glorify

For All…

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O God, we have heard with our ears,

our fathers have told us,

what deeds You performed in their days,

in the days of old:

You with Your own hand drove out the nations,

but them You planted;

You afflicted the peoples,

but them You set free;

for not by their own sword did they win the land,

nor did their own arm save them,

but Your right hand and Your arm,

and the light of Your face,

for You delighted in them.  Psalm 44:1-3

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Remembering…

Pausing…

You did it all, Father.  Times past, and times today.

Knowing Who…

Praising God…

Yet God my King is from of old,

working salvation in the midst of the earth.  Psalm 74:12

Bowing with a humble and gracious heart… 

The living, the living, he thanks You,

as I do this day;

the father makes known to the children

your faithfulness.  Isaiah 38:19

Telling our children about our Father God…

Reminding generations of Whom they came from…

What He did for us, for all and everything…

One generation shall commend your works to another,

and shall declare your mighty acts.  Psalm 145:4

Today and yesterday…

God’s power and strength in the midst of our weakness…

God’s wisdom when we know not…

God’s might when the enemies surround…

Joy and praise to the Holy One of Israel

…to the God Who delights in all creation

…to the God Who lights this world and takes away the darkness

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In singing this psalm we ought to give God the praise of what he has formerly done for his people, to represent our own grievances, or sympathize with those parts of the church that are in distress, to engage ourselves, whatever happens, to cleave to God and duty, and then cheerfully to wait the event.   Matthew Henry (from his Commentary)

Father God, You are worthy of my praises.  I am on my knees in quiet as I thank You for everything You have ever done for me, with me, in me, over me.  You have graced me with Your Love and Your Salvation.  You have protected me with You right hand.  You comfort me in times of need.  You show me Your righteousness through Jesus, Your Son, and a glimpse of Your righteousness through the lives of godly people here on earth.  Praise You, Father, for all goodness and kindness that You shower upon me.  You are Holy, LORD.  You are Grace and Love and Might and Power and Peace.  You are my All in all.  I love You, LORD.  I am praying in the Name of Jesus.  Amen.    

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photo:  ipad wallpapers with Scripture added

From Burden to Praise

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Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to Me.  If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”  This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

 “Say to the daughter of Zion,

‘Behold, your king is coming to you,

humble, and mounted on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” **

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.  They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and He sat on them.  Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  And the crowds that went before Him and that followed Him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!”  And when He entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”  And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”  Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus knew His time was near.  He knew the Scriptures filled with prophecies about Him.  He knew.

A beast of burden is a draught (draft) animal that carries or pulls heavy loads, such as a donkey, mule, llama, camel, or ox.  It can also be any domesticated animal trained to perform tasks for humans, such as a herding dog or a trained falcon.  Often, the animal will be under a yoke, teamed up with one or more of the same kinds of animals.

Jesus came into Jerusalem on a donkey, as per the prophecy in Isaiah 62:11.  The donkey, the beast of burden, carried the One Who would be carrying our burden of sin to the Cross.  Jesus came that we might be saved.  Jesus came that we be made white as snow, cleansed of our sins, for the Father.  

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”  Isaiah 1:18

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Jesus calls us to follow Him and bear our crosses.  Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.  Luke 14:27

Yet He is there by our side to carry the load with us.  “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”   Matthew 11:29-30

Cast your burden on the LORD,
and He will sustain you;
He will never permit
the righteous to be moved.  Psalm 55:22

He wants our dependence, our submission, our obedience.

All God’s plans have the mark of the cross on them, and all His plans have death to self in them. —E. M Bounds

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We, as Christians, are called to help one another as He helps us.  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  Galatians 6:2

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As we approach Palm Sunday, may our hearts turn to the One Who came to this earth to save us from ourselves.  May we look to the One Who carried our sins to the Cross, cleansed us wholly, that we could be His.

