Give These Gifts

I love this time of year. Yes, it can be a busy, filled with extra tasks and extra social activities.  People get stressed – both believers and unbelievers.  As Christian women, I believe our Christmas season responsibility is to stir up an awareness of Jesus’ birth… we are to reflect His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, and His sacrifice. We set the tone of the holidays for many.  We have the opportunity to stir the hearts of others!

Let’s make it a Christmas goal each day of this special season of the year to ask God to help us extend “peace on earth and mercy mild” to those around us.  Peace and mercy are needed qualities during the month of December.  Where do we begin? 

Read the Christmas story in all four of the gospels each week in December.  Reacquaint yourself with the story of what we are celebrating.  It’s a story that is all the more special because we know that it ends in resurrection and an opportunity to accept forgiveness and mercy and a purpose for living, plus a future that is glorious and without end! I promise you that you will join Mary in singing praises… Luke 1:46-47 (ESV) And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

Give the gift of peace. Matthew 5:9 (NLT) God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.   Daily, look for opportunities to share calmness, harmony, and tranquility. Use your abilities to reduce conflict and hostile attitudes in your home, your church, and in your community.  Remember that the only way you can live in such a way must begin with Jesus!  We can’t give the gift of peace without first experiencing it ourselves. Without Jesus there is no lasting, eternal peace. Peace during the Christmas celebration flows from our own personal time with Jesus. JESUS …. Isn’t that who we are celebrating this Christmas season?

Give the gift of mercy. Matthew 5:7 (NLT) God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Having personally received His mercy, we then share His mercy with others. The word Jesus uses for mercy is used to describe an attribute of God. God is said to be "rich in mercy." (Eph.2:4). 

You see mercy goes beyond sympathy to empathy. It is "love in action." When we give mercy, we find a way to help a person. You see mercy is an action, not a reaction.    Mercy cannot take place without forgiveness.  It’s one thing to say you forgive; it’s another to become actively involved in mercy.  Here is what mercy looks like:

   .. When I am merciful, I am patient with that unique person.

   .. When I am merciful, I forgive those who have fallen down…made a mistake…blundered.

 … When I am merciful, I help those who are hurting. Remember, mercy is practical assistance. It’s love in action. . Prov. 3:27- "Do not withhold good from those who need it, when it is in your power to act."

… Here is a fourth mark of mercy, and this is the hardest of all. When I am merciful, I’ll do good to my enemies….to those who hurt me or treat me badly. I’m talking tangible, concrete, real actions that are good for those who hurt me or treat me badly!

Giving gifts at Christmas is so much more than buying and wrapping items in a box!

Joyfully,

Yvonne

About Thanksgiving

Read this quote this Thanksgiving morning...made me think:

There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed. If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude. ~Robert Brault,

A life of saying "Thank You" is filled with peace and joy....it is not a grateful lifestyle if we only are thankful on one holiday per year! ~ Yvonne Burrage

A GRATEFUL HEART THAT PLEASES GOD

Thanksgiving week and these are the thoughts which God has given me.

Psalm 19:14 (NLT)
¹⁴ May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

2 Corinthians 5:9 (ESV)
⁹ So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

Being truly thankful is so much more than making a list of the things God did, is doing and will do for me.  Having a truly grateful heart flows from being so aware of my PERSONAL relationship with Jehovah God Almighty that my thoughts, my words, my very being seeks to please HIM!

How do I please God?  How do I bring a smile to His glorious face? 

My Words….words that honor, words that are positive, words that are full of grace, and words that are full of gratitude…. These are the words that are pleasing to our Lord God.

Words we need to use more often include…

Lovely – beautiful – breathtaking – splendid – delightful – wonderful – pleasant

Thankful – grateful – appreciative…. You get the idea. Our words are gifts – gifts we give to God and to others.  Let us use our gift-giving words of praise, thanksgiving, and encouragement throughout each of our days. Our words can demonstrate a grateful heart.

My Thoughts…. Where I park my mind means a lot to our Lord.  A person's thoughts determine who that person is, his or her attitudes, and how he or she acts toward others. What do you spend time thinking about? With what do you fill your mind?

Philippians 4:8 (NLT)…Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  We please God when we DO NOT think about the opposite of these qualities.

