him so that I may live a righteous life through him and be an example to those living in darkness.
Dear friends, I am not asking you to do a thing except pray and ask the Lord to direct your thoughts and footsteps. Think for a minute if you would and try to imagine yourself in the shoes of a sinner without repentance and salvation as well as the homeless person without. You can think back to the lost sinner you once were before Christ came into your life? Can you just imagine how you could live if you didn’t have the basic needs?
This is just Food for Thought.
May the God is Who is able to do all things but fail bless you and keep you always………
He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. (Proverbs 13:3 NKJV)
Words.
Words have the power to build up or tear down.
Words.
Words have the power to give hope, radiate light and to heal. They also have the power to hurt, breakdown, kill and destroy.
We as a people have a choice to plant seeds of life or death. This is a daily choice. There is no in between. Excuses of saying “Oh I was just kidding” or “You are just overly sensitive” doesn’t cut it.
Do not get me wrong because I am no one to point fingers. I am no saint. I have hurt people unintentionally along this life of mine. No one is perfect. It’s our job to choose our words carefully. This is done over time with consistency to try and speak in love even if its in truth.
As parents, we are role models to our children. As adults we can be influential just as well towards one another.
Will it be for the good or for the bad?
Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. (Psalm 34:12, 13 NKJV)
Yesterday and today marked another day of life being taken away and another of being brought into the world. What type of impact have we contributed to society?
I went to bed last night mourning and woke up still mourning over a child I never met yet I stand in hope that peace and comfort will be found in the lives of those who loved the deceased.
My daughter who is 12 yrs old came home in tears to tell me that a classmate who was bullied committed suicide. He hung himself. It was by WORDS that smothered his heart and mind while trying to fight a battle of evil that he succumbed to death. He could not overcome the pain anymore. Assumptions that he was gay went around in talk when he was not what others claimed him to be.
Gossip leads to destruction if it is not stopped.
Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. (Luke 6:37, 38 NKJV)
This young man would have turned 13 yrs old next week, his birth mother was coming back into his life and he was trying to learn more about the Lord from what I was told. Life has stopped in his mortal body. The Bible he carried and read in his backpack will not be used anymore. By him that is. I pray that someone else will take the Holy Word and put it to use. It is our manual for holy living. It is our comfort and daily help, it is our guide and armor to use against evil and the dark principalities of this world.
Help.
When will we begin to take life more seriously? When will we start becoming more selfless than selfish? When will we begin to live more like Christ being the hands, feet and mouthpieces?
When will we take a stand for what’s right? When will we take our backs off the wall and stop being cowards? If we love people and seek righteousness then it is time to live it out even if it means losing people in our lives who do not agree with what the Bible teaches us.
Lets not wait until a situation hits close to home before we move or speak out. Tomorrow isn’t promised to you or to myself. In all things said and done, may it be centered around The Lord and prayed about. We have been given common sense as well so we ought to use it.
We will be held accountable on judgement day. How will we answer?
May our words be for edifying rather than tearing down. There is enough cruelty in the world, enough history to reflect upon to hopefully want to make a change. Satan can care less about any of us. He’s about stealing, killing and destroying and will use anything or anyone to accomplish his plans.
God bless those all around the world suffering. Whether its in body or in mind, I pray that we as His children will become more proactive in lip service. Someone’s life can be changed for the better.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 KJV)
Like an onion that is peeled away in layers, God heals, restores, builds up, comfort, grows and strengthens His children as we draw nearer to Him. May our days be well spent as we make time in our hearts and lives putting our Lord first and foremost before any person or tasks this world places before us as we seek His face, His presence and guidance.
I received an early morning text from a relative who has been on my heart for weeks now followed up by some uplifting music that lifted up my very soul as I was getting ready for church this morning. I even tweeted a scripture that was favorited instantly by a fellow blogger who lifts my spirits with such encouragement that the Holy Spirit inspires her to write. Everything was unfolding so beautifully and in such a loving and delicate way that I could not help but tear up and tell the Lord “Thank you.” My heart rejoiced and danced within me. I could not wait to get to church from that point!
What can I say but “To God be the glory!”
It’s been about a month since I last wrote a post now that I really think about it. Go figure.
While I do not get caught up in stats and such, my thoughts, actions and words are challenged to focus on the Lord and where He leads me. Every day living brings forth good and not so good days. Even some storms mentally and physically will meet us unexpectedly. We never know one minute to the next.
My heart has not left this blog, my fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord as well as those seeking Truth. You have been in my prayers and I trust in the Lord to always supply for you what you need from Him through whatever sources He sends your way.
Today was another breakthrough as the passing days have gone by.
We cannot or should not lean on our own timing of when the Lord should show up and make things happen in our lives.Well we can do it if we choose to but I rather see God’s hand at work to give Him all the glory. I rather see how wonderful the rainbow is at the end of the storm because I know it was no one but The Almighty Himself Who brought me through. This is just my opinion. We all have our own journey and testimonies to think on, live through and come out of with the grace of God that upheld us when we know we could not have done it by ourselves.
