Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me...

" These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. " John 16:33

Several weeks ago, I happened to be reading through the book of John. It was while reading the 16th chapter, that I came across a beautiful verse that made me stop and dwell on it. 

Chapter 16, in the gospel of John, is loaded with the Lord's comforting words... it's where the Lord relates to his disciples the events that will happen after His departure from their midst. And even though the Lord Jesus tells the disciples of the future persecutions in store for them, He also comforts them. 

• He doesn't leave them without hope....

" In the world ye shall have tribulations:
 but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 

John 16:33

• He tells them of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, that would come to guide them in all truth...

"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, 

He will guide you into all truth.." (v. 13)

• He tells them of the future joy... reminding them it wouldn't belong before they would see Him again.

"... but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, 

and your joy no man taketh from you." (v. 22)

**Isn't it beautiful. No  man can take away our hope and joy!**

• He tells them of the Father's love for them...

" For the Father Himself loveth you..." (v.27)

So as I was reading through the chapter, I was touched with the Lord's tenderness... in taking care of the disciples. How He comforted them! 

And yet, I thought of the heaviness weighing upon the Lord Jesus himself during this time... the need to go to the cross... and being forsaken by the very disciples He was comforting. 

But when I came to verse 32, I was overwhelmed with the Father's love... for the disciples... and for the Lord Jesus...

... and for us.

 " Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me..."

What encouraging words... as we live our lives here awaiting Christ's return. We too can  be comforted through the very words written in His Holy Word.

The Lord Jesus knows what we need... He endured loneliness. He was forsaken.

Have you ever felt alone? Forsaken by all? Jesus knows. He knows exactly what you need. He will never forsake you.  

HE KNOWS JUST WHAT I NEED

 Author Unknown

My Jesus knows when I am lonely

He knows each pain; He sees each tear

He understands each lonely heartache

He understands and always cares.

Chorus:

My Jesus knows just what I need

O yes, He knows just what I need

He satisfies and ev’ry need supplies

Yes, He knows just what I need.

My Jesus knows when I am burdened

He knows how much my heart can bear

He lifts me up when I am sinking

He brings me joy beyond compare.

When other friends seem to forget me

When skies are dark, when hope seems gone

By faith I feel His arms about me,

And hear Him say, “You’re not alone.”

May you know the presence of the Lord in your life today... and be encouraged to lift your eyes towards heaven. "My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and earth."(Ps. 121:2)

Their heart is divided...

" For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." 

Hosea 6:6

Several years ago, I took an online class on the book of Hosea. It was a wonderful class that brought about an understanding of God's redeeming love to a people that have gone awhoring after other gods. It showed me how God loves us...  inspite of our iniquites... and that His love stands firm to the end.

And while the book of Hosea was a blessing to me back when I took the class, I found that God's word never grows old... and I was recently blessed by it once again during my daily reading.

So while reading through Hosea, I noticed the importance of God's desire for us...  How He longs for us to return to Him in faithfulness... and to remember the great things He has done for us.

• He desires that we be faithful to Him.... 

" For Israel slideth back  as a backsliding heifer... " Hosea 4:16

"And  my people are bent to backsliding from me." Hosea 11:7

• He desires that we grow in the knowledge of who He is...

                          " My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge... Hosea 4:6

                          " I have written to him the great things of my law, 

                           but they were counted as a strange thing." Hosea 8:1

                      "For I desired... the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. " Hosea 6:6

• He desires that our hearts be fully devoted to Him... 

" They set their heart on iniquity... "  Hosea 4:8

" Their heart is divided..." Hosea 10:2

"Israel has cast off that which is good..." Hosea 8:3

• He desires that we have mercy...

" For I desired mercy and not sacrifice..." Hosea 6:6

• He desires that we sow in righteousness and reap in mercy... Hosea 10:12

" For  they have sown the wind, 
and 
they shall reap the whirlwind..." 
Hosea 8:7

• He desires that we forget not who our Maker is... 

" For Israel hath forgotten his Maker... Hosea 8:14

• He desires that we return to Him...

 " Therefore turn thou to thy God: 

keep mercy and judgement 
and wait on thy God continually." Hosea 12:6

As a result, when we acknowledge who God is, when we acknowledge our offences and seek His face, He promises...

--That He will not execute the fierceness of His anger. (Hosea 11:9)
--In Him the fatherless shall find mercy. (Hosea 14:3)
--He will heal our backsliding. (Hosea 14:4)
--He will love us freely...  (Hosea 14:4)

And He will be our dew, making us to grow, helping us to cast our roots, making our branches to spread, making us beautiful, and even making us to smell good.

