Morning Time...

I'm a morning person...

One of my favorite parts of the day is my first cup of coffee and my devotionals...

I got a new little devotional book at Half Priced Books last week.  It was marked down on clearance for $2.  I recognized some of the names of the contributors, so I picked it up.  

Today's reading was on contentment. 

I really liked what the writer penned so I thought I'd share it with you...

"And that's the secret of life:  living contentedly in the moment - not dwelling on the good ol' days, nor wistfully dreaming about what might be, but living now, today."

(Marabel Morgan)  

"...I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content..."
 - Philippians 4:11 (NKJV) - 

Wishing you contentment in your day and throughout the week.

 

HDP

The Potter

But now, O Lord,

You are our Father,

We are the clay, and You our potter,

And all we are the work of Your hand.

Isaiah 64:8 (NKJV)

Things are starting to get busy, more busy than I personally like.  The holidays are fast approaching and while it is a season to celebrate and enjoy time with family and friends it can also be stressful and hectic.

I tend to be a routine person.  I like the ebb and flow of the predictable "tide" of my days.  I get up at the same time each day and do the same things each day.  I like it that way.  Lately though, different "pebbles" have been thrown in my path that take away from my routine and throw off my predictable schedule. 

I've been praying for God to help me be the person He wants me to be.  I can't do the things He wants me to do in my own strength.  It's only when I give up myself, my wants, that He can work His will in my life. 

I've been feeling a lot like clay lately....not really sure which direction I'm being shaped, but I can feel the work that is being done.  It's not comfortable, but I have faith that it is all for good and His glory down the road.  He is the Perfect Potter and although my pot may never be perfectly formed, I know He is working in my life......and that's all that really matters.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

HDP

Go Into All The World...

"And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."

Mark 16:15 (NKJV)

My church is having their annual missions conference this week.  I had the honor of hearing four of the missionary wives speak at a ladies luncheon yesterday.  Each woman stood up and gave their testimony.  They spoke to a time in their lives when they were saved, how God has worked in their lives, and how God is using them to help the lives of others around the globe. It was both humbling and inspirational.

Then Jesus spoke to them again saying, "I am the light of the world.  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."  

John 8:12 (NKJV)

The food was good too.  :-)

HDP

Hold My Hand...

Do you ever read something and it doesn't really sink in until you leave it or put it down?  And then you think about it and are drawn back to it again? 

This morning, I was reading in "Our Daily Bread" and today's little message was on Hold My Hand.  It speaks to how God is there for us in the "scary parts" of life.  But, we don't need to be in a crisis or "scary part" for God to be there with us.  Each day He is there to lead us and guide us; if we allow. 

I'm in my second week of homeschooling.  The first week was a breeze; enjoyable, rewarding, a happy time spent with my son.  This week isn't the same.  He is struggling with some new material and I'm trying to figure out the best way to teach it to him. 

This morning's little reading was a reminder to me that I'm not doing this alone.  God is there to "hold my hand".  I just need to seek Him.  He will hold my hand through this and I know "with God all things are possible". 

For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, 

Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'

Isaiah 41:13

HDP

Let the earth bring forth grass...

Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so.

Genesis 1:11 

HDP

Somewhere to Turn...

In God is my salvation and my glory; 

The rock of my strength, 

And my refuge, is in God.  

- Psalm 62:7 (NKJV) -

HDP

Pathways...

I believe that God leads the Christian's paths and through His Holy Spirit guides and directs us in the ways that we should go.  The bible is a lamp at my feet (Psalm 119:105) piloting my life and (hopefully) preventing me from stumbling.  I believe that God knows everything about me and through prayer, studying God's word, and consulting with godly people, I am able to make decisions that are within God's will for my life.  Often times the paths God leads us down, are unfamiliar and may not make sense to others, or even ourselves.  But, through faith, as the old hymn says, it is our responsibility to "trust and obey".

I have faith that God will point me in the direction I should go.  Only He knows the plans (thoughts) He has for me (Jeremiah 29:11). 

Psalm 139:1-10

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

 ¹ O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
 ² You know my sitting down and my rising up;
         You understand my thought afar off.
 ³ You comprehend my path and my lying down,
         And are acquainted with all my ways.
 ⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue,
         But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
 ⁵ You have hedged me behind and before,
         And laid Your hand upon me.
 ⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
         It is high, I cannot attain it.
       
