July 19. 2020
This week as I was reading through the Psalms I was so blessed with Psalm 34. This is when David was at one of his lowest points. His friend, Jonathon, was no longer with him, King Saul was chasing him and he was hiding in caves. Right now there are so many challenges in our lives and so much we need to hear the Lord clearly on. What an uplifting blessing these verses can be for us to focus on and bring us peace in a time of chaos.
 
The Lord is doing amazing and wonderful things right now. There is so much going on that we cannot see and we can be so excited about it all and always singing His praises and worshiping Him. Let’s life our voices together to praise His name forever!! 
Psalm 34 from the Passion Bible A song by King David composed after his escape from the king when he pretended to be insane
God’s Goodness
“Lord! I’m bursting with joy over what you’ve done for me! My lips are full of perpetual praise. I’m boasting of you and all your works, so let all who are discouraged take heart. Join me, everyone! Let’s praise the Lord together. Let’s make him famous!


Let’s make his name glorious to all. Listen to my testimony: I cried to God in my distress and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears!


Gaze upon him, join your life with his, and joy will come. Your faces will glisten with glory. You’ll never wear that shame-face again. When I had nothing, desperate and defeated, I cried out to the Lord and he heard me, bringing his miracle-deliverance when I needed it most.


The angel of the Lord stooped down to listen as I prayed, encircling me, empowering me, and showing me how to escape. He will do this for everyone who fears God.


Drink deeply of the pleasures of this God. Experience for yourself the joyous mercies he gives to all who turn to hide themselves in him. Worship in awe and wonder, all you who’ve been made holy! For all who fear him will feast with plenty.


Even the strong and the wealthy grow weak and hungry, but those who passionately pursue the Lord will never lack any good thing.  Come, children of God, and listen to me. I’ll share the lesson I’ve learned of fearing the Lord.


Do you want to live a long, good life, enjoying the beauty that fills each day? Then never speak a lie or allow wicked words to come from your mouth. Keep turning your back on every sin, and make “peace” your life motto. Practice being at peace with everyone.


The Lord sees all we do; he watches over his friends day and night. His godly ones receive the answers they seek whenever they cry out to him.  But the Lord has made up his mind to oppose evildoers and to wipe out even the memory of them from the face of the earth.
 
 Yet when holy lovers of God cry out to him with all their hearts, the Lord will hear them and come to rescue them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to all whose hearts are crushed by pain, and he is always ready to restore the repentant one.


Even when bad things happen to the good and godly ones, the Lord will save them and not let them be defeated by what they face. God will be your bodyguard to protect you
when trouble is near. Not one bone will be broken.


But the wicked commit slow suicide. For they hate and persecute the lovers of God.
Make no mistake about it, God will hold them guilty and punish them; they will pay the penalty!
 
But the Lord has paid for the freedom of his servants, and he will freely pardon those who love him. He will declare them free and innocent when they turn to hide themselves in him.”
 
In the Passion Bible there are footnotes from verse 14 about the word Shalom. I thought it was very good.
Psalm 34:14 Twice the Hebrew uses the word shalom. This word means much more than peace. It means wholeness, wellness, well-being, safe, happy, friendly, favor, completeness, to make peace, peace offering, secure, to prosper, to be victorious, to be content, tranquil, quiet, and restful. The pictographic symbols for the word shalom (shin, lamed, vav, mem) read “Destroy the authority that binds to chaos.” The noun shalom is derived from the verbal root shalam, which means “to restore,” in the sense of replacing or providing what is needed in order to make someone or something whole and complete. So shalom is used to describe those of us who have been provided all that is needed to be whole and complete and break off all authority that would attempt to bind us to chaos.
 
I knew about the basic meaning but the meaning from the pictographic symbols I didn’t know but is so important. “Destroy the authority that binds to chaos.”. So powerful especially in this season we are in!
 
I like this verse from Isaiah 44:23. Creation is praising Him always! Our praises and joyous songs of praise will change the world around us! May our every breathe glorify the Lord. May every cell of our bodies and every thought that we have praise Him!!
 
“Sing! Starry sky above, break loose with singing for Yahweh has finished it!
Shout! Earth deep below, give up your shout!
Mountains high, break out with joyous songs of praise!
    Let the forest choirs join in, with every tree singing its notes!”
 

June 21, 2020
Happy Father’s Day!! What a special day!! I really enjoy celebrating the men in my life. I am blessed with a wonderful husband, 4 awesome sons, a son-in-law, 2 brothers, a brother-in-law, a step Dad –friend, 7 grandsons, 6 nephews, 3 nephew-in-laws and 2 great nephews. Every man in my life has had an influence in some way on who I am. My sons have taught me so much. As a Mom I’ve watched them grow from my little boys who needed their Mom to men who love the Mom of their children. I’m thankful for Ed who has imparted faith, love, wisdom, laughter and much more to our family and been an example our family can follow. I respect and honor all these men in my life and am thankful there is a day to celebrate them.  It is the Wisdom from our heavenly Father and through Him that each earthy Father has an example of love and a direction to go and teach their own children.
 
