Open wide!

One of my earliest memories is standing on the footboard of my parents’ bed as my father carefully explained why I had to go to the dentist.

I didn’t want to go to the dentist.

It sounded scary, but it seemed really important to both my parents, so of course I agreed.

That began years of appointments to both a dentist and a therapist to try to correct my severe overbite.

I had four molars removed, because my teeth were so big in my little mouth.

As a teen I had braces for 4 years, correcting all that was wrong with my teeth.

And I’m very thankful to my parents for all the time and money they put into my mouth.

I’ve been told often, that I have a beautiful smile.

As an adult, I have gone to the dentist, but rarely.

So I shouldn’t have been surprised when I broke a tooth last week.

But I was.

I’ll be honest, I was tempted to feel sorry for myself, but I felt instantly that the Lord was with me.

I knew, I had done this to myself in not taking better care of my teeth.

I got a hold of my dentist and the earliest they could get me in was today.

It’s really poor timing, I’ve had to rearrange my schedule.

And I’m feeling nervous.

But I’ve been praying about it and this morning the Lord answered through a friend.

She sent me this verse:

Psalm 81:10 NKJV — I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

It spoke so clearly to me that God understands and has already provided.

Today, I’ve gained a whole new perspective for the words: Open wide!

When they are spoken by my Lord and Savior I can respond with joy and assurance that it will be good.

And when spoken by my dentist or hygienist, I can trust that God is using them to help me have healthy teeth.

Psalm 81 continues and this verse stuck out as well.

Psalm 81:13 NKJV — “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!

Following through on those things I know are right is walking in God’s ways and today I’m choosing to do so with a grateful heart.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word and the promises therein. Please forgive me for neglecting my teeth and refusing to get them checked regularly. Thank You for the area of dental health and how blessed we are to have people who know how to treat our teeth. Please bless my dentist today and all his staff. Thank You for Your patience with me. Thank You for Your promises and the wonderful gifts in Your Word. Lord, I want to listen to You. I want to walk in Your ways. Thank You for continuing to hone my heart and speak clearly. Lord, as I open my mouth wide today I will be treasuring Your Word. Thank You. Amen.

Dear Christian young lady,

I wanted to write to you and remind you of who you are in Christ Jesus.

You’re worth to him is incredible, passed our understanding.

Romans 5:8 NKJV — But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Your value does not hang on your works, your possessions, your living status, or anything else you can do or are doing.

He loved you completely before you were even born.

Psalm 139:13-17

No one can remove that from you.

No one can change God.

The truth is the love remains whether you walk in it or choose to ignore it.

God’s love is steadfast, not based on how you feel or look, not moved by the opinions of others.

If you choose to live in God’s love you will find worth, value, peace, and security.

Nothing else can offer the true love of God.

When we accept His love and learn to walk in it, we can live a life of sacrifice, because nothing is more important than Him.

We can walk through the trials of this life and be free from fear, worry, doubt, or even ‘trying harder’ because we realize all we are and all we have are God’s.

We can sit at the Master’s feet freely, not burdened by the cares of this world.

Yes, you will have trials and tribulations. Yes, there will be suffering and pain.

No, it will not last. For our hope is in heaven. Heaven is where pain and sorrow will be over.

Eternity is worth the cost, because it is far more lasting.

That is why we can walk as women of God and endure what the world, sin, and the enemy throw it us, not in our own strength but through Christ.

We are not alone.

We are not unloved.

We are not held to any other standard than God’s.

What does God’s Word say? What is He saying to you through it? How are you living for Christ today? What are you looking at? Is it encouraging you to run after the things of heaven? How are you teaching your children about Jesus and His Word? What is the legacy you are leaving to other Christian women? How are you being held accountable to God’s Word? Are you hiding it in your heart?

Every stage of life we have a choice on how we live the day we are in.

Each moment we can respond with scripture or we can react with emotion.

It takes a gift of the Holy Spirit to be able to respond, without Him we simply react.

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT — For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

The exciting thing is, He promised to give us all we need if we put our trust in Him.

Be on your guard of placing your trust in mankind; whether it be your friends, your family, or even your husband.

God requires that He comes first in your heart, because that’s how we are designed.

You will never go very fast or well if you always drive your car in reverse.

It wasn’t designed to be driven that way.

Neither were we designed to have anyone in God’s place.

He must sit on the throne of your heart.

If you find that your heart has been wayward, God’s throne has been occupied by someone or something else then repent.

Get on your face before Him and humble your heart.

