My Dear Child,
You may not know Me, but I know everything about you. (Ps. 139:1)
I know when you sit down, and when you rise up. (Ps. 139:2)
I am familiar with all your ways. (Ps. 139:3)
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matt. 10:29-30)
For you were made in My image. (Gen. 1:27)
In Me you live and move and have your being. For you are My offspring. (Acts 17:28)
I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jer. 1:4-5)
I chose you when I planned creation. (Eph. 1:11-12)
You were not a mistake, for all of your days are written in My Book. (Ps. 139:15-16)
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. (Acts. 17:26)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Ps. 139:14)
I knit you together in your mother's womb, (Ps. 139:13)
And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Ps. 71:6)
I have been misinterpreted by those who don't know Me. (John 8:41-44)
I am not distant and angry, but I am the complete expression of love. (1 John 4:16)
And it is My desire to lavish My love on you, (1 John 3:1)
Simply because you are My child and I am your Father. (1 John 3:7)
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. (Matt. 7:11)
For I am the perfect Father. (Matt. 5:48)
Every good gift you receive comes from My hand. (James 1:17)
For I am your provider and I meet your needs. (Matt. 6:31-33)
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jer. 29:11)
Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jer. 31:3)
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. (Ps. 139:17-18)
And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zeph. 3:17)
I will never stop doing good to you, (Jer. 32:40)
For you are My treasured possession. (Ex. 19:5)
I desire to establish you with all My heart and all My soul (Jer. 32:41)
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jer. 33:3)
So, delight in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart, (Ps. 37:4)
For it is I who gave you those desires. (Phil. 2:13)
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. (2 Cor. 1:3-4)
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Ps. 34:18)
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to My heart. (Is. 40:11)
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. And I will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. (Rev. 21:3-4)
I am your Father, I love you even as I love My son, Jesus. (John 17:23)
For in Jesus, My love for you is revealed. (John. 17:26)
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. (2 Cor. 5:18-19)
His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you. (1 John 4:10)
I gave up everything I love, that I might gain your love. (Rom. 8:31-32)
If you received the gift of My son, Jesus, you receive Me. (1 John 2:23)
And nothing will ever separate you from My love again. (Rom. 8:29-38)
When it's time for you to come home, I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. (Luke 15:7)
I have always been your Father, and will always be your Father. (Eph. 3:14-15)
My question is.....Will you be My child? (John 1:12-13)
I am waiting for you. (Luke 15:11-32)
I hope you all have a wonderful Father's Day and remember to celebrate and honor all the dads in your life today. :)
-Sarah
Showing posts with label scripture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scripture. Show all posts
"The Measure of Success"
We were reading from "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers this morning. For some reason, we read July 28th's reading, and it captured my attention: "And straightway He constrained His disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side...." Mark 6:45
"We are apt to imagine that Jesus Crist constrains us, and we obey Him, and He will lead us to great success.....We have an idea that God is leading us to a particular end, a desired goal...the question of getting to a particular end is a mere incident. What we call the process, God calls the end...God is not working toward a particular finish; His end is the process-- that I see Him walking on the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal, just the absolute certainty that it is all right because I see Him walking on the sea. It is the process, not the end which is glorifying to God...."
