Majestic Sunset

To my blog readers: normally I break up a scripture and give pause to the information found within the rich word of God. Except today, I feel it’s important for us to read this scripture slowly, so you can digest the wisdom found in it. The encouragement of God and with current events is so important to remember the power of God. I know many, who are struggling with loneliness, depression, challenges in life, including at times myself at times; but God is with you.

Again, Read His truth slowly, it is the Passion translation of Psalm 107, may you find encouragement for your soul. His Word never returns to us without impact.

“Let everyone give all their praise and thanks to the Lord! Here’s why—he’s better than anyone could ever imagine. Yes, he’s always loving and kind, and his faithful love never ends. So, go ahead—let everyone know it! Tell the world how he broke through and delivered you from the power of darkness and has gathered us together from all over the world. He has set us free to be his very own! Some of us once wandered in the wilderness like desert nomads, with no true direction or dwelling place. Starving, thirsting, staggering, we became desperate and filled with despair. Then we cried out, “Lord, help us! Rescue us!” And he did! He led us out by the right way until we reached a suitable city to dwell in. So lift your hands and thank God for his marvelous kindness and for all his miracles of mercy for those he loves. How he satisfies the souls of thirsty ones and fills the hungry with goodness! Some of us once sat in darkness, living in the dark shadows of death. We were prisoners to our pain, chained to our regrets. For we rebelled against God’s Word and rejected the wise counsel of God Most High. So he humbled us through our circumstances, watching us as we stumbled, with no one there to pick us back up. Our own pain became our punishment. Then we cried out, “Lord, help us! Rescue us!” And he did! His light broke through the darkness and he led us out in freedom from death’s dark shadow and snapped every one of our chains. So lift your hands and give thanks to God for his marvelous kindness and for his miracles of mercy for those he loves! For he smashed through heavy prison doors and shattered the steel bars that held us back, just to set us free! Some of us were such fools, bringing on ourselves sorrow and suffering all because of our sins. Sick and feeble, unable to stand the sight of food, we drew near to the gates of death. Then we cried out, “Lord, help us! Rescue us!” And he did! God spoke the words “Be healed,” and we were healed, delivered from death’s door! So lift your hands and give thanks to God for his marvelous kindness and for his miracles of mercy for those he loves! Bring your praise as an offering and your thanks as a sacrifice as you sing your story of miracles with a joyful song. Some of us set sail upon the sea to faraway ports, transporting our goods from ship to shore. We were witnesses of God’s power out in the ocean deep; we saw breathtaking wonders upon the high seas. When God spoke he stirred up a storm, lifting high the waves with hurricane winds. Ships were tossed by the swelling sea, rising to the sky, then dropping down to the depths, reeling like drunkards, spinning like tops, everyone at their wits’ end until even sailors despaired of life, cringing in terror. Then we cried out, “Lord, help us! Rescue us!” And he did! God stilled the storm, calmed the waves, and he hushed the hurricane winds to only a whisper. We were so relieved, so glad as he guided us safely to harbor in a quiet haven. So lift your hands and give thanks to God for his marvelous kindness and for his miracles of mercy for those he loves! Let’s exalt him on high and lift up our praises in public; let all the people and the leaders of the nation know how great and wonderful is Yahweh, our God! Whenever he chooses he can dry up a river and turn the land into a desert. Or he can take a fruitful land and make it into a saltwater swamp, all because of the wickedness of those who dwell there. But he also can turn a barren wilderness into an oasis with water! He can make springs flow into desert lands and turn them into fertile valleys so that cities spring up, and he gives it all to those who are hungry. They can plant their fields and vineyards there and reap a bumper crop and gather a fruitful harvest. God will bless them and cause them to multiply and prosper. But others will become poor, humbled because of their oppression, tyranny, and sorrows. For God pours contempt upon their arrogant abuse of power, heaping scorn upon their princes, and makes them wander among ruins. But he raises up the poor and lowly with his favor, giving them a safe place to live where no one can touch them. God will grant them a large family and bless them! The lovers of God will rejoice when they see this. Good men are glad when the evil ones are silenced. If you are truly wise, you’ll learn from what I’ve told you. It’s time for you to consider these profound lessons of God’s great love and mercy!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭107‬:‭1‬-‭43‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Can you relate to any portions of Psalm 107? So many rich messages to consume and give instruction along with direction.

