...and under HIS wings shalt thou trust.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: 

Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: 

I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;

Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 

Isaiah 41:10

Sometimes I am overwhelmed with God's precious promises. This morning I read the above verse and rested in God's love. 

How beautiful to be still in the presence of the ALMIGHTY GOD!

I couldn't but think how often we  fail to to remember the promises of our God and Saviour... that He will be with us even unto the end. 

And so today I cling to the beautiful reminder that God is with me... 

... as I find rest in His power and strength,

... as I trust Him to guide and protect me,

... and wait upon Him to lead me.

UNDER HIS WINGS

Ira Sankey

Under His wings I am safely abiding;

  Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,

Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me;

  He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

 

Under His wings, under His wings,

  Who from His love can sever?

Under His wings my soul shall abide,

    Safely abide forever.

Under His wings—what a refuge in sorrow!

  How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!

Often when earth has no balm for my healing,

  There I find comfort, and there I am blest.

Under His wings—oh, what precious enjoyment!

  There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;

Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;

  Resting in Jesus I’m safe evermore.

Precious Father, Thank you for your promises that are true and faithful. Help us to rest in your presence and be comforted through your Spirit and Word. 

May you be encouraged today to rest in the Lord Jesus and trust in His care for you.
~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

Be of good courage; IT IS I; Be NOT afraid.

" And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased." Matthew 14:32

In this morning's Bible reading I was blessed yet again when I read the marvelous and mighty acts of the Lord Jesus being performed. And yet this morning I stood a bit to meditate...

I thought about what it means to be in the presence of the One who could heal, give faith and strengthen. 

Have you ever felt the "wind being still" when in the Lord's presence? Do you find strength in His presence... in His Word... when everything around you is tumultuous?

Who can calm your soul when  "high winds" and "waves so big" make you feel utterly helpless and ready to sink?

Such thoughts crossed my mind while reading through chapter 14 of Matthew. I marveled when reading through the account of the Lord Jesus being followed by a great multitude. I thought of the people longing for healing. 

One thing the multitude knew... they knew the Lord Jesus could heal. 

The Lord's compassion  and care was evident upon all... not just a few, but the whole multitude... 5000 people! And He knew their needs...

" They need not depart; give ye them to eat. " 

Matthew 14:16

 and, 

"Bring them hither to me." 

Matthew 14:18

O, what calm and peace when in the presence of the One who takes care of our needs... physical and spiritual!

And as I read of the disciples' fear when encountering the tumultuous waters about them...  tossed about from high winds and waves... I thought again of the peace found only in the presence of the Lord.

How calming and assuring the Lord Jesus' words were,

" Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." 

Matthew 14: 27

Peter's desire to walk on water, right along with the Lord, shows how he placed his trust and hope in the One who alone could save him from the tumultuous seas. 

And yet the minute Peter took His eyes off the Lord... fear crept in. However, the Lord never once left Peter...

... and He never leaves us!

It was so very comforting to me when I read that the Lord immediately reached forth to take Peter's hand ... AND CATCHES HIM... before He could ever sink. 

 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, 

O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" 

Matthew 14:31

How important it is for us to trust and not look away from the One who is our strength.

The wind ceased ... when they were all in the ship with the Lord Jesus.

What a beautiful reminder for me this morning... in the presence of the Lord Jesus... all waves cease!

Oh that I would desire to be in His presence. He alone controls and calms the winds that come in my life...  no harm can come upon me when I am in His presence.

And when I lack the faith needed to stand, He immediately takes hold of me... and catches me... so I would not sink. 

Isn't it marvelous...the Lord's tender care for us?

May you be encouraged to rely on the Lord Jesus to calm the winds in your life.

~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

Be clothed with humility... for God resisteth the proud.

" Humble yourselves therefore under the MIGHTY hand of God, 

that He may exalt you in due time." 

1 Peter 5:6

Today I was contemplating on a well known verse. A verse quoted many times as an encouragement to those in need... a verse we often cling to ourselves.

The verse was sent to me today... mainly as a reference. Not always very good with references, I picked up the Word of God and found the verse. 

