The Never-Failing God

"For He has said, ' I will never leave you or forsake you'". Hebrews 13:5

From the book, "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, he says:
What line does my thought take? Does it turn to what God says, or to what I fear? Am I learning to say not what God says, but to say something after I have heard what He says?
He has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you, so that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man will do to me".

Have I really let God say to me that He will never fail me? If I have listened to this say-so of God's, then let me listen again.

Sometimes it isn't difficulty that makes me think God will forsake me, but drudgery. There is no Hill Difficulty to climb, no vision given, nothing wonderful or beautiful, just the commonplace day in and day out - can I hear God say-so in these things?
We have the idea that God is going to do some exceptional thing, that He is preparing and fitting us for some extraordinary thing by and by, but as we go on in grace we find that God is glorifying Himself here and now, in the present minute. If we have God's say-so behind us, the most amazing strength comes, and we learn to sing in the ordinary days and ways.

Today I pray that I will really allow God to prove his faithfulness to me.....that I will know without a shadow of doubt, that He is here and is orchestrating circumstances for the good.
My life verse has always been Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose".

He has shown his faithfulness to that promise many times in my life......I need to trust
he will do so once again.

The Rolling Thunder

Today I was woken by the wonderful sound of thunder and rain....there's something about storms that intrigues me, and we sure have needed this rain here in Florida!

It brings to mind the song, "How Great Thou Art" , where it says: "I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, thou power throughout the universe displayed. Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee, How great thou art, How great thou art. Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee, How great thou art........How GREAT thou art".

With that said, I found a passage in Psalms where David speaks of this very thing - the power of our Lord, and how the He reveals himself to us through nature.

Psalm 29

"Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.

The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning.

The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord twists the oaks, and strips the forest bare.

And in his temple all cry, "Glory!"

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as a King forever.

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace".

May you be blessed this Sunday.....

Janelle

What's in a Name?

Did you know that God actually refers to Himself in the Bible with other titles than God or Lord? There are many Hebrew names that are linked to the specific circumstances of how God is revealing His power and glory to His people. The Lord's name stands in for His purpose, reflecting His qualities,character and attributes.



Today I want to share some of these names with you. I found a few of them written down in the back of my Bible, but have happened upon a website from which I took my opening statement, and also gives additional Hebrew names for the Lord, along with the characteristics of those names. All quotes in italics are taken from this excerpt I found online.
© Beth Rimstidt 2007 Permission is given for non-profit use of the information from this web page provided it is accompanied by the citation:
Used by permission of Beth Rimstidt www.child-bible-lessons.com



1. Jehovah-Rophe - God our Healer (Psalm 147:3) "He heals the broken in heart and binds up all their wounds". God wants to heal not only our sicknesses and physical health but also our emotional health or even our 'land' can be healed.
'Rapha' means restoring something to it's normal state.

2. El Roi - the God of seeing(Hebrews 2:18) - "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted". We use this name if we are seeking God to open our eyes and reveal to us that even though men may not see our good deeds, God sees it all. El Roi means God sees the afflictions or suffering of His people and if we humble ourselves and call on Him, He will come to our aid.

3. Jehovah-Sabaoth - The Lord of Hosts(Isaiah 36 - 37)the Commander to the Angelic Host and the Armies of God. We may call on Jehovah-Sabaoth if we have lost all hope and are defenseless and in trouble, feeling trapped like we have an army of enemies surrounding us on all sides.

4. Jehovah-Jireh - God our Provider (Philippians 4:19) - "And my God will surely supply everything you need, according to His riches found in Christ Jesus". Because God always provides for our needs at the appropriate time. Abraham named the place on the mountain where he was ready to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac "The Lord will Provide", because at the last moment God provided a ram to sacrifice in place of Isaac.(Gen 22:1-19)

5. El Shaddai - God all sufficient - This could be used in unison with Jehovah-Jireh because God supplies all our needs at the prescribed time according to His riches and Glory in Christ.

