KAPUTT

 

It was 6 AM and the thermostat read 81°. Eeeek! The AC was kaputt!

I was staying with my 92-year-old dad, his wife, and a caretaker, and needless to say, we were all sweating. The AC crew kept coming back to fix it, but it just wasn’t happening. We would leave for a while, come back, and there it was again—HOT!

My dad became hyper-focused on the problem. Why wasn’t it getting fixed? The crew came back a fourth time after Dad had even left dinner early to meet them. By the end of the night, four men—including a plumber—were opening the ceiling in his beautiful closet to reach the unit. It was nearly 10 PM when they assured us they would not leave until it was fixed.

I finally went to bed at 11 PM with the room still at 81°, but hopeful they would keep their promise.

And through it all, I realized something: I wasn’t consumed by the frustration. I felt God’s peace. I wanted the AC fixed, of course, but I kept thinking, We just have to roll with this. One thing at a time. We have to wait.

I was also watching my dad.

He never lost his temper with anyone. He was persistent. He kept asking questions, observing, and doing what he could to get the problem resolved—but without harsh words or hurting anyone in the process.

Before I went to bed, I read James 1:2-4:

“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

When I woke up the next morning, the AC was working. The house was cold!

We were on the other side of the storm.

And suddenly, that Scripture felt very real. How do we consider something like that pure joy? Not because sweating in an 81° house is joyful! But because of what God can produce in us while we are going through it.

Then I read further in James 1:17:

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

And I began to think about the gifts—the good things—in the middle of the trial.

I thought about my dad. He came from a very difficult childhood and worked his way up the corporate ladder. He learned to get things done—to persevere, to solve problems, to keep going when things were hard.

That was still in him yesterday.

But what I noticed was how differently he used those gifts. He was persistent without being harsh. He was determined without being unkind. His caretakers have been teaching him to be more patient, kind, and considerate, and I saw those things showing up in him.

God was using what had been built into him for good.

And now there is peace here. A calmness. The storm has passed.

At breakfast, I shared all of this with Dad and his wife. We talked about how grateful we were to be on the other side—to have persevered, to have gotten through it, and to recognize that God had been present through all of it.

Only God can do that.

I love that I can boast and brag about You, God, and acknowledge that You are ever-present in our trouble.

Then I asked everyone, “What was the highlight of yesterday?”

We each came up with something.

And I thought, We have to learn to do this in the middle of the storms—not just after they pass.

It reminds me of a captain on a ship who suddenly encounters a storm. He has spent years being trained for that very moment. And when he reaches the other side, wouldn’t it be wonderful for him to recognize that his strength, his training, his ability to persevere—even his very life—were gifts from God?

God was there all along.

He is there in the storm, and He is there when the skies finally clear.

Heavenly Father, thank You for raining Your light down on us, even in difficult seasons. Help us to be hopeful and expectant in the middle of trials that are hard moment by moment. Help us to recognize the gifts You have given us and to look for the good, even when we are uncomfortable, frustrated, or uncertain.

And when we finally reach the other side, help us to stop and praise You—to recognize that we persevered, not because we did it all on our own, but because You were with us.

Thank You for showing me this. Thank You for being ever-present in our trouble.

I am so grateful for You.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

HIS WORDS NOT MINE

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her. Luke 1:45

My words...will come true at their proper time. Luke 1:20

Listen, see, pray and He will do it!

Dad: Hold out your hands and say 

HE WILL ACCOMPLISH IN THE PROPER TIME.

Thank you Lord for loving us so much that at the proper time it will come to pass.

Wait on the Lord!

What a loving God we serve.

Do you believe? Do you know this God love? It is so powerful.

Pray:

Lord I need an overflow of your living water which is the Spirit. Filling me up to such an overflow that I will extend grace and love like you. Amen In Jesus name. 

GETTING THROUGH TODAY

 

dad said 3/28

Trust in me moment by moment

Close my eyes and think of things to say

Read his verse in the Bible.

It’s his words saturate YOUR mind with the Bible. Jesus is with me. Today getting through today is a victory. Getting through today with Jesus. It’s Jesus speaking through me.

