Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God

Good afternoon Abba, Good afternoon Jesus, Good afternoon Holy Spirit,

This is one of those days.  Read for the Lord and quickly fed the garden.  Before I knew it...the girls showed up and my day has gotten away from me.

So what did scripture choose for me for this beautiful morning?  It's one of those passages in which it plays over and over within your mind and spirit.  I find myself humming it, re-quoting it, pondering it and seeking to know more.

... Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33

In my daily walk with Spoken For, Robyn and Alyssa discusses the importance of "embracing who we are and whose we are."  When I begin to take an honest look within, I rarely recognize myself as His daughter of Zion... that is... until I allow the Holy Spirit to guide me into a peace-filled reflection of His making.  I know the depths of His tenderness towards me.  I breathe in the calming motion of His touch, and I can drift off into thoughts of His promises.  So why do I continue to see what the world says... well it's because I am full of human-ness (probably not correct wording but works well).  Being saved and on a faith walk does require you to leave that which the world celebrates and enter into what is blessed beyond measure with Jesus as your Lord, your Savior, your Shepherd, and your Eternity.  This path is not free from temptations, isolation, pain, or battles.  And yet, I would not want to go back to any other way of living.  

In reading chapter six, one phrase just made my heart stop, literally I felt like I couldn't take another breath:

"Do you want what you want when you want it? Or do you want what God wants when he wants it?"

Oh man... talk about getting to see yourself with a microscope!  What do I find?  What do I believe?  What does my spirit resonate?  Today I can say... I quickly smile.  Not so years ago.  Then I would have cried with such agony.  Now quiet tears can drift down past my smile.  I think it's called "basking" in His Love.  Wanting what God wants when he wants it... is an adventure and will be eternally blessed.  I don't always know what's best for me... I rarely make a good choice the first time around... I am always "forever beginning."  So now... I get it!  His way is so much better.....

Psalm 139:17-18 My Thoughts Towards You

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,

Surprised blessings are such a gift.  I anticipated a rainy beginning to my day and was surprised to see His glorious sun with a cool breeze kissing my face.  The only thing better is when the location is the beach, and yet I am so grateful for the wonderful garden in which I can walk with Him, and talk with Him.  So I am blessed beyond measure!

For my daily scripture I shouted "Yes," as I read:

...My thoughts toward you are as countless as the grains of sand on the seashore.

Psalm 139: 17-18

Thank you Lord for your diligent watch over me and mine!  Every day, even every second of the day, someone I admire or trust has the potential of looking at me with disapproving glances... saying something that causes to me stumble... plants a seed of doubt about my goodness or worth.  Whether they mean to... well that is between them and our Lord.  Do I need to accept such poison into my mind, my heart, or my soul... No, I choose to stand on His promises that I am created in His image.  That He loves me in a way that I will not fully understand until I run home to His loving arms.  Must He reprimand me for thoughts, actions, or choices... of course.  And yet He is so loving and kind in His discipline and I know that it is His job to raise me up, prune me, and see me through to completion in order for my life... my name... to bring a smile to Abba's face.  How do I stand when other voices/actions are showing a lack of respect or love?

My plans for your future are for good, to give you hope...

Jeremiah 29:11

This is a process that begins with faith.  When I am shut down, hit up side the head, or stabbed by someone... I must rely on the armor of the Lord.  Every morning I suit up for my journey.  I claim a loud the blessings of Ephesians 6:11-18. I often find that I crave someone to confirm my "goodness,"  I have been blessed with many in whom I can go to without fear.  But it is not until I take my concerns, failings, or pains before Jesus do I gain strength and inner peace.  That inner peace surpasses any and all weapons formed against me.  Since He is for me... no one... no thing... no weapon... no curse... no evil can touch what He has created in me.  For He has declared that I can walk as the daughter of Zion.  He has blessed me to be His.  He alone is the one I answer to.  And He provides my protection under the shadow of His wings.  A very dear mentor showed me how to take captive my thoughts.  Place your hands upon your head... act as if you are removing a bowl from the top of your head and handing it to Jesus... and proclaim... "I give these thoughts unto you, my Lord, take them from me... bind them and do with them what you will... bless my mind, my heart, and my soul with your goodness."

In Spoken For, Robin reminded me: "...I need Abba's perspective on how He sees me..."  As I journey with in scripture, I know... that I know... that He will provide that verse that will inspire, heal, uplift, and change my thoughts, actions, feelings, and path.

Today I search for that passage which will:  

"...fill a heart with peace because it gives you assurance that Almighty God

 was faithful and true and wanted only the best for you!"

