..thoughts for today..

i love conversation with people, especially those i know where they've been, then getting to hear/see God's faithfulness to them over and over again. He never fails to amaze me. i value so much the friendships he's given me and the ability to do life with others... getting to embrace one another in suffering and rejoice in one another's blessings- all together. 

i've learned to know that trying times will come, and when they do, it's those times you dig in your heels and keep pressing on- only to find that joy does come in the morning. there will come a point that you will be able to look back and say 'all is well'. when you know the character and love of God, you have an assurance that 'although it's hard, i know Him- He is soveriegn, and i don't understand but i know he does. i trust him.' it's those times that having the word hidden in your heart is so crucial, bc there will come times that you won't have the energy or drive in you to even pick up your bible (i've been there).. but i would hear in my heart.."what the enemy intends for harm, God intends for good.. to accomplish what is now being done." Gen 50:20 and "For i know the plans i have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you , not to harm you. plans to give you hope and a future" Jer 29:11.. "God works all things together for the good for those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose" Rom 8:28..and so on.. it's those times you cling to the promises of God and hold fast to the hope that you believe in.. "it's in those very times, that you can say to the world what you've been trying to say all along, which is, I Believe in Jesus".. we have this anchor of hope that is firm and secure that we can cling to (heb 6:19) .. when everything falls around us, during every life circumstance... i can tell you the anchor is solid, it's steady and it will not let you down. there have been times that i've had to close my eyes and just grip to the cross due to unbearable things.. and looking back now, the One who promises is faithful and He is just to see you through. He always will.

i'm able to stand on the other side of some mountains and i'm able to look back with great joy, not because everything turned out the way i hoped, but bc my God has been faithful to see me through. the joy and love he gives is like nothing else. He is just so good :)

"if we saw the big picture the way God does, we'd make the same decisions He makes"

"It's okay to trust in an unknown future with a known God. A God that Knows You"

I just love that. I love knowing that God see's us right where we are, where we were and where we will be days, months, years from now. I believe He just looks and smiles... saying just wait for what i have in store for you :)

 

 

kristy

....anchor of hope....

We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us.

Heb 6: 18-20 Message

:::::::::::::::::

We who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged...

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

NIV

truly blessed

You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope.

With less of you there is more of God.

You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you.

Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

You're blessed when you're content with just who you are

—no more, no less.

That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God.

He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

You're blessed when you care.

At the moment of being 'care-full,'

you find yourselves cared for.

You're blessed when you get your inside world..

—your mind and heart—

put right.

Then you can see God in the outside world.

You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution.

 The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

...Matt 5:3-10 Message

one of my favorites

..little tune in my ear...

Take my life I lay it down

At the cross where I am found

All I have I give to You oh God

Take my hands and make them clean

Keep my heart in purity

That I may walk in all You have for me

Oh here I stand

Arms open wide

Oh I am Yours

And You are mine

Take my moments and my days

Let each breath that I take

Be ever only for You oh God

Oh here I stand

Arms open wide

Oh I am Yours

And You are mine

My whole life is Yours

I give it all

Surrendered to Your Name

And forever I will pray

Have Your way

Have Your way

Oh here I stand

Arms open wide

Oh I am Yours

And You are mine

Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted.

Stay wide-awake in prayer.

Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it.

Love makes up for practically anything.

Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully.

Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it:

if words, let it be God's words;

 if help, let it be God's hearty help.

That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus,

 and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything

1 peter 4: 7-11 message

Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in.

...Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble.

That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm.

Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

Whoever wants to embrace life

and see the day fill up with good,

Here's what you do:

Say nothing evil or hurtful;

Snub evil and cultivate good;

run after peace for all you're worth.

God looks on all this with approval,

listening and responding well to what he's asked;

But he turns his back

on those who do evil things.

 

1 peter 3: 4, 8-12 Message

Psalm 119: 1-41

You're blessed when you stay on course,

 walking steadily on the road revealed by God.

You're blessed when you follow his directions,

doing your best to find him.

....you don't go off on your own;

you walk straight along the road he set.

You, God, prescribed the right way to live;

now You expect us to live it.

Oh, that my steps might be steady,

keeping to the course you set;

Then I'd never have any regrets

in comparing my life with your counsel.

I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;

I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.

I'm going to do what you tell me to do;

don't ever walk off and leave me.

 How can a young person live a clean life?

By carefully reading the map of your Word.

I'm single-minded in pursuit of you;

don't let me miss the road signs you've posted.

I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart

so I won't sin myself bankrupt.

Be blessed, God;

train me in your ways of wise living.

I'll transfer to my lips

all the counsel that comes from your mouth;

I delight far more in what you tell me about living

than in gathering a pile of riches.

I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,

I attentively watch how you've done it.

I relish everything you've told me of life,

I won't forget a word of it.

 Be generous with me and I'll live a full life;

not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.

Open my eyes so I can see

what you show me of your miracle-wonders.

I'm a stranger in these parts;

give me clear directions.

....

I'm absorbed in pondering your wise counsel.

Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight;

I listen to them as to good neighbors!

Get me on my feet again;

build me up again by your Word.

Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;

grace me with your clear revelation.

I choose the true road to Somewhere,

I post your road signs at every curve and corner.

I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;

God, don't let me down.

I'll run the course you lay out for me

if you'll just show me how.

 God, teach me lessons for living

so I can stay the course.

Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—

my whole life one long, obedient response.

 Let your love, God, shape my life

with salvation, exactly as you promised..