Let's Bless Ourselves

Greetings,

Back in 2005 a dear friend of mine gave me a book, which I just fished out of the closet to re-read. On the inside cover she wrote a beautiful dedication based on Psalm 36.  It is so powerful and totally in keeping with this past Tuesday's DEVO. "Let's bless ourselves with health, energy, and encouragement by speaking God's Word into our life."

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, How precious is Your constant, faithful, gracious love for me.  It reaches to the heavens; it extends to the skies.  I take refuge and shelter in the shadow of Your wings.  You feed me with blessings from Your own table , and I am satisfied.  I drink from Your rivers of delight, and I am refreshed. You are the fountain of life, the light by which I see.  Pour out Your unfailing kindness and mercy on me.  Never stop giving Your blessings to me because I long for Your goodness in my life. AMEN~   

P.S.

Ten truths from this prayer:

I am completely loved no matter what

I am sheltered

I am blessed

I am well-fed

I am satisfied

I am hydrated

I am refreshed

I have all the light I need to make wise decisions

I am inundated with kindness

I am overwhelmed with mercy

                Thank You, Jesus~

Small Potatoes are Temporary

Greetings,

This past weekend, Jorge, my husband and self-appointed pointer outer of my absurd behaviors, mockingly said to me, "Babe, we are traveling an hour and a half from home; don't forget your deodorant."

The only logical response was "Thanks for reminding me!" and I promptly went and got my travel-sized roll-on and put it in my purse.  I have sort of fallen into the habit of wanting my antiperspirant with me whenever I am more than 50 miles and only 50 miles or more from home.  For the record, I have never applied it nor has there been a need to,  but somehow it makes me feel prepared.  For what? I don't know.

And then yesterday I was frantically looking for my wrist watch, making Jorge look under the sectional and in between the cushions, when I suddenly realized I had been wearing it the entire time. Of course I cracked up, and Jorge accused me of being fried and growing older.

I did not nor will I ever be offended at those comments because I have a little secret for all of us who are indeed aging and maybe getting quirkier in the process:  "I am not giving up. How could I? Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on me, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace.  I am being renewed day by day, and these hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for me. The things I see now are here today, gone tomorrow.  But the things I can't see now will last forever"  2 Corinthians 5:16-18 (The MESSAGE Version).

Every single day, even on those days when I forget my sentences midstream or tell the same story to the same person twice, I am receiving fresh degrees of spiritual strength, joy, peace, and hope.  I am not disheartened but sustained; I am not exhausted but encouraged. I may be growing older on the outside, and yes, even weaker, but I am stronger than ever and invigorated because the part of me that lasts forever, my soul, has a clearer view of the truth.  I am headed for a lavish celebration that will last forever.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that You are with us day by day making new life in us and filling us up with Your grace.  We look forward to the coming good times.  Remind us to keep our life in perspective.  Small potatoes are temporary! We love You! AMEN!

Encourage Yourself!

1 Samuel 30:6 “David was in great distress because the people in their bitterness said he should be stoned…but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”

Greetings,

When we are upset, going through troubles, and find our faith failing we are to encourage ourselves in the Lord.  I, thank God, have never experienced people wanting to stone me, but have had moments of great distress nonetheless. The right response is to encourage ourselves in Him.

How do we do that?    

For me it’s all about purposely reminding myself that God has never let me down. He has seen me through every trial, and I am grateful.  He has seen me through loss, and my heart sings because no matter how tough, every single loss is temporary.  He has guided me down the tricky and often confusing paths of being a good mom, and my kids are alive, I am alive, and we all love each other deeply and powerfully. He has steadily led me in those moments when I did not know what to do, and looking back, I can clearly see His wisdom at every turn.

One such season of complete, “What do we do now?” happened when the company Jorge worked for suddenly went bankrupt.  Within a few days our income stopped – came to a dead halt – and both company cars were repossessed.  I am not too ashamed to admit that we never saw it coming, and that my husband actually rode the bus for a while.  It was rough.  The bills still demanded payment, the kids were in private school, and we had a mortgage to pay. 

Night after long night Jorge and I would go to the Lord and freely admit that we needed Him.  We had no clue what to do or where to turn.  Looking back now we can both see the hand of God moving actively in our lives to get us back on our feet again and onto steadier ground.  The decisions made in the aftermath of that trial, were made only after consulting with God about everything and anything.  God has lifted us higher than we could have ever imagined, Jorge is working in a field he loves, he is his own boss, and enjoying God-given success.

In his distress, David encouraged himself in his God, and ultimately, God “delivered and protected him (Read 1 Samuel chapter 30).”  In our distress, God delivered and protected us as well.  He’ll do the same for you.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We encourage ourselves in You today by saying Thank You for Your faithfulness.  You have been and will always be with us each step of the way.  May we sense Your presence more than ever.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

Say The Right Thing~

Chello~

Proverbs 15:23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

I totally agree with this verse.

We've all been there--a place where we were at our wit's end. Didn't know how much more we could take. Didn't think we could handle one more thing going wrong, and then God sends an ambassador of peace and joy to lift our spirits and calm our soul.

Ambassadors of peace take on many forms.

The doctor who assures you that the medication is safe to take.

The friend who "just happened" to text you at a moment when you needed an encouraging word.

The neighbor who drops by with a cake for no good reason.

The elderly church lady who takes a moment to let you know she's been praying for you, and you suddenly realize why you've been so tranquil lately.

The spouse who senses a burden and takes out the trash--without being asked.

A chubby toddler who waddles up to you and says, "Wa wuv woo," for no good reason.

All of these fine folks were, in fact, steered to you by God so you could have a wonderful moment.

God sends these ambassadors to me on a daily basis. Everyday I receive encouraging words from you guys, or prayer requests. And yes, even a prayer request is a wonderful thing to ask for because it shows that (a) you want to pray, and (b) you welcomed me into your life with confidence and trust. I am always humbled by that--sometimes to the point of happy tears.

Let's purpose in our hearts to be always be ambassadors ourselves; I can personally assure you that you will wind up receiving more than you could ever give.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, It is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time. Thank You for all the awesome people you put in our lives. Keep us alert to the needs around us because we know that when we say the right thing, it will always come back to bless us. In Jesus' name, AMEN~