the daily walk

I just love it when God blesses you while you're walking your daily path. It just let's you know you're in the right place and His right timing. It shows He's interested in what we're doing in our daily lives.

Yesterday afternoon, I was at my friend Debra's Fall Open House at Inspirational Home, taking photos for my blog when someone said "hello" to me. I didn't think I had met her, so I walked over and asked if we'd met before. She at first from a distance thought I was the other Debra who owned the store, but when we started talking she realized that I wasn't. She is new to our town, from California, and didn't know many people. I mentioned that I had a blog and she stopped me saying, that she read my blog and knew who I was. She continued telling me that she'd been reading this blog also, and that God had put me on her heart to pray for. Talk about a God moment! What a blessing! We chatted for quite awhile, exchanged cards with phone numbers and email, then we had to have a hug, because it was so evident that this had been a God "setup"!

I used to be so intense when it came to seeking God's will; wanting to know what lies ahead, how to plan, having the future laid out...know what I mean? This last several years I've just asked God to not let me make mistakes in His plan for my life and to make sure I'm doing and being in the place I need to be.

How wonderful to have confirmation in the little things, knowing that each day if I follow God, seeking Him, He makes sure I'm on the path...you just never know who'll you'll meet!

love in Jesus,

The "Blessing in Thanksgiving"

Each time I sit down to write a  post, I pray for God to lead me to the scripture He has for me and you. He led me to James today. Thanksgiving is this weekend; A time for family and friends to gather and "Be Thankful". This is a passage I may not have connected with "thanksgiving", so let's see what is here for us on this timely topic.

Version: RSV
James 3:9-12

9. With it (our mouth) we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. 10. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so. 11. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening fresh water and brackish? 12. Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

In the morning how do you wake up? Are you at peace and ready to start the day...or are you agitated at all that needs to be accomplished? Maybe you're heading for the coffee like I do, to try to get my eyes open and my brain kick started. So again, how do you wake up? Or maybe we should even take this one step further: "how do you sleep"? Do you toss and turn and lay awake at night thinking of all the things that are needing to be done, worrying, making plans, making decisions? It can translate into our waking hours and affect our day. Then after a while it affects our personality.

Let's say that our mouth has a lot to do with our outlook on life; how we think of ourselves, others, and the future.  I can be just as negative as the next guy (or gal). Griping and complaining are an easy trap to fall into. Money, health, family relationships, jobs, the future. Especially if there are matters at hand that we feel pressure over; maybe something that we don't have much control over. It weighs on us and seems to feed itself every time we open our mouths.

OK, people I'm preaching to myself here. Feel free to take what you need from this, I guess God has been needing to speak this to me. Anyone else feel free to grab on. Let's look at the scripture verses and think about these two words, Blessing and Cursing. The word blessing comes from the Greek word, eulogia, which means blessing, praise, thanksgiving, flattery and generosity. This is the word "eulogy" comes from. which we think of as a short speech or written statement at a funeral concerning the life of a person. Only good things here. We don't want to concentrate on the bad. And then the word cursing,  katargeo, which means to speak against, contrary to, in opposition with, negativity, making ineffective, to nullify.

Now when it comes to the scripture, it says we are speaking both things out of our mouths. Positive and negative, good and bad, building up and tearing down. I guess we know the old saying "if you don't have something good to say then don't say anything at all". I've always thought that to be sort of "fakey" and pie in the sky, but I realize it is more of a "lifestyle" than just pertaining to gossip or individual circumstances. I'm not suggesting here that we go coo coo and wander around with some silly grin on our faces, but more like I said; Thinking in terms of the positive and not the negative.

So if the word Blessing also means "thanksgiving" I guess I need to concentrate on the Blessing part; Recognizing them, focusing on them, thanking God for them everyday (not just one day a year). Speaking out of my mouth encouragement, not only to others, but to my own self.

Philippians 4:4-7


4. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. 6. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It's hard sometimes to be thankful, When things aren't the way you want them to be it's easy to be negative and down. In all things we are to be thankful, whatever situation or circumstance. Not thankful for the circumstance, but thankful that God is our Father and that if we ask Him, He will be in control of it. Working it out for our benefit. Prayer accompanied by a thankful heart can move mountains.

