The LORD shall open unto thee His GOOD TREASURE....

" This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein..." Joshua 1:8

This morning while reading through Ephesians chapter 5, and while undergoing a trial that brought about unrest, I found joy and kindness from a loving Savior who desires to pour out His good treasure upon His children that hearken and obey His voice...

Such peace we gain from God's HOLY WORD... that I felt the need to write down a few points that encouraged my husband and I this morning....

Because it's not always easy to accept a trial in our lives with joyfulness... nor is it easy to give thanks for a hurt you are experiencing... I found God's gentle encouragement in His Word to be the nourishment we needed  this morning... to lift our eyes above the clouds and give thanks in ALL things.

Yes, God is faithful!

And so, chapter 5 of Ephesians was loaded with a list of reminders for us to follow...

...for just as in Joshua 1, if we observe to do according to God's Holy Word, ..." thy way shall be prosperous and thou shalt have good success." Joshua 1:8b

Encouragement that gave us rest from the unrest:

EPHESIANS 5

• Be ye therefore followers of God (v.1)
• Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us (v.2)
• Ye are LIGHT in the Lord, walk as children of light (v.8)
• See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise (v.15)
• Redeem the time, because the days are evil (v.16)
• Be filled with the SPIRIT (v.18)
• Sing and make melody in your heart to the LORD (v.19)
• Give thanks ALWAYS for ALL things (v.20)
• Submit yourselves to one another (v.21)

If we think on the things above... the things below will slowly fade away.

Father, How gracious you are towards your people. You rejoice over us to do good to us when we obey you. Help us to serve you with joyfulness and gladness of heart for indeed you've poured your abundance upon us in all things.

May you be encouraged today to put your faith and hope in a God that changest not... a God that is mighty to save.
~Ellie

Giving NO offence in ANY THING...

" But in ALL things approving ourselves as the ministers of God..." 2 Corinthians 6:4

This morning I happened to catch a devotional being read while preparing breakfast. Normally my thoughts "run to and fro" while getting things ready for the table... but the radio is still in the background  with music or scripture being read. Sometimes I don't always hear everything amidst the noise of preparing breakfast. However, there's always a "nugget "of treasure that keeps me encouraged...

A verse was shared this morning ... and with the verse, the thought that we possess ALL things. How wonderful the thought! I quickly made a mental jot to look up the verse after breakfast and meditate on the treasure given me. 

" ... as having nothing, yet possessing All things." 

2 Corinthians 6:10

I started reading at the beginning of the chapter to understand the verse a bit  better... and how blessed and encouraged I was! 

Too often I forget... how RICH I am... and that I posses ALL things... IN Christ! 

"... and you are complete in Him." 

Colossians 2:10 

Have you ever felt yourself lacking? I know most of us often associate richness with material things, but being rich isn't about the things of this world... 

Have you ever felt yourself.... 

• without the "means" to get through the day?
• at "loss" when it comes to... going the extra mile, showing kindness, applying grace to someone who's wronged you?
• "poor" and "hopeless" and "without knowledge" when it comes to applying Christ-like attributes ... be it to others, or in situations where surroundings test our "worth"?  

I was overwhelmed with the encouragement I received from the verses I read. Oh, what wealth of knowledge has been given to us... indeed we posses ALL things and we lack NO good thing!

I thought to write down the key points from 2 Corinthinas 6:1-10... as a reminder of what God's power and His Holy Spirit can do in our lives... when we are faced with various trials.

As workers together with the LORD... we are not to receive the grace of God in vain: 

• Giving NO offence in ANY THING... that the ministry be not blamed.

 As ministers of God...  approving ourselves in ALL things:

• in much patience
• in afflictions
• in necessities
• in distresses
• in stripes
• in imprisonments
• in tumults
• in labours
• in watchings
• in fastings

Working and ministering... 

• by pureness
• by knowledge
• by long-suffering
• by kindness
• by the HOLY GHOST
• by love unfeigned (genuine, without hypocrisy)
• by the WORD OF TRUTH
• by the POWER OF GOD
• by the armour of righteousness, on the right hand and on the left 

In  ALL situations...

• by honour and dishonour
• by evil report, and bad report
• as deceivers, and yet true
• as unknown, and yet well known
• as dying, and behold we live
• as chastened, and not killed
• as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing
• as poor, yet making many rich

AS HAVING NOTHING, YET POSSESSING ALL THINGS.

Lord, may your power and Holy Spirit work in us to be strengthened with all might... working in us all... a patience and long-suffering... that is accomplished with joyfulness.