Our God is an awesome God! We need to seek Him over everything else in this world. His supernatural protection and peace is our reward. God has miracles of mercy for those he loves isn’t that amazing? But he wants a relationship with you. That’s your choice to reach out to God and let him change your life.

My pastor, Aaron Lucas, Citipointe, yesterday shared we are to be the salt of the Earth. However we need to allow the Holy Spirit to pour His anointing oil and call over us so we are equipped to act on Jesus behalf as His examples. We need to ask Him for guidance daily sometimes moment to moment. We need a constant supply of His power and authority.

As I jotted down notes from the sermon this was the main point: “Be a salty saint and lit Christian!Glorify Your Father in heaven! Be used by God! Your good thing benefits others bringing His love to others, along His hope and peace to others!”

Stay salty not arrogant! Stay in His Word not assume you have the answers! Stay humble and be willing to learn after occasional convictions by the Holy Spirt! Stay open to share His love! There will be a great reward when you stay connected to the One and only God!

We will reap a glorious harvest if we don’t give up, God is our only source of hope, peace, and future.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. [12] In those days when you pray, I will listen. [13] If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Photo credit by M Mesikapp

God has better plans

It’s really that simple. The Lord wants to give you good things, and believes in your potential.

Ephesians 2: 8-10 reminds us that “we are Gods’ workmanship created in Christ Jesus for things before we were even born”, That’s my paraphrase.

So when we try to do life without God and attempt our plans over the best of plans from God, we’re taking a big risk.

It’s amazing to think that our heavenly father knows we are impulsive human people, and when we’re willing to let him plan our lives King Jesus will always be victorious.

Post this image of Jeremiah 29:11 somewhere so daily you can be reminded. God will never disappoint us. Our impulsiveness will limit our lives. Look to the future with excitement and know your destiny awaits..

He knows

God hears:

Psalm 116:2 (nlt): “Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!”

This is a beautiful picture of how the Lord bends down to listen when we talk. 💜

God knows:

Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭26‬-‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬ “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
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God blesses but does not tempt us:

James‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬ “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.”
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God is love and trustworthy:

1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬ “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.”
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God gave us all:

John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬ “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
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God gave us free will to choose Him over anything in this world. If you haven’t chosen Him yet now is the time. He extends His nail scarred hand to each one of His children. Regardless of what you may have done, and when we repent for the sins when we have fallen short, when we ask in humility He forgives our sins. What an amazing love for all of us.

Everyday is a new day full of hope and promise. God opposes the proud but is graceful to the humble.

John 4:6-10 “And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”

God is good and faithful always.

Consider what Jesus did for us in humility? His Name is the Name above all names! Jesus!!

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We can’t walk in humility on our own, we need the help of Jesus to have the mind of Christ. Our transformed mind with Him leads to freedom and a greater life of love, grace, peace and destiny.

Photo credit by pexels.com

Reflection

“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I found this particular scripture, fascinating, and yet convicting in a way. When we look at ourselves in the reflection of water, do we see a person who reflects the love of Jesus or do we see a furrowed brow, a stern expression, perhaps even steam coming out of our head because we’re so angry.

Self examination is not a bad thing. But asking the Lord to search our heart and show us if there’s any way and things that we need to change is the best way to do self examination. Because it’s actually not on our own that we’re coming to conclusions, its our human nature. We can choose,instead, to be lead by the direction of the Holy Spirit. When we let Him lead us we are able to have more self control and peace.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So does your facial expression reflect the love of Jesus, especially at times when you have a conflicted view with another? Does your facial expression soften and reminding you of how much God loves you and knows that you’ll make mistakes? God knows everyone makes mistakes and with our free will can live a bumpy life. What do others see in your face?