At first I was a bit confused..."God is not working toward a particular finish?" but then it cleared up in the last bit there at the end. This principle of God's success vs. our own is not understood by most people. They figure that if they follow God, He will supply them with success in their own goals, as if He was some sort of vending machine. The Lord does want us to be "successful" but, just as a child throws a fit when he cannot have that pretty lollipop in the store, (even though his mother knows he'd be all the worse off for it) we immediately assume that our plans, hopes, and dreams will be granted just because they are what we want. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." it says in Isaiah 55. At some point, the very thing we fear and struggle against, considering it "failure" will the be the very thing our Lord considers "success", and will desire us to do. I am warning you, the world will not take kindly to your following Christ. It will call you a fool. But as Christians, let us hope that we can avoid being so narrow-sighted as to think that the worth of our service to God is only measured by the world's standards, and only the fruit we can see, will be useful to God. I'd rather be a fool who loves Jesus than a brainiac who believes she is self-sufficient. Think of the many missionaries over time who have never seen a single Christian convert, though they have worked their whole lives toward that goal. Does that mean they have failed? Think of a man who works his whole adult life as a janitor at a school. In the world's eyes, he'd be considered a failure. And yet, God could have placed him there, in humble servitude, giving him an opportunity to minister to the students his whole life; a thing he could never have done in that way had he been the principle at the school. He may not understand the Kingdom work he is accomplishing. But so long as that janitor trusts that God is in control of His life, he can rest in the knowledge of His goodness. We have a standard to measure ourselves by that the world never has, and never will understad. So we cannot measure our "success" by their standards. We have enough people who are ready to do "grand and glorious" things, meaning the things that get noticed, and applauded. We need more people who understand God's economy, and who seek to follow Jesus Christ. Truly, if you think about it, going by the world's standards, Jesus was a failure. He never won the Pharisees over to God. He was crucified by the very people He was sent to save! And yet, in God's Kingdom, Jesus had just completed the ultimate, amazing, most beautiful rescue operation ever put into play. "Greater love hath no man than this: that he lay down his life for a friend."
When you are discouraged by your circumstances, and feel that absolutely everything is going "wrong", I challenge us all to step back, take a look around us, trust Jesus, and notice how perhaps, we are accomplishing something great after all. -Rachel
"We are apt to imagine that Jesus Crist constrains us, and we obey Him, and He will lead us to great success.....We have an idea that God is leading us to a particular end, a desired goal...the question of getting to a particular end is a mere incident. What we call the process, God calls the end...God is not working toward a particular finish; His end is the process-- that I see Him walking on the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal, just the absolute certainty that it is all right because I see Him walking on the sea. It is the process, not the end which is glorifying to God...."
At first I was a bit confused..."God is not working toward a particular finish?" but then it cleared up in the last bit there at the end. This principle of God's success vs. our own is not understood by most people. They figure that if they follow God, He will supply them with success in their own goals, as if He was some sort of vending machine. The Lord does want us to be "successful" but, just as a child throws a fit when he cannot have that pretty lollipop in the store, (even though his mother knows he'd be all the worse off for it) we immediately assume that our plans, hopes, and dreams will be granted just because they are what we want. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." it says in Isaiah 55. At some point, the very thing we fear and struggle against, considering it "failure" will the be the very thing our Lord considers "success", and will desire us to do. I am warning you, the world will not take kindly to your following Christ. It will call you a fool. But as Christians, let us hope that we can avoid being so narrow-sighted as to think that the worth of our service to God is only measured by the world's standards, and only the fruit we can see, will be useful to God. I'd rather be a fool who loves Jesus than a brainiac who believes she is self-sufficient. Think of the many missionaries over time who have never seen a single Christian convert, though they have worked their whole lives toward that goal. Does that mean they have failed? Think of a man who works his whole adult life as a janitor at a school. In the world's eyes, he'd be considered a failure. And yet, God could have placed him there, in humble servitude, giving him an opportunity to minister to the students his whole life; a thing he could never have done in that way had he been the principle at the school. He may not understand the Kingdom work he is accomplishing. But so long as that janitor trusts that God is in control of His life, he can rest in the knowledge of His goodness. We have a standard to measure ourselves by that the world never has, and never will understad. So we cannot measure our "success" by their standards. We have enough people who are ready to do "grand and glorious" things, meaning the things that get noticed, and applauded. We need more people who understand God's economy, and who seek to follow Jesus Christ. Truly, if you think about it, going by the world's standards, Jesus was a failure. He never won the Pharisees over to God. He was crucified by the very people He was sent to save! And yet, in God's Kingdom, Jesus had just completed the ultimate, amazing, most beautiful rescue operation ever put into play. "Greater love hath no man than this: that he lay down his life for a friend."
