Readings

 A new devotion posted today on: Timely Words from Saints of Old: John Donne. You can find the blog site on the right side of this blog.

Checkout my other blog sites on the right side of this blog for new devotions to encourage and inspire your heart. Devotions to choose from: Hymn Studies with Scripture, Hymn Line Devotions, Scripture Verse Devotions and Timely Words from Saints of Old. 

Heart's Desire

I love to share this story about how God answered my prayer in a magnificent way!

Over the years I've taken many pictures of doe and fawn, but hardly any of buck. So one November I prayed a special prayer: "Lord, You've given me many opportunities to take pictures of doe and fawn, but I've got very few pictures of buck. Please give me some opportunities to take pictures of buck."

I forgot about this prayer until the next summer when eight buck came up to our back fence to eat corn that we put out. Actually, they came up every morning and every evening for three months: July, August and September! Every day! All eight buck!

That August I remembered the prayer I had prayed the November before and got goose bumps! To think, God answered my prayer by bringing these guys up to my back fence.

I had never seen more than three buck at one time. They just don't travel in big groups. So this was especially awesome to have eight buck together.  When God provides a miracle He does it BIG!

If you discern God's love in every moment of happiness, you will multiply a thousandfold your capacity to fully enjoy your blessings." Frances J. Roberts

Psalm 21:2

"You have granted him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips."

Biblerepository.com: This verse from Psalms is a powerful reminder of how God answers prayers and fulfills the desires of our hearts. When we read this verse, we can see that it speaks of a divine promise--one that God always hears us when we call out to Him. It shows us that God is not distant but is very much involved in our lives. The idea that our heart's desire can be met is comforting. It's comforting to know that God listen to us and truly wants to give us good things. When we think about the times we've prayed for things, this verse can reassure us that God is aware of our needs and desires.

Even a prayer as simple as asking to see buck . . . 

By His Grace . . . 

Let's Take a Picture!

 
A barnyard peacock!

I read these words in Valerie M. Bodden's book, "Pieces io Forever." Thought it was worth sharing.

"Children of God, How do you feel about having your picture taken? I only ask because family picture day was always my wife’s favorite day. Mine, not so much. Which is probably why I’ve put off getting them done since she went home to the Lord.

"But when my son came to me last week and said we should get some new family pictures taken, I reluctantly agreed.

"We had a great photographer, but I can tell you that there’s one thing about those pictures I’m not going to like. Wouldn’t like no matter who took them. They’re going to show this. Pastor patted his somewhat rounded middle.

"I’m hoping maybe she can do some magic with Photoshop to make me look better. Maybe give me a body-builder body.

"What about you? What do you see when you look at a picture of yourself? Do you see your wrinkles, maybe your thinning hair. Your scars?

"And those are just the physical imperfections. We can go deeper too. What about mental imperfections? Are you bad at math? A terrible speller. Not so great at geography?

"And let’s go deeper still. How about the spiritual imperfections? Is all you see when you look at yourself your sins? All the times you’ve done what you know is wrong? The times you’ve failed to do what was right?

"Makes a pretty ugly pictures, doesn’t it?

"You ever wonder why God chose you? I mean, surely there are people out there who are prettier, smarter, kinder, than you, right?

"I mean, He’s God. He could have anyone He wants. So why would he pursue you? Why would He want me, with all my faults and failures, my flabby abs and bald head and terrible spelling and filthy sins?

"Oh beloved. Don’t you see? God doesn’t love you in spite of all of those things. He loves you because he has erased all of those things. He didn’t just go in with Photoshop and touch you up a little here and a little there. No, He changed your whole picture with the blood of Jesus. He has erased every last trace of sin, every last imperfection, and He has made you perfect in Him.

"The next time you look at a picture of yourself, do me a favor and see it as God does—an image of His masterpiece, redeemed from sin, created to love and serve Him. ‘Like clay in the hand of the potter, so you are in My hand,’ God says. Remember that. Amen."

 By His Grace . . .

Readings

A new devotion posted today on: Timely Words from Saints of Old: Warren Wiersbe. You can find the blog site on the right side of this blog.

