Saturday, August 30, 2008

Joy Comes in the Morning

Lady of Light

No matter what we go through in life, it is important to keep a biblical perspective on it. In Psalm 30:4-5, it tells us to sing to the Lord and it tells us why:

"Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his
holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

David went through his share of suffering but, as he is known as a man after God's own heart, he always kept a proper focus on the goodness of God. In a world wracked with sin, we should definitely be glad and not forget that God is holy. He is life-giving and even though we may cry sometimes, our joy will return in the morning.

In verse 6, David says:

"And in my prosperity, I shall never be moved."

This is a good reminder for us that when things are going well, stay close to the Lord - when you are blessed and prosperous, it shouldn't alter or change the dependency and closeness that you have with the Lord. We all know to go to the Lord when we are hurting or have problems, but David stayed the same no matter what was going on in his life.

I hope that the holiness and goodness of God sustains you and that God continues to bless you.

Have a great day!

God bless you!

Lady of Light

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Counsel of the Lord Stands Forever

Lady of Light

As human beings, we can share opinions and advice with one another. There are financial advisors, therapists, counselors, life coaches and many other avenues of communication by which we receive information to assist us with various areas of our life. But trends change, opinions are altered, circumstances don't remain static and we grow and change continuously. But let it bring comfort that Psalm 33 expresses some thoughts about God's counsel:

"Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded and it stood fast. The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever., the thoughts of his heart to all generations." Psalm 33:8-11

God's counsel, found in his word and his thoughts are always the same and they stand for all eternity. You can count on this. I will say that you can listen to counselors, spiritual leaders and others but see that what they say lines up with the word of God. Biblical principles are at the root of much help and information that is given today - an application of the knowledge of the Lord and the scriptures can indeed enhance our lives. But you can see that the word of the world or the heathen as it is referred to will be brought to nothing. It is comforting for me to know that the thoughts of his heart go to all generations. So when you experience a generation gap with your children or grandchildren, you can rest assured that the heart of God and his thoughts will still reach them, even in an ever changing world.

In verse 12 it refers to a blessing:

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." We are still known as "one nation under God" in our pledge of allegiance and we are fortunate and blessed too that we have religious freedom in our country. The counsel of God can be shared and spread. Think on God's counsel and as I do, pray for "heavenly wisdom" to meet the challenges of life.

Have a great day!

God bless you!

Lady of Light

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

The Truth of the Lord Endureth Forever

Lady of Light

This morning as I was dusting my dresser, I came across a verse from Psalm 117 on a calligraphy card propped in the corner. I love to have bible verses all over the house. This is a way of meditating during the day as I go about. I have framed inspirational verses and thoughts in my hallway between the living room and kitchen and my refrigerator is filled with a collection of various magnets with verses as well. Psalm 117 is a short Psalm. It contains only two verses:

"O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise him all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us; and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord."

Why should we praise the lord? Because he is kind, merciful and truthful and that is forever! Forever is a long time. We have many fleeting finite experiences here on earth, but God's love and mercy and truth lasts for all eternity. Isn't that a great and wonderful thought?

I have often heard it spoken "Only what you do for Christ will last." So, as you give God's word, witness and do kindness in His name, you can rest assured that you are making an eternal investment. In the same way, when you receive blessings like this from others and from His word, that too is for all time.

As you go about in your routine, remember to bless others with God's eternal gifts and to be open to receive that blessing yourself.

Have a great day!

God bless you!

Lady of Light

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Angels Camp Around You

Lady of Light

As we go about in our daily routine, are we aware of all the trouble that can befall us that doesn't? In Psalm 34, it tells us that the angel of the Lord campeth around those that fear him and delivereth them.

"I will bless the Lord t all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth." V.1

How many times do we exalt the Lord when some blessing comes our way but what about when bad things don't come our way too? My husband always prays "Thank you Lord for protecting us and our home while we slept" when he starts his day. In Verse 4, it also tells us what to do when we do have fears.

"I sought the Lord, and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears. In verse 7, it tells us:

"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about those who fear him, and delivereth them."

What great promises are contained in this Psalm! And finally, in verse 8 it says:

"O taste and see that the Lord is good - blessed is the man that trusteth in him."

Praise the Lord, seek the Lord, thank the Lord, and trust the Lord! These are sound words from His word that speak to my heart today. May you be blessed by this Psalm also.

Have a great day!

