John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Did you know?
On the following pages are some things that are important to know as we walk with the Lord.
May their truth sink deep down into your heart, making you to be free!
In a world that is often harsh and demanding,
there is One whose heart remains tender towards you.
Jesus Is A Gentleman
He will open a door,
But He will not push you through it.
He will speak to you,
But He will not shout to make you hear.
He wants to spend time with you,
But He will not force you to meet with Him.
He knocks on the door of your heart,
Then He waits for you to invite Him in.
He gives you choices,
(freedom or bondage, light or darkness, His Way or your own),
But He will not tell you how to decide.
He loves you,
Without expectations of perfection or harsh demands.
Jesus is a gentleman,
You can trust Him with the depths of your soul.
No Matter What
Though You slay me, still will I trust You.
Though You slay me, still will I praise You.
Though You slay me, still will I thank You.
No matter what, I will follow You.
God is a God of love and compassion. His motives towards us are always good. Sometimes Love requires Him to remove something from our lives. A job, a home, a relationship, a selfish attitude, or pride. Anything that may come between us and our reliance on Him. Anything that interferes with our ability to receive His love. When this is necessary, it can feel like a part of us is being slain in the process, and it hurts. Our pain may cause us to want to turn from the Lord. Yet His aim is to move us ever closer to Him, not to drive us away. He stands near, ready to cover us with His comfort and mercy. To give us the confidence of knowing that when He takes something from us, He has something better in mind. He wants us to know that we can trust Him. No Matter What.
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:
John 6:66-68 From that time many of his disciples went back , and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve , Will ye also go away ? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go ? thou hast the words of eternal life.
2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
*Isaiah 44:9 How foolish are those who manufacture idols to be their gods. These highly valued objects are really worthless. They themselves are witnesses that this is so, for their idols neither see nor know. . . (NLT)
*Idols are those things that we place above God in our lives. Examples can include: Self– when our own selfish wants, desires and fears take the place of doing what we know God wants us to do.
Television, video games, computers– while they aren’t bad in and of themselves, they can become an idol when we consistently choose them over spending time with God.
People– when we look to them instead of God for our validation and value.
Jobs, money, possessions, ministry,– anything that becomes more important to you than God.
Isn’t it amazing that no two snowflakes are alike? When we see the intricate beauty of a white crystal as it falls, we can know that it was lovingly created with a unique purpose in mind.
Some flakes provide moisture to the earth as its surface prepares to freeze. Others are made to be tiny pieces of a soft white cover, giving protection to that which lies beneath. One flake may become part of a spring in the forest, or water in a river as the season changes and the blanket melts. Yet another, seen by the eye of man, is recognized as a beautiful reflection of its Creator. Every flake serves a purpose, and no two snowflakes come to rest in exactly the same place.
As a snowflake falls to the ground rejoicing in the one who made it, may we too glory in the unique plans God has prepared for us. For no two people are alike. One is called to fall on a hardening heart and soften it with kind words. Another, to cover the earth with a layer of love and prayer. Others will be as a quiet pool by which those who are weary can rest, or part of a raging river designed to bring change as it flows through the land. God has given each of us a different purpose. To pray, or to give, or to love in a way no one else can, in a place no one else will be. To be a reflection of Him to those who are around us.
Remember, there is no one else on earth with the beauty and design of you. You are needed in God’s Kingdom. God has a purpose for your life.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Psalm 138:8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever– do not abandon the works of your hands. (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
James 1:5 If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. (NLT)
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
No matter where we are, God is all around.
I Am Here
I Am here in the blue sky above you,
Even when it is darkened by thunder.
In the beauty of the starlight,
As you lift your eyes to Me.
I Am here in the wind that surrounds you,
Even when it is not blowing.
Or it causes waves all around you,
Let them carry you to Me.
I Am here in the air as you breathe it,
Giving life unto your body.
Your body a Holy Temple,
Is inhabited by Me.
I Am here in the Word I have given,
My Word full of Love and Power.
Wielded as a Mighty Weapon,
In My Word you will find Me.
It is you about which I Am thinking,
Every moment of your lifetime.
You are honored and I love you,
I Am here. Find hope in Me.
Mathew 28:20 . . . lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen (NIV)
1 Corinthians 6:19 Or don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (NLT)
Deuteronomy 30:14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
In times of sorrow, remember . . . The Lord is so close that He is capturing the very tears from your face.
There’s a room full of bottles in heaven,
Their numbers are as yet untold.
They are many shapes and sizes,
Decorated in silver and gold.
Our Father walks through them daily,
Lovingly touching each one.
And in the room walk with Him,
The Spirit and the Son.
The moment a tear spills over,
A bottle comes off of the shelf.
Gently placed within its container,
By the Lord Our God Himself.
Then He picks up His Book of Tears,
And records where that drop came from.
He cares about the reason,
For every single one.
I believe one day we’ll be given,
Our bottle and the tears held within.
Healed and radiant in His Presence,
Never to weep again.
(copyright 2009)
Psalm 56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? (KJV)
Revelations 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away (KJV)
I Hate My Life
I hate my life, the young man said,
As he rose from his comfortable bed.
Fed and clothed and healthy and loved,
He faced the day with dread.
The Father looked down in sorrow,
For the young man could not see.