People change, seasons change, circumstances change but God never does. He’s the same today, yesterday, tomorrow and forevermore. He cannot go back on His word for His word is truth.
With this said, I encourage you all to keep pressing forward no matter what comes your way. God is our present help, our source of strength, our refuge, our Solid Rock and foundation to draw from. Look up and remember from where your help comes from.
God bless you richly as you continue on this journey called LIFE.
He is always within our reach if we want to live life to the fullest in love, peace and prosperity in Him.
“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29 :13 NKJV)
Psalm & Worship Song for Encouragement
I will lift up my eyes to the hills From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore. (Psalm 121:1-8 NKJV)
Good day all! It is good to be alive this morning. Praises to our God for breathing life once again into our very bodies. I want to share a song with you that has me about out of my skin when I hear it. You Reign by Christian band MercyMe was one of the favorite songs I heard them sing some years ago when I went to my very first concert. Yep. I have never been to a concert in my life until a few years ago. It was a Christian concert matter of fact with musical artist singing some of my all time favorite songs that I had been listening to on the radio prior to finding out that a concert was coming to town. (MercyMe, Toby Mac, Barlow Girl, NewSong, Skillet just to name a few.) The awesome thing on top of that was God ministering to my soul. I’ll never forget Winter Jam 2008. It was a night to remember. My friend Heather and I had an amazing time worshipping the Lord with a packed coliseum full of people. Many brought friends along who gave their life to Christ by the end of the show. I can only imagine how the heavens were rejoicing!
I want to encourage you all today to be blessed in the Lord. Remember that He loves you. Nothing will ever change that. Live for today. Get a notepad and jot down or just think on things throughout your day as to how favor has been a part of your life. You are alive and breathing, you have a roof over your head, a working brain, food to eat, praying people around the world interceding on your behalf who don’t even know you, etc. Most of all, you have a Savior who already cleansed you of your sins and welcomes you to a life in Him. Salvation is yours if you have not already received it. What an abundance of blessings you have. They are countless.Take a look around you and reflect. Life may not be looking the way you want it to but you are still here. God is on His throne. He is in control of the heavens and the earth. Surrender your thoughts and smile. God has everything under control.
Glory in the Highest!
“Father, I thank you for being the head of my life, I thank you for a sound mind and a peace that surpasses all understanding. I thank you for the desire to wake up delighted to be before You, to partake in sharing a word of encouragement with all who will receive it, to want to stand in Your rooted Word that will not go out void. I am before You with a sensitive spirit wanting to do all that is asked of me. I ask that You show Yourself to those who are lost, lonely, afraid, depressed, fearful, mourning and stressed out. Meet them right where there are. It’s not by this blog post that my prayers are heard. Someone needs You right now. May your angels provide a hedge of protection around them this very moment. May Your children be selfless and comfort a broken heart, be a shoulder to cry on, a mouthpiece of prayer standing in the gap for a dying soul. Let our voices echo in the heavens and on the earth that You reign forevermore! There is power in numbers as we unite for the sake of the kingdom. Let the demons tremble at the sound of your glory, flee when the name of JESUS is spoken and called upon. Today is ground breaking. Let the earth proclaim Your sovereignty and bow down in honor and reverence. Hallelujah! Praise Your name on High. Let us sing and worship like never before. You are our refuge, our strength, our courage and anchor and we bless You today. In Jesus I pray. Amen.”
Have you even felt as if you were never going to make it out of the storm in one piece, if at all? Of course you have. We all have felt this way at one time or another but we have made it through because you and I are still here. We did not give up. We held on to a hope that was lingering in our very souls. That Hope is Jesus.
Today’s inspiration came from a beautiful surprise awaiting me out in the lawn. It was a butterfly (of course ) if you have come to know a little bit about me through my blog or as a friend that you have met in person. I love them dearly. How much joy they bring to my heart even when I am not feeling all that chipper. I manage to form a smile on my face and in my heart. I can say that the same applies with the Word of God and the comfort it brings me as I draw nearer to the Lord more and more.
Let’s just say that today turned out a bit different.
It was storming earlier today and I must say that it was coming down hard. I know that this is not the best looking butterfly but it’s life had meaning before it passed away. You see….. it was lying out in the grass on its back perishing away as an ant was most likely feeding on it. As much as I wanted to rescue it, I had to allow nature to take its course. After it died, I had my son bring it into the house inside a box on a paper towel.
My heart ached for this butterfly. To see it all tattered and lifeless pierced me within, yet at the same time it brought revelation. It took me back to scripture and how significant it is to our own lives. We all know that a butterfly starts off as a caterpillar and then evolves from there. It is a process of transforming. (metamorphosis) Jesus does that with us. He changes us. No matter what the outside looks like, we are being transformed on the inside.
