"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."~from ISAIAH 61 Bible verse for this Blog
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APOLOGY to READERS who followed a SEARCH to HERE & didn't find it
On July 18, 2017, I drafted almost 3000 blog posts that I had published since 2008 when I began blogging, rather than edit each one. So if you clicked here from somewhere else and ended up with the post unavailable or error, I am sorry but this is why. It'd be too much work for me to go back and fix them. There's an explanation on 7/19/17 as I'm still learning.
Showing posts with label ONE WORD (OW). Show all posts
Showing posts with label ONE WORD (OW). Show all posts
Saturday, September 28, 2019
EMBRACING WORSHIP
Saturday, September 14, 2019
EMBRACING HURT & HEARTACHE
... EMBRACED ...
was
In case you missed it, the most important word is
HIM
EMBRACING Him
in the Midst of Hurt & Heartache
Embracing Him ... that Him, is God ... which really is the easiest part!
at least for me
It's where I run, it's where I hide,
it is the place I go most often
HE is the One
I EMBRACE in the midst of any hurt
any heartache, any suffering, any pain
Sometime earlier while reading these devotions, I wrote the following:
... the part that doesn’t come easy for me, and I would imagine, most of us, is
Embracing suffering and pain ... or hurt and heartache!
However, Embraced ... in this part 3 is all about God in the midst of every single ache, right there with us.
As encouraging as this is, I find myself wondering if after spending time with Him, in the midst of each of these sorrowful times, these seasons of long suffering or seemingly so, endless and debilitating, perhaps unable to get beyond the ache, the pain, the suffering and incredible hurts, weak or weakened by the suffering physically, mentally, psychologically and emotionally, do we somehow seem stronger, or only comforted by knowing this truth that "He is in the midst," understands the suffering, realizes the pain-staking cost, or the increasing havoc of all this that a human being just barely can bear, hanging on to just survive it, it seems so often, or is He calling us into the depth of suffering? and through it to really know Jesus, the Healer and rely on Him completely so that we might help one other person through theirs - their suffering, their hurt, their heartache? Although our pain may not be the same, is God trying to stir us to encourage them and allow our empathy or sympathy to move us with more compassion and be more like Jesus? I also am more aware of the pain, hurt and heartache that I've caused in the lives of others and truly spent time in repentance of this, but for some, I'm done - and no longer think I should be paying consequneces still of stuff in the past. The past is done, and cannot be changed, but with God's help in the present and hope for the future, He makes all things possible. I pray this includes removing the pain, and taking away wrongful, revengeful plans of hurt people.
I can tell you that after reading these devotions, I did feel encouraged but not able to heal (just yet, with some) just deal better with some of the heartache. I’m more content with not understanding the many ‘w’ questions, especially ‘why?’, and even more thankful that He is with me in the midst, fully Embracing me as I fully Embrace Him, and understanding His promises a little better helps me too. I do realize how much Jesus had to suffer, and so many others suffer throughout this world and throughout history, but somehow that doesn’t help me or give me any solution to not feeling like God has allowed more than I can handle, or more than others can handle in the suffering scheme of things. Of course, when you’re ‘in the midst’ of any suffering, heartache, or struggle, it seems much more unbearable, more difficult to see clearly or feel brave until you reach that other side and are able to look back, seeing His Hand holding on to you through it all, a thread of hope and Him at work, traces of Him in His perfect love and Embrace, but until then ... (pause, breath of a deep sigh) - we wait, we pray, we seek and search, we believe and we trust. Meanwhile He continues to pour His strength into us, His healing touch upon us, His heart entwined in our pain, our ache, our suffering, His loving arms wrapping us in His Embrace, covering us over and over with great compassion and empathy. He longs to be close at all times as we draw closer and keep our eyes fixed on Him, not on our many needs, our circumstances - just soaking in His Presence.
It may be quite some time, or in no time at all, that we finally see an end to suffering, or have an understanding of our hurts and heartaches, or an answer for our pain; and I, for one, may never be able to Embrace suffering or heartache or pain, but I will most definitely Embrace the One who knows suffering, heartache and pain, and gives me victory to overcome, even in the midst, because HE took it all for me, and He will see me through each one, every day, which is what I need to hold on to as I continue to surrender, give it all to Him, and cast each burden, EVERY ONE of them on Him, for He cares so much for me, and you - that He did Embrace suffering that wasn’t His to bear, and He aches each time any one of His children are hurting. He's longing to Embrace them, and take away their pain. If only we let Him. Jesus did so, so we don’t have to. All it takes, One lasting Embrace!
