Notice Your Blessings!

Each day is filled with so many blessings I doubt we'd be able to count them all. Our sight, hearing, taste, touch, and sense of smell are receptors of thousands of blessings at any given time!

Have you ever seen the sky so blue that it made you smile? How about the sound of laughter, the kind that is so uncontrollable and contagious you join in? Have you ever smelled dinner rolls loaded with butter fresh out of the oven? Have you tasted a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter's night while watching the wind blow from the warmth of your living room? Have you ever touched a rose petal to discover it's velvety cover and smelled the scent that comes from it being crushed?

Jump into today's blessings with abandon! Like a child throwing themselves into a pool on a hot summer's day! Run and jump! Let His grace and mercy flood over you as you sink into His love. Drench your entire being! Enjoy the gift and joy of today! 

And while you're at it, be sure to say "Thanks!"

Every Moment is a New Beginning

 "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV

God will make a new way. Each year, each month, week, day, and even after each incident. If we have strayed, and gone onto the Freeway of Failure because we missed our exit, the Road to Righteousness, He will, if we come before Him in humility and repentance, forgive us and put us back on the Street of Salvation. It's never too late to start again. When practicing a pitch, it may take hundreds of throws again and again to get it just right. We must notice what the right throw 'feels' like. We must forget the wrong way and concentrate on the right way. So even in our everyday life, we are following what this verse says. So apply it to your life.

God will help us! We don't have to struggle! Just stop looking at the old thing. We can't move forward if one leg is in the past. Allow God to do a new and wonderful thing! He knows the way and will make it clear to you. We are so blessed by His compassion!

May God bless your day!  

Today

 "...and peace filled all the land. Once again laughter rang out, children played, and all was well once more."

God bless the United States of America!

Your Glory

Your glory fills the temple, O God. Your glory is in all of creation! The tallest and most majestic tree and the newest seedling breaking forth from the earth show Your glory. The grandest field of flowers and the great expanse of the desert floor show Your glory. The sound of the angelic choir and the sigh of a newborn baby show Your glory! The floating ballet of a butterfly and the harsh stampede of an elephant herd show Your glory! For it is all around me, in all I see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. It is in my heart and the thoughts most dear to me. It is in my breath, and my will, my soul, and my existence.

Your love for me is so unheard of, so immeasurable that I can’t put words to it. It’s part of Your glory, just like the morning sunrise and evening sunset put the sky on fire with brilliant colors.

Let my life glorify You, O God, in all that I think, say, and do.

Your glory shown on Your friend Moses’ face. It must have glowed like a beacon in the night, causing the children of Israel to fear you. Show me Your glory. Open that door that can’t seal Your beauty because it is so great it spills out from the very pores of the wood.

Let me live to glorify You, O God! Let all that I do and all that I am bring You joy.

The Israelites were allowed to see Your glory as You went before them in a cloud. They heard Your voice, as did John the Baptist and all those who were around the Jordan when Jesus was baptized. Oh, to see what they saw! To have been able touch His arm, to see His eyes sparkle and hear His laugh!

Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all the day (Ps 71:8). You give glory to Your children. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Ps 84:11).

I want to have a renewed heart, I want to be transformed so that I consciously put You first in all I think, say, and do. I want to change my life so I may give You the glory. Help me to know You better.

O how I love You. My heart swells with the joy of knowing I am Yours! It leaps in my chest knowing You are near. Consume me with Your love and make the desires of your heart mine as well. Give me the words to share. Remove the doubt and anxiety of my thoughts for writing. Let me be Your hand in what I write. Let Your voice be heard through me, and allow my own words, born of a heart that seeks Your face, bring new life to others. Let our words be a beautiful symphony to the ears of the lost.

Work through me again, O God, and let me bask in Your love and grace. Let all men know that I am Yours. I love You!

Your Servant,

Deirdre

I Look to the Mountains (10 months later)

Dear Reader, 

About six weeks ago I posted what I had written ten months previously about the turn our country was taking. I had expected to write again within a few days. I apologize for keeping you waiting. Please forgive me. More has happened in the past ten months to destroy the United States and its reputation throughout the world than at any other time in our history.  As he sat in the Oval Office signing Executive Order after Executive Order, arrogantly destroying everything we had accomplished in the previous four years to make this country great once again, he smiled. And why? Because Donald Trump had done all those things that made people start to feel good about their lives again. The left hates President Trump with a passion, even now, ten months into Joe Biden's administration. He or Speaker Pelosi or most on the left (RINOs included) cannot talk about anything without invoking Donald Trump into it. 

I admit I was very surprised at the election results. How could this happen? Why would this happen? Because as I mentioned in my last post, the devil comes only to kill, steal, and destroy. The first thing Mr. Biden did was to fire 40,000+ men and women working on the pipeline. Just like that! And one thing after another got signed, destroying our country more with each stroke of the pen. 

As was happening to many of us I got very caught up in what was going on. I was constantly reading the news and hearing of the outrageous policies that were taking effect. I believed that the great land of liberty was being destroyed from within, more and more each day that passed. Darkness was filling the land, and evil seemed to be laughing in the face of the saints. As days turned into weeks and weeks into months of never ending disappointments, I could feel my hope waning. I became so consumed with how our country was no longer the land of the free and the home of the brave. Politics and those in authority took advantage of every opportunity to repress us and condemn us, and the future was going to be even worse. What is evil is called good, and what is good is called evil. Everything is blamed on covid, a weapon from hell itself to conquer those who God loves.

