Monday, September 26, 2011

Rejoice Always

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, Rejoice!"
~ Philippians 4:4

Every circumstance that comes our way, whether good or bad, is an opportunity for the Lord to show His grace, love, and power on our behalf and for His glory. That's why in everything we can give thanks and always rejoice in the Lord.

Instead of moving into "panic mode" or that "knee-jerk reaction" when situations arise, we will find that by choosing to move into the peace and rest of the Lord we will rise above the situation and find His wisdom, strength, and hope to overcome. Instead of reacting, we respond to the Lord's calm assurance and presence.

I like the way Graham Cooke puts it:
"We can stand up in our spirits and live a life that really glorifies who God truly is. God is always delivering us from ourselves and promoting us into a place in Jesus."

Isn't it reassuring to know that God has placed us in the safest place we could possibly be in? My dear friend, Jesus is that safest place. And you are secure in His loving arms. So rejoice when the trials of life come against you and see God smiling upon you saying, "Watch my dear child; watch what I will do for you now!"

Let Jesus be big in you and everything that would overtake you won't!

by Lyvonne Snyder, Guest Blogger

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Guest Blogger!

We're taking a break from our Psalm 23 Bible study this week to feature our guest blogger for September. Please welcome my friend, Lyvonne Snyder! I would also ask for your prayers this week. I will be attending a writer's retreat. Please pray that I will hear from the Lord while I'm there in the quiet and solitude. Love you all!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Psalm 23 Study, Week 3

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
(Psalm 23:3 NKJV)

When I read this verse, it makes me think of restoration. Think about when we restore a piece of furniture. When we get through with it, it's like brand new. When God restores us, He makes us new again. He takes our broken lives...our mess and turns it into something He can use to glorify Him. Like a friend of mine says, I'm so glad he takes my messes and uses them for His glory. He takes our mess, and if we let Him, He'll turn it into His message. Do you need restoration today? I encourage you to pray and ask God to restore the broken pieces of your life. I pray that this study is helpful and encouraging you. I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments. Let's make this as interactive as possible!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Meditating on the Word

Nevertheless I am continually with You;You hold me by my right hand.
Psalm 73:23 (NKJV)

I was given a chalenge today at a ladies conference and now I want to offer this chalenge to you. For the next week, I want to encourage you to sit for an hour with this one verse of Scripture and really meditate on the words of it. Let God speak to you through it. If you don't know how, that's ok. God will show you. Just sit down, pray and say, Lord I'm here if there's anything you want me to know, show me. Oh ladies, He will begin to show you things that you can't hardly believe. I'll be praying for you all as we take this chalenge together!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Psalm 23, Week 2

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
(Psalm 23:2, NKJV)

When we think of Green Pastures, we think of a very calm, a very serine place. That's what God is trying to get us to see here. When he tells us that we're to ly in green pastures beside the still waters, He's telling us that we need to find a place for our spirit to just calm. In the midst of the chaos of life, we just need to sit and be calm. I know that we find our spirit in so much termoil at times that it's hard for us to do that. God wants us to remember that in the midst of it all, He's there to give us calm in the midst of a chaotic world. I pray that if you're going through a chaotic situation, you'll take time today to just let Him lead you to those still waters.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Psalm 23 Study, Week 1

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
(Psalm 23:1 New King James Version)

When we think of a sheperd, what is the first thing that comes to mind? The first thing that enters my mind is a man shepherding his sheep. That's how the Lord is, He's our beloved shepherd. When anyone goes astray, He will search for that lost shepherd and bring him back into the fold. Ladies, whatever is keeping you from the shepherd today, it can never be enough to keep Him from you. We're always held in the palm of His hand, even when we stray. In my own life, I've recognized the role of the shepherd in a tremendous way over this last week. I' was having doubts about doing this study, the enimy was throwing his darts at me. In the midst of all of that, through the shepherd's gentle reminders and the reminders of a dear friend, they kept reminding me that there was someone that needed to be reminded of this Psalm. Sometimes things can become so familiar, it can lose its meaning and the words can lose their power. Let's take comfort that we have a shepherd today. Do you know what the best part is? The shepherd knows us each by name!! He knows us, and He calls us! Not only is He our shepherd, He's our need supplier! The second part of this verse says, "I shall not want." That doesn't mean He'll give us everything we ask for; sometimes His answer may be "No." Let's remember though that when God says "No" to something, He's got something even better waiting for us!

I pray you'll enjoy this study over the next few weeks. If you have questions, fill free to ask. If I don't know the answer, we'll find out together. I'll try to answer in my next post. God bless you all!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

What Do You Choose?

For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel:
“ In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”
But you would not,
(Isaiah 30:15, NKJV)

Have you ever been in a situation where you had no idea how you were going to make it through? Let's stop and think for a minute. Maybe God is allowing this for you to behold your miracle. There's a catch here though. When those situations and ataks come, we have a choice. We can either panick and have a pity party, or we can say "okay God, I'm your child and I choose to behold you through this." Ladies, we have a choice. We can either watch our faith grow through each trial and difficulty, or we can sit on the sidelines and be in panick mode. By the way, our faith isn't going to grow by sitting and wishing! Faith requires action ladies, so let's show Satan that he has no authority and no demenion! I've had to make some choices this week. I have to either decide that the enimy can take control of my mind, or I can decide to look up and know without a doubt God will get me through this! Ladies, what will you choose today?