"Hold Onto The Promise"

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This is something the Lord spoke to me, and that I created back in January, but I never got around to posting it.  So finally, here it is.  God’s perfect timing, I suppose.  Persevere friends, for God is faithful!

Though at times it may seem that the promise has died
Wait expectantly upon the Lord with arms open wide.
For the Father turns the bitter into the sweet
The covenant He has made is the one that He keeps.
For truly I tell you, in the fullness of time
The gift I have given shall be born, the divine.
And given back unto Me what you've held at your breast
Shall surely be multiplied, the child I perfect.
And your heart will be lifted, your life will surely speak
Of the triumph of the Lord as you live at My feet.
The gifts and the calling I have placed upon your life
Cannot be revoked, My children, in Christ.
Do not think it strange, the fiery trial
For from glory to glory, I take you all the while.
There is treasure in earthen vessels, that God's power may be seen
Our lives are laid down, that we may birth what He's conceived.
We walk in the Spirit, and do not gratify the flesh
But pray we would be gold, giving God all our best.
Sanctified and useful, for the Master, prepared
Cleansed, those of honor, for His mark we bear.
We persevere in faith believing, for the love of God sustains
He alone, our one desire, to dwell with Him for all our days.
To look upon Him, to behold His beauty, the Lord God to seek
Leaning upon Him to hear His heartbeat.
We look to the Giver, for from there all would flow
Taking deep root to flourish, prosper, and grow.

Scripture Meditation Links:
1 Samuel, chapter 1

1 Samuel 2:1-11

Proverbs 13:12

Romans 11:29

1 Peter 4:12-13

2 Corinthians 3:18

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Galatians 5:16

2 Timothy 2:20-21

Colossians 3:16-17

Romans 5:1-5

Job 23:10-14

Psalm 27:4

"The Monster of Sin"

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For the good that I will to do, I do not do;
but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.
Romans 7:19

Let's face it, unfortunately there are times when we just mess up!  Perhaps we've spoken something we never should have uttered.  We've done something we wish we never had.  We've made decisions that were not the best choices.  We love the Lord, and we follow Him, and then, BAM!, it's as if some other person takes over; it's that monster called sin, and we do just that - SIN!

The good news is, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who understands our weaknesses, forgives our sins as we repent, and who reminds us He makes a way of escape from all of our temptations.

Bad news is, this side of Heaven there will always be a battle between our flesh and spirit.  But God has given us His word, living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

God's word transforms us.  It is the truth that makes us free as we get a hold of His promises.  We are to be outfitted daily with the full armor of God, fully prepared as we are dressed in His righteousness, filled with the mind of Christ, walking in the gospel of peace, standing in faith, deflecting the arrows of the enemy, wielding the sword of the spirit, and being watchful in prayer, to cut down every enemy against us.  We make the choice to stand on the life-giving promises of God, that we may confidently, authoritatively, and effectively walk in them.

May we, in all humility, allow the word of God to cut through those dark places in our lives, to surgically remove every monster of sin, that we may be purified, little by little, to walk in holiness, reflecting the character of Christ.

Do you ever feel like a monster?
Then call upon the Lord
That you may walk in the Spirit
Pick up your sword.
Which is the very word of God
Dividing heart and flesh
He delivers us from temptation
Always willing to help and bless.
I pray, Lord, let me not wander
From Your most perfect commands
Cleanse me as I heed Your word
Far from sin's demands.
For I delight myself in Your statutes
I contemplate Your ways
I will not forget Your word
Almighty God, who saves.
Deal bountifully with Your servant
Open up my eyes
To see and choose the wondrous things
Your law, and life provide.

Scripture Meditation Links:

Romans 7:13-25

Hebrews 4:12

Galatians 5:16-18

1 Corinthians 10:13

Matthew 6:13

Psalm 119:9-18

1 John 2:1

Ephesians 6:10-18

1 Corinthians 2:16

"Dry Bones Live!"

