Not my Effort, but His Gift: Peace, Hope, Righteousness

Isaiah 32:17
The fruit of RIGHTEOUSNESS will be PEACE; the effect of RIGHTEOUSNESS will be quietness and confidence forever.

I desire PEACE in my life. I want badly to know what to HOPE for. As I searched today, he told me what I guess I already knew. My quest is for Him alone. I seek Jesus.

Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his a face to you and give you PEACE.

I desire, Lord, to see your face and live, to feel the Light of your presence and be warmed by You. God is the author of SHALOM.

SHALOM: not the absence of war, but a positive state of rightness and well being; such PEACE comes only from God. (NIV Commentary)

That is not the peace of the world. The world would say peace is nothing left to fear. But SHALOM is the quietness in my soul only God can give.

Romans 15:13
May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and PEACE as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the Holy Spirit.

I try to decide what future I want, but I cannot build HOPE by my efforts. It is the gift from God from His Spirit.

Isaiah 32:17
The fruit of RIGHTEOUSNESS will be PEACE; the effect of RIGHTEOUSNESS will be quietness and confidence forever.

Where do I get this RIGHTEOUSNESS that will bring PEACE? If righteousness is what it takes to bring SHALOM to my life, HOPE to my heart, where do I get it? How can I be righteous enough to see the effect of it?

Psalm 4:1
Answer me when I call to you, Oh my righteous God.

Psalm 85:13
Righteousness goes before Him and prepares the way for His steps.

Galatians 5:5
But by faith we eagerly await through His Spirit the RIGHTEOUSNESS for which we HOPE.

RIGHTEOUSNESS is God Himself. I cannot conjure it on my own–it is the result of His sacrifice and cleansing. It is already mine today because I am a child of God–Princess to the King.

No effort of my own….

Jesus, thank you that PEACE, HOPE and RIGHTEOUSNESS are mine because I am Yours.

JESUS: The Real 20/20 Experience

(Photo credit: Credit: Timberlake)

Mark 10:21  “Then Jesus. Looking at him, loved him…”  This look of Jesus will require breaking your heart away forever from allegiance to any other person or thing.*

Jesus looked at the rich young ruler and loved him.  Even though he could not let go; He loved him.  How much more could we feel that love if we let go?

Saturday at lunch my daughters and I began praying that Justin Timberlake would know Jesus. Maybe he already does, we don’t know. But he was on our hearts because God spoke to me that morning.  He quieted my anxiety and serenaded me.

 The Lord your God is in your midst,   
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
    he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

Lately, I’ve loved the song “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake. I think every woman desires a man to love them that deeply–to return to them knowing there is no on else like them.

I miss that deep romantic love.

My husband and I are at odds.

I hear songs and ask God, why doesn’t Sonny sing this to me?  Why doesn’t his heart break with undying love for me, the wife of his youth?  I’ve looked too hard at what my husband hasn’t given me.

But Saturday morning God relieved me of that desire. He finally broke through my selfish shell—broke my allegiance that had become an idol—and told me what He’s been telling me for a while.

The hole in my heart, that deep need I have to be truly wanted, will always be there until I find The One.  Men deal with their own issues and cannot love perfectly. Even Justin Timberlake. 😉

But The One and Only Jesus loves me better than any man is able. I guess I knew that. But today Jesus gave me a new revelation—reminding me that relationships on earth are never as important as the love I must…

 give to Him

get from Him

share with others

And He quieted me with His Love. And He rejoiced over me with song.

 

“Mirrors”

JESUS SINGS:
Aren’t you somethin’ to admire?
‘Cause your shine is somethin’ like a mirror

{2 Corinthains 3:17-18  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.}

And I can’t help but notice
You reflect in this heart of mine
If you ever feel alone and
The glare makes me hard to find
Just know that I’m always
Parallel on the other side
‘Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul
I can tell you there’s no place we couldn’t go
Just put your hand on the glass
I’ll be tryin’ to pull you through
You just gotta be strong

{Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.}

THE BRIDE RESPONDS:
‘Cause I don’t wanna lose you now
I’m lookin’ right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now
And I’ll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin’ back here to you once I figured it out
You were right here all along

It’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldn’t get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me

{John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.}

And now it’s clear as this promise
That we’re making two reflections into one
‘Cause it’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me

JESUS:
Aren’t you somethin’, an original
‘Cause it doesn’t seem merely a sample

{Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.}

ME:
And I can’t help but stare, ’cause
I see truth somewhere in your eyes
I can’t ever change without you

{John 8:32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.}

JESUS:
You reflect me, I love that about you
And if I could, I would look at us all the time
‘Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul
I can tell you there’s no place we couldn’t go
Just put your hand on the glass
I’ll be tryin’ to pull you through
You just gotta be strong

ME:
‘Cause I don’t wanna lose you now
I’m lookin’ right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now
And I’ll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin’ back here to you once I figured it out
You were right here all along

It’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldn’t get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me
And now it’s clear as this promise
That we’re making two reflections into one

