Fill your heart...

Dear Friends,

We all need words to live by, to inspire us and guide us. Words to give us courage. Words of comfort and of courage filled with wisdom and with love. We need "Words" from His Word and from other believers. 

So begins a series of such "word helps" from the poet of yester year called "Helen Steiner Rice," (HSR). It is my prayer and hope that one or many of these "word helps" will do just that for you.

HSR wrote a poem titled "Fill Your Heart With Thanksgiving." Many wonderfully encouraging words are rendered in this particular poem but the first words are my focus today;

"Take nothing for granted, for whenever you do
The 'joy of enjoying' is lessened for you-"

Further, the last stanza of this poem emphasizes; "For the JOY of ENJOYING and the FULLNESS of LIVING are found in the heart that is filled with THANKSGIVING." 

Scripture gives this sentiment in 1 Thessalonians 5.18 by stating In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. As a believer, we take this truth into the very fiber of our being because life can be so hard. As a moral person, one understands being grateful keeps the spirit mostly peaceful. Noting the illustration here:

• An empty heart is usually a dark heart. It is Full of negative, foreboding thoughts.
• A heart half full, sort of grateful, somewhat thankful for the very air that clears one's lungs, still maintains a grudge about how one thinks things "should be." 
• A full heart accepts the things that cannot be changed, changes the things that can be changed and acknowledges the wisdom to know the difference. The full heart has no room for negative thoughts and words.

We are also instructed in Ephesians 5.20 to give thanks for ALL things.  Further the book of Romans in 8.28, at least for the believer, directs that ALL things work together for good (specifically) to them that love God...

In a personal note, this bloggers heart struggles in the middle.  It seems things "should be this way or should've happened like this or that."  Thus clouding the mind, then the heart with a grudging attitude.  No help or peace thinking this way. 

Instead this blogger will pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide me and remind me that this is His way and it is always best.  

God bless and keep you...

He didn't stay dead.

 Head on over to an encouraging poem by a pastor of yesteryear by clicking here.

What's next?

Good day, dear readers.  The title of this entry as you see is, "What's next?"

Have you completed a life task only to wonder, "what now?" I want to share a "brain drizzle" with you. 

I have several responsibilities at church; I play the piano for worship services and most special singing,  handle the mission funds, manage the church website and attend every service faithfully sans any illness. In the past I have led the 4-6 year old Wednesday class and taught the 10-13 class on Sundays.  The Lord has been pleased to put me in all these places in His house and in His service.  

In recent months, my spirit has been stirred once more to teaching.  Then I think, "what do I have to offer?"  My life has been blessed with many godly women who are examples of true christian ladies.  Each personality is different but united in things of the Lord.  My own experiences growing up in a somewhat tumultuous home that ended in divorce (I was 16), getting saved at 18, marriage at 23, mother at 34, divorce at 40 and finally, 50 - "year of jubilee, Canaanland, 'my mountain'" have been not a few.  The last eleven years have been up and down with burdens but peaceful.

Then, the thought comes that many of my life experiences and influences coupled with scripture give me much to share with ladies 18-30.   While many have been brought up in godly homes and atmospheres, many have not.  Yet, I remember having a couple of older ladies supporting my life during these years.  Sometimes I was listening, sometimes I was not.  One choice in particular caused much grief, sorrow and pain.  However, the Lord guided and provided in all.

I would like to teach this age group giving practical and spiritual instruction as the Lord leads.   I would request anyone reading this entry pray for me.  I would never want to step out of His will or lead anyone in the wrong way just because of my experience(s).

No scripture on my heart for this endeavour other than current devotions in Proverbs regarding wisdom and how to exercise knowledge with wisdom. (Pro 2.6, 4.7, 9.10,  Jms 1.5)  

Found this photo above and the scripture mentioned in the picture also seems appropriate to this idea; 

• The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness,...teachers of good things;
• That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
• To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, 
• WHY? that the Word of God be not blasphemed.

Many topics, from the Word, to be taught and hopefully, received.

Prayers appreciated and Lord willing, I'll keep you updated.