Robin Jones Gunn

Numbers 6:22-27

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,

With the joy of the Lord down deep in my soul, I sing unto you!  Thank you for this morning's moments with you.  The sun poured forth its rays of beauty.  The blessing of our patio was a glow with warmth.  The flowers seemed to be standing taller, as if in worship unto you.  The hummingbirds were playful, all seems so glorious...

The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you...

Numbers 6:25

With my readings today, I was touched by two different passages.  The wonderment of His smile upon me causes my heart, soul, and spirit to humble myself before Him.  Could he really smile when he looks upon me?  Could my name truly bring brightness upon His face in a smile?  I know the spirit's shining within and through others.  You see it in their eyes, you feel the warmth in their smile, you hear the peacefulness in their voice.  I have known the radiance of those moments when I have been His vessel for others.  I'm pondering the why of the seasons when I do not see His glory shining in my reflection of the bathroom mirror!  Or when I view the horror on someone's face when my words have stung them, even though that was the furthest thing from heart or mind!

...the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord.

Proverbs 20:27

Kenneth E Hagin taught, "We sometimes judge how God is leading by what our physical senses tell us... Too often we look at things from a mental standpoint and endeavor to reason out things.  But nowhere does the Bible say God will guide us through our physical senses... our mentality... or our reasoning."  The Bible says it is our spirit that is the candle of the Lord!

Considering the blessing and promise above, my next scripture passage caused me to stop and listen to His gentleness.  You know those moments when you are given a flash of viewing a spiritual message and all of you knows a quietness beyond the physical environment.

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you...

Issaiah 40:11

This is not a new passage for me.  Just as every unique snowflake is confirmation of His hearing my heart, this passage brought such a deep healing and peace at a moment of my hopelessness and homelessness (a longing to be with Him, safe and away from those seeking to steal and oppress my inner joy).  During a season of morning Bible and worship, I re-read the descriptive passage in which Jehovah Ra-ah was translated as "The Lord is my Shepherd."  This KJV further describes that our Lord, "...became our shepherd by giving His life for the sheep, therefore this privilege is a redemptive privilege, purchased by the Attonement of Jesus our shepherd."  My spirit praised Him for the freedom from the bondage, from the brambles, from the snares and thorns that have threatened my journey all of my life.  I felt our Lord Jesus holding a lamb in His arms.  He was gentle rubbing its ear.  The sweetness of His voice was so soothing, providing a warmth that quieted the adrenaline chills of the lamb.  As he turned towards the flock, the lamb's breathing calmed to a pace equal to the calming comfort of inner peace.  Our Lord didn't just place the lamb anywhere amongst the flock, oh no, he chose the very center of the flock.  I wondered why, and then I knew and my tears began to flow.... I was the little lamb.  I was being placed in the center of the flock because He knew they would keep me corralled long enough for me to gain strength before I joyfully danced out of bounds... and into another snare!

Lord, may my life be so pleasing to You that You are pleased to have Your face shine on me.  

And as You graciously smile on my life, may I find someone today with whom I can share Your love through a smile.

Our Daily Bread, 6/18/14

Deuteronomy 7:9 He is the faithful God

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit..... 

What will this morning's reading be about?  Where will it lead me?  I remember when I first read the morning note from God:

This is God.  I will be handling all of your problems today.

I will not need your help.

So, have a great day... enjoy it,

I love you, 

God

Way back then I remember crying over the fact that God, Abba...my creator would love me so much that He would take my burdens and sort them out.  All that was required of me was to trust Him! In today's reading I was reminded not only of this moment from so long ago, but that He is still faithful to that moment that I cried from my heart and soul.

So I want you to realize that the Lord your God is God.

He is the faithful God.

He keeps his covenant for all time to come.

He keeps it with those who love him and obey his commands.

He shows them his love.

Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV 

As each new day dawns, I am committed to giving our Lord my first thoughts.  My daily devotional, my Bible reading, my spiritual reading all leads and guides my daily thoughts and actions with those words read, His words, through out the day.  In the evening, I have other "quick" and "loving" resources which allows me to contemplate His blessings on my day.  I read once (a book titled Joni) that the source of her strength began when she chose to read only those titles that would feed her mind, heart, and soul during the night.  So I thought, why not... if it has worked for her... then I could have the same blessings.  I can read my other titles any time of the day.  As for me, my morning and night readings will be for the Lord.  That leads me to what I am reading right now (this is your commercial break...):

          

 In Spoken For, Robin Jones Gunn wrote: "Throughout life we'll all experience many kinds of loss and hurt.  The opinions and actions of others do not define us.  We are known and wanted by the Lord himself.  He never changes, never turns on us, never gives up on us."  He will see me through to completion.  I stand on His promise that:

...for ye are the temple of the living God;

as God hat said,

I will dwell in them, and walk in them;

and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

2 Corinthians 6:16

"The anchor of God's truth will keep you steady through every stormy season."