When you look at your reflection in water or in a mirror, do you see forgiveness? If we can’t forgive others for being human, impulsive, insecure, and raging with anger, how can our Father in heaven forgive us?

Luke 11 tells us how the disciples wanted to know how to pray. Jesus shared the well known “Our Father” prayer. It is a powerful prayer for every day and moment, use it daily to reflect the importance of love and forgiveness.

“Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: “Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation. ””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There’s so many scriptures that describe how God understands our feeling of anger, and yet he also wants us not to allow our anger to tumble into being a horrible example to others of unforgiveness, bitterness, and raging sin.

“And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We must not let the devil win, seeking God and His responses is the answer. I’m working on this Godly principle, also.

I’m growing in my knowledge of the need for conviction by the Holy Spirit. There’s a difference between being convicted by God to consider His responses over our responses especially when we are in conflict.

Condemnation comes from the devil and is meant to keep us in a guilt- shame cycle. However, conviction by the Holy Spirit gives us an opportunity to learn from the One who created us. We must love God and love others the way He wants us to love.

Sometimes in love, it means sharing our frustration with another, but it doesn’t mean we condemn them for their sin. It means we love the sinner and pray for them to realize how much God loves them and wants the best for them.

Father God, please help our faces reflect the love of Jesus to others. God let our hearts be in tuned to Yours, especially when we feel offended or in conflict with another. Father God help us to love others and the best way possible as you guide us. You are holy Lord! When we walk with you, we reflect your holiness. You are good and when we choose the best responses others see a reflection of You in us. Thank you for second chances and thank you, Lord for the grace and mercy of our Savior, In Jesus name, amen!

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“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Arrows

A single arrow can be easily snapped in two, but a tight little bundle of arrows can withstand the strongest pressures. Anonymous

“The Lord will appear above his people; his arrows will fly like lightning! The Sovereign Lord will sound the ram’s horn and attack like a whirlwind from the southern desert.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭9‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭127‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Isaiah felt so insecure to speak to the people around him about the Lord and His instructions. Yet he was called by God to speak to others in his life. The hard part is many did not want to hear the truth of God. Most despised him because they needed to know God and His commandments for their benefit. They were disobedient though. Isaiah still spoke.

This is Isaiah’s words:
“Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name. He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory.” I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.” And now the Lord speaks— the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him. The Lord has honored me, and my God has given me strength. He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” The Lord, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, says to the one who is despised and rejected by the nations, to the one who is the servant of rulers: “Kings will stand at attention when you pass by. Princes will also bow low because of the Lord, the faithful one, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.””
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We are chosen also, to speak to others about the promises of God. We must ask God for the wisdom, and be still with Him. Then sometimes we are to speak and sometimes not.

I loved the anonymous quote at the beginning of this post. I am an arrow. You can be an arrow! The quote reminded me of how blessed I am to be around people that are my bundle of arrows. We are called to sharpen each other with God as our connection because we can do more together than we can do alone. We must have friends that speak truth so we can all make a difference for the kingdom of God.

The Lord is our redeemer, our strength, our guide. There is no One that can take His place. Let the fire of God burn in you, and bring His words of hope to others as an arrow of truth. This world needs to hear it!!

Don’t be afraid to be like Isaiah, willing to be used as Gods’ mouthpiece. Time is now to share the love, grace, mercy, wisdom and righteousness of God. Love God and love His people!

He waits

The One who created you, who knows you from the beginning of your conception, your Creator God waits for you!

Psalm 139 is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It describes the love of a father for his creation. It describes how God knows us from the beginning of conception.

Science supports the fact that there’s a splash of light when the egg and sperm connect at conception. The light is God and he knows you from conception.

