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

The eyes of all wait upon Thee...

"The LORD is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works." Psalm 145:9

One day this past week, I was coming home from my morning walk. I was about to walk my last few paces before reaching the front door... when I was met with the beautiful sound of a meadowlark singing ever so sweetly. Such beautiful sound!

Immediately I looked up to find her perched on the very top branch... singing away... under the cloudy sky. 

I kept thinking how free she was, without a care in the world. How the heavenly Father takes care of her so marvelously, as she safely abides under His wings.

She still sings... under the clouds, the rain, the wind.

I couldn't  but be encouraged that morning. Yes, our heavenly Father takes care of us as well...

... even more so than the birds in the skies.

"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 ye not much better than they?" 

Matthew 6:26

What a beautiful reminder to rest in the shadow of His wings... knowing we are loved and protected by the mighty power of God. 

"How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! 

Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. "

 Psalm 36:7

Oh, the peace to be free of the worries of this world... and sing praises to the Holy One.  

UNDER HIS WINGS

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.

Ira D. Sankey

May you find a haven of rest under the MIGHTY wings of God... and magnify His name in your life today. 

~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

Praise Ye the LORD... Praise the NAME of the LORD.

 "Blessed be the NAME of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore." Psalm 113:2

These past several weeks my husband and I have been reading through the Psalms. We like to read  the BIBLE in order, it's something we've always done. So throughout our marriage we've read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation a few times. But I am always blessed to see how the WORD of GOD is always new... there's always something new the LORD reveals.  If only we have ears to listen.

While reading through the Psalms this time around, I've especially noticed how God desires that we praise HIM. Many, many psalms start out by exhorting us to praise  GOD'S HOLY NAME.... urging us to give thanks to God: " Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord."

And why should we praise HIM?

Because HE is GOOD ... and HIS mercy endureth forever!(Ps. 106:1). That's enough to praise HIM all day long!

But can we praise HIM all day? I mean, even when we are going through trials, or when discouraged? God says we can... because we are to give thanks in ALL things. But not of our own strength. For when we are weak HIS strength is made perfect in us.

I know it's hard to apply a thankful attitude and to have praise on our lips even when... deep in hurt, deep in discouragement, deep in pain, deep in loneliness, deep in abandonment. But He is our strength even when our flesh and heart faileth! Psalm 73.

Blessed be HIS name, for:

" HE raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill."

PS. 113:7

And God doesn't just stop there:

" That HE may set him with princes, even with the princes of HIS people" 

Isn't it beautiful where He places us? Oh, that I might praise HIM in ALL things!

Today was such a beautiful reminder for me. To PRAISE HIM... ALL day long. I don't know about you , but when I take a hymn and sing, I find my heart at peace. There is something that happens when we sing a song of praise to our GOD almighty... it brings wonderful peace.

And today this verse in Psalm 113:3 made me aware of praising GOD even more so than before.... because He desires praise... for our good and HIS glory!

" From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name IS to be PRAISED."  

May you praise our Heavenly Father today... trusting that HE is at work even when we are deep in discouragement or when we are full of joy.

~Ellie

Blessed be the LORD who DAILY loads us with benefits...

 

" But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before GOD; yea, let them EXCEEDINGLY rejoice." Ps. 68:3

Today, I'm dwelling on God's faithfulness to me and rejoicing that  He ALONE gives me strength. I've been blessed to be reading through the Psalms again. The psalms have always been of comfort to me throughout my growing up years. I can always find words that speak to me in times of rejoicing... as well as in times of trial.

But as  I am growing older and rereading  the Psalms, I'm finding new "treasures" that speak to me... treasures that are needed for  today. Today is different than yesterday. I'm different than yesterday. Life is different than yesterday. Nonetheless, God's WORD is still the same. And that's what's beautiful, each new day brings a different set of  verses that are seen in a new light as we grow in HIS strength.

God's word is always new and fresh... the wonderful part is that it NEVER gets old. That's enough to make us delight in reading the scriptures daily... for the God of our salvation daily LOADETH us with benefits . "Ps. 68:19.

This particular psalm had loads of benefits for me as I was reading it... God sends plentiful rain , even when we are in "drought"... and confirms our inheritance in HIM, even when we are weary. vs.9.

I was especially blessed when reading that HE commands our strength... Yes, HE commands it for us!

"Thy God hath commanded Thy strength; strengthen, O God, that which though hast wrought for us. " Psalm 68:28

So when we were without strength, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6)... and when our strength is weak, HIS power is made perfect (2 Cor.12:9)... and we can do everything through HIM who strengthens us (Phil 4:13).

I'm grateful for HIS reminder... that God alone does the work in us... HE alone!

The last verse of the Psalm really solidifies this fact:

"... the God of Israel is HE that giveth STRENGTH and POWER unto HIS people. Blessed be GOD. " Vs. 35  

May you know the benefits of HIS strength in your life today.

~Ellie