...continuing on in verse 13
"She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands"
Wool from her own flocks - flax from her own fields...working hard with her hands. Though this woman most likely could have had the wool and flax brought to her by her servants she chose to work right alongside them. She found her labor to be a cheerful service and did so with a WILLING heart...far from being lazy! She sought all ways of doing good works, she knew what she was capable of, and though she may have broken a sweat in doing so she gave it her ALL EAGERLY...that means she had a keen immediate desire and expectancy to work...her mindset was "no time to waste!"
"She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar"
She is compared above the value of a ruby and now a merchant ship. What are the characteristics of a merchant ship? A merchant ship is built strong to weather all kinds of storms and to travel long distances - loyal and faithful to deliver! In comparison a merchant ship is no where as beautiful or glamorous as a ruby. We do not see a cruise liner, but a ship that is always working for the greater good of others. It doesn't just coast along, but will fight through all types of weather to reach the shores where it is needed. This woman didn't have the convenience of a grocery store or quick microwave meals or Easy-Mac to serve her family. Every single thing she did was with 110% effort and care - she never settled for less than the BEST to serve her family.
"She gets up while it is still dark: she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls"
Everything this woman does is SELFLESS...she sacrifices sleep in order to care for everyone including her servants! A lot of people dread the idea of having to wake up at 4, 5, 6 am, but I can speak from my experience those hours are some of my most intimate hours with the Lord. There is something wonderful about being awake while the world continues to sleep. I personally just happen to be the most productive in the early morning hours. I have less to distract me it seems. There is this peaceful hush that allows you to feel there will be no one or nothing to disturb you and in the quietness He whispers precious words of wisdom and reveals the beauty of His creation as a new day begins before your eyes. Let me tell you I have seen some beautiful sunsets, but nothing compares to the sunrises I have seen! As the sun rises and sends its rays through the morning mist...you can almost sense the world taking its first fresh breath of the day.
By the time everyone else wakes up (I am sure to the wonderful smell of a hot cooked breakfast) food awaits them. I know everyone can atest to how it is the best way to start and motivate your day. I can almost see her face and what joy it brings her heart to see the ones she loves and cares for content and happy enjoying the wonderful meal she has prepared for them and the fellowship they are having around the table. She continually seeks ways to enrich her families life and those lives around her. She is a spiritual mother to others...nurturing ALL those around her. This world is in desperate need of nurturers! We do not need to be married or have a family of our own to nurture...step up ladies...all we need to do is look around and reach out and love those around us...something so simple, yet so influential!
Proverbs 4:18 ~ The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day
"She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard."
This woman is wise and doesn't just profit her family by providing their basic household needs, but also goes out and finds a way to bring in a second income. She is wise with finances - EVERYTHING cycles back to her family - everything she does is profitable. She is on top of keeping a home (which alone is a full time job), but then continues to maintain a field AND a vineyard!
...I pray that this blesses you as much as the Lord has used it to bless me and open my eyes...more to come...
Monday, 15 November 2010
A closer look at Proverbs 31…Part 1 – October 24, 2010
I know many of us have heard teaching after teaching on the godly woman of Proverbs 31, but as I was preparing to teach on this woman I asked God to open up my own understanding about who this woman really is. It was just me, my God, His Word, a journal, a pen, and a good cup of coffee :)...as I took a deeper look into this woman who is godly to her very core...a most precious, rare, and valuable commodity.
"A wife of noble character who can find?"
One question always leads to another it seems - What does a woman of noble character even look like? Noble by definition means possessing OUTSTANDING qualities...possessing or characterized by or arising from superiority of mind or character of ideals and morals. I believe the noble character this woman has, came from all the treasures she possessed inside, that proved outstanding and impressive. She rises above the norm and always in thought and action represents the nobility of her Maker. This woman most likely did not look noble in appearance or outwardly seem impressive in any manner, but as we look at her we see a queen. We sadly live in a society where our physical appearance counts for so much. NOT ONCE is her outward appearance mentioned, nor do we see any concern from her about her looks. Her attractiveness is entirely from the character of her heart...this holds the highest value! Her heart is FULLY hidden in the Lord.
Ruth 3:11 ~ And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.
