It is time for Heartstrings!
Do you believe there is power in the Word of God? I sure do! The more time I give myself to it the more strength I have and my soul is surely refreshed. That is the beautiful work of the Holy Spirit. It may be a single scripture of promise, or a chapter to challenge or even a Psalm of encouragement.
Today, while it is today, let's tell ourselves the Good News and then ask the Lord to make appointments to share this with someone else that crosses your path.
You have heard, "If you don't use it you will lose it." Right? Like a muscle that becomes atrophied over lack of use, your spirit fire will grow dim and just a few embers. I want to rise up each day in the strength of the Lord. Speak praise to His Holy name and proceed to move in the direction that He has prescribed for me. His ways and plans are always perfect!
This morning I was sorta flipping through my Bible after my regular reading time and came across a wonderful passage from Psalm 107. I suggest you take time to read it, today. The powerful thing to me is that so many examples of trouble and loss seem to fit a wide range of humanity. The Bible is so fresh!
We have all found troubles come, haven't we? You may have thought that becoming a Christian...Christ follower would be just packed with the good stuff, right? Well, it certainly is! But, there are times of trouble too. Life consists of both. Being a Christian does not make us exempt but, it does make us more like Jesus.
He is enough! He will never turn away disgusted that I had a misguided thought or attitude. He does give me His Spirit to turn me in the right direction. If I am willing, I can agree with Paul in 2 Corinthians 10:5..."We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
This has become my prayer daily as I am learning to quickly set my thoughts before the Word of God. If off, then, repeat this prayer. It doesn't matter that my mind seems to be trouble induced by the enemy. It does matter what I do with them.
I have loved Isaiah 26:3 which says, "You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You."
Praise the Lord! Ok, back to Psalm 107. The Word says, Verse 1..."O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!" FOREVER , period!
Whether we wander or are beaten in the storms of life. Verse 6, tells us He delivered them out of their distresses. Verse 8, "Oh, that men would praise [and confess to] the Lord for His goodness and loving-kindness and His wonderful works to the children of men!"
Check out verse 13 and 15...same thing. Verses 19-20, same thing! Verse 28 and 31. This chapter ends with this..."Whoso is wise [if there be any truly wise] will observe and heed these things; and they will diligently consider the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord." Amen!
I didn't bypass the other verses just read them in your quiet time. The point is...no matter what circumstance you find yourself in, no matter what, God sees and bends to hear your cry for help. You may have gotten yourself into a tight spot but He can and will lift you out if you call on the name of the Lord.
You can think right now what that is, can't you? My troubles...He sees. My cries...He hears. His promise...to deliver me as I wait on Him. He doesn't tell me to rush off to find my answers from anywhere but Him. If I truly believe He is able. He will do it.
I hope and pray you have an intimate relationship with the Son of God. Jesus Christ will redeem your life back to the Father. So, call on His name and be saved. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I pray for the sweetness of His presence to surround you now. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Abundance is...only in Jesus Christ
Welcome Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Thank you for gathering here with us! The journey is long isn't it? Are you discouraged? We look for His Appearing as the body of Christ and long for the time of lift off. While we wait, there are troubles all around. But, Truth remains and abides in us as we spend precious, undistracted time in the Word of God.
When I woke this morning Holy Spirit reminded me of a song He gave me years ago. Confirming the continuation of my praise and thanks from all through the night. I sleep little these days but Jesus makes up the difference somehow. I don't understand, yet He has not called me to understand. Only Believe. Trust in Him alone.
Well, a song I may have shared before but, although you can't hear the tune, consider the words.
"When the wind blows hard on the sea of life, may I know who I am without worry or strife. To just say, "Hush and be still, in Jesus name." And go on from there another victory gained.
A child of the King am I today, a winner not a looser ever again. With power and authority over Satan's games. My life another victory gained!
When the mountain stands tall above the valley below, and it seems so far to climb above my every foe. I just look up to the One Who cares for me and keep climbing to the next victory.
A child of the King am I today, a winner not a looser ever again. With power and authority over Satan's games. My life another victory gained. My life another victory gained!"
I just keep singing this over and over again! Already I feel a release of more faith in Jesus and I only want more of Him!
There is another song I am sure you have heard. "It Is Well With My Soul." Is it well with your soul? Do you want more of the abundance of Jesus Christ? He died for you, you know? Do not stay in a heart hardened condition when you can be set free today. Anyone of us may find our lives at times, wanting to sleep and ignore it all, weary and just plain caught up in the things of this world. Like the news from all around the globe...all signs that the time is so close for the church to be caught up to spend eternity with our King! I want to be ready!
So, the words now I will share incase you haven't got a wellness and hope in your soul...Here is the first line. There is a story behind this too. What would your story song sound like?
"When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea-billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, "It is well, it is well with my soul." Chorus..."It is well with, it is well with my soul, with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul."