6. Jehovah-Nissi - The Lord our Banner(Song of Solomon 2:4) - "He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love". This often refers to the banner of God on the battlefield. His banner over us signifies His presence, His power and His provision.

7. Jehovah-Shalom - The Lord our Peace(Romans 5:1) - "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ". The way we gain God's peace over our lives is by trusting Christ and obedience to His commands which results in a 'wholeness' in our relationship with God and with others. Sometimes this is called a 'peace that surpasses all understanding'.

8. El Elyon - The most high God(Psalm 57:2) - "I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me". God is sovereign which means that God is in charge of the entire universe ALL the time. God is so in control of our lives that nothing can happen without His permission. No fortunes, evil dictator's plans or worldly circumstances can thwart His plans.



Some additional names:

Adonai-Jehovah -- The Lord our Sovereign

El-Olam -- The Everlasting God

Jehovah-Elohim -- The Eternal Creator

Jehovah-Tsidkenu -- The Lord our Righteousness

Jehovah-Mekaddishkem -- The Lord our Sanctifier

Jehovah-Shammah -- The Lord is Present

Jehovah-Rohi -- The Lord our Shepherd

Jehovah-Hoseenu -- The Lord our Maker

Jehovah-Eloheenu -- The Lord our God

Now that I've re-read and delved into scripture to study these names (some of which I wasn't familiar with) I can see more clearly as to why the Lord directed me to post about His names today. You know the old saying, "preaching to the choir"? - well today, that's exactly what I'm doing...........I needed to "hear" this as much or more than anyone! I needed the Lord to remind me of WHO HE IS, and who I am IN Him!

Blessings,

Janelle

Only Two More Days Until My Give A Way

Well Spring is officially here today, and I'm excited about drawing for the name of the winner of my Prim Frog on my Selling Blog on Sunday!

There's still time to get your name or to tell your friends to get their names on my mailing list, to be eligible for the drawing.

Happy Spring! :)

Here's a thought for you today, spoken by the Lord after his resurrection:

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed".

John 20:29b

Feast of Purim

March 15 - what the world views as "The Ides of March", but it is so much more than that - especially for me.

This date was acknowledged in the Old Testament in the book of Esther, as a day of celebration. There had been a plot - a holocaust against the Jews, much like what we saw happen in Europe in the 1940's. Queen Esther, with the help of her Uncle Mordecai, helped uncover this plot to wipe out their people, and it was completely turned around to become a day of victory and celebration for the Jews. They conquered those who were opposed to them, and the Lord tells us in Esther 9:21 - "Have them celebrate annually on the 14th and 15th days of Adar (March for us), as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month of when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration".
9:28 - "These days should be remembered and observed in every generation, by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendents".

I'd read this book many times, but it wasn't until after my dearly beloved Daddy went home to heaven, that I read it with a whole new perspective.
You see, my daddy DIED on March 15, 1984. This was surely a day or mourning for me that lasted many years. Each year I would fall into deep depression at the emptiness at the loss of this man that I adored. It's hard to believe that tomorrow is the 25th anniversary of that horrible event.

I had no idea how I could ever turn this day of mourning into a day of celebration, as it states in Esther 9. What could possibly occur in my life that would bring about such a change?

Nineteen years after my daddy went home to heaven, I got my answer, and this is how the story goes:
In December 2002, I met Bill, and when he proposed to me, he said it was up to me to pick a date for our wedding. I quickly found a calendar and checked to see what day of the week March 15 was going to fall on in 2003 - SATURDAY! Perfect- I could have a real wedding, with all the kids and grandkids!
When he asked why I picked "The Ides of March" to get married on, I was able to explain to him what that date meant to me, and also tell him the story from the book of Esther.

My sweet husband to be made sure that this was the most special day of my life. He took care of all the arrangements for the wedding, and I got to pick out the most beautiful bridal gown I'd ever seen - I was getting a wedding in a chapel, and a gown to boot - something I didn't get the first time around.