<><><>
This hardly does justice to all Lysa's devotions in Part 3 of
Embracing Him in the midst of hurt and heartache
and what I got out of reading them.
Nor does this help you to
EMBRACE SUFFERING
{perhaps these Bible verses might - sorry, the link I had, doesn't work now}
I should have copied the 10 verses
Bible Study Tools have 30 Significant Bible Verses about Suffering
{so I had to search again and this time found}
{to EMBRACE or 'to Endure' are not at all the same to me}
Why do I share this?
I guess because I've read somewhere recently something
that we are suppose to 'embrace our suffering' so I'm still trying
to figure this out.
I believe it all might have started when I read:
Colossians 1:24
Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. (NIV) |
because those words stuck with me
Sunday, September 8, 2019
EMBRACING HIM in the MIDST of HURT & HEARTACHE 3-4
<3-4>
September
EMBRACED
... Knowing God is Holding Me (You) Close
2019
Part 3:
EMBRACING
Him
in the Midst of Hurt & Heartache
Devotions #49-75
(#71 - 75 in this week's post)
71. "Wisdom and Humility" Proverbs 11:2 |
"A wisdom like none other can arise from those hard places that bring us low." |
72. "I'm Really Afraid" Psalm 34:7 |
"Sometimes living in fear of what might be causes more stress and anxiety that actually facing what we fear." |
73. "Holding on to Truth" John 8:32 |
"Our souls were formed to recognize and respond to the calm assurance of Jesus." |
{how beautiful written, Lysa! this truth is.}
74. "Pressing through the Pain" James 4:8 NKJV |
"If we avoid the hurt, the hurt creates a void in us." |
75. "Devastated but not Destroyed"Psalm 46:10 |
"God loves us and He will not leave us." |
{5 really great truths on page 235 that we must cling and hold to ...}
So, so often, I have felt devastated and thought I was destroyed or my future will be, mostly because of my insecurities, maybe I was (am) really afraid, BUT God ... He helps me press on through the pain as I hold on to His Truth, trying desperately to not let the lies of destruction and the enemy of my soul destroy me, with God's wisdom as I learn humility and lean into Him ... so as you can see all of Lysa's devotion titles tell my story too, of hurt and heartache.
Without being able to EMBRACE God in the midst of them, I don't know how I would fare, or pray through getting beyond these obstacles trying to hold me back or crush me with their weight (not sure how anyone that does not have a relationship with Jesus ever does face their hurts and heartaches, maybe they don't, maybe they just stuff and think they've dealt with it by never dealing with them or facing them, maybe they don't care if they ever heal ... or fester others by their wounds, because we've all heard "hurt people hurt people" but "healed people heal people"). I prefer to be the second kind. Yes, I'm guilty too of stuffing or trying to move on (run from them) and forget the pain, the problem, the storm ... but it doesn't work for me. It's sure to resurface until I face it and deal with it. God's Word is a soothing balm and guide for me, offering unconditional love, mercy and forgiveness, with much wisdom and His healing touch. As I invite Jesus into my pain, my hurts, my heartaches ... I find that He helps me through in His strength (not mine), with His comforting EMBRACE.
Without being able to EMBRACE God in the midst of them, I don't know how I would fare, or pray through getting beyond these obstacles trying to hold me back or crush me with their weight (not sure how anyone that does not have a relationship with Jesus ever does face their hurts and heartaches, maybe they don't, maybe they just stuff and think they've dealt with it by never dealing with them or facing them, maybe they don't care if they ever heal ... or fester others by their wounds, because we've all heard "hurt people hurt people" but "healed people heal people"). I prefer to be the second kind. Yes, I'm guilty too of stuffing or trying to move on (run from them) and forget the pain, the problem, the storm ... but it doesn't work for me. It's sure to resurface until I face it and deal with it. God's Word is a soothing balm and guide for me, offering unconditional love, mercy and forgiveness, with much wisdom and His healing touch. As I invite Jesus into my pain, my hurts, my heartaches ... I find that He helps me through in His strength (not mine), with His comforting EMBRACE.
HE is
more than
enough
HE really does know our pain and our heart
PSALM 91
(another YouVersion reading plan I'm doing)
is one of my favorites and Lysa's too.
