Good day to you from my heart

God's Word is precious and timely isn't it? This is why I keep coming back to pick up my Bible to bask in His goodness and truth. Read it for yourselves! It has never steered me wrong, ever. So, I am praising the name of Jesus Christ today and desire great freedom to share the Gospel of Truth.

Have you ever wondered if God could use you as an instrument for His glory? While looking at lives transformed by His mercy in the Old Testament and then those living in the new, I realize these important people weren't not important until they put their trust in God as their Lord.

Same goes for us today. Now to apply His Living Word to my personal story. We always think we are taking a chance when we tell others the Good News, don't we? However, when I realize it is the Spirit of the Lord that moves hearts, I can obey and do my part and let Him do the rest. Remember, Jesus said even a cup of water given to another is doing it as unto Him.

How amazing! That the Son of God would come for us while we were still sinners; die to cover out sins and redeem us back to the Father and then, give us the very Spirit of God to be with us every step of our journey. Did I say, "Amazing?" Absolutely!!

Now about the personal application of something Holy Spirit reminded me of this last weekend. I had been down and discouraged because something I longed for was put on hold. For how long? Only God knows. But since I confess Him as my Lord, I must trust He knows best. This has become an everyday thing. Step by step. Sometimes dragging, sometimes dancing.

I want you to know perfect peace today, regardless of your circumstances. So, here is what I found and am counting on. Proverbs 12:25 says, "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad."

The best place for an encouraging word that I have found is in actually picking up my Bible and reading it. It does not matter if you hang out in the book of Psalm and relate to the heart of David for God, or, in reading a letter written from the apostle Paul while sending convicting words and encouragement to the church.

If you are being anxious over stuff and things, like I tend to do, eventually the weight of that will become extremely heavy. Your walk will weaken, your voice will melt away as if in a thunderous rain storm. Your effect on the world will be dimmed like a worn out bulb. Head to the Word and choose hope!

In Proverbs 13:12..."Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life."

I am still waiting for the desires to be fulfilled. And, they may not be in my time. He knows. Yet, while I wait if there is any indication that my soul is sick then, my desire has become a working of the flesh. I know, ouch huh? I can't make time halt or hurry along. I have to continually say out loud, "Jesus, I trust You." 

I love that picture of fulfillment being like a tree of life! I remember when on my wedding day how quickly my heart wanted to sing because we said our "I do's" and then the kiss to seal it. That was just one highlight along the way to where I am today. 

Now, my hope is in Christ, as never before. I look to the day of a fantastic wedding feast when I see heaven. Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Singing in perfect harmony His praises for all eternity! Can you picture this? Keep the hope!

Father thank You for this day to be a small part of the bigger picture. Your plans are always just and perfect and I choose to put my heart and soul into trusting You. Bless these who are searching and reading today. Let the will of each be turned fully into Your hands. Keep us from evil and make us lights shining brightly where ever You take us. In the matchless name of Jesus, amen.

Abundance is...I choose Your Word to that makes me glad

Welcome back

Galatians 6:9 says..."and let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint."

1 Peter 5:6-7 says, "Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully."

Abundance is...laying it all down

Good day to you family and friends

With Heartstrings I send encouragement in keeping with God's Love Letter, the Bible. If He didn't care intimately about our hearts, He wouldn't have sent His Only Son to bear our sins on the cross. He holds the power to lift us out of death and bring us unbound into His glorious plans. The question remains...will I lay it down? 

You may ask what does 'it' mean? My answer, anything that brings weight; heaviness on my heart, mind, soul, or spirit. Now, you have your answer don't you? It didn't take long and maybe your list is still growing. Quick turn it to Jesus! He can handle it for you.

There have been times when I do lay 'it' down but never let go completely. That is the hard part. Here are some examples. How about bitterness? Self-pity? Anxious fear? Pride? There are more, as you know. Make it personal.

So, lay down your heart. Lay down your hurt. When you lift up your face to the Lord then, you will see a smile and love that lifts you up. Strengthened! With a feeling that you have wings to fly above the shadows along the path you have been on. 

I want joy and to renew my covenant with You, LORD! So, I set all my sorrows and disappointments, all my fear and discontent before Your feet. Help me to rise above my enemies. I know they will continue to lurk around the next corner. That is why I choose today to hold Your hand and trust You. What comes next? I only know You are enough for me. I lay it all down and praise Your matchless name, amen.

Move forward now in fresh life and freedom! Ask the Holy Spirit to fill and anoint you with fresh oil from the throne of God's grace. Ask Him to search your heart and renew your mind. That your thoughts would be agreeable to His will. Bearing much fruit! It's not like trying to purchase from a catalog, a plant that is out of stock until further notice. Thank the LORD! As the Holy Spirit moves into your heart, as Jesus promised, your fruitful season begins and keeps on growing as you find nourishment in the presence of the LORD.

