DAY 199

Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Trust defined - to expect confidently.

The word originated from one that meant - comfort.

Are you expecting? Confidently?

I think many times our trust is little better than a wish. We might call it hope, but scratch the surface and we're really playing a lotto game. Maybe this will work out. Maybe, I wish....

Let's sit by the still waters and think on high things. The Living God who promises to give us Hope not wishes. Who is trustworthy and good.

Expect that He is watching over you. The Author of our faith. He will see us through whatever we are facing.

So, expecting confidently let us be comforted in the knowledge that the Lord sees us, knows us, and that...

Isaiah 12:2
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

DAY 198

To be cloudy or not? The question of the morning.

Also a peek inside of my mind this morning. To trust or not.

Bright clear blue skies of truth and trust are at the moment assaulted by gray clouds of doubt.

To Trust or not - that is the place I find myself in this morning.

Duh! I know the answer. Of course I will trust in the Lord. Only problem is my mind and body seem to be lagging behind. They want to say we will trust when we see how it will happen. Which is not trust.

Romans 8:25
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Romans 12:12
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Psalm 91:2
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Hallelujah! My God is All. I place my trust in Him. If He can create all things with a word, how much more can He watch over me and my household!

Setting my feet on the path of trust. Focusing my eyes on the One who is worthy of all trust. And rejoicing that HE would let me slip to fall on my knees so that I can see His goodness.

I love You, Lord. All for You.

DAY 197

1 Peter 1:17
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Fear - reverence, acknowledging that God is God over all.

Have we grown too flippant with God? Not recognizing Him in all His glory and power?

He is not the big sugar daddy in the skies.

He is Lord of All.

Holy.

Acts 9:31
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Many strive to grow churches. Maybe we should be about our Father's business by walking in the fear of the Lord, recognizing that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Pray, Listen, and do as the Lord would have you do.

When the people see the church walk in the fear of the Lord, When they see that God is real and His people bow their knee only to Him, And when the Son of Man is lifted up, He will draw people to Himself. He will add to their number.

Acts 2:47
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Walk humbly before God, Fear and hear Him, and Rejoice That He is!

DAY 196

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Psalm 27:14
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Romans 8:25
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

WAIT!

How often do we believe and forget to wait.

Like Sarah and Abraham we doubt and think we must go ahead and do whatever it is we are wanting. And then we give birth to an Ishmael. A wild mess. We're worn out with worry and fret. Busy trying to fix our mess, make our plans work, and we doubt.

Instead - Pray, Ask, Believe, do what the Lord would tell you to do, and then wait in unseen hope and trust.

The Word promises we will not be disappointed.

Let's soar with eagles.

DAY 195

Genesis 1: 31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.

Psalm 96:3
Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

How wonderful and amazing is our God!

Look around see how many wonders you can find. Flowers of all shapes and sizes. Butterflies and moths with bright colors.

Green lush grasses, majestic snowy mountains, rushing rivers.

Life!

Without God, there is nothing.

Take time today and list wonders that you find.

It is a wonderful life.

DAY 194

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

Psalm 27:5
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

The secret place? Where do we go to find this secret place? What a mystery.

Romans 16:25
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - and His church.

God in us, one body of Jesus as the head. The Holy Spirit our comforter. God's secret tabernacle built on the Rock.

The Secret Place is not a where but a who.

Jesus the Cornerstone on which the Church is built.

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

Go to the Secret Place, Abide in the shelter of the Almighty, and Rejoice as He abides in you.

DAY 193

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36 KJV

One of my favorite verses to describe the human condition is:

Matthew 23:24
... which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

How many of us fret and worry over so much - like worrying about buying more clothes when the closet is full, paying bills, what is so and so going to do, what am I going to do, what did they say, what did I say, who is going to run and win the presidency -- but neglect thinking about eternity.

It is important to exercise your right to vote. But whoever wins is temporary.

Who you choose to serve is eternal.

Everything you work so hard to get is temporary. When you leave this life, it stays. But where are you going?

Many hope they go to heaven. Take the time to study the Word of God and know that you can be assured where you are going.

Doesn't eternity mean more than our short life-span on this earth?

Chose life. Choose to believe Jesus and that He is the Son of God, come to give His life as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of the world. In Him is life. Life eternal. Choose Jesus don't perish.

DAY 192

Deuteronomy 1:21
(God Said)... fear not, neither be discouraged.

Deuteronomy 1:28
(The people said)... our brethren have discouraged our heart

1 Samuel 30:6 (what to do)... but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Ever wake up and feel a storm of oppression coming against you and your household?

Storms will come. Winds will blow. Some will say things to discourage your heart. But God and His Word will not be shaken.

