Saturday, July 30, 2011

Joy and Cause in the Drought

DAY 226

The grass is turned to straw and stubble. Relentless sunshine continues to bake the earth, and while there are clouds, big ones that give one hope of rain, they evaporate before your eyes.

We are in a drought.

What to do?

Pray and believe, and rejoice. Like the sunflower, look up and shine. God knows our condition. He hears the prayers of the righteous.

Psalm 32:11
Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Stand fast and know that HE hears.
Isaiah 58:11
And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

Haggai 1 Interesting read on drought brought on the people because they did not attend to the house of the Lord.

We are the temple of the Lord are we attending to the holy matters of our lives?

Rejoice that God is worthy of all praise. Attend to the spiritual matters of life.
AS for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Easy to say, not so easy to do. I look at my life and wonder why so few hours reserved for Him. I desire to be like Mary, sitting at His feet, listening and drinking in His every word.

Well, I have some sitting at his feet time to do.
Have a blessed day.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Together we stand - Divided we fall

DAY 225

Congress is in the free fall of ironing out the country's future. We've all heard the saying - Together we stand - Divided we fall.

Does that mean we must compromise? Will a compromised congress stand?

Not sure, I am pondering.

Mark 3:25
And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

Found this verse, more hmm

Genesis 49:6
O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.

Ephesians 4:3
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Unity for unity sake is not always good. Think Tower of Babel. Think of mobs who destroy.

There are many more verses on fight than unity. (I found 3 on unity)

1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

*** Didn't find the word compromise in the Bible. there is reason together - 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; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Listen to the Lord, lean not on your own understanding, and let Him settle issues in your heart. The enemy is crafty and deceptive, compromise his valued tool. Be wise. And do as the Lord would have you do, believing that HE is above all and will do His perfect will over us and our land.

And pray for our country.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

What to do in a mean mood.

Storm clouds - can be pretty outside, but unsettling when they are roiling in your heart.

This morning I am battling storms. I am in a mean mood.

If I was a cat my tail would be sweeping back and forth, ears back - you get the picture. Mean.

So what to do about myself. Help Lord! on my own the wall cloud is over me and a tornado warning has gone out.



*Dig out the root cause and put it under the blood of Jesus. He can handle it.
Psalm 85:8
I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

* Deal with the mean thoughts and command them to cease

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

Ah, some refreshing coming. In His presence there is peace.

* Rejoice - shouts praises to the King of Kings

Mark 4:39
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

*Let the Lord speak Peace over you. Which means to give up the thing that is warring inside. Give it up that there is room for His peace. Notice the storm was in me, not the thing that irritated me. Once I give it up and He deals with me, I don't have to worry about the irritation. It is in His hands - as long as I leave it there.

I feel better now, skies are clearing over my heart and the Son is shining.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Called

DAY 224

2 Chronicles 7:14

14If my people, which are called ...

God called Adam in the Garden, and Adam hid because he had sinned.

Isaiah 45:3
And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
4For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

Acts 2:39
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

Mark 1:20
And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

Revelation 19:9
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb...

Did you hear His voice in the cool of the day? Has your heart leapt at the Master's voice? Does your spirit leap with joy at His calling?

Listen and follow.

Rejoice you called of the Lord. You have been called to pray for your land.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Who do you belong to?

DAY 223

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name...

Since the way to heal our land is found in this verse, I thought I would ponder on the first section.

IF my people - God is talking here.

The beginning of chapter 7 1Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.

The people saw God's glory bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

In the scriptures, after Solomon finished the temple, God appeared to Solomon in the night. God said to Solomon - I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.

God promised to hear the prayers of His people.

Are we the people of God? Set apart by the Blood of Jesus, redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus? And knowing that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

2 Chronicles 7 11Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king's house: and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.

