His Word....Our Hope

This morning I was writing in my journal and I saw a verse....a very special verse....from the Psalms.

Psalm 119:105
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

The morning after I prayed and asked Jesus to forgive me and come into my life I woke up thinking this verse.  I don't even know how to tell you what I felt that morning when the Lord gave that verse to me!  At that point I had no idea where to find it or how true the words of this verse are.  But now....seven years and three months later....I know more and more....every moment of everyday....how true this verse is and what hope and strength can be found in His Word.  My study Bible says this about it....

The Lords word is a lamp that provides perspective, hope, and guidance in darkness.  Even more, this light gives life.

Oh how true this is!  Even though at times I let myself get so caught up in the things of life....and I set aside the things I know I need to do....that when I come crawling back spent and broken....God still speaks and comforts me through His Word.  Isn't that just like Him?  Welcoming us with open arms...giving strength....healing....forgiveness....if we only just give our cares....burdens....sorrows....all over to Him!  Thank You....Thank You....Thank You Lord for Your love....kindness....grace and mercy in my/our time of need.

This morning I have so many feelings and thoughts that I just don't know where to go from here with this post. So....I will just finish with a prayer....

O Father I come to You this morning with much thankfulness in my heart.  Because of You I know there is hope for the day.  Knowing that You are with me....family and friends....brings comfort to me this morning.  I don't know what this day holds for any of us but I do know that You are the one in charge of this day.  So right now Father I want to just give You all of my cares about this day.  All of the burdens I carry for the road that lies ahead for us.  I just ask you to ease the sorrows that are being felt and help us to live knowing that You will grant us grace for every moment that lies ahead. 
Thank You for everything that You have done in  my life and thank You for my family and friends that mean so much to me.  Help all of us to live every moment for You.  Please speak to the hearts of the family....and my friends....that don't know Jesus as their Savior.  Thank You for listening to my hearts cry this morning.  In Jesus name I pray....Amen

May your day be blessed.....

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

Building Faith

I have been seeing many things about faith lately.  The one I saw today...that I liked most...says this...

Faith in GOD changes everything!

Isn't that just so true?!  Without faith what do we have?  Depending on what you need to have faith for...what comes to my mind first is fear...we have fear!  But if you have faith...and your faith is in GOD...your whole outlook will change.  Now...before you start thinking I have got this faith thing down let me say this...

My faith can wane a lot at times...then there are other times when I have some "intense" faith!  Now those are the times I live for.  When problems and trials seem to "rain" into my life and it's okay...because I have amazing...intense...faith in GOD!  When you let GOD...and faith in GOD...rule in your life you have a lot less fear.  So what is the first thing you need to conquer when you are going through trials?  Well...I read this today as well...

The first crisis you must conquer in the storm is fear.  The Word says "Fear Not".  

So I looked up this scripture...

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

It's true.  If you stay in the WORD...no matter how bad your storm is...your faith gets bigger and your fear...well...it will go away!  It may still creep back in now and again but that's because satan is always there...jabbing and punching...telling you that GOD doesn't really care and things are much worse than you ever dreamed they could be.  That's when you tell satan..."Just get away cuz you really don't know what you're talking about!  I am a child of GOD and He loves me."  In fact we know that GOD has got us and we have nothing to fear!!  Why...because as we all know...GOD is faithful!!

I want to tell you that at times you may really have to work at having enough faith to know...beyond a shadow of a doubt...that GOD's got you and there is no need for any fear.  At least I have to at times.  In fact...we can consider this post a faith building post...because this is a trial filled night...which serves as a reminder that...GOD's got it and HE has me and you!

Romans 10:17
So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).


Isaiah 40:31
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

"until we see JESUS...face to face"
 

When You Need To Get A Grip

Let's just be honest here.  There are times when life is just plain overwhelming.  Your day can start off good....then it gets crazier and crazier....then before you know it wham!....one more thing just does it for you!  You have had enough.  What do you do when life slaps you down?  Well....there are many things you could do....

