The Plan

20 05 2016

2014-08-24 20.02.01

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

His plan for me is unfolding.  This time and this place are a part of my journey.  Its blessings and its challenges are connected within my walk of faith.  I will embrace all that God has planned for me. All things are working together for my good.  I will try to keep the vision vibrant and learn the lessons along the way.  I will seek to emerge from the challenges stronger, wiser and deeper in my faith.  I will give thanks for each step and give God praise for His mercy and grace.  God has a plan for me and I am thankful. 


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We’re Walking

12 05 2016

For we live by believing and not by seeing.  II Corinthians 5:7

We are walking by faith and not by sight. We are relying on God’s Word and not the situations we have witnessed before us.  We wear our faith lens, as we consider every situation.  This lens helps us to see more clearly what thus saith the Lord and not what our deepest fears dictate.  Our walk is a sweet journey of trusting and gratefulness to our Creator.  Our faith muscles are growing and becoming stronger as we travel the pathway of life.  We’re walking by Faith.

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. Hebrews 11:1-2 MSG

DSC_0288 (2)_Walking in Rome


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Show Me

20 04 2016

Show 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.

 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.  Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.

 The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.  He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.  The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

Psalm 25:4-10

Sun Rays

 


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Laser Focus

13 04 2016

focus on Jesus

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-2

I admire people who have the ability to focus on a goal and work toward it without getting weighed down with the challenges of living. They seem to be able to fix their eyes on their goal down the road and work diligently toward that goal no matter what comes their way. I am working on having that kind of laser focus in my life.

Our passage today is about fixing our eyes on Jesus. We have so many followers that have gone before us, leaving a trail that is encouragement to throw off every hindrance in our lives. We should avoid every sin, every distraction and each thing that will keep us from running swiftly toward our goal. Our Father did not just provide grace, mercy and salvation for us alone. He has given each one of us purpose and work to do to build His Kingdom. Now, like never before we should commit our focus and our hands to getting it done.

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14


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Beginning with Him

7 04 2016

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.  Psalm 5:3

I want to begin today with the Lord. I want to take just a little time to pray and talk to Jesus.  I need to let Him know that I am thankful for His abundance of blessings.  I need to recognize who he is in my life.  I want to take a moment to read from His Word.  I want to take some to time to connect with the source of my strength and peace.  I have so many priorities and so many things on my to-do list.  My early connection with Him will allow His direction to permeate my day and keep me aligned with my purpose. As a start today, I want to begin with acknowledging the Lord in my life.  I want to begin with Him.

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Spring Cleaning

4 04 2016

crocus snow

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

A new season allows us to turn the page and begin again. We survived the cold days of winter and we have begun to experience hints and signs of spring.  With a new season, it is time to clean out the residue of the last season.  All the heart clutter has to go.   Any hard feelings and unforgiveness have to be released.  Any fear and anxiety has to be let go.  We are a seeking a clean heart with our trust firmly in the Lord.  Sweeping out emotions not aligned with God creates new space.  Clearing out the clutter of our hearts and minds, gives Him the space to do the new thing He desires for us.  Hope, joy, peace and love are in His plans for us.  Spring cleaning clears the way for Him to step in and move closer to His purpose for us.

For I am about to do something new.

See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

I will make a pathway through the wilderness.

I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19

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Less Travelled

9 03 2016

Let me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths.  Psalms 25:4

Sometimes my path ahead is not on the well-traveled road that is paved and familiar. At times I am called to step out onto a different path, where the pathway is narrow and obscure.  It is less-travelled and my comfort level is low.  It is a place where I have to listen carefully for the Lord’s leading and I have to wait for His guidance before making the next step.  It is place where my faith muscles are strengthened and I have to tame my emotional impulses to be frustrated, hurt or to retreat.  I am thankful that I am not alone.  The Lord is there to provide guidance, strength and even glimpses of the clearing ahead.  He is requiring my faith in Him and my trust in His Word as I journey on.

Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials.  Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]  James 1:2-3 AMP

Sun Rays


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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


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In all My Ways

18 02 2016

Sun Rays

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.  In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].  Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP

 Making decisions can be difficult. In our relationships, our finances and just the normal course of our day, we make one decision after another.  Some answers seem straight forward and then others require some real consideration.  In relationships, the decisions can be bogged down with emotions of the past, misunderstanding, hurt and lack of trust. Our feet and our feelings get mired and we can’t seem to make a step forward.  I am so thankful that we can take all of our decisions to the Lord. Seeking the guidance of our Savior can make the difference in making a good versus a bad decision.  When we immerse His guidance, His Holy Spirit and His Word into our decisions the outcomes become infused with His grace.  His thinking and His ways transcend anything I can think up on my own.  In all my ways, I will acknowledge and consider my Heavenly Father and He will direct my path. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6  NLT


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Lean In

4 02 2016

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Trust God from the bottom of your heart;

don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; 

he’s the one who will keep you on track.  Psalms 3:5-6 MSG

Have you heard someone speaking and you weren’t able to make out the words that are being spoken?  Have you found yourself moving closer so that you can be in better position to hear their words?  Once you reach close proximity, have you ever leaned in to make sure that you are hearing every word clearly?  Did you focus on their words and the cadence of their speech to understand not only their words but the feelings from their heart?  The process of listening takes hearing, focus and comprehension.  I believe God is speaking.  He is speaking to us daily.  If we move closer, we can hear His message of love to us.  If we lean in we can hear that His Son Jesus Christ came that we might have life and life more abundantly.  If we focus on His Word and the many stories and letters it contains to us, they illustrate how great His desire is for us to live as His blessed Children.  His plan for us is for good and not evil.  He desires for us to come closer, lean in and experience His love.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT  


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