Last day of the year...

Last day of the year ...

Thinking of this last year, it has been busy, different that I planned, inspiring, encouraging, happy, as well as tear-shedding, full of light as well as some darkness, filled with many miles and smiles, lose and gain...

So reading this day's Psalm, 31, instead of proverbs 31 was fitting. It is not the last psalm in the book, as proverbs 31, but it fits this last day of the year..

It answers...

In whom do we take refuge....

Who is our deliverer...

In whom can we trust...

Who is righteous...

Who gives good things..

Who has hope...

Then you add some of the last words of Solomon from Ecclesiastics .."fear God and keep His commandments.."

They so add to one another..

We all have the choice in our lives of whom or in what do we serve..whom or in what do we trust, what is our eternal destination...

I want that "You are my God" ...written on my heart...for the end of this year and for all years and eternity to come...revering Him in all I do...

Thank YOU that you love us so much, have loved us before we were, and loved us enough to send Your Son for our salvation...You lead and guide, You comfort, You give, You are present...help me to be strong and take hear...

Psalm 31:1, 3, 7, 14, 16, 19, 24 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;  me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.

 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 

I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. 

But I trust in you, Lord;I say, “You are my God.” Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. 

How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.

 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. 

Ecclesiastes 12:13Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. 

Relief from trials...

Relief from trials.....

I totally enjoyed this devotional by Ray Stedman...

This month he has been going through the book of Job and it has been so good...but this one is so hopeful for those who are or have or will endure trials in their lives...that light at the end of the tunnel...that growth we long for in our lives," but don't care  for the lessons to get there"...

I want that peace, fragrance and beauty of soul ...without all the trials, the physical or emotional pain, the hard lessons, the humbling, the examining, the loss, and anything else that creates those attributes...

With end of another year in sight, it bodes well to look back and see what has molded us this past year...what have been the highs and lows, how has God used them In our lives, how have I accepted them from His hand, how has He upheld me through those  highs and lows..how has He surrounded me with His love....has there been peace, beauty and fragrance in these times....am I looking more and more to Him for my sustenance, my peace, my beauty...do I desire to sit with Him in His temple and see Him...see all of life through his filters..of growing closer to Him through the trials of life...

I will be the first to admit, that I have said, "no, no, no not this." Not wanting to    go down this or that path with its perils and trials....but, He has been there, maybe not answering my questions, but holding me to the peace on the other side...and there are still some which I am still learning to trust his ways...

Thank YOU for for Your examples of learners who have paved the way for centuries of more learners...Your examples, Your Word which touches and examines our souls...Your desire that we immerse ourselves in Your Holy Word...finding that peace, fragrance and beauty...

1 Timothy 4:8b-10.... but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. 

"   Job's Daughters   A daily devotion for December 30th   From your friends at RayStedman.org     Read: Job 42:14-15       The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers (Job 42:14-15).       The fascinating thing about this account is that the whole Scripture seems to focus now on the daughters of Job instead of the sons. In chapter 1 it was the sons who were in the forefront. They had a birthday party every year, and they invited their sisters to come and share with them, but here, at the end of the book, it is the daughters of Job. Being the father of four beautiful daughters myself, I know how Job must have felt about them. He was proud of these daughters. In fact, he gave them an inheritance among their brothers, which was unheard of in the culture of that day. For anyone who is deciding on a name for a baby girl, here are some excellent suggestions: Jemimah, Keziah, and Keren-Happuch. The names are significant, and here are their meanings: • Jemimah means dove. Throughout the Scriptures, and even in our culture today, the dove is the symbol of peace. • Keziah is another spelling of the word cassia, and, you recall, when the wise men brought their gifts to the infant Jesus, they brought gifts of cassia, aloes, and myrrh, all of which were fragrances and incenses that were expensive, rare, and beautiful. Cassia, therefore, is incense or a fragrance. That is the symbolism behind the name. • Keren-Happuch literally means the horn of adornment and is a reference, therefore, to the outward beauty that comes from an inward character. Daughters who represent peace, fragrance, and beauty are the fruits of Job's trials. Surely, as the text says, there were none so fair in all the land as these. The New Testament, in Romans 5, tells us that suffering produces fruit for all those who persevere as the evidence of God's love. Suffering, Paul says, produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope(Romans 5:3-4). Character produces hope, hope that you are becoming the kind of person you want to be, and hope does not disappoint us, Paul says (Romans 5:5). It leaves us confident and sure of our God and of the power and resources of the spiritual life. That is the message we have at the close of this book. Lord, thank You that out of my own brokenness You bring beauty, peace, and a fragrant life that is pleasing to You.       Life Application   The greatest joy comes when we begin to grasp the infinite love and wisdom of God as our Father. This insight often results from a graduate course in parental discipline.   Related Message   For more on this portion of Scripture read the message: The New Beginning or listen to the audio by clicking:   Listen to Ray     Previous Devotions for December Next       Want to Subscribe?   Subscribe / Unsubscribe to this Daily Devotion by Email   Copyright © 2014 Ray Stedman Ministries — This daily devotion is from the book The Power of His Presence: a year of devotions from the writings of Ray Stedman, compiled by Mark Mitchell. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice and a hyperlink to RayStedman.org if the copy is posted on the Internet."

