Secret to a victorious day!

Three verses today, each one special - together a treasure,  the answer to victorious living!!!!

Psalm 46:10

Be still

and know that I AM God!

John 15:9

AS 

(the same as, just like, equal to)

the Father loves Me

SO I love you!

Isaiah 41:13

I AM the LORD, your GOD

I AM holding your right hand.

DO NOT FEAR

I AM helping you!!!!

If we believe God's Word to be truth, 

If we truly embrace God's promises to us,  

THEN:

As we

"cease from striving"

"take our hands off"

"quiet ourselves in His Presence"

We begin to grasp just how 

BIG

POWERFUL

HOLY

MERCIFUL

LOVING 

INCREDIBLE

CAPABLE

SOVEREIGN

is our GOD!

We are overcome and fall at His feet by the words:

"JUST AS THE FATHER LOVES ME
SO I LOVE YOU!"

We dance with Him and praise Him as He proclaims:

"I AM THE LORD, YOUR GOD.

I AM HOLDING YOUR RIGHT HAND!"

With tears of joy and sweet release of submission we choose to banish

FEAR and WORRY

as He looks deeply into our eyes and lovingly says:

"DO NOT BE AFRAID!"

We then, boldly walk in VICTORY AND CONFIDENCE

filled with His promise -

"I AM HELPING YOU!"

Busy life filled with unknowns!

So much has happened over the last few months. This brain of mine can only do so much! It has been filled with new information and new experiences that some things just had to be put aside for awhile.

One big miss is blogging. In all the hustle of new happenings, time to think, write, take pictures has fallen by the way and I don't like it but I understand it.

There are changes in the air for 2014! I am working . . . and Bruce is retiring, again. New journeys and adventures for both of us. It is exciting to anticipate the surprises the Lord has in store - I smile at that statement. Yes, we are anxious at times. Yes, we are wondering what will happen. Then the Lord nudges us back to looking up and whispering "remember Me". This is a wonderful opportunity to practice training our thoughts as they pop up to be under His control. We can strengthen our "trust" muscle big time and "Be still and know He is God" in another very real way.

My new position at the pregnancy center keeps me on my knees. To be involved in this ministry - God's ministry -  knowing it is Him working through me and not me changing minds is humbling and exciting. The limited ultrasound training went fabulously well and I am slowly but surely becoming proficient at this new skill. Working with women who are open to Christ, filled with love, grace and compassion fuels the fire in me to be like them! To be like Christ! Getting to ride the train to and from work is icing on the cake!

Bruce announced his plan for retirement to his teachers last week. This has flooded our brains with questions, ideas, more questions, more ideas . . .Transitions are not easy, BUT GOD!

Isn't each day filled with changes, transitions small and great, decisions that will cause more changes in the "loop of life"?

So for today, we are looking to our God for the answers to our questions that in His time will be revealed . . .we continue to "Be Still and Know He Is God" . . . To joyfully thank Him in all circumstances and pray without stopping!

Before you call I will answer!

I have not been reading Jesus Calling for several days. We left Friday morning and traveled to
to stay with my "sister"-cousin and visit with my aunt and uncle from Scotland. Just talking, eating and resting!

I am about to leave home again to train in limited ultrasound. A nine day course, away from home, intense and using my brain in an oh so different way!

I woke up feeling a little worried and overwhelmed with the unknown. So I sat down with Wendy and cuddled (already missing my “wee” friend and my sweet Husband) and picked up my devotional book. I first read in the Daily Bread how the Lord's mercies are new every morning and how great is His faithfulness! The I picked up Jesus Calling.

Let me quote here:

"Do  not let any set of circumstances intimidate you.

The more challenging your day, the more of My Power I place at your disposal.

You seem to think that I empower you equally each day,

but this is not so.

Your tendency upon awakening is to assess the difficulties ahead of you,

measuring them against you average strength.

This is an exercise in unreality.

I know what each of your days will contain, and I empower you accordingly.

The degree to which I strengthen you on a given day is based mainly on two variables:

the difficulty of your circumstances,

and your willingness to depend on Me for help.

Try to view challenging days as opportunities to receive more of My Power than usual.

Look at Me for all that you need, and watch to see what I will do.

AS YOUR DAY, SO SHALL YOUR STRENGTH BE!"

Ok, did Sarah Young know I would need that devotional today and specifically quote that verse . . .NO! BUT GOD . . .who knew this day would come BEFORE the foundations for the world was laid DID! He knew that this is what I needed to read today. How many others are blessed by this? Only in Heaven will Sarah know, our Lord knows now!

Let me encourage you today! God is real, He is working each minute to mature us, perfect us and grow us into who He already sees through the power of the cross! We stand perfect, holy and pure before Him, dressed in His righteousness,surrounded and enfolded in His love, grace and mercy! 

REMEMBER - not matter what you find on your plate today . . .GOD IS . . .

step by step

Next week I leave for 9 days for additional training. A very special training - a specific purpose.

Over the years I was blessed to "work" in my passion - Labor and Delivery, Nursery and NICU.
What joy to see precious babies enter the world, breath their first breath and experience the love
of family!

