I have been reading and thinking a lot lately. There is a lot going on in our world and in my personal life. I have been feeling more emotional and find myself needing to be more diligent to remain focused, in faith and resting in Him.
I’ve been reading and meditating on Ephesians 6 (in The Passion translation) about warfare and the armor God has given us the right to use. I am sharing the lead in verses below, but I recommend reading to the end of the chapter. I hope you will find strength in it as I have. I needed the reminder of whose I am and the weapons He has provided.
Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you. Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser! Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. Ephesians 6:10-12 TPT https://bible.com/bible/1849/eph.6.10-12.TPT
We must gird ourselves with the belt of truth, put on the helmet of salvation, pick up the shield of faith, arm ourselves with the Sword of The Spirit (the Word of God), walk out the gospel of peace, and pray passionately.
Take a few moments to reflect on these words and be encouraged dear one. Oh how He loves you and me!
Higherthan the highest heavens— that’s how high your tender mercy extends! Greater than the grandeur of heaven above is the greatness of your loyal love, towering over all who fear you and bow down before you! Fartherthan from a sunrise to a sunset— that’s how far you’ve removed our guilt from us. But Lord, your endless love stretches from one eternity to the other, unbroken and unrelenting toward those who fear you and those who bow facedown in awe before you. Your faithfulness to keep every gracious promise you’ve made passes from parents, to children, to grandchildren, and beyond. You are faithful to all those who follow your ways and keep your word. Psalms 103:11-12, 17-18 TPT https://bible.com/bible/1849/psa.103.11-18.TPT
Day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment. We choose by what we say and by what we believe. Will we choosefaith in the goodness of God and that he has a good plan for our future? Or will we choose to allow fear and worry to preplay a “dreaded outcome” in our future?
Consider this….
Faith based on the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus (that he has set me free from the law of sin and death), believes more in the ability and willingness of God to save and keep me than it does in the ability of anyone or anything to harm or hurt me.
Faith receives. For it was only through this wonderful grace that we believed in him. Nothing we did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the gracious gift from God that brought us to Christ! Ephesians 2:8 TPT
Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. Hebrews 11:1 TPT
Faith empowers us to see that the universe was created and beautifully coordinated by the power of God’s words! He spoke and the invisible realm gave birth to all that is seen. Hebrews 11:3 TPT
And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God. For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who passionately seek him. Hebrews 11:6 TPT
This is what I choose. I hope you will too!
We look away from the naturalrealm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God! Hebrews 12:2 TPT
Draw near, don’t hold back! Oh my child do not fear, I am not the accuser, I am your Father. I love you with a perfect, unfailing, everlasting love. Who you are is very precious to me. I call you into my presence to spend time with you. Not to tell you what you’ve done wrong — but to remind you of what Jesus did to make it right, to make you right in my sight.
I am longing for intimacy, trust, a conversation with you. I want to tell you how I love you, and how pleased I am with the good choices you’ve made, and how I have plans for you. Plans to fill your future with joy. I want to share myself with you, to overwhelm you and fill you with my love. There is nothing about you that surprises me, nothing I won’t forgive. Do not let the lies of the enemy keep you from me.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
I was inspired to write this poem several years ago. It fell out of my Bible today and reminded me of the many benefits of my relationship with Jesus. I hope you know Him too and are experiencing the benefits of trusting in Him.
Rest I am your deliverer and salvation, You are my covenant child, I have justified you, I have made you righteous, I have made you holy through the blood of my son.
Rest You are hid in Christ, My Spirit is in you and with you always, I am at work within you, I am causing you both to will and to do my good pleasure.
Rest Trust in my love, I know the plans I have for you, I planned them before your birth, I see the end result, I am focused on your future, not your past.
Rest I am your Lord, I am King of Kings, I am working all things together for your good, I am the author and finisher of your faith.
Rest I am faithful to My Word, My promises are true, You are a branch of The Vine, Rivers of living water are in you.
Rest I am your life and light, The strength and might of my Spirit are being imparted to your inner man, along with My wisdom and My ability.
Now My beloved child, rest.
Hebrews 4:3a For we who have believed(who have adhered to and relied on God)do enter into that rest.