My heart was broken, my soul was battered, and I felt so helpless, as many of you did. I understand it's not just here, but all around the world. Over the months the landscape became as twilight, still light, but mostly dark, a time that makes it difficult to see clearly the details of what is in front of us. And there is a lot in front of us.

I came to realize that my life was miserable because of the lies and destruction that was bearing down on us all every single day. I realized that I had replaced what used to consume me, my love for Jesus, with worldly worries. So many times Jesus told us to fear not, that He would never leave nor forsake us. I had forgotten what it felt like to sit at His feet and drink from His cup. Lately I asked for mercy to hold me together and it did. I asked for grace to rain upon me, and it does. I saw where going off the path had led me, into a place of death and horror, a place with no hope. That, dear Reader, is not a place we as born again Believers should ever be. I had begged God to come and get me, and He reminded me that He was already here, had never left. It was I who turned and walked away. Not deliberately, but with each complaint that came from my mouth, with each terrible thought that ran through my mind, I journeyed farther and father away from my safe place and my Savior.

I truly believe that a Great Awakening has in many ways already begun.  The lies are being exposed, and the truth is that the United States of America is a great country, a place where people want to come, because it holds for them a promise of something good. This is not a racist country, we welcome all who want to come and live according to our laws. My own grandparents crossed the great Atlantic from Austria and Ireland for a new life here. They became citizens and learned the language and contributed to their communities by working hard. 

Millenia ago God chose Israel as His own. They didn't ask, He chose. But on 29 April 1607, Robert Hunt, a minister who sailed to the shores of Virginia from England with 104 other men, led them up a windswept dune at a place they named Cape Henry, in honor of the king's elder son. There they planted a seven-foot, rough-hewn oak cross, which they had brought with them from England. At that spot, Hunt prophetically declared, "From these very shores, the Gospel shall go forth to not only this New World, but the entire world.*" So Robert Hunt and the men who arrived with him, dedicated this land to God. In other words, we chose Him. It is my belief that God very much honors this. Because of this, the devil wants nothing more than to totally destroy this country; and he knows his time is getting short. 

Reader, you and I were born for such a time as this. Why? Why are we here now? Why not 100 years ago or in 100 years to come? Because God has a purpose for this land we love, and He has decided that it is you and I who will fulfill His desire. What is it that He wants us to do? What is the greatest commandment? "Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you." (Matthew 22:37 Passion Translation). But He didn't stop there; verses 38-39 in the NKJV tell us, "And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Remember we "don't wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph 6:12. 

I am running back to the arms of my Savior. I have been trapped in this dirty world for too long. I strayed. I lost my way. But as I run up that dusty road, there is a light, a light so bright it almost blinds me. It is the glory of God that has been in front of me all the time just waiting for my return. Yes, Lord, open my eyes that I may see! The twilight hour for me has passed. It is the dawn of a new era, where we don't walk alone, but are surrounded by heavenly angels and Jesus Himself is our guide. So try to not let the news overwhelm you. God has given us the authority over the hosts of hell. The battle is ours, but the victory is His! These times too shall pass. Have a grateful heart because we are being tested. We won't fail because we don't fight alone. And love your neighbor, help them find the light too. In these times we need to be with others. We need to help where we can, and pray always.

Remember the story of when Jesus fell asleep in the boat and a storm came out of nowhere? Here these veteran seamen were terrified (as we can get, I did) about what would happen to them in the midst of the biggest storm of their life. They trembled, they must have worried about their future, and the only thing they could think of doing, was to wake Jesus up and cry out in anguish that they were going to die. And remember what He did? He stood up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm." Rebuke this storm that may be consuming you. You have the authority to do that! And decree, "Peace, be still!" Let your faith and your trust in God rule your life. He is the one who created us, and He is the one who holds our lives in His hand. Worship Him, come back to Him if you have been away. These things that have us angry, confused, disappointed, and afraid will surely pass away. We will, if we open our heart and our eyes, see Him working through all this. The devil doesn't stand a chance. He is the eternal loser (I read that in Tim Sheets' book, Angel Armies on Assignment.) I love the name, don't you? 

We are here to witness God's glory in the land of the living with our own eyes. Who says we are not a chosen generation? God bless you my brothers and sisters. We'll be fine. How can we fail? We have the King of kings on our side!

* from The Light and the Glory 1492-1793, by Peter Marshall and David Manuel, 1977, 2009

"I Look to the Mountains"

Dear Reader, I wrote the following last 14 December 2020 but didn't post it. I will follow up in the next few days with my thoughts from now, 10 months later.

"Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1

Dear Reader, 

My heart is filled with joy and anticipation! So much so, I could burst if it weren't all safely contained in this body. What a wonderful time to be alive! What amazing things will I see or hear today?

You may be sitting in your easy chair or at your desk, or somewhere else wondering what's so good about today? If you live in Central Texas like me you may be chilly and looking up at the dreary, cloudy sky feeling as forlorn as the woodsy animals must who are also cold, and gathering what food they can for their winter meals. 

