My Spiritual Journey

During these times of uncertainty and ever increasing new cases, it is difficult to remain calm.

Listening to the News Reports, I felt my anxiety growing. I forgot that I have a Hope in God. An anchor to my soul.

PSALM 91 :1,2  (“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”. NIV ). Psalm 91 has been shared among Christians these days. Interesting thing is that I am filled with Peace when I read this Psalm and other scriptures. The Word is Truth and unchangeable. “Heaven and earth will pass away but my Words will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35 . Christ our only stable safe place to stand.

If you are not a Believer or against “Religion” or Christianity, you may just try reading the Bible, start with the Psalms and the Book of John. There are many modern translations that are easy to read. There are Free Bible Apps availble.

You just might find the Peace of mind you need at this time. I have.

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.””
Psalms 91:2-4, 6-16 NIV

https://www.bible.com/111/psa.91.2-4,6-16.niv

A few days ago, I was thinking about thanksgiving and perhaps writing again in this blog.  My first thoughts were, but I don’t feel overflowing with thankfulness. Yet the bible tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances” to “rejoice in the Lord always”. 

I have been thinking that the period in my life that was most difficult, I was aware of how much God took care of me and answered prayers. My awareness of His presence was experienced daily. I felt blessed indeed in spite of my circumstances.  In times of happiness when my life was going so well, I have also been thankful for what I have received.  But what about in the ordinary often drugery of daily commitments and activities?  Do I think about how blessed I am?  To be honest, I would have to say not all the time. In fact, I often complain which blocks my vision from seeing any good at all.

Yet, I know God is there. I needed a reminder which came to me early this morning. I had a dream where someone was saying to me, “What verses have meant the most to you in the past? Write them out on paper and share them”.

Perhaps, someone who reads these words will be comforted by them.  The first was from  the book of Isaiah 40:27-31.                                         “Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God’?               Have you not known? Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the faint and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men  shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;  they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

The second passage that meant so much to me is from Isaiah 43:1-3a. “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob; he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called the you by my name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;  when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One  of Israel, your Savior”.

It also came to me, some other truths of scripture. The Lord does not change. He is the same, yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever. Circumstances change. Feelings come and go. Yet, the Lord our rock, is steadfast and unmoveable.

Now, I say, I am truly thankful for what God has done and what He is doing and what He will do. Faith sees beyond our limited human  perception. This change of attitudes opens the gates to a flood of things to be thankful for in the here and now. 

God has had His hand upon me from a young girl. I heard about the love of Jesus and how he died for my sins and God’s promise of everlasting life. As a young girl, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. He has blessed me with two lovely daughters and two wonderful grandchildren. He has brought me through many physical illness and diseases. He gives me strength to do what he brings in my path. He has blessed me with some fantastic friends who love me as I am. He has provided me with an expression to create with paint and in writing and also poetry.  He provides for all my needs and more. I have a lovely place and area to life in. Today I am very thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving all.

This time of year, the focus is on giving gifts, donating to people, giving to the poor doing acts of kindness. Many people feel happier and more generous at this time of the year. Unfortunately, there are some people that feel sadder and lonelier at Christmas than any other time of the year.

What is the reason for the season? The reason we give gifts to one another? Hopefully to celebrate the Birth of Christ a saviour to those of us that will receive Him. Yet His very own recognized Him not. He was the very Word of God in the flesh. Wow! can you imagine what that must have been like. He lived the word and used whatever was nearby to make a point. Bread, water, wine, mustard seeds, birds etc.

Our family and I know many others, use their Christmas money to give to a charity or persons of our choice. That has become our way of giving back.

What if we have nothing to give? I think of that song, The Little Drummer Boy, all he had to give was his drum and his song from the heart.

Although we don’t give physical gifts to one another, we can share our hearts with one another? We can open up our hearts to the person alone without a family.

This year, I am writing letters from my heart which I hope will be a blessing to the receivers. It is just something God has put on my heart to do.

May you all have a peaceful and joyous Christmas.

Yesterday my family gathered around the table for dinner.  We all said something we are thankful for.  This got me thinking about this one day.

I began to ponder what perspective I have.  Am I a grateful contented person or do I focus on what I don’t have and am discontented?

I can easily blame my negative views on my home environment while growing up. Or I can blame it on my genes.  In the end it is my responsibility and challenge to change my mindset. Is my glass going to be half empty or half full?  I have freedom to choose.

What if I were to start each day saying one small thing I can be thankful for?  Would my day be a better day if  I did this?

Once as an exercise, I was asked to make a list of everything in my life I was thankful for.  I could start a new one and what an inspiration it could be on days when I need encouragement.

If my mindset and attitude was one of gratitude, I believe that difficult times would go smoother. It has been said in scriptures, “I have learned that whatever state I am in to be content.”

Just some thoughts that may challenge all of us to shift our perspective just a little.

I have heard that there are no coincidences with God. He often has to speak to us a few times and in different ways before we (I) get it!

This week I was reading something I wrote in 2001 during the time I was in broken fellowship with The Lord. I talked about longing for the faith a friend had. I also wrote that I had felt that I had been a striving Christian. Striving for what? To earn His love? Be more loving, obedient? There is nothing I can do to earn His free gift of love, His grace is sufficient for me. By His grace I am saved.

Yet there is another striving mentioned in the bible in Hebrews 4. This morning our message
was about and striving to enter into this rest. One translation says be diligent.

All of this change comes from talking to God, about our (my) cares, letting Him handle it all. God is bigger and more able than I will ever be in my own strength. Just like God transforms us from the inside out.

I learn these truths and promises from His Word, the bible. He writes His words in my heart and renews my mind.

Christianity isn’t about being perfect and following a set of rules that are impossible to keep. It is about His love, grace, the cost Jesus paid for dying for our (my) sins. I am not perfect but I serve the One who is.

My natural will still wants to run the show. Yielding to His will and being transformed requires His Word to be etched upon the tablet of my heart. Meditatively reading the word not just skipping through it, but pausing, talking to God, praying as I read. Admitting and being totally honest of my thoughts, feelings and actions. That is how I see change and fellowship with my Lord.

We also heard this morning, were reminded, that we are second, God is first. God, help me to remember that and that only YOU are my hope.

Today is the Central Holy Day in Christianity. What Christ has done by dying on the cross for my sins is unfathomable. It is mind blowing that Jesus act of obedience by dying on the cross, for my sinful nature and all my sins. All God asks is I only believe, that I may have everlasting life. What a gift!

Also, that I may know Him and have a personal relationship with Him now, right now on earth.
I’m so glad to be back in fellowship walking with God each and every day after so many years of broken fellowship with Him.

Why do I believe? I can only say that I have been given the gift of faith by His grace to believe that indeed, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

This I know, that if anyone truly seeks God, they will find Him. We all have need of a Saviour.