Welcome back to Heartstrings!

Without looking at the clock, can you tell me what time it is? You might be able to guess by the shadows made by the sun. You might even make a rounded guess because your stomach is growling with hunger. What time is it around the world? Only God knows exactly.

Today in America, our 45th and now 47th President was inagurated. Donald J. Trump has a great agenda to bring America back to a healthy, prosperous and safe nation. Under God. Because, that was our beginnings.

You know I can't say it all as eloquently as President Trump. What I do hear though, is that this is a time of mercy. A time of redemption from God. This could not have happened without His authority and power and love for us. This is the time to press in and know God's heart. 

All the thousands of people watching and hearing President Trumps remarks will make a decision to agree or not. Yes, there will be many changes. It must start with prayer! How badly do you want to experience the freedom? Now, what time is it? Time to pray and surrender to God Who is in control of every issue, every bill signed, every encounter to bring the enemy down. Now is not the time to sit back and take a nap.

Yesterday, I read a scripture from my calender devotional that made me once again, realize how the timing of this is really a leading of the Spirit of God. I was thrilled to know how alive the Word of God is!

Daniel 2:20-22 says, "Daniel answered, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever! For wisdom and might are His! ~ He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding! ~ He reveals the deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him!"

Wow! God is so on time, isn't He? Did you notice all the exclamation marks?!!! Daniel was excited; not a bit complacent. This was at the time when a decree went out that Daniel and his companions would be killed along with the other wise men because of an unknown answer for a dream the king had. Only God could save them.

So, he and his three companions placed before God their desire for His mercy concerning this secret. Then...the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night and Daniel blessed the God of heaven. And, that is where we pick up with the scripture in verse 20. 

God is Always Awesome! When we pull away from the noise of the world, settle in God's presence and listen. He will hear our prayers. The answers are found in Him alone. 

So, what time is it now? Did you have to look at a clock? Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you step by step, prayer by prayer. He will show each of us how to proceed. Maybe, God has something greater for you than what you are doing right now. How is your life in keeping with His heart? Can you bless the Lord God for this season? Are there exclamation points behind your witness to the lost? Now is not the time to be ashamed of the Gospel, but to shine the Light in darkness, without fear. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for putting all the pieces together to form the picture you want the world to see. Help us not to put our trust in man, no matter how well he speaks or his position. But, help us by the power of Your Holy Spirit to be confirmers of the Light of Truth. Help us to remove the baskets covering our light and shine for Your glory and honor. You alone are worthy of our praise! In the matchless name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Friends and family, this is the time to put our lamps in order. WE don't know when the day of the Bridegroom will come. WE only need to be ready. Matthew 25:13 says, "Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come."

This season, I feel the urgency. Do you? Not worry, but an awareness as no other time in my life. If you do not have an intimate relationship with the Lord, it only takes a few minutes to bring Him you sins and ask for forgiveness. Maybe, you can't even name them all. Do not let that stop you from declaring you believe He is the Son of God and come to Him. You will be saved!!! Simply come. Be born again. The Lord bless you and keep you in His Mighty name, amen.

Abundance is...The Time is now

Welcome to Heartstrings

Thank God, our source of strength. He is worthy to be praised in every situation. Consider His goodness as we begin a New Year. 

This morning while praying I read Deuteronomy 5:29 which says, "Oh, that they had such a [mind] and heart in them always [reverently] to fear Me and keep all My commmandments, that it might go well with them and with their children forever!"

Joshua 3:4 says, "following the Ark of the covenant..."That you may [be able to see the Ark and] know the way you must go, for you have not passed this way before."

Isn't it true? Can you even guess what tomorrow will bring? We can hope and cling to Jesus, The Way, The Truth and The Life, trusting with all our heart that God has a good plan. 

The commandments of the Lord were given to keep us safe and well. The are fulfilled through the life of Christ. We can trust Him. We get to remember where we came from, keeping our eyes on the Word of God and He will deliver us to the place of His promise. God's desire is that His people share His heart.

Fellowship with Father God is the reason we were created. When sin came into the world it hurt God's heart beyond words. Still, He had a plan to redeem us back into His family. Jesus is our Ark. WE must keep our eyes on Him. He knows the way. We can say everyday, "We have not passed this way before."