2 Corinthians 5:17: A New Creation in Him

On June 16, 2004 my journey as an adult orphan began.  Although I have many loved ones, family, friends, and co-workers... my new season in life without my mother was just beginning.  As that moment for her to go home to our Lord arrived, all I could do was hold her hand and whisper-sing "I Can Only Imagine" in her ear.  Later,as we gathered her items, I found a slip of note paper on which she had written 2 Cor 5:17 and 1 John 5:13.  Her morning visitor had prayed with her and left these two scripture passages for her to ponder, and now... 10 years later, I am posting them as answer to God's calling to draw nearer to Him.  So it is a gift to begin this journey with, my mother's last thoughts...

 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Birth 1957.... Graduation 1975.... Seasonal Change 2014: 57 years later

Every morning I awake with "Good Morning Abba, Good Morning Jesus, Good Morning Holy Spirit."  In May, I was given a pink-camo-ed Duck Dynasty Daily Devotional.  It had been a rough few days in full battle with weapons being slung at me from every direction.  I was suited up with the armor of God (Eph 6:13-20) and stood... claiming Psalm 91. In preparation for Pentecost, I had been journeying with Kenneth E Hagin's, How You Can be Led by the Holy Spirit.  That morning I had been reading about practicing the Word of God, and by faith I knew this path... so when scripture lept from the page into my heart I knew the Lord was trying to get through my thoughts and into my spirit:

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

That evening when I opened the gift from my kiddos, I turned to my birthday's devotion:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-25

The Holy Spirit will do amazing things with me, through me, and in me... I just got to get out of His way!

Summer Time Journey

With a joyous leap I begin my summer's journey with the Word of God, the Holy Spirit's leading, many prayer warriors.... and you!

“The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, 

will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you.”

John 14:26

If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat!

 

Could I live each moment in a conscious awareness of God's presence? How would I stay focused on Christ instead of the world's clutter? * Whisper "Jesus" as I glance at each person near me, then I would see the person Christ sees * At meal time, I can leave an extra chair at the table ro remind me of His promise, "Lo, I am with you always.." * While reading a book, text, email, or watching a show I can remember Jesus is with me. He smiles with me at the fun, rejoices with me in the successes, and weeps with me in the tragedies. * When problem-solving, I can make it my habit to take it to Him. This is what Peter did when he tried to walk on water, so I will include Him in all my decisions. * Waking up or before I turn out the light, with praise and greetings I will seek His presence. "The real significance of this way of life is that it opens wide the spiritual reality and power like a radio antenna suddently tuned in to the right frequency!" If you would like to "Get out of the Boat," read the book by John Ortberg https://twitter.com/johnortberg

Take a journey with "The Insanity of God"

The property owners responded, "Do you want my house? Do you want my farm? Well, if you do, then you need to talk to Jesus because I gave this property to Him." The security police didn't know what to do... "....When we take your property, you and your family will have nowhere to live!" The house-church believers will declare, "Then we will be free to trust God for shelter as well as for our daily bread." "If you keep this up, we will beat you!" "Then we will be free to trust Jesus for healing," "And then we will put you in prison!" "Then we will be free to preach the good news of Jesus to the captives, to set them free. We will be free to plant churches in prison." "If you try to do that, we will kill you!" the frustrated authorities will vow. And, with utter consistency, the house-church believers will reply, "Then we will be free to go to heaven and be with Jesus forever." What would your answers be? Take this journey with Nik Ripken http://www.nikripken.com/book/

Bless me today my Lord....

Oh, to be His hand extended, Reaching out to the oppressed, Let me touch Him, Let me touch Jesus, So that others may know and be blessed.

Baptism in the Fullness of the Holy Spirit

With our 2014 Easter promises, I have been on a quest to meet more fully the grace, fruits, gifts, and joy of the Holy Spirit. I am so grateful that Pope Francis has the same passion... So as we search for our Lord's guidance and blessings during our walk in this year of faith, begin knowing the beauty of being Spirit filled! While not a theological statement the U.S. Bishops Ad Hoc Committee defines baptism in this way: As experienced in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal baptism in the Holy Spirit makes Jesus Christ known and loved as Lord and Savior, establishes or reestablishes an immediacy of relationship with all those persons on the Trinity, and through inner transformation affects the whole of the Christian’s life. There is new life and a new conscious awareness of God’s power and presence. It is a grace experience which touches every dimension of the Church’s life: worship, preaching, teaching, ministry, evangelism, prayer and spirituality, service and community. Because of this, it is our conviction that baptism in the Holy Spirit, understood as the reawakening in Christian experience of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit given in Christian initiation, and manifested in a broad range of charisms, including those closely associated with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, is part of the normal Christian life.