…its about a creative journey of faith
There are no two the same in my Kingdom. There is none like you. Trust yourself and trust what we are doing in you. We will not let you fall. Just stay close to us. Do not let darkness overtake you. Be the LIGHT.
…whispers from above – we never walk alone!
The words of Jesus are so rich…
This is my command: Love each other.
John 15:16
Valentine’s day brings a big range of emotions for many but I think of the “greater love” we have from our Father in heaven. The one who gave His all – His Son for us. Who gives good and perfect gifts if we’ll receive them.
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:22-23
God doesn’t want to give glory to other gods or idols but He does want to give us so much more. I pray this week is one where you will see His goodness, receive His glorious gifts and feel the sweetness of His presence.
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6
Galations 5:4-6 Message
I suspect you would never intend this, but this is what happens. When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace. Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying relationship with the Spirit. For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior:
faith expressed in love.
I admit to some envy for the Jewish ways of deeply knowing the Torah. I dig deep but there is so much more to discover! I think one of our biggest purposes in this life is getting to know the many facets of God through the Father, the Son and the Spirit. He desires that deep personal relationship with us. He desires to reveal mysteries to us. He desires for us to know the width, length, height and depth of His love. He desires to shepherd us and for us to know His voice. He desires to shelter us and encourage us.
We so often focus on what we can give to God or do for Him. We can even become prideful in our “doing” where we actually forget He is part in the relationship. It become us and our list of good deeds. The best relationship is mutual giving and receiving – and God is the Creator even of relationships!
I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:13-14
Lord we thank you that there is always more You want to share with us. Thank you that You are not distant but so very intimate with our lives, knowing every hair on our head and every hope in our hearts. Guide us to know You even more as we seek You through Your word, Your presence and Your voice.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100
Your heart has a passion that has been neglected.
Let it come again.
Let it be breathed with life again.
…a whisper from God
I woke to this verse several weeks ago.
There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
Proverbs 16:25 ESV
Am I heading in a wrong direction? Is this a warning to me? Is this to guide me in pray for someone else? I wasn’t sure so I continued to ask… As I wrote yesterday, this verse came again and reminds me also of Romans.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 NIV
Sometimes when we are doing what seems right to us, it’s acceptable to the world and to what we know of God’s ways, yet the results can be detrimental.
Maybe its words spoken that hurt relationships.
(No, we can’t control when saying “Hello” will bring someone pain.)
Times we settle for easy fixes that cause even bigger problems.
(That would be me in some of my home repair projects.)
Jonah decided he was not going to do as God asked. Was his reaction fear? Plain ole disobedience? Or just a matter of being in control instead of surrendered to God? His choice didn’t go well and came with a great cost to others. Jonah didn’t die in that fish belly – but a part of him was certainly killed after that experience! God’s grace redirected him so his purpose was completed.
Why do I talk about the dreams God has for our lives so often? Because I know that is part of His message for me to share. He has uniquely designed each of us “in His image and likeness” and He really NEEDS us to walk in that.
It’s not just a matter of us needing God but even more is His need for us to be “fully” who He created us to be. The master blueprint before you were even born showed a God sized destiny – not just an earthly lifespan. Will you dare to dream big again?
Long, long ago I painted this scene large and vibrant. I ran across my photo reference and felt to create a little 5×7 of it. Such a peaceful place from a color tour in New Hampshire – Virginia area.
We all need peaceful places. A place to refocus on what is truly important. I find that through prayer, reading or listening to the word or worship, painting, or working in the garden. Sometimes even cleaning house! Often just in silence to say, “Speak Lord, I’m listening.” He is definitely a great encourager!
A few years ago I engaged in a negativity fast. It can be a difficult thing, especially since bad news sells and gossip is the general “Hi how you doing? Did you hear about so and so?” kind of conversations. A great verse to keep me in line was…
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
I do have bad days but I don’t hang on to the stress or repeat the negative parts to multiple people anymore. It is really liberating to live from that place of peace. Many things still do bother me and I occasionally need to release to someone, but I remember it takes 13 positives to overcome a negative, so I make sure I find the good AND keep it in front of me! I’m sticking to true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy!
