One Foot In Front of the Other

21 03 2016

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

 I have to keep stepping in this marathon of life. Putting one foot in front of the other, I can make progress moving forward to my purpose.  Both little steps and great strides help me to reach my goal as long as I am moving forward.  At times, I feel tired and just want to rest.  And seeking respite and rejuvenation has its important place along the journey.  We need a renewed mind with fresh energy and new resolve to move onto the next leg of our trip.  I could use some fresh energy today.  I need a renewed spirit from the top of my head to the soles of my feet.  I am thankful that we go to our Heavenly Father who meets all of our needs.  He can provide perfect strength in every area of weakness.  He can give us the strength that we need to put one foot in front of the other with power and direction into our purpose.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.  Romans 12:2

walking feet


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Love One Another

18 03 2016

Treat one another justly.
 Love your neighbors.
Be compassionate with each other.
Don’t take advantage of widows, orphans, visitors, and the poor.
Don’t plot and scheme against one another-that’s evil. Zechariah 7:10

As toddlers, we begin to learn the lessons of living with others. Parents instruct us to “be nice” and “to share”. We later learn more complex terms like “love” and “compassion”. As adults, the lessons continue as we endeavor to live with others on a micro and macro level. Yet, as a people we struggle to get it right, even though the Bible is full of guidance about how to treat one another.
Love is God’s platform for His relationship with us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son”. Love is also His commandment to us in our approach to one another. Still, love, fair treatment, empathy and compassion are elusive in our society today. It must grieve God’s heart that we are so casual in how we treat one another. But each day is an opportunity to turn it around. We can adopt a higher level of commitment to love, to fairness and justice, to show compassion and to make sure the vulnerable are cared for. If we do this in love and concern for one another it will provide a salve to a hurting world.

This my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. John 15:12

Up a tree


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Let Love Overflow

17 03 2016

I Thessalonians 3_12


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First Things First

14 03 2016

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6:33

Putting our priorities in order helps everything to fall into place. Our scripture today reminds us of the power and opportunity that comes with putting the Lord first in our lives.  If we seek the Lord and His righteousness first, our lives become complete.  We can put Him first in our thinking, our schedule, our resources and in our hearts.  We can seek His guidance in our decision making and throughout our daily living.  Putting Him first helps us to see and move toward our purpose.  We can put the Lord first in our lives and trust that our lives will be complete in Him.

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.  Matthew 6:30-33 MSG

Barcelona 2013 032


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People for your Life

11 03 2016

So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.  I Thessalonians 5:11

The Lord is so faithful to provide people for our lives; individuals who come into our existence at the right time and for a purpose. They provide friendship, comfort, joy, insight, counsel, encouragement, direction, discernment and a long list of things that bless us.  I am so glad that we don’t have to make this journey alone.  Fellow travelers can keep you encouraged and strong.  We must do what we can to make sure that people have not fallen off the path; checking in often with family and friends.  We must ward off discouragement and do what we can to bolster one another. God is faithful to meet our needs often through others.  I am so thankful that he provides people for my life.

Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. II Corinthians 13:11b

Yellow Tulips


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Thankful for His Love

10 03 2016

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;  Ephesians 5:20

We can be thankful for each new day. With the rising of the sun, we experience God’s grace and mercy that is stretched out from our past and into our future.  That fact alone fills my heart with gratitude.  Nothing I have done or could ever do would merit such blessing for my life.  It is evidence of the Lord’s unconditional love for me.  This love is for everyone who will open their hearts to Him and receive His love as their own.  Jesus loves us.  He gave His life for us and we can be thankful for this blessing.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

Maui Beach


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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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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

seedling

 


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Stay Encouraged

7 03 2016

Tulip_-_floriade_canberra

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


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Choose Life

4 03 2016

giving image

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


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