can’t sleep?

This morning I awoke at 2:30am–my heart was troubled. I attempted to get back to sleep but it was impossible to do so. So rather than wrestle with anxiety and be bombarded with thoughts, I decided to get up and talk to the Lord about it. So what is going on I asked? Why is it that I can not sleep in peace? I began to examine my heart and went through the events of the day. And then I found the culprit–it was obvious that my mind was being attacked by the enemy. But I wasn’t going to let him win this time. I continued to inquire of the Lord and ask for His help in the matter and I was given this verse…

II COR 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. KJV

Our Weapons are Mighty in God

There are 4 elements going on in this image as I see how it is in the heavenlies. First there is darkness when the enemy desires to defeat us. But as we pray and seek the Lord for His help and read His Word and stand on His promises–the light of Christ and His presence breaks through the darkness bringing that which is out of order back to God’s divine order. Hence the 4 elements–darkness, prayer, Bible, Christ’s light. I deliberately left the hands in part of the darkness to show that at first when we start to pray–things may still seem glum, but if we press in, God is sure to answer us in our time of need.

what is it to be humble?

I came across this quote today in my frustration…frustrations with everything today–how to train up my son in the proper way when he doesn’t understand the value of obedience. Frustrations with my husband not being a very good witness in Christ to a neighbor…frustrations being jobless and not knowing the path he is leading us on…frustrations with knowing that it’s so easy to take life for granted–that we are only given one chance on this earth to serve and love Jesus and others with our whole heart and yet its easy to get sidetracked or to not even care. How sobering it is to know that we can easily be here today and gone tomorrow–and what of eternity? Eternity is forever…now that’s sobering. It is so good to know that He loves us inspite of ourselves and desires that we love Him back.

 ”Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the door, and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and above is trouble.” — Andrew Murray

not my home . . .

This morning I was signing up again for a Facebook account and the screen popped up and asked where I live and what is my hometown. Pretty simple questions, eh? But if your like me–i always tend to think just a little bit deeper about things. And with the question rose an answer–i don’t consider to be tied anywhere–I am but a pilgrim in this life waiting for my Maker. And isn’t it true that when we are put in a place of suffering that all the sudden we start to truly examine our place and motives before God? For if all was well–we would have really no need to question — even though it should be brought daily before Him. I suppose that’s where things go awry…when we begin to forget Him and become comfortable in our lees. We don’t realize we are starting to forget–it just slowly creeps in through the cares of this world. The only way to stop it is to have a fervant heart that seeks after Him—daily. This is where I failed. I lost my heart…yet still the Lord in His kindness and goodness desires to talk with me about things…He never stops chasing us.

Heb. 11:10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary shares:

We are often called to leave worldly connexions, interests, and comforts. If heirs of Abraham’s faith, we shall obey and go forth, though not knowing what may befall us; and we shall be found in the way of duty, looking for the performance of God’s promises. The trial of Abraham’s faith was, that he simply and fully obeyed the call of God. Sarah received the promise as he promise of God; being convinced of that, she truly judged that he both could and would perform it. Many, who have a part in the promises, do not soon receive the things promised. Faith an lay hold of blessings at a great distance; can make them present; can love them and rejoice in them, though strangers; as saints, whose home is heaven; as pilgrims, travelling toward heir home. By faith, they overcome the terrors of death, and bid a cheerful farewell to this world, and to all the comforts and crosses of it. And those once truly and savingly called out of a sinful state, have no mind to return into it. All true believers desire the heavenly inheritance; and the stronger faith is, the more fervent those desires will be. Notwithstanding their eanness by nature, their vileness by sin, and the poverty of their outward condition, God is not ashamed to be called the God of all true believers; such is his mercy, such is his love to them. Let them never be ashamed of being called his people, nor of any of those who are truly so, how much soever despised in the world. Above all, let them take care that they are not a shame and reproach to their God. The greatest trial and act of faith upon record is, Abraham’s offering up Isaac, Gen 22:2. There, every word shows a trial. It is our duty to reason down our doubts and fears, by looking, as Abraham did, to the Almighty power of God. The best way to enjoy our comforts is, to give them up to God; he will then again give them as shall be the best for us. Let us look how far our faith has caused the like obedience, when we have been called to lesser acts of self-denial, or to make smaller sacrifices to our duty. Have we given up what was called for, fully believing that the Lord would make up all our losses, and even bless us by the most afflicting dispensations?

a new year

I recently posted this to my facebook page and since I have posted much on my blog in a while—thought it was an interesting quote to post for the new year…

Make a choice to rejoice. Make up your mind to be kind. Don’t sweat, don’t fret, don’t get upset. Make a way to pray everyday. Make gratitude your attitude. Let higher thinking keep you from sinking. Don’t lose it. Don’t abuse it. Don’t fail to use it—Amazing Peace in Troubled Times. —author unknown

With each new year comes new adventures as well as new trials. Without Christ I am not sure how anyone is able to survive in troubled times. He is our hope and anchor. He brings us peace when everything else around us tells us the opposite.

Even if we were to try and follow the first quote above by the author who says “make a choice to rejoice…”–I doubt that it would be fully possible without Christ. The quote implies an imperfect human effort that will always fail, whereas when we lean upon Christ and take upon His yoke which is easy, all things are possible…to rejoice, to be kind, to not fret, to pray, to be grateful, to be at peace in troubled times.

Lately I am finding how much more I need Him to help me through each moment in my job, at home, being a mom, a wife, a friend, etc. I drive to work often frustrated because it’s still dark out in the morning and I want to  read a few verses from my Bible during my hour drive but am unable to. Those verses often get me through the day. They are not just words on paper–they are life to my spirit—food, if you will…they nourish my soul and quench my thirst. The Lord fills my cup. He is my coffee for the day.

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. Ps 63:1

I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land.  Selah Ps. 143:6

Spurgeon says…

What seems to you a crushing burden, would be to him but as the small dust of the balance. Nothing is so sweet as to lie passive in God’s hands, And know no will but his. O child of suffering, be thou patient; God has not passed thee over in his providence. He who is the feeder of sparrows, will also furnish you with what you need. Sit not down in despair; hope on, hope ever. Take up the arms of faith against a sea of trouble, and your opposition shall yet end your distresses. There is One who careth for you. His eye is fixed on you, his heart beats with pity for your woe, and his hand omnipotent shall yet bring you the needed help. The darkest cloud shall scatter itself in showers of mercy. The blackest gloom shall give place to the morning. He, if thou art one of his family, will bind up thy wounds, and heal thy broken heart. Doubt not his grace because of thy tribulation, but believe that he loveth thee as much in seasons of trouble as in times of happiness. What a serene and quiet life might you lead if you would leave providing to the God of providence! With a little oil in the cruse, and a handful of meal in the barrel, Elijah outlived the famine, and you will do the same. If God cares for you, why need you care too? Can you trust him for your soul, and not for your body? He has never refused to bear your burdens, he has never fainted under their weight. Come, then, soul! have done with fretful care, and leave all thy concerns in the hand of a gracious God.

peace dear one.

Psalms 19:1-4

The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
² Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
³ There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
⁴ Their line^[a] has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.

In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
⁵ Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
⁶ Its rising is from one end of heaven,
And its circuit to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
⁸ The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
⁹ The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
¹¹ Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

¹² Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
¹³ Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

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