May 4, 2026

Healthy St. Paddy’s Day Shakes

March 17, 2014 by

Sorry…breaking into our little series on spring veggies ‘cause I just have to share these healthy but-oh-so-yummy! green minty “shakes” with you!  It is tradition to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day in our family…heritage and all, y’know!  (Your name can’t be coleen ann brigit mcelroy hayden…and not recognize your Irish background!)

So, I have to admit to indulging <in the past!> in a Shamrock Shake from a certain fast food place…uh-huh…you know!  But we are working on having a healthier eating lifestyle now…by God’s grace!…and so I took a little peek ‘n see about the nutrition facts (from the manufacturer) for that minty shake of my past.  Can you say “Holy Saint Paddy!”  530 calories, 86 grams of carbs (of which 73 were sugar carbs, mostly corn syrup), and 15 grams of fat in a 16 ounce cup!

healthyshamrockshake

I think you will find this healthy but-oh-so-yummy version equally satisfying and delicious. I would love to hear from you!

Ingredients:
1 scoop protein powder
2 cups almond milk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 packet of stevia sweetener
2 hefty tablespoons of vanilla greek yogurt
1 ripe avocado
2 handfuls of raw spinach
2 cut-up frozen bananas
4 or 5 ice cubes

Directions:

  • Start off with all the liquid ingredients, the protein powder and stevia; blend for 10-15 seconds.
  • Layer in the balance of the ingredients. Whirl away ‘til nicely blended!
  • This made more than enough for two big servings; the glasses pictured hold more than 14 ounces each.

** Certainly can be prepared in a standard blender, too. I would suggest doing it in two batches, however, using 1/2 of the ingredients at a time.

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

Filed Under: At Home w/ GCH Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

March 17, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

To Christ, who won for sinners grace
By bitter grief and anguish sore,
Be praise from all the ransomed race
Forever and forevermore.

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

Songwriter: Isaac Watts/ Performed by Vineyard’s Kathryn Scott
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
What a wonderfully written hymn!  This is one is so God-breathed.  As the Holy Spirit led, Isaac Watts wrote.  It is interesting, while reading the biography of Watts, how he was a Nonconformist.  He did not go by the traditional teachings of his era, he was always outspoken.  He had a natural gift for rhyming and was punished for using it.

As we begin to think about Easter and what Christ’s death on the Cross means for each of us, I would ask that you think about keeping a journal.  Write down prayers, thoughts, praises, or anything that you believe would help you celebrate Easter with a new viewpoint in the years to come.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Father, I ask that You watch over each of us during the Lent season.  Help us to see and learn more about what the Cross means for us.  Help us to see our salvation in a new way.  We love You and want to know You more.  We want a more intimate relationship with You.  Thank You, Lord!  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

The Comfort of God

March 17, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

 

We have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 5—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’   Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4

We have all lost loved ones and friends.  It is part of life.  It is our payment for sin.  We hurt when someone we know dies.  It is part of human nature to mourn and miss those who have passed onto God’s Presence.  We wish that we could hold them here, but God knows when it is time for them to come home.

I remember when my grandmother died.  There were many people at her funeral—more than I expected.  It was a comfort to know that people cared about our family. As per Southern tradition, many friends provided our family with food. It in its own way, this was comforting, but I still mourned the death of my grandmother.

God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalms 46:1

God blesses us by bringing people around us when we need them.  We know that we can turn to God when we are at our lowest.  We know that God will comfort us with His abundance of love.  There is enough for all to take joy in.  God is our Refuge in our sorrow.  He may not be here physically, but He helps our spirit rebound from the pain it feels for any loss.  He sends people into our lives to be the physical comforters.  They do His work by being there for us when we need them most.

God blesses us in our mourning by providing those people who can help us grieve and help us move on. When we, ourselves, pass into His presence, we will not have a reason to mourn because it will be a moment of great joy.  We will not have any pain.  We will be in God’s Presence and be worshipping Him.  He will comfort us Himself once we cross into His Presence.

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥~ *

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the comfort You bring us.  You bless us most when need it.  You are our Refuge, and we are grateful for Your love and comfort.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Comfort

March 16, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

We have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 5—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’   Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4

To mourn is—
1. to grieve over our own weakness in relation to God’s standard of righteousness and His kingdom power.
2. It is also to mourn over the things that grieve God, to have our feelings in sympathy with the feelings of God, and to be afflicted in our spirits over the sin (Acts 20:19).