Psalm 45:1 ~ My heart is stirred by a noble theme
Proverbs 12:4 ~ A wife of noble character is her husband's crown...Proverbs 18:22 ~ He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
Luke 8:15 ~ prosperity and fruit
Philippians 4:8 ~ Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
"She is worth far more than rubies"
Rubies gain their worth from being rarities...they can be found hidden away 15-20 feet below the surface in the gravel and clay. Imagine how many feet have trodden over them not thinking twice that treasure lies within. No stone has had more of an influence on poetry or romance throughout history and few gems can compare in beauty or value. As the writer mentions this woman over rubies it is because they are showing she is more valuable than the most valuable thing of the time - and the value and rarity of this precious stone has not decreased since then. Did you know the perfect ruby can fetch 5 TIMES the value of a diamond the same size and quality!? However, one of the things I found most interesting is that rubies are found near riverbeds. Water is so significant...it is referenced in many different ways throughout the Bible...we know that water brings life and also draws people. I thought about Lydia in Acts 16 she was found by Paul and Silas as they were on their missionary journey by the riverbed. She was known as the woman who sold purple cloth, an expensive commodity, that was connected with the higher class or royalty. The riverbed didn't just draw her for her trade, but more importantly to prayer. As water drew these precious women together...they were being refreshed by Living Water...
John 4:13-15 ~ Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."
"Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value"
How could her husband have full confidence in her? Because her full confidence is in the Lord and she would never dream of betraying someone else's confidence - her loyalty is unwavering. She would never dream of throwing this away as she knows the value it holds in her heart to God, to her husband, her family, and her friends - she is TRUSTWORTHY! Her strength and her dignity are a result of her reverence to God. As women we tend to talk a lot...we must watch what we say to one another...though we may all despise gossip we are all guilty of it at one point or another. Let's practice valuing those around us more. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you and above all else show LOVING-KINDNESS!
Proverbs 3:26 ~ For the LORD will be your confidence
Proverbs 25:9 ~ do not betray another man's confidence
Isaiah 32:17 ~ The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
Jeremiah 17:7 ~ blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him
Hebrews 10:35 ~ do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded
"She brings him good not harm, all the days of her life"
Are you bringing your husband good and not harm even now (this includes even those of you who are still single)? "ALL the days of your life" means NOW...are you honoring and respecting your (future) husband in how you act, think, and talk about the guys around you right now? Are you maturing in Christ or in the ways of this world? Is your heart hidden in Christ or are you giving little pieces away here and there? How much of your heart are you wanting to give him? Now speaking to those ladies who are single, God has given us this time to practice and start building those qualities that will bring our future husbands good, honor, and respect. Take every opportunity because this is time you will never get back...and just imagine what a gift you will be to that man when it comes time to serve him. You will be such an asset to him - his treasured possession. Who you are will be reflected in him because you have become one!
"A wife of noble character who can find?"
One question always leads to another it seems - What does a woman of noble character even look like? Noble by definition means possessing OUTSTANDING qualities...possessing or characterized by or arising from superiority of mind or character of ideals and morals. I believe the noble character this woman has, came from all the treasures she possessed inside, that proved outstanding and impressive. She rises above the norm and always in thought and action represents the nobility of her Maker. This woman most likely did not look noble in appearance or outwardly seem impressive in any manner, but as we look at her we see a queen. We sadly live in a society where our physical appearance counts for so much. NOT ONCE is her outward appearance mentioned, nor do we see any concern from her about her looks. Her attractiveness is entirely from the character of her heart...this holds the highest value! Her heart is FULLY hidden in the Lord.
Ruth 3:11 ~ And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.
Psalm 45:1 ~ My heart is stirred by a noble theme
Proverbs 12:4 ~ A wife of noble character is her husband's crown...Proverbs 18:22 ~ He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
Luke 8:15 ~ prosperity and fruit
Philippians 4:8 ~ Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
"She is worth far more than rubies"
Rubies gain their worth from being rarities...they can be found hidden away 15-20 feet below the surface in the gravel and clay. Imagine how many feet have trodden over them not thinking twice that treasure lies within. No stone has had more of an influence on poetry or romance throughout history and few gems can compare in beauty or value. As the writer mentions this woman over rubies it is because they are showing she is more valuable than the most valuable thing of the time - and the value and rarity of this precious stone has not decreased since then. Did you know the perfect ruby can fetch 5 TIMES the value of a diamond the same size and quality!? However, one of the things I found most interesting is that rubies are found near riverbeds. Water is so significant...it is referenced in many different ways throughout the Bible...we know that water brings life and also draws people. I thought about Lydia in Acts 16 she was found by Paul and Silas as they were on their missionary journey by the riverbed. She was known as the woman who sold purple cloth, an expensive commodity, that was connected with the higher class or royalty. The riverbed didn't just draw her for her trade, but more importantly to prayer. As water drew these precious women together...they were being refreshed by Living Water...
