Pardon the confusion, it appears my mind is already in California.
I can't believe my mind drew a blank and I never finished this post. I will finish later but in the mean time here is the vlog for today. Thank you for the grace.
Help me Lord Jesus today.
UPDATE:
Sitting in the airport and had time to write my thoughts.
My Take Aways
Something Old:
Do I really want to be taught? If so they why don't I pause?
Something New:
"Your ways": direction, manner, course of life, moral character
"Teach"; throw, shoot, cast, pour
Something to Do:
Do better than I did at yesterday "to do." Remember to be taught my Him I have to pause/stop/be still.
I can't believe my mind drew a blank and I never finished this post. I will finish later but in the mean time here is the vlog for today. Thank you for the grace.
Help me Lord Jesus today.
UPDATE:
Sitting in the airport and had time to write my thoughts.
"Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart that I might honor you."
Psalm 86:11
Psalm 86:11
My Take Aways
Something Old:
Do I really want to be taught? If so they why don't I pause?
Something New:
"Your ways": direction, manner, course of life, moral character
"Teach"; throw, shoot, cast, pour
Something to Do:
Do better than I did at yesterday "to do." Remember to be taught my Him I have to pause/stop/be still.
Lord, let me open my ears, my eyes, my mind, and my mouth so that you might pour Your ways in me.
18 Comments:
Good morning, GIG's,
Wendy, May His angels go before you and surround you as you fly to another divine appointment, this time in California. Perhaps you'll see some of the lovely vista's Karen, Lori, G&P and other California girls have commented on this week. I know the ladies at Valley Christian Church are excitedly awaiting their retreat with you, just as I was last month when you came to Massachusetts. Wendy, that retreat was an important "amping up" of my walk, through the words I heard you speak, the beautiful music, the tremendously caring fellowship among those ladies, and the books I brought home with me and have been "inhaling" ever since. May the California GIG's be similarly blessed, from Him through you, this weekend! Amen!
Wendy, you certainly have grace from me to give us a "rerun" for Friday. I myself have taken off from work today and tomorrow for wedding appointments, and just to BE STILL,(aka mental health day) so I won't be casting any stones your way, ha ha ha!
Wonderful news about Gabriel! Big signs and little signs from Him surround us every day!This morning I awakened at 3:30 with a great big sign, FEAR NOT, imprinted on my soul. My future roles and relationships are uncertain to me right now, but He has for certain planned it all out for me to discover, in His time, and to delight in!
These past few days I have identified with and learned from many of your comments. Jacque, about complainers, I too avoid them, get accused of being a "Pollyanna," and ended a major friendship at work over this woman's grumbling and lack of appreciation of her blessings. She, too, is a "Christian". I had to end it, because I could too easily fall right in with her complaining in order to win her "approval". Ouch! Lori, my elderly dad is and always has been a negative person. The Lord gave me a BIG task when he told me three years ago that I was to be his major caregiver. Amy, I, too have to avoid the negative Nellies at school, and I know I come across as aloof and probably "snobby". Just another way we are "set apart" from the things of this world. Not easy, but necessary to our souls, don't you think?
But one thing we have to draw a distinction about, as Wendy said yesterday, is "complaining" as a tool to draw out problems and find solutions. And sometimes the first grade teacher I assist and I "complain" to each other when the kids are driving us crazy as a way to relieve our tensions, and each time we end up hysterically laughing!! We could do a stand-up routine about the antics of these 6 and 7 year olds (big smile)
Okay, enough musing and on to the reading. My nugget is Psalm 68: 11
"The Lord gives the word, and a great army* brings the good news."
Did those of you with the NLT One Year Chronological Bible look at that footnote and see that "great army" also means "a host of women".
That's Wendy and you and me and every other woman who reads His word and brings the good news to others. Pretty cool!!
May we bring the good news today.
And that wordy post is from me...
Michelle in New England
Good morning!
My chance to jump in before work--
Thank you Wendy for all your efforts, when you have so many obligations! Your words and insights are always new to me, and help so much.
I just wanted to note what hit me in my reading last night--
In Psalm 69:17-21 I see the foreshadowing of Jesus on the cross in these words,
“Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
Come near and rescue me: redeem me because of my foes.
You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you.
Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.
They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.”