So those who mourn are comforted by receiving from the Father “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).

Paul told the Christians in Rome, “Weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Disciples face sadness for many reasons.  Discipleship is not about always being happy.  It’s about following the path of Jesus who was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3).  He surrendered His rights to bless others.  He surrendered His life to forgive the very ones crucifying Him.  He saw through the facades of His culture and felt the real needs of people whether they were ill, possessed, or simply blind to the truth.

To be a Christian—a disciple of Jesus—means to care about people, their problems, and to “weep with those who weep.” But such mourning means comfort. Our sufferings, hardships, and struggles will melt away in the eternal light of God’s Presence and His grace.  Our heartbreak for those broken in our world will be replaced with rejoicing when many we have loved join us at God’s side eternally.  Those who mourn—who are deeply sad—they will be comforted!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who is full of mercy.
He is the God of all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble,
so that we can comfort other people any time they have trouble.
We can comfort them with the same comfort that God gives us.
We share in the many sufferings of Christ.
In the same way, much comfort comes to us through Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥~ *

God of comfort, we thank You for You comfort us when grieved and when mourning. With the same comfort we get from You, let us reach out to Your people we are living with on earth; may they find comfort through us.  We pray that with Christ in us all will be well!  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

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What Grace Is Mine

March 16, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

What grace is mine that He who dwells in endless light
Called through the night to find my distant soul
And from His scars poured mercy that would plead for me
That I might live and in His name be known

So I will go wherever He is calling me
I lose my life to find my life in Him
I give my all to gain the hope that never dies
I bow my heart, take up my cross, and follow Him

What grace is mine to know His breath alive in me
Beneath His wings my wak’ned soul may soar
All fear can flee for death’s dark night is overcome
My Savior lives and reigns forevermore

So I will go…

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

Traditional melody ‘Londonderry Air;  Arranged by Rob Mathes

Lyrics written and Performed by Mrs. Kristyn Getty

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

If you there was one all-important point that was the focus of Jesus’ teaching it would be salvation, don’t you agree?

Websters’ 1828 Dictionary defines salvation as this:
SALVA’TION, n. [L. salvo, to save.]

1. The act of saving; preservation from destruction, danger or great calamity.
2. Appropriately in theology, the redemption of man from the bondage of sin and liability to eternal death, and the conferring on him everlasting happiness. This is the great salvation.

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

Jesus spoke over and over and over again (Matthew 10, Mark 8, Luke 9, Luke 17, John 12) to His disciples on this life-changing, life-giving, life-saving issue—of ‘losing one’s life’ for the benefit of actually saving it.  Perhaps He felt that ‘rubbing it in’ and repetition were needful for them.  Perhaps He just loved them so much that He wanted them to know of the vital importance of salvation.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple,
let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests]
and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me,
conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].
For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here]
shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here]
for My sake shall find it [life everlasting].
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life
[his blessed life in the kingdom of God]?
Or what would a man give as an exchange for his [blessed] life [in the kingdom of God]?
For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory (majesty, splendor) of His Father
with His angels, and then He will render account and reward every man
in accordance with what he has done.
Matthew 19:24-27 AMP

These words obviously sunk deep into the hearts of His chosen—the apostles who lived and served alongside Jesus.  Immediately prior to His leaving them to return to His Father, He told them,

…But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.
Acts 1:8

And so they waited for the promise of the Father—the coming of the Holy Spirit.  Upon receiving ‘power’ they did witness…through the manifestation of speaking in tongues to believers gathered in Jerusalem from “every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5).  In particular, Peter spoke boldly and confidently with much conviction and admonition to the crowds gathered there in Jerusalem.  Just as Jesus had done, Peter made it clear that salvation is required for eternal life…and that it is only available through Jesus Christ.

…Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing before you well.  This Jesus is the Stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.  And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:10-12

And the Apostle Paul spoke the Gospel message of salvation often, and stridently, to seemingly everyone he encountered.  He admittedly recognized in his own life, the need to lose his life, take up his cross, and follow the Lord Jesus.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel,
because it is the power of God
that brings salvation to everyone who believes:
first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Romans 1:16

We, too, have been given this life-changing, life-giving, life-saving opportunity to do the same.  By God’s grace we have received the Gospel message of salvation; and, by His grace, we have believed it.  May we, too, sing our confession, ‘I bow my heart, take up my cross, and follow Him!’

