God Goes Before You – Monday, 10/22/18

We went up on the mountain this past weekend. The first time my husband took me on the Talimena Scenic Drive was back in 1973 and it was on a gold Honda motorcycle. I should say attempted, because back then there were no trees lining the ride up. It was not so pleasant and finally I asked him to please turn around. We didn’t make it all the way to the lodge then. The next attempt was later and it was some easier for me. Finally, after all these years, it’s a piece of cake. We know that road like the back of our hands. And I know, after years of experience with this man of mine, that he can be trusted to get me safely up to the top and back again. We’ve been through other things together as well and he’s proven trustworthy all the way.

Oh beloved, life is a lot like a mountainous, curvy, dangerous, overlook filled highway. You are going to want to turn back many times along the way. In fact, you may have turned back a time or two. God is not there to leave you in your fear with no hope of ever making it beyond that fear. He has given you many fresh attempts to go again. And you are going to make it. Because you are going to know that He is trustworthy and He never takes you where He won’t watch over you. You’ve been through a lot of things already and God has gotten you safely there so far. The fears of your youth have melted away because of the trust you have developed in Christ towards the Lord. You already know that the Lord was not AWOL when you went through rejection. He wasn’t out of the country when you were lied to or lied about. He didn’t skip out on His duties while you were in your deepest disappointment. The Lord stays the course with you all the way. This is no ordinary barely gonna make it across the mountain life you have – it’s supernatural, extraordinary, and unprecedented. You’ve begun to look so full into the fact of your King that you don’t even notice the heights nor the depths of what you go through. You just notice that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is with you all the way!

God loves you and He’s for you and that’s your reason for going the distance. Run to Him this morning and give Him all the glory for your life, your passage, your calling, your destination. Enjoy the ride with Him and live in the Light of His overwhelming tender loving care!

Psalm 31:14 But I am trusting you, O LORD, saying, “You are my God!”

Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

Isaiah 46:4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime–until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.

Psalm 16:2 I said to the LORD, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.”

Up Close and Personal

We went to discuss our weekend plans in person with one of our daughters and her hubby. We could have talked on the phone but then it would be yes, let me ask him. And I would have said the same thing. In person the conversation goes much better and ideas are understood with clarity.

When we talk to the Lord we are not on a phone line. We aren’t up against static or misunderstandings. We talk in person with him. Does that make any difference to you in how you look at prayer? It sure does me. Up close and personal is our God. Jesus made the way, tore the veil and secured the relationship that is personal all the way.

Oh beloved, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. But guess what? He loved you! He gave His Son for you! He knows you just the way you are, very personally and up close. He knows everything about you. And He loves you and has agreed to be your King, your Guide, your Ever-Present Help all the way. It’s personal! You don’t’ have to worry about Him misunderstanding, not getting the message or walking away without answering. He doesn’t demand sacrifices, He just wants relationship. And you are who He wants relationship with. He doesn’t count dirty dishes against you, nor does He disapprove of dust bunnies under the table. You don’t have to work yourself to death in order to be in His presence. Jesus paid it all! Jesus made the way! Jesus is even right now interceding for you!

God wants to remind you how loved you are. This love is generated from Him and comes through Him. His love covers the multitude of your sins. You are forgiven, chosen, redeemed, renewed and made right because of His love towards you. This grace that you now stand is was given to you as a gift – undeserved, unmerited, unearned. It’s a love gift. And beloved, your only gift to God has to be a love gift – the gift of giving yourself to Him with unabashed abandon. And give yourself to Him over and over, often, without regard for your own life – in the storms of life, in the darkness you encounter, in the messiness of living, in the heartaches, the disappointments, the regrets. When you would rather give up, give it to Him. When you’d rather things just go smoothly, keep walking through the rough spots straight to Him. Your life is not the sum of your troubles, but the overwhelming multiplication of all He is for you! You are in Christ and that’s the most awesome place to be!

God loves you and because of that love He is for you. He’s not motivated by anything but love. Rest easy today beloved and run to Him with arms wide open, for that’s how He’s waiting for you. Rejoice and give thanks to Him for all this relationship means – spiritually, emotionally and physically. And LIVE for the One who knows you best and loves you most – all the days of your life!

Hebrews 10:6 In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight.

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

Hebrews 10:19-22 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.

God Is Stirring Change

 

We have new internet and tv service at our house. The clarity of the tv is obviously improved and the speed of the internet as well. We are thrilled. We’ve waited seven months for this and we are not disappointed.

When I called to cancel the other service I was amazed. The technician offered us money to stay with their product. I was amazed because their price kept inching up and we had called several times asking for discounted service and were told there was nothing they could do. Then I got a call from another technician saying they would drastically reduce the price. I said too little too late.

God speaks to my heart. When He calls for a change in our life, not everyone will understand. And the enemy will offer to make it lucrative to stay where we are. But you can be sure that where God calls you to change is where He will bless you.