 My Actions…How I behave – my lifestyle – my daily way of life … the way I live my life gives me the opportunity to praise, love, honor, obey, and walk with the Lord.  My actions either reflect God’s standard of abundant living or they don’t.  My daily actions need to include: Obedience; Prayer; Giving; Listening; Mercy; Forgiveness; and above all LOVE.

I am so thankful and awed that God has saved me and adopted me into His royal family. I want to live in such a way that God is pleased and knows how grateful I really am to be His Girl!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yvonne

About Prayer

Read this quote from Catherine Marshall, “The reason many of us retreat into vague generalities when we pray is not because we think too highly of God but because we think too little”.  Good reminder for us all.

I’m thinking that our prayer life can get too vague when we are lackadaisical (lacking life, spirit, or zest) about praying.  I started reading Luke 22 as I was delving into the reasons behind vague praying and immediately identified with the disciples.  Jesus had just finished praying in the garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion.  Verses 45 and 46 really spoke to me,  Luke 22:45-46 (NLT)
⁴⁵ At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. ⁴⁶ “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray…

I can hear Jesus saying to me, Yvonne, are you feeling sluggish in your prayer time, then be specific, and GET UP AND PRAY!  I am convinced that sluggish, rote prayers are a result of vague prayers – prayers that lack zest and enthusiasim.

How do I avoid that? I want to share two Scriptures with you that have refocused my prayer life…refreshed it and empowered my prayers to be more than generalities – more than “Bless, Betsy” kind of prayers:

Read Psalm 132:3 for some prayer direction. Psalm 132:3-5 (ESV)
³ “I will not enter my house or get into my bed, ⁴ I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, ⁵ until I find a place for the Lord….   The place for the Lord in my life involves prayer that trusts, ask specifically, intercedes, and doesn’t quit.

Read 2 Chronicles 14:11 and pray in such a manner that you recognize the power available to answering your prayers – it is a shot of spiritual adrenalin 2 Chronicles 14:11 (ESV)  ^…“O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.”

I really am filled with practical inspiration when I personalize my Scripture prayers…O Lord, there is none like you to help me, between the mighty and the weak.  Help me, O Lord my God, for I rely on You, and in your name I have come…O Lord you are my God; let no one prevail against you…

I want to share two more Scriptures which lift me up and encourage me to be a praying woman but before I do, just a reminder:  We are able to talk to God about anything…our hopes, fears, desires, and struggles. We do not have to be afraid to pray because we think our prayers might be selfish nor do we need to pray less because we are afraid God will not answer. Our prayer relationship with God is not based on our deserving it nor on our ability to pray; our prayer relationship with God is based on His Grace received through the gracious work of Christ in our lives and on His Power, not ours for sure!

Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
²⁰ Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Jesus assures us,as He did to His disciples, that He continues to delight in showing us His Grace:  John 16:24 (NIV) …Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

I want to close these prayer reflections with four cardinal rules of prayer written by Brennan Manning which I copied years ago:

1. The most important is: one learns to pray by praying. What is crucial is that we are really on the journey, not just thinking about the journey or reading or talking about it.

2. Pray as you can; don't pray as you can't.

3. Don't just pray when you feel like it. Showing up and shutting up is a discipline. Each day that rests on the twin pillars of the morning and evening prayer is a step on the journey from belief to experience, from theory to reality.

4. When a man or woman has an intense desire to grab aholt of God, they move and act, they respond and pray. Without that hunger, they are dilettantes playing spiritual games. If the intense desire is lacking, fall on your knees to the God you half-believe in and beg for the gift. As the late Rabbi Abraham Heschel remarked, "God is of no importance unless He is of supreme importance."

Reflect on these prayer thoughts yes, but most importantly PRAY WITH FERVOR AND ZEST!!!

Joyfully,

Yvonne

LIFE'S GOAL

 

 This is a wonderful quote from Rick Warren...

"Life is not about the acquisition of things or the achievement of goals. Life is about getting to know God — the one who loves you and made you for a purpose. You’re not really living until you’re right with God and have a relationship with him."

 

OUTDO IN LOVE

Hi !

I’ve been reading a Christian novel by Gary Smalley, The Dance, and in it a character said to another, “outdo” yourself in love.  That word got me curious and here is the verse I found:   Romans 12:10 (ESV)
¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

A good direction for us to take, don’t you think?  Paul is talking about belonging to the family of God and how to behave.  I think this kind of godly love will also work for the unbelievers with whom we live and witness. 

Seems to me it’s a two-part directive for living – a directive that depends on God’s supernatural love and power living in us.  Our natural nature is too selfish to live in such a way. 

