Remain With Him There!

Create calm and focus within by being transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Let God’s words of truth bring you 

peace of mind, 

a heart at rest, 

with all striving ceased.

Meditate on His words!

Sit, be quiet—think on those things that are good, perfect, honorable, lovely, pure . . . .

Confess out loud truth you have discovered in the quiet of the moment!

Don’t just agree with what you read, actively believe it—

purposefully, with intention to walk in it or live by it!

“Create in me a clean heart, O God.  And renew a right spirit within me.  Restore unto me, the joy of Thy salvation—and renew a right spirit within me.”

A right spirit is at peace!

A place of rest!

Remain with Him there!

Thrive . . . Remain . . . Pray!

It’s been quiet here for some time.  Nothing like the reality in my own home and heart.  So much has been happening, but not every story is my own.  I share in the story of others. 

This place—this special place of questioning, reflecting, triumphing in Jesus—is a glimpse of my walk seeking His face every day of each season. 

But sometimes the walk cannot be written until a few more steps have been taken. 

And sometimes, the walk cannot be spoken out of respect for others involved. 

That’s where I find myself this morning.  

Stretched, worn and lovingly embraced!

But I had to share this verse with you.  

Could it be what you needed to hear as well?

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”  

Romans 12:12 (NIV)

My Greek geek self dug a little deeper into the original language and found a rich reservoir worth drinking from for some time!

Thrive and be well while expecting good . . .

Remain in the pressing while holding fast to your faith . . .

Be constantly in prayer—continually . . .

May God bless you and keep you wherever He takes you walking today!

Soli deo Gloria!

Robin

Remember Today

Remember today . . .

Whose you are!

Who you are in Christ!

Who God is!

And believe Him, not only IN Him!

Remember today . . .

You belong to God and not this world—

so no envy

no jealousy

no discontent

Remember today . . .

Follow Abba’s guidelines for living—not the world’s

Follow after His heart—not your own

Remember today . . .

To be Holy, as He is holy

To not fear, but trust . . . 

and keep on believing!

Remember today . . .

You are holy, chosen and dearly loved!

{Col. 3:12}

Affirming Truth vs. Positive Thinking

“What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will understand later.”  John 13:7

I speak these words today not to convince myself all will work out fine or to look on some “bright” side.  This is not me hugging myself while saying over and over again—

"Jesus loves me."

“I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says the Lord, “thoughts of peace and not evil.”  Jeremiah 29:11

“I love those who love Me; and those who diligently seek Me will find Me.”  Proverbs 8:17

I affirm truth!

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding."  Proverbs 3:5

This is not positive thinking. 

This is truth proclamation! 

“How precious . . . are Your thoughts to me, O God!  How great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.”  Psalm 139:17-18

“Thou hast taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Thy bottle . . . This I know, that God is for me.”  Psalm 56:8, 9

There is a HUGE difference—

“For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you.  He is a mighty Savior.  He will rejoice over you with great gladness.  With His love, He will calm all your fears.  He will exult over you with singing {shouts of joy}.”  Zephaniah 3:17

Positive thinking only temporarily changes my thought process or perspective until something else happens to stir the pot.

Truth is bound to God’s Covenant! 

“For great is Your love toward me.”  Psalm 86:13

“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done, and your thoughts toward us; there is none to compare with You.”  Psalm 40:5

Jesus is always victorious!

Jesus is never defeated!

“Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.”  Isaiah 49:16

I truly am rejoicing in the days to come!

“We have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.”  1 John 4:16

The Difference In Lists

In April, 2009, I wrote the following article for Above Rubies magazine; Issue 76.  I came across it the other day and . . . well . . . got sorta smacked in the face.  Today I share it with you as a reminder to us both of what is important in our lives—time spent in relationship with those we love!

Deep blessings and peace as you walk with Jesus,
Robin

“It is not how much you do,
But how much love you put in the doing”

Mother Theresa’s words got me thinking. We women are famous for our daunting “could never accomplish in three days let alone one” TO DO lists. What if, instead of making a list at the beginning of the day of all that needs to get accomplished, we turn it around a bit? What if we made a list at the end of the day of all the “unseen” acts of love? I believe this list would be more telling as to how productive the day actually was.

