November 19, 2024

Thy Word

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv
~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path

When I feel afraid, and think I’ve lost my way
Still, You’re there right beside me
Nothing will I fear as long as You are near
Please be near me to the end

I will not forget Your love for me, and yet,
My heart forever is wandering
Jesus by my guide, and hold me to Your side,
And I will love You to the end

Nothing will I fear
As long as you are near
Please be near me to the end.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
…You’re the light unto my path

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Recently I have been going through a season of circumstances and situations which have been very stressful…which leads to temptation to worry and be anxious.  Truly God’s Word(s) have been a lamp and a light for me. Sometimes, we just are not sure what to do next (TRUE?).  We pray for wisdom and we ask for guidance.  God promises to give wisdom to those who ask (James 1:3) and we know that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide (John 16:13)…but, at times, we must wait.  And this is where the light of God’s Word has shone bright for me.

[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed
that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!
Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave
and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring.
Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.
Psalms 27:13-14

And as I wait, I know that I must be diligent to seek God and His Word!  By spending time reading the Scriptures and considering and meditating on them, I am keeping myself ‘in the light.’  For me, it is very much like the dreary, cloudy days of winter…it is wearying.  But then we are blessed with a bright, sunshine-y day! And I find myself drawn to the window, numerous times during the day, just standing there…face lifted into that gorgous life-giving sunlight…simply soaking it in!

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes
More to be desired are they than gold…yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey or the honeycomb
Psalms 19:8 and 10

God’s Word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. To walk in the light, we must know the Scriptures, we must understand the Word, and we must do the Will of God. Then we must walk out in the light and refrain from walking where there is no light.

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline are the way of life
Proverbs 6:23

If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness,
we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light,
as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:6,7

And so, just like on those few and precious sunny days of winter, we move toward and step into the light. God’s Word is a lamp for our feet so that we don’t fall and can see the truth of the situations we are in. It dispels the darkness and it lights our path.  We then can follow along that path that He has prepared for us!  Going along step by step…knowing that He has promised and will supply!

Forever — Kari Jobe

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

The moon and stars they wept
The morning sun was dead
The Savior of the world was fallen
His body on the cross
His blood poured out for us
The weight of every curse was broken

One final breath He gave
As Heaven looked away
The Son of God was laid in darkness
A battle in the grave
The war on death was waged
The power of hell forever broken

The ground began to shake
The stone was rolled away
His perfect love could not be overcome
Now death where is your sting
Our resurrected King has rendered you defeated

Forever,  He is glorified
Forever,  He is lifted high
Forever,  He is risen
He is alive
He is alive

We sing Hallelujah!  The Lamb has overcome!

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Can you imagine what it was like to watch Jesus die that dark, sad day…the day that Jesus and God were separated and our sin died with Him?  His mother looked on and so did many others who loved the Son of God, Son of Man.  Wasn’t it just last night that He broke bread with His disciples and gave thanks for it?  When He poured the wine and drank with them?  He knew what the next day held.  And one of His own had betrayed Him.

That night He prayed in the garden as His disciples slept peacefully and He begged for His life, But God!  His plan was to be carried out and Jesus was to be crucified on the Cross.  His body was broken and His blood was poured out so we could live eternal life with Him in Heaven.  God Himself, with every nail that was hammered into His hands and feet, cried as only a father would as His only Son became the Savior of the world.

After His death, they laid His dead body in the tomb and rolled a stone in front of it.  No man could move it.  Three days passed and on the morning of the third day, He was no longer there.  He had risen from the dead and He was alive!  The earth shook fiercely and the stone rolled away and Jesus watched from above.  The veil was torn and we now have access to God the Father, through Jesus the Son.  Hallelujah, He has risen! We are no longer dead to sin, but live alive with Jesus, forever!

So as we enter into this time of Lent and Easter, may we remember the sacrifice that He made with His life and that even though He knew this would happen, He still gave thanks to God.  Thanksgiving always precedes the miracle and isn’t His resurrection the biggest miracle of all?  He loves you with an everlasting love—a forever love.  As you listen and meditate on these words today, let His love flow all over you and and let it flow through you.  For you are bought with the highest price of all—Jesus Christ!

 * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Let us pray: Dearest Heavenly Father, thank You so much for the sacrifice of Your only Son.  Thank You for tearing the veil and allowing us to come straight to You.  You saved us from our sins and sometimes we take this for granted.  Help us to never forget and to follow Jesus’s example of giving thanks even in the hardest of times.  And for those who don’t know You, help us to be the witnesses we need to be and spread Your love that You so freely give.  We love You and we praise You.  In Jesus name, amen.

The Struggle — Victory

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

~  Listen while you read, please!  ~
There’s a wreckage, there’s a fire; there’s a weakness in my love
There’s a hunger I can’t control
Lord, I falter and I fall down then I hold on to chains You broke
When You came and saved my soul…saved my soul
Hallelujah! we are free to struggle
 We’re not struggling to be free
Your blood bought and makes us children
Children, drop your chains and sing
So, why, Lord, do I still fail, do I wear thin?
Why do I still give in to temptation?
On my own, I am bankrupt, I don’t trust You or take You at Your Word
What You’ve promised, yeah 
Hallelujah, Death is overcome and we are breathing
Hallelujah, Our stone hearts become flesh that’s beating
Hallelujah, Chains have been undone and we are singing
Hallelujah, The fire has begun. Can you feel it?

~  Performed by Tenth Avenue North  ~
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Do we ever struggle some days!  Sometimes it may be a struggle to get out of bed, or to complete a task at work, or even to complete a task at home.  When we find ourselves at our wits’ end because we have been trying to do everything on our own, it is time to stop, pray, and give it to the only One that can help us through—God.
I know, that is such an easy answer.  But you know what, He IS the answer.  Yes, we are to do what we are designed to do.  But if we start whatever task that is laid before us by preparing our hearts and asking for His help on the front end—it will go so much smoother <and less making faces or sighing when we just want to throw something, even if it is the cat or child…ha, ha!>
Try for the next few days to start any thing you do with a prayer of thanksgiving and entreaty.  You will be surprised at how less stressful the project can go!

Speak Life

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

  ~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

Some days, life feels perfect…other days it just ain’t workin’
The good, the bad, the right, the wrong—and everything in between

Though it’s crazy, amazing; we can turn a heart with the words we say
Mountains crumble with every syllable…hope can live or die

So speak Life, speak Life; to the deadest darkest night
Speak life, speak Life. When the sun won’t shine and you don’t know why
Look into the eyes of the brokenhearted, watch them come alive
as soon as you speak hope, you speak love, you speak…
You speak Life (oh oh oh oh oh oh) You speak Life (oh oh oh oh oh oh)

Some days the tongue gets twisted; other days my thoughts just fall apart
I do. I don’t. I will. I won’t…it’s like I’m drowning in the deep

Well it’s crazy to imagine—words from our lips as the arms of compassion
Mountains crumble with every syllable…hope can live or die

Lift your head a little higher; spread love like fire
Hope will fall like rain when you speak life with the words you say
Raise your thoughts a little higher, use your words to inspire,
Joy will fall like rain, when you speak life with the things you say.

Some days life feels perfect….

~  Performed by  Toby Mac  ~

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

What are the words you are choosing to speak?  Are they uplifting?  Are they helpful? Words that build someone up instead of tearing someone down??  Our words are powerful and what comes out of our mouths matters….

There are many Scriptures in the Word that show us just how powerful the words we speak are.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Proverbs 18 : 21

This Truth will work for the good or it can work for the reverse; depending on the words we are speaking.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up,
as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.
Matthew 15: 18

You can tell the true heart of a person by the words that they speak.

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18

May my tongue be of the wise and not with rash words like a sword. In times of frustration, when we are tempted to speak rash words, this is when we need to dig deep and call upon the help of the Holy Spirit. The kinds of things that God asks us to do are not possible without Him! That is why He tells us that apart from Him we can’t do anything.