So I will go wherever He is calling me…

  • Jesus has called us (His disciples) into a life of obedience and submission to Him

I lose my life to find my life in Him…

  • Our earthly life, in the end, has no value or worth; but eternal life—oh what worth!

I give my all to gain the hope that never dies…

  • …We might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul… (Hebrews 6:18-20)

I bow my heart, take up my cross, and follow Him  ♥ 

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Blessed Are They — Matthew 5:3

March 15, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

We have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 6—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’  Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 
Matthew 5:3

~ Songwriter: David Haas / Accompanist: Jon Sarta / Vocalist: Janet Flores ~

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Ain’t That Good News

March 15, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I got a robe up in that Kingdom
Ain’t that good news, Ain’t that good news
I got a robe up in that Kingdom
Ain’t that good news, Ain’t that good news

I’m gonna lay down this world,
Gonna shoulder up my cross
Gonna take it home to my Jesus,
Ain’t that good news, ain’t that good news

I got a crown up in that Kingdom
Ain’t that good news, Ain’t that good news
I got a crown up in that Kingdom
Ain’t that good news, Ain’t that good news

I’m gonna lay down this world
Gonna shoulder up my cross
Gonna take it home to my Jesus
Ain’t that good news, ain’t that good news

I got a Savior in-a that Kingdom
Ain’t that good news, Ain’t that good news
I got a Savior in-a that Kingdom
Ain’t that good news, Ain’t that good news

I’m gonna lay down this world
Gonna shoulder up my cross
Gonna take it home to my Jesus
Ain’t that good news, ain’t that good news

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

DSA Concert Choir / Traditional Negro Spiritual
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day
—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.
2 Timothy 4:8 NIV
If you’ve read any of my blogposts, I’m sure it will come as no surprise that music was an integral part of my life growing up.   My parents were careful to guard what my sister and I listened to when we were younger, and the radio was not on often.   We did, however, have a treasure trove of records (some of you probably don’t even know what records are…) of some of my parents’ favorite music that we listened to often.  Many of those albums I now have on CD or in a digital music file on my computer!

One of the records I dearly loved was of a college gospel choir, who sang many gospel classics and Negro spirituals.  This song, “Ain’t-a That Good News” was one of my favorites from that album, and always made my heart rejoice.   Imagine being a small child (or anyone, for that matter) and hearing that you had a robe and a crown awaiting you—in a kingdom!  I was royalty!  That was, indeed, good news!  I may not have understood salvation when I first heard that song, but I could still feel the joy of being a princess.

Some of us still don’t truly understand the full measure of what it means to be saved.  We don’t realize that, yes, we ARE children of God, the ultimate King!  We ARE royalty, by the love and sacrifice of Jesus. We have a robe, a crown, and our Savior in that Kingdom, awaiting our arrival.  Ain’t that good news??

In Romans 8:16-17 the apostle Paul writes:

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,
if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.

So if we look at this verse, it also tells us in order to share His glory we will also share in His suffering.  We’ve all tasted that, haven’t we?  All of us have been touched by sickness, sorrow, death, discouragement—but this beautiful song says that “I’m gonna lay down this world, gonna shoulder up my cross, gonna take it home to my Jesus….”

At the feet of Jesus I will lay all the burdens, trials, troubles, and my own cross where He daily receives me!  And when my short time on this Earth is finished and I get to go home, I get my robe, my crown, and the Presence of my Savior!  Hallelujah!  Now ain’t that good news?

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fully Dependent on God

March 14, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogoWe have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 6—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’  Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:3

In the same sense that we can be rich in many areas—money, family, friends, love, etc.—we can also be poor in other areas of our life aside from finances.  I think for people who strive for excellence, the terms poor and weak are not words we take lightly or accept willingly.  When in reality they are not as negative as we think. When we are poor in spirit we are fully dependent on God.  Now this doesn’t mean that we need to be at the lowest place in our life or depressed or unhappy but it does mean that we acknowledge that without God we have nothing.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

When we say we’re weak, it doesn’t mean that we can’t handle where our lives may be or that we can’t deal with what we currently have on our plate.  What it does mean is that we are able to acknowledge that without God…we have no strength; because He is our strength, and in our weakness and dependence on Him…His strength prevails.

