Dear Heartstrings family and friends,

I pray you have your eyes opened to the many benefits and blessings God has brought into your lives. If you are in doubt, take time to tell Him Who knows all about it. His peace will reign supreme in your heart and mind, a guarantee of His loving kindness and compassion. He is holding you in His hands. 

There are so many pressing matters in our lives. Recent death of a loved one, loss of a job or any thing. You may be so fatigued by the stresses you hear in the news, confusion as to what is true and what is a lie. That pain you went to bed with and fought with all night and still you woke with it. The whole idea of celebration during this beautiful season seems like work. You know how the lists are?

Yet, through it all we are called to rejoice in the Lord, regardless of our circumstances. Really, joy does not come from how good our situation is but, no matter what our situation is or how we think it will be. The whole what if thing the enemy of our souls throws at us is not something I want to determine my mindset, my focus.

So, I turn to Psalm 103. God knows we are but dust and He remembers and imprints this on His heart. He knows our days are numbered just like the flowers in the field. He knows it only takes wind to blow down a tree or even a house. See what I mean? Now for some good news!

Thinking of David's life, I really have nothing to complain about. Because The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness.

So, Psalm 103:1-3 from the Amplified Bible in front of me. It says, "Bless (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!

~ Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits---

~ Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases, 

~ Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;

~Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!"

This chapter continues with saying "The Lord executes righteousness and justice [not for me only, but] for all who are oppressed."

We serve a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace and Lord of All! We must believe His plans are good and will bring glory and honor to His name while all along taking care of our needs and even the needs of the sparrows. What a loving Father we have! 

I am praising the Jesus today for all the benefits of being Redeemed. There is not one sin that He throws up in my face because He throws them as far as the East is from the West! So, if you are rehearsing your troubles from the time you get up till the time you go to bed, STOP! Instead, gratefully praise the name of Jesus Christ. You will find true joy regardless of your circumstances. The enemy is a liar. You know that don't you? Then take your position, fully armored before the throne of God and start believing for the impossible things as being His Chosen.

You are loved and I am so thankful for your life in the kingdom of God. Be blessed now.

Abundance is...praise makes all the difference

Thank you Heartstrings family!

To see that you have gathered with me today means so much. I am counting all my blessings and naming them one by one!

We have sure had adversity show itself and seems more like a many layered mess. So, where do we go to find comfort and keep standing in spite of it all? The only place I know by experience is to the Word of God. He is faithful and always true! Worthy of Praise!

Here I am today reading Psalm 94. The following verses have been so relivent. I don't see how anyone could miss this. So, starting in verse 9 we begin.

"He Who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He Who formed the eye, shall He not see?

He Who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He Who formed the eye, shall He not see?

The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are vain (empty and futile--only a breath).

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity, until the [inevitable] pit of corruption is dug for the wicked.

For the Lord will not cast off nor spurn His people, neither will He abandon His heritage.

For justice will return to the [uncompromisingly] righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Who will rise up for me against evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

Unless the Lord had been my help, I would soon have dwelt in [the land where there is] silence.

When I said, My foot is slipping, Your mercy and loving kindness, O Lord, held me up.

In the multitude of my [anxious] thoughts within me, your comforts cheer and delight my soul!

Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with You--they who frame and hide their unrighteous doings under [the sacred name of] law?

They band themselves together against the life of the [consistently] righteous and condemn the innocent to death.

But the Lord has become my High Tower and Defense, and my God the Rock of my refuge.

 And He will turn back upon them their own iniquity and will wipe them out by means of their own wickedness; the Lord our God will wipe them out."

There you have it...do you see how relevant this is in our nation; in our world? The Word of God is living! Are you putting your armor on everyday? Are you hiding in the Shelter of the Most High? Do you trust Father with the details of your life. He is in control, you know?

Colossians 26-7 says, "As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. ~ Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving."

WE serve a wonderful Savior, Redeemer and Friend. He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace and Lord of All!

Abundance is...in the matchless name of Jesus Christ

Good morning family and friends

Thank you for stopping by my Heartstrings site. I know many of you live in such different climates than we do here in Montana, USA. Here we are experiencing Autumn. My favorite season when the leaves are so bright. Well, not true...I really love every season in its change. It is the sameness over time that can make me weary. 

I am basking in His Love this morning. As I was reading Psalm one again, I could see how much God loved the changing times too. He took such care in creating the seasons of life for us. From the beginning. There has always been a defining picture of His heart for mankind. Yes, from the beginning.

So, what I want to do today is simply remind us all to pause and take the time to consider how blessed we are as we keep focused on God and treasure the things that He delights in. As worship was meant to be from the beginning.

Because of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection we are redeemed back to Father God. The place He intended. From the beginning. We come from a place of darkness and are transformed into the beautiful persons He desired. 

This season I call the beautiful season of dying. Mainly because I have been personally going through loss. Yet, He gives beauty for ashes. It says so in Isaiah 61:3. I am not struggling against His plans now. So, peace covers my heart and mind as long as I stay in His presence, His Word. Filled with His Spirit.

Did you know that Jesus was the Only One who had his story written before it was ever seen? I mean from the beginning, the Old Testament has declared Him. The New Testament is the revealing. I find that so assuring! Don't you?

So, in every season I will give thanks because He has already gone before me and will walk with me and lead me into eternity. He is preparing a new home for me in heaven. Nothing compares. Not even from the beginning. As each season happens on my journey I pray that I will develop the kind of fruit, at just the right time, as He desires.

