Tuesday, December 23, 2014

But we see JESUS... crowned with GLORY and HONOR.

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, 
He also Himself likewise took part of the same; 
That through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil." 
Hebrews 2:14

I've been thinking much this past several weeks on the birth of our LORD and SAVIOUR. There's lots of glitter and sparkle that's associated with Christmas. And I thought how often the Lord's birth has become "dull" in the presence of other "things" that can easily cloud our minds.

I thought of my own heart... and how I view the Lord's birth.

We're very accustomed with verses that proclaim Christ's birth... and we're accustomed with hymns that sing of God's Son being born in a manger. We hear the Lord's birth being proclaimed on the radio, we hear it in malls, we hear it on the streets sung by carolers.... 

And then I found myself thinking how easily Christ's precious birth can become a commonplace in my own life.

Do I treasure the gift that God so mercifully poured on me? Or do I just sing it? Do I just associate it with Christmas "activities" ? 

The Lord Jesus Christ. Born for a purpose.

And in my thoughts, the Lord directed me to a set of verses that have  been such a blessing to me... verses I normally don't associate with Christmas.

The verses renewed my adoration for the King of Kings this season... 

 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; 
That He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
*
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same;
That through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
*
 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
*
 Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, 
That He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, 
To make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 
Hebrews 2: 9, 14, 15,17

Yes, the Lord Jesus partook of flesh and blood... for a reason... that He would taste death for every man! 

Oh, the joy of the Saviour's birth... that we would be delivered from our bondage to sin and death.

Blessed be the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ... that through the lowly birth of His precious Son... made it possible that we might have eternal life. 

He was made poor... so that we might become rich.

May your heart  today be full of adoration for our Savior's birth.
~Ellie

Friday, December 19, 2014

HIS banner over me was LOVE....

" The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

The love of God....

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Frederick M Lehman ~1917


Nothing can separate us from the love of God... which is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:38,39) 
No, nothing.

I live by the faith of the Son of God, 
Who LOVED me, 
and 
GAVE Himself for me. 
Galatians 2:20

May you be comforted in the LOVE OF GOD for you today.... a love that lasts forever.
~Ellie

Monday, December 15, 2014

The GOODNESS of GOD leadeth thee to repentance...

"Oh how great is Thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; 
Which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee..." 
Psalm 31:19 

Reflecting on God's goodness and love this season... and reminding myself how much the LORD has done for me. 

A sinner saved by grace.

It is enough to trust my heavenly Father for all things. His grace is sufficient.

The LORD is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation...


THE GOD OF LOVE POURED FORTH HIS GRACE

The God of love poured forth His grace
That we today might give Him praise.
So let us sing aloud with joy,
And honor God in all our ways.

Not one good thing does God withhold,
His steadfast love is all we need.
No, nothing do we find to lack,
When His commandments we shall heed.

Have we indeed shown forth our praise,
In lives reflecting of His grace?
Have we forgotten how to walk,
To love our God, to seek His face?

O, Lord before Thee now we come,
It is enough to know Thou lovingly shall guide,
Thy hand, so good, so constant and so kind.
Shall keep us close and near Thy side.

Yes, our God does pour His love on us,
That we might in His sight be clean.
All dross and filth removed from us,
A perfect work, complete within.

~Ellie 12/3/2014~

May you reflect on God's goodness, mercy and love shown to you today.
Ellie

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Bear ye one another's burdens...

" For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 
"Love your neighbor as yourself." 
Galatians 5:14

Today I'm once again overwhelmed with God's goodness, love and faithfulness.

Have you ever had the privilege to carry another man's burden before the Lord? Have you ever been asked to share in the trials of someone who's hurting and in need?...

It takes a lot out of us to let go of self... to stop and listen... to encourage... and to love.

But, oh the joy, to come before the Father's throne to intercede for someone else.

Last night was a night without much sleep, a turning and tossing, a night of praying and interceding that God's mercy would be shown. The early morning hours brought peace to me... a peace that God gave in His goodness.

Trust in me. Cast all your cares upon me. 

Oh, Lord... you are the God of heaven and nothing is too difficult for Thee.

