At the crossroads...

Jeremiah 5:20 - 6, 2 Kings 22:3 - 20, 2 Chronicles 34:8 -28

We all come to a point in life where we must decide which path we follow.  Sometimes, they look close, but just a little different.  So, which do you follow?

Today, the reading was a reminder that we need to know our path and what God's Word truly says! 

In Jeremiah 6 these words spoke to my soul ~

"Stop at the crossroads and look around.

Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.

Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.

The LORD says these words.  We each must stop and look for His Way and Walk in it.  What if we aren't sure what His Way looks like?  Well, His Words show the path to follow.  Simple enough right?  Not exactly turn to the passage in 2 Kings.  King Josiah sent the court secretary to the Temple to have the high priest count the money to make repairs in the Temple.  When he did this the high priest told the court secretary that he had found the Book of the Law in the Temple!  Imagine the scene...use your imagination..God's Word was lost in the Temple!  The Word was in the temple, but it was lost...let that sink in a moment.

Today, often times we go to our church home and God's Word is still lost.  It is picked apart to fit our needs...it's lost in the temple!  WE aren't allowed to pick and choose the parts that we like and the parts we don't like.  God's Word hits me between the eyes daily, but I need it to point out my sin.  I don't want to get lost in my sin. And if I'm not allowing His Words to correct me then how will I know which crossroads to pick?

I implore each of you today and everyday read God's Word.  Know God's Word, don't allow others to tell you what it says or doesn't say and that includes me.  Read it and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your soul.  Allow God to do the teaching by spending time with Him in His Words.

Look at Jeremiah again at the last part of verse 6...do you need rest?  Real rest for your soul?  Well, to know this peace we must be resting in God's Words and allowing Him to point us on the correct path.  

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Even 1

Jeremiah 2:23 - 5:19

Well the people are in bad shape in the reading today.  Lots of tough stuff to read and lots of bad things were happening when Jeremiah was trying to spread the word things needed to change.  Yet I found hope in chapter 5:1 ~

"Run up and down every street in Jerusalem," says the lORD.

"Look high and low; search throughout the city!

If you can find even one just and honest person,

I will not destroy the city.

God does not give up on us!  He allows the search for just 1.  The 1 might be you or me, but HE will search for us.  God loves us dearly over and over in His Word we see how He continually tries to make a way.  He did by sending Jesus, but He wants us to become more like HIM and not continue in our sin.  He  tries and tries, but do we?

Thank you LORD for your amazing grace, mercy and love.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

I will wipe away

2 Kings 21 - 22:1-2, 2 Chronicles 33 - 34:7, Jeremiah 1 - 2:22

It was sad reading today!  Over and over the leaders and the people did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.  They knew, but they still did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.

When I got to verse 13 in 2 Kings 21 it struck a chord with me.  

I will judge Jerusalem by the same standard I used for Samaria and the same measure I used for the family of Ahab.  I will wipe away the people of Jerusalem as one wipes a dish and turns it upside down.  

Now ladies and gents (that do dishes)  do you know how you scour a dirty dish?  You scrub hard over and over to remove the dirt and grime, don't you?  Well, that is what God did and will do again when necessary.  WE don't leave dishes dirty and God cares way more about each of us than we do about our dirty dishes!  Thank you LORD that you don't leave us dirty!

Today, when you clean up a dish.  Be reminded that the LORD loves us way too much to leave us dirty in the sink of life.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Footstools

Isaiah 63:15 - 66:24, 2 Kings 20:20-21, 2 Chronicles 32:32-33

Do you have a favorite footstool?  One that hits your feet just right for you to sit just like you like to sit and be all comfy?

Well, today we found one of my very favorite verses and visuals of the whole Bible!  I love the verse found in Isaiah 66: 1

This is what the LORD says:

"Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.

Think on that a moment!  Earth a footstool?  Why do I love this verse so very much?

Because it reminds me once again of the Mighty LORD we serve!  God is bigger and mightier than anything we are possibly able to imagine even using our imaginations!  I find much peace with just carrying this visual around in my mind.  I cling to the verse, because it reminds me of who God truly is...

