The Hope of all the World

From 6/15/11:

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul:

He leadeth me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake."

- Proverbs 23:2-3

"Then Jesus said, 'Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."

- Matthew 11:28-30

"And His name will be the hope of all the world."

- J - E - S - U - S -

- Matthew 12:21

** I love all of the different names that Jesus is referred to in the Bible. Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords, Immanuel (God with us). Hope of all the world ... wow. How great would it be to be called the Hope of all the world? It doesn't say the hope for everyone but your pesky neighbor. It doesn't say the hope for everyone but the gay couple at the mall. It doesn't say the hope for everyone who goes to your church.

The Hope of all the World ...

Just a few times today, I challenge you, to whisper, "Jesus, the hope of all the World." Exalt Him as He deserves. And offer grace to those you don't normally feel gracious toward. I dare you.

Full Throttle Love

From 6/11/11:

"God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them."

- Hebrews 6:10

"Thou shalt love the Lord they God with all they heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind; and they neighbor as thyself."

- Luke 10:27

"We can make our own plans but the Lord gives the right answer."

- Proverbs 16:1

"We can make our plans but the Lord determines our steps."

- Proverbs 16:9

From 6/14/11:

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

- Matthew 18:20

** Anybody else find it hard to grasp the concept of loving God (or anyone or anything for that matter) with everything you own? All thy heart, all thy mind, all thy soul? Another versions asks for all thy strength too I believe. I mean, that's a whole lotta lovin'.

I guess the closest we can come to gauging that all-out, unconditional love is either our primary partner if life, our spouse, or our children. And even with those strongest of earthly bonds, our love for our Heavenly Father should surpass that.

Can I be honest? I struggle to "get" this concept. I think I've always struggled with it and maybe I'll always have to work on it. I will tell you though that the more time I spend in His Word and reflecting on thoughts about His Word, and in prayer and communication with Him, the more natural it feels and the stronger the bond to Him grows.

I love hearing His voice in an urging or an idea He plants within me. I love feeling His presence when I sing praises to Him or fall on my knees in prayer. I love the peace that's mine for the asking when life's storms rage.

Father, thank You that I can press the RESET or RESTART button each morning or even with the mere whisper of a prayer to You.

Blessings Y'all!

Unbridled Tongue?

From 6/9/11:

"A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare."

- Proverbs 15:1

"A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them."

- Proverbs 15:18

"Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!"

- Proverbs 15:23

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health."

- Proverbs 15:30

** Many talk of the virtues of a Proverbs 31 woman. Well, my friends, I submit to you that this chapter of Proverbs offers some really great advice on our tempers, tongues, and attitudes. How many times have I made a situation worse my running my mouth? Too many. How many times have I held my tongue and diffused a touchy situation? A few. Need a reversal of fortune there.

Father, let my voice always reflect You; Your love and compassion and mercy.

Blessings Y'all!

Construction or Demolition?

From 6/8/11:

"A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands."

- Proverbs 14:1

** Do you tear down or build up?

"Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated."

- Proverbs 14:17

"Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren."

- Proverbs 13:22

** No better inheritance could one leave than a life lived in the service of and with a love of the Lord.

From 6/9/11:

"But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."

- James 4:6

"Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips."

- Proverbs 27:2

** In the movie, "Straight Talk", one of Dolly Parton's little catch phrases is: "Sometimes you've gotta toot your own horn." I guess that's more of a worldly thought than one from Jesus. (I still loved that movie and all her little quips with her Southern drawl.)

As a stay at home mom I know how easy it is to get bogged down by task after task of caring for our families and our homes. I think it can be a thankless job. My children rarely appreciate a meal I put on the table (and I promise that is more about them than my cooking). My husband is pretty good about thanking me for clean underwear and meals and taking care of the kids.

I think we should encourage each other too. If you've got a friend who stays home and makes her life's work her family and home, let 'em know that you feel them ... you know the value of what they do. Urge them on!

