Walk by faith

Would I believe You when You would say
Your hand will guide my every way
Will I receive the words You say
Every moment of every day

Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Well because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me

Help me to win my endless fears
You've been so faithful for all my years
With one breath You make me new
Your grace covers all I do

Well I'm broken- but I still see Your face
Well You've spoken- pouring Your words of grace

I will walk, I will walk, I will walk by faith
I will, I will, I will walk by faith

~Not complete lyrics

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."

~2 Corinthians 5:7

Reminding myself today that we walk by faith, not by sight. Even though I cannot see, I am trusting that this "broken road", prepares Your will for me, my Lord. Shift my heart from earth to heaven. Help me to set my mind on things that are above, because the "earthly" things are little too much for me right now. 

"Set your minds on things that are above,

not on things that are on earth."

~Colossians 3:2

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Fall

According to my calender, today is the first day of Fall. I was going through an "online flyer" and one of the page's title was... "Fall for something beautiful", which was followed by... Nature is putting on a show outside, so why shouldn't it be just as colorful inside?
Eye-catching decor and dazzling lighting let you capture the beauty of the season.

Fall and beauty sticked out, the play on words and the outside - inside contrast. Yes, God is definitely putting on a show. With it's beautiful colors and comfortable temperatures, which allow me to wear vests (another one of my favorite), Fall is my favorite season.

With the word "fall" I cannot help but think about "The Fall" and what the Bible says.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

~Romans 3:23

 

The inside - outside contrast reminds me of how God looks at things, looks at us. How He does not look at the outside appearance, but at the heart. And how He is concerned about the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is not anxious or wrought up
(1 Peter 3:3,4 AMP).

 

"But the Lord said to Samuel
“Do not look on his appearance
or on the height of his stature,
because I have rejected him.
For the Lord sees not as man sees:
man looks on the outward appearance,
but the Lord looks on the heart.”"
~1 Samuel 16:7

"Do not let your adorning be external—

the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry,

or the clothing you wear—

but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart

with the imperishable beauty

of a gentle and quiet spirit,

which in God's sight is very precious."

~1 Peter 3:3,4

 

 So, with the start of a Fall, I want to ask...

 

 

Come Holy Spirit
Fall afresh on me
Fill me with Your power
Satisfy my needs
Only You can make me whole
Give me strength to make me grow
Come Holy Spirit
Fall afresh on me

Holy Spirit, come. Fall fresh on us. Fill us with your power, satisfy our needs. Only You can make us whole. Give us strength to make us grow. May we be adorned with imperishable beauty and a gentle spirit, which is not anxious or wrought up, but is very precious in the sight of God.

 

And don't forget to fall for something beautiful...

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Happy Anniversary!

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother

and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

~Genesis 2:24

Seventeen years ago, also a Saturday, a man lived this verse and for me, it was when I said "I do." And I married this man God chose for me. I say that, because I wasn't really looking. And at that time I did not even know God. It was through my husband that I "found" out about Him. He chose me. He chose me to be a wife to this man. I have to remind myself of that in times when things are not all on the up and up. It gives me confidence that whatever we face, we can "conquer". It comforts me, because God knows us both so well. And He knew, and knows what I need.

You make me laugh, you make me cry.

Happy Anniversary, my love! I love you!

Lord, thank You! May we always be one...

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Music

And there is one more quote I saw in a movie this week (seems that this is a quote week), that made me think also... "Without music...life would be a mistake." Even though I don't agree exactly, I know what they mean. Life without God would be a mistake, I would say. And all the things He created. Like music. The way music can comfort, heal, encourage, speak to, lift up, give joy, feels like God Himself.

I am sure you can tell how much I like music through my posts. So, today in honor of music, in honor of God, I would like to post two songs. One in keeping with the "holiness" theme and the other for worship. And I would like use lyrics from an Abba song.

So I say
Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing
Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty
What would life be?

Without a song or a dance what are we?
So I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me

O God, thank You for music, for giving it to us. Thank You for Jesus, for giving Him to us.

 

 

The whole earth is filled with Your glory, O God.

 

"And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east.

And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters,

and the earth shone with his glory."

~Ezekiel 43:2

 

 

It's all about You, Jesus.

 

When the music fades, all is stripped away, and I simply come and say...

"The Lord is my strength and my song,

and he has become my salvation;

this is my God, and I will praise him."

~Exodus 15:2a,b

"I will praise the name of God with a song;"

~Psalm 69:30

 

Lord, may we sing to You, let us come into Your presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to You with songs of praise.

"Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!"