I saw an open valley, full of many bones
Dry as the desert, but these were not alone.
For I heard the Spirit moving, restoring flesh
I felt the wind that gives you breath
That you may live, you will not die
For an exceedingly great army I see arise.
The Holy Spirit is by your side
Faithfully leading, safely He guides
To the land Father's promised, so stand to your feet
Leave behind every dead place, hear His heartbeat.
Hope is not lost, abandon your graves
For the trumpet is blowing, a standard He's raised
To defeat every enemy, and to bring back to life
The visions and dreams that seemed lost in the night.
For what God has spoken, will surely come to pass
Listen, believe, the First and the Last.
For the Father is present, giving back years
You shall eat in plenty, Abba is near.
He is the One who deals wondrously, His own know no shame
His Spirit is poured out, His truth is proclaimed.
Come to Him, cry out, call on His name
For a downpour is coming, His life-giving rain.
Again I say, you'll eat in plenty, you will not go without
Release the sounds of Heaven, as the Lord fills your mouth.
Watch enemies crumble, they will not escape
For a fire is burning, can you hear the earth quake?
God gives us voice, and so, echo His Word
The truth He reveals, what you’ve seen, what you’ve heard.
A new day in dawning, filled with glorious light
The Lord goes before you, in the strength of His might. 

Opening doors that no one can shut
Faithfully persevere, and in holiness conduct
A life fully given, formed, the image of Christ
Victorious in Him, His bright, shining light.

 

Scripture Meditation Links:
Ezekiel 37:1-14

Joel 2:1-32

Isaiah 54:10

Isaiah 59:19

Romans 11:29

Psalm 81:10

"Don't Get Wrapped Up"

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Don't get wrapped up

In the things of this world

But search for true treasure

That One, perfect pearl.

Only found in Christ Jesus
The Way, Truth, and Life

Who delivers us out of darkness

Into His marvelous light.

What the enemy has meant for evil, our all powerful God turns to good to serve His purpose.  As we seek the Lord in prayer, and His word He unravels the tangled places in our lives, transforming and conforming us to follow Him wholeheartedly in His perfect will.  He is our ONE true treasure, the perfect pearl, and the ONE who gives us everlasting life in Christ.  He is the ONE true God, Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life.  He has shattered the darkness, and has invited us to dwell in His marvelous light.  Hallelujah!!!

Scripture Meditation Links:

Romans 12:1-2
Matthew 13:45-46
John 14:6
1 Peter 2:9
Ephesians 5:8
Genesis 50:20



"Fearless"

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I suppose most of us suffer at times with fear and anxiety.  We live in a crazy, chaotic, unpredictable world, with a seemingly endless supply of stresses, responsibilities, and unforeseen circumstances to deal with each day. 

But God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)  He is the answer, promising to perfect  that which concerns us. (Psalm 138:8)

There are so many Scriptures where the Lord commands us not to fear, reassuring us that He is with us, strengthening, helping, and upholding us throughout it all.  His heavenly angels are more in number and strength than any enemy.  They are all around us, fighting on our behalf.

When fear attempts to grip us, I pray that the Holy Spirit would remind us to run to the Source, or better yet, to continually abide in the Lord who gives us perfect peace. 

Nowhere else can we find the peace that only the Lord, in His word and in His presence can supply.  In Him we are restored to proper equilibrium and balance.  For it is the Lord who keeps in perfect peace those whose mind is stayed on Him. (Isaiah 26:3)

There is a battle that is taking place between flesh and spirit.  But I know that as we trust the Lord and rely upon Him, meditating on His decrees, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ, we return to a sense of calm and well-being in Him; the place where He desires we live.
(2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Scripture Meditation:

2 Kings 6:16 - Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.

Psalm 27:1-3 - The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell.  Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.

Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 43:1-3 - But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...

Deuteronomy 7:17-23 - If you should say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than I; how can I dispossess them?’—  you shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt: the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs and the wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm, by which the Lord your God brought you out.  So shall the Lord your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.  Moreover the Lord your God will send the hornet among them until those who are left, who hide themselves from you, are destroyed.  You shall not be terrified of them; for the Lord your God, the great and awesome God, is among you.  And the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you.  But the Lord your God will deliver them over to you, and will inflict defeat upon them until they are destroyed.

1 John 4:17-18 - God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.

Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Psalm 46:1-2 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear...

Psalm 34:4 - I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.



"Feelin' Frazzled?"

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Feelin' frazzled?  Get away
Alone with Jesus, rest and pray.
Meditate on good reports
Thankful, enter into His courts.
Upon your lips, His holy praise 
Lift your voice and bless His name.
Lay down in Him, and patiently wait
All who are weary, be still in faith.
Trusting Him with all your heart
Your Red Sea He'll come and part.
Covering you with perfect peace
Every need you have He'll meet.
So come aside in sweet repose
A tranquil place where warm winds blow.
The Holy Spirit will come refresh
With gentle breezes, His very breath.
To bring renewal, to give you life
In His presence, you'll see the light.

Scripture Meditation:

Mark 6:31 - And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.
Philippians 4:6-9 - Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank Him for his answers.  If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.  And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right.  Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others.  Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.  Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.

