The Beauty and Wonder of a Smile

May God breathe new life into your soul today, 

as you receive your neighbor's smiles and as you receive your Heavenly Father's smile. 

May He refresh your heart as you wait upon Him and rest under His mighty wings.

May the Prince of Peace come and embrace your heart.

"May the LORD smile on you

and be gracious to you." Numbers 6:25

"Many people say, 'Who will show us better times?'

Let your face smile on us, LORD." Psalm 4:6

"May God be merciful and bless us.

May his face smile with favor on us." Psalm 67:1

Caution

Has God ever tried warning you not to go a certain way?

Has "Caution" tape been hung and you chose to rip it down and continue on anyway?

Have you come into regret and in need of God's mercy?

"Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, 

but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy."

Proverbs 28:13

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses,

 but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, 

so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need"

Hebrews 4:15-16

"All of us also lived among them at one time, 

gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.

 Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

made us alive with Christ 

even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved".

Ephesians 2:3-5

"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. 

Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, 

and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

'For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

 neither are your ways my ways' declares the LORD."

Isaiah 55:6-8

How are you Grounded?

     Trees have roots to ground them - whether they shoot straight out and stay shallow (trees here in Miami) or go down deep (trees in my homeland of Minnesota) - a tree needs roots to survive. The root systems provide stability and nourishment - a vital part of the trees survival.

     How are you grounded? What keeps you stable and nourished? If you have never considered those questions and discovered the answer, now is a good time.

“'Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice

 is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.' When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." Matthew 7:24-29

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled

 to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,

rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, 

and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7

"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction." Psalm 1:1-6

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:1-3

To All the Mothers

     To all the mothers who may be reading this: Thank you for all of your diligence and patience. Thank you for surrendering to the LORD and trusting Him to be all that you need, for all that your children need. Thank you for learning to see these little ones through the eye of their Maker and Creator. Thank you for taking each burden and ache to the foot of the cross. Thank you for enduring and believing. Thank you for all the hugs and kisses you give without wanting anything in return. Thank you for all the messes you clean up, all the meals you make, all the toys you pick up, all the shopping you do, all the things you plan and prepare, all the praying you do, and all of the discipline you provide even in the midst of resistance. Thank you. May God bless you and keep you, give you wisdom and understanding, protect and lead you, and strengthen you in your inner-being.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; 

the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”  

Numbers 6:24-26

Detail

     Oh how often we miss the beauty of details. When I say "details" I am not referring to the details of the daily agenda, I am referring to the details of the things of a day that easily pass us by because of being too busy. How many times have we simply missed out on the beauty of the morning sunshine piercing through the curtain, the smell of the fresh rain-fall, the sound of children playing nearby, or the random hug received from a loved one? God is always interested in us noticing the details because that means we have taken the time to wait and be still and notice more than ourselves.

"One thing I ask from the LORD

This only do I seek 

That I may dwell in the house of the LORD

 All the days of my life 

To gaze on the beauty of the LORD 

And to seek him in his temple." 

Psalm 27:4

Flourish

"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree. 

He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Those that be planted in the house of the LORD 

shall flourish in the courts of our God."

Psalm 92:12-13

"He that trusts in his riches shall fall, 

but the righteous shall flourish as a branch."

Proverbs 11:28

"It's not important who does the planting, 

or who does the watering. 

What's important is that God makes the seed flourish."

1 Corinthians 3:7

"I keep asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 to give you spiritual wisdom and insight 

so that you might flourish in your knowledge of God."

Ephesians 1:17

"Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. 

Then your faith will flourish, strong in the truth you were taught, 

and you will overflow with thankfulness."

Colossians 2:7

Greener

     Ahhh, the temptation to want to be somewhere else or someone else. God, give us grace to overcome the temptations to envy and covet. It is way to easy to look at the other side of the fence and think that life would be better if such and such were different. The truth: no. Thankfully, the change can happen and will happen because God is faithful and able. It may not look like what you had in mind, but it will be green and beautiful. 

     If it is peace we want, then we must knock. If it is provision we want, then we must ask. If it is unknown, then we must seek. 

     God is near. God is good.