THE NEXT 24 HOURS

 

becoming a child of god. giving us a forgiveness. Believing. It sums up everything. I’m enjoying Jesus. It’s different than forcing and conjuring up. It’s beautiful. You gotta do things in the midst recognize God. You don’t have to do anything. Prayer is worship. IF it’s meant to be it is meant to be. How beautiful forgiveness is. The gifts of god being a child of God that’s inspiring. It’s the best. He’s the best gift giver. No one can top his gift. Its’s beautiful. Thank you for each day. That for the next 24 hours we will trust you with everything. Thank you for creating me and making me a child of God.

We talked about art and possibility of writing a children’s book and here we are talking about being a child of God at the same time. 

John 1:12 yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under Heaven that has been given to manking among by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

VALEDICTORIAN

 

 

My dad

“I’ll always be close to Jesus 24/7

We never die we go from here to heaven.”

Paul Turned his life around and that is

Remarkable unbelievable!

Paul’s closure from Ephesians is so touching. They call a closure valediction. So beautiful! Paul’s valediction here is different than his other letters, let’s look, I love he is a valedictorian , GRACE BE WITH YOU TO THOSE WHO have SINCERE, incorruptible, undying Iove to Jesus Christ! “Hey Siri what does incorruptible mean?” Her response not subject to death or decay everlasting

The true believers! That’s you and me! Us! He personally was a valedictorian to them.

Let us hold out our hands today and say

Grace is With Me !

Cheers!

Grace to us!

HOLY WORK

 

Devotion for the day!

 title:  Holy Work

 

 I’ve been thinking that I have been doing a lot of eye rolling, my tone and things that come out of my mouth have been frustrated and a lot of things I’m dealing with are injustice. Do you ever react that way in your own experiences? I’m convicted that I need to watch these reactions. I’m also convicted that I can’t do it on my own In the flesh. So I prayed this morning and on the U version app the devotion was, Do not be anxious for anything, but in prayer and petition and Thanksgiving present your request to God and the  peace the passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7.

So I asked the Lord to help me and I repented of my reactions.

In the devotion it reminded me that our work isn’t just work everything we do every day. It’s holy work in devotion to God. So today I hold out my hands and I say help me to do “Holy work” with you in Jesus. amen. Treat everything I do as holy.

Maybe some of you feel the same way I do and you wanna pray that along with me. Thanks for reading this. I hope it helps you today.

As my 91 year-old dad says pray it’s the only thing that works!

OBSERVE

After reading 1 Corinthians 1

My observation:

In all kinds of  distress, troubles

Through Christ our comfort overflows, it produces in me patient endurance. 

We share in this comfort in the same kind of sufferings. 

Being under great PRESSURE Paul and friends were delivered from that peril.

it says DELIVERED 3x! 

We know God is a deliverer. But he attributes the victory all to the Lord but mentions the prayers of the faithful. They prayed for Paul. He was delivered!

Paul writes that they helped in prayer. His best thank you to the people was giving them comfort with the comfort they received. Jesus!

He gave testimony!

Do you have daily, weekly stories that testify to Jesus unfailing promises?

I hope this message gets you pumped up to listen to a testimony or proclaim your own testimony.

Deliverance leads to a mass amount of deliverances.

This day what is your role?

Are you a comforter

testifier

prayer warrior

observer and then pass that observance on. 

In 1 Corinthians 1 where I stop at verse 11."Gracious favor granted us in answer to prayers of many."

Who are you praying for?

Lord let me be filled with the awesome ability to pray, tesitfy and comfort all in your names and power. Amen.

TO BE PICKLED OR NOT PICKLED, THAT IS THE CHOICE

PERSEVERE

PERSISTENCE

ONE BY ONE I WILL LEAD YOU

Each of the above phrases have occupied my mind at different times while playing pickleball. The phrase helped me to focus and play strong in pickleball but a message came through that pertained to real life circumtances. 

I am down 4-9 in a match and hear, "I can lead you take it one point at a time." I pictured the Israelites watching the red sea part and then they carefully the Israelites were led through to the other side.

My life and incidents seem hard and almost impossible. I hear this word on the court and take it home. It is a message for life, "I WILL LEAD YOU." When I focused just on those words and played I came back to win in the match. STAY FOCUSED ON HIS WORDS. Isn't that just like life?

When I kept doing that and lost but it was so close, it was not a defeat it was a growing and stretching point. NOTHING WAS LOST.

It was freedom!

I began saying to my partner another occasion, "Wow, you are being so persistent." It gave them courage and hope and we won. It was ENCOURAGING, a focus!

