Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!
(Psalm 66:20)

I'm always amazed that God loves each and every one of us, warts, sins, and all.  His capacity for loving the unlovable is far beyond my comprehension, yet I know it's true.  And He hears each and every prayer.  He may not answer it on my terms or in my time frame, but He does hear and He does answer.  I'm grateful that I'm not rejected by the Holiest of all, my heavenly Father!

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.
(2 Samuel 22:33)

I am nothing without the power of the Lord. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
(Philippians 4:6)

I'm anxious today.  I have no reason to be anxious because God has it all under control.  This is one of my favorite scriptures because it is very basic and to the point, yet so full of comfort and promises, as well.  It also brings out my failure to trust God because I am feeling worried in the first place.  Prayer and petition.....God does hear me and He does care. 

; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
(Romans 14:23b)

This scripture came from a devotional this morning.  The words were bold and almost shocking to me.  Brutally truthful!

And may your hearts be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”
(1 Kings 8:61)

I'm wrestling with some commitments right now and have been praying for resolution.  I think I have finally made my decision and I think I will have God's blessing.  I don't ever want my commitment to God to be anything but number one on my list and I pray that the Holy Spirit will keep me on track in honoring that priority.

Act according to whatever they teach you and the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right or to the left.
(Deuteronomy 17:11)

Decisions......I'm taking this scripture out of context, but the bottom line is that our decisions should be based on the Lord's directions, not our own will.  Our focus should be on the Lord's path, and none other.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
(1 John 4:7)

My friends are special gifts from God.  True friends love you when you aren't very lovable.  For this, I'm very humbled and grateful.

We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
(Psalm 33:20)

Hope keeps us going....hope gives us a reason to live.....hope gets it's foundation from the Lord, therefore,  hope is something I can count on through thick and thin.  Hope is hopeful!  ;)

The human spirit can endure in sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?
(Proverbs 18:14)

It's difficult to be sick.  None of us like to be sick, but it's pretty inevitable that we will all be sick at one point or another.  When we do face illness, if we turn to God for support, hope, and strength, it eases our suffering, whether it takes away the illness or not.  On the other hand, if our spirit is ill, what hope do we have?

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
(Deuteronomy 31:6)

I've quoted this scripture before, but it's one that I return to often.  Today is just one of those days.......

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.
(2 John 1:3)

How beautiful is this!?  Nothing could be more true, more pure, more comforting. 

"The school of life offers some difficult courses, but it is in the difficult class that one learns the most."
~ Corrie ten Boom

God never promised an easy life.  I haven't had an easy life, although I hesitate to complain too much, as I certainly know people that have had more trials in their lives than I've had in mine.  If I hadn't had trials placed before me, I would never have had the appreciation for smoother days.  I would have missed the joy of a resolved trial.  I wouldn't have learned squat if life had been presented to me on a silver platter.  Would I like life to be easier? ......you bet..... but truly, my life is richer because of the hardships.  I'm a stronger and more compassionate person because of the trials, troubles, and hardships and I thank God for every day that He gives me.....good and bad.

From my Pastor's sermon this morning;

"What I don't fully understand, I will fully accept."  From this statement, he went on to read from Proverbs 3:6.... Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding:

It was a convicting sermon for me, as I often rely on my own judgement when I'm having trouble figuring out the way that God would have me choose.  I just need to trust and accept that it's OK to not understand, but it isn't OK for me to charge off in my own direction.  Slow down....wait....listen.....trust....then obey.

But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign.
(1 Chronicles 22:9)

Peace and quiet.....rest on every side......this would be perfect!

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
(Exodus 20:16)

My newest neighbors are moving in as I write this....my fifth set of neighbors in less than one year.  It's wears me down and I try to keep "love thy neighbor" in my heart in the midst of chaos.  Please God, give me patience and wisdom!

The LORD reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.
(Psalm 9:7)

God judges me everyday, not just at my life's end.  That's a little sobering, but it gives me accountability in everything that I think, do, or say. 