But instead of asking for vengeance, as David did, 69:27 “Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation.” Jesus has a different request of His Father, Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
This is our loving God.
Praises for Gabriel's cure! Continued prayers for all. Have a blessed day everyone!
Jacque
Sweet Wendy, You are getting ready to do some Kingdom Work (!), so of course the enemy is at you from every direction! But, with all of our prayers coming your way, he won’t have a chance to intervene, friend! I will be praying that your time today will be planned out by God, that you will be filled to the brim with the Holy Spirit, and that your day today, tomorrow and Sunday will be days of victory! We will just pray you through each day. And, don’t you worry a sec. about posting, ya here! Whoever gets up first, will just begin a new day of posts…we can continue on on this very same one. So, think nothing of it! You know us girls, nothing will keep us from writing about God’s Word each day! Smile!
PTL for the oncologist’s report! Cancer-free, that’s news to rejoice about! Lord, you have “displayed your power…[just] as you have [done] in the past” (68:28).
Today, you talked about one of my favorite visuals in the Bible…
“Bend down, O LORD, and hear my prayer…You are my God” (86:1&2).
How often, I say those words, and imagine Him bending down to listen! Just like a father bending down to help his young child. Such a picture to keep tucked away!
Today, Lord, I give myself to you. As I read your word, and go about my day, teach me how you want me to live. Shoot your ways into me. Cast yourself my direction. I want to be up-close, sitting in your net! Throw yourself in my path. Pour your Spirit all through every part of me. May my heart want to worship you all day long. May I desire to do what you desire of me. [vs.4 & 11 paraphrased] Thank you for your Word dear Lord. Thank you for quenching our thirst. With you we will never be hungry. Amen.
Enjoy His presence dear GIG! Lori
Michelle, glad you are at home soaking up His goodness! The wedding is getting close! May your family remain tucked underneath the shelter of His wings. As "you sing praises to His name and fulfill your vows each day" you will be able to tackle whatever the enemy throws your way (61:8). "A host of women," oh I love that picture! I love it! Watch out world, a host of women...just the thought of that brings me a smile!
Morning, GIGs! Wendy--I totally know where you are coming from! Will be praying for you this weekend :).
Just jumping in real quick to share my nugget with y'all, then a mammogram this morning....yuck! But, something that we all need to do. I will be back after carpool this afternoon to watch the vlog and read your wonderful comments.
Psalm 68:35 really spoke to my heart. "God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to His people." Do I really tap into this power? Do I truly believe this power and strength is given to ME to further his kingdom? Lord, forgive my unbelief! I need to hang onto that promise and apply it as though I believe it! Big truth!!
Y'all have a great day!
Hugs!
Susan
Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior!For each day He carries us in His arms. Ps.68:19
I remember as a child being carried to bed by my mother. Do we realize that God, our Heavenly Father carries us? How often does He carry us? Each day. We aren't stumbling and falling if He's carrying us. Are we willing to LET Him carry us instead of "doing it ourselves"? Something to think about.
Ps.101:2-3 says,"I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar."
Did David have magazines, tv, computers, or DVD's? There must have been other vile things available to him. Adults, be careful little eyes what you see. The station is turned whenever the underwear commercials come on at our house. I want to be the ONE modeling if my husband has a flashback. Men do have flashbacks of what they see. Wives, help your man to not stumble. Porn is a big problem now days. Shaunti Feldhahn's book "For Women Only" is excellent. She asked men certain questions and her conclusions are enlightening.
"I will search for faithful people to be my companions." Ps.101:6
As God's servants, are we faithful, above reproach, not deceivers,nor liars as the rest of the chapter says.
Sisters,let Him carry us today.
Linda from Ark.
Wow I like all of your posts already! Franny I loved how God spoke to you thru a friend and then thru His Word about the order of "pray and hope". I saw the same thing yesterday with the order being "repent and pray". We serve an orderly God and He shows us in the Bible what order to do things. Thanks for sharing that.
My nugget for today: Psalm 69:20 "If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me".
Do I do that? Am I a comforter to those who need comforting? There are so many hurting people in our world today, and too many times our days are filled with our own agendas we don't take the time to minister to those in need. Another reason to slow my life down!