When you are discouraged by your circumstances, and feel that absolutely everything is going "wrong", I challenge us all to step back, take a look around us, trust Jesus, and notice how perhaps, we are accomplishing something great after all. -Rachel
"Now Prepare Yourself Like a Man!" :)
The Genesis account of creation is absolutely wonderful. All of God's word is. But I think maybe my favorite part of the Old Testament related to the creation of the world can be found in the latter part of the book of Job. In Genesis, you do hear the story of creation, and it is true and good. But it is like reading a biography about someone else. In Job, you get to hear the story of creation from God's point of view. For several chapters the Lord describes it to Job...in this book of the Bible, you can also see the Lord's sense of humor....
"Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:
"Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined it's measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were it's foundations fastened? Or who laid it's cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth and issued from the womb; when I made the clouds its garment, and the thick darkness its swaddling band; When I fixed My limit for it, and set bars and doors; When I said, this far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop!"
And it goes on...for four whole chapters. It is a marvelously detailed and beautiful description from the Creator, of the times when He was creating this world. I love the verse about the morning stars singing together and the sons of God shouting for joy. Isn't it amazing to think about the joy all of creation felt as God made it? Anyway, I've just been reading in Job recently, and once more found it a very interesting book of the Bible! :) -Rachel
"Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:
"Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined it's measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were it's foundations fastened? Or who laid it's cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth and issued from the womb; when I made the clouds its garment, and the thick darkness its swaddling band; When I fixed My limit for it, and set bars and doors; When I said, this far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop!"
And it goes on...for four whole chapters. It is a marvelously detailed and beautiful description from the Creator, of the times when He was creating this world. I love the verse about the morning stars singing together and the sons of God shouting for joy. Isn't it amazing to think about the joy all of creation felt as God made it? Anyway, I've just been reading in Job recently, and once more found it a very interesting book of the Bible! :) -Rachel
So You Think There Are Nuts on Your Family Tree?
"There's no place like home for real comfort!"
"Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first
associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no
subsequant connections can supply..."
-Jane AustenDoubtless when Jane Austen penned those words, she was thinking of her own home and family. To put it plainly, and in blunt English, we can quote my Grandmama:
"We all love our own weird family!" :D
This does not imply exactly that one's family is weird, only that we are all most comfortable amongst our blood relations! :) I must say, it feels good to have Daniel back in our midst! Like in the Austen quote above, though Matthew did his best as a cousin to fill Daniel's place, there is nothing quite like the original! (no offence m'dear! :) I am so blessed that Dad and Mama have instructed us, and placed great value, in our building good relationships with our siblings! It always saddens me to see grown men and women fueding over simple things, because they have never had good relationships to begin with as children! I know we are not perfect. Far from it! I'm sure every member of my family can testify to the fact that I lose my patience sometimes, and can be quite as snippy as the next person. But the difference comes in the way we handle the not-so-godly times. It is the contrast between Nellie-Oleson attitude being the norm, and a bit of crabbiness once in awhile. Do I throw up my hands, roll my eyes and say, "Why do I even try?!?!" with a self-piteous moan, or do I humble up, apologize, and put my shoulder to the plow and wrangle the attitude? God has given us our families to be in it with us for the long haul, including all our quirks and oddities. We can either fight against it, and constantly pull seperate directions, convinced that the "perfect life" is just over the horizon, or we can look around us, and realize that, all small quirks aside, we are a working, God-created team, built specifically to fulfill a special purpose in His plan. It is easy to put up a good, patient, saintly front for those people you see only once a week. But the real test is among the people you live with 24-7. Do they respect you? Are you treating them with the deference you show to everyone at church? I know I am probably misquoting someone, but it has been said, "A great man is respected best, by the people who know him best." I know that sometimes we can get on each other's nerves. But chances are, truly, that at least half of our "issues" with others, are of our own making. When the Walkers were living with us for 3 months, we had a huge poster up with this verse to remind us constantly of the Lord's will for our relationships: "1 Peter 4:9-11 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as with the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen" Right in these few short verses you have all you need to know to have successful family relationships. If, every time I opened my mouth, I spoke only the words God would put there, I doubt my siblings would have reason to complain! If I ministered to them with the gifts the Lord has given me, instead of maybe saving them for people I felt like serving (in my flesh) I am sure things would always go smoothly. Try it, and you will be surprised at the "change" yo observe in your family. Though I would beg to wonder if perhaps the change was in your own heart! :) Although this may seem like a rambling post, it has an object- I started it thankful for being a whole family once more, and I end it in the same way, merely challenging us all to try to make our home a place that our family members long to return to whenever they are away! :) -Rachel
A Few Thoughts on My Husband.