A peaceful sleep passed over me.  Not much after waking, did God answer. His outstretched arm intervened. Sometimes I'm overwhelmed... because God is so good! He answers in ways we never imagine.

Sharing each other's burdens... what a privilege!

It's easier for us to just sit back and not partake in someone else's hurt... we have troubles of our own. But little do we realize how often we forgo blessings and lose the opportunity to grow and exercise our own faith when we share the load. Our faith gets tried as well. Do we trust? Do we surrender our will to HIS?

Tribulations... are for our own good, even though they are difficult to go through.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: 
knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope...
Romans 5:3,4.

The result... a perfect and complete work in us. 

But let patience have her perfect work, 
that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 
James 1:4

Let us consider it a joy... to carry one another's burdens... and so fulfill the law of Christ.

May God's love be poured forth in your heart today... for those hurting and in need.

~Ellie

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

"... beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth... from the house of bondage.

" And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD; 
That it may be well with thee... " 
Deuteronomy 6:18

Today is the 17th anniversary of our car accident... the critical car accident my husband and I had during our honeymoon. Has it been that long? Sometimes it feels like yesterday...

I'm thinking about God's goodness towards us today. How our heavenly Father watched over us. Protected us. Comforted us. 

I look back with tears of gratitude... for the accident. Yes, the accident.

I'm grateful for the lessons learned  during a most difficult time in my life. For you see... God, in His love, brought about a trial in our lives... for our own good. And I don't want to forget it. His mercy and steadfast love that carried us through... that brought us together and knitted our hearts to cherish the gift God gave us.

But most importantly, during this time, I'm also thinking about the precious gift God gave us... His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing compares to His sacrificial love... for which I'm forever grateful!

I've been reading through Deuteronomy... chapter 6 to be exact. And I've been touched with a special verse that made me realize how sometimes forgetfulness creeps in my life... 

I forget to have a thankful heart... for the deliverance of my soul... from the bondage of sin. I confess I take it for granted sometimes...

Do you ever find yourself forgetting to have a thankful heart? Not just merely for the physical "things"... but for God's love in bringing us out of our spiritual bondage. Where would we be... all shackled up?  

Reading through chapter 6 in Deuteronomy, I immediately thought of the spiritual application in my life...God's commandments to the Israelites are valid for me as well. 

I am to love the LORD ...with all my heart, will all my soul, with all my might.   

And God warns us not to forget where He has brought us from... 

"Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, 
Which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, 
From the house of bondage." 
Deut. 6:12

Interestingly God uses quite a strong word... Beware

I confess it gets to be quite easy to forget God's blessings... we forget to honor Him with a grateful heart. 

Oftentimes we get caught up with other things that cloud our minds. Sometimes we may even think the blessings we have are deserved. 

And we forget that GOD is the one that preserves us alive. 

It's for my own good.... To fear the LORD. To honor Him with praise. To do that which is right and good in His sight. 

That it may go well with me...

"And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, 
To fear the Lord our God, 
For our good always, 
That He might preserve us alive, 
As it is at this day." 
Deut. 6:24

Nothing we have is ours. God has given us ALL things. 

He alone deserves our gratitude, our obedience, our reverence. 

Our God is mighty... and with His mighty, outstretched arm... has delivered us from the bondage of sin. 

Father, thank you for your mercy that endures for ever!

" And it shall be our righteousness, 
If we observe to do all these commandments 
Before the Lord our God, 
As He hath commanded us."
 Deut. 6:25

May you remember the Lord's goodness to you today... to do what is right and good in HIS sight.
~Ellie

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

When I consider THY heavens, the work of THY fingers...

" What is man that THOU art mindful of him?... 
Thou hast crowned him with glory and honor...
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of THY hands; 
THOU hast put ALL things under his feet..." 
Psalm 8: 4,5,6

Lately I've been thinking about my worth in the eyes of God.  Who am I... that God would humble Himself to even look at me? Have you ever realized how much worth we have in God's eyes?

"Who is like unto the LORD or GOD who dwelleth on high, who humbleth Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! " 
Psalm 113:5,6

I know we tend to think about God's goodness from time to time. How we don't deserve His grace. How merciful He is with us. But you know, seeing God in the light of the Scriptures really makes you appreciate and hold fast to what God has done on our behalf... and to praise Him. 

