Trials….

 Trials….

These three verses came up this week, two together and one separately 

..but, they spoke to me personally…

 …..And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esth.4.14b

 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Jas.1.12

 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

1Pet.4.12-13

First, my oldest grandson preaches today…for me, I wouldn’t have slept all night, thinking of better and better ways to say the words he has chosen…

Praying the message  was what God wanted to say….wondering if my clothes, hair are right….etc.

Thinking of some I know that are going through trials, whether for their faith, their health, their family…etc…

Thirdly, I found out the big “C” word has entered my life. Visiting the doctor for something else, I thought, I was quickly on the surgeon’s table losing organs I apparently didn’t need anymore, only to find that cancer had invaded…they are pretty sure they got it, but still have to go through 6 rounds of chemotherapy, “insurance” they say…

All trials, of different proportions, different outcomes, different reasons, different difficulty…but trials…but part our plan designed by God …no surprises for Him…

Rejoicing, giving thanks may be a bit difficult to do at times…our emotions lagging behind our will to give thanks…but to know peace that is what we are instructed to do….

 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.

 The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

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

Phil.4.4-7

Thank YOU….

When my world is torn asunder…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlYazVnnB6Y

Praise You in the storm….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioFvTjLrEvE

 

Doubts and obedience…

 Doubts and obedience…

 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Heb.7.25

I like that word “uttermost”…maximum, extreme..outmost, supreme, ultimate…to me, it has promise that there is not limit…

It brought to mind Hezekiah and Isaiah in Isaiah 36-37…

The king of Assyria had come to take Judah, taking down to town after town until his army came to Jerusalem…

“  And the Rabshakeh said to them, “Say to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you rest this trust of yours? Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? In whom do you now trust, that you have rebelled against me? Behold, you are trusting in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. 

Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out in a loud voice in the language of Judah: “Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria! Thus says the king: ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you. Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord by saying, “The Lord will surely deliver us. This city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” Do not listen to Hezekiah. For thus says the king of Assyria: Make your peace with me and come out to me. Then each one of you will eat of his own vine, and each one of his own fig tree, and each one of you will drink the water of his own cistern, until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and wine, a land of bread and vineyards.

 Beware lest Hezekiah mislead you by saying, “The Lord will deliver us.”

 Has any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? Who among all the gods of these lands have delivered their lands out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?’”

Isa.36.4-6, 13-20

 As soon as King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the Lord. 

When the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah, Isaiah said to them, “Say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the young men of the king of Assyria have reviled me.

Isa.37.1, 5-6

I don’t know about anyone else, but I have times of doubting…when questions assail me, Satan’s darts ping around trying to cause doubts, cause uncertainty, cause unrest, cause confusion…just like the Assyrian king’s assistant was doing to the people of Jerusalem…

I loved Isaiah words…”do not be afraid because of the words you have heard”…

God has a plan…”He is able to save  to the uttermost”…

Thank YOU….

Saved, saved…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v1S1mzgCHQ

An anchor…

 An anchor…

 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,

Heb.6.19

 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water,that sends out its roots by the stream,and does not fear when heat comes,for its leaves remain green,and is not anxious in the year of drought,for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

 Jer.17.7-8

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,nor stands in the way of sinners,nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord,and on his law he meditates day and night.

 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,and its leaf does not wither.In all that he does, he prospers.

Ps.1:1-3

Will your anchor hold….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrjKUII-V18

Packing to move…

 

Packing to move…

Twelve years ago, we decided to move from Elko, Nevada to Bend, Oregon. This way we were closer to family during the last days of my husband’s cancer..no more treatments just a meds for comfort…

So I spent time packing up things for immediate use and care for us, closed down our home and the temporary apartment…friends came to help, to say goodbye, to wish us well through this phase of life…we appreciated each visit, even though they were laced with tears of sorrow and farewells…this would be the last time they saw my husband alive…

The theme of each day was “trust Me, one day at a time…trust is not a natural response especially for those who have been deeply wounded…exert your will to trust Me in all circumstances…I will equip you to get through this day victoriously….” Jesus Calling , Sarah Young…

These same people who came and visited, plus so many more would yet make one more memorial visit two months later for a memorial service…

Their friendship and care throughout the hard times was so amazing…a true gift…that gave over and over…

The song for those days, one of my husband's favorites…

Crucified with Christ…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0_1jazh454

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Rom.15.13

 A friend loves at all times,…

Prov.17.17a

 O Lord of hosts,blessed is the one who trusts in you!