John 4:13-15 ~ Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."
"Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value"
How could her husband have full confidence in her? Because her full confidence is in the Lord and she would never dream of betraying someone else's confidence - her loyalty is unwavering. She would never dream of throwing this away as she knows the value it holds in her heart to God, to her husband, her family, and her friends - she is TRUSTWORTHY! Her strength and her dignity are a result of her reverence to God. As women we tend to talk a lot...we must watch what we say to one another...though we may all despise gossip we are all guilty of it at one point or another. Let's practice valuing those around us more. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you and above all else show LOVING-KINDNESS!
Proverbs 3:26 ~ For the LORD will be your confidence
Proverbs 25:9 ~ do not betray another man's confidence
Isaiah 32:17 ~ The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
Jeremiah 17:7 ~ blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him
Hebrews 10:35 ~ do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded
"She brings him good not harm, all the days of her life"
Are you bringing your husband good and not harm even now (this includes even those of you who are still single)? "ALL the days of your life" means NOW...are you honoring and respecting your (future) husband in how you act, think, and talk about the guys around you right now? Are you maturing in Christ or in the ways of this world? Is your heart hidden in Christ or are you giving little pieces away here and there? How much of your heart are you wanting to give him? Now speaking to those ladies who are single, God has given us this time to practice and start building those qualities that will bring our future husbands good, honor, and respect. Take every opportunity because this is time you will never get back...and just imagine what a gift you will be to that man when it comes time to serve him. You will be such an asset to him - his treasured possession. Who you are will be reflected in him because you have become one!
To live a life of loving You…step by step – September 19, 2010
I walk this road but I am not alone...though I may stride ahead - You are there waiting
No matter where I go Your heavens remain overhead...the same moon, the same stars, the same sun
How much more is Your presense Lord
Day after day you give me life...You move me forward
Night after night you give me peace whispering Your truths
Promises I stand upon...truths I rest in
The morning fog may be thick and hide away the earth
But even though I cannot see the path, I know that with each step I take, it is there
And I know the sun will come and the fog will lift unveiling the beauty that has lied beneath it all along
The contrast from gloom to gleam makes the world seem that much more breathtaking
Leaving me in awe
And the only thing I can manage to utter is praise because nothing else on my lips is worthy enough
I know I am in Your hands and You will never let me go
You have carefully and purposefully grafted me in
My name is written on the palms of Your hands - never to be forgotten
WHAT LOVE IS THIS?
My Father, my Saviour, my Lover, my Friend
You are my Everything <3
Walking by faith and not by sight...knowing in Christ is fullness and blessing
No matter where I go Your heavens remain overhead...the same moon, the same stars, the same sun
How much more is Your presense Lord
Day after day you give me life...You move me forward
Night after night you give me peace whispering Your truths
Promises I stand upon...truths I rest in
The morning fog may be thick and hide away the earth
But even though I cannot see the path, I know that with each step I take, it is there
And I know the sun will come and the fog will lift unveiling the beauty that has lied beneath it all along
The contrast from gloom to gleam makes the world seem that much more breathtaking
Leaving me in awe
And the only thing I can manage to utter is praise because nothing else on my lips is worthy enough
I know I am in Your hands and You will never let me go
You have carefully and purposefully grafted me in
My name is written on the palms of Your hands - never to be forgotten
WHAT LOVE IS THIS?
