Last Sunday morning, as we rode through the quiet streets of our town returning from early church, I found myself humming the melody of a favorite hymn, The Solid Rock -
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand..all other ground is sinking sand."
And then when checking my email I found the following from my dear friend Bev -
I HOPE your Sunday is divine.
followed by -
Where is our hope to be ?
In Psalm 42:5 we read- "Why are you in despair, oh my soul and why have you become disturbed within me ? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, for the help of His presence."
Repeated in verse 11, repeated again in Psalm 43:5...
He wants us for Himself, to put our hope in Him totally and first. He does not want us to have anyone more important or in first place before Him. - that is why our soul gets disturbed.
In Psalm 42:1-2 -
He wants us to be like the deer that pants for the water brooks - Our soul to pant for Him. He wants our soul to thirst for God, for the living God. Our soul is in despair when we want someone or something else more than God.
In Psalm 73:25 we read-
"Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth."
We cannot have hope or peace or confidence or trust in anyone but God.
In Psalm 34:8 we also read -
"O taste and see that the Lord is good - how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."
How can I taste that the Lord is good?
Through the Word.
Jeremiah. 15:16 -
"I found Your words and I ate them and Your words became for me a joy and delight of my heart."
How can I see that the Lord is good ? By looking at who He is in the Word, by looking at Jesus, by looking at creation.
Then I will be blessed for I am then taking refuge in Him.
Oh that we might desire Him more than anything else, Ask Him to change your mind, to change your thinking when it is not in line with His Word and His will.
This calls for surrender totally to the One who bought you with a price (His life) - I Cor 6:20.
And I wonder - are you standing on the edge of your hope? Is life more than you think you can bear? These verses will point you back to our ONLY Hope -
As the contemporary hymn, "In Christ Alone" reverberates in our hearts-
In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone! who took on flesh fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousnes scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid; here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory, sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine - Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath. Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
Lyrics: Stuart Townend
Music: Keith Getty
Praying for you friends.....
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Leaving The Harbor
Good morning precious friends.
I posted on my Facebook status that today I'm 68 and holding.
True!
I am holding onto God's promises.
I am holding onto God's love.
I am holding onto God's plans for my life -
Holding on as this ship sails out of the harbor and into the unknown spaces that only HE can see at the moment. I have "nailed my colors to the mast". I belong to Christ and I am committed to go ALL the way with my Lord!
The best is yet to come!
The following is a post from Holley Gerth that propels me forward as I sail God's dreams for me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heart to Heart with Holley
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your dreams matter
Posted: 17 Nov 2010 10:00 PM PST
As we talk of God-sized dreams, it seems we always think about how big they can be. We want a measuring stick to tell us we matter.
But here's a secret...
There's no such thing with God.
All of our big is small to Him, the One who spoke the world into being, who swirled the stars into place, who can hold the seas in His hands.
And all of our small is big to Him, the One who counts every hair on our heads, who places our tears in a bottle, who talks of faith as a mustard seed.
It's not the size of the dream or desire that makes the difference--it's the size of the One made it, who made you, who takes treasures from His heart and places them in yours.
Dream little dreams of a quiet life.
Dream big dreams of the spotlight.
Both matter. Both make a difference.
And YOU do too.
Oh, how you do.
To Him. To me. To us.
To the world waiting for you to give it all.
Big or small.
I posted on my Facebook status that today I'm 68 and holding.
True!
I am holding onto God's promises.
I am holding onto God's love.
I am holding onto God's plans for my life -
Holding on as this ship sails out of the harbor and into the unknown spaces that only HE can see at the moment. I have "nailed my colors to the mast". I belong to Christ and I am committed to go ALL the way with my Lord!
The best is yet to come!
The following is a post from Holley Gerth that propels me forward as I sail God's dreams for me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heart to Heart with Holley
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your dreams matter
Posted: 17 Nov 2010 10:00 PM PST
As we talk of God-sized dreams, it seems we always think about how big they can be. We want a measuring stick to tell us we matter.
But here's a secret...
There's no such thing with God.
All of our big is small to Him, the One who spoke the world into being, who swirled the stars into place, who can hold the seas in His hands.
And all of our small is big to Him, the One who counts every hair on our heads, who places our tears in a bottle, who talks of faith as a mustard seed.
It's not the size of the dream or desire that makes the difference--it's the size of the One made it, who made you, who takes treasures from His heart and places them in yours.