“It is to the Cross that the Christian is challenged to follow his Master: no path of redemption can make a detour around it.”― Hans Urs von Balthasar, Unless You Become Like This Child

I have received the most beautiful gift, Father, for which I am ever so grateful.  May I never look upon a “burden” as being too much for me.  May I see Jesus yoked with me in all that I am called to do and to be.  May I remember Who the Holy One is Who used a beast of burden to ride into Jerusalem, but became the One Who carried all of the burdens to the Cross where He died a terrible crucifixion, yet He did this for me.  I praise You, LORD.  Hosanna, in the Highest.  Hosanna, oh save, I pray.  “Praise God and his Messiah, we are saved.” Hallelujah.  I rejoice in the Holy One.  You are my salvation, LORD Jesus.  You knew and you know, LORD Jesus.  You know me, Jesus.  Praise Your Holy Name.  In the Glorious Name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.  

 

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** Isaiah 62:11

The Mystery

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μυστήριον

mystērion

from a derivative of μύω mýō (to shut the mouth); a secret or “mystery” (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites):—mystery

Mystery…

  • something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain, a riddle
  • the condition or quality of being secret, strange; a person or thing whose identity or nature is puzzling or unknown
  • the secret rites of Greek and Roman pagan religion, or of any ancient or tribal religion, to which only initiates are admitted
  • the practices, skills, or lore peculiar to a particular trade or activity, regarded as baffling to those without specialized knowledge
  • and chiefly Christian Theology–a religious belief based on divine revelation, esp. one regarded as beyond human understanding, an incident in the life of Jesus or of a saint as a focus of devotion in the Roman Catholic Church, esp. each of those commemorated during recitation of successive decades of the rosary.

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.  When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.  This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.  Ephesians 3:1-6

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  Colossians 1:27

God chose the time and the place for His mystery to be revealed.  Just as we are able to understand a Truth in His Word, He knows when to reveal something to our individual hearts and minds.  In Paul’s time, God knew that the time was His to reveal the Truth in order to break down the wall between the Jew and Gentile.  He wanted the Gospel preached to the Gentile world and they would, then, be partakers of the privileges instead of lying in ignorance and idolatry forever.  He surely desired that the Jews, His Chosen People, would also see clearly now.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:1-3

The veil would be removed in Christ.

Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.  But their minds were hardened.  For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.  But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:12-18

“This mystery, thus made known, is Christ in you (or among you) the hope of glory. Observe, Christ is the hope of glory. The ground of our hope is Christ in the word, or the gospel revelation, declaring the nature and methods of obtaining it. The evidence of our hope is Christ in the heart, or the sanctification of the soul, and its preparation for the heavenly glory.”  Matthew Henry

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.  1 Corinthians 15:51-52

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Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.  1 Timothy 3:16

Father God, I shout Hallelujah! because You have removed the veil for all to see the Truth of Your blessings, this greatest of all mysteries.  I am so grateful that I know You through Your Son, Christ Jesus.  I have Christ in me, hope of glory in me.  Such blessed moments!  May I seek Your face and kneel before You for You are power and glory and honor and blessing.  You are the God of all, All in all…Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent.  Praising You, Father for revealing Your mystery to us.  I pray in the Name of Your Glorious Son, Christ Jesus.  Amen.  

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1 Timothy 3:16 Photo/Scripture

 

More Than Enough

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here's my heart
No matter what version of the Bible you are reading, the word “commit” and “committed” appear over and over again.

“You shall not commit adultery.”  Exodus 20:14

And the rest shall hear and fear, and shall never again commit any such evil among you.  Deuteronomy 19:20

Almost every time, the word is in regard to committing a sin, warnings about committing a sin, or the consequences of committing a sin.

So this is my 2016 word.

Commit

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I do not want to commit any sin against God.  I am also human and, most likely, will commit some thing(s) against Him.  I am sorry before I even do such as I do not want that for myself nor to do such against the God I love with all of my heart.

When I chose “commit” as my word, I included those meanings listed above, but, actually, I am focusing on committing my life, my walk, my heart, my all to God, desiring His orchestration of me…all of me!

Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in Him, and He will act.  Psalm 37:5

I do not want to be half-hearted and need extra proof from Jesus to commit my life, my days, my moments to Him.

Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”  Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know Me, Philip?   Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father.  How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?  The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own authority, but the Father Who dwells in Me does His works.  Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.  John 14:8-11

I believe, LORD.  Please help my unbelief. 