My Father, my Saviour, my Lover, my Friend
You are my Everything <3
Walking by faith and not by sight...knowing in Christ is fullness and blessing
X Marks the spot – August 15, 2010
It takes great faith to step out into unfamiliar ground and to have a single seed that you have been called to plant. You do not know what the soil is like or how it will weather, but you do know that He has called you to that specific place...so you walk in obedience. If you give a child a cup filled with dirt, a seed, and some water, and you tell them to place that seed inside the dirt and make sure to water it everyday - that child doesn't question that the cup is too small, or if the dirt is good enough. That child will do as you instructed them because they believe when you said if they follow your instructions it will grow. Not only does it take faith and obedience to see fruit, but patience as well. "Therefore be patient,...see how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You too be patient and stand firm!" James 5:7-8 No matter if you seem to like it or not where you are RIGHT NOW is where God has called you and we need to be found faithful in wherever He has placed us. Fruit doesn't come immediately look at Jeremiah he was faithful for 30 years before he saw any fruit from the labor of his ministry - that's longer than most of us have been alive! Hold fast dear friend, great reward is bound to follow. It is too easy to run away, but you and I both know you are stronger than that! You will encounter rocky ground and stormy weather wherever you go, but do NOT forsake the seed you have put down before you have seen it bud. God is faithful to bring someone else along to finish the work and you do not want to be robbed of the blessing in seeing the fruit of your labor. Continue to watch over it, care for it, protect it, because it was ENTRUSTED to you. God has created us to be tried and tested. He wants to make sure we are not just fair-weather friends. In the face of adversity we have to humble ourselves and hold tight to the promises and eternal truths He has spoken to us. "If God sends us on a stony path, He provides strong shoes!" Corrie Ten Boom. Storms will come...it is your foundation that will determine how you handle them. We all want to hear our Master say, "Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things I will put you in charge of many things." You will truly learn the truth about the sufficiency of God's grace.
Hold these promises in your heart:
I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have COMMITED to Him until that Day (2 Tim.1:12)...He CHOSE us in Him before the foundations of the world (Eph. 1:4)...We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are CALLED according to HIS PURPOSE (Rom. 8:28)...these He CALLED He also JUSTIFIED and whom He JUSTIFIED these He also GLORIFIED (Rom. 8:30)...I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received in humbleness, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love (Eph. 4:1)....Be all the more eager and DILIGENT to make your calling and election sure! For if you do these things, you will never stumble or fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST! (2 Pet. 1:10-11)
My prayer is that we the body of Christ be found faithful with what has been placed in front of us. Despite the testing and trying and lies, may we stand firm on His truth, which we listened to and have followed forth in. May our hearts be to serve Him fully in small and great things. May our lives be used to bring Him glory building one another up as well as His Kingdom. Thank you Lord for the work you are doing in each of our lives. Praise Him at ALL times! Amen.
Hold these promises in your heart:
I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have COMMITED to Him until that Day (2 Tim.1:12)...He CHOSE us in Him before the foundations of the world (Eph. 1:4)...We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are CALLED according to HIS PURPOSE (Rom. 8:28)...these He CALLED He also JUSTIFIED and whom He JUSTIFIED these He also GLORIFIED (Rom. 8:30)...I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received in humbleness, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love (Eph. 4:1)....Be all the more eager and DILIGENT to make your calling and election sure! For if you do these things, you will never stumble or fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST! (2 Pet. 1:10-11)
My prayer is that we the body of Christ be found faithful with what has been placed in front of us. Despite the testing and trying and lies, may we stand firm on His truth, which we listened to and have followed forth in. May our hearts be to serve Him fully in small and great things. May our lives be used to bring Him glory building one another up as well as His Kingdom. Thank you Lord for the work you are doing in each of our lives. Praise Him at ALL times! Amen.