Trust and obey for there is no other way. It will be well with your soul and you will find rest even while the world presses in and so much is without answers right now. Do not fear!

There are people God has given us to take care of. We are His hands extended. Love and mercy are offered as God brings those across our path who need assurance. Some, need salvation. Will you have a word of encouragement to give to the broken hearted? Will you be able to take the time to pray right then? 

Many will become part of your story. This journey, changes everyday doesn't it? Ask the Lord for wisdom. He will show you by the power of His Spirit living in you. 

I am praying this today. Lord, help me to take special care of all you have given me. My time, my loved ones and the strangers who come along. Help me to always be ready to give an answer. Change my attitude from looking out with longing beyond the borders You have set for me. Fill my heart with joy and bring a calm contentment and delight and give me a sound mind of peace. I will trust You for the outcome. May my life bring honor to Your matchless name, amen.

If you are carrying burdens from yesterday, leave them at the feet of Jesus. Allow Him full access into your heart, mind and soul. Leave to Him what needs to be healed, mended and restored. And, bless His name forever more.

Abundance is...pausing to consider Him

Welcome back to Heartstrings

While it has been several days since last I spoke with you, I want you to know you are not forgotten. Prayer and knowing God is in control of all things on earth and in heaven gives me peace that you are in His hands day and night. 

So, it is the day after Christmas and where ever you are I hope you find a deeper, vital need of Jesus Christ in your life. Some of us have gone through hardships and varied trials. Many have lost love ones and have felt personally deep sorrow. We hang on to the hope of Jesus. Who else can we turn to?

Without family around me I would have been swallowed up in depression. Yet, God supplies just what I needed. To hear their voices and feel their hugs means most to me. A smile that brightens their faces, encourages me to smile too. Yes, it has been a rough journey but, I have hope and know that fresh life comes from the Holy Spirit at work in me. Do you have this hope?

Time after time is a song the Lord gave me and you can find it on the Heartsongs page. Take time to read it, if you will. I pray you are encouraged to keep pressing on.

You know Jesus came that we might have life? Abundant life! It is in reading God's Love letter that we find Him. Less time searching the internet for something of good and more time spent in reading the Bible which holds the best and greatest good news. Jesus came for you!

Take time to read Matthew 6-7 and find what Jesus says is the way to live. Psalm 91 gives us the way to shelter in Him. Count your blessings! In all circumstances Know that He Is God. 

This is the day after the day. Are you resting? Or are you wanting more of the things of this world? Maybe you didn't get what you wanted for Christmas. Does it matter? 

Seek first the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33-34. And, in Psalm 46:10-11... "Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth! ~ The Lord of host is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our High Tower and Stronghold) Selah [pause and calmly think of that]!"

No matter what the news of the day is, it will always be changing. Only God will never change. Do you trust Him? Why wait for a brighter day? Turn your heart to Him and surrender and make Him your Lord and King. You won't regret it!

Put your confidence and trust in Jesus Christ. Know Him. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. His heart beats to know you personally. For, it won't be long and He will come again. Matthew 25 is really asking will you be ready to meet the Bridegroom? Will you be unprepared? Or Ready? Will you hear Him say, "Welcome my beloved" or will He say to you, solemnly, "I do not know you."

Father God, you know every heart here today. You see hesitancy, unbelief and overwhelming sorrow. You want to give all of us the gift of Christ so we can be filled with Your Spirit of love, peace and a sound mind. Thank you today for everyone who is here. May Your Spirit call them to come away and be in Your family forever. We wait for Your Appearing Lord Jesus. Come soon. Amen.

Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me bless Your Holy name! In the matchless name of Jesus be glorified today and forevermore. Amen.

Abundance is...time after time Your love goes on

Welcome family and friends to Heartstrings

We celebrated Thanksgiving Day here in America. I am thankful for so many blessings. For Jesus Christ my Redeemer and Friend. For my family and our health. For shelter and food when we need it. For clothes to keep us warm during this cold season. And, for the blessed assurance I have that soon we will see Jesus coming in the clouds of glory. We will meet Him in the air and ever be with Him! Amen.