I've come to realize lately that committing these redundant tasks to the Lord seems to make the load lighter and the path a bit easier. When I don't really wanna delve in, I lift up my eyes to Him, offer a breath of prayer, and somehow, He eases what is burdening me.

Father, as I breathe out a prayer, You breathe into me peace. Help me make it all for You.

Blessings Y'all!

P.S. On a totally off topic note, another of Dolly Parton's phrases that I love:

"You gotta tinkle or get off the potty."

I'll leave you to do with that one what you will. LOLOL

Tongue and Prayer?

From 5/28/11:

"He trains my hands for battle; He strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow."

- Psalm 18:34

From 5/31/11:

"Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."

- Proverbs 21:23

"The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends."

- Proverbs 11:30

From 6/1/11:

"A man that hath friends must show himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

-Proverbs 18:24

From 6/2/11:

"The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer."

- Psalm 6:9

** On that date I wrote: "Thank You, Father, for the love and blessings that fill my life. Thank You that my prayer life with You is growing!"

From 6/7/11:

"Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything."

- Proverbs 13:3

** Let the church say AMERN! (Madea style.) Halleluyer! Use that tongue for good! Share your testimony, teach others, spread the love of God and the sacrifice of His Son. How many years does it take some of us to realize the power (and abuse) the tongue can unleash? Sermon this weekend was on blessing others with our words. These verses of what else our words can do just happened to come up today.

"Have you spoken a word full of hope and cheer?

Have you walked with a slower pace,

Till the weary of heart who were stumbling on,

Took new courage to run the race?

Oh the things we may do

You and I, you and I

Oh the love we can give if we try

Just a word or a song as we're passing along

They will count in the great by and by."

From "Oh, the Things We May Do"

by Lizzie DeArmond & J. M. Hagan

Father, inspire me when You need me to bless others. Give me the words and nudge me along. Let me bless those who need it most.

Blessings Y'all!

He Will ROCK You!

From 5/21/11:

"When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a LASTING FOUNDATION!"

- Proverbs 10:25

** "Our salvation is Rock Solid, Blood Bought, and Fire Proof!" Amen?

From 5/28/11:

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

- Philippians 4:11

** He can make this happen. Ask Him for His peace to flood over you.

"Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind."

- Ecclesiastes 4:6

** Tranquility ... what a beautiful word!

"You have given him his heart's desire; you have withheld nothing he req

uested."

- Psalm 21:2

** Before we even know what we want or need, You, Father, have us covered!

"You have endowed him with eternal blessings and given him the joy of your presence."

- Psalm 21:6

** Fill me with joy in Your Presence, Father. There is none like You.

"I love You, Lord; You are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my Savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection."

- Psalm 18:1-2

** Bookends of messages of the Rock. Rock solid is our Savior and His love. Bask in His glory and absorb the peace of His presence.

Father, any other place besides Your Presence is sinking sand. Let us all find joy, stability and security in You.

Blessings Y'all!

Shut de Door ... or de Mouth

From 5/14/11:

"For the Lord seeth not as a man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

- 1 Samuel 16:7

From 5/19/11:

"Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right."

- Proverbs 20:11

From 5/21/11:

"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

- Proverbs 15:1

"People who wink at wrong cause trouble ... "

- Proverbs 10:10

"Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT."

- Proverbs 10:19

** lolololol

"The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense."

-Proverbs 10:21

** lolol - I'm telling ya, Proverbs cracks me up quite often! My mouth is bigger than my fanny which is considerable enough these days. And it gets me into way more trouble. It is amazing how many lessons we have to have repeated before we "get it".

I love that adage / pop culture sign that reads:

"Lord, keep your arm around my shoulders and your hand OVER MY MOUTH."

Let the church say ... AMEN!

Father, duct tape is okay if your hand is unavailable. Teach me to listen more and chatter less!

Blessings y'all!

Perfectly Designed

From 5/4/11:

"I have chosen the way of truth: Thy judgments have I laid before me."

- Psalm 119:30

"He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness; but a false witness deceit."

- Proverbs 12:17

From 5/5/11:

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."

- Proverbs 4:23

From 5/7/11:

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."

