7The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Who has ever been through a desert season?? They are not necessarily bad experiences, but it is hard to maintain a positive attitude and hopeful momentum when you feel like you are walking around in circles.
One very important part of my recent desert journey is that it allowed God to remove me from all the hustle and bustle of the city which is just brimming with people to meet and encourage toward Christ. As a result of this removal, God was able to unearth an event that has turned into a cancer that has been festering within me for almost 20 years. Through this desert time, God and I have been able to reconnect on a deeper level and He has blessed me with glimpses of His plan for my life!!! That is totally worth walking around in circle for!!!
The process of spiritual surgery is quite frankly scary!! I honestly feel like a frog being dissected. This cancer, like all cancer spread into other areas of my life without my knowledge or permission!! I believe that God has removed the source of the infection, it has been brought to light and God is now working on removing any infection that has spread. Once it has been removed, God washes the area with His love. He pours into me so that spot is no longer full of infection, but it is not left empty either, it is full of Him!!
In any surgery, there is going to be recovery time before being 110% again. I think I have come out from anesthetic and already I can feel God is working toward restoration!! I am so very thankful to be one loved daughter!!!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Psalm 28
1Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
2Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
3Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.
4Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.
5Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.
6Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
7The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
8The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.
9Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
2Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
3Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.
4Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.
5Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.
6Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
7The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
8The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.
9Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
Psalm 27:4
4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
What an inspirational verse!! What is one thing that you have desired?? It could be anything, a specific car, vacation, job, spouse, house, education, etc. What could it be that you actually begin modifying your thoughts, proirities, schedule, venues, friends, spending habits, etc. to attain this one thing??
I just learned a very interesting difference between a goal and a desire. A goal is purely based on your own efforts. The example given was about loosing weight. I may have a goal for myself to loose excess weight but to reach this goal I will have to watch what I eat and begin exercising regularly. Now my desire if for Jordan to loose weight too. I am unable to make those choices for him and monitor his progress on a moment to moment basis. So I am unable to attain this desire through my own efforts.
What is absoultly wonderful about desiring more of God, is that He desires a deeper relationship with me too!!! As a result, I am able to not only desire to dwell in His house, but He has come along side me to help me seek it out - so my goal to learn more about God, spend time with Him, and position myself to grow closer to Him are all things that I am able to activly seek and attain!!! This journey is a mutual relationship that just keeps getting better and better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What an inspirational verse!! What is one thing that you have desired?? It could be anything, a specific car, vacation, job, spouse, house, education, etc. What could it be that you actually begin modifying your thoughts, proirities, schedule, venues, friends, spending habits, etc. to attain this one thing??
I just learned a very interesting difference between a goal and a desire. A goal is purely based on your own efforts. The example given was about loosing weight. I may have a goal for myself to loose excess weight but to reach this goal I will have to watch what I eat and begin exercising regularly. Now my desire if for Jordan to loose weight too. I am unable to make those choices for him and monitor his progress on a moment to moment basis. So I am unable to attain this desire through my own efforts.
What is absoultly wonderful about desiring more of God, is that He desires a deeper relationship with me too!!! As a result, I am able to not only desire to dwell in His house, but He has come along side me to help me seek it out - so my goal to learn more about God, spend time with Him, and position myself to grow closer to Him are all things that I am able to activly seek and attain!!! This journey is a mutual relationship that just keeps getting better and better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Psalm 27
1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Psalm 26
I have really enjoyed reading the Psalms in the King James version, when you read them out loud you can almost hear the underlying music to each one. I also think it is fun to try to understand some of the words which Americans don't use any more.
Begin by re-reading verses 1-3. The NIV paints a little different picture to me.
1 Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
2 Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;
3 for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.
Vindicate me = Judge me
walked in integrity = blameless life
sliding = wavering
Examine = test
prove = try
reins = mind
I know that these are not exact definitions of these words, and especially if we compare them to Hebrew. I am thankful that God gives me the desire to press on this path He has placed me on!!
The Holy Spirit helps our hearts grasp the true meanings of Scripture. This is why I love using the different versions - The Holy Spirit uses them to give me a little more insight into a passage, which paints a clearer picture for me to visualize, then leads to an opportunity to apply God's principle in my life, and solidifies His message into my heart!
