The weekend is a time we try to unwind and rest from the hectic week we just had or possibly still reeling from. My devotion this morning reminded me of some of the walks I use to have when I lived in the North Carolina mountains. Since I am 1,000 miles from there now I have to go there in my mind. Come walk with me and I will take you there with words.
Its early morning. The morning fog still clings to trees around you. It’s peacefully quiet except for the few birds fluttering in the trees. It’s the perfect time to be alone with God and feel His peace.
Picture yourself by a small stream. Its deep enough where it doesn’t babble over rocks, yet it moves slowly. Its surface is smooth as glass and reflects the beauty of the forest around you. Sit here and rest in God’s love that He has just for you. Give all worries and concerns to Him and let Him carry them for you. His shoulders are much stronger than yours.
When we are calm and relaxed, it is then that the blessings of God are most beneficial because we remember who we are. We are children of God.
Always remember He is walking beside you and if needed…He will carry you. So lift praises to Him and He will cover you in peace as you walk the day together.
And in closing I remind you of the positive power of kindness. Not only does it encourage others, it encourages the beauty that is within you.
I enjoyed my devotion from Quiet Times with God this morning as it reminded me of how very unique each of us are. We have a tendency when seeing someone gaining success in their life to either imitate them or give up because we could never be like them. Scripture reminds us just how special we are and how each individual was purposefully made.
The more we try to be like someone else, the less we show how beautifully God created us, hindering the ability to share the gifts He gave each of us. We are handcrafted for a purpose.
We all have different shapes, different colors, different gifts…but the same God. He has poured Himself into each of us for us to be able to share His love. He created special plans for each of us so we must allow Him to use us in the ways that are uniquely us.
The things in your life that make you different are assets. Joyce Meyer
Stay encouraged in your uniqueness and let His love reflect from you to others. And remember to share kindness in all that you do. It shows the true warmth and love of God.
Tomorrow is going to be crazy busy, so I am popping in tonight since its been awhile since I played with SOCS.
Since this is my week to do the phone devotions/encouragements for the church, I have a bunch of encouraging books on my desk. A random peak in the closest one to me, top of page 34…
“With God, nothing is impossible.”
In this world of chaos, disappointments and anger, its important we do not forget this truth. God loves us ands wants the best for us in all that we do. I think people have a tendency to belittle their abilities and allow the negative energy around them to dampen the beauty of what we see and do. So surround yourself on positive energy and expect good things.
And as always, remember the positive affects that kindness can bring into your life. With one true kind word, you can brighten the lives of others as well as yourself.
With so much happening around our world these days, we all need small bits of encouragement. We get discouraged when we do something that goes wrong, or maybe it comes from something someone else did to us. Plus its discouraging to see the disasters going on around the world. Life is hard and can be easily discouraging! But scriptures remind us that we have a helper to get us through these discouraging time even thought they may be scary times.
He helps us in so very many ways. He heals our broken bones. He heals our broken hearts. He heals our broken relationships. He carries us in His arms all because of His love for us. He is there to helps us in whatever way is needed.
It is hard sometimes in today’s world to trust in what we can’t see but scriptures reminds us, old and new testaments, that He has always been there for us and will continue to always be there for us. We were created because He loves us and wants us with Him and He will always watch out for us so keep your eyes are on Him.
Like the poem on footprints in the sand – when you see only one set of prints in the sand, its proof of Him carrying you. Always remember you are loved deeper than you will ever understand. And since you know you are loved, reflect His love by being kind – especially when underserved. It really stays with them.
This week after bible study on how we handle grief, I went on a rabbit hole review of the book of Isaiah. Chapter 43 reminds us of how God grieves when we don’t listen to Him when He reminds us, through all 66 books, how very much he loves us and created all of us for Himself – because he wants us always near Him.
In Steven Scott’s book, Jesus Speaks, we are reminded how much harder it is for us to believe in this relationship versus the disciples believing. They were there. They heard him, touched him, they saw his miracles first hand. We have to believe with out seeing.
We believe because we have faith in what the prophets and disciples have told us through the words they wrote thousands of years ago. Faith, Hope and Love are all tied together throughout all 66 books of the bible. Are these book hard to understand, sometimes, but sometimes God allows us to see with unseen eyes and hear with unheard ears the precious words of his unimaginable love that he shares with us, just for the asking. If you care to read further in this post, I wrote a quick Non-poetry on Faith. It will be the first writing of my new book entitle Faith. My current book called Hope was so poorly edited, that I can’t leave my encouragement writing with that. So, we are are going again with professional editors so that the readers experience encouragement better. And after Faith, we will have to close off the series with Love.
UNSEEN ENTITY
How is it that a creature can put its trust of life into an unseen entity?
To allow its values and the things it loves to be driven by the ideals of this unseen entity.
Integrity is a component the creature uses to measure the ideals and values of this unseen entity.
Affirmation of the unseen entity’s integrity proves the love that is always given by the unseen entity.
Final trust and hope are driving forces given to the unseen entity by the creature in the form of faith.
Faith is confidence in what we hope for. (Heb 11:1)
For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Cor 5:7)
Faith as small as a mustard seed moves mountains. (Mat 17:20)
Assurance of faith proves God is our refuge. (Psa 46:1)
Assurance of faith reminds us we are children of God. (Rom 8:16)
Assurance of God’s love is the strength of my heart. (Psa 73:26)
In all things, God works for the good of us. (Rom 8:28)
I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. (Jer 29:11)
I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you. (Isa 41:10)
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. (Prov 3:5)
Trust helps my heart jump for joy, with song I praise him. (Psa 28:7)
Trust that He will never leave you, not forsake you. (Heb 13:5)
Hope doesn’t disappoint for God poured love into our hearts. (Rom 5:5)
Hope in the Lord will renew our strength. (Isa 40:31)
Hope of eternal life was promised by God before time began.(Titus 1:2)
For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
Anita
As we move about in this life, remember the opportunities we are given to show the beauty, warmth and power of Kindness and share it often.