How wonderful is it to know and accept that we can be weak?  That we can be poor and still be covered by His love?  That we can be these things and be carried by our Heavenly Father?  That we don’t have to worry about our own strength and love carrying us through life because His strength and His love are far more than we need.

Let’s Pray:  Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to accept our weakness, our poor spirits, because when we accept these, Lord, we embrace Your Strength instead of trying to grow our own.  And when we accept Your rich love, instead of our own, we will experience a freedom like no other.  Thank You Lord for Your loving strength.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Revelation Song

March 14, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain; Holy, Holy is He
Sing a new song to Him who sits on Heaven’s mercy seat
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain; Holy, Holy is He
Sing a new song to Him who sits on Heaven’s mercy seat

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my Everything and I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows of living color, flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be to You the only wise King

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my Everything and I will adore You

Filled with wonder awestruck wonder at the mention of Your name
Jesus, Your name is Power, Breath and Living Water-such a marvelous mystery
Oh, You’re worthy, You are worthy

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my Everything and I will adore You…I will adore You

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

I so much LOVE this life-changing song…because of this truth: my life was forever changed!  Praise You, Father, for the sacrifice made on behalf of each one of us.  I am filled with awestruck wonder when I think of the power in the name of Jesus and ALL that He endured to save me!  I am overwhelmed at how my life has changed since that dark day 22 years ago when I was lost and then suddenly I was found… Until I draw my last breath I will sing the praises of the One Who saved me!  This is my Truth—a life-changing Truth… What about you???  Have you received the gift the Father has so freely given through His Son?

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6

There is no way to the Father except through Jesus.  He IS the only Way.  His name IS Power. There IS Power in the name of Jesus.  There IS Breath and He IS the Living Water.

Anyone who believes in Me may come and drink!
For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from His heart.’
John 7:38 NLT

‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power, and riches, and wisdom,
and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.’
Revelation 5:12

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Father, thank You for the sacrifice You made.  I am praying for each sister who may not know You that their hearts would be open to the Truth of who You are and the life-changing sacrifice made on our behalf.  In Jesus’ name!!! Amen!!!

Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty
With all creation I sing to the King of Kings
You are my Everything and I will adore You!!!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Move Over

March 13, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

We have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 6—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’  Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
Matthew 5:3

I typically stay away from the Message Translation of the Bible, but on occasion I do find it useful.  Matthew 5:3 reads like this.

You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope.
With less of you there is more of God and His rule.

How true this is. When I am not covering up an issue or trying to put my hands to solving a problem rather than trust God, I am making room for God. Where there is no room for God, you’ve crowded Him out—very likely with yourself.

It’s first nature for me to want to fix something, reason through something, and come to my own conclusions.  But now I’ve gotten quicker at putting the brakes on and turning to God.  Usually, but not always, before I’m at the end of my rope.  (Sometimes though I even get well past the end of my rope and still haven’t made room for God.)

I’ve always wondered why I keep doing this same thing…when in the end I know I always turn to God.  Part of me just wants to be so self-sufficient.  Who I’m trying to impress or prove something to is beyond me.  Habits take time to change.  Before I was saved I’d try to figure it all out, and sometimes I simply forget that God is always present in every situation.

When I read this verse in the Beatitudes, the first story in the Bible that came to mind was of Elijah and the widow at Zarephath; her story is told in 1 King 17:8-24.  What stuck out the most to me was in verse 12.  This foreign woman, who is likely not a believer, swears by God and says to the prophet,

As the Lord your God lives, I have no bread,
only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar;
and behold, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in
and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die.

She was transparent.  She didn’t try to save face or figure something out, she didn’t offer what little she had and then hope for the best.  She admitted her lack…and the Lord stepped in.  She moved out of the way and unknowingly made room for God.

Move out of the way and give God some elbow room.  You don’t need so much space.  I mean, we are talking about the Creator of the universe after all!  (He’s pretty big, you know.)

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥~ *

Lord, more of You and less of me.  This is my prayer daily.  In a society where “me” is the number one priority it can be difficult remembering that You, Lord, ARE number one.  Keep me focused.  Thank you, Lord!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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