Daisies

To begin, I’m sharing something quite personal and I pray it blesses you.

Many years ago I was struggling and frustrated with circumstances.

I kept praying about it and the Lord surprised me with a perspective turn.

He reminded me this place is not my home, and heaven will be more glorious than imaginable.

Thus, I began to learn to look on heaven as a real place and my forever home.

It has actually helped me enjoy the things here more.

One of the things I expect to find in heaven is a garden.

Since, it was the first place God put people it makes sense to me.

Not to mention, I deeply love flowers, all kinds of beautiful flowers.

I’ve found so much comfort in knowing heaven is my home.

Especially, during the seasons when I’m struggling a lot physically.

Last March I got very sick.

Several days worth of illness worse than I’d had since my health crumbled a few years ago.

During those days of struggle I prayed a lot.

I lifted up others and talked with the Lord about heart things.

I prayed a good deal about the future of our family.

One of the times I was struggling the Lord brought to mind a bunch of daisies.

Flowers are created by God, the beauty and joy I find in a daisy reminds me of the greatness of God.

“I love daisies, Lord. Thank You for creating them.”

And it might sound strange, but I thought about daisies often when feeling the worst.

Because the Creator, who can handle the delicate intricacies of a single pedal, can handle my life.

And my soul is safe in His hands.

When Jase and I were down south for his doctor’s appointment we stopped at the Salvation Army and got a few things including three bags of yarn.

I was prayerfully considering what God would have me make when I felt led to try a new pattern I’m learning.

As I began, I was praying for guidance and made a row out of some pretty variegated yarn, but felt I should do something different for the next row.

There was a lot more white yard than yellow.

It made sense to use the yellow on the inside of the circle and switch to white for the larger outside.

After making the first one for row two I clearly saw the pattern was making daisies.

Since last March, daisies are very special to me.

And I realized God has given me the opportunity to make a daisy blanket which will serve as a wonderful reminder of God’s incredible abilities and care.

I feel so blessed.

Truly, He is the most loving, understanding, incredible,…

Words escape my joy in the Lord and my awe at His ways.

I wonder what daisies will look like in heaven?

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for all these little things which mean so much to me. Lord, please continue to help me to see this life as temporary and to surrender myself completely to You. Lord, I know You are in control of each thing and Your ways are best. Lord in the times when I’m struggling with pain or feeling downhearted please remind me of all Your faithfulness. Lord, You know all my details of today and I trust You and praise You. Lord, thank You for both the seasons of pain and those of joy. For I can praise You in it all. I love You. Amen.

Psalm 12

To the Chief Musician. On an eight-stringed harp.[fn] A Psalm of David.

Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases!
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.

They speak idly everyone with his neighbor;
With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,
And the tongue that speaks proud things,

Who have said,
“With our tongue we will prevail;
Our lips are our own;
Who is lord over us?”

“For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy,
Now I will arise,” says the LORD;
“I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”

The words of the LORD are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.

You shall keep them, O LORD,
You shall preserve them from this generation forever.

The wicked prowl on every side,
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

Psalm 12 NKJV

It is easy to think the times we are in are unique, never before seen.

In many ways this is a unique time, but it is not never before seen.

God has seen the ways of mankind from the very beginning and although we may be coming up with new ways of doing old things, the heart of man is the same as of old.

Wickedness and evil are still here.

The poor and the needy are still here.

There are oppressions, slaves, and wrong doing happening around the world.

It happened in David’s day, our day, and all the days in between.

But God…

He knew at the fall of Adam and Eve that sin would wreck His good creation and He promised at that point in history to provide a way for us to be saved.

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10 NKJV

Although, these days are unique to history in the way people are suffering and striving, but God knew this would be the consequence of our stiff-necked rebellion and He loves us so much He saves us from these things.

Our God is Mighty and able to save.

He came Himself as a humble man to endure suffering and to walk among those who strive to bring hope, peace, and salvation.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for all You have done and all You are doing each day. Lord, thank You that these things we are seeing and experiencing are not outside Your abilities. Thank You that You have already brought us salvation and now we are able to rest in You, knowing our soul is safe when we believe upon Your name and what You have done. Thank You for all Your compassion, mercy, and long suffering. Thank You for reaching out to each sinner, loving us before we loved You. Please help us to be devoted to You in all things. To walk in the paths You have given that we might bring glory and honor to Your name. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Complete surrender

It was dark and cold.

