Taste and see…
HE has chosen us out of HIS great love demonstrated on the cross. Here we see the heart of a young girl displaying this reflected love of our Father God!
I witnessed the sweetest showing of love the other night.
There is something so primal about food. We need it. We want it. And we want our “fair” share of it.
In our home, all these feelings are ramped up when it comes to dessert.
My girls always want things to be fair and equal- especially when it comes to food. I don’t blame them- I remember feeling that same way as a kid. When we divide a large slice of pizza, there is an all out war on which side is the bigger one, and which daughter will get it.
Taste and see that the Lord is good- Psalm 34:8
I can’t tell you the number of times I have gone to get my “fair share” of ice cream, only to find that someone had already finished off the carton. Worst. Night. Ever.
The other night, my youngest ran…
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All Dried Up
“So, I’m throwing away the “dried up” thoughts and memories that are holding me down, and throwing away the “dried up” leaves that are preventing new growth on this plant that is still hanging on!” ~JH
At first glance it seems as if
it doesn’t stand a chance
all dried up and withered
due to “desert” circumstance
I admit, I haven’t been
as faithful in its care
I left it by itself
as if it wasn’t even there
but as I take a closer look
a new bud, do I see?
I think it’s not done living yet-
A second chance for me!
I actually cleaned today. Yes- that’s a small victory worth writing about in itself. In the process, I thought I’d “clean up” this poinsettia that seemed destined for the dump. Remember when I predicted the demise of my gorgeous poinsettia before Christmas? Well, I had given up and was ready to send it on it’s way to the trash.
I carefully sat the plant in the kitchen sink- after my daughter helped me clear away all the dirty dishes, and I picked each dead…
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He Keeps The Key
Is there some problem in your life to solve,
Some passage seeming full of mystery?
God knows, who brings the hidden things to light.
He keeps the key.
Is there some door closed by the Father’s hand
Which widely opened you had hoped to see?
Trust God and wait–for when He shuts the door
He keeps the key.
Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet,
Or answered NOT as you had thought ‘twould be?
God will make clear His purpose by-and-by.
He keeps the key.
Have patience with your God, your patient God,
All wise, all knowing, no long tarrier He,
And of the door of all thy future life
He keeps the key.
Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest,
To know of EVERY door He keeps the key.
That He at last when just HE sees ’tis best,
Will give it THEE.
–Anonymous
The poem was part of my devotion this morning and I had to share it with you. I have personally struggled for a long time with my work versus my call. To be fair, I ran away from God’s call on my life for several decades. God tarried with me for a very long time and I must now be willing to wait. During this time, I must be active in growing by His grace, learning and preparing for the day when HE opens the door.
The rub, the issue for is figuring out how to be “all in” while not being in ministry full time, i.e. earning my living from full time ministry. There is this truth; as a child of God, saved by grace through Jesus, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are ALL in ministry! We are all called to as ambassadors of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the reconciliation of man back to a right relationship with God. There is no other calling for us as we journey here on our way to our eternal home.
What we do to fund our ministry may be as a homemaker or professional or clerk or craftsman… Who we are though is not based on our vocation, we are children of the KING, the Creator of everything, and Savior of all mankind! As I type this, I’m getting excited about what we are called to do and there is the rub for me. I’m not wired to be bi-vocational and this is because God created me for full time service.
“He keeps the key”, this IS right and true. When HIS timing is right and true and we are prepared, then He will open the door and provide the key. We are all called to share God’s Gospel of Grace and we should be looking for those opportunities all the time, regardless of where we work. Our labor is for the LORD!!!
Blessings & Peace Aleays,
~Robert
All to Him I owe
“He continues to remind me to “mind the nudges”, do whatever He asks, and to leave the rest to Him.” ~JH
“…and to do it with a cheerful heart!” Such a great post!
simple reminders
of the price He paid for me-
a thorn-adorned tree
As my husband and I walked our dog down the street, I noticed this bare tree- one I have passed countless times. But today, as I looked through it’s spindly branches, they resembled thorns.
“Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe…”
That lovely old hymn played on repeat in my head all afternoon.
I thought about all the times I jokingly tell my husband that he owes me for this or that…you know- for those little “good deeds” we do for one another. Like all the times I let him choose the movie we are going to watch, or the times I let him decide what “take-out” we order for dinner. If I am honest with myself, sometimes I do it with an expectation in mind. If I do for him… then he must reciprocate…
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Prayer changes things
“Melissa, it only takes one person to change the world. Mary changed the world. Your one prayer can change the world. The one person you lead to me can change the world. Don’t ever forget that.”
What will God do with our obedience in all things? Pray in all things to God alone who is able!!! ~R
God Has Not Called Us To Fit In
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,…” We are called to be different, unique in a lost and dying world! In what other way can we be SALT & LIGHT?!
