I like taking early morning walks because they provide a way for me to get needed exercise and alone time with the Lord. There is just something soothing and ejoyable about talking to the Lord as squirrles scamper, birds fly and leaves on magestic trees rustle with the gentle breeze.
Another thing I thoroughly enjoy when taking these walks is finding change. Whether a penny, nickel or other coin,I get a kick out of spotting and picking up coins.
This morning I initially found a rusted penny. As I continued, there was a dime and four more pennies. Of course I was real tickled with my find and thanked the Lord for it. On my way back, I thought it would be nice to find 25cents. Now,I was thinking about a quarter but found more pennies instead. I was still pleasantly surprised and grateful because it had been a long time since I found that much at one time.
While I know that finding change is not a big deal in and of itself, I feel it is a way the Lord let's me know He cares for me and is not only able but, also willing to answer my prayers no matter how simple or complex. However, He is not obligated to answer them the way I think or perhaps want them to be answered.
As God He is not only sovereign,He is good and really does know what is best.
~Live Blessed and Free!~
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
TRUST
Proverbs 3:5-8 GNB
(5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know.
(6) Remember the LORD in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.
(7) Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the LORD and refuse to do wrong.
(8) If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains.
The word trust is small with large implications.
Some form of it is often in the name of financial institutions, companies, and other businesses. For example, a billboard may read Fidelity Mortgage,or Trust Savings Bank. You may even see a truck with Trust Towing Service written on the sides.
Whatever the service industry,the bottom line is that they want our patronage and hope their name will instill assurance of their ability to supply good service.
Webster’s II New Riverside Dictionary definitions for trust include Firm reliance in the honesty,dependability,strength or character of someone or something; one in which faith or confidence is placed.
I believe as a country we have discovered that the very institutions we placed our trust in,have failed and although well intentioned, sometimes the people we love have and will let us down.
Let’s face it,we too have and most likely will fall short of our own expectations as well as those of others.
Proverbs 3:5&6 encourages us to place our trust in the one person who can never fail. Including the Lord in all areas of our lives allows us access to His clear direction in which we receive next steps for moving forward.
However, it requires us to let our guards down and realize that no matter how much we think we know,we do not know enough nor do we have all the answers.
The simplicity of choosing to live a life of obedience to God provides peace, healing and satisfaction of the soul that money can never buy.
Live Blessed and Free!
(5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know.
(6) Remember the LORD in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.
(7) Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the LORD and refuse to do wrong.
(8) If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains.
The word trust is small with large implications.
Some form of it is often in the name of financial institutions, companies, and other businesses. For example, a billboard may read Fidelity Mortgage,or Trust Savings Bank. You may even see a truck with Trust Towing Service written on the sides.
Whatever the service industry,the bottom line is that they want our patronage and hope their name will instill assurance of their ability to supply good service.
Webster’s II New Riverside Dictionary definitions for trust include Firm reliance in the honesty,dependability,strength or character of someone or something; one in which faith or confidence is placed.
I believe as a country we have discovered that the very institutions we placed our trust in,have failed and although well intentioned, sometimes the people we love have and will let us down.
Let’s face it,we too have and most likely will fall short of our own expectations as well as those of others.
Proverbs 3:5&6 encourages us to place our trust in the one person who can never fail. Including the Lord in all areas of our lives allows us access to His clear direction in which we receive next steps for moving forward.
However, it requires us to let our guards down and realize that no matter how much we think we know,we do not know enough nor do we have all the answers.
The simplicity of choosing to live a life of obedience to God provides peace, healing and satisfaction of the soul that money can never buy.
Live Blessed and Free!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
CLARITY
I went to a local park early one morning and sat on a worn, wooden grey bench in front of a pond. The air was fresh and the water peaceful and still. It was so still,that I could see the reflection of a few homes and trees from a nearby neighborhood crisp and clear as in a mirrored image.
Then without warning, two geese began to play splashing about in the pond causing ripples distorting the crisp images I had seen just moments before.
When I looked back at the neighborhood,the homes and trees were still intact. Even the reflections remained but were now blurred and unsteady.
As the water stilled, the reflected images came into focus growing sharp once again.
Life can be like that pond. One moment all is well with not a worry in sight. Then out of no where, the unexpected happens causing ripples which distort our perception causing anxiety and fear to surface.
When those ripples come instead of stressing out, close your eyes, take some slow deep breaths and wait for the water to still.
Your perspective will return and you will regain the clarity needed to move forward.
~Live Blessed and Free~
Then without warning, two geese began to play splashing about in the pond causing ripples distorting the crisp images I had seen just moments before.
When I looked back at the neighborhood,the homes and trees were still intact. Even the reflections remained but were now blurred and unsteady.
As the water stilled, the reflected images came into focus growing sharp once again.
Life can be like that pond. One moment all is well with not a worry in sight. Then out of no where, the unexpected happens causing ripples which distort our perception causing anxiety and fear to surface.
When those ripples come instead of stressing out, close your eyes, take some slow deep breaths and wait for the water to still.
Your perspective will return and you will regain the clarity needed to move forward.
~Live Blessed and Free~
Monday, January 18, 2010
The Intentional Place of Prayer
In 2010, we as God’s people will have to be intentional especially where prayer is concerned.
