Singing in the rain: How Beautiful is His Word

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.~Isaiah 55:10-11

How beautiful is this word.  Rain and snow coming down from heaven.  Being a southern girl, snow is a rarity for my region.  Snow shut down schools and is often welcomed by both student and teacher alike.  Rain on the other hand is not always as welcomed because it creates bad hair days and limited choices in clothing.  Rain often beckons me to stay in bed, but necessity makes me have to crawl out and go to work.  I know this might all seem a little off topic and strange, but just thinking about this verse makes me think of perspective.  For example, someone experience a drought might welcome the rain and if you live in mountainous regions snow might be seen as a nuisance.  Yet, regardless of where we are God is still in a positive above.  A position to see the beauty of what He is providing.  The position to see above, below, past, present and future.  His position is God, Creator.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.“ As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.~Isaiah 55:8-9

So reading this word today, “ as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:10-11).  Reminds me just how good God is.  What He sends forth fulfills it’s purpose.  He nourishes the earth.   He causes the bud to flourish.  So what might be a small beginning flourishes and grows.  He provides seed for the sower so that there can be something to reap and harvest (bread) later.  Every need is met.  

The same way the natural needs are met in this “water cycle” our spiritual needs are met because the word He sends forth will e accomplished.   So whatever He has spoken over is sure.  Everything promise will be fulfilled because His purpose will be fulfilled.  His purpose for our lives.  That’s cause for joy and peace.  It causes me to look beyond what might be perceived by the naked eye to see what He wants with a spiritual eye.  And yes, even the drought serves a purpose because it causes us to pant for the living water that we need to thrive. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” ( John 7:38) 



Father, I thank You for your Word and for its intentionality.  Thank for the rains and the snow that nourish my soul.  Thank you for the rain and the snow that allow the buds of faith to flourish and bloom.  I thank You that your Word  has purpose and provides  me with seed to sow blessings for my family and others.   I thank you for the bread that it yields so that I may eat of You and taste of your goodness.  Lord, I thank You for you. In Jesus name I pray.  Amen

What’s your why? Who are you doing it for?

 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.~ Philippians 2:3-4

Why do we do what we do? Is it for His glory?  Are we seeking praise from man or an eternal reward?  Are we boastful about the good that has come from God or are we using that good to be a blessing to others:  is our heart caring about the needs of others and then doing something about it?  All these questions I ask myself and many times I am convicted by my answers.  But God tells us to examine ourselves ( 1 Corinthians 11:28).  We ask God to search our hearts to see if there be anything thing that would cause Him offense ( Psalm 139:23).  We do that not to be condemned because there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, but rather to be convicted so that our souls may repent and look back to God in humility.

This may not be for you, but over and over again God has brought this verse back to me.  I have found myself taking way too much at work.  I'm excited about the opportunities, but I have to ask myself whom is my conversation for? Is it to boast about what God is doing or to try to prove that I belong to a place where He already appointed me?  How am I helping others?  How I am putting others first? My toes and heart hurts over this.

I hear Him saying to me He " It's not about you, but what I am doing through you to point others to me.  Your work is to serve others and not your ego.  Your work is to be still and quiet ( Psalm 46:10). Everybody does not have to know everything.  You have no need to prove yourself.  Your job is to let your light do shine that see your goods works and glorify me. ( Matthew 5:16).  Give them a chance to discover Me for themselves.  This will happen when your why is about me and caring for my sheep, your fellow man, tending to their interest ( John 21:6)."

"Seek eternal treasures ( Colossians 3.1). Learn to walk in true humility; not hiding who you are, but knowing what you are and who you are is because of Who I am.  Pray for others.  Extend grace.  Meet them where they are.  Be an encourager.  Be my hands and feet.   Love.  Love from a sincere place.  Everything else will fall into place.  Don't be like the world, but like me.  So that you can stay in the center of my will( Romans 12:1-2) Pray and praise without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Hide yourself in me. "


Father, forgive me for my pride and boastful spirit.  I admit that I get caught up in seeing the doors that You have opened, yet You have not received all the  praise for the very blessings that You have e poured on me.  Lord, I'm sorry.  I don't want vain ambition or glory. I just want You and to be a vessel of Your light for others to see You.  Thank for Your Spirit that corrects and loves.  In Jesus name. Amen

Everything means Everything

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky~Philippians 2:14-15

Do everything without grumbling or arguing (Philippians 2:14 -emphasis added).  I have to be honest an admit that I forget the word everything.  I will even go as far to say that I have kept this scripture, this command, wrapped up in a nice bow, applying it only to certain situations,  like my job or ministry for instance.  But that attitude or mindset places a limit on what God says that I must do and His Word is without limitations.  He said exactly what He means and He means that everything we do must be done in love ( 1 Corinthians 16:14) and without grumbling or arguing ( Philippians 2:14).  