Psalm 139:1-24 NLT
O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. [2] You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. [3] You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. [4] You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. [5] You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! [7] I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! [8] If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. [9] If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, [10] even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. [11] I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night- [12] but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. [13] You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. [14] Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it. [15] You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. [16] You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. [17] How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! [18] I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! [19] O God, if only you would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers! [20] They blaspheme you; your enemies misuse your name. [21] O LORD, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? [22] Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies. [23] Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Psalm 139 it reminds us how He sees us, and it reminds us to search our hearts and to communicate with him.

It reminds us that He knows the steps we’re going to take.

It reminds us of our worth wonderfully created powerfully known by God.

Sadly, the world‘s message is exactly the opposite. You see the world’s messages that you’re unworthy, unlovable, but you need to fit into a mold that is not of God‘s description. Those are lies from the pit of hell. Those are lies that if we believe those will take us down a crazy train Track.

The enemy knows if he can keep your mind fixed on what is not true and distracted that our minds will be too busy with the lies and not open to the truth of God.

Psalm 139 can reset the truth and promises and God‘s word in our mind. Memorize it. Posted on a card in your bathroom recited. Declare it. So when you have those times of distracted minds, you can remember what the truth of God says about you. A beautifully created Child of God. Your identity must be in Christ your purposes have been ordained from your conception.

Ephesians 2: 8 -10 reminds us were God’s workmen shift created in Christ Jesus for great things he planned before we were born.

Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. [9] Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [10] For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

This song when I meet my maker by Tenille Townes really describes perfectly the precious love of God and how he waits for you. Don’t forget that.

When I meet my maker

God loves you so much and He waits for you!

Wisdom of God / Gift of horses

The wisdom of God is indescribable. No man can stand against it. Smoke and mirrors. Chaos and conflict seem to rule the day. Media supports a mindset of unrest and lately, fog, low clouds and torrential rains have taken over weather patterns. But none stands against the Lord.

Watching the power of a horse as it runs through the fields is so awe inspiring. These majestic animals can run at 44 miles per hour. They have sensitive hearing and their ears can rotate 180 degrees.

They can see nearly 360 degrees so between hearing and sight it is virtually impossible to sneak up on them.

HeartMath Institute did research on the horse and human heart connection. They are social, emotional animals and being in their presence calms even the most hardened hearts. Personally I have experienced this wonderful gift, and a hug from a horse is priceless.

Horses can sleep standing up, which gives them the ability to fight or flee if there are predators. According to the website: spca.bc.ca “Horses have a “stay-apparatus” which is a system of tendons and ligaments that allows the horse to lock their legs in position so they can relax without falling over. When not sleeping, horses also use this apparatus to rest while standing for long periods of time. This allows them to conserve energy while standing so they are ready to take flight if needed”.

Horses are muscular beasts used in wars. We humans, also must be prepared for battle. We are seeing the battle of good and evil reflected in current events.

“Ain’t No Grave” happens to be a song from a few years ago by Bethel worship. I just heard it for the first time recently, a powerful declaration of the power of God over man and circumstances. We must remember there “Ain’t No Grave” that can keep us down when we accept Jesus as our Savior! He will never leave us and gives us the ability to stand in the battle for our day.

Let this song bring hope and boldness to stand with God and let the Commander, Jesus bring victory!

Ain’t no Grave -Bethel

“No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Praise the Lord and be Himpowered!!

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Step by step with Him

Bring home Your children Lord!

Heal the brokenhearted Father God!

Gather the outcasts Lord!

These are just a few of the sentences in Psalm 147 that hit my heart and soul today.

I have used italics to highlight this specific scripture that brought hope and peace to me today.

Declare the words intertwined with the scripture in this blog. The word of God is a living, active spiritual weapon of warfare. Use it and know that God is with you.

“Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! How beautiful it is when we sing our praises to the beautiful God, for praise makes you lovely before him and brings him great delight! Yahweh builds up Jerusalem; he gathers up the outcasts and brings them home. He heals the wounds of every shattered heart.

You know the stars by name Lord, just as you know each of us by name.

You are infinite and You are all knowing God!

He sets his stars in place, calling them all by their names. How great is our God! There’s absolutely nothing his power cannot accomplish, and he has infinite understanding of everything.

