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James 1 tells us that BELIEVERS  will face trials. My first thought (based on a few that I am facing right now): “Oh boy is this ever true.”

Second thought (based on the Spirit’s leading): It is really important  that we understand this TRUTH, so that we do not “faint or grow weary”  

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” Galations 6:9

but rather “stand firm”

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.” 1 Peter 5:7-8

and even” count the trials as an opportunity for great joy”. 

“Dear brothers and sister, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2

It is in understanding this TRUTH that we learn to persevere

 We must also understand that these “trials” may somehow tempt us away from God; and sense we know that “God does not tempt anyone”, we must be extra alert and cautious of the devil, the believer’s enemy, when troubles come our way. 

Third thought (again by the Spirit’s leading): How? How, in the middle of our trials, do we perseve? The Spirit whispers – listening to and living the Word … keeping your eyes on The Father. It  is vital to our endurance. For the Word keeps us FOCUSED on GOD who is our strength in times of trouble. 

“The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him”          Nahum 1:7

“He will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Him, all whose thougths are fixed on Him.” Isa. 26:3

Even now as troubles press in … the thoughts of them luring me away from these lessons from James – I hear the Spirit whisper My child:

“Do not be afraid for I am with you, and do not be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Without a doubt, perseverance is laced with difficulties but in the end there will be the richest of blessings – and it will be worth it all. 

“A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12

After reading Paul’s two letters to Timothy, I have been reminded by Paul’s warnings and instructions how difficult “living your faith” can be. “Living my Faith” takes work and requires strength and courage and often suffering; and this means living with intentionality, alertness, awareness, carefulness, and a unique boldness. However, Paul’s words were not without hope and the reminder that in “Living my Faith” there are also blessings – both in this life and in the life to come – 

“Train yourself to be godly, for physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Tim 4:7b-8

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a Spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.”          2 Tim 2:7

“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15

“But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me … and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom…” 2 Tim 4:17-18

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” 2 Tim 4:7-8

Prompted by a question from a study on 1 Timothy 3 to give my statement of faith – the chorus from a song I have not thought of in ages came to mind and seemed a perfect answer to the prompt …

He came from heaven to earth to show the way  – from the earth to the cross my debt to pay – from the cross to the grave – from the grave to the sky – Lord, I lift Your name on high. 

I have never understood the book Song of Songs.  – I’ve brushed through it or listened half-heartedly as others have taught on it, particularly after my husband left our marriage of 26 years. It seemed pointless to me in the realm of applicable scripture for my heart. I mean I no longer had a lover so what could it possibly have to offer me? So you can imagine my regret and dread when the last part of my current Bible Study “Covenant” was Song of Songs 😱 – but, rather than lay the study aside when I prayed over it – telling God what a struggle it has always been for me – telling Him I needed His help and wisdom to understand it … asking God to reveal what it says about Him – and what, if anything, it has to say about me … and then I opened my Bible and turned to Song of Songs and began to read ❤️ 

I have admittedly struggled through some of the book – but God is faithful – and has  given me nuggets of truth and encouragement to take from it everyday …  such as: 

• While I no longer have an earthly “lover” (husband/bridegroom), I do have Christ, my Heavenly Bridegroom 💜 Who loved me enough to die for me ❤️and leave His Spirit in me – and is one day coming back for me – to celebrate with me at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb! …
• And oh the sweetness of chapter 2 when I realized that – like the lover called to His beloved – God calls to me❤️ He calls me His and bids me to come to Him … where I can sit at His feet, in the shade of His majestic Presence 💜 and there in His shadow I find love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control💚 Oh what a delight to savor the Presence and the sweet filling gifts of my God and King – The Lover of my soul! … 
• and then the conviction of chapter 3: Do I seek after God (my first true Love) with my whole heart? Do I cling to Him? And do I live and talk as one who wants others to come out and see Him?

 … Wow! What I have gleaned from the first three chapters of this book I almost laid aside – believing it had nothing for me. I am reminded, even now, how that All of Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training in righteousness – so that I might be a thoroughly equipped servant of God. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the book has to say ❤️

To have victory in my CHRISTIAN WALK – I must “put on the full armor of God“. Once I put everything on it is God who works in and through me – EMPOWERING AND ENABLING me to “STAND FIRM” against “the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of EVIL in the heavenly realms.”

• God wants me to use EVERYTHING He has given me for standing firm … His Word … His righteousness and salvation … the shield of faith … the gospel of peace … prayer in the Spirit … 
• He wants me to be alert and to pray for others – because there is real danger coming against us! The enemy is not just coming to hurt us but to destroy and devour us.  (John10:10; 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:11)

But we don’t have to live in fear!  We simply have to “put on the full armor of God”     When we do this WE WILL STAND! 

“The devil is vicious but he is not victorious!” (Lysa TerKerust – First 5) 

I love Saturdays! It’s the one day I can wake up – stretch, grab my prayer journal, my Bible and pens and a notebook – and nearly three hours later find myself still sitting at His feet not wanting it to end. ❤️ Free from constraints of the work week, my self imposed schedules, and demands of the world – I am free and able to be lost in the wonder, love, and praise of His word and Prrsence. The house beckons for my attention – the laundry that I didn’t get finished, the patio that desperately needs power washed, the ferns that need watered – they all call my name but I push them aside – for He has drawn me in – It is SATURDAY – and I am free from their demands and I am utterly captivated by Him! 