Maybe "appreciate" and "hold fast" are not the right words. Sometimes I feel there are no words to describe God's goodness to us.

This past week I've been thinking how God, from the beginning, made us to be a people worthy of His blessings towards us. 

And then I thought how sin made us to depart  from God... bringing death... and death brought separation from God.

So I began reading Psalm 113... and was amazed at God's love and mercy shown to us.

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust...
He lifteth the needy out of the dunghill...

WHY? 

"That HE may set him with princes, even with the princes of HIS people." 
Psalm 113:8

Oh, what a merciful and gracious God! He restored us from our fallen state... to one of glory!

How can I ever thank Him... for making me have worth in His eyes...  all because of His precious Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, 
And hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, 
Not imputing their trespasses unto them
And hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." 
2 Corinthians 5: 18, 19

He took my iniquities away... did not impute my trespasses against me! 

I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart...

May you take time to praise and thank the Lord for all  HIS benefits to you today.

Have a most blessed Thanksgiving!
~Ellie

Thursday, November 20, 2014

And HOPE maketh not ashamed...

" His delight is in the law of the LORD; 
And in HIS law doth he meditate day and night." 
Psalm 1:2

I've been thinking of the great joy we have when we abide in God's presence. There is FULLNESS of joy.

How often I've taken for granted... the privilege we've been given ... to come before the heavenly Father. 

What joy unspeakable is gained in the presence of the KING. Blessings and riches untold. 

The HOPE... that one day we shall behold HIS glory.

Happy are we when we bow before the King. Happy are we when we abide and give honor to the ONE and only true GOD.

"We shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water... that bringeth forth his fruit in his season... his leaf also shall not wither..." 
Psalm 1:3

So this morning I took time to jot down a simple poem... as a reminder that we are most happy when are eyes are fixed on the LORD. 

True joy is found in the presence of the KING...

LORD, HAPPY ARE WE 

Lord, happy are we,
When our delight is always in Thee.
By rivers of waters our lives are enriched. 
For in due season fruit shall we see.

O Lord, indeed happy are we,
When all honor is given to Thee.
Yes, happy are we,
When like Thee we desire to be.

O Lord, in Thee do we trust,
To guide and direct our way.
For in Thee do we find,
All peace and contentment alway.

Lord, in Thy presence alone
Are riches and blessings untold.
Thou art the hope that fades not away,
As Thy glory one day we'll behold.
Ellie 10/23/2014

May you delight in God's presence... and meditate on His goodness.
~Ellie

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Gracious is the LORD, and righteous....


" What shall I render unto the LORD for all HIS benefits toward me?" 
Psalm 116:12

You know sometimes it's rather hard to get spiritual encouragement from passages in the Bible that are difficult to understand. Sometimes the difficult passages tend to be skipped over or  maybe they are read over with much speed.

Do you ever do that? Skip over a passage... or read over words with such speed that nothing is implanted in the heart or mind?

Well, today while reading through Jeremiah chapter 2, I felt that way.

It wasn't that the passage was difficult to understand, but my mind had a difficult time grasping the many admonitions of the LORD against the people of Judah. They were many!

You know sometimes you feel like the passage you are reading doesn't really relate to you. And I think that's where we often go wrong. We treat the words as mere "history"... facts that happened in the past.

But as I kept reading through the chapter, the LORD spoke to me as I neared the end. A verse spoke to me so strongly that I stopped to meditate on it for a long time.

" Can a maid forget her ornaments, or the bride her attire? 
Yet my people have forgotten me days without number." 
Jeremiah 2:32

Wow. God is so clear and detailed.

Have you ever thought of that? Can a bride forget her attire? We would instantly think, " Of course not!" Impossible. I mean,really, how can a bride forget her dress?

And yet... we forget God. And think nothing of it.

That's when the spirit of God made me stop. I thanked the Lord for His faithfulness.... for even when I am unfaithful, He remains faithful!

It makes me so sad to know how often I've grieved the LORD... through my lack of placing Him first, or forgetting His benefits because things "are going well".