I pushed a wheelbarrow in front of me, trying to contain the emotion which threatened to bubble over into a froth of rage and anguish.

My heart was so hurt and my mind kept screaming at the Lord, “Why?! Why are You letting this happen? This isn’t what I want…!”

And I hope I never forget what happened next.

Why are you angry?

The words were a whisper in my heart, but they blew away the self-absorption I’d been focus on.

I stopped filling the wheelbarrow with fire wood

and cried.

Tears of surrender.

This was years ago, but the affect of seeing myself from God’s perspective has been a lasting one.

Because the truth of why I was outside in the dark and rain gathering firewood was me.

I hadn’t realized this, but it was because all I was seeing was my own needs, my own priorities, my own opinions on life.

But in that moment God showed me I was suffering due to my choices.

I had not surrendered anything before Him, instead I was trying to fix it, to manipulate or work harder to get what I thought was needed.

Instead, what was needed was for me to place it all in His hands and trust Him with the results.

How our lives have changed since that moment!

And I’m so glad.

Although, I’m still learning complete surrender, (I expect it’s a life long lesson in learning) I have found such peace.

No, I can’t say everything is always good, infact life had been hard and didn’t get easier, but I could live in the difficult with a completely different outlook.

And that is what complete surrender is about.

It’s living life unto Jesus Christ alone, without personal stipulations.

It’s a servant who lives for what their Master gives or tells each day, without concern as to the future or personal sacrifice.

When the master is Jesus, the service is a pleasure of daily learning and serving the greatest, gentlest, most caring Master of all time.

Every person serves a master of one sort or another.

It could be self, a job, a hobby, a status, an addiction, the list is long, but only one master is worthy of our service and He is such an incredible master.

Matthew 11:28+30 NKJV — “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Do you know why His yoke is light?

It’s because He carried it Himself, all the way to Calvary.

All we have to do is follow.

Complete surrender to Jesus is the best decision I’ve ever made and I plan on making everyday for the rest of my life.

I pray you have found freedom in this choice as well.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for salvation. Thank You for that moment in the woods which got ahold of my heart and taught me how I was struggling to do life on my terms. Thank You for setting me free from that and for showing me how much better it is to live in Your will. Thank You for speaking so clearly to me. Thank You for forgiving me for the years I tried to serve You “my way”. Lord, even now I realize it wouldn’t take much for me to slide backwards into doing things in my own strength. Please keep me from that. Please keep my feet firmly in Your will. Please keep pride far from me, that I might not sin against You. Lord Jesus, You alone are worthy of all praise, all honor, all glory, and I love You so much! Thank You for saving me. Thank You for first loving me. Amen.c

Rest

Matthew 11:28 KJV — Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

What weighs down the soul?

What things cause hearts to be heavy and burdened?

Grief, fear, pain, loss, need,…sin.

Behind most things, which weigh like lead upon the soul, is sin.

Other’s sin or our own, cause such pain, such hurt, such damage.

It doesn’t take much sin nor does it take generations of sin to wreck the peace of a heart.

Look at Adam and Eve.

Their own sin drove them out of the Garden and separated them from all that God had provided for them there.

Their son’s sin caused them to be the first parents to lose a son.

And one really can’t find a worse way to lose a child, he was murdered by his brother.

They literally lost both sons in one day, one moment of sin.

Which cultivated the broken and hurting sin filled world.

The sin at the Garden, the sin of Adam and Eve, the sin of every person, Jesus came to save.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28‭-‬30 NKJV

True rest is found in Christ Jesus alone.

When our soul is safe in the cleansing blood of Christ we find no need to fear.

Peace, joy, security, goodness, kindness, faith, love, and so much more is in the gift of salvation.

Yes, there are still the daily struggles with our flesh which wars against the Spirit.

Yes, there are still continually trials and tribulations from the enemy.

Yes, there is still the pain, grief, loss, need, and all the other consequences to sin all around us, but even in it all we have hope.

Jesus promises to return.

He will deal with sin and the enemy.

Jesus is preparing a place for us.

This world is not our home, but merely a journey.

And while we travel we have the privilege to share the Good News of the blessed rest we have in Christ.

