Sunday Bible Reading – Psalm 121

Psalm 121
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD,
which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:
he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper:
the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil:
he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve
thy going out and thy coming in
from this time forth,
and even for evermore.

june-16-008

Remembering God’s Promises at Cozy Acres

We are like to Him with whom there is no past or future,
with whom a day is as a thousand years,
and a thousand years as one day,
when we do our work in the great present,
leaving both past and future to Him
to whom they are ever present,
and fearing nothing,
because He is in our future
as much as He is in our past, as much as,
and far more than we can feel Him to be, in our present.
Partakers thus of the divine nature,
resting in that perfect All-in-all
in whom our nature is eternal too,
we walk without fear,
full of hope
and courage
and strength to do His will,
waiting for the endless good
which He is always giving
as fast as He can get us able to take it in.
G. MACDONALD.

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on January 8, 2017 at 4:29 am Leave a Comment
Tags: G. MACDONALD, God's Promises, Psalm 121

Today’s thought – This is Mine

Ring around the tree with spring flowers.

Good Morning

Joshua 1:3-5
Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

An old colored man,
who had a marvelous experience in grace,
was asked:
“Daniel, why is it that you have so much peace and joy in religion?”
“O Massa!” he replied,
“I just fall flat on the exceeding great and precious promises,
and I have all that is in them.
Glory! Glory!”

He who falls flat on the promises feels
that all the riches embraced in them are his.

—Faith Papers

Walk through the pages of God’s promises . . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

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on February 26, 2015 at 4:55 am Leave a Comment
Tags: God's Promises, Josuha 1:3-5, This is mine

Today’s thought – God’s Promises

the Farmer planted a whole row of flowers!

Good Morning

Psalm 119:49-50, 89-90 NLT
Remember your promise to me;
it is my only hope.
Your promise revives me;
it comforts me in all my troubles.
Your eternal word, O Lord,
stands firm in heaven.
Your faithfulness extends to every generation,
as enduring as the earth you created.

