"Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!' The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord." Lamentations 3: 21-26(NLV).
Waiting is not fun. I have been in waiting for quite some time now in my spiritual life. I feel confident what God has planned for me, but right now I hear "Wait." So, I am waiting, which goes against my extremely impatient nature. Not to mention my need to plan and control. That goes with being Type A which is great for my profession, an attorney; however, can be excruciating in other facets of my life.
I pray for faith, patience, endurance, and hope. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,' says the Lord." Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NLV).
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Praise Your Mighty Name
"Sing to the Lord; bless his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!" Psalm 96:2-4(a)(NLV). “For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100:5(NLV).
God is faithful, just, our redeemer, protector, savior, friend, giver of gifts, creator and so much more. He alone is worthy of our praise and He alone holds the world in His hands. I like that image of the "world in His hands;" because I am in the world so I am in His hands. I want to sit in His strong hands and all consuming love forever.
"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. O Lord Almighty, my King and my God! How happy are those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs, where pools of blessing collect after the rains! They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem. A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. For the Lord God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right. O Lord Almighty, happy are those who trust in you." Psalm 84:1-2; 4-7; 10-12 (NLV).
God is faithful, just, our redeemer, protector, savior, friend, giver of gifts, creator and so much more. He alone is worthy of our praise and He alone holds the world in His hands. I like that image of the "world in His hands;" because I am in the world so I am in His hands. I want to sit in His strong hands and all consuming love forever.
"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. O Lord Almighty, my King and my God! How happy are those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs, where pools of blessing collect after the rains! They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem. A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. For the Lord God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right. O Lord Almighty, happy are those who trust in you." Psalm 84:1-2; 4-7; 10-12 (NLV).
Thursday, July 8, 2010
God's Protection
I am continually reminded of God's protection. On July 4, my husband and two kids got together with my sister and her two kids to shoot fireworks. Others in the neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods were also shooting fireworks and there was quite a bit of noise. We stopped to clean up a bit before continuing the festivities. My six year old was on the sidewalk in front of our home picking up trash when she screamed, "Snake!" and ran back to our driveway. The baby copperhead was within inches of her feet. It was dark, so I am so thankful that she saw the poisonous snake and got away before it bit her.
I do not recall any conversation with her about what to do if you encounter a snake, but I am sure running is not the advice I would give. I have always heard you cannot outrun a snake and they follow vibrations. However, she did just the right thing under those circumstances and by the grace of God the snake did not bite her or chase after her. I have no doubt that God protected her. He provided for her safety. He was there. God must have whispered in her ear to run and told the snake to be still.
"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The Lord says, 'I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation.'" Psalms 91.
I know sometimes we will get hurt or injured and am not claiming that suffering will not occur to those who love the Lord with all their heart. He tells us in His word we will face troubles in this life. However, God is always there. And though we may not know why, sometimes He does intervene on our behalf. There may be plenty of scientific reasons or logical reasons as to why my little girl was not bitten by the snake, but I believe God's hand protected her. God is amazing and His provision constantly amazes me. He protects us even when we do not even realize we need protecting.
I do not recall any conversation with her about what to do if you encounter a snake, but I am sure running is not the advice I would give. I have always heard you cannot outrun a snake and they follow vibrations. However, she did just the right thing under those circumstances and by the grace of God the snake did not bite her or chase after her. I have no doubt that God protected her. He provided for her safety. He was there. God must have whispered in her ear to run and told the snake to be still.
"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The Lord says, 'I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation.'" Psalms 91.
I know sometimes we will get hurt or injured and am not claiming that suffering will not occur to those who love the Lord with all their heart. He tells us in His word we will face troubles in this life. However, God is always there. And though we may not know why, sometimes He does intervene on our behalf. There may be plenty of scientific reasons or logical reasons as to why my little girl was not bitten by the snake, but I believe God's hand protected her. God is amazing and His provision constantly amazes me. He protects us even when we do not even realize we need protecting.
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