I understand if you are at this point of turning off the news and maybe even this blog. You may be so weary of sickness and pain and loss that you want to give in to depression. Please don't do that! You must come to God and find mercy. These trials which seem so overbearing do not last forever. Our bodies do wear out and we do have trouble while here, but, when you hide the Word of God in your heart you have a place to run to. Take some time to know Him and His matchless love.

This will be short today. Mainly I want to encourage you on whatever journey you are on with this from Psalm 28. I read verse 7 and had to stop and meditate on it, letting it sink deep inside my soul. My own heart feels like a sponge ready to soak up all the moisture it can hold.

Verse 7 says, "The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him." Praise the name of Jesus!

Heavenly Father, we come to you eager to find help. Give us power, love and a sound mind as we surrender this walk with You. We offer our hand. Shepherd hold us. Lead us and refresh our souls with Living water. You are the Way, the Truth and the Life. All weapons against us; the lies of the enemy and the disappointments that rob our hope...we turn over to You. Make us new in the power and the blood of Jesus, Your Only Son. Fill us with Blessed Assurance of our hope of heaven. Breath Holy Spirit on us with new life and forgiveness. We leave our cares at your feet, dear Father. In Jesus matchless name, amen.

Abundance is...giving thanks

Good morning Heartstrings family

To have the Lord say, "I never knew you" would be the worst kind of heartache. What does it mean to know and be known? Think about it for a moment. What is your story?

In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus is speaking with a very clear word picture. Anyone can understand. Even a small child. "So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock. ~And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. ~ And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a stupid (foolish) man who built his house upon the sand. ~ And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell -- and great and complete was the fall of it."

How sturdy are the foundations of your life? Who are you trusting to build your house, your life? We have witnessed strong winds, heavy torential rains and flooding in these last days so much more. Even without personally experiencing them, we can sorrow with those who have experienced great and complete loss, can't we? And, think about the clean up. What a mess.

It doesn't matter what your circumstances have been, where you are and what you have left. If you and I aren't clinging to Jesus Christ, we will not recover. The journey is long and tough sometimes. Doesn't it make sense to lean and rely on God? After all, in the end, we will stand before Him and hear His voice saying, "Enter" or, "I don't know you".

It comes down to a choice each person has to make. You have to know all your efforts without the Lord will not be granite, safe and secure. Only depending on God's Word, Jesus.

It is not completely up to us to build. God is able and willing to help us when we call on Him for help. Whether it is building a life free from the ravages of the enemy or where you will spend eternity. Who then can be saved from eternal death?

Matthew 19:26 says, "But Jesus looked at them and said, With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God."

In the last several days we have witnessed the mercy of God in a remarkable, what seems impossible way. No one can ignore the fact of God's incredible and perfect love.

Reading John 15 this morning, I asked the Holy Spirit to help me understand. It became so clear to me that the Vine is Jesus. And God the Father the One Who tends the branches. The goal is to bring the branches to bear much fruit. And, keep bearing more and more. For the Glory of God.

As we abide, dwell in the Vine, in Jesus then, we will be vitally united with the Vine. But, if not there will be no fruit. John 15:5 says, "I am the Vine; you are the branches, Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Mer [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing."

I don't know about you, but I do not want to be the branch without fruit that is thrown into the fire. I have had enough experience to know that feeling of uselessness. It is painful. But, when I have spent time in the Word and communing with the Son, I want to go out and touch others lives. 

There is an old song called, "No one ever cared for me like Jesus". The first verse says, "I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus, since I found in Him a friend so strong and true, I would tell you how He changed my life completely. He did something that no other friend could do." 

That is why I write to you today. I want you to find out what it means to abide, be so united with Jesus, that your life is full of glorious fruit. Think how it pleases God! So keep bringing all you have to God and ask Him to build you on a firm foundation. Keep abiding in the Vine and let His Word abide in you. 

"No one ever cared for me like Jesus. There is no other friend so kind as He. No one else could take the sin and darkness from me. How much He cares for me!" Praise the matchless name of Jesus and walk in the abundance of His Love.

Abundance is...when my thoughts are agreeable to His will