Imagine the following…it won’t be much of a stretch, I promise :

• kissed and bandaged an invisible “owie”
• read baby his favorite book seven times
• held my tongue when the boys traipsed mud through the house after digging up all the flower bulbs along the front walkway
• officiated over a toilet funeral for the beloved goldfish
• sang a song and smiled each time a diaper was changed—that would have been 27 times
• lovingly rocked and soothed a little one cutting teeth
• spent all night cleaning up vomit since all the children decided to share their germs with one another
• made Daddy’s favorite dinner
• gently combed the tangles out of daughters hair
• softly, calmly soothed an autistic son as his frustration began to escalate
• fulfilled a request made by hubby that seemed unimportant
• stayed on top of the day’s lessons although feeling mentally spent
• set down the day’s lessons recognizing tensions were high over that math concept
• lovingly picked up a crabby baby who really should have napped longer, knowing it was going to be a long evening
• forgot about needing a shower and smelled in the sweet aroma of the new baby
• asked for forgiveness after being too quickly bothered by an act of childishness
• disciplined rightly, lovingly and firmly when an infraction of God’s or house rules occurred
• played a game instead of spending those few precious “free” minutes in a book
• got off the computer when wanting to “surf” a little longer, knowing it had been enough
• baked chocolate chip cookies and let everyone have a spoon of dough
• started up a pillow fight
• listened intently to older son explain how something works that you have little to no interest in
• opened ears and closed mouth when older daughter wanted to “talk”
• gratefully accepted a bouquet of dandelions (or swamp grass :)
• drove to Homeschool Co-op when wanting to stay in the bathrobe all day
• danced with either Prince Charming or Cinderella
• graciously accepted tea and crumpets served on plastic dishes, resembling water and stale crackers
• read a book to kids old enough to read to themselves
• made popcorn for family movie night
• cheerfully helped with a science project knowing a big mess was awaiting in the end
• drove a child to the Special Olympics event and cheered for everyone
• laughed when really wanting to cry

We still need that TO DO list. It keeps us focused, on track and accomplishing those things that are our responsibility. Maybe we could add to the top of that list, after the word “do”, the words “in God’s time”. Offering up our time to God (Psalm 32:15) to be used as He desires is a beautiful act of worship (Romans 12:1).

I’m going to make my list tonight and I encourage you to do the same. I think you’ll be amazed to see how much love you put in your doing today even if it looks like not much got done. Similarly, if you don’t have a lot to add to that LOVE list but you got a lot accomplished from the day’s TO DO list, keep that in mind when writing out the next day’s list. Maybe “love a little bit more” should be at the top of that one.

Just a thought...

Linked up with {Titus 2}sDays, Raising Homemakers, We Are That Family, Women Living Well and Far Above Rubies

Rest

The one word I have heard repeatedly from the Lord over the past several weeks now has been the one activity I am least capable of achieving—on my own!  And that is to rest . . .

Anxiety, fills me . . .

Hurry, pushes me . . .

Noise, encompasses me . . .

Control, defines me . . .

Busyness, surrounds me . . .
Fear, threatens me . . .

But rest  ? ? ?

Rest, eludes me . . .

Didn’t I just write about this in April? 
Writing about truth is one thing . . . learning to live truth is another!

“Come to Me, all who are weary 

and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”  

Nearness to Jesus offers me the rest I desperately need for refreshing.  As I abide in Him I collect His strength and recover from the constant onslaught of heaviness living on earth creates. 

A heart at rest is kept quiet, calm and expectantly patient!

One tangible way He is teaching me how to rest . . .

“Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.” (Exodus 14:13)

“Sit still . . . until you know how the matter will turn out.” (Ruth 3:18)

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Hoping (and praying!) to be a quick learner! J

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Be Still

Be still . . .
Wait upon the Lord . . .
Rest and quiet ushers salvation and strength . . .

Learning new habits take practice— 

and patience in the process!

Thank you for always being HERE . . .

 with me—wherever I am 

physically, emotionally, spiritually!

Thank you, Father, for your immense—immeasurable—inescapable love!

Applied Christianity

God...how do I live this out practically?

I mean, this is what you want—this is what you are looking for in your children.  So help me to understand the walk You desire behind these few words . . .

