Checking Your Roots: Jeremiah 17:7-8

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,

whose confidence is in him.

They will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

This season has been such a time of peace and joy. The loving comfort of knowing that all truths about the health of my roots has been lovingly revealed, nurtured, and given a revitalizing renewal. There has been a wealth of joy once His pruning began. The elimination of the branches which were creating diseased thoughts (shame is a deceptive evil spirit). His tender attention and life giving words refreshed my mind, spirit, and soul. Oh what joy is found under His watch!

Being taught "how-to" nourish my foundational roots is giving such energy. An energy in which the Holy Spirit is guiding the works of my hands. This summer has been the least busy, yet the most focused. Spending my days in scripture, slowing down and relishing the ever changing moments of Gabriel Michael, and just letting my days unfold has provided an overflow of peace and... oh, such delight.

As this season comes to a close, I can only hope for His continued nourishment. Allowing me to continue to grow stronger, more gracious, gentler in what I say and do.

Dear Abba, Lord Jesus, and Holy Spirit... guide me and strengthen me so I bring glory to You! For I trust in you. For it is written in your promises:

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD,

He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,

and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers,

and under his wings shalt thou trust:

his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;

nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;

nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side,

and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the LORD,

which is my refuge,

even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee,

neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee,

to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands,

lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder:

the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me,

therefore will I deliver him:

I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me,

and I will answer him:

I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Psalm 91

Gratitude: Hebrews 12:28

"Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken,

let us show gratitude,

by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe..."

Hebrews 12:28

He is faithful forever! Open my eyes my Lord. With these last few weeks, I find that my walk is blessed beyond my expectations. Worry and anxiety is bound. Moments in His loving presence nourishes beyond my expectations. Gratitude that I walk as His, ever under His watch.

This year is the time to learn how to walk with gracious dignity. It all begins with living free from the deception of shame. What a truly ugly spirit shame is. What a perfected blessing is His blood covering. His gracious gift of forgiveness brings joy. Yet, His amazing and precious blood covers us in such a way that we are allowed to live free from ugly deceptions like shame.

Gratitude is a reflective heart and mind set that is leading beyond my yesterdays and into my todays.

If you are looking to live free from the ugly deception of shame, join us as we learn how to walk without the cloak of shame.

Shame has no place in the purpose, plan, and destiny God has for us because shame lies to us, robs us of the freedom we long for,

and shackles us in the prison of our past.

In this five-session video Bible study, author and teacher, Christine Caine, weaves examples from her life with those of biblical characters who failed but overcame their shame to show how God heals us and redeems us. In her passionate style, she explains that if we want to change our futures, we have to believe God is bigger than our mistakes, our inadequacies, our pasts, and our limitations. We have to believe God created us for a unique purpose, has a specific plan for us, and has a powerful destiny he wants us to fulfill. God has already won the victory over sin and its shame, and we do need to spend our lives believing the lies of the deceiver. Instead, we can allow ourselves to be defined by God’s truth and choose to see ourselves the way God does—through the lens of his eternal perspective. So join the journey. Stop merely existing and start thriving. Lay hold of the power of Jesus Christ today and step into his future—a beautiful, full, life-giving future filled with purpose. You can live unashamed! Session titles include: Session1: Run, Don’t Hide Session 2: Today is the Day Session 3: Posses Your Inheritance Session 4: God Never Wastes a Hurt Session 5: Highly Unlikely. Join the book study at: http://www.faithgateway.com/unashamed-study-registration

Gracious Living

Today's readings led me to a pondering about what gracious living looks like. How do we recognize when someone is extending their grace towards us? How do our words or actions extend His grace to those we encounter every day? Would anyone consider my legacy as gracious and kind?

Oh Abba, Lord Jesus, and Holy Spirit... lead me along this path with gracious dignity...