So tomorrow I will surely remember my daddy, but it won't be the day of sadness and emptiness I had felt for 19 years - it will be a day to celebrate a new man in my life; a day of happiness....or as it says in Esther - "a day of sorrow turned into joy, and a day of mourning turned into celebration".

My Precious Daddy - see you in Heaven!

March 15, 2003 - Mr.& Mrs. Bill Hurt

Forgetting the Past

In thumbing through my Bible this morning, looking for something to share from God's Word, I came across this passage from the book of Isaiah.


Isaiah 43:18 - 19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert, and streams in the wasteland".


I think all of us at some time or another, tend to cling to, or hold onto things of the past - why we do, is the question. The Lord is telling us in the above scripture, that He wants and desires to give us and to show us newness of life. He even makes a way for us in times that are hard, but we have to let go of the past, and trust him with today, and with the future. Most of the time, the things we hold onto seem hard to let go of - they're familiar - they deceive us into thinking they are a safe place to hide emotionally. They've taken up permanent residence in our hearts and in our lives, and holding onto them aren't benefitting us at all, but hinder us in our emotional and spiritual growth.


Past hurts undealt with, paralyze us - if not dealt with, those hurts turn into anger and unforgiveness. Once unforgiveness takes a solid place in our hearts, it turns into bitterness, which the Bible says in Hebrews 12: 15 - "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many". The Greek word for bitter is the same word for manure or dung. Think about manure - it's waste - something to be expelled from the body.


Manure is also used as a fertilizer, so although that can be beneficial in growing beautiful flowers, food and such, in this case, it's use is of no benefit whatsoever. Fertilizing this root causes it to take hold of every area in our life, bringing troubles and defiling many. It can and will affect every relationship in one's life, choking out God and His word, His plan for our life, It can and will destroy every relationship in one's life, if not dealt with.



Don't let another day go by without giving these things of the past to the Lord. Let Him heal the hurts, and guide you to a new life, full of His grace.



Janelle

Perfect Peace

I am so thankful and so grateful to all those friends and family who since hearing the news of Dude's upcoming deployment in December, have prayed and will continue to pray for Dude, as well as for me.
The Lord gave me this scripture this morning, as I continue to go to him more frequently about having complete peace about this.
He says in John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid".
I also read in Isaiah 26:3 - 4, another familiar passage, that has a whole new and fresh message for me - "You Lord, will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal". The Hebrew word for the peace mentioned here, translates into " a full, genuine well-being".
You might be in a place in your life when you too, need to know the peace that passes all human understanding. We all face different trials and tests of faith throughout our walk here on earth, and I pray that these passages will speak peace into your heart as they have done for me.

Blessings,
Janelle

Seasons of Life

After a phone call with my son a few minutes ago, I needed to turn to the Word of God for peace and comfort, as I got the news that he is going to be deployed to Afghanistan in December.
Fear hasn't gotten a grip on me, but it's just something in a mother's heart that I can't fully explain, that once again has me running to my Heavenly Father to reassurance and the peace that passes all understanding.
As soon as I picked up my Bible, I felt the Holy Spirit tell me to go to Ecclesiastes 3, where it speaks of "A Time for Everything". I'm sure many of you are familiar with the song The Byrds did in the late 60's, which was based on this very scripture.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

This is a time for my son to accept and fulfill his responsbilities and duties he has sworn to do for his country.
To say that I'm proud of him is a huge understatement.....this was a decision he made as a MAN, and an honorable decision it is.
This is also a time for me as his mama, to spend more and more time with my Father and my Lord, for His peace, His strength, and His comfort.
I ask that you remember us as well........

Psalm 71

In thumbing through my Bible in search of something to share today, I came across Psalm 71, and it says exactly what I know someone needs to hear right now.

Psalm 71: 17 - 21

"Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,

and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God,

till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.

Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things.

Who, O God, is like you?

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again;

from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

You will increase my honor and comfort me once again."