"Where there is no vision, the people perish"

Proverbs 29:18

“Ask and it will be given to you; 

seek and you will find; 

knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives; 

the one who seeks finds; 

and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, 

how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

Matthew 7:7-11

Speed Limit

     In life, we have many limits - in time amounts to complete projects, food that our bodies can consume, thoughts that bombard our minds until the stress factor rises, and the level of speed our vehicles can travel. Being limited is a way of control, and being controlled is most often something that we despise. 

     What a great God we have. He has chosen to trust us and give us freedom - free will. By not controlling us, He has enforced what Love truly is - who Love truly is.

     Though we are bound by limits, now, we have hope in our limitless God. Soon, once Jesus returns, we will taste the fullness of being without limit.

"To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless"

Psalm 119:96

"Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit."

Psalm 147:5

"For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, 

for God gives the Spirit without limit."

John 3:34

The Way

     The way can often become blurred or cluttered. There can often be multiple choices in any given day. The question can arise, "What is the way that I should take?" The way, at times, can seem hidden. 

     Let us be of hope and be of courage. The LORD has many great and faithful promises. His Word is an anchor for our souls in times of trouble, distress, and need. 

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, 

for I have put my trust in you. 

Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."

Psalm 143:8

"By day you led them with a pillar of cloud, 

and by night with a pillar of fire to give them light on the way they were to take."

Nehemiah 9:12

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

John 14:6

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, 

your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 

'This is the way; walk in it.'”

Isaiah 30:21

"For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, 

but the way of the wicked leads to destruction."

Psalm 1:6

"God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells"

Job 28:23

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; 

I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."

Psalm 32:8

"The path of the righteous is level; you, 

the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth."

Isaiah 26:7

Yield

Synonyms for Yield 

Production of Labor

 Leave Behind

 Give Up a Right

Consent

 Perform a Service

 Verbally Recognize Authority

 Admit the Reality of Something 

What does your "Yield" sign mean? 

What is God saying to you today?

When we come across a "yield" sign, as we are driving, it requires an action. 

It is no different in life, with the LORD, when He produces a "yield" sign.

Let us press in and press on.

Path of Life

"I keep my eyes always on the LORD. 

With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; 

my body also will rest secure,

because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, 

nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

You make known to me the path of life; 

you will fill me with joy in your presence, 

with eternal pleasures at your right hand." 

Psalm 16:8-11

"The path of life leads upward for the prudent 

to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead."

Proverbs 15:24

Grow Where You Are

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, 

whether well fed or hungry, 

whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

Philippians 4:12-13

We are exhorted to be content, NOT complacent.

"At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and 

punish those who are complacent, 

who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, 

‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.'" 

Zephaniah 1:12

Grow where you are; 

work hard at whatever you have been given. 

God sees and will take care of the rest - 

letting you know the next steps when the time is right.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, 

as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. 

It is the Lord Christ you are serving." 

Colossians 3:23-24

Fountains

"As they make music they will sing, 

'All my fountains are in you.'” 

Psalm 87:7

     "The springs of the joy of a carnal world lie in wealth and pleasure; 

but the springs of the joy of a gracious soul lie in the word of God and prayer. 

Christ is the true temple; all our springs are in him, and from him all our streams flow. 

It pleased the Father, and all believers are well pleased with it too, 

that in him should all fullness dwell." 

(Matthew Henry)

Which Way to Go?

     Are you faced with a decision? Are you waiting on the LORD for direction? Are you wondering which way to go? Do you need to know if you are to keep going straight or take a turn? Here are some promises of God to encourage you as you seek Him this day. Press on and press in - God is always faithful. Amen. Praise Him and thank Him as you wait and trust. Hallelujah.

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, 

with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

"You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way." Psalm 18:36

"Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors." Psalm 27:11

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Psalm 119:105

"The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, 

make the way of the righteous smooth." Isaiah 26:7

Our Father...Your Kingdom Come: Part 1

“This, then, is how you should pray, ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven...'" Matthew 6:9-10

     The Holy Spirit is leading me into greater understanding of what is happening in the spiritual realm. One thing is certain: just as the rose is not without a thorn, so is the Kingdom of Heaven not without the piercing effects of sin.