God has called us out of darkness
And living our life in sin
We are called to be a chosen people
It’s His righteousness that we live in
We are called to be a royal priesthood
A people belonging to God
To abstain from sinful desires
To not live in the flesh that’s flawed
We are called to be a holy nation
Not living like the world
We are called to live separate
Than the world that’s coming unfurled
We are God’s special possession
That we might declare praises of Him
Again He called us out of darkness
That we might bring glory to Him
Once we were not a people
But now we belong to God
We have now received Gods mercy
To refrain from living like we’re flawed
1 Peter 2:10
9. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, Gods special possession, that…
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Glory to God Alone
As a New Years Resolution, no as a LIFELONG RESOLUTION… ALL GLORY TO GOD ALONE.
In seeking a verse for this year and maybe now my life verse, I’ll wait for HIS direction on the last part, several thoughts have formed a recurring theme in my mind. Since I’m not given to simplicity, wish that I were…, below is what is on my heart, mind, and soul for 2015 and beyond.
” Whoever speaks must speak God’s words. Whoever serves must serve with the strength God supplies so that in every way God receives glory through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to Jesus Christ forever and ever! Amen.” ~ I Peter 4:11
The overarching theme has been this:
Is there any work I will not do for the glory of God?
Is there any place I will not go to the glory of God?
Is there anyone I will not approach for the glory of God?
Is there any ministry I will not engage in for the glory of God?
Is there any thing in my life that does not bring glory to God?
Is there any thing in my life more important than the glory of God?
Am I truly willing to do ALL HE has and is calling me to do for HIS GLORY and KINGDOM?
At the end of these questions comes the realization that answering in the affirmative is only the first step. I will have to be dedicated to this purpose above all else! I will have to engage in the constant practice of being in HIS presence constantly. I will have to rely on the power and strength of the Holy Spirit more than at any other time in my life from this very moment on. That this dependency will necessarily grow because the reality of spiritual warfare is in full swing with this decision.
How will I be able to give “Glory to God Alone?” There is only one way, this must be the only purpose in my walk and then only by the power God provides through the Holy Spirit.
” Whoever speaks must speak God’s words. Whoever serves must serve with the strength God supplies so that in every way God receives glory through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to Jesus Christ forever and ever! Amen.” ~ I Peter 4:11
I ask for your prayerful support over the coming days, months, and years. To GOD ALONE be the GLORY!!!
In Service to Jesus and you,
~Robert
“He Leads Us On”
2015, the newest frontier for everyone today is the same. What does 2015 hold in store? What new challenges and new opportunities await? How will you and I purpose to embrace all that 2015 has in store?
Make no mistake, life will happen and we must decide today to participate in the journey of 2015. Whether we get to today only, a few days or weeks or months, or the entire year… One thing is certain, we will either join in the journey or watch it pass by. As a child in Jesus Christ, you and I are called to embrace each and everyday of this journey!
Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” ~John 10:10 God our Father expects us to live this life to the fullest and doing so means we participate and do so with intention.
We get to know right now that God is in this journey with us! He will provide for our every need and that regardless of what takes place this year, HE already knows what is in store for this year. He has already provided for every mountain, valley, and obstacle. He already knows the great heights of joy and the deepest of hurts and sorrow that we will face; these too HE has already provided the way for us to experience with HIS grace and strength.
“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.” ~Jeremiah 29:11
Make no mistake, God is already active in 2015. He is eager to fulfill HIS plan in our life and to see us fulfill His will for ours. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” ~Ephesians 2:10
God calls us to enjoy this journey we call “life” and to do so means that we must actively participate in every aspect of what is to come. We must intentionally move toward all HE has for us this year seeking to be walking in harmony with HIS perfect will. The “Great Commission” calls us to, “… go and make disciples of all nations…” ~Matthew 28:19. The key word to focus on here is “GO”, participate in God’s plan.
The choice IS ours, participate or spectate. I respectfully submit to you that the great experience will be had in choosing to join in with God. Seek to walk in step, in harmony with God our Father to fulfill HIS plan to reconcile mankind to Himself! The glory and honor will all belong to HIM and we will get to enjoy the moments of victory along the way. 2015 will be filled with victories and losses, make no mistake HE will be in it all and go through all of it with you and I, such a great blessing!!!
In closing, I pray that you will experience the very best that God has for you. That you will know the depths of HIS peace as never before and that HIS blessings upon you will flow as rivers into the lives of those you encounter. Lastly, in my quite time this morning, the following poem stood out to me.
“He leads us on by paths we did not know;
Upward He leads us, though our steps be slow,
Though oft we faint and falter on the way,
Though storms and darkness oft obscure the day;
Yet when the clouds are gone,
We know He leads us on.
He leads us on through all the unquiet years;
Past all our dreamland hopes, and doubts and fears,
He guides our steps, through all the tangled maze
Of losses, sorrows, and o’er clouded days;
We know His will is done;
And still He leads us on.”
–Nicholaus Ludwig Zinzendorf
Blessings and Peace Always,
~Robert
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