Give Thanks

 A new Praise and Worship song devotion: "Give Thanks." Click on the 2nd link down the right side of this blog. 

Proverbs 11:25

 A new Scripture verse devotion: Proverbs 11:25. "He who refreshes others will himself by refreshed." Click on the 3rd link down the right side of this blog.

Tell someone they are too!

Graphic from Women Made in His Glory Facebook page

The Strength of Your Stand

 

I have a chance to write about one of my favorite three words in the Christian life: Deep-settled confidence! I was reading in another book and the author shared another way to look at this: "Firmly planted, fully committed, deeply rooted, confidently grounded." And I said, "Yep! That's it."

This is the way to live a successful Christian life. To be firmly planted in His Word; fully committed to life with Him; deeply rooted in your stance, and confidently grounded because of His love. This equals deep-settled confidence.

Is there any other way to live? If you are God's child, you must be firm and secure in Him. If you're not, you will not be successful in living for Him. If you only give half of yourself to Him, you will fall. You won't have the strength to choose correctly situations that come before you.

There can be no double sidedness. You can't live two lives. You will never be successful. We all fall at different times, even fully committed Christians. But because of our firm confidence, we will continue forward by God's grace. But if you're not solely committed to God, your fall will keep you down.

Consider what it is that is keeping you from being fully committed. It is a block you must overcome. You will not be successful in life until you defeat that which is holding you back.

"Our everyday feet find their footing on the solid ground of our eternal standing in Christ. We stand firm because our identity is secure; we keep standing because the outcome and fruit are His alone to produce." Ruth Chow Simons

Steadfastness. Courage. Endurance. Firmness. They all mean the same thing. How strong is your stand?

Isaiah 33:2

"Lord, be gracious to us; we long for You.

Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress."

Scripturesavvy.com: "We need God's strength and sustenance to navigate the challenges of each day."

Godsbless.ing: "The call for God to be our strength every morning reflects a desire for continual sustenance and support from the Almighty. This verse captures a sense of dependency on God for sustenance, guidance and protection in the face of life's challenges."

Friends, put your anchor down deep. Let it settle within the grasp of our Almighty God, who alone is able to protect and provide what you need to have a successful life. Deep-settled confidence. Don't be with out it!

By His Grace . . . 

 A new Hymn Line Devotion: "All the Way My Savior Leads Me." Click on the 2nd link down the right side of this blog.

Psalm 119:5

 A new Scripture Verse Devotion: Psalm 119:5. Click on the 3rd link down the right side of this blog.

Thomas Chalmers

 A new "Timely Words from Saints of Old" devotion: Thomas Chalmers. Click on the 4th link down the right side of this blog.

"Jesus Loves Me"

 A new Hymn Study with Scripture: "Jesus Loves Me." Click on the first link down the right side of this blog.

1 Corinthians 10:12

 A new Scripture Verse Devotion: 1 Corinthians 10:12. Click on the 3rd link down the right side. 

"The Time of Your Life"

Fall color is beginning to decorate our land.

 "You can't give life more time. So give the time more life."

Semple Travels reel

Time. I've known people who seemed to have enough time to do all that is important, and others who have no time to do anything. 

No matter what season you find yourself in, I like the words: "give the time more life." Drop things that aren't necessary so you can do things that mean more to you. 

I celebrate 15 years of retirement this week. I've spent most of those days writing for God, via encouraging notes, encouraging articles, encouraging hymn studies. I'm doing what I enjoy and what I believe God has given me to do.

This year my energy level dropped considerably. Took me by surprise. I wasn't ready for it. It now takes me twice as long to write. But write I will. I need to be productive. So expectations have dropped and acceptance has taken over. 

Consider your desires so you can choose what will make you content and fulfilled. If you are in a position where you have to take care of someone, hopefully there will be some quiet time where you can relax and concentrate on a project or reading to bring you a calm settled-ness. 