     Paul, in Ephesians 6, sums up the forces of good and evil at work all around us, all the time. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

     Just as the thorn is hidden beneath the beauty of the rose, so are the evils that ravage our lives. If we are not aware and alert, as Jesus exhorted us to be, we will not be praying nor will we know how to pray.

     Over the next weeks - possibly months - I will be sharing my understandings with you on this subject, as the Holy Spirit leads and guides me.

     Grace and Peace to you all.

Psalm 105

"He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert." Psalm 105:41

     What do you do when you have a big need and you don't know how it's going to come? What do you do when there is a huge obstacle in your way? Where do you turn when depression is lurking at your door because you don't know how your problems are ever going to get better?

     The Israelite's looked at the dessert, complained, Moses asked, and God provided...basically out of nothing. Out of a rock, water came forth, and not just a tiny stream or trickle. It was a river - a gush - enough to provide for a whole lot of people.

     What are you facing today? Who do you say that God is? Do you believe that He cares enough to provide?

     I have my own needs. I can relate. We all can. So, together, let's be encouraged to trust in the LORD with all we have. We can believe or not believe. Either way, God doesn't change. He said that He cares and can do anything. So...let's lay it before Him and let Him do what He wants: Provide for His children.

     "Father, Abba, I give you my life today and the lives of those reading this. I ask You for help. I ask You for the provisions needed. Help us trust You and say 'yes'. Help us wait on You. We declare that Your timing is perfect. You, God, are perfect."

Philippians 4

Pillar: 1. an upright shaft used as a building support, or standing alone, as for a monument 2. natural formation resembling such a construction 3. a person who is a chief supporter

"For see, today I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall. You will stand against the whole land— the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah." Jeremiah 1:18

"By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light." Exodus 13:21

"If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." 1 Timothy 3:15

"Each pillar was eighteen cubits high. The bronze capital on top of one pillar was three cubits high and was decorated with a network and pomegranates of bronze all around. The other pillar, with its network, was similar." 2 Kings 25:17

I look out the window and

I see the clouds moving

The day is progressing

The LORD is moving

God's Kingdom is coming

The pressures of life have increased

Decisions need to be made

Time is ticking away

In my heart, the Holy Spirit assures me

Do NOT be anxious

STAND FIRM

Trust

Obey

Pray

Give thanks

STAND FIRM

Like a pillar

STAND FIRM IN FAITH

     "Stand firm in the Lord...The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus...put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you...I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4

Psalm 113

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised." 

Psalm 113

     Amazing, isn't it, that the sun has always been rising and setting - since the day God set it in motion. It was created for a purpose and it carries out the purpose everyday.

     The sun is reminding us of so many things: Beauty, God being our Maker, God being our Sustainer, Majesty. It says to us, "The day is done." It says, "Now is your time to rest."

     The sun setting brings our day to an end - each time is different - never has been nor will it ever be the same again. Every day is created a-new, with new ways in which events happen; every night finishes in a different, unique way.

     Above everything, no matter what they day has held, what has happened, happy or sad, God is to be praised.

     May God give us the grace to praise Him at this day's end, no matter what happens.

Lamentations 2

"Cry aloud before the Lord,

O walls of beautiful Jerusalem!

Let your tears flow like a river day and night.

Give yourselves no rest; give your eyes no relief.

Rise during the night and cry out.

Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord.

Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children.

In every street they are faint with hunger."

Lamentations 2

Lament = to express or feel sorrow or regret; to mourn.

     Should I fear grieving or mourning? Should I fear feeling sorrow. No. Why? From what I understand - and am beginning to understand more and more - God has it a part of His heart on a daily, constant basis. What does He mourn? People not knowing who He truly is. People not looking to Him for help when He has promised to be a Good Father. People going astray and following after destructive ways. People doing injustice to one another. People killing and stealing. People being jealous. People envying. Anything that does not line up with how God would have us live causes Him to mourn.