We may come to a time, when we don't have God's Word to open up so freely and this will be one the verses that I will constantly keep in my mind!  I will constantly be reminded of  God is bigger than any human or evil that may come my way and this verse will bring much comfort to my soul!

Today, when you see a footstool remember God uses the earth for HIS!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

I will tell...

Isaiah 58 -63:14

Do you remember the old hymn about "tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear?"  I do.  It was one of my favorites and still is actually.

When you were little did you love to hear your parents stories about growing up?  Don't you love for friends to share their stories of adventure?

Well, the same is true of our faith journeys!  It is true people want to hear.  They may not realize it, but they hang on every word.  They desire the same for themselves.  They want God moments too!  WE all do!

In Isaiah 63:7 ~ 

I will tell of the LORD's unfailing love.

I will praise the LORD for all he has done.

I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel,

which he has granted according to his mercy and love.

It is so true that we need to tell about the times that the LORD showed HIS amazing unfailing love to each of us.  We need to share those moments that without a doubt it was God that took care of the situation.  Only explanation, because only God and you knew about it!  Share those moments and people will have the look of the little boy in the photo above.  Everyone wants to know that indeed God is working and showing up and we need to share about HIM and His Works!  It's not about us ~ people listen it's about HIM.  Share what He is doing.  Yes, just like we read yesterday it is HIS Way, His Thoughts and none of it is the way we expect, but HE does show up!

Share of God's unfailing love today and watch people's face light up with hope!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Imagine ~ Imagination

Isaiah 52 - 57:14

Reading this morning, I was reminded of scripture about how we must become like little children to inherit the Kingdom of heaven.  (Matthew 18)  We must believe!

Think about children.  They believe what their parents, loved ones, friends tell them.  They trust and imagine!  Imagine and imagination come naturally when we are children, the older we get it seems that distrust, wariness, unsure, keeping people at arm's length, seriousness all take over along with a long list of other traits.  Do we get tired of having fun?  Think about when you were small, wasn't it fun to color?  Wasn't it fun to run in the sand and build sand castles?  Wasn't it fun to laugh and throw water on each other?  Wasn't it fun to play in the sprinkler?  Why do we stop?  Is it because we will look silly to others?  We probably do anyway! Look silly, I mean.  After all, we imagine all the thoughts others are having about us and honestly they probably aren't thinking about us at all!

So, look silly!

The photo above captures how the older we get we might loose some of our imagination.  It washes away with the waters or with our age!  Don't let it go!

Isaiah 55:8-9 grasp my attention this morning.

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts." says the LORD.

"And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so my ways are higher than your ways

and my thoughts higher than your thoughts..."

You see we cannot even imagine...Even using our wildest imaginations we cannot comprehend!  God is God and He is way beyond us!  Thank HIM for this!!!!  

God caught my attention with the word imagine this morning!  In a huge way, it was like He was telling me Debbie use your imagination and enjoy this journey!  Imagine~imagination and have some fun!  Life is short!  WE take things way to seriously!  (time and place for everything)

Also, I must share that for those that don't know God also healed me years ago with scripture we read today from Isaiah 54:1-7.  If you suffer with infertility or know someone that does share these verses with them.  Perhaps it will heal them like God healed me with the question of why me!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Trust

Isaiah 48:12 - 52:12

Reading Isaiah reminds me just who God truly is and how much He loves all of us!  He reminds us through each verse of both!  He disciplines with love, He reminds us constantly who He is and what He has done for each of us and that He doesn't give up on us!  

I've read Isaiah many times, but it is truly touching my soul this time around.  I believe because of the things happening in the world with all the turmoil and bad things and at the same time I am being reminded of  who God is...He reassures us over and over of His love by showing how He stands by us.

Listen to these words from chapter 51 ~

Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance-

all who seek the LORD!

Consider the rock from which you were cut,

the quarry from which you were minded.

Yes, think about Abraham, your ancestor,

and Sarah, who gave birth to your nation.

Abraham was only one man when I called him.

But when I blessed him, he became a great nation."

You are more than you ever imagined!  You too are cut from a great quarry!  Claim it trust these verses and believe!

Again, in verse 12...

"I, yes I, am the one who comforts you.

So why are you afraid of mere humans,

who wither like grass and disappear?