In fact, on page 232, in devotion #74, Lysa shows us
how to prayerfully invite God into our pain
through this Psalm.
Lord, Draw me close. ... You are my everyday dwelling place,
my saving grace!
Lord, Draw me close. ... You are my everyday dwelling place,
my saving grace!
<><><>
Previous blog posts of Part 3:
EMBRACING Him
in the Midst of Hurt & Heartache
3-1 Devotions #50-57
3-2 Devotions #58-65
3-3 Devotions #66-70
plus this one for
Devotions #71-75
Sunday, September 1, 2019
EMBRACING HIM in the MIDST of HURT & HEARTACHE 3-3
[My plan was to finish this Part 3 in August, but I needed to take a pause and tried "EMBRACING JOY in His Presence" (another devotional book, but by Sarah Young, which You Version had 2 different reading plans that I sampled). There are 10 "Embraced..." devotions left in this part that I have divided into the next two weeks while I continue "EMBRACING Him (even) in the midst of hurt and heartache", because no matter what, "Embracing Him" is the best way, and for me, the only way I get through, move on and move forward with His Grace.]
EMBRACED
... Knowing God is Holding Me (You) Close
2019
Part 3:
EMBRACING
Him
in the Midst of Hurt & Heartache
Devotions #49-75
(#66 - 70 in this week's post)
66. "Alone in a Crowded Room" John 13:34 |
"Proximity and activity don't always equal connectivity."
|
67. "Three Things You Must Remember When Rejected" |
..."Satan knows what consumes us controls us." |
68. "The Best Worst Thing" Matthew 8:26 |
"We live in a broken world full of broken people But isn't it comforting to know God isn't ever broken?"..."He can take our worst and add His best." |
69. "A Better Place to Park" Philippians 4:8 |
"To dwell on hard things keeps us in hard spots." |
70. "Wisdom Together" James 3:13 |
"When we can rise up on the wisdom of others and get a new view of our situations, our next steps seem a little clearer." |
<><><>
Lysa has such a gift of writing devotions applicable to her life, but there are times when I read them that I cannot relate to experiences in my own journey (other times, instantly they are triggered) however every devotion makes good points for the reader and the brief prayer prompts at the end of each one often speak my very heart leading me to a deeper reflection, like some of the chosen ones that follow (which even if the devotion did not seem applicable, the prayer somehow was, bringing it home for me, tying it into the scripture with her devotion - now that's the gift.)
So I just had to share some from this Part 3 that helped me heal while "EMBRACING HIM in the midst of hurt & heartache":
Lord, I can't thank You enough for the promise that I can trust You at all times. Even though people may fail me, {or I may fail them} others may abandon me, You never will. I'm choosing to let that truth steady my heart today. ... |
Father God, I don't understand this situation. But I do understand Your goodness to me. Help me replace the fears threatening to consume me with truth, I know You love me, You are for me, and I absolutely can trust You with all of my heart. ... |
Dear Lord, thank You so much for the way You love me - with a love that can never be shaken, taken or tarnished. Help me look to You and You alone to fill and satisfy my heart. ... |
Dear Lord, You know the hurts I have from the past that still drain me {or affect me}. Please show me a good place to park my mind when that pain stings me{or someone or something else reminds me}again. [Help me not to dwell and rehash on the hard things that keep me in hard spots because that only serves to deepen my feelings of emotional emptiness.] ... |
Dear Lord, Thank You for Your mercies and patience in this journey of imperfect progress. Forgive me for allowing disappointment (etc.) to capture my heart so easily. Adjust my perspective and help me to see things You have brought to life in me. ... |
Sunday, August 18, 2019
EMBRACING JOY ...
{I just finished the sample 7 day devotional and will continue with the 5 day.}
..."REJOICE Always! ...
1 Thessalonians 5:16 |
I don't know about you, but to "rejoice always" (evermore, continually) seems like a very difficult task in this world more and more, especially in any adversity, hardship or challenge. I mean "always" is a long time and counts every second of every day, all the time, so how is this possible? With this in mind, I decided to look at other versions, what this means, and choose to look more closely at the word "rejoice". Here are two versions that helped me somewhat:
"Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); " AMPC |
"Let joy be your continual feast." The Passion Translation
|
... so this I like and can do a bit better ...
