Where could I go...
There are times during a life that the world seems to shut down, darkness enshrouds the soul and we are left reeling from pain, misery or blackness...when it seems the tiniest light can't break through...
The psalmist must have felt this way as he penned this psalm...the song writer the following song...
We can come into God's presence, knowing that he is still in control......he never really left us...thank YOU...
I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.
When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me.
Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.
Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.
Psalm 142:1-7
Where could I go but to the Lord....
https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1038569
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Isn't God amazing?...
Isn't God amazing....
http://mvotd.com/mobile/watch.php?vid=e3f179659
Apparently turning 70 is a big deal!!! As friends and family far and near gathered together to celebrate my upcoming 70th birthday...I don't feel like I am 70 most of the time ( or what does 70 feel like?). In the past, that age was wayyyyy out there...or something "old" people turn...but, no, it is really me!!!
Isn't it amazing our perspective as we age.....?
Thank YOU that you have numbered my years...thank YOU for a family and friends who care, who celebrate life while we have it...how precious, gracious, kind, encouraging...
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/renee-fisher/turning-70_b_9589846.html
https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-09-2012/what-to-expect-in-your-70s-and-beyond.html
https://70candles.com
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-wonders-of-being-70/2011/05/06/AFWx47BG_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.46aaecc39018
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Life-Expectancy,-Today
http://mvotd.com/mobile/watch.php?vid=e3f179659
Apparently turning 70 is a big deal!!! As friends and family far and near gathered together to celebrate my upcoming 70th birthday...I don't feel like I am 70 most of the time ( or what does 70 feel like?). In the past, that age was wayyyyy out there...or something "old" people turn...but, no, it is really me!!!
Isn't it amazing our perspective as we age.....?
Thank YOU that you have numbered my years...thank YOU for a family and friends who care, who celebrate life while we have it...how precious, gracious, kind, encouraging...
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/renee-fisher/turning-70_b_9589846.html
https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-09-2012/what-to-expect-in-your-70s-and-beyond.html
https://70candles.com
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-wonders-of-being-70/2011/05/06/AFWx47BG_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.46aaecc39018
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Life-Expectancy,-Today
Friday, October 19, 2018
Prayer requests...
Prayer requests ....
I have finally joined a women's Bible study again after a year of none. While not involved with a group, I have been studying the books which my former group have been going through ...(accountability is good). But, I have missed the people interaction and fellowship, plus hearing others' comments and concerns...so purposed to get out and about to do new things in this new area..
So even though I don't speak up much, it fills a void in my life...it is hard to believe I once was involved in a group of writing these studies...or later writing them on my own....or facilitating groups all the time for years...lots of changes...
Listening to prayer requests, writing them down even though I don't really know many of these new women...my mind wanders into wondering about their life stories... Each one has one as do I...their families, friends, their health, their desire for salvation for friends and family...
Requests I have heard a multitude of times over the years from a multitude of people ....what has happened with all those requests over the years..."what is the rest of the story?"
Times when we each feel that others are praying for us, upholding us in times of need...God ordained events...His touch of healing...because of prayer...His answers in His time...His orchestrating life circumstances to bring about salvation, awareness of Himself...
Times when the world seems to be collapsing around us...and He sends a rainbow to brighten our path or a piece of scripture to encourage, a song or someone knocks at the door with a simple smile or casserole...
In the closeness of our homes to the farest reaches of the world...nothing is too small or too great for His care and concern...He hears those requests ...and has for century upon century...He is the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow...thank YOU...
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
Psalm 37:4-5
Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”....
Nehemiah 1:11a
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Psalm 17:6
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
John 17
I have finally joined a women's Bible study again after a year of none. While not involved with a group, I have been studying the books which my former group have been going through ...(accountability is good). But, I have missed the people interaction and fellowship, plus hearing others' comments and concerns...so purposed to get out and about to do new things in this new area..
So even though I don't speak up much, it fills a void in my life...it is hard to believe I once was involved in a group of writing these studies...or later writing them on my own....or facilitating groups all the time for years...lots of changes...
Listening to prayer requests, writing them down even though I don't really know many of these new women...my mind wanders into wondering about their life stories... Each one has one as do I...their families, friends, their health, their desire for salvation for friends and family...
Requests I have heard a multitude of times over the years from a multitude of people ....what has happened with all those requests over the years..."what is the rest of the story?"
Times when we each feel that others are praying for us, upholding us in times of need...God ordained events...His touch of healing...because of prayer...His answers in His time...His orchestrating life circumstances to bring about salvation, awareness of Himself...
Times when the world seems to be collapsing around us...and He sends a rainbow to brighten our path or a piece of scripture to encourage, a song or someone knocks at the door with a simple smile or casserole...
