A SUMMER OF PSALMS

God’s secret agents, His angels…  I’m interested in knowing more about them, although the Bible really doesn’t mention them often.  It seems that when they are mentioned, their appearance is almost frightening, which makes me wonder why the image of angels that man makes is always either a beautiful woman or a cute little cherub.  No way am I complaining.  I have collected angels for years – from Jim Shore to Precious Moments.  I have quite a collection of angel figurines, etc…  I think the more angels I have around me, the better protected I’ll be.  No, I don’t really believe that – but it sounds good, doesn’t it?  I think I need to get a new angel now!

It comforts my spirit to know that the Lord sends His angels to protect me.  Sometimes I can tell without a doubt that I was spared from something awful, like a near miss when I’m driving.  I always pray before I drive my car – anyone else do that?  I know God hears those prayers and sends me help!

One day I was late getting to work.  It seemed I was hitting every red light along the way, and then I had to stop for a train!  Well, that’s just all I needed!  There was no way I was going to clock in on time.  I couldn’t understand why everything was working against me when I was in such a hurry and racing against the clock.  The answer was soon revealed to me.

As I was finally able to get past the railroad track, I saw a horrible accident at the next intersection that involved at least four cars and a large truck.  I believe that being delayed by that train kept me safe.  Now, why those others were in the accident, I don’t know.  I wouldn’t hazard a guess about that.  I did send some prayers for everyone involved, that’s for sure!

God loves and cares for us so much!  In this life we will face trials and temptations, but through everything, isn’t it wonderful that our Lord hears our prayers and inhabits our praise?  Then we get Heavenly helpers in the bargain!  I talk to my angels – do you ever do that?  No, I’m not weird – but I do believe they are surrounding me, so…  sometimes I talk to them!  

I like this video – be patient because it takes him a while to get started – but it’s really good!

My Father’s angels all protect me…  everywhere!  They’re all around me, above me, beneath me, beside me!  Have you read Billy Graham’s book about angels?  I highly recommend it!

We can trust our Heavenly Father to take good care of us every day of our lives!  Have you thanked God for sending you angels lately?  I’m so glad they are with me.  🙂

A COMMENTARY FROM THE HEART

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  – Psalm 34:18

Would you think it odd if I said in 2017 I want a broken heart?  I think the term means something different in the world than it does in this context.  I want a broken heart and a contrite spirit within me.  I want the Lord to be close to me.  He can’t help me on a daily basis if I keep getting in the way.

The broken heart, and the contrite spirit, are two essential characteristics of true repentance.   – Adam Clarke

I think the world sees contrition as a kind of low self-esteem or self-loathing.  While it is me saying that I’m less and Christ is more, it also acknowledges God’s power – His control, in my life.  A heart has to be broken and a spirit has to be contrite for a soul to repent – otherwise, one just goes through the motions.We repent when we are first saved – and we repent for the sins we commit (yes, we will commit sins – being saved doesn’t make us perfect).  We can run this race with minimal scrapes and bruises if we will remain broken-hearted with a contrite spirit.

Did you know that angels in Heaven rejoice when a person gets saved?  I love to watch baptisms and imagine angels partying and high-fiving in Heaven.  I wonder if our loved ones in Heaven get to see that side of things?  I don’t know – maybe.

Yep – that’s when the angels REJOICE!  I want a broken heart this year.  I will make the LORD my choice in 2017.  I’m giving Him first place – are you?  🙂

 

 

 

 

 

A COMMENTARY FROM THE HEART

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.  – Proverbs 21:30

God has impressed on me to ask everyone to pray for the President elect and pray for America.  I know most of us have been doing that for a very long time, but when God gives me a job to do…  I do it.

God does not care which side of the political fence you sit on – and neither do I.  We need to unite and pray as God’s children – it’s as simple as that.

On January 20th, the President elect will become the President.  He has so much work to do in his first 100 days – I certainly do not envy his position.  Let’s come together and pray for God to give him the courage, strength, humility to lean on Him, and especially wisdom to do the right thing for Americans everywhere!

Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?  – 2 Chronicles 1:1

So that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the God of heaven and pray for the well-being of the king and his sons.  – Ezra 6:10

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.  But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason.  They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  – Romans 13:4

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.  Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.  – Jeremiah 29:7

In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.  – Proverbs 21:1

 

Our Heavenly Father,

We humbly bow before You to ask Your blessings on our President elect, Donald Trump.  We pray that you would endow him with Your wisdom and knowledge as he makes decisions that will affect Americans everywhere.  May he execute justice for everyone equally.  We pray that You would build a hedge and surround him with angels at all times.  Keep him healthy and safe please.  Help him to stay focused and energized from above.  May he stay encouraged and positive about the direction America heads from now on.  Please help him to pursue peace and prosperity for Americans as he has promised to do.  Above all, we pray for Your perfect will to be done in our country, Lord.  May we be a blessing to You every day as we are showered with blessings every day.

