"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



"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