Have we worked on the temple? Taken time to craft only the finest items to be in this body the temple of God? Chosen fine words to speak, wisdom to ponder on and to adorn our hearts? Lifted Holy hands to Praise the One True God? Bowed the knee in worship? Bowed the head in prayer? Turned from a world darkened by sin to look on His Glory? Cleansed our hearts in preparation for His coming?

First, prepare the temple, your body as a holy sacrifice and rejoice that you are His. Let His fire consume what is not holy and His Presence fill the house.
Come Lord Jesus.

Monday, July 25, 2011

IF My people...

This hot weather defines the word languish. With weeks of 100+ days behind us and weeks in front of us, you can't help but feel the heat sapping your energy.

So what are we to do?

Praying for rain and a break in the weather sounds like a good idea to me.

One look at our burnt grass and fields, the trees losing their leaves, and we know this is not good.

Hosea 4

1Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

2By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

3Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish...

6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

What to do?

2 Chronicles 7:14

14If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!

DAY 221

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

Shout these words and wake up the spirit inside you. Sometimes when I am driving, alone, I start shouting Hallelujah.

Within minutes Joy rises within me, strength flows through my veins, and my spirit lifts toward heaven.

Try it.

I began shouting His praise while driving when I was driving to Texas from California. Lots of free space out there.

One morning, my heart was full of joy and praise and I felt as if my soul was rejoicing with creation. and I started shouting Hallelujah.

When you proclaim praise to the One true God, I am convinced that creation and the angels join in and the demons flee. You are never alone when shouting His praise.

Psalm 34:1
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Psalm 50:23
Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

Psalm 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Revelation 19:5
And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Paths and Choices and Confusion

DAY 220

We live in a time that we can know so much. Read commentaries and opinions and they can all sound right. What is a Christian to do?

Matthew 7 is full of wisdom and Jesus teachings.
Verse 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

In the Greek the word for narrow means to press hard upon, constricted, narrow, straightened, to trouble.

In other words - the narrow way is not easy. I am sure it doesn't follow the way of the crowd. Goes against the flow. is not noisy, but quiet almost hidden. A path that must be looked for. A path that the one on this journey of life must push past the brambles of public opinion, societies peer pressure, and must stop and question and listen for the Holy Spirit's direction. It will not be found or navigated in ease.

That being said - the chapter starts with the verse - 1Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Christianity is a very individualistic way of life. One God, One Way, One Spirit. Not to be walked out of compulsion or fear from another. And to keep us on the narrow path, He gave us His Word.

When the world gets too noisy and confusing, stop, seek the quiet, and the One who has the answers. Unity will come from the Spirit. For He is One and those in the Lord will be One together through Him.

Seek the Narrow way. Though it be hard, it is Life.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Energy drought & what to do?

DAY 219

1 Chronicles 16:11
Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

I don't know if it's our hot weather, getting older, or a state of mind, but I seem to have lost my energy.

I have come unplugged.

1 Chronicles 16:27
Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

Reading those verses, I may have hit on the root cause. Time to plug into the things of God. Where I am weak, He is strong!

So what am I going to do? Seek His face, bath my mind in His Word and truth, and come early and often to His place.
That secret place where I can commune with my Heavenly Father.

Psalm 18:1
I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

DAY 219

Psalm 63:1
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

You would think King David had visited Texas in the summer. We're hot and dry, physically. But how is our spirit?

To be focused on the things of this world dry out the spirit. Jesus told us that we don't live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4.

One dry day, I was walking back to the house and voiced my thought to the Lord that we needed rain.

He stopped in my tracks and said 'you don't even know what you need.'

Hmmm, of course, the Lord is always right. When we're going through a dry time in our journey through life, often what we think we need -more money, better paying job, a wife or husband, and on and on, is not what we really need.

Seek the Lord while HE may be found. Drink in the goodness and wisdom of God. Water your life with His Word and His Presence in worship and praise. And see if the cracks don't close and out of your spirit flows living water.

Isaiah 44:3
For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

DAY 218

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10

Faith - trust, confidence in God. Belief not based on proof

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

Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Elijah prayed for rain. There were no clouds until one the size of a man's fist appeared. Elijah knew the rain was coming.

