August 21, 2022
As I was reading through some of my devotions, I found this one that I wrote on January 10, 2021 as the new year was ushered in. I am going to share it again today. I look back to the words He gave me then and some are the same words He is giving me this week. The main verse He has given me over and over this week is, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6  My mind wants to try and figure some things out. We hear predictions from people we trust and some we are not sure of. We read different things, hear what others are saying to do or not do and it can get you confused if you are not listening to Him. This week I didn’t realize how many times I was leaning on my own understanding instead of His perspective. I found myself trying to figure out minute little things on my own and then thinking about how to handle or fix things that are out of my control. I MUST keep His Word before my eyes continuously. Anytime I am thinking about fixing situations, whether it is with people, healing, finances, daily situations and not considered Him first, I am leaning on my understanding. Acknowledge Him in all my ways!!  Or, With all your heart rely on him to guide you.
 
It’s an amazing time in history. One like most of us have never experienced. I used to look ahead and plan a few months out but right now I don’t even know what to think about yesterday. Yet, the Word says without a vision the people perish. My vision is to live His Word daily, trusting Him and shining His love. I am seeking the Lord for direction and wisdom. He is our guiding light for sure. This is what I wrote in January of 2021. As I read it, I realize He never left us through all the situations. We lost our grandson who was on drugs. My Mom’s husband left her and she is now living with us and part of our family. You don’t see those things ahead of time but His promises are still the same. What will a year from now look like? Can we reread what the Lord has given us and know we trusted Him and acknowledged Him in all His ways?
 
“January 10, 2021. As I was thinking about this past year, I started thinking how in so many ways I feel I wasted some time in 2020. I was thinking about the whole pandemic situation, life shut down and how many people we haven’t seen for almost a year. I thought of time I could have communicated better but then realized just how caught off guard I really was with things. Maybe I wasn’t as prepared as I could have been. I probably was taken life for granted to a point. As I recalled the times, I realized I had never experienced such deception, division and distractions. I have lived through and experienced many things in my life – death in my family, fatal car accidents in our family, financial devastation at times, family health issues, Adams heart surgery as a baby, step-dad’s cancer, Mom’s stroke, Tim’s stroke. We’ve had a grandson struggling with drugs, lost parents and friends, been through church division and yet the sudden cloud, the storm of deception and control caught me so off guard! I feel I was in a daze so much of the time and let the darkness cause me to lose sight of some important things. Don’t get me wrong, I spent so much time with the Lord, in the Word and in prayer. I didn’t let the darkness remain or overpower me. His light shone brightly and definitely kept me from buying completely into the deceptions and fears of the enemy. I stayed in Him and His Word and yet let myself at times get distracted, confused and controlled by the enemies attempts. I don’t know if that makes sense but it is how I felt sometimes. I feel I let some opportunities go – sat around in dismay at times when I could have reached out to others. I say all this to say that is not what I want to do in 2021.
 
This year I want to walk in more clarity than ever before. This year will probably be bombarded with even more deception, darkness and evil than last year. I feel a lot of 2020 I was preparing my heart for what is to come but I know I can’t stop going forward. I’m asking the Lord now to show me how I am to respond to any situation that are ahead. We all know how it should look if we are walking in His love and wisdom but that isn’t how it always ends up. He asks me, “What is in your heart today that could cause you to react or respond in a way that isn’t Me?” I don’t have any idea what tomorrow or next week will look like. But I do know beyond a shadow of doubt how I want to handle any situation. I want to be totally sold out – surrendered and 100% committed to Him. No matter what a day or season brings I desire and am asking the Lord to show me exactly how I can respond or react to it. My greatest desire is for His Light, life and glory to shine through me no matter how dark and black a situation appears. Darkness isn’t even a reality with Christ in us unless we chose to hide our light.  “Your lives light up the world. Let others see your light from a distance, for how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop?  And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place?  Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light.” Matthew 5:14-15
 
“It’s impossible to disappear from you or to ask the darkness to hide me, for your presence is everywhere, bringing light into my night.” Psalm 139:11  I was talking a one of our granddaughters while we are here in Tennessee. She graduates this year and I was asking her how she sees her future. She shared her vision with me and said, “That is how I see it but may not be how it turns out.” I agreed and then shared with her that whatever our dream or vision we have to go forward – toward it and as we go the Lord adjusts, redirects and guides us as He sees it going. When we “arrive” many times things look different but we have a peace and know it is where we are to be. Now we don’t have to do it this way. We could fight to make it work the way we want it to be or how we originally saw it but the result will not be peace. Usually making it happen our way doesn’t bring the results we expected.
 
