And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart,

and all thy soul,

and with all thy might.   

 (Deuteronomy 6:5 )

Our heart is read and seen by the LORD. He is acutely aware of our intentions.

The heart is the seat of understanding and the place where love lives.

The Holy Spirit lives (dwells) within us, and He is our living source of power.

When we do things with all of our heart and with all of our might, and with all our soul…we have a combination of three vital actions that comprise, and make for an important existence in obeying, and following, our LORD’s commandments and doctrine.

He knows our every move and every thought. Discipline, meditation, and a willingness to submit to Him, will pull these three essential characteristics into harmony resulting in a complete marriage and union with our LORD of lords and King of kings.

Father God, I pray that those who are in the dark will walk into the light, and feel Your warmth, and love, I pray that those of faith, be a shining light for Your name, and Your word as they go forward, and I thank You, for Your hands of grace, which touch my face, and others, non-stop, every moment of our lives, I pray that we are careful to give you all the glory, and honor, now and always, in Jesus name, Amen.

Deuteronomy 10:12
“Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

1 John 4:21
And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.

Deuteronomy 13:3 – Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Joshua 22:5 – But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

JOSHUA   1:9 KJV

Our internet service went down as did our land line and phone system.

My husband works from home and had to tend to issues where time was of the essence.  He thought he had to physically drive to work.  Simple enough right?

Well, watch this, and see if even the most unbelieving can begin to see how God works His Sovereign power towards His children.

My husband’s car is quite old (as is mine) but…at least mine has air conditioning still working.  I told him to use my car to get to work, (it was going to be a really hot and humid day) if the internet system was still down the following morning.

The internet provider service tech came to our house to fix the problem. After five plus hours it was indeed fixed.  That evening, my husband and I,  along with our “baby” took a ride.  While riding around, my car began to smoke, and and the heat index was way up on the dash board.

We made it home..before anything further happened.  We thought, “okay, probably needs some coolant,” which my husband promptly took care of.  We closed the garage door for the evening and didn’t think about it any longer.

The next day…while my husband was working from home, I called my service station to make an appointment for an oil change and to check on the coolant.  After dropping the car off…they called me saying these words:

“Got good news and bad news.  First of all, the good news is, you are so lucky you brought it in when you did.  Your brakes are completely gone, you have two broken axles.  Also, your radiator is blown… is we can have it all done for you by tomorrow afternoon. Bad news, it’s going to cost more than an oil change!”

During that call…I immediately looked up and gave thanks to our Father!  And after that call, I continued to give thanks!

 Lucky?  NO!  There is no such thing as “luck.”  But, that is what most people call it who are not faith-filled. I knew where that came from.

That divine intervention was through our LORD.

Let’s look at this closely for a moment:

1-   God knew I was going to insist my husband drive my car to his workplace, which is about an hour away all highway driving.  

So…the internet tech, although perplexed as to the trouble as to why it was down, after five plus hours, it was turned back on.  

This was done so my husband would be kept safe from driving my car on the highway, which had NO BRAKES!!!!

2-   I wasn’t going to take my car in…so the LORD arranged for it to “smoke up” which led me to bring it in for an early oil change and check up.  

He knew there were no brakes and wanted me to get it taken care of!  So he had to arrange something to get my attention to do so.  Thus, the smoking radiator.  Thank you Lord!

3 – HOW AMAZING IS OUR GOD?

4- HOW ASTOUNDING IS OUR GOD?

5 – HOW LOVING AND FAITHFUL IS OUR GOD?

I give this testimony today, as always, giving all praise, and glory, and honor, to our FATHER.  

May He receive all the victory, now and always!

In closing, I know how powerful and loving our God is, and each time something happens to reaffirm it, my heart is filled with that much more love for Him.

I am in awe of Him.

 I stand before Him with hands of praise to Him and Him alone.

Believe it.  

When you form an intimate relationship and believe in His promises, and embrace His word, something magnificent happens.  You become part of a huge family of brothers and sisters, each with the same mind set and values, and all one in the body of Christ.

Each one of us are under His wings of care and His hands of love.

God is our “umbrella of protection” — He goes before us, and He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Have you checked your brakes today? 

if not, how blessed are those who have God in their corner, the Master Mechanic in all things who will “fix” brakes while tending to us keeping us safely in His harbor, no matter the circumstances or storms in our path.

His hands are always around us, leading, guiding and touching us!

Amen.

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.  

Mathew 19:26 KJV

There are so many circumstances concerning God’s people and children in the Bible that illustrate patience and freedom of choice.  By freedom of choice I refer to either trust that God will take care of your needs, or freedom to ignore His promises and His love.