“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,

and perform your vows to the Most High,

and call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”  Psalm 50:14-15

“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me;

to one who orders his way rightly.

I will show the salvation of God!”  Psalm 50:23

In thanksgiving, I commit myself to You because of all the You have done for me.  I praise You, Abba Father, for in Your sacrifice of Your Son, I am now saved from death, having eternal life with You.  I give You all the glory because You are All…ALL!  Teach me to walk in Your ways and Your way alone.  I am so in love with You.  I am committed to You because You are truly Enough.  Uphold me when I stumble; lift me when I fall.  Your arms are strong enough and wide enough for me.   Your touch is tender enough for me.  Your love is true enough for me.  You are enough, Father.  Enough.  In the Name that is Enough, I pray.  Amen.  

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Silence

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For God alone my soul waits in silence;…  Psalm 62:1a

Silence
Still
Quiet

Falling Snow

Mourning Doves’ cooing

Hush
Peace

Recalling my mother’s delight

Stillness, silence allows thoughts to surface
to flow
love felt
peace envelop
joy encircle

The gifts of life have a chance to permeate
to exude

Silence often begins with seeing and hearing the world around me

When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.  Revelation 8:1

Quietude
Stillness
Wordless
Peacefulness
Tranquility
Feeling the tenderness of His Love upon my heart
Words of His Word soak in, 
drawing meaning of what He means

His silence teaches me that I am to be silent

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

The LORD’s silence is not of this world.  
The world demands noise, talk, loudness, busy-ness, 
too much going IN 
with nothing of substance able to go OUT
too much world going IN
not enough of Him going IN
and nothing of Him going OUT

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; … Ecclesiastes 3:7b

Time, moments with Him in silence … 
necessary … in relationship.
Go with Him to pray
Be with Him to learn
Look at Him to reflect
Quietly, still, in silence
and I slow down whether the world around me does or not.

But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him.  Habakkuk 2:20

Father God, Your beauty surrounds me in the stillness, in the white.  The gentle touch, as of an angel’s wing, glides across my face, reminding me that You are here.  Father, I sense Your love in the silence, Your peace in the stillness.  How I love the breath of air in the silent, in this cold air.  It gives me hope, calm.  My breath is Your breath for You first breathed in me to give me life.  You first loved me to teach me love.  You are my first Love.  In this quiet, I sense You and know that You are near.  I draw near to You for Your Presence is so real, so lovely this day.  Your touch tenderly caresses my face, yet is silent.  Oh, how I love You, my LORD.  In the Name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.

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Re-post with changes, additions, deletions

Photo: https://pixabay.com/en/winter-nature-season-trees-sky-20248/   by Larisa-K/Russia

Christmas Coming…

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Where I've Seen Jesus ... in the Midst ...
Christmas coming … Oh! to breathe the air of God as He comes to us as a child, as Immanuel, as the breath of Heaven, as the Way, the Truth, the Life.  

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  John 1:1
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.  John 1:9

Oh, to be sensitive and anticipating Christmas coming!

Where I've Seen Jesus ... in the Midst ...

Mary heard and knew Christmas coming:

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.  And the virgin’s name was Mary. …”  Luke 1:26-27

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”  Luke 1:31-33


And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”   Luke 1:35

Mary honored Christmas coming:
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.  Luke 1:38

Joseph became aware of and honored his vows for Christmas coming:

… an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”   Matthew 1:20b-21

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called His name Jesus.  Matthew 1:24-25

Elizabeth felt Christmas coming:

And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!  Luke 1:41-42

John recognized Christmas coming…from the womb:

…the baby leaped in her womb.  Luke 1:41

Zacharias prophesied Christmas coming: 

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
 for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to His people
 in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
 whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
 to guide our feet into the way of peace.”  Luke 1:76-79

The shepherds saw, heard, and believed Christmas coming:

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”  Luke 2:9-12

The angels rejoiced for Christmas coming:

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”  Luke 2:13

Simeon awaited Christmas coming:

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  Luke 2:26

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen Your Salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”  Luke 2:29-32

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”  Luke 2:34-35

Anna, the prophetess waited, was sensitive to, and then praised Christmas coming:

