Considering Part 3

Jam 1:2 "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,". Consider it all joy, all the events of 2010. Why, you say? Or better yet, how? Because all the circumstances, trials, blessings, provision, gifts, pains, ailments, sunshine-filled days...everything was created, allowed, ordained by God.

In the midst of a trial, or anything that is not perfectly suited to our desires, it's sometimes hard to see the need to rejoice! But surely, looking back over the year as a whole, we can see God's hand at work. Can't you see Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose," being played out in your life?

Thinking on the year's events, remembering the days when it seemed as though everything was going wrong and getting worse, I realize how overly important inconsequential things were. In hindsight, I see how I missed the opportunity to witness God at work because I was trying to "work out' things God already had settled!

I see how He has once again proven Isa 55:8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. I've been given the opportunity to be thankful that He didn't answer some prayers, but gave me what I needed instead of what I wanted.

I pray Lord, "help me to 'consider' every day, every hour, every trial AND every blessing of 2011 as JOY!

Still Considering...

Still considering the word 'consider': 1Co 1:26 "For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;"

Consider your calling. I had a conversation about this on lunch at Monday. Once you semi-grasp the idea that God (THE GOD OF ALL CREATION) chose and called me (SINFUL ME), it's not long until you realize the implications. That means that always, throughout my life, He's been protecting, keeping, preparing me for the day of salvation! WHOA! WOW! UNREAL! ALWAYS THERE! ALWAYS KNOWING! AMAZING!

Nicole Nordeman has a song, I Am, which slays me every time I hear it. It speaks of His presence throughout our lives.

Even though I'll surely become a liquid, I'm listening today and thanking Him that 2010 is just one of 47 years that He has been working in my life!

Consider...

Somehow this morning my mind has landed on the word 'Consider'. I guess it's an end of the year reflection mindset that we all tend to have. I did a word search and found such glorious verses using the word 'consider'. Here's my favorite so far: Job 37:14 "Listen to this, O Job, Stand and consider the wonders of God.

In context this is near the end of the book- where God puts an end to Job's pity party! But it's such a great verse for anyone on any day. It's imperative, or a command in it's structure. CONSIDER: think about carefully, contemplate, pay attention to....THE WONDERS OF GOD! And many there are. What are the wonders of God that you have learned, experienced or witnesses this year?

Daily Word from God

Rev 22:12 "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done"

That verse will either make you shudder or well up with gratitude for Christ. He IS coming. He WILL render to each of us reward or judgment!

It's not hard to examine our lives according to the Word and see what we deserve. BUT GOD, in grace, gave us Christ. And ONLY because of that, but JUST because of that...we gain reward!

"Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart. His wounds have paid my ransom."

Worshipping in His Presence

"Rev 21:22-23 I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb."
So much of Revelation remains a mystery, but nit these verses! No need for a symbolic place to worship when we are in the presence of the object of our worship! Lord, I long to see You face to face...

Will I Keep This Up?

Having just turned 47, I've decided not to let the nagging question, "Can I keep up with a blog?", keep me from starting this one. After all, what's the worse that can happen- I get the answer to the question!

What do I hope to accomplish with this blog? Just to share what God is doing in my simple life! I want to share what He's teaching me through His Word and His creation! It won't likely be earth-shattering, ground-breaking or revolutionary. It will serve as a diary for myself, since loss of memory has begun at my age!

Today's roundup: I spent hours trying to configure plans for a greenhouse I'm building from old windows. Way too much adding and multiplying for a self-proclaimed "word person." It's like a puzzle, and I have yet to figure out where the last pieces go...

Well, post one is complete! Stay tuned to see if there is a post two.