If you know something or someone is a danger then confess it before God.

Put away anything which hinders or causes you to stumble.

Stop going to or listening to those things which lead you to sin.

Remember the enemy is a liar and an accuser.

If you are hearing accusations, stop and seek God, because chances are they’re not from God.

Conviction is completely different.

It leads us to repentance and seeking God more.

Accusations make you feel want to hide, you feel inferior, dirty, damaged, unable, and worth very little.

Accusations bring up the most painful circumstances and parade them before you again and again. It is what the enemy does best next lieing.

When stuck in the lies and accusations seek God’s Word.

Look for His truth and place it around you as well as in your heart.

Remember that the enemy is a roaring lion, he wants to drown out the still small voice of the Lord.

He wants you to believe lies and choose to destroy yourself.

Don’t listen,

not even for a moment.

Walk away and seek God’s face.

If only Eve had done that instead of talking to the snake.

Above all, dear heart, walk in the truth.

Serve God and Him only for He is true.

His Mercy is abundant, His grace is sufficient, His word is enough.

I love you and so does He.

Zephaniah 3:17 KJV — The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your promises. Thank You for Your Word. Please help us as women to walk in integrity and truth. Please keep us from lies and deceit both within ourselves and those of the enemy might try to ensnare us with. Lord, please show us our hearts, help us to be humble, true servants of You. Thank You for my dear friend. Please bless her. Speak with her, encourage her. Lift her up and let her eyes see the well of living water, that neither she nor her children would die in the desert. Thank You, Jesus for Your faithfulness. Amen.

Happy Monday!

Sincerely, from my heart, I hope and pray each of you had an amazing Resurrection Sunday!

It seems, that anytime we have a holiday, the days directly following feel a little less of a blessing and a little more of the work and the let down which returning to the regular routine cause.

Maybe that’s just me.

Either way, I thought I would spend a little time today sharing some encouraging verses from God’s Word.

As I was recently reminded, it is through God’s Word and the comfort of knowing that what He has spoken is true, that we can find strength for the day, no matter the circumstance.

Personally, when I’m in need of instant encouragement I normally turn to Psalm 23.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
Psalms 23:1‭-‬6 NKJV

It is never failes to support, encourage, and remind me that I have a Good Shepherd and He truly cares for me.

Some of my favorite verses are in Philippians.

Philippians 4:4-7NKJV — Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Is there a more authentic peace?

Can the world offer anything which compares?

Life without anxiety is a blessing indeed.

Philippians 4:8 NKJV — 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.

Focusing myself upon these things brings me joy, because Jesus is all of them and in praising Him, I find other things to praise Him for.

Psalm 27:1 NKJV — A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

Although, I battle fear and doubt more often then I would like, it has slowly decreased as my love and trust in God has grown.

Psalm 36:7 NKJV — How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

Amen! How good is God’s loving kindness!

Let each one choose to put their trust in Him.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank you that Your mercies are new every morning. Thank You for Your loving kindness and Your grace. Lord, thank You for all Your wonderous works! How great You are, Jesus! What a blessing to know You! Please, continue to grow me in Your ways and please continue to polish my heart. Lord, thank You for Your sacrifice: beating, death, and burial. Thank You for rising again! Amen.

Mary and Elizabeth

Taken from https://media.freebibleimages.org/stories/FB_GNPI_004_Mary_Elizabeth

Luke 1:28 NKJV — And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

No imagination can truly grasp what Mary must have felt at this moment.

Understandably, she felt confused on how.

Luke 1:34 NKJV — Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

Luke 1:35 NKJV — And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

But her faithfulness to God are evident in her humble response.

Luke 1:38 NKJV — Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

The scriptures tell the next thing she does is go to stay with Elizabeth, whom the angel had told her was with child after being barren all her life.

Upon the meeting, Elizabeth speaks such beautiful words of encouragement.

Luke 1:42-44 NKJV — Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

Luke 1:45 NKJV — “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

And then Mary breaks into song.

Luke 1:46-55 NKJV — And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

What blessed joy these two women shared!

How great is the gift of encouragement!

These two ladies were family members, but their relationship is tied to their individual love and service to God.

They were very different in age.

Elizabeth had been a wife for many years.

Luke 1:7 NKJV — But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

Mary was a young woman betrothed to her husband. (Luke 1:27)

History tells us, she was most likely in her teens.

Elizabeth lives in the hill country of Judah and Mary was from Nazareth.

Their common bond was God.