Dream little dreams of a quiet life.
Dream big dreams of the spotlight.
Both matter. Both make a difference.
And YOU do too.
Oh, how you do.
To Him. To me. To us.
To the world waiting for you to give it all.
Big or small.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Is It True?
Truth!
Tell the truth!
Tell me the truth!
Sometimes when we least expect it an untruth presents itself and instead of refusing to entertain it we throw it the biggest party ever!
Eventually the untruth begins to replace the truth we have been hanging on to.
When that happens our world begins to rock.
Eventually we may not be able to recognize the truth.
I've been there and done that.
A phrase that has been said by many is one that God recently shed His light on. I was having a conversation with someone who finds herself in the middle of what appears to be "a pack of lies". She is feeling battered and bruised and finding it impossible to let the joy of the Lord be her strength. During our conversation she said "I've been praying for the truth to come out".
I think we've probably all said that at one time or another.
This time however the Lord brought this to mind: Where is truth that we would ask it to "come out"? Truth is not hiding. Truth is God's power to prevail over all the lies of the world , the flesh and the devil.
Truth stands strong and no matter the lies that stand in its way, Truth always prevails. Let's thank God for Truth. He is Truth. He, Himself said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John 14:6)
May we come boldly to the throne of grace asking not for truth "to come out "but rather asking and believing for Truth to prevail!
In every moment of our lives!
Tell the truth!
Tell me the truth!
Sometimes when we least expect it an untruth presents itself and instead of refusing to entertain it we throw it the biggest party ever!
Eventually the untruth begins to replace the truth we have been hanging on to.
When that happens our world begins to rock.
Eventually we may not be able to recognize the truth.
I've been there and done that.
A phrase that has been said by many is one that God recently shed His light on. I was having a conversation with someone who finds herself in the middle of what appears to be "a pack of lies". She is feeling battered and bruised and finding it impossible to let the joy of the Lord be her strength. During our conversation she said "I've been praying for the truth to come out".
I think we've probably all said that at one time or another.
This time however the Lord brought this to mind: Where is truth that we would ask it to "come out"? Truth is not hiding. Truth is God's power to prevail over all the lies of the world , the flesh and the devil.
Truth stands strong and no matter the lies that stand in its way, Truth always prevails. Let's thank God for Truth. He is Truth. He, Himself said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John 14:6)
May we come boldly to the throne of grace asking not for truth "to come out "but rather asking and believing for Truth to prevail!
In every moment of our lives!
Friday, November 12, 2010
And God Asked: Can You Hear Me?
Excuse me, Lord...I thought I heard you say "write", or was it "right?
Were you making a comment on my choices or asking me to do something?
"I wasn't exclaiming..I was instructing: w-r-i-t-e.
But Lord, there are so many writers. Writers of fiction, mysteries, love stories , devotionals, and more.
Magazines, periodicals, and books of all sizes and topics are within arm's reach it seems everywhere we go.
"Your point"?
My point is - what is the point? Seems like everything has been said in every way possible on almost every topic you can think of.
"You're running ahead of me.
Write for me alone.
I hear the stirrings of your heart.
I see the anticipation shining on your face.
You want to write."
Yes.
"What do you find in my word relative to this conversation?"
Proverbs: 3:5 - 6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."
"And how will you find your way?"
Follow Your Word - "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" Psalm 119:105
"Are You ready?"
Yes, Lord!
"Write!"
Were you making a comment on my choices or asking me to do something?
"I wasn't exclaiming..I was instructing: w-r-i-t-e.
But Lord, there are so many writers. Writers of fiction, mysteries, love stories , devotionals, and more.
Magazines, periodicals, and books of all sizes and topics are within arm's reach it seems everywhere we go.
"Your point"?
My point is - what is the point? Seems like everything has been said in every way possible on almost every topic you can think of.
"You're running ahead of me.
Write for me alone.
I hear the stirrings of your heart.
I see the anticipation shining on your face.
You want to write."
Yes.
"What do you find in my word relative to this conversation?"
Proverbs: 3:5 - 6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."
"And how will you find your way?"
Follow Your Word - "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" Psalm 119:105
"Are You ready?"
Yes, Lord!
"Write!"
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
It's Wednesday
It's Wednesday and I'm listening to the radio. "Be Thou My Vision" sung by Selah, is rending my heart and turning my eyes toward Jesus.