Oh beloved, God is with you! He is stirring you to seek Him in greater depths than ever. He is offering fresh faith, fresh fire, more power and love. He is preparing to increase your divine thinking to put you in the right place at the right time. It is God opening the door you see before you and it will always line up with His Word. But the enemy will try to convince you, either directly, or through your emotions and will, that it’s not safe to move out in faith. You may feel that you are standing at a precipice and you will fall face forward into the chasm of unknown depths – but God is calling you to step out into His will and He holds you all the way. Even people may not understand what you are doing – but you don’t live for the applause of people nor do you wait for their permission. You live for the applause of heaven and you are responsible to obey the Lord and seek His face for everything.

God loves you and He’s for you. He works in mysterious ways. If you wonder if it’s really Him leading you, seek Him in prayer, fast if you need to, and look at His Word. Don’t let fear or intimidation cause you to stay put when God is calling you out. Don’t let the enemy say you’re too old, it’s too late or you don’t have the wherewithal. Your destiny is to live for the Father, respond to the Savior and walk in the Spirit as you live in the Light of His perfect plan for your blessed life!

Deuteronomy 13:4 Serve only the LORD your God and fear Him alone. Obey His commands, listen to His voice, and cling to Him.

I Thessalonians 4:1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more.

Colossians 2:6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him.

2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight

His Pharmacy – Tuesday, October 17, 2018

A couple of years ago I had a blood workup at the medical office we go to. Among the things I found out was that I am low on B12. So I get a shot every month. Each time I go I am reminded that it seems like every woman I knew back in the 60’s had one of these shots. Now that I take one, I can tell you it is very important. I’m going to keep taking B12 as long as I need it and get that booster every month.

Oh beloved, maybe you don’t need a B12 shot. But you can’t go without a shot of the Word every day. It’s more than needful. It’s imperative. For a healthy Christian, the Word is a must. Without it comes lethargy of spirit and pretty soon we find ourselves despondent and discouraged. The Word is more important than your necessary food. It is the cure for uncontrollable sorrow, unrelenting heartache and unmanageable fear. Not a single bad side effect comes with the Word.

God wants you to know that His Pharmacy is the best in the universe. He knows how to build you up and His prescription is free. He has given you free access to all the Word so that you can live free of the enemy’s lies and go forth in your life with power for living on the hardest days.

God also calls you out of darkness and into His light. He says come unto Me and I will give you everything you need for life and godliness. He’s never going to say I told you so, it’s too late or you made your bed now lie in it. He says Come to Me, welcome home, I can fix you and your situation, I love you, I have more mercy and grace for you always. His medicine is alive because He is the only Living God! Because of this He hears every call you make to Him. And because He loves you He will always hear and answer you. He’s a redeeming God, and He’s a restoring Savior. You are in the best hands you can ever be with Him. You are loved, beautiful, adorned and made perfect by His touch!

God loves you and He’s for you. Don’t forget your medicine, the Word of God, each day. Don’t’ forget to take a double portion and watch as you begin to revive in the Spirit and move forward without impairment as you live in the Light of His Wonder Working Power!

Job 23:12 I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a delight to me and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts.

Psalm 119:103 How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the

The Weather Has Changed

To say the weather has changed is putting it mildly. We went from running the a/c one day to turning on the heater the next day. I didn’t want to and neither did Danny. But the cold seeped in and it was imperative that I knock the chill out. Danny even got me a pair of thick sock booties to put on. Freezing is not my favorite pastime!

There are lots of suddenlies in life. Some are good and some are well…chilling. What will we do when the chill comes. When the temperature changes overnight and we wake up to a totally different situation than we went to bed with? We go to the Source, who daily bears our burdens and wraps us up in His loving arms and warms us from the inside out.

Oh beloved, are you chilled by what’s going on around you? You didn’t expect it and you didn’t deserve it, but suddenly things have changed and you aren’t sure what’s going to happen. The power you need to change things is more than the power of prayer. It’s the power source of the Only Living God. Sometimes He acts quickly and heat is restored to your extremities. Other times He works at a pace that seems much slower than He should. What is He trying to do? Toughen you up? Yes and no. He wants you tough in the Spirit, so that when these chilly days approach you are prepared. But tough in the Spirit won’t change you into a hard-shelled cynical unbeliever. Your expectations of God’s response has to be – “I know He hears me when I pray, I know He is with me and I trust Him to work it all out in His timing and the best way ever.”

What warms your Spirit in the chilly days of life? Trust, hope, faith, rest, peace, joy and worship. Finding another believer who as the spark to tell you the truth in love – you won’t die, you don’t have to give in, God will make a way. We all want sympathy but what we need is a nice big ember on the fire of our hearts to warm us and give us momentum to move on in the Spirit and live the life we have with courage and the fire of the Lord in our bones! You can do it, beloved, you will make it and God will get the glory for the outcome of your life! It’s not time to turn off the light and go to bed, it’s time to turn on more Light and rejoice in the warmth – God’s Light brings the fire of the Spirit!

God loves you and He’s for you. Even if the enemy has set a chill over your life – you aren’t bound by outward circumstances. The weather will change outside and in your life as well. Hold on, praise Him through it all and live in the Light of His promises that warm your soul every single day of your life.

Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:15 — And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

 

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