The same with perseverance. I would hear, "Persevere!" Any time I got focused on my opponents or even upset a line judgement call against me (that I thought was wrong) my focus would shift and I would begin to loose points. Saying, Persevere brought me to the win or a very close game. I either lost because I would let there actions take my eyes off the word or I would hear, it is producing!

Producing

Something is always in motion with God and it is producing and ultimately bringing glory to God. 

It is always about us! Me and God. God produces and it is a personal relationship to help me to lean on Him and not others for everyday living.

Life is not about what I will accomplish but what I will let Him work through me. Then there is true 

SATISFACTION

Accomplishing and being free in Christ is peace. TRUE PEACE! 

Deep down in our heart we can learn and know this with God. 

Everything is about Him.

Being reunited with Him is the hope. Everything else is false hope, a false notion that is where true happiness lies.

It does not lie in myself and what I do. It's what I grow with Him. Learning more about him. Knowing Him deeper, takes me away from expectations of others and a world view.

The deeper we know Him the more we can let Him work and not let the circumstances take over.

Prayer:

Lord thank you for helping lately with so much of your wisdom, strength and power. I truly see you helping me and guiding me that it brings me such inner joy. I worship you alone! Amen.

In case you don't know being pickled means you loose the game without get any points!

0-10 eeek!

MARY

 “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned toward him. John 20:16

Jesus knows everything! 

"Elaine!"

I read the above verse and then sensed Jesus calling me by name. I just know he is with me. He is caring for me. He is with me, in me.

Since I read this passage, Jesus has captivated my heart and mind. At moments when things are difficult I just reflect, be quiet and hear his gorgeous whisper.

"Elaine!"

Yes Jesus! 

Thank you Jesus!

I love that you watch over me!

Praying you hear it also!

I CUT THEM OFF

 I feel like I am falling apart!

Be real!

Have you allowed that thought in your mind and let it roll around?

I only have a moment to address this so here is what I did when I thought this.

I asked myself, "Where is this coming from?" Answer, my aches and pains. Where will you go with this thought? Keep rolling it around in your head? Will it last forever? How do I make it stop?

Prayer- Lord help me!

The Lords answer-I got a verse on my email.

"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Wisdom speaks

I go to Psalm 118 and read the whole thing. I love God's words! So much beauty. When the writings repeat words I get all excited. 

In this Psalm "In the name of the Lord", The Lord's right hand! You can look those up and see why it is repeated, but my fav today, "I cut them off!"

Repeated 2x in this Psalm it says they surrounded me! Well let's just see who can surround me and will the Lord allow that. NO Way! I cut them off!

With the mighty right hand in the name of the Lord, "I cut those thoughts off!" 

Let's do it today! What thoughts keep coming back to you? 

I pray with you now, 

In the name of Jesus and His right hand guiding, I cut those thoughts that are surrounding me off! In Jesus name!

I pray that you Rejoice and be glad in our SAvior today! Amen

WHEN THEN MENTALITY

 Bombarded with choices, decisions?...always!

Good, better, best does not always work to help figure things out.

As I read through Proverbs one this struck me to stop, look, listen, live!

The word WHEN repeats starting in verse 27-

calamity, disaster, distress, trouble overwhelms you!

Then:

 they will call, look for the Lord v. 28 

When we let things go on and on trying to FIX THINGS. I repeat fix things.  Our brain spiral with ideas of how to fix things. You feel exhausted and dead when circumstances just don't change or get better. You go at it again. I didn't try this or this. I'll do this and the result again is you feel dead and lonely inside!. Verse. 12 says, "The complacency of fools will destroy them." WE ARE CAUSING THIS FEELING OF BEING dead inside.

Do you know that feeling? 

It's a warning a sign where we must stop, look, listen, PRAY! Confess we are in control!

v. 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.

Let us pray today:

 WHEN...........(fill in the blank, name your calamity) let my  THEN be the story you write. No my way Lord but your way!  Lord help me to wait on you and listen so you can fix...............today.

In Jesus mighty name. Amen. 

We know the WHEN  will strike (don't hold your breath in fear waiting for it to creep up on you)

focus on the the THEN that Jesus wants to bring to situations. 

Play the song Trust and obey (I looked up the song and listened) how beautiful! 

