King of the Jungle

No matter what happens in my life, no matter who offends me, or comes against me, No matter how difficult circumstances are. I KNOW who is on the throne! And HE has my back. He sustains me.
Psalm 3:5 
I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZFwLYvPi4c

I feel like JOB sometimes.

Sometimes when life gets hard, I hear the voice of Jobs wife " Why don't you just curse God and die!" Not that my troubles, are anything compared to Job ha ha...but sometimes the temptation is to wallow in misery and blame and question God. Jobs response was "Shall we accept blessings from God and not the bad stuff?" (Powell paraphrased) " The Lord gives and the Lord takes away...Blessed be the name of the Lord" so then I ask God...during my hard moments, "okay...then Lord what do you require of me during this time? What shall my response be to those who hurt me?" And then Micah 6:8 comes to mind "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Justice, tempered with Mercy and humbly placing myself and my trials and those who have hurt me, at His feet. So. That's what I am going to do! That and Praise God in ALL things. 
Thank you Jesus for your word.

Powell Paraphrase Col. 3: 10-15

Colossians 3: 10-15 POWELL PARAPHRASED

...You have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power & authority. When you were dead in your sins, ... God made you ALIVE with Christ! He forgave all your sins. ... He took it away and nailed it to the Cross. He DISARMED the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the Cross. This was not done by the hands of men, but by Christ. Christ who lives IN you!

God's Kindess = Repentance

Its Gods Kindness that leads people to repentance, Romans 2:4! 

And it's Holy Spirits job to bring about conviction...
Remember that the next time you want to "call out" someones "bad choices" "in love". The position of Judge and Jury has already been filled...and HE does so with Mercy, Grace and Genuine Love...God does not bash people over the head with their sins. So when we feel compelled to do so...we are not acting as proper agents of God. We are not doing so with His power...and if thats true, then we must ask ourselves, who do I really represent here? Don't let the enemy use you to bring condemnation to others. don't act as an agent of darkness. Be Christlike. Be love. Lead people to the Truth by using KINDNESS. 

Thanks for the reminder Linda Lauritzen and friend...

The Word of the Lord came to me...

As I turned on my tele this a.m. to TBN so I could listen to some preaching as part of my devo's the first thing out of the preachers mouth was "God is going to descend on you tonight with restoration. Restoration physically, restoration spiritually, restoration emotionally, restoration in relationships and restoration financially. I am taking this from the very word of Gods mouth and God does not lie!"

I pondered what he was saying and thought, "Wow I could really use some restoration in my life right now, it feels like everything is falling apart."

Then I got curious and so I looked up the meaning of the word Restoration:

Merriam Webster says:

res·to·ra·tion

 noun \ˌres-tə-ˈrā-shən\

: the act or process of returning something to its original condition by repairing it, cleaning it, etc...

: the act of bringing back something that existed before

: the act of returning something that was stolen or taken

This got me thinking about my current situation and all the trials I am experiencing. My life and various aspects of it, need to be cleansed, returned to its original design and I do feel like something major has been stolen from me!

The next part of my devo's consisted of "Our Daily Bread" reading... wouldn't you know it, but of course today's Scripture reading for "Through the Bible in 1 year" was Jer. 33 the title of which is

Promise of Restoration

Jeremiah 33: 6-9

Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peaceand security. 7 I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity[e] and will rebuild them as they were before. 8 I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. 9 Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’

This is what I mean when I say God's word is relevant. This is how the Lord speaks to us. He uses people and scripture and various confirmations so that we know it is from Him. Just as when Jeremiah uses the phrase "The word of the Lord came to me" this is how God can and still does speak to us today! This gives me Holy Ghost goosebumps and I feel privileged that God would want to be in relationship with me and communicate with me. And I am SO thankful that HE is so FAITHFUL that the RIGHT words came to me this morning... I am going to rest in the knowledge that God's "Restoration" for all things that are broken in my life will descend on me as He has promised! Hallelujah. 

Powell Paraphrases 9 verses # 3

His eye is always on me...watching to and fro, from the ends of the earth to the end of time, where can I hide from His spirit, He will go with me wherever I go and be with me always. I am confident that nothing can separate me from this truth. It is my Fathers good pleasure to give me His Kingdom! So I pray, His will be done, His Kingdom come and He will give me every place I set my foot, just as He promised...

9 verses Powell Paraphrased

Life sucks sometimes...

Jesus is enough! When this life sucks and we are broken. He is enough, when He seems distant and prayers are not answered, What He did on the cross is enough. HE alone ...IS the prize and this world is not my home! Hallelujah.

Isaiah 26: 4 Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

Where does my Help come from?