In the closeness of our homes to the farest reaches of the world...nothing is too small or too great for His care and concern...He hears those requests ...and has for century upon century...He is the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow...thank YOU...
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
Psalm 37:4-5
Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”....
Nehemiah 1:11a
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Psalm 17:6
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
John 17
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Two paths...
Two paths...
I am doing a study of David Jeremiah's, "The God You May Not Know"...
Today's portion included the verses in Matthew about the wide and narrow gates in relationship to his topic, " God's Goodness is seen in the path He chooses for us".
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14
I don't know about others, but sometimes I blow through portions of scripture without sitting down and really taking them in...I know what they say...but I haven't meditated on them...or maybe another portion has spoken deeply that day/time and that is where I light...
Today it is this portion...
Two gates-wide and small
Two roads-broad and narrow
Two groups of people-large group, a few
Two destinations-destruction and life...
Choices we each get to chose from...paths we can take...do we join the crowd? Or walk with the few? Do we weigh the end results? Do we want the easy or difficult?
Do we try to please men or God? Do we rely on God's guidance or our own merry way ? What do we really want to find, comfortable or eternal?
Dailey, we have the opportunity to make choices...easier sounds better a lot of the time...but, it may not be prudent ...or right...what does my mind dwell on ? Where do my thoughts wander? What passes my sight? What channel do I choose? What books? What places do I go?
In my heart of hearts, I want the path that God chooses for me...blessings abound there, His presence goes there, He holds my hand, He gives life...thank YOU...
I am doing a study of David Jeremiah's, "The God You May Not Know"...
Today's portion included the verses in Matthew about the wide and narrow gates in relationship to his topic, " God's Goodness is seen in the path He chooses for us".
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14
I don't know about others, but sometimes I blow through portions of scripture without sitting down and really taking them in...I know what they say...but I haven't meditated on them...or maybe another portion has spoken deeply that day/time and that is where I light...
Today it is this portion...
Two gates-wide and small
Two roads-broad and narrow
Two groups of people-large group, a few
Two destinations-destruction and life...
Choices we each get to chose from...paths we can take...do we join the crowd? Or walk with the few? Do we weigh the end results? Do we want the easy or difficult?
Do we try to please men or God? Do we rely on God's guidance or our own merry way ? What do we really want to find, comfortable or eternal?
Dailey, we have the opportunity to make choices...easier sounds better a lot of the time...but, it may not be prudent ...or right...what does my mind dwell on ? Where do my thoughts wander? What passes my sight? What channel do I choose? What books? What places do I go?
In my heart of hearts, I want the path that God chooses for me...blessings abound there, His presence goes there, He holds my hand, He gives life...thank YOU...
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
"...to whom shall we go...?
"To whom shall we go..."....
It's beginning to be the season of a mailbox full of requests for funds/donations for a multitude of humanitarian, political, religious organizations...
You can fill a bag with food for the postman to give to the food banks...soon the red bucket will appear at merchants' doors...the scouts will pick up your Christmas tree or deliver one...the ads for saving the elephants or rhinos have appeared...or a "go fund me" email will catch one's eye...the list goes on and on...a need for wisdom in choosing the right place to spend those extra dollars and cents...which catches our hearts...
Early this morning I watched a video about a former witch doctor proclaiming Jesus to his village...people were dying without hearing the Word...his own family were headed in the same direction without hope...he was sharing his heart and people were hearing the gospel, the very words of God...they were finding what Peter and others had found over the years...
And then in the Book of John, Peter answers Jesus ...
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
John 6:68-69
So how do those soliciting letters and Peter connect?
To me personally, I have to weigh, pray and decide how or who best represents the Word...as another so aptly said, "more bang for your buck "...
Yes, there are local needs that are important, needy families, local charities or church related giving ...all in need of funds or even volunteers...
What clenches your heart? What touches your soul? What bring tears to your eyes? What is God calling you/me to do? Is it groceries for the family down the street given in Jesus' name...the Word translated into another mother tongue...a goat or rabbit given to help a family farm...kits for soldiers ...toys for tots...a welcome packet for a foreign exchange student ...a shoe box of toys to be sent all over the world...a loaf of pumpkin bread for a new neighbor...a hug to a grieving soul...a pencil and notebook for a student...time for a grandchild...a smile to a passerby...we all have something to give...to show Jesus...and maybe even share the one to whom we can go...
Thank YOU that you indeed have the words of eternal life, the Holy One of God...
It's beginning to be the season of a mailbox full of requests for funds/donations for a multitude of humanitarian, political, religious organizations...