Raising an Ebenezer – August 10, 2010
I found myself singing Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing...tune my heart to sing Thy grace: streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above. Praise the Mount! I'm fixed upon it. Mount of Thy Redeeming love...then I got to the part "Here I raise my Ebenezer: Here by Thy great help I've come." And I stopped and thought what really is an Ebenezer? An Ebenezer represents a stone of help...In 1 Samuel 7:12 Samuel set up a rock as a reminder to all who passed by that it was God who brought them thus far. It is a public statement that God is always faithful to bring us through. In a sense an Ebenezer represents a fresh start. We need to set up stones of rememberance in our lives because as humans when things get tough we need that reminder that the Lord's mercy never fails you. We need to keep walking forth in confidence. But what does it mean to have FULL confidence in God? To rest secure in His arms and to walk boldly in His strength...Proverbs 3:26 tells us, "for the Lord will be your confidence". Everything and everyone will fail you at some point or another - a hard fact - but we as Christians have the hope that He will NEVER fail you! This should drive us to put our full confidence in Him and in Him alone. Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. Hebrews 10:35 DO NOT THROW AWAY YOUR CONFIDENCE, it will be richly rewarded. Over and over we are promised that we will receive blessing and an inheritance if we place our everything in Christ. He never promised us that it would be easy, but He did make a way for us that "this is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." Friend whatever is on your heart right now that is causing heaviness or anxiousness and you feel overwhelmed cling to that Rock that is higher than you, that Ebenezer, which tells the testimony of His faithfulness in your life. Walk confidently even though you may not see what He is doing right now, but know He is still working, and using this to strengthen and grow your trust and faith in Him. He has brought you this far "be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will COMPLETE it until the day of Jesus Christ." Phil. 1:6
Leading the Blind – July 7, 2010
I am in awe of God's faithfulness...I don't know why I always seem so surprised because that is how He always works...faithfully. He always slides everything right into place. It is funny because we as Christians are constantly asking the Lord to break and humble us and when we actually are we are shocked and turn around crying "Why Lord?!" We expect an answer right away and His response is just...wait and see - for He is always good. Wait?! And we face two roads...one is that of self-despair, where everyone along it cries "Woes me!" on this road are many objects and distractions because on this road people are looking to see what else they can get their hands on to be their security blanket. This road leads to bitterness, false hope, and ultimately self-destruction. Then there is the other road, this road may seem empty compared to the other, because the only thing to hold onto is one man, Christ, ready to be your refuge and stronghold. He is ready to take hold of you...to lead you and guide you. I chose to cling to Him, to run to Him as fast as I could, and to trust Him alone. This road the past couple months hasn't been easy and I have encountered my share of bumps and bruises, but I get back up know He is holding my hand, teaching me to put my full hope and security in Him. If God didn't take certain things away from me He wouldn't have been able to bless me and grow me further in the way He desires for me. For He knows the plans He has for me, plans to prosper and not to harm me, plans that give me a hope and a future! Sometimes that means God taking things away, in order to present you with something greater. And sometimes there is an in between, in which you have to wait and ask and seek and knock. Consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be MATURE and COMPLETE, not lacking anything! He hears your cries, He knows your thoughts, He knows what is in your heart. And when you feel like you have nothing left and you are broken still know you have a reason to live, a motivation to continue on, a reason to sing. No matter what the season He never ever changes, but remains the same. HE REMAINS! He is teaching you and showing you that He can be your EVERYTHING! Let Him be your everything and you will never be disappointed. There is no one on this earth that can offer you that. Rejoice in the Lord always I will say it again REJOICE...Whatever is TRUE, NOBLE, RIGHT, PURE, LOVELY, ADMIRABLE - meditate on these things...Learn to be content whatever the circumstances...You can do everything through Him who give you strength...Our God will meet all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus - Philippians 4. Do not worry He will guide and place you where He wants you.
The Lord knows the plans he has for you
Take this word and hold it true
I pray he will lavish you with all his blessings
And give you surprises to keep you guessing
To have the adventure you are wishing for
To live a life you have never dreamt of before
This is not the end only the beginning...
May we never stop chasing after Him!
Lots of Love,
Anna
The Lord knows the plans he has for you
Take this word and hold it true
I pray he will lavish you with all his blessings
And give you surprises to keep you guessing
To have the adventure you are wishing for
To live a life you have never dreamt of before
This is not the end only the beginning...
May we never stop chasing after Him!
Lots of Love,
Anna
The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want -- June 26, 2010
Recently, I have been thinking a lot about how the Lord is my Shepherd. When I was a little girl my parents would put me and my sister to bed and our lullaby would be Psalm 23...The Lord's my Shepherd I shall not want...He makes me down to lie...in pastures green He leadth me...the quiet waters by. It was one of our favorite songs and if our parents forgot to sing it before we said our prayers Lindsay and I would always remind them by starting out the song prompting them to sing with us.
My bedroom would turn into an open field with the greenest, softest grass, the kind in which you could lie down and be enveloped, hidden away. I would be lying underneath a large oak tree who's branches stretched out to stroke the sky, as the warm breeze blew through it's branches.The only sound would be the trickling brook that ran beside me. Here was peace...here was rest...what more could I want?
