A Purified Word

Proverbs 30:5  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Psalms 12:6  The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

There are no hopeless situations, only men who have grown hopeless about them.  I'm so glad to know that GOD is more than just a man.  I am so THANKFUL that God never sees it that way--hopelessness.  We may get to feeling down and out but God is always on top...and up to something! :)

He's working even in the midnight.

All through the Bible we can read of His faithfulness, and it's such sweetness to read, but often times very hard to rightly apply to our worried minds.  We say we trust God, but often times we still worry. 

God speaks pure words.  Truth. 

We go 'through fiery trial' and life-hardships, but I believe this happens really because God wants to prove Himself to us.  He wants to show us how BIG He is!  And He wants to teach us that we are more than conquerors.  Every WORD that God speaks into us is the truth and so perfected.  As silver tried in the furnace...purified seven times.

There are seven days in our week...and each and every day there is a purified Word that stands at the ready for us.  A purified WORD that we can cling to each and every day that we live and breathe!!  A purified Word that breathes hope, renewal, and protection.  His Word is a sword, but it's also our shield.

The last 2 months have been a "blind walk" for me.  And I still continue that journey.  Actually, I really never want to stop walking this walk called the "trust journey".  But, today instead of the anxiousness, today I find such peace of mind. 

Just yesterday, my boss came and told me that a billable project needed doing, so today would not be my last day at the office.  PRAISE GOD!!!  I was told that I am to keep job-searching, and if I get hired on somewhere I am free to go, but it looks like I could be employed right where I am for another 2 months or more.  I am EXTREMELY excited about this.  And I know that this turn of events is a TOTAL GOD thing.  So I went to work today!  And I'll be going to work tomorrow! 

I keep thinking about the word that was spoken in a message preached by Eld. McMullen at Campmeeting this year.  He was preaching and he said, "God can give you you're job back!"  I don't know if that is what God is doing right now, but I do know that He is supplying a stable income for me.  Every need in my life right now, He is supplying.  And, in my boss's words, a "breather has been given".  YES!  I am breathing again. 

God is never too busy to keep watching over me.  He knows exactly how to take good care of me. 

And He can and will do the same for you!  You may feel that you're being raked over the coals of the furnace right now, but just hold on.  Just trust and hold on!  I need the company :)      

A Walk By Faith

I Kings 8:57 The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.

Incline: feel willing, accepting; favorably disposed toward

Today is Administrative Assistant’s Day.  My last one to work at my current job, or so the schedule goes as of right now. Who knows what God may be working up. The saying, “When you’re down to nothing, God’s up to something” sure is the case today! 

When I woke up this morning my thought was “I’m working my last Wednesday at a job that I’ve had for nearly 9 years.” I’m down to nothing. Yep. Yet….I so believe, and doing my best to keep the faith for, that God is up to something! J I have no idea what His plan is or what He’s doing but He’s a God of miracles. So I wait. 
 
This scripture was sent to me this morning from a teenager I go attend church with. I thought it appropriate for the day and so very sweet of her to send, so I chose to save it as my promise today. 
 
Other versions read differently. The New Life Version reads these verses like this, “May the Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us. May He turn our hearts to Him, to walk in all His ways, and to keep all His Word and all His laws, which He told our fathers.” The New Living Translation reads verse #58 like this, “May he give us the desire to do his will in everything and to obey all the commands, decrees, and regulations that he gave our ancestors.”

May I always feel willing, have the desire to serve the Lord in every capacity He would want from me. He gives peace in every situation, just as He says He will do. Our God is great and greatly to be praised. Not one of all those good and wonderful words that He speaks misfires. May I ever continue to allow Him to continue to be all that He is and ever was in my life! May He never give up on me and walk out. My prayer today is that He would keep me centered and devoted to Him, following after the life-plan that He has created, watching the signs that He has posted, walking the pace and rhythm He has laid out.

And so I walk...and i wait. 

Peace At Home

I am so thankful for Home.  Not just a house to call my own, but a home.  It matters what we bring into our abodes.  There is so much violence in the outside world and when we come into the inside-world of our homes we should feel that we have a place of refuge. 

 

The way we can feel refuge is to live God-centered lives.