Therefore, this includes everything from my conversation with others (I have a mouth to speak and two ears to listen), the never ending laundry ( praising God that I have clothes in the first place) or being a means of transportation for my family or a friend ( thanking God for the car and and ability to do so) .  No matter what the task or situation, every action should be done in gratitude and thankfulness rather than grumbling about what needs to be done.  

Why? Why should I not argue about who is not doing what or what is not getting done?   I ( we) should not do so because God wants it to be well with our soul. He wants us to be pure and blameless.  He wants His children to shine bright before the world so that they may see Him and glorify Him ( Philippians 2:15).

When I grumble or argue, I make it about me rather than about Him.  I also have noticed how it affects my body.  The stress of grumbling and arguing hurts me physically and mentally, leaving me open to attacks from the enemy.  Worse yet, I can become the weapon that the enemy uses because I am focused on the wrong things.  In the process I hurt myself and someone I love.  I leave the door cracked for the enemy to come in, but praise be to God that He has brought me back to this Word so that the door can be shut and the weapon rendered powerless.

As I think about those times when I grumble, argue or complain I have noticed a pattern.  I   have noticed that I tend to do it more when I am tired from the “ripping and running” of days.  God has given me solutions to break this pattern and maybe it will help someone else.  He says in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I need more than sleep, I need to rest in Him.  Sit at His feet and be refreshed and restored as He leads me beside the quiet waters ( Psalm 23:2)

Father You called me to You.  You saw state and you know my heart.  You Lord, led me from the place or hurt and pain that comes when I act outside of Your will and begin to grumble and argue.  You Lord, saw.  all of it and yet there You stood with open arms.  You invited me to get rest in You Father.  You invited me to eat of your bread and to be nourished.  You gently corrected me and led be back to the path of righteousness.  Father? I just bless your name for that.  But Lord, You didn’t stop there.  You made my cup overflow. providing me and my family with something we needed.  You surround me with family and friends who love on me not because I deserve it, but because of who You are.  Thank You Lord for seeing past my faults and seeing my needs.  Thank You for your correction and love.  In Jesus name. Amen

Rescue me from my enemies

Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.~Psalm 143:9-10

“Rescue me from my enemies, Lord.” (Psalm 143:9a).  Psalm 143 is a psalm of  David, a prayer.  I love how David begins by asking God to hear hear his prayer not because he is so righteous, but because He knows that the Father is faithful. David  knows that the Lord is the One who is able to save.  “Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy;in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.” ~Psalm 143:1-2

David had many trials and enemies over the course of his life, including his own son ( 2 Samuel 15).  However, I think it is important to remember that our enemies are not flesh and blood.  For the word of God in Hebrews 6:12 tells us “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  So our enemies are not people, situations, or even circumstances.  Our enemy is the devil himself and spiritual forces that seek to distract us from our purpose.  Our enemies want to get us off course.

Our enemy may look like doubt when things don’t look like they are going your way.  That’s the enemy because we know that God says that He works in all things for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).  The enemy is pride, fear, and anxiety that would have us spinning our wheels seeking to gain control of it all rather than surrendering it all to Jesus; remembering that His love is unfailing  and “entrusting our lives to the Lord” ( Psalm 143:8). 

God rescues us for enemies, all of them.  We just need to hide ourselves in Him and surrender our will to His. We hide ourselves in Him we envelope ourselves in His Word and love.  We hide ourselves in Him when we make His glory the aim. We hide ourselves in Him when are intentional and cry out to the Father, knowing that He hears us and will provide us with what we need( 1 John 5:15). 
We hide ourselves in Him when we entrust ourselves to His Spirit knowing that He will make our walk secure.

Someone might be thinking it is easier said than done, but God tells us to be doers of His Word ( James 1:22).  So we practice what He teaches us.  We are ask Him to teach us to do His will ( Psalm 143:10).  So day by day, moment by moment we need His Spirit and take one step at time do that our feet may be leveled and our spirit calm.  Just this morning, my enemy of anxiety and fear  came to my doorstep.  The devil was seeking to have me question myself as a Mom and create strife within my family.  On the Lord’s day my enemies were seeking to remove my peace and steal my joy.  My way was to go to do some yoga to find my center.  Note I love yoga, but you can’t fight the enemy with a stick. You need a sword, the Word of God  and a shield of faith. In fact you need the full armor of God to be able to stand against the schemes of the enemy.  (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Therefore, His will was/is that I come to Him.  Entering His presence through prayer;  receiving the word, the daily bread,  I need to squash my enemy and place them under my feet. My peace restored and my purpose assured.  I know that I am not alone for He is with me.  God is able.  So be encouraged that you too can fight your enemies and be rescued from them all  by the Savior.  He is ready to save and nothing is impossible for Him ( Luke 1:37).