And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.  Luke 2:38

The wise men saw Christmas coming:

“For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.”  Matthew 2:2b

Prophets prophesied Christmas coming:

Micah – But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.  Micah 5:2

Ezekiel – And I will set up over them one Shepherd, My servant David, and He shall feed them: He shall feed them and be their Shepherd.  Ezekiel 34:23

Hosea – “Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; His going out is sure as the dawn; He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”  Hosea 6:3

Isaiah – Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.  Isaiah 7:14

Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”  Isaiah 49:7

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

Christmas coming:

  • in a manger over 2000 years ago
  • in Salvation
  • in Grace
  • in Truth
  • in the Word
  • in a cloud 
  • in my heart each day
  • in the praises of His people
I see Christmas coming.  Christmas comes in the Christ, directly to my heart as my LORD and Savior.  He comes in the quiet of prayer.  He comes in the darkness as the bright and shining Light.  He comes in love and joy.  He comes as the Word.  He comes in a song.  He comes every day, every moment of every day.  Some I miss.  Yet He comes and waits.  I wait with anticipation and adoration.  I feel Christmas coming from the inside-out.  Truly remarkable moments!

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for blessing us with Your One and Only Son.  Thank You for opening the eyes of my heart to truly see Christmas coming.  May I be sensitive to Christ coming, the Holy Spirit within me forever teaching me, praying for me, loving me.  May we each take the time to ponder the Truth of Christmas.  May we each treasure the beauty of Your gift to us.  The Son of Righteousness has come to us, to me.  He is the absolute expression of Your Love to us.  He is our King.  He is our Shepherd.  He is our LORD.  He is the innocence of the Babe in the manger.  He is Birth in me, Rebirth in me.  He is Forgiveness.  He is Love.  He is Salvation.  I thank You, Father, for Your Son… for Christmas Coming.  Amen and Amen.  Selah…
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Simeon Waiting

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Aert_de_Gelder_-_Het_loflied_van_Simeon

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.        Luke 2:25

παράκλησις

paraklēsis

consolation

  • a calling near, summons, (esp. for help)

  • importation, supplication, entreaty

  • exhortation, admonition, encouragement

  • consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment [thus of the Messianic salvation (so the Rabbis call the Messiah the consoler, the comforter)]

  • persuasive discourse, stirring address [instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse]

Simeon was waiting for the Consoler, the Messiah.  The Holy Spirit was upon him.

Oh, Father, I praise You for giving this man the testament of Your Holy Spirit.  He knew Your will for his life and waited.  Waited!  He knew the gift that You were giving to this world in Your Son.  He let the Holy Spirit lead him into the temple at that very moment.  He knew.  He waited.  Hallelujah!


And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the Law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant Greek bondservant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”  Luke 2:26-32

Simeon prayed.  Simeon was so attuned to God that he believed that God was delivering His Messiah as promised to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.  He knew.  He believed.  He had read the Word and knew God’s promises.

Simeon called Jesus “Your salvation.”  He is.

The Lord has bared His holy arm

before the eyes of all the nations,

and all the ends of the earth shall see

the salvation of our God.  Isaiah 52:10

Simeon called Jesus “a light for revelation.”  He is.

He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel;
I will also make You a light of the nations
So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”  Isaiah 49:6

Simeon said Jesus was “for glory to Your people Israel.”  He is (although not very many have seen Him…yet).

“In the LORD all the offspring of Israel
shall be justified and shall glory.”  Isaiah 45:25

 The sun shall be no more
your light by day,
nor for brightness shall the moon
give you light;
but the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.  Isaiah 60:19

Father, I praise You.  You have shown us Simeon in Your Word.  He loved You and spent his days in prayer, seeking Your face.  He came face-to-face with You, by Your Son, Christ Jesus, the Messiah, the Consoler.  He knew that this Child was You.  He knew because He walked with You and fed upon Your Word, upon You.  Oh, LORD, I am so filled with gratitude that You showed me this about Simeon this week.  May I seek Your face each and every day.  May my walk be as You design it, and not in my way.  May light shine upon me from the Sun of Righteousness, revealing Your Truth in and through me.  I thank You, Abba Father, for the most beautiful Gift possible, Your Consolation to me.  You have reminded me that I am to continue to be ‘expectant’ for You to show up in my life at any time, at all times.  In His Name, I pray.  Amen.

 “‘…and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”  Luke 3:6

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Painting–Simeon’s Song of Praise by Aert de Gelder, 1700-1710/Public Domain:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunc_dimittis#/media/File:Aert_de_Gelder_-_Het_loflied_van_Simeon.jpg

…as a mere breath! (republished from Sanctified Together)

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REPUBLISHED ARTICLE FROM SANCTIFIED TOGETHER ONLINE MAGAZINE — LIFE AS A VAPOR  edition

…as a mere breath!

Fog that forms in valleys and lowlands is known as radiation or ground fog and may leave the valleys fogged in all day, while the tops of the hills are clear. It often occurs on clear nights when a layer of cool, moist air is covered by a layer of drier air. The ground cools rapidly, since little of the heat radiating from its surface is absorbed by the moist air. As the ground cools, so does the air above it, which becomes saturated, allowing fog to form. The cold, heavy air that collects in valley bottoms makes them especially susceptible to fogs in late fall and winter.

 “O Lord, make me know my end
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting I am!
Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!”
–   Psalm 39:4-5 (ESV)
Pondering, I find I am fearful that I am nothing but a vapor. That I do not count. That no one notices me. That I am not making a difference in this world. Yet, it is the world that yells loudly in my ears to be, to do, to follow the crowd, to eat this or that, to act or look in certain ways; and these messages go on and on.
“What is your life?  For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14b ESV).

What is my life?  My life is a vapor, a mist, a breath. This is all the more reason to be all that God has created me to be and to do. For today I could breathe my last and utter my final word. My thoughts remind me of the victory I have with every breath according to God’s Word. I rejoice!

Seventeen years ago, I was given a new life from the Lord. As I spend time with Him, He guides me and teaches me. His Love permeates my heart. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19 ESV). His Light radiates from my face as I become more like Him.

“And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV).

He allows me to focus on His world through His eyes. I know that each breath of mine is His.  I cherish the moments with Him – seeing through His eyes and listening through His ears. I trust Him to walk with me through the brightly lit fields of spring flowers and through the harsh realities of nursing home life. We walk together and . . .

  • By His grace, I care for my 96 year old mother, loving her no matter where her mind is or isn’t today, massaging her feet with peppermint lotion, keeping flowers, fruit, and favorites in her room, reminiscing, reminding.
  • By His tenderness and compassion, I am able to love elderly nursing home residents with kind words, a touch, a smile, a drink of fresh water.
  • By His joy, I just love several children whose mothers work as nurses’ aides at the nursing home. I read, hug, and talk with them. Through His eyes, I watch these precious, well-behaved young ones spend hours in this place waiting for their mothers, touching the hearts of elderly ones in their innocent, wholesome, unconditional ways. I am amazed and know it is by His Power.
  • By His tender mercies, I take my seventy-eight year old Alzheimer-ridden brother-in-law for a ride so my husband and his visiting sister can have an hour alone.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”  ” And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me'”(Matthew 25:35-36, 40 ESV).

The beauty of reflecting Christ enlarges my life. But slowing down so as not to miss an opportunity does not come easily in today’s hectic pace; yet with each breath, I will try. This is my life…one breath. Let not my last breath come because my light has yet to shine and my love has yet to love. I pray that I may be used up for my LORD.

“I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.”
–    Psalm 104:33 (ESV)

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THE ENTIRE MAGAZINE EDITION IS @ http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs012/1102811929004/archive/1103239394001.html

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Veterans Day — 2015

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I honor you, Veterans of the United States of America.

I am a proud wife and daughter of military veterans.

On this day, I stand tall in honor of these two men and all the other veterans of today and the yesterdays.

It also makes me sad
for all those who have lost their lives due to war.
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I honor the veterans who return with physical, mental, and emotional wounds.  I am so very sorry.
I pray for you and your families.
I honor the families who serve alongside of their husband, wife, son, daughter, mother, father, grandchildren…for you are serving this country as well.
Thank you to each and every one of you.
 IMG_1434My husband is an Army combat veteran, 101st Airborne Division/Co. B 3/506, served in Vietnam, 1968-69.
You were a soldier once…and young, as were (and are) so many others.
I am so proud of you, Kenneth.  I respect you and love you.
I did not know you back then, but am so glad and grateful I do now.

Thank you for marrying me and loving me so.

 

Scan 7My father was a Navy doctor, a “lifer.”  He loved his Navy. 
He served in WWII in the Pacific
and then went on to be a part of the post-war Manhattan Project
(Bikini, Eniwetok Islands)
where radiation exposure eventually took his life by Pancreatic Cancer.
He practiced medicine in the Navy for 20 years until he died at age 46. 
My Daddy died when I was 12. 
He and my mother are buried in Arlington National Cemetery. 
My sisters and I are honored. 
You loved us so, Daddy.  I still miss you and love you. 
Mama, I miss you too.

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Freedom is never FREE.

By His will we have been made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  Hebrew 10:10

Jesus paid the ultimate price for our/my freedom.  You offered Your Son as the Sacrifice to redeem Your children to You.  I am and will be grateful forever, Abba Father.  May I live as You have called me to live, Father God.  Thank You for these men and women who have served and are currently serving this country. I pray that we do not forget them but honor them in this life for the honor with which most have served. I lift up those today who came back from war with scars on or in their bodies, minds, and souls. Protect and heal them, Father. I pray for the families of those fallen soldiers, the families of those who are yet in Iraq and Afghanistan and in other areas of this world which place them in harm’s way. I lift up our Coast Guard who are risking their lives to interdict the drug cartels coming out of Mexico. Oh, Father, there are so many concerns and I pray on my knees before You. Thank You for hearing my cries, seeing my tears.   May we each turn to You and know that You are God and Father of all.  Amen.

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Have you ever heard about Wreaths Across America? or Worcester Wreath Company in Maine? This company has been honoring our fallen soldiers by placing wreaths upon the graves since 1992. It began small and has grown to almost every Veterans Cemetery in the USA. Check out their story: Remember
Saturday, December 12, 2015 National Wreaths Across America Day –


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Flags photo:  http://blog.mass.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Flags-Veterans.jpg

Arlington National Cemetery in the Fall:  http://www.todayifoundout.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arlington-national-cemetery.jpg

The others are my own photos.

Sovereign God Reigns

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And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’  Acts 17:26-28

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You, Father, have created us all and we are all and each of You.  I am grateful for Your love for us all.  May Your peace reign.  One day, Jesus will for He is the Prince of Peace.

And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’  Acts 17:26-28

ὁρίζω

horizō

to define

…to mark out or bound (“horizon”), i.e. (figuratively) to appoint, decree, specify:—declare, determine, limit, ordain.

προτάσσω

protassō

to pre-arrange, i.e. prescribe:—before appoint.

ὁροθεσία

horothesia

 a limit-placing, i.e. (concretely) boundary-line:—bound.

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Father God, Your ways are perfect and You are sovereign.  You know our times and places.  They are in Your hands.  I am ever so grateful, LORD.

And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’  Acts 17:26-28

ζάω

zaō

to live (literally or figuratively):—life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick

κινέω

kineō

to stir (transitively), literally or figuratively:—(re-)move(-r), way.

ἐσμέν

esmen

we are:—are, be, have our being, × have hope, + (the gospel) was (preached unto) us.

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Father, You know all and are all.  You have everything in Your hands.  As life changes and this body ages, You know the challenges that we face.  You know what we can handle and what we cannot.  I pray that we quiet our selves, allowing the Holy Spirit to tell us, in Your still, small voice, just what we need so that we are walking in Your will.  We want to know.  May our ways in this world calm and quiet so that Your ways will be all we need and want.  Thank You, Father, for loving us and being with us as we traveled and spent time with each other, with friends, explored new places, and were with You. 

You are the Sovereign God, reigning in my heart and soul.  I lift our concerns and families to You.  In the Name of Jesus, I rest and pray.  Amen. 

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