The following words are from an article Brian Romero wrote. (brianromeroministries.com) He wrote about Anna, who appears briefly in the New Testament. She was 84, but her life was not over yet. She was about to see Jesus.

"There was an older woman named Anna who appears briefly in the New Testament. She had been widowed for many years and was eighty-four years old. Luke tells us that she spent her days worshiping, fasting, and praying at the temple. Then one ordinary day, Mary and Joseph walked in carrying the infant Jesus. Scripture says, 'And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem' (Luke 2:38 ESV). At eighty-four, Anna was not finished. She was about to see Jesus.

"Paul wrote, 'So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day'” (2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV). Paul was honest about what happens to our bodies. Christianity does not require you to pretend that getting older is easy. Your body changes. Your energy changes. You may grieve what you used to be able to do. But Paul refused to conclude that physical decline meant a person’s life with God was declining too. There is still something happening inside you. The Father is not finished revealing Jesus to you because your body has gotten older.

"Your purpose also does not have to look impressive to be meaningful. Maybe you cannot travel anymore. Maybe you cannot serve the way you once served. Maybe nobody is giving you a microphone or asking you to lead anything. But you can still know Jesus. You can still encourage someone. You can still pray for your family. You can still tell someone what Christ has done for you. You can still send a message to someone who is hurting. You can still speak His name. Some of the most important things you do may happen in conversations nobody else ever hears about.

"And when the house becomes quiet, remember that being alone and being abandoned are not the same thing. Scripture says, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27 ESV). Because of the finished work of Jesus, His presence is not limited to a church building, a gathering, or the years when your calendar was full. Christ is in you. When nobody calls that day, Christ is in you. When you eat dinner alone, Christ is in you. When you wake up wondering what purpose another day could possibly have, Christ is still in you.

"So please do not measure the value of your remaining years by how busy you are or how many people need you. Anna was eighty-four when Scripture recorded one of the most important moments of her life. You do not know what conversations are still ahead of you, whose life your words may touch, or what Jesus still wants to show you about Himself. You are not taking up space. You are not too old to matter. You have not outlived your usefulness to God. You are still here, you still belong to Jesus, and as long as there is another morning in front of you, there is still more of Him to know and more of His love to give away."

"So give the time more life." That's what I'm trying to do. Accepting the changes and planning the possible. One day I will see Jesus too!

By His Grace . . .

"Down at the Cross"

 A new Hymn Chorus devotion: "Down at the Cross." Click on the 2nd link down the right side of this blog.

From Facebook page "OldFashionLife2"

"Timely Words from Saints of Old"

A new "Timely Words from Saints of Old" devotion: Dwight L. Moody. Click on the fourth link down the right side of this blog.

"Through It All"

 A new Praise and Worship devotion: "Through It All." Click on the second link down the right side of this blog.

Proverbs 3:3

 A new Scripture Verse Devotion: Proverbs 3:3. Click on the 3rd link down the right side of this blog.

Miracles Still Happen

 

"WomenMadeforHisGlory" Facebook page.

 "I never have difficulty believing in miracles, since I experienced

the miracle of a change in my own heart."

St. Augustine

God is still in the business of miracles. He still brings super natural happenings into the life of His people. A miracle happened last week for me and a friend. Some might call this a "Godwink," which fits the experience also. Let me tell you about it.

I have been trying to write an Advent reflection/devotion for church. I was sent instructions of what they wanted, and for the last two weeks I haven't come up with anything. We were given four Scripture passages to choose from, narrowing it down to focus on one line.

I mentioned it to a friend who I email with each morning that I hadn't come up with anything. I prayed about this again and asked God to help me. About 30 minutes after sending the email, three words came to me that I use often in my writings.  Deep-settled confidence.

I went back to the Scripture passages and found one that fit with my words. In a matter of 30 minutes my reflection was written. This happens often when I'm writing. When I'm stuck and can't bring forth words, God always answers in amazing ways.

