Psalm 89:5 NAS
And the heavens will praise Thy wonders, O Lord; Thy faithfullness also in the assembly of the holy ones.
Our daughter called late last night to let us know the judge wrapped up the divorce and custody case. No more witnesses only lawyers summations and filings. Now for the judge to go over everything and give his ruling next month. This has been a nerve racking, gut retching, nail biting, and fearful year and a half. Before our daughter said good bye she said. "Mom thank you for prayers, and thank your friends too."
Our daughter and grandchildren have been on every prayer list I could think of to put it on. She has not fully committed to giving her life over to our Lord and Savior yet. But one praise at a time.
Throughout this year my husband and I have pointed out all the good things God has brought her way, even though there have been a few not so good things. She has two beautiful, smart, talented, and healthy children. Through her guidance and perseverance they are grounded. She has a steady job and friends she can count on when things get rough. she has parents who love and care for them.
It reminds me of a time in my life when everything was going wrong for me and I thought that no one cared. My greatest hope was in Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." I read and re-read this passage many times and I found peace and hope in it.
My trials have long passed but when I look back I couldn't figure out why God was telling me this. Now I know. I had to go through fire before I could fully understand God's mercy, grace, and love. My small Christian Worker's Bible went with me everywhere and I opened it many times to the verses He gave me. Verses to give me strength and guidance. His words.
I learned from Psalm 118:8 that it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. I continue to do just that. He is my shelter in the storm, my guide in blinding rain, my comforter in distress, and my counselor in all things. He is my God. He can be your God too. All you have to do is confess your sins and invite Him into your heart.
Dear Heavenly Father please forgive me when I let you down and forever live within me. Amen.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
HIS LOVING HANDS
John 10:28 NAS
And I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.
A dear friend just lost a child due to a birth defect. They've cried out in pain but their faith has kept them together. Their love for the Lord keeps them looking forward to the time when they will meet again.
My daughter is going through a nasty divorce and is ever fearful of retaliation from her ex-husband. He is not a Christian so his aggression is taken out on all around him, which is his family. Our daughter is not a Christian but has witnessed the faith her parents have, and seen God answer their prayers.
Another friend's ex-husband mysteriously disappeared leaving the family bewildered. The couple once were present every Sunday in Sunday school and church, but since the divorce, only the friend and their daughter have sought comfort in God and their church family. What could have happened in his life to have brought him to this end?
My daily prayer is that God keep my husband, children,friends, and our country in His loving hands. To keep the evil one at a distance and not let his cunning deeds harm them.
Psalm 48:10 says "As is they name, O God, so is Thy praise to the ends of the earth; Thy right hand is full of righteousness". In Isaiah 40:12 our Lord says "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance, and the hills in a pair of scales?" Both of these verses says God Himself keeps us in his hands, warding off danger and evil. All we have to do is ask.
Our God is a loving God, kind,full of mercy and grace. But he is also a righteous God ready to slap us on the hand, you might say, when we disobey. Hebrews 10:31 warns us that it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Vengeance is not ours but God's.
Dear Lord I pray that you keep my family, friends, and myself in Your loving hands every day. Amen.
And I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.
A dear friend just lost a child due to a birth defect. They've cried out in pain but their faith has kept them together. Their love for the Lord keeps them looking forward to the time when they will meet again.
My daughter is going through a nasty divorce and is ever fearful of retaliation from her ex-husband. He is not a Christian so his aggression is taken out on all around him, which is his family. Our daughter is not a Christian but has witnessed the faith her parents have, and seen God answer their prayers.
Another friend's ex-husband mysteriously disappeared leaving the family bewildered. The couple once were present every Sunday in Sunday school and church, but since the divorce, only the friend and their daughter have sought comfort in God and their church family. What could have happened in his life to have brought him to this end?
My daily prayer is that God keep my husband, children,friends, and our country in His loving hands. To keep the evil one at a distance and not let his cunning deeds harm them.
Psalm 48:10 says "As is they name, O God, so is Thy praise to the ends of the earth; Thy right hand is full of righteousness". In Isaiah 40:12 our Lord says "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance, and the hills in a pair of scales?" Both of these verses says God Himself keeps us in his hands, warding off danger and evil. All we have to do is ask.
Our God is a loving God, kind,full of mercy and grace. But he is also a righteous God ready to slap us on the hand, you might say, when we disobey. Hebrews 10:31 warns us that it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Vengeance is not ours but God's.