Conclude:

v. 20- Wisdom calls, raises her voice, cries out, she makes her speech. 22. How long will you simple ones lover your simple ways?

God-If you listen I will "Pour out my heart to you and make my thoughts known to you!"

B.I.B.L.E. PEACE OF MIND

 I have a doctor that every time we get together, of course he asks , "What's going on, why are you here?" This day it was my knee, this is what it feels like and he'll start to explain all the scientific reasons of what the knee does and what is going on with my knee. He will tell about the ligaments in the way it is designed and all the while I am thinking, that is all great but I'll tell you I can't walk out of there repeating word for word what he even said. The things that I can walk out of there with is, "You're going to be okay, I give you this treatment and just do this and this." I always have been a person to get to the point. So, as I write this I am not going to go through all the scientific functioning of the brain, how it has a fight or flight response. How you can become addicted to reacting to circumstances because your hormones are firing cortisol and now your training your brain to basically want and need those emotions.

 The reason why I do that is because Jesus explained simply in 1 Corinthians 10:5, in obedience to Him we are to captivate our thoughts, imagination thinking, impulsive thinking and into a life shaped by Christ and I say because this is simple, I mean even in Romans 12:1 and 2 we are called to renew our mind and not be conformed to the world. We gotta think about what is conforming me to the world and what does Jesus mean by renewing our mind with Him? My simple practices are all based on meditating on the words of God day and night, which He tells us to do. Meditate on the word, day and night. His word emphasizes that, He who began a work in me will carry it on to completion, Philippians 1:6. He constantly since the day we were born, has been drawing us near to His heart, Lean on Him for His understanding and not on our own, Proverbs 3:5-6 and He will make our path straight. It is all about seeking and loving Him with your whole body, mind and spirit. He keeps saying if you focus on me, I'll do the rest. So, the question to ask, "Do we believe, have we committed our lives to Him? Do we really truly love Him and if I am not really truly living Him, How do I fall in love with God?" 

I lay in bed my mind goes to a situation where a friend's husband did not come home on time and continually did that. I think maybe he is not devoted. What can I tell her to do or not do? How can this be fixed? blah, blah, blah...We cannot fix it. Only God can. The best advice, "Go to the throne before the phone." Paul said, "Pray without ceasing!" My advice is Paul's advice a little jazzed up with a rhyme. Go to the throne before the phone! I like when I tell people that they say I will remember that saying and it sticks with me. I think that is is wonderful because it is a priority a number one priority. 

To help with stinking thinking especially when I am trying to sleep, I start naming the nine fruits of the Spirit, Galatian 5:22. I start saying what we will be doing in heaven, worshipping, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!, Revelation 4:8 Holy, Holy, Holy, God of power and might. I recite the eight thoughts Philippians 4:8, "true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, trustworthy, praiseworthy think on such things." I force my mind to do what He told us to do. In Colossians 3:1, "Set your hearts on things above." I know that is the right thing to do. Then I start saying, "God I am really struggling with this one. It is racing through my thoughts. Looping! What do I do? You have gotta help me! Philippians 4:6-7 says, you guard will guard my heart and mind. It is a promise. Why isn't it guarding, (got to keep reciting) Isaiah 26:3, he whose mind is fixed on the Lord will be in perfect peace. I know all of these promises, why aren't they operating? I think I begin to evaluate what I have done for day. A check list if you will. Did I turn off the TV program that could fill my mind? Did I scroll too much news on my phone. I repent. This is the Holy Spirit at work. You cannot conjure this stuff up and make it happen. The world says mind over matter. But God really is the helper. If you think you can will it away, I remind myself with him everything is possible, without Him everything is impossible. He knows my thoughts and when filled with truth of what God said to us. Does that mean I will be perfect? No! That is why Paul wrote Romans 7, I know what I need to do and I can't do it!" That reminds me in Hebrews 11:39-40, It says, that even the Hall of Famer's did not reach perfection until they got to their heavenly home with Jesus!" 

I do not let that depress me, "I'm not going to be perfect!" I just thank God that He loves me and He covers my multitude of sins. That is where I go from there. Not depression. I can not do this. I'll never be holy like James says be holy as He is holy. I ask the Holy Spirit and I always think God is saying, "Thank you, I know you are doing the best you can. I am still here, I am still helping you. I forgive you."

