Let Us Rejoice Because We Trust In GOD!!!

 
Psalm 5:11-12 (KJV)

¹¹ But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

¹² For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.


This is one of those amazing passages of scripture that just opens your eyes to how much God loves you. 


It is just what I call a “WOW” scripture!!! 


Maybe I should call it a “POW” (Power of the WORD) scripture instead.  That would definitely be more fitting. 


Or maybe like, POW, devil.  Take that!!!


When I read such an awesome WORD as this, I wonder why we don’t hear more folks preach this sort of thing.  I give credit to Joseph Prince for bringing this scripture to my attention in one of his more recent daily teachings.


Let’s look at it again!!! 


Psalm 5:11-12 (KJV)

¹¹ But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

¹² For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.


So, let’s break this passage down!!!


Psalm 5:11 (KJV)

¹¹ But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice:


Rejoice:  To show great joy or delight

Kathy’s definition: To show great joy or delight in celebration of what God has done for you.


So, we could say that the 1^st part of verse 11 is saying, “Let everyone who trusts God show great joy or delight in celebration of what The Almighty has done for them.”


Now, for the 2^nd part of verse 11.  This part is really plain.  It says, “let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them”


“Let them ever shout for joy, because God Almighty defends and protects them.” 


And the last or 3^rd part is just as simple, “let them also that love thy
name be joyful in thee.”


This part doesn’t even need to be explained.  It is very plain.


“Let those that love the name of the GOD be joyful in HIM!!!”


So, all in all, verse 11 could actually say, “Let everyone who trusts God show great joy or delight in celebration of what The Almighty has done for them.  Let them ever shout for joy, because God Almighty defends and protects them.  Let those that love the name of the GOD be joyful in HIM!!!”  


And how could this passage get any better?


Well, let’s read verse 12. 


Psalm 5:12 For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.


To compass means to go around in a circular motion, to encircle or surround.  


So, we could say, “For YOU, LORD, will bless the righteous.  You will encircle or surround the righteous with favor.”


And if we put verse 11 & 12 together, we get this:


¹¹ “Let everyone who trusts God show great joy or delight in celebration of what The Almighty has done for them.  Let them ever shout for joy, because God Almighty defends and protects them.  Let those that love the name of the GOD be joyful in HIM!!!”  

¹² “For YOU, LORD, will bless the righteous.  You will encircle or surround the righteous with favor.”


So, why did I insist in dissecting this passage?  Well, for one thing, breaking down a passage makes it more real to me, and it helps me to remember it.


But also as I began to read and write this today, kept hearing the words, LIKE A HEDGE OF PROTECTION.


Psalm 5:11-12 (NKJV)

¹¹ But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.

¹² For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield.


So, not ONLY are we supposed to have joy and celebrate the things that GOD is doing and has done for us, we are to always SHOUT FOR JOY because OUR GOD defends and protects us.  And because we LOVE HIS NAME, we are to be joyful in HIM!!!


For GOD will bless HIS righteous children and encircle us with favor.  And HIS favor will surround us like a hedge of protection.

Words That Touch My Soul!!!

Whenever I open my Bible, I am looking for a WORD from the LORD!!!  A WORD that will touch my soul!!!


Do I mean every time I open my Bible? 


Yes!!  That is exactly what I mean.


And does it happen?


Yes!!  Yes, it does. 


God speaks to me every day!!! 


Sometimes HE speaks to me about my situation and sometimes HE speaks to me about things that I have seen!!!


Today, I picked up my Bible and this is what I read. 


Psalm 20:1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble.


What an awesome WORD from the Lord!!! 


To know that God knows what is going on in my life and what is going to happen.  HE knows what I am going through and what I am going to go through.  HE sees when blessing are coming and when trouble is coming!!!
 

I am so thankful to know that God watches over me. 


I know that I am blessed and I know that God hears my prayers. 


My Heavenly FATHER NOT ONLY HEARS ALL MY PRAYERS, but HE ANSWERS ALL MY PRAYERS.


It doesn’t matter how long or short my prayers are, HE HEARS THEM!!!


MY GOD LISTENS WHEN I SPEAK!!!