Dear Lord I pray that you keep my family, friends, and myself in Your loving hands every day. Amen.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
INDEPENDENCE
I Corinthians 11:11 NAS
However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.
Quiet a few years ago I was talking to my brother about our children. He began telling me how independent his daughter was. How she wanted to do things on her own, asking for no help at all. He ended by saying. "She reminds me so much of you. You always struck out on your own, doing things for yourself, and never asking for help."
At first I was upset that he said I was independent. I'd never thought of myself being like that, but as the years past I was brought back to his words again and again. As a single parent I felt like I had no one to turn to for help so I did things for myself. I learned to fix my car, to be a plumber when the sinks needed repairing, and anything else that had to be repaired around the house. Taking my children camping and fishing was the highlight of their adolescent years. We had our ups and downs but we all survived it.
It was a number of years before I met and married the love of my life. God does say have patience. After marrying I've relenquished some of my independence. I've looked to my husband for his guidance, but most of all I've learned to depend on God, not myself. Now this was not an easy process, but through prayer, and my quiet time of reading His word, I've been able to let go of my stubborness and fix all attitude.
Psalm 119:45 says "And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Thy precepts. This means that I can walk freely with my Lord but He has also given me the freedom to choose Him or walk the path of worldly ways. I choose my Lord and Savior. I have found peace and comfort.
Gracious Heavenly Father thank you for the freedom to choose You over the ways of the world. I pray I never walk without You. Amen.
However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.
Quiet a few years ago I was talking to my brother about our children. He began telling me how independent his daughter was. How she wanted to do things on her own, asking for no help at all. He ended by saying. "She reminds me so much of you. You always struck out on your own, doing things for yourself, and never asking for help."
At first I was upset that he said I was independent. I'd never thought of myself being like that, but as the years past I was brought back to his words again and again. As a single parent I felt like I had no one to turn to for help so I did things for myself. I learned to fix my car, to be a plumber when the sinks needed repairing, and anything else that had to be repaired around the house. Taking my children camping and fishing was the highlight of their adolescent years. We had our ups and downs but we all survived it.
It was a number of years before I met and married the love of my life. God does say have patience. After marrying I've relenquished some of my independence. I've looked to my husband for his guidance, but most of all I've learned to depend on God, not myself. Now this was not an easy process, but through prayer, and my quiet time of reading His word, I've been able to let go of my stubborness and fix all attitude.
Psalm 119:45 says "And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Thy precepts. This means that I can walk freely with my Lord but He has also given me the freedom to choose Him or walk the path of worldly ways. I choose my Lord and Savior. I have found peace and comfort.
Gracious Heavenly Father thank you for the freedom to choose You over the ways of the world. I pray I never walk without You. Amen.
Friday, October 15, 2010
PROCRASTINATION
Proverbs 27:1 NAS
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
Procrastination. Putting off something we really don't want to do or face. Maybe it's not wanting to tell your husband you backed your new car into a post and put a dent in the bumper. He's going to find out sooner or later and sooner is much better. Get it out of the way. A sigh of relief. You feel better.
My husband came home the other night and told me a story about a lady that had heart problems. She had a pacemaker but was having problems. Her family finally convinced her she needed to go to the doctor. Upon checking her they found a problem with her pacemaker and immediately put her in the hospital to correct it. She told her family there's no need to come to the hospital and sit around. It's a short procedure, in and out in a day. Something went wrong and she died on the table. There was no one there to tell the sad news to. Would someone have come and sat if they had known there was a risk? Did they put it off, think it was nothing, she'll be home, and I'll go by and see her later?
This brings to mind putting off sharing the Bible with others. There have been times I should have, could have, shared Jesus's love with a friend or stranger, but I did not. I procrastinated.
God does not procrastinate when it comes to loving us. He waits for us to come to Him. We are the ones that put off to tomorrow instead of doing today. Don't let another day go by without asking Jesus to take control of your life, to live in your heart now. Seek His forgiveness.
Dear Heavenly Father please help me to not put off until tomorrow what I need to do today. Amen.
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
Procrastination. Putting off something we really don't want to do or face. Maybe it's not wanting to tell your husband you backed your new car into a post and put a dent in the bumper. He's going to find out sooner or later and sooner is much better. Get it out of the way. A sigh of relief. You feel better.