" To be saved by grace is to be saved by Jesus not by an idea, doctrine, creed, or church membership, but by Jesus Himself, who will sweep into heaven anyone who so much as gives Him the nod.
If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. - 1 John 1:7
God didn’t overlook your sins, lest He endorse them. He didn’t punish you, lest He destroy you. He instead found a way to punish the sin and preserve the sinner.
Jesus took your punishment, and God gave you credit for Jesus’ perfection."

Max Lucado

Excerpted with permission Grace Happens Here by Max Lucado. 

Copyright Max Lucado.

 

 In Grace Happens Here, Max Lucado looks at grace from all directions and reveals that no matter which way you look at it, God’s grace is always there, ready to do wonders in your life. This beautiful gift book is filled with powerful quotes, Scripture, and stories that will transform your heart and mind with a deeper understanding of God’s healing grace. The message gently and eloquently encourages you to accept completely His grace and forgiveness as well as extend the same blessing toward others.

Just a whisper of His name...

"Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;

keep watch over the door of my lips."

Psalm 141:3

Just a whisper of His name, Jesus... Yeshua... my Shephard! With a gentleness that is so tender it causes your heart to "ker-thunk" into a natural rhythm. The sweetness of His presence is swift. As I was rocking our littlest grandbaby, I sensed the moment he drifted off to sleep. That complete surrender into a place of secured sleep. Gazing upon his "peace-filled" face I thought about how often our Lord will gaze upon us. Touching the dimples in our little one's hands and seeing a tiny smile grace his darling face, I pondered how quickly my entire being changes when I whisper our Lord's name. No other words are needed. The child-like peace is instantaneous. Secured in His presence is so soothing, beautiful, and renewing.

Then... as that moment lingers, the rushing of the life gets back into the "swing" of daily "doings." Before I know it, my thoughts... my actions... my tongue begins the exhausting push in getting things done. Praising our Lord is easy... keeping the "old tongue" in control is a thorn that pierces my peace, my infects my thoughts, and zaps my energy. With the help of the Holy Spirit, self-control can tame my tongue. There is no open door for "grumblings" to enter my day. Or anyone's day who happens by!

Therefore, for today I am on watch over my thoughts and my tongue. I surrender every word to Him! 

"Lord Jesus, take control of my mouth today.

Forgive me for careless, thoughtless, and angry words.

Let my words bless You and others." 

Keila Ochoa

Our Daily Bread  

Out of the Net: PS 25

"I trust in you;

do not let me be put to shame,

nor let my enemies triumph over me.

No one who hopes in you

will ever be put to shame,

but shame will come on those

who are treacherous without cause."

Psalm 25:2-3

Great is His ways! What comfort can come from those words, a comfort so deep that hope begins to bubble within and renews a strength that creates a path.

Today began with a few inspirations. Out of the Net is a new bible study with Beth Moore. As always, just those words resonated with the longing in me to be free from the snares and "nets" that have me caught in my daily walk. You know those snares, the type that keep your mind occupied with conversations that "could have" or "should have" happened vs. the way things really went down. Snares in which someone or some situation is threatening your every move... taking up way too much energy and/or time. Yep, that's entrapment and I want out!

Then there is the book study, The Longing in Me by Sheila Walsh, that is nourishing my spirit and mind. I'm conversing with our Lord about the many times my words and/or actions have impacted the life of someone else in a not so Christian way. Check out this provoking word:

"Don't be misled...

you cannot mock the justice of God.

You will always harvest what you plant."

Galatians 6:7 

What do I wish my harvest to look like from His Heavenly view? I know, that I know, that He has ministering angels and the Holy Spirit made willing to help see me through to completion. Accepting and allowing them to "weed" my inner most harvest will provide a joyous freedom that will remove every snare, every net, and "squelch" those monotonous conversations.

"Good and upright is the Lord;

therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

He guides the humble in what is right

and teaches them his way."

Psalm 25:8-9

  

Dear Abba, my Lord and Savior Yeshua, and Holy Spirit the breath of Heaven...

Thank you for seeing me through to completion. Let your words guide me, refresh my mind, restore my spiritual focus, and minister to my needs.

Your name I pray...

