What if . . . ?

What if eyes, not of this world, watch our actions and reactions as we journey through this life. 

What if ears, not of this world, hear our words, our whispers, our mutterings in response to this life.

What if voices, not of this world, join us in praise to God or loudly accuse our stumbling and even applaud our rebellion in this life.

Just a thought . . .

Hebrews 12:1

                Therefore, we also, who have all of these witnesses

        who surround us like clouds, let us throw off from us all the weights of the sin

        which is always ready for us,

      and let us run with patience this race that is set for us.

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!

Pray continually

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

Been doing a lot of thinking about these verses. On a recent large class discussion – our instructor – sweet Dr. Toussaint mentioned “prayer is asking God, not talking to God!” This certainly made me think more of prayer and the context of “continually”. Do I really grasp what this means? Not only am I able to seek the Lord God of the Universe continually, but I am free to bring my requests to Him continually! No request is too small or too big! Dr. Toussaint went on to say “added to asking there is thanksgiving, praise, and worship, but prayer is asking”.

When Bruce and I first met my thinking changed. Bruce was in my thoughts first thing in the morning, throughout the day and when I crawled into bed at night. I wanted to be with him all the time. I wanted to share my thoughts, bounce ideas off  him, find out his opinions, wants and desires. I knew I had someone to run to with problems. I had a champion in my corner to protect me and be there in hard times. These feelings have grown stronger over the last 39 years of being together.

There are times when communication breaks down. Life happens - I  shut down and stop talking, stop sharing, stop taking  time to touch, speak, and connect. I  determine to do “it” on my own although Bruce is right at my side sharing the load, I develop tunnel vision and our relationship suffers. Just as in the same way my relationship suffers with the Lord if I “go my own way” and stop communication with Him.

How can “praying continually” make a difference?

Pray continually – my focus is continually on my Lord. I am free to share my concerns, my desires, my dreams with Him. I develop a complete dependence on Him, a reflex of running to Him with everything. My words then morph into thanksgiving and gratitude for His love and generosity. Praise and worship flow as I see who God is and begin to “know” Him in a life changing way. My thoughts change, my requests change, my desires change to His.

In “praying continually” I am not swayed by circumstances or by the many storms of life. I am firmly anchored and secure in my relationship with Him. My joy increases and is from Him, in Him and through Him. I then am able to “give thanks in all circumstances”!

Amazing, just amazing!

JOY!

I asked the Lord to give me a verse for 2013. He gave me three!

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

Joy – Now that is an interesting word. Here are a few definitions and synonyms:

blissful, chuffed [British], delighted, gratified, happy, glad, joyous, pleased, satisfied, thankful, tickled

  “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires”

“the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying”;

I like that word: Chuffed!

So, since I “take” after my father who certainly enjoyed life but tended to be on the quiet side and at times a tad melancholy this directive to be "joyful always" seemed a bit much. However, “with God nothing is impossible”! I opened my Bible and found multiple verses containing joy, joyful, rejoice etc. Pretty encouraging!

These three verses really stood out.

1 Peter 1:8

Though you have not seen him, you love him;

and even though you do not see him now,

you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace

as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Acts 2:28 (Psalm 16:11)

“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.' 

Joy is given to us by God Himself.
Joy is the result of knowing Jesus! And look at the description in 1 Peter – inexpressible and glorious!
Joy is ours when we are in His Presence! Joy is ours as we trust in God!
Joy is the result of overflowing with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Lord, I receive this joy gladly!

Lord, I decide to dwell in God and His riches in Christ Jesus.

Lord, let me show a difference in my outlook, my words and my face . . . always! After all, "with God all things are possible"!

See how all three verses in 1 Thessalonians tie together? But I am getting ahead of myself . . .next blog . . .

PRAY continually!

I Care for you . . .

TRUST ME -

give ME your anxieties, worries and concerns

THANK ME - 

for taking and bearing your burdens and cares

Find your refuge in ME . . .

You received ME as Savior

Live in ME as LORD – keep your eyes on ME

Be rooted and built up in ME as you place your trust in ME

Grow stronger with My strength by placing your faith in ME

your heart will overflow with thankfulness!

For I care – faithfully, eternally, dearly – for you!!!!!

Colossians 2:6-7

Psalm 147:8

1Peter 5:7