Saturday, December 31, 2011

SATURDAY STROLL

Welcome to "SATURDAY STROLL!"

In these posts I will be interacting with Scripture – making it a conversational walk of faith.

Sometimes we'll be talking with Jesus, sometimes God will be talking to us.

There might even be *guest appearances* by some of our beloved characters from the Bible!

So put on your walking shoes – you know we can all use the exercise!


A NEW YEAR'S LETTER FROM GOD


It's the end of the year, My dear child. I have much to say to you.

"OK sure, Lord," I say a bit distractedly.

I know this has been a very busy time of year. But now, Sharon, be still and listen to Me, the LORD who created and formed you.

I sit down quietly, ready to really pay attention. "Yes, Lord, speak to me."

I know there are many unresolved situations in your life right now, many fearful things that loom, many unanswered questions.

"Yes, Lord, there are many."

Do not be afraid. You must put all of it into this perspective – I have ransomed you, and I have called you BY NAME – by your very own name. You are MINE.

"I am your redeemed and beloved Child."

Yes.

And because nothing will EVER separate you from My love, these things are true:

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up – the flames will not consume you.

For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One, your Savior.

"Such a wonder-full promise, Lord! I am never alone."

Never. That is why I say, "Do not be afraid" – for I am with you.

"You have promised to never leave me nor forsake me."

I mean that, you know.

And I know your heart. You are My servant. You have chosen to know Me, believe in Me, and you understand that I alone am God. From eternity to eternity I am God.

And you belong to Me. No one can snatch you out of My hand. No one can undo what I have done.

"You are the omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent One – the Sovereign Lord above all else."

I AM.

I am your Holy One, the Creator and King – the only God that has been, and ever will be.

I am the LORD who opened a new way through the waters of the Red Sea. I made a dry path where there was none. I can do the same for you.

"I know, Lord. But there are so many unresolved situations in my life – so many fearful things that loom – so many unanswered questions."

I know.

But forget all that – it is nothing compared to what I am going to do!

"What, Lord? What is it You are going to do?"

I might not resolve every situation. I might not prevent fearful things from
happening. I might not answer all of your questions.

For I am about to do something new in your life. See, I have already begun? Do you not see it?

"Lord, what am I missing?"

It is the work I will do in your heart, Sharon. The inside stuff.

I will make a pathway of hope through the wilderness of discouragement. I will create new rivers of strength in the dry wasteland of despair.

I will give you Living Water in the desert so you can be refreshed.

"Yes, Lord. That is what I need. Green meadows and peaceful streams."

Yes.

This new year, 2012, is going to be a big year for you and Me.

For I have made you for Myself, and you will honor Me before the whole world.

"I want nothing more, nothing less than that, Lord. I love you – with all my heart, all my mind, all my soul, and all my strength. It really is just You."

You are precious to Me, and I love you.


(Selections from Isaiah 43)


10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...HAPPY NEW YEAR!


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

11 comments:

  1. This might have been your talk with God...but as I listened in he also spoke to me..thanks for publishing your letter with God..I am blessed and encouraged about 2012

    Happy New Year...enjoy the New thing God is doing in and through you this year

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  2. Yes, Sharon - you've been in my prayer closet, too. I know these things to be true from the Lord's heart to mine - just discussing it with my husband this morning - so much looming and yet we step into 2012 with great hope and expectation for the Lord to work in ways huge and unimagined - the desires of our hearts - more of Him, less of us - and all good things and beauty . . .

    Bless you, likewise, my friend - so glad the Lord brought us together in 2011!
    Joy!
    Kathy

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  3. Amen, beautifully written. I can feel God speaking to all of us in this letter. Thank you for sharing.

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  4. Happy New Year Sharon! I hope you have an amazing year.

    May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

    Blessings, Kerrie

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  5. Blessings and Happy New Year Sharon... since you ended with this, I must start there!

    A beautiful culmination and start to a New Year! A wonderful stroll listening to the heart of God from none other than Isaiah 43... spoke or written for you but a uplifting encouragement for each of us.

    I love your new Word...Overcome with 4 wonderful verses with with power to overcome and be strengthened...

    Between this and others lines exchanged with me, I sense you stepping back as you wrestle and reflect. So it's so good to know that God is doing a 'new thing'and He's making a way in the wilderness and emotions that get a hold of both of us... He knows! He really does. God with us! The uncertainty of anything ("do not dwell on the past"),
    the unresolved (He who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, “Forget the former things..."). Yes, we may struggle, but He has already "finished it!"Our Alpha and Omega...

    Congratulations from Genesis All the way through to Revelation...Bravo!!!

    Heavenly Father, Thank You for the delightful way You speak to Sharon and through her to us! Thank You for the work that You are doing in Sharon's heart (and mine). Bless Your Holy name for all the inside stuff... and helping Sharon find resolution, answers, and keeping her from harm and even fearful thoughts. Put a guard around her mind and her heart as You...
    ..."make a pathway of hope through the wilderness of discouragement." ..."create new rivers of strength in the dry wasteland of despair."
    ..."give Sharon (and us) Living Water in the desert so Sharon(we) can be refreshed!"
    Bring her along lush meadows and peaceful streams where she might hear You speak words to overcome and continue walking victoriously with You by her side. As she enters 2012, remember the deep desire of her heart, and grant this answer to her prayers in Jesus precious Name we ask... bless her going out and coming in... bless Sharon lying down and when she wakes, may she rise up with Your Spirit filling her and renewing her afresh! May You pour a fresh anointing upon her and lead her through each day and evening with Your aMazing Grace and eternal Love forever!
    Thank You for her and the blessing she brings to my life and to my heart! She is precious, Lord... and I ask that You set her feet upon high places and lift her spirit upon eagle's wings so she may soar above and through each day...

    A blessed and loving New Year, my dear sweet Sharon!
    Love,(((hugs)))
    Peggy

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  6. It's going to be a blessed year for the people of God, Sharon. I believe that. Thanks for sharing your very heart here today, as you always do, and for all the encouragement you continue to give to your friends, including me. I am so glad we "met"!
    p.s. I understand about hard times and trials. You are growing and better days are ahead.
    Love,
    Sandy

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  7. Love the things you shared here Sharon. You shared from some of my favorite passages of scriptures. Many times God has had to remind me that the fires of life have not consumed me. I look forward to seeing what unfolds in your life in 2012. Have a Happy New Year.

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  8. I love that God promised to be with us always. There's never a time He's not with me. And that gives me courage for 2012.

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  9. Very good reminder that God means what He says. Thank you for sharing these encouraging words.
    Blessings for a wonderful new year.
    Charlotte

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)