Amen, Amen, and Alleluia  

Never empty and alone...

"He restores my soul;
            He guides me in the paths of righteousness
            For His name’s sake."

Psalm 23: 3

Today is the day that our Lord has made. There are numerous moments in each day in which we have the amazing opportunity to see God's hand at work. With the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, we are blessed with the sense of "seeing" and "knowing" the hand of our Lord at work. Oh, how deeply we can sense His work being done within us. His beautifully, gentle, and loving touch. The longing within wants to stay in His presence... and never depart. And yet, life clicks us in and out of His presence like someone surfing channels.

"...when our longing is directed toward God,

we'll never be left empty and alone."

Sheila Walsh

The Longing in Me 

Longing for direction... crying out for His direction... thirsting for His tender touch. Closing my eyes and shutting out the world. Sensing His love as He walks through His flock.  With pure joy you just know His path leads straight to you. As He bends down and extends His hand, His loving voice soothes the longing. Flooding you with love, strength, and delight in Him.

Then you open your eyes... and you ponder... 

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

Fervent and Consistant

"Then I set my face toward the Lord God

to make request by prayer and supplications."

Daniel 9:3

Communicating with our Lord. No safer place on earth. This season ushers in the desire to be in communication for a transformation within my spirit, heart, and mind. As life gets more contrary to God's word, I tend to get more thirsty. That type of thirst that never is quenched and produces disquiet and a heaviness within my heart.

Daniel prayed fervently, consistently, for the will of God. He came before our Lord seeking communication that would usher in a peace... that would strengthen his resolve... that could refresh and renew his thinking. Yes, oh yes... I seek such freedom. Being His vessel to the point that joy bubbles forth into all aspects of my life. Strengthened to the point that my tongue is controlled by the power of the Holy Spirit. Renewed and refreshed in a way that every day is a-washed with possibilities and balance.

Just for this day...

"When we learn His purposes and make them our prayers,

we are giving Him the opportunity to act."

S.D. Gordon  

Surrendering All

Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

 but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

 Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--

his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

When I have been on my knees, praying about an out-of-control situation... Our Lord is merciful and washes us with His peace that surpasses all understanding. Yet, the minute I leave that moment in His presence... something creeps in and my mind replays the scenario that brought me to my knees in the first place. 

When you have prayed and you can't hold onto the peace... You know you just can't be a part of the agony any longer... A radical surrender usually follows! Surrendering all to God means all, even those conversations within your mind. Putting on the armor of the Lord (Ephesians 6:13) leaves me covered while binding and rebuking those thoughts that hinder the gift of His peace.

In Shelia Walsh's book, The Longing In Me, she reminded me that "giving up your attempts at control, letting the person do his or her worst, and seeing what God will do..." is far greater than speaking to others or doing anything on my own. Trusting and letting God do His will in our lives/situations is His role... He is my vindicator!

Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law.

Psalm 119:29 

Remembering "whose" we are... what our standard is... what our calling is... and who is in control, leads us not only into a place of peace but allows us to live freely, in the meantime, while God is at work.

Choose to live freely in His will. Refuse to give into the world and what is deemed tolerant, acceptable, or contrary to God's word. As a Christian be supportive by offering prayer. As a Christian, the words "I'm not comfortable with this conversation," is a complete sentence that should lead the gossip away from shredding another's name.

Dear Abba, Lord Jesus, and Holy Spirit... lead me in ways everlasting! Amen

This is the day: PS 118:24

This is the yom which Hashem hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB)

Praise the Lord... this is the day our Lord has made. It is the season for my reflections to bring a newness within my soul. As a teacher, summer brings precious moments on my porch, with my family and friends and with His word. It is this season that brings me hope, strength, inspiration, and joy. It nourishes me and brings me out of the fire... renewed... blooming... and refreshed!

Have you watched the movie War Room? One of my summer creations will be designing my prayer closet. Since January, I have been clipping great inspirational quotes, bible text with short stories, and pictorial scripture passages. Colors for the walls in which I will spend time in communication with our Lord.