God bless and keep you.  Ps 57.7

Waiting is done, for now

Per the last blog post on "Waiting," that phase is done and the participants are home safe and sound.  However, I've not seen them and I'm trying to understand because they have busy lives.  So, the one thing a mom endures is patience when yearning to see her kids.  We don't want to interfere or make them feel guilty but as we get older, it is tough when the heart needs to see them and hug them.  I refuse to whine about it though because I do know they are home and safe.

Current devotions are from the book of Proverbs.  So, as I read I will seek an answer to the taxing task for patience as it involves ones kids.

Take care, dear reader.  Ps 57.7

Why do you need wisdom?

By the way, at the time of this writing, the last round of waiting is almost done.

Let's ask Solomon in first Kings chapter 3 as we discover how he came to be the "wisest man on earth."

In His own words, Solomon recognized the monumental task of leading  "great" (large number) people?" (3.8) 

How was he to judge all the matters that would come before him?

By the way, at the time of this post, the last round of waiting is almost over.  More later...

God's favor of wisdom to young King Solomon is recorded in the Bible in two major places: 1 Kings 3:4–15 and 2 Chronicles 1:1–13. Let us focus on the account in 1 Kings.

1. The Location: Solomon traveled to Gibeon, (I Kings 3.4) which was the most important "high place" for worship at the time, to offer sacrifices to God. (3.2)   Worship is an important part of wisdom, whether at home, at work or in the Lord's house.                  
2. The Dream: (3.5-12) After Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings, God appeared to him during the night in a dream and said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." Meditation is another important part of gaining wisdom for difficult circumstances.
3. The Request: Feeling overwhelmed by his new royal responsibilities, Solomon humbly replied that he was like a "little child" (3.7) who did not know how to lead. He asked God for a discerning/understanding heart (3.9) to properly govern the people and distinguish between right and wrong.  Finally, asking for clear direction is a humble way of saying you don't know what to do and deferring to the ONE who does.

God's Response

God was highly pleased that Solomon asked for the capability to serve his people rather than selfish requests like wealth, fame, a long life, or the death of his enemies. (3.10-14) As a result, God granted him unmatched wisdom and also bestowed upon him the riches and honor that he had not asked for.

Granted, you or I may not be in a place of such authority, however, there are too many details in life that indeed require such wisdom.  Others have wondered about the will of God.  This is where such wisdom is necessary.

• How can I know His will?
• Which way should I go?  
• Which way should I choose?

We are given such wisdom in I Jn 14.15.  If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us. Then, if we know that He hear us...we know that we have the petitions we have desired of Him. The key is this: "No, is an answer."  Also note that what is perceived in one's heart may not be how the circumstance will turn out.

A personal testimony regarding wisdom, according to His will is this; There was a time this believer suffered separation from a dear one.  We are not referring to death, we are referring to the nastiness of visitation per a divorce decree.  To say this momma's heart was ripped out is an understatement.  During this time of repeated separation from the dear one, prayer was wont to be made as earnest as ever.  Then came that still small voice that said "I can see what you cannot."  The trial did not end until much later but the wisdom of those words brought a settled peace to endure to the end.

You see, I asked and He answered.  Was it in the manner I desired, no.  Did it calm my troubled soul, yes.

The most famous use of such Divine wisdom in Solomon's day is the episode where two mothers were claiming the same child.  How was he to know which one was the true mother.  In the same chapter being discussed refer to verses 16-28.  Everyone knows the story.  God directed the King to "split the child in two."
(3.25)  He understood the real mother would rather yield her child to the other mother than see her child dead.  At least, in this way, she could watch the infant grow up.

How did he understand this truth under such pressure?  Divine inspiration.

For you and me, however, discovering the right thing to do may take more patience.  A wise sunday school teacher told a group of teenagers, "when in doubt, DON'T!"  If you can wait for an answer, good.  If you can not wait for an answer and your "back is against the wall," then make the best decision you can with available bible knowledge at the time and trust the Lord for the outcome.

Hope this helps.  God bless and keep you is my prayer.