I have a Shepherd who leads and guides me. He directs and watches over my steps. He is my protector, making sure no harm comes to His lambs from any direction. He would risk His life in order to save mine. In fact, He did just that!
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. We are prone to wander, yet He is willing to time and time again leave the flock for a moment just to get you back. John 10:27-28 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall NEVER perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. He calls to us gently...His love comes softly. Isaiah 40:11 <3 He tends to His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads...We are His prized possessions though we may be ignorant and foolish He desires us still! If that doesn't touch your heart I don't know what will.
I have been blessed to travel the world and everywhere I go I stand in the midst of a flock who's heart is for their Master and I am blown away. All these people love the same God I love and each have their own personal relationship with Him, and yet He cares and takes notice if I slip away. I am breathtaken. We have a Shepherd that pours out to us daily so that we can be drawn near. He has and will always love us with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness He has drawn us. Jeremiah 31:3
My ever constant prayer -
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
My bedroom would turn into an open field with the greenest, softest grass, the kind in which you could lie down and be enveloped, hidden away. I would be lying underneath a large oak tree who's branches stretched out to stroke the sky, as the warm breeze blew through it's branches.The only sound would be the trickling brook that ran beside me. Here was peace...here was rest...what more could I want?
I have a Shepherd who leads and guides me. He directs and watches over my steps. He is my protector, making sure no harm comes to His lambs from any direction. He would risk His life in order to save mine. In fact, He did just that!
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. We are prone to wander, yet He is willing to time and time again leave the flock for a moment just to get you back. John 10:27-28 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall NEVER perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. He calls to us gently...His love comes softly. Isaiah 40:11 <3 He tends to His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads...We are His prized possessions though we may be ignorant and foolish He desires us still! If that doesn't touch your heart I don't know what will.
I have been blessed to travel the world and everywhere I go I stand in the midst of a flock who's heart is for their Master and I am blown away. All these people love the same God I love and each have their own personal relationship with Him, and yet He cares and takes notice if I slip away. I am breathtaken. We have a Shepherd that pours out to us daily so that we can be drawn near. He has and will always love us with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness He has drawn us. Jeremiah 31:3
My ever constant prayer -
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
An Outstretched Hand – June 12, 2010
Our lives change as naturally as the seasons...some may seem better than others, but when looking at the broader picture they really all flow perfectly into one another. Seasons work together to produce the very best...A storm may be rolling in. The forewarning signs of the sky turning a crazy shade of a greenish gray, the wind picking up, and with it bringing in an eerie hush, which is quickly broken by the cracking thunder and lightening. The rain pelts the earth, testing it's limit, sometimes carrying on longer than it has before. Shortly the thunder and lightening ceases, the rain lessens it's speed, and the storm rolls out as naturally as it rolled in. The most beautiful moments are after the storms. The sun never seemed as bright, the earth never seemed as green, and the fragrance never seemed as sweet. Sometimes our moments of greatest sacrifice are the precise moments of our greatest most miraculous blessings. God allows circumstances to test and refine us. Psalm 66:10, 12 "For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver...we went through the fire and the water, but You brought us to a place of abundance." Deut. 13:3 "The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul." It is a pattern we see over and over that when God takes from us - He takes with fire...it is how He deals with those who are prepared to obey Him WHATEVER the cost. (Numbers 31:23) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego really experienced what it meant to be thrown into the fire, and yet amazingly they were content in it! Their eyes were not focused on the scorching flames around them, but on the "Son of God" (Dan. 3:23). We too in our trials and storms, must look for the hand of God, take hold of it, and cling to Him. If our focus is on the Lord, He will give you spiritual eyes to see beyond the chaos, which seems to be raging all around you. BE STILL and KNOW that HE IS GOD! (Ps. 46:10). Things will continually change in your life that's a given, but He will never change. He will never leave you nor forsake you.(Deut. 31:8) Everything will someday dissolve, so what manner of person ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness? (2 Pet. 3:11) May we be able to say whatever my lot Thou has taught me to say even so IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL! Remember friend this is just a season to refine and strengthen. We have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-2 If our hope and our future is in Him alone you will never ever be shaken and you will find yourself exceedingly abundantly blessed. For in Him you have been enriched in EVERY way! 1 Cor. 1:5
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