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Continually

King David said in Psalm 42:5 (NIV)

 

" Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God"

You know ... it's so easy to Praise God when everything is going good and your life is just sailing along with the sweetness -  but throw a monkey wrench into the thick of things and it becomes a little more difficult.

 

I often ponder on these powerful words when I am feeling down, overwhelmed or just generally out of sorts. It helps to bring things back into proper focus.

 

The next time you feel like your life is spiraling out of control; hang on to the words of David and Praise God. Know that He is continuously working out your life in a manner that is not only good for you but will bring Him Glory. In it's due time you will see the evidence of that fact.

 

You and Me

"They" Are Really You and Me

Psalm 89:14  NIV 
 "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you".

God is just. It's His character, who He is, and it's something He wants us to pursue whole heartedly.

Justice seeks to make wrong things right. It is us working throughout our lives to fix injustices to the best of our ability that we happen upon in the world around us.

Every time we see something that's wrong, our first response should be to pray about it.

Our second response should be to ask ourselves, "What can I do about it?"

However, it doesn't even occur to most of us. It's like we look at things and think that it's someone else's problem, and we wish "they" would fix it! We wish "they" would do this and that.

Have you ever stopped to ask, "Who are "they"?

I believe that "they" is us, you and me!

Have you ever looked at your brothers and sisters in Christ and thought to yourself "I wish they wouldn't do that" or "I wish they wouldn't act that way" or "I wish they wouldn't talk like that"? But you kept silent because you didn't want to upset them and make them mad at you. Or you looked the other way and pretended that you didn't see anything. Or worse; you went along with it because speaking out against it just seemed too hard?

In Proverbs 27:17 (KJV) we read:
" Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend"

An aspect of Christian accountability is encouraging each other to grow in their spiritual maturity. Hebrews 10:24 says, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."

One can hardly encourage another to be all that they can be in Christ if they deny that there is a problem, ignore the situation or simply pretend that all in well. Correct? Holding a fellow Christian accountable for their behavior is never going to be easy. But, the Bible says we must all do it from time to time.

You may not be able to fix everything, but you can do something. Don't look at injustice and do nothing. You must do something because God did not create you for inactivity and passivity. He created you for enthusiasm, zeal and passion. He put gifts in you to be used for His glory and to help other people. Live a life of justice today.


Prayer Focus:

Holy Spirit, don't allow me to sit around wishing "they" would do something about the injustice that takes place in the many membered body of Christ in the world when I can do something to make a change. Fill me with boldness, and show me how to right the wrongs that I see in the world around me. Give me the strength to say the things that people may not want to hear but is based on the Holy Word. Guide me to help my fellow Christians; as well as myself, to only do that which is pleasing in the sight of God. Let me not be silent but vocal when I see something that is unjust, unfair, insincere, or corrupted in the many membered body of Christ. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

 

Sunday Blessings

On the Right Path

Stay on Track

Ps. 16:11  “You will show me the path of life.”

I have learned over the past 50+ years that staying on track and staying on the path of righteousness takes self-control and discipline.  The Holy Spirit plants self-control within us and it is growing inside of us as a fruit of the Spirit.  Gal. 5:22 , “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control against such there is no law.”

Self- control and self -discipline are developed as you are obedient to the "Still Small Voice of the Lord" on a daily basis become obedient to the boundaries that He sets for you.  The little acts of obedience  count! Obedience to the little things is how we learn to be led by God's Holy Spirit.  What He says no to, we are to say no too ! He will guide us and give us His counsel  as we seek Him.

"I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me."  Ps. 16:7-8

You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures For with You is the fountain of life.  Ps. 36:9 

We drink from the fountain when we are in the presence of God, and this fountain will sustain you in seasons of trouble and drought.  You see now why you must stay close to Him as you are traveling along the Path of Life; it is not an easy road!  It is not a scenic road!  It is narrow and can be very steep and dangerous, so we must not go too close to the edge. That is why we need hind’s feet for the climb.  We need to be living in truth, speaking truth, walking in the way of truth to be safe.

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Mathew 7:14 

Since the way is narrow we must look to God’s Word and gain wisdom on how to set boundaries in our life and safe guards to keep us on the path. We need to listen because sometimes we need guidance, but other times we need warnings, and correction. We actually gain wisdom from mistakes so we will not repeat them. I know where I can’t go and I have learned where my boundaries are for safety.

Here are some more scriptures to help you on your journey.

Prov. 10:17 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life.  But he who refuses correction goes astray.

Prov. 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.

Prov. 12:28 In the way of righteousness is life.

Happy New Year 2014

Psalm 65:11 NKJV
"You crown the year with Your goodness,
And Your paths drip with abundance".