What in the world is so good about today? There is an evil in the world that has taken over the airwaves and it seems all that is seen or heard is that covid won't go away for a long, long, time. People are getting sick, and some are dying. Businesses all around the world have closed, churches on all four corners of the earth are not fellowshipping because our governments are telling us we will be fined if we dare to try to feed our families, with grain or with Spirit. Here in the States our First Amendment rights have been taken away. We are not allowed to share our thoughts, and our freedom of speech, because tech giants are shutting the cyberspace down if we are not in agreement with them. Our freedom of religion has been taken away because 'experts' think that gathering together to worship our God will cause a super-spreader event. Of course, these 'experts' and government officials are surely not people who know or care to know the God of the universe. They just want control. If you'd like to steal, kill, or destroy (gee, isn't that exactly what the Bible says the devil comes for?) that's okay. Hundreds can gather to beat up old people or people whose apparel may not be to your liking. They can, and are encouraged by those in government office to do so. "Resist" they shout, inciting riots. I am amazed at the disrespect to the office of the President of the United States. Other elected officials forget that there is decorum and it is an honor to serve the country, its people, and the Constitution. Many of them have forgotten that we are not a socialist or communist nation. We founded this country on godly values. We are different from every other country because we kept God in our Constitution, our Bill of Rights, and our Declaration of Independence.

Then of course there is an election going on here in the United States. It's quite the spectacle, really. The media has declared the winner! The media! Not the states, but the media! This is all just too much to take for so many people here in the States. I know that there are similar problems all around the world. And yet, with all this, my heart is filled with joy and great anticipation. Why? Let me tell you.

So many people have fallen for the blatant lies and deception that fill our eyes and ears all day long. So many are putting all their faith in the Supreme Court, who seems to let them down with every decision they make about the election. Many see the end of the greatest nation on earth if the Democrats are declared the winner. Suicides and depression are prevalent all around the world.

But even with all this, there is something very important to remember. We generally see with our worldly eyes. We see the pain, the sorrow, the anger, and the hatred. We have bills to pay but no income to do that. Our children aren't allowed in schools in many places. We hear the shouts and disgusting comments being made by the media and elected officials. We easily fall into the trap of feeling helpless, and even worse, hopeless. But we must remember, even though sometimes we may feel that even God has given up on the USA because our sins are so great, He would never give up on us. He has promised to never leave nor forsake us. In our greatest times of trouble, what does He do? He saves if we call Him. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus as he was miraculously walking on the water, he saw the world, the waves, the impossibility of what he was doing. He saw through world-filled eyes, not Spirit-filled eyes. He lost sight of his Savior for even just a moment, and began the descent back into the dark waters of the earth. But he had the wherewithal to cry out, "Save me!" and a holy hand reached down and grabbed his and pulled him back up onto the surface of the sea. I'm sure Jesus put His arm around Peter and comforted him as they continued to walk on the water. 

This is exactly where so many of us, all around the world are. We have been traumatized by the constant bad news that is spewed at us all day long. We hear it at home, in the store waiting on line. It's everywhere. All bad and getting worse. My friends, just turn it off. The enemy always uses a megaphone, and our Savior speaks softly. President Trump or Joe Biden can't save this country from itself. The Supreme Court can't make it all better. We have forgotten that the Almighty is the one who raises kings and brings them down, not our votes. We have forgotten that Jesus carries the government on His shoulders, we don't. We are asked, "What can man do to me?" I guess quite a bit, but only Jesus can give us eternal life. Which will it be, go along with the mainstream even if it is against everything you believe in, or turn your eyes to the only One who can make it right?

I believe it is time to start looking with spiritual eyes and listen with spiritual ears. You won't want to miss what our Lord is saying in these times!

Psalm 20 (TPT)

 A Song of Trust

(For the end times, by King David)

“In your day of danger may the Lord answer and deliver you.

May the name of the God of Jacob set you safely on high!

May supernatural help be sent from his sanctuary.

May he support you from Zion’s fortress!

May he remember every gift you have given him

and celebrate every sacrifice of love you have shown him.

Pause in his presence

 

“May God give you every desire of your heart
and carry out your every plan as you go to battle.
When you succeed, we will celebrate and shout for joy.
Flags will fly when victory is yours!
Yes, God will answer your prayers and we will praise him!

 
“I know God gives me all that I ask for and brings victory
to his anointed king.
My deliverance cry will be heard in his holy heaven.
By his mighty hand miracles will manifest through his saving strength.
Some find their strength in their weapons and wisdom,
but my miracle deliverance can never be won by men.
 

 “Our boast is in the Lord our God,
who makes us strong and gives us victory!
Our enemies will not prevail; they will only collapse
and perish in defeat while we will rise up, full of courage.
Give victory to our king, O God!
The day we call on you, give us your answer!”
 

Dear Reader, like King David, we must keep in mind that our victory is in the Lord. He is fighting for us. When it all seems lost, remember, for those that have asked Jesus to be the Lord of their life, and recognize His death for us and His resurrection, there is beauty to even the worst ending. We will join Him in heaven and spend eternity with Him. But even while we are here on earth, we can feel Him, we can talk to Him, and we can cry to Him. When it all seems futile and lost, instead of giving in to the depression or anger, lift your eyes to heaven. Do you know that the Creator of everything in the universe is watching over you with so much love in His heart we can't even comprehend a speck of it? Yes, He really is! And He doesn't just sit on a really big throne throwing lightning bolts around; oh no, He is walking with you. He goes into battle with you. He will never, ever, not be there for you. There will be times when you may feel that way, believe me, I know, but just because it feels that way doesn't make it true. 

