~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

Lord, I come, I confess…bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart; You’re the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You; every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness, Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more; where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free… holiness is Christ in me

Teach my song to rise to You when temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You; Jesus, You’re my Hope and Stay

You’re my one defense, my righteousness, Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness, Oh God, how I need You

Artist: Matt Maher

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

“Bowing here I find my rest…without You I fall apart; You’re the one that guides my heart….”  Oh, how this is my Truth that I live by!

He IS my Everything.  My ALL in ALL!  As long as I have God that is ALL that I need no matter what storms I may face in my lifetime.  As long as I have Him that is all that I need…even if the worst of the worst happens, or things don’t turn out the way I hope.  This is my Truth!!!

My Truth is not determined by my circumstances; I believe that somehow, someway He would get me through whatever it is.  He is the key.  I wouldn’t want to do life apart from Him.

In John 15:5 Jesus says,

I am the Vine, you are the branches.
Those who abide in Me and I in them
Bear much fruit, because apart from Me you can do nothing.

So the question I ask myself (and I want to ask yourself, too) is this:
Are you a Prisoner of Hope when storms in life come your way?? Or are you tossed to and fro depending on your circumstances??

God has shown me so much about trees.  Let me share some of this with you.  I love this excerpt from “Lessons From The Oak Tree’ blog:
“The mighty oak tree, no matter how severe the storm and how strong the wind, the oak tree will continue to stand tall – branches may break and the tree may be stripped of it’s leaves, but through it all it will continue to stand tall.” He also pointed out an interesting fact, of which I was unaware, that the roots of an oak tree can extend down into the ground up to two and one-half times their height. Now THAT, my friends, is a deeply rooted tree.

So the question for each of us is—how deeply rooted are your values? Do you let yourself be blown to-and-fro with what is currently popular? Or do you stand for what you believe in? I think that what we stand for defines who we truly are. What we do in private when no one is looking…that defines the type of person we are.

I truly believe that one way we can influence this world for good is through our example. By defining ourselves by our values and beliefs, and then sharing those values and beliefs with others through our example, we can influence others for good. Do not waiver, do not lower your standards to fit in or to be popular. Rather, raise your standards so that you can raise those around you.

Here is what Scripture says about trees:

Jeremiah 17:8 ESV
He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.

Psalm 1:3 ESV
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Isaiah 61:3b
They will be called mighty oaks, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor….

I love the strength in these trees; their roots are deep and they are grounded. No matter what storms they endure, they continue to stand firm. Oh, let this be my Truth and your Truth as well…

So no matter what you are enduring today (and believe me, I know life is hard). But I also know my God is Faithful in ALL things and He is my peace. And with Him I can get through anything that comes my way. He truly is ALL that I need….

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Heavenly Father, I ask You now for the peace that surpasses ALL understanding for each and everyone of the ladies reading this blog.  No matter what they are currently walking through, may our Truth be that no matter what storms come our way that as long as we have You then that is Truly ALL we need!!!  In Jesus name,  AMEN!!