From Psalm 84 [my paraphrasing] "My soul nearly faints with longing for Your presence O Lord. My heart and my flesh cries out for the Living God. Blessed is the person whose strength is in Thee because they can go from strength to strength, never tiring. A day in Thy presence is better than a thousand days away from You. I had rather be a doorkeeper in Your house than to dwell anywhere without Your presence. You will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly."
Roberts wrote as if Jesus was speaking, "It is my life I am giving you. It is Myself. Divine grace, heavenly love, infinite mercy, fathomless peace--all these shall spring forth unbeckoned out of the deeps within you because My Spirit has taken up residence there."
Moses prayed, "For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.--Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom--Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us."
In Psalm 91 it says, "A thousand shall fall at my side and 10,000 at my right hand and not come near me because I have made the Lord my habitation--For He will give His angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways." Nothing can touch me until it passes through God first. If He allows it to pass through Him and touch me it is for my good and my growth and He will walk with me through it.
Praise the Lord!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Prayer For Purity and Power
Recently I was reading Psalm 70-71 in my morning time with the Lord. It spoke to me of how purity and power go hand in hand.
I personalize the scripture when I read it so it is like God is talking directly to me. The following is excerpts from those passages:
I cannot understand/notice my own errors. Cleanse me from all secret faults. Keep me from presumptuous sins; don't let them overtake me. Then You will see me as blameless and innocent of great transgressions, because little ones usually lead to large ones.
Then when I am old and greyheaded [as now] please allow me the time and ability to show Thy strength and power unto this generation and the generations to come.
O God, thank You that Thou has taught me from my youth and have given me many opportunities to declare Thy mighty and wondrous works. My lips greatly rejoice when I sing praises unto Thee, even though I sound like a frog croaking. Thou hast redeemed my soul and if You do not return before I die, You will resurrect my body and I'll join You in the air. [Even though I still believe I will be alive when You return.]
I'm reminded of the scripture that says something like, "If we don't praise Him the rocks will cry out." One of my favorite things to do is to try to remember the names and actions of God so I can praise Him with them all.
One of my current projects is to make a wall decoration with the Hebrew Names of God. Wish me luck. So far I haven't found anyone to do it for me so I'm going to have to try it on my own with God's help. He may deny having any part of it when I get through.
Thank you for the visit. Leave me your blog address and I'll visit with you.
I personalize the scripture when I read it so it is like God is talking directly to me. The following is excerpts from those passages:
I cannot understand/notice my own errors. Cleanse me from all secret faults. Keep me from presumptuous sins; don't let them overtake me. Then You will see me as blameless and innocent of great transgressions, because little ones usually lead to large ones.
Then when I am old and greyheaded [as now] please allow me the time and ability to show Thy strength and power unto this generation and the generations to come.
O God, thank You that Thou has taught me from my youth and have given me many opportunities to declare Thy mighty and wondrous works. My lips greatly rejoice when I sing praises unto Thee, even though I sound like a frog croaking. Thou hast redeemed my soul and if You do not return before I die, You will resurrect my body and I'll join You in the air. [Even though I still believe I will be alive when You return.]
I'm reminded of the scripture that says something like, "If we don't praise Him the rocks will cry out." One of my favorite things to do is to try to remember the names and actions of God so I can praise Him with them all.
One of my current projects is to make a wall decoration with the Hebrew Names of God. Wish me luck. So far I haven't found anyone to do it for me so I'm going to have to try it on my own with God's help. He may deny having any part of it when I get through.
Thank you for the visit. Leave me your blog address and I'll visit with you.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Understanding God's Plan or Ways For Me
January 18, 2012
Recently there was something [private] I wanted to do. I checked with God, as usual. I didn't understand exactly what He said, but I was pretty sure it was that He would rather I did not do it the way I was planning. However, I felt confused which I knew was not of God and admitted to myself that it might be because He didn't give me the answer I wanted.
I couldn't find anything in scripture that would be a reason for me not to do it. So I asked Him in my quiet time this morning to tell me His answer in my scheduled Scripture passage.
He knows me so well! He knew the only reason I was going to handle the situation was because I was impatient. He told me in my Psalm passage that there was nothing wrong with me doing what I was wanting to do, but He preferred I not do it. He said I should let the creator, sustainer, and all this long list of Who He is take care of the situation. I had to laugh at myself when I realized I was planning to depend on a human source when the God who created the universe wanted me to let Him take care of it.