So this week when we stuff our mouths with some delicious food, let's also all be aware of another purpose for our mouths. The generation of speech and praise, thanksgiving and blessing. Turning our lives over to God and believing in Him for the blessing He has for us!

much love in Jesus,
Debra

The Carpet Man

Cindy at I Owe it All to Him has invited us to relate times when someone helped us out unexpectedly, and that it was clearly a "God thing". There have been many times that I know an angel has been there to protect and guard me and my family, but I want to share a short little situation that I KNOW God sent someone, in the natural, to help out my husband and I. I'm a BIG believer in prayer for all things, even the small and seemingly "trivial" things in life. I know God wants to help us and looks for ways to bless us, letting us know that He IS there, hearing our prayers and being involved in our everyday lives, even the small things.

My husband and I have been involved in the antiquing business for several years. At one point we were moving into a rather large space at an antique mall and had purchased a carpet remnant to cover the dirty and cracking floors. We had given specific dimensions for the cut and didn't expect any problems with the installation. Just lay it out and be done with it. We had a lot to accomplish that day and it was critical that it be done by the end of the day.

Well, we laid out the carpet and to our dismay it was cockeyed to the point of laughability, except we weren't laughing. It was a nightmare. No matter which way we turned it it was off; off too much to do anything with. We struggled with it for a while and then we realized we needed to pray. We didn't know what to do, but prayed for guidance in getting the job done.

2 Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."

When we finished praying a gentleman and his wife came by the booth and started up a conversation. He said. "Hey, are you having a problem with your carpet, here?"
We looked at him and nodded our heads in unison.
"Well", he said, "I just happen to be a carpet installer and I have my tools out in my truck. Let me see what I can do."

I kid you not, this man was sent by God. Turns out he and his wife were vacationing in nearby Branson and were also singing at a church there with friends. I'm getting goosebumps just re-telling this story. He came back in, wrestled for a while and ended up with a perfectly cut and well fitting carpet. He and God saved the day!! We rewarded him with some appropriate items and we all knew God had blessed us.

I was so thankful that God was ready to help us, He knew our need. The carpet installer was in the right place at the right time, and yahoo, God used another believer to do the job! Being in the right place at the right time...priceless!

I'd also like to take this opportunity to invite you to join me here as I start a Bible Study of the book of Galatians. "A day in the life..."  I'd love to have you.
Please scroll down to the last post for an introduction.

Today, I'm linking with dear Cindy from I Owe it All to Him. Check in sometime this weekend for other's experiences with God's help in human form.

love,

Debra

Abba Father, He's My Dad!

Who wouldn't love to have a great relationship with our Dad? Many of us had great ones, while some of us really lacked the ability to have a wonderful father-child relationship. Some dads traveled, some dads weren't communicators, some dads had themselves been hurt as little children and couldn't show affection. Some were too harsh, others too lenient. Some were absent physically or emotionally. Some were even abusive. Then some of us were distant, too busy, or thoughtless. There are many reasons why we haven't had a perfect relationship with our earthly dads, but our Father in Heaven isn't like our earthly "Dad", no matter how wonderful he might be.

We as human parents love to give gifts to our children. Christmas, birthdays, sometimes even a "just because" gift, just to let them know we love them. Our Heavenly Father feels exactly the same about us. He wants to give us good things. He longs to bless His children.

Matthew 7:7-11
7. "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. 8. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. 9. "Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10. "Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11. "If you then, being evil, (by comparison) know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

Matthew 6:8
"Therefore do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him.

James 4:2
You lust and do not have; [so] you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; [so] you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.

God knows what we need, yes. He's all knowing, but He still desires for us to ask. And then say "thank you, Father."
These first three scripture talk about our "asking" the Father for the things we need, but have you thought about asking Him for everything that HE would like to give you. There may be gifts and blessings that we haven't thought about, that He would like to bestow upon us.

We've probably heard the story about the man that arrived in heaven and was led to the large room filled with rows and rows of beautifully wrapped presents, each one tied with a bow and sitting on a shelf. He was amazed and asked his guide what they were. The guide replied. "These are all the gifts and blessings that God had for you, but you never thought to ask for."