I tell you, on the Day of Judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak….
Matthew 12:36

This Scripture is what I call having a ‘healthy fear of the Lord.’  If I know that I will have to give an account of the words that I am speaking, than I am more careful with what is coming out of my mouth…

This next Scripture is one of my favorites on words:

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Proverbs 16: 24

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Heavenly Father, I ask for myself and anyone reading this that You would empower us by the help of the Holy Spirit to speak life, hope, and healing; and to be a people that lift others up with our words and not a people that tears people down.  I thank You for the help of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

In Your Hands

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

 ~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

The dawn is breaking and I can hear Your whisper on the breeze
The world is waking and I am here to meet You on my knees
When I’m with You my soul finds rest ‘cause I can leave it in Your hands

The day keeps coming pulling me a million different ways
I’m always running but never seem to catch the things I chase
When I’m with You my soul finds rest ‘cause I can leave it in Your hands

Every sorrow, I leave it in Your hands
Every sickness, I leave it in Your hands
All my failures, I leave ‘em in Your hands
Amen. (I leave it in Your hands)

So I am laying the weight of all these burdens at Your feet
No more waiting ‘cause You’ve already won my victories
In Jesus my soul finds rest ‘cause I can leave it in Your hands

Every promise, I leave it in Your hands
Every healing, I leave it in Your hands
And my future, I leave it in Your hands
Amen. (I can leave it in Your hands)

It’s Your hands that form the mountains
Your hands set boundaries for the seas
And in Your hands You hold tomorrow
The same hands that took the nails for me

Every sorrow, I leave it in Your hands
Every sickness, I leave it in Your hands
All my failures, I leave them in Your hands
Amen. (I can leave it in Your hands)

Every promise, I leave it in Your hands
Every healing, I leave it in Your hands
And my future, I leave it in Your hands
Amen. (I can leave it in Your hands)
…I can leave it in Your hands

~  Performed by Unspoken  ~
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
I love this song for the confession of the Truth that it is!  Where would we be if it were not for choosing to ‘leave it in His hands’?  We can proclaim our trust as the psalmist did.

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord,
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in Your hand…
Psalms 31:14 and 15

These could easily have been similar words to what Ezra voiced in his prayers to his God.  Ezra was a man “uncompromisingly righteous” (I Kings 8:32).  God worked many things through the life and ministry of the priest Ezra and it was very apparent that Ezra’s life was in God’s hand (verses 6, 9, 28).  Most notably were the events which led to Ezra being commanded to come before King Artaxerxes (the son of Ahaseurus (Xerxes)—yes! THAT Ahaseurus…the husband of Esther!) to write a most important letter to be carried throughout the kingdom which determined that much wealth and “things” were acquired for the beautifying of the Temple in Jerusalem. (You can read the whole amazing record here.)

On the first of the first month he started out from Babylon, and on the first of the fifth month he arrived in Jerusalem, for upon him was the good hand of his God.
For Ezra had prepared and set his heart to seek the Law of the Lord [to inquire for it and of it, to require and yearn for it], and to do and teach in Israel its statutes and its ordinances.

Ezra 7:9 and 10

Ezra wrote (“scribed”) the king’s decree and also accompanied the letter throughout the kingdom. He thoroughly understood the magnitude of this event and praised God saying,

Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers [said Ezra], Who put such a thing as this into the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, and Who has extended His mercy and steadfast love to me before the king, his counselors, and all the king’s mighty officers. I was strengthened and encouraged, for the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together outstanding men of Israel to go with me to Jerusalem.

Verses 27 and 28

God’s hand accomplishes small and mighty things!  The point is not in the enormity of His blessing but the point is His sovereignty!  Our God has had the entire world and the lives of every person ever born ‘in His hand’ all along.

The prophet Isaiah was given many strong encouraging AND admonishing words to speak to God’s people.  He had told them just how to pursue God when fasting and they chose to do it their own way…and they did not receive the things they were asking of the Lord.  And Isaiah plainly told them why “the Lord’s hand” was against them.

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save,
nor His ear dull with deafness, that it cannot hear.
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.
Isaiah 59:1 and 2

We, as well, must always have the true fear of the Lord in our hearts compelling us to believe (and obey!).

Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest,
any one of you may seem to have come short of it.
For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word
they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.
For we who have believed enter that rest….
Hebrews 4:1-3

God’s heart (and His accompanying hand of provision and blessing) is to always provide what is good and best for those who seek Him. As Unspoken sings, “every sorrow…sickness…failure as well as every promise…healing…and our future” are best left in His hand.  Amen?

