Sowing generously...
I love the song, "thank you for giving to the Lord". When I see giving whether is funds, time, resources it blesses my heart...but when I see and hear praise to God for those gifts I am even more blessed...because He was the real source of the gift and the person giving was a tool with which the gift was given...
My mail is full of letters of needs, proposals, ministry requests...and there are so many with worthy causes...but, I really like the letters which tell how God uses the gifts given in people's live...how they have changed, how their village or church has grown in the Lord...their praises to God for His indescribable gift, His Son...
Mark 12:42-44 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.
They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
We don't get the "rest of the story" about this widow, but we know that she has been honored above the "rich" givers through the ages...her good works abounded...
Thank YOU for giving...help me remember that You gave it all...so that we might give as well...cheerfully, out of praise to you...
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Monday, March 13, 2017
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Itsy bitsy crocus...
Itsy bitsy crocus...
It has been a long winter with snow on the ground from December until this week in March...that may it seem like much to some, but it is a long time for even here in the higher elevations...
Yesterday I took a break from the bed I have been in for three days to look outside...the snow had finally melted in my yard (still piles and piles to melt elsewhere)...but there were three itsy bitsy crocus poking out of the ground like babies seeing the world for the first time...so tiny and brightly colored...what a sight...for me after a bout with illness to be up ...but to see a welcome in a tiny package...spring must be coming as healing is on the way as well...
It made me think about the creation...how God must have delighted to speak and see everything he spoke into existence here on hearth... The rainbow of colors, forms and shapes of things...for the wonderment of us to enjoy and be provided with...but then to craft man in his own image with whom to have fellowship...
Thank YOU...for new days, bright sunshine in the forecast...gifts of small wonder...promises ...
Genesis 1:11-13 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so.
The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds.
And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
Psalm 85:11-12 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.
Isaiah 61:11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
It has been a long winter with snow on the ground from December until this week in March...that may it seem like much to some, but it is a long time for even here in the higher elevations...
Yesterday I took a break from the bed I have been in for three days to look outside...the snow had finally melted in my yard (still piles and piles to melt elsewhere)...but there were three itsy bitsy crocus poking out of the ground like babies seeing the world for the first time...so tiny and brightly colored...what a sight...for me after a bout with illness to be up ...but to see a welcome in a tiny package...spring must be coming as healing is on the way as well...
It made me think about the creation...how God must have delighted to speak and see everything he spoke into existence here on hearth... The rainbow of colors, forms and shapes of things...for the wonderment of us to enjoy and be provided with...but then to craft man in his own image with whom to have fellowship...
Thank YOU...for new days, bright sunshine in the forecast...gifts of small wonder...promises ...
Genesis 1:11-13 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so.
The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds.
And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
Psalm 85:11-12 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.
Isaiah 61:11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
Friday, March 10, 2017
Depths...
Depths...
Lamentations 3:55-57 I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit.
You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.”
You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.”
It's coming up on the 5th anniversary of my husband's passing from this earth to his awaiting heavenly home...his new everlasting chapter...
I was reading my journal from then...the depths...each day was part waiting, much caring-physical and emotional, tiredness, company, encouragement from many as well as his work related issues- of which he enjoyed...
He was sleeping more and more but enjoyed whomever dropped by or the stimulation of his chosen vocation and the people who visited to talk "shop".
I look back on that time and wonder where I got the strength and fortitude to take care so much...only God can strengthen that much...I sure didn't have it in myself...I never got sick in those months, my body wasn't sore from the
lifting ...sleep was elusive, as nurse, cook, laundress, social director, encourager, caretaker...emotions were from the depths of despair to just making it through each day...to praise for God's comfort and provision...
My journal reads ..." Be strong and take courage", "rest, return, learn, live in Jesus", " I will never let go of your hand", "my way is perfect", "seek me first"...to the song of "Butterfly kisses"...
His love was tangible...through the darkness of the oncoming death, the "unplanned" event...
Thank YOU for your strength, your care, your comfort...
Psalm 30:2a Lord my God, I called to you for help,....
Psalm 130:1-2 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
Psalm 139:8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
Lamentations 3:55-57 I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit.
You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.”
You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.”
It's coming up on the 5th anniversary of my husband's passing from this earth to his awaiting heavenly home...his new everlasting chapter...
I was reading my journal from then...the depths...each day was part waiting, much caring-physical and emotional, tiredness, company, encouragement from many as well as his work related issues- of which he enjoyed...
He was sleeping more and more but enjoyed whomever dropped by or the stimulation of his chosen vocation and the people who visited to talk "shop".
I look back on that time and wonder where I got the strength and fortitude to take care so much...only God can strengthen that much...I sure didn't have it in myself...I never got sick in those months, my body wasn't sore from the
lifting ...sleep was elusive, as nurse, cook, laundress, social director, encourager, caretaker...emotions were from the depths of despair to just making it through each day...to praise for God's comfort and provision...
