REST in the LORD, and WAIT patiently for HIM...

" Say to them that are of a fearful heart, BE STRONG, FEAR NOT..." Isaiah 35:4

This past week I have been thinking much about my need to rest in the LORD. I came across verse 7 while reading  Psalm 37.... and instantly found myself thanking the Lord for His beautiful reminder to me. The Lord knew my need this week... He knew I needed to be reminded that He is in control of all things.... and that I should rest.

In the midst of life's trials and afflictions, our hope is to rest in the Lord. How often I find myself not resting in the Lord....

Are you often in the same predicament? Fearing, fretting, faithless, uneasy?

I'm sure we all have fears that cause us to live moments of unrest.  But, oh  how much better for us to trust our heavenly Father. 

"Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, 

that it cannot save; 

neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear."  

Isaiah 59:1

Our loving God knows and hears our need, our situation... Is He not capable to work all that concerns us for our good?

So often we are brought into paralyzing moments because of fear... but fear is not from God! 

Psalm 37 is a wonderful reminder of God's desire for us to put away fretting from our lives.We are to commit our ways to Him... and rest in Him.... and wait patiently for His deliverance. 

The best medication when we are fearful... is to rest.

" Finally, my brethren, 

be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might."

 Ephesians 6:10

Heavenly Father, thank you for being our refuge, in whom we find complete rest. Help us to be still and know that you are God in the midst of our trials. Make us to know the peace that keeps our minds and hearts in Christ Jesus by being anxious for nothing.

May you be encouraged to rest and wait patiently for the Lord to complete His work in your life.

~Ellie

... I will STAND on the TOP of the hill...

"... I will stand ON THE TOP of the hill with the ROD of GOD in mine hand." Exodus 17:9

Do you ever find yourself in moments of fear, struggles, discouragements, oppositions from all sides? Sometimes we find ourselves so deep in our thoughts that we forget that we have a SHEPHERD who by HIS ROD comforts us in all our trials.

I was so encouraged a couple of days ago when I read the verse in Exodus where Joshua was fighting Amalek... and there Moses raised the "rod of God" to prevail against the enemy. 

I thought about the ROD, representing our God, the great I AM... our stronghold.

Isn't it wonderful to be able to raise and trust in the WORD of GOD as our ROD? 

The great I AM can fight our enemies... and prevail against them.   

Yes, indeed our Shepherd, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, comforts, guides and drives away all our fears... because HE protects us from all evil.

And we also know that when Moses' hands were heavy... Aaron and Hur interceded by holding them up... and Moses' hands were steady. 

" But Moses' hands were heavy: 

and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; 

and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, 

the one on one side, and the other on the other side, 

and his hands were steady 

until the going down of the sun." 

Exodus 17:12

How wonderful to know that we too can ease the "heaviness"  and intercede for those around us who are heavy in spirit and fighting battles of their own.  

PSALM 121

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: 

He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is thy keeper: 

the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: 

He shall preserve thy soul.

The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in 

from this time forth, and even for evermore. 

Heavenly Father, Thank you for being the great I AM in our lives, Thank you for preserving our souls from all evil. We trust in your power and faithfulness to accomplish your purpose and will in our lives for your glory. Help us to raise the rod of your Word continually as we face the many battles that come our way. 

May you be encouraged today to lift up God's name and His promises... for yourself and others. 

~Ellie

HE will keep the feet of His saints...

" He RAISETH the poor out of the dust, and LIFTETH up the beggar from the dunghill to set them among princes and to make them inherit the THRONE OF GLORY..." 1 Samuel 2:8

Today I woke up with a verse on my mind. After struggling to sleep through the night, I managed to finally fall asleep during the early morning hours. Sometimes, I think I can get through trials and afflictions victoriously... and yes, sometimes I do with the Lord's help.

But there are times, when I struggle to keep my focus and look beyond the trial of the day. Even when I constantly remind myself to lift up my eyes and head upwards, I find myself weak, and fearful, and anxious...

You know, the only peace that I get, comes not from distracting my thoughts with empty earthly "joys"... but rather, repeating and going through memory verses in my mind. The sleepless nights are made better only when the word of God dwells in me... giving me peace as only the Lord can.

So this morning, I abruptly woke up... with a verse on my mind.  And even though I didn't get all the necessary physical rest, I woke up refreshed spiritually. 

... and my heart was at peace! 

How the Lord works... even when I sleep He refreshes my mind and heart. 

" But his delight is in the law of the Lord; 

and in his law does He meditate day and night." 