It's very easy right now to be afraid of our future when all around us we are losing our freedom and constitutional rights. But the evil that exists in high places will be brought down, and the righteous shall rise! There is much to look forward to, so keep your eyes open and see what God does. He is exposing the vile lies every day and calling out the wicked. He will not leave nor forsake His children. He is bringing the truth out, and the enemy (Satan) doesn't like it one bit. 

When it feels you just can't take it anymore, start praising God! Sing! Find a Christian song and sing along with it. When you are praising God you can't think about anything else. You actually forget yourself, which a moment ago was the most important thing. When we praise and worship our God, we humble ourselves and keep ourselves submissive to Him. That's where the beauty is. That's where the healing is. That's where hope has been hiding. Come back to Jesus, accept that He is in charge of it all, and His outcome is much different than what the wicked ones are trying to make happen. 

Tell Him thank You and that you love Him. It will make you feel better and it will make Him happy too. He loves to hear from us. 
 

Psalm 12 (TPT)

 Song For The New Day

"Help, Lord! Save us! For godly ones are swiftly disappearing.

Where are the dependable, principled ones?

They're a vanishing breed!

Everyone lies, everyone flatters, and everyone deceives.

Nothing but empty talk, smooth talk, and double-talk.

Where are the truthful?

"I know the Lord will not deal gently with people like that!

You will destroy every proud liar who says, "We lie all we want.

Our words are our weapons, and we won't be held accountable.

Who can stop us?"

May the Lord cut off their twisted tongues and seal their lying lips.

May they all be silenced--those who boast and brag with their 

high-minded talk doing whatever they want.

"But the Lord says, "Now I will arise! 

I will defend the poor, those who were plundered, oppressed, 

and the needy who groan for help.

I will arise to rescue and protect them!"

"For every word God speaks is sure and every promise pure.

His truth is tested, found to be flawless, and ever faithful.

It's as pure as silver refined seven times in a crucible of clay.

Lord, you will keep us forever safe, out of the reach of the wicked.

Even though they strut and prowl, tolerating and celebrating

what is worthless and vile, you will still lift up those who are yours!"

Dear Reader, in times such as these here in the United States, we must be steadfast and sure in our knowledge of God's love. The wicked will not win, Jesus already has. Let not your heart be troubled, keep it fixed on Jesus, for the peace you need is found in Him. Don't camp in the news of the world, the wicked are sure that their rules will prevail, but they forget Who can change any outcome in the blink of an eye. The wicked will soon be gone, and there will be freedom and joy throughout this great land. Keep praying, keep hoping, and keep believing! 

"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31 NKJV)

Thoughts from Last Year (The Beginning of the Chaos)

Dear Reader, looking back on last year's writings, I found the following. A lot of what was true then is still true today, in that chaos and fear have found a place in these great United States.

Amid the fear and hysteria the media has globally caused, there is still peace and calm among those who see with spiritual eyes. Fear begets fear, so people are buying the stores out of necessities, not for a moment concerned about their neighbors or friends. It is a frenzy that is not helping matters. The devil loves to create chaos and rule with fear and worry. So many have fallen for the lie that if we don't buy everything now we will either starve or apparently die of germs. 

"Day by day the Lord watches the good deeds of the godly and He prepares for them His forever-reward. Even in a time of disaster He will watch over them, and they will always have more than enough no matter what happens." (Psalm 37: 18-19 TPT, A Song of Wisdom)

Don't be afraid. Don't worry about tomorrow, "for tomorrow will worry about its own things." (Matthew 6:34 NKJV). Start believing in miracles again! Look for them everywhere! Take notice of how much your pantry actually holds. What haven't you used that's sitting on the shelf? Find a new recipe for those noodles. Heat up that soup. Look through your freezer and find a forgotten meal. Discover the goodness of God! He won't forsake you. 

In Matthew 6:26, Jesus said, "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" Of course you are! You were made in His image! He loves you. He will sustain you. The stores will restock. Don't allow desperation to determine your life; instead, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)

Let God be God. Let Him take care of you today. He waits for you to release all these fears, worries, and despair into His care. He has already paid for your salvation with His life. Why would He fail you now? He wouldn't! "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." (Proverbs 3:6)

Go about your day trusting in God. He said He would protect you. He has given His angels charge over us, to keep us safe. Don't fight Him. Release it all, praise His holy name, and go forward with your day. Share what necessities you have with someone less fortunate. It truly is better to give than to receive. Count your blessings! I am praying for you.

16 March 2020

Psalm 23:2

 "He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters." 

Once again David extols God's virtues of protection, concern, and nurturing. When our lives are in turmoil, as so many are today, we may tend to get overwhelmed while feeling we have no control of our own lives anymore. We feel lied to, heartbroken, confused, and afraid. Evil is showing its ugly face everywhere we look these days. 