 Each day has enough worries of itself the bible says, we have to stay fixed on today, Matthew 6:34. These are the things we begin to gather like a checklist that we begin to combat thoughts. I am not thinking about this checklist all the time, I just have been equipped myself with these promises in these truths of how to live every day life. I have been doing it so many years sometimes I stop and think of the scripture that is operating and sometimes I am auto-pilot. It's my default. 

When I talk to my 92 year old dad we talk about worrisome thoughts that he is struggling with, he says, "I need to switch my default, my faulty thinking. I would say, "Well the only ways I know to do that is to renew my mind like Jesus says to. Let's go!" Next, we would start out reading a passage which states God's promises and then we would say, "we can live" repeat the verse in such a case it maybe, "We can live in perfect peace Isaiah 26:3 if our mind is fixed on Him." We would hold out our hands, as open to God, and say, "Help me be obedient with my mind Holy Spirit. Come help me think the thoughts that are beneficial for today. These became the daily things we would exercise so that we would live a simple God honoring life. Hold out your hands to God, "We can live in perfect peace!"

But again I want to reiterate, I am not perfect sometimes those thoughts come in so fast and I react to them. It is unbelievable how that happens! You know what I am talking about? I'll like thinking, my house is a disaster. I have to call for a maid, I have to get it cleaner. I want to have people over. My house is not clean enough. It is too cluttered! I go straight from those thoughts to my husband and I say, "We have to do this and that to the house. He does not even know all that I have been thinking or talking about. I sprung it on him and I make it urgent. His plate is full with His own thoughts and things. He says, "I have to do what and why? Because you want to have someone over?" The conflict begins. 

Am I listening to God? He has always taught me to slow down, sit down, quiet down. Make it a priority to bring peace into the home not disorder. He appeared to the apostles after coming back from the cross and said. "Peace be with you". Here I am trying to disturb the home, our precious home, our sanctuary-sacred place. Who was I doing this for? ME! Selfish! My perfectionism sets in. "We should have it pretty, much like a museum, everything in its place. I compare. I have been in so and so house and it is perfect. I have OCD, obsessive comparison disorder! A new disorder friends! Holy Spirit help! He will never leave you or forsake you, The question is, "Will you listen to the counseling?" He may have rebutted in your head, "Why are you doing this, thinking this. Slow down! Is this the right time to say this to your husband? He is trying to help. Are we listening?"

If we listen and quiet down like I thankfully have done in the past, I hear, a song, a verse and I did not dismiss it! I focused on it! He is doing what He said He would do, HELP! Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is in your MIDST, A MIGHTY ONE WHO WILL SAVE; HE WILL rejoice over you gladness; HE WILL QUIET you by His love; HE WILL exult over you with loud singing."

Friends I don't have to write a 268 page book of self-help. I just need to write a small book filled with the word to remind you to read His word. Some of you have said, "I can not memorize or remember scripture!" I say when you are weak He will show Himself strong for you! The word NEVER goes out void. When I read the word it comes back into my mind in the right moments. Trust Him! 

Seek the Lord with your whole heart, love Him with your body, mind, soul. He who began a work in you will complete it! Don't give up! Don't think for a moment He has abandoned you! No your will but His! 

As I dictate this writing to my notebook on my phone and yet I have rough days. If I have to be honest, I create my own problems (with help from the enemy I am sure). "I give up, I wanna give up, I think!" Why do you want to give up I finally asked myself? Why do you want to give up, you do not feel good, ok. But what if the answers are like well because they do not like me, the relationship is strained and I am tired of it, my child is not doing the things they should be doing! These are all selfish, ambitious answers that I want, I want, I want and If I do not get then I am going to give up! Whoa! If I am honest, I confess that truth to God, "I am want things to be perfect and then I won't want to give up!" Confession, thankfulness, being grateful, stop complaining! When I stop tell God honestly then strength and power from God is infused into me. He will guard our hearts and minds it says in Philippians 4:7 but in 6 it says present your requests and be THANKFUL AND then He guards our hearts and minds. 

"Seek first the kingdom of heaven and ALL OF ITS RIGHTEOUSNESS and then all shall be added, Matthew 6:33!" Two actions seek, be fully committed and things will be added. What is added? Not cars, redecorating projects, money, houses! 

Let me end with this...