How foolish can I be?! You probably don't want to walk with me until I smarten up.
I praise Him for loving me so much that He'll make sure I understand exactly what He wants from me.
Don't give up on me. I'll try to do better next time.
Recently there was something [private] I wanted to do. I checked with God, as usual. I didn't understand exactly what He said, but I was pretty sure it was that He would rather I did not do it the way I was planning. However, I felt confused which I knew was not of God and admitted to myself that it might be because He didn't give me the answer I wanted.
I couldn't find anything in scripture that would be a reason for me not to do it. So I asked Him in my quiet time this morning to tell me His answer in my scheduled Scripture passage.
He knows me so well! He knew the only reason I was going to handle the situation was because I was impatient. He told me in my Psalm passage that there was nothing wrong with me doing what I was wanting to do, but He preferred I not do it. He said I should let the creator, sustainer, and all this long list of Who He is take care of the situation. I had to laugh at myself when I realized I was planning to depend on a human source when the God who created the universe wanted me to let Him take care of it.
How foolish can I be?! You probably don't want to walk with me until I smarten up.
I praise Him for loving me so much that He'll make sure I understand exactly what He wants from me.
Don't give up on me. I'll try to do better next time.
Share our 58th Anniversary
Tonight I've been reflecting about the years that have flown by so fast to get us to celebrate 58 years of marriage.
In one way it seems there was never a time when we were not married. In another way it seems so short, like a few years. That is, it does until I start counting great-grandchildren.
Our family took us out for dinner at Logans. We have so much fun when we're together. I think every one of them have a comic gene. I always laugh so much it is bound to extend my life another year every time we get together.
Well, there's always a part where we get cards from the "kids" with notes inserted. Those have me fighting to keep from bawling because they are always so sweet.
Rod & I value each day God gives us together. We know so many people who have not been as blessed as we have.
I praise God for showing me Rod was the one He chose for me.
In one way it seems there was never a time when we were not married. In another way it seems so short, like a few years. That is, it does until I start counting great-grandchildren.
Our family took us out for dinner at Logans. We have so much fun when we're together. I think every one of them have a comic gene. I always laugh so much it is bound to extend my life another year every time we get together.
Well, there's always a part where we get cards from the "kids" with notes inserted. Those have me fighting to keep from bawling because they are always so sweet.
Rod & I value each day God gives us together. We know so many people who have not been as blessed as we have.
I praise God for showing me Rod was the one He chose for me.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Blessings as we walk
When God is teaching me a truth it seems He whispers into the ears of everyone we listen to that we need certain information. It's exciting to know He's the one orchestrating it. Right now it is about saying blessings over everyone.
Ephesians blessing 1:3,4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ..." vs 16-19 .."do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe."
Colossians blessing 1:9b-12 "...we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience, joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."
God gives blessings throughout His word. I'm working on finding them, lifting out the words that pertain to those I want to bless and making one complete blessing I can say over my family and friends. Blessings bring power and authority as well as success, health and financial favor.
God delights in delegating His power to men when He finds believing and obedient servants who will accept the responsibility and exercise it. He wants those who when mountains rise in their way speak to them and command them to depart into the sea instead of crying to Him to fix it. When we speak to the obstacle there may seem to be no immediate response. But as day by day, we maintain the attitude of authority knowing we are commissioned to use the name of Jesus Christ and His shed blood, there will come a trembling and a shaking and a removing and the mountain will slide from its base and disappear into the sea of forgetfulness.
Jesus rebuked the storm and the wind and sea were stilled. Satan would like us to be ignorant of our position in Christ that gives us the authority and power to do the same.
I don't remember where I heard this saying but it has become one of my favorites:
"The saint is hilarious when he is crushed with difficulties because the thing is so ludicrously impossible to anyone but God."
I must say goodnight. Thanks for keeping me company on my walk. Jean
Ephesians blessing 1:3,4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ..." vs 16-19 .."do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe."
Colossians blessing 1:9b-12 "...we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience, joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."
