Let's Be Joyful

Psalm 100 

¹ Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
²     Worship the Lord with gladness.
    Come before him, singing with joy.
³ Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
    He made us, and we are his.
    We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
    go into his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the Lord is good.
    His unfailing love continues forever,
    and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Giving thanks....praising....worshiping the Lord....it is so important to be faithful in doing these things.  It's important for our own self and it's important for everyone we come in contact with.  When we do these things the Lord fills us with good things....good feelings....joy to share.  An inner joy that tends to spill out onto others.  At work/home there might be a lot of contention....disagreement....even conflict.  So much so that the days can sometimes just get overwhelming.  As Christians if we stay close to the Lord and let Him fill us with joy there is a good chance that some of it will rub off on the negative people we are around all day.  

Psalm 95:1

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.  

If we do some singing and shouting we will be filled with joy.  It's time to start making a choice to be joyful no matter what circumstance we find ourself in.

"until we see JESUS....face to face"

God's Power

Earlier this month I made a renewed commitment to myself....yet more importantly to God....to spend time with the Lord on a daily basis.  Since doing that I have been finding all kinds of new things in His Word.  I'm sure that many of them I have read before but now I am seeing them with new eyes.  I'm thinking that I'm seeing more with the eyes He has been wanting me to see with for a long time now.  There are many parts of the Bible that I really haven't read since becoming a Christian.  For example, today I found this....Job 36:22 - 37:24.  I'm not going to put it all here but you can read it for yourself.  It is absolutely amazing.  The subtitle in my Bible says....Elihu Reminds Job of God's Power.  I'm not sure which verses I like best in this passage because they all speak of His mighty power....however, these seem to stand out to me more than the others.

Job 37:1-5

 “My heart pounds as I think of this.
    It trembles within me.
² Listen carefully to the thunder of God’s voice
    as it rolls from his mouth.
³ It rolls across the heavens,
    and his lightning flashes in every direction.
⁴ Then comes the roaring of the thunder—
    the tremendous voice of his majesty.
    He does not restrain it when he speaks.
⁵ God’s voice is glorious in the thunder.
    We can’t even imagine the greatness of his power.

When I read this I just couldn't seem to get enough.  I read it as I highlighted each line.  Then I read it again....and now again.  It makes me think of another story in the bible when God covered Moses with His hand as He passed by because no one can look directly at His face and live.  How awesomely powerful He is!  It is hard to even imagine. The last two verses in this passage sum it all up nicely....

Job 37:23-24

²³ We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty;
    but even though he is just and righteous,
    he does not destroy us.
²⁴ No wonder people everywhere fear him.
    All who are wise show him reverence.”

I am so thankful that the Lord has been making His Word come alive to me.  Nothing can compare to Him.  He is awesome....mighty....powerful and He can do for us what no one else can.  At times it seems that we are just waiting and waiting for Him to answer us.  Sometimes we wonder where He is.  But the amazing thing is....when He does answer, you know beyond any doubt that it is Him.  Why?  Because you can't possibly change things the way He changes them.  You can't possibly change yourself....the way He changes you.  If you ever doubt the work that He has done in your life....just think back to your life before Christ....and remember.  

Thank you Blue Cotton Memory.  When I read your post today I turned to Job and read more.  

until we see JESUS....face to face

Thank You

This morning Lord we are completely dependent on you.  You give guidance....protection....provide for our needs and heal....body soul and mind.  Thank You Lord for all that You do.  Just like the shepherds of old as they watch over their sheep, You are always with us....bringing us back into the fold whenever we stray.  Thank You Lord for bringing us through the night and waking us up this morning....we are truly blessed.  Amen

Psalm 23

 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, 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.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

He Must Be A Constant

I am beginning to realize that I do best when I am drenched in the Word.  Whether it be through talking with someone about the Lord....listening to music...reading His Word....or listening to anointed preaching....He must be a constant in my life.  I've thought about this before but this week I have really come to know this for sure. 