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind
and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him,
and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord
and turn [entirely] away from evil.

Proverbs 3:5-7

Your Love is Like a River – third day

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

 ~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

Oh, oh, oh, ooh, oh, oh, oh
Your love is like a river flowing from my heart

When this cruel world tears us apart
Your love is like a river flowing from my heart
When sharpened words have left their scars
Your love is like a river flowing from my heart
And it’s overflowing and showing us all
How deep and how wide is your love

It never stops, it rages on
Your love is like a river flowing from my heart

When I am tired and so afraid
Your love is like a fire that will light my way
When darkness falls and my vision fades
Your love is like a fire that will light my way
And it’s always burning and stirring my soul
To love you and love you much more

It never stops or ever fades
Your love is like a fire that will light my way

Oh, oh, oh, ooh, oh, oh, oh
It’s never gonna stop
Oh, oh, oh, ooh, oh, oh, oh
It’s flowing from my heart

Oh, oh, oh, ooh, oh, oh, oh
It’s never gonna fade
Oh, oh, oh, ooh, oh, oh, oh
Your love will light my way

When all my strength and hope is gone
Your love is like a rock that I am standing on

Oh, oh, oh, ooh, oh, oh, oh
It’s never gonna stop
Oh, oh, oh, ooh, oh, oh, oh
It’s flowing from my heart
Oh, oh, oh, ooh, oh, oh, oh
It’s never gonna fade

Oh, oh, oh, ooh, oh, oh, oh
Your love is like a river flowing from my heart
Your love is like a fire that will light my way
Your love is like a rock that I am standing on
Your love is like a river flowing from my heart

~   Performed by Third Day  ~

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

God said to Moses: ‘Why cry out to me? Speak to the Israelites.  Order them to get moving. Hold your staff high and stretch your hand out over the sea.  Split the sea! The Israelites will walk through the sea on dry ground.  Meanwhile I’ll make sure the Egyptians keep up their stubborn chase – I’ll use Pharaoh and his entire army, his chariots and horsemen, to put my Glory on display so that the Egyptians will realize that I am God.’  The angel of God that had been leading the camp of Israel now shifted and got behind them.  And the Pillar of Cloud that had been in front also shifted to the rear.  The Cloud was now between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel.  The Cloud enshrouded one camp in darkness and flooded the other with light.  The two camps didn’t come near each other all night.  Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea and God, with a terrific east wind all night long, made the sea go back.  He made the sea dry ground.  The seawaters split.  The Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground with the waters a wall to the right and to the left.

Exodus 14:15-22 (MSG)

I LOVE this song.  The first time I heard it I broke down and wept – hard.  One of those ugly cries that leave you emotionally drained, unable to breathe and a sopping, wet mess.  You see, God knows where to hit you right where you live.  He knows how to speak to the deepest hurt, the deepest disappointment, the deepest fear, the deepest discouragement.  Ever since we decided we were going to build a house, my husband and I both have been in an extremely challenging season.  What would seem to be a joyous occasion (which it is, don’t misunderstand, I am extremely grateful for the home we are building) has also been one of great trial, testing, strain, and obedience.   As we are nearing completion, I am in a fairly constant state of emotional exhaustion.  Satan attacks often with words of doubt fear and worry.   How many times have I prayed for strength, for reassurance, for guidance, for deliverance, for my marriage?  Does the phrase “pray without ceasing” ring any bells?

Then I am reminded of the Israelites.  How God rescued them from the bondage of slavery.  And not only did He rescue them once—He continually placed them in situations that were out of their control—only to rescue them again.  Sisters, this is a hard truth, but also one we need to recognize and own in our lives: sometimes God will lead us into difficult places so that we can learn to trust Him.  Only when I allow Him to take over my situation do I have peace.  When I try to do this on my own I have doubt, fear and worry.  It’s a daily tug of war, ladies—the “I can do it by myself” versus “Ok, God, YOU do it.”

