HAVE YOU EVER BEEN.........

LOST IN HIS LOVE? Today's title is finished by these capitalized lyrics found in BLESSED ASSURANCE. They have to be some of my absolute favorite words in the many hymns I know.... This is because each time I sing them (at least 3 times weekly as I lead hymns in various care facilities), I find myself being able to identify with the wonder of truly being 'lost' in his love... This does not mean I am 'lost and not findable!,' but means I'm awed as I wander freely and without cares in the depths of his wondrous love for me! So, when I get to sing these words, they are much more than simply 'words.'  

While I'm on this topic, I also love to sing, "fills my every longing- keeps me singing as I go.." These are found at the end of  HE KEEPS ME SINGING.  What a blessing it is to be able to truly say that HE does fill my every longing...HE KNOWS all I need and He's always a step ahead of me as HE meeets fills those needs and longings..

Finally, for now,- The lyrics, "Hast thou not seen how all thy desires have been granted in what He ordaineth?" almost always come to mind when I sing the above lyrics.. I don't 'get' to sing this song, PRAISE TO THE LORD THE ALMIGHTY as often since it's not in my group songbook, but I've internalized its message...  What a fantastic truth! Do you have any favorite songs? (or parts thereof?)

Ignorant Does Not Mean Dumb...

Recently, I've had the opportunity to point out that being ignorant of something does not mean you are 'dumb.' It's OK to admit lack of knowledge of a certain realm of facts.. I can tell you right now that I am NOT a rocket scientist so you won't find me working at NASA!   So, what am I writing about this title for?  Well, let me tell you that one of the last things I said to someone today was basically, "You just haven't had the opportunity to learn much about this particular topic." It's no shame to  not know 'something about everything'! In fact, it can be quite fun and enlightening to decide to welcome new knowledge!  So, dear readers, I'd like to encourage you to set your minds on things above as you realize the Father up above is looking down in love! HE has so much waiting for you to learn and, He is a very merciful, compassionate, and gracious instructor! In II Timothy 3:16, we find that 'All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, and for training in righteousness...'  We can be very grateful for the Bible since it truly allows us to come to know more of the LORD.. I am so fascinated when I stop to consider just how HE inspired its contents so HE might reveal himself to us. Have you paused to consider the wonder of being able to approach the LORD GOD, creator of all, in an intimate manner?  JESUS himself, called his disciples friends..! That's another wonder!

I'll close now by simply challenging you (as well as myself!) to grow in knowledge of HIS word, and of HIM personally!  DID you know that Jeremiah 9:23-24 says we CAN know HIM?  Just open your mind and heart to welcome his presence within you if you haven't known about these wonderful truths yet! Afterall, JESUS did say He is THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life! Blessings to all...as you continue or begin to discover just how MUCH He loves you!

  

Simply Words?

This will be brief, I hope! Recently, I was concerned when I heard someone saying they 'should' have done a certain optional thing... It was said in a manner which sounded as if they were condemning themself. I would propose the use of 'could' have done instead of 'should' since  'should' implies as sense of guilt but the use of 'could' simply acknowledges possibly a missed opportunity.. (This was being said in the context of my friend's mentioning of how her quiet times with our Lord had not been what they 'should' have been recently..) See what I mean? 

One more pair of words I think about often is  'Successful/Significant,' for, once again, words do make a difference.. It was the coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Tony Dungee (sp?) who verified my thinking about these words in our Christian lives... We are not meant to be 'successful' as such since all we do is to be solely to the LORD's GLORY, but, we ARE meant to lead 'significant' lives which flourish as we become more yielded to His presence within us so that others can be impacted by the prospect of true PEACE, HOPE, JOY, MERCY, GRACE, and SO MUCH MORE becoming possible for their lives also!

Now for an intriguing thought about the power of a word.. This morning during my quiet time, I noticed the use of the word, "if" 4 times in II Peter 2:4-9.. I know the LORD has a reason for its presence there, but take time to look up why I am maybe a little bit puzzled about why THAT word is there instead of "since."  Blessings to all who read this...

MORE FROGS!

Had I been an Egyptian during the times of Pharoah before the Exodus, I definitely would not have been delighted with more frogs! Well, since I'm NOT living with a plague of them, I will tell you why I have been tickled as the Lord has been blessing me with MORE FROGS!  It all began when I assisted only one time in a children's Sunday School class years ago.. That day, they were being shown to Fully Rely On God! AKA: FROG! For months afterwards, I purchased and circulated little rubber frogs to friends so they'd be reminded to rely!(on God, of course!)  Now, jumping forward a few years of my life, I find myself enjoying my Lord as yesterday, and already today (before 9 A.M), He's been leading me to many frogs around my home! (One of them was even inside of a 'super ball' which is half clear!)  It seems He is determined to remind me that I can, and should, fully rely on Him solely for the power, and strength to make choices which 'tickle' Him! I'm constantly assured, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.."  YES! This is why I've written about more FROGS today.. HE DELIGHTS in encouraging me to walk in constant triumph over my dead-in-sin nature..   COLOSSIANS 2:13-15 delight me now as I read how He's made me alive with Christ Jesus- having disarmed powers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross!!