As this season begins, the longing me has lead me to Sheila Walsh's book.  Speaking life back into my inner most spirit... claiming and accepting healing and all the goodness that He wills for my life.

 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

Luke 1:49 (New King James Version)

http://warroommovieresources.com/ 

The Reason for my Hope by Billy Graham

Billy Graham

ISBN: 9780529105448

Publisher's Synopsis:

The saving message of the Gospel is the heartbeat of this preacher and evangelist. Millions around the world have heard Billy Graham proclaim this unchanging truth. He has never forgotten the transformation of his own life, when he first said yes to God’s gift of salvation, and he has witnessed multitudes turn their hearts to the God of Hope.

 "Hope is a Gift.

Have you ever taken hold of such a prize that leads you out of uncertainty into profound assurance?

When it arrives, despair departs.

An old Scottish proverb says,

'Were it not for hope, the heart would break.'

What is your heart's condition?"

MrsK's Review:

Did you watch this special? Did you discover a new truth? When the opportunity for me to review the book, well I knew that our Lord was asking me to journey deeper into my relationship with Him.

This man's voice resonates deep within. Just his name brings back all of those moments in front of our television. A gathering "snuggled together" listening to what inspiration might feed us for the next few moments... the next few months... the next season. In the introduction, Billy Graham, reminds us that you can "glimpse the glow of hope" simply by lighting a match and burning a candle:

"You will discover that the whisper of its flame brings life to a room,

making the candle useful.

Is your flame alive and making a difference in the world?"

Have I been "nourishing" my soul enough that a flame burns within? Can others see the "glow of hope" in my actions or with my words? If "Hope pierces the darkness," if  "Hope brings comfort," then what am I showing all of you? 

Rescued for Something: What would your story be? With a series of short testimonies about survival from circumstances, physical defeats, or mental anguish there is a "Hope" that comes from being saved.

"For with the Lord there is mercy,

And with Him is abundant redemption."

Psalm 130:7

The Great Redemption: Have you redeemed your free gift? Redemption involves a giver and a receiver. How often have you turned away from someone offering you a gift? These testimonies "brings into focus" moments in which a "redeemed" life-choice may have included a "price to pay" that wasn't thought through. And if you have been redeemed with another chance, do you tell about it?

 "I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against me,

and I will pardon all their iniquities."

Jeremiah 33:8

Sin is In: Self-interest lives that keeps us from obeying God and His word. It impacts our thinking, our actions, and our beliefs. When we walk through life unprotected and without God's word we fall short of divine discernment. As early as 1948 and straight into 1967 our culture was reinvented. History was rewritten. What once was a nation raised up on God's commandments, became a nation of self-interested deceptions. There was a time when sin was considered a terror to be shunned, today there exists a deception that excusing ownership of sinfulness leads to a tolerant mindset of acceptance. This chapter is one of the hardest to explore... it will challenge today's myths. It will open the depths of your soul to the truth of God's word. It will lead you beyond your protected surface.

"Good deeds will not bring comfort to the soul

because the bad and hurtful things we do to others

are ultimately done against the One who created our souls.

Your soul belongs to God.

He is the only One who can redeem your soul."

The Price of Victory: "What was the greatest and most costly battle ever to take place? Who was the victor, and what was the reward?" Have you ever rejected the truth of God's word? Have you turned away from the message of the cross? Do you reject that men and women are sinners who need to live with a repentant heart? When Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross, he "triumphed over all the forces of evil and death and Hell..." he gave us mercy, grace, and the eternal promise of forgiveness. Through grace, hope was freely given:

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,

but that the world through Him might be saved."

John 3:17  

Where is Jesus?: How would you respond to this question, "What is the ultimate Victory of the cross?" Every time we write the date, we proclaim the victory of the cross! Ponder what that victory meant from the third day, through out the ages, and into this century. Deception is blinding the message of the cross. 

"In His great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...

who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation

that is ready to be revealed."