God doesn’t just answer long WORD-filled prayers, HE answers the short ones, too!!! 


GOD even answers the little one liners-the thoughts that I barely breathe-the prayers that are merely thoughts and whispers.  And yes, HE even answers the muttered prayers that I have uttered under my breath. 


HE sees and knows every thing-even the thoughts that I think when it is just HIM and me!!!


HE makes gloriously beautiful days full of sunshine, and sometimes rain.  Days full of blessings and days that it is great to be alive and kicking!!!


Unfortunately, there are times and days when trouble comes.  There are even some days that seem to be full of trouble. 


But I know that MY GOD is still in control!!!


My attitude makes ALL the DIFFERENCE in the WORLD!!! 


And so does yours!!! 


Our attitudes play such a huge part in how things affect us.  The way that we look at things makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!! 


The truth is that it is actually our view of GOD that makes all the difference and that frames our attitude!!! 


When we know that we matter in HIS eyes, then we have confidence in HIM. 


When we find that we can do ALL THINGS through Christ who is our strength, then we are NOT so easily overwhelmed by the events in life. 


Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.


When we KNOW and BELIEVE that ALL THINGS WORK FOR OUR GOOD, life gets a lot easier.  And even when trouble comes, life doesn’t seem so bad. 


Romans 8:28 (NKJV) …all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.



For many years, in times of trouble, I would hear the Holy Ghost say, “all things work together for good.”  And in those times, I was comforted!!!  


I knew that God saw what was going on.  I knew that HE loved me and was concerned about me!!!


Psalm 16:1 (NKJV) Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.


And because I trusted in HIM, I knew that HE would bring me out of all the trouble!!!


It is especially important in times of trouble to have GOD’S PEACE WITHIN your soul.  To have peace and comfort within your heart, even though trouble is near, is to be able to withstand the wiles of the enemy.  


Psalm 18:48 (NKJV) He delivers me from my enemies…

The Other Brother

Do you ever feel like the other brother???


Who am I talking about? 


I am talking about the other brother.  You know, the responsible son.  The one that never got in trouble, never ran away, and never squandered his inheritance. 


I am talking about the brother that never left home-the one that always did what he was told-the one that was there for his Dad. 


You know, the brother of the prodigal son.  The oldest son is barely mentioned in this parable.  He is the son that no one noticed because he was always there; the one that worked hard and treated his father right.  


Luke 15:11-24 (CEB)

¹¹ Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons. ¹² The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the inheritance.’ Then the father divided his estate between them. ¹³ Soon afterward, the younger son gathered everything together and took a trip to a land far away. There, he wasted his wealth through extravagant living.

¹⁴ “When he had used up his resources, a severe food shortage arose in that country and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ He hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to eat his fill from what the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything. ¹⁷ When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, but I’m starving to death!

¹⁸ I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹  I no longer deserve to be called your son. Take me on as one of your hired hands.” ’

²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.

“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. ²¹ Then his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ ²² But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! ²³ Fetch the fattened calf and slaughter it. We must celebrate with feasting ²⁴ because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.


The fellow that I am talking about is the older brother-the brother that went unnoticed until the end of the story.  Did you notice how this fellow is pretty much left out, and gets no attention until he gets upset at the attention that his brother receives for coming back home?


Luke 15:25-27 (NIV)

²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷ ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

And that is what he is known for.  He is known for being angry, sullen, and unhappy.  He is known as the one who was NOT glad to see his brother come home.


Luke 15:28-32 (NIV)

²⁸ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

I say to you right now, “How unfair!!!  No one seems to understand how he felt.  No one talks about how he must have felt left out and totally unappreciated. 


I am sure that he would like to have said, “Dad, couldn’t you just tell me one time how proud you are of me, and how glad you are that I stayed with you?”     

And I am sure that he would have been glad to hear his dad say, “Son, you have worked so hard, why don’t you throw a party and kill a fatted calf.  You can invite all your friends and just have a good time.” 


Maybe I am alone in this, but sometimes I feel like that guy and I truly understand how he must have felt.


Right or wrong, he felt left out!!!  He felt overlooked and unappreciated.  When his dad threw the party for his younger brother, he didn’t even have one of the servants go out to the field and bring his eldest son in to celebrate. 