- Proverbs 17:22

From 5/11/11:

"Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life."

- Proverbs 9:11

** As I sat in Bible Class tonight I couldn't help finding comfort with the fact that a whole lot of people I love and respect all over the place were doing the same thing as I was. I love being a part of God's family. I love having a place to belong. I love to love on people that don't always deserve it, might not even know they need, and may not even appreciate it. And then, every once in awhile, someone does. And that one moment of knowing you've made just one person's day a little brighter is enough to sustain you and urge you forward!

Father, thank You for gathering believers together. Thank You for your perfect design and your perfect plan.

Blessings Y'all!

Random Thoughts

From 4/18/11:

"Thou are my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance."

- Psalm 32:7

"You will say, 'How I hated discipline! If only I had not ignored all the warnings!' "

(oops, didn't write verse reference)

"...let my emptiness ... thirst for You, ... "

- E.B. Pusey

From 4/19/11:

"And the Lord shall guide thee continually."

- Isaiah 58:11

"Because You are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings."

- Psalm 63:7

From 5/3/11:

Seven Things the Lord Detests (From Proverbs 6:16):

1. Haughty Eyes

2. A Lying Tongue

3. Hands that Kill the Innocent

4. A Heart That Plots Evil

5. Feet That Race to do Wrong

6. A False Witness

7. Sower of Family Discord

** There sure are a lot of things not on that list that humans detest. As a matter of fact they use God's Will to justify detesting their own set of sins or misgivings. My thought is that the best thing we can do as Christians is to offer grace and mercy (even if we deem it undeserved) and help each other along the treacherous roads of this life. But that's just me.

Father, help me give the gifts of mercy and grace to Your people on this earth. It's been freely given to me from You and I most certainly should pay it forward.

Blessings Y'all!

Sanctuary Pt. 2

You can download this song on iTunes. It is peaceful and calming. It is the one I mentioned in my blog yesterday. Hope it touches your heart like it has mine. - Lesa

"Sanctuary"

As performed by Cyndi Thomson

Sanctuary, safe with You

Oh my love what did I do,

To make You want to stay with me?

Without You now where would I be?

My Sanctuary.

Sanctuary, place of rest

I lay my head against Your chest

Here on earth, my island of

Peace and legendary love.

My Sanctuary.

I wish on dreams, I fly on stars

Across the sky, to where You are

Where the Angel River runs

Beyond the night and to the sun.

Sanctuary, circle us

With only honesty and trust

Hear our prayers, keep us warm

The perfect calm and darkest storm

My Sanctuary

I wish on dreams, I fly on stars

Across the sky, to where You are

Where the Angel River runs

Beyond the night and to the sun.

Sanctuary, safe with You

Oh my love what do You do?

Far away, or close to me

With my last breath Your arms will be

My Sanctuary.

Sanctuary

From 4/13/11:

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness."

- Lamentations 3:22-23

"Even when the burdens of life take us down, through Christ we can be renewed in spirit every day." - The Simple Life by Wanda Brunstetter

From 4/17/11:

"And my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the Lord."

- Jeremiah 31:14

"Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up."

- Hebrews 12:3

** I love starting my day snuggled on my bed under the quilt I made with a hot cup of white mocha and my Bible and devotional books. Oh yeah, and two spoiled rotten little pooches curled up next to me. I haven't even had this routine for a year yet but I can't imagine how I got by without it before.

Right now, I do a memory verse each week as well as read from the following books:

Jesus Lives by Sarah Young

His Princess by Sheri Rose Shepherd

Women of Faith Daily Devotionals

The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

I look up all of the Scriptures I encounter in those books as well as read one of the devotionals written in my Sanctuary Bible.

I love the word "Sanctuary". That is one of my favorite ways to describe God. Considering Him and His word my Sanctuary brings an immeasurable amount of peace. I recently found a song called "Sanctuary" that I'll have to share the words to on here. I will try to do it tomorrow or over the weekend.

Father, Sanctuary, You are my hiding place.

Blessings Y'all!