For us, who are called by His name, we can gather an important truth.

We need to be encouraging and lifting up one another.

We need godly people who will speak into our lives.

We also need to be those who are godly, speaking words of encouragement.

This relationship between these two Jewish mothers is something worth repeating.

An individual love and devotion to God which comes alongside one another in love and support.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for all Your wonderous works! How encouraging Your Word is. What beautiful life and truth are to be found! Lord, thank You for these two women and their examples of life lived in service to God. Thank You for those who You have used to speak words of truth and encouragement to me. Please help me to speak words of truth and encouragement to others. Thank You for Your unending love. Amen.

Encouragement

Psalm 119:165 NKJV — Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.

God’s Word is full to overflowing of encouragement.

It should be the first place we look for comfort and refuge.

Psalm 9:9 KJV — The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 57:1 NKJV — To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by.

The Lord is not absent, He knows our struggles and trials.

Psalm 142:3a NKJV — When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path…

The Lord Jesus is our soul’s safety and God’s Word brings us life, direction, and shines the light of the way.

Psalm 119:105 KJV — NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

His Word is where we find strength.

Revelation 3:8 NKJV — “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”

God is faithful and His Word is true.

1 Corinthians 1:9 NKJV — God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

His love is what sustains through the days of difficulty.

1 Peter 4:19 NKJV — Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

For He truly has all things in His hands and all our needs He knows.

For our very life is His creation and His gifts are continually around us.

James 1:17 NKJV — Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

And what joy we have in sharing those things He gives!

1 Peter 4:10 NKJV — As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

God is good and greatly to be praised!

Psalm 118:29 NKJV — Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for all the encouragement and blessing we can find in Your Word. Lord, I am so often overwhelmed by the intricate understanding of my emotions and circumstances which lead me to scriptures which pour in comfort and healing to my soul. My very atoms are held together by Your design, I know I can trust You for the details of my day. Lord, for those who are hurting, struggling, grieving, I humbly request that You fill them with Your Word, that they might find all they need in You. Thank You for always being all I have ever needed. I praise Your holy name, Jesus. Amen.

A few verses on trusting God

Sometimes the Word of God needs nothing more than to be read, to be digested, to be treasured.

This morning I wanted to share a few verses which have been a great comfort to me this past few days.

I pray they bless you as much.

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah , the Lord , is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ” Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation. And in that day you will say: “Praise the Lord , call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord , For He has done excellent things; This is known in all the earth.
Isaiah 12:2‭-‬5 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.12.2-5.NKJV

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on  You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAH, the Lord , is everlasting strength.
Isaiah 26:3‭-‬4 NKJV

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.41.10.NKJV

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV — For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for these words and Your Holy Scripture which is full to overflowing with truth and encouragement. Lord, please let me not sin against You, but show my errors that I might repent quickly. Lord, I do not want to have anything hinder my walk with You. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your love. Make me more like You today, please. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

A little extra help

Isn’t this beautiful?

It came in a text this morning.

My dear friend wrote a brief message with the picture.

“My prayer for you today.”

It was exactly what I needed.

For some reason I didn’t sleep well last night.

Poor Anne accidentally woke me at 8:30 because she was concerned that I was still in bed.

Bless her heart, she promptly made me breakfast and tea and brought it in to me.

It’s just one of those days when I need a little extra help.

I’m still recovering from the fever and sometimes I over do it.

Evidently yesterday was one of those days.

Yet God in His incredible Sovereignty knew I was going to need extra help today.

And He placed a sweet gift in the heart of my friend who passed it on to me.

I was also blessed to hear from another friend who was sending me a praise report!

As if these were not enough I received a beautiful prayer from a friend:

“Praise the Lord ! Give thanks to the Lord , for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord ? Who can ever praise him enough?”
Psalms 106:1‭-‬2 NLT

“Lord, praise you for the everyday miracles you built into nature. Praise you for green grass and flowering trees. Praise you for bulbs that tenaciously press their way through hardened soil to decorate your earth. Praise you for sun and rain and all the weather that shapes our earth.

Praise you for life and new life. Praise you for the spiritual awakening of a single soul and many souls and all the nations!!

Lord you hear our praise, that is miracle enough! May my tongue never cease to praise you for you alone are worthy!!!
Amen!!”

What a mountain of encouragement I have received today!

Truly, I am so blessed!

God is so good!

He carries me and provides for me each and every day.

He is incredible.

So, today I am praising God for His working through others.

Proverbs 17:17 NKJV — A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

Amen!