July 31, 2016

Sometimes in our journey through this life we find ourselves in a place where we feel that God is not listening or at least not answering.   We cry out to Him in our distress but do not seem to get a response.   Been there?   Well, we are in really good company because even King David feared a quiet God.   In Psalm 143 David pleads for a response from God.  "Answer me quickly, O Lord!  My spirit fails!  Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit.  Let me hear you in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust.  Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."    (143:7-8 ESV)   When we find ourselves in that pit, we would do well to remember David's words and take them as our own.  

July 30, 2016

We are called as Christians to give God thanks for everything.   Psalm 118:28-29 reads, "You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.  O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever."  (ESV)  It's easy to be thankful and praise God when things are good:  when you get that raise or when you are celebrating an event with your family.  It gets a little harder to give thanks to God during more difficult times:  when the family car needs new tires and there is no money left or when two kids and the dog all have the stomach bug.  And how to we find a grateful spirit when things are just down right bad?  A bad heath diagnosis or getting fired from your job can put some of us over the edge.   I Thessalonians 5:18 directs us to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  If we look fully into the face of Jesus we can feel the peace and love in all situations and we should be earnestly grateful.  Thank you Jesus.        


 

July 29, 2016

Colossians 4:2  "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."  Today was a full day of prayer for me.   My mother had some pretty serious surgery today and I have a friend with a really big need right now so most of my day was in conversation with our Lord.   Mom came through her ordeal pretty well and is resting comfortably tonight.   Thank you God.   My friend's situation is slowly improving so I say thank you God again!   How incredibly lucky we are to have a God who listens to our prayers and always has an answer for us.    There is so much power in prayer and in handing over our concerns to our Father in heaven.   Thank you God!  

July 27, 2016

Psalm 55:1  "Give ear to my prayer O god, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy."  Whenever we find ourselves in that place where we so need God's mercy and love, all we have to do is ask for it. Prayer is so powerful.   In times of pain, pray to our Lord.   In times of burden, pray to our Lord.   In times of repentence, pray to the Lord.   God will hear our cries!  

July 26, 2016

I have spent a huge amount of time this week at the Boone County Fair.  I love the fair!   I enjoy reconnecting with old friends.   I enjoy eating elephant ears and ice cream from the Shake Stand.   I enjoy the exhibits in the community building and I really enjoy watching kiddos participate in the livestock shows.   Today as I sat in the stands in the show arena and watched my grandson, and several others, show their animals I felt a pang of sadness for the ones that did not get the blue ribbon.   All the 4-Hers worked so hard to get to the fair and the day was so hot, I wished I could give them all an award!   Sometimes the reality of competition is a hard one.   Clearly there can only be one winner.   Someone gets the blue and many others get red or green or nothing at all.   As I was feeling the pain of those who left the arena with nothing except disappointment, it occured to me that with our Lord we all win!   Jesus wants all of us to be the winners!    He does not want to leave anyone behind.  Our victory comes from Jesus and for that we all should be shouting AMEN!  Thank you, Jesus!  Jude 24-25 reads, "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time, and now and forever, Amen."  Jesus will give each of us a blue ribbon as we stand before God!    

July 25, 2016

I have just been reflecting on our last few days as we have been enjoying the county fair with our daughters and their kiddos.  It has been incredibly hot!   We have had late nights and early mornings!   There has been some stress but very few harsh words or grouchy children.   God has just blessed my little heart so fully this weekend!   I am so grateful for my family.   I am so grateful that we live in this particular community.   I am so grateful that our grandkids are involved in good, wholesome activities and have good friends.   I am so grateful that I am healthy and able to climb bleachers and tote coolers. God is very good indeed!   What are you grateful for?    How has God blessed you?   Think about big blessings and tiny blessings....they all are from God!   Today why don't you begin a blessing journal.    Every day find and record one thing that was a blessing for that day and write it in your journal.   Then pray to the Lord thanking Him for that blessing.   You will be amazed at the end on one week how many wonderful things the Lord has provided for you.   Ephesians 5:20 says to "Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ."      

July 24, 2016

"My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him".  (Psalms 62:5)   The Lord gave me another scripture about waiting today.   I guess maybe this is a lesson that is important and He knows I have not mastered it yet!   Isn't it funny how that happens so often?    God just knows what I am lacking and He speaks directly to my heart.  This verse says to wait only for God and to wait expectantly.   I love that!   We are told to expect that God will give us direction and lead us down the path.   When I move ahead without God I am really only cheating Him.    I am saying that I do not think He is big enough or strong enough to take care of my needs.   Ouch!    I am telling God that I can do things on my own.   Oh goodness!    When I put it that way it reminds me of our three year old grand daughter who always thinks she can move ahead without a hand from an adult but often that ends in bruises and tears.   Just like me when I fail to wait upon the Lord.  I am bruised and tearful when I fail to wait.   I am bruised and tearful when my expectations are for earthly things rather than God in heaven.    Lord, thank you for your Word and your message!