 ⁷ Where can I go from Your Spirit?
         Or where can I flee from Your presence?
 ⁸ If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
         If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
 ⁹ If I take the wings of the morning,
         And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
 ¹⁰ Even there Your hand shall lead me,
         And Your right hand shall hold me.

HDP

Second Chances

We opened our windows last night and turned off the A/C.  It's beautifully cool this morning.  I can hear spontaneous chirping of the birds and the crickets are singing their song.  The cicadas are pleasantly silent, hopefully that is a sign that they are dying off.  We've had a lot of cicada damage to our trees this year.  Although we didn't see many, you could hear their hypnotic humming for a good part of the summer.

My devotional today focused on John 21:1-25.  It is where Jesus revels himself to his disciples after His resurrection.  The later part of the passage, is Jesus giving Peter a second chance.

How many times in life do we wish we had a "do over button"?  Turn back time and choose a different path than the one we chose to lead.  I know I've made many mistakes in my life that I wish I could erase, change, or be given a chance to "do over".

Jesus gave Peter a second chance.  Peter denied Jesus three times, turned his back on his friend in His time of need.  Jesus extends that same mercy to each of us and all we have to do is ask.

I'm thankful for the relationship I have in Christ.  I'm thankful for my salvation through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.  God sent His son to die a horrific death for ME and for all, so that we might have eternal life with Him one day.  My life isn't perfect because of this, but it makes me want to be a better person and make better decisions.

God gives each of us a second chance and it's through His son Jesus Christ.

HDP

Today

This morning is cool and I've opened the windows.  The gentle movement of the air smells fresh and sweet.  I'm enjoying this brief time before the windows will have to be shut once more and the air conditioner turned back on.

I have two devotionals that I've been reading.  One is a walk through the bible and it is not dated, the other is Our Daily Bread that is dated.  Is it a coincidence that both readings today were on humility? 

In my walk through the bible devotional, today's reading focused on John 13:1-17 where Jesus washed his disciples feet.  The writer summed it up by saying, "No matter what we feel we deserve from others, we can't bend too low in caring for them.  Service doesn't demean one's dignity, rather, as Jesus shows, it defines it."  And in Our Daily Bread, they quote:

"True greatness does not come to those

Who strive for worldly fame,

It lies instead with those who choose

To serve in Jesus' name."

-D. De Haan

I often get stuck in a rut with my stubbornness and pride.  I feel like I always need to be right.  Is that human nature?  Or, perhaps just one of my character flaws?

There is a perfect Someone
Whose example I strive to follow
I hope and pray
I can be more like Him
With each passing moment
With each passing day
Amen

HDP

Reference:  Meet The Bible; A Panorama of God's Word in 366 Daily Readings and Reflections (by Philip Yancey and Brenda Quinn); Reference quote on page 510

Everything Has A Time

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.

^{1 Chronicles 16:34 (NKJV)}

 

I was reading in my daily devotions this morning and the subject was on peacefully waiting on the Lord.  As I was meditating on the scripture, and what the writer had to say, I looked out the window.  What I saw amazed me.  

 

My husband and I have lived in our home for a little more than five years.  A lot of the plantings around the house, were here when we moved in.  The particular hostas above has never bloomed in that time.  As I gazed out the bay window, the strong straight shoot of the bloom caught my attention, and it struck me with how it tied into today's reading.

 

You would think this type of hostas would bloom each summer, but it has not.  It's taken five years to spring forth the beauty it's held inside all along. Often times, we think God works on our timetable; nothing could be further from the truth.  God works in His time, in His way, and it is always perfect.

 

I've done a lot of waiting through the years for different things.  One thing I know, God is faithful and His mercy endures forever.  

 

HDP

 

Everything Has Its Time

To everything there is a season, 

A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, 

And a time to die;

A time to plant,

And a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill,

And a time to heal;

A time to break down,

And a time to build up;

A time to weep,

And a time to laugh;

A time to mourn,

And a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones,

And a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace,

And a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain,

And a time to lose;

A time to keep,

And a time to throw away;

A time to tear,

And a time to sew;

A time to keep silence,

And a time to speak;

A time to love,

And a time to hate;

A time of war,

And a time of peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

 

Joy of the Lord

This afternoon, something brought the below song to mind.  And, as I was humming a few of the lines, a feeling of peace washed over me.  Today, I'm reminded of the privilege of being able to turn to God in prayer.  All that is required of us, is to bring that need to Him.    


What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

Written by:
Joseph M. Scriven
(1855)