You, Lord, support and strengthen the humble. The ungodly will be brought down. Give us boldness to take each step.

Yahweh supports and strengthens the humble, but the ungodly will be brought down to the dust. Sing out with songs of thanksgiving to the Lord! Let’s sing our praises with melodies overflowing! He fills the sky with clouds, sending showers to water the earth so that the grass springs up on the mountain fields and the earth produces food for man. All the birds and beasts who cry with hunger to him are fed from his hands.

Our strength comes from You Lord, when we believe in you and Your Promises.

His people don’t find security in strong horses, for horsepower is nothing to him. Manpower is even less impressive! Yahweh shows favor to those who fear him, those who wait for his tender embrace. Jerusalem, praise the Lord! Zion, worship your God! For he has strengthened the authority of your gates.

You are the giver of peace, You send swift messengers to help on our behalf.

He even blesses you with more children. He’s the one who brings peace to your borders, feeding you the most excellent of fare. He sends out his orders throughout the world; his words run as swift messengers, bringing them to pass. He blankets the earth with glistening snow, painting the landscape with frost. Sleet and hail fall from the sky, causing waters to freeze before winter’s icy blast.

You paint the landscape with frost and beauty as You do for each of us, created in Your image.

Then he speaks his word and it all melts away; as the warm spring winds blow, the streams begin to flow.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭147‬:‭1‬-‭18‬ ‭TPT‬‬

With Your Word there is peace despite our circumstance, YOU Lord are faithful!

We need to pray for our families, communities and the world. There is no other place of mighty intercession and the strength of our Creator God than on our knees. Let us pay attention to the plank in our own eye, and give the offenses to God! We all need to repent of our human nature in unforgiveness. We must love God and love others.

Iveth Luna has an amazing supportive song, Just like Jesus! For some reason I am unable to post it here, look it up online. It was not a coincidence that it came upon my playlist.

Ladies and gentleman, take the Word of God and be bold in claiming its Powerful message. Go with God into each step. He is with you.

Father God, we praise you regardless of our circumstances. we want you to be just like Jesus. Sing to the One who made you.

Photo credit Mary Mesikapp

Lighthouse in a Storm

If our minds are racing with anxiety, worry, or fear, it is hard to hear the Voice of God! Between our personal lives, news reels, community unrest, wars and conflict, we feel overwhelmed.

The enemy of our soul wants to keep us in racing thoughts, anxiety, worry and fear. When we stay in that mindset, we are like a gerbil on a wheel. Ruminating on those unhealthy emotions leads to being stuck and cycling like the gerbil into more distress.

Joshua 23:8-11 AMP
[8] But you are to cling to the LORD your God, just as you have done to this day. [9] For the LORD has driven out great and mighty nations from before you; and as for you, no man has been able to stand [in opposition] before you to this day. [10] One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who is fighting for you, just as He promised you. [11] So be very careful and watchful of yourselves to love the LORD your God.

We must break the cycle of rumination, we can only accomplish this transformation when we submit to His authority. He awaits our step into relationship; clinging to the Lord who wants to renew our minds for a wonderful future.

Romans 12:1-2 NLT
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. [2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Life brings crashing waves of conflict, storm clouds build into a deluge of crushing rain that seems like a curtain of darkness. The oppression may be overwhelming and yet there is a Light in the darkness. Like a lighthouse on the rocky shore, Jesus is the beacon of hope, wisdom and peace.

An amazing scripture Mark 4:35-41, shares how the disciples ( Jesus chosen friends on earth) were on the boat with Jesus who fell asleep, as a storm rose. They became fearful and awakened Him. Even though they walked with Jesus on earth, they let fear rule over trust in Jesus.

Mark 4:39- 41 NLT
39] When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. [40] Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” [41] The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

We serve an amazing God who equips His children for life including stormy times. If you don’t know Jesus yet, today change that mindset.

Because He wants to be in relationship with you and bring His supernatural peace and wisdom. No matter the storm, “Peace be still”! He brings the calm.

