In the Garden

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

"Don't be afraid, because I'm with you;

 don't be anxious, because I am your God.

 I keep on strengthening you;

 I'm truly helping you.

 I'm surely upholding you with my victorious right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

Oh the joy of being cleansed! That sense that all things have been made right. A clarity that makes everything look unbelievably clean, crisp, and crystal clear. When no negative can touch the joy that is flowing within. The anticipation that He has you covered!

Sometimes when life slows down, there seems to be a distancing... a "what now" void. That's when I realize that it is time for me to "run" back into a mindset, a choice to get closer to our Lord through discussions with the Holy Spirit. A time spent just "being still" in my surroundings. Seeing without contemplating... Listening without asking... Sensing without acting...

What is it our Lord wishes to express and imprint upon my heart, spirit, and soul? Could it be an overflow of His love? Could He be tenderly touching me with His hands of healing? Is there an area that needs weeding from my harvest that He is asking me to surrender and be made new? What if He just wants to spend time with me and just "be" together?

On my patio, walking in my garden, I will visit with him... I will let His presence renew and refresh all of me.

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known. (Refrain)

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

(Refrain)

I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

(Refrain)

Words & Music: C. Aus­tin Miles, March 1912:
I read…the sto­ry of the great­est morn in his­to­ry: “The first day of the week com­eth Ma­ry Mag­da­lene ear­ly, while it was yet ve­ry dark, unto the se­pul­cher.” In­stant­ly, com­plet­ely, there un­fold­ed in my mind the scenes of the gar­den of Jo­seph….Out of the mists of the gar­den comes a form, halt­ing, he­si­tat­ing, tear­ful, seek­ing, turn­ing from side to side in be­wil­der­ing amaze­ment. Fal­ter­ing­ly, bear­ing grief in ev­e­ry ac­cent, with tear-dimmed eyes, she whis­pers, “If thou hast borne him hence”… “He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their sing­ing.” Je­sus said to her, “Mary!” Just one word from his lips, and for­got­ten the heart­aches, the long drea­ry hours….all the past blot­ted out in the pre­sence of the Liv­ing Pre­sent and the Eter­nal Fu­ture.

Genisis 1:31 His pleasure in us

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

 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, [it was] very good...

 Genisis 1:31

When we stop long enough to look at the glorious sunrises or sunsets, we marvel at the colors. When springtime emerges, we feel excitement as each plant is awakened and begins to bloom. When fall begins, oh the thrill of colors and crispness in the air. Just about every young animal causes us to smile. Each newborn begs us to embrace its new life.

 The LORD your God is in your midst, 

a mighty one who will save; 

he will rejoice over you with gladness; 

he will quiet you by his love; 

he will exult over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

When our heart resonates with His love, we know it. We feel it. We smile, sing, or share the overflow because it is too much for us to hold inside. So why is it that in a heart beat we can be consumed with doubt about our self worth? Those moments when a look of disappointment causes us to stumble. Sharp edged words can cut through us as if we are unworthy or less than the group. A coworker can create chaos with a few well placed words. A loved one can cast us aside.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

 plans for welfare and not for evil,

 to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11  

God promises to take our broken moments, our rough edges and beginning creating us into the image of His beloved son... Jesus. His passionate love is so perfect that His will is to create in us His masterpiece of perfected love. With all of my heart I have ventured forth into His pruning, re-shaping, and polishing. My goodness, this is not always a comfortable place to be. Allowing His will for my life to be my everything instead of my will for myself. Just the word "my" screams that I want control. It is an ongoing determination to stay put in His will. How much I long for the simpleness of a bird who has no concern about leaping into flight. The joy of a flower as it opens and reaches out to the morning's light. The happiness of a seal tumbling playfully in the surf.

 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! 

1 Chronicles 16:34

His passionate love for each of us is meant to fill us to overflowing... let us brighten someone's day with a touch of His love...

Just for today...

Just for today...

