Beloved–What if

you prayed asking God to bless your plan for the future, but no “door” opened to implement that plan?  You recalculate to a plan B and even a plan C but there is no open door.

You worked hard for a long time. weighing all the pros and cons very carefully to produce a worthy plan, not too conservative and not too wild.  You just, know deep in your very being that one of these plans will assure the satisfaction you seek, but which door to open?  You try them all but none will open!  You pray show me, Lord and go back to study where you missed an unseen pro or con and find more doors that won’t open.

Now what?? A room full of doors and none will open; or some doors look like a good possibility but quickly fizzle out. You think to yourself, God must not care. The frustration level reaches the red zone, fear sets in and the enemy piles on with, “you don’t deserve God’s mercy and even less his grace.”  The doubts surround you and you feel totally beat down.

You are ready to give up but in the back of your mind you remember hearing in some pastor’s sermon or read it while memorizing a Bible verse that “God loves me” and he proved it by sending his Son to the cross to pay the debt you couldn’t pay.

Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.  Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land.  The LORD directs the steps of the godly.  He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. (from Psm 37nlt)

I pray daily that you never get so down that you doubt God’s love or so high that you forget where your blessings come from.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–I am having trouble sticking to the “safe path.”  One of my daily prayers is for wisdom on how to be the kind of person the Lord wants me to be as his representative.  The Bible says we are stand against evil but RUN from temptation.  Sometimes I don’t even recognise temptation until after I have walked into the trap and the door slams shut.  Sometimes I see clearly but I walk right in and sit right down any way.  King David said it best in Psalm 32.

1Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven,  whose sin is put out of sight!  2Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!  3When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away,  and I groaned all day long.  4Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.  My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. 5Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt.  I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.”  And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.  6Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the flood waters of judgment.  7For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble.  You surround me with songs of victory.  8The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best  pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.  9Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”  10Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.  11So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him!

I pray for you daily that your heart’s desire is to have the joy of the Lord!

Luv Ya!

Beloved–I have children that look like me but have their dad’s character.  I have children that look like their dad but have my character.  I also have children that are a combination of both characters.

(Genesis 1:27a) So God created human beings in his own image.

My character is suppose to have my heavenly father’s image…he gave me a conscience with the ability to know what is right and to know what is wrong.  Frequently I choose to walk the very narrow line in the middle.

So I pray for wisdom and discernment to keep my mouth shut and a willingness to give grace not just mercy.  I pray daily for you for wisdom and discernment to know God’s direction in your life.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–Which is better happiness or joy?

hap·py [hap-ee] adjective (a description)

1. delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing: to be happy to see a person.
2. characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy: a happy mood; a happy frame of mind.

Joy [joi] noun (a statement of fact)

1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure;elation: She felt the joy of seeing her son’s success.
2. a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated: Her prose style is a pure joy.

I know I can’t always be in a happy frame of mind because my circumstances are ever changing.  I can always find joy in all situations because I know the source of my joy is never changing.  Happiness is fleeting, joy is permanent…it’s my choice.

Psalm 30:5b    Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.   I am praying for you to KNOW JOY in tears or in smiles.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–Solomon says in Proverbs that the Lord God formed wisdom before he created the first handfuls of soil; that he created me in His own image and granted me a treasure of common sense.  The apostle Peter (2 Peter 1) tells me that the most important thing I can do is get wisdom and understanding because they lead to knowledge of God which leads to self control and godly behavior.

Usually, when things (or people) pile up to frustrate me beyond measure I do a lot of whining and complaining.  This year I made a decision to use my treasure of common sense and stop whining and complaining; easier said than done.  I have asked God to change my heart every time I have a critical or negative thought.  It’s only been 12 days but I see a change…in me.  God always grants your heart’s desire when you line up your goals at his feet.

I pray for you daily that your goals are in line with his for you.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

A new year reminds me of when I first invited Christ into my heart.  I want to always be sure that my heart is a place where Christ comes first and is my true treasure.

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.(matt 6:21nlt)

Then I see how far a field I have gone and I could fall into despair but I don’t because one of my favorite Bible writers reminds me that I don’t have to wait for a new year….the Lord offers renewal daily.

….your strength will be renewed each day like the morning dew. (psm 110:3nlt)

How great is that to know?   I pray daily for you to get that knowledge, that assurance from the Word.

Luv Ya!

“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Luke 10:27

At year’s end, I checked my heart and found it had fallen short.  I cried out to my savior, “change my heart, change my heart!”   I pray daily that the Lord blesses you with your heart’s desire.   

Happy New Year Beloved