Yet you have forgotten the LORD, your Creator,

the one who stretched out the sky like a canopy

and laid the foundations of the earth.

Will you remain in constant dread of human oppressors?

Will you continue to fear the anger of your enemies?

Where is their fury and anger now?

It is gone!

Soon all you captives will be released!

Imprisonment, starvation, and death will not be your fate!

For I am the LORD your God,

who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar.

My name is the LORD Of Heaven's Armies.

And I have put my words in your mouth

and hidden you safely in my hand.

I stretched out the sky like a canopy

and laid the foundations of the earth.

I am the one who says to Israel,

'You are my people!"

Don't you hear His amazing words of look to Me!  I am God!  I am the one who saves!  Keep your eyes on me in spite of what is happening around you!  I win!

Trust and believe with every step you take that indeed God wins!  Terrible things are happening, but keep your eyes on God and believe in His Promises!  He never tells us it will be easy.  He doesn't tell us that bad things will not happen, but look at the last verse for the reading today and find comfort that you are never alone in whatever happens.

...For the LORD will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.

He is with us through the good, the bad, and the ugly!  Always!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Only God!

Isaiah 44:6 - 48:11

Words found in 44:24

This is what the LORD says-

your Redeemer and Creator:

"I am the LORD, who made all things.

I alone stretched out the heavens.

Who was with me

when I made the earth?

Who indeed...Only God!

Talk and point to God!  He alone is the answer!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Look up!

Isaiah 40 - 44:5

I forget at home in Louisiana how many stars are really in the sky.  Walk outside here and I'm reminded of how many and how much the night lights brighten up our surroundings.  It really is a surprise, because with all of our lighting at home with street lights, home lights, building lights, car lights,...the list goes on and on we don't really know darkness anymore and we can't appreciate God's creation of the night stars.

Do you know that in our galaxy alone we have over 200 billion stars?  Did you know that there are over 100 billion to trillion other galaxies?  I don't know why it said billion to trillion other than they don't really know how many!  God is so much more than we can truly imagine!  Take comfort in that fact!

Today, in Isaiah I was touched by so many of the verses.

Isaiah 40:26 -31

Look up into the heavens.

Who created all the stars?

He brings them out like an army, one after another, 

calling each by its name.

Because of his great power and incomparable strength,

not a single day is missing.

O Jacob, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles?

O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?

Have you never heard?

Have you never understood?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of all the earth.

He never grows weak or weary.

No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

He gives power to the weak 

and strength to the powerless.

Even youths will become weak and tired,

and young men will fall in exhaustion.

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint.

Wow!  Do you want to soar like an eagle?  I do!  Do you know that an eagle can fly up to 10000' in speeds up to 35 mph?  Wow, once again!  God is so amazing!

So many today...provide tremendous hope and love!

Isaiah 43:10-13

...There is no other God-

there never has been, and there never will be.

I, yes I, am the LORD,

and there is no other Savior.

First I predicted your rescue,

then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world.

No foreign god has ever done this.

You are witnesses that I am God.

No one can snatch anyone out of my hand.

No one can undo what I have done.

What little g god are you holding on to?  Is it someone?  Is it some habit?  Is it your job?  The list goes on and on  with idols that we place before God.  We all do it at different points in our journey and we need to remember who truly is GOD!

In closing, I am going to use God's Words found in 44:5 at the end of our reading today

Some will proudly claim, 'I belong to the LORD.'

Others will say, 'I am a descendant of Jacob.

Some will write the LORD's name on their hands and

will take the name of Israel as their own."

What do you proclaim?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Puffed Up!

2 Kings 20, Isaiah 38 - 39

I was reminded of the puffin fish reading today's reading.  Do you know that the Puffin fish can increase in size and turn into an odd shaped ball looking thing?  He can take care of predators using a toxin inside him that is 1200 times stronger than cynide!  He is a powerful dude!  He puffs up and out comes trouble!

Isn't that what happens to us when we think we are really special?  We get filled with pride and think we are somebody?  Well, look out...