In times of crisis, we often lean on friends and family. Many have shoulders to cry on or a person we can call... but sometimes, this happens to me a lot, when I call, nobody answers. They are busy. Or at work. The shoulders aren't physically there. I feel lost, alone. And Jesus gently reminds me that HE wants me to seek Him first! He has all the answers and can bring a peace that none of my earthly friends could ever bring... He is there waiting any hour of the day. He doesn't sleep or slumber. But is always available when we cry out to Him. 

Psalm 121:1-3 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber.

When Voting...

Something to think about when voting: I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)

Every. Single. Day.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT) The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
So grateful that this is true! Jesus knows how very much I need His unceasing Mercy.

IS THIS what the BIBLE has to say about FACEBOOK???

 Hmmmm makes me wonder. 

1 Thess 4: 7-8, 11 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit...and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you...

Just to clarify: I'm not trying to convict anyone else, I just realized how this 

sounded. LOL This is for ME. These are things I need work on... and fb for me is 

like the anti-minding my own business, working with my hands, remain pure & 

holy site.

 I dont judge anyone else for using it. Obviously I do too. Just too much!! LOL Every

 time I get on there, I feel the Holy Spirit saying to stop! Get off! lol I'm asking for

 support & encouragement to obey that. It is HARD for me to leave it... which is

probably one of the reasons God has nudged me that way. If that makes sense. It

is about what goes on into individual hearts and my heart is NOT right all the time

 when I'm on here. I gossip, I watch or look at vile things, I pry & spy where I

 shouldn't, I use work time to be on here and rob the Lord that way, its been a

 wonderful tool for me too to keep up with friends and family especially my sister.

 But for ME the majority of the time is not spent appropriately. I am NOT a good

 steward of that time... How's that for transparency. LOL I just think I'm not alone in

 this.. and maybe others like me can support each other. 

ALL

1 Thess. 5:18 "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus"

---ALL Circumstances. ALL is a pretty powerful 3 letter word. Phew... I need to work on this one.

I want to be this person!

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2 NIV 


~ I WANT TO BE THIS PERSON! Lord help me delight in your word & your salvation. 

You are Good.

---No matter what kind of day you're having, good-bad-indifferent, no matter what brings you down today, try to find ONE thing to rejoice in! God is good all the time!


Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! 

And here is a little pick-me-up to get stuck in your head today too! 
Copy and Paste the URL LINK: 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bVxLM2wpvA

Praying scripture #1

My Prayer for all of you!!! 

Eph. 3:14-19 For this reason I kneel before the father... I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Some of my Favorite "Go-to" verses.

These are just some of the Bible verses I have chosen to memorize. It is so nice to be able to call on them when I need them most. I feel so close to Jesus when His words are "whispered" to my soul. Scripture this way is something nobody can ever take away from me. Whether in the quietness of my heart or spoken out loud. Recalling these verses at various times is both soothing and inspiring! It both calms me and calls me to action. God's word becomes a living love letter specifically for me. And HE is so faithful to bring them to mind at the most needed times. Thank you Jesus for your word.

 I will not post the text here, because part of my goal of this blog is to get people to DIG into scripture for themselves. If you don't know how to use a Bible... may I HUMBLY suggest the ESV (English Standard Version). Ask me how to use it! I'd love to be the one to introduce you to God's word. I hope they bless you, the way they have me. I may add more as I learn more...

2. Corinthians 10:5   ( I use this one a LOT! Message me and ask me HOW ... )

Jeremiah 29:11

Isaiah 40:31

Phil. 4:13

Psalm 119:105

Psalm 23

Ephesians 6:10-18

Joel 2:25

Exodus 14:14

John 3:16-17

Romans 8:38-39

John 14:15

Psalm 46:10

Matt. 11:28-30

Psalm 119:11

Oldies but Goodies

Alwaaaays relevant.

Frequently, Random verses from old hymns will pop into my head. It's interesting to me, that they come when I least expect it, I'm not seeking them and almost always are fitting for a specific situation or circumstance that I am facing in that very moment. Much like scripture memorization, learning songs when we are little takes on new relevance in our lives as we draw on them. This is what it means when we say God's word is ALIVE. It does not "return void." These are a few of the ones that have recently been tossed about in my head!


The steadfast Love of The Lord never ceases! His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, Great is thy faithfulness O Lord. 

Oh so thankful for this truth today! And to Jesus for putting it in my head. 
----------------------

July 18th 
Jesus name above all names, beautiful Savior, glorious Lord, Emmanuel, God is with us. Blessed Redeemer, living Word. 


The sweet praises that rattle round in my brain on calm, cool mornings. #SOinlovewithJesus.
-------------------------

Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me...