Recently, the Lord has directed my steps to the beginning of this process. Working as a nurse in a center where we welcome women through our doors with the love of Christ. Sharing with them the truth in the choices facing them in lifestyle and unplanned pregnancies. The Center's mission is to glorify Christ, show His love and grace and share His hope - no matter the choice of our clients.

Abortion is a polarizing topic to some . . .and I could write . . . oh, I could write so many things at this point. Let me just say this. Taking life is wrong, choosing life is God's will. If HE is who He says He is, no matter the circumstances His way is the right way. He will provide, He will make a way. He will love those that choose life as well as those that go against His will with the love that sent our Lord to the cross. We stand before Him without Christ - all the same - sin is sin. But God so loved   us . . .

When precious, tiny, little ones are taken from their mothers they immediately are enfolded into the loving hands of the Father. I weep for those that perform and are part of this process. May they see Christ before eternity! I weep for the mothers who will deal with this loss the rest of their lives. I weep for the fathers . . .all hurting hearts. I weep for the power of Satan over God's creation that hardens and blinds hearts.

This new training? Certification in limited ultrasound to show these precious women their little ones, hearing the baby's heartbeat, seeing the baby move . . .allowing the Holy Spirit to touch and heal, work to change minds and see love and hope.

Not all will listen, not all will choose life - God is still God and His love is still available. There is no condemnation, only His constant and consistent reaching out to forgive, pour out grace and mercy and gather all who will listen into His Kingdom .  .  . can you see the reunion?

OK, I’m SHOCKED!

How appropriate Jesus Calling yesterday!

“. . . your time of being still in My Presence equips you for the day ahead of you. Only I know what will happen to you this day. I have arranged the events you will encounter as you go along your way. If you are not adequately equipped for the journey,  you will grow weary and lose heart. Relax with Me while I ready you for action.”

Well . . . now begs the question, why were we (Bruce, a teacher and me) exposed to this incident, a glimpse of the depravity of man? What was the purpose? (and how can I eradicate the image from my mind!) We chose a different way to the train . . .mistake or not, I wonder?

First reaction – SHOCK quickly followed by disbelief then extreme sadness finally tears. 

How the Lord must cry when He sees His creation whom He so loves, His image desecrated.  His beloved children so deceived by the enemy – then to think globally! Past and present collide revealing the sinful heart of man. 

I felt the impact on “my armor”. I still am asking the Lord to wash my mind clean! Thinking back over the years to having “reality” slap me in the face (at least that is what most folks would call it) I shake my head. The “reality” is a glance, a brief window of seeing the truth – the enemy reaching out to

seek

kill

destroy

If we are not equipped beforehand. If we are not standing in the Gospel of Peace. If we are not wearing God’s armor of protection we will crumble, grow weary and lose heart! When dressed completely in our armor – our mind is protected by the helmet of His Salvation. Our heart is covered by the breastplate of His Righteousness. The flaming arrows, bullets, bombs of Satan are extinguished by the shield of Faith. We stand strong in His Peace and raise the sword of the Spirit – His Word in triumph!

Our battle is not against flesh and blood . . . Ephesians 5:10-18

Just got a Reminder!

October 25!

Days and events have blurred. The business of life – the responsibilities, concerns, newness of work, adjusting to a schedule that is so different! Wow, where had the time gone?

I sit this morning in quietness. You see, the Lord reminded me of something He whispered not that long ago.

“Be still and know that I am God”

A busy weekend ahead, this next month filled with scheduled surprises and commitments already and I wonder how it will all take place and I am tired thinking just anticipating the whirlwind and I am shaking my head, wondering how . . . and He taps me on my shoulder gently and points to our special place. 

“Sit awhile with Me”

He quietly says.

“Just sit and be with Me.

Let Me fill you with the sweetness of my fragrance.

Rest by the still waters and quiet pastures. 

Refresh your soul with My Spirit. 

Transform you mind with My Words. 

Heal your heart with My love. 

Unburden your mind as you give me your thoughts, your worries, your plans.”

I do this and my eyes are opened to seeing His hand in the details of the moment and I am amazed!

Sometimes life is like a discarded melon rind!

Ever feel as if your life is full of holes? Something has gouged out pieces, chunks – leaving craters, empty places – the losses, the grief – so hard to experience, so difficult to face.

I read Jesus Calling this morning and was FILLED with hope, courage and thanksgiving!

Listen to these words, say them out loud and let the God of all comfort fill all the holes, each of the empty craters and jagged tears of your heart . . . 

MY GOD answers me

MY GOD delivers me from all my fears

MY GOD fills me with His radiance

MY GOD never puts me to shame

MY GOD hears me

MY GOD saves me from all my troubles

MY GOD fills me with His strength

MY GOD welcomes me to seek His face

MY GOD is the Father of compassion

MY GOD is the God of ALL comfort

MY GOD comforts me

MY GOD spills over from my heart to show His comfort to others

MY GOD uses me to draw others to Himself!

Psalm 34:4-6, Psalm 105:4, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4