Praise the Lord!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for salvation. Thank You that we need not strive and labor to earn our way into Your presence, because we could never do it. Thank You for making the way, for bridging the gap, for paving the road. Lord, sometimes I forget that I need not strive and struggle. Sometimes I think I have to do this or that. I forget to lean on You, to seek You when it’s difficult, to rest in Your ways when I’m frightened or disappointed. Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me. Thank You for saving me. Please help me to rest in You each and every day. I praise Your holy name, Jesus! Amen.

November 25

Today’s prayer:

You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently. Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments.
Psalms 119:4‭-‬6 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for these words. Lord, thank You for Your Word and the life that is within it. Lord Jesus, I want to obey all Your words, to walk in Your ways, to serve You diligently. Lord, I want my family, my friends, my neighbors to know You personally, to walk in Your ways and to find life everlasting in Your salvation. Lord, I want to humbly stand before You on behalf of others, especially those who have yet to know You. Lord, I want people to see the truth and to understand what wickedness and evil do. How there is only life, truth, joy, goodness, and peace in You. There is no other way. Lord Jesus, I know You want these things too. That’s why You came. That’s why You died. Lord, please continue to work in our lives, that we might know You more. Please hone our hearts that we might reflect You to those around us. Lord, I trust You to work through all things to bring about Your purposes. May Your name be glorified throughout the whole Earth! I praise Your holy name, Jesus! Amen.

November 22

Today’s prayer:

Because you have made the Lord , who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
Psalms 91:9‭-‬10 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for salvation! Thank You for keeping my soul safe. Lord, I know it is only through You that I can be saved. It is only in Your ways that I can find anything good or wholesome or true. Lord Jesus, thank You that no matter the circumstances here on Earth, my dwelling with You in heaven is free from all sin, death, disease, and pain. In Your presence is fullness of joy! Lord Jesus, how I want others to find safety and security in You! How I long to share the peace and comfort and love I have in You! I know You want that even more than I do. Thank You for being such a loving God. Thank You for giving us life and truth in Your Word. Thank You for being so faithful in all things. Lord, I can look backwards and see those times I felt lost and alone You were there. Those moments of pain and trial and grief, You were there. You have never left me nor forsaken me. Thank You! May Your name be praised! May the whole Earth be filled with Your glory! Amen.

Peace

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:13-18 NKJV

These verses make it clear that peace is a fruit of living daily in the wisdom from God.

God’s wisdom brings peace.

The shear weight of this truth should be enough to cause one to pause and meditate.

How would the world look if everyone followed God’s wisdom?

If every person, for all of time simply “loved your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18b), how much more peaceful would our world be?

The facts are easy to see if one simply looks at history.

Whether it is one’s own history or the history of a nation, the wisdom of God makes a incredible impact on the peace of the people.

Unfortunately, those who walk in God’s Word, practicing His wisdom each day are rare.

But that does not discontinue the fact that God’s wisdom brings peace.

He also gives us a pattern of conduct to follow when we are feeling anxious.

“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.” Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

It is through Jesus Christ we find the answer to the lack of godly wisdom around us and in us.

Jesus said:

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 27-28

Through the working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts we can find the understanding, we can find comfort, we can be reminded of God’s Word.

Daily time in prayer and in God’s Word is where God’s wisdom is planted in our hearts and where peace will grow.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word and for the Holy Spirit. Thank You for the help we can find. Lord Jesus, please continue to teach us Your wisdom, let our hearts never grow weary of seeking after it nor our eyes tire of looking into Your scriptures, but instead let our minds be receptive and our hearts fertile ground. Please continue to open our understanding that we might discern the times and seasons we are in and look to You for the answers we seek. Lord Jesus, please help our lives to bring forth the fruit of peace, that others might see that Your truths are true and Your ways are best. Thank You, Jesus. Amen

“Be anxious for…”

“nothing…”

No matter your treasures.

No matter your need.

No matter what is prepared for you today, these words from Philippians are worth remembering.

Philippians 4:6 NKJV — Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

The Lord knows all and He wants us to trust Him, to find our treasure in Him.

Because a bank account or status doesn’t bring security or peace.

Neither do relationships, property, or the nation where one resides.

The only way to be anxious for nothing is to look at Jesus, the Savior.

It’s easy to get tied up in the every day or the list of “to do”, but with practice and persistence it can become a way of life.

Which is where we want to be.

Philippians 4:7 NKJV — and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Definitely a wonderful way to live, in the peace of God.