     God's mourning comes with rejoicing. It is possible to mourn and rejoice all at once. It is possible to have many emotions going on at once. God lives in that reality all the time. His rejoicing, while mourning, comes because of His Son, Jesus coming to rescue us from that which would kill us: Sin. Christ came to save us from an eternity separated from God's amazing Love - from Himself. Hallelujah! That can cause our hands to be raised - in praise and in extreme grief. 

     Many have said yes to receiving the greatest gift - salvation through Jesus Christ - but many have not. There-in lies the two-fold dynamic of grief and praise.

     Wherever you find yourself today, gentle reader, know that God's mercy and grace is new. His arm is never too short to save, His ear never too dull to listen, and His arms never too busy for Him to hold you.

Mark 10

"Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Mark 10

Ten Ways of a Child

Constant Longing

Seeking and Searching

Persistence

Asking

Unashamed

Quick to Forgive

Awe and Wonder for all God Made

Trusting

Unknown to the Ways of Worry and Doubt

Faithful and Hopeful

Matthew 7

     “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14

     What does the narrow road look like? What does it feel like? How can you tell if you are walking on it or on the broad one?

     My take: If your flesh is crying out and lashing out because you are not satisfying it - then I think you are headed away from the broad road. Why? The narrow road is rough. The narrow road is less traveled. The narrow road is quieter.

     The broad road includes lots of noise. There are TONS of people traveling on it so why wouldn't it be noisy. As some say, "Busy isn't always better."

     Why is it harder to quiet ourselves down or simply stop ourselves in the midst of hard work? I think about Daniel who stopped his day three times so that he could pray. He literally pushed the "pause button" on his business and tasks and told it what was most important: God. The LORD was truly His LORD, and because He was not ashamed to call God his God, God was not ashamed to call Daniel his. God protected Daniel and gave him everything he needed - interpretations, protection from lions, wisdom.

      If you are having more time in the Word of God, meditating on His ways - less on things that gratify and satisfy the flesh - then you are traveling more on the narrow road than the broad road. If you are having more time in prayer - less on the worries and cares of the world - then you are traveling more on the narrow road than the broad road. If you are having more time praising and thanking the LORD - less on the proud fashions of the flesh - then you are traveling more on the narrow road than the broad road. If you are having more time concerned with what God cares about - widows, orphans, those needing deliverance, those needing help - justice and mercy - less about your small world, your selfish ways - then you are traveling more on the narrow road than the broad road.

     May God give us all eyes to see and ears to hear what He is saying in this hour. May God give us the grace to endure and overcome. May God give us the desire to travel on the narrow road - following hard after our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 1:18-20

“'Come now, let us settle the matter,' says the LORD. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.'
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken." Isaiah 1:18-20

     The miracle of the forgiveness of our sins is astonishing.

     The magnitude of the cleansing flow of Jesus Christ's blood ruins my pride.

     The majesty of the love of God, shown through His son...NOTHING COMPARES.

     Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

     All that remains to be done is to worship and praise the LORD with all that I am. All the days that I have breath, that is my highest aim. He is worthy of that; He is worthy of me - my heart.

Psalm 57

SHINE on me, O LORD! Shine all around! Let Your Glory and Your Fame be known, today, all throughout the world. SHINE on Your people, O God. Shine all around! Let them be refreshed by the knowledge of knowing that You are for them. SHINE all around, Jesus! SHINE. SHINE. SHINE.

Shine on my heart...illuminate each part, so that I can love You more, my LORD and King.

"Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens!

May your glory shine over all the earth.

My enemies have set a trap for me.

I am weary from distress.

They have dug a deep pit in my path,

but they themselves have fallen into it.

My heart is confident in you, O God;

My heart is confident.

No wonder I can sing your praises!

Wake up, my heart!

Wake up, O lyre and harp!

I will wake the dawn with my song.

I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.

I will sing your praises among the nations.

For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.

Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.

May your glory shine over all the earth."

Psalm 57:5-11

Psalm 104

Why should I worry? 

I know it makes sense in the moment. 

Why should I fear? 

I know it makes sense in the moment. 

Emotions take over and I am carried away from the truth that God is my Provider and Sustainer. 

That is why I am thankful for sweet reminders that God brings my way. 