Enter this beautiful song that reminds us that when we are going through our toughest times, God’s love is there.  Period.  His love is everything I need to be whole.  It’s a river that washes away hurts and wounds and soothes us.  It’s the Pillar of Fire that lights our way when we are weary and tired and groping our way around, lost in the dark.  It’s the ROCK that we can stand on when we have nothing left and it feels like the ground beneath our feet has suddenly given way and we are falling, falling….

It’s never gonna stop.

It’s never gonna fade.

His love is like a river.

{{  Thank You, God, for loving us so much and so relentlessly!  }}

Take Me In

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

 ~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

Take me past the outer courts, into the Holy Place
Past the brazen altar, Lord, I long to see Your face
Take me past the crowds of people, and the priests who sing Your praise
I hunger and thirst for Your righteousness, and it’s only found one place

Take me in to the Holy of Holies
Take me in by the Blood of the Lamb
Take me in to the Holy of Holies
Take the coal, touch my lips, here I am

~  Songwriter: Dave Browning / Performed by Kutless  ~

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Isn’t that an amazing thought: Through the blood of Jesus and the sacrifice He made for you and for me that we now can enter that Holy place with God.

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the Throne of Grace,
so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16

I love that. Because of the forgiveness, love, grace, and mercy from the Father…we CAN with confidence draw near to the Throne of Grace. For a girl like me with a checkered past that is not only AMAZING but it is something I am so THANKFUL for everyday! One of the many reasons I love God so much!!! He is the God of second chances.

What is it you need a second chance for? Is there something that you think you can’t be forgiven for? Let me assure you there is NOTHING you have done that you can’t be forgiven for. How do I know this? Because I am LIVING PROOF of a changed life through the forgiveness and unconditional love of the Father.

Let me share with you another verse I am oh, so thankful for…

The faithful love of the LORD never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is His faithfulness;
His mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:22-23

Living a redeemed life does not mean I am perfect or have a perfect life. It means that every moment of every hour of every day I NEED Jesus. It means that without Him I can do absolutely nothing.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Heavenly Father, I thank You that because of the blood sacrifice made on behalf of each one of us that we can come boldly with confidence to the Throne of Grace to receive help in our time of need. No matter what mistakes we have made we know and BELIEVE that there is nothing, ABSOLUTELY nothing that cannot be forgiven! I thank You that we can start afresh and receive mercies that are new each morning. Great is Your faithfulness and love…something hard to imagine and yet something I am so thankful for. In Jesus’ name, Amen!!!

indescribable

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation’s revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings, all exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable…You placed the stars in the sky
And You know them by name; You are amazing, God
All powerful, untameable…awestruck we fall to our knees
And we humbly proclaim that You are amazing, God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night, none can fathom

Singer/Songwriter – Laura Story

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Ever been to the Rocky Mountains or out West?  It is a beautiful place to visit.  It is almost hard to describe.  God’s love and creation was meant to be indescribable as well.  However, God and man have found and used adjectives for all of time to describe the wondrous beauty that God created.  God is amazing and uncontainable.

God thundereth marvellously with His voice;
great things doeth He, which we cannot comprehend.
Job 37:5

The Lord has done great things and continues to do great things on a daily basis.  He does great things: He created the earth; He placed the stars in the sky; and He decrees where lightning strikes or where snow should lay.  (I think we all need to praise God for the winter we had this year.  It has been a roller coaster ride of snow and ice, and the weather obeyed God’s word as He gave it.)  God reveals His power and majesty in many different ways.

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:12

God’s power is great.  The hills, mountains, seas, and all of Creation sing of God’s wonderful power every day.  These parts of God’s creation can bring peace and relief to even the most burdened of hearts.  The world bursts into some kind of praise every morning—rain, snow, sleet, or sunshine.  This is part of God’s amazing power.