I know that this psalm rings true in my life, and our Lord has been faithful to bring me up "from the depths of the earth" many times.

I pray today, that if you are in a place of sadness, sorrow, loneliness or heartache, you will turn your heart towards the Lord, letting him bring you up to where he is - a place of love, comfort and healing.



Blessings,

Janelle

Giving Our Firstfruits

In these tough financial times, many are cutting back on things - even believers in their giving to the church.

Jesus says in Luke 6:38: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you".

This past Sunday when I was preparing to write out a check to put in the offering plate, I asked the Lord what did he want me to give. The amount he spoke to me was going to be a stretch for us this week, but I willingly did what he asked, knowing that he would be faithful in his promise of being Jehovah Jireh - my provider. What I wasn't expecting though, was how soon he would show himself in that way!
When I got home from church and finished with brunch, I decided to lay down for a nap, and when I woke up, I came to check my email, and there were two orders in my inbox! After sending an invoice to one, I got an immediate payment. I wrote an email of thanks to this customer, and at the bottom of each of my sent emails, I have a signature that includes links to my website, Etsy, and the TDIPT Mercantile. Within minutes, this same customer that had gotten my email of thanks, had gone to the link to my items on Etsy, and had purchased yet another of of my pieces!

All I could do was say, "Thank you Jesus" over and over again. The total amount that I received just from that one person, was the amount I'd given in church and an overage of the very same amount!

And it just gets better! I sold two items on Ebay yesterday, and again, just kept thanking the Lord for his goodness and faithfulness.

I then listed another item on Etsy, and within minutes of listing it, I received another email saying that I had an order from there that included not only the just listed item, but another one along with it as well!

I'm not telling you any of this to brag, but to encourage you to be faithful to the Lord in your giving - He will prove to you, his faithfulness in his promises from his Word.

I'll close with this passage from Malachi 3:10: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. "TEST ME IN THIS", says the Lord Almighty "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit", says the Lord Almighty.

Trust in the Lord, and especially when you are tempted to cut back on your giving to the church. He will honor you for your obedience, and will reveal himself as Jehovah Jireh - our wonderful and faithful provider.

Have a blessed Tuesday!



Janelle

A Call to Be Courageous

In our Beth Moore class on Esther yesterday, the topic was around FEAR. The study this week is an exhortation to be courageous, as Esther was, when going to face the king on behalf of her and the other Jews throughout Persia.

Some of the notes regarding fear were:

• I am the biggest obstacle to myself in overcoming


• There is no denial in courage - you need to look your fears flat in the face and you don't deny it, but rather, you deny its power over you!
• You may be one brave decision from the most important turn in your entire path...
• The most common command in scripture is: "Don't be afraid"
• We tend to cherish fear and/or hide behind it
• Don't be motivated by fear!
• The enemy - Satan - knows our fears and he's all over it!
• "What If" = "I Fear"....the "what ifs" in life, usually don't even happen

I don't know of a single person who couldn't benefit from this lesson on fear - we all have them, some moreso than others, but any fear is in contradiction to God's word - he says in I John 4:18: "There is NO fear in love. But perfect love drives out ALL fear"

Let us be strong and courageous in facing our fears and come to the full knowledge and trust in the Lord that NO MATTER WHAT....God is ALWAYS with us, and will see us through...

Janelle

Take No Thought for Your Life

Today I'm posting from my devotional, "My Utmost for His Highest", by Oswald Chambers.

He says, "A warning which needs to be reiterated is that the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things entering in, will choke all that God puts in. We are never free from the recurring tides of this encroachment. If it does not come on the line of clothes and food, it will come on the line of money or lack of money; of friends or lack of friends; or on the line of difficult circumstances. It is one steady encroachment all the time, and unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the standard against it, these things will come in like a flood.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:25, "Take no thought for your life". "Be careful about one thing only", says our Lord, "your relationship to Me". Common sense shouts loud and says, "That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, I must consider what I am going to eat and drink." Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing the thought that this statement is made by One Who does not understand our particular circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things so as to make them the one concern of our life. Whenever there is competition, be sure that you put your relationship to God first.

"Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." How much evil has begun to threaten you today? What kind of mean little imps have been looking in and saying - Now what are you going to do next month - this summer? "Be anxious for nothing", Jesus says. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the "much more" of your heavenly Father.



This all goes along so well with the series of teachings our pastor has started off the new year with - "In God We Trust".

This past Sunday's notes said:

1. Do not put your trust in yourself - Proverbs 28:26

2. Do not put your trust in your own wisdom and understanding - Proverbs 3: 5 - 7

3. Do not put your trust in money - Proverbs 11:28, 18:11

4. Do not put your trust in your own planning - Proverbs 21:30, 16:9

5. Do not put your trust in man's approval - Proverbs 29:25



This sermon really hit home with me, as well as the devotional today, as I am guilty of all the above at times. My prayer is that my faith in God's faithfulness will be strengthened, and I will look to Him more each day, to fulfill the promises He makes about meeting all our needs.



Have a blessed Tuesday...

Janelle

The Atonement for Our Country

Today I was looking for a scripture that I was going to share about inward beauty, and in looking for it, the Lord directed me into a U-turn to another scripture that I think needs to be said to all, and it is found in Colossians 2:8.
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world, rather than on Christ".
Our eyes as a country need to be set on God, and not on man. Our eyes need to be set on the grace and atonement for everyone through the blood of Jesus, not on the election of a black man, to try to right the wrongs of the past in our country.
I never tippy toe around the issues that I feel strongly about, and I'm sure not going to start now!
The world's principles, which is mentioned in this passage, haven't seem to do too much for our country, as we have followed it's principles and now stand in the greatest economic downfall of our time. Lawyers, bail outs and a liberal congress cannot better ourselves as a nation, but as it says in II Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land".
That's the only answer for our country, and the only LOGICAL answer, in my opinion. Man's solutions have failed us, and it's time to turn this country back to it's Judeo Christian principles it was founded on.
And I'll stand on this soapbox til Jesus comes if I have to, and NOT apologize for it!

A Command to Submit

With today being the day our country has sworn in a new President, I am reminded in scripture that we must submit to those who are in authority over us, even if we do not agree with them fully on all the issues. It is not the person we are called to submit to, but the authoritative office in which they hold. Although I didn't cast my vote for Barack Obama, I have to be obedient to the Word of God, and it says in Romans 13:1
"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God".
I do pray for President Obama, and that he will seek the Lord for godly wisdom and direction for our country.

All That and a Bag of Chips?

I just finished my homework from my study on Esther, and it sure puts things in perspective.

The book starts off with a description of King Xerxes - he was said to be the most handsome, the tallest, and most powerful man of that time. He didn't earn his wealth - he just happened to come from a gene pool, to where it was all handed down to him on a silver platter.

In this first chapter, it tells us about this party he threw in his palace for 180 days for all the military officials and nobles of the day, and THEN when that one was over, he threw yet another party for seven days for "those who were the least to the greatest in all the kingdom" - can you imagine attending a party that lasted that long? As Beth Moore states in our study, " imagine how exhausting a 7 day party would be, particularly after the drama of tearing through our closets, trying to decide what to wear. Think of how our feet would kill us because we'd choose cute over comfortable shoes".

This Xerxes loved to flaunt himself and all that was his. He thought he was "all that and a bag of chips".

Verse 4 says, "He displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty". Again, Beth Moore reminds us that the words 'splendor, glory and majesty' are words that should be attributed to God alone. I would suggest you read Psalm 49: 6 - 20, to see the fate of those who attribute those words of praise to themselves.

One last thing I want to share from today's homework is this: "Our culture's mountain-high piece of the pie premium on riches is not so different from ancient Persia's, and the wealth around us can become as intoxicating as Xerxe's royal wine".