Ps.84.12

 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matt.6.34

Rest in My Presence….

 Rest in My Presence…

Twelve years ago, that was the theme for the day…a little over a month later  my husband would succumb to the deadly cancer which was slowly  taking over his brain…

“Learn to live  above your circumstances… this requires focused time with Me, the one  who overcame the world…trouble and distress are woven into the very fabric of life of this perishing world..only My Life in you can empower you to face this endless flow of problems with good cheer…

As you sit quietly in My Presence, I shine Peace into your troubled mind and heart. Little by little, you are freed from earthly shackles and lifted up above your circumstances. You gain My perspective in your life, enabling you to distinguish between what is important and what is not.

Rest in My Presence, receiving Joy that no one can take away from you….”

Jesus Calling, A 365 Day journaling Devotional by Sarah Young.

 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. 

In the world you will have tribulation. 

But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John.16.22,33

I was asking wisdom for doing the right things at the right time for those days ahead…we moved shortly after this from Elko, Nevada to Bend, Oregon…closer to family and 24 hour care, I couldn’t do it anymore…

Those were hard days, but God was good…friends popped by almost daily. Our apartment was attached to our offices, so people were coming and going…which was good for  morale and encouragement…I could go to our home and work a bit while someone sat with Don…

On one of those quick trips was the first time I heard “Blessing “ lived and written by Laura Story..I remember pulling over to the side of the road and just sobbing hearing her words…

God uses so many circumstances to bring us closer to Him…

Thank YOU…

Blessing…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQan9L3yXjc

 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lordin the land of the living!

Ps.27.13

Rejoice in the Lord….

 Rejoice in the Lord…

After battling my blankets all night tossing and turning, I opened my Bible to today’s passage….the words popped out…”Rejoice in the Lord”

In both Philippians 3 and 4…

 “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. 

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. 

You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.

 In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Phil.3.1,Phil.4.4-13

Of course I had to look up other passages that repeated the same/similar phrase…what was the other rejoicing?  And why? And they start way back in Exodus…

 And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the Lord had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.

Exod.18.9

 And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your households, in all that you undertake, in which the Lord your God has blessed you. 

And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your sons and your daughters, your male servants and your female servants, and the Levite that is within your towns, since he has no portion or inheritance with you. 

but you shall eat them before the Lord your God in the place that the Lord your God will choose, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your towns. And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God in all that you undertake.

Deut.12.7, 12, 18

 And Hannah prayed and said,“My heart exults in the Lord;my horn is exalted in the Lord.My mouth derides my enemies,because I rejoice in your salvation.

1Sam.2.1

 Glory in his holy name;let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength;seek his presence continually!

1Chr.16.10-11

  Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord,exulting in his salvation.

Ps.35.9

 May my meditation be pleasing to him,for I rejoice in the Lord.

Ps.104.34

 This is the day that the Lord has made;let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Ps.118.24

 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;my soul shall exult in my God,for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isa.61.10

 Though the fig tree should not blossom,nor fruit be on the vines,the produce of the olive fail-and the fields yield no food,the flock be cut off from the fold-and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord;I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Hab.3.17-18

 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

Luke.10.21

For safety, salvation, care, hidden things, new days….so many reasons…”in everything “…

Thank YOU…

Rejoice…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t19ISSmBQ-Q

Be a light…

 Be a light…

 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Phil.2.14-16

 For you are my lamp, O Lord,and my God lightens my darkness.

2Sam.22.29

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Ps.119.105

 The light of the righteous rejoices….

Prov.13.9a

 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matt.5.14-16

 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. 

2Cor.5.20a

And finally, one of my favorites on light…no need for electricity, solar, batteries…all those things we depend upon for light in our world…but God’s unending, never-failing/fading light…of which we have a part of…

 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

Rev.21.23

Thank YOU…

Here I am to worship…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03G52K9X2hQ