What was in His Heavenly vision,
Things never meant to be.
On the other side of the earth,
A woman carries her son.
Last year she had two children,
This year she has just one.
Across town from the young man,
She cowers in the night.
It is not safe to be at home,
When darkness covers light.
Far away in another city,
Struggling for a breath.
He fights to say I love you,
As he prepares to meet his death.
I hate my life, the young man says,
If only he could see.
The gifts he has been given,
How much better life would be.
If he lifted his eyes to heaven,
And filled his voice with song.
Giving thanks unto his Father,
It would not take too long.
Before he would see more clearly,
How precious life can be.
As he uses the gifts he was given,
To bring honor and glory to Thee.
For he is the hands of Jesus,
The feet, the love, the tongue.
Lord, open his eyes that he may know,
He’s your child, a chosen one.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain : that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying , Whom shall I send , and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Isaiah 50:7 7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded : therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed .
Psalm 28:7The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. (NIV)
Jesus loves to spend time with us. Take time each day to meet Him in the favorite place of your imagination. Be it a meadow, the ocean, a mountain, or a brook, He is waiting there for you!
The Meadow
Come away with me to the meadow,
Come away with me and rest.
Come away with me to the meadow,
It is here you receive My best.
Come away with me to the meadow,
Come spend some time with Me.
Come away with me to the meadow,
It is here I’ll set you free!
Come away with me to the meadow,
No need to clean up first.
I love you just the way you are,
At your best and at your worst.
Take My hand and follow,
Together we will run.
Come away with me to the meadow,
Your striving alone is done.
Come away with me to the meadow,
Lift your hands and sing.
Come away with me to the meadow,
I am waiting, Your Lord and King.
Psalm 27:8
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming. (NLT)
Song of Solomon 2:10
My beloved spake , and said unto me, Rise up , my love, my fair one, and come away (KJV)
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Journaling
I love to remember Granny.
Granny was a marvelous German woman who spoke her mind…..and loved her family. It is fun to hear her adult grandchildren speak of her with fond memories, and to boldly declare “I was her favorite!”.
I believe it was so.
Granny had a tremendous capacity to love. So great that each grandchild really was her favorite. Individual. Unique in their own way. Each with strengths and each with weaknesses. She took the time to know them and loved them according to who and how they were.
So it is in God’s family. God has no favorites. Because we are His favorite. We are loved more than we can imagine or understand. Let us rejoice in the knowledge of His marvelous love.
Romans 2:11
For God does not show favoritism. (NLT)
Acts 10:34
Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God doesn’t show partiality. (NLT)
Zechariah 2:8
–for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye–
It was a beautiful morning. While it was still too early for the sun to shine fully, the sky was cold and clear, giving promise of a beautiful day. Just yesterday there had been muck and mud to walk through as I made the trek to the barn to feed and water our cattle. Today the ground crunched happily under my feet. The ponds that had threatened to flood the day before, had freeze dried and were no longer a danger to the hay. I rejoiced, even though my toes were cold inside my rubber boots and the socks that were too thin to protect them. Tomorrow I would choose a thicker pair.
The evening before I had plugged in the stock tank heater, anticipating a change in temperature as predicted by the weatherman. The heater would keep the water warm for the cattle, and prevent the need to chip ice. As I approached the trough I noticed that, in spite of my efforts, a thick white layer covered the water. Shoot. The cattle had hooked their nose on the cords. One end of the electrical plugs was frozen in the ice. The other dangled uselessly in the air.
Caution is the word around electricity and water. Since there was no power to the cord attached to the stock tank heater, I was able to carefully chip the plug from the ice. Triumphantly, I dried it off and attempted to slide it into the other cord, which was live. Shoot again. Water had frozen solid into the receptacle, and I was unable to rejoin the two ends.
Several funny thoughts ran through my mind. I could place the live cord in the water trough and attempt to rinse the ice out. I could stick it in my mouth and melt the obstruction that way. Maybe I would tuck it under my armpit by navigating through the many layers of clothes I was wearing, and hope not to get shocked in the process. Or . . . I could cup the chord in my hands and blow, allowing the warmth of my breath to melt the ice.
I must say, I was pretty proud of myself. After several attempts and another chuckle at the thought of hyperventilating and passing out on the ice, I was able to reconnect power to the water heater.
As I walked back to the house in triumph, an awareness came to my mind. Sometimes WE get disconnected from OUR source; God, and ice begins to form on our hearts. It stops the flow of His power in our lives and prevents access to the Life Giving Water of our relationship with Him. Sometimes it is due to circumstances, busyness, our own actions or the actions of others. It may simply be a matter of misplaced priorities. Whatever the cause, the solution is the same. We can allow the Lord to take our heart in His hands, and gently blow the breath of His Spirit upon us. Not as the shallow wind that comes from our own mouths, but as that which is deep, from the very Heart of God.
As we come before Him, God is faithful to show us those things that are between us. Then as we allow, He helps us to remove them from our lives in the way that is best for us. It is His great desire to provide us with the power we need to walk through each day. It is His great desire to stay connected to us.
2 Samuel 22:33
God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst ; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you . . . .
2 Corinthians 4:7 But this precious treasure – this light and power that now shine within us – is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own. (NLT)
