Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him.
Do not be preoccupied with an evildoer who succeeds in his way when he carries out his schemes.
 Let go of anger, and leave rage behind.
Do not be preoccupied.
It only leads to evil.
 Evildoers will be cut off from their inheritance,
but those who wait with hope for the Lord, will inherit the land.

Psalm 37:7-9 (GW)

When we surrender to the LORD we are acknowledging our deep abiding faith, and inherent trust in Him.  We are relinquishing control, and thereby submitting to His power, authority, and unconditional love.

Jesus, in the NT, came to fulfill the scriptures, to essentially live and die for us, surrendered His rights, and prerogatives, as the second person of the Trinity, yielding to the will, purpose, and plans, of His Father. You can certainly see and read this in Philippians 2:6-8.

We are advised throughout the Bible,  to surrender our lives, in order to accept the “free gift of salvation” —that was paid in full in horrific…albeit, loving fashion, by Christ, our LORD and Savior.

We are to called to pursue, an altruistic, consistent daily walk of faith, by giving up our sinful and prideful nature, while adhering to the LORD’s will, and purpose for our lives.  When we do so, we are pleasing our Father, showing and expressing inwardly, that truth, love, and His ways, are above all else.  Nothing else should come before Him. Nothing should be more important than Him. Nothing should be more satisfying to our soul than Christ!

Christ willingly and completely emptied Himself of anything, and everything, that stood in the way of the glory, and gain of His Father, through Him.

If Christ is the “truth, way & the Life“(John 14:6)— how can we not consciously aspire to be according to the “will of our Father?”   If Christ surrendered to the Father, how can we not aspire to His standards and therefore acquiesce to our Father in Heaven?

Life is tough enough with our faith fully intact.  However, thinking about  the complexities of “life,” it really becomes so much easier, when we “turn it over and surrender completely, and place it into the hands of our wise and Almighty Father!”   

“Father, may I always be mindful that You are in control of all things, I surrender to You fully and ask for Your daily guidance and strength all the days of my life, in Jesus precious name, Amen.”

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Psalm 23:5 (KJV)

The LORD, continues to give His people, what they need, and does so in abundance, especially in the midst of trials, and tribulations.

His blessings are throughout the Bible, and not limited to “material” ones.  No, in fact there are a myriad of ways the LORD can bless each of us. These blessings, include the Holy Spirit’s outpouring, of all who ask. (Luke 11:13; Acts 2:1-4)

The Father’s promises, love, blessings, and power, pour over those who reciprocate His love, accept Him, and give witness to His glory.

Many supernatural things were manifested, as told throughout the Bible, when people of faith, were filled with the Holy Spirit.( Luke 1:67; Acts 4:31)

Our cup will overflow, when we are in compliance with the LORD, and are filled with the Spirit, and surrender to Jesus, as our LORD and Savior.  (Psalm 23:5)

But it is vitally important, in fact, critically imperative, that we are not filled with sinful pride, or self-righteous behavior.  Understand that before we can have an overflowing cup, we have to empty ourselves of anything, and everything, that could thwart the Spirit, from working in us.

When our hearts are contrite, and true to the LORD, we then will be able to accomplish what the Father wishes to get done, utilizing us in the process, as His servant, and dedicated follower. Going and doing all things according to His will and plan.

His love has absolutely no limits, its infinite.  His grace is a gift, and ever faithful to those whose hearts, mind, and soul are set wholly on Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

He truly enjoys giving us rewards of being faithful, and obedient to Him, and His word.  He wants to fill our “cups” to overflowing, and He longs to fill us with His Spirit.

In and through Christ. we have joy, love and peace. We begin a growth that will result in fruits, that will extend beyond our time here on earth.

Paul, in Ephesians 3:20, says “God is the One who is able to do so much more that we can possibly realize of begin to imagine.”

And in Romans 8:37, it states, we are “more than conquerors through Him who loves us.”

God’s love, and incomparable Omnipotence, and providence, is reflected in His Word, from Genesis (OT) to  Revelation (NT)  His generosity, along with His unapparelled love, and divine mercy, is echoed over and over throughout His Holy Word.

His blessings aren’t merely confined to the temporal  (2 Corinthians 4:18) but which is not seen…our eternal home.

Have you looked at your cup lately? 

Is it clean inside, as well as out?