With so many challenges and opportunities to feel weak, I wanted to post an inspiring word that brought me through these past few days:

Click on the above logo for more daily devotionals

 © 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

Trust Him to Deliver You

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.... There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. – Psalm 91:7,10

Naturally speaking, this is a terrifying world we’re living in today. A world that staggers from one disaster to another. Almost daily we hear about wars, about the dangers of nuclear weapons and chemical warfare, about oil spills and earthquakes and floods, about diseases on the rise and crime sweeping through our cities. But in the midst of it all, God is promising to be a refuge and a fortress to those who will trust and dwell in Him. “But, Gloria,” you might say, “He made that promise thousands of years ago when things weren’t in as desperate shape as they are today!” That may be so, but you know what? That promise is right up-to-date. It was made for our generation. Just think about it. Back when Psalm 91 was written, man hadn’t even invented weapons that could destroy 10,000 people at once. We’re the generation that did that. So when He said, “No evil will befall you,” He was including us. No evil will befall you. My, what a statement! You need to catch hold of it and believe it today. Believe that God wants to be God in your life. He wants to be your protection. He wants to be your security. He wants to be the first Name you call when trouble comes your way. He wants to be the One you trust in and look to, to keep you safe. And if you’ll do that, He’ll never, never let you down. He can handle all the dangers that surround you. I don’t care how bad they are, He can handle them! He proved that with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They were bound and thrown into a fiery furnace that was so hot that the men who threw them in were killed by the heat. Now you can’t get in any more trouble than that. But God brought them through and when they came out, they didn’t even smell like smoke. Hallelujah! So, no matter how terrifying things around you seem to get, trust God. He’ll always be faithful. He’ll never be out doing something else when you need help. He’ll be right there to deliver you from any problem, any catastrophe, any kind of devastation. Let Him prove in your life what He proved in the lives of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: No other can deliver like He can!

Isaiah 42:9 Declaring the Glory

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

Behold, the former things are come to pass,

 and new things do I declare:

 before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Isaiah 42:9

For a few days I have been pondering this passage. Early in the mornings, I rise to do some learning with our Lord. It is truly my favorite time of the day. A fresh cup of tea, my daily devotional, my bible, and my life-preserver (an iPad with KCM). There was a time I kept a spiritual journal, yeah, that didn't work so well... since I tend to hi-light and make notes in my bible or which book I'm reading (sometimes I'm organized... sometimes not so much). Valuing God's word and the teachings for my days is something I never trust to my memory, I'm always in the mode of a student... note-taking is how I can go back into the word and discover deeper understanding.

So for today, there were many moments in which I discovered a glimmering hope... a new insight in declaring the Glory of the manifestation of God's word.  It seems so simple and yet my tongue forgets what my spirit is crying... Isaiah 42 offers the blessing of newness. We can declare the Glory of the manifestation of: the Presence of God; the Power of God; the Goodness of God. Imagine the blessings that we can be living in... right now... every moment of every day!

 Hear the word of the LORD,

 O you nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say,

 He that scattered Israel will gather him,

 and keep him, as a shepherd does his flock.

Jeremiah 31:10

Declare His word and He will keep us as a shepherd does his flock. Declare... Declare... Declare! Beginning at home, speaking it into being over our family, our homes, our health, and our finances (Psalm 103:20). Declaring it with others outside of the safety of our homes: Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful works among all peoples (1 Chronicles 16:24-25). We can live in His manifestation at all times for He has charge over us and what we declare (Hebrews 1:14).

Today I sense a calling to give God's word a chance to prove His promises, His goodness, His power, and know His Presence at work in my life... today. Today I will declare God's assignment... I will give voice to His word!

 So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth:

 it shall not return to me void,

 but it shall accomplish that which I please,

 and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

 Isaiah 55:11

Kenneth Copeland Ministries - Declare God's Glory

Ecclesiastes 7:20 In clarity and truth

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

 For there is not a just man on earth, that does good, and sins not.

 Ecclesiastes 7:20

 Today's journey is about His revealing the truth in my sinful nature. In one of my daily devotionals, it was talking about the light shining through the window and revealing the dust particles in the stream of light. Wow, how true is this. That once we begin our journey within God's precious and holy word... we begin having moments of clarity about our sinfulness. 

Sometimes those recollections of words spoken are "washed and made new" once I ask forgiveness. Sometimes I must journey to an act of reconciliation with the person I have wronged. With other sinful choices, I have fallen on my knees and asked our Lord to forgive me and make me clean. Renewed, refreshed, and strengthened with resolve to "go and sin no more."