Father, thank You for bearing witness of Your love for us in Your Word.  Your love rescues us and your word frees us. Lord, You are mighty and Righteous.  I come to You humbly asking for Your help.  Hide us Lord in You. May we not stand in our pride, but humble ourselves and  pray.  May we seek your face. Strengthen us and let us stand firm, ground us in truth. Give us victory Lord over our enemies, in all the ways that they may present themselves.  Teach us your will and your way and help us to actually do it.  Let Your Spirit lead us as we lean not to our own understanding. We thank You Lord and give you all the glory and the praise.  In Jesus name.  Amen

When you feel burried

 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,~Ephesians 2:4-6

God is not dead.  The grave could not hold Jesus down.   He arose with all power and authority.  There is is hope.  Listen, God spoke to my spirit yesterday and said this.  Death could not hold Him down and so because we are one with Christ, death can not hold us down either.  We are not dead, but risen with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places.  He’s seated at the right hand of the Father ( Mark 16:19)  above everything. “
far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” ~Ephesians 1:21) 

He sees all, knows all and He sees us.  The enemy is doing his best to bury us under the weight of fear, depression and anxiety, but he will not succeed.  Stick your hand up out of the ground.  Stick your hand up from under the dirt of  guilt and the weight of sin  because the same power that is in Christ lives in us( Romans 8:11).  Raise your hand up and take His hand.  Choose His perspective, recognize that you, because of Christ, are above the temporal circumstances and know that death has no sting.  Walk in the victory that He has Alfreda’s given You.  Know that it will all be okay and cast your anxiety upon Him. Rest in Him and live.

Father, we thank You for your great love for us and the hope that You bring through your son Jesus Christ.  Thank You for conquering death and the fencing the stench of its aroma.  Lord, may we offer up a shout of praise as we rise up with You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

The Call to Come

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice,~Psalm 95:6-7

“Come, let us bow down in worship”.  There is a lot to unpack in just that one phrase of the scripture.  Here we see, I see, a call to first come to Him.  We are told in James 4:8a  to come near to God.” We are also told that when we come near to Him, He will come near to us. Coming to God is acknowledging that we need Him and the added bonus of Him coming to us reveals relationship.  The desire of both parties to be in the presence of each h other for fellowship.  He ask us to bring nothing,  just to come and to know that He will meet us.  He crosses the distance for us, that gap, drawing us closer to Him.

Once we come, we are to bow down in worship.  I want to examine the “bowing” first.  Bowing down is a physical act signifying submission.  We are called to bow down before Him in our actions and our attitudes.  We are recognizing His authority and Lordship.  We follow His lead and obey His voice.

We are also called to worship our Great Shepherd.  The One who keeps us under His care. Worship is adoration, reverence, love, and praise.  It is both done in action and in attitude.  I love God and I demonstrate my love for Him when I love others.  I am more apt and able to do that when I am kneeling at His feet, letting the glory of His presence wash over me and flow through me.  

When I come, bow down and worship I can hear His voice because I am still white Him.  Hearing His voice gives me the bread of life (Matthew 6:11).  The word that I need to sustain me for the day.

Lord, may we follow your call to come and worship You for you are worthy.  May we, I, submit to you in all my ways.  May I set at your feet or be held in your arms.  Keep me close to thee.  May I reverence You by making choices that honor You.  We are under your care and we are safe.  Lord, gives us hearts that seek your voice.  In Jesus name. Amen

The Cup and the Saucer: When your cup overflows

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil;
 my cup overflows.~Psalm 23:5
6 
Today I participated in a great activity at work that involved a tea cup.  The tea cups were very precious to the Chief of our Division, yet she made the choice to share them with us so that we would know just how precious each of us are to her and the division to which we all belong (Teaching and Learning).  As we thought about our choice of tea cups and what it might signify about our personalities or thinking, God took my mind to an additional direction. The verse from Psalm 23:5b, “my cup runneth over” stayed at the front of my thinking but with a different bent.

As I looked at the beautiful cup filled with tea, I thought of all the stuff that I am facing.  Like a budget that won’t stretch any further, relationships that needed to be deepened and strengthened, parenting responsibilities, and the list can go on.  I saw that my cup was running over, yet the cup was not alone for there is set perfectly in the center of the saucer.  I saw Jesus in the saucer, catching and handling all the things that might spill over.  I saw Him containing it all so that I would not have too.  I saw His mercy and blessings running over so that all the impure things in the cup could be handled by Him.

You see I didn’t have to be concerned about catching everything because He already has.
My job is to stay in the center of His will, sip on the goodnesses of Him, and trust that He will handle the overflow. So yes, I may be seated in the presence of the enemy: disease, depression, self-doubt, financial concerns or whatever kitchen sink the devil tries to throw.  BUT GOD!  He anoints my head with oil.  He co Ets me.   He protects me.  He is my assurance that goodness and mercy follow me and my confidence that I dwell with Him and not my circumstances.  He is my Shepherd.  ( Psalm 23)

Father,  I thank You for what You reveal to my Spirit.  I thank You for allowing my cup to overflow with your blessings and the protection that brings when troubles rise.  Thank You for being my Help. Bless others who may be facing difficult times.  Help us to trust in You.  In Jesus name. I pray.  Amen