Update on my coworker Jim: I have come to realize just how much of a miracle it is that his cancer was caught so early. We were praying for God to do big things during Holy week and He did! The doctor has told Jim that the fact the cancer (so tiny) showed up on his scan was an "oops". I told Jim it was a "God-incidence", not an oops. They were scanning to see why his back hurt and found the cancer. It is such a fast growing kind that they figure he contracted it last Sept or so. FYI: Jim does not smoke. He is so thankful that he weeps very easily.
He has had his first round of chemo and has to be careful b/c his white count is low. He will have 5 more rounds over the next 5 months and then they feel confident b/c they caught it so quickly it will be licked. Praise God!
In prayer and hope today
Morgen
Wendy, praying for safe travels as you go from East to West. You're too far north for me to reach this weekend. Also praying for the armor of God to cover you as you minister to the women. Big things must be in store that's why the enemy is working extra hard today. Praise, praise God for Gabriel. Thank you, Father for listening to our pleas.
Morgen, continuing to pray for Jim. May God do a mighty work in his life.
I'm taking a mental health day today, too. I just found out yesterday that my Dad who went back to Asia where we're originally from, for a two month vacation met a woman of questionable character and intent. My Mom passed away almost 6 years ago so I understand he's lonely. He's 76 and the girl is 35. Yes, 35. With an 8-year old child. She already lost 1 husband. Met her at a bar (my cousin where my Dad stayed is friends with the owner) and she worked there. Now he wants to marry this girl. Who is younger than my youngest sibling. Without a pre-nup. Please pray that her true intentions be revealed. That my Dad's eyes be opened to the truth. (He's not a believer so that worries me more.) Pray that the Lord will cast out any Jezebel spirit or witchcraft that she may have used on my Dad. My heart hurts for him. He is so blinded.
In light of that, I highlighted a lot of passages:
Psalm 86:1 "Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me for [my father] needs your help. Protect [my father] for I am devoted to you. Save [him], for I serve you and trust you. You are my God."
And here's something appropriate for my Dad:
Psalm 101:6-7 "I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me. I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house and liars will not stay in my presence."
Praying and Hoping (thank you, Franny),
G&P
There is something I've noticed as we've been reading the Psalms. I found that many of the words in many of the Psalms have been used in Gospel songs that are sung today. I knew of a few like Psalm 121 but I keep noticing more. I've been comparing the Psalms in the One Year Chronological Bible with the KJV and I have found that the words in the Gospel songs use the words from the KJV. For example:
from yesterday's reading Psalm 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Lead Me To The Rock by Stephen Hurd
When my heart is overwhelmed
I pray Lord lead me to the rock
Lead me to the rock that's higher than I
O Lord
Yes when my heart is overwhelmed
I'm asking lead to the rock
Lead me to the rock that's higher than I
O Lord
From today's reading:
Psalm 68:1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
In my church we sing a praise song that says: Let God arise and his enemies be scattered. Let God arise and his enemies be scattered. Let God arise and his enemies be scattered. Let God let God arise.
These are just two examples but there are several more like Psalm 18 and Psalm 100.
Wendy, safe travels. Pray to put the full armor of God on so that you can take your stand against the Devil's schemes. Ephesians 6:10
This week I have gathered these nuggets to practice.
Be still, be quit, be patient
Hold your tongue
Keep complaints to yourself giving the most important to God
These skills will allow me to be able to absorb God's ways and walk in his truths as He teaches.
I pray for my daughter Kelly and Baby Gabriel that they continue to remain cancer free for all the years of their lives.
And, I pray for Jim that the chemo is effective and he too remains cancer free.
I view cancer as a plague set forth by the devil to cause us to question God's love. God does not plan for cancer to occur, he does not give these horrible harmful diseases to our loved ones.
As in Eccles. 11 and 12.
We live in the world that the devil was caste to. One day there will be a grand war with Jesus coming back for us faithful.
love to you all
Susie
Hi Dear Sisters,
Whew what a week for me here! Mercy :) Missed you guys and trying to catch up today. Today we are praying and I wanted to let whoever's dear husband or loved one Matt is on our prayer list I felt a pull of the Holy Spirit to pray especially hard for him. May whatever is keeping him from Christ be broken off of him today!
My verse to pray over our loved ones today is Acts 26:18, "Lord I am sending these people to You. Open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light. May they turn from the power of Satan to the power of God so they might receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in You."