Directive One – Love one another with brotherly affection.  How do I do that? John MacArthur offers this possibility: Be lovingly loving with one another with loving love!  Redundant or is that the supernatural, godly way to treat others? I saw an ad on TV recently for a restaurant that caught my attention: “When you’re here, you’re family.”

This is a good motto for us…when you’re in my home, my car, my church, my Bible study class…my presence – YOU ARE FAMILY.  As believers we are given many instructions about how to treat family, Hebrews 13:1 (NLT)  Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters, is a good example.

John 13:34-35 (ESV)  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ³⁵ By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 John 3:18 (ESV)
¹⁸ Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

We are talking about loving others the way Jesus loved us and others…supernatural love.  This kind of love is more than having warm feelings – it is having a loving attitude that is shown by our actions.

Loving the way Jesus loves is not always convenient; it requires giving when it hurts; devoting energy to others’ well being; it also means absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back.  THIS KIND OF LOVE IS HARD TO DO…that’s why people notice it when we love that way.

Family love – action love -  also allows for weaknesses and imperfections; it communicates; deals with problems; affirms and encourages; and has a strong commitment to others in the family.  Sure am glad I am not expected to love this way without His help!

Directive Two – Outdo one another in showing honor. 

To “outdo” means to go beyond in action or performance. We are directed to go BEYOND the ordinary when we are putting others before ourselves.  We are to value others and respect them. We are to do this because they are God’s creation; because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ; and because God, Our Father, values them.

The word “honor” literally means a “heavy weight.” It implies that we assign the greatest possible weight to a person in terms of respect by holding them in “high regard.” To honor someone is to measure his or her value on a scale and conclude that it is “heavy.” On the other hand, to “dishonor” means to treat someone as if they were “light or insignificant.” We’re called to prefer (favor, give preference to, choose) others above ourselves. The idea is that we will take the lead in showing the honor that is due to each other in the family of God.

Well, girls, we know what to do – the directions are clear. Let’s us be woman today, this week-end, for our lifetime…that Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Joyfully,

Yvonne

A SHINING LIGHT

In my guest bedroom I have an antique, hand-painted lamp that I dearly treasure; it belonged to a good friend of my mother’s.  It doesn’t give out a whole lot of light, but its light is soft and welcoming.  That lamp sets a warm tone for our guest room.  Thinking about lamps, let me share this quote from June Masters Sacher,

   The world can be a dark, chilly place or it can be warmed by lamps of love.

Don’t you agree? Our world needs the warmth of love.

Luke 8:16 (NLT)
¹⁶ “No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

In these verses, the “lamp” is those of us who have been illuminated by our faith in Jesus; in other words, we reflect the light of Christ that lives in us.  Let me share a few “lamp” thoughts.

Our lamp is to be seen.  In a world that is increasingly hostile to Christianity, we are to shine. We cannot let our light be so dim that our faith in Jesus is invisible to those around us.  One of our daily goals must be to seek ways to let our lights shine for unbelievers to see.

Our lamp is to honor the Father.  The light we shine (our actions – our good works – our kindness – our helpfulness) has one purpose and only one purpose: so that others will see God.  We are not shining so we look good, but so that others will see the Father and be drawn towards Him.  Our lives are what people see; through our actions we choose what we are going to spotlight - we choose who is going to be seen and honored.

Our lamp is to show our character. Christ said, "I am the Light of the world" (John 8:12; John 9:5). He also says that His followers are to be like Him—"the light of the world."  As we become like Christ more and more we are to shine brightly with the light of Jesus pouring through us to light the way for others. WOW – that is a challenging responsibility Jesus has given us; sure am glad we don’t have to do it in our own power!

For us to be bright, shining lamps in the world, we must live as Jesus lived – do what Jesus did – think as Jesus thought. Our lights shine when we surrender the power to the Everlasting Light Source.

Sing with me….

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Won’t let Satan blow it out.
I’m gonna let it shine.
Won’t let Satan blow it out.
I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel, no!
I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel, no!
I’m gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine over the whole wide world,
I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine over the whole wide world,
I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine…

Choose to be a brilliant, beaming spotlight today not a dim, flickering stub of a candle!  SHINE GIRLS, SHINE!