A little simplistic, but wouldn't you want to receive each and every gift that God had prepared for you out of His great love? This goes for not only material things and blessings, but how about friendships, experiences, and spiritual gifts. Many people are afraid to ask for spiritual gifts because they think they are "scarey". God is good, He will prepare and nurture you for your giftings.


Psalm 103:1-5
1. [A Psalm of David]. Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, [bless] His holy name. 2. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; 3. Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; 4. Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5. Who satisfies your years with good things, [So that] your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Here we see that God has gifts and "benefits". These come with our salvation "package", but sometimes we don't know or recognize it. Salvation, forgiveness of sin, health, love, spiritual optimism and hope. A satisfied life. Youth in body, mind, and spirit. These gifts are all available for us by "asking" for them.

Galatians 4:6
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Romans 8:15
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"


These last two verses talk about God refering to Himself not only as our Father, but as our Dad. How wonderful to know that God says "I love you so much, call me Dad!" Knowing God in this way enables us to go before Him to "ask" because we know He loves us, really loves us. This gives us the understanding that we have a loving dad who wants us to ask for the things we need, even though He knows these things in advance. He has a plan to give us all that He wants to give us, and so that we will come before Him with confidence, that we might have "effective prayer".

Hope you are having a great start to your week.

love,

Debra

...just a little help from our friends

You wouldn't know it from my blog, but I'm really sort of a loner. Not lonely, but a "loner". I'm the kind of person that is happy to be by myself. I enjoy a good book, working on a project, staying home. If I need to shop, generally I'm on my own. Oh, I love shopping with my daughters when they are around, and I love a good flea market adventure. I have friends and I so enjoy their company, but I'm not a person that needs to be constantly busy with other people. I love going out to lunch and finding common interests with others but it's not a daily "have to" sort of thing. I'm comfortable with who I am. I'm content.

I have discussed this with several of my bloggy gal pals recently. I think blogging helps us to communicate and share our hearts. Face it, if you have 50 friends calling you every day, begging for you to go shopping, needing your decor advice, needing a lunch partner, you probably aren't one of us who finds great satisfaction in blogging. Can you relate?

When I started my other blog, Common Ground, I was amazed with the number of Christian women I was coming in contact with. There were so many of us out there, and I sensed, like in myself, many were not currently in a "fellowship" of any kind. OK, many were in "church", but didn't have a place where they could be around like minded women (and men for that matter). I've been in church many times where I felt totally and completely "alone".

In starting this Bible Study blog I wanted a place where we could come together and talk, study God's Word, share our hearts, maybe have a laugh along the way, ask for prayer, and generally know it was a safe place to communicate. And thanks to all of you who leave a comment, I feel we are getting there. So I DO encourage everyone that reads this, to just leave a comment, say what's on your heart, throw out an idea or to just let us know you are there. Just leave a comment that says "Hey, I'm here and I'm reading with you." That would be awesome. If each one of you just raised your hand and said "Here"!

We need you. If you read the comments you will find great testimonies, communication, questions, answers, but above all you will find "fellowship"; you will find others who may be going through the same things you are going through. You will hear God speak to you through other people and you will find huge blessings just waiting to be enjoyed. I know I do.

Having said all this brings me to this point, we cannot be "alone" in our faith. We need other people around us. We need friends who will be there for us to lift us up in prayer and to run thoughts and ideas by. How many times recently have I been in the middle of a conversation when "kaboom" God hits me with a totally new thought. He does things like that. We need to be happy and content with ourselves and Jesus, but wow, sometimes we need a friend or friends to see us through.

Moses, Aaron and Hur watching the battle.

Version: NAS

Exodus 17:10-13

10. And Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 12. But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. 13. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Let's link arms and hold each other up. Let's listen to one another, talk to one another, bless one another. Let's above all pray for one another, and then let's be vulnerable with one another.  Let's be "friends" in God's true sense of the word. Let's find "victory" in the battle, with our friends.

Below is the scripture that I want to use as a foundation for what is coming next. Jesus calls us His "friends". What kind of wonderful news is that?!!

Foundational Scripture
Version: NAS

John 15:9-17

9. "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10. "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love. 11. "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and [that] your joy may be made full. 12. "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13. "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14. "You are My friends, if you do what I command you. 15. "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16. "You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you. 17. "This I command you, that you love one another".

 I'll leave you with that for now. Verse 12 says it all; that we would love one another, just as Jesus loves us.

