Happy New Year

...Be joyful, Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony

and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT)

     As I sat by the fire on New Year's Eve, I contemplated what my "resolutions" were going to be this coming year.  There were the usual; lose weight, exercise more, spend less money, etc.  But then I thought a bit harder about how to get to those goals and others and my list became this...

• Live joyfully
• Live simply
• Live for God and His purposes
• Live healthy
• Love much

    Those five important "resolutions" will guide my year and my life.  It is time to move forward in joy.  Living life simply and without the clutter of thought or of stuff will be easier than ever before. Living my life pleasing God and what He wants for my life should have been my aim but over the years had been pushed aside.  No more.  It is time for that part of my life to be at the forefront.  Living healthy as I get older is more important each day. Eating wisely and exercising outside in the glory of the creation helps to be clear of thought and to hear from God more easily.  Loving much; I am loving my husband, children, and grandchildren each day to the best of my ability.  I will continue to be there for them and to guide them to look at the King for answers when none seem to come. 

     Resolutions are hard to keep but these five statements are life changers.  I pray that as this new year progresses that I will remember to live by them and not put them aside.  I will not let the worries of the days or weeks take over.  I will not let the devil have a hold and keep me from knowing and feeling the peace of God's love surrounding me each day.

    May you find in the new year that these "resolutions" would hold something for you as well.  

"Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries,

all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you

affectionately and cares about you watchfully."

1 Peter 5:7

     

Troubled heart

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say?..."

John 12:27

       As the seasons pass from summer into fall, the days are getting shorter and cooler. I have spent the last 5 months recovering from a circumstance I did not expect.  One in which I was profoundly hurt and troubled by as there seemed to not be a suitable answer as to why.  But now, five months later, I have decided it is time to leave it behind and move forward.  God has brought me to this place and I rest my troubled soul in Him.  He has sustained me when I have been so low I was not sure I could find my way.  He has walked beside me in this time as no one else could.  Psalm 25:1 tells me "to thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul, O my God, in thee I trust, let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me".  So I stand firmly beside Him trusting He will lead me to the next season. 

        I have no idea what the next season will bring.  I trust the Lord to show me where He wants me to go this time.  I believe that He wants me to be securely ensconced in Him before I begin anew.  It is time to rest in Him until He chooses to reveal to me what is next.  For someone who has worked 50 plus hours a week for over 20 years, it is hard to sit back and rest.  I feel that I should be doing something.  I feel that I need to take matters into my own hands because that's what the world expects me to do.  But, I know that I need this time to heal and rest in Him.  It is ok to rest in Him.  It is ok to sit back and regroup from all the missed days of my life.  I didn't realize how much I missed while I was working.  I didn't see or have time to enjoy the beauty of the sunrise.  Now I can and do.  I didn't have time to visit with my parents and now that they are older I have time.   I didn't get to see my grandchildren participate in school projects because I was at work.  Now I can.  So if this forced time away from working is for those things then I can call myself blessed.  My attitude has changed from one of bitterness and hurt to gratitude.  Gratitude that I can spend time with my family and not have to do work.  Gratitude that I can read a book and not feel that I should be grading papers.  Gratitude that I can spend time with the Lord as I walk in the morning and not be rushing out the door and up the road to a job.  There are days when it is easy and there are days when it is hard.  But the hard days are fewer.  I want to be able to know in my soul that I have "walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering." (Ps. 26:1) . I can rest that "it is well with my soul".

"He refreshes my soul. He guides me along

 the right paths for his name’s sake."

Psalm 23:3

Glorious Days

"For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside"

Psalm 84:10

     Summer continues to linger here in Ohio.  As October begins, the heat continues into record-breaking, historical, hasn't happened ever days.  The sky is blue, there is no humidity but it is hot and dry.  As the sun rises this day, you can feel the heat it promises.  The grass is brown.  The trees are dropping leaves without the beautiful colors and everything just looks tired and thirsty.  But in this one can still see "how lovely are Thy dwelling places" (Ps 84:1).    The blue of the sky is brilliant.  The trees that have begun to change colors stand out against it, shouting out "how lovely are Thy dwelling places".  

     In this place, my soul has felt like the crackling of the brown grass and the parched soil longing for a drink. I long for a cool breeze to sweep over me and bring comfort.  I long for a gentle rain to soothe my parched soul.  The Lord comes as that cool breeze when my soul is parched and unyielding.  His touch brings comfort and peace.  He is that gentle rain that waters the dry places in me and brings blessings springing forth, renewed.  