Not to mention how I grieve Him when I take things in my own hands... thinking I can make it "all better"... all by myself. Because in reality that's what I do when I don't trust the LORD... when I fret or am anxious.

You know, it isn't just the people of Judah... that have grieved the LORD.

"For my people have committed two evils; 
They have forsaken me the fountain of living waters..." 
Jeremiah 2:13

The verse applies today to us as well... to me.

I'm grateful for the wonderful reminder today... to give the Lord God due honor and glory in my life... in trusting and obeying His word... in forgetting not His benefits.

Thankful for the Lord's mercy that endureth forever!


"...yea, our GOD is merciful." 
Psalm 116: 5

May you be encouraged to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving... and call upon the name of the LORD always.
~Ellie

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Looking for that blessed HOPE, and the GLORIOUS appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ

" Keep yourselves in the love of God, 
Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." 
Jude 1:21

This morning I looked outside. The sun was shining. It was a beautiful day. Yesterday the rain brought about such wonderful crisp air. I was debating if I should even go for a walk. Normally I walk after I read and pray, but today I wasn't feeling the best.

Because my morning walk has always been a part of my daily activity, I found myself putting on my shoes and warm coat. Maybe I'll just walk a bit less today I reasoned....

Somehow my walks have always done me good... not just physically, but spiritually as well. It's a time I like to listen to hymns, hear a bible reading program, memorize verses or  pray for my loved ones.

I'll confess not all days are productive... as thoughts of the earthly things can cloud my mind. Sometimes I find myself coming up back to the house and realize I wasted my time being burdened rather than trusting in the LORD.

But today I heard a beautiful song that lifted my spirit... and I thanked the LORD for reminding me to look on the things above.

I thought to share the song... hoping it would encourage you as well.

HOW WONDERFUL HEAVEN WILL BE

As I see the marks of sin I feel a sadness,
But there's a thought that always brings a sweet release.
Soon our Saviour will be here, that day is drawing near,
When tears, when trial, when heartaches all will cease.

Chorus

Oh how wonderful heaven will be,
To be with Jesus throughout eternity.
No earthly thing can compare
to what is waiting for us there.
Oh how wonderful heaven will be.

Oh just think of all the countless joys of heaven,
A better land, a better life than we could know.
We will be forever safe thru His forgiving grace,
This gift is ours because He loves us so.  

Author: Dan Dirksen Jr.

May you look for the glorious appearing of our SAVIOUR Jesus Christ... and find joy and peace for the trials of today.

~Ellie

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Only TAKE HEED to thyself and keep thy SOUL diligently...

" For what nation is there so great, who hath GOD so nigh unto them, as the LORD our GOD is in ALL THINGS that we call upon him for? "
 Deuteronomy 4:7

Have you ever looked at a spider and its web? Have you seen the spider at work... diligently working the web ever so meticulously? Have you seen how the spider reacts when something foreign invades his "home"?

Recently while sitting near a large window I noticed the spider at work. A leaf fell in his web. Within seconds the spider appears to remove all form of "foreign invasion". Patiently he begins the removal of the foreign object that has attached itself in his web. The object is much bigger than he... 

But it's obvious to anyone watching the spider at work that it is of utmost importance for the spider to have the object removed. 

He diligently and patiently works. His web needs to be free of any danger to his "home". 

And what I noticed most is that within seconds the spider came to remove the foreign object... the leaf. 

I thought of our own lives. Our hearts... 

Are we like the spider that quickly removes all "foreign dangers" that can mar our hearts? Do we diligently keep our hearts free from any form of danger that can infiltrate our souls and make us useless for the kingdom of GOD... and hinders us to grow?

Do we quickly put aside all form of  "dangers"... before they can debilitate us? 

Dangers can come in all forms... bitterness, jealousy, slander, pride, malice, hypocrisy.  

" Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, 
And hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings..."
1 Peter 2:1

But it can also be what we put in our hearts... through what we see/read/hear. Dangers from wrong books, movies, music.etc...

"Be sober, be vigilant;
 Because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, 
Walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 
1 Peter 5:8

Our God has instructed us, through HIS righteous WORD... to guard our hearts. Diligently.