~Psalm 95:2

 

"And they sang a new song, saying,

Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals,

for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God

from every tribe and language and people and nation,"

~Revelation 5:9

Jesus, may we sing a new song...

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EARTH

Another thing I keep thinking about is the text I saw on a bumper sticker that went something like this - "EARTH without ART is EH". It made me smile. It does not work in my native language and probably not in many others, but English makes it cute. It made me think of God and His creation and how He made us, how He made some of us artists, how He is the greatest Master and how true it is... Without art, the Earth would be just "EH". Can you hear me say that?

Artists have to ability to see the unseen. To bring to life that which is in their imagination. God, may we see what You see, bring to life that which You desire. May we be inspired by You and fill the earth with Your glory.

 
"For the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof."
~1 Corinthians 10:26

 "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,

the world and those who dwell therein."

~Psalm 24:1

 

"The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours;

the world and all that is in it, you have founded them."

~Psalm 89:11 

 

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Purpose

"Until purpose is discovered, existence has no meaning."

~Myles Munroe

 

This is a quote that was sent to me, that I keep thinking about. Purpose is a "touchy" subject for me. I am instantly reminded of my struggles to "figure" out what I am suppose to be doing. What's my purpose? 

Purpose is the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, according to Dictionary.com. Finding the meaning, helps me take the "my", me, out of the equation and agree with Paul and what he said in determining my purpose also.

 

"[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him

[that I may progressively become more deeply

and intimately acquainted with Him,

perceiving and recognizing and understanding

the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly],

and that I may in that same way come to know

the power outflowing from His resurrection."

~Philippians 3:9,10

 

My Lord, I exist for You, my purpose is discovered, my existence has meaning.

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;

your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.

Do not forsake the work of your hands."

~Psalm 138:8

Thank You that You will fulfill Your purpose for me.

 

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Like rain

It rained here today. I know the "earth" needs it, I'm sure. I guess I am just not used to it, since it's so nice here or it's because I don't like rain that much, but it does not make for a good Monday. Unless...

Unless you picture the rain as God's grace pouring down. That's what I have to do. And in that case, I want more, I need more. 

No, I don't like rain that much, but grace like rain...
 

And the truth found in the Word...

"But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works;

otherwise grace would no longer be grace."

~Romans 11:6

"Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
you restored your inheritance as it languished;"

~Psalm 68:9

 

"Be glad, O children of Zion,

and rejoice in the Lord your God,

for he has given the early rain for your vindication;
he has poured down for you abundant rain,

the early and the latter rain, as before."

~Joel 2:23

 

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we

stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

~Romans 5:1,2 

 

Jesus, I rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Thank You that it is no longer on the basis of works. But by grace. Grace my fears relieved. Hallelujah, grace like rain pours down on me...

 

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Holy, holy, holy

Echoing yesterdays words...Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come! (Revelations 4:8b), may we sing...

 

"And one called to another and said:

 “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;

the whole earth is full of his glory!”"

~Isaiah 6:3

 

Jesus, we cry holy. Holy are You. The whole earth is full of Your glory.

 

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Atonement and holiness

Today, Jewish culture celebrates Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), the holiest day of the year. The Old Testament is full of people making an atonement for their lives, for the sin that were committed, for the mistakes that were made unintentionally, so they can be clean, forgiven and made holy.

But then... Jesus came. He lived a sinless life, died, was buried, and risen and is seated on the right hand of God. He repaired the wrongs, He reconciled us, He cleansed us, He forgave us and made us holy.

"And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister."

~Colossians 1:21-23

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for being the ultimate sacrifice, reconciling us to the Father, forgiving us, making us clean and holy. May we offer ourselves to You.

 

We join the heavenlies in never ceasing to say...

 

"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,

who was and is and is to come!"

~Revelations 4:8b

 

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Pleasure island

I just came back from Pleasure Island where I now live close to. Every time I hear the word, see the word "pleasure" I feel almost all that's described in Dictionary.com: the state of feeling or being pleased; enjoyment or satisfaction derived from what is to one's liking; gratification; delight; worldly or frivolous enjoyment; recreation or amusement; diversion; sensual gratification. But I mostly think "guilty", especially when combined with the word "island."

Pleasure can go both ways. But only what we get from God is worth enjoying.
 

There are people who did not want to enjoy pleasure coming from the wrong source.

"Choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God

than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin."

~Hebrews 11:25

And on the other hand, Solomon, who did not spare any pleasure.

 

"And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them.

I kept my heart from no pleasure,

for my heart found pleasure in all my toil,

and this was my reward for all my toil."