     This summer has been long.  As the summer progressed from the spring rains and the land was green and renewed after the long winter, it became parched, dusty, and hard.  My life at the same time was the same.  In the spring I had a job I loved and was looking forward to it again in the fall but then I was let go.  The summer stretched on parched with no prospects and I thought no direction. As the summer dragged on and got drier, my savings dwindled.  I felt just like the brown grass, dry and brittle, yearning for a drink to soothe.  

     The forecast is calling for relief.  Today it is 92 tomorrow in the 70s.  Relief comes at last from the heat with rain sure to follow to bring relief to those parched grasses and trees.  God is my relief for my soul and all I need to do is pray.  The Psalms bring healing rain to the soul.  The words like gentle drops soothing to read and hear and bringing relief to a dry soul.   Psalm 84 speaks..."O Lord God of host, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Behold our shield, O God, And look upon the face of Thine Anointed.  For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand elsewhere".  

      I look forward to renewed hope.  As the hot, dry weather of the summer gives way to the cooler breezes of fall, so may my life begin to feel a change too.  My soul begins to drink in God's gentle whispers that things are going to get better.  God whispers that He is in control of the weather and my life. God whispers He is leading me beside still waters and restoring my soul (Ps 23:2-3).   I can rest in knowing He is near.

"O God, restore us, and cause Thy face to shine upon us, and we will be saved." 

Ps. 80:3

Contentment

"Not that I speak from want, 

for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."

Philippians 4:11

     Contentment.  It has different meanings for different people.  What does it mean to be content?  Does it mean you have a comfortable lifestyle?  Does it mean you are happy with your family?  Does it mean you are satisfied?  What does it mean to be content?   Webster's Dictionary gives the meaning of content as "feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status or situation". So I ask the question again, are you content?  

      As I pondered over this question for myself, I struggled with it.  I struggled because I know I need to be content with the circumstances I find myself in at this time of my life.  There are many that would probably wish to be in the shoes I am in as their circumstances may be worse.  But for me, these circumstances are ones I have not had for many years.  For those many years, we have lived a comfortable lifestyle. Not extravagant but comfortable. One or both of us have had a full-time job. If we needed or wanted something we could buy it.  If we wanted to go on a trip we could. If we wanted to spoil the grandkids we did.  But for now, all of those are on hold. Neither of us has a full-time job.  We have what we need nothing more.  We know God provides and He shows up right on time.  He will continue too until the season changes and He shows us the next steps to take.

       At the beginning of the summer, I started this blog. I was broken like I had never been.  I still struggle with that brokenness at times but I am coming through it.  I may never understand why I am at this place at this time but I do know that God has not left me in it all.  I know He has been there helping me through. I am content in my circumstances.  I am content when I realize I don't need more stuff.  I am content when I know I can enjoy a good book or time alone with God.  I am content when I know I have the time now to spend in His Word. I am thankful for this time and for my family.  Whatever the circumstance as Paul states, I am content.  Ask yourself the same, am I content in ALL circumstances, not just the happy, comfortable ones?  Be content in all circumstances and enjoy what God shows you in your life.

...being content with what you have; 

for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”

Hebrews 13:5

Stand Firm

"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men,

be strong."

1 Corinthians 16:13

     

      The last days are here.  They have been here but we are in the last of the last days, I believe.  The Lord Jesus Christ will soon return.  Are you ready?  One reads the daily headlines and there is nothing but misery, hate, and dissension.  It is rare to see an uplifting story in the news these days.  It is easy to get bogged down by the negativity that is permeating our society in this present age.  People deny there is a God.  People shake their fists in the face of God and scream obscenities.  People show vitriol for anyone with a differing opinion on anything.  Common decency is gone.  Common sense went with it.  Even some Christians compromise their beliefs when pushed against a wall. Satan is running amok in our world and having the time of his life. 

       BUT...we as Christians must be watchful.  We must stand firm in the faith.  We must be strong.   Moses told the people of Israel in Exodus 14:13, " Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today.".  Moses is talking about the Egyptians who were in hot pursuit and the Israelites are standing at the bank of the Red Sea grumbling, again, about why they left Egypt in the first place.  Moses is standing in front of them and is saying, FEAR NOT, haven't you already seen the hand of God at work in saving you from Egypt.  Haven't you seen that God is working to get you out of here and to the Promised Land?  Stop standing around grumbling and stand firm!  Stand knowing that He is going to save you.  Stand firm knowing He is going to see everything going on in your life.  Stand firm knowing He will answer when you call. Stand firm knowing He has your back.  Stand firm in the faith. 

