Welcome back to Heartstrings

My how the days fly by! I haven't turned my computer on for quite awhile. The summer has been busy and I think productive. Our garden is producing some things. We are grateful for any fresh produce God supplies. 

Along the way I have been reading Psalm 147 for the last week and over again I see the ways the Lord tells and shows us we are on His heart and longs for fellowship with us.

While it seems our world is tumbling down a long hole to darkness, we are encouraged to apply God's Word to our everyday lives. Life application. That for me is believing, trusting in and clinging to God's plans and promises. That is why I am seeing more of His Love by reading and rereading, thoughtfully; considering what He might want to tell me, in His Love Letter. Nothing is without signs of His purpose and love for us.

So, Psalm 147:5 says, "Great is our Lord and of great power; His understanding is inexhaustible and boundless."

When you pause to think about this you can find how it fits for every issue that presents itself before us on this journey. What comes to your mind?

First thing this morning, I woke with some pain and already tired! That shouldn't be. Bringing thoughts captive before the Lord and speaking Truth in the circumstances I find myself in, I can rise and walk in His strength. I cannot think about how I will feel tomorrow can I? I just need to fix my eyes on His Word and cling to Jesus, my Hope and great Strength.

Jesus knows better than anyone and understands. If you can believe this, you will be able to stand firm, girded in the full armor of God and raise up a banner of faith that declares...Lord God, You do the fighting for me!

We serve a Great God Who has Great Power! Do you know this? If you still question you place before Almighty God, then take time right now and call on Him. Be assured of your salvation and the blood of Jesus that was poured out to redeem your life from the pit. Think about His coming up from the grave and conquering death! This is our guarantee of eternal life! Praise the name of Jesus!

With every step today, I will trust His inexhaustible and boundless understanding. I will trust His Love and longing to be intimately involved in my life. I will abide in Him and take His Word to abide in me.

God is gracious and loving. He deserves our praise! Where do you spend your time worshipping? Before the social standards of the media, time trying out new forms of entertainment? Thinking about things that are worthless? What is true and noble? God will take care of all that concerns us. Only take all anxiety and lay it down at the feet of Jesus. Then with empty hands raise them up in worship. Sing a new song because now you know, you are on His heart.

Bless you all. You are in my prayers far and wide. Someday soon we will meet the Lord in the air and spend eternity together. You are loved!

Abundance is...Great is the Lord

Good morning Heartstrings family

You know that decisions come up and you have to choose what is right. This is where I find myself today. The only place I know to go to is my Bible for counsel. 

You may have discovered there are many opinions on various subjects to choose from. Even in the Christian community, family and close friends. They may think they know what is best but, until they point you to the Word of God, you really have nothing to trust in. At least that is my experience. 

I may get into trouble trying to figure out the way ahead. But, Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow. Which means only He knows what that will look like.

So, what to do? First I think I need to be still before God and just take much time in the Word. This is what I found this morning. Of course I read the full portions of each verse I am sharing and not just taking them alone.

Psalm 138:8 says, "The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forever--forsake not the works of Your own hands."

Psalm 57:2 says, "I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]!"

Philippians 1:6 says, "And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return[, and developing [that good work] and perfecting and bring it to full completion in you."

I can get into trouble by trying to control every situation. One day does have enough trouble of its own if I am trying to take the wheel! And, the enemy loves discord. Haven't you noticed? He would like to get me so sidetracked that I am off track! But, I will stand against him and fix my eyes on Jesus.

There are a handful of ladies who each week read the Word together. This time we are taking the week to read and really look at Psalm 139. Week after week we take turns and the rest of us find the time to read the same portion of scripture. It just happens that the book of Psalms is where we are.

Anyway, when I was reading I came to verse 16 of Psalm 139. This is what it says, "Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them."

To think that God knows my name! He knows yours too! From the beginning every detail of my life, even the day when I take that last breath are all there in His Book. How can I not be persuaded that He sees this day?

Well, that is where I am right now. Still learning to trust it all to Him and still learning to be content regardless of circumstances. I know He is able to keep me, and you. Do you?

Father, thank you for leading us to the place once more to lay our lives down and let You keep us with every step and with the turning of page after page of this story You are writing upon us. Praise be to Your name and may we give You all the glory and leave the outcome to You. In Jesus name, amen.

Abundance is...He knows my name

Hello Heartstrings family

"Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice! Let al men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon]." Philippians 4:4-5

Right now you may be thinking with all the cruelty, evil plots and wars between people how can this be a time of rejoicing? Read on for the answer. I had to read this a couple of times and slowed down to not pass it by. 

