The Lord Is My Shepherd

How encouraged I am with Psalm 23. This is my assurance and comfort today. These days of trial and emotional turmoil have plagued me and have brought me to a place of distress. But though weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning. *

The Lord is my shepherd, and I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures of peace and rest. He is restoring my soul - my mind, soul and emotions. He guides by His Word and by His Holy Spirit and I am righteous in His sight, in Christ Jesus.

And so now I perceive these days in the valley of the shadow of death as being a part of my journey along the path of recovery. I don't have to fear, as stinking thinking has told me to, because I'm not stuck and this is not my destination. He's with me and we're going somewhere. The Lord's rod and His staff (His Word and His Spirit) comfort me and protect me and are correcting and directing my paths and are ordering my steps, and He's orchestrating my healing, hallelujah. 

He anoints my head - my thoughts, with the oil of gladness and they are blessed. My cup, the loving cup of my heart, overflows with joy! Surely goodness and mercy will follow me, as Jeremiah 29:11 promises, there is a reason to hope and my future is bright. Amen!

*Psalm 30:5

Feelings...uugh

My feelings have been saying that I'm losing steam, I'm off course and in danger of missing it. But God's promise in Jeremiah 29 verse 11 reminds and comforts me again. I have assurance that I will not forfeit His plans. His blessing to me today is "rest". I am not going to miss it - for He knows the plans (the way, the course, and each step towards and in the right direction to my unique blessings) for my life. I can completely fall back in his arms – He will not drop me or let me fall. Jeremiah 29:11

My feelings aren't a good compass; Yes, I have been in the 'wilderness' but I am headed somewhere and in the right direction!  Amen.

https://abide.is/prayer/q437ha

Unconditional Love

I honestly have to admit that unconditional love is new to me. Since early in life I thought that I had to demonstrate my worthiness of love by doing something or by performing at a certain level, then I would receive approval - which I equated with love. And, since I didn't know the Lord I didn't even know what true love was. So, in truth, I wasn't really looking for love but actually trying to avoid rejection. What I didn't realize before was that unconditional love isn't about doing something it's about being someone; the beloved of the Lord.

Unconditional love comes from the Father. Unconditional love doesn't have to be earned, indeed it cannot be. This is great news! I no longer have to figure out what unconditional love is or how to love unconditionally, I just have to receive it!

“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Trials, Temptations, and other Necessary Strength training

Wow, honestly, I've had a hard week. My mind was going everywhere about my work, my finances, my health, my family, my relationships or absence of some relationships. My emotions were down and I felt overwhelmed by life. And because the Word says that no temptation comes upon us that is not (already) common to man, I know somebody out there can relate to this. So I asked and kept asking the Lord for strength and deliverance and He led me today to read 1st Corinthians 10:13.

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

Wow, I don't think I have ever read these two verses quite this way before, seeing that idolatry may very well be an open invitation to temptation - and is the issue - I need to look at times of trial and temptation quite differently. I must be stronger. After all, I don't want to make it so easy for the enemy to take me to those rock-bottom places.

I need to fight like I've never fought before and I need to think like I haven't thought before!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxBiNMGRQYM&feature=youtu.be

I Am Betrothed to the Lord, and He is faithful.

Last night I watched the classic movie again called 'The Best Years of our Life'. I admire so much the love and strength of the women in this film and has now become another model to me of how to stand, as a wife, even when life's hardships occur – and they do occur. It is during these times of hardship that I have to shrug off the temptation to feel pity for myself and think back on my own marriage and how I behaved so differently. Today I am betrothed to the Lord - just as much as I was then, yet now consciously aware of this position of honor. I am the bride of Christ.

"Lord, help me to be consciencly aware of my betrothal to You. Help me to honor You as my First Love. Holy Spirit, thank You for drawing me close every moment, every hour, every day to Christ my Eternal Husband. I let go of all fear now and take authority over every lie and unkind label used to define singles and singleness, for it is written You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and of a sound mind, in Jesus name, Amen."

I can do this.

I exhort you too, Bride of Christ, He who calls you is faithful!

2 Timothy 1:7
1 Thessalonians 5:24

H.O.P.E. Have Optimistic Perspectives in Everything

This week's 'Hello Ladies' check in is simple and is brief. To quote a popular phrase, "Keep hope alive!" is what the Holy Spirit has been saying all week - have hope. Being hopeful disarms depression's negative thoughts and honors the Lord. By just waking up to His presence and thanking Him for all is blessings (that are too many to count) such as having a restful nights sleep instead of pacing the floor. Like having peace of mind instead of hopeless despair, or like having another opportunity to bless someone - hope fuels us for another day and I have hope today for a new beginning.

He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭147:3, 10-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Be blessed, have hope!

We Walk By Faith and Not By Sight

Today as soon as I woke up, my mind began to dart here and in there, back and forth and about this and that. My heart soon followed suit in familiar fashion with fears and worries, frets and concerns. I quickly fell to my knees in prayer, not wanting the enemy to get a foothold in my day, and asked the Lord to sort out all my needs and to work out all my concerns. Yet the Holy Spirit did not respond to my invitation to be my instant 'problem-solver' and relieve my anxious heart. It was then that I realized I was not 'allowing' the peace of God to rule and reign in me by not walking by faith but instead I was trying to 'see' the solutions to my problems.

Isn't that so 'human' though to demand quick answers to seek instant relief? It is very common for many to inquire of the fortuneteller and the palm reader and to ask the question, "What sign are you?", to get answers to and work out what puzzles them. I see more storefront-crystal-ball reading shops than ever before!

But we are called not to be so but to be different! Jesus said in Luke 12:22-32, I paraphrase, seek after the kingdom of God, that place of peace in relation to Him, and all these things you're concerned about will be taken care of. Praise God!

So, I stand corrected. Thank you Lord Jesus, for as 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, we (I) walk by faith and not by sight!