Oh, yes.... a verse I knew quite well.

" Casting all your care your care upon Him, for He careth for you."

 1Peter5:7

I stopped a bit and thought about the verse. Yes, truly, the Lord cares for us. But then I thought how sometimes we "cast" our cares  for a moment and then find ourselves trying to "reel" those very cares right back.

Do you ever do that? 

Maybe we find ourselves desiring God to change the situation...  and when He doesn't, we kind of get in the way. Sometimes I find myself "reeling" in the problems, trying hard to adjust things on the "line", then "cast" again . Yet, I still find myself without strength. It's easy to do... this  keeping of control. 

But after reading the verse, I thought about the powerful promise the Lord left for us... we are to cast ALL our cares upon Him... for HE cares for us. .

Wanting more insight on the powerful promise, I started reading the verses prior. And as I was reading the verses, the Lord opened my eyes to a new thought in regards to the well known verse. I really never thought about it this way....

"Be clothed with humility: 

For God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, 

That He may exalt you in due time." 

1 Peter 5,6.

Before we are to "cast our cares upon Him" we are to be clothed with humility... Yes, clothed in humility! Our prayers before a Righteous and Holy God should be one of humbleness.

Clothed in humility? That's often hard.  Awfully hard. It sounds much easier to just "cast my cares". But must I also clothe myself in humility?

Why, humbling ourselves requires that we be nothing... and none of us like to be treated like nothing. None of us want to lose control. We want to have some form of power... 

Humbleness... relinquishing all form of pride, our power, our will, our importance. 

When we become humble, we become NOTHING.... and God  becomes EVERYTHING. 

Only when there's absolutely nothing left of our own accord/will/power... can we truly " cast our cares upon Him" and understand that God will indeed "care for us". 

Why do I forget to rely on His MIGHTY hand? God will care for me as He sees fit... 

And His promise is that He will exalt us in due time... not our time, but His time. It's a promise! 

I thank the Lord for revealing to me today my need to humble myself before I come before Him... so that I can rest in His care of me!

 Search me, O God, and know my heart: 

Try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, 

And lead me in the way everlasting. 

Psalm 139; 23,24

Free of my pride, I can be sure that  He will give grace in my time of need. 

For He promises, "He will give grace to the humble". That's enough to praise the LORD as He continues to work in my life. 

May you be encouraged to relinquish all form of pride and clothe yourself with humility... before the MIGHTY hand of God.

~Ellie

God THUNDERETH marvellously with HIS voice...

" Hast thou an arm like GOD? OR canst thou thunder with a voice like HIM? Job 40:9

Last night, or more like the early morning hours, while lying in bed with some body pain  and not being able to sleep, I suddenly heard the beginning of a hailstorm. The hail came quickly with a loud noise pounding the roof.

The wind picked up and the hail was heard bouncing off the windows. Shortly thereafter, lightning lit the skies and loud peals of thunder was heard. The thunder at times was quite loud shaking the house with much force.

Then the heavy rain started to fall... and I was in deep amazement at the power of GOD. Who is like our GOD that can create such marvel?  

How can one not know that GOD reigns in the heavens?  

" God thundereth marvellously with HIS voice; great things doeth He, which we cannot comprehend.

For He saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth, likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of His strength. 

He sealeth up the hand of every man;that ALL men may know HIS work." 

Job 37:5-7

After breakfast, I immediately went to a favorite passage in Job where God's power is explained in such detail. I read a few verses and thought to sit a bit, look out the window, watch the rain... and put my thoughts in a poem.

THY WONDROUS WORKS IS PERFECT IN KNOWLEDGE

Who but Thee knows the ordinances of heaven?

Thou hast laid the foundations of the earth,

And made the cloud as a garment for it.

With Thy voice You thunder and rain does come forth.

*

Who is like unto Thee, O Lord?

In whose hand lies all might and power.

Thou givest the earth due rain in its season,

And causeth the tender bud to bring forth its flower.

*

Thy wondrous works is perfect in knowledge.

Great things Thou doest, we cannot understand.