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Psalm 148

Heaven and earth are full of your glory. . .  Alleluia❣

Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all you his angels;
praise him, all you his hosts.


Heaven and earth are full of your glory. . .  Alleluia❣

Let the kings of the earth and all peoples,
the princes and all the judges of the earth,
Young men too, and maidens,
old men and boys.


Heaven and earth are full of your glory. . .  Alleluia❣

Praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
His majesty is above earth and heaven.


Heaven and earth are full of your glory. . .  Alleluia❣
He has lifted up the horn of his people;
Be this his praise from all his faithful ones,
from the children of Israel, the people close to him.


                 ♪ Alleluia ♪

 
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. . .  Alleluia❣


†♥†  Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14  †♥†

Psalm 139 Woman - Psalm 139 Wife

~ Psalm 139 Woman ~

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.

You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;

Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.

For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.

Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;

And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

~ Psalm 139 Wife ~



1. Always choose love. Above all things. I Corinthians 13

2. Give him all your heart. Not only a part of it.

3. Laugh together. For the rest of your lives.

4. Forgive. “A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.” ` Ruth Bell Graham

5. And forget. Once it’s been forgiven, put it behind you and never pick it back up again.

6. Cling to each other in the hard times. Don’t let trials pull you apart, but bring you closer together instead.

7. Don’t let fear hold you back. Take risks and step out together.

8. Kiss him on the lips. Every day. For a long time.

9. Don’t try to change him. He’s a good man just as he is. He might have room to grow – but then again, so do you. Leave that work to the Holy Spirit.

10. Pray for him. Make it your daily ministry to lift him up before your Heavenly Father. He needs a praying wife.

11. Hold hands. When you’re walking together, when you’re driving together, and sometimes simply grab his hand for no reason.

12. Confide in him. Share with him your thoughts, your dreams, your fears, and your hopes. Never keep anything from each other.

13. Don’t be surprised when faced with a trial. It’s not something to tip-toe around, but something to walk through. So walk through it together.

14. Be quick to admit when wrong. Don’t waste a minute holding on to your pride.

15. Look for little ways to delight him. Be mindful of those small preferences of his.

16. Greet him with a loving smile. Who wouldn’t love coming home to that every night?

17. Allow him to make mistakes. Don’t hold it against him. “Everyone makes mistakes” applies to husbands too.

18. Protect your marriage. Set up safeguards together to keep things and people from harming what you’ve got.

19. Never leave off with the romance. It might not be the foundation of your love, but it sure makes for good glue.

20. Be sweet to him. He’ll always be glad for a little of that.

21. Care about your appearance. Not out of vanity, but in making an effort to put forth your best.

22. Speak well of him to others. Never put him down or make a slight.

23. Be trustworthy. “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her” (Prov.31:11).

24. Give grace. He’ll need you to extend him grace from time to time. Don’t we all need that?

25. Seek to be servant-hearted. Take pleasure in serving him. “By love serve one another” (Gal. 5:13).

26. Be filled with joy. “It is His joy that remains in us that makes our joy full” ~ A.B. Simpson

27. Be a wise woman. “She opens her mouth with wisdom” (Prov. 31:26a).

28. And speak kindness. “…and on her tongue is the law of kindness” (Prov. 31:26b).

29. Let the little things go. Don’t hang on to small annoyances.

30. Work through the big things. Take the time to talk those through.

31. Don’t go to bed angry. Ephesians 4:26

32. Be honest. It’s important to speak the truth – in love – to him. Always.

33. Throw a little surprise in there. Every-once-in-a-while. Just for fun.

34. Enjoy the man he is. Don’t compare him to anyone else.

35. Be strong for him. “Strength and honor are her clothing” (Prov. 31:25)

36. Let him know when you’re feeling weak. Sometimes he might need to be reminded that, even still, you’re the weaker vessel.