You can let the circumstances get you down to the point where you just want to get in your car and drive.  You know....the fast and furious kind of driving!  You could talk loudly....maybe yell a bit as you're driving....and ask when is it all going to stop?!  For some....not me....you could head to the nearest store and buy your favorite "beverage" then go home and drink on it for the rest of the night until you don't remember why you're upset in the first place.  I'm thinking there are many things you could do and we probably all do something.  But then....after you let yourself go for a few minutes....you can get a grip and....


drive calmly through the crowded streets to get home.  Then you can talk to God and tell Him how you are just not happy about life.  You can grumble and complain and let Him know how you want things to just be different!  Maybe just tell Him....God, I'm just done!  I need this all to end!  I know He hears us....I know He cares....about all of the things that are affecting us and making us upset.  Then....

talk to God more rationally.  Ask Him to help you see things in a different light....to look at the good and not the negative aspects of your circumstance.  There is always good mixed in.  Then you pick up your Bible and find some of your favorite verses and read.  Feed your mind and your soul on the good things of the Lord....


Psalms 27:8
My heart has heard You say, "Come and talk with me."
And my heart responds, "Lord I am coming."

Psalms 29:11
The Lord gives His people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace.

Psalms 32:8
The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you."

Psalms 23

¹ The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
² He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
³     He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
⁴ Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
⁵ You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
⁶ Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.

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

The Best Remedy

I'm not quite sure how to get my thought across today....the right word to use that describes me and how I look....inwardly....at myself.  Not that it really matters much....normally....but for this post maybe it does.  So....the first word that came to mind was pensive....which led me to contemplative....and then on to introspective.  All good words but I believe introspective fits best this morning.  Actually....they are all quite tied together if you really look at them and what they mean....and I did.  I guess maybe that's the contemplative part of me....prone to sitting alone thinking up thoughts!  Is that good....bad....it can be both!  Which leads me to....introspective....the process of looking into oneself.  Also good and bad. So here we go....

Many times I question my walk with the Lord.  I sit and think....wonder....am I really where I need to be?  The answer is usually a resounding....NO!  Oh....I have so far to go....will I never get it right?  But then....upon further examination....I realize that I am so much different than I used to be....because the Lord has changed me so much....that I just might "make it" after all.  Then I get seriously thoughtful again....pensive....and realize that yes....I will be okay....I will "make it".  I have been forgiven....I have been granted grace....and I do have the "faith to believe"....most of the time....that Jesus is walking with me....beside me and holding my hand....every step of my journey here on earth.  Which brings me to yesterday....

I went to the hospital for a test.  Not a big deal....for most....just taking some pictures.  For me though.... I have found that I am not fond of being shoved into a small....confined....tight little tunnel of constricted air!  The one redeeming factor....people were praying for me which helped me to have faith to believe that I would be okay.  And....I was going to have a little pill.  After I took the pill my thoughts were....so how good is your faith really?!  You did just take the drugs you know!  Yep....there he was....that deceptive little devil....trying to rattle my cage!  But I kept moving on....talking with the Lord....believing that indeed....He....The LORD....was right there with me....and He was.  So while I was laying there waiting my turn they gave me some magazines to pass the time.  One of them was called "Real Simple".  A lot of little tidbits of info designed to make "life simpler".  So okay....I picked it up and started to thumb through.  About thirty pages in I stopped and read a bolded title....

What is the best remedy for a broken heart?

Immediately....even in my drug infused mind....JESUS was my thought.  I didn't even bother to read what the magazine said because what could it matter?  I knew the answer....JESUS.  There is no other answer that fits!  Then the next bolded item said....

What book taught you an important lesson about love? 



Again without hesitation....the Bible.  There could be no other answer for either of these questions!  And that's when it hit me.  Chelle....you truly have changed.  If you were still whom you used to be JESUS and the Bible would never have been your first thought....especially after having had that drug. 

My own bolded title....

Who is the best remedy for all my brokenness?

Now....I know....that this seems like a silly thing to most. But for me....this was huge!  I believe this magazine was given to me for a reason....so I would see those questions and respond with those answers.  God was letting me know that I do believe....beyond a doubt....and that I do have faith.  I know that Jesus is the healer of broken hearts....spiritually and physically....and that throughout this journey....no matter what happens....Gods got it....Hes got me.  And the love thing....well lets just say that my heart has truly been changed.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord bring you into an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and of the patience that comes from Christ.

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

Mustard Seed Faith

Luke 17:6 NLT

 ⁶ The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it would obey you!