Remember that in and through Christ, all of us can experience an overflow of joy, peace, and love.  His grace reaches out to anyone who wants to accept it, and His love is unlimited to all who readily open their hearts to it.

His cup is waiting for you, take it…then get ready to experience the biggest, and most phenomenal gift, you’ll ever receive in your life!

I say, “overflow cup, overflow.  Thank you Jesus!  Amen.”

“Dear Lord, may Your Spirit, fill the hearts of those who don’t know You yet, and continue to fill the cups to overflowing, of those who DO know You, in Jesus name I give You thanks, glory and honor, Amen.”

I know many Christians, who have trouble with “forgiving themselves,” of past transgressions, or issues, that might have been “beyond the parameters of Christianity.”

At times, many of us can be our own harshest critics, and determined to “beat up” on things done, or words said, or actions that were less than worthy.  However, the most important One of all, while nailed to the cross said, “It is finished…” John 19:30

We need Him, in all areas of life, which is to say without Him, there is NO LIFE.

Jesus, is our Kinsman redeemer, sent to set us free.  And His mission, not only served “us” and brought into focus, the glory of His Father, and the plan for humankind.  But with Him, we are able to have forgiveness.  Not just “one time,” but no matter how many times we transgress, or backslide. He is unconditionally there for us, when we truly repent with a contrite heart, He willingly forgives.

In Matthew 18:21, Peter asks of Jesus, “How many times should I forgive someone, as many as seven times?” Jesus replied with, “No, you should forgive seventy times seven.”

Still there are versions which say seventy times, but we’ll concentrate on the larger number right now.

Think about that for one moment.  Just think!   That response from Jesus Christ is beyond our human comprehension.  But to our amazing calculations, seventy times seven, amounts to exactly 490 acts of forgiveness!

So if Christ can do that, and asks that of us for our transgressors, then why is it so hard to “forgive ourselves?”  We are His. He is ours.  And His words are for everyone who has the ears to hear.

So hear it!

Embrace it!

Share it!

And Praise Him!

We are forgiven!

Next time we look into the mirror of our souls, remember there is One who created us, and loves for who we are.  And He forgives us, even if we can’t forgive ourselves!

“Father God, thank You, for the blood of  Your Son Christ, who declared, ‘It is finished’ — may we forgive those who offend us, and may we forgive ourselves, as we seek Your grace, and love, all the days of our lives, in Jesus name, Amen.”

For the Chief Musician.

A Psalm of David.

There is no human understanding that can grasp the Omnipotence, and intensely powerful ways of our LORD, for His knowledge is way past ours, and inherently majestic in brilliance.

As our Father so strongly states in Isaiah 55:8-9 —“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts…”

David is expressing in Psalm 139, the tremendously amazing and infinite characteristics of God, or what is often referred to as “Omniscience.”

His ways are indefinable, as compared to a mere mortal, nor can any human begin to fathom the undeniable love He bestows upon us,  His children.

In fact, in all His ways…He is perpetually at the helm, looking to guide us, lead us, direct us, heal us, and sustain us in all things.

However it’s up to us to seek Him, and receive Him fully, unconditionally, and reverently. And most important of all this is, “to love Him,” with all of our heart, mind, body, strength and soul.” (Luke 10:27)

He is our Amazing God who never ceases to astound.

He alone is our Amazing God who never ceases to provide.

He alone is our Amazing God who never ceases to protect.

He alone is our Amazing God who will never leave us.

He alone is our Amazing God who loves us fully and forever.

He is simply…AMAZING!

Seek Him early, so that you shall find Him. (“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”) Proverbs 8:17 KJV

Get to know the One and Only GOD— King of kings, LORD of lords, and the Great I AM.  He is worthy of our love, and worthy of our praise.

Laugh with Him.

Cry with Him.

Talk with Him.

But most of all…open your heart to Him.

Let Him in.

Please believe that it’ll change your whole life.

God desires to change your life, if you are willing.

For those of us who know Him.  How blessed we are.

For those who don’t know Him, that can stop right here, and right now.  He is waiting patiently for you to acknowledge Him, and love Him, and accept Him.

Grab your Bible, dust it off.  Take it off your shelf, or out of your closet.  Or perhaps borrow one, if you don’t have one.  God’s promises, and love are fundamentally life changing.  Whatever ails you, God has the answers.

“Father God, I pray that those who don’t know You, seek You and accept You as their LORD and Savior, that they would get to know You, for all You are, and all You do, and I pray that those reading this, will be blessed and protected by Your love and power all the days of their lives, in Jesus name, Amen.”