That is what I wanted to share with you. I was going to wait but felt pressed to do this today, while it is Today. Make this your prayer. Turn all the things, the distractions, every moment of your day to the Lord. As you read His Word daily, you will get the best news! As you take time alone in His presence, you will get the best rest! As you turn all that concerns you over to Him, you will find He can fix it and give you fresh life!
Bless you in the matchless name of Jesus. Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He is Lord of all!
Abundance is...by entering in
Welcome back Heartstrings family
During the last few weeks I was pretty sick, but, am glad to say Jesus has stayed beside me every moment. Now, you may wonder why it took so long to get here today? Because I wanted to be sure of what to share with you. I don't want to talk about the valley I went through. I only want to encourage you to keep holding on to the Shepherd's hand. Follow Him even if you can't take the steps you desire. Even if your circumstances leave you so weak you wonder if you can make it to the next day.
In this world there will come trouble. Isn't that what Jesus told us? So many times in the Word we are told not to worry. As a believer in Jesus Christ I hate to take that label. A worrier is one who hasn't put their trust fully in God to have a good plan and Who will see it through.
I kept thinking about my faith in God. Why wasn't I completely healed? Was my faith wavering with every cough and every pain? Not once did I confess to have had the big C word that is panicking the world. I confessed Jesus Christ as my Jehovah-Rapha; my Healer. So hour by long hour I called on the Lord to save me. I know some of you understand what I am saying today.
I learned some things reading my Bible during this time. Some scriptures that I had memorized became clearer, not just a chant in trouble. To Trust the Living God Who made me. I depend on Him now more than ever before! And, I depend on Him to finish a good work in my life.
My journey may not be as drastic as yours. You may not even understand how close to death you come. But, surely, if you believe and trust in Him as your Lord and Savior, there is no fear. I am grateful for the breath in my lungs. It is from the Lord Who made me.
It has down to this. After this walk with my Shepherd...He is the number One in my life. As I exalted Him above the names of sickness while on my bed, He became more important to me. More than where I live or what I have, even more important than the people that surrounded me. Oh, I want more of Jesus!
One day at a time has become all I can manage. That is okay. It is all He gives us, isn't it? The plans I have made beyond today never really work out the way I think they should. During this time all I want to read is His precious Word. God's Love Letter has become that for me! I have no desire for social media or the books I used to get from the library. What real truth is there from the mouths of man? I need to have Jesus as my One and Only.
He is preparing me to share the Gospel in a bolder way. He said in John 14:1-3..."Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me. ~ In My Father's house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. ~ And when I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also."
Do you believe? Then read John 14:27-29 for more encouragement. This was important for us to know that Jesus repeats His words. If it is important for you to know then it must be important for you to tell others.
So, my prayers have increased not only for those I know and love but for those in far away places I have never seen. The Holy Spirit has enlarged my hunger for their salvation before the Appearing of Jesus. As they come to my mind is the time to pray. Not wait for another time.
Do you feel the urgency? Do you want your faith to be the witness? Let it be said about you and I as it says in 1 Thessalonians 1:8..."but everywhere the report has gone forth of your faith in God [of your leaning of your whole personality on Him in complete trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]" There is such understanding in the middle of this verse! (I read from the Amplified Version).
I am taking one chapter a week reading through 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Slowly absorbing all the beauty of what God is saying I should apply to my life. I would love for you to join me. Write down insights, prayers, and praise and sing songs of deliverance. There is nothing wasted when in the presence of the Lord with a humble heart.
There is so much I wanted to say today. My heart is full and I continue to wait on the Lord for full healing. He is the restorer of my soul. He is the One Who brings peace to my questioning mind. He is the One Who is preparing a place for me with Him.
Call on the name of the Lord and be saved if you have not done this yet. Then pull away to a place where you can surrender all to Him. Get into the Word of God and discover He has been waiting for you all this time. Gain fresh life in His presence. You are loved and He will not leave you, ever. God bless you in the matchless name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Abundance is...Jesus is the Only One
Welcome Heartstrings family!
Do you long to be free from this world? I suppose all of us can say that at some point in our lives. The journey can be difficult, long and simply, without words to describe...a longing for heaven and home.
During the last couple of weeks this desire has grown stronger. I know it makes it more real due to the fact that I just had another birthday. My life is filled with blessings of love from family and friends and I have no doubt heaven will be extra ordinary! We get these small glimpses here and there. Along the way, we only need to look for the hidden treasures. Not like a treasure hunt but with a heart that anticipates a closer walk in the steps of Jesus Christ. Where ever He leads. The story will go on and we will effect change by learning to lean on Him and we will effect change in those who cross our path.
I read a very short Psalm yesterday. In just two short verses there is power and it will bring me back to the most important, most valuable. To look up. No matter what the world says or tries to turn our thoughts to idols and self serving ventures, the truth remains. We were made to worship God!