I begin my day at 5 a.m. this morning and started reading the Bible shortly after.  I took about two hours reading and writing and then decided I was ready to meet the real day that was waiting for me.  By 3 p.m. I knew I needed more.  I picked up a book called The Blood and the Glory.  Flipping to the last of the book I read about ten pages.  It was something I really needed to read today.  Just reading about the things that happened in peoples lives, because of the work of the Holy Spirit, refreshed me enough to finish my day on a good note.

Do you remember the V8 commercial that goes something like this....

There are people walking down the street of a city but instead of being upright they are tilted to one side.  Then someone hands one of them a can of V8....they drink it....and they instantly start walking upright.  The response from someone else that was tilted and saw this was....WOW....I should have had a V8!! 

Well, that reminds me of how I let myself get.  I was walking with a major tilt....almost ready to tip completely over.  I should have made myself drink from the well of the Lord.  Then I would have been walking upright and saying....WOW....there is nothing like drinking from the well of Living Water!  In my mind that is essentially the Believers V-8. 

What I'm trying to say is this....

As a believer, you just can't keep going strong without including the Lord in your day.  You need to talk to Him and you need to stay in His Word.  You will eventually die....spiritually....if you don't eat from the table of the Lord.  Your soul needs to be fed just like your body does if you want to survive.  So many good things happen when we spend time with the Lord.  One of the verses I really like talks about how we will find rest for our souls....freedom from our burdens....healing and peace with God....if we will just spend time with Him.  I now that is true because it has happened for me just this week. 

Matthew 11:28-29

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

"until we see JESUS....face to face"

Get Up And Keep Going

This past week God has used people to remind me, and His Word to remind me, of many things.  I am thankful because I can't always get myself out of the pit I allow myself to get into.  You see I had let many things get my attention off of the Lord and my life with Him.  Events in life can get you down....people in life can get you down.  But most of all for me....what I see as my own defects....for lack of a better word....can really get me down.  One thing I hope I have learned from this time is....

These things should never pull me away from God.  They should always push me closer to Him.  I was reminded this week that whatever circumstance you find yourself in....when you think you just can't keep going....you have to, and you can, because of the Lord....because He is with you and won't leave your side.  One thing that was hard for me was to read the Word.  I stared at it....finally read it....got nothing from it.  In fact it was just like a blur of words.  But I was also reminded that I must read it anyway....no matter how it made me feel or not feel.  I tried it.  Good advice.  At first nothing much had changed but eventually the blur went away and the Word started to break through....the Lord started breaking through.  So I am making a new habit in my life....

This week I have started taking a Bible to work with me and I am reading at lunchtime.  It's a good time because by then I need to hear something good and positive. 

I was also reminded that you have to work out your own salvation.  No one can do that for you.  I like the way the Amplified Bible says this verse.  I don't always understand so this one explains to me....more fully....exactly what the verse means. 

Philippians 2:12-13

¹² Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).

¹³ [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

I am thankful for faithful Christian friends that God has placed in my life.  God speaks amazing things through them.  We just have to listen and be willing to accept the words He has given and then act on them.  

Most of all I thank the Lord for the grace and forgiveness He gives us.  He forgives us....loves us....and is for us.

until we see JESUS....face to face

Come and Talk With Me

There has been a war going on within me for days now.  Today this one question kept coming to my mind....Am I really any different than I use to be?  At times I would think no....at other times the answer would be yes.  Satan has been working overtime with me to get me to doubt.  To get me to give up.  To get me to run the other way. Run from the Lord instead of towards Him when things just aren't going well. 

Then tonight many things happened.  It seems that whenever I try to sleep lately, for one reason or another, I can't.  But tonight, I went to sleep.  About 45 minutes later I awoke....I became scared....anxious....and sure I wasn't going to make it.  I'm not trying to be dramatic but my heart was acting up again.  Anyway....there was prayer and eventually I was some better.  I went to my desk and started reading my Bible.  Long story short....

I started praying.  I had a long conversation with the Lord....lots of prayer....then knew I needed to write.  Then I started reading the Bible again.  I turned to....

Psalm 27:7-8 and 14

7. Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
8. My heart has heard You say, "Come and
talk with me."
And my heart responds, "Lord, I am
coming."
14. Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

These verses fit so well because I have heard Him tell me....so many times lately....to talk to Him.  To come to Him.  To spend time with Him.  The Lord longs for us to spend time with Him.  He will help us through everything if we will just go to Him.  I know this!  All the sickness....all the problems....He might not take them away but He will help me to get through them.  Jesus will help us all.  Jesus loves us more than we can comprehend.