It is in those moments when Christ's light exposes our sin He is "pruning away" the dead branches. He is weeding out that which has caused us to stumble or fall short of His blessings. He is as a potter, molding us into His vessel. Although the clarity and truth of our sinfulness can cause us to "gasp" in despair, He is loving us through to completion for His glory. He is tending to our every need. He is providing His mercy and grace in the form of repentance and reconciliation.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23  

With humility and childlike trust, we can turn our sinful nature over and into His loving hands. We die to our selfish pride... we acknowledge that we can do nothing without Him. We joyously accept His will... and we strive through prayer, reading His word, and meditation to walk with Him in all things and ways.

"Woe to me!" I cried.

 "I am ruined!

 For I am a man of unclean lips,

 and I live among a people of unclean lips,

 and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.

Isaiah 6:5
 

Trusting in His goodness, walking by faith, our Lord Jesus promised:

"I have come into the world as light,

 so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness."

John 12:46

"It is good for us that we feel unworthy as we draw closer to God, for it humbles us to rely on Him alone."

Lawrence Darmani

Our Daily Bread

Psalm 23: A Shepherd's Love

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

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.    

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

He leads me beside quiet waters,   

He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 

 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.  

Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Psalm 23

This is the day that our Lord has made. With one of my daily readings, I began thinking about Psalm 23 and how do I pray these words to our Lord. This is truly a "song" of love.  A love between our creator, our Lord Jesus, and through the manifestations graciously given by the Holy Spirit.

 "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing."

Something once written still resonates within my heart. What do I want as a gift? The fullness of this passage leads me to a place deep within that says: I have no need, I lack nothing, for my Lord provides all of my needs, wants, and desires. How joyfully freeing is this line. It bears fruit within your spirit. My Lord, let me walk free from that which is of this world and fill me to overflowing with your love which is more valuable...

"He makes me lie down in green pastures,"

Comfort and safety, all wrapped up into His daily blessings. A promise that He has all things under His control. As He created and provided in the beginning... how much could He be doing for us if we accepted and was content with all that He has prepared for us? In my hour of torment, through the weight of a burdened heart, when my control can not keep my loved ones safe and joyous... words that speak to His attention over them provides rest in His assurance that I can "lie down" within the most tenderest of care. Thank you, my Lord, for all that you do for me and mine. I know that you are diligent in your watch over us, I accept your gracious goodness in every detail of our lives. I trust that you will see us through to completion and it will be "perfect" according to your goodness.

"He leads me beside quiet waters, 
 He refreshes my soul."

All of my senses begin bubbling with excitement, that type of joy that I once knew as a child. The "sparkling newness" of exploration and anticipation of something un-discovered. My spirit views His canvas before me, my eyes "soak" up the colors and designs from His creative palette, the sounds of life slide in a spiral as if a recording is beginning a symphony within my mind, and the fragrance of the moment reminds me of His love, His goodness, and the graciousness of those I have known. My Lord, how wondrous are your ways.

"He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake."

For His glory... He guides me and mine. We are created for His glory! So many emotions rise up with this truth. An awe as to the truth that He "tends" to me and mine... watching over every detail of our existence. Collecting every tear, battling every evil, healing every suffering, and standing back... waiting on us to ask for His assistance with each of our decisions. Then humility begins "pealing" away the layers of falsehood about my decisions, my actions, the negative seed harvest of my tongue. My spirit "quakes" as I view those selfish moments, in which, I was being "me" without Him. Walking without concern about being His "name sake." With a fear of anguish... my heart, mind, and soul cries out to Him... My Lord, My Father, Holy Spirit... forgive me! And.. with the fullness of His gracious love... this little lamb is once again wrapped with in His embrace. Oh, how amazing His grace is!

 "Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;"

With each step I take... There are those precious moments when I watch my feet approaching His altar. I ponder the steps of our Lord and Savior, Yeshua (Hebrew names of God). Those images of His passionate walk of love along the Via Dolorosa rebirths in me the renewal of my loving acceptance and commitment in giving Him my heart, mind, body, spirit and my soul (my everything) for His will and glory. My choice to trust in Him, in Him alone... releasing me to live my life for Him, with Him, and in Him.

"Your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Waves of comfort, joy, and peace wash over me when I wrap my mind and spirit into these loving words. As I close my eyes, and sense His embrace, the shelter within His words... His wings of protection (Psalm 91). My Lord, here I am... nourish me, strengthen me, manifest your goodness within me... I am yours.

  "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."