You can fill a bag with food for the postman to give to the food banks...soon the red bucket will appear at merchants' doors...the scouts will pick up your Christmas tree or deliver one...the ads for saving the elephants or rhinos have appeared...or a "go fund me" email will catch one's eye...the list goes on and on...a need for wisdom in choosing the right place to spend those extra dollars and cents...which catches our hearts...
Early this morning I watched a video about a former witch doctor proclaiming Jesus to his village...people were dying without hearing the Word...his own family were headed in the same direction without hope...he was sharing his heart and people were hearing the gospel, the very words of God...they were finding what Peter and others had found over the years...
And then in the Book of John, Peter answers Jesus ...
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
John 6:68-69
So how do those soliciting letters and Peter connect?
To me personally, I have to weigh, pray and decide how or who best represents the Word...as another so aptly said, "more bang for your buck "...
Yes, there are local needs that are important, needy families, local charities or church related giving ...all in need of funds or even volunteers...
What clenches your heart? What touches your soul? What bring tears to your eyes? What is God calling you/me to do? Is it groceries for the family down the street given in Jesus' name...the Word translated into another mother tongue...a goat or rabbit given to help a family farm...kits for soldiers ...toys for tots...a welcome packet for a foreign exchange student ...a shoe box of toys to be sent all over the world...a loaf of pumpkin bread for a new neighbor...a hug to a grieving soul...a pencil and notebook for a student...time for a grandchild...a smile to a passerby...we all have something to give...to show Jesus...and maybe even share the one to whom we can go...
Thank YOU that you indeed have the words of eternal life, the Holy One of God...
Monday, October 15, 2018
Reading through the Gospels...
Reading through the Gospels...
While reading through the gospels, I keep underlining all that Jesus did..
From Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9...
- he had compassion on them and healed their sick
- He gave thanks and broke the loaves
- He went up on the mountainside to pray
- He went out to them( the disciples)
- He walked on the water
- He reached out his hand to Peter
- He healed the sick
- He spoke
- He taught
- He received, welcomed
- He satisfied
- He questioned
- He was transfigured
- He proclaimed
- He rebuked the evil spirit
- He foretold
- He prepared
- He explained
- He sent out
What a list...I get tired looking at all He did...knowing that he was a man, it must have been tiring for him as well..but he drew from the strength that He said we can draw from as well... His time was short and he used it to the fullest...
I go about my daily duties, sometimes lengthy, sometimes short...but never as full as His were...nor do I have to power to do the things he did...he had the heavenly power that is beyond measure...omnipotent....all powerful...
But, his goodness shows through as well...his patience...with his disciples and the multitudes surrounding him wherever he went ...those mountaintop prayer sessions must have been so rejuvenating...the solitude, even for a small time...
Thank YOU that you walked among the people...your saving grace, your care and compassion...your spoken word...your thanksgiving...
While reading through the gospels, I keep underlining all that Jesus did..
From Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9...
- he had compassion on them and healed their sick
- He gave thanks and broke the loaves
- He went up on the mountainside to pray
- He went out to them( the disciples)
- He walked on the water
- He reached out his hand to Peter
- He healed the sick
- He spoke
- He taught
- He received, welcomed
- He satisfied
- He questioned
- He was transfigured
- He proclaimed
- He rebuked the evil spirit
- He foretold
- He prepared
- He explained
- He sent out
What a list...I get tired looking at all He did...knowing that he was a man, it must have been tiring for him as well..but he drew from the strength that He said we can draw from as well... His time was short and he used it to the fullest...
I go about my daily duties, sometimes lengthy, sometimes short...but never as full as His were...nor do I have to power to do the things he did...he had the heavenly power that is beyond measure...omnipotent....all powerful...
But, his goodness shows through as well...his patience...with his disciples and the multitudes surrounding him wherever he went ...those mountaintop prayer sessions must have been so rejuvenating...the solitude, even for a small time...
Thank YOU that you walked among the people...your saving grace, your care and compassion...your spoken word...your thanksgiving...
Sunday, October 14, 2018
Two short lists ....
Two short lists...
Two short lists caught my heart recently...
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 2:16-17
18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”
Mark 4:18-20
They speak volumes about where a person's heart and mind takes them...where our desires lie...what the results are...
Whose will do we desire, how we react to the Word sown in our lives....
Two short lists...of opposing ramifications ...choices...make all the difference...
Thank YOU...for your Word...
Help me examine my life...and where my heart finds life...and let it be pleasing to You...
Two short lists caught my heart recently...
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 2:16-17
18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”
Mark 4:18-20
They speak volumes about where a person's heart and mind takes them...where our desires lie...what the results are...
Whose will do we desire, how we react to the Word sown in our lives....
Two short lists...of opposing ramifications ...choices...make all the difference...
Thank YOU...for your Word...
Help me examine my life...and where my heart finds life...and let it be pleasing to You...
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