WHAT IS THE MOST VALUABLE THING IN OUR LIFE, WHAT WE WANT WHEN WE PUT OUR HEAD ON OUR PILLOW AT NIGHT? 

PEACE OF MIND!

Paul's certainty protected his sanity! Certainty=every word out of the mouth of GOD 

B.I.B.L.E.

basic instruction before leaving earth

I WANT IT NOW!

 Have you ever come home from vacation and felt overwhelmed? You walk around the house and see everything wrong that you want changed, the house seems disheveled and dirty. Your thoughts begin to this...I can't keep up, I won't be able to do this much longer, how will things get back to normal, why can't things around here be better. You feel like giving up. Like you don't matter. Like what does it matter if I go on?

You try fighting the thoughts but they just feel so strong. Getting out of bed seems impossible.

You know Jesus is there. You know the Holy Spirit is active, yet it isn't getting better as 24 hours pass.

Please just pray, "Help". The help begins to present itself. You think a verse or force your attention to a devotion. A verse begins to stick. This is real time for me. I turned on the Christian radio and the topic matches your thoughts. The host is teaching on overcoming thoughts, and the verse arises, "Ask anything in my name and I will do it." Your faith begins to rise within. I text a special circle of friends, "Please pray for me my thoughts are not centered and I need to have the power to fight them and I know only  God can do that. I'm going to the throne and asking for help like scripture says that I have the power, love and sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7"

One responded, "Lord Jesus, I claim your word in 2 Tim. 1:7 right now. Fill her with your confidence and peace. Remind her of your promise in Matthew 21:22, to pray believing, and she will receive."

I was asking God the same thing pray and receive. It began to believe to be revealed how focused I am on myself, my house, meaningless stuff. I saw I need to have things in place and then I will be in peace and thriving. My perspective was all off! I need the better things in my house and it to be a certain order than I can think straight. That is perfectionism! A liar is lying to me! Perspective from God's word begins to block the lies that flood my mind. I respent, "God I am sorry for believing I need to get my house in order and then I will thrive and life within me." Wanting things in order is not wrong, thinking that I could get back into my routines in my own strength is wrong. I was relying on myself and was thinking I can't do it therefore "I give up all right to existing". Is this crazy! Yes, it is!

Truth takes back over my mind. The word says, "He will guard my mind and heart." This was happening in real time. My wanting things perfect in order to exist is ridiculous and why does that really matter to me? I begin to remember that God will give me things in the time when really needed and it doesn't have to be all at once. NOW! Now screamed and because of prayer it was now being silenced/blocked!

I am laughing now because what comes to mind is the Willy Wonka character Veruca Salt demands, "I want it now!" Remember her bratty attitude.

Contentment, peace only come in the name of Jesus, everything else is made up imagination. You think you need all the strength now and then you will run through the house and get it all done and then you can be content and have meaning for life and purpose....blah, blah, blah!

I pray you let God into every moment so the Holy Spirit can bring clarity, perspective and peace of mind. Thinking you have to do it all NOW is distorted thinking! 

That familiar old spirit of PERFECTIONISM creeps up and deceives me!

I prayed, repented and received the truth and things were definitely better. Strength from the Lord covered me and blocked all giving up thoughts.

I pray you understand and feel helped.

PROMISES

 When we see God work, it fills our heart and helps us carry on.

Starting the day with "The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. Jer. 33:14

God wants us to look upward, where does our help come from, it comes from Him.

After reading this I had a time with Dad. We held out our hands and declared together your promises are here (hope, love, forgiveness), we trust you today Lord.

PRAYING MANTIS

 Dear Friend:

Pray what to do today.

I meet with a dear friend. It is a beautiful, sunny warm day and the trees are a full peak for changing color so the walk is so inviting soul filled. I mean out of no where a praying mantis appears on the sidewalk and we pause and fascinate over seeing it. You know I can not even think of the last time I saw a praying mantis. They have that prayer-like stance. Within in us both praying people we sense God calling us to pray. Pray for the things we talk about.

What now presents itself to be a Holy Spirit adventure we continue to watch, see and admire creation.

We approach a Bald Cypress tree and from afar in the fall it has such a gold brown fall color scheme that just is amazing! We discovered when you get so close to the tree it looses all of that amazing color that you see from a distance. It really is one of my favorite fall must sees, but now I discover best viewed from a distance. What does that mean? Isn't it just like life, close up you view all the flaws and the muddled chaos? Then you back up and gain perspective and you can see the beauty. 