For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.   

Hosea 6:6 (NKJV)

Throughout the Bible, there are various verses in the scriptures, that reveal our LORD, has no desire for half-hearted “rituals” — but that He truly wants our love, and a heart on fire for Him.

He wants us to rejoice, and not only fully love Him, but others as well.

He wants us to truly “seek Him” with all of our strength, and to spend precious time alone with Him.  When we do, we are revitalized.

Coming to the LORD with an honest heart, and surrendering to our Father, is the best decision anyone can possibly make.

Did you know that God wants us to seek Him with daily requests, and honest questions? 

He truly wishes to be fully involved with the daily happenings, events, scenarios, and everything pertaining to our lives? If we leave Him out of the equation in our life, we are setting ourselves up for unnecessary “hardship” and “indecision” along with an unsettled soul.

All answers are found from above. 

All requests are validated from above.

All things that are needed are from above.

God is constantly inviting us to “walk with Him.”

When we give God total control of our decisions, a burden is  lifted and an influx of peace flows forth.

When we become more acquainted with God, and His love, he takes delight in our actions.  He wants us to know Him.

When we decrease, and pull back, allowing God to be God…He then INCREASES in us.  And we begin to truly learn what LIFE really is.

For Life is Christ, without Him…there isn’t any life at all.

Get to understand and know God, and His love, on every level. When we engage in an active dialogue, and ongoing devotion towards Him, we will fully understand, and actively know the extent of what it means to LIVE!

“Father, You are all I need in all aspects of my life, today, tomorrow and always, may I always put You first, praise You continuously, and give You all the Glory no matter what, in Jesus name, Amen.”

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

Matthew 22: 37-39 (KJV)

“Good morning Father, thank You for another Day, thank You for Your protection, Your wisdom, and Your love, in Jesus name, Amen.”

Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty:

they shall behold the land that is very far off.

 Isaiah 33:17 (KJV)

The well known saying, “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” suggests that defining beauty overall, can be disparaging in that each person sees something different, than another person might.

God, and His Word, brings and leads us to discover, what the meaning of “beauty” truly is, or should be; beyond looking at physical appearances on the outside.  For the LORD looks at the “heart” in all His children, and every thing in the Universe overall.  He searches us from “within”—ostensibly, we initially tend to look at the “outside” and that’s where we can get things so very wrong.  

Finding the real beauty in others, and in our surroundings, may be challenging at first. But when we observe the LORD’s Words, promises, and examples, it becomes more apparent with each step of the way. As we grow in our relationship with the LORD and become intimate with His love and doctrine, we are able to bound outside of our tunnel vision, bringing us to new insights in which we never experienced before.  But this comes from “knowing” Christ.  

When we aspire to walk in the Spirit, all things of flesh become smaller, as our growth in the LORD, becomes greater.  We have to “get smaller,” in order for the LORD to get “bigger” —We must “decrease,” so our LORD can “INCREASE”—(John 3:30-36) 

When that happens, we see things from an entirely different perspective, and no longer look at things in the same way as we did previously, that is to say, before coming to Christ.

We must decrease, so He can increase—In earnest, we need to remove all layers of earthly thoughts, ungodly actions, or futile desires, that tend to anchor us in this world. A world which invariably relies on insignificant material possessions, or titles and degrees, which is not relevant in the end of our life, or our journey here on earth.  

As we go through life we will see things in a new light when we follow the “LIGHT” and hear things in a new way, when we hear the “TRUTH” and we will focus of what is important, when we follow Christ.

See the beauty in your neighbor? 

See the beauty in your garden?

See the beauty in life overall?

When we see all things through Christ, we can then begin to see the definitive meaning of “true beauty.”  Amen!

“Lord God, may I walk in the Spirit, and see all things through Your eyes and love, in Jesus name, Amen.”

Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

Jeremiah 32: 27 (KJV)

Troubles melt in the Presence of the LORD.

His Holy Presence is powerful, and overwhelming.

It is peaceful, and staggering at once.

There is nothing that is too hard for Him to do, nor anything too small.

He is an appeasement for those in need, and an anchor for those who are drowning.

He is a mollified Presence, in enormous proportions, and the only One capable of all things.

I don’t know how many of you reading this right now, would agree with this statement, “Knowing God is a reinforcement of life itself.”