Good Sunday evening friends. Today at our church we had an amazing day. Normally you hear encouraging words form me to help you understand how wonderful we are and I hope you understand God ALWAYS has a plan for each of us. Below I am sharing today’s message from one or our youth, a 14 year old young lady that has more understand of our worth than some adults that I have spoken with. I hope you take the time to open the link and hear her encouraging words. You can fast forward though the talking and singing if you just want to hear Jaylynn’s message. I truly believe you will be encourage on how very much God loves you. It is at the first part of the service.
Then if you care to listen to the entire service, you will be encouraged by the Global Servant of Health, Kristy Engel as she gives a brief summary with her Mission Moment sharing her work across the world that she has been doing.
I truly hope you understand how very important all of us are because as Jaylynn reminds us, we are all made in the likeness of God.
As you begin to understand the beauty of your creation, remember also the beauty of kindness and always be kind.
I have not written an encouragement post in a while but last night’s devotion in “Jesus Calling” needed to be shared because we all need to be told how very much we are loved. Regardless of how we feel we have fallen short of God’s holy standard…every day…in His sight we are gloriously righteous. He proved this vast ocean of love by literally pouring out His blood for us…freely without our asking.
We are so programed that nothing is free that we sometimes forget the power of His freely given love through the Holy Spirit that dwells in our heart.
Always know He is as close as your own hand and loves us more than we could ever understand. Remember to share that love…every day…with others and always be kind.
For whatever reason, this spring seems to be dragging it’s butt. In reality it is probably just me, as I am so ready to be outside and working in my flowers. And the seeds planted in the small pots for the community garden are well on their way of needing to be in the ground real soon.
Today we had more rain…with snow mix…tomorrow more rain but maybe a hint of sunshine. I honestly think spring is close. I now see the robins in my yard. A sure sign for me.
Its not a real clear picture…but neither is spring. So onward we go. Then in two and a half months we will be complaining of being hot. I heard an old man say one time that there are three stages of life – you are born, you pay taxes and then you die. How sad is that? I was born in the last century, I paid 2021 taxes yesterday, so all I have left is death???
Guess that old man doesn’t know me that well. I just got started and have yet to dance…so dance we must. And as the breeze flows gently through the air we dance in its currents…
Dance in Moonlight Daffodils
While these have not broken through the ground yet, I look forward to their dance. I planted them last year so hopefully they will dance with me this year. Just a note to remind you while things may seem dreary, you can always dance. Some may laugh, some shake their heads but all will smile. What a great excuse to dance in life.
Have a safe and blessed weekend. Laugh, dance, smile and ALWAYS be kind.
Too often Christians will over think and stress on doing what they think is needed and then will miss out on the joy of being with God. Randy’s message Sunday about stress was reflected again in my devotion tonight about this self-imposed stress. The devotion mentions how we get so stress over doing the right thing for the kingdom so we can “bear fruit” that we miss the point. Bearing fruit is a term in the scriptures to show we are following Christ and sharing His love for the kingdom. But bearing fruit has very little to do with how hard we are working and everything to do with how well we are connected with Jesus. The devotion book “Jesus Speaks” by Steven Scott, reminds us that for any branch to have life that will produce fruit, it must first have sap. The life-giving sap flows up through the vine, then out to the branches. Scripture reminds us that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. If we are not connected to the branch, we will not gain the life-giving sap.
The only way out spiritual life can bear fruit is to stay connected to Christ and His words. Our purpose is to bear fruit for the kingdom, with some being planters, and some being waterers but none of it will be able to be done if we are not connected to the vine. The scriptures are our connecting tissue to the vine where His Spirit flows. And as long as we stay connected to His words we will receive the life-giving sap from above.
When we do not have the life-giving sap, we can not plant or water…or share His love and that is our goal. And eventually our connection may harden and be of little use.
For when we are able to share His love, by sharing His truths, and bearing fruit, then God will be glorified. It doesn’t matter if we were the sower, the waterer, the encourager, the friend, or the total stranger that is sharing God’s love, we will all get to rejoice with those who reap the benefits of that shared love. So stay connected and watch God work.
Have a safe and blessed week and be kind in all that you do.
After blogging now for several years I started doing encouragements for my church, then I started occasionally posting them here. Then came along Susi Bocks’ encouragement of my writing and many of you who have appreciated my encouraging thoughts and have been very kind to me. Thank you for giving me a small voice. Twice now, The Short of It/I Write Her has featured my writing which has encouraged me to the point that I wanted to share some of the short stories I have written that are TOOOO long to post. So I took Susi’s advice and created an anthology featuring my short stories and some of my poetry. A couple of these poems, Susi featured this February.
If you are interested, you can go to Amazon and purchase either the Kindle version or the paperback version of Hope (An Anthology of Christian Perspective) and I hope you will be encouraged.
I thank you in advance if you do but my hope is that even here I can encourage one person who needs a hug. We all need hugs. Below is one of the poems of the book that I also had posted on my blog last year. This kind of sets the theme of the book.
Raindrops of the Heart
Raindrops of the heart can be a sad place to start
As life of those loved around us do inevitably depart
But Raindrops of the heart can also come from joy
As we remember the fun things we both did enjoy
Raindrops of the heart do not always come from grief
As laughter of the heart shows raindrops of relief
Raindrops of the heart are moments to be shared
As raindrops from the heart show moments that we cared.
Thank you for reading today. Remember the power and beauty of Kindness and share it often.
For the Love of 