Hardships

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia.  We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.  In deed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.  But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God, who raises the dead.  (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

This little bird is hanging on to a reed as the soft wind blows against him.  The reed bends and moves to and fro as he continues to hang on.  He seems unmoved as he sits in place and moves with the wind.  He is not afraid.

The above scripture verse really spoke to me the other night especially since I feel that I am enduring a trial that is far beyond my ability.  As Paul says in this verse, it happens so that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God, who is all powerful.  So therefore my trial is set in place that I may continue to seek Him.  It is His way of loving me, keeping me close.  Looking with spiritual eyes I can see the real reason behind it all, and I can rejoice in His LOVE.  Beloved, He loves us in ways that are high and lifted up, He never leaves us and does not want us to leave Him.  He loves us beyond what we can understand.  As the little bird that clings to the reed in the blowing wind, I can endure the wind as long as I hang on to Him.  I can rest and let the billows flow over me, confident that He love me.

Jeremiah 33:3

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.

A New Direction

"He knoweth the way that I take: when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold." (Job 23:10)

This is the verse I received this morning in my little promises box.  I take out a little card every day and seriously the Lord really does use these little cards.  He speaks to me through them and I am always eager for Him to speak to me.  There have been a lot of internal trials going on within me.  The Lord has been pointing me through various people to a path He has personally picked out for me.  He wants me to experience greater joy and LOVE in my life.  He has set me in Colorado to walk on this path and according to the verse today, He has promised that I shall come forth as gold.

Father, I accept this journey, this path you have set me on, I want to come forth as gold and glorify your name.  Thank you for all your awesome blessings.  In your son's name Jesus, I pray.  Amen

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my vision, oh Lord of my heart

Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art

Thou my best thought by day or by night

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word

I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord

Thou my great Father and I Thy true son

Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one

Riches I need not, nor man's empty praise

Thou mine inheritance now and always

Thou and Thou only first in my heart

High king of heaven my treasure Thou art

Be Thou my vision, oh Lord of my heart

Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art

Thou my best thought by day or by night

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

High king of heaven, my victory won

May I reach heaven's joy, bright heaven sun

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall

Still be my vision, oh ruler of all

"I finally get why Paul and Barnabas set to song when they were jailed in prison in the book of Acts. Sometimes to hear the words of God sung are the healing balm that diverts you away from deep seated sadness to that of a communal spiritual holy God sanctioned power that almost can not be defined in words." (quoted by john146only)


With sadness in my heart for all the loss I have endured, I seek the Lord and His comfort.  For true and lasting comfort comes only from Him.   ~Rebecca

O the Deep Deep Love of Jesus

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of thy love.
Leading onward, leading homeward to thy glorious rest above!

O the deep deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore.
How He watches o'er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o'er them from the throne!

O the deep deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
'Tis an ocean vast of blessing, 'tis a haven sweet of rest!
O the deep deep love of Jesus, 'tis a heaven of heavens to me;

And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up the Thee!

This Easter my heart has been filled with song...hymns of praise.  Won't you sing the above song and fix your thoughts on His love for you?  Click here and sing along.