~Ecclesiastes 2:10

 

But what Solomon realized is something I read long ago and looked up recently:

 

No one can hide from God. He is there in all of life. He knows everything that goes on, He knows the thought of the heart, every word of the mouth. He knows the motives that we seek to hide from others. He sees the duplicity, the deception, the lovelessness. He has made a record of it all; nothing can be hid. Everything will come out in the open at last. The illusions by which we seek to convince ourselves that things are not the way the Bible says they are will be stripped away and we will see ourselves as He sees us. And there will not be a voice lifted to challenge the righteousness of His judgement.

 

Because of that, Solomon exhorts us to fear God, to have faith in His existence, to experience His grace, to stand in awe of His Person, and to resolve to obey Him. That is the secret to life. That is the secret of wholeness in man.

 

And with that King Solomon's record of lifelong research is finished. He writes at the end of a life that has known both leaping, flashing moments of pleasure, and long, lonely hours of shame and misery.

 

The record is plain for all to see. Life without God is dull, empty, vain. Life with Him is full and satisfying. Even the tears and pain have meaning and value when we see they are chosen by Him. The purpose behind it all is the increase of joy. (Is This All There Is to Life? Answers from Ecclesiastes by Ray C. Stedman)

 

"The end of the matter; all has been heard.

Fear God and keep his commandments,

for this is the whole duty of man."

~Ecclesiastes 12:13

 

Jesus, may You be our source of pleasure. May we keep our hearts pure.

 

Lord, only You...

"You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

~Psalm 16:11

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101 - 100th continues

I still did not finish all the recounting. It was getting too long, so here is the rest. 
 

"I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

~Psalm 34:1

Lord, I want to thank You for Your family, Your people.

Thank You for giving me a sign.

Thank You for going before us; standing behind us.

Thank You that all Your ways are good and sure, higher than my sight, high above my life.

Thank You that You are good.

Thank You that You preserve the self You created me to be through every fire of sorrow.

Thank You that You are with us wherever we go.

Thank You for blessing us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, that we should be holy and blameless before You.

Thank You that You Yourself provide and take care of us as You do for the birds of the air, the lilies of the field. Thank You that You are our Healer, who heals all our diseases.

Thank You for Your unconditional love.

Thank You for the voice of Truth.

Thank You for Your Word.

Thank You for freedom. Thank You for America. Thank You for setting us free.

Thank You that You care for us.

Thank You for making us royalty.

Thank You for Your mighty works; that You are faithful and just; gracious and merciful.

Thank You that You are patient and kind; You do not envy or boast; You are not arrogant or rude. You do not insist on Your own way; You are not irritable or resentful; You do not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoice with the truth. Thank You that You bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things.

Thank You that great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!

Thank You that within our innermost being are rivers of living water, and the Holy Spirit is hovering ever present to perform the promises of God for us as we pray with the faith of the Son of God.

Thank You for leading me, for restoring me, for guiding me, for being with me, for comforting me, for filling me, for satisfying me.

Thank You for the cross, showing us how much we are worth.

Thank You that You set a guard over my mouth; keeping watch over the door of my lips.

Thank You that You command Your angels concerning us to guard us in all our ways. That You are Faithful.

Thank You that You give grace and glory. That no good thing do You withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Thank You for the story of Much-Afraid and what I learned from her journey.

Thank You for my bicycle, for Morning Glory.

Thank You for standing by us.

Thank You for opening the door of our hearts and causing our thoughts and our emotions to become one with the Word of God.

Thank You that You fulfill Your purpose for me.

Thank You that in You our labor is not in vain.

Thank You that You forgive, You heal, You redeem, You crown, You satisfy.

Thank You that You see the end from the beginning and that's how You look at me too.

Thank You that You are beautiful beyond description, too marvelous for words, too wonderful for comprehension, like nothing ever seen or heard.

Thank You that You are the fountain of living water, our great sovereign Source.

Thank You that we can carry everything to You in prayer. For being our true Friend.

Lord Jesus,

"We give thanks to you, O God;

we give thanks, for your name is near.

We recount your wondrous deeds."

~Psalm 75:1

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100th

Ta daaa! This is post number 100. Well, I never thought that I would write that many. It's not that I have a lot to say, it's God and His goodness and I can't see anything more fitting than recalling just that.

"I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;

I will show forth (recount and tell aloud)

all Your marvelous works and wonderful deeds!"

~Psalm 9:1 AMP

Lord, I want to thank You that You practice steadfast love, justice, and righteousness.

Thank You for Your glory, Your great splendor and magnificence.

Thank You for fighting our battles for us; our eyes are on You.