" Keep thy heart with all diligence, 
For out of it are the issues of life."
Proverbs 4:23

We are always to be on the alert.  And we have a GREAT GOD who is near us when we call. 

What an awesome privilege to have the GOD of heaven act on our behalf.... even when dangers come our way.

" When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, 
Even in the latter days, 
If thou turn to the LORD thy GOD, 
And shalt be obedient unto HIS voice; 
For the LORD thy GOD is a MERCIFUL God; 
HE will not forsake thee... " 
Deuteronomy 4:30,31

And so I was grateful for the little glimpse in the world of the spider... a different outlook than I would otherwise see.  

Marvelous are God's reminders...

May you be reminded today to guard your heart from evil.... and may you have victory through HIS power that can set us free.

~Ellie

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Create in me a clean heart, O God ....

"... God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." Matthew 22:32

Lately I've been contemplating what it means to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. What it means to be humble. What it means to be clean on the inside. What it means to have mercy and faith. And above all, what it means to have Christ as your master...

" For one is your master, even Christ." 
Matthew 23:8

Maybe all this stemmed from a recent visit to a group of people that take pride in their "cleanliness"... and having "orderliness" as a top priority. Lots of rules and regulations. I suppose there's really nothing wrong in being clean, it's a wonderful trait to have. But as I visited these people I was burdened. Can outwardly cleanliness count for anything in God's kingdom? Does it count for eternity? 

How are we, as followers of Christ, able to shine clean in a world of "filth"? Filth being sin, and all things unclean.   Well, I needed to go to the WORD... to find God's answers.

The gospel of Matthew relates Jesus' condemnation of those being clean on the outside and failing to apply cleanliness on the inside. 

" Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! 
For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, 
But within they are full of extortion and excess. " 
Matthew 23:25

The Lord sure is direct! How often we make ourselves look good so that others may see our "righteousness".   

We can easily "pay" the tithe... whatever it may be that requires us to "look good". But we forget what counts most in God's eyes... judgement, mercy and faith.

"  Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, 
But within ye are full of hypocrisy, and iniquity." 
Matthew 23:28

So as I was reading through the chapter in Matthew, I stopped a bit to evaluate my own life. How do I live for Christ? Do I worry about man's view of me? Or do I care about being clean before God?

If Christ is alive in me, then I too shall live... no longer for myself, or the world around me... but for the ONE who died for me. And if Christ be my master, the greatest amongst us(also a servant), then I too am called to follow in His steps.... to walk humbly, to show mercy, to be guided by Him in all things. No boasting in my own abilities...

What assurance to know that His blood has cleansed me from the filth and dross of sin. Great is God's power to cleanse! 

His cleansing, not my own... 

And so I delight in the wonderful work of God on my behalf... the joy of being clean within, by the power of His blood.

" Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: 
Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow." 
Psalm 51:7

May you know the real meaning of being clean... and shine for HIM.  
  
~Ellie

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Ye that seek the LORD, look unto the ROCK whence you were hewn...

" Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; 
Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. " 
Isaiah 51:7

As I was reading through the 51 chapter of Isaiah this morning I suddenly read over a couple of verses I had memorized not too long ago...

It was about a year ago, or maybe even two, when I struggled with a huge bout of anxiety. It wasn't the normal anxious feeling that we all get... fears that come about and quickly go. This was much stronger. I was struggling to find peace within, from fear that  almost paralyzed me. What was I fearing? I had never experienced such anxiety...

Have you ever struggled with anxiety? Have you ever been fearful of the  future? Have the momentary struggles weighed heavily upon you that you felt you would lose control?

I remember my anxious heart weighing heavily upon me one day. My strength was weak. I was helpless. Yet in my struggle I knew my hope could only be found in my LORD. I couldn't do it alone. I needed HIS help. His power alone could deliver me. I could never have the power I needed to "get myself up" and free myself from the clutch of fear. 

There were no words that I could utter in my state of helplessness except, "Lord, please help me!"  The simple words of dependence on HIM  brought all the peace I had ever needed. A wave of calmness washed over me. And in His faithfulness, He directed me to a couple of verses in Isaiah that I took to memorizing... and repeated day in and day out.... even through the night. 