We must remember what verse 1 told you--the LORD is your Shepherd and you shall not want for anything. He has taken care of you since you were conceived, and He promised to never leave nor forsake you. We, ourselves must listen to His voice and do as He says. He sees the end of these problems in our lives when we can't. 

His love for us is so immense, so pure, so real, so tangible in fact, that we can feel Him if just let Him touch us. When we feel overwhelmed, we need to take a break and be still. Close our eyes, take a few deep breaths, inhale, exhale, be calm. Imagine walking with Jesus, you are on a meadow so green and beautiful. The air is clean and crisp, but not cold. He tells you a story as you walk and smiles as you see yourself in it. You stop where you can see the lake not far from you. It is so clean, so calm, there are butterflies all around the meadow flowers, and fish are jumping in the lake. The tall grasses bend slightly in the breeze and you take great pleasure in the company you are with. Here is your Shepherd, your Caretaker, your Confidant, your very life itself sitting with you and telling you stories of how much He loves you. 

The peace that overtakes you once again is welcomed by your heart, body, and soul. You relax completely and feel the worries of the world drift away. As long as you stay in the presence of the Lord, the enemy cannot touch you. What he does is of no consequence at the moment because you know in your heart that God has saved you many times from many things, and He isn't about to stop now. 

We may not have control over everything in our lives, but we do have control to choose how we respond to the world around us. We choose to sit and worry until we die, or to glorify God by telling someone else what He has done for us, and remind them that He is still on the throne of grace. When we are in that peace that surpasses all understanding, no devil can break in. When you are fixed on the Lord, nothing else matters, because He is the Answer to all your troubles. And remember the Holy Spirit that resides in us who are saved, He is always guiding and counseling us. We have to choose. Do we live for God or for the world? Personally, I like the meadow and still waters. Peace, perfect peace. It really is heaven on earth! What about you? Are you ready to 'let go and let God?' 

The Lord is the Shepherd of His People

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want;" Psalm 23:1 A Psalm of David

David calls God his 'Shepherd.' This must be said with such trust and love; after all, David himself was a shepherd. He tended his father's flock from a young age, even going back and forth from playing the harp for King Saul during his periods of insanity to feeding the flock. When King Saul was overcome with a distressing spirit, one of his servants approached him and said, "Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlahemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him".

David knew how to be a good shepherd. The youngest of eight brothers, it was his job to do so. Even at a young age he was defending the flock against wild animals and the sheep's wanderings. He killed both lion and bear and rescued his father's sheep. But only with God's help. He may have been wounded while fighting these wild animals, but God had His eye on him and His hand of protection over him.

Knowing very well the dangers and responsibilities of being a shepherd, David refers to God in this first verse of Psalm 23 as his Shepherd. He understands and takes comfort in knowing that there is nothing he should be in want of. His Shepherd knows his needs.

Our Holy Shepherd, Jesus, is that way as well. He was and is our Shepherd and we are His flock. He gladly puts Himself between us and the enemy. He protects us, even though He knew His blood would be shed. He makes sure that our needs are met. He keeps us as a flock together, He guides the one who loses their hope or faith back to the 99 who will walk and gather together with Him. We are fed and watered divinely through Him and His word. We should want for nothing else, what else is there that could possibly compare to eternal love? 

David adored God and God said that David was "the apple of My eye." They had an understanding and a deep love for one another. David always came to God first through good and bad times. We should too.  From David's mouth and from mine, I humbly declare, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."

Have a blessed day, tomorrow we'll look at verse 2.

Forgiven

 Psalm 32 TPT

(A poem of insight and instruction, by King David*)

"How happy and fulfilled are those whose rebellion has been forgiven, 
those whose sins are covered by blood. 

How blessed and relieved are those who have confessed their corruption to God!

For he wipes their slates clean and removes hypocrisy from their hearts.

Before I confessed my sins, I kept it all inside;

my dishonesty devastated my inner life, causing my life to be filled with frustration, 

irrepressible anguish, and misery.

The pain never let up, for your hand of conviction was heavy on my heart.

My strength was sapped, my inner life dried up like a spiritual drought within my soul. 

Pause in his presence  

"Then I finally admitted to you all my sins, refusing to hide them any longer.

I said, "My life-giving God, I will openly acknowledge my evil actions."

And you forgave me! 

All at once the guilt of my sin washed away and all my pain disappeared!

Pause in his presence  

"This is what I've learned through it all: All believers should confess their sins to God;

do it every time God has uncovered you in the time of exposing.

For if you do this, when sudden storms of life overwhelm, you'll be kept safe.

Lord, you are my secret hiding place, protecting me from these troubles,

surrounding me with songs of gladness!

Your joyous shouts of rescue release my breakthrough.

Pause in his presence  

"I hear the Lord saying, "I will stay close to you, instructing 

and guiding you along the pathway for your life.

I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide.

So don't make it difficult; don't be stubborn when I take you where 

you've never been before. Don't make me tug you and pull you along. 

Just come with me!

"So my conclusion is this:

Many are the sorrows and frustrations of those who don't come clean with God.

But when you trust in the Lord for forgiveness, 

his wrap-around love will surround you.

So celebrate the goodness of God! He shows this kindness to everyone who is his.

Go ahead--shout for joy, all you upright ones who want to please him."

