Month: March 2012

Dear God: Take the Helm~

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I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8

The Lord does not always reveal His plans for your life right away.  Sometimes it may take months…or years.  The easy part is praying, the hard part is “waiting” for His response. Hard not meaning you lack faith, but wanting an “instant” answer.  We are flesh and flesh wants immediate action!  Our spiritual self will have the fortitude and the ability to wait…and trust in the Lord. 

During the time of waiting, people may think you are “odd” for turning down an opportunity that is staring you in the face.  Or, they may wonder why you turned down an extraordinary promotion.  You may even begin to doubt yourself!   The important and crucial part of this equation is learning to never keep God out of your life…when it is something that “concerns your life.” 
 
When we give ourselves fully and freely to the Lord…and ask Him to take charge.  To “hand him the helm” so to speak–is to essentially acquiesce and allow Him full control of our lives.  Without doubt, without hesitation…without thought. 
 
Any situation in our life should be brought to the Father.  For a blessing, for advice, for guidance.  As we sit in conference with our Lord we learn to hear and understand His words.  We begin to infuse His Spirit with ours.  Our bond and purpose will become clearer each time. His plans for our life will become visibly apparent eventually.
 
When my husband and I moved years ago…we didn’t clearly understand the purpose.  It wasn’t until many years later that I understood fully.  A career as a Director and Counselor for the beloved elderly was directly related to the move.  However, it wasn’t revealed until years later!  God brings terms of enlightenment at His own pace…His own time table…His own relevance.
 
So if any of you reading this right now are waiting for an answer from the Lord; no matter what the prayers are.  It could be “should I marry?”  Is this the “right man/woman?”  Or, “is this the right job?”  Or even, “Father what do you want me to do at this time?”   Wait on the Lord.   He will be your guiding force, your life force…your means for everything and anything.
 
I am so happy and thrilled to know God is at the helm of my ship. He is in full control…So no matter what we may be going through; rough seas, stormy weather patterns, or times of tranquility.  Leave it all to God.  He is the procurer of love and endless possibilities.  Nothing is impossible with God.  And, He knows our hearts–and our needs–and our souls. 
 
I feel love and peace with Him at the bow of my ship–I sit back and smile and embrace His love and His peace.  And, I smile–knowing He is steering my life to full potential of purpose.
I love you Lord.  I am yours.
 
Who is at the Helm of your life?  Hand it to the Lord and sit back and watch God work. Amen.
 
 
 

Psalm 109:27  That they may know that this is Your hand–that You, Lord, have done it.
 
Psalm 40:8  I delight to do your will, O God, and Your law is within my heart.
 
Psalm 71:5  For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.
 
Psalm 70:4  Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified.”
 
Psalm 16:20 …whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
 
 
 
 
 

Dear God: Your are The Bridge to Eternal Life~

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God You are my Bridge to Eternal Life~

 Lord you are the Bridge to Eternal life. You keep me from harm and guide me ever so gently  as I walk the path and observe your covenant.

 
Each time I see a rainbow I am reminded of your covenant with Noah/us.  You are the realization of all things and are the only reason for anything.
 
When I cross a bridge I always see you in my mind’s eye.  The bridge  enables the passengers/travelers to journey safely to the other side. We don’t take the time to realize what it is made of…or when it was made, or why.  We just realize that it is a means to bring us to the purpose of our journey. It “holds” us up over the water and brings us to our destination. We trust its sturdy foundation, and we realize and believe without thought or hesitation that it is safe. No questions of “oh will we make it?’ Or – “Will this keep us suspended safely or where it collapse? No question right?
 
Well that is the same way we equate your love and your power, and your Sovereign Magnificence.  You are our Foundation, our Rock.  You are the sturdy and unmoveable Rock. You suspend us in times of trouble.  It is Your Hand, and by your Grace that guides us gently to our purpose… and we recognize and know you without question.  We know we cannot collapse with you as our God. You are our constant Bridge that leads us over troubled waters…and takes us calmly through all the rough patches in our life.
 
We know we cannot collapse with you as our God. You are our Beautiful Bridge that leads us over troubled waters…and takes us calmly through all of the rough patches in our life.
 
You hold us in good times and in bad.  In lonely times and sad.  In all aspects of our growth, from the moment we are born…until the moment we take our last breath. You are our Bridge to Eternal Life…you guide us safely through our lives; and eventually to the “other side.” And, that would be to the Eternal doors of Heaven when it is our time. 
 
In order for any of us to enjoy the fruits of our labor and live for all eternity in your Kingdom…we must produce and live by Your Word.  We must bring forth the Word.  As Jesus was the Word and became Flesh…so should we bring forth the word feeding on it in abundance, and sharing it with others.
 
Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ is non-stop.  We need to let our Spiritual sides be first and foremost in understanding the word and living the word.  Flesh and the Spiritual self do not agree…in fact they clash.  As we gain insight into the Father’s words, we gain an increased knowledge of digesting the word fully.  Therefore allowing us to go forward in Spirit of all things during our lives. Crossing the bridge to understanding is twofold.  It brings us closer to God, and brings us closer to the promise of eternity.
 
The waters may be calm or turbulent…but God is constant and omnipresent.  He can and will do all things to protect His children. Amen.
 
When you cross the bridge…Do you see Eternity? 
 