I'm so thankful that when I call you friend, when we call each other "friends", there is more to it than just being acquaintances. I'm looking for "friends in Jesus", how about you?

Love in Jesus,

Debra

Blessing follows Favor

Favor and blessing. How do these two things connect? What exactly does "blessing" look like? Let's see what the Oxford Dictionary has to say about "blessing". noun: invoking favor, a gift of God, favor of God, advantage, good fortune.

Version: NAS
Luke 1:28-33


28. And coming in, he said to her, "Hail, favored one! The Lord [is] with you." 29. But she was greatly troubled at [this] statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this might be. 30. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32. "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33. and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end."

Version: NAS

Luke 1:34-38


34. And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 35. And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. 36. "And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37. "For nothing will be impossible with God." 38. And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

I keep hearing the phrase, "Blessing follows obedience." It's a concept that I have learned over the years. Not always in an easy way. I'm a pretty bullheaded, stubborn person, in the natural. I have tendency to do what I think is best. I make up my mind and then I can steamroll right over you; that is part of my nature. It is a quality that can be good, especially when things need to be done, but sometimes it doesn't particularly set well with God. It's been a hard lesson for me to be "submissive" to the Lord, He and I have gotten in a tangle of two over the years. Believe me, He is loving and kind, but there are times, He has had to sit on me to get me to pay attention. He's a good parent; a much better parent than I could ever hope to be. I lose my patience, get mad, give in, compromise, (but not in a good way), be harsh, be neglectful,etc. You know what I mean. I'm a human being and sometimes not a glowing example.
 
I believe Mary was a young woman who had learned submissiveness, which resulted in favor, which resulted in blessing. When we talked about the Samaritan woman, I mentioned the scripture from Matthew 11:28-29, concerning taking the yoke that Jesus offers us. If we get in step with Jesus, and go where He wants to go, the "burden" is lifted off of us and we let Him shoulder it.

Jesus wants us to get in step with Him, not running off on our own. How many times that has happened to me, and unfortunately I have paid a heavy price. This is where many people that don't know God would scream that they don't want to become a mindless zombie and be like everyone else. That is a good point. God appreciates our individuality, but He's not asking us to become like everyone else. He's asking us to become like Him. Then our individuality shines through in His likeness.

When we submit to Him and get in step with Him, He can work with us. He takes us under His arm and says, "Great, OK, now we can start to get somewhere. I'm showing you my favor because you are looking to me."

 Version: NAS

Proverbs 3:1-6

1. My son,(and daughters) do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; 2. For length of days and years of life, And peace they will add to you. 3. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4. So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. 5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. 6. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Mary was a young woman who kept His commandments in her heart, wore truth around her neck, allowed Him to write them on her heart. The result was that she found favor with God, and man. She trusted in the Lord with all her heart, even though she did not understand how all this could be. She acknowledged Him and the result was He made her path straight.

When we do these things, God "obliges" Himself to watch over us. He favors us, and then blesses us with His powerful Presence. He walks ahead of us on the path, and Blessings follow.
 
Mary had a lot to go through. She had "signed on" for a path that would not be easy. She trusted God, no matter what, and because of that she ultimately received the highest Blessing any woman could seek. She received God's presence in a way that none of us will ever fully know. We may not be able to carry the Son of Man in our "womb", but we can all carry Him in our hearts.
 
And that's where the blessing lies. Not just in material goods, happiness, or fulfillment of our desires, but the blessing of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Then, and only then, will we find our highest and best. Sometimes that includes all the things we reach for in our life here on Earth. Sometimes wealth, fame, and happiness, but true Blessing only comes when it is attached to the Favor of God.

Today, may you each find

 God's Blessing in your life,

 

If you haven't read the last two posts on Mary
please do, they relate to one another,
in this little series of posts.

I'm going to step out here and ask a little
"favor" of you who read this regularly.
This blog is not promoting "me", but hopefully Jesus.
Some of you have this blog listed on your sidebar or blog roll.
Would you please prayerfully consider adding it.
Not as a favor to me, but to spread the Word of God.
Many people come through these blogs everyday.
Sometimes they are searching.
 If even one person finds Jesus in these posts,
it would be such a "blessing".Thank you all,

Debra