We may . . . depend upon God’s promises, for . . .
He will be as good as His world.
He is so king that He cannot deceive us,
so true that He cannot break His promise.
~~~Matthew Henry

Psalm 145:13-18NLT
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
You rule throughout all generations.

The Lord always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does.
The Lord helps the fallen
and lifts those bent beneath their loads.
The eyes of all look to you in hope;
you give them their food as they need it.
When you open your hand,
you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in everything he does;
he is filled with kindness.
The Lord is close to all who call on him,
yes, to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 119:140 NLT
Your promises have been thoroughly tested;
that is why I love them so much.

I can trust God . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

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on August 9, 2014 at 5:18 am Leave a Comment
Tags: God's Promises, Psalm 119:140, Psalm 119:49-50, Psalm 119:89-90, Psalm 145:1-18

Today’s thought – God’s Promises

Good Morning

2 Peter 1:4
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

If you would know experimentally
the preciousness of the promises,
and enjoy then in your heart,
meditate much upon them.
There are promises which are like grapes in the wine-press;
if you will tread them the juice will flow.
Thinking over the hallowed words will often be
the prelude to their fulfillment.
Many a Christian who has thirsted for the promise
has found the favor which it ensured gently distilling into his soul
even while he has been considering the divine record;
and he has rejoiced that ever he was led to lay
the promise near his heart.

But besides mediating upon the promises,
seek in thy soul to receive them as being the very words of God.
Speak to thy soul thus,
“my soul, it is God, even thy God,
God that cannot lie, who peaks to thee.
therefore, seeing that it is the word of a God so true,
so immutable, so powerful, so wise,
I will and must believe the promise.”

Believe . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

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on June 24, 2014 at 4:54 am Leave a Comment
Tags: 2Peter 1:4, God's Promises, rainbow

December 31, Today’s thought – Another Year

God has been faithful to His promises this year.

Good Morning

Isaiah 42:5-9

Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Another year has come and gone.
How will this one go down in the books for you?
Did you meet new friends?
Did you start or finish any new projects?
Did you take a class or learn something new?
Did you read any books?
Did you bless those around you?
Your family?
Your neighbors?
Did you serve at your church?
Did you share your faith?
Did you pray more or less?
Did you draw closer to God?

Years come and go.
Are we growing and making a difference
in the time God had given us?
The questions raised above are not intended to elicit guilt,
but they are the kind of questions that help us determine
how much we are making our life count.

Consider writing down a highlight of your year
before you even begin to thinking about goals for the next year.
Do this thoughtfully and prayerfully.
Ask God to convict you in areas that need to change.
Let Him affirm you in areas where He is pleased with your life.
Let this account of your your challenge and encourage you
to live your best life yet in the days ahead.
from A Daybook of Grace

I’m considering . . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

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on December 31, 2013 at 12:16 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: God's Promises, Isaiah 42:5-9, rainbow

June 28, Today’s thought — Promises

Zinnia

Good Morning

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 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. Romans 8:26-28

We tend to pray with words
because we aren’t brave enough
to pray from our groaning soul ache.
And so we chatter away with our Dear God, just…
and we miss him in the middle of
all.
this.
noise.
He’s still there, though.
He doesn’t roll his eyes
or cross his arms
or tap his foot with impatience.
He hears all the chattering
and he sees what lies beneath it.
Even in the noise,
He gathers us up
and pours Himself out.
Emily at chatting at the sky

So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance. And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God’s will. We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:26-28 Amplified Bible

Trust God for your day . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

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on June 28, 2012 at 6:47 am Leave a Comment

Five Minute Friday — New

So we gather here every Friday to compare our five minute masterpieces, in all their messy beauty. We just write, without worrying if it’s just right or not.

NEW

Almost every time I hear the word NEW, I think of this scripture:

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23

A fresh new day

A fresh new canvas

A fresh new heart

A new leaning on that faithfulness and not my own strength

A new showing compassion

A new smiling

I often find that hard to do, smile, to let my face show that my heart feels peace, contentment, and joy

in this new time of my life, empty nest, retired Farmer, reduced circumstances..

Because I remember “They are new every morning” I receive His Grace and Comfort in my NEW.

( Scripture and picture not included in 5 minutes, I’m way to slow to fit typing and additions in the time limit)

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on August 19, 2011 at 6:41 pm Comments (4)

Meeting with God in the Morning

On some Fridays I join a writing exercise Five Minute Friday,
on July 1 the topic was Welcome, you can read what I wrote here,
my thought was how I should view my time with the Lord each morning.

This morning the thought of God waiting for me with a package played over my mind. I pictured two chairs in a quiet spot , shady, with morning breezes, flowers and bird song, the clucking of chickens in the background and a wind chime or two.

There my Father sits with a package on his lap, waiting for me. I come with His Word in one hand and my coffee in the other. while we visit he begins to take out of the package what he has brought for me today:
Grace in a measuring cup –sufficient for the needs My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Love tied in a blood red bow for as God has forgiven me, this day I need that love to be able to forgive others 1Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Comfort a double measure some for myself and some to share 2Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Compassion like a fragrant rose for He knows just how weak I am Psalms 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Rest from troubling thoughts John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Security like a quietness when all around is change Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Caring that feels just like a hug as He tells me don’t be afraid,”I’ll hold your right hand, today” Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

I have a very little gift, no, not even a gift,
but it is all I have; a small box
with ashes and mourning,
and a spirit of heaviness.
He takes my offering
as if it were special and in His hands
it becomes beauty and oil of joy and a garment of praise.

Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

So now I am ready to walk this day with God holding my hand and his gifts in my basket. Wouldn’t you like to bring your chair and meet with us to see what God has for you?

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on July 7, 2011 at 10:01 am Comments (1)

Hidden in the Cleft of the Rock

Could it be that the darkest places in our lives are when God puts us in the cleft of the rock and then He passes by to do the work that needs to be done and when se come out of the cleft we see how abundantly above He answered our prayers and worked things together in a way so ‘much higher’ than our thoughts?

Yes, the cleft is a hard place, it is rock. It is dark. It is a dead end place we cannot see what is ahead. It is also a place of shelter. A place of refuge, A place of safety, A place of protection. It is a place by God. It is a place whose foundation is a rock. It is a place where God’s hand supports my leaning weak frame. It is the center of God’s will.

And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
(God)And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
(Moses)And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
(Moses)And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
(God)And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen. Exodus 33:12-23

Close To Him
God never would send you the darkness, If He felt you could bear the light;
But you would not cling to His guiding hand If the way were always bright;
And you would not care to walk by faith Could you always walk by sight.

So He sends you the blinding darkness, And the furnace of sevenfold heat;
‘Tis the only way, believe me, To keep you close to His feet;
For ’tis always so easy to wander When our lives are glad and sweet.

Then nestle your hand in your Father’s, And sing, if you can, as you go;
Your song may cheer someone behind you Whose courage is sinking low.

(picture – http://acts2gathering.com/sos-final/rock-cleft )

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on June 18, 2011 at 7:00 pm Leave a Comment

as the Lord commanded

1Kings 17:9-16Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

Did God tell this woman ” my prophet will come and ask for bread”?

Or did God ask this woman to be my servant and I will never leave thee?

I think that by her response to Elijah she didn’t know what would happen but she did know the God she served. As she did her morning prayers don’t you think her cry to God was ” O God, you see my need, you know my situation, Lord I’m depending on you to supply, but if you don’t supply I’ll serve you regardless. ” Just as the three Hebrew boys said our God will deliver us but if he doesn’t we will not bow.

Serving God doesn’t come with a detailed plan and explanations of all that is going to happen in our lives. So that we can be prepared and know everything will work out okay. Serving God is a commitment each day to choose Him again and again.

Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is what God asks and there is no detailed explanation of what “all” entails.

Marriage doesn’t come with instructions either, it is just a commitment better and worse, richer and poorer, sickness and health, choosing each day to love again. We aren’t given any idea about how rich, how poor, how sick, how healthy, how much better, or how much worse. This week (under the sickness and health column) I needed to help The Farmer with a procedure; I did not see it on my list 43 years ago. But the love that started then, that has gone through many of life’s circumstances, that is renewed by choosing helped me. And it wasn’t so bad after all.