Thank you Lord that there are always great things to the day! Thank you for the freshness of the snow cover. For time to paint, write, pray and dig into your Word. Guide us all in the paths of peace that we would know Your ways and walk in them Jesus. Amen
I heard from mom my phone wasn’t receiving messages. It was great to listen to some of them again. An artist/singer friend called with her husband to leave a Happy Birthday song! That one stays in the save list for smiles through the year.
Another was from a woman I met last April who was at the end of hope…it was the majority of her years. In some ways I barged into her life. She did all she could to push me away. I’m smiling as I remember some of the tense moments and even my talk with God later, “Do you really need me around this negative person?”
She asked me not to get involved in her life unless I was going to really be there. I was very honest to say, “I don’t know how long I’ll be around but I would like to walk with you while I can.” We found some good footing and even better, she found some hope in Jesus.
There is so much to her story I don’t know but I clearly saw God’s hand reaching out to her with great possibilities if she would press in to His goodness. She did! She was baptized and in love with Jesus. As a teen she felt a calling to ministry so finally, 30 years later, she signed up for ministry classes.
My friend went to be with Jesus in November and its so sweet to think of her out of physical and mental pain and getting tutored direct! I was remembering her after hearing the message and painting another beach scene…she loved the beach.
Questions I’m pondering and maybe you will too…
How many of those around me will be able to run to the arms of Jesus?
What am I doing to reach OUT instead of just invite IN?
Where can I get to know those who don’t yet believe?
Are there “Christians” around me who don’t really know the fullness His love?
Thank you Lord that You direct our steps – guide us to those we need to touch for You. Prepare their hearts and help us break down those walls of separation. Let us not just smile and wave but truly share the love of Jesus with them. It’s the best thing in this world!! Amen
Sometimes the Message version just speaks a little louder…
Psalm 24 MSG
God claims Earth and everything in it,
God claims World and all who live on it.
He built it on Ocean foundations,
laid it out on River girders.
Who can climb Mount God?
Who can scale the holy north-face?
Only the clean-handed,
only the pure-hearted;
Men who won’t cheat,
women who won’t seduce.
God is at their side;
with God’s help they make it.
This, Jacob, is what happens
to God-seekers, God-questers.
Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
Who is this King-Glory?
God, armed
and battle-ready.
Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
Who is this King-Glory?
God-of-the-Angel-Armies:
he is King-Glory.
Sometimes it’s simple things that speak loudly. Just after looking at a recipe, I heard a POP and knew it was something in the fridge. My imagination did not prepare me. The biscuit tube I had thought to use, was overflowing its diagonal lines…
How often are your hopes and ideas bursting before you get to them?
Do they seem useless, finished and better forgotten?
Do you ponder the fullness of God’s word and the depth of His promises or wait for it to burst out in revelation?
Think of Joseph, David, Ruth… They didn’t seem to have much to hope for anymore. The things God showed them seemed to expire, then SUDDENLY… life shifted!!
God loves the impossible! Nothing is too hard for Him! What seems impossible with man, is always possible to God!
Don’t give up on those dreams. Don’t stop those prayers. Be open to God giving them in an even bigger way than you could imagine, because He loves to outdo even our most creative thoughts!
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20 MSG
Maybe our ideas have been too small, our prayers a bit wimpy and our hopes past their expiration date – BUT GOD – He is not small, wimpy or late!!! He is faithful!!!!
We are saved by trusting. And trusting means looking forward to getting something we don’t yet have—for a man who already has something doesn’t need to hope and trust that he will get it. Romans 8:24 TLB
I pray you will see even more of God’s blessings and favor as you continue to HOPE and DREAM of even bigger things with Him!
It's not really about me... 