Wouldn’t that make just about anyone feel unappreciated and viewed as less important, of less valuable than the other person? 


I can see how that would make him feel like he had been overlooked-less than he truly was. 

You know, sometimes parents overlook a precious, obedient child because they are too busy having to deal with a younger, unruly child.  And I know that parents are people too, but that just isn’t right!!!

Thank goodness, that Father GOD always sees who we are.  HE sees us just as we are and HE VALUES US!! 


GOD loves us!  HE LOVES US FOREVER AND ALWAYS-just as we are!  HE LOVES US because we are HIS children. 


GOD sees our good points and HE sees our faults, and HE LOVES US ANYWAY. 


I am so thankful that I know HOW MUCH MY FATHER IN HEAVEN LOVES ME.  There are times when I have to remind myself that GOD LOVES ME just as I am. 


I KNOW THAT I WOULDN’T HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR, IF I DIDN’T KNOW THAT MY FATHER IN HEAVEN LOVES ME!!!! 


There have been too many lonely places and too many lonely roads.  There have been too many times that I have felt less than I am because I felt unwanted and unloved by those in my life. 


Even when I knew that the lies the devil was telling weren’t true, they FELT TRUE.  And THEY HURT!!!


I have had my share of sorrows, and my share of heartaches, just like everyone else.  And at times, I have let the things that others said bother me even when I knew that I shouldn’t. 


And still God loves me!!!  And still HE gave HIS SON to die for me!!!


So, today, as I was having a pity party and feeling down, it clicked.  What God had been trying to show me clicked. 


You see, Father God had been talking to me about the story of the Prodigal Son.  I even went back and read it again, but I just didn’t get it.


I thought God was showing me how the father in this passage ran to meet the prodigal son.  The father in this passage represents OUR FATHER GOD and how HE loves us so much that HE runs to meet us when we come back to HIM!!! 


You know, when we are lost, that is how GOD responds to us.  HE RUNS TO MEET US WHEN WE FINALLY FIND OUR WAY HOME!!!  


You know, I have a wonderful daddy, but HE IS NOT GOD!!!  Nor can I expect him to be or act like GOD!!! 


Because those that we love are NOT perfect, and because they are NOT GOD, many times they have no idea how we feel.  And because they have a different view of things, they just don’t understand. 


Because they are NOT us, they can’t see how it feels to seemingly be unappreciated.  ONLY someone who has walked in your shoes can understand. 


And we just can’t expect them to understand, but somehow we really want them to.  If they could see a picture movie of what goes on in our lives, then-maybe then-they would understand. 


But in reality, who is going to share all those feelings?  Who wants to endure the looks that would be cast, if folks knew exactly what you felt and just how dark your thoughts get at times?  Who wants to share their inner most thoughts and feelings so that folks can see their souls?


But THANK GOD, OUR FATHER sees and HE knows how we feel.  HE feels our pain, our heartache, and how we feel rejected.  And HE truly does understand.


God wants us to realize how much HE loves us!!!  And how much HE understands what we feel and what we go through.  HE knows!!! 

Hebrews 4:12-13 (KJV)

¹² For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

¹³ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.


Our Lord and Savior, Jesus, sees and knows ALL.  After all, HE IS THE WORD!!!  Our souls are made bare before HIM. 


Hebrews 4:12-13 (CEV)

¹² What God has said isn’t only alive and active! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts.

¹³ Nothing is hidden from God! He sees through everything, and we will have to tell him the truth.


And because HE LOVES US SO MUCH, JESUS DIED-so that we could live.


Hebrews 4:14-16 (NCV)

¹⁴ Since we have a great high priest, Jesus the Son of God, who has gone into heaven, let us hold on to the faith we have. ¹⁵ For our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it.


And because GOD knows and because HE loves us so much, HE sent HIS ONE AND ONLY SON to rescue us; to die for us; to redeem us because we are HIS BELOVED!!!  We are HIS KIDS!!!


1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.


No matter who you are, what you have done or how you feel, YOU ARE HIGHLY VALUED BY GOD!!! 