Rejoice! God is bigger than the biggest storm and His love unshakable. Shout praises to the One Who IS Bigger Than All Things. Proclaim His Word to the four winds. Decide that you and your household will serve the Lord.

And watch the storm in your heart become smaller. For Nothing can stand between us and the Lord if we turn to the Lord and trust Him.

Storms will come. But we have the One who calms the storms in our hearts.

The only question--Which one will we look at?

DAY 191

Psalm 23:2
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

It doesn't get any greener than that. The picture is from the Flint Hills of Kansas.

Pondering the verse, I wondered why He(The Lord our Shepherd) would have to make the sheep (us) lie down in the green pasture?

But isn't that how we are? Jesus came to give us abundant life. So why are we constantly running around trying to grasp what He has already given us? The old grass is greener over there syndrome.

Jesus knows exactly what we need and when. Trust.

Look around and number the blessings and wonders. They are there. Eat of the goodness of the Lord that He has provided.

Luke 12:24

Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

DAY 190

The Sweet Spot

Genesis 22:17
That in blessing I will bless thee...

In sports, the place where you hit the ball and never feel it but it goes true and far. No jolt, just sweet.

In the Christian life - when you bless someone and the blessings overtake your efforts. Sweet.

I hit the sweet spot this last week on our vacation. My husband and I took his almost 90 year old father to visit his brother in Iowa. An 800+ mile drive and we were blessed.

I didn't look at the trip as a burden or chore. I love road trips. A few remarked at what a good thing we were doing. That surprised me. And I realized we had stumbled into a sweet spot. Where by our blessing others, we were blessed far more.

My husband and I got to have a relaxing time together, we saw beautiful country, I got info for a book I am writing, we visited old friends and were greatly blessed by them, and we were able to see where my husband's father was raised.

In blessing, we were tremendously outblessed.

You just can't outbless God.

Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

DAY 189

Sun rising through the trees.

Psalm 36:9
For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light

Psalm 112:4
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous

Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Seek the Light of the Lord and when you've found it, let it shine.

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine....

DAY 188

To preach or not to preach - that seems to be the question Christians are tangling with today.

"You can't preach to the people. They don't want to hear preaching." Heard that one before?

Matthew 4:17
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Well, that ought to satisfy the WWJD crowd. (What Would Jesus Do)

Matthew 10:7
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Not just Jesus, but He sent His disciples to go and preach.

Romans 10:15
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

We are to preach the good news. Not damnation, for the world is already aware of that, but preach that God sent His Son that whosoever believes will not perish but have eternal life.

So go, preach the Good News.

Don't buy into the tickled ears group who says we mustn't preach to people.

If we don't tell them the Good News, who will?

DAY 187

I love the book of Ephesians. Set aside time and read it. Let His Word settle inside of you and take up residence in your heart.

Ephesians 1:17-23 ¹⁷That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: ¹⁸The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

¹⁹And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, ²⁰Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

²¹Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

²²And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

²³Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

The world is dying to know that God is real. What they don't want is religious regulations. They want to see an Almighty God.

So where has all the power gone? His Word says it is available to those who believe to heal the sick, cast out demons, set captives free, even raise the dead.

Doubt and unbelief eat at the faith and power available to us. Even Jesus could do no great thing in his home town because of doubters.

Surround yourself with the Word, play it in your car, read it aloud, gather with other believers.

When we put aside the doubt and unbelief and go after the things of God, then will the world notice a difference. And when the Son of Man is lifted up, He will draw people to Him.

Believe

DAY 186

You're saved, but are you filled with the fullness of God?

Ephesians 3:19
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Acts 2:4

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost...

Acts 4:8
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost...

Acts 13:52
And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Philippians 1:11
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Filled? Makes me wonder what am I filled with? Things of the world, food, and entertainment, troubles and problems. Contrast that with being filled with the fruits of righteousness and the fullness of God.

It's our choice.

The Believers waited for it in the Upper Room, praying in one accord. The Power from on High that would enable them to do great and mighty works to save many for the Kingdom and it came as a mighty rushing wind.

Without being filled with the fullness of God, The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, we are without the power. The world is dying, souls are being lost.

What are we waiting for?

Beside Still Waters

In this crazy, sped-up world, how much more do we need to be led to the still waters?

So what are still waters?

Sheep don't want to drink from a rushing creek, they want still pools of water to drink from. We are the Lord's sheep.

It's hard to hear the Lord and drink in His Word if we're in the mainstream of the hectic world. Take a break, not at the Golden Arches of McDonald's but in a quiet place where the noise, drivings and strivings of this world are muffled.

Find that place in a park, your literal closet, a library, even a church. But go there and let the Lord fill you with His peace and wisdom and strength.

Just like a lamb will die without water, so too will our souls languish without spiritual drink.

Thirsty? Get quiet and drink from the well of the Lord. Only He can satisfy that thirst.