Psalm 100:4 - Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
Psalm 37:7 - Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act.
Psalm 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God.

Exodus 14:22 - So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

Philippians 4:19 - And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Matthew 11:28-30 - Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”



"Living Letters"

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We are the light of the world that cannot be hidden, but we are meant to shine for all the world to see; yet not us, but Christ in us.

We wait, we listen to what the Spirit is speaking, the very things the Father would reveal.  He touches our mouths and our hearts, purifying, as He fills us with His wisdom, that the word of God, bathed in love, would be effectively released.

We are the privileged ones, ambassadors for Christ, blessed to be the Lord's living letters, where His word, alive and active and sharper than any two-edged sword is emblazoned upon our hearts and meant to penetrate the hearts of man.

His word is like a fire that can't be contained, and we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

The Lord is the One who gives us a holy boldness to declare His truth.  For the time of singing has come

that many would be radically transformed and filled with a holy passion for the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Father says, "Open your mouth and I will fill it, for I indeed have something to say.  And to those who call upon Me, I will surely answer you, and show you great and mighty things."

Father, I pray, reveal Yourself to us.  Let the truth of God be upon our lips and reflected in our lives.  May we boldly speak as Your Holy Spirit gives us utterance, courageously proclaiming Your words of life.

Scripture Meditation:

Matthew 5:14-16

Matthew 10:27

Matthew 13:16-17

Hebrews 4:12-13

2 Corinthians 3:3

2 Corinthians 5:20

Jeremiah 1:9

Song of Solomon 2:10-12

Acts 4:20

Isaiah 60:1

John 12:49-50

Psalm 81:10

Jeremiah 33:3



"This is a Good Day"

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There's an old song that the Lord recently brought to my mind.  I've been listening to it again and again, hearing my Father speak.  So I just had to create something to capture a piece of the song to remember God's promise and gift to me, and to receive the peace that He brings.  The song is, "This Good Day", by Fernando Ortega.  I hope it ministers to you as it has to me. 
(click link to listen)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7nZVtZFE0A

The Lord reminds us that today and every day is a true gift given by our heavenly Father.  He has a good plan for the very time we're living in, where He instructs us to make the most of every living and breathing moment.  (Ephesians 5:16)

No matter the conditions, whether cold winds blow, or dark clouds come, the Lord is our shelter.  He is the One who is with us always, who goes before us, who is in control and God over all. 

With the assurance that our Father is by our side and His hand upon our lives, we can joyfully sing a song of praise to Him who orders and watches over all of our steps.  (Psalm 37:23)  For this is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!  (Psalm 118:24)

Father, we thank You for this day, the day that You have made, fashioned by Your own hands, where You safely lead and guide us through.  Help us to live wisely and to make the most of the moments You have given.  When times are difficult, bring us back to this place of remembrance, and the knowledge that You are with us.  Thank You for Your presence in our lives and for reminding us that this is a GOOD DAY because You are faithful, and we travel this road together. 

"Lead Me to the Rock"

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When this is how you feel...overwhelmed!!!  When there are a gazillion things coming at you all at once, and someone or something has just gotten on your last nerve, again, and you're even freaking out the cat (hah, hah!) because you're just about to lose it.  Then, even while writing this, hubby comes in and says there may be something seriously wrong with your car, I stop and remember to run to the ROCK that is higher than I. 

Though all may not be understood or immediately resolved, let us be reminded that we have a faithful Father who leads us to Himself, and into the place where we can cast all our care upon Him, for He cares for us.

 

Get away with the Lord, allowing Him to calm all your fears and soothe your anxious thoughts, as He chases them away with His perfect love.

As we rest in the presence of our sweet Shepherd, finding delight in Him, He settles our stressed out, frustrated, worried, weak and weary souls, as He gently guides us into lush and peaceful pastures.

The Father hears our cries.  He attends to our prayers.  He works on our behalf.  He is our safe haven and strong tower from every enemy, and all the unexpected circumstances of everyday life. 

And so, we trust in Him as we abide in the shelter of His protective covering.  Beneath the warmth of His wings, wrapped up in His love, we become confident that He is orchestrating everything to work toward something good and beautiful.

The Lord surely is our hope and help in time of need.  It is He who is our source and supply.

Scripture Meditation:
Psalm 61
1 Peter 5:7

Philippians 4:6-7

1 John 4:18
Psalm 23

Romans 8:28

Hebrews 4:15-16

"Believe You Are Vital"

You are the body of the Anointed, the Liberating King; each and every one

of you is a vital member.