I don't know how this is all going to turn out but I do know that I can't make it without the Lord.

"until we see JESUS....face to face"

 

Prayer

O Lord we call on You right now Jesus
Bring the healing in Your wings
There is no other like You
Cover us afresh in Your love
Let Your healing oil flow over us right now Lord
Bring Your peace
Rain Your peace down all over us tonight Lord
We call on Your name Jesus to comfort us
We call on Your name Lord Jesus to heal us
You are the Healer
You are mighty and You are powerful
You Lord Jesus are all we have
You are the One we cling to in times of sickness and trouble
You are Mighty
You are Glorious
You are Healer
You are Comforter
You are our everything
All that we need Lord is wrapped up in You
And now we ask Lord that You wrap Your mighty arms of grace around us
Hold us close right now
Never let us go Lord
Let us know that You are right here with us
Whatever is going on Lord just apply Your healing touch
Jesus....Jesus....Jesus
Your name is the sweetest name we know
There is none other like You
Thank You Lord Jesus for hearing us
Thank You Lord Jesus for touching us
Thank You Lord Jesus for always being right beside us
Walking with us on our journey
Thank You for hearing and answering our urgent cries tonight Lord
In Your name we have come to You
Amen

Giving Up Control

These last few weeks God has been speaking to me but I haven't been doing a very good job listening.  Oh yes....I have heard Him but I just haven't been doing what I hear very well.  I have been obeying kind of halfheartedly.  Today has been a wake up call.  Everything I have heard, everything I have read and most importantly....everything God has spoken to me today....let me know that I need to do a 180 in my behavior when it comes to the things of God.  So tonight I pulled out an old devotional....The Word For You Today....for November and read about "A Spiritual Checkup".  There was a prayer that says this....

Father, forgive me for taking back control of my life.  I come before You surrendering, repenting and asking You to cleanse me.  Renew me and fill me with Your Spirit.  I renounce my selfish ways and make You Lord of my life.  You said that You would rather I was hot or cold, but not lukewarm.  Light a fire in me today that will burn so brightly, others will be drawn to You.  Amen

That is a great prayer and I have prayed it sincerely. The devotional goes on to say this....

Has your prayer life led you to a deeper intimacy with the Lord?  If you're serious about in-depth change, growth in your spiritual walk, and developing a Christlike character, spend time with the Lord today and say, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps 139:23-24)

So today, I am surrendering and repenting....once again....and committing to giving control back to the One who gave me real life. 

God asking me to be more transparent in my writing again is very hard for me.  But....I do know it is for my good as well as for others that struggle with some of the same things. 

"until we see JESUS....face to face"

Teach Me Your Ways

Psalms 86:11-13

Teach me Your ways, O Lord,
that I may live according to Your truth!
Grant me purity of heart,
so that I may honor You.
With all my heart I will praise You, O Lord my God.
I will give glory to Your name forever,
for Your love for me is very great.
You have rescued me from the depths of death.

The 86th Psalm has been one of my favorite chapters in the Bible since I first read it.  A prayer of David that we can probably all relate to in one way or another.  This morning I didn't know what to read and opened my Bible to this passage.  I thought it was funny because in my Bible that I usually read it wouldn't surprise me that it falls open to this passage.  This morning however, I picked up my new Bible and once I said....God please show me what to read this morning....I turned right to Psalm 86.  Coincidence....no, I don't believe so.  I've been awake since 3 a.m. struggling within myself with many things.  So....

I read through the prayer not giving it much thought.  Then I read verse 8 and thought about how in the Old Testament they made statues of gold for their gods....sacrificed people to the pagan gods....and they received nothing good in return.  Then the above verses caught my attention and I realized that this section was what I was to really pay attention to.  The words of verses 11-13 are more than just words....

11~Teach me Your ways, O Lord, 
that I may live according to Your truth! 