Joyfully,

Yvonne

AUTUMN

I read somewhere that Autumn is a celebration of nature!  Whether we live in a cool climate with changing leaves and such colorful beauty or not, we can always find God's creative hand, visible and inspiring at this time of year.  LOOK FOR IT - DON'T MISS IT!

Plumb Line

I love this question that Rick Warren asked in his daily devotion: Do your goals help you know God, grow in God, serve God, share God, love God, and tell others about God?  It makes me realize how important it is for us to honestly evaluate where we are headed in our Christian journey.  The above questions are a wonderful plumb line for us….whenever the answer is NO - the decision is made, DO NOT THINK IT, DO NOT DO IT, DO NOT SHARE IT!

The Holman Bible Dictionary defines a plumb line: A cord with a weight (usually metal or stone) attached to one end. The plumb line would be dangled beside a wall during its construction to assure vertical accuracy. The plumb line was sometimes used symbolically to mean that God was checking to see if his people were living righteously.

 I love God’s plumb lines because:

One – They were physically used during a building project. Spiritually speaking, they remind me that I am a construction project. Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his  work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Two – The spiritual plumb lines I find in God’s Word, give me standards to live by and to evaluate my life’s actions.

Three – Plumb lines remind me that God is watching me and knows exactly who I am, what I’m thinking, and how I am living.

Four – Plumb lines leave nothing to chance. They take away all of my excuses. They give me a clear sense of direction.  I know exactly how God wants me to live.

Here are a few of my “Plumb-line” verses….verses that hold me to God’s standard for living:

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT)
⁵⁸ So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
² Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:10 (NLT)
¹⁰ Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)
¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Micah 6:8 (NLT)
⁸ No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

The above are just a few verses to use for evaluation – God’s Word is chocked full of such tools.  I want to thank you Lord for giving me standards and guidelines for my life. I need boundaries and I need goals – Your Word gives me both.

Joyfully,

Yvonne

FALL IS HERE!

Hi !

My pumpkins sit all in a row on my mantle; the fall fruit and gourds are displayed on my table; and I’m getting ready to plant crotons in my patio pots. What does all of this mean? FALL IS HERE!  I love fall! I love candy corn, apple cider, and spaghetti (who eats it during the summer?)  Here in southeast Texas we don’t have many trees changing color, but I enjoy looking at the exquisite pictures of fall leaves and feeling the cooler temperatures.   During this time of the year, I find myself singing,

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

This change of season leads me to appreciate God’s creativity and the truth of Who he is.  I am again reminded that He is in control of this beautiful world in which I live.

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV)
¹⁶ For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

These verses from Colossians remind us of Jesus’ wonderful connection to Creation.  Paul reminds us of these truths:

He Created All Things -

Jesus is the Creator of all things. There is nothing in the created order that Jesus did not create .  John 1:3 (ESV) All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

This really puts our world in perspective, doesn’t it? Because he is the Creator, Jesus has absolute authority and supremacy over all creation…all things in heaven and earth; visible and invisible. All things are under His command!  Since only God can be the Creator, this verse also makes it absolutely clear that Jesus is divine. Not only is he the perfect image of God, He is God!

All Things Exist for Him- Everything exists in Him, for Him, and through Him. Jesus Christ is the Sphere in which they exist, the Agent through which they came into being, and the One for whom they were made.(Warren Wiersbe). 

Creation exists for Him and here we see a glimpse into His heart. Oh, how He loves you and me!  Creation was formed so that Christ might : Love it – Bless it – Redeem it – Receive it – Save it – Exalt it !  As a part of His creation we owe Him praise and honor, worship and service.  We exist for Him, our Creator!

He Holds All Things Together – Jesus is eternally self-existent – this is an attribute only of God – no one created God. Because this is true, Jesus is before all things. Jesus sustains our universe.  Because of Him, all things hold together!  What hope and confidence we receive from this truth – we are not living in an out-of-control, chaotic world. Our world is in His hand – His hand keeps it going and continues it.

So, we have a wonderful opportunity during this time of year…every time we see the colors of Autumn…each time we sip hot apple cider…whenever we slip on a sweater or a cozy scarf… we can take a moment to praise our Jesus who made us who we are, who sustains us each day, and who chooses to spend eternity with us!  Lord of all, to thee we raise – These our grateful words of praise …and adoration. Set aside Fall as a special time of worship!