King Hezekiah becomes sick in today's reading and he is upset.  He prays knowing that God is able to heal him.  God heard his prayer and told him that he will add 15 years to his life.  Then Hezekiah wanted a little proof that God was going to do this, so he ask that God cause a shadow to move ten steps backward on a sundial!  It happened!  God showed Hezekiah kindness and he became proud!  The Lord's anger came against him and he humbled himself, but at a cost to the people.  God's anger would not come upon the people during Hezekiah's lifetime.  Somebody else was going to pay for Hezekiah's pride problem.  How often does somebody else pay for our pride issues?  

Today, don't become puffed up!  Tomorrow, don't become puffed up!  Remember, that any 

battle won is the LORD'S!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Need rescued?

2 Kings 19, 2 Chronicles 32:9-19, Isaiah 37:27-38, 2 Chronicles 32:20-23

Do you need rescued?

All of us do at some point.  

It seems in God's Word and in my life that God never rescues the expected way.  He shows up in the most unexpected ways to save us from ourselves.  I loved the picture of the rescue dogs that are on search and rescue.  I think this would be unexpected of these two cute little doggies to show up and save us, but that is how God works.  He is God and He amazes us.  He wows us with His Works!

Hezekiah is afraid of this king from Assyria.  He knows this man is tough.  He knows this man is bad.  He knows he is formidable.  I love the fact that this king sent King Hezekiah a letter and King Hezekiah immediately went to the LORD'S temple and spread it out for the LORD.  He gave God the whole letter and immediately gave all praise to God for who God is...He even went so far as to remind God that this foreign king worshiped little g gods that are made of stone and wood by human hands and then ask God to use His power to rescue them!  How often do we need to spread all our junk right out there for God?  He knows, but we need to spread it out openly for God to see and know we know our stuff...We need to remember who GOD IS!

Let's remember like Hezekiah did who God truly is!  Remember God is God!  He alone is able to rescue and save!  Believe and know it will be in God's way not in our way!  Expect to be awed by God!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Need help?

Micah 6-7, 2 Chronicles 32:1-8, 2 Kings 18:13-37, Isaiah 36

Somedays just feel like how will I get through this situation. King Hezekiah had to feel that way in the reading today, but he told the people these words in 2 Chronicles ~ Be strong and courageous! Don't be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side!  He may have a great army, but they are merely men.  We have the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!  Don't you know his people were encouraged and inspired?  Filled with hope?

He more or less told the people hey they are little humans fighting a really BIG GOD WITH A BIG G!  We aren't messing around.  We are okay, because of God!

We are too!  We are okay because of God, if we claim it and we believe it with all our hearts!  Believe it today!  

The people knew the words of Micah found in chapter 7 and they claimed them ~

AS for me, I look to the LORD for help.

I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.

Who do you go to for help?  Who fights your battles?  Today, claim the words found in God's Word and ask God to fight your battle and give you strength and hope to face the battle.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

A Great Road

Isaiah 34 - 35, Micah 2 - 5

I loved chapter 35, but read these verses beginning with 8

And a great road will go through the once deserted land.

It will be named the Highway of Holiness.

Evil minded people will never travel on it.

It will be only for those who walk in God's ways;

fools will never walk there.

Lions will not lurk along its course,

nor any other ferocious beasts.

There will be no other dangers.

Only the redeemed will walk on it.

Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return.

They will enter Jerusalem singing,

crowned with everlasting joy.

Sorrow and mourning will disappear,

and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

Nothing will be lurking to get us!  The LORD paid the price for all of us to be filled with joy and gladness!

Listen to these words from Micah 2:12-13

"Someday, O Israel, I will gather you; 

I will gather the remnant who are left.

I will bring you together again like sheep in a pen,

like a flock in its pasture.

Yes, your land will again 

be filled with noisy crowds!

Your leader will break out

and lead you out of exile,

out through the gates of the enemy cities,

back to your own land.

Your king will lead you;

the LORD himself will guide you."

Jesus will break through every obstacle to restore us and lead us!

So much hope!  Hope found only with the LORD!

Share hope today!

Sweet blessings,

Deb

If? Which way? Where to now?

Isaiah 30 - 33

GPS, compasses, phones, maps, ...hard to get lost in today's world?  Not really.  

What about when the computers go down and it seems we don't know how to do anything anymore!  Not just directions, but everything else!