Lady of Light

Thursday, August 21, 2008

The Simple is Made Wise

Lady of Light

In this complex world with so many stimuli, modern technology and so many ways to research and gain knowledge, it is important to listen to what God says. In Proverbs 21:11 it states:

"When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge."

To me this mean that we should trust God, pray, listen to God, and heed his instruction and the situations and problems in our life that may seem complicated will become simple in their solutions as we heed instruction from the Lord. As we continue to meditate on His word, He will give clear instruction.

I have a tendency to "overthink" and lean on my own understanding and when I realize I am doing this, I try to pray and let go of the situation and turn it over to God and He has been faithful in giving me clear direction. I thank Him and praise him for this.

It is my hope that you too will gain wisdom from the simplicity of staying in communication with God.

Have a great day!

God Bless You!

Lady of Light

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Don't Envy Evildoers

Lady of Light

Do you ever see people who seem successful from ill gotten gain or life seems to be going well for them because they may have more than you do? In Ps. 37, God tells us:

"Fret not because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity." For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."

God also tells us what we should do - trust in him, do good and we shall be fed. That may sound like an oversimplification, but it is just the simple truth. How many times do we turn on the news and hear of another corrupt politician or religious leader who looked on the surface like his life was so good. I was shocked when I read "Reader's Digest" and saw the serial killer they wrote about was a Boy Scout Leader and President of a church!! Things just aren't always what they seem.

I am glad to know that God knows my heart and he knows yours too and he wants us to spend our time counting our blessings of which there are many, and thinking on good things, not concerning ourselves with the temporary so-called success of evildoers.

Have a great day!

God Bless you!

Lady of Light

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Promise of Perfect Peace

Lady of Light

It is so easy to be filled with many thoughts about life and all that goes on in the world. It is sometimes disconcerting when we hear the news and when we have to deal with unfortunate things that come up in life. Two of my women friends passed away recently. They were both in their 50's and died rather suddenly. Another friend lost her son who just graduated from high school. I cried because I am human, but I was very glad when one of my dear friends pointed out the scripture - a wonderful promise from God in Isaiah 26:3.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."

Through my tears, I hear a small voice inside me saying "Be still and know that I am God." Suddenly, I found peace as I meditated on God and was filled with comfort and the knowledge that he is in control and I was reminded that trusting him especially means that when you don't understand why something happens in life, that is when to turn it over to God. The tears stopped and this is a new day in which I share this with you so that you too can be blessed by these verses.

Pray for my husband who is having surgery today. God has given us comfort and peace. Pray that our minds, spirits and hearts will be stayed on him and that we will experience the fruit of the verse in Ps 103:3:

"Who forgiveth all thine iniquities and who healeth all thy diseases."

I just thank God that I have the knowledge that he is with us and that he is adequate for all situations.

Lady of Light

Monday, August 11, 2008

The Poor and the Needy

Lady of Light

Sometimes we can become so involved in our own lives that we forget how fortunate we are and that there are those who are oppressed and needy. In Ps. 12:5, it says:

"For the oppression of the poor, for the sighng of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord, I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him."

We see the oppression of people every day in the work place as well as in other situations, and certainly we come across the needy in one way or another. We see needy folks standing outside the supermarket when we go shopping, and sometimes outside of "Dunkin Donuts" and certainly are sensitive to help that are oppressed in business as we shop and go about the local businesses. We can't change all situations, but perhaps we can make some difference. It is comforting that the Lord himself promises to do something about the plight of these.

If you can spare some change, food, a cup of coffee, a kind word for an overworked cashier, try to "tune in" on some of these this week. Surely if God will care for these people, we can too.

May God bless you,

Lady of Light

Sunday, August 10, 2008

God Maintains Our Righteous Causes

Lady of Light

In Psalm 9:1-5 David speaks about what God does concerning his enemies and how he maintains his cause:

"I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee; I will sing praise to thy Name. O thou, Most High. When my enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou sat in the throne judging right. Thou has rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked,, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever."

In our world today, there are many who we consider our enemies because of the way they think or behave, not only towards us, but in general. Praise God as David does that God will continue help the righteous and help their cause. This is a great witness of God and who He is above all.

In verse 9, it says:

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."

It is good to know that we always have a refuge in God as so many things go on in life and the world.

One of my favorite hymns is "He Hideth My Soul in the Depths of the Rock." I have a grateful heart today for being reminded once again of the goodness and love of God.

May God Bless You

Lady of Light