That is where I feel we are now. We have a vision of truth as to where our country is to be going. We have and need to continue to go toward that truth but cannot fight against Him to get the results we think we are to have. There is a fine line at times with what we think is right or leaning on our own understanding when He is showing us the path and steps we are to take. So far, the last few days things are not turning out or have not proven to be like I thought or wanted. Most of us could say that. But His word to me is to not give up! We all know these verses but they are a great reminder: “Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go. Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom come when you adore him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong.” Proverbs 3:5-7 He is telling me right now that I need to be light in this dark world. I feel this light must shine brighter than ever before. Light ALWAYS dispels darkness.
 
“The earth was completely formless and empty, with nothing but darkness draped over the deep. God’s spirit hovered over the face of the waters. God announced, “Let there be light.” And light burst forth. God saw the light as pleasing and beautiful. He used the light to dispel the darkness…” Genesis 1:2-5 He isn’t at a loss for how to turn dark situations into something glorious. He is the Light and steps into the dark situations and wraps Himself around them and they are no longer dark. He speaks and darkness has to bow to Light. He is in us and we shine so bright that the darkness cannot exist and that is where the deceptions come in. Somehow the enemy deceives us into speaking and believing that we have lost and there is no way out of the situation. My answer is “Bologna, we have already won! We just continue to put ourselves in places that appear dark because we are listening to the wrong words. Our words are to carry life not death! His life. Our words of life dispel darkness because they are His words. His Life shines in every dark crevice and there isn’t even a shadow of doubt. We were created in His imagine – His light that allows so darkness.
 
How does this look in all that is going on? Well, I believe a lot of the issues we are seeing are because the light of the Believers is dispelling the darkness and the darkness doesn’t like it. Except for the protestors in black that were full of deception and darkness that place, DC, was shining so bright with the light, life and love of our Lord Jesus that the darkness couldn’t stand it. Evil cannot not stand light.
“I’ve learned that his anger lasts for a moment, but his loving favor lasts a lifetime! We may weep through the night, but at daybreak it will turn into shouts of ecstatic joy.” Psalm 30:5
 
When Jesus came and gave His life for us by dying, being buried and rising from the dead the anger of God was buried with Jesus. Jesus appeased God’s anger and now His loving favor lasts a lifetime. There are issues and situations in all our lives but His light takes away the darkness and turns them into shouts of ecstatic joy! That’s what we are about to see! That is what I talked about last week – shouts of joy in 2021 and they will want to keep our mouths covered and masked so we can’t be shouting for joy.
 
I continue to seek the Lord and prepare my heart so that no matter what may look like a set back or the end in my eyes I will see from His perspective and not my own understanding and continue to let His light shine bright in my life. After letting things get me down last year this will be a challenge I can only do with Him but I know, “And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.” Philippians 4:13
 
“Pass through, pass through the gates, and go from old to new.  Prepare a new path for the people. Build! Build up a highway for them to come to me! Remove every hindrance and unfurl a banner for the nations!” Isaiah 62:10 Keep seeking, keep asking, keep knocking. Let Him shine through you and the darkness will continue to disappear. What a glorious 2021 His light and Life is in us!!”

August 14, 2022
This past week we had the opportunity to spend all week with our family in Southern Colorado. One of our sons moved to the San Luis Valley 3 years ago to work with my brothers and a nephew. Our kids love it there and we are so blessed to see them prospering in every area of life. Both my brothers and their families live there too so there are lots of little ones and lots of activities. This was County Fair week! We were able to watch our 2 granddaughters and 3 great nieces show their 4H animals. One showed a couple lambs and the other 4 each raised and showed 2 hogs. We spent 4 evenings in the show arena watching these young ladies, 8-13, who have worked so hard, present their animals and win some ribbons. What a treasure that is for my heart. My Mom showed chickens in 4H, I showed a lamb, Tim showed pig, steers and lambs and now our granddaughters are following the tradition. It was the same with my brother’s family. This is 4th generation 4H. These 5 young ladies are Mom’s great granddaughters following in steps she started more than 80 years ago. Wow.
 
The family time was precious to us. Just getting to relax each night after the show at our niece’s camper as we combined our food and ate dinner together. There about 12 little ones running around each night. Some of these were Mom’s great-great grandchildren. I just sat and soaked it in. Life gets busy for all of us and this was a beautiful time together. Each one of these little ones have been taught to respect their elders and never came or went without lots of hugs, especially for their Great grandma. Mom had so many little hugs and it blessed her heart to overflowing.
 
As I was trying to see what I should write today my mind wasn’t sure what direction to go and I didn’t have time to prepare like most weeks. My time is limited but I’m going to share some verses He gave me during the week that ministered to my heart. The Word never fails to minister and never returns void.
 
These first couple set of scriptures are prayers that can be prayed for others. My family, just like all families, has stresses, issues, attacks and distractions. I can pray these words from God’s Word and know that I am praying according to His Word. We need to pray for one another! I need prayer, you need prayer and encouragement. These are powerful prayers.
 
