From the place of HIS habitation HE looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth...

" Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments." Psalm 119:73

Sometimes I forget how much the Lord God loves me... and how beloved I am to Him.

Do you ever think that you are not that important? Do you ever find yourself dwelling on the fact that you are "forgotten"... and are "alone"? Do you ever doubt the Father's love for you?

I think most of us have moments where we feel discouraged... sometimes the trials of the day overwhelms us so much, that we think nothing, or very little of our importance in the eyes of our heavenly Father. That He cares and watches over us... 

But think about it. The Lord God created us... He made us and fashioned us. 

He knows our hearts. 

He knows our cares. 

He knows our thoughts. 

He knows all things that concern us.

Our heavenly Father made us for a reason... for Himself! 

"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, 

O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, 

Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, 

I have called thee by thy name; 

thou art mine." 

Isaiah 43:1

We are His... the God of heaven and earth! Doesn't that just give you so much hope and joy? 

Oh, what honor to be His... and knowing that He cares and loves us with a love that never fails! 

" I am my BELOVED'S, and HIS desire is toward me." 

Song of Solomon 7:10

I couldn't but think upon a well known hymn that brings so much reason for us to sing today...

Redeemed—how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; 

Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child, and forever, I am.

Redeemed and so happy in Jesus, No language my rapture can tell; 

I know that the light of His presence, With me doth continually dwell.

Yes, we have importance in His eyes.... so much so, that God gave His Son to die for us... and redeemed us to Himself!

Oh, wonderful, heavenly Father, we realize our failings and admit our lack of faith in times of testings. Thank you for your precious Word, that reminds us of your unfailing love towards us. We thank you for your presence in our life and redeeming us unto thyself.  Thank you for knowing what we need, be it trials or afflictions. Strengthen our faith and give us understanding that we may learn to do that which pleases you.

May you be encouraged today, knowing that the Lord God watches, and cares for His own.

~Ellie

"Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty."

 "And the Lord hath laid on HIM the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6

Sometimes I find myself so unworthy of God's love towards me... and wonder " how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean ". And yet I marvel at God's perfect redemption, that He would send His only begotten Son to pay the price required to make me clean, justified and forgiven of all debt.

So  this morning, my thoughts were on the death and suffering of the Lord Jesus... and His redemptive work on my behalf.

Isaiah 53:4,5,6

"Surely HE hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem HIM stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

 But HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon HIM; and with HIS stripes we are healed.

 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on HIM the iniquity of us all."

How thankful I am for the beauty of the Lord Jesus, seen in the eyes of the Father... for He alone was worthy to become the propitiation of our sins. And in His beauty, love was demonstrated ... in all obedience to the Father, in granting us pardon, and in making intersession for us transgressors. 

What blessed hope and reason to rejoice! The Lord's suffering was not in vain... for eternal life was granted towards us sinners.

One day, our eyes too, shall behold the King in all His splendor and beauty. 

"... for thou wast slain, 

and hast redeemed us to God 

by thy blood 

out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation."

 Revelation 5:9

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain 

to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, 

and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." 

Revelation 5:12

Father, how can we thank you for the  pardon offered through the blood of Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb without spot or blemish? Teach us to put away all pride and no longer live for ourselves. May the death of the Lord Jesus Christ be manifested in our lives today. Help us to magnify the ONE who is worthy of all honor and praise.

" Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, 

that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." 

2 Corinthians 4:10

May you be reminded today of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection, bringing us eternal salvation.

~Ellie

... His master saw that the LORD was with him.

"... how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against GOD?" Genesis 39:9

As I was reading through the account of Joseph, I was encouraged to read of God's presence in Joseph's life...and the impact it had on him and those around him.

Joseph feared God, and what a testimony that was to those around him! We find the LORD not only blessing Joseph, but even those around Joseph...

" And his master saw that the LORD was with him, 

and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand." 

Genesis 39:3

"And Joseph found grace in his sight..." 

Genesis  39:4

"... the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house because of Joseph's sake." 

Genesis 39:5

"And Joseph was a goodly person and well favored." 

Genesis 39:6

And as I was reading of the Lord's goodness towards Joseph ... even when tempted... even when thrown in prison... even when "forgotten" by the one he had done good to... that I began thinking how little I dwell on the power of God's presence in my life.

You know, sometimes I walk about fearful, I shy away from grief and pain, I find myself faithless...
But oh, the power of God that directs our every step.... and the knowledge to know and trust in the promise that our God never leaves us!

For Joseph, even when in prison, God's presence was still with him,

" But the Lord was with Joseph, 

and shewed him mercy 

and gave him favour 

in the sight of the keeper of the prison." 

Genesis 39: 21

How often I forget the power of God's presence in my life... that even in the midst of trials, my God never leaves me... but rather shows His mercy, and favor! Yes, He shows His mercy and favor when we think we can no longer bear the pain.

And then I couldn't but think how very important it is... that others might see God's presence in my life.

Do others see that the Lord is with me...  be it in joy and or in sorrow? Do others get blessed by seeing me have a total dependence on Him... the One who is able to save? Does my life show forgiveness to those that have wronged me... or do I hold a grudge?

We see Joseph not holding a grudge against Potiphar, for throwing him into prison, nor with  the chief butler who had forgotten about him in prison... furthermore, we don't see Joseph holding a grudge for his brethren, but rather loving them!