Joyfully,

Yvonne

Our Navigator

I did some reading this week about the North Star.  Polaris is the northern pole star,  known as the North Star.  While other stars' positions in the sky change throughout the night, as they rotate around the poles, the pole star’s position remains fixed. This makes the North Star especially useful in navigation: it is a dependable indicator of the direction toward the North Pole.  Although modern technology doesn’t make this star as vital as it was in ancient times, we all know that sometimes technology encounters a glitch ….and if you really need to know in what direction you are moving the North Star always points North towards the North Pole.
So what you say?  It dawned on me that we often find ourselves looking to many resources for direction in our lives.  Yet, we are blessed with a fixed, accurate guide to always point us in the right direction.  GOD IS TRULY OUR PERSONAL NAVIGATOR.  We never have to wonder about which way to go… about what direction will lead us toward happiness, purpose, peace, and confidence of moving in the right direction.  This thought took me to PROVERBS 3.
The key verses in this chapter are verses 5-6,

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶ Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

God has given His Word to guide in every detail of life so that the life we live is led by His truth. If we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He who is faithful has promised to direct our paths.  God has given us such a wonderful assurance of guidance into a way of righteous living! 
Here are some reminders about how we are to receive the Lord’s direction: (vv. 1-12)
1) Learn God’s truth through His Word. Seek Him and His direction through Bible study and prayer.  It’s good for us to remind ourselves that we are not smarter than God!

Psalm 25:4 (NLT)  Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow.

2) Receive His direction by consistent obedience to His Word and His Will.

Deuteronomy 5:33 (NLT)  Stay on the path that the LORD your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.

 3) Share God’s blessings with others…Proverbs 3:9 (MSG) Honor GOD with everything you own; give him the first and the best.  Giving is heart preparation for God’s directions in our lives.

4) Accept and learn from God’s discipline. Submitting to His discipline is submitting to His work in our lives to conform us to the image of Christ.  God’s involvement in our lives will never point us away from Jesus.
5) Trust God….don’t try to fit His Word – His Way – His Will into “what makes sense” in this world. 
Our Navigator – Our Personal North Star is readily available always!

Proverbs 3:5-7 (MSG)
⁵ Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. ⁶ Listen for GOD's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. ⁷ Don't assume that you know it all. Run to GOD!...

Joyfully,
Yvonne

What Is God's Concern?

It is not that we should not bring our small concerns to God – there is nothing too small or too large to bring to God in prayer, but sooner or later we must ask God what is his concern in the world.

A Working Definition

 What is a Christian?
A mind through which Christ Thinks.
A voice through which Christ Speaks.
A Hand through which Christ Helps.
A Heart through which Christ Loves.





Let's think about the life each of us is living this week.

LESSONS FROM GOD

I am reflecting this morning on a very personal lesson God has taught me.  You see, one of the hardest things for me in my life is that neither one of our sons live close to us.  It makes me lonely and yes, jealous of my friends. I have to pray about this OFTEN, take my word for it.  But enough, this is about a lesson learned and a heart full of praise and a closeness to God this morning that is worth it all!!

This morning I was “whining” to God about missing living close by any of my family when I had a clear understanding of my whole situation.  This is exactly what my parents felt!  Ralph and I have served in many different states and churches over the 44 years of our marriage while my parents always lived in Florida.  They too were separated from daughters and grandchildren; they too didn’t get to attend church with family; they too didn’t get to spend little holidays – like Memorial Day – with family….and the list goes on. Never once did I hear my godly parents “whine” or bemoan our absence. What I always heard was how they were looking after a neighbor; praying for us; going to a church function…you get the picture!  That truth just dawned on me (and you’re probably thinking, really?) This morning I was inspired and comforted by the picture God gave me of my own parents living in the exact position I live in.

Let me share some insights I gleaned from the Lord this morning.

  ~   God continues to teach me.  I love the fact that God teaches me about truths and Scriptures I have known and heard before – but He applies them to the life I am now leading! Thank you Holy Spirit!!

Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

~     Life situations are shared.  I’m not the only one who feels and experiences lonely situations in life.  This understanding lessens the loneliness and jealousy – “It’s not just me” is comforting and God knows that.  And guess what, I am reminded that we live in a fallen world that does separate and isolate at times.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)
¹¹ Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

~    God does not give me more than I can handle.

I am so thankful that our gracious Lord in His perfect love knows me so well. He knows exactly what I can handle and never allows more than that to touch me.  My life circumstances – yes, including being far away from family, are always in His powerful and mighty hand!

Psalm 66:9 (NLT)  Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.

