"A Friend Loves At All Times"

 

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As I was waking up the other morning, the Scripture, “A friend loves at all times”, from Proverbs 17:17, came to my mind.  Once fully awake I began to pray as I thought about the sometimes more challenging and difficult times in relationships, allowing the Lord to bring other related Scripture to me as He inspired me to create this piece.  I pray to be a good friend to all those the Lord would bring across my path; one who is patient and kind toward the weak, who is giving and faithful, who speaks encouraging words to lift a heart that is burdened down, anxious or afraid, depositing the truth of God to help raise them up in faith.  I ask the Lord to make me ever prayerful for a brother or sister in need, trusting the Lord to help bring them out of dark places to clearly see again as they are strengthened in Him.  The Lord who dwells within us is a friend who is closer than a brother, and so I pray to always be a true friend, walking in the very nature of Christ, sharing His love as His Holy Spirit fills and directs me to extend His gracious hand with the same mercy He has shown me, because surely, FRIENDS ARE GIFTS THAT HEAVEN SENDS and A FRIEND LOVES AT ALL TIMES!

"This Moment is Perfect"

As I sat in my garden and looked all around

and took it all in, such beauty I found.

I sat there contented with the birds and the bees

the sun on my face and a warm, gentle breeze.

I noticed the small things that bring me such peace

the scent of the flowers and the songs that repeat.

The wonder of creation and all God has made

the life that surrounds me and all that He gave.

The expanse of the sky that takes me away

as if I'm in flight, given wings as I lay

All of my burdens, beginning to fade

and then disappear, heavy heart turns to praise.

Everything that has breath breathes out a refrain

a chorus, thanksgiving, for the joy of the day.

For the truth that has come and fills all the earth

not hidden from us but before our eyes has been birthed.

Day after day, in all, He would speak

the night reveals knowledge, God's wisdom, runs deep.

His glory is declared, I see the works of His hands

His Word is far reaching, I love His commands.

Even as I sit in this place and I seek

He instructs me in His ways and helps me to keep

On the path He has placed me, turning aside

from all that is empty, my life is revived.

He gives His own double honor, the Lord calls them blessed

God's covenant, our promise, in truth to direct.

So that the radiant light of God's Son will reflect

in the hearts of His servants, mighty oaks to erect.

Offering hope to the broken and comfort to those who mourn

rebuilding old ruins, with His jewels to adorn.

God's Kingdom is established as each garden would grow

His righteousness and praise to all nations to flow.

Scripture Meditation:
Psalm 118:24 - This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 150:6 - Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.  Praise the LORD!
Psalm 19:1-6 - The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
Psalm 119:33-37 - Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.
Isaiah 61:1-11 - “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the foreigner shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, they shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs. “ For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, and will make with them an everlasting covenant. Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the posterity whom the LORD has blessed.” I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.