A perpetual state of rejoicing is only possible through or with the supernatural joy of the Holy Spirit - a fruit and gift - that bubbles up from the inside, when we battle or encounter adversity ... God enables us with this power and strength that comes supernaturally by the Holy Spirit and our precious salvation of Jesus Christ. In this, I can rejoice! Our joy is not determined by our circumstances BUT inspite of them, nor is our ability to rejoice based only on happy experiences. Focusing on "Jesus Always", even when we may not feel like it ... reminds us of our Lord's goodness, grace and redemptive sacrifice for us.
I did not think I had this ability when it seems like day after day is an uphill struggle and battle against the forces of evil yet I so need to EMBRACE some JOY ... ok, Rejoice always ... and surprisingly, when I recently met a new addition to our family, married to a dear cousin, who knew little about me or my story, as I poured out facets, this sweet sister (cousin-in-law) mentioned how she noticed so much "joy" still coming forth through me, even with my adversities and tribulations ... another dear cousin, who I see as having so much "joy" also agreed, which frankly astounded me and I was relieved to know that the Holy Spirit still shines through in my darkness or tales of woes. So very thankful! And I will hold on to this and treasure this and her words always as I continue on with "Jesus Always" and really EMBRACE the JOY within me and around me, because of His Spirit within me. Now, there are others, who may not see this emanate from me, however I will keep trying to shine Jesus always on their darkness and inability - so it's on them.
I will be continuing with the You Version 5 day plan now, still debating whether to get this as an ebook or a real book or at all, but I did download a 52 week discussion guide (pdf) of "Jesus Always" ... and the book is 365 days of devotions, maybe it's meant for me for next year, we'll see. I do have others by this author (but lately, I've been seeing so many *authors I like being ostracized by other Christians, deemed as 'false' teachers, etc. which I don't like at all, especially because I have liked and read or listened to them for so long, gotta wonder about myself{I read and listen to quite alot of them that have been put in this category}
The first discussion in this "Jesus Always" guide is the "Fullness of Joy" ... this is what I choose to EMBRACE so even though I was in the middle of Part 3 in "EMBRACED..."{by another *favorite in that category} and should be continuing with "Embracing Him in the midst of hurt and heartache", I will be, only by Embracing Joy or Embracing His Presence, which undoubtedly brings Joy! with "Jesus Always" ... so just a reminder that the EMBRACED one is only on pause - not forgotten, plus tomorrow that author is starting at FaithGateway, a study on her other recent book that I shared here before ...
Here's the rest of "Embracing Joy in His Presence" 5 days:
DAY 2 - Blessed by Jesus "Seek to live in the present - with Me!"
DAY 3 - Led by Jesus "Seek to become..."
DAY 4 - Seek Him First {as always}
Let's
EMBRACE
more
JOY
less
hurt
and
heartache
JOY brings Healing, too
don't you think so?
(like laughter)
Sunday, June 16, 2019
MY 3rd WEEK 'EMBRACED' ...
EMBRACED
in June of
2019
Part 1: EMBRACING
the Pursuit of Him and His Direction
my 3rd week and a little more
... Knowing God is Holding Me (& You) Close
The first devotion for this 3rd venture is also the last one in the You Version (day 5) as I continue to EMBRACE Rest Reassured or in Lysa's book, it's ... #16 "Space to Exhale" [Isaiah 58:13-14], which begins with the word "Rest. ..." so clearly, the order of this day, falling on Sunday ... Sabbath ... is REST still, in fact the Bible verse tells us to keep from breaking the Sabbath and doing as we please on the Father's Holy Day, even if it's "father's day", our Heavenly Father should always come first.
So I will pause, for now, and continue the rest of this at another time ...