Psalm 1:3 says, "And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]."

Psalm 23:1 says, "The LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack."

With the putting on of the armor of God, and wearing a garment of praise my life will not fall apart no matter what the circumstances look like. It doesn't matter how I feel. It matters if I will believe. Belief leads to faith. It begins here at the feet of Jesus. It is where my sins are covered and I am redeemed back to the Father...as in the beginning.

I pray you are all safe and well. That the measure of His Love will continually overflow your life. That you find a deeper longing to know the Lord Jesus. That God's Word will add to you fresh life. Be filled with His Spirit today my friends. You are His treasure. You are loved in the matchless name of Jesus Christ our Lord and soon coming King. Amen.

Abundance is...being prepared to meet Him

Good morning Heartstrings family

How will they know you are His? By your unselfishness. This morning I spoke about all the work I had done this week to a grandson. Then he went back to work and I returned home. It is only a short distance apart. But, on the way the Holy Spirit let me know the way and the words I said to him were born out of self-pity. Do you know how fast I went back to ask for forgiveness? Right away! I explained to him that I understand that he works much harder than me and that the self-pity flesh of me wanted attention. Not selflessness. But, selfishness. For my own means.

I am so glad Jesus calls us to follow Him because it is step by step we take this journey with Him. His Spirit helps us with our weakness. Now I am free to go on with this day. And, the blessing for my grandson is that he gets to see the operation of obedience to the Holy Spirit. Obey quickly!

In Philippians 4:5 we can read this..."Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness. The Lord is near [He is coming soon]."

That is why it is so important to not leave things undone. Every time we ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, He does. No matter how small the issue God sees it all and wants us to be able to be free and walk in the Spirit of His Love.

We can see all the signs converging. So quickly. This is not the time to be lazy and ignore the work that God is doing in our lives. I am so grateful for His care.

So, in my devotions this morning I read something that really spoke to my heart. "In nothing be anxious" Philippians 4:6.

He says, "No anxiety ought to be found in a believer. Great, many, and varied may be our trials, our afflictions, our difficulties, and yet there should be no anxiety under any circumstances, because we have a Father in heaven who is almighty, who loves His children as He loves His only-begotten Son, and whose very joy and delight it is to succor and help them at all times and under all circumstances. We should attend to the Word, "In nothing be anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God."

"In everything," that is not merely when the house is on fire, not merely when the beloved wife and children are on the brink of the grave, but in the smallest matters of life, bring everything before God, the little things, the very little things, what the world calls trifling things--everything--living in holy communion with our heavenly Father, and with our precious Lord Jesus all day long. And when we awake at night, by a kind of spiritual instinct again turning to Him, and speaking to Him, bringing our various little matters before Him in the sleepless night, the difficulties in connection with the family, our trade, our profession. Whatever tries us in any way, speak to the Lord about it.

"By prayer and supplication," taking the place of beggars, with earnestness, with perseverance, going on and waiting, waiting, waiting on God.

"With thanksgiving." We should at all times lay a good foundation with thanksgiving. If everything else were wanting, this is always present, that He has saved us from hell. Then, that He has given us His Holy Word--His Son, His choicest gift--and the Holy Spirit. therefore we have abundant reason for thanksgiving. O let us aim at this!

"And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." And this is so great a blessing, so real a blessing, so precious a blessing, that it must be known experimentally to be entered into, for it passeth understanding. O, let us lay these things to heart, and the result will be if we habitually walk in this spirit, we shall far more abundantly glorify God, than as yet we have done.'"

From George Mueller, in Life of Trust.

I really have nothing I need to add to this. I am grateful for Jesus Christ is my own life story. He is alive. He is real for my everyday. I believe, I trust, and I love Him. God be with you till we meet again in the matchless name of Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

Abundance is...great peace have they who have Jesus

Heartstrings family,

It has been while hasn't it? Well, I just want to share a couple of things. As you know our world is breaking apart so fast and in every area we could possible think of. It seems not so far across the planet anymore is it? It is right here in our own back yard!

The bible tells us not to be afraid; not to fret. God wants us to remain in His arms of love and not be smashed, or bruised by the evil one. He wants to sustain us. If only we would call on His name and find what we truly need. Desire what He desires. Want Jesus for relationship, not just to get what we want thinking our plans are better. 

My emotions do not have to be blindsided. My attitudes do not have to be stinky. My mind does not have to be in a state of confusion. What I am learning is to put the Word of God before every thing that concerns me. Search out what the Lord says. It is all there. 

He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Lord of all! Do I really need to search any further? No. That only leads to disappointment, another tool of the enemy. Loneliness, another tool of the enemy. Fretting, another tool of the enemy.

So, you say, but look around you girl! Don't you see what is going on? Where is God now?

My answer is...God is still on His throne. He is always present, all powerful, all knowing. He is the answer! Now, only to trust Him and take Him at His word. See, He will sustain us!

Psalm 55 tells me that God hears my prayers. He will answer. And, when I need help He is with me. It does not matter what others say about me. My fellowship with God is sweet. 

I like David's honesty. He says in verse 16 thru 17...As for me, I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur and He will hear my voice. He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me".

Then finally in verse 22..."Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."

Praise the name of the Lord! When the wind blows the tree is shaken isn't it? Do you feel this way today? Be encouraged in God's Love letter to you today. In fact, everyday! He is the only way I get through it all. I will trust Him and believe what He says, and then, I will know peace. Will you?

Abundance is...in the matchless name of Jesus