Mark 4:39 NKJV
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Proverbs 14:30 MSG
A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones.

“Sound Mind”, by Melissa and Jonathon Helser, is my go-to worship song when I feel the cycle of worry or fear attempt to attach itself to my mind.

Sound Mind- Melissa Helser

Our Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, fights for us as He has promised in His Word. Cling to Him, our Lord and God! Be steadfast in seeking Him! The battle of the mind is escalating and yet those who are steadfast with Him will have victory, as will their children. Seek Him no other idol will save or bring peace. He is the God of all peace, Jehovah Shalom!

Do not become weary in doing good, He rewards those who keep His commandments. He is faithful and just to finish the work He started in us and in those we love. Glory to God!!!

Praise the Lord that he gives us a sound mind at these times! The sound mind over the spirit of fear. Go with God!

2 Thessalonians 3:13,16,18 NLT
As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. [16] Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. [18] May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

ARE YOU A FOLLOWER OF JESUS?

Have you invited Jesus into your heart? Now is the perfect time. Pray this sinner’s prayer found at Gotquestions.com.

God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen.”

This is a reblog from May2024. One year later, the words in this blog post are even more relevant. Stick to the Creator God who knows all things and awaits your voice in relationship. Jesus is the only way to truth, peace and hope.

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Three little pigs

I’ve been pondering the children’s story, “Three Little Pigs” in the past few weeks. Initially, I would think to myself, “it’s a children’s story so how could it affect me at my age”? But then I was thinking about the story within the story.

Here we have three little pigs, all trying to figure out how to build their houses in such a way that they are noticed and protected. Each pig chooses a certain material product to bring structure to their home.

One pig chooses straw to build his home and feels pretty proud about himself that it will be a solid place for him to live. The second pig built his house on sticks.

The third pig built his house from bricks and it took much longer for him to establish his home. The other two pigs thought he was pretty stupid and actually probably laughed at him for taking the time and putting in the extra effort for his home.

Then, we have the big bad wolf, a selfish, mean character who just wants to taunt and eat the pigs. Is this no different than the devil or the evil spirits that tend to try to direct our lives?

You see the big bad wolf is almost like those negative headspace words or those people are telling us that we should live like the world or, the idol that can entrap us whether or not it’s comparison trapping or whether it’s materialism, gets us so much in debt. The voice in our head that wants us to feel despair and hopeless.

The first two pigs freak out and their houses are destroyed as the big wolf ultimately blows down two houses. The third pig ends up being actually the one with a house built in bricks, kind of like the foundation of living our lives with God,the foundation in the rock.

There’s an amazing similarity between scripture:

Matthew 7:21-29 NLT
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. [22] On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ [23] But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ [24] “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. [25] Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. [26] But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. [27] When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” [28] When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, [29] for he taught with real authority-quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

We can establish ourselves with a relationship with Jesus, who is the rock can take time because we have to put our own selfish thoughts aside while we take time to get to know the one who made us. And in the end, the foundation established on the rock Jesus ends up being the most solid foundation we could ever find.

The third pig actually is the wisest because he use the tools of wisdom and strength to make his fortress strong. We need to choose Jesus for the same future.

So today when you’re pondering about life and choices and where you place your trust and who you get your wisdom from, it’s my hope that maybe you reconsider the story of the three little pigs. It’s relevant story for people of any age.

Build your home and your heart and your mind and your soul on the solid foundation of the rock of Jesus. The time and effort you put into that will affect the steps of your life. And in the end, just like that third pig, it will be worth it. You’ll be living, with more peace, more wisdom, and the rock, Jesus, will give you the wisdom for every step you take.

I hope you enjoy this song from Lauren Daigle, Love Like This, it’s been a song that has impacted me years ago. And today when I heard it again, it reminded me of the importance of the love we get from our Father God. We haven’t done anything to deserve His love, and yet Jesus freely gives unconditional love, wisdom for life, and grace in the midst of our messes. May God richly bless your day.

Love like this— Lauren Daigle

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