Have faith, there's a small cloud on the horizon.

Monday, July 18, 2011

DAY 217

I needed a reminder that it will not always be over a 100 degrees.

And as we go through trials and tribulations, we need to remember that it will not always be so for those who know the Lord.

For we have the cool refreshing promises of a God who is not a man that He should lie.

2 Corinthians 1:20
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

2 Peter 1:4

4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

So - what are the some of the promises of God?

*Nothing can separate believers from the love of God.

Romans 8:38-39

38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

*You can be sure of eternal life.

1 John 5:13

13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

These are just a couple. Go on a treasure hunt and find His promises that speak to your life and write them down. They are a strong weapon against the enemy who desires to beat you down.

*For we are overcomers!

1 John 5:4-5

4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Saturday, July 16, 2011

DAY 216

The full moon rising bright and shiny.

We still have time.

Mark 13:24
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

Many say that things will go on; the Bible isn't true.

But the same was said before Jesus was born. And He did come to take away our sins, and He will come again in Glory.

2 Peter 3:8-10

8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

The day will come. The moon will go dark.

Are you ready?

Friday, July 15, 2011

DAY 215

James 1:21-22Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Heavy words for a Friday. Or any day. But they are Truth.

As the saying goes - words are cheap. It's the action after them that counts.

Remember the good old sayings of our nations past = Be a man of your word. Where a handshake was a done deal because people owned up to what they said.

We've been given the gift of the Word of God. How do we rightly handle that? Do others see us as someone who stands by what they say? Do our actions match up with God's Word?

We deceive ourselves and plunder others when we proclaim Christ one minute and act like the devil the next. Sure we are human and flawed, but the Good News is that Jesus came to set us free.

Are you living like the free, the redeemed of the Lord?

Or are the chains of sin rattling around you, clamoring over any good word you might have to say?

Choose your words wisely and live accordingly. (really speaking to myself right now. :)

Through Christ we can do all things.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

DAY 214

I don't know why, but this picture reminds of a fantasy novel. I imagine the cat sitting on the threshold to a magical world. She knows the way, but is watching to see that no one follows.

Ahh, the mind of a writer is never without story. : )

So, what does that have to do with anything? (asking myself)

The verse of the day at BibleGateway is
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.”John 15:10

I think sometimes as we stumble along on our Christian Walk it feels like there is a hidden path that we don't know about. How do we follow Jesus? Where did that path go?

Those times when we feel like we wake up and wonder just where are we and how do we get back to Him.

God is not a Cheshire Cat that mockingly laughs as we lose our way. He gave us His Word. The clues are there if we but seek. The Way is there if we but ask. The door will open if we keep knocking.

SO, today, if you feel like you've lost your way, stop. What was the last thing you heard the Lord tell you to do? And go that way. His direction. For He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us.

The way is narrow, but He's given us the Word as a road map and a Helper that will never leave us.

IF all else fails, love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul. Love your neighbor as yourself. And when you do, you'll find your way lining up with His.

Love never fails.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

DAY 213

July 13. Thirty eight years ago today, my sweet husband and I were married. I am blessed. We still love each other and our love has grown and matured. I trust my husband. Believe in him that he wants only good for me. That day, I took on his name. A good name.

Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

When I became a Christian, I took on the name of my Lord. And over the years, I have learned to trust Him and understand that He has only good for me.

And I await the coming marriage of the Bride and Lamb.

Revelation 19:7
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

The Believers, the church, is being made ready. The hour is approaching. Let us bathe ourselves in humility and grace. Smooth our dress by praying and listening and obeying the Lord. The day is approaching and we will be ready.

Come Lord Jesus!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

DAY 212

Dreamy clouds sailing on an ocean of blue sky. Perfect for a time of wondering, dreaming, and pondering on the things of God.

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. 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Take time to wonder and meditate on the Lord. To be still and marvel at His Wonder. His Majesty. His Love.