You are NOT a second class citizen.  You are NOT overlooked!!!


And when the devil tells you that you are forgotten or forsaken, tell him that he is a liar.  Tell him to shut his mouth.  Tell him that God loves you. 


You are highly prized, truly appreciated and greatly loved.  You are a child of GOD-A CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH.


God reminded me as I wrote this that HE loves us so much and that HE has sought us out.  No one can come to GOD unless HE woes them.  And when we were lost, HE searched for us, just as the woman in the Bible diligently hunted for the coin she had lost.  FATHER GOD values each of us that much.    


Luke 15:8-9 (NIV)

⁸   …suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?
⁹ And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’

I Choose to Know That I AM BLESSED!!!

Life is a whole lot easier to live when you learn to be blessed by the small things.


What do I mean by that?


Well, what I mean is that our attitude makes a 100% difference in how we handle the things that come our way and in how our lives turn out!!!


Life is a whole lot easier to live when you learn to be blessed no matter what!!  When you learn to look for God’s blessings in the small things and in every day stuff, then life gets a lot easier.  You will feel that you are living a blessed life!!! 

Oftentimes, folks let little things ruin their day.   


Song of Solomon 2:15 (NKJV)

¹⁵ Catch us the foxes,
The little foxes that spoil the vines,
For our vines have tender grapes.


Do you see where it says that our vines have tender grapes on them?  Do you know that when fruit is young and tender, a bug, a bird or another animal can bite into it and ruin that fruit!!!


When we allow the little things in life to ruin our day, then we let them control how we feel.  We let them color our day and perhaps our world. 


You know, over the years I have heard many folks say that they have to have their morning coffee.  And so I can just see someone getting up and finding out that there is no coffee, because they ran out and forgot to pick it up.  And I can see them letting that ruin their day.   


Forgetting to buy coffee may NOT have been the devil’s fault, but by choosing to be in a foul mood, they are listening to the devil tell them they have a right to be sour and mad. 


And if you think about it, when does the devil try to ruin our day??? 


The truth is that he will ruin it any time he can-any time that we allow him to ruin it.  But if he can ruin our day from the very beginning, when it is young and tender and just starting out, then that is when he will do it!!!

It is like those tender grapes on the vine.  If the devil can ruin them from the very beginning, then he can spoil the whole vineyard!!! 

I have seen folks allow so many little things spoil their day or their mood and it is really sad. 


I know that what may seem to me to be a small deal can be something that matters a whole lot in another person's life. 


But when we allow these small foxes into our lives, we are allowing them to control us and we are allowing them to have control over our lives!!! 


I have walked in these same shoes, but I am learning to control my feelings. 

At one time or another, I have let little things bother me so much that they colored my whole day.  At one time or another I have had something happen in my life and I have allowed it to turn what at first seemed like such a beautiful, bright sunshiny day into a dark, overcast, cloudy day. 


No more!!!!!!!!  I refuse to allow someone or something else to control my life and how I see the world!!!  From now on, I refuse to allow the devil to ruin my day.  I want to see things as God sees them!!! 

 
I have decided that with God’s help, I am going to have good days and I want to make the devil so mad that he explodes and burns up!!! 


The LORD has dealt with me about this before, but it seems like a lifetime ago!!!  So, I now have to work to remember this simple Bible truth. 


Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

I am NOT saying that life doesn't get rough at times.  

We all have trials and tribulations and we all go through tough times. 


But it is how we handle these tough times and what comes our way in life that is important.  We have to know that even when life throws us a curve, it will pass.  Nothing in life stays the same. 


It is like the old song says, Trouble doesn’t last always!!!


There are good days ahead!!! 


Psalm 30:5 (AMP) …Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.


God will turn every evil situation to our advantage-to our good!!!  Those things that the devil means for bad will be used for our good!!!  (Rom. 18:28) 



You know, I wrote about this in my last blog, and so the devil decided that he would make me eat my words!!! 
 

Did I let him win???  NO WAY!!!  I am NOT perfect, and he may cause me to trip.  But if he does, I am NOT going to stay down!  I am going to pick myself up and dust myself off and go on.  I have to keep fighting to be victorious!  And so do you!  