 

That being said, I will say, that for a while now I have dealt with seemingly the whole gamant of emotions. Unsettled feelings to all out terroizing fear.  These are being dealt with on a daily basis.  On some days, it has been to the point that I would almost rather not go anywhere.  I question people's motives.  I question...well, a lot of things. 

 

But I keep pressing on.

 

I refuse to be whipped into defeat.

I have had health issues, financial issues, worries over world-issues, etc.  But, I realize that I am still very blessed.  I live and breathe.  I can walk and talk.  I can see the beautiful colors that God splashes on the blue canvas of His sky every morning and every evening.  I can sing.  I can attempt to dance (when no one is watching) and I can drive.
I am because He is.
I am blessed. 

 

God is my stay.  He is my constant companion.  My unfailing Friend.

 

And, no matter what it FEELS like I KNOW that He is near.

 

Last night I had the rare privilege of being out on the town with most of my family (those that live around here anyway).  We ate dinner at Cracker Barrel and then spent the rest of the evening at Barnes-n-Noble.  It has been such a long time since I have hung out on a Friday night there!  To some it may sound boring but for me it brought enjoyment and some spiritual enlightenment.

 

When I do have opportunity to go there, I often find myself grabbing a magazine or two from the Healthy Living section of the magazine racks, grabbing a cup of MoJo and reading articles.  Last night I didn't get a coffee (or anything to drink).  I found myself at the back of the store..in the Kid's Corner..sitting on a bench and reading scriptures/articles out of the magazine called BEAUTIFUL.

 

In a world that is filled with all kinds of wars and rumors of war--on a global level as well as personal level---I find the Word of God, the HOLY BIBLE, to be my source of strength.  There is nothing like meditating on God's Word that will bring comfort, courage, and a will to go on.  Absolutely nothing else compares.  This is what I read last night:

 

"But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You"

-Psalm 5:11 (NIV)

THAT SCRIPTURE WAS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED TO READ AT THAT MOMENT!!!

 It gave me such peace. 

 

My prayers have been with Boston, Mass. this week!  In a world that is growing so evil, I find great peace in God's Word and the Spirit of the Holy Ghost.  Thinking on 'whatsoever things' is what I want to focus my thoughts and my life upon.  Those things that are good and wholesome. 

It's because of Jesus that I can sing for joy.  It's because of God and His principles that this great nation, America, has estabilished herself upon--we the people--have established ourselves upon, that we are blessed with protection.  Yes, bad things happen.  Evil is present.  But, our God reigns!  America is my homeland, yet I seek a greater, more eternal Homeland.  Heaven.  As for me, I will continue to take refuge in the only saving name, Jesus. 

 

God Bless America!!!  America, bless God! 

Thank you, Lord, for answers, for closure, and the pursuit of happiness!  Please bless all the officials of law and all those involved in the continuing investigations of what happened in Boston. Please bless the wonderful citizens of this great nation.  There are still those that seek Your name.  We still stand!  We stand as one nation, under God, indivisable, with justice for all! Amen.   

My Strong Tower

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10

 

 

I'm running.

So grateful to know His name!

Jesus...

Sweetest name I know.  

Love Notes

He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

Proverbs 16:20

 

The Lord....heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Proverbs 15:29

 

The Lord...will establish the border of the widow.

Proverbs 15:25

 

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

 

And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious to you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

Isaiah 30:18

 

Showers of Blessing

Ezekiel 34:26 (NIV) I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.

I am so blessed because of the care and love of my Savior! I do not deserve His love, yet He still loves. God is good. All the time He is good. 

 

About a week ago I received an unexpected blessing. A portion of one of my monthly bills is now being “taken care of” for me. Why?! because God cares about what concerneth me! 

 

I pray that the person who was sensitive to God’s direction is blessed multiple times over for their willingness to be a blessing to others. It is something that I did not expect to happen, but I’m thankful it did. 

 

This blessing gave me a glimpse of hope that day. It showed me that, YES! God cares!...even about the small things!

His showers are refreshing.  Of course, as it usually goes with me, I've had to be sprinkled with His showers of love more than just that day last week.  But He never fails!  It is a blessing to know the Lord!!!

I am still looking for employment. Nothing seems to be opening up as yet. But I trust God is faithful! I will keep looking unto the Hill from which cometh my help! God. He knows exactly where I need to be and what I need to do. He daily loadeth me with benefits! His banner of me is love. Pure, simple love. He is good and His compassions fail not! So grateful for His faithfulness!!!