We can only imagine the sheer depth of God’s power.  We know that it is great and powerful.  It would have to be more powerful than anything we can imagine in order to create such a magnificent thing as the world.  His love comes from the highest of the high and is majestic in every way.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your wonderful love and creation.  Your creation shows just how powerful and wonderful You are.  Thank You for each new day and for Your love.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Watches Of The Night

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv
~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

I look towards the wintering trees to hush my fretful soul
As they rise to face the icy sky and hold fast beneath the snow
Their rings grow wide, their roots go deep that they might hold their height
And stand like valiant soldiers through the watches of the night

No human shoulder ever bears the weight of all the world
But hearts can sink beneath the ache of trouble’s sudden surge
Yet far beyond full knowing there’s a strong unsleeping Light
That reaches round to hold me through the watches of the night

I have cried upon the steps that seem too steep for me to climb
And I’ve prayed against a burden I did not want to be mine
But, here I am and this is where You’re calling me to fight
And You I will remember through the watches of the night
…You I will remember through the watches of the night

~  The Watches of the Night, Mrs. Krysten Getty / Getty Music  ~

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

I venture to say that you, too, have had times of sleeplessness, leading you to prayerfulness and remembering ‘through the watches of the night.’  In each of our lives there are situations and circumstances that seem to be are a burden we do not want to bear.

Here’s the Truth, my friend: we are not to bear our burdens, our cares, our anxieties, our worries alone.  Our heavenly Father loves you so much and wants to be the Bearer of your burden.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you;
He will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22

Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day,
even the God Who is our salvation! Selah.
Psalm 68:19

He is

  • Jehovah-Jireh (He Who provides)
  • Jehovah-Shalom (He Who is our peace)
  • Jehovah-Rohi (the Shepherd of our souls)

Even to your old age I will be the same,
And even to your graying years I will bear you!
I have done it, and I will carry you;
And I will bear you and I will deliver you.
Isaiah 46:4

I love this promise from my God…it settles my heart each time.  He has already done the bearing of any burden I could ever perceive!  As Mrs. Getty writes in her poem, “There’s a strong unsleeping Light that reaches round to hold me through the watches of the night.”  Almighty God will carry us throughout any wearisome, worrisome situation we are in.  His promises are true and Amen!

So I encourage you (me, too!) to always remember God’s heart towards us when we are feeling overwhelmed and burdened.  He is faithful to His promises, and He cares for you!

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you at the proper time,
casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

Restless

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

I am the sea on a moonless night calling falling, slipping tides
I am the leaky, dripping pipes; the endless, aching drops of lights
I am the raindrop falling down always longing for the deeper ground
I am the broken, breaking seas even my blood finds ways to bleed
Even the rivers ways to run, even the rain to reach the sun
Even my thirsty streams, even in my dreams

I am restless…I am restless…I am restless
I’m looking for You
I am restless…I run like the ocean to find Your shore
I’m looking for You

I am the thorn stuck in your side, I am the one that you left behind
I am the dried up doubting eyes looking for the well that won’t run dry
Running hard for the other side, the world that I’ve always been denied
Running hard for the infinite with the tears of saints and hypocrites
Oh, blood of black and white and grey; oh, death in life and night in day
One by one by one, we let our rivers run

I can hear You breathing
I can feel You leading
More than just a feeling, more than just a feeling
I can feel You reaching
Pushing through the ceiling
‘Til the final healing
I’m looking for You

Until the sea of glass we meet, at last completed and complete
Where tide and tear and pain subside and laughter drinks them dry

I’ll be waiting
Anticipating
All that I aim for
What I was made for
With every heartbeat
All of my blood bleeds
Running inside me
I’m looking for You, looking for You, looking for You….

~  Performed by SwitchFoot ~

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Restless … that’s how I felt at the age of 22 in my deepest, darkest pit of despair with no hope.  You want to know why?  Because nothing, absolutely nothing, can satisfy the human heart except the One who made it.  Jesus is the ONLY One that can fill those empty places.

Just as Proverbs 13:12 tells us:
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Those who have hope in Him have found a Tree of Life…Jesus is my Hope!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13 ESV

God was searching for me in that dark place and I was searching for Him.  The only One who could satisfy what I was longing for and give me a love unlike anything I had ever known!

A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul
Proverbs 13:19 NIV

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Let me pray for you:
Heavenly Father, I pray for each and every lady reading this who is out there searching…longing for something.  I pray that they would come to the revelation knowledge that the only thing that can satisfy what they are longing for is You. Father, I thank You that You are always longing for us and that You love us so much that You never give up on us even in the darkest of places.  Father, thank You for Your unconditional, redeeming love.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!!!