DAY 89

Psalm 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Seek the Lord and let Him make your path right. Let Him fill you with joy. A joy that is not based on conditions but on Him. In the midst of trials and troubles, His joy is readily available.

The worldly treasures are fleeting, but God's are everlasting. Nations can turn on a dime, companies disappear, savings and pensions evaporate, but the love of God is forever. Life in Him is eternal.

Knowing Jesus as the son of God, accepting His sacrifice for your sins, and being adopted as an heir to God's kingdom opens the heavenly kingdom for His followers. There may be trials, but you will never walk them alone.

God is good!

DAY 88

Wind

Do you know how hard it is to get a still picture of wind? And even then it's not the wind but the effects of the wind. I tried sending little dandelion seeds floating on the wind, but couldn't catch them in the act.

John 3:7-8 ⁷Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. ⁸The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

And maybe that is the point. The Holy Spirit is not to be manipulated or figured out by man. Rather we will soar on His Presence, hear His sweet words, and know that God is in us only because HE is the Great I AM. And only on His terms.

And then only by faith.

Ask the Lord to reveal Himself, to come into your heart and make peace between you and Him. And then rejoice as you are born again. Afterward, you may not look different, but I know others will see the change in you.

DAY 87

Perspective

It's easy to judge until you see from another's view. Easy to say harder to do.

And the view we should attain is through the eyes of the Lord. Look at others through the eyes of a loving and just God.

Not to turn a blind eye to sin, but to understand that we are dust. When a brother stumbles, pray for them, for the time will come when we will trip and need that tender mercy.

Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

DAY 86

I'm back : ) Was on a retreat for a few days.

Jesus stepped away from the world and friends. If he needed to, how much more do we need to take a break from the pressures of the world.

Mark 6:31

...Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while:...

Take time to rest in the Lord. Get away from the burdens of this world and seek Him.

It's in the quiet place, a place where we can give our full attention to Him, that we can learn to lean on the Lord. Eat the manna of His precious presence and renew our life in Him.

Get away...and go to Him.

DAY 85

Psalm 34:14
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

How simple does that sound?

Good words to set for a standard of life.

Depart from evil - doesn't sound too hard, except evil has a way of sneaking in. Just the evil we let in on our TV's should clue us in how easy it is.

Do good - be kind, do unto others what you would like done to you.

Seek Peace and pursue it - this can be an elusive one. In this crazy world, many suffer from lack of peace. Seek the Lord, talk to Him and then take time to listen. Read His Word. If a verse stands out and speaks to your heart, memorize it, speak it aloud, and write it down.

God is good!

DAY 84

You looked but did you see? I know they are blurry. It's my impatience showing. : ) But what beautiful little flowers.

How many things do we pass by and not see? How many people do we ignore? And how many of God's blessings do we miss?

The yuck things of life--problems, offenses, disasters, disease, crazy people --are not hard to spot.

Why is that? Are we looking for them? The news does. And they show a product that people want. Some have tried Good News newspapers and they didn't sell.

Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

The answer - keep our minds on God, His Goodness, and His promises.

DAY 83

Despite my slow moving day, a result of a lazy Saturday, spring fever, and allergies, my spirit is exploding with joy.

In fact, now that I think about that, I do feel energized. Amazing how quickly our flesh can line up if our mind and spirit seeks the Lord.

So too, if we watch the news and see a world gone crazy, we can take comfort that the Lord has it all under control.

Psalm 113:4
The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.

Whatever we are dealing with on this earth, we can be sure that the Lord is above it all, His glory triumphant, and His plans for us good.

Trust in the Lord.

Psalm 125:1
They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

DAY 82

WE had freezing temps last week and spring this week. Where did this busy little bee come from?

But he was ready. Soon as the weather warmed he was out gathering pollen for the hive. Amazing.

God's creation is amazing. He has set the mountains in place, set borders to stop the seas, and placed the stars in the heavens in just the right place so that life on earth can exist.

A study of God's creation will lead one to find proof of the existence of our Creator.

The world spouts evolution as truth. IT is not. A mere theory with an agenda to undermine the faith of believers.

Look around. As winter retreats and spring comes forward take a look at the trees and flowers, the stars and sun and moon. And know that the One who made it all, also knows you and cares for you and has made arrangement and plans for your life. Even before the foundations of the world. HE knew you.