Learn more about Jesus…pick up a Bible and read the book of John, then see Romans 3:23 and Romans 10:10.
I’m praying that you find rest in Him. Oh how He loves you and me.
The peonies are blooming, the end of spring coming and summer is near. Some days are cold and rainy, and then suddenly we have warm and sunny days. Both are needed and beauty is found in fragrant blossoms even as they soak in the rain. Soon the hot summer days will take over and plants change their focus from blossoms to bearing seeds and fruit. The cycle of seed, time and harvest is in motion, it happens every year, just as the Father designed it.
In every season He is always good and He wants to reveal His grace, goodness and faithfulness. Just ask Him. Oh how He loves you and me!
For the Lord is always good and ready to receive you. He’s so loving that it will amaze you— so kind that it will astound you! And he is famous for his faithfulness toward all. Everyone knows our God can be trusted, for he keeps his promises to every generation! ~Psalms 100:5 (The Passion Transkation)
I was outside yesterday enjoying the signs of spring in my yard and I thought I would share them with you too.
I am grateful this winter season is over. This year I am especially aware of the change. Not only seeing it, I feel it in my spirit and soul. I am looking forward expectantly to the good things of God that are undoubtedly coming. It’s time for seeds sown to spring forth.
Isaiah 61:11 just seems to fit, and I enjoy the differences these two translations highlight.
For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. Isaiah 61:11 KJV
For just as the earth brings forth its plants, or a garden makes its plants spring up, so Adonai , God, will cause victory and glory to spring up before all nations. Yesha ‘yahu (Isa) 61:11 CJB
This verse has been resonating with me so much that I made 2 versions in the YouVersion Bible app to put on my phone. I have a habit of checking my phone every morning and using it to read the Bible before going to sleep. I also see these images throughout the day as I use my phone.
There are always needs…but at night when I talk to the Lord, I am reminded that it’s him that I need above all else. After all , in Philippians he said he would supply all my needs according to his riches in glory. And that’s not limited to just physical things.
In the morning, it’s a reminder of his constant presence and unfailing faithful love.
And throughout the day to be aware of him, worship him, commune with him. And to trust that when I cry out to him, he hears and he responds.
Oh how He loves you and me!
Every evening I will explain my need to him. Every morning I will move my soul toward him. Every waking hour I will worship only him, and he will hear and respond to my cry. Psalms 55:17 TPT https://bible.com/bible/1849/psa.55.17.TPT
I wish I could remember who taught me this, but I can’t. I am however so very grateful. God has used it many times to remind me that when it feels like I am surrounded by darkness:
1. I am walking THROUGH. NOT building a permanent dwelling place in that place.
2. I don’t have to fear ANYTHING because He is with me, right where I am, and He is the great I AM.
3. He is not just there, He is there to PROTECT, GUIDE and COMFORT me.
This is just one verse from the powerful promises found in Psalm 23. It is a rich Word to meditate on, to consider who He is, and what He does. I believe it never grows old because these words are just as alive with the love of God now as they were when King David wrote them.
Thinking this morning about peace, and praying for anyone who is struggling today. In Hebrew, peace means wholeness, wellness, nothing missing, lacking or broken. When Jesus was born the angels said, “glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, goodwill to men.” And in John 14, before he went to the cross Jesus said, “my peace I leave with you.” My prayer is that you receive and unwrap His gift of peace, freely offered – take possession of it and don’t let it go. Choose to believe in the love that God has for you, and that He cares for you.
That night, in a field near Bethlehem, there were shepherds watching over their flocks. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified! But the angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid. For I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere! Luke 2:8-10 TPT https://bible.com/bible/1849/luk.2.8-10.TPT
And in this season, I choose joy, I choose to be grateful, I choose to look for things to celebrate, to look for the good, for opportunities to love, to live, to enjoy. I don’t know when this season will change, but I’ve made up my mind not to let it stop me from living, from doing what I enjoy, anymore.
If I’m honest, since my husband became sick a year ago, my focus became very narrow. My “job” has been to pray and stay in faith, and to do what it takes to remain at rest in Him, to work fulltime from home and care for Ed. Most days I did well, others not so much as responsibilities sometimes overwhelmed me. I am still walking this journey of faith daily, trusting God to work, and to lead me/help me do all that needs to be done.
