Expecting Company!

Just two more days and three precious visitors will be here with us for a week. Special sisters of years ago. We grew up together, attended school and church together. We supported one another, cried and laughed with each other. We braved the storms of young adulthood together, celebrating life passages of dating, marriage and children.

A friendship that weathers the passage of time and now we are grandmothers together. 

The house is ready, their rooms are cleaned and waiting for the sound of feet on the stairs and laughter, talking and , yes, giggling in the rooms. The groceries will fill the refrigerator and cupboards tomorrow and even sweet Wendy is bathed and smelling pretty! The tickets were purchased -  long ago, the suitcases are almost ready and now we wait in joyful anticipation.

We know the time of arrival and even the minute the tires touch down at DFW.  I smile to think of the fun we are going to have.

This morning I thought of another coming. Easter is just a few days away in which we celebrate our Lord’s short visit here. He is coming again! Everything’s ready on His end. All the plans, all the preparations are completed. The “plane is ready for take-off”! It’s just waiting for the ok from Flight Control . . . He’s coming to take us HOME!

Help! I can't do this!!!!!

Be joyful always

Pray continually

Give thanks in all circumstances

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Looking back over these past blogs I get excited over the prospect of being joyful each day, continually  focusing on the Lord and giving thanks no matter what is happening around me.

I pause, knowing this is God's will for me in Christ Jesus but how in the world can I do this!

Knowing who I am, how I react makes me doubt the ability to do this. Then He speaks again . . . not audibly but gently reminding me of Galatians 2:20 - it is not me, it is Christ in me.

In letting go, releasing control and just trusting Him, I obey.

 "Trust Me, Anne, and see Me not only give you the desire to follow MY will but provide the power to accomplish it!"

Now God makes me stand firm in Christ

He anointed me

He set His seal of ownership on me

He put His Spirit in my heart

as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come! 

(personalized)

2 Corinthians 1: 21-22

The God of Peace . . .

will equip me with everything good

for doing His will

and will work in me what is pleasing to Him

through Jesus Christ - to whom I  give glory forever!

(personalized)

Hebrews 13:21

It is God,

working in me

giving me the desire and

the power to do what pleases Him!

(personalized)

Philippians 2:13

 

So, precious ones, join me on this journey to trust our God of Peace, our loving Master to accomplish His will in us through Christ Jesus and bring Him glory for ever and ever - AMEN! 

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving in all things . . .

Be joyful always

Pray continually

Give thanks in all circumstances

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

We have talked about being joyful always and pray continually in the past two blogs. Now for "giving thanks in all circumstances".

Today I experienced an attitude adjustment, a paradigm shift as I meditated on verse 18.

Lordship of my life . . . I am not my own but bought with a price. And what a price it is!

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Gal 2:20

No matter what the circumstance - in light of this verse and others - death to self is a reality. This life I live is not about me. Each day, every part of that day is lived by faith in Jesus who loves me and gave Himself for me. Therefore, every circumstance is directed by Him for an eternal purpose.

His hand is orchestrating not just my life but each of His children's lives to grow His kingdom and bring honor and glory to the Father. 

So when I am blind-sided, surprised or totally shaken by circumstances, my response is to be thanksgiving, quickly followed by, "Lord, work this out for Your glory and honor and may my life  show You."

Thanksgiving is delivered with joy! Right back to verse 16 to be joyful always!

And in being joyfully thankful I express this in communication with the Lord and ask Him to direct each circumstance. I am not swayed by events or "life happenings" but secure in my growing relationship with Him, in my continual communication with Him, thanking him for the joy that flows from Him to my heart knowing I am in God's will!

 Again, amazing!