May you be encouraged today to give no offence in any thing... and be reminded that in Christ we possess ALL things.  We are more than conquerors through Him... who loved us to the the end.

~Ellie

... in Him we shall have peace.

"Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" John 11:40

I've always wondered how peaceful my life would be if I'd see things from God's eyes. If I would be totally aware of the Father's plan for me...if I could see how all things would unveil in the end. 

Then..

...I wouldn't worry. 

...I wouldn't be fearful. 

...I wouldn't doubt.

I'd be totally at peace....knowing my Father holds eternity in His hand... and my life. 

And yet God has given us His Word... full of promises... to help us "see" His plan for our lives. He doesn't withhold His knowledge from us.  

Yes, I often struggle. I worry. I'm fearful. I doubt.

Yes, we will have tribulations.

But how wonderful to find peace in God's HOLY Word... to be reminded that not one of His promises will ever fail me. He encourages us  and reminds us that... IN HIM WE SHALL HAVE PEACE.

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

In the world ye shall have tribulation: 

but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 

John 16:33

So today I was again encouraged to look outside of my struggles and fears... to trust my Heavenly Father and believe in His might... in His wisdom... and in His perfect plan for me.

How wonderful to rely on His Word... knowing that it will stand forever... and  all promises will be fulfilled!

" Heaven and earth shall pass away,

 but my words shall not pass away." 

Matthew 24:35

"For verily I say unto you, 

Till heaven and earth pass, 

one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law,

 till all be fulfilled." 

Matthew 5:18

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:

 but the word of our God shall stand for ever." 

Isaiah 40:8

God's promises never fail. It is not in His character to say something... and not fulfill it.   

"God is not a man, that He should lie;

 neither the son of man, that He should repent: 

hath He said, and shall He not do it? 

or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?" 

Numbers 23:19

Isn't it wonderful to be dependent on God... to allow Him to direct our steps... to believe that His way is perfect? 

For when we believe, we shall see the glory of God! 

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, 

according to the power that worketh in us,

to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus 

to all generations forever and ever. 

Amen." 

Ephesians 3:20,21

May you trust the only wise God to direct your ways... and find peace in Him.

~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

Yet, I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the GOD of my salvation.

" The LORD GOD is my strength,

 and He will make my feet like hinds feet 

and He will make me to walk upon mine high places..." 

Habakuk 3:19

In a world of darkness, despair, hopelessness, the light of God's Word shines bright.  What peace I was given recently ... just through a verse that reflects God's never ending love towards me.

When the world offers no hope, no joy, no peace, where can one find a haven of rest?

A deep sigh of peace and contentment washed over me as I read the verse that brought so much peace to me recently...

It was a simple promise, a simple sentence... but packed with God's love and mercy!

"When I awake, I am still with Thee." Psalm 139:18b

I often reflect on how comforting God's Word has been to me over the years.

Through trials...
Through moments of uncertainty...
Through moments of hurt...
Through moments when I lacked simple faith...
Through moments when I was without strength.

God's Word has always been a haven of rest for me... nothing gave me more peace than to know that the God of heaven watches over me, and knows my every need.

There were many times when I just held the scriptures in my hand... and could not read from the burden and overwhelming trials in my life. But God's word never failed... as it slowly brought light and peace to a soul dependent on a most merciful and loving God... a God who never forsakes or leaves His own.

Have you ever encountered moments in your life where you were simply too burdened? Where tears brought about sleep  to a tired body... only to wake and know the Lord was with you still? And found His word sufficient for your need? 

As I grow older, I realize how powerful and necessary it is for God's Word to dwell in my heart. To always desire His Word... and to hunger for it. It is the food that my spirit needs... to be reminded that the trials of today are only for a moment.

I must feed my spirit... where hope, joy, faith, humbleness, righteousness, and all things lovely dwells.
I must starve my flesh... where fear, anxiety, pride, lack of trust, wickedness and all iniquity dwells.

Only God's presence through His Word can give light in a world of darkness and pain.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." 

Psalm 119:105

What comfort to depend on His Word to lighten our path.

May God's WORD be a delight to you today... and may His Light be a tower of strength.

~Ellie 

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

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

For THY Mercy Is Great...

"Be THOU exalted, O God, above the heavens: Let THY Glory be above the earth." Psalm 57:11

My husband and I are reading through the Psalms as part of our daily Bible reading. This Psalm was such a comfort to both of us today. It's simply beautiful to meditate on God's glory... and to rest in the shadow of HIS wings.