As I re-read this I noted the reciprocal ways He delights and tickles me and I, Him! We need not be hesitant to let HIM, and to return in kind.. F.R.O.G.!

P.B.'n J. vs. P.H.'n J.!?

Making choices in life constantly confounds me as my flesh battles against the Lord's best for/through me. So, what about today's title? Well, I love to tell others that 'True PEACE, HOPE and JOY are available to me at all times.' This is true if only I welcome the power of HIS presence within me as the Holy Spirit overpowers the enemy's attempts/intentions to rob me of the peace, hope and joy, I've realized I know a LOT of the time.. So, I 'get to' choose between a gooey, fattening, not-very-healthy, peanut butter and jelly sandwich (or another sort of indulgence!) and a much wiser option to eat. When I do choose healthily, the PEACE is worth the 'sacrifice' of not eating whatever was 'calling me' to eat unwisely..
I recall my early college years when I would ask my mentor why I insisted on depriving myself of the 'delight of discipline.' I still ask the same question.. Basically, the answer is that my creator chose to allow me a free will.. He wants me to be able to choose HIS BEST for/through me, rather than 'foist' his presence upon/within me... So, dear readers, I don't know what 'plagues' your mind, causing you to refuse his deliverance a lot of the time, but please join me in desiring the PEACE, HOPE AND JOY HE imparts, over the 'satisfaction?' found in a PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICH. (or anything else that would leave you under conviction and 'wishing 'I hadn't done that!)
As I've typed this, many scriptures have come to mind... How about 'Be transformed by the renewing of your mind,' from Romans 12:1-2 or "Set your minds on things above,....Put to death therefore what ever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.." from Colossians 3:2-5... We will do these more readily if we 'Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith who for the JOY set before Him, endured the cross...'(Hebrews 12:2) I'm sure many more came to your mind as you read.. Today, dear reader, may you, along with me, choose our 'claim' to the wondrous Peace, Hope, and Joy that only comes by letting our Lord's presence rule over our earthly nature moment by moment because HE LOVES US!

SHOPPIN' FOR RELIGION?

Today's title is inspired by a local real estate office's reader board.. On one side it speaks of a property with 'Peek-a-Boo' views and the other side speaks of one with a 'mother-in-law' unit included.. The 'peek-a-boo' really made me giggle the first time I read it... Now, where am I going with this train of thought... WELL, I'm just beginning to wonder how many individuals have 'shopping lists' when they begin to search for that elusive 'whatever is missing inside of me..' Often, as one is realizing the need for help from that 'higher power,' (or whatever!) they dread the prospect of walking through the door of 'just any old church,' etc.. They have preconceived fears, prejudices, and other hesitations.. Many probably think they'll have to ''give up" the 'good times and all included in them.' So we, as the Lord's children, have the responsibility to represent the desirability of a personal relationship to the LORD, as the true answer for the emptiness mankind experiences at some point in life. I am wondering which 'features' of my love for the LORD might attract a seeker to Him, were they to be displayed in a 'reader board format.' Peacefulness, joyfulness, and hopefulness are just 3 of the ones I'd hope would be 'advertised.'
I am going to switch 'trains' at this point to simply affirm what most of us know if we are already the LORD's--- We are NOT 'RELIGIOUS,' but are ones who live in a deepening personal relationship to HIM!-THE KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS! Those who are seeking a 'religion' to satisfy them or to provide a sense of 'purpose for living,' will only be perpetually empty inside.. For, it is only the LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF- THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, that can abort the 'shopping for a good religion' trip!!

WHOSE TURN TO TURN?

As I considered the possible uses of this morning's time slot for my 'study/writing/quiet' time, I realized I needed to concentrate on the gist of this message.... One of my family members is my inspiration since they have acquired an affectionate nickname of 'Wrong-way_____.' For, it seems this individual is 'directionally impaired,' especially when it comes to learning their way around this area we live in.... So, each time they realize they are headed the wrong direction, they must decide to 'swallow their pride,' then, turn around!! Well.... That is just about like any/all of us who find ourselves needing to relinquish our 'rights' to any bad habits or indulgences so we may truly turn to our Lord for his strength and direction in our lives.. Recently, I have adopted this phrase... "To turn, is to return.." For me, it means realizing my dependence upon our LORD so I can live the truth of the first song I heard on my Morning Devotions radio show on KCIS AM630 today..The song was, STRENGTH WILL RISE AS WE WAIT UPON THE LORD. Now, 3 or 4 songs later, I've turned up the radio volume to "THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH."
I don't know about any of you readers 'out there,' but I am not one who makes New Year's resolutions. I do realize though when I need to intentionally turn from my sinful indulgences so I can glorify my LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST daily.. For, when I do, the JOY He fills me with is beyond description! Strength to resist temptations comes from swallowing my pride instead of all that I consider to be so 'desirable.' Blessings to all who read this! Which scripture verses can you think of to support your desires to glorify the Lord??