My husband came home the other night and told me a story about a lady that had heart problems. She had a pacemaker but was having problems. Her family finally convinced her she needed to go to the doctor. Upon checking her they found a problem with her pacemaker and immediately put her in the hospital to correct it. She told her family there's no need to come to the hospital and sit around. It's a short procedure, in and out in a day. Something went wrong and she died on the table. There was no one there to tell the sad news to. Would someone have come and sat if they had known there was a risk? Did they put it off, think it was nothing, she'll be home, and I'll go by and see her later?
This brings to mind putting off sharing the Bible with others. There have been times I should have, could have, shared Jesus's love with a friend or stranger, but I did not. I procrastinated.
God does not procrastinate when it comes to loving us. He waits for us to come to Him. We are the ones that put off to tomorrow instead of doing today. Don't let another day go by without asking Jesus to take control of your life, to live in your heart now. Seek His forgiveness.
Dear Heavenly Father please help me to not put off until tomorrow what I need to do today. Amen.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
MAPS
Jeremiah 31:21 NAS
Set up for yourself road marks, place for yourself guideposts; direct your mind to the highway, the way by which you went. Return, O virgin of Israel, return to these your cities.
Oh how I long for a map when I go traveling. My husband bought me a GPS and I have yet to use it. With a map I can spread it out before me, see all the little roads, major highways, and make my own choices. I may want to take the direct route, to get there quicker, that is depending on traffic. Or I may want to take a side road and look at all God has placed in my path to marvel at, the trees, old houses, barns, or maybe even an old broken bridge to no where. Hopefully that broken bridge isn't in my direct trail.
If you stop to think about it our life is much like a map. The path we choose to follow may take us way out of the way. It may take months or it could be years. Our Heavenly Father gives us the freedom to make our decision.
When we decide to take the long way around, through precarious deep valleys and treacherous high mountains, our Father is waiting for us to call out to Him. In our despair we fall on our knees and call out for help. He is there and ready. "Here I am. Take my hand and follow me."
Dear Lord I pray you are always there to give me direction in all I do and say. Amen.
Set up for yourself road marks, place for yourself guideposts; direct your mind to the highway, the way by which you went. Return, O virgin of Israel, return to these your cities.
Oh how I long for a map when I go traveling. My husband bought me a GPS and I have yet to use it. With a map I can spread it out before me, see all the little roads, major highways, and make my own choices. I may want to take the direct route, to get there quicker, that is depending on traffic. Or I may want to take a side road and look at all God has placed in my path to marvel at, the trees, old houses, barns, or maybe even an old broken bridge to no where. Hopefully that broken bridge isn't in my direct trail.
If you stop to think about it our life is much like a map. The path we choose to follow may take us way out of the way. It may take months or it could be years. Our Heavenly Father gives us the freedom to make our decision.
When we decide to take the long way around, through precarious deep valleys and treacherous high mountains, our Father is waiting for us to call out to Him. In our despair we fall on our knees and call out for help. He is there and ready. "Here I am. Take my hand and follow me."
Dear Lord I pray you are always there to give me direction in all I do and say. Amen.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
IMMORTALITY
Psalm 37:18 NAS
The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their inheritance will be forever.
I look around at our younger generation and see myself at their age. Running here and there, trying to get as much done as I can in one day. Always in a hurry. I wanted to do it all. Living for the moment, not looking beyond tomorrow and what tomorrow would bring. I thought there would always be another day.
Now that I've reached my golden years, and I've watched some of my close friends pass away, I've come to the reality of my own immortality. What have I done with my life and who will remember me when I pass on? Did I leave a legacy?
I know what I inherit when I die. From 1 Corinthians 16:53 comes this verse. "For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality."
I will live forever with my Lord and Savior, but what about my children, and my children's children? They are the ones I pray for every day. My husband and I planted the seed but it may take another to sow the seed and bring it to full bloom.
As I research my ancestors lives I wonder what church did they go to? Did they go to church? Did they belong to any affiliations where they lived? So many questions but the bigger question is will I see them again when I enter heaven's gate?
I didn't know my grandfather, great grandfather, or my great great grandfather, but they left their immortality through their children and their children's children. Their name will go on.
Dear Father I pray for my children and their children, that they accept Christ as their savior, and I will live for all eternity with them praising You every minute of every day. How Great Thou Art. Amen.
The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their inheritance will be forever.
I look around at our younger generation and see myself at their age. Running here and there, trying to get as much done as I can in one day. Always in a hurry. I wanted to do it all. Living for the moment, not looking beyond tomorrow and what tomorrow would bring. I thought there would always be another day.
Now that I've reached my golden years, and I've watched some of my close friends pass away, I've come to the reality of my own immortality. What have I done with my life and who will remember me when I pass on? Did I leave a legacy?