Psalm 117 says, "O Praise the Lord, all you nations! Praise Him, all you people! ~ For His mercy and lovingkindness are great toward us, and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord endure forever. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah)!"
Pause and think about this. Be still and take in the beauty of each word. When I read this, fear dissolves. To pause and think of His Majesty! That every Word in this Bible is true. It has come to pass or is coming to pass. For He is faithful.
This morning I considered mercy. You know what came to my mind? A picture of me gathering in a basket manna. Manna like mercy that is new every morning. It is enough to feed me every step of the way. It is living bread from heaven. Mercy in abundance and free. I can't count on another gathering what I need. I can't depend on it falling more than what I need. I am supplied and so the only thing I can do for this beautiful gift is to worship the Giver.
Nations that will praise God? People that will praise God? When? Why not now. Better now than standing on the Day of Judgement. Even now I come before the Lord without money, excuses or comment. I can stand with my hands raised heavenward and empty. When the realization of God's amazing Grace comes past the media of today, and the so called wisdom of man, I am undone. What more could we ask for?
Yes, He gives us His mercy and lovingkindness. They are Great from a Great God and Savior! Knowing His Truth and Faithfulness have endured through time and will continue through eternity is overwhelming for my puny brain. So, all I can do is raise my empty hands in praise to Him. It is enough. For that is why I was created.
When was the last time you spoke, "Hallelujah!" It is a strong word and yet somehow strange on my tongue. I will practice this beautiful exclamation as I sit at His feet. I will not use it as some fancy word of the religious. I have been in that church. It grated on my nerves. Things are different now. Somehow, His Love lifted me above all of that. He has done a great thing!
I pray you are blessed in reading God's Love letter to you today. Let His Words remain and mine go the way of fog as the sun rises in the morning. May His Light shine through your darkness and you find soul peace as you settle into His keeping. You are loved in the matchless name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Abundance is...there is always a reason to praise Him
Good morning,
Thank you for stopping by Heartstrings! I pray that you will be encouraged, maybe even challenged as God's Word is shared from the book of Psalm.
If you read Psalm 107 you may see some descriptions that could be applied to our world today. I love that the Word of God is always alive and relevant. But first, let's look at Hebrews 4:12 to get the facts.
"For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart."
If you have ever had surgery then you would understand how the scalpel in a steady hand can precisely cut into your body. The Word of God does the same thing. It goes right where it needs to only to reveal what has been hidden maybe by layers of flesh. The things we use to cover up and hide. When all along this is what it says in verse 13.
"And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do."
Okay, now go to Psalm 107, asking the Holy Spirit for wisdom and understanding. Apply it where it needs to be applied. Carefully offer your life to God, without fear that He will hurt you. He loves you so much!
What is see is probably what you see. Wow! Troubles everywhere and people getting sucked into believing the lies of the enemy. They surrender themselves to man and only get trouble. They have turned away from God only to be left with it.
Then, Psalm 107:13-14 says, "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He save them out of their distresses.~ He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke apart the bonds that held them."
Go on and read the whole chapter. Do you see yourself there? I sure have been there over the years of fighting to do my own thing, with my own wisdom, until I finally cry out to God to save me. I have been awfully slow in the coming back. But, I am here now and don't intend to leave!
When I was looking at the word distresses, I realized for myself that could mean any number of worries. Anxiety to weigh my heart down. Scraped knees as I try to lift myself up in my own strength. Wow, so much trouble. Being the stubborn woman I am sometimes I finally recognized that I needed to surrender moment by moment to God. The Lord Jesus saved me and I have His Spirit alive in me but, I still rather ignored those gentle whispers to return with all my baggage and lay it down.
I went through some pretty rough storms and became frustrated because I kept falling. As near in my ear I could hear the chuckle of the enemy that yep, I did it again.
Somewhere along the way, at a low place in my journey, I was still enough to really see what God's intention was for my life. That is when I exchanged the lies for the truth. It was my choice. So, I made it.
I have been in a type of wilderness for a long time, but learning to be still and know Him has given me heart peace that I could never have otherwise. God knows us and He knows what it will take to being us to a place of surrender, repentance and deep trust. My greatest joy have come when I have been fully dependent upon Him. Most of those times have been in an alone place.
I do not regret this journey. I do regret the waste of precious time with my Lord spent with stuff and such and discontentment. Today, although Christmas is near and another birthday for myself I am grateful for the peace that passes all understanding as I have turned my life to His plans; setting aside my own. I never want to leave this precious place.
Will you pray with me? Heavenly Father, it has been awhile for many of us to finally come to You. Whether for the first time or in returning, take our lives and make them what You have desired for us all along. Help us to know You Lord Jesus as our first love. Help us to trust You Holy Spirit as You teach us how to become a ready Bride for that day of Jesus Appearing. Take all our baggage and fix our eyes on You. We love you in the matchless name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Bless you all as you walk with Jesus.
Abundance is...calling on the Lord