I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.
(Proverbs 4:2)

God has given us His incredible Word to help us live our lives.  I started my 8th year of BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) today, still trying to learn God's word, and more importantly, apply it to my life.  BSF is in most states and many countries, so check it out and see if there is a class near you.  You will abundantly blessed!

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
(Matthew 9:36)

I have a shepherd.......if I would only follow and believe, I wouldn't be harassed and helpless.  

He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’
(Matthew 20:4)

Pay your workers a fair wage.  Their help should be valued and respected.

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
that can succeed against the LORD.
The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the LORD.
(Proverbs 21:30-31)

On this 10th anniversary of 9/11, I find comfort in this scripture.  Nothing and no one can succeed against the Lord!

As for God, his way is perfect:
The LORD’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
(2 Samuel 22:31)

Tomorrow and Wednesday, I start two new Bible studies.  One at church, one at BSF.  I'm hoping that I will be able to keep up with both studies, giving them the time and energy that they deserve.  The rewards of Bible study are priceless to me and well worth the effort.  It's the very least that I can do for a God that gives me EVERYTHING!

God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.

C. S. Lewis

(From Today's Turning Point)

 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
(Genesis 1:1)

Once in awhile,  I need to take myself back to those first words in the Bible.  There is nothing without God.  I'm nothing without God.  

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures through all generations.
The LORD is trustworthy in all He promises
and faithful in all He does.
(Psalm 145:13)

He IS faithful.....He IS trustworthy.....He KEEPS His promises!  Sometimes I let what is going on around me discourage me and push me off of the path of righteousness.  Thankfully, the Lord and those He puts on that path with me, set me straight and get me moving back in the right direction.  Life is rough, life isn't fair, but WITH God and His loving support, I can conquer anything.

If a fire breaks out and spreads into thorn bushes so that it burns shocks of grain or standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution.
(Exodus 22:6)

"Fire" is used hundreds of times in the Bible.  It has many meanings and uses, some good, some bad.  Today, I'm reminded of the fires that are destroying homes, land, animals, and even people in Texas.  The fires that have been started by natural causes are one thing, but a fire caused by a dropped cigarette or misuse of fire is inexcusable.  Please use the common sense that God gave you!

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
(James 1:6)

Doubts just make us vulnerable to outside influences, good and bad.  Doubt your doubts and you'll be OK.

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?
(Matthew 14:31)

The last 24 hours have not been the best for me and left me having moments of doubt.  Major doubts....the heavy stuff...why me.....why other people.....why bother.....etc.  I won't go into details, but I wasn't proud of myself for feeling this way.  Thankfully, due to the support of some wonderful friends, some topical Bible study, and a great day at church, my doubts have subsided greatly and I feel recharged.  Thank you to those who helped ease my fears and doubts!

As we encounter the inhumanity, suffering, and sin that wreak havoc in our world, how do we respond? If the heart of Christ breaks over the broken condition of our world, shouldn’t ours? And shouldn’t we then do everything we can to make a difference for those in need, both spiritually and physically? —Bill Crowder

Lord, when I learn that someone is hurting,
Help me know what to do and to say;
Speak to my heart and give me compassion,
Let Your great love flow through me today. —K. De Haan

(From today's Daily Bread)

The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
(Psalm 103:19)

This scripture arrived in the mail yesterday on one side of a bookmark.  (From In Touch Ministries)  On the other side of the bookmark were these words;

"as children of a sovereign God, we are never victims of our circumstances"

I've talked about it many times....being a Christian does not come with a guarantee for smooth sailing but it does come with the support of a loving God.  Priceless.....

But may the righteous be glad
and rejoice before God;
may they be happy and joyful.
(Psalm 68:3)

Generally an optimistic person, I do find that I have days where joy seems to escape me.  When I'm feeling this way, I have to remember that the Lord is watching over me and is overflowing with joy that He wants to share with me.