Praising God

This morning I read a devotion from Dr. Jeremiah. I am totally using his idea to share with you as I think it is more interesting than anything else on my mind. In the Old Testament the Israelite men went to Jerusalem 3 times a year; the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering. These were times of worship and praise. They would offer sacrifices and worship. Since we have a New Covenant, we no longer make animal sacrifices (thank you!) but we still offer a sacrifice..."a sacrifice of praise to God". Dr. Jeremiah says, "As we thank God for His blessings of provision and protection in our life, we never lose sight of Him as our hope in all things." These are days where hope is rarely visible but our hope is not in anything we can see anyway. Praise God today and renew your hope, your true hope. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.
Barb

All meaningful ideas and words came from Turning Points Magazine and Devotional, OUR ONE TRUE HOPE, January 2017.

So What if It's Cracked

Last week I found a beautiful rock. Not a random find but for sale in a store. The beauty in this rock was its color, design, purpose, and price! I love rocks but I'd prefer to find them as opposed to buy them. This one had a space carved out for a tea light and I love lighting candles in the winter during  my reading and devotion time. This one was quite cheap so I bought it. When I got home I pulled out some other items first forgetting the rock was still in there. It fell to the floor. I scooped it up, unwrapped it and set it on the mantle.  Later when I lit the candle inside, I noticed a crack from the center of the design to the rough exterior. It was still functional and was still beautiful but I was disappointed at the damage I had caused. I look at that rock and think about me. God made me in his perfect image. But I have a crack. What does He think of me now? I'm still functional and in his eyes  I'm still beautiful, but I really am damaged goods. I'm not perfect. When He looks at me is He sad because I sin daily? I'm sure I can grieve Him easily but that's why we had Christmas. Jesus came as God's Assurance that even though we aren't perfect, we are still  his children and can serve Him in many ways. I may be damaged goods to the world but I'm  perfect through the righteousness of Jesus.
Be blessed by the Lord this week and highly favored.
Barb

His Strength is Mine

Philippians 4:13 is a verse that most people have read, heard, or can recite from memory.
It says, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." When I slow down
long enough to rest on every word, to let each word soak into my heart, my heart if filled
to overflowing. It is filled with the hope of a new year, the promises as old as the Scriptures
themselves, and the assurance and strength to accept, tackle, and endure whatever the next
hour or day brings. The knowledge that God will meet me at my weaknesses and fill in all
that I need whatever comes to me, is enough for me. I don't know what 2017 is going to
be like for me and I'm grateful. I wouldn't have wanted to know ahead of time what was
coming to me in 2016! Just give me one day at a time, guide me through it, and help me
on to the next day. The good news is I know where my strength comes from and it will
never fail. May God show you his favor on your journey through 2017 as He strengthens
you daily. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

Where Is My Hope?

Something was revealed to me last week. It has to do with hope. We all have hopes.
Hope can keep us going. Hope can lead to joy. Hope can keep us focused on the positive
side of life. But what about when our hopes are dashed? When they are taken away? Last
week we received some news regarding my husband's health that was not at all what we
expected. We had HOPE that he would be scheduled for a procedure that HOPEFULLY would
lead him on to healing. We had HOPE that the doctor would give us a date to look forward to
for that procedure. HOPE in a date, a doctor, and the human body to heal. But the news we got
did not include a date or a procedure, or the promise of healing. As we were processing this
new and startling information, it occurred to me all of our HOPE was in earthly things. Yes,
we still feel that God has His hand in all this and our faith remains strong, but our HOPE needed
to be focused on Christ; on His power, His mercies, His wisdom, and His healing. We
refocused our perception of the prognosis to include a view through this lens. Our HOPE is
JESUS no matter what our circumstances are. Our joy comes from Him and that never changes.
He is all we ever need. Merry Christmas and may His blessings of HOPE abound in your life
throughout the new year. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

Salvation and Strength...It's December!

To say this is a busy season doesn't begin to cover what's really on our minds.
Time is precious, deadlines impose pressure, and demands are high from family,
friends, and work. Where does that leave us with regards to salvation and strength?
Isaiah 30:15 says, "This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.' "
So there you have it! Even now, even during possibly the busiest season of our year,
these words are still true. God's sovereignty and promises don't stop, give out or end
just because we're busy. It is IN those promises, IN our repentance, IN quietness and
trust that we can get through whatever this or any season holds for us. Find a bit of
time for repentance...rest...quietness...and trust and let those be your focus this busy
season. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored as you walk in the Light of our
newborn Savior.

Decisions Decisions

Each year I choose a verse from Scripture that becomes something familiar to me as I
read it, reread it, even memorize it if I get ambitious. This verse becomes a source of
comfort and a familiar refuge whenever I need it. Often the verse makes itself known
to me as I'm studying or reading a devotion and the choice seems to be made for me.
This year I'm having difficulties; not because nothing is presenting itself to me but
because MANY verses are speaking to me. Here they are: From 2 Samuel 22:31: "As for
God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all those who
take refuge in Him." Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with
confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Then last but not least, 1 Chronicles 16:11 says, "Look to the Lord and his strength.
Seek his face always." The Lord is a shield. He gives us mercy and grace. We can tap
into his strength. All wonderful thoughts and promises. I want to claim every one of them!
Maybe this year I will have to have 3 verses. That will really tax my memorizing techniques!
Find what speaks to you for 2017. If it's not in the Bible, it's not worth remembering! Walk
in the Light this week as you are blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

Our Constant God

Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of
your heart." In Philippians 4:11-13 Paul writes, "...I have learned to be content what-
ever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have
plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether
well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through
him who gives me strength." In other words, our circumstances don't matter. This isn't
saying what's happening in our lives doesn't matter to God. Everything about us matters
to Him. What I believe it is saying is that our circumstances change but who we honor,
who we thank, who we praise never changes. We are to ALWAYS be thankful, ALWAYS
give God praise because just because our lives change, that has nothing to do with WHO
God is and what He does for us. He is ALWAYS good, ALWAYS forgiving, and ALWAYS
merciful. What comfort we have because of Him. Walk today blessed by the Lord and
highly favored. Our constant God is with us.