Lady of Light
When we think of God's gifts, how often do we think of rest that is a gift of God. Not only spiritual rest, but physical sleep as well. Anyone who has ever experienced insomnia will attest to that. Isn't it a miracle that we can be tired at the end of the day and fall into slumber, only to awake renewed in mind, body and spirit to a new day?
In Hebrews 4:9 it says"
"There ramaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."
In the days of Genesis, Adam "fell into a deep sleep" when God took a rib from him and created Eve.
So, I suggest that we learn to rest, sleep and appreciate rest as a gift from the Almighty and to be thankful for the way we can continue to be refreshed and renewed.
God Bless You,
Lady of Light
Monday, October 27, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Reproving and Rebuking
Lady of Light
In Proverbs 9, we receive instruction about reproof and rebuking. First of all, the Word tells us,
"Forsake the foolish, and live: and go in the way of understanding." When you forsake someone, you don't reprove or rebuke, you leave the person alone. The Word goes on to say:
"He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner lest he hate thee. Rebuke a wise man and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wiser; teach a just man and he will incarease in learning."
So, we must be selective about who we speak to and what we say. We must also place ourselves in the category of the wise and become wiser with instruction and reproof.
I wish to go in the way of understanding and as I read further in Proverbs 9:10 it says the following:
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."
As I think of this, I realize that my inner attitude towards God is what determines the ability to be wise. I always feel that I need divine wisdom and I ask God for it.
I hope that you to will desire to "go in the way of understanding - forsake the foolish and live."
Have a Great Day!
God Bless You!
Lady of Light
In Proverbs 9, we receive instruction about reproof and rebuking. First of all, the Word tells us,
"Forsake the foolish, and live: and go in the way of understanding." When you forsake someone, you don't reprove or rebuke, you leave the person alone. The Word goes on to say:
"He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner lest he hate thee. Rebuke a wise man and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wiser; teach a just man and he will incarease in learning."
So, we must be selective about who we speak to and what we say. We must also place ourselves in the category of the wise and become wiser with instruction and reproof.
I wish to go in the way of understanding and as I read further in Proverbs 9:10 it says the following:
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."
As I think of this, I realize that my inner attitude towards God is what determines the ability to be wise. I always feel that I need divine wisdom and I ask God for it.
I hope that you to will desire to "go in the way of understanding - forsake the foolish and live."
Have a Great Day!
God Bless You!
Lady of Light
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Better than Silver, Gold or Rubies
Lady of Light
In Proverbs 8:5 God implores the "simple to understand wisdom." How much do we think we know and yet how often (as stated in the book of James) do we ask God for wisdom? I am discovering more and more that it takes divine wisdom to thrive in relationships, especially in today's world, also in decision-making as well as matters of faith and business, practical things and knowledge of God. In Proverbs 8:5-11 it states:
"O ye simple, understand wisdom; and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear, for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to ;him that understandeth and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be destined are not to be compared to it."
Solomon is telling us what things are of true value in God's sight: Instruction, wisdom, knowledge and an understanding heart. When you speak, think of this and when you listen to others, think of this also.
To have more meaningful communication, and to listen better, pray and ask God for wisdom, and he will give it. Sometimes, as I become aware of my thoughts and reactions to others, or when I am trying to make a decision or discern something, I know I can't really do it right without praying to God or searching his Word to get the right perspective. This Proverb bears out that experience.
I hope you remember God's promise that if any man ask for wisdom, he will give it.
This is in the book of James.
Have a great day.
God Bless You!
Lady of Light
In Proverbs 8:5 God implores the "simple to understand wisdom." How much do we think we know and yet how often (as stated in the book of James) do we ask God for wisdom? I am discovering more and more that it takes divine wisdom to thrive in relationships, especially in today's world, also in decision-making as well as matters of faith and business, practical things and knowledge of God. In Proverbs 8:5-11 it states:
"O ye simple, understand wisdom; and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear, for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to ;him that understandeth and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be destined are not to be compared to it."
Solomon is telling us what things are of true value in God's sight: Instruction, wisdom, knowledge and an understanding heart. When you speak, think of this and when you listen to others, think of this also.