Sometimes we need to back up and take a look and breath let God work on the close up. He wants the honest real close up point of view. Don't worry he's got this! He promises. Do you trust Him.

I love how our souls are awakened to receive the messages of the Lord. He is alive and real, don't doubt it.

Sometimes we can't see it because we are at the close point and we don't back up and take a look.

I'm an artist and this also works with art. When you are on top of the drawing and don't take the time to back up and breath, check it out. On top you are discouraged back up, pray, breath.

We agreed, God was good to show us these things. It was a blessed walk.

Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this. 

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.

YOU NEVER KNOW

Racing to the computer with excitement to tell the God story of the recent!

Let me explain:

My son had a big home improvement going on and he had concern of the finances for it. He had the money but would be draining his bank. Anxiously he kept saying, I don't know what to do, we have to finish this project. How will we replace the money? His wife and I kept saying, "You have to have faith, where is your faith?" We have a dog name Faith, we are not talking about the dog! lol!

We prayed! The very next day, I kid you not, I was sitting in Costco and a elderly lady was being chatty and she says, I grew my family in Osh Kosh, WI, You know the big air show that goes on in July, she explains that it is a long standing tradition over 35+ years. She would take her family and vacate the house for the week so the pilots could stay at her house. She continues, "At the end of the week there on the kitchen table would be a $6000.00 check! You know what it would pay for? My taxes! Can you believe?" Believe!? I asked her if she was a Christian, to which she answered, "Yes!" God provides!

Where does finances come from? The Lord provides! You never know! I could not wait to get out of there to call my son. When he calls me finally back a day later I am in a Uber and I tell him this is a faith story for him. I encourage him to remember "You never know, where the money will come from but we need to just remain FAITH FILLED!" I got off the phone and the Uber driver heard the whole story and commented with FAITH, "Yes God provides!" He too is a believer! He drives me to my destination the whole way we are talking about the faithfulness of God. 

God truly does work in mysterious ways! I can't wait the write a story of how he will help my son!

For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. Galatians 5;5

It is with all nine fruits of the Spirit we can "wait", love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, self-control. Galatians 5:22.

Let us pray:

Lord I hear you sing, wait upon me. I will wait upon you Lord for each moment that I am awake. Amen.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

 I woke up thinking of the past days that were filled with focus and confidence, but today is a different story there is nothing on my schedule. 

Do you have trouble deciding what to do? 

So many choices rolling around my head, closet cleaning, housework, visits with friends who I keep saying, "Let's get together!", join another exercise class, play pickleball...decisions, decisions.

Ever have days like that?

Let me tell you what I said to myself, "Sit down, visit with Jesus." 

BUT MY BRAIN WAS SAYING-

You have to keep busy, keep going, you'll be old one day and not be able to do what you can do now-so let's go!, don't stop or you will drop! (Where is that chatter coming from?)

If I am going to go somewhere I have got to get dressed and get going!

Stop! Put down the phone! Get off social media! (The instagram influencers, tik tok influencers, news media, the pop up infomercials are becoming more of my forward thinking than what Jesus has to say. Do you get what I am saying? Please say yes and validate me! I know some of you are struggling and these things are invading the most important space in our brain, JESUS words!)

Today I choose Jesus and of course (hit my head with the heal of my hand) it was worth it! 

Let me explain:

I am always talking to Jesus and  even greet Him when my eyes open. I do a 5 minute devo in bed.

My brain needs more of HIM! I recommend, find a devo or recent reading that peaks your curiosity. For me it poses questions. The verses that did this for me TODAY,

 "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? ”He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-4" Change and come! What does a lowly position look like and how would one act?

Humility is the word that comes from this verse. How do I live with humility each day?

Biblical definition:  Acknowledging our need for God and submitting to His will. It involves trusting in His sovereignty and walking in obedience to His commands.

Think of examples. When I think of David I always think of humility. I always caution the worlds definition of a word verses the bibles definition. When I hear things like it's the opposite of someone who is arrogant, I agree. But it borders on the worlds definition of arrogance and confidence. In Jesus book David did not put confidence with arrogance. I am saying this because upon looking up the word humility I found a article of someone combining the words confidence and arrogance and it almost seemed as if ones humbleness is a weak person, vulnerable, like a child. A child's need for a parent doesn't make them weak but is a pathway to strength, as it allows one to rely on God's guidance and grace. When we are humble we can be gentle enough to embrace God's strength and go to HIM.