" I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. " 

Hosea 14:5,6

I was simply amazed with the wealth of knowledge  and application we can draw from the Word... even from such a small book as Hosea.

It is enough to know that God's love... saves, forgives and restores.

"...   and it shall come to pass, 
that in the place where it was said unto them, 
Ye are not my people, 
there it shall be said unto them, 
Ye are the sons of the living God." 

Hosea 1:10

What a merciful God! We are children of the MOST HIGH.

May you know the power of God's love in your life today... and praise Him for His redeeming love.

~Ellie

Follow thou ME...

" But He that judgeth me is the LORD." 1 Corinthians 4:4

Do you struggle with comparison? Do you struggle with being controlled by what people think of you? Are you critical and judgmental of others?

I'm sure we've all, in one form or another, been there... and maybe we still struggle from time to time with these issues.

One day last week I was thinking about such things. It was while trying to fall asleep during the middle of the night. For some reason I woke up... and then I kept turning and tossing and couldn't find a comfortable spot. And even though some time did pass before I eventually succumbed to sleep, I was most grateful for my time with the Lord.

I noticed that most times it's during the night God reveals some of the most profound thoughts to me... maybe it's because I'm not so distracted with the things of the day and can actually be still and hear His voice.  

" Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge." 

Psalm 19:2

While musing about my own life and desiring to be pleasing before the Lord, I was reminded how easily I get affected by people. 

You  know, people have a way of affecting us...and yet I know people are placed in our lives for our own good. But we oftentimes allow man to take precedence over our Creator... especially when we are "concerned" with the speck in their eye and fail to see the log in ours. 

"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, 

but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" 

Matthew 7:3

I find it's our own attitude...  that really affects us. Not necessarily the people around us. It's how we view others...

Do we place certain people on a pedestal? Do we seek praise from man? Are our actions controlled by others to the point where we do everything to please them? Ok, maybe not everything, but do we allow the actions of others to define who we are? 

Are we too dependent on others for our well being, for our encouragement, for filling in our down time with "fun things", etc....

Or, are we judgmental in our thoughts towards others... are we always critical of their every move? Do we portray an attitude of self-righteousness?  

Is our life so tangled up in people, that we neglect our own  personal (spiritual) walk? 

And in the process...

... neglect placing the LORD first? 

... neglect being controlled by the Spirit?

... neglect the WORD to be our encouragement, to fill up our "down time"?

So I thought about these things... and found myself guilty. How easily the Lord becomes second, or third in my life... or dare I say, last!... when I'm preoccupied with others.

Is it any wonder that discontentment, self-pity, lack of joy, unthankfullness, all creep in when we find ourselves feeding upon... 

... judgmental thoughts, comparison, covetousness, pride?

All along forgetting,

... that God reigns supreme. 

... that God is the ultimate Judge. 

... that God is not a respecter of persons. 

... that God tests the hearts.

So I was most grateful for the Lord's reminder, in bringing to mind, the incident where Peter is preoccupied with someone else ... 

" Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following...

Peter seeing him saith to Jesus,

 Lord, and what shall this man do?

Jesus saith unto him, 

If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

Follow thou me."

 John 21:20-22

3 simple words... Follow thou me.

The Lord's gentle reminder to me was enough that night ... 

I am to worry about my own personal walk. 

I am to follow Him. 

" Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the LORD come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts..." 

1 Corinthians 4:5

I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit... bringing the truth in my heart... convicting me of my own faults. 

Oh, Lord... put a bridle over my tongue when I judge, help me to "forget not all Thy benefits" when I compare or covet... abase me when I'm full of pride, 

... but above all, help me to follow you.

May you desire to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ... and allow Him to be your all in all.

~Ellie

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me...

" The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: 

a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." 

Psalm 51:17

These past couple of weeks I have been memorizing Psalm 51... a psalm where repentance of sins are brought before a HOLY and RIGHTEOUS God.

Do you ever think yourself vile? Do you ever think that you are a sinner?  

I know sometimes we don't want to think we are evil... or wicked... or vile. We like to think that we are alright. We are not bad people. 

But lately I've been dwelling much upon Psalm 51... in relation to the rest of my daily reading in the old testament.... Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel. If you've ever read through the prophetic books, you'll quickly realize and come away with the knowledge that we are a wicked and vile people...

... and that God is HOLY. 