“He has showed you, O man, what is good.  
And what does the Lord require of you?  

To act justly 
and to love mercy 
and to walk humbly with your God.”  

Micah 6:8

 

Be kind.

Be fair.

Be loving.

Be patient.

Curb your self and self’s desires.

Walk in the fruits of the Spirit. 

Live to please Me, not your self.

Make My priorities yours.

Live your life in such a way that others will see your good works and attribute them to Me. (Matt. 5:16)

Don’t just learn—implement!

“More than conquerors” don’t simply 

receive truth in their minds. 

They work that truth into their thinking 

until it is a natural reflection of their being!

Be changed.

Be renewed.

Be humbled.

Be lost—to self so that you can be found in Me!

Set your heart to seek Me—and when you find Me—don’t walk away unchanged. 

Allow grace and mercy full access to your soul. 

Purpose to change. 

Determine to renew your thinking. 

Then apply the truth to your living. 

This is sanctification.

This is the walking out of your salvation.

This is applied Christianity.

This is living in My power and authority.

This is not only what I require of you—it is what I desire for you!

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Linked up with Works For Me Wednesday, Above Rubies, Women Living Well, A Steady Rain and {Titus 2}sday

Come — Learn — Rest! (Matthew 11:28-30)

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to Me...”  The word used is the root in other words implying nearness, remaining near—to abide.  He is softly, yet urgently calling us to come near Him and remain close.

“all who are weary and heavy-laden...”  The word for weary here is Kopiao and means to grow tired with burdens or grief.  It is to work with wearisome effort.  This is not the same word we see in Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”  This Greek word is Ekkakeo and means to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted.

I must come—remain with Him—before I get to the place of being completely worn out spiritually!  Nearness with Him leads me to the rest I desperately need for refreshing.

“and I will give you rest.”  As we abide with Him we collect His strength and recover from the constant onslaught of heaviness living on earth creates.  A heart at rest is kept quiet, calm and expectantly patient!

I need me some of that! J

“Take My yoke upon you...”  The word take used here is one busy, little word!  It is used in reference of taking up our cross to follow Christ.  Of angels in Revelation.  The lifting of Jesus’ eyes toward heaven when He gives thanks to God for hearing Him as He raises Lazarus from the dead.  It refers to exalting self in pride and Peter taking the first fish found and finding a coin in its mouth to pay taxes for himself and for Jesus. 

As you can see, it’s more of a lifting up than a taking on.  That impacts me! 

I have a tendency to visualize the weight of burden coming down upon my shoulders.  Like a yoke coming down on the backs of a pair of oxen.  Not at all!  Because we are remaining near Christ and being renewed and refreshed—I can lift up that yoke, that burden . . . I can lift up my cross and bear it while maintaining that restful state! 

He lifts me up as I lift my gaze up!

“and learn from Me...”  Learn. From. Jesus!  Christ is the subject matter and the sum and substance of the gospel.  To become related to Him is to know Him and knowing Him is to know His teaching and abide by it.  

Become a disciple of—be discipled by—Jesus!

“for I am gentle and humble in heart...”  We recently covered humility pretty thoroughly.  To be gentle, like Jesus, is to have a mild disposition—a meek spirit.  The meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend against injustice.  Meekness towards unkind or hurtful people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, using them to purify.  It’s trusting He will deliver in His time.

Oh, to be like Thee!

“and you shall find rest for your souls.”  From Jeremiah 6:16, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you shall find rest for your souls.’”  Walking the right path with Jesus makes all the difference in whether we walk rested or fearfully on guard and overloaded.

“For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.”  The word for easy is Chrestos.  Jesus is telling us that his burdens will always fit, be useful, and good.  They are pleasant, kind even—never harsh.  Jesus is only, always good and never harsh!  When my “feelings” tell me otherwise, I need to re-examine what load I’ve taken on in place of the manageable load I should have picked up. 

Put this with what we learned together in James about His gifts! 

Pretty powerful, very freeing!

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; 

therefore keep standing firm 

and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” 

Galatians 5:1

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I Am Just A Vapor (James 4:13-16)

We plan our plans.

We dream our dreams.

We choose our choices.

We live our lives.

Are we mindful of God’s sovereignty?