Now Chuck Colson is speaking to the events of the day.
Lord, have I thanked you recently for the blessing of Christian radio?
There has been a too long break in my listening.
A "boom-box" radio/cassette/cd player in my study, which has been our only radio for some time, rarely or most of the time, isn't able to pick up Moody Radio, my favorite station. I have to admit there has been a void. But like most things, good and bad, as most of us do I have adjusted to its absence.
I've truly been more prone to wander without its constancy in my life I realize today.
You see, 25+ years ago the Lord intervened in my life, and through the difficulties in my marriage turned my face back toward Him. And with His strong and tender hands cupping my upturned face encouraged me with an outpouring of great music of our faith. There were many treasured hymns from childhood flooding my memory and praise music lifting my heart. The popular Christian music of the 80's and 90's, rich with God's word, permeated the spaces in my home, in my automobile and landed in my heart.
Today I stand at the threshold of a new door the Lord has opened and asked me to walk through. I look out and desire all that the Lord has in store for me during this season of my life. If you were standing next to me you would see that it's dark out there. My record with "the dark places" is one of shrinking back more times than I like to admit. During the past 12 months I have tested the path and my progression has been as the time-worn expression - "2 steps forward and 3 steps back". It is a battle of my flesh and a supernatural battle that the enemy is waging.
The great "I Am" is bigger than my enemy; bigger than my fears; bigger than the lusting of my flesh to keep the status quo. He alone knows best how to spur me on and how to encourage me.
Last Monday I returned from a week long visit with my son to find a new "sound system" complete with radio and cd player that picks up my favorite station. One that when turned on for the first time was tuned to Moody radio my husband increduously told me. ( I can see you smiling as you read that)
At the moment Dr. Irwin Lutzer is teaching in the background and I stop in mid-sentence, my heart stirred once more by the total care and love my heavenly father pours in and over his children.
In my life, so far, He's never been early and He's never been late. No, God has always been on time. How I praise Him today for another day to love him.
The sound you hear my friend, is the hinges on this new door the Lord has given...I'm throwing it open..WIDE.. to discover what it really means to walk by faith. Will you join me on my journey?
It's my prayer.
Now Chuck Colson is speaking to the events of the day.
Lord, have I thanked you recently for the blessing of Christian radio?
There has been a too long break in my listening.
A "boom-box" radio/cassette/cd player in my study, which has been our only radio for some time, rarely or most of the time, isn't able to pick up Moody Radio, my favorite station. I have to admit there has been a void. But like most things, good and bad, as most of us do I have adjusted to its absence.
I've truly been more prone to wander without its constancy in my life I realize today.
You see, 25+ years ago the Lord intervened in my life, and through the difficulties in my marriage turned my face back toward Him. And with His strong and tender hands cupping my upturned face encouraged me with an outpouring of great music of our faith. There were many treasured hymns from childhood flooding my memory and praise music lifting my heart. The popular Christian music of the 80's and 90's, rich with God's word, permeated the spaces in my home, in my automobile and landed in my heart.
Today I stand at the threshold of a new door the Lord has opened and asked me to walk through. I look out and desire all that the Lord has in store for me during this season of my life. If you were standing next to me you would see that it's dark out there. My record with "the dark places" is one of shrinking back more times than I like to admit. During the past 12 months I have tested the path and my progression has been as the time-worn expression - "2 steps forward and 3 steps back". It is a battle of my flesh and a supernatural battle that the enemy is waging.
The great "I Am" is bigger than my enemy; bigger than my fears; bigger than the lusting of my flesh to keep the status quo. He alone knows best how to spur me on and how to encourage me.
Last Monday I returned from a week long visit with my son to find a new "sound system" complete with radio and cd player that picks up my favorite station. One that when turned on for the first time was tuned to Moody radio my husband increduously told me. ( I can see you smiling as you read that)
At the moment Dr. Irwin Lutzer is teaching in the background and I stop in mid-sentence, my heart stirred once more by the total care and love my heavenly father pours in and over his children.
In my life, so far, He's never been early and He's never been late. No, God has always been on time. How I praise Him today for another day to love him.
The sound you hear my friend, is the hinges on this new door the Lord has given...I'm throwing it open..WIDE.. to discover what it really means to walk by faith. Will you join me on my journey?
It's my prayer.
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