By your counsel the bright cloud is turned,

And cause it to come for mercy, correction, and even the land.

*

Thy voice is heard upon the many waters,

For the sea is Thine and Thy hands has formed the dry land.

You make the desolate ground to be continually satisfied,

And uphold all things by Your righteous right hand.

*

Who has an arm like our God and can save?

  We call unto Thee in trouble, for Thou dost surely hear.

From Thy secret place of thunder, Thy people you answer.

Yes, I will help you, for I'm with you and you shalt not fear.  

~Ellie 6/13/14

May you praise the LORD on high today... for His mercy endureth forever.

~Ellie                                            

For the Battle is NOT yours, but GOD'S...

" Ye shall NOT need to fight in this battle; SET yourselves, STAND ye STILL, and SEE the SALVATION of the LORD with you..."  2 Chronicles 20:17

The word of God has always been of  comfort to me. It never fails to uplift me as I read it. And as I was reading a passage from a daily  calendar, STREAMS IN THE DESERT, I instantly loved the verse that was quoted:

" When they began to sing and praise,  the LORD set ambushments... and they were smitten."

2 Chronicles 20:22

The passage talked about singing and praising the LORD more... and dwelling less on our problems. Just as the birds sing in the early morning hours... without a care in the world...  so ought we to sing. The  last thing the robins do in the evening is to sing... shouldn't we sing a song of praise to Him who carried us through the day?

Sometimes the problems of the day can be sung away... We need not fight the battle, for we have GOD on our side... and He will fight for us. Resting still before Him, with a song of praise, will stablish us ... and make us prosper throughout the day. (2 Chron. 20:20)

What victory we have through our heavenly Father who goes before us, and wins the battle on  our behalf. I simply love how the WORD is so rich in comfort and peace. God's word never fails to remind us that HE is in control.  All we need to do is to fix our eyes upon HIM... for our GOD rules the world... and NO ONE can withstand HIM!

"  O Lord God of our fathers, art not Thou God in heaven? And rulest not Thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? And in Thine hand is there not power and might that none is able to withstand Thee?"

2 Chronicles 20:6

Doesn't this verse just overwhelm you with peace? Nothing can happen without God allowing it.

Furthermore, the LORD GOD is so gracious and merciful... that He gives us yet another verse... just  to solidify HIS lovingkindness over us.

" If when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in THY presence, for Thy name is in this house, and cry unto THEE in our affliction, then THOU wilt hear and help. "

2 Chronicles 20:9

What a loving God! So powerful. So full of mercy and help.

It is enough that we trust Him to win our battles, whatever they may be. He hears us. He helps us.

Let us sing a song of praise to our  God..." that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

May you be encouraged to be still before our God... and allow Him to fight the battle that concerns  you today.

~Ellie

Who is so GREAT a God as our GOD?

" Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God? "  Ps. 71:19

After reading Psalm 77 this morning, I stopped a bit and reflected on the verse that asks the question, " Who is so great a God as our GOD?" vs. 13. I meditated on God's power seen in everything around us... the nature is full of HIS glory. And I also reflected on HIS faithfulness to HIS people.... throughout all generations. OH, how true... there is none besides HIM!

Before stepping out to face the day, I began singing a few words of praise to my LORD... before long I thought the words went so well, that I took a pen to jot down my thoughts in free prose. In a matter of minutes I wrote a 4 stanza song as a praise to GOD... who is the only one deserving of our praise.  May HIS great power be enough for us today, for HE carries us in the palm of HIS hand.

O, LORD you are mighty 

O, Lord you are great 

 You are the only one

 Deserving of our praise

****

Your hand always protects us,

You guide us on our path,

To keep us from all ill

And satisfy our hearts.

***

O, LORD you are gracious,

O, LORD you are faithful,

Your mercies never fail

We honor you today.

***

Thank you Lord Jesus,

For dying on the cross

Redeeming us forever

To thine eternal care. 

~Ellie 3/13/14

May you know how GREAT our GOD is today... HE can accomplish anything that comes your way.

~Ellie