I know what I inherit when I die. From 1 Corinthians 16:53 comes this verse. "For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality."
I will live forever with my Lord and Savior, but what about my children, and my children's children? They are the ones I pray for every day. My husband and I planted the seed but it may take another to sow the seed and bring it to full bloom.
As I research my ancestors lives I wonder what church did they go to? Did they go to church? Did they belong to any affiliations where they lived? So many questions but the bigger question is will I see them again when I enter heaven's gate?
I didn't know my grandfather, great grandfather, or my great great grandfather, but they left their immortality through their children and their children's children. Their name will go on.
Dear Father I pray for my children and their children, that they accept Christ as their savior, and I will live for all eternity with them praising You every minute of every day. How Great Thou Art. Amen.
Friday, October 8, 2010
FLOWERS
Luke 12:27 NKJ
Consider the lillies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Of all the seasons in the year fall is the one I love the best. Temperatures drop so you are able to get outside and enjoy the beautiful array of fall colors and flowers. My back yard is full of fall flowers in every color imaginable. Of course there are a few bees buzzing around the beautiful buds too. A canvas of color painted all by the Master's hand.
Many people like going to the New England states this time of the year for the fall foliage. My husband grew up in Maine and New Hampshire and has told me many times how beautiful it is, it does not compare to any place else. We live in Texas and we do not get to see many changes in our seasons here. I think I see a trip in our future!
Like seasons of the year we also have seasons in our life. As a child we live and play as a child. We learn of God's love for little children, hear Bible stories, and sing songs to praise Him.
As we go through our middle years we graduate from school, some go on to college, then we marry. Wedded bliss brings children. We do our best to raise our children, to get them through all the childhood sicknesses, school, then off to a life of their own. Praying that we've given them the foundation of love and guidance from our Heavenly Father.
Then we advance into our golden years. Ah yes, our golden years, with all its aches and pains, knee replacements, and medicines. Retirement and to do the things we looked forward to doing all of our lives. Travel and enjoying each day to it's fullest. No hustle and bustle, no alarm clock telling us it's time to get up and get to work, time to sit and relax.
Retirement doesn't mean we are to sit back and do nothing. God isn't finished with you yet. Retirement means you have more time to reach out to others who do not know the Lord as you do. To share His Word with your neighbors, the waitress who waited on you this morning at IHOP, the person you are sitting next to on the bus, the librarian who looks like she isn't having a good day. The list goes on and on. No, God is not through with you yet. There is still work to be done.
Dear Father lead me and guide me to share Your Word with others as I go through the day each day. Amen.
Consider the lillies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Of all the seasons in the year fall is the one I love the best. Temperatures drop so you are able to get outside and enjoy the beautiful array of fall colors and flowers. My back yard is full of fall flowers in every color imaginable. Of course there are a few bees buzzing around the beautiful buds too. A canvas of color painted all by the Master's hand.
Many people like going to the New England states this time of the year for the fall foliage. My husband grew up in Maine and New Hampshire and has told me many times how beautiful it is, it does not compare to any place else. We live in Texas and we do not get to see many changes in our seasons here. I think I see a trip in our future!
Like seasons of the year we also have seasons in our life. As a child we live and play as a child. We learn of God's love for little children, hear Bible stories, and sing songs to praise Him.
As we go through our middle years we graduate from school, some go on to college, then we marry. Wedded bliss brings children. We do our best to raise our children, to get them through all the childhood sicknesses, school, then off to a life of their own. Praying that we've given them the foundation of love and guidance from our Heavenly Father.
Then we advance into our golden years. Ah yes, our golden years, with all its aches and pains, knee replacements, and medicines. Retirement and to do the things we looked forward to doing all of our lives. Travel and enjoying each day to it's fullest. No hustle and bustle, no alarm clock telling us it's time to get up and get to work, time to sit and relax.
Retirement doesn't mean we are to sit back and do nothing. God isn't finished with you yet. Retirement means you have more time to reach out to others who do not know the Lord as you do. To share His Word with your neighbors, the waitress who waited on you this morning at IHOP, the person you are sitting next to on the bus, the librarian who looks like she isn't having a good day. The list goes on and on. No, God is not through with you yet. There is still work to be done.
Dear Father lead me and guide me to share Your Word with others as I go through the day each day. Amen.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
HEART
Psalm 44:21 NAS
Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.