Psalm 1:2

It was as if the Lord had instantly placed me on a solid ROCK... and reminded me... that I ought to continue to place my hope in Him alone....even when overwhelmed. What a gracious Lord to remind me that in His WORD alone I should delight!

How precious these moments are... when He alone works,  when He directs our eyes heavenward and comforts us through His Holy Word.

I found myself reading through Psalm 119 later on during the day... and 2 verses stood out with so much truth. 

Yes, His WORD does strengthen and comfort...

 " My soul melteth for heaviness; 

strengthen thou me according to THY WORD." 

Psalm 119:28

" This is my comfort in my affliction: 

for THY WORD hath quickened me." 

Psalm 119:50

Oh precious Father, thank you for keeping us in your protection and love. Thank you for redirecting our eyes towards the One who alone is able to place us on a solid foundation. Thank you for the peace given when in your presence. Help us to thank you even for the trials and afflictions that come our away, for thou art good and doest good.

May you be encouraged to bring your burdens before the Lord and find rest in His presence... trusting that He can do everything, and that no purpose of His can be withheld. (Job 42:2)

~Ellie

...That your FAITH and HOPE might be in God.

 " For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the JUST for the UNJUST, that HE might bring us to GOD..."1 Peter 3:18

As I have been going through a busy time in my life these past couple of months, I have been blessed to have a loving Savior and heavenly Father watching over me. 

I have been dwelling much on the book of 1 Peter... where I've started memorizing a section of chapter 1. It's been so wonderful  for me ... to be able to see past the trials and afflictions that we undergo here on earth...  and be reminded to place my hope... in that which is eternal. 

Yes, "...gird up the loins of your mind... " or prepare your mind for action, and " HOPE TO THE END for the GRACE that is to be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (v.13).

 HOPE.... 

1. a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

2. archaic a feeling of trust. synonyms~ expect, anticipate, look for, want...

I thought about what it means to have hope. Surely hope gives us the reason to wait patiently for a fulfillment of  things to come... with glad anticipation. 

-knowing that God keeps His promises, 

-knowing He keeps His covenant towards us, 

-knowing He is faithful to perfect that which concerns us.

Surely God's love poured forth in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ is what holds us and gives us a steadfast hope... 

Only through Christ's merit can we ever have hope.

HOPE... 

-not be weary in well doing,

-to consider afflictions as pure joy,

-that we not lose heart,

-that we might endure patiently. 

"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast..." 

Hebrews 6:19 

Isn't it marvelous to know the love of God? How Christ suffered for us... so that we might be brought before the presence of the Father... clean, forgiven, holy and blameless!

Yes, so that our FAITH and HOPE might be in God.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, 

nor have entered into the heart of man 

the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 

1 Corinthians 2:9

Father, how thankful we are for the hope we've been given through the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for your word that is life and truth, giving us hope for the eternal glory that we shall behold as we await the coming Jesus Christ in our lives. Marvelous are your ways and promises for us.  

May you set your affections on things above... and wait patiently for His appearance. 

~Ellie

Take therefore NO thought for tomorrow...

" But seek ye first the KINGDOM of GOD, and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; and ALL these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

Do you ever worry for tomorrow? Do you ever take the heavy load of tomorrow upon your shoulders today? 

How often I am burdened today... for the things of tomorrow.  

I fail to seek first and foremost the kingdom of God and His righteousness... forgetting that all the other things that concern and burden me... the Lord promises that HE shall take care of.

A well known hymn says it so well... a great reminder to seek the LORD first.

Take time to be holy, 

speak oft with thy Lord; 

Abide in Him always, 

And feed on His word. 

Take time to be holy, 

Let Him be thy guide, 

And run not before Him, 

Whatever betide.

Isn't it wonderful to simply rest in the Father's love for us... and be still as He works in us? 

" Behold the fowls of the air, 

For they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; 

Yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. 

ARE YOU NOT BETTER THAN THEY? " 

Matthew 6: 26

Yes, sometimes we get discouraged, sometimes we think of the tomorrows, sometimes we may lack faith, sometimes we may fear and get anxious.... but, oh the wonder of God's care for us. 

His love abides with us forever... and... His thoughts towards us are precious... 

" How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! 

How great is the sum of them! 

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand..." 

Psalm 139: 17, 18

Don't we have a most gracious and loving Father? How can we not trust in His ways as being good for us? He knows our every need!

Father, thank you for your kindness towards us. Thank you for your constant care and love each and every day. Help us to take no thought for tomorrow, but rather seek to walk  righteously before you knowing you shall take care of all our needs. 