Soon after, my phone rang. I answered, said hello, but didn't hear anything. Finally, my friend in Florida said hello. I had just talked with her the day before. She said, "The strangest thing happened. I received a text from my friend and sent her one back. I put my phone down and went out to the kitchen. When I returned I heard a voice on my phone. I picked it up and you were there."

I listened as she told me what her friend was going through. Soon, a voice in my mind told me to read her what I just wrote. When I was done reading it to her, she said it was beautiful and asked if she could send it to her friend who had an important appointment this morning. I took a picture of my computer screen and sent it to her. Her friend received it before her appointment.

A miracle. A Godwink. God provided me words at the exact time they were needed. My friend didn't call me. God called me on her phone. My friend, in need of hope herself, was encouraged. She was able to encourage her friend before she went in for her appointment. 

My friend said, "You have blessed two people this morning." But I knew, God blessed three. 

By His Grace . . . 

PS: The reflection/devotion I wrote won't be used until Advent starts. I'll post it here after it is used.

PSS: Godfidence fits right in with deep-settled confidence!

 A new Hymn Line Devotion: "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee." Click on the 2nd link down the right side of this blog.

Genesis 50:20

A new Scripture Verse Devotion: Genesis 50:20. Click on the 3rd link down on the right side of this blog. 

"Timely Words From Saints of Old"

 A new devotion in Timely Words From Saints Of Old: Hudson Taylor. Click on the 4th link down the right side of this blog. 

Transformation

“No one who truly encounters Jesus Christ remains the same.”

Ruth Chou Simons

Isn’t that the truth! Once you have given your life to Jesus and been saved by His blood, you are a different person. From character to ability to your very soul, you have become a person changed, restored and reprogramed to be the person only God can bring out in you. And that person becomes a living, breathing child of God.

Just how different are you? You now believe in and trust Almighty God as the ruler of your life, and He will take you to heights never known before in all of your experiences and expectations.

In the spiritual world this is called transformation. There is a marked change in you.

Romans 12:2

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will."

Scripturesavvy.com: We are encouraged to think differently, act differently, and ultimately live differently. This transformation is essential because it helps us align our will with that of God . . . Transformation implies a shift that is not superficial, but is deeply rooted within us. This change begins with our thoughts and attitudes. When we engage in the renewing of our minds, we open ourselves up to hear God’s calling more clearly, leading us to know His plans—which are described as "good, pleasing, and perfect."

Biblehub.com: This transformation is both spiritual and moral, signifying a departure from the old self and the adoption of a new nature aligned with the character of Christ . . .  This verse highlights the importance of mental renewal as a means of transformation, suggesting that a change in thinking leads to a change in behavior and alignment with God's will.

You want to be different. Your eyes have been opened to a way of life that provides undeniable good. Your heart has been changed to know and desire to live for God and let Him control you.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10

Enduringword.com: God's love is a transforming love. It meets us right where we are at, but when we receive this love it always takes us where we should be going. The love of God that saves my soul will also change my life . . . We are His workmanship, His creation -- something new He has made of us in Jesus Christ. "The spiritual life cannot come to us by development from our old nature. I have heard a great deal about evolution and development, but I am afraid that if any one of us were to be developed to our utmost, apart from the grace of God, we should come out worse than before the development began . . . Our new life is as truly created out of nothing as were the first heavens, and the first earth. This ought to be particularly noticed, for there are some who think that the grace of God improves the old nature into the new. It does nothing of the sort." Charles Spurgeon

I'm thankful that God changes us into to a new creation. And continues to change us as we live for Him.  By His Grace we become stronger in our faith, and our walk with Him continues to mold us into the person God means for us to be.

By His Grace . . . 

"Set My Soul Afire."

 A new "Hymn Line Devotion: "Set My Soul Afire." Click on the 2nd link down the right side of this blog.

Scripture Verse Devotion: Ephesians 2:8-9

 A new "Scripture verse devotion: Ephesians 2:8-9. Click on the 3rd link down the right side of this blog.