He places bird's nests outside of my door so that I can recall 

His majesty and capability of holding it all together. 

He is the Master and Orchestrator over ALL creation. 

If He cares and provides for small creatures, 

how much more will He provide and care for me...

Hallelujah for our Awesome and Holy God. 

Indeed, my soul, bless His name this day!

Psalm 104

Let all that I am praise the LORD.

O LORD my God, how great you are!

You are robed with honor and majesty.

You are dressed in a robe of light.

You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens;

you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds.

You make the clouds your chariot;

you ride upon the wings of the wind.

The winds are your messengers;

flames of fire are your servants.

You placed the world on its foundation

so it would never be moved.

You clothed the earth with floods of water,

water that covered even the mountains.

At your command, the water fled;

at the sound of your thunder, it hurried away.

Mountains rose and valleys sank

to the levels you decreed.

Then you set a firm boundary for the seas,

so they would never again cover the earth.

You make springs pour water into the ravines,

so streams gush down from the mountains.

They provide water for all the animals,

and the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

The birds nest beside the streams

and sing among the branches of the trees.

You send rain on the mountains from your heavenly home,

and you fill the earth with the fruit of your labor.

You cause grass to grow for the livestock

and plants for people to use.

You allow them to produce food from the earth—

wine to make them glad,

olive oil to soothe their skin,

and bread to give them strength.

The trees of the LORD are well cared for—

the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

There the birds make their nests,

and the storks make their homes in the cypresses.

High in the mountains live the wild goats,

and the rocks form a refuge for the conies.

You made the moon to mark the seasons,

and the sun knows when to set.

You send the darkness, and it becomes night,

when all the forest animals prowl about.

Then the young lions roar for their prey,

stalking the food provided by God.

At dawn they slink back

into their dens to rest.

Then people go off to their work,

where they labor until evening.

O LORD, what a variety of things you have made!

In wisdom you have made them all.

The earth is full of your creatures.

Here is the ocean, vast and wide,

teeming with life of every kind,

both large and small.

See the ships sailing along,

and Leviathan, which you made to play in the sea.

They all depend on you

to give them food as they need it.

When you supply it, they gather it.

You open your hand to feed them,

and they are richly satisfied.

But if you turn away from them, they panic.

When you take away their breath,

they die and turn again to dust.

When you give them your breath, life is created,

and you renew the face of the earth.

May the glory of the LORD continue forever!

The LORD takes pleasure in all he has made!

The earth trembles at his glance;

the mountains smoke at his touch.

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live.

I will praise my God to my last breath!

May all my thoughts be pleasing to him,

for I rejoice in the LORD.

Let all sinners vanish from the face of the earth;

let the wicked disappear forever.

Let all that I am praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD!

Psalm 22

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?...Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises...To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame...“He trusts in the LORD,” they say, “let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help...But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me...I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you...You who fear the LORD, praise him!..From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly...for dominion belongs to the LORD..." Psalm 22

     When I was pregnant, there was nothing better to awaken me to the awe and majesty of God forming His creatures in wombs. The womb is a sanctuary for God to form and create his unique creations. It is a place that He intricately speaks to each sole and declares Himself LORD.

     We are intended to depend upon Him. We are created to cry out to the LORD. We are formed to seek Him, call out to Him, wait upon Him, and trust Him.

     How can that which has been fashioned to do one thing and be one way, turn and not be that way? We do exactly that too often and then wonder why it feels so wrong. We look in all the wrong places and seek all the wrong things and wonder why things don't fit together.

     Every time we see another baby being formed in a womb, we can be reassured that we have a Maker and Creator who longs to hear our voice. He longs to have us cry out to Him BECAUSE He made us to respond to Him with cries and longings and questions. He doesn't want us turning to anyone one else - any other god. He wants us - all of us. All of our questions, doubts, and worries are NOT TOO MUCH for Him. He wants us just as we are.

     Be encouraged, readers, that God wants you to come to Him, now, just as you are.

     He loves us.

     Nothing can change His love for us.

Proverbs 27:19

"As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart." 

Proverbs 27:19

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light." 