How did we get by without them?

Easy.  It's all in what we get use to.  Don't get me wrong I like my computer to check out what's going on in the world as much as the next person, but we can survive without them...it might be difficult, but we could make it!

I am reminded here in Colorado how important directions are and how quickly one might get lost without them and need saving.  Don't we all need saving?

When I got to Isaiah 30:21, I was reminded just how we all need God's help!

Your own ears will hear him.

Right behind you a voice will say, 

"This is the way you should go,"

whether to the right or to the left.

God directs our paths, IF we listen.  Did you catch the emphasis on IF?  I mean seriously how often do we tune out the Holy Spirit?  Think about it and be honest with yourself...it doesn't fit the calendar right now.  It's not exactly what I want to do today LORD.  I can't possibly right now.  Do any of these sound a little familiar?  What if God told us that when we need His direction so badly to choose the right path?  Sorry I'm busy right now!  I can't possibly right now!  Sounds awful, if we think God might say that to us.

Another, verse that grasp me was the chapter in verse 18 ~

So the LORD must wait for you to come to him so 

he can show you his love and compassion.

For the LORD is a faithful God.

Blessed are those who wait for his help.

Again, how often do we not ask for God's help or direction in our life?  WE must ask Him, so that He will guide our footsteps.  He will, but He desires our need for Him to be acknowledged, so that He will fill our deep holes in our souls with all of Him!

Ask today for God's help.  Asking for help isn't a bad thing ~ it shows we know who really knows all the answers!  In case your wondering it's not any of us!  Only God!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Wipe away all tears

Isaiah 24 - 29

It seems everyday we have some type of awful events happening in the world that bring many tears.  Whether it is natural disasters, human mistakes, or pure evil - bad things are happenings, but we still have hope!  We must keep our eyes on the LORD!

Reading Isaiah this morning the verses that touched me were ~

25:8

He will swallow up death forever!

The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears.

He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people.

The LORD has spoken!

26:3-4

You will keep in perfect peace

all who trust in you, all those thoughts fixed on you!

Trust in the LORD always,

for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.

Indeed, trust that one day no more tears the LORD will wipe them away!  Keep your eyes focused on the Eternal One today, tomorrow, and always!  Each step you take trust in the LORD!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Life changer Book

5 stars!  

I saw where one of the Robertson women highly recommended this book.  She stated that she had tissues ready and that it was amazing.  I was curious.  I ordered it...she is telling the truth!

Amazing young woman from Louisiana by the name of Megan Boudreaux is changing things in Haiti!  She is amazing and the stories of what God is doing through her will give you chills, tears, and hope!

I read this book in 5 hours without putting it down!  I could not turn the pages fast enough to see what God was going to do next, but it also broke my heart with the things that are happening to children in Haiti.

Do you know what a "restavek" is?  Well, I didn't and it breaks my heart!  I want you to read this book to find out or at least go to www.respirehaiti.org to learn more.  Megan is changing the world one child at a time.

All of you know that I read constantly.  I cannot recommend this book more than telling you that you need to get it immediately and let's start helping Megan further her work!  

I was not given this book.  I ordered this book and I want all my peeps to read it asap!

Let's help Megan help more children!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Who are you counting on?

Psalm 128,129, 130, 132, 134, 135

Who are you counting on?

Who do you call when you need a friend?

I loved these verses today from Psalm 130 ~

I am counting on the LORD;

yes, I am counting on him.

I have put my hope in his word.

In the original language of Hebrew the counting word was kavah=wait.  So he was waiting on the LORD!

God is the one that indeed we should wait for and also the one to count on...

no other words needed!

Sweet blessings,

Deb

Protective shade

Psalm 120, 121, 123, 125, 126

Last week in Branson, these beautiful umbrellas intrigued me.  I loved the colors and I remember thinking "these are way to pretty for rain, but just right for shade." 

Again, this morning in reading God brought the picture above that I took to mind with His words from Psalm 122.

The LORD himself watches over you!  The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.

the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.

The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.

The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Don't you love the image of God protecting you with His own shade?  He watches over us at all times and not just here are there, but always!

Today, remember God is protecting you with each and every step!