These words cause me to feel so "unworthy" so aware of my "sinfulness." As my Lord reveals His love for me, I understand the truth of my human-ness and how I truly am not worthy of His blessings. And yet, I feel a child's joy at seeing a celebration with a chair being pulled out and an inviting hand beckoning me to come, sit, and enjoy the goodness planned for me. Finally, I feel the overflow of gratitude that He loves me so much... that even though I have nothing to offer... He welcomes me as His own. Therefore, no weapon formed against me and mine will prosper (Isaiah 54:17) for we are sheltered, consecrated, and sealed as His... His alone. My Lord, thank you! Make tender the hearts of those who come against us... and protect our hearts, minds, and souls in order for anger or resentments to have no power over us (Ephesians 6:10-18).

 "You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows."

Answering His calling, being chosen as one of His flock. These words remind me that I said "Yes, Lord." I freely accepted His gift of His eternal salvation. I was baptized with water and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. My name is written in His book of Life, the Book of the Lamb, now and forever. With a willingness in my heart, for my soul... my spirit repents and seeks forgiveness. It is through Jesus, and Him alone that my salvation is sealed. Through is Grace, I have been given the blessing that I belong to Him. He is my Shepherd... I shall not want!

"Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

 

His Love knows no boundaries... He reaches out for each of us... Will you remember to take His hand?

  Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. 

It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

Love never ends. 

As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

  For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only Son, 

that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, 

Christ died for us.

 Romans 5:8

  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

 For I am sure that neither death nor life,

 nor angels nor rulers,

 nor things present nor things to come,

 nor powers, nor height nor depth,

 nor anything else in all creation, 

will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39

 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

 And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,

 who loved me and gave himself for me.

 Galatians 2:20

  See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God;

 and so we are.

 The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

1 John 3:1

  Owe no one anything,

 except to love each other,

 for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

  For you were called to freedom, brothers.

 Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh,

 but through love serve one another.

 Galatians 5:13

 With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Ephesians 4:2

  Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love,

 love one another earnestly from a pure heart.

1 Peter 1:22

  Beloved, let us love one another,

 for love is from God, 

and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:7

  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
 you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
 and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
 Psalm 23:5-6

 Make your face shine on your servant;  save me in your steadfast love!
Psalm 31:16

 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
Psalm 63:3

 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
Proverbs 10:12

  A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
 Proverbs 17:17

  Set me as a seal upon your heart,
 as a seal upon your arm,
 for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave.
 Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD.
 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.
 If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised.
Song of Solomon 8:6-7

 With all humility and gentleness,
 with patience,
 bearing with one another in love,
 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:2-3

  Complete my joy by being of the same mind,
 having the same love,
 being in full accord and of one mind.
Philippians 2:2

 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:18

  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48

  “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.  “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Matthew 6:24-25

   And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Mark 12:28-30

  Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”  Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him,  “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
 John 14:21-24

 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
 John 15:9-17

 

 

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-love-25-awesome-scripture-quotes/#ixzz3RvnAtL2v

Psalm 71:6 Praising Continually

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

From birth I have relied on you;
    you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
    I will ever praise you.

Psalm 71:6

Yesterday's reading is still on my mind. Isn't that the way of the Lord. His word gets planted and it begins sprouting forth. The writing was about birthdays. Both the joys of our youth and the discouragements of aging. 

"Birthdays remind me of God's faithfulness.

And they bring me closer to being in the presence of the

One who has been with me all these years!" 

Joe Stowell 

Our Daily Bread 

 Birthdays are so joyous. Blessings for others creates such an appreciation with in my heart. Knowing how blessed my life has been because our Lord has graced my life with so many men and women of faith. It is so natural for me to speak blessings for others. The difficulty comes with including myself in the same type of blessing. This reading is causing me to ponder. My birthday is an opportunity to be mindful of His faithfulness, His "being" with me all of these years. It puts a "spin" on why I should be celebrating my birthday. Why He created me. Why He loved me so much that He suffered, died, and rose again... 

How deep is my love for Him? At what level can I accept that His creation of me was carefully, tenderly, and completely of His joyful crafting. That His will was in the creation of a child that would bring Him joy, that one day there would be a calling in striving to do His will, and that through those moments... there would  be a "seeking" of Him in every moment of living. A creation of His own design!

Is that me Lord? Could I be so joyfully made, that you smile when you look upon me? Wow, that causes me to stop and praise Him. What would I be if I was without Him? May I always honor you my Lord, my Savior, my Shepherd, my Heart!

