Building relationships

It was the kindness of a stranger.

A woman holding a toddler saw us struggling to take a picture and offered to help.

It was merely one of many blessings from the Lord yesterday.

Throughout our celebration of our wedding anniversary we had many moments of sweetness.

Including returning to a restaurant we’d enjoyed on our honeymoon.

Throughout our day, my heart pondered relationships and what I’ve learned these past 24 years.

This morning, my mind returned to scripture.

Esther 2:11 NKJV — And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the women’s quarters, to learn of Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her.

This has always been a precious verse to me, as the love of Mordecai for his adopted daughter touches my heart.

The application to building relationships is huge.

Mordecai took time daily to inquire after Esther.

He had a job.

He was probably busy with other responsibilities.

Yet, the scriptures clearly say every day he inquired about her.

Is there anything which grows a relationship like the honest loving inquiry into another’s life?

To listen to what has occurred in their day with real feeling and interest?

To hear from their heart about their experiences, their feelings, their concerns?

This simple act of inquiry reveals a beautiful relationship between father and daughter.

And the same act of love can build relationships between husband and wife, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, friends, neighbors, co-workers…

It’s also important in our relationship with God.

Inquiring of the Lord daily; asking insight into His ways, learning Him more, understanding His Word, is vital to building our relationship with the Lord Jesus.

And He is willing to listen about our lives as well.

Of course, we must humble ourselves before God and accept His salvation that our sin and pride not cut off the relationship.

Psalm 10:4 KJV — The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

Psalm 10:17 KJV — LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

Scripture teaches so much about building relationships.

This is one of my favorites:

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Ephesians 5:17‭-‬21 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word! Thank You for a wonderful day yesterday and how much You reminded me of Your truths. Lord, I want to follow Your Word. I want to sing to You, to give glory to the Father, to be filled with the Spirit, and to submit myself to You and others. Lord, help me to prefer those around me rather than focusing on my own wants or needs. Lord, help me to be humble and interested in those You place in my life. Not to become blind to people, but rather to see from Your perspective and to have wisdom and love in dealing with others. Lord, please help me to redeem the time for the days are evil. Thank You. Amen.

Faithful

Deuteronomy 7:9 NKJV — “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;

None is faithful like the LORD.

His Word is truth and speaks clearly.

Psalm 119:138 NKJV — Your testimonies, which You have commanded, Are righteous and very faithful.

For God’s ways are pure and His faithfulness is amazing.

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

What a gift to be granted salvation through Christ Jesus!

1 John 1:9 NKJV — If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

How wonderful to know that the Lord is faithful to do all He has promised.

Hebrews 10:23 NKJV — Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

With this same knowledge of God’s faithfulness, we are called to be faithful to Him and to follow His Word.

Luke 16:10 NKJV — “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.”

For those who remain steadfast in following the Lord, great is the reward.

Matthew 25:23 NKJV — “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”

Truly, nothing on earth compares to the reward of hearing the Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”.

Thus, we need to remember the faithfulness of God and choose to be faithful as well.

No, it will not always be easy, but God’s promises cover that as well.

2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 NKJV And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

No matter the circumstances, His Word is true.

One can live according to His Word and find peace in knowing God is faithful.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NKJV — Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your faithfulness! What an incredible gift You give in salvation, in Your truth, and in Your love. Lord Jesus, You have done so much and are still working, thank You! Please continue to help me to follow You in all things. Lord, please help me to be faithful in little so I will be faithful in much. Lord, help me to be humble and to quickly confess sin and wrong doing that I might not walk in those things. Lord, please purify my heart, that I might live wholeheartedly unto You. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

December 9

Today prayer:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:1‭-‬5 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for coming to Earth and teaching us about Yourself. Thank You for being truth and the Word. Lord, I know all things are in Your hands and You can be trusted. Lord, from my perspective I can not understand all that happens, but I do know nothing is outside of Your understanding or direction. Thank You for always being in control, even when things seem opposite to us. Thank You for being truth. How great and mighty You are! How blessed we are to know You even a little. To have Your Word as our guide. To have breath each moment. To be given life eternal through Your sacrifice! I praise Your Holy name, Lord Jesus and I thank You for every detail. Thank You for being God born of a virgin, man who is Truth, and the perfect sacrifice for every sin and to top it off, You rose again defeating death and sin and the enemy all at once. Praise be to Your glorious name, Jesus!

Blessing others

“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22

Throughout this illness, I’ve struggled with how to bless others.

Especially when I was so sick I couldn’t get out of bed, my heart would ask God how I was supposed to be a doer of His word.

Of course, He reminded me of prayer and thanksgiving.

They have been a lifeline. Praising God and lifting others up can be done no matter the circumstances.

As my health has improved, I’ve asked God to help me see new ways to bless others. What can I add to prayer and thanksgiving?

I’m not well enough to join Sunday School or attend a weekly group.

However, God isn’t interested in service “only at church”.

He wants my life to be a living out of His word daily.

God wants me to surrender my life and let Him mold, shape, and guide me and therefore I can be a blessing to others even if it’s not the ways I’ve served in the past.

So, recently I’ve made a few things.

Yesterday, God blessed me with being able to finish a pair of overalls for our granddaughter.