" I, even I, am He that comforteth you; 
Who art thou, that shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and the son of man which shall be made as grass;  
And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens , and laid the foundations of the earth; 
And hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor as if he was ready to destroy? 
And where is the fury of the oppressor " 
Isaiah 51: 12,13

The fear that comes from the evil one... can debilitate us. But all we have to do is to look to our maker. HE alone comforts us. He alone delivers us from the hand of the oppressor. He alone strengthens us. 

Let us look unto the ROCK.

" The LORD is my ROCK and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my strength, 
In whom I will trust...
For who is GOD, save the LORD? Or who is a rock, save our God? 
The LORD liveth , and blessed be my ROCK, 
And let the God of my salvation be exalted." 
Psalm 18:2,31,46

With thankfulness I read through Isaiah 51 today... thankful for the Lord's mercy... that endures forever. 

" Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted... thus saith thy Lord the Lord, 
and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, 
Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling... " 
Isaiah 51:21,22

Even in times of distress, our God is faithful!

May you be encouraged to cry out to the ONE who alone can save.

~Ellie

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

I even I am the LORD, and beside me there is no SAVIOUR...

"... He knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: 
These forty years the LORD Thy God hath been with thee; 
Thou hast lacked nothing." 
Deuteronomy 2:7

These past several weeks I've been reading through Isaiah... and oh, what a blessing it has been to me. As much as I've read through Isaiah many, many times the Lord always seems to reveal new truths and comfort through His word.

The book of Isaiah clearly lays out the importance of knowing who God is... clearly there is NO other God in heaven but HE alone... 

" ... I am the first , I am the last; and beside me there is no God."
Isaiah 44:6
And yet again, 

"... Is there a God beside me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any."
Isaiah 44:8

What really stood out for me while reading through Isaiah was how God relates His steadfast love to us ... over and over again. It's His desire that we might  know Him and that we would give Him glory and be a witness for His name. 

" Ye are my witnesses, and my servant whom I have chosen: 
That ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am HE: 
Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me."
 Isaiah 43:10

The really neat thing is that God cares for us His people. He has formed us. He has blotted out our transgressions. He has redeemed us... a people for Himself.

And how beautifully He takes care of us. Even  through the wilderness... He gives us water. And in the desert... He gives us rivers.    

" I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, 
to give drink to my people, my chosen." 
Isaiah 43:20

All this... so that we might show forth praise unto our God. Our God who has formed us and has called us by name.  

It's such a comforting thought that my God has been with me all these years, through the "wilderness, through the "desert" ... and I have lacked nothing!   

O, Lord... help me to show forth your praise and be a witness for your name. Indeed you are the only true God, the Holy One, the Creator of heaven and earth... my KING.

   " Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory..."
 Isaiah 43:7

May you show forth God's glory in your life today and be encouraged to give Him praise.
~Ellie 

Thursday, September 25, 2014

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty...

" I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust." 
Psalm 91:2

I heard this song this morning and was encouraged yet again... to look upwards. To gaze on the beauty of the LORD and not on the things around me.

Oh to depend on the ONE who alone can lift us up and take away our fears, grant us joys unspeakable and lavish us with grace abundant. 

I hope it encourages you as it did me.... to run always to Him... and desire to be in HIS presence.

 Lord I need You

Sometimes when life seems gentle and blessings flood my way,
I turn my gaze away from You and soon forget to pray.
But when the sky grows darker and courage turns to fear,
My anxious voice cries upward with words You long to hear.

Chorus: 
Lord, I need You when the sea of life is calm.
O Lord, I need You when the wind is blowing strong.
Whether trials come or cease, keep me always on my knees.
Lord, I need You. Lord I need You.

Lord help me to remember I'm weak but You are strong.
I cannot sing apart from You, for Lord, You are my song.
Though I'm prone to wander and boast in all I do.
Lord, keep my eyes turned upward so I depend on You.
written by Ron Hamilton

May you draw strength from God alone and depend on Him to guide and direct your paths today.