Monday, July 11, 2011

DAY 211

1 Thessalonians 4:17
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

World got you down? Life's problems parked on you head?

It will not always be so. For we have:

1 Peter 1:4
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven
for you,

2 Corinthians 5:1-2
1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

Heaven is our home.

Take a deep breath, know that what troubles you will not last forever, that the Love of God is bigger than any problem, and He holds you in His hand.

We, who are alive in Christ, win.

Put the armor on, Ephesians 6. Encourage yourself in the Lord, and Overcome.




Saturday, July 9, 2011

DAY 210

Psalm 26:7
That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

God is awesome. His love trumps all things. And because of Him we live.

This morning I pictured my little dog rolling in the yard full of life. And then I pictured myself rolling in God's goodness. Thanksgiving covered me like a precious oil of gladness and I was full of joy.

Giving Thanks. God loves it when we stop and give Him Thanks. And because we can't outgive God, He returns our thanksgiving with joy.

It doesn't take any more brain waves to look on what the Lord has done and give thanks than it does to look on what the world has perverted and grumble.

Give thanks today. Find five things you are thankful for. They can by huge - like healing from a deadly disease, or small - like a pretty purple flower bursting from between gray leaves.

Psalm 92:1
IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH:

Friday, July 8, 2011

DAY 209

Watching and waiting with eager anticipation.

That's Jacs, our wild papillon, watching for a loved one to come home. He'll sit there, a pile of toys under him, waiting until he sees the car come down the drive.

Mark 13:37
And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.


1 Corinthians 16:13-14

(NASB) 13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

Colossians 4:2
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

What are we watching for?

Watching for the return of our Lord, the King of all kings.

Watching over those we love, our country, our friends, and following through with prayer.

Watching over ourselves to guard our minds and hearts from a fallen and perverse world.

Watching for the sweet presence and words of a loving God to guide us on our life's journey.

Watching for the schemes of the enemy to avoid his perverse way.

Watching over His Word, praying for understanding that we may not be deceived by those who persuade with slick speech for their own profit and to our destruction.

Watching for the goodness of God, singing His praises for the wonderful grace He has given us.

WATCH and PRAY.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

DAY 208

Psalm 19:7-9

7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

8The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.


In our noisy world where people are tried on TV, verdicts pronounced in polls, and judgments meted out in the public forum, I find it refreshing to know that there is One who is over all things.

God will judge all. Everyone will stand before Him. The question in our trial will be who is our mediator. IF it is Jesus, we will be declared not guilty. For He paid the price, took the punishment for our sin.

If you stand alone on your own merit, you will be condemned because of your unrighteousness.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

BUT

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Are you ready? If you were to stand before the Lord today would you stand alone?

Believe in Jesus, God's own son, who took it upon Himself to take our place that we might be declared Righteous.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

DAY 207

My word!

Words, they can bring life or sow death. The wise guard their mouths and what comes out. For even our words live forever, and all of them, we will have to account for before the Lord. Scary thought.

Best to consider that everything we say will go out into the universe. I read a poem in third grade that has stuck with me, (and that is a lot of sticking : )
It said something like -- Words are so proud, for once they go out, they can never be called back.

If we concentrate on the WORD, before we say our words, we might just catch some of those proud words before they escape.

Matthew 12:37
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

James 3:10 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Fill your mind and heart with the pure Word of the Lord, memorize His Word, and guard your tongue. Speak words of blessing and truth.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

DAY 206

Hot and dry. There are times when my soul is parched. And even though it is my doing, by walking the wrong direction, not worshiping in His Presence, I am comforted to know that He is but a breath away and will guide me to Him.

Isaiah 58:11
And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought
,...

Psalm 42:1
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.


Psalm 63:1
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Psalm 105:41
He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.

Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Ahhh, I drink of His Goodness and life flows in me, filling the cracks of a life hardened by not seeking Him. And I am alive!