Covenant of Peace

Isaiah 54:10  For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

When the road is winding through the darkness
And the load is heavy as your heart is now
And you're full of doubt
When your prayers are crashing into silence
And you're scared that everything you're crying out
Is gonna hit the ground

...Let Mercy Hold You

It's in the midst of knowing that you're helpless
When you're left waiting on the promise and
You don't understand
So let the valley teach you how to sing and
Still believe grace is everything you need

Joy is coming in the morning...

Don't lose Hope...

Let Mercy Hold You! 

Portion of a song from Jason Crabb's new release "Love Is Stronger".  This song's title is "Let Mercy Hold You".  LOVE LOVE LOVE this song! 

I'm so grateful for my Lord's undeparting kindness, the covenant of His peace, and His unfailing mercy!  Hope you all are having a great weekend!  Blessings to you. 

Life In Ziklag

I Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Bitterness is a common fact of life

Admit its presence

Be willing to do something about it

Deal with grudges directly

Realize that some hurts that come from others stem from deep hurt they have of their own

Get rid of bitterness by having a forgiving heart

Never say “never”…allow God to change you and grant to you the spirit of forgiveness

Know that you don’t deserve the love and forgiveness of God, yet because you have experienced it from Him, you realize to be a Christian you must show forth that same likeness.  To be in His likeness takes much effort.

Receive His grace, then go graciously give the same to others

Encourage yourself in the Lord!  Be thankful.  Bless His name.  For His presence is GOOD!

Keep Calm, Carry on!

 

70(7)=490

490/24=21

21/60=1

Four Hundred and ninety times a day is what the Lord said we should do when it comes to choosing to forgive. The result is every second of your life, everytime that second-hand ticks on the clock, you’ve got to choose to control your base nature and let it be ruled by God.

Lord, I have such a LONG way to go right now, don’t I? Help me.  Help me, Lord.  For without You I can do nothing. Help me to realize that real living is about choosing to keep my mind pure and reverant on You. You at all times. For it’s only in thinking on you through my hurt that I can cope in a positive manner. It’s only through You that I can be encouraged that I may forgive.

Ordinary Chaos

It’s been chaotic around here lately, but (for the most part) I had a wonderful weekend. I haven’t logged into my email for several days, so when I opened my inbox today I found a sweet note from a friend. This is a portion of the email that so lifted my spirit…

May today be all you need it to be. May the peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams tonight, and conquer all your fears. May God manifest himself today in ways you have never experienced before. May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer, and your prayers be answered. I pray that faith enters a new height for you; I pray that your territory is enlarged. I pray for peace, healing, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, true and undying love for God.

It’s one of those forward things but still, it’s words that I needed today. And I’m glad she thought of me and sent it my way. There is a ton of things I could ‘spill out’ here. My mind and heart are so full, and I’m desperately trying to keep the emotions from total shreds today. It seems the more I try to thread the needle for mending (so to speak), the more I miss and get pricked. I can not do it all. I definitely need the freshness of the Holy Ghost resting my thoughts today, ruling my thoughts when I’m asleep, and conquering all my fears! I do need the manifestation of my Savior today. And I do need joy, peace, healing, good health, dreams within my reach, and prayers answered. And I ALWAYS need to receive (and give) the undying love of God! I know I’m not the only one, you do too.

Having been away from my office for several days, I also had to flip the calendar page this morning to APRIL. Wow! The months are just flying! I can hardly believe that we have already celebrated Easter, the time of our Risen Lord. Seems we just celebrated His birth. Anyway…

The quote on my wall calendar says: “There are no hopeless situations; there are only men who have grown hopeless about them.” I thought that very appropriate for this month, because at the end of this month, if I haven’t been hired at a new job, I will be totally jobless. So having this quote in front of my face all the rest of the month will be exactly what I need to read each day! J

Also, the ‘quote of the day’ on my desk calendar says: Faith has to be exercised in the midst of ordinary, down-to-earth living. I thought that rather appropriate too. For it is in the “every day”that we live that we need to “keep the faith”. Even in the moments when it all seems hopeless.

 

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

Even if you lose your skirt in the process.  No foolin’! JJ