I was in Texas for 10 days recently, blessed to attend the Southwest Believer’s Convention (click here to watch on demand) and to be immersed in the Word of God and Worship from Sunday-Sunday. This was my 28th year and as always, God was faithful to fill me to overflowing, literally. From start to end would equal approximately 6 months of regular Sunday services. It was awesome, amazing and I am grateful for all I learned. As I work my way through notes taken, studying and relistening, I expect to share more here.
Today, I did a study of Proverbs 3:5-6 and below are the Amplified Version, the King James Version, and finally in a version that I wrote based on my study of the Hebrew words. It helped me see it fresh new perspective, and I hope that it will encourage you.
King James Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Amplified Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
My version Be confident and secure, and boldly lean on and trust in the Lord with all your heart — with the very center and core of your being (mind, will and emotions) and don’t rely on what you think you know — your own insight, knowledge, wisdom or understanding. Throughout the course of your life’s journey talk with God, know, be aware of, consider, recognize, respect and regard and acknowledge Him. He will direct, make right, pleasant, prosperous and straight and clear your road (path) and race.
Another thing I learned about while in Texas, from a dear friend, Michelle, is this daily devotion available on YouTube. I am really enjoying it and thought you might as well. Here is the link to Jesus First
I am forever grateful, and mindful that OH, how HE loves you and me! Blessings dear ones!
July of 2025 marks the 7 year anniversary of A Grateful Grace Full Life (agratefulgracefulllife.blog), so it seems good to reflect on why I started writing it, my goals as I continue, and to celebrate what the Lord has done.
I created and started writing this blog because I had been praying for years to be an “able communicator of the gospel,” and I felt the Lord prompting me to step out in faith and start doing it through this blog. My heart’s desire is that people who read it will know that they are deeply loved by God. I think Ephesians 3:16-19 (Amplified Version) says it well:
May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts!
May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, that you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
Look what the Lord has done! As of July 5, 2025, people from 79 nations have viewed one or more posts on this blog, with a total of 6,837 views. The graphic below indicates all of their locations in blue.
I am amazed, humbled and honored — truly, in my wildest dreams I did not forsee reaching so many people and nations. Places like China, South Africa, Turkiye, Pakistan, and so many more. Who but the Lord could do this!! I give Him all the glory!! Ephesians 3:20-21 express it so well:
Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] — To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).
I retired a week ago, and while I have some short-term plans and longer term dreams, I am also seeking the Lord for what His plans are next for me. Well today, I was going through a journal of things I have felt He spoke to me, and this one seemed good to share with you. Whatever place you may be in your life, I hope it will speak to your heart, as it did mine.
Today is a day of trust and rest, listening and learning, of obedience and test, a time to believe. There is a tomorrow coming, and you have a place in me both now and then. For now, don’t get caught up wondering what is next. Get caught up with me, I am where you are, with you – NOW.
I Am the One who gives you a future and hope. I Am everlasting. I was, I am, and I will always be. All that is good and satisfying is connected to knowing me. Shalom, which is true peace, nothing missing, lacking or broken, it’s only possible with, in and through me. It cannot be attained, or maintained apart from me. When you find me, you find that too.
Yes, your tomorrow is coming, and I will reveal my plan. I’ll make it clear, and I’ll equip you to complete it.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (AMP). 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. Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
John 14:17 AMP). Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]
If you don’t already know my Jesus, listen, he is knocking on the door of your heart. Invite him in, ask him to reveal himself to you. He is love and he loves you. He wants you to experience the unlimited love and forgiveness that He died to give you, to reconcile you to the Father. He always has and always will.
In continuing to research the word, Hineni, I read and have been thinking the story of the Prophet Samuel, and his impact on the nation of Israel.
I remember Samuel from the Bible story in Samuel 3:1-21 that I often heard as a child. It talks about Samuel being dedicated to God as a small child, and that one night (at about 12 years old) he was awakened by a voice calling several times and how he got up to answer it. He thought Eli the Priest was calling him, so he went to Eli and said, Here am I (Hineni). Eli recognized after a few times that it must be God calling and told Samuel that when he heard it again, to say, “Speak, Lord for your servant is listening.”