 

Cedars....

Cedars...

One of my daughters'  home sits  midst large cedars and other huge trees. They have had to clean up fallen trees at least twice since they moved  there, gaining Years worth  of wood for their fireplaces..plus new areas of sunshine from the holes that the downed tree have left......they have heard the roar of  of the wind tearing down trees..and it was mighty....

Reading this psalm this morning was like listening to the winter weather report right now, tornadoes, floods, snow and thunder storms,  and even some unseasonable warm weather for winter..stranded travelers all over the US..and deaths due to storms...things we have absolutely no power over...nature in its fury...and might...

All God has to do is speak and the earth was created...it is mighty,  thunderous, glorious, powerful, full of strength ....all of which we have no a hint of power to compare...

I find it interesting That after a litany of powerful descriptions, He speaks of giving peace...calming peace...a gift that I need in abundance and He blesses with it...and I need to put it into practice...that anxiousness to be put aside, and He will be with me....

Thank YOU...Help me rejoice, and not be anxious, be thankful, and practicing Your peace...

Philippians 4:4-7, 9 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. 

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 

Psalm 29:1-11 Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. 

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders,the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. 

The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. 

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. 

He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Siron like a young wild ox. 

The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. 

The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh. 

The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare.And in his temple all cry, “Glory!” 

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. 

Shopping .....

Shopping...

The news reported that December 26 is a bigger shopping day than Black Friday or cyber Monday with better deals and bigger discounts...and now you can even exchange those gift cards you don't want at certain stores...so shop til you drop again this season.....

I know a sweater I had my eye on is  a fourth of the price is was earlier...so now is the time to get it before they are completely gone and if it isn't there, I guess I wasn't  supposed to have it ...I hope the laborer who made it got paid fairly wherever that was..

Shopping for needs, wants, desires ....takes discretion, picking and choosing from so many choices...what will this person or that really want or need? What do I really need or want?  Not much...really...in reality...

Shopping for , seeking out takes diligence...we not only need or want "things", we seek out life's answers....we  may shop around in different "religions".. Looking for the answers to our life's cares and purpose...

God has our answers, our purpose...He promises to be found when  we seek Him...they are found in none other...life itself is found in no other or no other thing...He is our creator and lover of our souls...

Thank YOU for being our Answer, our Promise...

Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 

Amos 5:14 Seek good, not evil, that you may live.Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. 

Proverbs 14:32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God. 

Psalm 63:1 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched landwhere there is no water. 

Acts 17:24-27 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.

 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 

From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 

God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

My nativity ....

My nativity....

I have several nativities..hand made ones, pottery and wooden ones ones from abroad, glass blown, ceramic, plus children's books with the nativity story...they focus on Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus ...some have extra pieces of the wisemen, donkeys, shepherds with their staffs,  camels, Angels, and several have a little shepherd boy with lambs and sheep....

When you think about the whole picture before you, here is a tiny helpless baby in a manger, the Unblemished Lamb of God, the Good Shepherd, laying there before these honored shepherds from the hillside...worshipping, amazed at the wonder of it all...they have been out in the fields watching their sheep, tending to their needs, calming them, leading them to still waters, anointing their wounds, ...and now they are looking on a tiny child who will grow in stature and wisdom....

He will in turn watch their needs, calm them, heal their wounds, lead them to still waters in their busy lives....He will be their Shepherd...He will take their wounds and finally be their sacrifice...the perfect Lamb to bear the world's sins on the cross....

That tiny baby, that tiny Lamb, that tiny Shepherd...

Thank YOU...

http://www.andreascenter.org/Articles/Sheep%20and%20Goats.htm

http://www.gettymusic.com/hymns-goodshepherd.aspx

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 

John 10:11, 14-15 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 

Much and more...