{2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory…}

JESUS:
‘Cause it’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me

Yesterday is history
Tomorrow’s a mystery
I can see you lookin’ back at me
Keep your eyes on me
Baby, keep your eyes on me

{Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.}

ME:
‘Cause I don’t wanna lose you now
I’m lookin’ right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now (please show me, baby)
I’ll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin’ back here to you once I figured it out
You were right here all along

{Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side, I shall not fear.}

It’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldn’t get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me
And now it’s clear as this promise
That we’re making two reflections into one
‘Cause it’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me

JESUS:
You are, you are the love of my life

Now you’re the inspiration for this precious song
And I just wanna see your face light up since you put me on

{Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.}

ME:
So now I say goodbye to the old me, it’s already gone

{Colossians 2:13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,}

JESUS:
And I can’t wait wait wait wait wait to get you home
Just to let you know, you are

You are, you are the love of my life

{John 5:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.}

JESUS:
Girl you’re my reflection, all I see is you
My reflection, in everything I do
You’re my reflection and all I see is you
My reflection, in everything I do

TOGETHER:
You are, you are the love of my life**

{Matthew 24:37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’}

 

“One thing you lack…” From Jesus Christ’s perspective, oneness with Him, with nothing between, is the only good thing.*

 

*Chambers, Oswald. “My Utmost For His Highest.” My Utmost For His Highest. RBC Ministries, 28 Sept. 2013. Web. 28 Sept. 2013.
**Timberlake, Justin. “Mirrors.” Rec. 15 Mar. 2013. Mirrors. Justin Timberlake. RCA Records, 2013. CD.

Love Like Jesus: Means Loving Jesus

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40

Loving like Jesus means loving God the Father first. I missed a step when I tried to love another as Jesus does. I cannot start there.

All my Heart: Jesus, quench my need for love and approval. You are the only perfect love. Let me be fulfilled by Your absolute loyalty.

All my soul: Jesus, show me how to strive after your glory. I have moments of shining goodness, but lately I have let worry and fear overtake me. Remind me Jesus:

Be at rest once more, o my soul, The Lord has been good to you.
Psalm 116:7

Even this suffering is bearable with You by my side.

All my Mind: Help me take captive my thoughts, Lord. When distractions pull my thoughts away from you, I succumb to Satan’s trap–dwelling on anger rather than Glory. Align my thoughts with yours.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8

Lord, You are so good. You are leading me through fire, but I feel hope. You have allowed reality to crush my expectations, but you have put new expectations in my heart.

I thought there was something I could do or say to force my life back on track. But I am in control of nothing—not even myself. You give self-control (Galatians 5:23). You give worth (Psalm 139:14). You give me a new future (Jeremiah 29:11).

A new day. Beginning with Your love, Your glory, Your light. I bask in You and feel satisfied. Be all I need, so I can love like You. Be mine, Jesus, because no one compares to you.

Heart. Soul. Mind.

Thinking about the passing of time

Why, you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life?  For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
James 4:14

Silent river flows too fast
The good won’t last
Sweet days quickly become memories
My fingertips make ripples in the past

Cannot stop the motion
No turning tide in my ocean
Just a downward glide that pushes the days
Swelling, rolling emotion

Looking up into the sun
Dead man’s float, I fill my lungs
Time is gone, time is gone
Too fast.  Like sinking Ophelia, I am done.

by ddmosby
2/9/13

Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.

Psalm 144:4

Help me, Jesus, to make the most of every day.  Amen.

 

2013: My Year of Light

He reveals deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into light. –Job 12:22

I watched the clock roll over 12 o’clock and toasted the new year. I sat through the dark and saw the dawn arrive.

For there is nothing hid that will not be manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light. –Luke 8:17

The dawn begins with a hint of gold on which my eyes cannot quite focus. Then–orange and blinding–the sun bursts forth; I flinch and squint against the burn. Finally the light settles into a comfortable glow, warming the air, my upturned face, down to my toes. Light my life that way, Lord.

Truth has burst forth with the dawning of this new year. It hurts. Let your Light be a comfortable glow.

You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of your presence. –Psalm 90:8

For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought out into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. –Mark 4:22

Shine Your Light in all corners. Where there is sin, expose it. Uncover faithlessness, doubt, sorrow, weeping, fear, anxiety, apathy, selfishness. And then let that painful burst of exposing light settle into the comfortable glow of the Light of Your Presence.

My prayer is that You would make me a disciple–that I may let my “light shine before men, that they may see my good deeds and praise [my] Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Please, Jesus. Amen.

BUILDING THE HABIT OF THANKFULNESS: Beginning Our Lists

O, that men would praise the Lord for His Greatness! — Psalm 107:8

For My Girls,

I read a book recently called One Thousand Gifts. The author of this book shared what she learned from the Bible about being thankful.

The author created a list of 1000 things she was thankful for. Each day she thought about the good things Jesus showed her or gave her. She called the good things His GIFTS to her.

A GIFT could be something as HUGE as healing a person from a disease.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? –Luke 17:15-17

We’ve heard the story of the 10 Lepers in Sunday School. Ten men were sick. Jesus healed them all, but only one returned to thank Him.