Got your attenion, didn't I?
If there is one bad thing to be said about BBC dramas, I think it would have to be that they tend to leave us feeling a tad discontent. Not any big discontent, but a little twinge of, "Oh dear. Are there really any Mr. Darcys out there?" I am guilty of such thoughts now and again, as are most girls. At the same time, I feel that most of the men in those movies have qualities worth keeping in mind for a future husband. The younger girls and I had just finished "North and South", and were discussing the main male character, Mr. Thornton.
"I wonder if there are really any men out there like him?" Leah mused. I laughed and replied, "Why don't you pray for your future husband that he will have some of the qualities you admire in Mr. Thornton?"
Leah looked at me in a shocked way. "Praying for someone you don't know right now?..."
I tried to explain the thinking of my proposition. I pray so often for my future husband, even though it is more than likely that I have never met him! Leah then asked me a question I have asked myself: "What if you don't get married? You would have been praying for no one!"
Believe it or not, I have thought of this question. And the answer I came up with is this: Perhaps I won't get married. But most people do get married, and chances are, I will. So would I give up the years I can be praying for my "Mr. Thornton", just on the outside chance he doesn't exist? I don't think so. Maybe I will be praying for a non-existing personage. But I feel that somewhere out there, the Lord is preparing a man for me, and I will not stand idly by hugging a weak "what if?". In Proverbs 31 it says that "she does him good, not harm all the days of her life." (emphasis mine) All the days include right now. And while I cannot very well be a help-meet to him in many ways, I can act as his right hand gal by being a prayer-warrior. Girls, it really helps battle discontent to pray for your future husband! Try it! It is amazing how much easier it becomes to wait. Don't worry about the "what ifs". As long as you understand that true fulfillment and contentment are found in Jesus, than pray as often as you want for your "someday" man! :) Here are some verses I found that apply:
Romans 12:12 "...rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer...." I rejoice in the hope of having a husband someday. I will be patient in the times it is very hard to wait, and I will continue steadfastly in praying for him!
Psalms 139:16 "Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned fr me, when as yet there were none of them." God has a plan for me! It may include marriage, it may not! But He really does have it all written down! A great comfort!
Proverbs 15:29 "The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous." What can I say, but He is listening, and He does want to hear my heart? :)
Colossians 4:2 "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving..."
So I am! :) I don't know about you girls, but someday, I have a feeling that my "Mr. Thornton" will be blessed to know that for many years, his wife has prayed for his safekeeping, his character, his well-being, and his relationship with the Lord. That's just about the best wedding gift I'll ever be able to hand to my beloved husband someday! :) -Rachel
If there is one bad thing to be said about BBC dramas, I think it would have to be that they tend to leave us feeling a tad discontent. Not any big discontent, but a little twinge of, "Oh dear. Are there really any Mr. Darcys out there?" I am guilty of such thoughts now and again, as are most girls. At the same time, I feel that most of the men in those movies have qualities worth keeping in mind for a future husband. The younger girls and I had just finished "North and South", and were discussing the main male character, Mr. Thornton.
"I wonder if there are really any men out there like him?" Leah mused. I laughed and replied, "Why don't you pray for your future husband that he will have some of the qualities you admire in Mr. Thornton?"
Leah looked at me in a shocked way. "Praying for someone you don't know right now?..."
I tried to explain the thinking of my proposition. I pray so often for my future husband, even though it is more than likely that I have never met him! Leah then asked me a question I have asked myself: "What if you don't get married? You would have been praying for no one!"