Psalm 51 states it clearly...

  " behold I was shapen in iniquity...and in sin did my mother conceive me." (verse 5).

God's people... be it Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel... all came before a Holy God in humbleness.... seeking God's mercy. 

And we are to do the same...

Isaiah states: " The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day." (2:11)

Jeremiah states: " Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches." (9:23)

Ezekiel states: " That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of His covenant it might stand." (17:14)

Daniel states: " Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten(humble) thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words." (10:12)

O, that our Holy God would have mercy upon us! For His Holy name's sake.

How of utmost importance... to strip away our pride... for we are to come in the presence of our God seeking His mercy. We deserve nothing. 

And so I sat down to put my thoughts in a poem... acknowledging my sinfulness and the need for God's mercy. 

How grateful I am that God does indeed show His mercy...  to those of a broken and a contrite heart.

" from the multide of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions."

 Ps 51:1

The Lord God, 

...so tender

...so loving.

Create In Us A Clean Heart

O Lord, forgive us our iniquities,

Have mercy and purge us from within.

Cast us not away from Thy presence,

Against Thee, Thee only, have we sinned.

We have done wickedly and sinned in Thy sight

Thou alone art righteous and just in Thy ways.

We have rebelled, we have not hearkened,

O God, in mercy teach us to number our days.

According to the multitude of Thy tender mercies,

Help us Thy will and truth to understand.

Make us to apply wisdom unto our hearts,

That in Thy presence clean may we stand.

For Thy name's sake, have mercy on us,

And sprinkle clean waters upon us today.

Cause us to hear and walk in Thy statutes,

Thy HOLY name sanctified in us alway.

Have pity for Thy Holy name's sake,

And create in us a clean heart.

Renew and restore a right spirit,

That praise from our lips shall ne'er depart.

Glory and honor be unto Thee, O God,

For Thou delivereth, and Thou rescueth.

Thou art the living God, steadfast forever.

Great is Thy power that continually worketh!

Ellie 2/18/2015

May God's forgiveness bring restoration to you today...

~Ellie

For the Lord thy GOD bringeth thee in a good land...

" When thou hast eaten and art full, 

then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which HE hath given thee." 

Deuteronomy 8:11

Do you ever wonder why we go through trials? Do you ever wonder what good is it that GOD would take us through a long "wilderness" in life?

Why do we have to go through times of adversity... where we are tested and tried in various ways? Why are there trials we face that bring about fear and anxiety... or doubt and unrest?

The wilderness for the Israelites brought such trials in their lives... trials for 40 years. But through those 40 years, GOD was faithful.... 

To show His mercy. 

To show His holiness. 

To bring glory to His name.

What may have been a time of rebellion, unthankfulness,  and disobedience for the Israelites, God's merciful hand was gracious to carry them through a wilderness that lasted a long time.

But He provided for their every need... in abundance.

As I was reading through chapter 8 of Deuteronomy, I was so thankful for the beautiful reminder...

Trials are indeed good for us!

I know it isn't the easiest to go through trials... but the more I read of God's Word, the more He reveals to me the need to be still before Him. 

He is at work in me... to test me, to prove me, to make me to know what is in my heart. 

God knows what is in my heart... but He wants me to know what is in my heart.

My God knows what I need of... and He desires that I might not forget His power, His holiness, His righteousness.  There's lots of things in my life that need to be brought to the obedience of  the Father's will. A ton.

" And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, 

to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, 

whether thou wouldst keep His commandments, or no." 

Deut. 8:2

Isn't the verse powerful?

That's why God takes us through the "wilderness"... not just to test us and know what is in our hearts... but to humble us before a HOLY God! 

We tend to think we have all the power... and forget that God is the One who blesses us with all things good. 

We are a proud people. 

We are stiff-necked people.

"And thou say in thine heart, 

My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth." 

But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God;

 For it is He that giveth the power..." 

Deuteronomy 8:17,18

But graciously, even through the wilderness, God is still merciful. 

He leads us. 

He carries us. 

As He takes care of us through the wilderness, God sees that:

Our clothes wax not old... 

when we " clothe ourselves with humility"(1Peter 5:5)

Our feet swell not... 

when our feet are "shod with the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15)

We are fed with manna from above...  

when we live by "every word that proceedth out of the mouth of GOD" (Deut 8:3)

And He chasteneth us a Father would... that we would learn to walk in His ways... in obedience.

Through the trials that I face, God feeds me through His word, to humble me, to test me... and in the end...