The Lord has been merciful in previous years and has kept us in the midst of our microwave mentality. We may spend 5 minutes in what we think is prayer,doing all the talking. Sometimes it seems what we call prayer is merely a gripe session or just asking for stuff.
While God is extremely gracious and allows us to vent, meaningful and purposeful communication with God has to include time to listen.
Just mothers and fathers love spending time with their children talking and listening, our Heavenly Father also looks forward to time with us talking and listening.
Ephesians 1:4-5 GNB says, Even before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be his through our union with Christ, so that we would be holy and without fault before him.Because of his love God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his children---this was his pleasure and purpose.
We are reminded in John 15:4&5 we as branches have to stay connected to the true vine who is Jesus, if we are to be effective and really fruitful. It is made clear that without Him we can not produce anything that is truly valuable.
It is by living in Him that we get things accomplished.
Look at the following scripture verses:
John 15:7 CEV Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered.
John 15:8 GW) You give glory to my Father when you produce a lot of fruit and therefore show that you are my disciples.
Our minds along with our spirit need to be actively engaged to remember our abiding place in Christ Jesus. It is from that place in Him that we are in His will and bear much fruit having our prayers answered. While not exclusively, I believe from this passage of scripture, answered prayer is like fruit and God is glorified by it, and we demonstrate that we are disciples of Jesus.
The way to stay joined or connected to Jesus is found in John 15:9-10,12 God's Word translation.
9. "I have loved you the same way the Father has loved me. So live in my love.
10.If you obey my commandments, you will live in my love. I have obeyed my Father's commandments, and in that way I live in his love.
12.Love each other as I have loved you. This is what I'm commanding you to do.
Love keeps us connected, fulfills the law and is the fuel of faith. Gal 5:6 tells us that faith works by love.
All of this can be a bit overwhelming, but the Father Himself worked out all the details for us.
(Ephesians 1:13 GNB) And you also became God's people when you heard the true message, the Good News that brought you salvation. You believed in Christ, and God put his stamp of ownership on you by giving you the Holy Spirit he had promised.
We have God the Holy Spirit living in us! He prays with us, for us and through us according to the will of God the Father.
(Romans 8:26 GW) At the same time the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we don't know how to pray for what we need. But the Spirit intercedes along with our groans that cannot be expressed in words.
(Romans 8:27 GW) The one who searches our hearts knows what the Spirit has in mind. The Spirit intercedes for God's people the way God wants him to.
Prayer is the place of our abiding/living in Christ Jesus. It is the communion and fellowship of the Holy Spirit leading us in the way to speak and respond to God.
Because the Holy Spirit secures our remaining in Christ, we have confidence that God hears our prayers and answers.
Now let’s take some time to praise God,worship and PRAY.
The Lord has been merciful in previous years and has kept us in the midst of our microwave mentality. We may spend 5 minutes in what we think is prayer,doing all the talking. Sometimes it seems what we call prayer is merely a gripe session or just asking for stuff.
While God is extremely gracious and allows us to vent, meaningful and purposeful communication with God has to include time to listen.
Just mothers and fathers love spending time with their children talking and listening, our Heavenly Father also looks forward to time with us talking and listening.
Ephesians 1:4-5 GNB says, Even before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be his through our union with Christ, so that we would be holy and without fault before him.Because of his love God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his children---this was his pleasure and purpose.
We are reminded in John 15:4&5 we as branches have to stay connected to the true vine who is Jesus, if we are to be effective and really fruitful. It is made clear that without Him we can not produce anything that is truly valuable.
It is by living in Him that we get things accomplished.
Look at the following scripture verses:
John 15:7 CEV Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered.
John 15:8 GW) You give glory to my Father when you produce a lot of fruit and therefore show that you are my disciples.
Our minds along with our spirit need to be actively engaged to remember our abiding place in Christ Jesus. It is from that place in Him that we are in His will and bear much fruit having our prayers answered. While not exclusively, I believe from this passage of scripture, answered prayer is like fruit and God is glorified by it, and we demonstrate that we are disciples of Jesus.
The way to stay joined or connected to Jesus is found in John 15:9-10,12 God's Word translation.
9. "I have loved you the same way the Father has loved me. So live in my love.
10.If you obey my commandments, you will live in my love. I have obeyed my Father's commandments, and in that way I live in his love.
12.Love each other as I have loved you. This is what I'm commanding you to do.
Love keeps us connected, fulfills the law and is the fuel of faith. Gal 5:6 tells us that faith works by love.
All of this can be a bit overwhelming, but the Father Himself worked out all the details for us.
(Ephesians 1:13 GNB) And you also became God's people when you heard the true message, the Good News that brought you salvation. You believed in Christ, and God put his stamp of ownership on you by giving you the Holy Spirit he had promised.
We have God the Holy Spirit living in us! He prays with us, for us and through us according to the will of God the Father.
(Romans 8:26 GW) At the same time the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we don't know how to pray for what we need. But the Spirit intercedes along with our groans that cannot be expressed in words.
(Romans 8:27 GW) The one who searches our hearts knows what the Spirit has in mind. The Spirit intercedes for God's people the way God wants him to.
Prayer is the place of our abiding/living in Christ Jesus. It is the communion and fellowship of the Holy Spirit leading us in the way to speak and respond to God.
Because the Holy Spirit secures our remaining in Christ, we have confidence that God hears our prayers and answers.
Now let’s take some time to praise God,worship and PRAY.
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