"Lord, remind me often that growing older means I am growing nearer to You!

Keep my heart filled with gratitude for Your many blessings,

and keep my mind fixed on the joy of Heaven."

Joe Stowell   

 

Psalm 63:8 My Soul Follows

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

My soul follows close behind You;

Your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:8

As with each and every day, today is a new day. This is the day that our Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Such a power-filled statement of faith. What a blessed reminder that we really can, for this moment, walk by faith. We can commit to His will for our journey with complete trust that He has us covered. Thoughts from His promises, once read and spoken, gives us the strength of endurance.

Although we are sinners, we choose to follow our Lord Jesus. We acknowledge with gratitude that it is through His Grace, Mercy, and Love we are consecrated unto Him and Him alone. Nothing ever seems to "look" the same. We can see His hand at work in our lives and the lives of others. We recognize His majesty in the detailed beauty of His creations. We are swept up into His joyous celebrations with praise, song, and laughter. We experience His gentleness in His unfailing corrections as He sees us through to completion. We know the truth of His peace that surpasses all understanding. And we can feel the Holy Spirit's comfort when we are overwhelmed and broken.

Yet, with each new day His word promises that "joy comes in the morning." When my eyes open, like a child, I greet the Holy Trinity with a joyful "Good Morning." My rest in Him, from the night before, brings renewal as I begin my day in praise. No matter how the day unfolds... in-spite of  the obstacles, the pain, the oppression, or the duties... I know my strength comes from our Lord.

Beneath His watchful eye

His saints securely dwell;

That hand which bears all nature up

Shall guard His children well.

Doddridge

(Our Daily Bread)

During this weeks devotions I contemplated the depth of Abba's extended hand unto me. Whether it is a moment of need, or a petition for others, or even those moments of fun... He is always extending His hand unto me. Waiting for me to invite Him into what I am experiencing. Have you ever considered how many moments of quiet, or during a gathering, or in some silly fun... you have forgotten to bring Him along? What about those silly moments when watching a child caught up in joy... or what about moments when you are playing on a beach? In the new testament (2 Timothy 4:7), Paul writes with assurance that he has fought the good fight and finished the race. What would Jesus be doing at the finish line? Take a moment this week to consider how we act when we watch the Olympics, those sport games, concerts, or watching a little one accomplishing something for the first time? I choose to believe that He is just as proud... excited... full of joy... and shouting us on...

He bids us undismay'd go on:

Onward then we gladly press...

Enjoy His abundant life...

Live it "well." 

John 3:16 God's Love... Our Faithfulness

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

For God so loved the world

that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him

should not perish but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

With God all things... that includes my thoughts... actions... and what I speak into being.  Wow, how do we make a change from what the world is always telling us (commercials-songs-books-tv-movies)? How to we silence the negative that we were taught?

In church I was pondering what His mercy, grace, and His Son means to me. Once dedicated to His will... once committed to His calling... once in love with Him... why is being caught in a negative mind set so easy? Then I saw this prayer...

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

Yes my Lord, here I am... help me to be yours!

Body of Christ, save me.

My Lord forgive me for I am sinner, forgive me for grieving you!

Blood of Christ, inebriate me.

I thirst for your forgiveness, your will in my life, your joy in my soul!

Water from the side of Christ, wash me.

Make me yours, so that I might bring a smile to Abba's face!

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

Let me walk out in remembrance of you, guide my steps my Lord!

           O good Jesus, hear me.

Holy Spirit let me not be a noisome sound unto my Lord!

Within your wounds hide me.

Shelter me from that which threatens and deceives me for I belong to you my Lord!

Separated from you let me never be.

I give you my life, do something good with it... for I praise you all of my days.

From the malignant enemy, defend me.

I trust in you, my Lord, you are diligent in your watch over me and mine.

At the hour of my death, call me.

Into your loving hands, I commend my mind, my heart, my spirit, and my soul!

And close to you bid me.

Now and forever!

That with your saints I may be praising you, for all eternity!

Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Here I am Lord... I am Yours!

Amen... Amen... Hallelujah!  

Anima Christi = Soul of Christ

The Anima Christi dates back to the 14th century and was popular enough that it turned up in prayer books way before St. Ignatius featured it in his classic work Spiritual Exercises in the 16th century.

Christ’s body is the bread of life essential for our Salvation, as He himself said in John’s Gospel (6:51-59).