Jesus waits for us to notice the GIFTS He gives us each day. He wants us to be thankful for them.

A GIFT could be something small like the beauty of a summer day that makes you smile.

See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me. –Song of Songs 2:11-13

When we thank Jesus for GIFTS, we become closer to him. Just like our friends like to know we love the birthday gifts they give, Jesus likes to know we appreciate all He gives us.

Jesus is with us EVERY minute of our days. Each moment is His plan and His design for us. Is He blessing you?

This summer, let’s think about GIFTS the Lord gives us.

YOUR ASSSIGNMENT:
Today, comment back to me with 3 GIFTS THAT CAN BE TASTED….think about GIFTS Jesus has given you today or this week that you could taste.

Mine are:
1. Sweet and Tangy Meatballs….no they weren’t my best recipe, but I am THANKFUL that all that nasty grape jelly is gone!!
2. Morning coffee–I love the taste and smell each day
3. Daddy’s chocolate crepes…

What are yours?

Half Empty

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalm 139:23
New International Version (NIV)

This morning, I was really getting into my “poor-me-tomorrow-is-Monday-and-I-don’t-want-to-go-to-work” pity party. My sister and I texted back and forth about work woes. She encouraged me with positive words, which is NOT like her. I’m the positive one. Lately, I have had trouble feeling positive. If Big Sis is more positive than me, I must be LOW!

Then my daughter came to me with a picture she drew. “Mrs. H. has a poster like this in her classroom.”

“Why are you showing me this?” I know I am not always good at hiding my negativity, but she can’t overhear my texting!

“I was drinking some water and remembered it.”

“Hmmph. Cool,” I say. But when she walks away, I direct my inner gaze to the Lord…

“Okay. I get it.”

I’ll try.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
New International Version (NIV)

Lead on

Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:23-26

As I read that verse, I felt the Ghostly grip of the Lord on my right hand. I felt the Phantom tug from my right shoulder, drawing my body up and out of my seat.

And yet, I did not move. Because my first thought was, “But I’m right handed. If you lead me by my right hand, Lord, then I am essentially handcuffed.”

He said, “Yes.”

“Oh….I see.”

My left hand is incapable of taking me anywhere. It is awkward–the only thing good about my left hand is how nicely my nails are painted.

Handcuff me to You, Lord. Don’t let me even try to lead myself. I’d rather go where You take me. Even when (gasp) I have no idea where You want me to go.

Strength of my heart, lead on.

A New Year

See within…..

Psalm 90

A prayer of Moses the man of God.

(Lord, let us be like Moses: following You even when we are afraid. Are you afraid? I enter this year with a  fear that steals my breath.)

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

(Thank you. You are in control. Lead us.)

3 You turn people back to dust,
saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
4 A thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.

(And here we worry about tomorrow when it is but a moment that passes quickly. The days spread before us and look endless. I even fear that the next year will arrive before I am ready. But fear is small compared to Your expanse.)

5 Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—
they are like the new grass of the morning:
6 In the morning it springs up new,
but by evening it is dry and withered.

(Just one day are our lives. Why worry and fret? One breath. No time to fret.)

7 We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.

(Ooh. Thank you for forgiveness. You KNOW us. And yet…and yet You love.)

9 All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.

(Oh, hear our moans. The year ends with moans and regrets. A new one begins with fear and longing.)

10 Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

(Seriously?! The BEST of our days are trouble and sorrow? Profound. Yes, even the best are just trouble compared to ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN. Oh, how we long for those glorious days.)

11 If only we knew the power of your anger!
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
12 Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

(I pray for wisdom for us, Lord. Solomon asked, and You gave. Pass Wisdom to us, Lord. Only You give it.)

13 Relent, LORD! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

(In the morning, make us glad. We pine for GLADNESS.)

15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.

(Give us “hard eucharisteo“—thankfulness even for the hard lessons. Thank you for pain: it cries for Your healing. Thank you for fear: it breeds trust in You.)

16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

(Yes, Lord. In this new year, let our hands do good work. Give us good goals that glorify You, not us. Only as You would have…only as You desire. We love you, Lord. Fill our hearts with LOVE for You. We give our fears to You–these days are a breath. Breathe in us.)

Selah. Pause. Think on that.

Trying to shake sorrow

Today He reminds me to praise Him anyway—even when I wonder if He really hears. Please, Lord, I need your Light in my eyes.

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
And every day have sorrow in my heart?
….Look on me and answer, O Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes….
But I will trust in your unfailing love;
My heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
For he has been good to me.

Psalm 13:2-3,5-6

I struggle with self-pity. It’s not really even “sorrow.” It’s pure self-pity. And that is the same as pride.

He is reminding me today to praise Him anyway. I can count a million blessings if I tried. Currently, I am counting a thousand blessings like Ann Voskamp. And I know Jesus has blessed me beyond comprehension.

So, why am I laid low? I love the psalmists words. Because I too am wrestling these thoughts. I am dragging them to the ground to take them captive.

I want my thoughts to be His thoughts.

Oh, how I want his Light in my eyes.

His Peace in my heart…

Jesus.