We have suffered terror and pitfalls,
ruin and destruction. ”
(Lamentations 3:47)

Throughout the destruction is the hope of restoration.

Open our eyes, dear Lord,
That we may see
The far vast reaches of eternity.
Help us to look beyond life's little cares
So prone to fret us
And the grief that wears
Our courage thin.

Corrie ten boom, Each New Day

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
(Matthew 5:16)

Of course it's wonderful to do good works.  We should all be giving and sharing as much as possible.  Still....it isn't enough in God's eyes to limit ourselves to good deeds without the commitment of proclaiming Jesus as our Savior. The combination of the two....good works with Jesus by our side..... is glorifying God with trumpets blazing!

Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. 
(Psalm 62:2)


God wanted me to have this scripture today.  I was working on a Bible study this morning and it referenced this scripture.  To read the scripture, I opened my Bible and found myself on the exact page containing this scripture.  No page turning.....there it was.

Now to try and apply it........

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
(Psalm 139:14)

Am I the only one that cannot look at myself and believe that I am "wonderfully made?"  It says so...... right here...... in my Bible, the Word of God.  I see so many flaws in myself, both physically and spiritually, and can only see myself as barely "OK" at best, certainly far from wonderful.  My attitude is insulting to God and I apologize to Him constantly while continuing to see myself as a failure in most aspects of my life.  I know that God loves me and that should be enough for me to love myself.  Sadly, it isn't, but I'm working on it.........

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God. 
(Psalm 42:11)

Long week.......... I often get upset with myself and the way I react to circumstances.  I continue to worry about things and get discouraged when things do not get better.  Obviously, I don't trust in God and His plan for me or I would relax and accept things that come my way more graciously. 

I'll just continue to work on my shortcomings.  The good thing  is that God knows everything in my life and He also knows what I'm thinking.  I don't even have to explain myself to Him.....He already knows and understands.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
(James 5:16)

It's very comforting to have friends that you can turn to in times of need and know that not only will they not pass judgment on you, they will offer prayer to help strengthen you.  You immediately feel their support and it gives you a second wind to attack the problem.  Prayer is indeed powerful!

As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

(Psalm 103:13-14)


My earthly father is long gone but my Heavenly Father remains near. 

You will certainly carry out God's purpose, however you act, but it makes a difference to you whether you serve like Judas or John.

C. S. Lewis

WOW....this came in a daily devotion this morning and I said out loud as I read it ...... "Oh wow!"  I hope these words give you food for thought, as well.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
(Ephesians 6:16)

Pretty good visual, isn't it?!  None of us are exempt from the devil and his temptations, but we do have more power within us than the devil can gather with all of his fallen angels put together.  We have the Holy Spirit and the power to resist anything the devil puts in front of us.  Next time you are tempted.....visualize your own shield and see yourself reflecting every temptation that the devil throws across your path.  You will win each and every battle!

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(Mark 10:45)

We are all expected to serve..... no exceptions.  Even when we feel limited in one way or another, the Lord will enable us to serve in whatever capacity He sees fit.  No, we are not all going to save the world.... but we can make a difference and those small acts of service will multiply beyond our own capabilities.

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
(James 4:14-15)

One day when we look back, our lives will have passed in a flash.  Things that worry us today will be a dim memory.  I like thinking of my troubles (and my life, in general) as being as temporary as a wispy mist to be blown away in the first breeze.  Our problems will truly be gone some day, replaced by a sense of peace that is beyond my comprehension. 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
(Matthew 6:33-34)

I've used this scripture before.  It's one that I know is true, yet I can't seem to let go of worry.  Just like it says, life is rough enough without adding worry to the mix.  Worry is a worthless waste of energy and actually damaging to my peace of mind as well as my relationship with God.  If I am granted a tomorrow, God will walk with me and guide me through anything that comes my way, good or bad.  So....worry not!

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,  because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
(James 1:19-20)

My anger sometimes has a life of it's own and is terribly difficult for me to control without God's help and guidance.  I'm not one to fly off the handle without being provoked, but I am one to stand up and fight back when I feel that I'm being wronged.  I have mellowed as I've aged, but I still have trouble keeping my anger under wraps.  God does not approve of my anger and I continue to try and tame it and the hold it has over me.  As usual, the Holy Spirit is my hidden weapon and I need to tap into this amazing resource.

You are my hiding place; 
You will protect me from trouble 
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
(Psalm 32:7)

Do you hear the songs?  We often get lost in our own songs of despair and don't hear the hope that is offered to us when we are lost and discouraged.  I continue to return to the hymns of my youth and recite the words that inspired me then and continue inspire me today.

 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:14)

I just finished a book called The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn.  The scripture above is pretty much the crux of the book, but getting to this point is quite an adventure.  Although The Harbinger is fiction, it is based on Biblical prophecy and the book references scripture and actual events as Cahn tells the story.

I'm not one to recommend a book very often, but I would step out on a limb for this one.  Whether you are a devout Christian, an "on-the-fence Christian," or not a Christian at all, I believe this book will give you food for thought.
(Thanks, Kathy, for the recommendation!)