Believe it or not, I have thought of this question. And the answer I came up with is this: Perhaps I won't get married. But most people do get married, and chances are, I will. So would I give up the years I can be praying for my "Mr. Thornton", just on the outside chance he doesn't exist? I don't think so. Maybe I will be praying for a non-existing personage. But I feel that somewhere out there, the Lord is preparing a man for me, and I will not stand idly by hugging a weak "what if?". In Proverbs 31 it says that "she does him good, not harm all the days of her life." (emphasis mine) All the days include right now. And while I cannot very well be a help-meet to him in many ways, I can act as his right hand gal by being a prayer-warrior. Girls, it really helps battle discontent to pray for your future husband! Try it! It is amazing how much easier it becomes to wait. Don't worry about the "what ifs". As long as you understand that true fulfillment and contentment are found in Jesus, than pray as often as you want for your "someday" man! :) Here are some verses I found that apply:
Romans 12:12 "...rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer...." I rejoice in the hope of having a husband someday. I will be patient in the times it is very hard to wait, and I will continue steadfastly in praying for him!
Psalms 139:16 "Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned fr me, when as yet there were none of them." God has a plan for me! It may include marriage, it may not! But He really does have it all written down! A great comfort!
Proverbs 15:29 "The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous." What can I say, but He is listening, and He does want to hear my heart? :)
Colossians 4:2 "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving..."
So I am! :) I don't know about you girls, but someday, I have a feeling that my "Mr. Thornton" will be blessed to know that for many years, his wife has prayed for his safekeeping, his character, his well-being, and his relationship with the Lord. That's just about the best wedding gift I'll ever be able to hand to my beloved husband someday! :) -Rachel
Don't Put on the Poker Face
Hello guys! This morning I was reading in Ecclesiastes, and this is a verse that jumped out at me:
"Do not be overly righteous, nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself? Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time? It is good that you grasp this, and also not remove your hand from the other; for he who fears God will escape them all."
I love this verse, because it puts into great words something I often think about. Sometimes I have tried (in vain) to do "just right". I put on some strange mood that is what I describe as "a fit of morality" or as Oswald Chambers termed it: "Spiritual gymnastics". Now, there is a big difference between trying to act in a Christ-like manner, and trying to pose so that you are being "a good Christian". Sometimes I hardly notice when I am posing, and I am going around doing things that are perfectly godly. But the effort seems to tire me out. I am "destroying myself". Why? Because I am doing these things without the strength of the Lord. Jesus promised that He is living water. So when I pose and find myself terribly thirsty, it is because I am leaving Christ out of the picture. Daniel always reminds me that I must abide. Effort without true Christ-like love, (His heart) is just sounding brass and clanging symbols. The end of the verse I quoted above is so true: "For he who fears God will escape them all." It says right there what I have seen proved out in my own life. Isn't that amazing? It is possible to be toasty-oats dry and overly "righteous", and it is possible to be terribly foolish, but if we abide with Jesus, we will almost unconciously begin imitating Him, and there is where we must stay. It is a funny thing. I have seen it happen in myself that I try to....let's say for example, I try very hard to be patient with a younger sister. I strive to keep a sweet temper, and while I may not show outward signs of frustration or anger, my heart is definitely agitated. That is in my own strength, but when I am in constant communication with my King, I find that out of my heart, I really do wish to bear patiently the attitude of a sibling. I begin to see the reason perhaps, of their foul mood, and I suddenly find it easier to truly, from my heart, deal with the issue in a godly way. How great is our God who gives to all liberally if they will ask! His wisdom is so gloriously abundant, and I revel in discovering new treasures of it each day! :) -Rachel
"Do not be overly righteous, nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself? Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time? It is good that you grasp this, and also not remove your hand from the other; for he who fears God will escape them all."
