Blessings to you family and friends in the matchless name of Jesus Christ.

It has been awhile since I've written with Heartstrings. However, to take a pause is a good thing. Only by sitting with my Bible on my lap, for how ever long it takes to settle my heart, am I able to carry on. So, here I am.

Did you ever play the game '"Ready or Not" with someone? You know you only have so much time to find a hiding place before you hear the words, "Here I come!"

Although not a game, it seems I am hearing that cry echo in my heart daily. Even above other voices, ideas and unfiltered noise in the passing. I believe God's Spirit is getting me ready for the great call. And, have you noticed even unbelievers are asking questions like, "What is going on in this world?" Can you give them an answer?

Everyone wants a hiding place. We have looked for solutions to our questions and still vaguely feel secure. We are people living in sin. All have fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23. 

As I remembered Martha scurrying around her home trying to prepare things for a special dinner with the Lord as guest; frantic and complaining, dissatisfied and comparing; wanting more help. While all the while her sister Mary sits comfortably at the feet of Jesus; seeming blind to the needs in the kitchen.  What did Jesus tell Martha? I will let you search for that.

Then, the parable of the Virgins waiting for the call of the Groom. Not knowing the hour or even the day, some were prepared and waiting while the others put that lower on the list of their priorities. Did the Bridegroom call? I will let you search for that too. 

Everyone is either playing the game in sin or resting in the blessed hope of their salvation. Every person has sought for the solution. Every person has made a choice. There is still time at this moment. But, how much time will you have? 

Where are you hiding today? In the good works you are doing? In your religion? How about in your philosophy? What about in your morality? Do any of those bring abundant life for you? Or are you still out there opening closet doors, lifting lid off of a dusty chest in the attic? Crawling under a bed? Funny, but you think you might have found a good hiding place but, you have not.

The One calling out "Here I come!" will be close enough for you to tremble. Yet, He will pass by as though He didn't recognize your supposed shelter. 

My heart aches today thinking of all the ones in my own family that have made themselves to be hiding in safety while the minutes pass on the face of the clock. They are only being fooled. Convinced that what they are doing, thinking or believing will get them into the abundance of eternity with God. Still walking the wide road leading them further away from eternal life.

The only way is by exposing your heart and repenting of sins; believing Jesus is truly the Son of God and surrendering you whole life to Him. He has a wonderful plan, if only you desire to be found.

As long as possible, I have spent time in a cramped place with my knees to my chest and hardly room to breath. What do I mean? Well, all the rules, the supposed solutions, my self importance, my own self righteous attitudes; they have kept me in the dark, hiding. 

Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life! Praise the Lord I am found! No more hiding, no more faking that I am well and everything is good. As I spent time in the dark listening to the Liar, Satan, I began believing my own lies. With no way out except to step out from my own solutions and submit completely to the Lord of Life.

Sometimes, the "opportunity" comes when I have to be still. I have not been feeling well but taking the best way naturally to get over this little bout of sickness. The lesson in this ... is that my response is what brings the healing or not. My faith is in Christ. He is my Jehovah Rapha! So I hold His Word on my lap even if my eyes won't focus, I sense His presence.

What opportunity has come your way? Are you in a place of waiting in hope for answers? Or have you given up, declaring God does not hear your prayers? Do you still take the time to keep oil in your lamp? 

Are you taking the time to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of Him? Beyond the call to be busy are you responding to the call to worship?

The world we live in is real sick isn't it? From day to day we don't know what will happen next. I so want you to be ready! No matter what comes, that your heart will not fear but boldly claim the Gospel of Jesus Christ until your last day. If you have a voice, speak out. If you have hands, serve as unto Him. If you have feet, walk in shoes fit to give the Gospel of peace with the wounded all the way to healing in Jesus. 

Put on Christ. Don't be afraid to stand out in the crowd. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you, right now. While the opportunity presents itself. I can only pray for you. I will rest in His Love that He desires your heart, soul, mind and strength. Your love completely set upon Him. 

Exalt the Lord and do take time to look the scriptures up. I didn't feel I was supposed to share those today but, let you take that position of trust and faith. His Spirit will teach you and lead you. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ, listen for His call..."Here I come!"

Abundance is...I am ready!

Welcome family of God

Do you have what the Bible calls is Great peace? Peace in time of war? Peace of mind and soul? God offers us this wonderful gift even in times of great difficulty...we bask in His Great Peace! But, to have this we need to Believe the Word of God and apply it to our lives. I got a clear picture this morning as I was in my devotions. Maybe someone out there will catch the meaning.

I learn by word pictures. Have you ever seen the moss on rocks by water? They look so soft and invite you to touch them. For me this morning I could see myself like that moss clinging, hugging the rock beside a fearsome, powerful waterfall. Yet, with all the feelings it caused me, I would have to say fear was the strongest. Just the power of that water pushing and falling far below makes my heart leap. But, why would I be there in the first place?

God's finger plants us where we will best know Him. If God is peace and I have read this in many places in His Love Letter, then, that must be the power I rely on and cling to and trust in. 