My journal reads ..." Be strong and take courage", "rest, return, learn, live in Jesus", " I will never let go of your hand", "my way is perfect", "seek me first"...to the song of "Butterfly kisses"...
His love was tangible...through the darkness of the oncoming death, the "unplanned" event...
Thank YOU for your strength, your care, your comfort...
Psalm 30:2a Lord my God, I called to you for help,....
Psalm 130:1-2 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
Psalm 139:8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Bottled tears. ...
Bottled tears...
I attended the movie, "the shack". ( I need to see something a little more light hearted next time). Although this one lightens the hearts in ways that can be everlasting...
Forgiveness, sovereignty, trust, love beyond our comprehension was my "takeaway" for this movie...I cried, laughed, and cried again...both for joy and sorrow...for Unforgiveness in my life, the joy that comes from mourning, the sorrow that comes from loss, the joy and peace that only God can give...for my judgmental attitude that needs tweaking, the lack of trust that I exhibit in the everyday...the unconditional, delightful love that God bestows on me everyday if I watch for it and even when I don't....
Thank YOU that you come into my life in conventional and unconventional ways...the Word, Your Spirit speaking truth, the creative ways you touch our hearts...the Son who so obediently went to the cross as an acceptable sacrifice for my sins...how You Love me ....in so many ways even though I can see the whole picture of my life and those around me...help me trust that you are working good in my life...
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
Psalm 56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? KJV
So fitting...
Sent from my iPad
I attended the movie, "the shack". ( I need to see something a little more light hearted next time). Although this one lightens the hearts in ways that can be everlasting...
Forgiveness, sovereignty, trust, love beyond our comprehension was my "takeaway" for this movie...I cried, laughed, and cried again...both for joy and sorrow...for Unforgiveness in my life, the joy that comes from mourning, the sorrow that comes from loss, the joy and peace that only God can give...for my judgmental attitude that needs tweaking, the lack of trust that I exhibit in the everyday...the unconditional, delightful love that God bestows on me everyday if I watch for it and even when I don't....
Thank YOU that you come into my life in conventional and unconventional ways...the Word, Your Spirit speaking truth, the creative ways you touch our hearts...the Son who so obediently went to the cross as an acceptable sacrifice for my sins...how You Love me ....in so many ways even though I can see the whole picture of my life and those around me...help me trust that you are working good in my life...
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
Psalm 56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? KJV
So fitting...
Hi - I'm reading "Jesus Always (with Bonus Content): Embracing Joy in His Presence" by Sarah Young and wanted to share this quote with you.
"March 9
"March 9
MY WAYS ARE MYSTERIOUS and unpredictable, but they are good. When you look at world events—with so much rampant evil—it’s easy to feel fearful and discouraged. You cannot comprehend why I allow such cruelty and suffering. The difficulty lies in the fact that I am infinite and you are not. Many things are simply beyond your comprehension. But do not despair. When you reach the limits of your understanding, trusting Me will carry you onward. Affirm your trust in Me through silent and spoken prayers. Stay in communication with Me! Don’t get trapped in a posture of demanding to know “Why?” That is the wrong question to ask Me. The right questions are: “How do You want me to view this situation?” and “What do You want me to do right now?” You cannot change the past, so start with the present moment and seek to find My way forward. Trust Me one day, one moment, at a time. Do not fear, for I am with you. I will strengthen you and help you.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.—PROVERBS 3: 5 ESV"
Start reading it for free: http://a.co/48t66UF
--------
Download Kindle for Android, iOS, PC, Mac and more
http://amzn.to/1r0LubW
Start reading it for free: http://a.co/48t66UF
--------
Download Kindle for Android, iOS, PC, Mac and more
http://amzn.to/1r0LubW
Sent from my iPad
An accounting .....
An accounting...
There are accounts all through the Bible, reports of lineage, activities, lists...
But, by another "accounting" there is a reporting of one's life or their living...being responsible to another or others...
For instance, when I loose the most weight in a weight reduction campaign is when it costs me and I have to report to someone, weigh in and pay ...or a Bible study with daily lessons...I am accountable to someone or something...I have to "report in"...someone is "watching over me"...
When raising children, I wanted to encourage their conscience of right and wrong, not just when they are with me, but when they trek out on their own...they have an accounting to God, a much higher power than just parents...that old saying of "will you do right or wrong when 'alone' when no one is watching?"
I like accountability...even when I am frustrated by it...it gives me boundaries. It gives me a "line in the sand", a goal, a future...it sometimes plans my day or time...not wanting to waste the opportunity...it adds purpose...thank YOU that You call me to account and help me to learn Your ways, to seek to use this life wisely...for You....
Genesis 42:22 Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.”
Joshua 22:23 If we have built our own altar to turn away from the Lord and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, or to sacrifice fellowship offerings on it, may the Lord himself call us to account.