I love this verse, because it puts into great words something I often think about. Sometimes I have tried (in vain) to do "just right". I put on some strange mood that is what I describe as "a fit of morality" or as Oswald Chambers termed it: "Spiritual gymnastics". Now, there is a big difference between trying to act in a Christ-like manner, and trying to pose so that you are being "a good Christian". Sometimes I hardly notice when I am posing, and I am going around doing things that are perfectly godly. But the effort seems to tire me out. I am "destroying myself". Why? Because I am doing these things without the strength of the Lord. Jesus promised that He is living water. So when I pose and find myself terribly thirsty, it is because I am leaving Christ out of the picture. Daniel always reminds me that I must abide. Effort without true Christ-like love, (His heart) is just sounding brass and clanging symbols. The end of the verse I quoted above is so true: "For he who fears God will escape them all." It says right there what I have seen proved out in my own life. Isn't that amazing? It is possible to be toasty-oats dry and overly "righteous", and it is possible to be terribly foolish, but if we abide with Jesus, we will almost unconciously begin imitating Him, and there is where we must stay. It is a funny thing. I have seen it happen in myself that I try to....let's say for example, I try very hard to be patient with a younger sister. I strive to keep a sweet temper, and while I may not show outward signs of frustration or anger, my heart is definitely agitated. That is in my own strength, but when I am in constant communication with my King, I find that out of my heart, I really do wish to bear patiently the attitude of a sibling. I begin to see the reason perhaps, of their foul mood, and I suddenly find it easier to truly, from my heart, deal with the issue in a godly way. How great is our God who gives to all liberally if they will ask! His wisdom is so gloriously abundant, and I revel in discovering new treasures of it each day! :) -Rachel
I Can't Even Imagine
I rediscovered how much I love journals today! I was writing in my journal and then flipped back through some of the pages from last year. I was struck over and over by how God has worked in my life, and changed me! (Not just last year, but continually!) Sometimes we can get bogged down in our trials and can't see the forest for the trees. I know that at times, I think: "I am no farther along in His kingdom than I was as a 12 year old!" and yet, in my journal is proof of His mighty hand in my personal life. He was wrought great changes in my life, He has tried the mettle of my heart, and helped me stay faithful to Him, He has blessed me again and again by working things out when I thought that surely it was the end of the world! ;) He is so great!
I was impressed once again to remember that I am merely a player in the best drama in history! And that being said, all will be worked out impressively and perfectly if I could remember to just act the part written for me to play! When I try to improvise....it doesn't work! I have a whole guide-book; a letter written to me to tell me how to walk through this life, and it reminds me constantly that I must trust to the Master to craft my story!
(Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.")
(Psalm 37:5-6 "Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.")
Those are just a couple of the verses that show me over and over, time and again that the One in whom I place my trust is the only One worth having! I will commit my way to Him, and He shall continue to put into place His plan. I'll keep on journaling, and who knows what my God may have done in my life by this time next year? Or the next? Certainly, in my wildest imaginations, I shan't be able to guess how marvelous it really will be! -Rachel
I was impressed once again to remember that I am merely a player in the best drama in history! And that being said, all will be worked out impressively and perfectly if I could remember to just act the part written for me to play! When I try to improvise....it doesn't work! I have a whole guide-book; a letter written to me to tell me how to walk through this life, and it reminds me constantly that I must trust to the Master to craft my story!
(Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.")
(Psalm 37:5-6 "Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.")
Those are just a couple of the verses that show me over and over, time and again that the One in whom I place my trust is the only One worth having! I will commit my way to Him, and He shall continue to put into place His plan. I'll keep on journaling, and who knows what my God may have done in my life by this time next year? Or the next? Certainly, in my wildest imaginations, I shan't be able to guess how marvelous it really will be! -Rachel
A Quick Word
Hi guys! So, Rachel got back last night from baby-sitting, pretty exhausted, and had to get up pretty early this morning,too. For today we have the girls' chorale and school. It's sort of funny because I can only work on science and math this week while Rachel's gone, because we do a unit study together and listen to church history,too! Well, okay, um....... I guess I'll just post a psalm I've memorized recently.
Psalms 91
He who dwells in the secret place of the most high
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God in Him I will trust.
Surely he shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler,
and from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers
and under His wings shall you take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
nor of the arrows that fly by day,
nor the pestilence that walks in the darkness,
nor of the destruction that lays waste at noon day.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it shall not come near to you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
and see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
no evil shall befall you,
nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
for He shall give His angels charge over you,
to keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread on the lion and cobra,
the young lion and the serpant you shall tread underfoot.
"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I shall satisfy him,
and show him My salvation."
Psalms 91
He who dwells in the secret place of the most high
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God in Him I will trust.
Surely he shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler,
and from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers
and under His wings shall you take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
nor of the arrows that fly by day,
nor the pestilence that walks in the darkness,
nor of the destruction that lays waste at noon day.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it shall not come near to you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
and see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
no evil shall befall you,
nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
for He shall give His angels charge over you,
to keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread on the lion and cobra,
the young lion and the serpant you shall tread underfoot.