Well, I did not share the scriptures today that caused to be moved to share this. The walk is personal for each of us. The witness is found in the walking not the talking. Spend time at the feet of Jesus today and let Him be your matchless friend. In His name I say, amen."

Abundance is...no more burdened

Welcome family and friends

As part of my devotions this morning I read an entry from "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. I loved this so much I thought it worth sharing with you today.

"Welcome problems as perspective-lifters." This grabbed my attention because of my personal journey. I praise the Lord for others who can challenge me to grow deeper in the Christ...it goes on.

"My children tend to sleepwalk through their days until they bump into an obstacle that stymies them.

If you encounter a problem with no immediate solution, your response to that situation will take you either up or down. You can lash out at the difficulty, resenting it and feeling sorry for yourself. This will take you down into a pit of self-pity. Alternately, the problem can be a ladder, enabling you to climb up and see your life from My perspective. Viewed from above, the obstacle that frustrated you is only a light and momentary trouble. Once your perspective has been heightened, you can look away from the problem altogether. Turn toward Me, and see the Light of My Presence shining upon you."

This is what I call life application! And every place it says speaks to me I put my name in there by agreeing with simply "I". Do you catch what I mean? 

Do you want Jesus to be speaking personally to you? Will you allow Him to enter into the places hidden in the recesses of your mind? How is your heart? Do you can continued peace regardless of your circumstances? Questions I have to ask myself almost daily because I tend to fall into the pit of despair too readily because of physical pain. But, I am learning as I am leaning on the Word.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Psalm 89:15 says, "Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD."

Everywhere you look, everything you hear, let it be always directing your focus back on Jesus Christ. If you have been Redeemed back to the Father and sealed by His Holy Spirit then, you can say with me, "He is enough."

I hope you are encouraged. If only you and I will continue to carry on through the rough places as in the smooth places. Let God speak to you. You are in my prayers and together we will fix our eyes on our matchless Lord and Savior, amen.

Abundance is...standing on the High Places with Him

I welcome you with Heartstrings

I pray this day that you choose the Lord God. He will be your protector and sustain you in days of trouble. As you delight in Him, you will find the rich abundance of His grace and love like refreshing shade under the shadow of mighty oak. In Jesus name, amen.

We wonder what comes next don't we? I mean, if you aren't seeing the things going on in this world you'd better take you head out of the compose pile, so to speak. Need a better picture? Don't spend so much time looking in the mirror at your own reflection. Get rid of the junk that distracts you from hearing. Quit wasting time analyzing the garbage. Look into the Word of God and see these things are as His plans go. For our good and His glory. Glory? Yes! You will see how the story ends.

While reading Acts 4 this morning I came across something that struck my heart. Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit and before the rulers and elders of Israel he spoke.

Then being released returns to the church and prays to God with raised voices. They are remembering His greatness. Along comes verses 27-28...and here is where I had to pause.

"For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever YOUR hand and YOUR purpose determined before to be done."

Think about this. From the beginning God has always been the One with The Plan. Hasn't He? He can turn a barren waste land like Israel's past into and oasis with fruits and produce that is now going out into all the world. Did you know this? He spoke it, and it came to pass. The prophets spoke the Word of the Lord and it came to pass! Why not choose Him?

Okay. Consider the evil happening openly in our own government. Even in America. There are bills that declare we should choose to follow evil plots and even make them laws. Murder of children. Restrictions when we have constitutional rights. Remember what freedom looks like? Feels like? I sure do and I'm not ready to conform to the world. Read Romans 12:1-2.

Here in our Bible we can see wisdom in the Book of Psalm. I also read Psalm 93 in my devotions this morning. It is very descriptive. 

Verses 20-23 says, "Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, have fellowship with You? ~ They gather together against the life of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood. ~ But the LORD has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge. ~ He has brought on them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; The LORD our God shall cut them off."

Praise the matchless name of the LORD! God's Bible is full of assurances like this. In the last chapter of His story there is complete victory over evil. Both in our news headlines and the ones still hidden in the basement of your neighbor. Some seen, most not.

Put to memory Psalm 91. Establish your heart, soul, mind and strength in loving the LORD God. Stop walking the fence! Either you jump down to one side or the other. You are not the first to be a bit shaken and experience fear. 

Lately, I am clinging to God's promise to Joshua 1:9..."Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Amen!

If you are a Believer in Christ, you are filled with His Spirit. What is He speaking to your heart today? About a place, a person or situation to get involved in? It could be just to pray. Did I say, just? No, to pray and certainly before we ever step out in the faith that God has given us. Without ceasing. Put on the full armor of God. Trust in Him with all your heart. Now obey.

Thank you Abba Father for being the One who determines the outcome of every detail. Our world is shaking and the enemy is trying to bring us to fear. But, as 2 Timothy 1:7 says, You have not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. Thank You for choosing us and for Jesus who redeems us back to the You and for empowering us with Your Holy Spirit. In the matchless name of Jesus, Your Son...amen.

Abundance is...He knows my path