Much....

Multitude...

Abundant ....

immeasurably more

Much...

pressed down...

Full...

Overflows...

Great  .....

All these descriptions ....and many more...wrapped up in tiny, bundle lying in a stable, surrounded by animals, awed shepherds, loving parents...the depth of the universe, the wholeness of love held in tiny puggy baby hands...the abundance of life, the greatest of gifts from a tiny beating heart...

He is the multitude, the abundant, the immeasurably more, the much, the pressed down, the overflowing , the full, the great...He is God...the I AM...

Ephesians 3:17-19 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. 

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 

Luke 2:13-14 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 

Deuteronomy 32:2-4 Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect,and all his ways are just.A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. 

John 10:10b..... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 

1 Timothy 1:14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 

Revelation 19:6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 

Isaiah 40:26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. 

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, .....

Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Thank YOU...

Driving in the snow...

Driving in the snow...

This month has been a test of driver's skills with the snow we have had...we have had 3 inches , 18 inches..6 inches...some fluffy, some heavy, icy, slushy, sloppy, gravelly, broken clods of snow....a variety pack...

I have had the  opportunity  to drive over the mountains three times during these conditions.  One, with a set of tires that could touch pavement on one side most of the way with crunchy ice under the others,  another time with sloppy ice and rain, and the last with pure ice...it was  slow going whichever way.   Slow, steady, white knuckle driving...watching intently for any variation, watching the snow fall, watching the other cars, I even had to turn off my music, news, or books to be able to concentrate whole heartedly on the driving...

Having the proper equipment, extra food and water, chains, in the car...in case of emergency...is essential, but it is still challenging...

I find myself chanting, "please God" over and over even at times when panic is just below the surface...

And God has been gracious to see me through this driving, being right there, all the time...holding the wheel steady, giving me cushion around the car, chanting into my heart His love....His steadfastness...

Thank YOU for Your safety ...in caring for me...

Psalm 73:23-26, 28 Yet I am always with you;you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 

But as for me, it is good to be near God.I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;I will tell of all your deeds. 

Matthew 28:20b .....And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

Sing..sing...sing..

Sing..sing..sing..

Sing..

Praise..

Proclaim...

Declare...

Ascribe ...

Worship...

Rejoice...

Because:

Salvation..

Marvelous deeds..

He is great..

Worthy of praise ...

He made the heavens...

Splendor and majesty before Him...

He reigns...

The world is firmly established... 

He will judge with equity..

He is righteous .. 

He is holy...

He is faithful...

He comes...

Can any other gods claim such a place or worthiness ..?

Thank YOU...

Psalm 96:1-13 

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.

 Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations,his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;he is to be feared above all gods. 

For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him;strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. 

Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness;tremble before him, all the earth. 

Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;he will judge the peoples with equity. 

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;let the sea resound, and all that is in it.

 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. 

Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness. 

Collector spoons......

 Collector spoons...

Recently, I stayed with my youngest daughter and her husband.  Their guest room houses several mementoes from her grandmother's, my mother..paintings, art objects and collectable spoons.  There are 108 spoons...collected over a span of 80 years...and added to them are my daughter's collection of spoons which she collected as she was growing up...

So many memories ..from the Fiji islands to Iceland to Mickey Mouse to Mt. St. Helens...some have unique designs for the area collected while others are "cookie cutter" pieces that just have a name and look like a dozen others ...

One of my sons collected patches from places that he travelled, while my husband collected hat pins or mugs...my grandchildren collect the hat pins as well or walking stick miniature plaques..

I had a collection of ceramic birthday dolls and stamps...the dolls all broke with drop of a box and the stamps all collected mud dobber  mud, so ruined...

As I look at each collection, they are so important to the person who has collected them and bring back wonderful memories of the times collecting them, but have no eternal value whatsoever.... But they bring  joy for the moment or that person's lifetime ...and maybe one more generation...and then they loose their sentimental value...and are finally stored away...for another time and another generation...

Treasures....what treasures do we want to collect?  Where do we want to store them...God is gracious and desires that we enjoy life and I don't think He begrudges our collections of spoons or other memorabilia.  Just so it doesn't overshadow our relationship with Him or others...

Collections pass away with time like my ceramic dolls, But God never passes away...He is always there..not be be forgotten in a box or storage unit..

Thank YOU for being my treasure...help me to have right perspective about "stuff" versus the people around me and YOU as my treasure ...

Matthew 6:19-21, 33 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.