Matthew 6:22

There is a dynamic connection between the heart, the eye, and the body. Just as the window is a small part of a house, so is the eye a small part of the body. From a window, someone can see into much of a house; from that same window someone can look out, to see the world. Similarly, the eye is the place to look when addressing an individual in conversation - it is the outlet to the internal life of a person. 

The eye is also used to learn through observation. If we want to grow and change, we must observe something new - be it reading, writing, or watching.

I am at a new place in life. I desire to see things in the spirit - not only for my sake, but for the sake of my children. (We have recently discovered that Isaiah, our two-year-old, can see angels and demons.)

We are headed into times of greater tribulation and trials. There will be more warfare than ever before - waging war not against flesh but against principalities. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12)

I need my heart right - righteous and clean. I need my eyes alert and watching - seeing more than just flesh. I need my body pure - "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8). I need my mind fixed upon Jesus - constant in prayer, thanksgiving, and intercession.

I need to be ready.

Steady.

Overcoming.

Hallelujah.

Matthew 7

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" Matthew 7:21-23

I was recently asked this question: "Why are you awake?"

This question was directly towards me because the other person knew that I was exhausted - tired from life's responsibilities. It would have made more sense if I were resting.

At first, I chose to say nothing. Then, I began thinking about how to explain why I was awake. I knew that I had chosen to be awake, to pray, and read the Bible. How could I explain the "Why" to even those simple things? Why wouldn't I read the Bible once I was rested? Why wouldn't I wait to pray once I was rested?

Eventually this was my answer: "I am awake because I want to love Jesus more - better."

I am slowly coming to realize that if I become reliant upon waiting until I am rested to read God's Word or pray, I will not do either. With a life that is filled with so many things, it is too easy to ease up on the importance of knowing my LORD - of loving my LORD.

Jesus is more than an appointment. Jesus is more than a requirement. Jesus is more than a responsibility. Jesus is MY LIFE. Jesus is MY TRUTH. Jesus is THE WAY. He is the reason for my life, so if I cannot end a day or start a day with Him, then what I am doing a day for. If I cannot stop within a day to gaze upon His beauty, then why am I declaring to praise Him or love Him. If He is always with me and near me, a simply five to ten minute break throughout the day will NOT hinder my precious schedule; it will help it - it will help me.

Song of Solomon 2

 "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys." Song of Solomon 2:1

 "Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the young women." Song of Solomon 2:2

     There is a love song playing all throughout the Kingdom of Heaven. There is a theme and an anthem ringing in the ears of those that lean into the love of Christ - those that dare to come closer to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. To those who have 'taken up their cross' to follow the Lamb that was slain, Jesus Christ, there is a sweet aroma and fragrance that rises from each heart.

     I am longing, more and more, to know this Love. And I need to have a greater longing placed within my heart SO THAT I can long more and more. As weird as that sounds, it's really not. God is the source of all things, thus, I must ask Him for that which I need. In this case, I long to have more of a longing for Him. So, I ask for that longing to be placed deep within me. As I wait for the longing to come, I will move forward with what I already have.

     Part of the love song that makes me want more is the part of me being rare and precious. Just as Jesus praised the shepherd with the lost lamb and woman with her lost coin, God cherishes me the same way.

     "Then Jesus told them this parable: 'Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep. I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’" (Luke 15:3-9)

     God knows all about me. To Him, I am rare and precious. He wants to know my thoughts and hear my voice. When He doesn't, He will seek after me and find me. Again, I say, that makes me want to run after Him and take hold of Him. To be loved with such zeal...oh, it awakens my heart to sing and dance - it makes me want to live - to come alive.

     "You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain." (Psalm 139)

     Oh, to have the knowledge of being sought after... It is that knowledge that makes me want to reciprocate the same intensity - to pursue the very One who is pursuing me. Such fervency leaves me speechless; such enthusiasm pulls at the strings of my heart. I am left with a cry ringing in my heart: "I have to have Him. I must know this God who has gone to height and depth to save me and love me. I must know who He is. How He is. Where He is. To be found in Him and with Him. I want to be where He is - loving what He loves and hating what He hates. I need Him. I love Him. Him and only Him is who my heart longs for. God help me have You. Help me get You and know You. Help me never stop loving You. Help me love You better. Help me love You with all of me, just as You have loved me with all of You."