~Ellie

Monday, September 22, 2014

I will come into THY house in the multitude of THY mercy...

" For Thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; 
with favour wilt THOU compass him as with a shield." 
Psalm 5:12

As I was reading through Psalm 5 a few days ago, I was amazed at God's goodness in revealing an important truth to me... one I often neglect to do.

I  started reading the first couple of verses with familiarity. They were verses I knew quite well. But as I was reading, I stopped a bit to reflect on verse 3:

" ... in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee..."

How often I've taken those words as my own, and yet have not always applied those last 4 words of the verse. 

"... and will look up."

I confess I sometimes finish my prayer and am... still burdened, still faithless, still fearful. I forget to look up and trust my heavenly Father who knows ALL things. Do you ever do that? Do you still latch on to your problems and think God can't possibly resolve the issues of the day? Do you have a slouched posture, and look down because of the burdens you still carry? In reality, that's exactly what we do when we worry.
  
Yet it is in looking up that we can see God's strength and power.... that holds us, that keeps us, that protects us;

" Lift up your eyes on high and behold... He is strong in power."
 Isaiah 40:26 

How comforting it is just to ... "look up". Isn't it wonderful to be able to come before the throne of grace... where we find abundant mercy?

" But as for me, I will come into THY house in the multitude of THY mercy..." 
Psalm 5:7
  
We have reason to rejoice.... to rest in His presence. Indeed the LORD worketh on our behalf....

" Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, 
That the everlasting God, 
The LORD, 
The Creator of the ends of the earth, 
Fainteth not, 
Neither is weary?" 
Isaiah 40:28

And as I read through Psalm 5, I not only came away with the thought that God is merciful... but God is also a HOLY God.

" For Thou art not a GOD that hath pleasure in wickedness; 
Neither shall evil dwell with Thee." 
Psalm 5:4    

He desires that we, too, have NO pleasure in wickedness... He calls us to righteousness! To put away all form of evil.

Lord, lead me in righteousness for your name's sake..  and make my paths straight.

I Shall Look Up

LORD make me to know Thee as Thou art,
Holy and righteous and sufficient for me.
Indeed in wickedness Thou shalt never delight,
Nor will evil dwell ever with Thee!

Into Thy house I come where mercy's abundant and free.
Unto Thee do I look up and ask Thee to stay,
My Master, My God, Deliverer and Friend.
O lead me in righteousness and straighten my way. 

My joy is in Thee and trust Thou shalt work,
A plan that shall glorify Thy power in me. 
For Thou encompass me with protection from on high
And nothing shall I fear when Thy face I can see.
~Ellie 9/16/2014


May you delight in the LORD's mercies and flee from unrighteousness... and He shall lift you up.
~Ellie

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Offer the sacrifices of RIGHTEOUSNESS...

" Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: THOU hast enlarged me when I was in distress;
 Have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer." 
Psalm 4:1

For the past several days, I've been meditating on a couple of verses I read in conjunction to a parallel passage in Deutoronomy. It's a well known passage... a passage where we read about Israel's murmuring against God, and of their fear of the promised land.

But the couple of verse I read in Numbers made me stop. I read and re-read the verses. Could it be possible that we can be victorious in the "wilderness land"  and conquer the very "people" that cause us to fear? And in the end... be "fed" by the victory? 

" If the LORD delight in us, then HE will bring us into this land, and give it us: a land flowing with milk and honey.
Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land;
For they are bread for us;
Their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us; 
Fear them not. " 
Numbers 14:8-9   
    
As I read these couple of verse, I thought about its application in our own lives. 

How often we look at our time of distress as a burden, a fear, or even an unpleasant thing that we want removed from our lives. But if  God goes before us... and is with us in the midst of our trial... that trial is already won. And that trial and victory becomes "bread" for us.... because it causes us to grow in faith. 

Distress. Sorrow. Trials.  All work in our lives to help us grow and depend upon the ONE who goes before us.  The enemy is powerless,... all because our Lord is with us. 

And we know the sorrows of life are in themselves God's enlargements of His character in us. 

Our lives are enriched when we go through the valley of weeping. We learn tenderness. We learn humility. We learn compassion. We learn to weep with others. 

