This is a test

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

—Psalm 139:23-24

Part of my anxiety with going new places and attending large functions is that I don’t want other people to judge me.

Most of us don't like being scrutinized and tested.

Here is a thought: God knows us through and through.

He has been with us from our conception and will work with us through the grave and beyond.

When we invite Him into our interior world to search us, test us, and even scrutinize our anxious thoughts, know that He is not there to condemn or punish, but to cleanse and redeem so that we can be led to His eternal grace.

I want to be the woman that God intended me to be, and if that means being searched and tested to be lead on the right path, than that is what I ask.

God is my salvation.

Have a blessed day! 

dare to compare? you shouldn't!!

Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

2 Corinthians 10:12

Do you ever compare yourself to others and feel like you don’t quite measure up, that you are not as smart, pretty, personable or Christian as they are?

If you answered that with a “no”, I don’t think you are being honest with yourself.

I know that I often look at stuff or characteristics that my friends have and get a little envious, because it is so easy to think that if I had more or knew more, I’d be secure.

It’s a foolish comparison, as all comparisons are, yet don’t we do it all the time?

If only I was like her…if only I had a house like hers, a husband like hers, a job like hers…if only my children behaved like hers…

If only <insert comparison here>, then I’d feel significant, satisfied and secure.

If only . . . 

The truth is, even people who “have it all” still struggle with feelings of insecurity.

We must remember that God loves us, He made us who we are, what we are, every part, every hair, and He loves US.

He loves us beyond measure – we can’t even fathom the love He has for us.

We are so loved.

Isn’t that a great way to start a Monday?

Have a blessed day! 

A mystery . . .

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

—1 Corinthians 15:51-58

I know this is a long verse, but really read through the verse and these comments and think on them.

The Word telling us that we are going to be changed, I'm going to be changed, you're going to be changed!

Not changed as in a new wardrobe or haircut,  a new car or a new place to live.

We are talking major, heavy duty overhaul - we're going to be made immortal, indestructible.

We will no longer be perishable goods!

We're bound for glory because as a believer, we should know that even if our bodies die, we don't!

Our physical death just means that we will be given immortal bodies – the Word says that Christ will raise us up and clothe us with immortality - death will not have a hold on us because we are God's children.

Victory is ours.

Death does not have the final word; Jesus does, and he says, "Rise!"

Yes, death has the power to end life, the power to separate, the power to discourage and defeat us.

But, we know the truth; Jesus lives!

And because he lives, we know we will live with Him. (I could do a song reference here, but this is long enough!)

His victory over death is our victory.

Life is ours!

What else needs to be said? "Praise God!"

Wrapping it up, know that “things” in life can be fickle.

Friends can disappoint you .

Nothing is truly sure except one thing: life with our Lord.

If we build our lives on His work and His plan, we can hang in, persevere, and even triumph.

Yes, even triumph.

Have a blessed day! 

He's got me

He will not let your foot slip — He who watches over you will not slumber...

—Psalm 121:3

I still remember when my children were little, I would sneak in and watch them sleep.

Sometimes it was to check on them when they were sick and sometimes it was just to check on them for no reason.

Sometimes it was to stand in awe and remind myself of the grace and wonder of God's love for giving me such blessings.

(if my children read this, they probably won’t believe it, but yes, they are blessings to me)

Even now that they are much older, I still pray for them, these precious gifts from the Father.

To know that my God looks at me in the same way, but with even greater delight and joy, fills me with unspeakable wonder.

I wonder how I was blessed with my children, and then I wonder how I am blessed to be a child of the one true King.

Have a blessed day! 

Getting the help you need

I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

—Psalm 121:1-2

Sound familiar?  Guess what – song reference!!!

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth

And I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm

Consider this:  God spoke into existence the universe and God knows our names and the number of the hairs on our head...

So shouldn’t we know that we can go to Him for our help?

Let's lift up our eyes and our hearts to Him, know that He sees our needs, hears our requests, and cares about our hearts.

Have a blessed day! 

what do these words do for you?

The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.

—Proverbs 10:21

I am blessed to have several friends who are very wise in the way they speak.

When they do speak up, everyone listens attentively because their words are always wise, well-timed, and worthwhile.

Their righteous lives and careful use of words blesses and nourishes all who listen.

There are others, however, that are constantly talking about everything and spending little or no time practicing what they preach.

Their words are discounted as nothing more than their own desire to hear their own opinions about matters on which they know nothing.

And people see this.

Others look at them and know that they are being foolish.

My prayer is that my thoughts and the words I share nourish, and are not foolish.

Have a blessed day! 

Do I matter?

The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

—Psalm 121:8

Does it matter to anyone that I'm here?

Does anyone notice when I'm gone?

Even if no one on earth cared, my Father cares.

Think about it - the LORD, the Savior of Israel and the Father of Jesus - He knows all about us!

He knows and our comings and goings.

And. He. Cares.

He will watch over us, now and forevermore.

What more could we ask for?

Have a blessed day!