* From the footnotes in the Passion Translation: David wrote this psalm after he seduced the wife of his most loyal soldier, then had him killed to try to keep her pregnancy a secret. This sin with Bathsheba brought great disgrace to David, yet he finds complete forgiveness in God's mercy. The apostle Paul chose the first two verses of this psalm to support the important doctrine of salvation by grace through faith. This was St. Augustine's favorite psalm. He had it written on the wall near his bed before he died so he could meditate on it.

Dear Reader, how good is our God! Even with sins the like of what King David was guilty of, once we confess these sins to God in humility, he is merciful and forgiving. There isn't anything you could have done that he will not forgive if you humble yourself and ask, then repent. His grace is overwhelming, and his mercies, which are new every morning, will last forever. If you feel you would like to turn to Jesus, our Savior, the prayer for salvation is just a tab away, up above on the menu. Don't be afraid. Heaven awaits, eternity with our Lord and Father! God bless you today.

The Cry of the Oppressed (Psalm 10 TPT)

"Lord, you seem so far away when evil is near!

Why do you stand so far off as though you don't care?

Why have you hidden yourself when I need you the most?

The arrogant in their elitist pride persecute the poor and helpless.

May you pour out upon them the very evil they've planned against others!

How they brag and boast of their cravings, exalting the greedy.

They congratulate themselves as they despise you.

These arrogant ones, so smug and secure!

In their delusion the wicked boast, saying, 

"God doesn't care about what we do. There's nothing to worry about!

Our wealth will last a lifetime."

"So seemingly successful are they in their schemes,

prosperous in all their plans and scoffing at any restraint.

They boast that neither God nor men will bring them down.

They sneer at all their enemies, saying in their hearts,

"We'll have success in all we do and never have to face trouble"--

never realizing that they are speaking this in vain.

Their mouths spout out cursing, lies, and threats.

Only trouble and turmoil come from all their plans.

"beasts lurking in the shadows of the city

they crouch silently in ambush for the people to pass by.

Pouncing on the poor, they catch them in their snare

to murder their prey in secret as they plunder their helpless victims.

They crush the lowly as they fall beneath their brutal blows,

watching their victims collapse in defeat!

Then they say to themselves, 

"The Lofty One is not watching while we do this.

He doesn't even care! We can get away with it!"

"Now is the time to rise, Lord! Crush them once and for all!

Don't forget the forgotten and the helpless.

How dare the wicked think they'll escape judgment, 

believing that you would not call them to account for all their ways.

Don't let the wicked get away with their contempt of you!

Lord, I know you see all that they're doing, noting their each and every deed.

You know the trouble and turmoil they've caused.

Now punish them thoroughly for all that they've done!

"The poor and helpless ones trust in you, Lord,

for you are famous for being the helper of the fatherless.

I know you won't let them down.

Break the power of the wicked and all their strong-arm tactics.

Search them out and destroy them for the evil things they've done.

You, Lord, are King forever and ever!

You will see to it that all the nations perish from your land.

Lord, you know and understand all the hopes of the humble

and will hear their cries and comfort their heart, helping them all!

The orphans and the oppressed will be terrified no longer,

for you will bring them justice, and no one will trouble them."

Dear Reader, no matter what you are going through today, you must remember that there is Someone who is looking out for you, even if you can't feel it. There is Someone who loves you enough to have died for you, and would have if you were the only person on the earth. His name is Jesus. Be encouraged!

A Thanksgiving Prayer

My Lord,

I love You! I have been getting so encouraged reading the words of the prophets you have sent out through my morning devotion Give Him 15. Thank You so much for bringing it to my attention! Thank you for the word of truth I receive each week from my pastor. Thank You for the prophets of old and new and the pray-ers. Thank You for directing so many toward the truth! Let them be made free!

The time is coming quickly when You will come forth and right the wrongs that have been done in this country and in the world. It is almost here! The evil that has perpetrated this nation for decades is about to know defeat at the hand of Almighty God! The enemy forgot the end of the story. He forgot that YOU have already won!

I wait with a trusting and hopeful heart for what You will do. You are stirring up hearts everywhere, and You are shaking the nations. I know that this year will end much differently than it began. Those in places of influence and government and those who finance them and their evil will be fully exposed like a grotesquely putrefied naked man in the middle of Times Square at high noon. People will try to look away but their eyes will see the truth that You are making visible. All the blinders will come off! Evil will be seen clearly for what it is.

I am excited to see and hear all that You will do. I try to think of ways that You may do what You're going to do, but You have reminded me that Your ways are not my ways, and Your thoughts are much higher than mine. So I have to 'be still and know that You are God and You will be exalted among the nations, and You will be exalted in the earth!*' Oh hallelujah!

I believe the blind will see and the deaf will have their ears opened - finally - to the truth. I believe there will be a multitude that will come to You, there will be a multitude begging Your forgiveness. There will be repentance like we've never known. Repentance for regrets of wrongdoing and tears of joy shed all over the world, but I pray that here in the blessed United States of America it will change the world and how they see Your amazing glory! 

Oh God, my God, let Your glory come forth! Bring peace, bring love, bring forgiveness and  bring forth from us a burning desire to know and please You! Bring truth and light up the world with Your presence!