So, here is what happened to me a couple of days ago.


The day was just magnificent!!!  It was beautiful and sunny and warm!!!  It was almost 70 degrees outside, so I put on sandals with my capris and T-shirt.


I had gotten ready to go to for a visit and was packing up the truck.  And I had a few errands to run before I could leave.


I was walking down the sidewalk to my truck in my sandals when felt this big squish under one of my feet.  I knew immediately that I had stepped in a big rotunda pile of kitty poo.


So, I stopped and scraped my sandal on the gravel in driveway, and sure enough, there it was!!!  YUCK!!!

Now, I could have been mad, but I had just been cheering up a friend and telling her that she couldn’t let things get her down.  And she had just thanked me for doing so.  


And even as I pondered the situation, I could hear the LORD say, “Well, you can think about how blessed you are or you can let this make you mad.” 


So, I decided to thank God that the cat poo was on the bottom of my shoe and didn’t get on my toes and inside my sandal.  That really would have been gross!!!  So I was VERY, VERY THANKFUL for that!!!    


And then I realized that I had lots to be thankful for.


I have legs to walk with and feet to hold me up.  So, being able to step in cat poo is a blessing. 


You know, some folks do NOT have feet and others cannot walk because their legs do NOT work.  I AM SO BLESSED!!!


I have complete feeling in my legs and feet.  I could feel the squish of that stuff.  So I am TRULY BLESSED!!!  


I have heard of folks that are diabetic and have stepped on things, but didn’t know it until much later, because they don’t have complete feeling in their feet. 


It is only because whatever that person stepped on worked itself up into the foot next to a bone or nerve, that he or she knew that it was there.  It was ONLY because they began to have pain in that leg or foot that they knew something was wrong.  Someone that I know, told me about a person who had to have surgery to remove pins from one of his or her feet. 
  

So, I know that I AM BLESSED!!!  I can feel when I step on something.  I can feel when something is under my foot or feet.  I can feel when the ground changes under my feet.     


You know, I am blessed to have more than one pair of sandals and to be able to find them.  I was blessed to be able to take off those pooey sandals and put on my clean flip flops.  I could have even put on tennis shoes, but it was so warm that I didn’t want to wear shoes.


I am blessed because the LORD reminded me to fix my truck before I cranked it up and left. 


Do you know how blessed I am to be able to work on my own truck?  I am blessed to able to get parts for it and to know how to fix it.  And I thank God that HE reminded me to buy the parts.


It is such a blessing to have the right tools to be able to fix my truck.  And yes, I had to dig them out, but what is a little effort?  I have breath in my body and strength in my limbs.  My hands and feet and eyes all work correctly.  I am blessed!!! 


So, I fixed my truck and headed down the road to run errands.  Running errands is always fun to me.  I have a truck that has been blessed from “the get go” and runs like a top.  And I am blessed to able to take care of what I need. 


When I stopped at the auto parts store to ask a question, I noticed that it was getting windy.  I wondered then if I should go home and change my clothes.  I already had everything I needed to make my trip, but it seemed to be getting colder.  I decided to finish my errands and then, if need be, go back and change my clothes.


I thank God that I was so blessed to have errands to run because when I got out at the dollar store, I found that it had gotten a lot colder.  The temperature had dropped almost 20 degrees in a matter of minutes.  What had been a beautiful, warm, sunny 70 degree day had turned into a sunny, cold and windy 50 degree day. 


And I was blessed to still be in town and be able to go back to my house and change my clothes.  So, I did just that.  I put on some warm clothes and some socks and shoes.  What a blessing to have clean warm clothes.  I put on a hoody.  I had already put a heavy coat in the truck, but I found a pair of sweat pants to take with me.    


While I was still at the house, THE LORD reminded me that the wind was very chilly and that my dogs would probably like some more hay in their houses.  I added the hay that had been given to me for FREE to their dog houses, so that they could stay warm even with the cold weather.  I was NOT only blessed to have the hay, I was blessed to know that my dogs would be warm and safe while I was gone!!


We need to always remember to see things as God sees them.  We need to look through HIS eyes to see what is actually going on.  We need to know when the devil is at work and we need to respond accordingly. 