37. Put you hope in the Lord. Psalm 71:5

38. Be willing to listen. Be quick to hear. James 1:9

39. Make his love your priority. Even above your children.

40. Give yourself room to grow. Love is not perfect – it’s just loving.

41. Remember he’s not your girlfriend. He won’t always understand or relate, so don’t have unreasonable expectations.

42. But be sure he’s your best-friend. Invest in your friendship.

43. Fall asleep in his arms. Whenever possible.

44. Show him respect. Especially in front of your children.

45. Let him care for you. It’s his job.

46. Set aside date nights. Whether at home or going out.

47. Admire him. Make sure you’re his biggest fan.

48. Stand by him. Your loyalty is invaluable.

49. Enjoy the passion. Keep the fire burning. Like, the … Song of Solomon!

50. Decide in the beginning that you’re going to stick together until the very end. ‘Til death do you part.”

51. Do him good. All the days of your life. Proverbs 31:12

52. Keep in mind that marriage can be hard work. But it’s so worth the effort.

53. Speak only those things that edify.  That it “may give grace to the hearer.” Ephesians 5:29

54. Sometimes the best thing you to do is not say anything at all.

55. Show appreciation for the many things he does.  For both the big and the small things.

56. Look to him as the leader of your home.

57. Make his dreams … your dreams.  Treasure them like your own.

58. Look into each other’s eyes.  Adoringly and each day.

59. Be extravagant in your love. Go big.

60. Work together. In the garage, the kitchen, the garden, or the barn. It’s always more fun with two.

61. Allow for hormonal fluctuations.  But don’t make it an excuse for sin.

62. Speak his love language – what says love to him.  And speak it fluently!

63. Don’t make accusations. Ask questions, but don’t begin with blame.

64. Start each day with a smile and a kiss. What better way to begin?

65. Share interests together.  As many as possible.

66. Welcome him into your world. Don’t keep him at a distance.

67. Laugh at his jokes. Yes, even if you’ve heard them before.

68. Remember the one you fell in love with.  Don’t let him get lost in the dailyness of life.

69. Abide in Christ. And then keep abiding. John 15

70. Cast all your care upon Him. Because He cares for you. I Peter 5:7

71. Fix his favorite foods. You know what they say about the way to a man’s heart…

72. Communicate confidence in who he is and what he’s about. So powerful in a man’s life.

73. Keep tenderness in your love. Don’t let hardness or sharpness creep in to make it brittle.

74. Let him know what you need from him. It might not be as obvious as you think it is.

75. Differentiate what you need…from what you want.

76. Pray through problems. Don’t work it out on your own.  Romans 8:26

77. Convince him that he’s the man of your dreams.  And he’ll become that man.

78. Give thanks.  Always. For all things. Ephesians 5:20

79. Go to the Word when things seem dark.  God’s Word will be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. Psalm 119:105

80. Intertwine your lives wherever possible. Run errands, go for walks, curl up on the couch. Just seek to be together.

81. Make the most of little moments. Don’t wait for sweeping moments – those are mostly found in the movies.

82. Gratefully accept his gifts. Don’t mention the price or how he got it “wrong”. Just be thankful.

83. Always remain lovers.  Do the kinds of things that lovers do.

84. Judge him not. That you be not judged. Matthew 7:1

85. Celebrate your anniversary.  Do something special together and recognize the grand occasion that it is.

86. Don’t hang out with friends who put him – or their own husbands – down. So destructive.

87. Back him up in his decision-making. He’ll value your support.

88. Give up your need to be right. It’s not as bad as it sounds.

89. Cheerfully help him out.  You’re his “help-meet”, aren’t you?

90. The Lord can heal your hurts. Your husband cannot. So don’t resent him for something he can’t do.  Psalm 147:3

91. Write little love notes.  Tuck them in his lunch. Or write on the bathroom mirror. Send a text message, if you must.

92. Embrace your differences. If you were both the same? How boring would that be.

93. Express enthusiasm for his plans and ideas.

94. Timing can make all the difference in the world. Discuss difficult things when you’re both rested – and fed.

95. Make his priorities your own.  Bump them up to the top of your list.

96. Lovingly bear with him.  He’ll have his faults (as will you).  Ephesians 4:2

97. Fear the Lord. And you shall be praised. Proverbs 31: 30

98. Reach out and touch.  A tender touch can do so much good  - for you both.

99. Marriage is like a long, slow walk together. More a marathon than a sprint. So just keep walking. Together.

100. Always choose love – again and again.

The greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

~  Even More  ~

* Never go to sleep until you are both heart connected – Don’t allow yourself to go to sleep angry or upset… That’s when days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and before you know it, months into years of built up anger and disappointment that creates a divide. 

* Make eye contact often – something about looking into each other’s eyes builds friendship, connection, intimacy, vulnerability, and romance.

* Notice what he does for you and the home, and thank him often.

* Find out his love language/s, and speak them diligently.

* Embrace his family as your own.

* Remember that he is not responsible for making you happy or fulfilling you. That can only come from God.

Victory Over Fear

Victory Over Fear!


"I do not fear, for God has redeemed me and called me by name - I am His" Isaiah 43:1

We are living in a day where fear is gripping the hearts and minds of people. Fear of the economic crisis, job loss, war, natural disasters, just to name a few. These are all things that seem to be happening today, and Jesus said they would be happening in the last days. We don't need to be surprised. When the world is afraid, God's going to give us supernatural peace. When we're tempted to be afraid, we need to trust. And when we learn to trust, great things are going to happen in our lives.

