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

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

...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

Teach me to do THY will, for Thou art my God: Thy Spirit is GOOD...

" And He that is MIGHTY has done to me GREAT things, and HOLY is His name." Luke 1:49

While December is quickly flying by, I've wanted to stop a bit from the busyness of life and reflect on God's ongoing goodness towards me.

This past year has been full of learning. Learning to be dependent on the Lord's working in my life. To see His hand in each and every detail of my life...

“And we know that all things work together for good 

to them that love God, 

to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

Learning....

To be still 
To KNOW that He is God. 
To trust Him as He works 

That in the end, I would praise Him for His mighty acts.

Yes, there have been moments of heaviness, moments of discouragements, moments of fear and anxiety...

Yet, throughout all my trials the Lord has sustained me!

And while the trials in my life haven't been easy, I've learned to thank the Lord for them. Each and every trial has worked in me a far more better outcome than I have ever imagined.

You know, we tend to run away from trials... but trials are needful in our lives. And as I am writing this, I know in my heart the tendency to run away from them... I want to be free of trials. I'll be honest, I don't look forward to them.

However, I know that God has a perfect purpose for the afflictions and trials we are to undergo here on this earth...

Trials test our faith. They have a purpose.

"But we glory in tribulations also: 

knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed;  

Romans 5:3,4,5

And so, I thank the Lord for His love poured forth in my life... through trials.

Yes, through trials...because His trials are never without GRACE and MERCY !
The Lord's grace and mercy are always poured forth in ABUNDANCE and His PEACE is always with us. The peace that passeth all understanding.

I know that trials are for my own good. They are there to perfect that which concerns me.... so that one day it would bring praise and honor and glory to the ONE who is worthy of ALL our adoration.

" That the trial of your faith, 

being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, 

though it be tried with fire, 

might be found

 unto praise and honour and glory 

at the appearing of Jesus Christ." 

1 Peter 1:7

So today, as I am reflecting on this past year, I have much to thank the Lord. His goodness towards me continues to build and strengthen me to look upwards in full dependence on a God that changest not!

Father, how thankful I am for your provisions in building me up in faith so that I might be more like the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach me to do Thy will that I may walk in humbleness of mind with reverence and godly fear.

May you be blessed and encouraged to thank the Lord for His abundant mercies and His lovingkindness to you throughout this past year.

~Ellie

He sent His WORD, and HEALED them...

" For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." Psalm 107:9

This morning after reading the Word, I picked up my hymn book and started to sing softly... a hymn that I've known for quite some time. Such comforting words...

... the LORD JESUS, the only ONE who offers rest that can satisfy a weary and worn soul. 

Do you ever find yourself  weary and worn and sad? Who can truly understand your needs? Can you ever bring your struggles to man... and find complete rest in man? 

No... no one cares for you like the Lord Jesus. He alone satisfieth the longing soul... He sends His WORD... then heals... and delivers. 

" He sent His WORD, and healed them,

 and delivered them from their destructions." 

Psalm 107:20 

O Lord, How grateful I am for your goodness to me... indeed I find fullness of joy... in YOUR presence.

 "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say"

by Horatius Bonar, 1808-1899

 I heard the voice of Jesus say,

"Come unto Me and rest;

Lay down, thou weary one, lay down,

Thy head upon My breast."

I came to Jesus as I was,

Weary and worn and sad;

I found in Him a resting-place,

And He has made me glad.

 I heard the voice of Jesus say,

"Behold, I freely give

The living water; thirsty one,

Stoop down and drink and live."

I came to Jesus, and I drank

Of that life-giving stream.

My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,

And now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

"I am this dark world's Light.

Look unto Me; thy morn shall rise

And all thy day be bright."

I looked to Jesus, and I found

In Him my Star, my Sun;

And in that Light of Life I'll walk

Till traveling days are done.

What joy to have the Lord Jesus as our haven of rest...

" He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they are quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven." Psalm 107: 29,30

May you seek to find rest in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ... who gives the LIVING water... and revives the weary soul.

~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

Thou art GOOD and doest GOOD...

" Thou hast dealt WELL with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy WORD." Psalm 119: 65

This past week I "stumbled" upon a few verses in my daily Bible reading... verses that have made me think.

Do you ever wonder about God's goodness to you when you are afflicted? I'll admit it is quite hard to see what God is doing in my life when I feel afflicted in one form or another. No one likes afflictions.

But affliction is good for us, even though  it hurts. And yet the affliction is not in vain... it causes a marvelous work in us. It causes us to be more like Christ.

" For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ."

2 Cor. 4:17 

If we are not afflicted, we naturally go astray. (Psalm 119:67). Our hearts need the discipline of the Lord, to keep us on the right path... and to please Him.

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:7-8

Yes, it is difficult to be afflicted... to feel pain. One may say God isn't loving, or good or faithful when He sends afflictions. Because why would a loving God afflict us? Yet without affliction, our lives would never learn the statues of the LORD. And we would never  desire the WORD of God to dwell richly in us. We would be most miserable!

And if God says that it is good for us to be afflicted, then it must be GOOD. (Ps. 119: 71).

And we can have peace that HE is most loving:

" I know, O LORD, that THY judgements are right, and that thou in FAITHFULNESS has afflicted me."

(Psalm 119: 75)

I may not fully understand God's dealings with me. But one thing I know. He loves me enough to discipline me in faithfulness. And what assurance to know that HE never leaves HIS own.  Even when HE disciplines and afflicts us. Even then. He cares about each of His children. So much so, that a price was paid for our redemption. He bought us with the precious blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. And that is enough to trust Him.

" THY hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding that I may learn Thy commandments."

Psalm 119:73  

May you know God's goodness to you... even in affliction.  May you delight in HIS word today, trusting Him.

~Ellie