We are made up of bones, muscles,nerves, and blood flows through our veins that pumps our heart to keep us alive. A fine oiled machine created by God. When one or more organs have a problem we go to the doctor and expect him to fix it. Like our car we ask a mechanic, our appliances we call the repair man, plumbing we call the plumber. Well, you get the picture.
My brother had heart bypass surgery this week. His wife called and said he came through with flying colors. I praise the Lord for giving him more time with his family.
I was able to spend time with him and his wife only a month ago while I was in Washington. He showed me his garden, his worm farm, how he was drying garlic in his garage along with his onions, and he even showed me his bee hives. From head of a bomb squad in the Sheriff's Department to a gardner. Retirement has brought out a side of my brother I never knew.
The heart is also the major part of our family. It needs to be healthy or there can be serious problems. A loving mother and father that lead the family to the Lord by regular church attendance. To unselfishly serve others, show a deep respect for God, and have a personal relationship with Him. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us "The heart is more deceitful than anything else."
Have you checked your heart today? Why not get down on your knees and ask Jesus to take control of your life and heart.
Gracious Lord thank you for taking care of my brother and keeping him in Your loving hands. I pray that each of us take a better look at our hearts, both with a doctors visit, and asking You to reside within us. Amen.
Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.
We are made up of bones, muscles,nerves, and blood flows through our veins that pumps our heart to keep us alive. A fine oiled machine created by God. When one or more organs have a problem we go to the doctor and expect him to fix it. Like our car we ask a mechanic, our appliances we call the repair man, plumbing we call the plumber. Well, you get the picture.
My brother had heart bypass surgery this week. His wife called and said he came through with flying colors. I praise the Lord for giving him more time with his family.
I was able to spend time with him and his wife only a month ago while I was in Washington. He showed me his garden, his worm farm, how he was drying garlic in his garage along with his onions, and he even showed me his bee hives. From head of a bomb squad in the Sheriff's Department to a gardner. Retirement has brought out a side of my brother I never knew.
The heart is also the major part of our family. It needs to be healthy or there can be serious problems. A loving mother and father that lead the family to the Lord by regular church attendance. To unselfishly serve others, show a deep respect for God, and have a personal relationship with Him. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us "The heart is more deceitful than anything else."
Have you checked your heart today? Why not get down on your knees and ask Jesus to take control of your life and heart.
Gracious Lord thank you for taking care of my brother and keeping him in Your loving hands. I pray that each of us take a better look at our hearts, both with a doctors visit, and asking You to reside within us. Amen.
Friday, October 1, 2010
GIVE ME A SIGN
Psalm 86:17 NAS
Show me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it, and be ashamed, because Thou, O Lord, has helped me and comforted me.
There has been many high and low times in my life. When I went through my divorce I thought God had walked away from me. Why would He let me go through the abuse, harassment, and stalking that I endured? I cried out many times asking those questions. "What did I do Lord that was so wrong that I and my children must go through all this?"
That was over thirty years ago and I can honestly say today I know why I went through that deep valley. He was there with me, He walked with me, kept me in His hands, shielded me and my children from harm, and brought me to a fuller and deeper understanding of His grace and glory.
I've watched my children grow into fine adults, marry, and have children of their own. They've had high and low times in their lives also. Although brought up in the church most do not attend on a regular basis. This breaks my heart and I pray for them daily, along with praying for my siblings. I know, through Faith, God is always there, for me and for them. I pray they see that, sooner than later.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father I pray You keep my children, brothers, and sisters in Your loving hands and guide them, even though they do not realize it's You who is in control. Amen.
Show me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it, and be ashamed, because Thou, O Lord, has helped me and comforted me.
There has been many high and low times in my life. When I went through my divorce I thought God had walked away from me. Why would He let me go through the abuse, harassment, and stalking that I endured? I cried out many times asking those questions. "What did I do Lord that was so wrong that I and my children must go through all this?"
That was over thirty years ago and I can honestly say today I know why I went through that deep valley. He was there with me, He walked with me, kept me in His hands, shielded me and my children from harm, and brought me to a fuller and deeper understanding of His grace and glory.
I've watched my children grow into fine adults, marry, and have children of their own. They've had high and low times in their lives also. Although brought up in the church most do not attend on a regular basis. This breaks my heart and I pray for them daily, along with praying for my siblings. I know, through Faith, God is always there, for me and for them. I pray they see that, sooner than later.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father I pray You keep my children, brothers, and sisters in Your loving hands and guide them, even though they do not realize it's You who is in control. Amen.
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