“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;  strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have. Colossians 1:9-14
 
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,… And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
Philippians 1:3, 9-11
 
These next few verses are verses the Lord gave me. They are answers to my prayers. Prayers for wisdom, direction and peace. I realized this week that I am not always walking in His peace in different areas of my life. Some areas and situations bring a bit of doubt, condemnation, fear, which is not what I want. These scriptures reminded me of His love and grace and where I need to keep my heart and mind.
 
“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3


“For everyone who knows your wonderful name keeps putting their trust in you. They can count on you for help no matter what. O Lord, you will never, no never, neglect those who come to you.” Psalm 9:10 TPT
 
Jesus answered him, “‘Love  the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’ This is the great and supreme commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38 TPT
 
Enjoy your week and pray for your family this week. This is one of the greatest things we can do for each other. Meditate on Him. I needed reminded of His perfect peace. “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You.”
 
“O Lord, you will never, no never, neglect those who come to you.” He is with us always😊
 
“Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you”.

August 7, 2022
Praising the Lord for this beautiful day! We are so blessed for all He has given us and His beautiful creation, which includes each of us!  😊
 
Today I have a few thoughts to share with you. These are the questions and meditations that the Lord has been sharing with me. First question He asked me was, “What is on your mind?” Listen to the words coming out of your mouth. The subjects of your conversation equal what is in and on your heart. Then He said, “What you consider is what you get.”
“For as he thinks within himself, so is he.”  Proverbs 23:7 TPT
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 NKJV

“For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
I have quoted these verses so many times but in reality, I don’t always pay attention to that truth. Sometimes I am not paying attention to the words I am saying or the thoughts I am
meditating on. The Word is so clear on the truth that what we are meditating on, the thoughts we are thinking and the words that we speak will affect our lives. Sometimes it is so easy get in the wrong mind set and then later when we see the fruit of those thoughts, we wonder what is going on? “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Galatians 6:7
 
“When you are tempted don’t ever say, “God is tempting me,” for God is incapable of being tempted by evil and he is never the source of temptation. Instead, it is each person’s own desires and thoughts that drag them into evil and lure them away into darkness. Evil desires give birth to evil actions. And when sin is fully mature it can murder you! So my friends, don’t be fooled by your own desires!” James 1:13-15
 
It doesn’t matter what we know, it’s what we think on that controls our heart. Our son has a bumper sticker that says, “Don’t believe everything that you think”. Unless we are meditating on the Word day and night and only thinking what the Word is telling us to think on, our thoughts can lead us astray.
 
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8
 
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law (Word) he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3
 
“So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes, my only Redeemer, my Protector-God.”  Psalm 19:14 TPT
 
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21
 
I truly believe these truths are so important in these days. They are the answer and the difference between fear and peace, joy and fear, poverty and prosperity, truth and deception, hope and hopelessness, love and rejection, health and sickness, life and death. You name any negative emotion or situation and the answer to that is His Word and His Truth – which is Jesus.
Here is a beautiful Psalm to meditate on. Try singing a new song, sing in the Spirit. It will richly bless you!!
 
Psalm 96
1 Go ahead—sing your new song to the Lord!
Let everyone in every language sing him a new song. 
2-3 Don’t stop! Keep on singing! Make his name famous!
Tell everyone every day how wonderful he is.
Give them the good news of our great Savior.
Take the message of his glory and miracles to every nation.
Tell them about all the amazing things he has done.
4 For the Lord’s greatness is beyond description,
and he deserves all the praise that comes to him.
He is our King-God, and it’s right to be in holy awe of him.
5 Other gods are absolutely worthless.
For the Lord God is Creator-God,
who spread the splendor of the skies!
6 Breathtaking brilliance and awe-inspiring majesty
radiate from his shining presence.
His stunning beauty overwhelms all who come before him. 
7 Surrender to the Lord Yahweh, all you nations and peoples.
Surrender to him all your pride and strength.
8 Confess that Yahweh alone deserves all the glory and honor.
Bring an offering and come celebrate in his courts.
9 Come worship the Lord God wearing the splendor of holiness.
Let everyone wait in wonder as they tremble in awe before him.
10 Tell the nations plainly that Yahweh rules over all!
He is doing a great job, and nothing will disrupt him,
for he treats everyone fair and square.
11-12 Let the skies sing for joy! Let the earth join in the chorus.
Let oceans thunder and fields echo this ecstatic praise
until every swaying tree of every forest joins in,
lifting up their songs of joyous praise to him!
13 For here he comes, the Lord God,
and he’s ready to judge the world.
He will do what’s right and can be trusted
to always do what’s fair.