You know, the devil NEVER stops attacking folks.  He will try to cause vehicle problems or problems with your pets.  He will attack your children and even cause your family to act up. 


That is why we have to have the mind of Christ!!!  That is why we need to see things like Jesus sees them.  That is why it is necessary to stay prayed up!!!  When we are prayed up, we are prepared to fight the devil.  


To help us do that, we need to remember these 2 scriptures!!!


Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) 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.

If we can just remember that devil is the evil one and that ALL bad things come from him, then our lives will be a lot easier. 


No matter what we have done, God is NOT mad at us and HE is NOT trying to hurt us or pay us back.  God loves us and HE wants good things for us. 

Jeremiah 29:11 (CEB) I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.


When I am upset or am feeling out of sorts, I have to get by myself and get with GOD, so that I can get settled down and be right and act right toward others.  I have to get calm and get some PEACE, and I can ONLY do that by getting with GOD!!!


Psalm 42:11 (CEV) Why am I discouraged?  Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God.

I Trust in YOU, LORD God!!!

As I was reading this morning, I saw this verse. 


Psalms 16:1 Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.


And those few words meant so much to me!!!  I knew that I could trust in HIM to make sure that everything in my life would work out just fine.  Those words gave me so much PEACE!!!!


To knew that I could TRUST IN HIM!!! 


I know that the Lord was reminding me to put my trust in HIM-to have FAITH and believe in HIM for good things. 


You see GOD always reminds me that HIS WORD says that HE has good thoughts and good plans for us. 


Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) 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.


Jeremiah 29:11 (CEB) I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.

For many years the LORD reminded me almost daily that HE would turn what the devil meant for evil into good for me. 


Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

When bad things would happen, I would hear HIM whisper, “FOR THE GOOD!!!”

Not only DOES God turn evil into good, HE PRESERVES and KEEPS US!!!


I was raised up in a household where my mother and grandmother made jellies and canned vegetables.  And so I learned at an early age what it means to preserve food.  If you put your food up or canned it, you were preserving it and keeping it so that it would still be good to eat later. 


So, when I read in verse 1, “Preserve me, O God,” I immediately thought, “Keep me safe God!!!” 


Then I noticed in the notes in my Bible, that it said that the word, PRESERVE, means, “Watch over.”


So, we could actually say that verse 1 in Psalms 16 is saying, “Watch over me, LORD GOD, for I trust YOU!!!” 


As I read this verse this morning, I could feel my confidence and my FAITH swelling up within me!!!  A smile came to my face, because I knew that I could truly say, I TRUST YOU, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!!!


Not ONLY do I trust you LORD GOD, but I trust you to watch over me and keep me safe and make everything right in my life!!! 


And I knew that God was telling me that EVERYTHING TRULY WAS GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT!!! 



I TRUST IN YOU, OH LORD MY GOD!!!   

Just Ask…

In these days and times, we hear preachers preaching that GOD WILL PROVIDE US WITH WHAT WE NEED.  They go on to say that if you just want something that that is different. 


I just don’t get it! 

Don’t they read and study their bibles?

God says in HIS WORD that we have NOT because we ask NOT!!!

James 4:2 (CEB) …You don’t have because you don’t ask.

THE WORD also tells us that NOT only will GOD supply our needs, but HE will give us the desires of our hearts.



Philippians 4:19 (KJV) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Psalm 37:4 (NKJV) Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.



I wonder how many people have ever heard these scriptures?  Maybe a few?  I bet that there are a lot of folks who have never heard these scriptures quotes or even referred to by their preacher or the man they see on TV. 


So, unless we teach everyone THE WORD of GOD, how is anyone going to know what it says? 


Romans 10:14 (CEB) So how can they call on someone they don’t have faith in? And how can they have faith in someone they haven’t heard of? And how can they hear without a preacher?

Romans 10:14 (AMP) But how are people to call upon Him Whom they have not believed [in Whom they have no faith, on Whom they have no reliance]? And how are they to believe in Him [adhere to, trust in, and rely upon Him] of Whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?

In HIS WORD, God tells us how much HE LOVES US!!! 