Thank You that You are my chosen and assigned portion, my cup; for holding and maintaining my lot. Thank You for choosing us.

Thank You for abiding in us, when we love one another.

Thank You that nothing shall separate us from Your love.

Thank You for mothers.

Thank You for being known by You, being recognized as worthy of Your intimacy and love, being owned by You.

Thank You for manifesting Yourself in us expressing what Your grace has done in us.

Thank You for showing Your love for us, while we were still sinners, You died for us. Thank You that there is nothing we could do to make You love us more; nothing we have done that makes You love us less.

Thank You that we can do all things through You.

Thank You for healing my friend.

Thank You for sending Your Son.

Thank You for giving us a new heart, new spirit, removing the heart of stone from our flesh.

Thank You for encouragement.

Thank You for others willing to carry my burdens.

Thank You for adopting me, for saving me, for forgiving me, for freeing me, for making me Your daughter.

Thank You for growing us in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Thank You that You turn to me, hear me, answer me, when I cry, according to Your abundant mercy.

Thank You that Your truth sets us free.

Thank You that You came so we may have life and have it abundantly.

Thank You for touching my pain; so it goes away.

Thank You that You give and take away; blessed be Your name.

Thank You for David and his inspiring "I will" statements.

Thank You for the rising sun; for Your mercies that are new every morning.

Thank You for setting me free.

Thank You that You are the King of Kings.

Thank You that Your love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me.

Thank You for Abraham's faith.

Thank You that You make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Thank You for blessing my friend with a child - boy!

Thank You for turning our mourning into joy; comforting us and giving us gladness for sorrow.

Thank You that our place, home is with You.

Thank You for the Promised Land.

Thank You for delivering us.

Thank You for fathers. For being our Father, merciful - perfect.

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A true friend

 

"A true friend is a treasure of the heart" - is the text on a bookmark I found in one of my old books I picked up. It made me think of my friends, who I keep close through the distance that's between us as we moved, one whom I talked to just yesterday. How God has blessed me with such faithful friends.

It made me think of what a friend we have in Jesus.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.

 

Carry everything to God in prayer. Jesus, what a privilege! Thank You for bearing our sins and griefs, precious Savior, our Refuge, our Shield. May we never be discouraged to take everything to You in prayer, not forfeiting peace or bearing needless pain. For You are our Friend.

 

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another."

~John 15:12-17

 

Carry everything to God in prayer. The theme of this song is clear. I thought of words I read recently and my own priorities. Lord, I am setting a specific time to meet with You. Be there. 8:30. Corner of the room by my chair. I'll let you know if anything changes, if a different time or place will be better.

Prayer is something we can easily put off unless we make it as habitual as brushing our teeth. Personal procrastination leads to prayerlessness, which is a sin. Thank God we can repent and schedule a prayer time. Sometimes we get so busy doing good works for God that we neglect our prayer time with Him. He allows us to make our own decisions, but when we begin to feel overburdened or overtaxed, it is time to check our prayer life. Our priorities have simply gotten turned upside down. Just as you would set aside time for any important function in your day, set aside a specific time to fellowship with the Father. Be honest with Him; if you don't feel like praying, tell Him. Remember, the Father is drawing you to the place of prayer, and it may be that He wants you to sit quietly and enjoy His presence. He isn't demanding; He is easy to be with. (Germaine Copeland)

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Living waters

I keep reading about "living waters" and today one verse really painted a picture for me.

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said,

‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’"

~John 7:38

I saw this heart pouring out and spilling into a river. How can that be? I don't feel that my heart flows with rivers of living water. But I believe! I pictured the river taking away "stuff", washing away the "dirtiness", cleansing the heart. Only to be reminded that I need to let Jesus "fix" my heart, my "cisterns", so it can hold His living water which then can be poured out and give life. 

"For my people have committed two evils:

they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters,

and hewed out cisterns for themselves,

broken cisterns that can hold no water."

~Jeremiah 2:13

Jesus, if we are broken we cannot hold any water, that's why we need to let You mend us so our hearts can flow rivers of living waters. 

Lord, may we not forsake You, in thinking that we can produce the living waters without You and in keeping the living waters for ourselves. You are the Fountain of Living Waters. May we keep at the source and be filled - always.

The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never get your eyes on the obstacle or on the difficulty. The obstacle is a matter of indifference to the river which will flow steadily through you if you remember to keep right at the Source. Never allow anything to come between yourself and Jesus Christ, no emotion, no experience, nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source. (Oswald Chambers)

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Days of Awe

Today is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It is the first of the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora'im ("Days of Awe"). When I saw that as I was reading more about this holiday, I wanted to see what "awe" means. Dictionary.com says that it's an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like. Oh, how all these things can be said about God.