I reread this verse knowing that this is where I am supposed to start.  This is what it's all about for me this year....and the rest of my life.  Concentrating on what the Lord has for me....what He wants to teach me and what I need to learn.  I have been failing in this way so badly for a long time now. 

Here are some things that I always need to remember....

Be diligent to learn and live by His ways....not mine.
Read and study His Word daily....until it is so deeply ingrained in me that His words come alive in me.  So that nothing else comes before Him in my life. 
Praise Him no matter what life brings my way.  He will be my heart and I will always know....beyond any doubt....how deep His love is for me. 
He will become greater and greater in my life as I let Him become deeper and deeper ingrained in me. 
He has rescued me from death....and He does love me.  It doesn't matter where my thought process goes....I always need to remember that this is the truth....His truth.

Another verse that comes to mind this morning....that I believe is confirmation from the Lord that this is from Him.

2 Timothy 2:15

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval.
Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly
explains the word of truth.

Life Application Study Bible Note

Because God will examine what kind of workers we have been for Him, we should build our lives on His Word and build His Word into our lives. It alone tells us how to live for Him and serve Him. Believers who ignore the Bible will certainly be ashamed at the judgement.  Consistent and diligent study of God's Word is vital; otherwise we will be lulled into neglecting God and our true purpose for living.

The King James version says it this way....the way I actually remember it from my younger years.

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to show thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth, not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the Word of truth.

"until we see JESUS....face to face"

A Little Spark

Today I'm going to be a little bit more transparent.  In my blog that's how I have mostly been because I believe that is what the Lord has always wanted from me.  So even though it is hard to tell the truth about how things are going in my relationship with the Lord....that's what I'm about to do.  He gives me the things to write but He doesn't continue to do that unless I am willing. So it seems to me that it's like an old journey starting fresh again.  Is that a good thing? Not on my own but if God is in it....it will be okay.

Today I did something I haven't done in a long time....I bought a new Bible.  This particular Bible came out just a couple of months ago.  When I first saw it advertised I was intrigued by the name....The Wayfinding Bible.  It's an NLT and that's what I like to read.  I tend to understand it so much better than most of the others....but I do read out of other versions as well.  This Bible has a lot of different "helps" in it with different information....sometimes I need the "helps" to get me to think about things on a different level.  So I bought it and I'm writing about this because why?....

I have been having a hard time just getting into reading the Word for awhile now.  Do I think you have to have something new to get back into reading the Word or get closer to God?  No.  But I believe that God let me see this Bible and sparked the interest in me to want to get it.  In the past I bought Bibles a lot but for a very long time now I haven't even cared....or had the desire to read the ones I have.  I have been talking to God  about helping me to get the desire back I use to have....the excitement I use to feel....the wanting to talk about and write about the Lord like I use too.  It has been lacking in my life and when that is lacking it means just one thing?  My relationship with Him is lacking.  I have been very aware of that for a long time now.  I'm sure that is why the "one word" He gave me this year is Refocus.  Refocus on the Lord and my relationship with Him.  I want my relationship with Him to be a deeper more meaningful one and I know He does too.  I'm tired of having the staleness....the deadness....the lack of zeal when it comes to the things of God in my life.  How did I allow myself to get this way....what happened....I don't know.  I do know that when I get away from doing what I know I should....I lose my way.  But....I believe with the Lords help I will make it.  So....

Here's to the start of a fresh journey....a new beginning....a time to refocus!

Isaiah 55:6
Seek the Lord while you can find Him.
Call on Him now while He is near.

"until we see JESUS....face to face"

Philippians 4:6-7

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 62:5-8

⁵ Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
    for my hope is in him.
⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will not be shaken.
⁷ My victory and honor come from God alone.
    He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
⁸ O my people, trust in him at all times.
    Pour out your heart to him,
    for God is our refuge.

Anxiety and fear....those are some bad things.  A lot of the time we are anxious and fearful because we don't know what's going to happen in a certain situation.  When you are struggling with those things you need to remember that God is in control of your life....completely. 

This week has been hard in so many ways and I have let fear and anxiety get in and mess with me.  I know that God is telling me, through His Word tonight, to talk to Him about it.  Put all my trust in Him. Don't let this stuff shake me.  Stay strong because....God's strong right hand holds me securely and He won't let me down! 