 
Isaiah 56-1  Keep doing justice, and do righteousness. For My Salvation is about to come. And My righteousness to be revealed.
 
Mark 16-19  So then after the Lord had spoken to them. He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
 
John 1-14  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
 
Romans 1:5  Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name.
 
Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.
 
Matthew 28:20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Picture courtesy of Scott Birge~
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Dear God: We Rejoice & Mourn~

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And Jesus said to him, “assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43 NKJV

When someone you love is gone as a Christian we believe and realize they were called home to be with our Father in heaven.  We rejoice over that, but our hearts break in the process of the realization.

 
As Christians we know and believe the promises of Jesus Christ, “Assuredly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”Luke 23:43   We know that is the truth.  We also know that He has never left us.  As he so emphatically and lovingly stated, “and lo I am with you always even until the end of the age.”Matthew 28:20
 
So we know all of this…and yet we still ache when a loved one leaves. It can be intolerable for some.  Each individual handling it in their own way. Mourning is something most of us will have to face at some point in our lives.  But what an amazing thing to have God in our lives…to guide us and comfort us.  Jesus’ words are very penetrating, “ Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:3-4
 
 I cannot even imagine those who do not have “faith” or believe in God.  How do they get through it?  When you are trying to comfort someone whose heart is shattered and their very being crushed…how do we as Christians handle it?  By praying to the Holy Spirit for guidance to say and do the right things.  By being there for that friend, family member, individual standing in Jesus’ love and conviction of comfort.
 
A very dear friend of ours passed away today.  This couple was a vital part of our lives in terms of socializing and being fellow Christians.  The two of them were a team from the start, and generous and kind towards all their friends…and people in general. And, most important they were fun and full of life. They ministered “life”  and “love” to their friends, family and acquaintances.  All part of Jesus’ ministry…Life and love.
 
This man was a funny and wise cracking individual who loved to tease his good friends.  But, always in a kind and delightful way that was inimitably “him.”  The wife is a soft spoken kind woman, who doted on his every word and loved him so much. He of course loved her as evidenced by after 19 years of marriage still referred to her as his ” bride.” 
 
This gentleman went through so much in terms of health in the past 4 years…yet always had a smile and was filled with encouragement. He never complained or lost his faith in the Lord.  Nor did the wife.  They were just an oustanding couple and helped so many people during their marriage…with words, actions and numerous other ways. “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
 
After a courageous battle for his life this past month, he passed away today.  The wife is crushed and her heart broken…but I know she is rejoicing that he is no longer suffering and he is now in heaven with his Father.  I ask that the Lord place his arms around her and comfort her during this time.  And that the Lord will send laborers her way to help with tasks and other issues of concern.  As He has in the past.  The Lord sent helpers their way all along.  Praise God, be glorified Father.
 
I know you ushered him home today and took him in your arms and said, ” Welcome home.  Good job my son…good job.”
 
Good bye dear old friend,and be on your way
to the Lord your God who called you home today. 
 
We will miss you so much…but we will see you again one day in the future.
 

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit

Psalm 48:14
For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

Isaiah 40:18-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

John 14:1-4
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.

 
 
 

 

Dear God: Tranquil waters speak Your Name~

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He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”John 7:38

 

The rivers flow endlessly, the ocean moves mysteriously, and the lakes abound in beauty, and the water slakes my thirst forever more.

 
The tranquil waters whisper Your name as we gaze and marvel at Your handiwork.  Your Hands paint the magnificent landscape of our souls.  Your touch releases love and hope. 
 
We walk in Faith, not by sight and yet we see “all that You” have created.  The mountains that brush the heavens.  The flowers, the  color of the sky.  The rain that crashes down hard yet gentle enough that it doesn’t harm the flowers or petals.
 
The snow that cascades gently to the ground, each snowflake unique…as it blankets the earth in exquisite beauty. The baby deer struggling to stand as its mother licks it clean.  The cuddly kitten that mews softly, the puppy opening his eyes as he looks for mommy.  The newborn baby that wails as he takes his first breath outside his mother’s womb. 
 
All things were created by you.  We belong to you.  With each step we take we want to become more Christ like in our charaters.  We want to reveal our true spiritual selves…The one that will please you my Lord. We are the fruit of the Spirit, so therefore Christ lives in those who believe and accept Him as their Lord and Savior.
 
Being for Christ, and of Christ opens up a whole new dimension in us. The Lord wants to watch us grow.  The living water abounds…the tranquil waters call and speak your name ever so softly Lord.  They know who is Lord and Master.  As we know You Lord…We have you dwelling within us.  We have you with us always.
 
Be Loyal to The Faith
 
 ”Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.  That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.”  2 Timothy 1:13-14 (NKJV)
 
Christ is the true church and the One who will always be there. He promises us peace.  He promises us eternal life.  He is our redeemer.  He is our King of Kings.  He is our friend.  He is our everything. He is the victorious conqueror of death.  He is our salvation and our shade when we are scorched in the sun.   He is beyond all measure and scope of understanding for our mortal minds to comprehend.  But, we do know He is special, He is the truth, He is our hope, our reality, and HE is LOVE.
 
So the next time you walk by a lake, a river, an ocean, listen to the sound of the Living Water.  You will hear “them whisper Christ’s name.”  For He is our TRUE LIVING WATER.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Picture courtesy of Scott Birge