I know I have been guilty on many occasions to be jealous of the homes, clothes and other material things of others. What we see on the outside doesn't always reflect what's going on inside the lives of the people who seem to have it all; many times they have all those things as a means to try to fill a void in their life that only God can fill. I know, because I was that person once - I had the big house in the desired neighborhood; the paid for Mercedes in my garage; unlimited spending on credit cards that were paid off each month; more clothes than I could ever wear - many with tags on them as I'd donate them to Goodwill or some other charity because "they weren't in style anymore".....

What a pitiful and empty person I was. Thank God for the events in my life that brought all that crashing down! I ended up losing everything I owned, and gaining a LIFE! It wasn't until I was alone and broke and had nothing of material worth to my name any longer, that I actually realized how blessed I was, because I then had a new life in Christ. I was learning an invaluable lesson on being content in any and all situations.

I pray that God will use this to speak to you about some area in your life as well....I'm so thankful that I am able to be a part of this study of "Esther - It's Tough Being a Woman", and that God is showing me what kind of woman he desires for me to be...

Have a blessed Thursday...



Janelle

For Such a Time as This

Today is my second week to go to the Bible study on Esther, and one of the passages from chapter 4 is: "And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this".

Esther had been appointed queen, and her people (the Jews) were under the threat of total annihilation by an evil man named Haman. It was her cousin Mordecai who said these famous words to her, as he was pleading with her to go to King Xerxes to beg him to deliver the Jews from this holocaust.

Had Esther not gone to the King for mercy towards her people, God would have found another means to accomplish this, but she was faithful to God and to her people, and deliverance came to them.

We can apply this verse to our own lives as well - the Bible says that as believers, we are a part of God's royal family. We are called to stand up for those who are being persecuted, for those who are oppressed and lost, and the blessings we recieve from the Lord in our obedience to that call are without end.

If God asks us to do something, and we fail to obey him in it - whether it's for fear of looking silly, or any other reason, then we rob ourselves of a blessing. He will find someone else to carry out His will, but when he asks us to do something - it's because He knows that he's arranged everything and prepared us in every way to carry out the task, or He wouldn't have asked us in the first place!

Don't rob yourself of the blessings of obedience - what might seem silly or makes you feel like you're not capable of doing what the Lord has asked, is actually a lie from hell, in an effort to thwart God's purpose. That will never happen - God's will is always done - no matter who He uses. Let him use you today!



Janelle

He Has Shown Me

Today I'm reading in the book of Micah, which can be found near the end of the Old Testament. Micah was a prophet, and his name meant, "Who is like Yahweh"? Yahweh meaning: the sacred name of God; the self-existent one.
Micah answers the question of "what does God want or expect from me"? He says in Chapter 6: 8, " He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require from you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God".
What does it mean to act justly? Isaiah tells us in chapter 1:17 : "Learn to do right. Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow".
Jeremiah also tells us in chapter 22:3: "This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor, the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place".
The last part of Micah's answer to us says that we are to walk humbly with our God. Back to the book of Isaiah, chapter 57:15, God himself tells us through Isaiah, how he lives right here with us, exactly where we are, if we choose to let him be Lord of our lives: "For this is what the high and lofty One says - he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ' I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite'.
Again we see a reference to the holy and sacred God, Yahweh. And to think that He wants to be a part of our life - to have daily communion with us and walk through our lives here with us - it is astounding if you just sit back and think about it! He will teach us to act justly; he will give us mercy and show us how to give mercy to others; and he will walk with us, guiding our way.
I pray that I become more merciful - to extend to others, mercy instead of judgement - to make a difference in the life of someone who is oppressed and alone.
As we begin another week, I pray too, that you will ask Yahweh - the holy God - to walk with you and teach you to be a humble servant.
Blessings - Janelle

Stand Still...Me, Lord?

Today when asking the Lord what to show me to post, I was led to I Samuel 12:16. Obviously, He is trying to tell me something that I need to hear for myself, and not just blog about for others' benefit.

"Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes"!