The line about Christ’s blood, which we also receive in communion, brings to mind the account of the birth of the Church at Pentecost. Some people thought that Jesus’ disciples were “drunk on new wine” (Acts 2:13) as they proclaimed the wonderful works of God and were heard in languages other than their own. Yet the Spirit filling the disciples was Holy, not distilled!

The Anima Christi also reminds us of the moving Gospel account of our Lord’s Crucifixion in which “one of the soldiers with a spear opened His side, and immediately there came out blood and water” (John 19:34).

We who were immersed in the water of baptism when we came into the faith are now immersed here in the water from His Passion to cleanse us of our sins!

Meditating on Christ’s Passion itself can strengthen our spirits when we think of how much He endured for our sake. Remember, He is always there to help us cope when we unite our sufferings with His on the cross for the forgiveness of sins and for our salvation.
Thinking of our Lord’s wounds along these lines reminds us that “with his stripes we are healed,” as the prophet Isaiah put it (Is 53:5).

As the Anima Christi continues, we ask Christ to keep us close to him. Being “separated” from Him could cost us His love and our salvation, making our souls an inviting target for Satan. This flows right into the line about the “malignant enemy,” which brings to mind that verse in the Lord’s Prayer, “deliver us from evil,” where we ask God to keep us safe from the clutches of the Evil One!

Along this line, the reference to “the hour of my death” points out how important it is for us to persevere in prayer and good works in order to reach Heaven. Just as no one knows the day or the hour of Christ’s Second Coming, neither do we know our day or hour when we will pass away.

Will Jesus say to us at that point “Come, blessed of my Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you” (Matt 25:34) or, tragically, “I never knew you: depart from me” (Matt 7: 23)? The Anima Christi can help us stay focused on attaining Eternal Life in a world filled with not-so-divine distractions.

St. Paul has said of Heaven “Eye has not seen nor ear heard…what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2:9). Can you imagine anything sweeter than being in the company of our Lord and His saints “forever and ever”? May we all be in Heaven with Him to sing His praises for all Eternity!

Taken from the Our Catholic Prayers website on 1/25/2015           

John 10:10 Out of... and In To

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

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

 I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10 

God is good all of the time... Since Christmas I have had those blessed moments in which our Lord showers me with confirmations that He is diligent in His watch over me and mine. You know those moments, when everything seems like a burden. When there are so many needs for those you love and there doesn't seem to be the strength to endure. Those on your knees in prayer moments. Those hours of reminding yourself that you gave the burdens of your heart to Him who will see all things through to completion... and it will be Good!

Many of you know that I begin my day with the Word of God. Many of those mornings I listen to a daily broadcast from KCM. These moments are so filled with a gracious teaching, a gentleness that guides me as I walk out my day. Morning Bible time is one of the areas in my life where I can focus on God's will, my relationship with Him, and how to self-talk (protect) my mind, heart, and soul from the spiritual attacks of this world (a battle that can be ongoing and quite exhausting).

Over the past few weeks, God's hand has been at work (whether I saw it or not). Knowing that His perfect number is three, I was overjoyed at His messages in response to my cries:

1. My nightly devotional (God Calling) has provided strength and renewal with Isaiah 40:31, every evening for 14 days (not the usual format). With actions about reaching out with love, resting on Him, refusing to fear, God helps...fights...and wins, taking no thought for tomorrow, heed not what the world says, God cares and His plans will unfold... an overflow of perfected messages.
2. With my morning devotional (Abraham Lincoln's Daily Devotional) I was reminded that "He sweetens every humble groan, He recommends each broken prayer; Recline thy hope on Him alone, Whose power and love forbid despair." 
3. Finally, with my KCM bible study of John 10:10 I have been learning how to proclaim the phrase... "Out of__________ and In to _________." For it is written in John 10:10 that our Lord Jesus Christ is taking us: 

Out of lack and into abundance.

Out of sickness and into healing.

Out of fear and into the light.

Out of loneliness and into love.

Out of oppression and into His freedom.

Out of despair and into joy!

With all of us proclaiming His victory, His perfect Will, and His saving Grace... we are walking out His promises together!

Each word or thought of yours can be like a pearl that you drop into the secret place of another heart,

and in some hour of need, lo!

the recipient finds the treasure and realizes for the first time its value.

Gods Calling January 7