You make my heart so filled with joy! Let 2020 be remembered as the Year of the Lord! The year evil in this world was slain. The year You showed us Your glory and honor and splendor! The year You did something new and awesome! Change the history books, drain then purify the swamp! Let Your glory fill the earth! We are waiting and watching. Let no man even try to take credit for what You do. Make that impossible. I know it already is, but there are those who will try.

Thank You! Thank You for loving us! Let this Thanksgiving be a day of grace and mercy as we come humbly before You in awe and love. Let us celebrate YOU! Wow. I love You!

*Psalm 46:10

How Do You Receive God's Love?

What does it take to receive God’s love? Do you have to always be on your best behavior? Do you have to be sin-free? Do you have to give to charities and go to church? Have as many children as possible to help the church grow?

No! None of these things will make God love you any more than He already does! Divine love knows no limits, and no contingencies. It’s pure and true and real.

The ultimate love you can ever receive is the immeasurable love you already have from God. We can’t even make Him love us less. He is all forgiving and all understanding, and best of all, all loving. Isn’t that reason to rejoice?

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16 NKJV

Who Are You?

"Brothers and Sisters, consider who you were when God called you to salvation. Not many of you were wise scholars by human standards, nor were many of you in positions of power. Not many of you were considered the elite when you answered God's call. But God chose those whom the world considers foolish to shame those whom think they are wise, and God chose the puny and powerless to shame the high and mighty. He chose the lowly, the laughable in the world's eyes - nobodies - so that he would shame the somebodies. For he chose what is regarded as insignificant in order to supersede what is regarded as prominent so that there would be no place for prideful boasting in God's presence. For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now he is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption. And this fulfills what is written: 

If anyone boasts, let him only boast in all that the Lord has done." 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 TPT

Who do you say you are?  I was a nothing; a nobody. Not born of wealth or fame, but ordinary in the world's eyes. I was not to be 'discovered' by man for my beauty or my intelligence or for my abilities. To the world I have nothing to offer, I'm not even a face in a crowd.

But to God! I am beautiful, in need of nothing the world can give. I am wise and have great talent. And I can tell the world about the King of kings, my Jesus. And he can pick me out of a multitude of thousands in the blink of an eye.  I am the righteousness of God in Christ. He has given me salvation, and redeemed me from the sins of my past. He carved out a path for me before He made the heavens and earth with His words. I have all I will ever need to spread the good news. My power and influence come from Him, as do my strength and my faith. I am His, not of this world. And dear Reader, so are you if you have chosen Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. *

Leave the old, fail-filled life behind and see with a clear mirror the image of the King whose reflection is cast before you. It is not I, but because of Him that I may be privileged to touch a heart and spread the word that you are valuable! You are thought of highly! You are able! You are loved! 

In these unprecedented times it is easy to get so worn down that we forget the truth, and that is the fact that Jesus died so we may live. He suffered already, so we don't have to. He has defeated death so we have eternity with Him! Be still and know that He is God, and even though He is the Creator of every single thing that was made, you are His masterpiece! His love for you is more vast than the east is from the west; it is more powerful than we can imagine, and best yet, it is relentless. He doesn't turn His feelings for you off and on because you may have slipped up. He doesn't walk out of your life because He got tired of you. He never thinks of separating Himself from you. You are His! 

I pray that your day is a day filled with wonder about how very important you are to the only One who matters. Enjoy some time with Him. He's never too busy. May your discoveries bring you ever closer! 

* If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior yet but want to, please see my (link above for the Sinner's Prayer of Salvation. And if you pray that prayer for the first time, and believe the words, please let me know so I may welcome you into the family! God bless you!

Walking in the Light

"For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, 'Awake O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'" Ephesians 5:14

The first sentence struck me this morning. As is so often with God's word, it is filled with truth and is as plain as the nose on my face. It is the kind of sentence, that when reading the Bible, I don't even stop to think about it. Something said in such obvious truth gives no cause to dispute it.

If something is in the dark, like a shoe somewhere it doesn't belong, and I get up to investigate a noise and walk into it, it startles me, and causes me to lose my footing. I may trip and fall and hurt myself. There are two ways to avoid this. The first is to of course put my shoes away so this doesn't happen again, or turn on my tiny LED flashlight as soon as I slip my feet into my slippers. 

Once I have added the smallest amount of light necessary to not wake up my sleeping husband, everything is exposed that once lay hidden by the darkness.

The enemy lives this way. Just thriving in the darkness waiting to trip us up. He chooses to place himself dead center on the path we know as familiar in the light. Once we trip and fall, he has us. At least until we are able to find a light switch or to wait for the arrival of some godly help.

So we must never take our path for granted. There are those who would take great pleasure in making us believe that we should take a different way. Rest assured, our path is ordained by the Great Mapmaker Himself. So don't let go of the fact that the simple truth is--keep the light shining. Walk your path in righteousness and shine God's light before you. In this way, you will protect yourself, and you will also expose what's hidden to those who have also been trapped. The Word of God is and will always be our best defense!

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." Matthew 4:4

Walking in Victory

A while back a friend asked me, "What does it mean to walk in victory? What does it look like?" 

1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV) says, "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ."

What God showed me what that victory can only come after a battle. A person crippled, legs broken and weak. He is at physical therapy. Jesus is holding him up with an arm around him and His hand on his arm. They are at the parallel bars used to aid someone walking. Jesus is also at the other end, cheering and clapping.