I also finished a hat for my mom.

I’ve been working on a small devotional.

I was hoping to give it as Christmas gifts, but I wasn’t able to finish it in time, so I’m trusting God with it.

When it’s finished, He will guide me to what He wants me to do with it.

I’m also learning to simply pour into my family.

Homeschooling is a wonderful work, and I love it.

It’s another opportunity for me to be a doer, to raise our children in the knowledge and admonition of the Lord as well as the academic subjects.

Being a constant source of encouragement, support, respect, and love to my husband has been a wonderful opportunity to be a blessing.

The responsibility of leading our family before God is enormous, and I want to do all I can to support and encourage my husband in this.

So, although I’m not living a life which others see, as long as I’m surrendering daily to the Holy Spirit and His direction, I can be a doer and not a hearer only.

Of course all of this is because of Jesus.

Without Him, I can do nothing.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for showing me that You know exactly what is best and I can be a blessing no matter how I feel. Lord, please place Your will for today in my heart and mind, that I might follow closely after You. Please keep my feet and my heart from being led astray. Lord, help me to be a blessing, that others might see Your goodness and come to a closer walk with You.

“…a remnant…”

“It shall come to pass in that day

That the LORD shall set His

hand again the second time

To recover the remnant of His

people who are left.

From Assyria and Egypt,

From Pathros and Cush,

From Elam and Shinar,

From Hamath and the islands

of the sea.” Isaiah 11:11 NKJV

These words,

recorded so long ago,

were prophesy.

The book of Isaiah has many.

Much of this chapter is about Jesus and what will occur.

And it is in studying Scripture that faith is built.

When reading about God gathering His people, the Jews, and then looking at history it is clear.

God is faithful.

His words are truth.

He is fulfilling His own Word.

The country of Israel and the Jewish people have an incredible history.

And all of it is because they are God’s chosen people.

But the Lord doesn’t stop there.

He loves all mankind.

“And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse,

Who shall stand as a banner to the people;

For the Gentiles shall seek Him,

And His resting place shall be glorious.”

Isaiah 11:10 NKJV

The Lord has compassion on all people.

He created each and every single one and He died for each and every single one.

Wars, sickness, death, murder, and disaster are all the marks of sin upon on our broken world.

Yet through Jesus Christ there is life, redemption, healing, and peace.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for all You have done and are doing. Lord, please continue to teach me how trustworthy You are by Your word. At times life seems so lacking in anything good, but I know that isn’t You. It is sin. Please continue to help me see the areas of sin in my own life and to turn away from each one. Please continue to help me walk in righteousness. Thank You for all Your faithfulness, throughout history. May You be glorified in all these things.

“Does that sound like Jesus?”

“Does that sound like Jesus?”

-sigh-

“No, I don’t think so.”

“I agree. ”

loving smile

“How do I know? How do I find out exactly what Jesus sounds like?”

There was so much more behind the question.

doubt, pain, fear

All these lingered, just off stage, ready to take hold of the truth and bury it under lies.

In my heart I knew,

the soft gentle voice,

this was a bigger question.

I paused to listen.

Tell her to learn, Who I Am.

“Sweetheart, read the Gospels. Read all of them. Learn who Jesus is by what the Bible says.”

Our conversation continued and I knew it would be a topic we would touch again.

“How long will it take for me to learn how to hear God?”

-smile-

“Honey, it takes a lifetime.

I’m always learning another way to hear God.

NOT because it is a formula or a math question, but because He is so incredible and outside my ability to understand.

Always come back to the Bible.

The enemy wants to confuse and trick us.

It is in the Word where we stay grounded.”

Later, I had to smile again.

I picked up my Bible.

“Thank You for the reminder Lord.”

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the Bible and all it’s wonderful truth. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit which helps us understand and apply Your Word. Jesus, thank You for the heart of our girl, who is seeking You, and a personal relationship with You. Jesus, please continue to teach me how to hear You. Please continue to help me recognize the difference from Your Words and those of the darkness. Cleanse my heart and mind, that I might be free from the lies of the enemy. Thank You.

Food for the soul

“I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart;  I will tell of all Your marvelous works.” Ps. 9:1

“The heavens declare the glory of God;  And the firmament shows His handiwork. ” Ps. 19:1

“The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted.” Ps. 18:46

Food.

Food not for the body, but for the spirit,

Fills up the soul.

For the believer scripture is the best food.

I did not always recognize the need for scripture.

Yet when I began to be in want of wisdom, comfort, guidance, and discernment the Lord would point me to His Word.

I remember sitting, staring at the pages, wondering why it was so difficult to remember what I was reading.

Being impatient to find the best verses, wondering why God included long lists of names, and overall feeling frustrated.

Yet I knew the answers I needed were worth the search.

As I began,  I learned God placed every line in the Bible for a reason.

And it may not speak to me today or tomorrow but if I was faithful it would.

So I have come to love the Bible more than ever before.

I have been blessed many times with comfort,  guidance, encouragement, discernment, and perspective through God’s Word.

And even today I am in need of its strength,
To feed my soul,
To guide my heart,
To encourage my mind.

And as i open it this morning i was blessed by these verses above.

I hope they bless you as well.