I think that’s where the Bible story ended back then, with the lesson being, if we were willing to say, Here I am, and to serve God, he would lead us. That’s a good lesson for a child, or for anyone to learn. But the story is so much richer if you take some time to look a bit deeper.
I read about Samuel’s mother, Hannah, in Samuel 1 & 2, and based on that I began to think about her impact on Samuel’s life. She only had him with her for 2-3 years, and after that she gave him to the Lord. Reading of her story and her faith, I can imagine her holding Samuel close during those years. Singing to him, praying over him and telling him of the God that had great plans for him. I can also imagine the love she poured into the garment she made and gave to him each year as he grew up in the service of God, and her joy in seeing him each year.
Think about it, God used Hannah to lay the ground work for Samuel’s faith and his willingness to listen to and serve the Lord. I believe God also hears our prayers, our heart’s cries, and He will use us if we will listen and say with a willing heart, Hineni Here am I.
Below is a condensed version of Hannah’s story, but I highly recommend reading it for yourself.
Hannah (whose name means, favored) was very was loved by her husband, but she was barren, distained and embarassed by her husband’s other wife, and desparately wanting to have a child.
During a yearly visit to sacrifice at the temple she made her appeal to God. Crying inconsolably she prayed and vowed: “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid and remember, and not forget your handmaid but will be me a son, I will give him to the Lord all of his life; no razor shall touch his head.”
Eli the Priest saw her praying and thought she was drunk, but when she explained she was praying, he said, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” Hannah believed it! She took that as her prayer answered, now that’s faith!
Hannah was soon pregnant, and she named her son Samuel (Heard of God). When she had weaned him (estimated at 2-3 years old), she took both him and an offering to the Lord’s house at Shiloh, and brought him to Eli, saying: “For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted my petition… therefore I am given him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is given to the Lord,” and they worshipped the Lord there. Before leaving Samuel to minister to the Lord before Eli the priest, Hannah prayed this wonderful faith-filled prayer:
My heart exults and triumphs in the Lord; my horn (my strength) is lifted up in the Lord. My mouth is no longer silent, for it is opened wide over my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation.There is none holy like the Lord, there is none besides You; there is no Rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly; let not arrogance go forth from your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, and those who stumbled are girded with strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children languishes and is forlorn. The Lord slays and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and He lifts up. He raises up the poor out of the dust and lifts up the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with nobles and inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His godly ones, but the wicked shall be silenced and perish in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them will He thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge [all peoples] to the ends of the earth; and He will give strength to His king (King) and exalt the power of His anointed.
Not only did Samuel hear the voice of God as a child, he went on to be a mighty Prophet of God and Judge of Israel. And, it was also Samuel that God used to anoint Saul (the 1st King of Israel) and King David. Here are some verses that speak about him:
Samuel 3:19-21 Samuel grew; the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord continued to appear in Shiloh, for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh through the word of the Lord.
Samuel 7:8-15. And the Israelites said to Samuel, Do not cease to cry to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines. So Samuel took a sucking lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord; and Samuel cried to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a great voice that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and smote them as far as below Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and he called the name of it Ebenezer [stone of help], saying, Heretofore the Lord has helped us. So the Philistines were subdued and came no more into Israelite territory. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The cities the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel rescued [the cities’] territory from the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites. And Samuel judged Israel all his days.
My prayer is that I will hear whenever He calls, and that He will hear me say, Hineni. Here am I. Whatever He may ask, I know that He is good, He is faithful, He is kind, He IS LOVE. Oh how HE loves YOU and ME!
I am back! I’ve been really busy for the last few months, getting ready to retire, writing work instructions for a job I did for 12+ years, and then training my replacement. I officially retired a few days ago, so now I can get back to writing. I am grateful.
A Grateful Grace-full Life 