God gives blessings throughout His word. I'm working on finding them, lifting out the words that pertain to those I want to bless and making one complete blessing I can say over my family and friends. Blessings bring power and authority as well as success, health and financial favor.
God delights in delegating His power to men when He finds believing and obedient servants who will accept the responsibility and exercise it. He wants those who when mountains rise in their way speak to them and command them to depart into the sea instead of crying to Him to fix it. When we speak to the obstacle there may seem to be no immediate response. But as day by day, we maintain the attitude of authority knowing we are commissioned to use the name of Jesus Christ and His shed blood, there will come a trembling and a shaking and a removing and the mountain will slide from its base and disappear into the sea of forgetfulness.
Jesus rebuked the storm and the wind and sea were stilled. Satan would like us to be ignorant of our position in Christ that gives us the authority and power to do the same.
I don't remember where I heard this saying but it has become one of my favorites:
"The saint is hilarious when he is crushed with difficulties because the thing is so ludicrously impossible to anyone but God."
I must say goodnight. Thanks for keeping me company on my walk. Jean
Monday, January 9, 2012
Watch our Words as We Walk
I've been taught the importance of our words since I was in my teens. I would be good with only positive words most of the time then I would become careless again. I hate to admit that this has been my life pattern. On again, off again.
Lance stopped by this afternoon and I asked him if he remembered when I had them saying scriptural blessings/affirmations. He said, "Not only do I remember saying them but I remember those things you put under our pillows that played them all night on an endless tape." I must confess I did.
Job 23:28 " You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And light shall shine on your ways." If we decree good things, "God calls into being that which does not exist." [does not exist down here.] He will bring it to pass. God is just waiting, hoping we finally get it and decree great and wonderful things so He can bless us.
When the Israelites gave a bad report, [voiced negative, faithless words] in Numbers 14:34 "According to the number of days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall bear your guilt a year, even forty years and you shall know My opposition."
God does not like grumbling, lack of faith and careless negative words. Praise the Lord He doesn't punish us a year for every time we grumble about something or say things like, "My head is killing me." That is prophysing our own death. I ask God to reverse my words when I catch myself saying that kind of thing. Rod & I catch each other which helps.
To start blessings over yourself or your loved ones you can start with Deut. 28:1-14 with Mize
paraphrased. "If you will obey the Lord, your God, all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you--blessed shall you be in the city, blessed shall you be in the field, blessed shall be your children, your crops,[ability to get food] the increase of your herds and flocks,[your business will flourish blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl, [your food] blessed shall you be when you come in and blessed shall you be when you go out, the Lord will defeat your enemies, the Lord will command the blessing upon you in your barns [investments/ savings] and all you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord gives you. People will see you so blessed they will fear you. The Lord will make you abound in prosperity. He will open His storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and bless all the work of your hand, you shall lend but not borrow. The Lord will make you the head and not the tail if you will listen and obey His commandments.
If you do not obey these blessings turn into curses.
Mark 11: 23,24 "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what He says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you."
All those blessings will be yours if you obey Him and believe He will give them to you. And why would He not give them to you? You are His beloved child and He wants every good blessing for you just as you want them for your children.
I add other things to my blessing such as health, relationships, etc. I'm adding specific things for grandchildren and other family members.
I hope this walk has encouraged you in the Lord. Thank you for sharing it with me. Jean
Lance stopped by this afternoon and I asked him if he remembered when I had them saying scriptural blessings/affirmations. He said, "Not only do I remember saying them but I remember those things you put under our pillows that played them all night on an endless tape." I must confess I did.
Job 23:28 " You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And light shall shine on your ways." If we decree good things, "God calls into being that which does not exist." [does not exist down here.] He will bring it to pass. God is just waiting, hoping we finally get it and decree great and wonderful things so He can bless us.
When the Israelites gave a bad report, [voiced negative, faithless words] in Numbers 14:34 "According to the number of days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall bear your guilt a year, even forty years and you shall know My opposition."
God does not like grumbling, lack of faith and careless negative words. Praise the Lord He doesn't punish us a year for every time we grumble about something or say things like, "My head is killing me." That is prophysing our own death. I ask God to reverse my words when I catch myself saying that kind of thing. Rod & I catch each other which helps.