     God deserves my heart. He has captured my heart with His love. He has been knocking and speaking - never ceasing love...that is WHO HE IS...and He is waiting for me.

     Here I am LORD. Here I am, at Your feet.

     Come, Holy Spirit, and lead me to the Rock that is higher than I am. Lead me to the Lamb. Lead me to the man, who from generation to generation, has drenched lives with His incomparable love.

Revelation 4

"Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, 

and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. 

The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” 

And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it.

 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. 

And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. 

Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. 

They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. 

From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. 

And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. 

This is the seven-fold Spirit of God. 

In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal. 

In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. 

The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; 

the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. 

Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, 

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—

the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” 

Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne 

(the one who lives forever and ever), 

the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne 

(the one who lives forever and ever). 

And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,

“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power.

For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” 

Revelation 4

     Oh, how I long for more of the LORD. I want more. I want to love Him better. I want to hear Him more. I want to see Him more - to see Him at work. I want to speak what He whispers in my ear. I want to see what He sees when He looks at others - that I would grow prophetically. I want to have more hunger and thirst for righteousness. I want to long to meditate more and more upon the Word - the Bible. Oh, how I long.  

      I praise God for that longing. He is the one stirring it up deep within me. He is the one always calling out, "Come up here and see what I have for you." The fact that He wants more for me, ruins me at the core of who I am. The fact that He is pursuing me and believing in me...wow. 

     "Oh, God, how can You be that wonderful...How can You love me with such a great love? How can You have such pursuit - a pursuit that never has given up, nor ever will give up? You amaze me, LORD. And I bless You. I bless You and thank You for Your Love. By Your Love, I can love. By Your Love, I can be near You. By Your Love, I can know You - my Creator, Maker, Savior, Sustainer, Friend, King. The list goes on and on. You, God, are astounding."

     I must climb higher. As God lays before me life, I must choose well - how I will use my time, where I will go, who I will be with, how I will speak, and what I will think upon. 

     My reality - my filtration system - how I view life, must continue to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. God must continue to take up more residency in how I operate. "Let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Just as Jesus prayed that prayer and exhorted me to pray in the same way, I trust that I will catch the vision contained in the prayer, deeper and deeper in my soul. God's will is my aim; God's will is my high calling. His will is that I join in with the angels and the twenty-four elders and the living creatures. He wants me to catch the vision of what is happening around His throne at all times. He wants me to see what He sees and know what He knows. He wants me to have the knowledge necessary for advancing and overcoming. THAT is encouraging. And so, with that encouragement, I say, "Yes, LORD. More of You and less of me. Come, Holy Spirit, come.Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."

Matthew 19

While leading worship, Isaiah decided that he was going to break free from his daddy's care and come my way. He eased his way up onto my lap and proceeded to sit in just the right position so that I could continue doing what I was doing.

I must share how special and unique the moment was. It is not often witnessed nor allowed. I can understand why and at the same time, I felt similar relevance to what the disciples said to the children who were wanting to make their way onto Jesus' lap. "Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'” (Matthew 19:13-14)

Who better to have in our presence while worshiping and praising the LORD than children. The Kingdom of Heaven involves having faith like them; worshiping and praising requires faith that God is there and pleased and delighted by the outpouring of our hearts unto Him. 

Children are pure in heart; coming before the LORD in worship and praise requires cleansing of the heart and mind - asking God for forgiveness and His leadership in leading us past our fleshly nature and into His glorious nature. 

Children are humble; worshiping requires humility. Children  are free to express themselves; worshiping requires freedom in expression.

Children can teach us so much about what it means to give thanks, exalt, mediate, praise, and obey if we will only allow them to do so. They teach us so much about love. They teach us so much about life.

Let us all press on to open our hearts up to the LORD more and more when we come into His presence. Amen and amen. 

"Jesus, we ask You for grace to do exactly that - come before you just as we are. Holy Spirit, move us to trust You more. Move us to have faith like a child. Come, LORD and have Your way. Come, LORD Jesus, come."