I wish I could describe fully what I want to share. My life and yours too I suspect, have experienced the force of falling captive to the waters of circumstance. You think you are floating along just fine and then you hear the roar, the rumble of something coming. You try to paddle back up stream but can not. Before you know it you are falling from a great height and your only thought is God help me!

That's one side of the story. What about the moss that hugs the rock beside that great fall? For me that looks like peace. It looks like the place where instead of fear, there is Great Peace. Nourishing mist falls softly on the moss and gives it strength to keep on hugging the rock. Instead of a horrible, thunderous voice from the falls, there is another song of joy as you watch the water fall beside you. The voice of Great Peace. 

So, I decided today that if God would make me like the moss and help me to cling, to hug The Rock provided for me...I will. Without fear of falling. Without fear of missing His voice in the noise. Without fear of dying without Great Peace.

Now for the scriptures I found...I will only share a few but there are many examples of Great Peace.

Psalm 119:165 says..."Those who love Thy law have great peace, and nothing cause them to stumble." Do you love the Words of God? Do you love The Word, His Son Jesus Christ?

He is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Read Isaiah 9:6. To me this says, God is bigger than the waterfall and bigger than the very rock I am hugging for survival.

Jesus said in John 14:27..."Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." Yes Lord! I trust You!

Now, while most of these you may have heard before, please really take them to heart. Know the mind of the LORD.

Philippians 4:6-7 and what ever you are feeling anxious or fearful about this is what to do..."Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God." For nothing? Hey, are you still hugging The Rock? In everything, regardless of the circumstances. Really? Are you still hugging The Rock?

Verse 7 says, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Do you feel Him guarding you? Where does your mind go when you hear reports of war so close? When you finally get the truth that our government cannot save us? When that child you are praying for is exclusively in the hands of God Who created them? 

When I feel shaken by the waterfalls, when the power seems so great it would sweep me away to destruction...I hug The Rock even closer. Holy Spirit helps me cling to that Hope that He is still in control.

Father I praise You for taking the time to show us where we need to be. Help us hug closely Your Word and know without a doubt Your power is over all. You have a good plan for us and we set aside all our cares and worries this day. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ, Your precious Son, amen.

Abundance is...I am moss, He is The Rock

Welcome brothers and sisters with Heartstrings

Freedom is the desire of nations, peoples and regardless of our circumstances we can find true freedom in Christ Jesus! So lift up your heavy hands and give thanks! There is no power that can reduce us to the level hopelessness unless we choose to accept that position. Be raised up in Christ our Lord and claim victory!

I love what Galatians 5:1 says..."In [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off]."

My liberty came when I asked Jesus to be Lord of my life. Every day as I sit at His feet, read His Word and seek direction for my day, I am victorious. No matter what comes or if I slip into sin again, I call on Him and am changed. He knows my weakness and I trust His Spirit in me to sustain me and bring me along the path of His choosing. The path of freedom.

It is really summed up in this. If I choose to snooze and let the "little" sins corrupt me while never bringing them into the Light; that becomes baggage. My shoulders are not meant to carry that load. It is like having lost the weight, dropping it to the floor at Jesus feet and feeling the lifting of my arms in that weightless condition. 

Will we drop those things that weigh us down? Have you noticed the marks like deep impressions left after dropping a heavy backpack off your shoulders? Jesus takes away even the impressions of our sin, as those they were never there!

This will be short today. My time is limited. God's Word is always perfect for any occasion. I am so glad I could slip into my chair to write to you, even for a few minutes.

Psalm 5:11-12 tells us..."But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; Iet them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits.

For You, LORD, will bless the [uncompromisingly] righteous [him who is upright and in right standing with You]; as with a shield You will surround him with goodwill (pleasure and favor)."

Praise the Lord for undeserved favor! Have you noticed that happening in your life? The closer you walk with Jesus, the closer others will want to come to you. They are drawn not by your good looks, your clothes, or money, but more by a simple smile or a word of thanks. Think about those who serve you in public everyday. Are you praying for their salvation? What opportunities has the Lord brought your way? 

You and I may not be a corner preacher with sign that says, "Repent, for the kingdom of God is near." It may be that you pause for another person to step in front of you in the line. It may be that you step up to bend down to pick something that has fallen for someone. As we take those steps behind or bend to retrieve the fallen, we are being a witness to the world. A Light that shines out in darkness. No lampshade to hide the Light. Let the Holy Spirit make all your appointments. You will be amazed at what the Lord will do! Amen?

Have a blessed and fruitful day in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and soon coming King, amen.

Abundance is...freedom to shine

Good Monday Morning

"Let all those that seek and require You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified! [As for me] I am poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me. You are my Help and my Deliverer, O my God, do not tarry!"

That was written my King David in Psalm 40:16-17. Can you hear his heart? When we look at how downfallen our nation has become since the last election I believe God is hearing many of our prayers just like this one.