May it be your residence.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Lord, You know what is best. You have all these things in Your hands. Please help us to surrender daily to Your will. Please let us not be stubborn or stiff-necked, but instead walk with love and trust. Lord, please help our hearts to be completely Yours. Lord, use our lives to reach others. Let our light shine brightly into the darkness, that people might see You. Lord, please heal the sick and hurting. Please restore the lost and the prodigal. Lord, please guide and direct our leaders and let the hearts of the nations return to You. Thank You, Jesus. You are incredible. I praise Your holy name! love is unfathomable! Amen.

“What is it?”

Our granddaughter says this phrase a good deal.

She has a few words she uses, but she’s yet to speak fluidly.

Her curiosity and joy at life are infectious.

Her little smiles, her little hands grasping toys or books or patting, her little eyes looking up so innocently, all these brings us such joy.

And while she is learning about her world and the people in it, she’s asking:

What is it?

It’s something I ask my Heavenly Father frequently.

I’ll hear of an event, see something on the news, or be surprised by a post and my heart will leap:

“God! What is it?”

“Why did that person do that? What caused the behavior there? What were they thinking?”

But He always leads me gently back to the truth.

No matter what I see on the surface there’s something deeper.

A spiritual battle going on which often affects us when we least realize it.

So, again comes the question:

“What is it?”

And added to this:

“How do I pray?”

The answers are as varied and numerous as one might expect.

Each circumstance is unique and therefore holds different points to pray for.

Sometimes, I don’t receive an answer right away and therefore turn to scripture.

I ask God to give me a verse or group of verses to pray.

I seek Him personally, to be sure nothing is hindering my prayers.

Sometimes, I just pray and thank God for whatever He is doing that I don’t understand.

But I am so blessed to be able to go before God, the Creator, and lift up people.

The privilege of talking with the Almighty about anything and everything is overwhelming good.

To find peace and security in His voice, His direction, His Sovereignty.

It’s comfort to my soul, not unlike when our granddaughter gets lifted up to her father’s shoulder.

She leans in and rests her head on him and smiles.

She’s content in the arms of her father.

I can be as well.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for letting me lift up my heart to You. Thank You for opportunities to pray. Lord, thank You for the comfort I find in You and in Your Word. Lord Jesus, please hold me in Your arms and continue to teach me how to pray. I want to be able to stand in the gap, to lift up others bed You, to know You as a Father and a friend. Lord Jesus, thank You for walking with me daily. I give You my all. Please be glorified in me today. Amen.

Surrender brings rest

I’ve never thought about it before, but it’s true.

Surrender to Jesus brings rest to my soul.

Why?

Because it causes self to be powerless.

As a child and youth I was always worried about how others’ thought of me.

Who I was always needed forming into the ideas of those around me.

I had to live up to their expectations.

I had to follow through on what they wanted.

Of course, I couldn’t.

So, with every failure I felt it was a proof that I was a failure.

Therefore, with each failing, my value became less and my need to prove myself became greater.

Yes, I did believe in Jesus during this time.

No, I didn’t walk in submission to Him, nor did I understand what that was.

But as I walked in adulthood and learned the truths of scripture, I began to understand.

As I’ve walked in obedience to my Father and Lord, I’ve found such blessed freedom.

It’s been a slow process and a long journey, but well worth it.

When my heart gained understanding and humility, my burden to prove myself, rolled off.

My need to order and control my life also died.

Yes, I still work at living a self disciplined and scheduled way, but that is completely different from trying to control circumstances or order life into my ideas of how it should be.

And I can tell you how peaceful and beautiful it is to surrender.

No, I don’t always understand what’s occurring around me or how to handle specific circumstances.

No, I don’t need to have all the control, call the shots, or be in charge.

Yes, I know the One Who does.

And as I grow in the knowledge of God Almighty, I grow in love, peace, and assurance.

He is good.

He is loving.

He is truth.

Why strive against Him by stubborn refusal to submit my whole heart, my whole life to His perfect plan?

Yes, my soul has found rest.

Rest in the Lord , and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret— it only causes harm.
Psalms 37:7‭-‬8 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for teaching me how to surrender to You. Thank You for Your patience and Your grace. Lord, often I become stiff-necked and willful. I forget all Your past faithfulness and try to do things in my own strength. Lord, how foolish and what a waste! Please continue to patiently bring me back to this place of rest.