Thank You Holy Spirit for opening up my mind and heart to understand what God wants me to absorb and apply today!!!
Begin by re-reading verses 1-3. The NIV paints a little different picture to me.
1 Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
2 Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;
3 for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.
Vindicate me = Judge me
walked in integrity = blameless life
sliding = wavering
Examine = test
prove = try
reins = mind
I know that these are not exact definitions of these words, and especially if we compare them to Hebrew. I am thankful that God gives me the desire to press on this path He has placed me on!!
The Holy Spirit helps our hearts grasp the true meanings of Scripture. This is why I love using the different versions - The Holy Spirit uses them to give me a little more insight into a passage, which paints a clearer picture for me to visualize, then leads to an opportunity to apply God's principle in my life, and solidifies His message into my heart!
Thank You Holy Spirit for opening up my mind and heart to understand what God wants me to absorb and apply today!!!
Psalm 26
1Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
2Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
3For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
4I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
5I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
6I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:
7That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
9Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
10In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
11But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
12My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.
2Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
3For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
4I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
5I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
6I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:
7That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
9Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
10In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
11But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
12My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Psalm 25:1-2 & 17-18
1Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
2O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
How many times whether in good times or bad do we honestly and truly lift our souls up to Him, our Creator? How long does it really take for us to place our trust in Him, our Abba Father? How often do we seriously doubt the love He has for us, His children?
I can honestly say - more often than not - and that is an embarrassing confession!! I struggle with trying to fix things myself, or plan strategically based on my own understanding of the situation, or compartmentalizing my feelings, suppressing them to pull up my boot straps to charge forward!! My cooping skills have served me well, until now.
17The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
God desires my whole heart!! and in order to get it He pointed out a few things that I have never dealt with. I had buried them so deep that I burned the bridge when I left that country and never looked back!! Jesus was the only One who knew they were there, He is the only One who loves me enough to bring it to light so that He can perform surgery to remove the root cause & the infection that has spread to other areas of my past, so it will no longer hold me in my present so that I will be truly free in my future!!
Trust me - scary is not even the tip of the iceberg!! This toxic waste has been a part of me that I have chosen to block out for almost 2 decades, that I don't even remember most of, but God knows. He saw everything and remembers it clearly, no fabrication, exaggeration, or various points of perspectives, just clear truth which is really not as hard as I thought it would be to face. my Abba Father loves me tenderly and disciplines me in a way that is not condemning, He encourages me in a loving way that washes over me with amazing peace and tranquility so the fury of raw human emotion subside so I can see the clear truth of what happened!!!
Healing begins with opening up to my LORD and Savior, allowing Him to lead me to the truth, then letting the Great Physician to perform surgery, and then rest in His arms for recovery!!
2O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
How many times whether in good times or bad do we honestly and truly lift our souls up to Him, our Creator? How long does it really take for us to place our trust in Him, our Abba Father? How often do we seriously doubt the love He has for us, His children?
I can honestly say - more often than not - and that is an embarrassing confession!! I struggle with trying to fix things myself, or plan strategically based on my own understanding of the situation, or compartmentalizing my feelings, suppressing them to pull up my boot straps to charge forward!! My cooping skills have served me well, until now.
17The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
God desires my whole heart!! and in order to get it He pointed out a few things that I have never dealt with. I had buried them so deep that I burned the bridge when I left that country and never looked back!! Jesus was the only One who knew they were there, He is the only One who loves me enough to bring it to light so that He can perform surgery to remove the root cause & the infection that has spread to other areas of my past, so it will no longer hold me in my present so that I will be truly free in my future!!
Trust me - scary is not even the tip of the iceberg!! This toxic waste has been a part of me that I have chosen to block out for almost 2 decades, that I don't even remember most of, but God knows. He saw everything and remembers it clearly, no fabrication, exaggeration, or various points of perspectives, just clear truth which is really not as hard as I thought it would be to face. my Abba Father loves me tenderly and disciplines me in a way that is not condemning, He encourages me in a loving way that washes over me with amazing peace and tranquility so the fury of raw human emotion subside so I can see the clear truth of what happened!!!
Healing begins with opening up to my LORD and Savior, allowing Him to lead me to the truth, then letting the Great Physician to perform surgery, and then rest in His arms for recovery!!
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