1 Peter 1:3-5

Defining Christianity in a Designer World: Are you living in a world of your own making? Does your life mirror society's whims and choices? Where is your quest for truth and acceptance leading you? Ultimately, it will be the choices that you have made that will provide a life "tailor-made," is it aligned with God's word or has it become a "relaxed-fitting" life that "fits your needs?"

"The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been watered down to a myth,

causing young and old to doubt the authority of Scripture."

 If the nation is blending a pick-and-choose, gender-resistant society, then what will put on the brakes for its immoral binge? "What we are seeing is human nature expressing itself without God." Without the Holy Spirit's discernment we are blinded by a designer that is seeking to devour. Believing in Jesus Christ, the truth of his birth... death... and resurrection, and placing priority on Him and God's word, we are assured of salvation from our selves:

"Without Me you can do nothing."

John 15:5

"You can continue searching for some religion that fits your particular lifestyle,
 but your search will never come to a satisfying end.
 Or you can commit your life completely to the Lord,
 who brings true and lasting fulfillment to the human soul who sincerely seeks Him in truth."

We are reminded that being Christian isn't about living for yourself. We must turn away from our "old" lives and begin a new way of living. It's all about a change. Listening and seeking obedience to God's will, His word, and the Holy Spirit's prompting. Humbling yourself before the Lord (daily), stopping to praise and give thanksgiving for all of your blessings, striving to "see" His hand at work in your life and the lives of others, and "asking" Him to show you what you can do for Him.

"He is not going to come in and ignore the chains that bind you to sin.

He is not going to come in and close His eyes to the immorality that governs your relationships.

He is not going to come in and overlook your indifference to His commands.

He is going... to come in...

and overlook your indifference to His commands.

He is... going to mold you and make you new

by changing your very nature."

 With each day we begin are given a new beginning. We can trust that He is with us in every moment. We have been given His blessed assurance that He will provide our needs... and more. Being willing to be "redesigned" is freedom. We no longer have to be the one in control, always planning and dealing with frustrations. Is Christ within you? If so, then are you seeking His will in every decision, every purchase, every conversation, or every thought? Freedom is granted as we begin "just being" His. There is nothing we can do to earn or loose His love. He is love. At the cross our Lord Jesus completed our destination.

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus

have crucified the flesh

with its passions and desires."

Galatians 5:24

No Hope of Happy Hour in Hell: "What do you think about Hell?" Do you believe that all sin is offensive in the eyes of God? Do you believe that God is Holy? Do you believe that during His crucifixion, Jesus cried out to Abba because He had taken on our sin and was separated from Abba:

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice,

 "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?"

 (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?").

Matthew 27:46

He Is Coming Back: Is hope rare? What would you want changed? "Still people clamor for hope and change, blinded to evil disguised as good."  If we are looking for Jesus' return, we know that there is hope. The word of God promises that He will return in great glory. All we need to do is stand. Feed on His word daily. Put on the armor of God, and trust that He is returning.

Living Life with Hope: Are you convinced that you truly need Jesus in your life? That you are willing to give up your self-sufficiency and trust in His will for your life? Do you believe in the message of the cross? Are you openly following Jesus? Is God's word your daily nourishment? Is the Holy Trinity your strength? Ask Jesus... He will see you through to completion! 

 "His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;

great is His faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23

Beautifully written, this book will help your spirit soar, 
MrsK 

"The message of this book is my hope for you.
And my prayer is that you will be filled with the dividends of joy and peace
in believing that you can be rescued from all that hinders,
bringing you into a 'Living Hope of Salvation."
Billy Graham
May 2013 

 Meet the Author:

  Billy Graham

“My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ." 

Billy Graham, world-renowned author, preacher, and evangelist, has delivered the Gospel message to more people face-to-face than anyone in history and has ministered on every continent of the world in more than 185 countries. Millions have read his inspirational classics, including Angels, Peace with God, The Holy Spirit, Hope for the Troubled Heart, How to Be Born Again, The Journey, Nearing Home, and The Reason For My Hope.

 My Hope Videos