HIDDEN TREASURES

Chipmunks and squirrels.

I love these guys, they are so much fun to watch.

They're always up to something – nature's purveyors of antics, hijinks, and shenanigans!

Endless entertainment on the mountain.

I have spent many days watching them scurry around, chase each other, challenge each other to be king of the boulder, and dig holes.

Cute.

The other day, I happened to catch some movement in my peripheral vision. I looked up just in time to see a chipmunk run like crazy into a gap between two boulders.

How funny, I thought to myself.

Then "The Hub" said, "There's a bobcat on our porch."

What…really?!

Sure enough, a bobcat was prowling around our back door.  No wonder Mr. Munk scampered away so quickly!

Never a dull moment around these parts!

One of my favorite things to do is watch the squirrels and chipmunks in the Fall.

In the Fall, it's rather amazing to see them hard at work, finding and storing nuts for the winter.

They are industrious and tireless.

Sometimes our trees shed lots of acorns, and the food source is readily available.  Other times, there aren't so many, and yet, my friendly little *neighbors* manage to find some sort of food to hide away.

But it is during the Winter when I am most fascinated by their work.

I don't know how, despite freezing temperatures and multiple snowfalls, these little creatures still manage to find their hidey-holes.

They seem to know exactly where they've stashed their edible goodies.

And I love watching them dig up the dirt, scrounge around, and then hold their food in those cute little hands (paws!), and chew away.

How do they know where they've buried their food?

Do they detect it again by memory, or smell, or some other instinctual method that I'm not aware of?

It's incredible.


And it's a good lesson for all of us to apply in our own lives.

Sometimes life just takes us into a wilderness time, a winter season of dryness or discouragement or trial or suffering.

It's easy to lose sight of what we know to be true.

I don't know what's going on with me lately, but I've just been blah.

No particularly big "triggering" event, just the ongoing ebb and flow of life "stuff."

So today, when I went to church, I asked the Lord to meet me there with something that I really needed to hear.

Of course, He did.

Our pastor is doing a series on the promises of God – and this morning's message was entitled, "The Promise of Answered Prayer."

The message was powerful and timely.

But, it was one verse that caught my heart.

"Call to Me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." (Jeremiah 33:3, ESV)


I immediately thought of my little furry friends.

And their hidden things.

Several years ago, when I was going through a particularly rough time, I had a friend encourage me with these words:

"When you can't find your way in the dark, go back to what you knew and believed in the light."

I found it most helpful.

The chipmunks and squirrels spend warm sunshine days finding and hiding food, so that during the cold winter months, they'll have nourishment.

Do they hibernate like bears?

Nope!

Though they sleep a lot, they don't sleep all the way through the season.

They retreat to their burrows and dens but wake every few days or weeks, raise their body temperatures to normal, and feed on stored food rather than fat reserves!

(I'd personally like to be like a bear.  I've got some pesky *fat reserves* I'd like to feed on…just sayin').

When it's cold outside, they still know where to go to sustain themselves.


This is so true about faith, too.

What we store away will bring us through the wilderness times, through the winter seasons.

So, what are four things, four truths I can hide in my heart for those times when I am discouraged?


One, I can be assured of God's presence.

"'As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.'" (Joshua 1:5, AMP)

"…for He [God] Himself has said, 'I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support.  [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)!  [Assuredly not!]'" (Hebrews 13:5, AMP)


Two, I can be assured of God's power.

"Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it – the LORD is His name." (Jeremiah 33:2, ESV)

"'Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh.  Is anything too hard for Me?'" (Jeremiah 32:27, ESV)


Three, I can be assured of God's purpose.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done…" (Genesis 50:20, NIV)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV)


Four, I can be assured of God's promises.

"God is not a man, so he does not lie.  He is not human, so he does not change his mind.  Has he ever spoken and failed to act?  Has he ever promised and not carried it through?" (Numbers 23:19, NLT)

"'Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.'" (Matthew 7:7-8, NLT)


Hiding the Word of God provides much-needed nourishment when we're full of doubts and fears, or struggling with trials and tribulations.

It is a hidden treasure of great worth.

But, there's one other thing I want to mention.

It's how God sometimes takes these wilderness, winter seasons and uses them to reveal to us something really special.

The photo accompanying this post is part of a fallen log that sits alongside the drive up to our house.

It's full of woodpecker holes.

But would you take a moment to notice something else?

Inside those holes are acorns!!

Evidently, chipmunks and squirrels are not the only ones to store away some goodies!

From a distance, those holes just look like holes.

But since this branch has broken off, we can see the treasures that are hidden there.

Again, a wonderful faith lesson.

Sometimes it takes some breaking for God to show us something really special – a revelation that we might never have known in good times.

"'I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD…who summons you by name.'" (Isaiah 45:3, NIV)


Yes.

Hidden treasures, secret riches.

God has a way of carving us deeper, enriching and growing our faith when we feel weakest.

When we feel broken, and hungry, and cold.

I go back to Jeremiah 33:3 – what were the great and hidden things that God revealed to His prophet?

Two pretty awesome things.

This message came around the time of the Babylonian Conquest – a terrible time when the Jews were defeated and led into captivity.

Here God reveals that they will be rescued, returned to their homeland, once they repent and return to Him.

But, He also issues a prophecy about the coming Messiah:

"The day will come, says the LORD, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good things I have promised them.  'In those days and at that time I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David's line.  He will do what is just and right throughout the land.  In that day Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety.  And this will be its name: 'The LORD Is Our Righteousness.'"
(Jeremiah 33:14-16, NLT)


WOW!

Can you imagine receiving that revelation?!

(Me either!)


So, if we're willing, God can reveal new aspects about Himself, new revelations from His Word, new depths of faith, and new purposes when we least expect it…

...right in the middle of a dry or cold spell in our hearts.

Great and hidden things.

Treasure and secret riches.


Hide them in your heart.

Remember them.

Let God reveal them.


Never go hungry again…




What is a hidden treasure that you have discovered about God?

Heart of my own heart,
whatever befall,
still be my vision,
O Ruler of all.



("Be Thou My Vision" - ancient Irish hymn)

"'You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it?  From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known.'" (Isaiah 48:6, ESV)

"'Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?  I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.'" 
(Isaiah 43:19, ESV)

"It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him." (Daniel 2:22, NASB)

"He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; he brings light to the deepest gloom." (Job 12:22, NLT)

"'It is the same with my word.  I send it out, and it always produces fruit.  It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.'" (Isaiah 55:11, NLT)

"Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11, NASB)

"The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip." 
(Psalm 37:31, NIV)

"…the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God – his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began." (1 Corinthians 2:7, NLT)

"This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed." (1 Corinthians 4:1, NIV)

"…making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ…" (Ephesians 1:9, ESV)

"'Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me.  And because they love me, my Father will love them.  And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.'" (John 14:21, NLT)



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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

DEJA VU - ALL OVER AGAIN!

Hello, my friends!

I've got to be honest with you.  This week has been unreal.  "The Hub" and I have worked like crazy to help my son and his wife move.  It brought back memories of our move to the mountains three years ago.

With a lot less stuff.

And not so far to travel.

And a lot less stuff…

But, it was time-consuming and exhausting!!

So, needless to say, there wasn't a lot of time to write a new blog post for this week.  And frankly, my little brain cells (and trust me, they're quite little these days!) were too tired to fire!

That's why I've decided to cheat, cave in to laziness, be creative and re-print a post from August, 2011 – (with a little 2015 revamping).  

I think the words are still timely…

So, in the words of Yogi Berra – It’s déjà vu all over again!



SOMEONE'S BEEN MISBEHAVING


If you talk to anyone, read a newspaper, watch TV, connect with social media – it doesn't take much to realize that there's a lot going on in the world these days.

And a lot of it isn't so good…

The world is a hard-scrabble place.  

And everyone has a story to tell lately – a story of struggle, suffering, trial, and hardship.

What's going on?

In my opinion, the enemy is on the loose.

He loves creating mayhem.  He loves being the master of nefarious activity – (don't you love that word?  Evil, wicked, sinful, unlawful...).  He loves being mean.


I was talking about this with my mom the other day.  There's been a lot going on in our family lately – both my immediate family, and my extended family.  I was sharing with her how overwhelmed I was feeling.  She's feeling overwhelmed, too.

But then she said this to me…

"Remember when you were a little girl – how you pictured Jesus and Satan in a boxing ring?"

Yeah, I do remember that.

"And how you used to say that Jesus was bigger than Satan and He could just 'POW' Satan and win?"

I remember that, too.

However, right at that moment, I wasn't feeling too victorious.  Nor was I feeling much like that confident young girl who was so sure of her Jesus' mighty power.

I looked at her in dismay…

And she said, in her adorable "Trust me I'm a mother" voice…

"I know, he's gotten out of hand."

I paused – and then I started laughing.  Downright guffawing…

"What?" she said.

I told her how her response had made the enemy sound like an errant child. How she made him sound like a scoundrel, a cad, a ne'er-do-well.  

She might as well have said, "Tsk, tsk.  Bad boy…"

She started laughing too.


Now I'm not one to spit in the devil's face, so to speak.

I'm not taunting or challenging him.

But my mother helped me do something very important – she helped me cut him down to size.

You see, I think there are two crucial mistakes that believers can make when thinking about our enemy.

One, we can ignore him, and open ourselves up to unexpected and unrecognized attacks from him.  We can make him something less than he is. 

Or we can empower him, and open ourselves up to being constantly afraid and intimidated by him.  We can make him something more than he is.

We need to have a sober, but correct, view of him and his power.


He is not a god.

He is not good.

He is not omniscient or omnipotent.

He does not have control over our lives. 


All he can do is take his anger out on us –

And yes, the enemy of our souls is an angry enemy.  He hates God, and because we are so very dearly loved by God, he hates us too. 

But here's the truly wonderful thing – he really cannot win.


He can influence us, but he cannot overpower us.

He can tempt us, but he cannot overcome us.

He can threaten us, but he can never have our souls.


Satan might stomp his feet, and aim his arrows, and do his best to steal and kill and destroy.  But he will NEVER own us, for we are securely wrapped in salvation, with confident hope in our future – we belong to God.

He can rant and rave – and he can be a scary guy – but, he isn't going to win.

And I think he knows that deep down inside.  

He knows that Christians are being awakened in their hearts to pursue God in a new way.  He knows that we are being called to become warriors.  He knows that the Holy Spirit is moving…and we're listening, and responding, and arming ourselves for battle.

I think he's running scared right now…

Good.


So, I am thankful for my mom and her words of wisdom – and for how she helped me regain my perspective on things.  Yes, with all that's been going on, Satan "took” over my thoughts for a while – but he will never take me.

I am redeemed, rescued, ransomed – forever.


I think I really had it right when I was a little girl.

Jesus is bigger than Satan, and I think He just scored another knock-out in my heart…

POW!!

A crown of thorns
An offering of blood
bought us
secured us
and we will rise
victorious.

"'But you belong to God, my dear children.  You have already won a victory...because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.'" (1 John 4:4, NLT)

"For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith." (1 John 5:4, NLT)

"What then shall we say to [all] this?  If God is for us, who [can be] against us?  [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]" (Romans 8:31, AMP)

"Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love?  Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?" (Romans 8:35, NLT)

"...in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:37, NASB)

"'I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.'" (Matthew 16:18, NLT)

"'I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.'" (John 16:33, NIV)

"Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, 'Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.'  And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb..."(Revelation 12:10-11, ESV)

"...thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57, ESV)

How is God giving you victory in your life?

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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

I'M BESIDE MYSELF

Yup.

Beside myself.

Know what I mean?

I looked up this phrase to better define it.  Here's what I found:

"Why do we describe a distraught person as being 'beside himself'?  Because the ancients believed that soul and body could part and that under great emotional stress the soul would actually leave the body.  When this happened a person was 'beside himself.'  (In an extreme state of some emotion)."


Have you ever felt like that?

Like you're two people living in one body?  Like your mind and your heart are warring against each other?  Like how you're feeling just isn't meshing with what you believe?

This sums up what I've been feeling for the last few weeks.

Gripped in a state of anxiety that is battling for my thoughts.  And yet, holding on to what I know is true, and in what I believe.

Fearful thoughts and trusting heart.

Can they exist in the same person?

Evidently so, for this is the conflict that I've been experiencing lately.

I find this co-existence exhausting.

You see, I'm an interesting mix of feelings and thoughts.  I have a big heart, I'm very sensitive, and I care about things deeply.  I'm a feeling person.

But, I'm also a thinker.  Thoughtful in my approach to life – analytical, pondering, ruminating – always searching for answers.

So, I have an interesting way that I'm doing life.

Something will happen.  It causes deep feelings.  Sometimes confused by these emotions, or feeling out of control of them, I try to figure them out. You see, to me it seems that if I can understand what I'm feeling, then I can manage and deal with it.

But sometimes life isn't that straightforward.


This year has brought so many things.  And my feelings are out of control.  At least it seems that way, for I cannot always understand why I'm feeling what I feel.  And that just increases my sense of anxiety.

On the other hand, my faith is deepening.  Gradually being strengthened by an unshakable belief in a God who is there.  A God who is in control.  A God who loves me without reservations – unconditionally – with His whole heart.

A God whom I love the very same way.


So, I feel like a split personality.

Two people in one.

The emotional person and the thinker.  The fearful person and the believer.  

The *wearied-by-being-me* person.

I'm hoping someone can relate.  I hope someone understands.  I hope there's some *two-in-ones* out there in Blog Land like me.

I do know there was someone in the Bible like me.

His name was Paul.

Paul struggled with the two natures that lived within himself.  The sinful nature, and the Spirit-filled nature.

He knew what it was like to feel torn apart by warring thoughts and feelings.

"The trouble is with me...I don't really understand myself..." 

(Romans 7:14, 15, NLT)



Two people…

Helpless and hopeful.  Scared and secure.  Confused and confident.

And, in the end, it boils down to this dilemma…

Sinner and saint.


Yeah, beside myself.

And yet, beside my Savior, too.

Digging in close to Him, though I cannot figure out my life or myself.  I still want to understand, and I'm still trying to understand, but failing in both.

So, this is what I'm praying for:

That He will bring to my tired mind and helpless emotions the restful repose found in the hope that only He can offer.

That He will free me from my fears and fruitless worrying by reminding and reassuring me of the security I possess because of His salvation.

That He will replace my internal confusion and desperate need to understand myself with the confidence that He knows my heart, knows my name, and knows what He is doing.

And through it all, I truly want Him to become greater.

Paul understood that, too, and said it this way:

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." 

(Galatians 2:20, NIV)



You know, I think I'll always be a bit confused by all the paradoxes that exist within me.

I think I'll always be a unique (and often frustrating) mix of feeling and thinking.

And I know that the battle between my flesh and my Spirit-filled nature will rage on until I am made complete in eternity.

You too??

Take heart – we are not alone in the battle.

We are promised a High Priest who understands – our dear Jesus.

For He was also a *two-in-one*…

God and man.  Divine and human.  Infinite and finite.  Humble and glorious.

The death that saved us, and the Life that lives on within us.

In Him all things come together and are made complete.

And someday, all the warring and confusing and paradoxical things that exist in us will be united and perfected.  

For in the twinkling of an eye, we will become all that He has intended for us since before the creation of the world.

One day, we will be like Him, for He is coming back.

Maybe today!!

Sometimes calm, sometimes mad,
Sometimes happy, sometimes sad -
Sometimes the person I want to be,
Sometimes chagrined at being me.

But I am saved, and one day I'll see,
All that God has in store for me -
And I will become like His loving Son,
And the battle will finally be over and done!

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding…Be not wise in your own eyes…" (Proverbs 3:5, 7, ESV)

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10, NIV)

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15, ESV)

"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." (John 3:30, NLT)

"Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2, ESV)

"And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory." (Colossians 3:4, NLT)



What is something paradoxical that exists in you?  



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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"LORD, I CAN'T HEAR YOU..."

"Could you please speak up?"

Do you ever say that to God?

I think we've all struggled with this issue.  Desperate to follow the Lord's leading, we frantically try to hear God's Voice.  And when we can't, we can end up feeling quite distressed.  

And at times, this distress can lead to paralyzing doubt and deep spiritual discomfort.

The *silence* of God can represent treacherous times.

I have felt it, you have felt it.

Times when you are desperate to hear God's Voice, because You desperately need His guidance.

As disciples seeking to follow Him, we want to know which way to go, which way to turn.  We want to know how to follow Him rightly.

So, how do we do that when we're not "hearing" the still, small voice – but only hearing the stillness?

I can only relate to my own life.

And here's some things that I have learned – (disclaimer…these are only my opinions).

First of all, I don't think God's will is always a matter of Choice A or Choice B.  Sometimes His will can be either direction.  Let me explain.

When "The Hub" and I were thinking about moving, I was crazed with indecision.  Was it God's will for us to move or not?  I cried desperately to hear from Him.  I started trying to interpret "signs" that I saw along the way.  And I felt panicky and unsettled because nothing seemed clear.

But then I realized something.

Maybe God's will wasn't Choice A (go) or Choice B (stay) – maybe God's will would move with me no matter which direction I chose.

I decided finally to just start going in one direction (moving), and prayed that God would be very clear if it WASN'T His will.  I got some confirmation along the way, yes, but I still think God would have been OK if we hadn't moved.

Sometimes the choice is really clear, and God has a definite direction in mind.  But, I think that other times He allows us to use our own discretion and make a decision.

God's will is not thwarted if we choose the "wrong" way – because sometimes I think there isn't really a wrong way. 

The important thing is following God along the way, putting Him first, no matter which fork in the road we follow.

That being said, God is very clear in His Word about certain things. 

VERY. CLEAR.

And we don't need to question His will about those things. 

If Choice A or B is against the teachings and revelation of God in the Bible, then it truly is the WRONG way, for it will be sin.

But if it's not that clear-cut, I don't believe that it's God’s will for us to be mired in inaction.

Ask for His guidance, step out in faith, and trust that God will lead you, as you walk along the way.

That's what I'm counting on. 

I'm counting on Him to be very clear when it matters.  And if I remain close to Him, immersed in His Word and spending time in prayer, seeking the counsel of others, and desiring to follow Him in all aspects of my life – He'll talk if it's necessary.

But sometimes I need to start the walking in order to hear the talking.

So, here's another thing I've learned.

I used to do this thing called "Bible Pick 'Ems" – basically, I would flip open my Bible to a random spot, and read the two pages I'd turned to.  I would do this when I was worried or afraid or awake in the middle of the night with overwhelming concerns and anxieties.

And goodness, how God answered me!

I would read the most appropriate, timely, comforting words.  It never failed.

Until lately…

In the past few months, I have done this in moments of need, and I've not had the same *luck*.

I have asked God for a message to speak to my anxiety, and I end up in the Old Testament.  Which is OK, except I can't count the number of times I have ended up in Kings or Chronicles.

"Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years.  His mother was Zebidah, the daughter of Pedaiah from Rumah."

Uh yeah, not so edifying.

Of course, sometimes I try to *hedge my bet* and open to where I know I'll be in the New Testament. 

Nope, that hasn't worked either.

So, one night in utter frustration I cried out to God, "Why don't You do this for me anymore?"

And yes, I heard from Him.

He said, "Because you don't need it anymore."

That stopped me.

But I've pondered that answer.  And I've realized something.  That God is right.  I have grown in my faith in this past year, and especially in the last few months.  And I don't "need" this anymore.  Maybe it's a bit of a gimmick that I've outgrown.

For the "random" answers that I sought in a "Bible Pick 'Ems" are in my heart instead.  I know the Lord better now.  And instead of settling for a "tweet" – I can rely instead on a whole conversation with Him.  Or in those times of silence, I can trust in the Truth that I know.

He is there.  He knows.  He understands.  And He's got it all under control.

Now here's one last thing that I've learned.

In my almost four years of blogging (I know – I can hardly believe it either!), I have only spoken to two people with my voice.  And of those two people, I have only met one in person.

And yet, I feel like I know so many of you in Blog Land, just as I myself am known. 

How?

By our words.

It's amazing how the written words that we post are actually windows into our souls.  Our personalities come through, as we share our aches and pains, our trials and suffering, our triumphs and our joys.   

Our words communicate WHO we are.

And so, when we feel that God is silent, we do have somewhere to turn.

His Word.

In those hallowed pages, we are offered a profound and meaningful window into the mind and heart of God.  His Presence infuses every page – (yes, even those pages in Kings and Chronicles!)

We can *hear* Him when we read Scripture.

In times when we maybe can't tangibly hear His voice, or when He's silent for a season and for a reason, we can always touch His heart through His Word.

And I have always found that when I read His words, He comes *alive* to me again.

I pray for all of us.  

I pray that we won't become too discouraged when the heavens seem "silent".  For our hearts are certainly in the right place.  A desire to hear the Voice of the Lord is certainly the right path to wisdom and guidance.

And God will honor our prayers for increased intimacy with Him.

But…sometimes when we aren't "hearing" from Him, it doesn't mean He isn't there.

And it doesn't mean that we should become paralyzed in a state of inaction.

Faith calls us to move.

Trust God, He will speak to us when we need it. 

And when He's a quiet partner, we're still walking together.  We're still in communion with Him.

Sometimes silence is a sign of deep and abiding and trusting friendship.

And voices need not be heard to feel the Love.

Let your eyes look directly ahead
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
Watch the path of your feet
And all your ways will be established.

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made..." (Romans 1:20, NIV)

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son...He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature..." 
(Hebrews 1:1-2, ESV)

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."  (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NLT)

"But the wisdom from above is first of all pure.  It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.  It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.  And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness." 

(James 3:17-18, NLT)

"'If you love me, obey my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.'" (John 14:15-16, NLT)

"They demonstrate that God's law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right." (Romans 2:15, NLT)

"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." (James 1:5, NLT)

"Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth..." 
(Psalm 86:11, ESV)

"Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight." 
(Exodus 33:13, ESV)

"Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow.  Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you." (Psalm 25:4-5, NLT)

"This is what the LORD says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.'" (Jeremiah 6:16, NIV)

"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." 

(Isaiah 30:21, ESV)

Your turn:  What's your thoughts on *hearing* from God?  And what do you do when He seems "silent"?

(SIDENOTE:  This is a great article on the subject of hearing from God: CROSSWALK)

Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Laura at PLAYDATES WITH GOD
Kathy at ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
Jen at SOLI DEO GLORIA
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Jen at UNITE
Kathy at TITUS 2 TUESDAY
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Rosilind at A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS
Kasey at WALKING REDEEMED
Judith at WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY
Beth at THREE WORD WEDNESDAY
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Jenifer at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Lyli at THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY
Bonnie at FAITH BARISTA JAM
Julie at FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Wanda at THE FRIDAY FIVE
Mel at ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW
Sandy at STILL SATURDAY
Janis at SUNDAY STILLNESS

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

QUAINT WORDS - The Eyes Of Faith

Welcome to "Quaint Words!"


These posts will contain thoughts, poems, and prayers from old books that I have found at antique stores, flea markets, and garage sales (with an occasional treasure from a bookstore).

I love the rhythm and sound of the older English language, and am blessed by other believers who have gone before me!


"Because God is not visibly present to the eye, it is difficult to feel that a transaction with Him is real.  I suppose that if, when we made our acts of consecration, we could actually see Him present with us, we should feel it to be a very real thing...What we need, therefore, is to see that God's presence is a certain fact always, and that every act of our soul is done before Him, and that a word spoken in prayer is as really spoken to Him as if our eyes could see Him and our hands could touch Him.  Then we shall cease to have such vague conceptions of our relations with Him, and shall feel the binding force of every word we say in His presence.

I know some will say here, "Ah, yes; but if he would only speak to me...I would have no trouble then in believing it."  No, of course you would not; but then where would be the room for faith?  Sight is not faith, and hearing is not faith, neither is feeling faith; but believing when we can neither see, hear, nor feel, is faith; and everywhere the Bible tells us our salvation is to be by faith. Therefore we must believe before we feel, and often against our feelings, if we would honor God by our faith."

(From "The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life" by Hannah Whitall Smith, c. 1888)


"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

For in this hope we were saved.  But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what they already have?

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

For we live by faith, not by sight."

(Hebrews 11:1, NLT / Romans 8:24, 2 Corinthians 4:18, 2 Corinthians 5:7, NIV)


*What helps you know that God is real?


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Delight

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a question (or few)…just a little something to
"fan the flame" of your creativity!

And, to further fan those faith-filled flames (try saying that 10 times in a row!) – I'm adding my favorite devotional from the week!


Today's word: delight

What does the word delight mean to you?

What does it mean to you that God takes delight in you personally?

What are the things that impede your ability (or desire) to accept God's delight?

How might we take greater delight in God?


"The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17, NIV)

"...the LORD's delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love." (Psalm 147:11, NLT)

"Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God." (Job 22:26, NIV)

"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4, NLT)


Let me know what you think!!        


DEVOTIONAL OF THE WEEK:

Re: The story of Jesus meeting Zacchaeus

"What an amazing glimpse of Jesus' approach with each of us.  He knows us and calls us by name.  He invites us to come to him and know him, and then he goes with us.  Jesus always personalizes his invitations...The details may change, but the work Jesus offers to do in any life is the same work he accomplished for Zacchaeus."


*Seek a greater intimacy with Jesus, who knows us so well.


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


(Devotional from: "Life Application Study Bible Devotional - The Gospels" by Dave Veerman and Neil Wilson, c. 2011, Livingstone Corporation)


(SIDENOTE:  Another wildfire is raging out of control.  Not as close as the one that forced our evacuation last month, but definitely way too close for comfort.  One side of our highway out of town is completely closed again. Many people have already lost their homes, and there have been injuries. 

Pray, oh warriors, pray)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"