"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I shall satisfy him,
and show him My salvation."
Barefoot On The Battlefield
Here is something I have been wanting to post about for awhile, and since Dad read this passage today in church, now is as good as ever!
Okay. Picture this: You wake up another morning on the battlefield. All is quiet for now. The hush of dawn slowly gives place to the faint sounds of a bird singing. All seems peaceful enough. Yet you know that the enemy is camped just on the other side of that hill, and you surely will pitch battle against him today. You get out of your cot and go out into the morning. You are mentally prepared, knowing that you will be in a battle today. But you don't want to take the time to put on your breastplate and helmet and take a sword with you. In fact, you don't even have your boots on! You are ill-equipped in every way. Most people, including your family, and your friends and anyone with a spark of common sense would tell you that you were being foolish, crazy, and they might even cart you off to an insane asylum. That is pure ridiculous folly to go into battle unarmed. But, that is really what we do if we don't start our day with spending time with God. So many times I have seen this pattern in my life: I wake up and spend time with God, my day is easier. I wake up and do my own thing, I am stuck in a rut of doing the things I wouldn't, and not doing the things I would. God's word tells us that there is spiritual warfare all the time! We are essentially being fools if we don't prepare against that.
Eph. 6:12 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
So we even have a warning. And we have been supplied with a complete combat uniform that is eternally, and always undefeatable!
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;...." (Eph. 6:13-17)
Isn't this a beautifully victorious passage?! With this spiritual armor, which only takes a few quiet, prayerful, and reflective moments to put on, we are able to quench ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED ONE!!! Doesn 't that make you excited? It is so inspiring to me, because so many times I come into battle unprepared, and feel beat up the whole rest of the day. And another thing, we have constant contact with our Captain. No matter where I am He is there, and is always watching and protecting me. That is an amazing thought.
So I just thought that I'd do a post to encourage all of us, (myself included) to take the time to properly equip ourselves for such an important job. That of being beacons of God's light, of carrying His "colors" through territories that the Enemy has deceived, and "having done all, to stand." That is an invigorating picture!
-Rachel
Okay. Picture this: You wake up another morning on the battlefield. All is quiet for now. The hush of dawn slowly gives place to the faint sounds of a bird singing. All seems peaceful enough. Yet you know that the enemy is camped just on the other side of that hill, and you surely will pitch battle against him today. You get out of your cot and go out into the morning. You are mentally prepared, knowing that you will be in a battle today. But you don't want to take the time to put on your breastplate and helmet and take a sword with you. In fact, you don't even have your boots on! You are ill-equipped in every way. Most people, including your family, and your friends and anyone with a spark of common sense would tell you that you were being foolish, crazy, and they might even cart you off to an insane asylum. That is pure ridiculous folly to go into battle unarmed. But, that is really what we do if we don't start our day with spending time with God. So many times I have seen this pattern in my life: I wake up and spend time with God, my day is easier. I wake up and do my own thing, I am stuck in a rut of doing the things I wouldn't, and not doing the things I would. God's word tells us that there is spiritual warfare all the time! We are essentially being fools if we don't prepare against that.
Eph. 6:12 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
So we even have a warning. And we have been supplied with a complete combat uniform that is eternally, and always undefeatable!
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;...." (Eph. 6:13-17)
Isn't this a beautifully victorious passage?! With this spiritual armor, which only takes a few quiet, prayerful, and reflective moments to put on, we are able to quench ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED ONE!!! Doesn 't that make you excited? It is so inspiring to me, because so many times I come into battle unprepared, and feel beat up the whole rest of the day. And another thing, we have constant contact with our Captain. No matter where I am He is there, and is always watching and protecting me. That is an amazing thought.
So I just thought that I'd do a post to encourage all of us, (myself included) to take the time to properly equip ourselves for such an important job. That of being beacons of God's light, of carrying His "colors" through territories that the Enemy has deceived, and "having done all, to stand." That is an invigorating picture!
-Rachel
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