 

Lord, we stand in awe of You, as the song sings...

You are beautiful beyond description

Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful for comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depths of Your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty, enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of You
I stand, I stand in awe of You
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of You

You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful for comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depths of Your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty, enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of You
I stand, I stand in awe of You
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of You
Yes, I stand in awe of You
I stand in awe of You

 

Lord Jesus, Holy God to whom all praise is due.

 

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom

that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God

acceptable worship, with reverence and awe."

~Hebrews 12:28

 

"You who fear the Lord, praise him!

All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,

and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!"

~Psalm 22:23

 

"Let all the earth fear the Lord;

let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!"

~Psalm 33:8

 

We stand in awe of You!

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End in mind

I was looking through some used books in a store when one of them caught my eye. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I eagerly read the table of content to see what they were. And one of them "stuck". Habit #2. I haven't read the book and don't know anything about the author, but the statement made me think of God.

Begin with the end in mind.

I know that's how God does it. That's how He looks at things. That's how He looks at me.

Coincidedly, Sunday's video mentions that too. "God sees the end from the beginning." And how I need to do the same.

I don't usually look at myself, others, circumstances etc. that way. You could say that I am "shortsighted" in that way, but by the grace of God I am getting better. I am learning and asking God to help me to see myself the way He sees me. I am asking Him to help me see others for what they are in Jesus. And to see my circumstances for why He allowed them.

And what if I lived with the end, the eternity in mind as the day of the Lord's coming is approaching?

Lord, You are the End. May we have You in mind. Thank You for the springs of water of life without payment. Lord, thank You for seeing us with the end in mind, through the finished work of Jesus and for sustaining us to the end, guiltless.

"It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega,

the beginning and the end.

To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water

of life without payment."

~Revelation 21:6

 

"As you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who will sustain you to the end,

guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is faithful, by whom you were called

into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

~1 Corinthians 1:7b-9

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Bless the Lord

I want to bless the Lord today. What does it mean to bless God? We bless the Father by speaking well of Him, by eulogizing Him and telling of His wondrous love. That's what I read in my prayer devotional today. And here is the prayer I would like to offer as well:

Abba, my soul, all my inmost being, is praising Your holy name. When I think about Your benefits, I thank You for forgiving all my sins and healing all my diseases. Thank You for redeeming my life from the pit and crowning me with love and compassion. You satisfy my desires with good things so that my youth is renewed like the eagle's. Thank You for blessing me with all blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, my Lord. Amen.

I will bless the Lord with a help from David and the Psalm he wrote.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from
everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!"

~Psalm 103

Lord, You forgive, You heal, You redeem, You crown, You satisfy. You are merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.

Keep CZECHING IN!

HLD

Today is Labor Day. When I think about the word "labor" in the Bible, usually two things come up. First, that you should work six days and rest the seventh. And secondly, not to labor in vain.

"Six days you shall labor and do all your work,

but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God."

~Deuteronomy 5:13-14a

 

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain."

~Psalm 127:1

 

I can be challenged by both. Am I keeping the Sabbath? Am I building only when the Lord builds?

It always saddens me to read what Jesus said, that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, which challenges me as well. Am I working towards the harvest?
 

"Then he said to his disciples,

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest

to send out laborers into his harvest.”"

~Matthew 9:37,38

 

Lord, may I not labor in vain. Help me be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in Your work.

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord,

knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

~1 Corinthians 15:58

 

Keep CZECHING IN!

Yet another month

Yet another month has passed. It brings thoughts of my birthday approaching and the feelings of failure and sad thoughts can be so easily evoked in me as I think that I am not "accomplishing" what I wanted and a voice saying, "I knew you could not do it." Yet the voice of truth tells me a different story. It tells me it's not about my performance, so I could feel better about myself.

What I am learning is that: God's purpose is that I depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay in the middle of the turmoil calm and unperplexed, that is the end of the purpose of God. God is not working toward a particular finish; His end is the process-that I see Him walking on the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal, just the absolute certainty that it is all right because I see Him walking on the sea. It is the process, not the end, which is glorifying to God. (Oswald Chambers)

"I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me."

~Psalm 57:2

 

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;

your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.

Do not forsake the work of your hands."

~Psalm 138:8

 

Lord, may I not look to myself. May I not see my failure, but may I see your victory. Help me to depend on You and on Your power.

 

Oh, Jesus. I cry out to God Most High, who fulfills His purpose for me. Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Have mercy on me, O God. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Keep CZECHING IN!