Devotion

Advancing Through Adversity

This is no coincidence

Chocolate helps me.

The Lord's Love, Word and songs..

.. to me for the last few days.

Yesterday..
A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. Ps34:19

It's true He has.  Last Saturday when speaking to another lyrics came to mind .. "So why do I worry? Why do I freak out?"  

Your Love is Strong/Jon Foreman

Heavenly Father, you always amaze me
Let your kingdom come in my world and in my life
Give me the food I need to live through today
And forgive me as I forgive the people that wrong me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window the birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune or out of place
I walk to the meadow and stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl on her wedding day

So why should I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong (repeat)

The kingdom of the heavens is now advancing
Invade my heart, invade this broken town
The kingdom of the Heavens is buried treasure
Would you sell yourself to buy the one you've found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong (repeat)

Our God in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us weary sinners
Keep us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons

Last Saturday was perfect example as was Sunday in an entirely different and unexpected way.  Yesterday the following superseded as a reminder and of what He had done before I finally let on to another the words that had been meant to harm me from those days and another this week.  Was interesting to see expressions and hear response.

So do not be afraid.  I am with you.
Do not be terrified.  I am your God.
I will make you strong.  I will help you.
My powerful right hand will take good care of you.
I always do what is right.  Isa41:10 [NIrV]

The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior!  He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest {in silence and satisfaction} and in His love He will be silent and make no mention {of past sins or recalling them}l He will exult over you with singing.  Zeph3:17

I was reminded too of the latter portion of Zeph as I stood outside last night and Friday night by the pond listening to the songs of the birds, over me, and of..

Sing Over Me/Beebo Norman

Find me, where You can find me

So tired of hiding behind these songs

And take me where You will take me

Back to a place I've known all along

The voice that calms the waves, sing out

And call my name

And sing over me, sing over me

Sing above the noise that I've been making

And sing over me, sing over me

All I ever needed was to hear Your melody

All I ever needed was to hear Your melody

Wake me, come on and wake me

So tired of living like I'm asleep

And hold me the way You hold me

How You unfold all this unbelief

The voice that calms the waves, sing out

And call my name

And sing over me, sing over me

Sing away the silence that is breaking

And sing over me, sing over me

All I ever needed was to hear Your melody

And all I ever needed was to hear Your melody

Sing out, sing out, sing out my love

Sing out, sing out, sing out my love

And sing out, sing out, sing out my love

And sing over me, sing over me

Sing above the noise that I've been making

And sing over me, sing over me

All I ever needed was to hear Your melody

And sing over me, sing over me

Sing away the silence that is breaking

And sing over me, sing over me

All I ever needed was to hear Your melody

All I ever needed was to hear Your melody

All I ever wanted was to hear Your melody

Sing, sing out my love

I remember..
Keep on asking and it will be given to you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking {reverently} and {the door} will be opened to you. Matt7:7
And..
So I say to you.  Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asked and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.  What father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of brad, will give him a stone; or if he asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent?  Or if he asks for an egg will give him a scorpion?  If you the, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts {gifts that are to their advantage} to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give The Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!  Luke9:11-13
I ask and will continue to..

Yet somehow, for some reason "This Little Bluebird" played in my head .. dumb coincidence?

Today I circumvent..
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have {perfect} peace and confidence.  In the world you will have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer {take courage; be confident; certain; undaunted}! For I have overcome the world.  {I have deprived it of its power to harm you and have conquered it for you.} 
John16:33

Writing these helps me remember more, more good things, and stay more focused on Him.  I am remembering this year is supposed to be about hope ..  
Is it time for church yet?!  He reminds me: second service today ;)

Everything will be alright

I have to go for a run.  

Storm/Lifehouse

how long have I 
been in this storm 
so overwhelmed by the ocean's shapeless form 
water's getting harder to tread 
with these waves crashing over my head 

if I could just see you 
everything will be alright 
if I'd see you 
the storminess will turn to light 

and I will walk on water 
and you will catch me if I fall 
and I will get lost into your eyes 
and everything will be alright 
and everything will be alright 

I know you didn't 
bring me out here to drown 
so why am I 10 feet under and upside down 
barely surviving has become my purpose 
cause I'm so used to living underneath the surface 

if I could just see you 
everything will be alright 
if I see you 
the storminess will turn to light 

and I will walk on water 
and you will catch me if I fall 
and I will get lost into your eyes 
and everything will be alright 

and I will walk on water 
you will catch me if I fall 
and I will get lost into your eyes 
and everything will be alright 
I know everything is alright 
everything's alright 

So Apropos

Lord, grant me 

serenity

to accept the things I cannot change,

courage

to change the things I can 

and  

wisdom

to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

enjoying one moment at a time;

accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.

I remember this prayer being in my grandmother's bathroom actually 

but, I had no idea I would need it so.

I think I finally get it

 SIgh.  Why does it take me so long?

Out of darkness and chaos

The Lord has brought us out and is keeping us.  I am thankful beyond words I can assemble, especially for peace and joy even as I sat with that which was intended to harm us in plain sight.  Father, thank You for delivering and blessing us so .. for working all things for our good!

Captured response

Looking back on the week to see how He's prepared me for the things that have come .. one just before I left school (involving G), another in email from T last night and third earlier in the week with several implications - all unexpected, of course.  
Goal: offset thoughts and feelings triggered again today.

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. -1Pet5:7  

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. -1Pet5:6 

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. -1Thes5:18  

God can do everything! -Luke1:37 

And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. -2Cor12:9 

"Take Up Your Shield"
In addition to all this take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. -Eph6:16 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. -Jam4:7-8 

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. -Rev12:10

"I Am Lord!"

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is The Lord's purpose that prevails. -Prov19:21

Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah). -Col3:23-24 

To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. -Luke1:79 

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. -Phil4:13 

"I never run out"

And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. -Phil4:19

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) -2Cor5:7

And searching my mind for another .. The Lord will always equip for that which He calls us to do .. Heb13:21 I think/find ..

Jesus will "equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 

Better  .. was "the straw that broke the.." feeling...