We are under the Master’s care as we go through hardships and uncomfortable circumstances. We may look worse on the outside to others and ourselves but our inside is messed up even more. As believers, we cannot always escape from the pain. God will allow us to go through things just to bring us closer to Him and to repair us.
Scripture says this:
Cast Down but Unconquered
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (2 Corinthians 4:8-10 NKJV)
Seeing the Invisible
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV)
Bind the Word as a garland around your neck and write it on your heart.
Be Encouraged
“Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:3-6).
“My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:20-23).
“My son, keep my words, and treasure my commands within you. Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart” (Proverbs 7:1-3).
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27:17 KJV)
This scripture could not be more poignant.
Amazingly, the Lord’s hand has still been upon me even when I have become frustrated, even when I have shed tears out of compassion and a lack of understanding with the questions of Why, What and How juggling around in my brain. I know I’ve said “amazingly” but in all knowing, it has been His mercy and grace that has kept me. It has been His compassion and patience to show me the very things I needed to hear and see through His eyes and understanding.
Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22 NKJV)
If we love someone, we will not give up on them. If we love them, we will do what’s right for the sake of righteousness.
May we be merciful upon those who bring strife, upon those that seemingly make something out of nothing, upon those who fall away from what’s right to start walking, talking and acting as if they never knew God’s truths. If they are not a believer and follower of Christ, the fruit we show bears witness to Whom we belong to and how we live out life as an example.
We all hurt and express our pain and emotions in many ways. Through our long suffering, love and patience with others, a heap of coals could be removed from their heads if we treat them in a Christ-like manner.
No one is perfect.
Jesus met us right where we were in all of our mess waiting to clean us up, love on us, be our Friend who would never lie to us just to make us feel better. He sharpens us more than any other friend we could ever have in our lives just to give us a life that would be easier to bear spiritually by living right and doing so accordingly.
If only you could only see the smile on my face……. the Lord is GLORIOUS!!
There is a shift in the atmosphere. The Lord calls us to worship Him in song and dance. It’s been some days now that I have been posting worship songs and sharing my experience. I tell ya…. God is moving His children! Change is taking place.
It’s as if I have butterflies in my stomach! When I think about the goodness of the Lord, it warms my soul. It stirs my spirit and I fall deeper in love.
Now I’ve been married almost 18yrs Lord willing that my husband and I live to see this coming August. I love my husband dearly. He makes me smile and laugh. I still get butterflies when he looks at me or I greet him at the door coming home from a long day at work. The more we’ve grown to know each other intimately, ( not just sexually ) the more united we’ve become as one.
I say this as I think about Jesus being the lover of my soul. I’m sitting at the wellspring drawing knowledge and truth from our Lord and Savior. I’ve asked for wisdom and it’s been given to me. To read more on a post I’ve written about being at the feet of Jesus, click the following link to Wellspring At His Feet
He loves me and I love Him.
Just like my earthly husband, Jesus is my Groom. I yearn to please Him, to sit down and share my heart’s thoughts, dreams and desires. My heart shares prayers of those near and dear to my heart as well of those all around the world. I need intimacy with the Lord. I need to worship. I need to sing His praises in song and dance. Not because I think or feel its the right thing to do but I want to have a closer relationship with Him.
Worship brings so much out of me! It’s more than words could ever describe! It’s a divine connection that I do not want to be without. Just like today at church, the presence of the Lord was felt. Permission for the Holy Spirit to be present was amazing. The love of the Father surpassed any hurt and pain felt. We allowed our emotional walls to come down and have the Lord into our hearts. Now I can’t speak for everyone but I seen a great amount of people stepping away from themselves just to glorify the Lord.
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. (Psalm 33:1 NKJV)
He reigns on high! How the angels above sing praises to him just as well as we do here on earth!
Hands went up and hands went out and praised our Father in heaven. There was no worry or concern for who was watching. It was all about surrendering. Surrendering all that we have and all that we are to Him Who alone can help us, Him alone who can bring an inner peace to us that no one else can give.
Voices lifted, tapping of toes, murmurs under the breath and dancing! Being free to be amongst other fellow believers worshipping God! However people felt led to praise the Lord, it was done!
I can sing of His love forever!
Today has just been another day that I can testify to the goodness of the Lord. Worship does not happen within the church-house and stay there. It’s meant to be an every day act of love and reverence even if we don’t “feel” like it. We have so much to be grateful for. Worship does not mean we only do it when we feel happy or are having a joyous moment over something that took place in our life, but to see the hand of the Lord at work in our lives and that of others.
When there is a shift in the atmosphere it could likely be because you chose to worship the Lord regardless of what your circumstances say, regardless of how you feel, regardless of the lies and hurt before you. When we stand in faith and choose to believe that our God is bigger, our God is greater, our God is stronger than our problems, we know that He is mighty and capable of carrying us through any storm, even if the storm does not cease any time soon. We trust Him with our life and are reassured that all will be well.
Peace is ours.
To God be the glory forever and always. Hallelujah!!
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. (Habakkuk 3:17-19 KJV)