God tells us that HE sent HIS SON to die for us and give us eternal life.  But HE also tells us that Jesus came to give us life and that abundantly! 


John 10:10 (CEB) The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.


John 10:10 (AMP) The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).




Jesus is talking here in this scripture and HE wants us to have wonderful lives filled with goodness, joy, love, and peace-the best life possible!!!  HE wants us to enjoy lives and live them to the fullest.  HE wants us to have blessed lives. 



It is the devil who lies and tells us that we do NOT deserve all the good things in life.

Do you see where the Amplified says til it OVERFLOWS?


Jesus is saying that HE wants our blessings to overflow us-to overtake us.


Malachi 3:10 (NKJV) Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.

 

Malachi 3:10 (CEV) I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test. Bring the entire ten percent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house. Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing.



There are so many wonderful promises in GOD’S WORD!  It just baffles me to hear folks teaching other things. 

 

Most folks would NOT dare say that God doesn’t love us, but look at what they teach. 


Do they teach us about God’s love?  Do they tell us that our Heavenly Father loves us and wants what is best for us? 


Do they tell us that GOD loves us unconditionally? 


Unfortunately they do NOT!!!


What I hear most preachers saying from the pulpit sounds more like they are telling folks about Santa Claus.


You know, YOU BETTER WATCH OUT!!! 

 

But GOD isn’t like that!!! 


GOD loves us so much that HE sent HIS SON-HIS ONE AND ONLY SON-to die on the cross for us!!!     


John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.



GOD tells us in HIS word that HE IS LOVE. 


1 John 4:8 (NKJV) ...God is love.


THE WORD also tells us that OUR FATHER GOD IS A GOOD FATHER!  And because HE IS OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, HE gives us good things when we ask. 



Matthew 7:7-11 (NCV)

⁷ “Ask, and God will give to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you.

⁸ Yes, everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And everyone who knocks will have the door opened.

⁹ “If your children ask for bread, which of you would give them a stone?

¹⁰ Or if your children ask for a fish, would you give them a snake?

¹¹ Even though you are bad, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask him!

The GOD of Angel Armies IS Always By My Side

This morning as I started to write my blog, I kept hearing this song and I just had to share it. 


Here are the lyrics. (To hear this song, click on the title of today's blog.)



"Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)"

You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger still

Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory

Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I'm holding on to Your promises

You are faithful
You are faithful

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I'm holding on to Your promises

You are faithful
You are faithful
You are faithful

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The God of angel armies
Is always by my side



This song is actually called, "Whom Shall I Fear."


What an awesome song this is.  It glorifies the LORD and reminds us that we do NOT have to be afraid because HE IS always with us. 


GOD IS SO AWESOME!!!  I love him so!!! 


From the first time I met HIM, HE began to teach me that as long as I was HIS CHILD, I had nothing to fear. 


When I was a small child I had nightmares, and I would sleepwalk.  And when I woke up, whether I was still in my bed or NOT, I would be terrified. 


That is when the LORD taught me about pleading the blood.  So, every night when I got in bed, I would pray that I would NOT have nightmares and I would plead the blood of Jesus over my mind to protect me and keep the nightmares away.  

Fear is a tool of the devil and HE uses it against us to make us miserable and keep us from doing God’s Will.  He doesn’t care if you are young or old, if he can keep you scared, he will. 



Fear keeps you from living and going and doing.  Fear can paralyze you and keep you from speaking at times, but when you know that God is right there beside you protecting you, then you know that you have NOTHING to be afraid of!!! 



God tells us in HIS WORD that we do NOT have to fear!!! 


2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

See where it says a SOUND MIND?  That is because when we fear we do NOT think straight or make good decisions. 


But when we trust in God and have PEACE in HIM, we know that we will be fine and that God is with us.

Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)  You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.


The Amplified Bible says it this way. 


Isaiah 26:3 (AMP) You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.

GOD IS ALWAYS WITH ME!!!  WHOM SHALL I FEAR!!! 



WHOM SHALL I FEAR?

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of Angel Armies
Is always by my side

The One who reigns forever
HE is a friend of mine
The God of Angel Armies
Is always by my side


The God of Angel Armies IS ALWAYS by my side.




