Month: August 2022

Another Precious Ponder

Here is another precious ponder. I pray this resonates with you.

His Mercies and His Faithfulness

Contentment

Contentment – a satisfied state; tranquil happiness

1 Timothy 6:6 – “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

How satisfied are you with your life? I was thinking today and evaluating how I was feeling as I went through my day. I actually focused on what I was doing at any given moment in time. Retraining myself to do one thing at a time to get more enjoyment out of it. To do it well. Multi-tasking is way over-rated. The older I get, the better understanding I have of focusing on what is right in front of me. I can do one thing at a time with excellence or I can do several things simultaneously and not worth mentioning.

Today, I was content with my life and at peace with where I am. Two years ago, around this time of the year, I was wishing and hoping for changes. Many “on” days and many “off” days. I remember wanting things to be different. More consistent. I was confronted with the dissatisfaction that had hold of my heart. I will say that I am very glad that I didn’t stay in that place. I decided to just trust God and lay my desires at His feet.

Being content means being satisfied. I realized that as long as I was right with God, I would get what I needed. I can see that life can be so much more when we are satisfied; content with having the things that we need instead of every whim and fancy we think we want. Hebrews 13:5 – “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

Nature’s Beauty

This post is talking about what will it take for more people to just be happy. I believe that gratitude is a major part of the contentment many of us need. That place where life is good. We have breath in our bodies, food to eat, a warm place to sleep, and clothes on our backs, etc.

His Word Says…

God will never fail you or abandon you.

Joshua 1:9 – “This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua received the commandment to be strong and courageous. And he did just that. It is really important that we trust God on this journey. When we don’t trust Him, we are telling God He can’t take care of us or won’t. Joshua believed God for the promised land and thereafter. Joshua displayed faith. The Bible talks about our heroes of faith. Joshua was definitely one of the heroes. Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith is is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

2nd Corinthians 5:7 – “For we live by faith, not by sight.” NIV

What does it take for you to believe God? Do you need to see it first? That then, is not faith. It is no simpler than taking God at His word; however hard that may be.😫

I have to admit that there are times the information is repetitive. That is significant in that we must build a strong foundation. Repetition of the correct information builds the foundation.

What Does Courage Mean to You?

Courage means “the ability to disregard fear.” I got this definition from the Reader’s Digest Oxford Complete Wordfinder published in 1996. Twenty-six years ago. Still holds true today.

His Presence is always with us.

However, what does God say about courage.

Genesis 46:3-4 – 3) I am God, the God of your father,” the voice said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation. 4) I will go with you down to Egypt, and I will bring you back again. You will die in Egypt, but Joseph will be with you to close your eyes.”

God was speaking to Jacob. He was going to be with him during this major situation in his life. God promised to be with him. Jacob’s God was God. No matter what he went through, including death, God would be with him. We will all die someday. I would rather die with God than without Him.

Jesus reassured the disciples in John 16:33 – “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

There are so many Scriptures that encourage and direct us to be of good courage. I shared one Old Testament and one New testament Scripture because courage is necessary when we are going through, even unto death. There is a need to focus on more than what is just comfortable for us. In fulfilling God’s plans and purpose for our lives, there is a need for courage. Each of us, individually, must dive into the Scriptures for our own lives.

When we have the courage to stand on God’s word, our life is in His hands. God is not going to tell you to do something He is not prepared to carry you through. When we have surrendered to the Almighty God, there is nothing He cannot do in our lives.

Do you have the courage to surrender to Him? The gift of salvation is free. Moving forward on this journey can sometimes be a challenge, but you are not going alone. He tells us to be of good courage, trusting and relying on Him. Praise God! Hallelujah and Amen.

Faithfulness

Today’s post is on faithfulness. Being consistent in your walk with the Lord is a necessary ingredient to a life of faith. God himself is faithful to us. Faithfulness is a characteristic of God. Should we need an example, we have plenty in the Word of God.

I think about God’s faithfulness and Jesus Christ comes to mind. God’s love was expressed in His commitment of His love for us. John 3:16 – “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” He was committed to His love for us in this. He already knew that we would not be able to fulfill the law. In that He loved us so much, He called on His Son, Jesus Christ, to be the sacrificial Lamb.

Jesus was faithful to His profession of love for us in that He willingly lay down His life for us. He was faithful to His profession of His love for the Father first and then for us.

Not saying this action was easy. It was hard. Even Jesus said to the Heavenly Father, Mark 14:36 – “Abba, Father,” He said, “all things are possible for You. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.” He left His place by His Father’s side to be faithful in His love for us.

Nature’s Beauty

In light of the evidence, and truly I shared only a tiny fragment, are we truly not able to be faithful to Him? He keeps His promises. He comforts us, guides us, loves us, heals us, blesses us. Are you faithful? If not, why not? Your answer is between you and God.

He Loves Me

TRUST HIM

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

As I sit and ponder this, I realize that there are many times the choices I make are not the best. However, the Scripture above tells me that even then, God is working out the good for our benefit. I do give God the praise and glory today because no matter what He loves me and is always looking to give me what’s good for me in spite of my humanity.

This Scripture also gives me rest. Not saying I want to make the wrong choices. When I do though, God is right there making sure by His protection that it works out for my good. This is not to say there won’t be consequences. They may very well be there. He is still right by my side to make sure that I get through them. The comfort of God’s love for me is everything.

God’s Hand

I would like to encourage you today. No matter what, God is with you. His word states that he will never leave you nor forsake you. Psalm 9:10 – “Those who know your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for You.” David wrote a good portion of the Psalms. His relationship with God is an excellent example of what that means. David was not perfect. He was repentant and humble when he did make some bad choices. And, he did.

God lets us know that making wrong choices doesn’t remove His love for us. His word shows us by the testimony of those gone before us. Stay the course because you can’t do anything He doesn’t know about or isn’t aware of.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God. And thank God for that!

Even when the skies are troubled…

Romans 8:35-37

Verse 35 – “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

Verse 36 – “As the Scriptures say, “For Your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”

Verse 37 – “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us.”

There is Always Hope

There is always hope even when it’s a little cloudy.

Today my focus is on the Scriptures Jeremiah 29:11-13.

Verse 11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Verse 12 – “In those days when you pray, I will listen.”

Verse 13 – “If you look for me whole heartedly, you will find me.”

These are some of my favorite Scriptures. When I begin to feel apprehensive about a situation or circumstances, I turn to Scripture. As believers, we must remember that God is in control. He has us in His hands. It reminds me that God does not intend to harm us. He loves us. He wants what’s best for us. We need to look for God wholeheartedly. Seek Him while He may be found. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we can go boldly to the throne of grace. We need His grace to grab ahold of the hope He promises.

The handiwork of God

Many times, I accept that when I get worried or fearful, it is because I want my way. We are not to be fearful. God did not give us a spirit of fear.

2nd Timothy 1:7 – “for God gave us not a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.” His perfect love casts out fear.

God is well aware of our weaknesses. He knows that surrendering and relinquishing the control we think we have over our lives is like pulling teeth with no anesthesia. It is very difficult. Our pride does get in the way. However, I ask you to consider taking God at His word. Receive His word and then believe His word. We can hear the word of God (receive) but believing His word is the next rung on the ladder.

We can trust God. He is faithful to His word. He know the plans He has for your life; plans for a future and hope.