Parents raise children to grow in grace, guidance, strength, and wisdom. A sign of good mental health is ones honesty of their ability. Many people have told my grandson he should be a engineer. Since he was 2 years old we have seen his ways and thoughts wired to maybe an engineer. We are not teaching Him to be arrogant in HIs abilities but confident.

I like David's writing, THE SONG OF DAVID in 2 Samuel 2:22, his honesty praising God and declaring the abilities God gave him and the great list of accomplishments is astounding. Just go through this Song. David, he wrote: 

HE (God)...PARTED, MOUNTED, SOARED, MADE DARKNESS His canopy, SHOT, REACHED, DREW, RESCUED, BROUGHT RESCUED, DELIGHTED. 11 things starting with HE. After each of the above words David explains God's power.

The Lord thundered from heaven, the voice of the Lord resounded.

David: The Lord has rewarded me.

David's accomplishments list, I have:

I have kept the ways of the Lord

I have not turned away from your decrees.

I have not done evil by turning away from His decrees.

I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. 

4 things of I have! The world may call this boasting about himself, but it is humble because David gives full credit to the Lord. 

The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in His sight.  He says, "You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.

David continues.

He (God) is a shield. He describes God as a rock, arms us with strength and makes David's way perfect. He makes my feet like deer, He trains my hands for battle.

You (God) give victory, you broaden the path beneath me. 

David tells of His strength given by God.

I pursued

I did not turn back

I crushed

David goes back to God

You armed me

you made my adversaries bow

you made my enemies turn

David's bold statements:

I destroyed my foes.

I beat them as fine as the dust

I pounded and trampled

Back to God:

you have delivered

you have preserved as head of the nations - People I did not know are subject to me, and foreigners come cringing to me; as soon as thy hear me, they obey. 

He exalts God:

The Lord lives! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!

He is the God who avenges me, puts nations under me, 

who sets me free from enemies.

You exalted me

You rescued me

I will praise you

I will sing praises to your name. 

BACK TO the beginning 

He gives his king great victories.

He shows unfailing kindness to His anointed, to David and His descendants forever.

Go back and read this SONG OF DAVID. 

I emphasized the ebb and flow of David and it all shows 

HUMILITY, HUMBLENESS like a child. 

I have heard kids say things they have accomplished, simply but true!

Let us pray:

Thank you for today.

I praise your name and exalt you for slowing me down and seeing things your way God.

You move us around, you keep us in place, you quiet us all for the purpose of growth and a pathway to heaven. We can't earn heaven by being good, we must depend on God's love shown by Jesus, death, resurrection and life. In Jesus mighty name. Amen!

Hours have past putting this article together and I still am not dressed for the day, but that is okay because this is exactly what I am suppose to have done today. God gave me the words and observation, it excited me to revisit THE SONG OF DAVID and remember:

Jesus' beloved children, choosing Jesus leads to making decisions! Humility comes from spending time with Jesus.

EXPECTANTLY

 "In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;

    in the morning I lay my requests before you

    and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3"

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;

    let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
    you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Psalm 5:11-12"

Hold out your hands and just pray this for yourself today. Amen.

NOW LISTEN

 "Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 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.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. James 4:13-17"

Stop! Think of your life as a mist. Do you get that?

Hold out your hands and say, "If it's your will...!"

Dear Lord:

If it is your will Lord, direct the things I have for today. Amen.

UNSEEN

 



““Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.” Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.”

John 4:50-53 NIV

Hold out your hands and say, "Go has perfect timing!"

 

Good day!

How many times do we ask, when God when?

Hold out your hands and say “God has perfect timing!”

 

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV

Make a list of the unseen. Now make a list of what you see. Does it match up with unseen?

I think of the unseen as His mercy, grace, divine appointments, forgiveness, I see my tiredness, bills to pay, decisions to make.

Perspective.

 

We ask the Lord. 

Help me to achieve what is for today. Only in your strength and power. Help me to see the unseen. May it all be for your glory. 

The unseen is all about you Jesus. Amen. 

Let it be!

Hold out your hands and ask, "Help me see the unseen."