How can we ever understand those who go through the valley of weeping... if we haven't experienced the shedding of tears?

"... Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress."
Psalm 41:1 

I don't know about you, but I look back in my life and thank God for the sorrows and trials that have strengthened my faith in Him. Yes, they hurt. Yes, they are difficult. But through them God works to strengthen, perfect, and establish us.

These temporary trials are for a moment... but they have a far greater weight in glory. Far greater.

" For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, 
worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
2 Corinthians 4:17

Trust. Dependence. Peace. Joy. All by-products of God's enlargements in our lives.

Oh, that I would learn to offer sacrifices of praise in time of sorrow.... and quit my murmuring.

May you offer sacrifices of righteousness... in times of distress.

~Ellie

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Thy Throne, O God, is for ever and ever....

" They shall perish, but THOU remainest... and they shall be changed, but THOU art the same." Hebrews 1: 11,12

Coming back from a recent trip visiting family and friends, I was welcomed home by an early morning call from a dear friend. " How was your trip? I couldn't wait  and called to see how you were doing." 

What a friend! 

"How have you been? Are you well?" 

In the few days that I had been away, my friend had started to experience some back and leg pain. The pain was making it difficult to walk,  It also made it difficult to sleep. But she wasn't complaining. 

And as our conversation continued, she shared how one night in her pain she had picked up the hymn book and came upon the song, "Blessed be the name of the LORD". The scripture reference brought her to Isaiah 9:6.

As she read the verse she was overwhelmed with the thought that God is everything to us... and we don't need anything else. 

His name alone brings peace and comfort.

"... HIS name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, 
the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."
 Isaiah 9:6

" Isn't it wonderful?", she said. "God is everything we'll ever need." That thought brought sleep to her heavy eyes. Peace from the Heavenly Father.

And as she shared the verse with me, I  thought how easily I've read over the names... many, many times. 

Indeed it was good to be reminded of God's attributes.

God IS: Wonderful. Our Counsellor. A Mighty God. The Everlasting Father. The Prince of Peace.  

What else do we need? 

Even when... 

~everything around us may look dim.
~when everything may perish. 
~when everything may change. 

GOD is still the same. 

HE remaineth... when all else around us perisheth. HE is the same... when all else around us changes.

And HIS throne is for ever and ever. Blessed be HIS name!      

"... let them also that love Thy NAME be joyful in Thee." 
Psalm 5:11

May you be reminded of God's never-changing character... and praise His HOLY name.

~Ellie

Friday, September 5, 2014

The effectual FERVENT prayer of a RIGHTEOUS man availeth much....

" Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." 
Ephesians 6:18

Sometimes the power of prayer has to be seen in our own lives before we can truly embrace it as a means to intercede for others.  

Have you ever cried unto the LORD... and been heard? Have you ever experienced someone else's prayer being answered on your behalf? 

Prayer. What a powerful tool. A privilege. A means to glorify the Father through the Son:

"Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." 
John 14 :13 

This past week I was again reminded of God's mercy in answering our prayers. A mother's prayer on behalf of someone who was sick. How in a matter of hours God graciously answered and healed.... My mother's faith in her heavenly Father was unwavering. It was fervent.

The effectual fervent prayer brought about a miracle... seen before my very eyes. My loved one healed... when all else looked dim.

I praised God for His love that brought me to realize how important it is to persevere with supplication for all saints. 

We have a MIGHTY God who desires that we glorify HIM... not ourselves. No pride, no glory for our works.... but all praise be unto HIS name. 

 How much the Lord desires that we go before Him ... with a HUMBLE and a CONTRITE heart. 

We need to lay aside all pride. ALL.

For as long as we come before God with pride, we won't have our prayers answered. Did you know that? 

" ... HE respecteth NOT ANY that are wise of heart." 
Job 37:24 

If the LORD JESUS became of no reputation, shouldn't we?

Lord, help me to put aside all manner of pride and evil from my life... that the FATHER may be glorified.

" Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocricies, and envies, and all evil speakings." 
1 Peter 2:1

May you persevere in prayer on behalf of the saints... and glorify the Father through faith in the Son.        
~Ellie