... to do good unto me.

"  Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, 

that He might humble thee, and that He might prove thee,

 to do thee good at thy latter end." 

Deuteronomy 8:16

What love! The love of the Father... to do us good in the end! 

And so today I'm thankful for the Father's reminder that my "wilderness" is there for me to accomplish His purpose... 

... to humble me before a Holy God... to test my heart... and do me good. 

The "wilderness" is a good land!

May the word of God be the "manna" for your soul as you face the trials of the day... and know the Lord God is working to perfect that which concerns you.

~Ellie

My strength is made perfect in weakness...

" But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. " Ephesians 4:7

Do you ever marvel at God's perfect ways... to encourage us in our daily walk? How the LORD so graciously provides for our spiritual needs?

As I was preparing breakfast, the radio played softly... hymns being sung, scripture being read. 

I cherish these moments where I can go about my daily activities and be blessed in the hearing of God's word.... and be encouraged to lift my thoughts on the things above.

You know, God's beautiful reminders are given to strengthen us... through song, through His word... reminding us that we are not alone.

"... If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, 

let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; ... 

and pardon our iniquity and our sin, 

and take us for thine inheritance."

Exodus 34:9

God's grace sufficient for my days...

I stopped a bit from preparing breakfast and was uplifted through the song playing... decided to post it in the hopes that it encourages you as well.

GIVE ME GRACE FOR THE LIVING OF THESE DAYS

Lord, when I face the far horizon, and I see just how far I’ve still to go

Lord, when I’m weary with the journey, give me grace for the living of these days.

Lord, when the plains are green before me and I’m lost in the wonder of the view,

Lord, keep me moving ever onward, give me grace for the living of these days.

Lord, when the mountain that I’m climbing seems too high and I cannot reach the crest,

Lord, when my spirits are declining, give me then your inner rest.

Lord, when the sunshine beams upon me in a time that is peaceful, serene,

Lord, when I think I do not need you prompt my spirit from within.

Lord, when I carry heavy burdens and concern for my brother weighs me down,

Lord, when my prayers are not yet answered, give me grace for the living of these days.

Lord, if the time should be disjointed and I’m tempted by fear and dismay,

Lord, when my dreams are disappointed, give me grace for the living of these days.

Lord, when the battle rages ’round me and I know I must stand there on my own,

Lord, may your inner strength remind me I must strive – but not alone.

Lord, when the suddenness of sorrow leaves me faint with despair and with grief,

Lord, may your mighty love console me, give me grace, my God, and your peace.

Bryan Jeffrey Leach

We are not alone...

May God's grace be upon you as you serve Him today...

~Ellie

When I awake, I am still with Thee...

 "How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!"

 Psalm 139:17

Do you ever read a verse that gives you so much comfort? Well, this past week I was overwhelmed with the verse in Psalm 139... a verse I mentioned in my previous post. 

Even when I awake,  I am still with Thee... Psalm 139:18

Such comfort the verse gave ... such peace. It has been a blanket of comfort and warmth for me these past several days... just to know my Father in heaven shall always be with me.

Yes, even while living here on this earth, in our physical bodies, our God shall encompass us... and what-more... even in the age to come... my God shall still with me be!

There's nothing to fear... when God is near... when our hope is in the One that changest not.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, ... shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Romans 8:38,39

Once again, God gives great comfort through His precious Word... reminding us that  nothing shall separate us from His love.

His thoughts are precious to us. 

His ways marvelous. 

His love infinite. 

And so I rest in His love for me...

How Marvelous Are Thy Ways 

How precious are Thy thoughts to me,

Thou understandest and knowest me well. 

Even in my lying down, Thou art with me

And when I wake, Thou still with me dwell.

There is not a word on my tongue,

Each thought altogether known unto Thee.

Where shall I flee from Thy presence?

For Thou art with me e'en to the uttermost sea!

How marvelous are Thy ways, O Lord.

Even when darkness shall 'compass me,

Thy Hand will lead and guide me alway,

For night shall be as light unto Thee.

O Lord, I am fearfully and wonderfully made,

So skillfully wrought in the most secret of place.

All members in Thy book were written therein, 

Knowledge too wonderful, such marvelous grace!

  Thy thoughts more numerous than sand unto me,

Acquainted with all, Thou indeed art my King!

Search me, try me and know my heart today,

And lead me in the way everlasting. 

Ellie 1/12/2015

May you be blessed by the Lord's promise... for He shall never leave, nor forsake us!

~Ellie