May you be encouraged to seek the Lord's presence and trust the Heavenly Father's care for you.

~Ellie

That NO flesh should glory in HIS PRESENCE...

" That in EVERY THING ye are enriched by HIM, in ALL utterance, and in ALL knowledge." 1 Corinthians 1:5

Lately, I've been thinking about my need to have the LORD JESUS CHRIST dwell richly in me. I find myself lacking often to " put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh." How easily I fall prey to the flesh.

-Pride creeps in,
-Selfishness abounds,
-and Christ is minimized in my life.

And then I think how perfectly the LORD GOD orchestrated our lives... He perfectly knows us and our tendencies. And how easily we want self glory.

Indeed God knows our tendencies,

"And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, 

and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart 

was only evil continually."

 Genesis 6:5

And so I think upon my need to glory in the Lord... to glorify the ONE and ONLY TRUE GOD, worthy of ALL praise.

Touching the Almighty, we cannot find Him out: 

He is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice:

 He will not afflict. 

Men do therefore fear Him: 

He respecteth not any that are wise of heart.

Job 37, 23, 24

Dominion and fear are with Him...

Job 25:2

How good to remember my  place before a Holy and Righteous God... and to remember that He alone enriches us with the the right words to speak and fills us with the knowledge of His will when we are humble before Him. For I am reminded that I can do nothing apart from Him.

"... for without me ye can do nothing." 

John 15:5

AND in all things, I am to glorify my Father in heaven,

" Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit." 

John 15:8

O Righteous Father, help me to fear your name, and flee from self-exaltation. Enlighten my eyes to behold your glory with adoration as you continue your mighty work in me.

May you be encouraged to exalt the Lord on High today.... for in everything we are enriched by Him.
~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

O visit me with THY SALVATION...

" Nevertheless HE saved them for HIS name's sake, that HE might make HIS mighty power to be known." Psalm 106: 8

Oh, that I might praise the LORD all the days of my life! How wonderful that God's mercy is everlasting... that He saves us from all ill.

" Save us O LORD our GOD, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto THY  HOLY name , and to triumph in THY praise" Psalm 106:47

Do you ever find yourself forgetting God's blessings?

Have you ever felt His mighty arm of protection over you ... from temptation, from accidents, from speaking guile, from making wrong decisions, from all sorts of evil? Have you felt His goodness to you.... through healing of diseases, in monetary blessings, in food for the body, in joys of school accomplishments, experiencing the beauty of traveling, being blessed with children, or having the ability to see, hear or walk? I'm sure we have all experienced the LORD's goodness in many of these blessings ... if not all.

But how soon we forget God's love to us... when things don't go our way. How we murmur against HIM. How unthankful and wicked we are... desiring what our flesh craves, against God's will.

Yet, God sometimes gives us what we want... He did just that with the people of Israel, when they were discontent with God's provisions in the wilderness. They weren't happy. They wanted more.  They forgot God's works. They waited NOT for HIS counsel. They lusted EXCEEDINGLY in the wilderness. And what did GOD do?

" ... He gave them their request; BUT sent leaness into their soul." Psalm 106:15

Sometimes we don't know what we want.

LORD, help me to be at rest in your will for me. Save me from mine own folly... make me to love your will for my life, even when I may desire otherwise. I desire NOT leanness in my soul... but a soul filled with gratitude for your name's sake!

May you be content with God's will for your life today... and may you KNOW HIS SALVATION.

~Ellie

I know that THOU canst do everything...

"Out of whose womb came the ice? And the whoary frost of heaven who hath gendered it?" Job 38:29 

I stand amazed every time I read through the book of Job... especially when God answers Job in chapters 38,39 and 40.  Those chapters make any man to bow down before our CREATOR. It makes the proud... humble. It makes the strong man.... weak. There is no one like our GOD. The ONE who can turn darkness into light.  The ONE from whom all blessings flow...

Who can stand against our GOD? We are all vile, we have all turned unto his own way. There is no good thing in us. But blessed be the LOVE of God, "... knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" Romans 2:4.

" Behold I am vile; what shall I answer THEE? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth" Job 40:4. What can we answer in the presence of a HOLY God? With humbleness of heart we bow before you Father! Our horn of salvation...

And in the end we trust your FAITHFULNESS to us... sinners. Power and might belong to you. Change our heart of stone into a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 11:19.

What a beautiful verse to trust in,

" I know that THOU canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee." 

Job 42:2

May you trust that GOD can do everything for you ... whatever concerns you today.

~Ellie