We ask all of this in the precious name of Christ Jesus our Lord,

Amen.

During this administration, it’s my hope and prayer that our country will turn back to God and understand that it’s HE who will make America truly great.  May He guide and direct our new President and keep him as only He can.  🙂

 

 

IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child…  – Luke 2:8-17

Every time I read this passage, I ask myself, “What if the angels had shown up, made the amazing proclamation, then left – and the shepherds had NOT gone to Bethlehem?”

We can get messages till the cows come home…  but if we don’t get up off our behinds and exercise our faith and take action…  what good does it do?  In Christian circles, that’s referred to as “putting FEET to your FAITH” – and it’s important to do that on a regular basis.

The shepherds made a decision – a choice – to go to Bethlehem.  Of course, God knew they would, but you know ultimately God has given each of us a free will to embrace or ignore His message.  In other words, the proverbial ball is in your court, my friend.

If you read God’s Word and want to embrace it, God is sure ready to give you a brand new life through His Son, Christ Jesus.  I hope you will do that today.  It’s really simple to accept God’s wonderful gift, His Son, Jesus, into your heart and life.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life and help me to do Your will. In Your name, Amen.”

Have a wonderful and blessed day.  Start flexing those faith muscles.  🙂

 

O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  – Luke 2:15

When I read this poem by Lucinda Berry Hill, tears come to my eyes.  I can’t help it – so much of my family is in Heaven now, and although I know we will be reunited one day, for the time being, we are not together.  I’m left here to celebrate without them.  We have the same Lord and we celebrate His birthday – and yes, they are saying Happy Birthday while I say Merry Christmas.

I then thought of the old Christmas carol called “O Come, All Ye Faithful”.  ALL ye faithful…  citizens of earth and citizens of Heaven!  God wants everyone to come together to celebrate the birth of Christ!

John Francis Wade wrote the Latin version, called “Adeste Fideles”.  Wade fled England after the 1745 Jacobite rebellion to teach music in the school for British Roman Catholic exiles in Douai in France.  Published in 1760, it’s been suggested that it might have incidentally served as a coded rallying cry for the Stewart cause.

The English translation was written by Frederick Oakley and William Brooke in 1841.  Samuel Webbe is credited with writing the tune, but unfortunately, it reminds many of us of the road rage anthem, “Why are we waiting?”  I don’t know who first sang those annoying words with that beautiful tune, but I’d like to punch them.  It frustrates me for two reasons:

(1) I don’t want to hear the tune to a Christmas carol at some time besides Christmas.

(2) I don’t want to hear the words WHY ARE WE WAITING sung to a tune that clearly deserves lyrics with more depth.  It’s childish.  Stop it.

It does my heart good though, to think about my family – a part of the faithful – celebrating Christ’s birthday along with me.  God knows how to give me glimmers of hope around Christmas, and I’m thankful for that.

O come, let US (y’all in Heaven and us on earth) adore HIM, CHRIST THE LORD!  🙂

A COMMENTARY FROM THE HEART

Doing good things enriches the soul.  – Dustin James

There was a young lady standing by the roadside in 10 degree weather.  She was holding a sign that said “Homeless – anything helps.”  Dustin was prompted to go to a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts to buy her a cup of coffee.  He said the look on her face was priceless.

Each one of us is God’s special work of art… a painting like no other in all of time.  – Joni Earreckson Tada

The Bible tells us that we may be entertaining angels unaware.  How many times do we cross paths with angels, but miss the opportunity to entertain them because we are too self-absorbed or think we have no time?  We’ve all seen people standing by the side of the road with signs.  We’re scared to stop or to get involved because there really are some evil people in the world who use that as a rouse to attract others for their own evil purposes.

The conversation goes like this…  “I’d help, but if you give them money, they’ll just go buy cigs or booze or something like that.”  That sounds weak to me.

There are smart ways to help others…

If I’m impressed to meet a need, I make sure my husband is close by and I don’t give anyone cash.  I ask what the need is – if it’s a meal, I’ll buy it – if it’s gasoline for their car, I’ll buy it.  That’s how we give – we provide the need at hand to help them along their way.

Sometimes the person isn’t standing there with a sign.  One Thanksgiving we were at a restaurant.  When the waitress came to take our order, I felt a nudging from God’s Holy Spirit.  I didn’t know what her issue was, but God did and that’s all that matters.  We’ll never know if what we did helped, but we trust that God helped her through her issues.

When God’s Holy Spirit impresses on you to act – you act – it’s as simple as that.  I believe that He guides me quite literally through my life and lets me know when I need to help someone – and He also lets me know when I need to walk away from someone.  God’s Spirit keeps me safe and helps me live the kind of life that is pleasing to Him.  I don’t apologize for my lifestyle.  I believe it’s the best life a person can choose to live.

I was so encouraged when I read Dustin’s story today.  I pray that we all stop to see the signs that others are holding up – whether they are literally holding a sign up or not.  May we be more sensitive to the leading of God’s Holy Spirit in 2016.  ❤

 

 

A COMMENTARY FROM THE HEART

I got dogged for writing about HALLOWEEN yesterday.  I was called a sympathizer for the devil, uncommitted to Christ and a false witness for God.  Well, say what you will of me – but I was raised in an age of innocence when going door to door saying TRICK-OR-TREAT was a wholesome, albeit calorie laden activity.  I was not raised to have anything to do with darkness, I assure you.  When I was a kid – it was all about the candy, homemade popcorn balls and Mrs. Guffy’s famous Ghostie cookies.  THAT’S ALL it was about.  Now…  can we move on because boy do I have a testimony FOR THE LORD that will give the devil a BIG BLACK EYE!

You know I’m diabetic.  I try not to make a big deal out of it, but I’ve been a type 2 diabetic since 1994.  I’m all too familiar with the dreaded HIGH blood sugar, but hardly have a LOW.  Yesterday, however, I was battling low blood sugar!  Since I’m diabetic, we chose not to buy any Halloween candy because we don’t have that many children in our neighborhood who actually Trick-or-Treat door to door.  They get together and go to the mall.

So I’m thinking, “Oh great!  I could legally have a candy bar – and we don’t have any!”  I try to keep glucose tabs in the house or gel, but I didn’t have either one.  Everything in our house is diabetic-friendly.  We don’t even keep a smidge of sugar here.

I hate low blood sugar – I can’t think straight and I feel as though my insides are just going to fall apart – some of you can relate.  I drank a little buttermilk and ate a piece of bread.  Usually bread or a carbohydrate will raise it up.  It just was not working.

Then I did something really radical…  I PRAYED.  Don’t laugh…  but I asked God for a candy bar.

I want you to know that God can use ANYTHING and ANYONE to provide.  He used the fact that it was Halloween to help me out of a real bind.  There are little girls across the street (we call them our angels).  They occasionally bring nice little gifts to our door – ring the doorbell – and RUN away!  It’s so cute!

I’m not joking – about 2 minutes after I sincerely asked God to help me out – the doorbell rang.  We opened the door, and there was a bucket full of snack-size Milky Way bars.  Attached to the bucket handle was a mylar balloon with a happy face on it!  A sweet card was stuck in the side of the bucket.  Our angels came through!

So…  for those who think my post yesterday was somehow evil – you know what?  You don’t really know me, do you?  Isn’t it amazing in this day of faceless, impersonal cyber communication, we feel we have the right to completely judge a person for sharing a few precious Halloween memories from a bygone era???  Really???  Well, shame on you!

When I was a child – I enjoyed the day, the candy, the popcorn balls and Mrs. Guffy’s famous Ghostie cookies.  I refuse to apologize for the post.  I won’t.  God’s Holy Spirit has not checked me about the choice – and He won’t because He understands the MOTIVE behind what I wrote.  All you see is a kid in a costume.  I see myself and my dad having so much fun with my mom’s make-up and jewelry – trying to look like clowns!  Shame on anyone who would wag their finger at me for sharing childhood innocent fun!

I love the Lord with everything in me.  I intend to serve Him in any capacity I can no matter what circumstances I find myself in.  I wanted to share this special example of GOD’S FAITHFULNESS and HIS PROVISION in my life.  Thank You, Lord!  🙂

2 SAMUEL 7:21 ON 7/21

For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant.  – 2 Samuel 7:21

Here are verses 18-21 (MSG):

 King David went in, took his place before God, and prayed: “Who am I, my Master God, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this place in life? But that’s nothing compared to what’s coming, for you’ve also spoken of my family far into the future, given me a glimpse into tomorrow, my Master God! What can I possibly say in the face of all this? You know me, Master God, just as I am. You’ve done all this not because of who I am but because of who you are—out of your very heart!—but you’ve let me in on it.  2 Samuel 7:18-21

The sake of God’s word…  what is more solid than that?  God’s humble servant has low thought of his own merits as he prays from his heart.  He is thankful to God for making him king of Israel and blessing his future and future generations with things that are freely given of God.

God is so near and wanting to lead you in His marvelous way.  He wants to “let you in on it…”  (v. 21).  How do we respond to His presence in our lives?

Do we acknowledge the promises of God?  Are we truly grateful for all the wonderful and miraculous things He does in our lives?  I wonder if we even stop to notice most of them.  When we are suddenly impressed to zig instead of zag – and can’t put our finger on the exact reason – do we ever stop to think that it might be A GOD THING?