Only through the presence of God in his life, could Joseph ever have such love... and be able to consider the "evil" that his brothers had done unto him, as God's favor toward him.

How often I fail to see God's goodness to me... even in the trials and afflictions that come my way. Oh, that I would see them as God's favor towards me!

However, I am most thankful for God's presence in my life... through His Word and Holy Spirit.
For I am encouraged that Christ alone is able to use me... and you... to reflect His presence in our lives, and even bless those around us.

" Now unto HIM who is able to keep you from falling 

and to present you faultless before the presence of HIS glory 

with exceeding joy, 

to the only wise GOD our SAVIOUR, 

be glory and majesty, dominion and power, 

both now and ever. 

Amen" 

Jude 24,25

Holy Father, Help us today to honor your presence in our lives, by living a life worthy of your calling, in thought and deed. May our lives reflect and manifest towards those around that you are in us and working though us.

May you be encouraged to look unto the LORD ... and trust in the power of His presence to guide your life... and He will perfect that which concerns you today.
Ellie

I AM with thee, and WILL KEEP thee in ALL places whither thou goest...

" The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: HE shall preserve thy soul. " Psalm 121:7

This morning as I was going about my daily chores, I heard a song that lifted my heart to praise the LORD. I quickly made a point to find the song online and jot it down...

Do you ever find yourself in the midst of your MANY thoughts... and struggling to keep your head above the waters?  

There are many trials... and many afflictions in our lives. Sometimes we find ourselves thinking upon them in such great length(!), that our spirit can only naturally be weighed down.

 A heavy heart stooped with the "loads and cares" of this world...

 " Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop:

 but a good word maketh it glad." 

Proverbs 12:25

So while in the midst of my many thoughts...  for it seemed that in the split of a second, I had allowed myself to be fully immersed in the cares  and worries of the day(s)... I heard this song playing in the background. 

Such peace flowed over me! How easily I had forgotten that my God watches over me...

My heavenly Father knows my every need... and will not allow anything to come upon me that He does not will. And that which He does allow is only for my good... for my growth... for my perfection in holiness and righteousness.

Isn't our LORD GOD so good... to help us in our weakness and give us the strength to look upward and find rest in His mighty arm? 

I was so thankful for the peace He gave me in the midst of my many thoughts... that I hope this little reminder in the song will help you as well... and encourage you to know that our God in heaven watches over His own.

In This Old Troubled World

Author: Paul Sandberg

O how good to know that God in heaven

Watches over His children from above.

They are objects of His tender mercies

Safely they are kept in His love.

Chorus

In this old troubled world, my God is near us

And when we bow in prayer, He'll always hear us.

From every stormy wind, His love will hide us.

In this old troubled world our God will guide us.

Though on earth we've trial and tribulation,

Though there's much that would our hearts alarm,

He who feeds and cares for the little sparrow,

Will protect His own from every harm.

Father, how good and kind you are in renewing your faithfulness towards us each and every morning! Thank you for your presence in our lives and reminding us that you will be with us always. We praise you for the grace given us to overcome the trials and afflictions that come our way. Thank you for your care and protection over us. 

May your heart be joyful in the Lord's mighty power to guide your path and protect you from all harm.

~Ellie

This is my beloved Son: HEAR HIM

"Blessed is the man that walketh NOT in the counsel of the ungodly, NOR standeth  in the way of sinners NOR sitteth the seat of the scornful." Psalm 1:1

Do you ever find yourself caught up with the counsel of ungodly men and listening to their ways?

Do you ever find yourself  walking alongside and partaking with  those that despise the law of God and walk in wickedness?

Do you ever find yourself in the midst of those that express contempt or derision and scorn those around you? 

My thoughts went to Psalm 1 while reading through the gospel of Mark. It was while reading the account of the Lord Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain before the 3 disciples, Peter, James and John... that I thought upon the verse,

" ... A voice came out of the cloud, saying, 

This is my beloved Son: HEAR HIM." 

Mark 9:7

Earlier in chapter 8 of Mark, we find the Lord asking the disciples a question,

" ... Whom do men say that I am? " 

Mark 8:27

There were all sorts of talk as who the Lord Jesus was...

Sometimes we can get so caught up with the world, and what people say...that our focus and thoughts can be misaligned... 

...we listen to ungodly counsel, 

...we find ourselves standing alongside wickedness, 

...and sit in the seat of pride and arrogance.

We may find ourselves not mindful of the things that be of God... but rather the things that be of men. (Mark 8:33)

God's beautiful reminder: This is my beloved Son: HEAR HIM.

Oh, that we would delight in the law of the Lord; and in His law meditate day and night. (Psalm 1:2)

Through the use and practice of God's Word... planted by the rivers of water... we can stand amidst the teachings of men...  his leaf shall not wither... and be able to have discernment from good and evil...  bringeth forth fruit in his season...so that in the end, whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

How wonderful that we have the LIVING WORD... to guide and direct us unto godliness.... and to eschew evil, to do good, to seek peace, and pursue it.

"Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." 

Psalm 34:14

Righteous Father, thank you for the reminder to hearken and obey your beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for your Word that is truth in an adulterous and sinful world. Help us to pursue peace and seek holiness that we may have confidence and not be ashamed at the coming of the Lord Jesus. 

May you be encouraged today to seek godly wisdom in the Word... that your way may be prosperous.

~Ellie