My Soul Longs For You

My soul longs for You Lord.  When I don't even know what's going on inside....when I don't understand the feeling of emptiness....it's You Lord that I am missing.  You Lord that I need to hear from....that I need to touch....that I need to touch me....You Lord.  Please reach down and take my hand.  Wrap Your arms around me and hold on....never let me go.  That's what I long for sometimes Lord....all the time really. 

In the middle of the night when sleep won't come....when the stillness is just too quiet....come and comfort me Lord.  Let me know that You are near....right beside me.  Let me know that no matter how I feel....lonely....afraid....sick....tired....restless....You Lord are here with me.  Always. 

Then....when I finally sleep....when rest falls on me....comfort me.  Let me feel Your presence wash over me and linger....like the dew on the grass.  Help me to feel Your love and grace....Your mercy....as I sleep. 

When I awake in the morning....help me to know that it's a new day....and all I need for the day is You Lord.  Give me peace and hope to walk through my day....knowing that every thing will be alright as long as I take you with me....into each moment. 

Lamentations 3:22

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.

3:25

The Lord is good to those who depend on Him,
to those who search for Him.

Oh Lord, please....help me to always depend on You! 


"until we see JESUS....face to face....

Fundamentals

Have there been some Sundays when you have just really needed to hear a good sermon....and it didn't happen?  There are times when I do and today was one of those times....and it didn't happen.  In fact....I didn't hear a sermon at all....it was one endless announcement.  Am I complaining....probably a bit.  The funny thing is it all kind of ties in to something I read before going to church.

I was reading about football....the Packers and 49er's game.  They were saying how it was going to be really cold and the players would have many challenges to face with the weather conditions.  They said the players would have to go back, focus and be extremely detailed doing the fundamentals they had learned.  When I read this that sentence jumped off the page!

I believe God let me read that this morning because it's what He has told me I need to do this year....refocus.  Go back....retrace my steps and do the things I used to do on a consistent basis.  Be detailed about doing the fundamentals I learned in the beginning!  So when challenges like today come along....just step back and refocus.

Psalms 46:10a
Be still and know that I am GOD.

John 3:30
He must become greater and greater,
and I must become less and less.

These verses remind me that GOD is in control....not me.  I just need to focus on HIM and what HE has for me.  Let HIM become the number ONE in my life.  What I want doesn't matter....only GOD and HIS plan for my life. 

"until we see JESUS....face to face"

   

Time To Refocus

Last week I was thinking about what my new "one word" would be for 2014.  What first came to my mind was that I needed to go back and start at the beginning.  "Recapture"....if you will....a little of my drive to learn all I could about God, the Bible and basically living the Christian life....developing a better understanding of all I didn't know.  The more I thought of all of this the word "listen" came to mind.  Still, not being sure, I asked God is that it...."listen?"  I knew that it certainly couldn't hurt me to do more of that!  Immediately the word "refocus" came to me.  I knew that was it.  Somehow to me, "refocus" tied all of what I knew I needed to do this year together.  So that's my "one word" for 2014...."Refocus".  I believe it is what the Lord wants me to do.

Refocus....

My definition of  "refocus" for what I need in 2014. 

To adjust the lens until I get a clear and sharply defined picture of a person....a clear image.  To focus in until what I see in my eye....my mind....and my heart is clear.  No obstructions....not blurry....a sharp image.  I want to see clearly....and know without any doubts!  I want the Lord to be my focal point for the year....actually for my entire life.

My vision....my path....at times in 2013 got a little obscured.  Life happened a lot.  I didn't go back to my old ways but I also didn't always stay true to how the Lord wants me to be.  Thankfully, He is always willing to forgive.  He shows us mercy and grace whenever we ask Him to forgive us....as long as we are sincere.

I want to know Him fully and unobscured....as completely as I can.  I don't want anything in my relationship with the Lord to be blurred.  When I see Him....face to face....I want to stand there knowing that I have done all I can to know Him as fully and completely as was possible here on earth.

It's always nice to have a verse to go along with your "word".  I didn't have one until I got about half way through writing this post....

1 Corinthians 13:12

¹² For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].

"until we see JESUS....face to face...."