Resolute Two, He's in the Details

Looking for answers in tough situations is often a difficult task, yet,  here it is quite obvious to me that there are two resolute truths that should always remain our stay in any matter:

1. Fear God, reverence Him, the same maker who created and maintains the stars, is the same one who holds you in the palm of His nail-scarred hands. He will search the matter out,  He knows the secrets of the heart. (Psalms 44:21)

2.  Keep His commandments. His word will never lead us astray. Search for peace and wisdom through your circumstances by abiding in His truths, let them guide your every step, be obedient in them, even when it doesn't make sense to your heart. Remember that our hearts are wicked and deceitful, but God can never lie, His word will stand when nothing else will. "Obedience to the Holy Spirit is spiritual dynamite" - Oswald Chambers.

I find myself talking to the Lord all the time saying, "Aahhh, I just don't know God, I just don't know what to do."    This morning,  He reminded me  that being obedient and having reverence of His Word are what I always need to be doing, especially when I don't know what to do. Jesus died for me, not just that I may life, but that I may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) The details of what that abundance will be, well, I need to leave those up to Him.

It Matters

It Matters

Matthew 22:37
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.

We tell the kids in Sunday school that the way we love him matters.  It makes a difference in the way we make our decisions,  in the way we treat others,  in the way we do our jobs, in the way we view defeat, and in the way we view success. But the way we believe and trust His love also matters.  Let us not forget, He loved us with the Cross, and that is the ultimate gift of grace, we most definitely matter to Him.

Forever Loved

(Psalms 86:1-2, 5, 10, 12-13 )

Bow down thine ear, O Lord , hear me: for I am poor and needy.  Preserve my soul;

(Protect me sweet Savior, cover me with the Cross)

for I am holy:

( I am a wretched sinner saved by grace,  made Holy in thy sight by the precious blood of Christ.)

O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.  For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

(What a glorious hope we have in thee, O Lord)

  For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.  I will praise thee,

(You have given way more than I deserve,  thank you)

O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.  For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

(I weep with gratefulness,  I'm overwhelmed at the magnitude of your grace)

This morning as I sat in my car waiting on the store to open, I was talking to the Lord about some heartbreaks I've been experiencing lately.  I was asking him to protect me from my uncanny ability to make the wrong choices, for him to lead me and for him to, yes, make my heart feel better.  I came across this passage, and it comforted me in my time of sorrow and loneliness.  He has done so much for me that I don't deserve, and in his awesome love for me will continue to take care of me. He never ever fails to speak to me when I'm truly listening. I'm so thankful that when I am rejected by man, I still remain fully accepted by my heavenly Father.  I am written in the palms of his hand - forever loved, forever wanted and  forever  forgiven.

A Psalm for the Heart Broken

  I waited patiently for the Lord ; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 

(he stands ready)

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings 

 (this depressing time won't last forever)

he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God:

(thankful that one day I will sing a lovely song)

Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord . Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

 (my strength is all from Him, my testimony pointing to Christ and the power of the Cross)

Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered

( he has great, big plans for me. Ones I cannot fathom)

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.  Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually,

(My anchor...breathe it in,  breathe it out)

The Lord be magnified.  But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

(He loves me, oh yes,  He loves even me)

Psalms 40:1-5, 8, 16-17

Heavenly Vision

Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision. Acts 26:19

Sometimes I m walking so close to my Lord that I can feel His sweet breath of  wisdom kiss my cheek, then, at other times,  I'm so lost I can't even sense His presence as I pray.  In my busyness to get to where I'm going,  I get distracted.  I find, as my day begins, I leave pieces of my armor beside the bed and, day after day, I am not as prepared as I should be. I am weakened, and more susceptible to temptations and the wiles of the enemy.  I never want to be grow so busy that I become disobedient to the calling He has placed in my life.   He doesn't intend for me to get lost - I do that all by myself.  We can all lose sight of God's heavenly vision for our lives, but that doesn't mean He has. I challenge you,  as I have myself,  to take more time to listen for His voice, pray, ask Him to refresh your soul and renew our joy, and seek His calling in openness, with obedient hearts. It's no telling what greatness God can do,  He's just awesome that way! 

Little by Little

"I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.  By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land."  (Exodus 23:29-30)

God's timing is often a hard thing for me to understand, yet I know deep down, where truth abides, that His ways are perfect. I love how beautifully His word assures us that we aren't the first ones to have to wait, and  the things He does is for our own good.  So, the next time I wonder why things aren't happening right now, or why it seems my prayers are going unheard, I'm going to do my best to remember these verses and trust Him. God knows best how to work the land of my life, and His "little by little" will bring more contentment and joy than my "right now" could ever bring.

It's just what He does!

It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
                                               -Psalms 18:32

        Boy, I don't know about you guys, but, for me,  this week has been a hectic one . Although I do have a few good qualities given to me by my heavenly Father, there are many many I do not possess, and one gift I've yet to enjoy is being good at time management... my midnight run to the laundry mat is evidence of that! ;-) However, today as I was sitting here in my car, trying to catch my breath between classes, I found a powerful verse in Psalms 18, reaffirming my weary soul,  scattered brain and tired body,  He is all I need!
        Isn't it just like Jesus to tell it like it is?!  It's like the Lord said, "kiddo, you may not have it all together, but I do, and I will fill you with every ounce of strength you need if you will learn to lean on me!!" 
        Sooo, while I'd been busy trying to micro-manage, and do it all, I had not taken the time to rest in Him.   It's an awesome relief to know, even if I'm messy and unorganized, if I will just take the time to listen and walk with Him, He surely will make my way perfect, because... that's just what He does!!