Isaiah 12:1-2 says, "And in that day you will say O LORD, I will praise You; for though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation! I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation."

God is not mad at you. He's mad about you. God put His anger upon Jesus, and Jesus nailed it to the cross. Then God gave us His Holy Spirit to comfort us, encourage us and strengthen us in difficult times.

Every one of us is challenged or tempted to fear. Fear comes from not knowing who to trust, not knowing what's going to happen, whether you're going to be taken care of or not. You need to know God will take care of you because you're His. You belong to God. How does someone belong to someone else? Somebody has to pay in order to own something, and God paid with the blood of Jesus so He could own you and I. And it's good for Him to own us, because He takes care of the things He owns. You're never going to find God in a dirty heaven. You're never going to find God in a car with Whopper wrappers in the back seat. God takes care of everything He has and you're one of the things that He has.

There are some things that we may not fully understand in this life, but I will trust and not be afraid. Even if you've read and studied the Word, not every question is going to be answered in this life. Most questions can be. But when you ask why did this tragedy happen or that, you need to understand that God is not the author of evil. The simple answer is the devil is the author. And, really, the number one way the devil gets in our life is through fear. And by taking the position as in Isaiah 12:1-2, I will trust and not be afraid… the way he gives us to be free from fear in this verse is by trusting God. Yes, in all your getting, get understanding. Pursue understanding, but in your pursuit of wisdom, if you're missing something, trust God. 
 

What does the word "trust" mean?

This word "trust" means to be without care; to be secure, safe, sure and to have a refuge. The word, "secure" comes from a word that means without care. When you trust Him, it means to be without care, to cast your cares on Him. If you're a fisherman you can't cast your line a foot or two in front of you. So to cast your cares on the Lord, it means throwing them far from you. You do this by making a decision to trust. It's not a feeling. It's a decision. Then make a declaration. It's a statement of faith. When you're confused, declare "I will trust." When it seems like all the odds are against you, a decision plus a declaration equals deliverance. I will trust and not be afraid. One is the cause of the other. As a consequence of trusting, you will not be afraid.

II Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." These are the three things we overcome fear with: power, love, and a sound mind."

Power overcomes fear because, when you know you have the power to change something –you don't have to be afraid of the way that thing is. Love overcomes fear because perfect love casts out fear. 

A sound mind overcomes fear because fear is always a result of thinking something other than what God says. So when you're thinking what God says, all fear will have to leave your life. There's no way that fear can stay in your heart or in your life when your thinking is lined up with God's Word.

Since fear is the number one way the devil gains access to our lives, we need to get rid of it! People steal and cheat because they fear. They lie because they fear the truth won't be enough. They gossip for the fear of being left out. Let me give you the simple steps to breaking out of the cycle of fear:

1. Confess your fear to God.
Fear is sin. I John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

2. You have to seek Him.
Psalm 34:4 says, "Seek Him while He may be found." Hebrews 11:6 says, "Believe He is a rewarder of Him who diligently seeks Him." Spend time with Him – fellowship with Him. He's a rewarder – when you believe that, you'll be rid of fear.

3. Confess the Word.
Psalm 118:24 says, "This is the day the Lord has made." Confess it many times daily - "God never made anything bad. Therefore I expect this day to be a great day. I will be glad in it."

4. Break free from worry.
I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me (Phil 4:13), but "without Him I can do nothing" (John 15:5). Worry is a subtracting force that will drain you. Which of you can add a single cubit to your life by worrying? Attack worry as a thought that contradicts the Word of God.

Confess these scriptures to attack fear and worry:

Philippians 4:6-8 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things."

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace the mind that is stayed on you, because he trusts in You."

Psalm 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

Hebrews 13:5 "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

I Peter 5:7 "Casting all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you."

Romans 8:31 "If God is for us, who is against us?"

Galatians 3:13 says you're redeemed from the curse. Fear and torment are part of the curse. Therefore, you're redeemed from fear!

You're free from fear!

Confess Psalm 118 and Philippians chapters 3 and 4 every day. God's Word will give you a new hope and change your life forever!

Psalm 91

"Qui habitat". 

 

"Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High"

 

Psalm 91 NIV

 

1  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.


2  I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."


3  Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.


4  He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your   shield and rampart.


5  You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,


6  nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.


7  A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.


8  You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.


9  If you make the Most High your dwelling- even the LORD, who is my refuge-


10  then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.

 

 

 

 

11  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;


12  they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.


13  You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.


14  "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.


15  He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.


16  With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."