And if we are, how does that direct us in directing our lives? 

I do need to plan.

I am going to dream.

I have to make choices.

I will live my life.

But how should I do it differently from a non-believer?

Does life really need to be done different? 

Or does God trump all anyway?

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’  Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.  You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.  Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that.’  But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.” 

I am just a vapor!

“My life is but breath.”  Job 7:7

Scripture does not teach us to just go about our lives—trusting everything that happens (or doesn’t happen) to be God’s will for us.  I also don’t believe James is instructing us to sit back and wait for God to push us through open doors.  Scripture does state, “The kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing...and forceful men lay hold of it.” (Matthew 11:12)  The word “force” used here is not about physical violence but power, effort, initiative and action!

James is reminding us of who we are and who He is! 

He is the Breather—we are the breath!

The arrogance mentioned in verse 16 refers to being pretentious.  It is to make those plans and dreams on my own—without seeking the wisdom of our Father.  It is to trust those choices and my life to the stability of earthly things and my own resources.  It is to desire independence rather than interdependence—to despise the Divine. 

“Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow.”  Psalm 144:4

God’s Word and His plan are eternal.  I will pass away.  His will won’t.  I am subject to His will and blessedly so!  I do have plans, dreams, and choices in this life.  While I may not know tomorrow what my life will be like, as long as I have breath I will seek God’s will by seeking His face!

“Holy Spirit, continually remind me that I am “mere breath” and to actively pursue Christ’s will for my life while vigorously living each day to the fullest!”

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I am joining The Good Morning Girls as we study James together.

Which Wisdom Do I Represent (James 3:14-18)

In how I manage my time, my world, my relationships—

which column does my life and my words manifest?  (v14-17)

Earthly                                                 Heavenly

Wisdom                                               Wisdom

Bitter Jealousy                                    Pure

Selfish Ambition                                 Peaceable

Arrogance                                          Gentle

Lies Against Truth                              Reasonable

Unspiritual                                             *(willing to yield)

Demonic                                              Full of Mercy

Disorder                                               Good Fruits

Every Evil Thing                                  Unwavering

                                                               Without Hypocrisy

Which do I represent better—

my Kingdom home or my earthly one?

True wisdom is not gained by conversation or knowledge. 

Wisdom from above is God’s gift. 

“The wisdom from above is first pure...”  (v. 17)

Before any other “wisdom” (regulating circumstances in relation to goodness).

Before I can relate peaceably with others. 

Before being gentle and willing to yield in a situation. 

Before acting in mercy as well as any other Fruit of the Spirit. 

The word “pure” comes from the Greek word Hagnos and is an adjective used to express freedom from defilements or impurities.  So pretty much what you’d expect.

Let’s look at Joseph for an example. 

Genesis 39:7-12 tells us the story of Joseph being tempted by his master’s wife.  He was unpolluted, in that he reverenced the sanctity of marriage and considered defilement sinning against God, the Originator of marriage.  He was holy, in that he separated himself from any unholy fellowship with his temptress.  He proved himself pure, in that he kept his body pure and undefiled.  He could not be holy and pure before God if he chose to be unholy and impure with this married woman. 

He acted out of wisdom from above.

Hagnos also means to be without duplicity—to deceive . . . to “dupe” someone.

Are all selfish motives absent from my wisdom? 

Or am I deceptively responding in a way to get what I want?

When I respond in one of those earthly ways, do I understand why?

Has the Adversary got me duped???

Peace follows purity and depends on it . . . “And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.” (v. 18)

That which is sown in peace produces a harvest of joy! 

The truly wise do what they can to preserve peace and restore that which is broken or lost.  Look at the contention reaped from the “earthly wisdom” list.  That wisdom may seem advantageous at the time, but where there is no peace—there can be no joy. 

If I am not pursuing peace all my other effort for the Kingdom falls short.

“For light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart; and the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness - quietness and assurance for ever.” ~ Matthew Henry

Is peace and purity evident in my life?
Am I earthly wise or receiving from God the gift of wisdom He offers?

Which home does my wisdom reflect?




Please read my own response to today's post!

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I am joining The Good Morning Girls as we study James together.

Living Eternally — Francis Chan

These 4 minutes could impact your thinking . . .

FOREVER!

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