       We are called to stand firm.  We are called to be sober-minded; Be watchful.  Because our adversary, the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:12) We need to always be alert.  Jesus told his disciples in the garden to keep watch while He went to pray.  He told them to be alert.  But they did as we do, we get comfortable.  We fall asleep.  We become lazy and we are not alert.  It is when we are not alert or watchful that we stumble and fall into the traps the devil has set for us.  He wants us to be lazy.  He doesn't want us to be strong and standing firm. The devil knows that if we are strong and firm in our faith, he can not get to us as easily.   This is why standing firm is mentioned many times in the Bible.  

        Friends, stand firm in your faith.  Know that the Lord is with you and fear not.  Be watchful for the adversary who wants to devour anyone that is not alert to his tactics.  Be strong.  There is nothing that is impossible with God.  God is able and He will be there.  He has already won.  So have we, if we are watchful, standing firm and strong in our faith.

"stand firm in it."

1 Peter 5:12

Ask! O Mighty Man (Woman) of Valor

"The Lord is with you O mighty man of valor"

Judges 6:12

    As I read through Judges chapter 6,  the people of Israel were doing what the people of Israel were good at doing, not obeying God's voice.  He had shown Himself to them more times than they could possibly count but yet they still did not believe Him.  We are like that too.  God has revealed Himself to us on many occasions but we choose to forget or not to see at all.  As I look back over my life, God was there in all of it.  We made unwise choices a few times, but God worked them for good.  Now as we are faced with yet another mountain to climb, we want to languish in our fears of climbing that mountain and the "what ifs" that present themselves in our minds.  We are not "obeying His voice".        Gideon was the same way, God was calling to him and calling Gideon a "mighty man of valor" but Gideon's response was "who me?".  Just as we say the same.  Gideon questioned God as to why all these things were happening to them. Again, we do the same.  God told Gideon to go and save Israel from the land of the Midian.  Gideon pleads why me, why my tribe, we are weakest of all the tribes.  Excuses and more excuses as to why we can't do it His way.  But the Lord speaks again and tells Gideon "I will be with you, and you will strike the Midianites as one man."(Judges 6:16).  But Gideon, being the weak flesh that we all are, says show me a sign that it is really you, God, that is speaking to me.  

     Oh, how I want a sign!  Maybe even a big whack up the side of my head!  But you know what happened to Gideon,  God did just what Gideon wanted, not once but three times.  He gave Gideon the signs he asked for specifically.  God is just waiting for us to ask Him.  I am not one to ask for something.  I hate asking for help.  I hate asking for something I need or even something I want.  Why?  Because I don't think anyone will listen or help and it's easier to do it myself, or so I think.   God listens.  God helps.  God will give us what we ask as long as it is for our good.  James 4:2 says, "you do not have, because you do not ask.". So for us to have what we ask we need to only ask,  but the next verse reminds us "you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.".  We are to be bold and ask God for whatever we need specifically.   John 14:13 tells us, " whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.".  But we are to ask with the right motives, to glorify God when He answers, then He will answer and give us what we ask.   So as we stand at the base of what seems an immovable mountain, we need only ask God specifically to help.  He will listen and He will help.  We need only to believe that He is able.

"If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."

John 14:14

Open Doors

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek,

 and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

Matthew 7:7

      Doors.  Everywhere we go there are doors.  Some push inward, some you have to pull to open. Some say do not enter, others are standing open wide for all to enter without hindrance. Some doors swing freely between rooms with no locks to keep them closed.  Other doors are secured with multiple locks and bars to keep everyone away.  When we approach a door we do not always know if it will give us entrance or remain closed to us.  Much like the doors of our lives that we approach on our road to following God.  We ask is this door going to open to use?  Or will it remain closed, locked tight?  

     There have been many times in my life that I have had to approach a door.  Uncertainty my companion as to whether I can open this door and walk freely through it or will it slam shut in my face just as I step forward or will it close tightly after I have walked in, giving me no chance to change my mind and turn back.   

      The walk with God is full of doors.  Each door leading somewhere.  Some doors leading to happiness and tranquility, at least for the moment.  Other doors leading to anguish and discouragement which again is only for a moment.  A moment in God's eyes, not a moment to ours.  Even in times of discouragement and disappointment, God has been at the door.  Matthew 24:33 says so, "even so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.".  God is always near the door, no matter which one we approach and walk into.  We should approach each door in our lives with the confidence that no matter which we choose God is near.  God is there to lead us through the open door He wants for us to take.  He is there to bar the door if it is one that will lead us to destruction.  And if we barge on through the door that is closed, He is there too, waiting with open arms to remind us that He will not leave us. So as we navigate this life full of doors that are both opened and closed, remember that God is near the door.  All we need to do is ask, seek and knock and it will be opened to you. 

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; 

if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me."

Revelation 3:20