DAY 81

The world strives to conquer others. Nations rise and fall, companies devour one another, and people bully one another.

BUT as Christians, we are more than conquerors. We are above the fray. Our home is in heaven. When the world gets to be too much, world events spin out of control, and life's problems overwhelming, look up.

Jesus overcame the world. Get your mind on heavenly things, and know that our destiny is out of this world.

Romans 8: ³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. ³⁷Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Live big and live bravely -- The world can't hold us, not even death, our destiny is eternal and with our Father in Heaven. Heaven awaits us, God is with us, and Jesus will never leave us. Be a light to this dark world and go boldly into the day. We win!

DAY 80

Reflections

1 Cor 15:⁴⁸As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

⁴⁹And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

⁵⁰Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

⁵¹Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

⁵²In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

YES! Victory in Jesus.

DAY 79

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” - 1 John 4:10

Isn't it amazing! These trees have no say in the morning sun shining on them And in the same way, we have no say on the love of God that shines on us.

But when we realize it, feel His warmth, His love and say yes to Him, acknowledging the sacrifice of His Son - wow!

Rejoice in His shining love.

DAY 78

I love this Live Oak. It has created this wonderful space for me to sit under and write and wonder and pray.

Reminds me of this verse:

Psalm 91:1
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Where is the secret place? Or what is it?

I believe it is the secret, private place where you meet with Lord.

So how do we dwelleth there? Hmmm, Seems to me this is the place where we abide with the Lord.

John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Then again, perhaps this is where the Holy Spirit abides with us forever. Not necessarily a physical place but a spiritual place. Spirit to spirit where we commune with our Father in Heaven.

Cling to God, worship Him, and abide under the shadow of His protection.

DAY 77

Cold days = fires in the wood burning stove = someone had to chop the wood.

Prepared. To make ready beforehand.

I looked up the word prepared in the Bible - too many good ones to choose from. Both from God's view - where He has prepared for His people and from our viewpoint - where we need to prepare for Him.

1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Gives me tingles to think of the Most High God preparing good things His people.

DAY 76

Have you got the power?

Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

According to this verse, first is the power and then we can be witnesses.

Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: ⁸For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Luke 11:13
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

God promises to give the Holy Spirit to any who ask in Jesus Name.

Be sure and get the power.

DAY 75

Excitement! The Promise? Play ball.

Too bad I can't get that excited over such a little thing. But then my dog's mind is not cluttered with stuff. I told him we'd play ball, and he took me at my word.

So, why don't I get so excited with God's Word and His wonderful promises?

Must be my cluttered mind.

Luke 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

My mind has a lot of that clutter.

The Lord has called me to write. So why do I waste time with other things?

Father I ask for a mind clear of doubts, one that is focused on You and the thing You have called me to do.

Hallelujah! My God promises to give me the desires of my heart Psalm 37:4

I am excited. !!!!!!

DAY 74

Sunshine and ice

Psalm 51:12
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Isn't it amazing! It is the Lord's salvation for us. The responsibility is out of our hands and into His. God arranged for our salvation. Not by our works, but His.

On the cross, Jesus said "It is finished."

He did it. God in human flesh paid the price for my sin, your sin, the sin of the world.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Notice it does not say for whoever does a thousand good deeds, but whosoever believes in him.

What Joy! Believe in Him and live. Forever!

DAY 73

Matthew 10:29
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

Matthew 10:31

³¹Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Freezing arctic air is blasting down into Texas. Brrrrr.

I got up and saw 6 little birds huddles by my back tire trying to keep warm.

How do such small creatures survive such cold blasts?

Praying for all the animals and people that must brave these cold days.

DAY 72

A picture from the other day and for the coming day. Another cold front with snow and ice predicted.

Another storm.

Storms of all kinds are on the horizon. Our nation is surrounded with enemies. Both recognized and not recognized.

Heard today some of the Mansfield schools are supposed to learn Arabic and Arabic culture. Hmm? A little like FDR commanding the schools to learn Japanese or German.

So you can see that the following verse was crafted for me for this day.

“[Love for Enemies] “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” - Matthew 5:43-45

So let's confound them with the Truth and love them into life!