This year as we celebrate Father’s Day I asked the Lord what to share with you. He gave me some words that describe a man following after God. He said they are men of excellence – men of valor – men of wisdom, strength and courage. A man following after God’s heart loves his wife. He will honor her, speak well of her and serve her. A man desiring God’s ways is an example to his family as he chooses to go to the Lord in prayer, putting the Lord first, trusting Him and worshiping Him. Today more than ever the younger generations need to see the strength of a man trusting the Lord. They need to know His truth, His wisdom and His love.
 
As a father you need to help guard the hearts of your children. Guard what they see and what they hear. Let them see and hear the truth that will guide and direct them all their lives. The Lord’s words in the children’s hearts will stay with them forever. When I was about 4 we had to move in with my grandparents for a season. My Dad had made some mistakes and was in jail. I didn’t have a dad who was a great and wonderful example but my Grandpa was a wonderful Christian man. He was my spiritual leader and example his whole life and his words of wisdom still have an influence on me. He was a man of excellence, valor, strength and courage. I will always remember how every single morning after he had breakfast he would read his Bible and then kneel at his chair and pray. It was an amazing example of a man sold out to the Lord. He knew where his guidance, wisdom, strength and love came from and as little kids, my brother and I knew too. Over 60 years later his example still reflects in my life in so many ways.
 
I share this story to show how powerful it is to live your life for Christ without reservation. You do not know what those around you are seeing or hearing and how many years their lives will be effected by how you show them God’s love, or not. Your example either way, living for Christ or not, will have an effect on the lives of those around you. I realize that all dads have not followed the Wisdom of the Word and the end result will bring lots of hurt. Every Dad reading this has made many mistakes and not heeded the way of the Word at one time or another. What is most important is that you don’t hold on to the offenses and hurts from your past and then repeat your hurts with your family. I am sharing a few verses and wisdom from the Word about being a Godly, wise man who will choose to make a difference in his family and this world. Most of these verses are from the Passion translation. Meditate on these truths and hide them in your heart. They will not return void but make a difference in your life and the life of all those around you.
 
 “The teachings of godly ones are like pure silver, bringing words of redemption to others but the heart of the wicked is corrupt. The lovers of God feed many with their teachings but the foolish ones starve themselves for lack of an understanding heart. True enrichment comes from the blessing of the Lord, with rest and contentment in knowing that it all comes from him.” Proverbs 10:20-22
 
“Words that bring delight pour out of the lips of the godly.” Proverbs 10:32
 “A man of kindness attracts favor while a cruel man attracts nothing but trouble.”
Proverbs 11:17
“Those who live to bless others will have blessings heaped upon them and the one who pours out his life to pour out blessings will be saturated with favor. Living your life seeking what is good for others brings untold favor..” Proverbs 11:25,27
 
“Work hard at your job and you’ll have what you need. Follow a get-rich-quick scheme is nothing but a fantasy.” Proverbs 12:11
 
“For there is great satisfaction in speaking the truth and hard work brings blessings back to you. A fool is in love with his own opinion but wisdom means being teachable. If you shrug off an insult and refuse to take offense, you demonstrate discretion indeed. But a fool has a short fuse and will immediately let you know he is offended.” Proverbs 12:14-16
 
“Reckless words are like the thrusts of a sword, cutting remarks meant to stab and to hurt. But the words of the wise soothe and heal.” Proverbs 12:18
 
“If you want to grow in wisdom then spend time with the wise.” Proverbs 13:20
 
“Dedicate your children to God and point them in the way they should go and the values they’ve learned from you will be with them for life.” Proverbs 22:6
 
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 
 
 “Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body.” Proverbs 16:24
 
“He who answers a matter before he hears the facts – it is folly and shame to him.” Proverbs 18:13
 
Isaiah 54: 13, “And your children have been taught of the Lord and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children.”
 
““My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weakness, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ in me.” 1 Corinthians 12:9
 
Always remember who you are in Christ. No matter what is going on in your life keep pressing forward in Him and don’t let the circumstances take you out or our cause you to give up. These are trying times. If you aren’t looking to the Lord constantly you will experience confusion, frustration, anger and helplessness. We don’t know what the future holds in the natural. We know in Him we ALWAYS have victory!! The younger generations need to see examples of perseverance, strength and His love flowing from every situation. Without the example of Godly men in their lives today – what do they have for tomorrow?  Dads, grandpas, uncles, brothers, friends it’s time to rise up and love like Christ loved the church. He gave himself for the each of us. He is living in you and wants to shine through you so those watching you will know the true and living God. Never before in our life time has a Godly hero in the flesh been more valuable and life changing. I thank all the men in my life for their examples of leaders they are in Christ. There’s a joy in my heart knowing that Ed is praying for our family and seeking the wisdom of God on how to lead. He’s a spiritual leader in our family and an example our grand kids will hopefully be remembering years from now. Our heavenly Father gave us all we need to know how to follow in His ways!
 