When a nation turns its heart, soul, mind and strength to another but the God Who gave it life and protection, there is a debt to be paid. One person at a time, we choose what we believe don't we? As the body of Christ draws together in loving God, He will bless as He said.

In Psalm 42 there is another heart cry. "As the hart pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God. My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?"

Later in verse 5..."Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my God."

Again in verse 11..."Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted with in? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my God."

I too need a repeat once in awhile. It is like shaking myself from sleep when I know I have some place to be. So, my soul is feeling this shaking to be alert and watchful. Each day has shown how quickly things can change. Have you noticed? From one day to the next. And, even the media can't seem to keep up on the truth. 

We have to ask ourselves, "What is the truth?" And, why let yourself be cast down? Hope in God!

I know this is a long post today but, I really want to share something from George Mueller; a godly man. This is what he wrote.

"Is there ever any ground to be cast down? There are two reasons but only two. If we are yet unconverted, we have ground to be cast down; or if we have been converted and live in sin, then we are tightly cast down. ~ But except for these two things there is no ground to be cast down, for all else may be brought before God in prayer with supplication and thanksgiving. And regarding all our necessities, all our difficulties, all our trials, we may exercise faith in the power of God, and in the love of God. ~"Hope thou in God." Oh, remember this: There is never a time when we may not hope in God. Whatever our necessities, however great our difficulties, and though to all appearance help is impossible, yet our business is to hope in God, and it will be found that it is not in vain. In the Lord's own time help will come. ~ Oh, the hundreds, yea, the thousands of times that I have found it thus within the past seventy years and four months! ~ When it seemed impossible that help could come, help did come; for God has His own resources. He is not confined. In ten thousand different ways, and at ten thousand different times God may help us. ~ Our business is to spread our cases before the Lord, in childlike simplicity to pour out all our heart before God, saying, "I do not deserve that Thou shouldst hear me and answer my requests, but for the sake of my precious Lord Jesus; for His sake answer my prayer, and give me grace quietly to wait till it please Thee to answer my prayer. For I believer Thou wilt do it in Thine own time and way." ~ "For I shall yet praise him." More prayer, more exercise of faith, more patient waiting, and the result will be blessing, abundant blessing. Thus I have found it many hundreds of time, and therefor I continually say to myself, "Hope thou in God."   George Mueller.

Well if you made it this far take a look at Psalm 43:5..."Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my [sad] countenance, and my God."

Father thank you for confirming, instructing and making plain Your heart desire for us. To look to You, regardless of our circumstances. Forgive us for being so sleepy and withdrawing from Your great Love. Cover us in Your Son Jesus and fill us with Your Spirit. Light the fire again in our hearts to follow hard after You. In the matchless name of Jesus, amen.

Abundance is...When all around us is dying, we Hope in God

Welcome back!

Isn't that what we all want? A less complicated life? Is it possible? So when do we start?

Well, the moment you step out of darkness and into the Light of God's Love you become part of His family. At that point we have the Shepherd to guide us, sustain us and give us hope for our future. If you haven't come into His pasture, will you take the time today to call on Jesus Christ? Lay the burdens down at His feet and put your trust in Him to feed, guide and shield you.

While all around you is trouble does it do you any good to look back? Wishful thinking that things were different? Like the normal of yesterday? I want my normal to be reading the Word of God each day and spending my thoughts on Him. That is being productive not matter if I am working, resting or spending time with others.

Our Shepherd leads us along a path that leads to good. Always, no matter how rocky, painful or lonely it seems. When it is dark and you wonder what is going on just look to Him. He is going before you. Let His rod and staff comfort you. Your soul will be refreshed and restored with all you need. 

Psalm 23:4 says, "Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me."

Be careful when you feel like every shadow holds a goon sent to destroy you. Jesus will not let that happen. Only fix your eyes on Him and keep your hand in His. Eventually, you will be seated at His banquet table and those enemies will have to watch from a distance. 

Let Holy Spirit anoint your head with oil. Let it cover your thoughts, imaginations, and dreams. Be comforted!

So, doing life with Jesus Christ really is less complicated isn't it? I mean, I wouldn't trade all my sorrows walking with Him for a journey without Him! He sees everything that comes along. I can trust Him with all my heart and love Him with all my soul and mind and strength. His Love takes all the complications and turns them into a good work.

Romans 8:28 untangles the ropes in our lives...the plans of God are always good. "We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose."

Do you believe this? Some think this says that now that they are saved, they can do whatever they want and Jesus will fix all the problems they got themselves into. Not so. Read this again! 

If I love God and follow Him, then, the life I live will be a wonder filled design that is fully approved and blessed by God. Just two little words make the difference in whether our lives are less complicated or full of complications. IF. Yep, it's true.

What would you like today? A rest in green pastures with the Shepherd watching over you? Or, would you rather be outside the flock and fall into the hands of an enemy of trouble? Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. So, that's all I have to say about that. 

God bless you as you take time sitting at the feet of the Shepherd today. You can come as you are. He provides the washing, the feeding and the sweet oil of His Spirit to refresh you. I pray you choose Him. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Abundance is...following the Shepherd