But over these last few weeks I became very aware of my lack of joy. And I feel the Holy Spirit is leading me now to pick back up what was laid aside, lost in the difficulties of this past year. So, no matter the season, I am consciously choosing to make room in my life again for painting, knitting and writing. These are gifts the Father wants me to use and enjoy. I will not let the enemy of my soul steal the joy that comes from being creative and the rest and refreshing it provides.
My watercolor palletMy yarn swift and ball winder
I guess the lesson for me is no matter the season…find joy, don’t let it slip away, and be grateful. Listen for that still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Oh how He loves you and me!
It seems that the Lord has been teaching me about rest for years. I even wrote about it on here back in 2018. Now I am beginning to understand why… Knowing that the fight of faith is truly a fight to remain at rest in Him has become so important in this last 11 months. Our lives were literally turned upside down as we went from working opposite shifts to being together almost 24/7. Illness robbed my husband both physically and cognitively, and put me into the unfamiliar role of a caregiver and advocate. Plus work and responsibilities we had shared were all mine, and I continued to work. Of course family and friends have helped much, for which I am so grateful. But it was overwhelming, and that’s where understanding the importance of resting in Him comes in. Without it, I don’t know how I could have walked through this time.
One night while laying in bed talking to the Lord, he spoke to my heart. “You know how people say to do your best and leave the rest to God?” Yes… “Well, I want you to rest and trust me to do the work.” That really helped me! Whenever I don’t know what to do, start to be overwhelmed, that thought comes to me. I close my eyes and think of it. I choose to rest and trust him to work. I think of how this weapon of rest frustrates the enemy of our souls.
I can tell you that the fight of faith is not easy or a battle for the faint of heart. Sometimes it’s a moment-by-moment choice. Resting in Him means that no matter what the situation or circumstance I choose to believe He is a good God, our loving Father, Healer, trustworthy, faithful, and His Word is true.
I am trusting God to restore Ed to health and to lead us each day. I pray for and expect his doctors and the medicines prescribed to minister to him as helps in the healing process. I don’t understand His timing but I trust Him. I am thankful for faithfilled and faithful family and friends – for all those who are praying and have spoken words of wonderful encouragement. I am grateful for His grace, trusting in His mercy, resting in His love and rejoicing in every victory no matter how small.
There are so many scriptures that God has spoken to us through, I can’t share them all. Key verses I pray for Ed are found in Psalm 23, 91 and 103. They are full of promises of health and restoration.
For me it’s the verses below, and the story of Jesus on the sea in a storm — I remember He is with us in this storm too, and that the wind and waves won’t win. He is still the One who says peace, be still, and in Him we have victory.
Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [into which those in the wilderness fell]…. Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4:11, 16 AMPC
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. [Ps. 55:22.] 1 Peter 5:7 AMPC
This is not a place I want to be, but it is where I get to…
Be grateful for medical professionals and their care
Be thankful that different from last time – Ed walked in here without a walker…and different than the time before that, when a,wheel chair was needed.
Be aware and thankful that he was able to answer 99% of the nurses questions
Praise God for every bit of gains made in physical strength and cognitive improvements these last few months
Praise Him that in answer to prayers the meds only do Ed good and no harm
Rest knowing that God is faithful, He is at work in us and for us. He cares for us and takes the cares that we release to Him.
Trust that we will see the victory already won for us by Christ manifested in God’s perfect timing.
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Jeremiah 29:11 AMPC
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 1 Corinthians 15:57 MEV
Give thanks to God, our King over all gods! His tender love for us continues on forever! Psalm 16:2 TPT
I am enjoying the 2020 Southwest Believers Convention this week. Feeding my faith and praising my God. You can watch it on Govictory.com. Unforgettable, life-changing, I am grateful!
My first memory of God is when I was six years old and in first grade at a christian school, My class memorized Psalm 100 to recite. Thank God (literally), I didn’t know any better than to believe what it said. You know what? It’s as true today as it was when King David penned it so long ago.
Here are the basics that I learned:
He made me.
I am His.
He is good.
Be thankful.
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100 (KJV)
A Grateful Grace-full Life 