June 14, 2020
My heart is so sad. The actual hate in our country has become the disease we should be concerned about more than anything else. The evidence of hate is everywhere. It’s obvious what we see on TV and other media is full of hate. There’s so much deception and an antichrist spirit. But lately I’ve seen absolute hate coming from one Believer to another! It floors me. I can’t believe what I hear and read. We have seen letters to pastors from their friends and church family that are almost hate mail.  This week when we read some of the words others had written to a pastor friend of ours, it just broke my heart. The whole world is in division including the church family. It’s like there’s something in the air that everyone is catching. It’s not the virus, it’s the “prince of the power of the air”. “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” Ephesians 2:1-3
 
People just say whatever they want to others. What happened to the instructions of our Mom’s, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”? Wouldn’t this simple little truth change everything around us?  Words are so powerful. We know life and death come from the words we speak. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life, and the talkative person will reap the consequences.”
 
“Words he breathed and worlds were birthed. “Let there be,” and there it was— Springing forth the moment he spoke. No sooner said than done!” Psalm 33:9
God created the world through words. The power of words. Springing forth the moment he spoke. No sooner said than done! Our words create. No sooner said than done. Those are powerful words. You speak and springing forth right then are words that will create and bring life or kill and destroy.
 
Remember the instructions and words that talk about how to handle an issue we may have with another believer? We are to go to the person who has hurt us or offended us and attempt to make it right. (Matthew 18) Nowadays the situations are aired on social media, texts and emails. It’s easy to write anything you want no matter how destructive it is or how full of death the words are when you are not face to face.
 
Right now our world is turned upside down with evil words. This is something we really need to be praying about. We also need to keep our focus on the Lord and He will give us the words to say that will bring life. It’s up to us to change the atmosphere around us. Keep His words in your heart so you can bring forth life in every situation you are in. The deception is in every corner of this world. No matter where you go there is deception. Take His words of life and speak them forth continuously like He spoke and breathed the worlds into existence. “When you speak healing words, you offer others fruit from the tree of life. But unhealthy, negative words do nothing but crush their hopes.”  Proverbs 15:4
 
Here are some words of life to meditate on and hide in your heart. Let’s bring forth life everywhere we go and watch the world around us change!
 
“Nothing is more appealing than speaking beautiful, life-giving words. For they release sweetness to our souls and inner healing to our spirits.” Proverbs 16:24
 
“They refuse to slander or insult others; they’ll never listen to gossip or rumors, nor would they ever harm another with their words.” Psalm 15:3
 
“For in a visitation of the night you inspected my heart and refined my soul in fire until nothing vile was found in me. I’ve wanted my words and my ways to always agree.” Psalm 17:3
 
“Come, children of God, and listen to me. I’ll share the lesson I’ve learned of fearing the Lord. Do you want to live a long, good life, enjoying the beauty that fills each day?
Then never speak a lie or allow wicked words to come from your mouth.”
Psalm 34:11-13 
 
“For wisdom will come from my mouth; words of insight and understanding will be heard from the musings of my heart.” Psalm 49:3
 
“Then, as you unwrap my words, they will impart true life and radiant health into the very core of your being.” Proverbs 4:22
 
“Avoid dishonest speech and pretentious words. Be free from using perverse words no matter what!” Proverbs 4:24
 
“Reckless words are like the thrusts of a sword, cutting remarks meant to stab and to hurt. But the words of the wise soothe and heal.” Proverbs 12:18
 
“There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 I
 
“Guard your words and you’ll guard your life, but if you don’t control your tongue, it will ruin everything.” Proverbs 13:3
 
“A good man eats good from the fruit of his mouth…..He who guards his mouth keeps his life.” Proverbs 13:2-3
 
“The words of a proud fool will all come back to haunt him. But the words of the wise will become a shield of protection around them.” Proverbs 14:3
 
“Watch your words and be careful what you say, and you’ll be surprised how few troubles you’ll have.” Proverbs 21:23
 
“And when you speak anointed words, we are speaking mouth to mouth!”
Proverbs 23:16
 
“But what comes out of your mouth reveals the core of your heart. Words can pollute, not food.” Matthew 15:18
 
 “The One whom God has sent to represent him will speak the words of God, for God has poured out upon him the fullness of the Holy Spirit without limitation.” John 3:34
 
“A soft answer turns away wrath but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1
 
“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”  “You don’t get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of the tree. You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It’s who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds.” Luke 6:43-45 Message Bible “The mind of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning and persuasiveness to his lips”.  Proverbs 16:23 

I am so thankful that no matter what is happening in the world around us our God does not change. This world is going through some challenges right now and there are Believers who are not sure what to believe. The whole situation is a bit discouraging at times and the evil around us is right in our face but what an awesome time in history to watch the Lord do His miracles! Most everything we have to do each day and week outside our home can be a challenge. The mandates made to protect are a hassle. You can still choose what you believe about it and how you will handle it. Your choice may forbid you from being served wherever you are but you still can stand for what we believe the Lord is guiding you to do.
 
