Here and Now

8 03 2016

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24 NLT

I am thankful for the here and now. The Lord has created this day for me.  My heart is full of gratitude for His goodness and His love that has brought me to this time and space.  I could not deserve His faithfulness to me, so I am humbled by His grace and love that encase my life.  I am thankful for the big and small things that make my life possible.  His plans for me are full of hope.  I am thankful for the here and now and confidently trusting Him for what lies ahead.

For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11 AMP

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Stay Encouraged

7 03 2016

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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9 ESV

Keeping my heart encouraged is a posture of faith. It is a point of looking forward with my full trust in the Lord.  The scenery around my current situation may look difficult with challenges on multiple fronts but I am not standing here alone.  The Lord, my Savior, is forever with me.  He provides a fortress of refuge around me and I am not alone.  I know the Lord is faithful to guide my steps when I listen for His leading.  I know that He is working the details of my life together for my good.  So my trust is in Him.  A deep knowing of His love for me and His desire for me to experience His goodness keeps my heart encouraged.  My trust is in the Lord.  I am encouraged.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8 ESV





Choose Life

4 03 2016

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The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.  John 10:10 NLT

I choose life today. Jesus came that we may have life, even abundant life. This translation describes the life that God desires for us as rich and satisfying.  I imagine this life full of the fruit of His Holy Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness.  What abundance He desires for me.  I choose His life.  I seek His purpose. I am committed to staying on the journey He has created for me.  My trust is in Him along the way.  His love never fails me.  I am so thankful.  I choose life today.

But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22 AMP





Recharge!

1 03 2016

another sunrise

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2

It is time to recharge!

Our hearts and minds need constant renewal and rejuvenation to keep us focused on our purpose. Busy schedules, chronic problems and the weight of just daily living can create weariness in our lives.  This tired state can give way to anxiety and depression that makes it difficult to stay positive and focused on the future.

It is time to recharge!

Renewal is a gift from the Lord. We can seek His presence through prayer, reading His Word and singing praises to His Holy name.  We may need to take some time to rest and to create a space of quiet and meditation.  When your internal battery is low seek rejuvenation and renewal in Him.

It is time to recharge!

 

 





Morning Light

24 02 2016

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What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to you, the High God! To announce your love each daybreak, sing your faithful presence all through the night,  Psalm 92:2 MSG

 Morning light announces the opportunity of a new day and a new start. I get a chance to begin again.  Yesterday is behind me with all of its ups and downs.  This day is ready to begin.  I can start the day with thanksgiving in my heart.  The Lord has made another day to experience His grace and His goodness.  And I am thankful.  I have another chance to move ahead in my purpose and this is a blessing.  I can experience His presence with all of His love and care for me.  I can replace any worry with confidence and trust in the Lord.  This is the day created for me. I am trusting Him and looking forward to this new day along the journey. 

 This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24





Hiking Season

22 02 2016

 

Rome Moving ForwardShow me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.  Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.   All day long I put my hope in you.        Psalm 25:4-5

This season is full of twists and turns, with some sharp bends in the road that I did not see what was around the corner. Our path is a journey that I have likened more to hiking in a mountain forest than a Sunday walk in the park. As believers we are challenged to seek God’s leading and to listen for the guiding of the Holy Spirit, who provides the gentle whispering winds of which way to go. The path is rugged, requiring strong muscles of faith in our legs, in our hearts and minds to continue to move forward. We have to remember to breathe in and out, creating more opportunities for our heart muscle to become stronger. We have to use all of our senses, listening for God in unfamiliar territory and careful to avoid the stench of discouragement. We have to reach out to others who can help us along the way and take every opportunity to encourage each other in the Lord. We may meet strangers along the path creating an open door for others to join the journey. Using our love with His light, they are more apt to walk the path with us. The enemy may desire to sift us like wheat but Jesus has prayed for us that our faith would endure and that we would not give in or give out. Our savior has prayed for us that our Faith would not fail. We are encouraged to stay on the path, even when it is hard, when it is dark and even when we are tired. We can be assured even in uncertainty of the next stretch on the journey, our God promises to be with us every step of the way and that victory is at the end of the road.

 “Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.” Luke 22:31-32





Don’t Give Up

15 02 2016

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So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. II Corinthians 4:16-18 MSG

Stay encouraged. Don’t give up. We can stay in faith even when things get hard and even we don’t understand. His Grace is unfolding before our eyes. We can focus on what our Heavenly Father is doing and the new life that is created daily in us. Things may be difficult and hard but we can look for His inner renewal to take place in our souls. He can revive our spirits and give us the courage to face what’s next. Discouragement is not of God and should be resisted on every hand. We have to be careful not to let it take root in our hearts. When we feel weary, we can take a moment to reflect on His goodness, His grace and His love that has allowed us to stand where we are today. He provides courage and strength. He provides the direction to move with confidence to take the next step. We will not give up.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.   For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;   While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. II Corinthians 4:16-18





Come Closer

12 02 2016

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Come close to God and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners. Clean up your hearts, you who want to follow the sinful ways of the world and God at the same time. James 4:8 NLV

The Lord desires to have a close walk with His children. Any successful relationship needs nurturing and attention. We want our relationship with the Lord to be our top priority. This relationship provides the river of fulfillment for our best life. When we walk with the Lord closely, we can hear and follow His leading. The Holy Spirit can guide us into our purpose with strong and confident steps that move us forward. We all desire the blessings of peace, joy, happiness, health and contentment. They represent the same blessings that the Lord wants to provide for us. He will illuminate the path into His peace and His joy and His prosperity if we are seeking and listening for His guidance. The Holy Spirit in us can provide the answers we are seeking. If we are willing and adhere to what the Lord is saying, we can make the internal changes in our thinking and our ways that align to His will for our lives. We should seek to be closer to Him each day.

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. James 7-10 MSG





Wherever you Go

9 02 2016

Be Strong and Courageous





Cleaning House

5 02 2016

Eagles Nest View

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Clutter around the house can accumulate quickly if you are not careful to sort and discard the little piles of mail and paper that seem to come from nowhere. At times, I procrastinate and leave things unattended only to find a much larger pile of items that needs my desperate attention. The process of deciding what to keep and what to throw away usually helps me to clear space both in my office and in my mind.  

I liken my heart to my house. At times I let my feelings pile up, anger, hurt, sadness or frustration.  I don’t take the time to sort them all out and discard their unnecessary baggage.  As a result, what was a small thing has grown into something much larger and less easy to manage.  The emotional clutter causes hard feelings and allows difficulties in relationships to grow.  These feelings can sometimes transform into permanent structures if we permit them to take up residence in our hearts.  Clutter blocks the flow of love and peace that God intends for our lives.  If you are like me, it may be time to clean house.  It is time to release the hurt.  It is time to forgive.  It is time to do the work to seek higher ground in our relationships.