I don't know about you, but for me to be still is a very hard thing to do! Patience has never been one of my best qualities - I'm high strung and like things done quickly, and usually want them done my way.

Several times in my life, the Lord has told me this very thing - "stand still". I have learned that when it seems like the Lord is quiet and not doing anything while I pace around in some kind of fret mode, that is when he is at work behind the scenes, organizing His plan to happen.

In my journal, "My Utmost for His Highest", by Oswald Chambers, there is a devotion called "Vision and Reality", where I had previously taken notes and journaled about standing still.

It says, "We always have visions before a thing is made real. God gives us the vision, then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of the vision, and it is in the valley that so many of us faint and give way. God has to take us into the valley, and put us through fires and floods to batter us into shape, until we get to the place where He can trust us with the veritable reality.

The vision is not a castle in the air, but a vision of what God wants you to be. Let him put you on His wheel and whirl you as He likes, and as sure as God is God and you are you, you will turn out exactly in accordance with the vision. Don't lose heart in the process!

Some reference scriptures are: Isaiah 58:11 - "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame".

Isaiah 46: 3 - 4 - "Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you".



Is there something in your life that has got you into what I call a "fret mode"? Does it seem like you're in things all alone? If so, then now is the time to get before God and ask him to calm you and make real to you, those scriptures I just shared.

I am seeking Him as to what area in my life is He trying to speak to me about. What am I doing, that I need to stop doing, and let Him work? I need to get out of the way and let Him move and orchestrate things and circumstances in order for His will to be done in my life.

Have a great Thursday and let the Peace of God rule in your heart..

Janelle

In Him We Live

I'm excited that tonight, Bill and I go to our first practice with the choir at First Baptist here in Leesburg. I love to sing, as does Bill, and we both felt led to the ministry of music.
Today I want to share from Acts 17: 24-28.
"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
For in Him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, ' We are his offspring'".

It is only by the grace of God that each one of us wakes up to life each morning. He created each of us for a plan and purpose, and once we come to know him as a believer in Christ, he comes to dwell in us by his Holy Spirit; our body becomes the temple - the dwelling place of the Lord Almighty. It is then that we begin to seek Him to find out just exactly what our purpose in life is. There is no promise of smoothe sailing as a Christian; there are trials and difficulties we must all endure to enable us to grow and mature. Remember though, he is constantly with us - closer than the very breath we take.
We need to honor the temple by being careful how we take care of it - what we put in for nourishment, and also, and most importantly, what we feed ourselves spiritually. Psalm 34:8 says, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him". That teaches us that we need to hunger and thirst for the word of God - that is the best way to get to know him better and to find out what his will in our life is.
I challenge you to take a few minutes each day to read a portion of God's word - if you don't know where to begin and want to know more about this Jesus I speak about - start in the New Testament with the book of John. Ask the Lord to open your eyes and your heart to truth, and to show you what your purpose here on earth is. That's all he wants from us - a relationship to where we tell him our need for him - he will change your life!

Have a blessed Wednesday!

Our Relationship With Others

I want to start this first week of the new year off with a passage that is from Titus chapter 3:2-8
It speaks of our relationship to all people.
"Slander no one, be peaceable and considerate, and show true humility toward all men.
At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He asved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone".

Vs 2 tells us to be peaceable - quarreling only arouses the hostility of non-Christians. I'm sure you've seen such examples on the news. Arguing and throwing around harsh words at those whose beliefs are different doesn't do any good.
Vs 5 reminds us that it's nothing we do that earns us salvation - just being good doesn't get one into Heaven. I'm sure hell is full of a lot of good people. Our only way in is through our trust in Christ Jesus - the only righteous one.

With this new year, I really want to make a difference in other's lives. I want to study the scriptures more, which will guide me in the path God has laid out for me. I want to let him lead me to be more like the beginning verses of this passage speak about - to speak kindly to everyone; to be peaceable and considerate, and most of all - to be humble.

May this new week of the new year bring blessings and the peace of God into your life...

Janelle