I found myself doubting my salvation. I asked Holy Spirit to affirm  that I am really saved and in the Beloved. I grew up in church, knew the songs, even helped out as I got older. But, until a couple of days ago did I really get a look at the heart of my doing and going and joining. My motives were not all pure. 

There was always a worry or something to get me off track so I couldn't honestly praise the Lord. I know He walked with me like He promised. He kept me from the terrible. Yet, somehow I was blinded to the reality of His hand in my life. 

I repented. For the first time it is as though the clarity of heaven with Him and the joy is clean. Free. All those things I have read in my Bible and shared with you. The journey has been long. I don't know how much time there is before I meet Him. I do know my desires have narrowed down to knowing Him above all.

My thought life is renewed and my peace restored. As I read this portion of scripture this morning I knew you would be encouraged too. 

I am reading from the Amplified; Philippians 4-8..."Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants know to God."

In Ephesians 6 where Paul exhorts us to put on the whole armor of God, he doesn't forget to add to "Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people)."

More and more I want that peace of heart and mind! Do you? Of course you, as believers, know to come to the Lord at anytime, anywhere, regardless of your circumstances. Call on Him.

Finally, knowing I am assured of my salvation, I want to have my mind renewed and empowered to make right decisions in what I view and listen to. My best place is just what Paul says in Philippians 4:8.

"For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them.]"

Whatever...a rather loaded word. I have watched some things finally turned it off because it caused anxiety. Even some so called Christian movies. I believer God's Spirit is refining me to spend eternity with Him. I will not be perfect until Jesus appears but then, I will be changed and worthy to face Him without fear or shame. 

If you feel bombarded with all the news media, the supposed places to find retreat and entertainment, turn first to God's Word. The things of this world will pass away. Ask Holy Spirit to help you separate the precious from the worthless. Your time. Your spending. Your soul worship. Set the idols down and walk away. You won't regret it. Together, we will pray for the day when Jesus says, "Enter into my presence where there is fullness of joy!"

God bless and keep you all as together we look for His Appearing!

Abundance is...rejoicing always

Good morning family and friends,

I am sure you have heard some say, "It's not personal." When really it is meant to be. But, the words are already spoken and they can sometimes hurt the listener. Today, I want to share with you something powerful happening in my own life. I am learning to pray God's Word in a personal way. I love getting to know Him more and more intimately. 

So, this week I have been praying Psalm 91 in a personal way. Do you want to follow with me? This is from the Amplified version but, still I am letting God's Word wash over me in a personal way. It is Faith building and like water to my soul.

Psalm 91...I will dwell in the secret place of the Most High and shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, You are my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on You I lean and rely, and in You I [confidently] trust!

For [then] You will deliver me from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. [Then] You will cover me with Your pinions, and under Your wings shall I trust and find refuge; Your truth and Your faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.

I shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday. 

A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand, but it shall not come near me. Only a spectator shall I be [myself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as I witness the reward of the wicked.

Because I have made the Lord my refuge, and the Most High my dwelling place, there shall not evil befall me, nor any plague or calamity come near my tent.

For He will give His angels [especial] charge over me to accompany and defend and preserve me in all my ways [of obedience and service]. They shall bear me up on their hands, lest I dash my foot against a stone.

I shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall I trample under foot.

Because I have set my love upon You, therefore will You deliver me; You will set me on high because I know and understand Your name [have a personal knowledge of Your mercy, love, and kindness--trust and rely on You, knowing You will not forsake me, no, never].

I shall call upon You, and You will answer me; You will be with me in trouble, You will deliver me and honor me. With long life will You satisfy me and show me Your salvation.

Now, I do not want to borrow trouble by making this my own prayer. There are a couple of verses, I know refer to Jesus, the One. And, how the Father will protect Him no mater what the danger. WE can see later in the how God in fact, did this. But, more and more as I long to really know the Lord, I find the best prayers are actually spoken already in His precious Word. The Bible is a Book of Life! I want that life. Do you?

I confess my confidence in the Lord. I am assured that when I trust in Him I need never fear evil. I believe in the protection of God referring to His Son and also to us, His children. Do you?

Abba, Father, we thank You for the amazing way You speak through Your Spirit to our hearts. Help us to listen. Keep us in the Truth. Give to us a yearning for more of You and less of the worlds attractions. Spirit fill us and equip us so we can be light and salt to the world around us. Teach us how to pray. Give us wisdom Abba. We surrender to Your matchless name, amen. 

Abundance is...following a personal Savior