He is the Real Thing.

DAY 184

1 Chronicles 29:11 KJV Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

Look to the Lord for hope, salvation, and every good thing.

He has the answer, is the answer.

Seek Him while He may be found.

DAY 183

Psalm 27:4

⁴One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

Curious about what God is like?

Read the scriptures.

The Book of Psalms is full of clues to His character. David, the writer of many of the Psalms was known to God as a man after God's own heart. David knew God.

Acts 13:22 ...I (God) have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart,...

As you read, ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and understanding. Highlight verses that speak to your heart.

If you've been hurt by your earthly father or others in authority over you, your view of the word 'father' may be warped. Ask the Lord to reveal God's pure Father's heart to heal your view.

God is beautiful, majestic, too wonderful for us to understand. He is to be held in reverent fear and at the same understand that He is love.

Now is the time to learn Who God is. You won't be disappointed.

DAY 182

A pretty picture of a bright and cheery sunflower.

So, what's your picture of God? Is He the big meanie of the old testament or the sugar daddy in the skies of the post-modern view?

(whoever came with the term post-modern? Sounds like we're going backward: ) and by the looks of things we just might be)

Anyway, who is God and where do we fit in?

*He is the creator of all.

Genesis 1 ¹In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

*He is faithful and merciful.

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

*He is the only true God, He is just, and our Savior.

Isaiah 45:21
... and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

*God is love.

1 John 4:8
... for God is love.

*God cares for us

Luke 12:6-7

⁶Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

⁷But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

*So much so that God:

John 3:16

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

Search the scriptures, pray, ask the Holy Spirit, and discover who God is and what He says. Then worship Him for who He is in truth.

DAY 181

Psalm 23 ¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

What do you want? What a question, do we even know the answer? Advertising tells us what they think we want or need. Just how much does that drive our motivation? Do we really need the newest, latest, gadget or goody?

Psalm 34:10

...but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

Could much of our frustration be over wanting things that are not for our good? Are placing things above our relationship with the Lord the cause of not getting what we want?

John 10:10
The thief (Satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am (Jesus) come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Big clue - Jesus came to give us abundant life. He is not a liar, so we must have abundant life when we seek and talk and walk with Him.

The enemy - he comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Steal our faith, kill our belief that God is good, and thereby we are destroyed.

Fact - God is good, He came to give us abundant life, we shall not want.

Whatever you have need of - pray and believe.

Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

DAY 180

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 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.

Praise the Lord. I say, "I can't wait!" Then wonder, am I ready? Are those around me ready?

Thank You, Lord for Your patience and mercy.

Guard your hearts and minds for the enemy is prowling about seeking whom he can devour.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul - for the day will come.

Be ready, draw near to the Lord while there is time.

That day will come.

DAY 179

Psalm 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Thanks to soldiers now and past who have put their lives on the line to preserve and protect this country.

Thanks to all who work tirelessly to serve others.

Thanks to pastors who give their lives to shepherd believers in the truth.

Thanks to parents who train up their children in the way they should go.

Thanks to God, who provided the way back for wandering children, that they may know the One True God by the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Praise the Lord and walk in His way.

DAY 178

Bold!

But what do you do when there is no boldness to be found within? When the world is crazy, the wicked prosper, and whatever good there is around - is cast down as evil.

Good people suffer and die. Why?

Is there an answer? Comfort to give to those who are perishing?

The psalmist in Psalm 73 asks similar questions. The answer he finds:

Psalm 73 16-17 ¹⁶When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; ¹⁷Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

Could it be that such questions and pounding against our faith comes when we are shortsighted?

When we see this life on earth as all there is, and forgetting what comes ahead, an eternity with the Lord, we look to the right and to the left instead of up.

Luke 21:28
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Ephesians 1:18
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Keep the faith, your eyes looking heavenward, and know that He will make all things right.

DAY 177

Ever feel like you were meant to soar high but someone was holding your strings, keeping you flying low?

Sometime those strings are merely God's statutes held by His loving hands.

Psalm 19:8
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Proverbs 6:23
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

The Lord is not a party pooper. He sets His commands for our help. As we learn to follow His ways, we will soar without fear.

Psalm 42:8
Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

Trust Him, live according to the ways of the Lord, and rejoice!

DAY 176

A love note from God.

We all need encouragement from the Lord and each other.

It's easy to forget that we have an enemy who pounds us 24/7. His job is to sow disbelief into the hearts of the faithful.

Pray for eyes to see and ears to hear the things of God. Immerse yourself in the Word, prayer, praise, and worship.

Cultivate friendships with those of the faith and encourage one another in the Lord.

The stakes are high.

Hebrews 3:13-14 ¹²Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

¹³But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

¹⁴For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;