Can you believe it? We find rest and protection ... even in HIS shadow! Oh, that made me to stop. I hadn't thought about His shadow alone being so powerful.  But, God is  almighty... and all powerful. I'll never really comprehend  God's magnitude with this, my earthly mind. But this I know... true rest is found under the wings of the Almighty God!

Where do I find refuge in times of calamity? The Psalm clearly lays it out ... under the shadow of HIS wings.

" Yea, in the shadow of THY wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast."

 Psalm 57:1.

We clearly need  to abide and rest under God's protection whenever we face trials of all sorts.

The amazing part of resting in HIS protection... is that God does all the work in regards to our difficulties. Whatever concerns us, we cry out to HIM who saves us. HE is not slack. No, HE works on our behalf!

"I will cry unto God most high;unto God that performeth ALL THINGS for me." vs 2.

And look what He will do for us!

" HE shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up."  vs.3

Isn't that amazing! And to top it off, HE continues to send even more blessings...

" God shall send forth His mercy and His truth." vs 3.

Did you know HIS mercy and truth is quite BIG? It's not something small, but rather when God gives, He gives to overflowing.

" For THY mercy is great unto the heavens, and THY truth unto the clouds. "vs 10

Now, that is some storehouse!  Let us rest in HIS mighty power. And let's praise HIM... for HE works on our behalf.

May You  rest in the shadow of HIS wings today.

~Ellie

Fear not, be still before the LORD...

"Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will show you today..." Exodus 14:13

This past week I've been trying to learn the meaning of being still before the LORD. I admit I often let my thoughts wander. I fret, I get anxious, I may even lose hope for a moment. There are trials that come our way... like news of a loved one being sick, or a friend struggling to get better from a surgery. Trials that test our faith.

Where do we we run for help in times of distress? Do we run to and fro trying to "fix" things in our own strength? I find myself often running to and fro... I let my thoughts run wild thinking of the future days that may seem bleak to me. Will I lose my loved one, will I lose my friend?

Why do I fret so? Why is my faith lacking? Do I not trust my heavenly Father to work His perfect will? Do I not trust His loving arms, that are never to too short to save? Do I fail to be still before Him?

Lord, help me to accept your perfect will. Whatever the outcome, I can trust that it is for your good pleasure! Thank you for fighting for us... help us to hold our peace. (Exodus 14:14)

Are you facing a difficult day? Look above and ask the heavenly Father to see you through. Let Him be your guide. " I will cry unto GOD most high; unto GOD that performeth all things for me." Psalm 57:2

What a beautiful and wonderful thing it is... to be still before Him even in our trials... for He giveth more grace when our burdens grow greater.

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

 Annie J. Flint

May you be still before a Heavenly Father that works on your behalf.

~Ellie

I will never leave you...

I woke up this morning feeling much better than yesterday. Yesterday was a bit difficult. My head was throbbing, my eyes were burning. I don't normally suffer from headaches. Slight headaches have come and gone in the past, nothing to worry about. Then there are those rare headaches that sort of debilitate me for the day. I feel dizzy, have a throbbing headache and don't feel like doing much. Yesterday was such a day.

But this morning I woke up feeling better. I read about the Lord's mercy over us... Psalm 44. How He has saved us from our past enemies, and of His promise found in verse 5: " Through Thee we will push down our enemies... through Thy name."

I rested in His love, " Thou art my King, O God.." ( v.4) ... Found strength in the fact that God redeems us for HIS mercies sake... not our own. (v. 26)

And then  at breakfast, a wave of anxiety overcame me... my body just felt anxious.  The anxiety came from nowhere. Came all of a sudden. I tried to shake it off. But a feeling of sadness came with it. I'm wondering if it has to do with hormonal changes in my body. Whatever it is, I don't like the feeling...

So this morning I especially looked forward to my morning prayer time with my Lord. He always understands. He always cares. He knows exactly what we go through. I can be myself. I told Him about my feelings and asked His strength to carry me through the day. He answered by calming my body and giving me hope through His promises. 

"I will never leave you nor forsake you!" 

Joshua 1:5

And then I found peace by singing the hymn, "In Tenderness He Sought Me"... how much the Lord, my King loved me...  "I wondered what He saw in me, to suffer such deep agony" It doesn't compare to my pains here, though He totally understands. And yet He loved me... enough to die for me! Blessed be His name...

May you know God's peace today.

~Ellie