MaggieBelle

Beloved–

I cry out:

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?  Why are you so far away when I groan for help?  Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.  Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief.*

Yet you are holy and I can praise you:

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength.  He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.  Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.  You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  You honor me by anointing my head with oil.  My cup overflows with blessings.  Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever*

I continue to pray for you each day that, like me, even though you feel abandon you KNOW without any doubt YOU ARE NOT and you can praise our God and Father.

Luv Ya! 

*from Psalms

Beloved–

I spent the last 10 months reading through the Old Testament.  I spent a lot of time saying, “oh wait, that was me once”  as I marveled at how blind the Israelites were to God’s plan for them.  

God’s plan for me today is clearly spelled out in the first 9 chapters in the book of Proverbs. I learn best by repetition; so it took me several times rereading those 9 chapters for me to begin to recognize (the spirit speaking) the framework of his will for me.  I really wanted to understand God’s will for me (I’m a control freak); I’ve always needed lots of structure.  

I pray for you everyday to know that God has your back and he is not going anywhere!

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

How great is our Lord!  His power is absolute!  His understanding is beyond comprehension!  …the strength of a horse does not impress him; how puny in his sight is the strength of a man.  Rather the Lord’s delight is in those who honor him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love. (from psm 147)

Because of the Lord’s unfailing love for mankind (me and you), he sacrificed his only beloved son on the bloody cross of Calvary.  Where else should I cling in good times or bad but at the foot of the cross of my savior?

I pray for you every day to be comforted, safe and delighted at the foot of the cross.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. (prov 28:12)

My friend says the godly have always known that often, those in authority (non-believers) don’t or will not recognize that they are sinners,  I wonder if the godly (forgiven sinners) know how much God’s heart is broken for these people.  

Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. (1 Tim 2:2)

I pray for you everyday that you pray with urgency, because time is running out and there are many who need Jesus

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Psalm 51:1-13

1 Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love.  Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.  2 Wash me clean from my guilt.  Purify me from my sin.  3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.  4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight.  You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just  5 For I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.  6 But you desire honesty from the womb     teaching me wisdom even there 7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.  8 Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice.  9 Don’t keep looking at my sins.  Remove the stain of my guilt. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Renew a loyal spirit within me.  11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.  12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.  13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.  

The Lord Jesus Christ wants to take out your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh and blood–his blood!

Beloved–

I read in Psalm 79 Asaph prayed that the Lord would not hold the nation of Israel guilty for their former sins (v9b).   Mentally, as my former sins flashed through my mind I began to worry; but no worries needed I’m covered by the blood of Jesus!  

Because of God’s mercy and grace I am not afraid I’m free to obey him.

I pray for you daily that you have the Lord’s freedom because you KNOW you are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

This I Know!

…Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord. (psm 144v15b)  Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.  Wise choices will watch over you.  Understanding will keep you safe. (prov 2v9-11)  Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding (prov 3v13)

How I got

FROM: “Lord this will make me happy!”   (sin influenced by the world view)    TO: Why not?  (sin influenced by the flesh)  TO: yes Sir, no Sir, whatever you say Sir!”   (obedience but not acceptance, still sin)  TO: “Thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus.”  (fully trusting in Jesus’ name).

I pray for you daily to be joyful because the God who is, is the Lord of your life.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

You have got to know what you know that you know!  FACTS:  God loves you (John 3:16)  Happy or sad you can have joy (Psalm 31:7)   God has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11) You can know you are doing his will (Psalm 37:4)

I can’t always see the light at the end of the tunnel but I know I’m on the right track.  Sometimes the track looks like it’s going the wrong way or barely moves at all; yet I know what I know that I know.  God loves me, I can always have joy, God’s plan is perfect and I can delight in the Lord!  

I pray for you daily to know what you know that you know.

Luv Ya!  

Beloved–

Proverbs 21:23 says if you keep your mouth shut you will stay out of trouble.  Proverbs 17:28 says even fools are thought to be wise if they keep silent.  In Psalm 141 King David prayed, Lord seal my lips, don’t let me drift into evil.  

So many times I see things and want to cry out, don’t do it!”   But daily I pray that the words I speak (even those I say to myself) would be guided by the Lord.  

It is hard to hold one’s self out at arms length for self examination but I pray for the ability for me and you too.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

My daily reading this past summer has been the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah.  I have often wondered why the people didn’t fear or heed the warnings.  They cut themselves to much slack; I know because I do it for myself all the time.  

That’s why I pray daily for wisdom to reflect on my thoughts as well as my actions; to recognize the worldly influences on my values, or my fleshly desires to think about “me first.”  instead God first.

I pray for you daily to know the joy of choosing God first.

Luv Ya!