Job 31:14 what will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account?
Psalm 119:26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.
Ezekiel 3:20-21 “Again, when a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before them, they will die. Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin. The righteous things that person did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.
But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself.”
Matthew 12:36-37 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.
For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,
but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
There are accounts all through the Bible, reports of lineage, activities, lists...
But, by another "accounting" there is a reporting of one's life or their living...being responsible to another or others...
For instance, when I loose the most weight in a weight reduction campaign is when it costs me and I have to report to someone, weigh in and pay ...or a Bible study with daily lessons...I am accountable to someone or something...I have to "report in"...someone is "watching over me"...
When raising children, I wanted to encourage their conscience of right and wrong, not just when they are with me, but when they trek out on their own...they have an accounting to God, a much higher power than just parents...that old saying of "will you do right or wrong when 'alone' when no one is watching?"
I like accountability...even when I am frustrated by it...it gives me boundaries. It gives me a "line in the sand", a goal, a future...it sometimes plans my day or time...not wanting to waste the opportunity...it adds purpose...thank YOU that You call me to account and help me to learn Your ways, to seek to use this life wisely...for You....
Genesis 42:22 Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.”
Joshua 22:23 If we have built our own altar to turn away from the Lord and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, or to sacrifice fellowship offerings on it, may the Lord himself call us to account.
Job 31:14 what will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account?
Psalm 119:26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.
Ezekiel 3:20-21 “Again, when a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before them, they will die. Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin. The righteous things that person did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.
But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself.”
Matthew 12:36-37 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.
For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,
but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Ah-ha or awe-ha moments ....
Ah-ha or awe-ha moments...
I remember distinctly a time when I wondered about my salvation...I didn't know if I was saved or not...I knew I had done the right things, said the words, felt in my heart that is was true, believed what the Word said...but there was still doubt playing around in my mind...Satan's ploy...
I was reading through the two books written to the Corinthians...it for my mind set at the time...and came upon these verses, particularly verse 9...
1 Corinthians 2:9-16 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them?
In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
It was like heaven opened up and God reached into my soul. The Holy Spirit spoke into my heart...I was saved...there was no more doubts ...he has prepared, out of love, things that only He can do...
I was in tears of joy and thankfulness for those words of affirmation and assurance as only He knew my floundering and doubts and only He could answer in truth...and speak deeply into my life...
Thank YOU that You speak into the depths of our being...individually meeting the needs of our being....
I remember distinctly a time when I wondered about my salvation...I didn't know if I was saved or not...I knew I had done the right things, said the words, felt in my heart that is was true, believed what the Word said...but there was still doubt playing around in my mind...Satan's ploy...
I was reading through the two books written to the Corinthians...it for my mind set at the time...and came upon these verses, particularly verse 9...
1 Corinthians 2:9-16 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them?
In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
It was like heaven opened up and God reached into my soul. The Holy Spirit spoke into my heart...I was saved...there was no more doubts ...he has prepared, out of love, things that only He can do...
I was in tears of joy and thankfulness for those words of affirmation and assurance as only He knew my floundering and doubts and only He could answer in truth...and speak deeply into my life...
Thank YOU that You speak into the depths of our being...individually meeting the needs of our being....
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Praise songs....
Praise songs...
Most mornings, I am awakened by praise songs running through my mind...when I was in the darkest times as my husband daily was sinking away to cancer, God gave me what I called "songs in the night"... I never knew from day to day which song He would minister to my soul in those long tortuous days and nights...but the songs were there lifting me out of the pit...and I thank Him for those songs...
But, now He is still giving them to me, they may be from years past or current...they may be repetitious over and over again or a verse or the whole song that plays in my mind...they may bring thoughts of events which are associated with that song or just raise my thinking that morning...
This morning it was. "It's your breath in my lungs, that I pour out your praise, to you only"... a simple song of praise to remind me that the Giver of life gives breath to praise...thank YOU...the air that I breathe is a gift...thank YOU for each breath...
Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
Lamentations 3:22-23, 32-33 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.
For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone...
Most mornings, I am awakened by praise songs running through my mind...when I was in the darkest times as my husband daily was sinking away to cancer, God gave me what I called "songs in the night"... I never knew from day to day which song He would minister to my soul in those long tortuous days and nights...but the songs were there lifting me out of the pit...and I thank Him for those songs...
But, now He is still giving them to me, they may be from years past or current...they may be repetitious over and over again or a verse or the whole song that plays in my mind...they may bring thoughts of events which are associated with that song or just raise my thinking that morning...
This morning it was. "It's your breath in my lungs, that I pour out your praise, to you only"... a simple song of praise to remind me that the Giver of life gives breath to praise...thank YOU...the air that I breathe is a gift...thank YOU for each breath...
Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
Lamentations 3:22-23, 32-33 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.
For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone...
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