To have more meaningful communication, and to listen better, pray and ask God for wisdom, and he will give it. Sometimes, as I become aware of my thoughts and reactions to others, or when I am trying to make a decision or discern something, I know I can't really do it right without praying to God or searching his Word to get the right perspective. This Proverb bears out that experience.
I hope you remember God's promise that if any man ask for wisdom, he will give it.
This is in the book of James.
Have a great day.
God Bless You!
Lady of Light
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
God's Protection for those that trust Him and Fear Him
Lady of Light
In Phillipians 4:6-7 Paul tells us that if we pray with an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving, we shall not be anxious and that God has promised to give us peace and to keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and suplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
This is a promise of peace and protection. As we read in Psalm 31, we learn a little more about how God protects us:
"Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which though hast wrought for them that trust in thee before men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: though shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues."
In a world where there is much prideful activity and strife of tongues, the Lord in his goodness has promised to keep us in his presence in a secret place. This is a wonderful promise. The only condition is that you fear and trust him. As you see these scriptures, you can rest assured that you as a believer are protected by God in the world if you trust and fear him. These are great and powerful and lifechanging promises that God has given us. I am grateful for his protection, and I hope that you too, will claim these promises and come into this wonderful and great awareness!
God bless you and have a great day!
Lady of light
In Phillipians 4:6-7 Paul tells us that if we pray with an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving, we shall not be anxious and that God has promised to give us peace and to keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and suplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
This is a promise of peace and protection. As we read in Psalm 31, we learn a little more about how God protects us:
"Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which though hast wrought for them that trust in thee before men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: though shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues."
In a world where there is much prideful activity and strife of tongues, the Lord in his goodness has promised to keep us in his presence in a secret place. This is a wonderful promise. The only condition is that you fear and trust him. As you see these scriptures, you can rest assured that you as a believer are protected by God in the world if you trust and fear him. These are great and powerful and lifechanging promises that God has given us. I am grateful for his protection, and I hope that you too, will claim these promises and come into this wonderful and great awareness!
God bless you and have a great day!
Lady of light
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Trust God - Do Good!
Lady of Light
Sometimes things happen to distract us from what we are trying to accomplish. Unfortunately, all the people we are in contact with don't have a positive attitude and a faith that we do. But there is a verse in Ps. 37 that really encourages us to stay focused and to persevere:
"Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt hou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." Ps. 37
In Genesis, we know of the life of Joseph, his trials and tribulations, and yet, when the famine came, he had plenty, even enough to share with his family and others.
God simply allows us to be tested in this world but he shows up and blesses us and provides for our needs.
For me, trusting God is a continuous exercise of faith and to continue to do good and stay focused is a discipline I am continuing, with God's help, to exercise.
In verse one of Ps. 37, God also tells us:
"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be envious againsst the workers of iniquity."
When I stay focused on who God is, and the lovingkindness, goodness and mercy of God, I don't lose my perspective in spite of wrongdoers. God wants to continue to bring his favor and blessings into our lives and we need to stay opened to that.
May God bless you today and always.
Lady of Light
Sometimes things happen to distract us from what we are trying to accomplish. Unfortunately, all the people we are in contact with don't have a positive attitude and a faith that we do. But there is a verse in Ps. 37 that really encourages us to stay focused and to persevere:
"Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt hou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." Ps. 37
In Genesis, we know of the life of Joseph, his trials and tribulations, and yet, when the famine came, he had plenty, even enough to share with his family and others.
God simply allows us to be tested in this world but he shows up and blesses us and provides for our needs.
For me, trusting God is a continuous exercise of faith and to continue to do good and stay focused is a discipline I am continuing, with God's help, to exercise.
In verse one of Ps. 37, God also tells us:
"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be envious againsst the workers of iniquity."
When I stay focused on who God is, and the lovingkindness, goodness and mercy of God, I don't lose my perspective in spite of wrongdoers. God wants to continue to bring his favor and blessings into our lives and we need to stay opened to that.
May God bless you today and always.
Lady of Light
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
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)