Protecting you each and every moment.

He isn't saying always good times, but He is with us at ALL times!  Lean into HIM!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Are you wandering?

Psalm 119

I love so many of the verses in chapter 119 of Psalms.  I think a new one that touched me this morning is the very last verse of the chapter ~

I have wandered away like a lost sheep; 

come and find me,

for I have not forgotten your commands.

He will indeed come look for each and everyone of us!  We must ask Him into our journeys.  He wants us to pick Him.  Pick Him and let Him pick you up and cradle you in His amazing arms!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Proclaim His Greatness

Psalm 105 - 106

I did not go very far this morning before God's words spoke to me...

Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness.

Let the whole world know what he has done.

Folks, it's not about you or me...it's not about us!  It's all about God!  

Let His words speak for themselves.

I was ask a few mornings ago to offer my opinion on all the mean words coming from Christians about all the situations in the world and it appeared in the paper this morning.  As I was reading it this morning over and over the words kept speaking to me it's not about us...it's about God and the devil is using each and everyone of us to divide and conquer!  Please let's just focus on Him and get back to knowing that He is Our Father, Our Savior, Our Redeemer, Our Healer, Our Creator and the list goes on and on...

Giving thanks this morning for all that He truly is and always will be.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

May the glory of the LORD continue forever!

Psalm 98- 100, 102, 104

Giving thanks for all that God is...

Reminded in the Psalms this morning of God's glory!

Psalm 104

You made the moon to mark the seasons,

and the sun knows when to set.

you send the darkness, and it becomes night,

when all the forest animals prowl...

O Lord, what a variety of things you have made!

In wisdom you have made them all.

The earth is full of your creatures...

They all depend on you to give them food as they need it.

When you supply it, they gather it.

you open your hand to feed them, and they are richly satisfied...

May the glory of the LORD continue forever!

The LORD takes pleasure in all he has made!...

Let all that I am praise the LORD.

Peace that passes all understanding when I am reminded of all that God truly is...

Look around today and give thanks for all that surrounds you because all of it comes from the LORD!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Thrilled

Psalm 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97

Okay, I could not resist this pic!  I typed in thrilled on the site that I purchase photos and well this adorable picture came up and this little guy is definitely thrilled!  Too cute!

When was the last time that you were thrilled with all the LORD has done for you?  Did you give thanks today for all of it?  Read these verses from Psalm 92...

You thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for me!

I sing for joy because of what you have done.

O LORD, what great works you do!

And how deep are your thoughts.

If we were really thrilled we would be laughing and giggling and sharing the joy with everybody we meet!  Remember, when your faith walk was new and you couldn't help yourself you smiled and others wondered what your were up to?  Not only did they wonder, but they wanted to be like you...Well, today let's all remember to be thrilled in the LORD!  Celebrate and share with others...sometimes it might be just by sharing a smile!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Rejoice

Psalm 1, 2, 10, 33, 71, 91

I was reminded reading the passages today of the passage found in Matthew 18:3 where Jesus says these words, ...I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Little children are so sweet to watch as they play with enthusiasm, trust, laughter, believing in good, and so many good qualities.  Look at the photo above...look at the smiles, the love, the trust, the helping, and wonder!  Little children never loose their wonder.  Watch any television story about a sick child and that child with still have wonder and awe in their eyes.  Where do we become so hesitant to believe and trust?  Where do we loose that wild eyed wonder?

Reading in Psalm 33 these verses touched me...

We put our hope in the LORD. 

He is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.

Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD,

for our hope is in you alone.

Today, become like a little child and believe the verses above!  Claim them everyday and remember God's unfailing love and that indeed we do have hope in Him!

Become wide eyed and filled with laughter!

Sweet blessings,

Deb

Clap your hands!

Psalm 47 - 49, 84, 85, 87

Psalm 47

Come, everyone!  Clap your hands!

Shout to God with joyful praise!

For the LORD Most High is awesome.

He is the great King of all the earth.

Happy Sunday!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

In Awe

Psalm 42- 46

Happy 4 of July!

Today, wherever you are celebrate with fireworks and remember to be awed by the wonder!

Also, never forget to be in awe of God and His creations!  