Isaiah 62:3 (NLT)  The LORD will hold you in his hand for all to see— a splendid crown in the hand of God.

~    Remember your heritage.

I was so blessed to grow up in a Christian home – I need to remember all the lessons I learned about living as a believer.  God touched my life and called me into my ministry through the lessons I learned about Him as a child and teen.  My prayer is that I continue to remember those lessons especially during this season of my life – a season that both of my parents faithfully lived.

2 Timothy 1:5 (NLT)  I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.

~    There is no distance between me and God.

He is with me! The Holy Spirit keeps me connected to my Lord wherever I am and whatever I am feeling. Life circumstances do not separate me from my Almighty Father God. One of the things I cherish about the Gospel of Matthew is that the beginning of the chapter (1:23) and the end of the chapter assure me of this truth: GOD IS WITH ME!

Matthew 28:20b (NLT)  And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

When the going was tough, Paul had a special visit from the Lord: Acts 18:9-10 (NLT)
…“Don’t be afraid! …For I am with you … Those same words from God continue to minister to me and lift me up. Because of His presence in me I am able to live with hope and confidence.

Now, I realize that these lessons I recognized this morning are probably not profound for you, but I wanted to share this with you because I want you to continue to fix your eyes on Jesus and let Him continue to teach you about life and living it under His guidance and perfect love - season after season.

Psalm 34:8 (NLT) Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Joyfully,

Yvonne

SEEK HIM

I find that my mind so quickly becomes entangled in thoughts that are so far away from God….makes me wonder why He puts up with me.  But, that’s when I am reminded that God is perfect love and He never moves away from me.  He is as close to me as my heartbeat and life-giving breath. GOD’S PERFECT LOVE IS ACTIVE -  He continually beckons, warns, and comforts. HE GIVES US HIMSELF!!  And, He gives us the freedom to choose all that He has to give us – it is up to each of us what we receive from Him.

Psalm 105:3-4 (NLT)
³ Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD.
⁴ Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him.

This verse makes me very mindful of the fact that I am to continually seek the Lord – and not just on special occasions, but DAILY!!   What exactly does SEEK God mean?  We are talking about consistently seeking God…not just occasionally but diligently, earnestly, and carefully.  We are looking for God to know Him better, love Him more, and follow Him obediently. 

Several Scriptures teach us basic truths about seeking God.

One : God Rewards Those Who Seek Him

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)
⁶ And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

The book, Everyday Expressions Found in the Bible, explains this concept well:

It means to seek out God; to diligently seek to find Him and to follow Him. God does not reward the sleepy-eyed, complacent, non-thinker, half-interested, worldly-minded, pleasure seeker. God rewards those who diligently seek to know and follow Him. The idea is that we must be in earnest and persevere and endure to the end. What is the reward to those who diligently seek God? It is the same reward given to Abel and Enoch: righteousness and God's care in this life and deliverance from death unto eternal life.

Two : Jesus Assures Us We Will Find God…When We Sincerely Look

Matthew 7:7 (NLT)
⁷ “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

 Three verbs should be a part of our search to know God better and better: ASK, SEEK, AND KNOCK.  Why do these verbs work? Because our loving God answers our searching hearts; His great desire is to meet our needs.  If we are not finding God perhaps it is because we are not looking for Him with our whole being…. Ask yourself, Is finding God – knowing Him better and better – is that on my spiritual “bucket list”?

Three : Seeking God Takes Purposeful Effort Especially During Difficult Times

Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)
¹³ If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

This word from the Lord was given to the Children of Israel when they were in exile.  What is God teaching us?  Simple truth is that when circumstances are not the way we planned them – they are not easy – there seems to be no end in sight…that is when we are to give our whole hearts towards finding God and knowing that He is Sovereign and in control. Once we take that step our understanding of His love and our faith-walk with Him are deepened and joy is overwhelming!

Four : Seeking God Is Easier Than It Sounds… BECAUSE HE IS SO CLOSE 

Acts 17:27 (MSG)
²⁷ so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near.

Our God is not a distant God.  He is our personal, intimate God. His desire is for us to KNOW HIM!

In closing, we are to seek…look for, search for, hunt for, ask for…. God with our whole… entire, complete, total, undivided, entire self. The wonderful part is that it is so easy to do because God through Jesus Christ is very near and available to be known…

Recognized, identified, acknowledged, accepted as our personal God.

Joyfully,

Yvonne