Checkout my other blog sites on the right side of this blog for new devotions to encourage and inspire your heart. Devotions to choose from: Hymn Studies with Scripture, Hymn Line Devotions, Scripture Verse Devotions and Timely Words from Saints of Old. 

Is Your Heart for Him?

 

I've always loved the story in 2 Chronicles 20 about King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Especially where it is written: "stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you." Five places in this chapter it is written: "stand in your presence . . . stood there before the Lord . . . stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you . . . stood up and praised the Lord."

But this weekend I listened to a sermon that included chapter 19 of 2 Chronicles that made me pause. Verse three, of chapter 19 says: "There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God."

Jehoshaphat had made a bad choice and the Lord was going to punish him. But God knew Jehoshaphat had a good heart and had done good in other matters. So He withheld judgment.

That is our God. He doesn't want to punish us unless we need to be punished. God looked at Jehoshaphat's heart and knew he loved God and had done good. So God relented on punishing him.

God does that for us too. We are all going to make mistakes and make wrong choices. It's our human nature. We will sin. But God takes everything into account when He decides our punishment. Just like He did with Jehoshaphat. "God does not treat us as our sins deserve, but takes note of a heart for Him." Gary Hamrick

Does God know your heart? Can He see that you are a faithful child? Or are you hiding your heart because you know it is not faithful? 

Another word Hamrick said that I like is "soul fattening." In regards to when we pray and fast, doing those disciplines, our soul is "fattened" with more of God to help us rest in Him during tough times.

If you've never read about King Jehoshaphat in Chapter 20 of 2 Chronicles, take a moment to see what he did and what God did. The Lord gave them victory and caused them to rejoice over their enemies. I think you'll be doing a lot more standing when you do!

By His Grace . . . 

Readings

 Checkout my other blog sites on the right side of this blog for new devotions to encourage and inspire your heart. Devotions to choose from: Hymn Studies with Scripture, Hymn Line Devotions, Scripture Verse Devotions and Timely Words from Saints of Old. 

A new devotion posted today on: Timely Words from Saints of Old: P. J. Wolz. 

My Very Best Thought!

 Women Made For His Glory Facebook Page

I've written about this hymn line before so please indulge me once again.

Last Saturday morning during my devotions I turned the page in my hymnal to the next hymn I would sing, and  I found one of my favorite hymns before me. I love to sing "Be Thou My Vision." The words are a delight to the soul and in the first verse it has one of my very favorite lines:

"Thou my best thought by day and by night."

God IS our best thought, the very best thought our minds can have. God’s love comes through to fill us and help us in our daily walk.

Colossians 3:1-2: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Enduringword.com: “The best Christian living comes from minds that are fixed on heaven. They realize that their lives are now hidden with Christ in God, and since Jesus is enthroned in heaven, their thoughts and hearts are connected to heaven also . . . The words ‘set your mind’ marks aspiration, desire, and passion . . . In order to seek these things, the mind must be set on them.”

Is God my best thought? Do I spend time with Him, rejoicing in His love and worshiping Him for His grace and mercy? Does He enter my mind during the day?

What about at night when I'm trying to fall asleep? Do I fulfill David’s words in Psalm 63:6: “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.”

There is no question. You can’t think about anything as great as our God and Savior, Jesus. The more we think about Him, the closer we become to Him. Make Him your best thought always!

This hymn prayer is rich with imagery of a high view of Christ, the unequaled treasure of finding Him, and our total surrender to His Kingship. 

The other verses are just as delightful! Read them slowly and with purpose.

                                               "Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true Word;

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord.

Thou my great Father, I Thy dear child;

Thou in me dwelling, with Thee reconciled.

"Be Thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;

Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.

Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tow'r;

Raise Thou me Heav'nward, O Pow'r of my pow'r.

"Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;

Thou mine inheritance, now and always.

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,

High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

"High King of Heaven, my victory won,

May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heav'ns Sun!

Heart of my heart, whatever befall,

Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Let Jesus be your best thought always! 

By His Grace . . .