Most times I feel that all the faith I can muster up....pun not intended....is only as big as a mustard seed.  When something....big for me....comes up in my life I always think....you can do this....you've got this....no problem!  But....when it comes right down to it....I know I do not "got this"!  However, I do know the One who does.  The One who does is God. God has "got this"!  Satan does his best to fill you with doubt....discouragement....fear....about what ever it is you need faith for.  When that starts happening you just need to take a step back....then....with all your might....jump forward and land right on that dirty little devils head and let him know that you are not afraid of any of the doubts and fears that he is planting in your mind!  Tell him that your mighty Lord and Savior is walking with you through your battle today and you will not be defeated!!  Our Lord is a Warrior and He is fighting your battle for you today!  

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

In The Midst Of Us

Psalms 46:1-7 NKJV

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
³ Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

⁴ There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
⁵ God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
⁶ The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

This Psalm is a song about Gods special protection of Zion. Even so, it can be applied to us and Gods special protection over our lives.     

When I first read vs 5 this morning I knew it wasn't about a person but I also knew....for this moment in time....that's how the Lord was showing it to me. Lately I have known that I really just want....need....more of God.  Since I have started really being serious about telling Him that I want Him more, many things have been happening in my life....some that I have not been so excited about.  Yet, there have been other things that are good.  One being....me just stumbling upon this scripture in the early morning today.  Another being....how the Holy Spirit helped me to see how this verse....actually the whole Psalm....relates to me/us as well.  So, this is what I got out of it this morning exactly as I wrote it in my journal.  No rethinking it or rewriting it....just as the Holy Spirit helped me to see it for me....and you.

Vs 5;  If we know the Lord as our Savior....if we walk with Him....He is in the midst of us.  He dwells in us!  God is not going to allow us to be moved and tossed about....if we stay close to Him.  Yes....we will have trials but....God will be with us through them all.  Helping us and guiding us through them.  At the break of dawn He will be there....He will show up at the toughest time for us.  He. Is. Our. Strength.  46:1 tells us this!  46:6 talks about kingdoms being tottered and moved....total chaos is upon them.  Think about that for you!  Your life may be....what you perceive as....on the edge of chaos!  But....GOD. Has. Got. You!  You may be moved around a bit but as it says in vs 7....The Lord is with us.  This section ends with the word Selah meaning....pause, and calmly think of that!

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

Faith To Believe

This verse was God's reminder to me this morning to put down my device and pick up His Word.  Isn't He good?!  He knows how much I love it when He gives me a verse....a song....or a thought from Him....when I first wake up. 

Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

How can I grow my faith  unless I ingest....take in....absorb....consume....devour....The Word of God?!
God knows there is no other way for me to do that.  He also knows that more than ever....for this time in my life....I really need to grow my faith in Him.  Actually....I need to let Him grow my faith.  If I put in the effort....energy....sometimes the struggle....I believe God will help me to have the faith I need to walk out the journey I am on.  He will do that by opening my eyes to things I read in His Word....some of them I may have never even noticed before....still others when I read them will have a deeper meaning than before.  Whichever it is....He will grow my faith if I do what I need to do.

There are many instances in the Bible about faith.  A friend reminded me yesterday about the story of the Israelites when they crossed the Red Sea.  Moses had to have faith to raise his hand over the water and believe it was going to part.  Yet even then....the people still had to have faith to take that first step between the walls of water on each side!  While reading that account this morning these two verses really jumped at me....

Exodus 14:13-14
¹³ But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. ¹⁴ The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

What that is saying to me is....

As hard as it may be at times I....you....just need to step back from the actual situation and let the Lord do what He does.  Sometimes it's a miracle that lets you not even have to go through the situation....or....it's the miracle of when you take that first step into it He immediately calms your fears and gives you peace to get you through to the other side.  In effect....He puts His arms around you and holds on to you until you're done with what you need to do.  

I have had some really good quotes about faith sent to me recently....

Faith is the step between promise and assurance.
That one reminds me of the Red Sea account.

Every miracle begins with an act of obedience.

Faith is not knowing what the future holds but knowing who holds the future.

And this last one I have sitting on my desk. 
Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see.

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

 

 

We all need to have faith.  In fact we all do have faith.  The question is what....or whom....is your faith in?