Ladies, I’ve been running behind all week so when I wrote this in “my moments’ yesterday I didn’t think to or have time to share … not sure anyone will even see it now since by now everyone is another day ahead – but just in case someone out there ever deals with guilt or shame – I thought I would backtrack and share how God chose to use Luke 15 in my life yesterday – grace and blessings to you all ❤️12/13/2016 Tap to edit

Father, you heard me this morning – You alone know the whispers I heard from the enemy as I awoke this morning. You alone heard the lament of my heart and pen as I poured myself forth to you – the hurt of memories, the shame that flooded my soul, the guilt that sought to undo me so early in the morning – You knew and Your Spirit spoke back … Remember, you confessed those sins long ago and He was faithful and just to forgive you … Remember, there is no condemnation to those who belong to Christ Jesus … Remember, He throws your sins into the depths of the sea and remembers them against you no more … and with every whisper from the enemy, every attempt he made to wrestle me to the pit, Your Spirit spoke over the whisper with the TRUTH – the TRUTH that I have been set free, that Sin is no longer my master! Father, while these thoughts this morning shook me and surprised me – they didn’t surprise You. You knew … You knew and just minutes after i poured myself out to You – You met me there on the pages of scripture – scripture that I should have read two days ago – but instead found myself reading this morning – not by chance but because You knew I would need to remember you as the one who so long ago pursued me like the shepherd did his sheep, and like the woman looking for her coin – and You watched for me, the prodigal, You met me on the road home – celebrating my return ❤️and freeing me of my shame and guilt 🙌 what wondrous LOVE is this! Not just that You met me then – but that You met me here this morning with the reminder that I WAS lost but then was found! You have rejoiced over me – robed me in the blood of Christ – and stand with me this morning protecting me from the enemy’s accusations of guilt and shame! And to that inexplicable JOY I REJOICE as one who is FOUND and UNASHAMED❤️

In the Nicene creed study this past week – we studied how one of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is unifying believers – and the importance that plays in the role God has given us as “The Church” in this world. Unity is important and and how we respond will definitely speak volumes to unbelievers … As I began processing this Thursday night and grieved over the conflict arising from it – God took me to two examples in scripture – both of Christ – one where He ate with “sinners and publicans” and was questioned about it (Matthew 9:9-13); and then the time that he rescued a woman who would have by OT LAW been stoned to death for adultery (John 8:1-8). In both situations Christ takes the time to sit with them (“sinners”), or talk with her about her situation. In neither case did he condone what they were or the lifestyle she had chosen rather He lovingly pointed both the “sinners” and those who questioned Him to the Father ❤️ 

I don’t know if that makes sense to anyone else – but it’s what he’s given me – Bottom line for me is this – While I can’t agree with Jen and attend the marriages of my LGBT friends or agree with her that their marriages are Holy – I mean how can something that we believe to be sinful in God’s eyes be set apart for God – or considered sacred? I do however strongly AGREE with her in the fact that we are to love them! For goodness sakes we are all sinners saved by grace!!! The sinners and publican and adulterers and the divorced and the addicts and the LGBT and the myriad of other “labels” we place on ourselves or others SHOULD be loved by “the church” whether that’s in a “church” building or on the street or in our work places or neighborhoods … It’s in doing this we are loving like Christ loves and accomplishing The Fathers will ❤️ 

One other note – while we might agree or disagree with a stand someone has taken – when we plaster it all over social media I believe we do the work of God harm – for it emphasizes disunity and at best this confuses a watching world, or at worst condemns them – pushing them away from the very thing meant to save them.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not parish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through Him ❤️ John 3:16-17

We have been filled with the Holy Spirit and left here on this earth not to condemn the world but to love the world like Christ did –

See, now I’m giving you a new command – you must love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should also love each other ❤️

July 25

How can I say thank-you Father for this day? Perhaps one of the best days, longest days, quietly blessed day that I remember for a long time – a very long time – at least here at home ❤ The water, the sun, the ‘quiet’ noise of lawn mowers, children playing across the way, neighbors talking – the feel of a book in my hand, laundry going and sweat dripping.

It’s the Little Things!

Conversations by the pool with my girls, dinner prep in the kitchen, more pool time, dinner on the porch and sweet conversations – interrupted slightly by memories of Scott, but how does one have days here without that? – Anyway – one goes riding, one walking, and me – more reading by the pool – more quiet. The night grows cooler as the sun pushes further back – but then a late night swim – neighbors on their deck, children playing late into the night – Oh Yes LORD! Thank You for this very wonderful day ❤ I love you so much ❤

Father I literally run into Your presence, knowing the time ticks before me but blessed by Your Goodness to speak and intwine me in the pages of my morning devotional from One Thousand Gifts. 

You are Good!

Your words jump off the page to me – reminding me again of Your very real, very intimate, personal love! 

What a relationship we are building – You and me – Your Son the Chief Cornerstone, of course ❤ 

and then ‘brick by brick’  – these encounters – words from me – words from You – pages turning, seeds planted, watering, weeding – growing ❤ Walking and talking – long drives, silent sometme but often filled with language, anguish, tears, comfort ❤ Ah, so many different layers – some not so straight but their crookedness tells the story of the years where I veered off to the left or the right – some show cracks and crevices where I fell and You had to pick me up – but layer upon layer they are built – these years of knowing You – The Master Builder – Faithful – never walking off the job – always pursuing – always showing me how He could make it better – how we could get past the flaws and even use them to enhance the beauty – Your beauty Father – Your Face – Your grace – This morning – it’s all I see! ❤

I have to go now. I have to walk out the door into the unknown – But I’m blessed by the reminder I do not walk alone. ❤