17. "Chasing Down our Decisions" Proverbs 27:12 |
18. "Read This Before Making that Decision" Isaiah 49:10; Psalm 23:1-3(NKJV); Jeremiah 31:9(ESV) |
19. "Paralyzing Fear" 1 Peter 5:7; Isaiah 43:1; Romans 8:38-39 |
20. "The Most Nonfrantic Woman I've Ever Met" Proverbs 22:1 |
21. "The Two Most Powerful Words" Matthew 3:17 |
22. "Analysis Paralysis" Romans 8:26-28 |
23. "Five Questions to Ask When Making a Decision" Luke 14:28-30 (NKJV) |
24. "God, I'm Worn Out" Psalm 142:3 NLT |
25. "In the Flow" 2 Peter 1:3 |
26. "Practicing Wisdom" Proverbs 2:1-2; 4-5 |
*words in this color are Lysa's from in her book
I
EMBRACE
this quote as my favorite
EMBRACE
this quote as my favorite
..."Seeking to obey God in the midst of whatever circumstance I'm facing will position me to work in the flow of God's power."...Lysa T. #25 |
... however, if I reword the one in #21 that probably suits me better ... "When a woman lives with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule, she'll ache with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul." ... I would replace 'schedule' with "life", because even though I no longer have a busy schedule, my life daily often leaves me overwhelmed, but since that devotion focused on the "two most powerful words" as being "yes" and "no" as regards your schedule, that is why Lysa uses 'schedule', which is so true, that we need to know when to say yes or no. I still probably need to know when, but my stress has nothing to do with an overwhelming schedule. (sigh) For me, it might even be the stress of aging, which is overwhelming and not just my own aging ... I pray that my soul is well and not underwhelmed
I'm
Thursday, June 6, 2019
A.D.D. to your AGENDA being EMBRACED
Today's #6 is available in the You Version reading plan, day 4 or over here for
#6 "An Agenda That Will Never Satisfy"
Mark 3:14-15 |
"Dear Lord, I'm choosing to stop in the midst of everything to just be with You. Let me never forget what a gift it is to spend this sacred time in Your presence. In Jesus' Name. Amen" |
With this being said (written) you might think I'm running on a full glass, but sadly I often still find myself exhausted and overwhelmed, because frankly, fighting the enemy (on our own) wipes us out and that's when I know I need to run to Him, climb up into His lap and let Him know I need Him so - He's a much better Defender, Advocate and Warrior than I. Even with this time set aside, I, too, can identify with what Lysa wrote about being empty - "where your hands are full, but inside you're nothing but an exhausted shell" without being as busy as she ... I need God to breathe life back into my depleted and dead places.
ABIDING
DELIGHTING
DWELLING
[A.D.D.}
"...all words used to describe us being with Him..."
"Fix your eyes, not on a worldly prize,
but on staying in love with Me."
"That's an AGENDA that's always
completely satisfying"
Lysa TerKeurst
*all words in this color are Lysa's in her devotion(s)
Tomorrow
FRIDAY
my date with Him
I will
EMBRACE
this
AGENDA
(of A.D.D.)
fully
and
#7
{not in YouVersion}
Psalm 119:18
I'm sure I will!
{There is only one day left with You Version reading plan, but many more in Lysa's book, EMBRACED... #7-15 are in her book and not in YV plan, so the final one in YV is #16 in the book. So I am not sure if I will post on all of these or how often, and the other 3 parts of this beautiful devotion book; but I will at least post something for each of these parts that follow these first 26 in Part 1: Embracing the Pursuit of Him and His Direction. I will post #16 when I get there in the book. And we'll have to see about the rest. Yet know that this journey of EMBRACED, is being done with Him and that I realize it's only the beginning of this One Word and all God will do in me with this in 2019. Hugs!!!~Peggy}
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
EMBRACING Spiritual Discernment and Being Still
#5 today also is not in the You Version reading plan
#5 "Is This The Right Decision?" Philippians 1:9-10
|
"... Find that courageous yes. Fight for that confident no"... and move on. "Know it. State it. Own it."Lysa TerKeurst |
What Lysa writes about knowledge, insight and discernment
"... When we've done what we need to do to acquire knowledge and insight of truth, then the discernment of that truth is there. We must learn to trust and use that discernment because the more we do this, the more wisdom we acquire to make God-honoring decisions." Lysa TerKeurst |
Beloved Princess,
I long to be closer to you. I’m never too busy for you, My beloved. If you will turn off the things around you that drown Me out of your daily life, you will begin to hear Me in your spirit. When you don’t know where to go, you will hear Me give you divine direction. When you are in need of a friend, you will hear Me whisper, “I am here.” When you need comfort, you will hear Me call to you, “Come to Me.” Don’t let your agenda distract you from time with Me. Quiet your spirit. Know that I am your heavenly Father and you are My precious daughter, and I love when you crave time to be still with Me.
Love,
Your King & The Voice Of Heaven
Your King & The Voice Of Heaven
Today's Treasure of Truth
When you are still, I am closest to you. Draw close to me and I will draw close to you.
When you are still, I am closest to you. Draw close to me and I will draw close to you.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him.
Psalm 37:7 (NIV)
Psalm 37:7 (NIV)
For more about Sheri Rose’s visit HisRoyalFamily.com
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Peggy