DAY 71

What a difference a few days make. The first picture is from Saturday, the next one today, Monday.

Hard to believe?

The picture proves there was ice and snow. Three days later it doesn't seem possible.

It doesn't hurt to take 'pictures' of the times we know God has worked on our behalf. These pictures can come in the form of a journal, a note card, a verse typed and taped to your mirror.

In the heat of a hot dry summer, I'm going to look back on these pictures of ice and snow to remind myself that it will not always be a 100 degrees.

When walking through dry section of your journey, look back to the times when you saw God's fingerprints on your life.

They can be times you saw an awe inspiring sunset,

or held a newborn baby, a high snow topped peak, or meadow of lush green grass and flowers.

We've all had those moments. The times when we knew there was something else out there. A presence bigger than life. The One who made all things.

Store up those thoughts and images, for the dry times will come. Be prepared. Counter the doubts with proof.

James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The enemy works in the doubts of mankind. Fight him with your proof. For the devil is a liar. And all his temptings are rooted in doubt.

Prepare your case, keep a list of your proof when you knew God was there. And know that you have an advocate, Jesus, in heaven presenting your case to the Father.

Read Hebrews 11 for a record of the faith of others.

Keep a faith record of your own. Review it often and add to it when you have new proof of the miraculous hand of God. They don't all have to be big things, but often are small. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you remember them and write them down.

DAY 70

Super Sunday

It's the day of the big game. The snow melted, sun came out, and I would say a lot of people's prayers were answered with a beautiful day.

Amazing that millions of us can come together to watch a game and hopefully some funny commercials.

Enjoy one another.

And imagine a time to come when millions of us will gather together to worship the returning King.

That will be a Super Day!

DAY 69

LOL It's me! My birthday!

I am blessed beyond my imagination.

My God who knows the number of hairs on my head, He knows the good plans He has for me, and the Great I AM gives me snow every year.

My parents - loving mom and dad who await me on the streets of gold.

My brother - a good man. We don't see much of each other, but I am blessed to have him as my brother.

My Sweet Husband, Jim, - The Lord told me he was the greatest treasure in my life. And God knows what HE is talking about. Love my man.

My Son, Joshua. A good man with a good heart and strong hard-working hands. I love my son.

All my family, and my wonderful friends. All blessings in a mightily blessed life.

Thank You Lord, for all Your blessings. I am rich in what matters.

DAY 68

Isn't it beautiful?

God's glory blanketing the earth. Covering the stubble and weeds. Making the earth look new and clean and pure.

The air is cold but smells so fresh.

Isaiah 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

Look at the snow and know that through the blood of Jesus we are clean in the sight of God.

Wear the robe of His righteousness, your sin is gone, and you are pure.

Hallelujah! I love snow. I love the what Jesus has done for me. Delight in the goodness of God. Dance in the snow and His pureness.

DAY 67

John 15:17
These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Nothing like freezing temperatures to bring out the idea of warmth. Praying and checking on neighbors to see that they have electricity, firewood, food.

Suddenly, we see the human condition of our fellow humans. We all need to be kept warm. Sheltered from winter's cold tantrums. Comforted in life's storms.

And while this is good, we should expand our vision and seek the well being of our neighbor's eternal condition. Do they know the Good News?

Let the hard times shake our complacency. And along with shelter, food,and aid, give out the Good News. In the end, that is all that will matter. Consider the eternal condition of your neighbors.

DAY 66

Whew! Another cold day. And then the electricity went out. Just a rolling blackout, I found out fifteen minutes later.

Made me thankful that the Holy Spirit doesn't go out. For those who know the Lord and are sealed with His Promise of the Holy Spirit, we have access 24/7. No power outage with the Lord.

But there are times and season.

It will not always be so for those who deny the Lord.

Be ready.

2 Thessalonians 7-8

⁷For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

⁸And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

DAY 65

Brrrr. What a difference a day makes.

Change - one thing you can be sure of.

Some good, some bad, some frustrating, some enjoyable, some exciting.

We change, others change

BUT

Malachi 3:6
For I am the LORD, I change not;

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

He is our anchor in storms of change. He is our constant when all around us whirls in confusion. His promises and Word we can count on. He is forever. He will not change.

That we can count on!