To start blessings over yourself or your loved ones you can start with Deut. 28:1-14 with Mize
paraphrased. "If you will obey the Lord, your God, all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you--blessed shall you be in the city, blessed shall you be in the field, blessed shall be your children, your crops,[ability to get food] the increase of your herds and flocks,[your business will flourish blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl, [your food] blessed shall you be when you come in and blessed shall you be when you go out, the Lord will defeat your enemies, the Lord will command the blessing upon you in your barns [investments/ savings] and all you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord gives you. People will see you so blessed they will fear you. The Lord will make you abound in prosperity. He will open His storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and bless all the work of your hand, you shall lend but not borrow. The Lord will make you the head and not the tail if you will listen and obey His commandments.
If you do not obey these blessings turn into curses.
Mark 11: 23,24 "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what He says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you."
All those blessings will be yours if you obey Him and believe He will give them to you. And why would He not give them to you? You are His beloved child and He wants every good blessing for you just as you want them for your children.
I add other things to my blessing such as health, relationships, etc. I'm adding specific things for grandchildren and other family members.
I hope this walk has encouraged you in the Lord. Thank you for sharing it with me. Jean
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Come Walk With Me in Obedience
God uses interesting ways sometimes to teach me about His ways.
For a while He would wake me around 2 a.m. and I would meet Him with pen and paper. The Holy Spirit would give me scriptures to read, remind me of times in my past when He worked in my life and sometimes tell me ways to pray for people. I also felt like He was teaching me to come when He spoke no matter what I was doing.
One night I was sleeping and I heard God call my name. I arose, grabbed my pad and pen and prepared to meet Him in our usual place. However, He said He wanted me to go with Him. I asked him if I should get dressed. He said, "yes". I dressed quickly and asked Him where we were going. He said He would, "tell me when it was time". I found my keys and license and went into the garage. After I unlocked the garage door and opened it, I climbed into the van and started the motor. I put the gear into reverse and started easing back out of the garage. I asked again where we were going. "That's enough," He said. "Go back to bed and I'll meet you at our usual time in the morning." I shut the motor down, closed the garage and could not hold my question in any longer. "What was this about?" "Obedience."
God said to obey was better than sacrifice. I am re-learning how God loves us to be ready to obey Him at a moment's notice.
When our kids were growing up I remember how hard it was to get them to obey quickly. It was usually, "In just a minute!" which could be anywhere from 5-20 minutes. The only way I could hurry them up was to have something on the other side of that chore that they really wanted to do then brag on their quick response.
I think God the Holy Spirit was teaching me the same way, using the same incentive. Can you imagine how excited I was when I thought He was going to have me go somewhere with Him. Usually He raises me up in the heavenlies which is even better.
I hope you meet with my Lord often and walk along together. Hope to see you there.
For a while He would wake me around 2 a.m. and I would meet Him with pen and paper. The Holy Spirit would give me scriptures to read, remind me of times in my past when He worked in my life and sometimes tell me ways to pray for people. I also felt like He was teaching me to come when He spoke no matter what I was doing.
One night I was sleeping and I heard God call my name. I arose, grabbed my pad and pen and prepared to meet Him in our usual place. However, He said He wanted me to go with Him. I asked him if I should get dressed. He said, "yes". I dressed quickly and asked Him where we were going. He said He would, "tell me when it was time". I found my keys and license and went into the garage. After I unlocked the garage door and opened it, I climbed into the van and started the motor. I put the gear into reverse and started easing back out of the garage. I asked again where we were going. "That's enough," He said. "Go back to bed and I'll meet you at our usual time in the morning." I shut the motor down, closed the garage and could not hold my question in any longer. "What was this about?" "Obedience."
God said to obey was better than sacrifice. I am re-learning how God loves us to be ready to obey Him at a moment's notice.
When our kids were growing up I remember how hard it was to get them to obey quickly. It was usually, "In just a minute!" which could be anywhere from 5-20 minutes. The only way I could hurry them up was to have something on the other side of that chore that they really wanted to do then brag on their quick response.
I think God the Holy Spirit was teaching me the same way, using the same incentive. Can you imagine how excited I was when I thought He was going to have me go somewhere with Him. Usually He raises me up in the heavenlies which is even better.
I hope you meet with my Lord often and walk along together. Hope to see you there.
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