1 Corinthians 12:27 

You are essential, an integral part of the body of Christ, an important and needed member, contributing to the building up of the kingdom of God.  You are My chosen ones.  You are vital.  You are Mine.

I AM the Life Giver dwelling inside of you, revealing My heart, the One who pours into you and who has designed you to flow freely and powerfully in your God given destiny.  You are one who is made to continually bloom and to abundantly and generously sow the very things I have placed inside of you. 

Yes, there are things I have given into your hands, with faith enough and the ability to perform every good work in just the places and people and ways I have chosen.  For I understand everything there is to know about you, and I make you to be successful in the things I’ve called you to, causing you to go forth with joy and great delight.

I AM the One who opens up doors and finds you favor.  I give you understanding as you seek Me to walk in obedience and will not let your feet slip, but in fact give you hinds’ feet that you may keep the course I have laid out before you, steady and unwavering, safe in My grip, equipped to traverse even high mountain cliffs without fear or trepidation, for the Lord is by your side.

There are times you have believed you are weak or have little or nothing to offer, but in Christ you can do all things through Him who strengthens you.  I AM the One who uses the weak and the foolish, those humble before Me, to confound the wise.  As My people step out in faith, empowered and led by My Holy Spirit, I take your little and turn it to much.

I AM the One who prepares your heart and who goes before you to prepare the hearts of others.  I AM the One who works through you to pour out blessings that cannot be contained as you sow what I’ve sown.  I AM strong in your weakness, supplying grace upon grace as I lead you into situations, create opportunities, and arrange encounters that I have chosen to serve My divine purpose and plans.

For truly I tell you, My name shall be known throughout all the earth.  Shine brightly, confidently, and courageously as My beacons of light, while My face shines upon you.  Let the radiance and glory of God be seen.

"God Makes a Distinction"

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I came to write the poem (above) and devotional study after receiving an unexpected medical bill last week.  But unbeknownst to me the Lord had it all under control.

There was an in-office procedure performed which I had assumed was just part of my recheck...easy peasy!  As it turned out the small tube the doctor inserted down my throat was coded as a surgical procedure.  He hadn't informed me of this or that it was any sort of additional service.

And so, I never had the opportunity to first call my insurance company, which is supposed to be done before any surgical procedure is performed for their approval and to be sure it's covered.

Luckily for me (although I know luck had nothing to do with it), the doctor's office happened to be closed the next day, when I probably would have angrily addressed this issue.  I then had the weekend to calm down as I took my concerns to the Lord in prayer and meditated on His word.  

On Monday morning prior to calling the doctor's office, I once again declared over this situation and my life that God makes a distinction between His people and the world, asking that this charge would be removed and that He would bring His justice.

However, when I spoke to the office manager, she wouldn't budge to consider waiving this fee, but stuck to her script.  I continued to calmly present my case, but there seemed to be no changing her mind.

We went back and forth for a little while, when the manager then offered to take 20% off of the bill and told me that was the best she could do.  Well, I didn't budge but continued to remind her that I had not been informed of an additional service and surgery classification.

Silently, I prayed my prayer and believed in faith what the Lord had spoken to me, and that He had taken care of everything and would find me favor.

Then, in an instant, she said she'd write off the charge and there was nothing for me to pay.

When the call ended all I could do was giggle and praise the Lord.   😄

Well, Hallelujah, and thank You, Jesus, for saving me this expense!  You are faithful!

It's always good to seek the Lord first and let Him handle things.  Amen! 

Scripture Meditation:

Exodus 8:20-23
Exodus 12:21-36
Exodus 14:21-31
Exodus 15:1-21
John 1:1-5
Philippians 2:10-11

"Praise the Lord!"

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Lord, I love You with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, and all my strength, because You first loved me, and so I praise the name that is above all names. 

I am forever grateful for who You are, and all You have done, and for all You are yet to do in my life.

Because of Your great love and tender mercies You have redeemed my life from death and destruction.  You have forgiven all my sins and made me new.  You are the One who heals all my diseases and renews my strength. 

You have revived me and brought me back to life.  I now soar with You high above it all where You allow me to see from Your heavenly vantage point.

How can I help but worship You, Lord?  You are the One who fills my life with good things and who gives me wings to fly, side by side with Him.  How excellent is Your name in all the earth.   

I will bless the name of the Lord at all times.  Your praise will continually be in my mouth.  O, I magnify and exalt Your holy name.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

Scripture Meditation:

Mark 12:30

1 John 4:19

Psalm 8:9

Psalm 34:1-3

Psalm 103:1-5

Psalm 150