Right now I am reading through the Proverbs and Psalm and His words are so powerful to me. So many of the verses are coming alive to me. Maybe because I have never been in such a place as we are now where the evil and deception is so obvious. The days ahead are so uncertain. The division in our country has never been this divided in my life time. The hate attitude is growing daily. Our younger generations are getting drawn into the lies. When I think of it all and then read His promises my heart has hope again. My heart leaps with joy because I know He is always with me and with my family! Today I’m not going to say much more but let the Lord speak the truth and I pray it goes deep into your heart. I will underline what meant so much to me. You can do the same. You may see something else that touches your heart. 
 
 
“My child, never drift off course from these two goals for your life: to walk in wisdom and to discover discernment.
Don’t ever forget how they empower you. For they strengthen you inside and out
and inspire you to do what’s right;  you will be energized and refreshed by the healing they bring. (Amen. This is from meJ)
They give you living hope to guide you, and not one of life’s tests will cause you to stumble. (Hallelujah)
You will sleep like a baby, safe and sound-- your rest will be sweet and secure. (Thank You, Jesus!!!)
You will not be subject to terror, for it will not terrify you.  Nor will the disrespectful be able to push you aside, (Praise You, Jesus!!)
because God is your confidence in times of crisis, keeping your heart at rest in every situation.”  Proverbs 3:21-26 TPT (Okay, these verses all blessed me so much and gives me hope and confidence to go forward!)
 
 
 
“Fill your thoughts with my words until they penetrate deep into your spirit. Then, as you unwrap my words they will impart true life and radiant health into the very core of your being. (What an awesome promise!)
So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are.
Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.
Avoid dishonest speech and pretentious words. Be free from using perverse words no matter what!
Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead,
ignore life’s distractions. (I desire to do this!)
Watch where you’re going! Stick to the path of truth, and the road will be safe and smooth before you.
Don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked for even a moment or take the detour that leads to darkness.” Proverbs 4:21-27 TPT (These words are the direction for our life every day but especially now with these horrible things happening around us)
 
 
Psalm 33 - TPT
“It’s time to sing and shout for joy! Go ahead, all you redeemed ones, do it!


Praise him with all you have, for praise looks lovely on the lips of God’s lovers.
Play the guitar as you lift your praises loaded with thanksgiving.
Sing and make joyous music with all you’ve got inside. Compose new melodies[b] that release new praises to the Lord.
Play his praises on instruments with the anointing and skill he gives you.


Sing and shout with passion; make a spectacular sound of joy--
For God’s Word is something to sing about! He is true to his promises, his word can be trusted, and everything he does is reliable and right.
The Lord loves seeing justice on the earth. Anywhere and everywhere you can find his faithful, unfailing love!
 
All he had to do was speak by his Spirit-wind command, and God created the heavenlies. Filled with galaxies and stars, the vast cosmos he wonderfully made.
His voice scooped out the seas. The ocean depths he poured into vast reservoirs.
Now, with breathtaking wonder, let everyone worship Yahweh, this awe-inspiring Creator.  Words he breathed and worlds were birthed.


“Let there be,” and there it was-- Springing forth the moment he spoke. No sooner said than done! With his breath he scatters the schemes of nations who oppose him;
they will never succeed. His destiny-plan for the earth stands sure. His forever-plan remains in place and will never fail.
Blessed and prosperous is that nation who has God as their Lord! They will be the people he has chosen for his own.


The Lord looks over us from where he rules in heaven. Gazing into every heart from his lofty dwelling place, he observes all the peoples of the earth.
The Creator of our hearts considers and examines everything we do.
Even if a king has the best-equipped army, it would never be enough to save him.
Even if the best warrior went to battle, he could not be saved simply by his strength alone.


Human strength and the weapons of man are false hopes for victory;
they may seem mighty but they will always disappoint.
The eyes of the Lord are upon even the weakest worshipers who love him--
those who wait in hope and expectation for the strong, steady love of God.
 God will deliver them from death, even the certain death of famine, with no one to help.


The Lord alone is our radiant hope and we trust in him with all our hearts.
His wrap-around presence will strengthen us. As we trust, we rejoice with an uncontained joy flowing from Yahweh!
Let your love and steadfast kindness overshadow us continually, for we trust and we wait upon you!” 
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