Constant and unconditional Grace and forgiveness #Thecross 
---------------------------------------------------------

Relevant

Love how it says "himself"... makes me believe He is in direct contact, in person, right here, present, with me... giving me HIS peace at ALL times. Alllllllll not just for a moment, or when all the kids are behaving perfectly and sitting still, or when the house is empty and the birds are chirping, or when there is no conflict... but His peace is available RIGHT. HERE. Right now, In EVERY way!!!!! When my cars are broken, When our finances are all over the place, and we are in debt up to our eyeballs, when Jack's job sitch has been unstable for years, when my daughter is struggling with health issues and school work, when we are STILL deeply grieving the loss of our home & many friends/relatives from 2012 He is here ... ready to give me peace. Oh thank you Lord Jesus for this reminder and this blessing! The Lord INDEED be with YOU all.  And Lord give me Your peace today.

2 Thess. 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Thy Word...

8I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.

I keep torturing myself. But yet I know its not just me doing it, there is an enemy that wants to destroy me. (1 Peter 5:8) Nevertheless I am awake with questions and haunted by things "that have been so far under the blood for so long, its comical. If God doesnt remember them why should I? Its so obviously the enemy". Things that I've been through and things that I've recently been reminded of and yet NONE of it is relevant to A. Who I am in Christ Today and B. What I do for Christ today or C. What Christ is doing in Me and through me today and for my future. SOOO Why do I dwell on it? Why can't I sleep? Why do I have images, and emotions running amok??? Why does the PAST have so much power over me??

2 Cor. 10:5 "Tear down strongholds, and take captive every thought to the obedience of Christ." I need to take my thoughts captive. But its so hard to do. Especially when I'm dreaming in my sleep. (Or deliberately viewing haunting photos sheesh, why do I do that??)

Psalm 43:18 " Forget the Former things, Do not dwell on the past."
SO much easier said than done. How do you "choose" to forget something? I mean you can't really. Its always there. You can choose not to dwell, and you can choose to pretend, choose how it affects you emotionally, or you can choose how you are going to react... but you can't really erase memories like in Sci-Fi movies. Sooo... there they are. Terrible Memories of things that have happened to me, and even worse... things I have done.

Sometimes, the anxiety of these things is so intense, I cry, I can't sleep, I feel nauseated...

1 Thess 5:17 Pray without Ceasing the Bible says. And Phil 4:6 with prayer and thanksgiving I can come boldly and present my requests to God. So that's what I will do.

Forgiveness is something I have finally learned to grasp. I do not need to forgive myself. And I have already forgiven those who have "done me wrong". These memories and images are simply a reality, a part of something that happened.... but all had a hand in shaping me into who I am today. So for that I will choose to be grateful.

Gen 50:20 What the devil meant for evil God CAN use for Good. Thats in the Bible too. I LOVE God's word. Its incredibly ALIVE and sooo full of Hope and Promises.

Psallm 119:5 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and Light unto my path....

Like

Grand Opening

I think I have a lot of things to say, and my opinions are not always welcome to the masses. I don't feel led anymore to impose my views on others, but rather invite others to see my views of their own volition. So I am writing this to INVITE you to follow me. But will not be offended in the slightest if you choose not to.

DISCLAIMER**
I am a conservative protestant Christian. Therefore my statements are based upon this worldview. I am NOT intending to offend anyone, and I love ALL people regardless of gender, race, sexuality, religion (or lackthereof) I will NEVER "judge" you and I am humbly asking that you do not judge me either. The greatest thing about living in the United States is the freedom to think and speak and believe what we want to WITHOUT FEAR OF RETALIATION. So any negative comments, debates or disagreements... please keep those to yourself. This is my blog wherein I can choose to write whatever I want to and its OKAY to not agree with me!!! But please do so respectfully. I will still love you so; hopefully you will also still love me.

Powell Paraphrases 9 verses #1

The Joy of The Lord is my strength! Whom shall I fear? What can man do to me? His mercies are new every morning, and He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. He anoints my head with oil...and while my heart and my flesh may fail, God is my strength and my portion forever! I desire nothing in Heaven but Jesus and I am confident that nothing ....not even my own dumb mistakes, can separate me from Christs Love! Come Lord quickly...

9 Bible verses. Powell Paraphrased!

Powell Paraphrases 9 Verses # 2

The Lord is faithful to the broken hearted. He has set me on solid ground. My feet had almost slipped. But he has raised me up to new life in Christ. By the Grace of God I am what I am, He has found favor on me. He is rich Mercy and Love. He has drawn near to me, and been ever present in my time if trouble. I choose this day whom I will serve. I will serve The Lord whether in riches or in poverty.

9 verses Powell Paraphrased