Remember like it tells us in Psalm 46:8

Come, see the glorious works of the LORD:

...

Today, be awed by God and let's all ask Him to Bless America.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Indeed, who but God?

Proverbs 30 - 31

Opening God's word this morning I found Proverbs 30 refreshing and renewing to my spirit.  God reminded me once again exactly who He is and to keep my eyes on Him.

The world is continually taking bits and pieces of the bible to fit whatever need might need to be met at the moment and I tire of this practice.  Why not take all of the bible and know it is God's divine words? People want to believe in eternal life, so most people claim this part.  How do you claim just the parts you want to claim and not all of it?  I don't think we get to pick and choose the parts we like and don't like.   After all, God is God and He can do anything...why is any of it so hard to imagine? We aren't talking about you and me...we are talking GOD!  God created the world, He uses the earth as His footstool, so why try to break down God's Word to explain our weaknesses or habits?  God is God and this chapter is a beautiful reminder of all that God truly is...

Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down?

Who holds the wind in his fists?

Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak?

Who has created the whole wide world?

What is his name-and his son's name?

Tell me if you know!

Every word of God proves true.

He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.

Do not add to his words, 

or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.

and again in verse 18-19

There are three things that amaze me-

no four things that I don't understand:

how an eagle glides through the sky,

how a snake slithers on a rock,

how a ship navigates the ocean,

how a man loves a woman.

Again, in verses 24-31

There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise:

Ants-they aren't strong,

but they store up food all summer.

Hyraxes-they aren't powerful,

but they make their homes among the rocks.

Locusts-they have no king, 

but they march in formation.

Lizards-they are easy to catch,

but they are found even in king's palaces.

There are three things that walk with stately stride-

no, four that strut about:

the lion, king of animals, who won't turn aside for anything,

the strutting rooster,

the male goat,

a king as he leads his army.

Today, remember who God is ...

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Sharpening up

Proverbs 25: 1 - 29:27

Proverbs 27:17 is my focus today in the writing.

A iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Just like iron sharpens iron to be the best...so does a friend.  A friend will require us to dig deeper at times on a subject to help us.  To grow us!

The original hebrew word meant "to sharpen the face of another".  A true friend is willing to put themselves out there in order for me to grow.  Don't you love a conversation with a friend that is willing to say ~ Debbie, think of it this way or did you think of it this way?  A friend that is willing to step on my toes in order for me to step outside my own thoughts and beliefs to grow me is a truly special friend!  Growth happens in the process and indeed I am a stronger person in the end.

Thank you to my friends that sharpen me up!

Love each of you dearly!  Have a super dooper day sharpening up your friends!

Love,

Deb

Runners were sent

2 Chronicles 29 - 31

Well, I am about to surprise some of you...I've been running.  Not on the hot pavement, but in the swimming pool for thirty minutes everyday for 10 days now.  I set a timer and go.  Well, it's hard even in the cool water!  I already feel better, but it hurts in the process!

All of this to tell you that this morning the words about King Hezekiah obeying God's commands and preparing for passover once again caught my attention.  The king sent letters to all the people.  The king was  asking everyone to come to the Lord's temple to celebrate the Passover of the LORD.  He made every attempt to include all the people.  He even sent runners with the letters throughout the land.  Running is not easy to begin with and then they had to deal with people making fun of them.  We are told in chapter 30 that ~ most of the people just laughed at the runners and made fun of them.  

Sometimes participating in God's bigger plan is that we humans don't understand or see the outcome and that is not easy.  Sometimes, you are made fun of.  Sometimes, people just don't get it, but it will all work out!  In chapter 30 we also see these words ~

At the same time, God's hand was on the people in the land of Judah, giving them all one heart to obey the orders of the king and his officials, who were following the word of the LORD.  

Hezekiah prayed that God would pardon those who decided to listen and the LORD listened and healed the people.  

God indeed listens when we truly seek for Him to hear our words.  He will listen and He will heal in His way not necessarily ours.  His ways are so much more than we are able to comprehend and once again He knows the bigger plan.  We must be willing to run with the message even when we are laughed at and made fun of...it's not about us!

Run today with God's words.  Point to His Words not ours.  It's about Him!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie