And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

Revelation 10:9 

As we meditate on God’s word it begins to enlighten our path with prosperity and success, and most of all…peace.

Think about the class of animals known as “ruminating animals.  They have four compartments which are called the “rumen.” Such animals consist of deer, camels, buffalo, goats, sheep and giraffees, they chew their food twice.

The first time they chew, it’s just enough to moisten the food so that it can be moved to the rumen, and then mixed with digestive juices to further soften their food.

This process is called the “cud” which allow the muscles in the rumen to move the cud back into the animals mouths to be chewed a second time.  Eventually it goes a third time, and finally, a fourth time, designed to give these animals every single nutrient available to their growth and health.

To say “chew your cud” as a figure of speech is to say, “Meditate.”

Sometimes as we study the Word of God, we don’t get the entire meaning  spiritually speaking.  We take  in his Word, our daily bread, and in order to receive he entire process or meaning, we have to meditate on the Word to get the full benefit.

We are being fed…but need to return to the Word in order to process it fully, and experience  spiritual growth and well-being behind His Word.  Much like the “ruminating” animals, who need to process the nutrients in order to get the full benefits of their food…we too need to process His mighty, and powerful Word, over and over, to bring forth the spring of wellness designed for our health, prosperity, peace…and life overall. Something we need in order to thrive and live in this world today.

This scripture comes to mind pertaining to meditating on the LORD’s Word:

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalms 1:2-3 KJV

The LORD’s Word is a powerful tool and a guiding force that brings a multitude of benefits to those who participate and follow it with diligence and loyalty.

Those who meditate on the Word will bring forth fruit for the LORD, thereby bringing blessings to those around us, and blessings to those who are producing the fruit.  Plus we become tools for the LORD as it brings Him the victory and the glory.

We need to glorify the LORD in all we do.

His Word is sweet to the soul and balm to our spirit.  He is a constant source of living water that refreshes and washes us clean with His love and promises…contained in His very Word.

The ungodly  don’t make it to the promised land.  This is not to say we’re better, or holier that those sinners we come into contact with.  We’re all sinners saved by His grace.  We’re here to help others find salvation.

Meditating on God’s Word brings wisdom and understanding, more so than instruction of man or woman.  In God we trust. In God we place our humble and most sincere supplication.

We are up against strong opposition when we teach God’s Word, and certainly at times, we will not win a popularity contest.  That’s not what this is about.  It’s about salvation, peace, and love…and clarity of who God is.

Exercise your spirituality by meditating on His Word and bringing forth the truth, through action, though compassion, and through love.  Keep from worldly evil and proliferate the Word outwardly and inwardly.

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: fo in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.  

1 Timothy 4:12-13 KJV

We hear seducing spirits and the doctrine of evil in the world today,  and a lot of times from the pulpits!

Be aware!

And, how are we kept aware and protected from the wiles of the evil one? By being well versed in the Word.

By clothing ourselves in the full gospel armor…so as not to be deceived or taken in by false ones.

There is nothing sweeter than the Word.

Next time you feel the urge to eat something sweet, may I suggest opening the Bible?

Your spiritual growth will increase in knowledge and your life will be prolonged by peace and love in His presence…and His promises. Amen.

John 12:46 – I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

“Shine Your Light Lord.  Shine Your Light.

Deliver us from evil O’ Lord our Mighty Powerful Father.

Protect us under Your Wings of justice and strength.

We trust You Father and You will receive the victory no matter what the outcome is.  

We will stand with You in love and obedience.

Grant us the wisdom, ability, and perseverance to continue to walk in Your glorious Light.

Keep us from darkness,  we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen and Amen.” 

Count down to the election…count down to a life changing decision and the last chance to cast a “biblical and moral” vote for a “leader” of our free Country.

As I spoke with a very dear and close Christian friend of mine yesterday, we discussed the LORD and His will and our trust in Him no matter the outcome.

We discussed passages from the Bible pertaining to God’s promises, and His joy in seeing His children prosper and align to His word.  We prayed and praised Him for His Holy Word, and for all He’s done throughout the ages for His children, and continues to do so in this age.

No matter what happens tomorrow, we will be in His light. Think about the plagues the LORD brought to Pharaoh, his people and his land, however it never touched Moses or his followers.  He protected Noah and the occupants in the Ark even though waters flooded the land and those left behind.  He lead Joshua and Jeremiah against armies of hundreds of thousands.

And most important of all…Jesus Christ came and defeated death for us.  He became the propitiation for us and delivered us from evil and offered us eternal salvation to those who would believe.

His love and grace and strength and guidance and power will bring us through this turbulent time.  He will lead us and go before us, and His promises will envelop us and cover us with love and tenderness that only a Father can provide.

And to that we say, “Keep shining Your magnificent and loving light…and most of all, thank You…Amen and Amen.”

Titus 2:12 – Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

John 12:46 – I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Galatians 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

I will praise the Lord at all times.
    I will constantly speak his praises.
² I will boast only in the Lord;
    let all who are helpless take heart.
³ Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
    let us exalt his name together.

Psalm 34:1-3 NLT

Non stop Praise Him!

What does this mean?

It means during the day, and evening, we praise Him in good times and bad.

Praise Him no matter what.

When we focus on Him and not on our issues, we begin to transform, and become grafted in Him, and thereby experience Spiritual growth.

The LORD declares He is there for us no matter what.  He will never leave us nor forsake us.  This is one of so many promises in His Word, and God will never let us down.

Man will let us down...God never will let us down.

At this particular time, as we face our biggest Presidential election, there’s so much at stake…and we need to keep Praising the LORD, and looking to Him for His will, and His guidance.

We need to trust Him and embrace His promises and accept His will.

As we vote, we need to vote with our conscience whereby it reflects God’s will and biblical values.

We need to embrace and seek God’s guidance and listen to His voice in our selection.

When things look bleak and beyond repair, look up to whence our help comes.

Have faith in our Father and seek His face at this time of turmoil and discourse.

Have trust in our Father and seek his face at this time of transition and defiance.

We are in the safety net of our Father, and being in the center of His will is the most peaceful and pleasant of places to be.

Man will let us down.  God never will.

So…no matter how grim the times may seem, no matter how turbulent or fiery the issues at hand, remember God is STILL IN CONTROL, and He has the final say...no matter what.

I truly believe next week, when we elect a “new President” I feel so strongly it will be the correct person ready to go forward.

How can I be so sure?  It’s simple…I know that God already made His choice, and that prayers of the righteous, and prayers of the faithful will be heard.

To that I breathe a sigh of relief, because, we are in His loving hands.

When it comes to God…I’ll always choose Him over man.

He will never leave us nor forsake us.

He will be with us always, even to the end of the world.

There are no other hands that compare to His and no safer place to be.

Hallelujah!

Praise God!

Father, we thank You and know You will protect us and guide us and lead us, now and forever, and we give You all the glory, honor and praise, forever and always, in Jesus name, Amen and Amen!

Psalm 34

KJV

34 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

² My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

³ O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

⁴ I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

⁵ They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

⁶ This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

⁷ The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

⁸ O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

⁹ O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

¹⁰ The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.

¹¹ Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

¹² What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

¹³ Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

¹⁴ Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

¹⁶ The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

¹⁷ The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

¹⁸ The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lorddelivereth him out of them all.

²⁰ He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

²¹ Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

²² The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39 KJV

I was moved to tears this morning while watching an old television show concerning the love of “mothers” and how they mold and shape our lives, guiding us on the right path as we near maturation, and eventually becoming adults.

I thought of my beautiful mom and the countless things she did to ensure I had a sure and fine foundation, guiding me, leading me, touching me along the way.  She’s gone 18 months…but she remains in my heart forever.  (As does my incredible Dad who went home 17 years earlier…who was the perfect counterpart to my mother…they made a fine pair and were the epitome of what marriage is to me.)

Mom and Dad were fine examples of love in all they did in their earthly roles, providing and tending to my needs, while instilling a core value of morals and scruples in me and my siblings.  They followed a code of ethics from their deep roots in Christianity that was given to them by their parents, from generation to generation, all embedded in faith.

Which brings me to our majestic and glorious Father.

He is love, and He made and created us in love.  He brought forth His love and gave it willingly, without any just cause…other than to be with us in love and unity.

A conformity in which infinite and indescribable eons of tranquility and everlasting joy encompass us.

Jesus came to fulfill the scriptures and came to defeat death and to bring eternal salvation.  He went to the cross willingly and purposely for our sake.  He without sin became sin for us…and by His stripes we were/are healed.

His joy abounds in us, and bubbles freely from our being as living waters spring forth in our souls.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” John 14:25-28 KJV

The very word, coming from the Living Word that became flesh, and walked among us…How can be not be jumping for joy to realize the full meaning of His life affirming promise?

Accept His promises…embrace them…and put our Father in remembrance of them.  Not that He needs any reminders, He is the author of the Word… but He does instruct us in Isaiah 43:26  to test us in our awareness, and dedication toward Him.  He wants to see if we accept and place His promises and commandments in our hearts.

We have no reason to just take for granted our pardon. Instead, we seek it by faith in Christ.  And that is perpetrated by true repentance, along with newness of Life, and hatred of sin…finally by our love to God.

Let us then put Him in remembrance of the promises he has made to the penitent, and be ever thankful for the love of Jesus, His Son, who allowed it to be possible by covering us with His blood.

Love Him.

Follow Him.

Adore Him.

Praise Him.

Worship Him.

Our Lord has been with us since before our first breath, and has been an amazing presence in our life since, even if we’re not aware.

His voice calls to us.

Answer it…open the door of your heart…and begin to experience the greatest most significant LOVE that you’ve ever had prior or since.

Thank you LORD for your precious and life affirming love.

Without You, O’ Lord my God, we are nothing.

With You…we are everything…because You love us.

Amen~

This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

 Psalm 118:24

NKJV

Overcast with periods of rain and light snow…high chill factor.  The forecast is gloomy.  The weather presents an aura of darkness contributing to a “lazy day feeling.”   A vulnerability comes forward when we’re in a situation where we have “no control” over something such as the weather.

But isn’t it wonderful to realize that GOD is in control, not us…and with His hand of grace touching our face, and guiding our paths, we can relax without any visible concern or worry?

Surrendering to God is the way we gain security and strength.

Trusting in God is the way we lose  feelings of vulnerability while gaining the significance of confidence that envelops us throughout our day.

To be able to walk in faith is a rewarding existence and one in which aligns to our Father’s Word.  We hear His voice and He knows us…We are His sheep…He is our Shepherd.  Hallelujah!

So although it’s “gloomy” outside…inside the light is always shining.  Although it’s cold outside, inside it’s warm.  And, although it’s threatening to storm over our heads, God is offering His shelter to those who choose to enter and honor Him and His ways.  He is our refuge in times of trouble and in times of peace.

Our God is vibrant, alive and loving.

Our God is everlasting.

Our God is the Alpha and the Omega.

Our God is our Provider.

Our God is our EVERYTHING.

Stormy outside?  No big deal when we have  a GOD who is bigger than anything that we have to face, now and forever.  Amen!

Psalm 118:25-28

1 Samuel 2:2 – There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. 

The solid foundation in which there is no other.

The perfect limitless and Sovereign force in which there no other.

The outstanding omnipotent loving power in which there is no other.

When we’re caught in a storm we want to be under the protection of a solid and unmovable foundation to sustain and keep us safe.

The LORD is our ROCK and He is impregnable and endures and scores victorious through it all…while holding us up with His right hand of righteousness…shielding us from the storm and harboring us under His mighty wings of fortress.

The truth of the matter is there is no other place better to be than in His presence and to be surrounded by His penetrating and unconditional love.

Amazing God and His promises are boundless and palpable when we surrender to Him and give of ourselves with all of our heart and soul.

The fortress of  endless love…our LORD.

The tower of strength…our LORD.

The salvation of our souls…our LORD.

Be inspired and of good cheer, pick up the Bible and hear His voice and feel His love as you commune with Him in private.

Listen, enjoy and celebrate His deep love.

Absorb the reality of our GOD…and our ROCK.

Would you rather be standing on sand exposed to the elements in a storm?  Or would you rather be standing on a ROCK protected and shielded form the storm?

The answer should be obvious to all.   And yet, sadly enough, some refuse His love.

Pick Him and be protected by the ROCK of ages you will be glad you did.

As for me and my house…we will serve the LORD. AMEN~

Joshua 24:15 

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

PSALM 18:2 KJV

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalms 46:10 (KJV)

From the moment we take our first breath and make our entrance into the world we begin our journey of life.

With life, comes responsibilities and various accomplishments and events that make up our time-line—which will include various “milestones”  —first baby steps, first word spoken, first day of school…graduation from High School, first job,  passing our driver’s license exam, getting engaged, getting married…so on and so forth. These spectacular and auspicious occasions mark our journey with great anticipation and expectation.

However, there comes a time, when we’ve done a lot of things, and we seem to have come to a complete stop in the middle of the road… and our lives settle into “what do I do next?”

This phase might be a widower, desperately adjusting to the first time without his soul mate.  Or, a single mom, coming to the harsh reality of the empty nest syndrome, thereby wondering how she’ll fill her time while her only child is in college. Or, a newly retired individual, adjusting to life without work.  All of these fall into a category of “what’s next?”  Or perhaps, someone adjusting to health issues that prevent them from operating under the full capacity from what they once were.

All of the above scenarios, and more, is when we must wait on the Lord.

We need to trust in Him to lead us through the next phase. Because, understand that as long as we’re here, we have a purpose, and God has a plan.

Sometimes we don’t know what the plan is right away.  It’s kind of like baking a huge cake.  We put all of the delicious ingredients into the mix and then we have to wait for it to be completely cooked.  It’s a process right?  Although I must confess, I used to love eating raw cake mix!  However, that confession notwithstanding,  we have to wait for it to cook…again a process.

Well our loving LORD,  for our entire life, has been doing an inner working on us. He has supplied us with all of the ingredients of life according to His Word. 

What do we do?  We have to wait and trust in Him, pray to Him, meditate on His word, and ask for His guidance.  He is the creator of our blueprints…our lives are his design.  He is the architect of design for the entire Universe.  Of course which would include us.

His timing is sheer perfection.

Although we might get impatient and jump ahead of God at times, this is never a good plan.  Because we can never get ahead of Him, we are to follow Him as He leads us.  He is the shining light that will lead us out of confusion and darkness.  His wisdom will envelop us, and give us keen insight, if we seek it.

When we seek His face all things will be added unto us that we are in need of.   Matthew 6:33 – But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

For those who are find themselves in newly uncharted waters not knowing what to do, hang tight, and have no fear.

At this very moment if you’re unsure of what’s next...relax.  Sit back and Wait for God.   You’ll be glad you did.  Amen~

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  Proverbs 3:6 KJV

Romans 8:28 KJV – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

Ephesians 1:11 – In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

 
Psalms 90:12 – So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom.

And He said unto her, Your sins are forgiven.

Luke 7:48 KJV

Sometimes, we have a hard time forgiving ourselves.  Therefore, condemning ourselves, even though God has already forgiven us.

We can be our own enemy so to speak…when it comes to forgiving, or letting go of a situation that brings discourse or torment.  This is not a disparity among those of great faith, instead, it’s a common thread of passage and mostly all of us have been in this wagon of anguish.

I was comforting someone last evening who was riddled with guilt.  The person lost a loved one and in retrospect went through a list of what she had done “wrong.”  In turn, the inevitable if only scenarios followed, along with self doubt, and self chastisement.

Anguish is not from God.

Torment is not from God.

God is the author of peace, forgiveness, and unconditional love.  He forgives, so that we can be united with Him for eternity.  He gave the extreme, and ultimate sacrifice, so that we could be forgiven,  and were washed clean by His blood.

It’s natural to look back at circumstances and play another scenario in our mind, it’s human nature…but to allow it to fester, or to interfere with “life” is akin to shunning God for His grace, love and forgiving nature.

He loves us no matter what.  He hates “sin” but loves us. When we repent, and come to Him with a contrite heart…he wipes away transgressions and our slate is once again clean.

(I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Isaiah 43:25 KJV)

This person I counseled was truly being pulled into a net of self doubt. It was obviously the machinations of the “enemy” who  will inflict thoughts of darkness into anyone that’ll listen to his false and heinous lies.

Look to the light of the Holy One for all of your answers.  He loves us as no other living person can.  His love is above all the rest.  His hands of grace are upon us. His Sovereign power a testimony to our faith and a joy to witness and partake.

When we trust Him to guide us in everything we undergo in life we are guaranteed a purification of spirit and growth in our relationship toward Him.  We can then be a guiding example for those who don’t know Him or His power.

Forgive yourself…because He has already forgiven you, and remember you are His and His alone.

Then, look to Him for all things.

Trust in Him for all things.

Never leave Him out of the equation in your life.

Because without Him…there is no life!

***

 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Ephesians 2:8 KJV

***

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. Luke 7:47 KJV

My eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.  Psalm 25:15  (KJV)

When we put our focus on the LORD everything is much better.  For when we are in a crisis we should focus on the LORD.  And, when we are in a tranquil place, we should focus on the LORD.

If we allow ourselves to get caught within the midst of troubling issues, such as worldly matters, we can be pulled into a net of despair.  It is that net of despair that could drag us into the pits of darkness.

When we keep our focus on the LORD…He will our guiding force and will keep our feet from being ensnared in the net of despair.  He will pluck us from the troubles of the world…and the troubles of our circumstances, whatever they may be.

Focusing takes a sincere effort on our part.  It’s not to be rushed, or taken lightly.  The LORD is our Sovereign Father, and deserves our attention and love, because that’s what He gives us…but so much more than we give Him.

Our faith is our main path, but He directs our paths.

His love is our provision in terms of what we need.

When we meditate and ask God for His input, we will discover a world that is easier to live in because of His promises and His voice…but most especially, because of His love.

When we grow spiritually we’re able to relate to Him more…He is a Holy Spirit…and we should tap into our spirituality and focus on the spirit rather than the flesh.  Flesh can lead to troubling situations, whereas the spirit will never let us down.

Focus on Him and reap the incredible rewards of knowing LIFE. Because the LORD is LIFE.  And, without Him, there is NO LIFE.

Have you meditated on His word and His love today?  And, most important…have you listened for His voice?

John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies.

Psalm 123:2
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the LORD our God, Until He is gracious to us.

Psalm 124:7
Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper; The snare is broken and we have escaped.

Psalm 141:8
For my eyes are toward You, O GOD, the Lord; In You I take refuge; do not leave me defenseless.

2 Chronicles 20:12
“O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

What gives us the right to call God “Father?”

We are His children. He is our Creator.  His Son redeemed us…We are His and He is ours.

Our Abba Father loves us unconditionally.  He wants us to speak with Him, to trust Him, and to hold on to Him and be secure in realizing He’ll never let us go.  His hands of grace touch us gently…yet His hold is strong and steady.

Being joined with Him and being dependent upon Him is what He wants…go to Him for all decisions, to pray of things, to listen and to comprehend His commands, and the purpose in which He has created us.

The inheritance of being “joint heirs” due to Christ redeeming us is one of greatness!  One in which we should rejoice and indulge in the luxury of being part of a royal family. Kings of kings. Lord of lords.  Hallelujah!

To call God “Abba Father” is to know peace and to rejoice in His presence and love.

To call God “Abba Father” is to settle into a sense of security that with Him all things are possible.

To call God “Abba Father” is to realize that He is our highest order of Sovereignty, our Omnipotent and magnificent One and only King.

Being a part of such greatness and to have Him reigning over us night and day and never ceasing to watch over us in this lifetime, and the one to come is to know peace.

And not peace as the world gives us, because the world can and will cause trouble and anguish.  But as Jesus said, “Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid…” (John 14:27)

So call out to Abba Father—give Him thanks—and recognize and embrace the truth of His love. Amen!