***

Numerous examples of diligence and forbearance come to life as we read the Word.  Each of us have our own favorite scriptures or book if you will…but we can all be in agreement that the LORD gave us plenty of “bread” to eat as we delve into the pages.  We see conflict, honor, loyalty, betrayals, evil acts, calamitous acts, and great love stories.  With the biggest love story being God’s impregnable and unwavering love for us, His children.

***

Just a few examples of faith and loyalty to our Father include:

Abraham, Moses, Job, Esther, Ruth, Mary–and of course–Jesus Christ.

***

When we are grappling with our sense of security meaning…struggling with issues that seemingly are suffocating us due to stress, illnesses, family issues, world news and the like…that is when we need to rise up and truly place our faith in the one who is in control at all times.

***

We should be rejoicing and singing His praises no matter what Giant we are facing.  Remember King David and his famous giant…Goliath…who didn’t rise to victory, instead he fell by the powers of the LORD who was in control through David.

***

David placed His trust entirely in God.  He knew that Goliath was going “down.”  He didn’t falter, didn’t flinch…instead he stood and held his ground knowing that the LORD was with him.

***

Nehemiah was saddened by the turn of events for His people, yet he continued to have great faith that the LORD would guide him and bring about a full restoration.  We too need to hold on to faith when the walls begin to close in around us.

***

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:  

Isaiah 45:2 KJV

***

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.  

Isaiah 45:3 KJV

***

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Luke 15:7  (KJV)

To those of us who have faith we are blessed indeed to have had our eyes and ears opened, and with this blessing comes the peace of mind, body and soul.

To accept the Son of God is to know peace and eternal life.  When a sinner repents and accepts the LORD as His Savior…the angels in heaven rejoice.  When one soul is saved thanks to God and His mercy and sacrifice…there is a celebration in heaven, and likewise…a celebration within the person saved.

Through life there will always be frustrations and disappointments, sometimes things are allowed to happen for purposes according to His plan.  There is reasons for certain things to transpire, but He will be with us through it all. He will bring us through it, we need to believe and stay focused on Him and His word.

It’s hard at times to keep focused when we are pelted with trials and issues that weigh us down. But, remember when we focus on Him and trust Him our pain is no longer the object of our attention…but He is.  When we bring our full attention and praise to His gates of forgiveness and mercy…our burdens seem lighter and we’re able to get through whatever we are facing.

We as His children are commanded to rejoice at all times.  It’s a ministry.  It is a gift.  It is a product of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

God’s divine plan will lift us up and therefore we should not wallow or despair…look towards the light and the strength which comes from Him and Him alone.

When we conform to His doctrine and walk in obedience, something beautiful happens…we’re at peace with the full realization that no matter where we are, or what we’re going through…He will never desert us…for He is with us always.

 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.    

Matthew 28:20 (KJV)

 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. 

1 Corinthians 10:13  (KJV)

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

1 Peter 3:12 KJV

Our amazing and powerful God is everywhere.  He sees all.   Most important, He knows each and everyone of us, His children…and what is in our hearts.

He is our refuge. He is our Rock. He is our Lighthouse.  He is our sanctuary.

He listens to prayers and watches over us with love.

He is faithful to us and His promises live on through our faith and obedience to Him. I had received an email that was a strong “witness” to God’s love and power posted by Dannie a Medical Missionary.   She was asking for prayers and her letter updating those of us praying that God performed so many miracles...yes, they still happen to this very to this day.

Bear in mind, God is the same as He was from the beginning of time.  He is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and always.

He is the great I AM I AM.

He is the ALPHA and OMEGA.

He is without beginning and no end.

Psalm 5:12 (NKJV)

For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

When we pray, not only for ourselves but for others, we are pleasing God, and grace showers down upon us.  God was pleased with Solomon when He prayed not for himself, but for wisdom in how to rule as a king. (1 Kings 3:5-14)

 God was so pleased and granted his desire and prayer…he made him the wisest king of all time recorded in the Bible and the richest.

Let us learn to pray, not for ourselves only, but for others. And His grace be with all that love Christ in sincerity.

The Divine blessings will pour down upon us through Jesus Christ, the righteous and just One. Just as it did upon Israel through David, whom God protected, and placed upon the throne.

When we speak from our heart and go forward in confidence that God will protect us, and never leave or forsake us, we are showing our love and trust that He will supply all of our provisions.  He will give us what we need, when we need it.  In His time.

So…if something doesn’t seem to work out the way we feel it should.  Remember this:

God’s timing is perfect. Ours is not.

God’s plans are perfect. Ours are not.

God knows what is coming down the road.  We don’t.

So…remember that next time you think a prayer isn’t being granted.  Remember God has something much better in mind.

His ways are not our ways. Nor are His thoughts our thoughts. Then sit back and watch God work.

And in all things…give thanks and praise to the LORD always.  

Amen~

 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV)