healingoftheheart

Many times we get caught up in the doing in our lives, when instead, God desires our being, in Christ Jesus.

One will, the Lord’s will be done in our lives, (not our will) is the secret of deliverance and rest for the heart.

II Chronicles 22:9 –

“Jehoshaphat sought the Lord with all his heart.” And, the Lord was with him.

He is your refuge and shield.

Set your heart and love upon the Lord. In doing so, you shall remain fixed and stable.

He is your refuge and strength for he delivers you from the fowler. He covers you under his wings to trust, find refuge and rest.  His truth and faithfulness are a shield. You shall not be afraid of evil plots and pestilence as they stalk in the darkness, in destruction and death. They will not come near you, as you remain hidden in the secret place – the dwelling place of the Most High for he gives angels special charge over you to defend and preserve you in obedience and service. They shall bear you up against stumbling and danger.

Set your love upon the Most High and he will deliver you and set you on high,
because you know and understand his name.
You have a personal knowledge of his mercy, love and kindness.
You trust and rely on him, knowing he will never, no never, forsake you.

Call upon him and he will answer in time of trouble. He will deliver you, satisfy you, and honor you with long, everlasting life and salvation.

Remember, these rich promises are dependent upon meeting the exact conditions –
Dwelling, staying fixed and remaining stable in him, as your refuge and fortress.
Leaning and relying on him, alone.  Nothing between yourself and God!

Don Francisco, musician and song writer, puts it so well in his song.

Great Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat!

His heart was fixed and stable!

“Praise, ye the Lord, his mercy endures forever and ever.  Praise ye, the Lord his mercy endures forever and ever.  Praise, ye the Lord his mercy endures forever and ever.
His mercy, will never end!”

Thank you, Lord Jesus!

Do you remember the song “These are a Few of My Favorite Things” from the movie Sound of Music?

First and foremost favorite!
Wise men still seek him.
Prince of peace, True and Faithful, Re-builder of lives, Glorious Treasure.

When the circumstances around us seem to be biting at our heels. When the stings of life pierce our hearts and we are deepened with sadness. May we remember the blessings, a few of our favorite things, from our Father’s hand and then know with assurance his peace is with us.

Sweet grandson!

Yes, we can take a little time to withdrawal from the unpleasant things that come along during our day (mounting bills, screaming children, pressures at work and home, sense of failure, doubt, fear and uncertainty, etc…) and meditate on a few of our favorite things.

Delightful, but messy!

They lighten the load and they open the eyes of our hearts to allow us to see with more clarity.  They give us a moment to breathe and inhale the blessings we may be missing around us and unfortunately, sometimes miss.

What are a few of your favorite things?  These are some of mine.

Great place, great friend!

Philippians 4:6-9 –

“Entertain no worry, but under all circumstances let your petitions be made known before God by prayer and pleading along with thanksgiving.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep guard over your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.  Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is kindly spoken, whatever is lofty and whatever is praiseworthy – put your mind on these.  Those things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, that put into practice, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Practice turned into great music!

On this day and every day, take a few minutes to breathe in the Lord’s blessings!

Newest grand baby

Interesting, this week while I was writing this post, I acquired the 5-day flu bug, an overwhelming workload at my job and backed up plumbing in my house. Then, the plumbers had to cut the cable (bad to worse). Yes, circumstances biting at my heels.

For help, the Lord directed me to Psalm 139.
Read it, it will be a blessing to you! Better yet, listen to it.

Family

Scripture –

Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.  Proverbs 18:24 – …but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Friendship – Steadfastly loyal, to whom one can depend at all times, intimate,
faithful to help in need, trustworthy, comforter…

Friendship

Looking back in my childhood and teen years, I have often wondered what has happened to several people who came across my path as friends. I have several junior high and high school friends I hardly ever see, possibly because we are so busy with our families and our own lives. However, when we do get together we still have not lost our love and bond of friendship for each other.

One person I considered a friend, but lost contact with in my teen years by his choice.  I remembered his sense of humor when I needed to smile and laugh during some trying times growing up.  I also remembered at a young age he was diagnosed with diabetes.  Through the years I attempted to call him once, but was unable to connect. Several times I would check the phone book to see if his name was still posted with an address (just checking).  Several times, I often wondered why the Lord left that door open through all those years.  Yet, I knew it was for his purpose to reveal that to me in his timing.

A few years ago the Lord pressed it on my heart to write this person a letter.  After putting it on hold for several months, I was finally obedient to the Lord’s prompting and ever-increasing nudge. Not wanting to be intrusive, I wrote a friendly letter to see how he was, asking if he had a family and what was going on in his life.  To my surprise, my long-lost friend responded to my letter.

I realized the Lord left that door open for several reasons. Since we reconnected the Lord has allowed understanding, healing and closure to questions I had, which needed to be answered.  My dear friend can still make me smile and laugh with his sense of humor. But, much deeper than that, I was encouraged to find out he is a Christian, too.

As an amputee, he struggles and endures daily pain from the prosthesis that does not always fit due to muscle loss. He has to be concerned with infection to his other foot,  to be constantly watching since he cannot feel the pain. He struggles with blood sugar levels,  the highs and lows of depression from that, a kidney transplant and loneliness.  A restricted income only adds to the adverse situation.

So many times through the years, I have been humbled by his faith to persevere in adversity, opposition and discouragement.  His lifetime struggle with diabetes brought me to tearful shame in my heart and repentance before the Lord. I often ask the question why others suffer so much during their life-time.  Yet, still have such a strong faith in the Lord.  No, it is not a perfect faith, but a steady and assured faith. It is one that has allowed me to see one’s brokenness and despair when it seems all hope is lost, yet finding deep within himself the ability to continue to praise the Lord for who he is – not only for the blessings the Lord pours out into one’s life.

I’m not quite sure if it’s appropriate to say thank you to my dear friend for his example of faith when it has been built on so many struggles and trials.  It is a thank you that has brought me closer to the Lord in personal spiritual growth and a deeper desire to understand the new command given by Christ.

John 13:34 – A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Blessed

How many days go by without extending to friends how their lives or words of encouragement changed our lives, opened new doors to better understand ourselves or how their loving criticism added to our spiritual growth.

This is my personal thank you to my dear friends (and family) who have done just that for me!

You know who you are.  I have been richly blessed by the Lord allowing our steps to follow along the same path on our journey, which has been a wonderful adventure only he could orchestrate.

As the year 2012 closes, bless you and thank you!

Happy New Year!