The reading has been so great and Wendy loving the blog lessons! Prayers coming your way for a fabulous trip this weekend. My husband and I are celebrating our 12th anniversary tomorrow and Sat so I will check in with you all next week.
BTW, Jen Renee love the cross!
Blessings sisters,
Brandee, TN
PS PTL on baby Gabriel!
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Heavenly Father: Rhonda's heart seems so heavy right now. We pray Father that you lift her spirit and allow her to know how much You love her. She cries out to You and we know that You hear her every word. Be with her and allow her to know Your truth. We pray this in Jesus' holy name. Amen.
Pray and Hope Rhonda
Love, Morgen
I haven't even read yet for today - I am SO behind! - but I had to hop on and ask for prayers. My friend's friend, the young teacher, went home today at 3:30 PM. It's good to know that she's no longer hurting, but very sad to say 'see you later,' too. If you have a bit of time, can you please keep her family in your prayers? She was only about 28.
Spent most of the day with my kids at various doc's offices getting their annual checkups and x-rays for my daughter's broken clavicle. So glad to know what's wrong with her shoulder AND glad that our appts are over! It looks like there's lots of good things happening on here today ... looking forward to coming back in a bit and reading some happy news.
Wendy,
We appreciate You so much. Keeping you in prayer.Dublin, Ca is very near to my home in Livermore,Ca. About a 15minute drive.
Enjoy the retreat center in Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is beautiful.
Ps 69:32- The humble will see their God at work and be glad.
Ps70:4 But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you.
Prayers for everyone on this blog.
Morgen, I'm with you on your prayer for Rhonda.
Rhonda, be encourage sweet sister and friend.
Amy,your "sad" news and prayer request has me wanting to cry.
Oh, by the way, my cel phone started working again. I have no idea what was wrong with it. Maybe it was just a small test to see how I'd handle the problem. I usually get real upset when things go rong in my life but not this time.
Okay, I'm back. I really liked today's bunch of Psalms, and all of you posted such great things here! Michelle, I love the visual of all of us women 'storming the gates of Heaven' army-style. Doesn't that make us sound a bit more serious than a prayer circle or ladies in shawls with tea cups? We mean business! :-D First-grade was my favorite to teach, and some days I miss it. Aren't first-graders awesome??
Grace and Peace, am praying for your dad, and Morgan, for Jim, and Wendy, for your travels. I think I missed something about Rhonda, but I'm praying for her, too. Jennifer Renee, I'm glad you found your phone!
Moving on ...
Ps. 68:6 "God places the lonely in families..." God made us to be social creatures and it's okay to be that way. We need the company of others, and we should reach out to others when we can. We should be careful to take time to both worship and fellowship communally.
Ps. 69:28 This may open a can of worms, and I don't think it was right for David to ask this, but can salvation be lost? Can names be erased from the Book of Life?
Ps. 69:35-36 Prophecy??
Ps. 101 Are these not great directions for how we should live our lives? and doesn't this make an awesome prayer for those around us, especially teens, spouses, and/or the unsaved?
Help __ to live a blameless life, Lord. Come to help ___. Help ___ to live a life of integrity at home. Help ___ to refuse to look at anything vile or vulgar. Keep ___ away from those who deal crookedly. Help ___ to reject perverse ideas and to stay away from every evil. Remove from ___ any desire to tolerate people who slander their neighbors and to endure their conceit and pride. Search this town and give ___ faithful people for companions. Surround ___ with those who are above reproach. Remove deceivers and liars from ___ presence and from ___ house. Ferret out any wickedness in my heart and in __ heart so that we can live a blameless life before you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Rhonda,
Praying for you for the situation you mentioned.
Amy,
Saddened to hear about the young teacher. It reminds me of a young girl who died from cancer at 23. Her name is Shelby Kennedy. In her honor, her family established the Shelby Kennedy Foundation which sponsors the Bible Bee.
On your question re the can-o-worms, I mean the Book of Life. I heard this on the radio the other day - I think it's Pastor Chuck on Pastor's Perspective. He said all the names are written on the Book of Life. The blotting comes when the person rejects Jesus as their Savior. So in the end only the names of the believers will be left, thus the name "The Book of Life" because we will live on. Those who don't will die a second death after the White Throne Judgment in Rev. 20:15.
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