Many times we don’t stop right in the moment to thank God for His divine intervention in our lives.  I know that I often thank God in hindsight – after the time has passed – sometimes a long while afterwards…  I’ll be sitting quietly, just thinking back.  It will hit me just how closely God stayed to me during difficult days.  I cry out and thank Him for looking out for me.

I thank Him for the friends He sends my way just when I need them.  I thank Him for working every step out for me before I take it.  He walks ahead of me and clears the path.  He works all things out for my good and I wouldn’t change the relationship I have with the Lord for anything this world has to offer!

Angels watch over me and God’s Holy Spirit leads me through life situations and circumstances I know would be impossible for me to get through without Him.  He sees me through and blesses my life.  His provision is perfect, and  I thank Him for loving me so much!  🙂

 

 

PALM SUNDAY

When I think of Palm Sunday, I’m reminded of years past when I taught children’s Sunday School.  There is usually a children’s program scheduled on this day that consists of kids of all ages waving palm branches and singing songs of praise to Jesus.

You may think that we teachers just stand up there coaxing the children to sing louder because we have nothing better to do.  Sorry to disappoint you, but as teachers, we hope and pray that the seemingly ritualistic Palm Sunday children’s program stays with the kids and that they will remember the meaning behind it.

We also hope that something in the presentation will soften the hearts of the parents and help them to come back to a solid relationship with the Lord.  As teachers, we hope and we pray that our efforts will be blessed by God and produce results.  Palm Sunday children’s programs are a seed-planting mission of sorts.  That’s why we practice those songs over and over (and over…)  sigh.

We teach the children simple songs like “Jesus Loves Me” because we want them to remember throughout their lives that no matter what happens, they have a Savior who loves them and wants them to lean completely on Him every day – to keep them safe and help them make good decisions.

What are the benefits of becoming a Christian?  Let’s review…  the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 is a perfect example of how God provides for His own.  We never have to worry about being left alone or lonely.  Our needs – all of them – are supplied every day.  We see the hand of God all the time.

We give, but we will never out-give our Father in heaven.  His limitless resources are ours if we will just ask.  He has provided His Holy Spirit to protect and guide us.  He has promised us a home in heaven where streets are pure gold and gates are made of pearl.  Down here we see gold as so precious, but God uses it to make the streets!  I mean, if that doesn’t give you some perspective…

He promises us a mansion – again, something that people spend years saving and sacrificing to buy on this earth – is just given to those who call Christ Lord once this life is over.  I’ve got it on good authority that we won’t even have to mow or trim the lawn either – no maintenance with this mansion.  No property taxes…  that alone – well – it’s a good thing.  You might say…  it’s HEAVEN.

Angels singing and no more night because we won’t have to sleep – we will have new bodies that won’t get tired.  They won’t have chronic illness or joints that wear out.  There will be no Alzheimer’s, no Diabetes, no Parkinson’s or any other affliction in heaven – it will all be behind us and we can just be with the LORD forever.

You can’t see me (and I can’t prove it), but I’m waving my palm branch today for KING JESUS.  I’m thanking Him for all the promises that He has made, has kept, and will keep in the future.  He is worthy of our praise.  Hail King Jesus!  ❤

 

 

INCONVENIENCE YOURSELF DAY

I’ve had days when my ice cream cone slipped from my grasp, haven’t you?  When it seems like nothing is going right, it’s so nice when a person comes alongside to help me out.  A simple gesture of kindness goes such a long way in renewing my faith in human nature.

 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.  – Ephesians 4:32

I have a friend who says she will be kind to others between the hours of 6 pm and midnight.  Of course, those are the hours that she is home from work and will not socialize or interact with any people.  I shoot her a glare of disapproval over my glasses and inevitably get a very large grin in reply.

Most of the world will not inconvenience itself to give a hand up.  That’s very sad because they miss a great blessing and the poor person needing help still needs help.  We need to be on the lookout for ways to show God’s love.  We need to be aware of our surroundings and ready to help.  We need to BE PRESENT.

Even if it inconveniences us?  Well…  yes!  YES, because although we are late getting somewhere or on our own schedule, it is God’s will that we stop to help another person.  You know, it could be an angel unaware.

 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.  – Hebrews 13:2

Has it occurred to you that God may be detaining you to keep you out of harm’s way?  We see these inconveniences as hurdles when maybe we need to be thanking God for them.  Now, back to those angels.  Yes, angels come in human form and walk among us.

Listen to The Newsboys sing “Entertaining Angels” on You Tube.

Of course, an angel doesn’t really need our help, but God sends them here for us.  Think of it as an opportunity to be on your best behavior.

I understand that we have places to go and people to see and we all gauge our lives around the clock.  Today I want to challenge you to look at something other than your watch or the clock on the wall.  There is coming a time when time won’t matter – none of the things we put such importance on now will matter anymore.

The King of Kings will want to know…  Did you feed my sheep?

Was it too much of an inconvenience for you?