For me…”knowing Him” is why I live.

I can’t imagine any situation during any given moment in my life, past- present- or- future, without Him in it.  Or without Him giving light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

If I come across an issue that is pulsating, and ripping across my mind, and heart that is unsettling,  I immediately want my LORD, His love, and His help.

And…that goes for good things as well.  A good report from a doctor’s visit, or a family member doing well, His peace overcomes me,  I rush to thank Him, and Praise Him, for His providence over my life.

Troubles truly seem to “melt” in His Presence.  The ugliness of any given scenario or incident, is “waxed away” and sent to oblivion in the Lord’s presence.

He is my Anchor and my Rock!

It is truly knowing Him, and recognizing Him for what He is, and how Magnificent He really is…that transcends all understanding. I get a visceral reaction due to His ways.  It shakes me to the core, and my spirit is filled with tranquil waters, that proliferates my world.

Knowing Him, loving Him, and wanting Him in my life, is why I am so blessed.

His love is the infinitesimal reason that I  exist.  And why I have the capacity in which to love.  Only because of Him!

Have you experienced that kind of love?

If not, please…open His book, and your heart…and get to know Him.  You won’t be sorry, and your life will change exponentially!

“Father, thank You for Your love, Your Presence, Your ways, Your Word, in Jesus name, Amen and Amen!”

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: 

Jeremiah 32:17 (KJV)

 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  And he said to him,

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all 

your soul and with all your mind.

  Matthew 22:36–37 (ESV)

“You are my One and Only always and forever, I love You, today, tomorrow, and all the days of my life and beyond, thank You for allowing me to love You, and spend time with You, in Jesus precious name, Amen.”

And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.” 

Daniel 11:35 (NKJV)

A friend of mine,  frequently will start most of our conversations with, “You remember the good old days when we were teenagers?”  Followed by many examples and scenarios of our youth.

And these days, I’d venture to guess, that most people may be wishing for the “good old days?”   The truth may well be, that if we could somehow be transported back in time, there would still be many of the problems that are around today were right there in the midst of our youth.

Oh yes—I know there is a higher degree of “friction” and wide-world unrest these days, that has been exacerbated by the Pandemic…but we would undoubtedly find many issues, and tribulations that face us now, existed back then too.

My friend described her life today, as “a dark void with lack of light and hope,” due to the current climate, and feels increasing pressure to submit to certain views. Including the “vaccination debate.”

In the spiritual realm of existence, we don’t have to yield to mounting pressures. We can automatically diffuse all of it, by placing it on the altar of our Almighty LORD, and allowing Him to handle our hurts, problems, and huge mountains that block our paths.

I told my friend that our suffering, is beyond our control, which can also solidify, that we are not the ones who are “Omnipotent.” —We become keenly aware during our adversities of a Higher Authority who Reigns without end.

Let’s face it. No one could possibly enjoy being brought to a level of “brokenness.” After all, being emotionally, physically, and spiritually broken, is painfully draining.  But we can, and should realize, that there are key benefits in the midst of our pain.

No one knew that better than Apostle Paul. He himself faced many trials, and each one more intense than the last. But he knew God, was fully in control, and therefore placed all trust, and faith in the LORD.

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-always carrying about in the body the dying of the LORD Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” (2 Cor 4:8-10)

My friend broke down crying aloud, and realized she is in fact, “human” and that “flesh” can be exhausting, and challenging at best. However, she also noted that the Spirit of the LORD, is stronger than any Herculean task that she has faced, and stronger than any vaccine, virus, storm, cancer, or financial ruins of a marriage…and felt better, and more hopeful than when we first started our conversation.

The LORD was in the midst of our conversation, and He knew what she “needed to hear” and supplied the verses for the duration of the phone call.

When we believe that trials come with a purpose, and use them as tools in the hands of our LORD, who can refine us, according to His plan, and refocus our lives to better reflect Christ, we gain immeasurable rewards, along with a deeper growth in the Spirit.

When we surrender to the LORD, and let go…and let “Him” do it all, knowing He “directs” us to bring us to a better place, than when we started, we begin to live a “free and blessed life.”

“Are you listening?”  God is Bigger than anything or anyone, now and forever…Praise You LORD!”

“Father God, You are in control, I surrender all to You, and know that Your plans, and Your will, and Your purpose, for my life, are always for the benefit of good, I thank You, in Jesus name, Amen.”