Victory is achieved one step at a time, but with growing strength, by walking in faith and hope, and relying on God to support us. We will make it to the end where we will meet Him at the finish line. He is with us and before us, He makes the way straight.

We wouldn't be able to walk outside of the bars, we need to remain in the boundary of their safety (walk on our own path). Look ahead at the delight in Jesus' eyes! Don't look down at your feet, go forward...one step at a time. Soon enough the braces will come off and we will run again in victory. How glorious to know that Jesus Himself walks every step with us. Have you thanked Him lately?

Don't Worry

We are living in times like no others. There are people talking about what they believe the truth behind this pandemic is, how our rights have been taken away, how this is just a dress rehearsal for what is to come, and many other theories. I am not here to add to any of these things. They may be true, they may not be.

I am here simply to declare that no matter what happens, today or in the future, we must remember that God is still in charge. He watches, He gets angry, He is the One who raises up kings and brings them down. These things will never change. The Bible is filled with stories of God's love and about His wrath. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow; and nothing, absolutely nothing, gets by unnoticed by Him. He is just and true. Since the beginning of time men have tried to take over the world. It has never happened, and it won't. 

Don't give in to fear, no matter what you hear. The devil is getting louder and louder these days because he knows his time is short. When he fills our heads with disaster that causes worry, we take our minds off God and place it on the current situation. And believe me, God is right in the middle of this current situation. Who else could have shut down every nation on earth at the same time? Perhaps to get our attention? What Satan means for evil, God will use for good. (Genesis 50:20 NKJV) Remember, the devil doesn't have the power that God has, and he still has to bow to the name of Jesus. I am of the belief that this year, here in the land of the living, we will witness with our physical and spiritual eyes the glory of God. We are a chosen generation, and I believe that when this happens it will change the world and so very many will come to Him, either for the first time or return after an absence.

Remember, Jesus died for us, those of us that are born again and those who have yet to make that decision. If you want to know where you will go when you die, just give your life to Him. The Prayer tab above will take you to the Prayer of Salvation.

He is the keeper of the Book of Life. Is your name in it?

Things I Learned from Reading the Story of Noah

Many times when I read the Bible I get out my commentaries and learn even more. Such is the case of the story of Noah. I used the Matthew Henry Commentary. These are my thoughts interchanged with his, based on the biblical account.

Noah was a descendant of Seth.

He was very old when God called him to build the Ark. He was 600 years old when the flood began.

Noah needed to apply pitch on the outside to keep off the rain and seal the boat, and on the inside to take away the bad smell of the animals when kept near to each other. (God thinks of our comfort because He cares for us. What a good, kind, and sweet God we serve.)

God told Noah to "come into the ark", not to 'go' into it. Not all versions use the word 'come,' however. The reason to 'come' implies that God would go with Noah and his family. God would lead Noah into the ark, travel with him, and bring him safely out of it. This changed the ark from being Noah's prison to not only a refuge, but a palace. This call to Noah was a type of the call which the Gospel gives to humble sinners.

All the animals and birds were under Noah's power and his protection. What a great task--to be responsible for the future re-population of the earth!

The sky was probably lovely with no sign of what was to come when Noah and his family entered the boat seven days before the flood began. 

Noah have the people the warning that the flood would come in seven days. If anyone had changed their ways, they would have been able to board.

Noah had to walk in faith.

It had never rained before this.

God closed the door, keeping Noah safe and disallowing anyone else to get in.

It didn't start raining until 7 days after the animals and Noah and his family entered the Ark.
The waters became geysers from the earth and met with the rain, which didn't pour in drops, but in streams to flood the earth. We have not seen anything comparable since.

(Matthew Henry note: None of us are destroyed by the justice of God except those who hate to be reformed by the grace of God. (I say, good word!))

It rained for 40 days and 40 nights without diminishing. The ark floated for quite some time after the rain stopped.

At the end of 150 days the waters decreased. The ark rested on Mount Ararat in the seventh month on the seventeenth day. The waters continued to decrease until the tenth month.  On the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains were seen. Forty days later Noah sent out a raven. Then he sent a dove.

The dove returned because there was no place for her to rest. He waited another seven days and sent her out again. She returned with an olive leaf in her mouth. This is how Noah knew the waters had receded from the earth.

He waited another seven days and sent the dove out again. This time she did not return. 

Noah was 601 years old when he was able to see dry ground. Almost two months later the earth was dried and God told Noah he and his family could leave the ark. All the animals came out of the ark. 

Noah built an alter to God and offered a burnt offering on it with every clean animal and every clean bird he had with him specifically for this purpose on the ark.

Noah's sacrifice touched God's heart and in His heart he said that He would never again curse the ground for man's sake, nor would He destroy every living thing as He had done. The sign of the covenant God made with the earth was a rainbow.

Noah lived another 350 years. So he lived 950 years and then he died.

I hope the story of Noah helps you to see how much God loves His creation. He didn't destroy mankind, He knew of a righteous man, the only one He could find and kept him and his family safe from His judgment. He had them be fruitful and multiply. Noah had a wife and three married sons when they went into the ark. So we all come from Noah's family.

The story of Noah can be found in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, chapters 6 through 9.