 

God Has Good Plans for You and Me!!!

There are a whole bunch of folks that think that God is mad at them.  And then there are others that think that God doesn’t want them to have any fun or pleasure in life!!!

But that just isn’t so.  God isn’t like that at all! 

The fellow that they are describing is none other than the devil himself.  It is the devil who wants everyone to be miserable and defeated and depressed!!!

John 10:10 (CEB) The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.

Do you see in that scripture where Jesus tells us that HE came to give us life?  What good would a sorry miserable life be to anyone?  That is NOT the kind of life that God wants us to have.


God loves ALL of us!!!  Saved or unsaved, HE LOVES US!!!  And HE wants good things for us!!! 


Jeremiah 29:11 (CEB) I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 (CEV) I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering.

GOD wants us to have wonderful lives full of LOVE and JOY and PEACE!!!

John 14:27 (NCV) “I leave you peace; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does. So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.


Romans 15:13 (NCV) I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in him. Then your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

And if you have any doubt that God loves you, then you must NOT know that Christ died, so that we might live eternally. 


John 3:16 (NCV) God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.



You know, a lot of folks want to blame God for all the bad things that have happened in their lives.  They want to blame HIM for the way their lives have turned out!!!


But if they were honest and they admitted the truth, they would admit that they made bad decisions and that when God tried to steer them in the right direction, they refused to allow HIM to lead them.


Let’s be honest!!!  MOST OF US ARE HARD-HEADED!!!  And it gets us into trouble!  It causes us to make mistakes and do the wrong things. 


God wants to help us.  HE really does!!!  HE tells us so in HIS WORD. 


Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct^[a] your paths.

Do you see the tiny [a] next to the word direct.  Well, the footnotes in this particular Bible say that when God promises to direct our paths, that means HE will make our paths smooth or straight.


I just love that!  That means at when I allow God to lead me, and I listen to HIM, then HE will make my life easier and the way that I go will be smooth and straight!!!


You know, I can tell you that this is so true. There have been many times in my life when I did NOT listen to God, because I too can be hard headed.  And in those times, my path was bumpy and rough and NOT easy to travel.


But on the days that I listen to HIM, and say how should I do this LORD?  Please lead me LORD.


HE DOES!!!!!!!!  My day goes smoothly and things just fall into place!   And everything is SO RIGHT and OHHHH SOOOOOOO  EASY!!! 

    

I think that at times we miss God because HE refuses to shout at us and use an old bull horn to get our attention!


Instead God speaks softly, or you feel a nudge.  Or you just turn a certain direction in your vehicle NOT really knowing why, and then you realize it is GOD!!! 


 
1 Kings 19:12 (NKJV) and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

And if we listen to that still, small voice, everything will be okay in our lives.  And we will be able to say that ALL IS WELL!!!

And I hope you DANCE!!!!

You know, many times I hear folks referring to God as their co-pilot.  And at other times, I hear folks saying that God rides with them.  You know, like HE is a passenger in their vehicle. 


But very seldom, do I actually hear someone say that they have to ask God what to do about a situation or before they make a decision. 


And when I say that I will pray about something, I get funny looks from folks, and some of them are Christians.


So, when I found this old email, I thought how beautifully it explained exactly how we should relate to Father God!!! 


This is simple, but quite true!!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.



Dancing With God

When I meditated on the word, "Guidance," I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.

I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.  The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person realizes this, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music.  One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.


It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.

The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person, and gentle guidance and skill from the other. 

My eyes drew back to the word, "Guidance."

When I saw "G", I thought of GOD, followed by "u" and "i".


"God, "u" and "i"   "dance."       "GOD, you, and I dance."

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life.  Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday.

May you abide in God, as God  abides in you.


Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.

And I Hope You Dance!

My Apologies and THANKS!!!

My apologies to ALL you who have waited for me to start posting again, and to all of you who follow me whether by email or online!!!

And THANK you, to all of you who have submitted comments.  I apologize for the delay in publishing your comments!!!


Thank you for reading my blog!!!

I will be posting again, ASAP!!!  Right now I am having issues with my laptop, but hopefully will have it fixed soon!!!

Yours in Christ,
Kathy